THE ACQUISITION OF BOLGER BAY CONSERVATION PARK

1998
In 1998, a 16 hectare (40 acre) block of virtually untouched land at Bolger Bay on the western side of Magnetic Island was declared available for purchase. The then owners, sympathetic to the principles and aims of MINCA, offered the land to MINCA at a price below market expectations.

1999
Members of MINCA recognised the importance of the land and applied to the federal government for funding under the National Heritage Trust Program to assist it purchase the land, and then started work to raise the balance of funds needed to purchase the land and to fund its management for the first few years.

2002 - 2008
Both the application and the funding drive were successful and the land was purchased in 2002. From then on, MINCA were caretakers of the block before, finally, in 2008, a management agreement was signed by the Director of the Parks and Wildlife Service, Northern Region, on behalf of the State of Queensland and by the President of MINCA. Under the terms of the agreement, MINCA became trustee of what became the Bolger Bay Conservation Park, and responsible for its day-to-day management through the MINCA Bolger Bay Sub-Committee.

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THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPORTANCE OF THE CREATING THE PARK

Members of MINCA recognised the importance of the land:

• It was the largest, least disturbed and most naturally diverse block of lowland habitat on the island.
• It formed a natural wildlife corridor across Bolger Bay, extending from the mangroves to the undisturbed hill slopes leading up to the National Park.
• It linked two of the lots in an existing nature refuge.
• It contained examples of a number of ecosystems that are largely unrepresented in Magnetic Island National Park, and poorly represented within the region, including:

           - Gently sloping alluvial fans with woodlands dominated by poplar gum 
             (Eucalyptus platyphylla) and Clarkson's Bloodwood (Corymbia clarksoniana); 
           - Low coastal dunes with woodlands of bloodwood (C. clarksoniana) and Paperbarks (Melaleuca spp.);
           - Seasonal swamps with screw palm (Pandanus spiralis), paperbarks (Melaleuca spp.)
           - Sedgelands, and,
           - Seasonal creeks. 

• It provided habitat for wildlife of particular conservation significance, including:

           - The endemic and rare Sadlier's Dwarf Skink (Menetia sadlieri);
           - The vulnerable Single-striped Delma (Delma labialis);
           - The rare Saxicoline Sunskink (Lampropholis mirabilis);
           - The rare Rusty Monitor (Varanus semiremex);
           - The rare Common Death-adder (Acanthophis antarcticus); and
           - The vulnerable Coastal Sheathtail Bat (Taphozous australis).

MANAGING THE BOLGER BAY CONSERVATION PARK

Bolger Bay Conservation park is managed in accordance with the management agreement between the State of Queensland and MINCA. Generally speaking, the Park contains mature ecosystems that are in good condition. A small area at the rear of the Park has been cleared, but this now has a diverse and well-established regenerating tree layer. 

Introduced weed species are significant in some areas, particularly along the West Point Track, along the first half of the regenerating track that runs from the front to the back of the block, in the cleared area, and along the boundaries with neighbouring properties.

Weed species include Guinea grass, streaked rattlepod, lantana, red natal grass, stinking passionflower, hyptis and light blue snakeweed. The latter is the most widespread weed, but the orange lantana is the most aggressive invader and the weed that poses the greatest threat to the Park.

Native lemon grass (Cymbopogon ambiguus) grows on the upper reaches of the Park.

Grass trees (xanthorrhoea) and paperbarks (melaleuca) in Bolger Bay Conservation Park (Photo: Pen Sheridan)

Weeding at Bolger Bay Conservation Park.

FERAL PESTS IN THE PARK

The major feral animal pests are cane toads and cats. Cane toads breed in surface waters maintained off the Park. They are likely to be having a significant effect on the invertebrates, amphibians and small reptiles of the Park, causing the death of some larger species, such as death adders. Cats are likely to be having a significant impact on the smaller reptiles, ground frequenting birds, and small mammals. Unrestrained dogs are an occasional problem for fauna, particularly wallabies, ground roosting birds and waders.

