ALICE SPRINGS TELEGRAPH STATION HISTORICAL RESERVE Plan of Management May 2001 PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Plan of Management May 2001 Parks and Wildlife Commission Of the Northern Territory P.O. Box 1046 ALICE SPRINGS N.T. 0871 ISBN No. 0 724577761 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Plan of Management – May 2001 i SUMMARY The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the the historic setting of the site. The Northern Territory aims to work with the surrounding natural bushland areas offers community to manage and conserve the an attractive and easily accessible retreat natural and cultural heritage of the for local Alice Springs residents on the Northern Territory while providing for use outskirts of an expanding urban area. and enjoyment by present and future generations. This Plan of Management will be the second plan for the Reserve. The Plan Nestled in low hills to the north of the continues to recognise the special place of township of Alice Springs, the restored the Telegraph Station in the community. It Telegraph Station buildings are a reminder recognises the value of its history as well of a major event in the history of as the Reserve’s contemporary tourism and Australian development – the construction recreation values. The focus of this plan is of the Overland Telegraph Line. on management and protection of the cultural and natural resources. It sets out The Alice Springs Telegraph Station the means by which all the Reserve’s Historical Reserve is the site of one of the values will be protected and managed for first permanent European settlements and the use and enjoyment of all visitors. as such is one of the most important historical sites in central Australia. The Major Management Issues Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve contains and protects some of the For the life of this plan, significant best examples of restored buildings from management directions are : the early settlement era of the Northern Territory, in a setting that has, to a large • Adoption and implementation of a extent, survived relatively undisturbed. In Conservation Plan for the historic area recognition of their heritage value the of the Reserve; Telegraph Station buildings are listed on the Register of the National Estate and are • Declaration of the historic zone of the proposed for declaration as a heritage Reserve as a Heritage Place under the place under the NT Heritage Conservation Heritage Conservation Act; Act. • Continuation of concessionary The early watershed anthropological operations to manage various aspects studies by Spencer and Gillen began at the of the Reserve, particularly high visitor Telegraph Station. The site has continued use areas; to be a point of engagement between western and local Arrernte cultures. • Consolidation of a network of walking and bicycle tracks with strong links to The Reserve is an important tourism and the township of Alice Springs; recreation area. A visit to the historical buildings and the adjacent ‘Alice Springs’ • Construction of a dual walking /bicycle waterhole is on the itinerary of the track from the picnic area to Wigley majority of all visitors to Alice Springs. Waterhole; The existing siting of the open recreation area and the vehicle parking areas in • Establishment of a new access road relation to the historic buildings, achieves into Wigley Waterhole; a good balance between the need to provide visitor amenities and to conserve __________________________________________________________________________________________ Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Plan of Management – May 2001 ii • Systematic surveys to identify flora and fauna species and continued • Identification and cataloguing of management of the natural resources historical artefacts and development of within the Reserve; a Artefact Management Strategy; • Development and implementation of a • Improved signage to give visitors a soil erosion rehabilitation plan, sense of arrival at the Reserve; and, particularly along walking and service tracks; • Further development of interpretive material. • Continued implementation of a comprehensive visitor monitoring strategy for the Reserve including use of visitor surveys to monitor various issues; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Strategic Planning and Development Unit of the Parks and Wildlife Commission in Alice Springs have prepared this draft. It has been produced in conjunction with the Planning Team for the Alice Springs Telegraph Station including Rangers of the Northern Territory’s Central District and senior officers of the Parks and Wildlife Commission. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Plan of Management – February 2001 iii CONTENTS SUMMARY ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAN 1.1 Location and Background 1 1.2 Concept and Purpose of the Reserve 1 1.3 Intent of the Plan 3 2. VALUES OF THE PARK 2.1 Cultural Values 5 2.2 Recreation and Tourism Values 5 2.3 Interpretation and Educational Values 5 2.4 Natural Values 6 3. ZONING SCHEME 8 4. MANAGEMENT OF THE RESERVE’S CULTURAL RESOURCES Objectives 12 4.1 European Cultural Resources 12 4.2 Aboriginal Cultural Resources 18 5. MANAGEMENT OF VISITORS Objectives 20 5.1 Tourism & Recreational Opportunities 20 5.2 Visitor Access 22 5.3 Vehicle Access 23 5.4 Walking and Cycling Tracks 24 5.5 Picnic Area – Visitor Facilities & Activities 26 5.6 Historic Precinct – Visitor Facilities & Activities 27 5.7 Special Functions 28 5.8 Visitor Monitoring 28 5.9 Interpretation and Education 30 5.10 Visitor Safety 32 6 MANAGEMENT OF THE RESERVE’S NATURAL RESOURCES Objectives 34 6.1 Landforms, Geology and Soils 34 6.2 Water Resources 36 6.3 Native Vegetation 37 6.4 Introduced Plants 40 6.5 Native Animals 44 6.6 Introduced Animals 46 6.7 Fire 47 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Plan of Management – February 2001 iv 7 RESERVE ADMINISTRATION Objectives 50 7.1 Staffing 50 7.2 Management Infrastructure 51 7.3 Commercial Opportunities & Operations 52 7.4 Legislation 53 7.5 Leases & Licences 54 7.6 Land Tenure 55 7.7 Liaison with Neighbours 55 7.8 Research & Monitoring 57 7.9 Performance Audit 58 8 IMPLEMENTATION 59 9 REFERENCES 63 APPENDICES 1. Chronological List of Events 1872 to 1998 67 2. Checklist of Flora with Significance for Conservation 77 3. Checklist of Fauna with Significance for Conservation 81 4. Checklist of Introduced Plants 82 5. Map of Vegetation Communities 86 LIST OF MAPS & TABLES Map 1 Reserve Locality 2 Map 2 Tenure 4 Map 3 Facilities and Infrastructure 7 Map 4 Detailed Management Zoning around Historic Precinct 8 Map 5 Management Zoning for the Reserve 11 Map 6 Present Day Telegraph