Crown Lands promised that a new board would be appointed for the Dirawong Reserve near Evans Head in November 2023, yet as we welcome 2024 there is still no board appointed, says former board member Dr Richard Gates.
The Dirawong Reserve has now been without a management board for nearly five months, the term of the former board expiring on 8 August 2023. According to locals this is leading to a series of bad outcomes for both the reserve and visitors.
Fire impacts
‘In the months since the board’s term came to an end there’s been a major fire on the Reserve affecting habitat and catchment of the endangered pygmy perch Nannoperca oxleyana whose habitat and abundance is in serious decline. No advice was sought about the ‘hot’ backburn affecting its territory. A bulldozer was put through its catchment. Algal bloom created by the backburn will have had a significant impact on water oxygen levels for the endangered fish should any of them have survived the ‘cooking’ the site had at the time,’ said former board member Dr Gates.
Maggots and effluent
‘There has been the overflowing of effluent from the toilets into the Reserve which would never have happened had there been management on site, not to speak of the maggots which infested the system because of lack of maintenance. The previous board conscientiously monitored and maintained the toilet system so that such events did not occur.’
These have not been the only incidents with The Echo previously reporting on ongoing toilet issues and offensive graffiti at the site.
‘Applications closed for membership of the Dirawong Board in the middle of June last year. Crown Lands told the board that appointment of a new board was held up because of a late application from the Bandjalang Corporation. A new closing date for applications was moved to the end of August and interviews were held last year with many well-qualified applicants applying and being interviewed. No attempt was made by Crown Lands to have a briefing meeting with the previous board to ensure management continuity,’ explained Dr Gates.
‘So here we are in January 2024, no new board has been appointed to manage the Dirawong, and there does not appear to be anyone on the ground to keep an eye on the illegal camping, increasing numbers of uncontrolled dogs on the beaches, use of electric bikes on beaches and trails to the detriment of others, and no applications for grant funding so essential to the ongoing management of the Reserve.
‘Where is Crown Lands?’
♦ Crown Lands have been contacted for comment
