Casuarina Coastal Reserve is growing
Casuarina Coastal Reserve is one of the Territory’s most popular recreational attractions, receiving more than 1.4 million visitors each year.
The picturesque Reserve protects about 1500 ha of coastal habitats between the estuaries of Rapid Creek and Buffalo Creek, and is about to become bigger and better with the addition of an extra 34 ha that has just been assigned to Parks and Wildlife’s care and control, having previously been managed by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL).
Adding this piece of land to the Casuarina Coastal Reserve benefits conservation because it is home to dry monsoon rainforest, endangered Black-footed Tree-rat and Croton habrophyllus, the host plant for the endangered Atlas Moth. It also provides an improved connection between the Reserve and the neighbouring Buffalo Creek Management Area, which is owned by the Commonwealth and managed by Parks and Wildlife.
Parks and Wildlife is working to bring the Reserve and Lot 9458 under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 (TPWCA), as management is currently under the Crown Lands Act 1992 (CLA).
By bringing management of the Reserve and the new area of land under the TPWCA, the land will be managed by Parks and Wildlife in perpetuity, with improved powers to manage the land for its conservation, cultural and recreational values.
This will also involve developing a statutory Plan of Management, which will go out for a public comment period to allow Territorians to have their say on the future management of the declared park and to suggest possible future names for the Reserve and newly incorporated land.
Changes to the Reserve are in line with the NT Parks Masterplan 2023-2053 goals (p42), which is to grow the estate to create a strengthened and expanded NT system of parks and reserves.
One of the actions was to review smaller parks and reserves and identify opportunities for improved park boundaries or expansion to increase public benefit where an area is not suitable for transition.
The review of Casuarina Coastal Reserve is the first of many reviews to accomplish this goal. By 2053 we want NTG parks and reserves to account for 7% of the Territory’s terrestrial, coastal and marine land and seascapes, compared to 3.75% presently.
Apart from the important and obvious conservation values for the Reserve to grow, it opens up the opportunity for more spaces for Territorians to enjoy and connect with parks. Any development within the area would be thoughtfully planned to ensure the protection and management of the land in accordance with the TPWC Act.
A development could possibly be something like a small café and adjoining car park, but it must fit within the values of the Reserve and provisions of the Planning Act 1999.
Once the declaration of the Reserve and Lot 9458 is complete, the Parks and Wildlife team will begin working on the draft Plan of Management with Aboriginal organisations and key stakeholders, before releasing it for public comment as soon as practical.
Here is a summarised list of the general process:
- Administrative transfer of Lot 9458 for inclusion into the Reserve, which occurred in December 2023
- Declaration of the Reserve and Lot 9458 as a park (section 14(2) TPWCA)
- A section 14(1) Report, which outlines the values of the Reserve and additional land, will be provided for public comment for a period of 60 days
- Public submissions will then be collated and sent with the Report to the Administrator of the Northern Territory for consideration
- The Administrator, if they choose, will by notice of Gazette declare the Reserve and Lot 9458 a park
- Once declared, a statutory Plan of Management will then be drafted (section 18 TPWCA) in consultation with key stakeholders
- The draft plan will be released for public comment for a minimum period of one month
- Public submissions will be collated, the draft plan amended if required, and the final plan and a public submissions report sent to the Minister for Parks and Rangers for presentation to the Administrator
- The Administrator may accept the Plan of Management, after which the Minister will present the plan to the Legislative Assembly
- If the plan is not disallowed by the Legislative Assembly, then after 7 sitting days the Plan of Management comes into operation
This is a great opportunity to expand the parks estate and to grow our parks and reserves for increased visitor experiences and protecting vital conservation values.
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To provide your feedback on the s14 report, go to the Have Your Say website.
Submit your feedback by Monday 22 April 2024.
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