Station Complex 17 Map 7 Existing and Proposed Walk/Bike Tracks 25 Table 1 Summary of Zoning Scheme 9,10 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Plan of Management – February 2001 v 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAN 1.1 Location and Background The Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, including northern extensions, is located on the northern outskirts of Alice Springs in central Australia (see Map.1). It occupies 3002 ha and comprises NT Portion 1927, Lots 5774, 941, 943, 1686 and 2314, Town of Alice Springs (see Map 2). In October 1962 Reserve 1071 was proclaimed under the Crown Lands Ordinance Commonwealth Gazette 23, 5 June 1962. The Reserve (Lot 941) was placed under the care and control of the Northern Territory Reserve Board in June 1963. The Reserve (consisting of Lots 941, 943, 1686 and 2314) was declared under Section 12 of the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act in June 1978. The northern extensions (NT Portions 5774 and 1927) were vested in the Conservation Land Corporation in 1986 (see Map 2). These two areas have not been declared under Section 12 of the Act. On 23 May 2000 the Federal Court determined that native title rights and interests existed over the Historical Reserve, excluding areas of public works as defined in section 253 of the Native Title Act 1993 (see Map 2). The Reserve’s prime focus is the several remaining historic buildings that were originally part of the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Restoration works commenced in 1966 with the concept of restoring the complex to the 1899-1908 period. This has become known as the “Bradshaw” era, named after the Postmaster during this period. Most restoration works were completed between 1966 and 1984. A chronology of major events associated with the Reserve is attached at Appendix 1. Visitation has grown from an estimated 24,000 persons in 1966 to over 210,000 in 1999. The Reserve receives one of the highest visitations of any park in central Australia and is used extensively by the residents of Alice Springs. A large grassed and irrigated lawn area was established in 1967 for use by visitors for picnicking and associated day-use activities. This area remains very popular and continues to be actively used by the local community. Entry fees were re-introduced in January 1991 for those visitors entering the historic precinct. In December 1998 a concession was approved for management of the historic precinct and for the maintenance of some visitor facilities. 1.2 Concept and Purpose of the Reserve It is intended that the Reserve should provide an opportunity for visitors to experience at first hand the some of the oldest European structures in central Australia in a setting that complements their character. Visitors will receive an understanding of the whole history of the old Telegraph Station and more particularly the lifestyle of the residents during the Bradshaw era (1899-1908). In addition, visitors can enjoy the adjacent picnic facilities in a shaded riverside setting. Opportunities also exist for exploring the surrounding natural bushland and visiting the several semi-permanent waterholes along the Todd River. 1 Alice Spring Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Plan of Management – May 2001 Map 1 – Reserve Locality Located on the “doorstep” of Alice Springs, the Reserve will continue to play an important role for the local community by providing an attractive venue for social and community events, weddings and functions as well as the education of local people, especially school children. The Parks and Wildlife Commission will continue to promote community input and a sense of community ownership through programs such as ‘Alice on the Line’ for school groups and Heritage Week activities. The Reserve also performs an important role in the local economy as one of the popular destinations for visitors to Alice Springs. The principal purposes of the Reserve are: •••• to conserve the remaining Telegraph Station buildings and associated resources of historic and cultural significance; •••• to provide an attractive outdoor recreation area and tourist destination on the outskirts of Alice Springs; •••• to provide appropriate interpretation of the Reserve as well as education opportunities regarding the historic and environmental aspects of the Reserve; and, •••• to protect sacred sites and other locations of significance to Aboriginal people; and, •••• to retain the natural bushland setting over most of the Reserve, to protect the habitats of native plants and animals and to maintain current ecological diversity. 2 Alice Spring Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Plan of Management – May 2001 1.3 Intent of the Plan The first Plan of Management for the Alice Springs Telegraph Station was completed in 1989. This second Plan takes into account the development and management that has occurred throughout the past ten years and states the intent of the Parks and Wildlife Commission with respect to future management of the Reserve. It sets management objectives, addresses current issues and proposes appropriate measures to guide management and future development to protect and conserve the cultural and natural resources. The Plan recognises and acknowledges the rights and interests of the local Arrernte people regarding sacred sites and related cultural matters. The Plan recognises the recommendations of the Northern Territory Tourism Development Masterplan and Northern Territory Parks Masterplan to professionally develop and manage high profile parks such as the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. This will be achieved through development of high quality interpretive facilities and offering enhanced interpretation for the site including use of ‘living exhibits’ in buildings such as the Blacksmiths Shop and Barracks Kitchen. Key stakeholders such as the National Trust, tourism and commercial interests, neighbouring landholders and Parks and Wildlife Commission staff have assisted in the preparation of this Plan. Other government agencies and the public have also been consulted throughout the planning process. The Plan has been prepared in accordance with Section 18 and 19 of the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. It will be in force for a minimum of five years and a maximum of ten years unless revoked by a new Plan or amended in accordance with the Act. Station Master’s Residence 3 Alice Spring Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Plan of Management – May 2001 Map 2 –Tenure 4 Alice Spring Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Plan of Management – May 2001
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