Management plan for Rowles Lagoon to be developed over next year

9/3/98

A management plan for the popular Rowles Lagoon and surrounding reserves in the Goldfields will be developed over the next 12 months by the Department of Conservation and Land Management.

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said today the management plan was a jointly funded initiative of CALM and the Commonwealth Government through the National Wetlands Program of the Natural Heritage Trust.

Rowles Lagoon is a semi-permanent fresh water lake within a more extensive lake system network 65km north-north-west of Coolgardie. It is a popular destination for day trippers, campers and water sport enthusiasts and is the only lake in the Goldfields with a gazetted water ski and jet ski area.

Mrs Edwardes said apart from the area's popularity for recreation, it was also important for its nature conservation values.

The wetlands provided habitat and regular breeding grounds for up to 41 species of water birds, including the threatened freckled duck and eight other species listed under international treaties.

The lake system had been included in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia and was under consideration for listing on the Register of the National Estate.

Mrs Edwardes said management planning was about balancing community needs and expectations with protection of the nature conservation values of the reserves.

"CALM recognises that Rowles Lagoon is a valuable recreation resource for the Goldfields community but we must remember that the primary purpose is for nature conservation," she said.

"CALM consequently will be looking at strategies to manage all issues to complement and enhance the values of the conservation park and adjoining nature reserves."

Mrs Edwardes said some of the issues to be canvassed included water skiing and jet skiing, recreation site development, mining and exploration, improvements in catchment management, feral predator control, fencing, off-road vehicle control, tenure and integration of management with neighbouring land managers.

She said the management plan process would involve community participation and CALM wanted to hear from people who had ideas or issues relating to the future management of the area.

Members of the public and interested organisation would be able to have their say during the pre-draft consultation phase (from now until the end of April) and when the draft was released for public comment towards the end of the year.

Interest groups or individuals who wished to have some input in the pre-draft consultation phase should contact Bob Thomas at CALM's Kalgoorlie office on 9021 2677 or facsimile 9021 7831.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (08) 9421 7777