The management of the track to West Point is of particular concern as it bisects the front of the Park.  High road speeds are a danger to local fauna, particularly ground birds such as pheasant coucals, and nocturnal species including curlews, nightjars, owls, possums and rock wallabies.  Grading of the road, and the slashing of the road verge, has the potential to disrupt local hydrology and to facilitate the introduction and spread of weeds.

MANAGEMENT DIRECTIONS

Bolger Bay Conservation Park is managed as an undeveloped park and retained as an example of the original natural environment of the lowlands of the island, in contrast to the modified environment in the more settled bays of the island. 

The Park is managed in accordance with the intent of IUCN Category IV, Habitat/Species Management Area:  Protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention so as to ensure the maintenance of habitats and/or to meet the requirements of specific species.

The primary purpose of all management actions is the maintenance and, where possible, the enhancement of biodiversity values.

No facility development will occur, other than that necessary for effective management, and camping will not be permitted.

Limited educational use of the Park by local school and interested community groups will be permitted, but use will be monitored and regulated to ensure that the environment is protected.

Looking across Bolger Bay Conservation Park to the sea (Photo: Pen Sheridan)

MANAGEMENT PURPOSE

The major purposes of management are to ensure that:

1. The structural and floristic characteristics of the lowland ecosystems are maintained.
2. The habitat conditions necessary to protect significant fauna species are secured and maintained.
3. Scientific research and environmental monitoring associated with the sustainable resource management of the Park are facilitated.
4. The Park is used for public education and appreciation of the characteristics of its habitats and of the work of wildlife and ecosystem management, with no deleterious effects upon the nature conservation objective of the Park.
   
5. Any activity that is deleterious or contrary to the management intent of the Park will be excluded.

Conservation

• The ecosystems of the Park are conserved and, in particular, are protected from impacts resulting from surrounding land uses.
• Populations of rare and threatened animals are monitored and given special protection.
• Dune systems and wetlands are protected from damage caused by human activity.
• Midden sites and associated places of cultural significance are protected and managed in consultation with Aboriginal people.
• Programs to control invasive weeds and rehabilitate degraded sites are undertaken. 
• Pest species such as feral cats are subject to control programs.

Education

• Opportunity will be provided for small groups of visitors to appreciate the natural and cultural features of the Park through guided walks.

Resource use

• Resource use is limited to the collection of seeds by the Trustee, within ecologically sustainable levels, for revegetation projects and amenity plantings on the Island.

Community involvement

• Neighbours are aware of management matters in which they have an interest, for example weed control programs.
• Opportunities are provided for Aboriginal people and other local residents particularly concerned with the Park to be consulted and involved in planning and management.

PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS

The Trustee, the Service and DEH agree that the following actions may be undertaken:

• Surveys of the area’s resources as a basis for management planning;
  
• Weed control of priority species, including lantana. With the agreement of the Trustee, EPA will facilitate the involvement of weeding teams such as Green Corp when possible, under adequate supervision.
  
• A fence and gate may be constructed along the road boundaries of the Park if necessary to control illegal access. The Service may share the cost of any such infrastructure.
  
• Fire management, with assistance if requested by the Trustee from the Service or the local bushfire brigade. Any assistance from the Service in fire management will be subject to the same protocol developed for the Bolger Bay Nature Refuge.
  

The Trustee, the Service and EA agree that in the absence of a management plan the Park is to be managed by the Trustee under the same management strategies as the natural zones of Bolger Bay Nature Refuge, as outlined in the draft management plan for the Refuge.

EDUCATIONAL TOURS

Educational tours of Bolger Bay Conservation Park are by appointment only and are limited to the availability of our management staff. Please contact us for more information.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BOLGER BAY

You can access more information and wetland mapping for the Bolger Bay Conservation Park at the Queensland Government Wetland Info website.