Track Care WA News

TRACK CARE WA NEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH MARTU

By Rod Durston

The WA outback is rare earth. With its unique landscapes, flora and fauna it’s undeniably precious, not just to Australians but indeed, to the world.

In 1997, out of a desire to care for and preserve this unique part of the planet, concerned 4W drivers formed Track Care WA and so began a long association with the communities and Traditional Owners along the Canning Stock Route. Track Care WA has undertaken dozens of projects along the entire length of the CSR such as BBQs, signage, shelters, well restoration and composting toilets as well as annual maintenance runs to ensure everything is in working order. Collaboration with Martu people has been on a number of projects, including toilets at Jurrpa to ranger stations at Lampa. As part of our developing relationships, Track Care WA has proudly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with JamukurnuYapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation (JYAC - formerly WDLAC). This MOU acknowledges Martu ownership of their lands (Martu ngurra) as reflected by the Martu Native Title Determination. Martu cultural, social, economic and scientific connection to their ngurra is an essential part of what we all encounter when travelling on this country. The MOU provides the framework for a continuing relationship and partnership between Track Care WA and Martu to ensure conservation of one of the most

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding to continue the partnership between Track Care WA and Martu.

Dune-top tow on the CSR.

iconic areas of Australia. It facilitates opportunities in areas of common interest and will see a working group of Track Care WA and JYAC representatives established. The MOU reflects Track Care WA’s evolution as an organisation into an environmental and conservation group that makes a positive contribution to the protection of bush heritage and advocates for responsible access for off-road recreational use. To protect Martu ngurra, Track Care WA and JYAC will work collaboratively to identify and promote sustainable 4W driving and camping opportunities, provide volunteer support in maintenance of vehicular tracks and infrastructure, facilitate controlled access and promote minimal-impact driving techniques to protect the Western Desert’s cultural and environmental heritage. Our MOU will also allow us to give advice to members where there are changes to 4WD tracks and infrastructure, such as seasonal track closures or closures in areas affected by fires and flooding. Our collaboration will also look for opportunities for Martu employment in works programs, including Martu monitors and advisers for Track Care WA projects. Track Care WA and JYAC will also work to maintain commonly used infrastructure and identify opportunities for Track Care WA members to engage with Martu communities for 4WD workshops and seminars where members and Martu can share 4W driving skills and experiences. Ultimately the MOU aims to maintain sustainable 4W driving through promotion and awareness of Martu culture, maintenance of commonly used infrastructure, implementing controlled access where required as well as promoting minimal-impact driving techniques and providing good bush camping opportunities. Importantly, the MOU will help to build organisational, as well as personal relationships, between Martu, Track Care WA members and JYAC. Track Care WA will look for opportunities to establish similar arrangements with other Native Title holders along the CSR and other parts of our great state.

JYAC (formerly WDLAC) is a Prescribed Body Corporate established by the Native Title Act. JYAC acts as the trustee for Martu native title rights and interests, including Martu rights to exclusive possession of their ngurra, an area of more than 130,000 square kilometres across the Western Desert region. JYAC is involved in numerous projects for the cultural, social and economic benefit of current and future generations of Martu (www.wdlac.com.au).

CSR long road ahead.

Winnemia Restoration Project

Jimba Jimba Station - Campsite south of the Kennedy Range National Park

By Will Baston & John Collins

The Baston family have managed Jimba Jimba Station since 1977 so they appreciate its natural ecosystems and are keen to preserve the land for future generations. The family also recognise the Yinggarda people as being the traditional custodians of the land and they formalised this acknowledgement by negotiating and then by executing an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) on 31st August 2021. But what is an ILUA? A basic explanation is that an ILUA is a voluntary agreement between native title parties and other people or bodies about the use and management of areas of land and/or waters. You can find a more comprehensive ILUA explanation by visiting the National Native Title Tribunal website. Over the years, Jimba Jimba Station has noticed an increase in visitors accessing, through its pastoral lease, the western side of the Kennedy Range National Park. This increase in traffic volumes has raised management concerns about where visitors are camping and what parts of the pastoral lease are being accessed. The Baston family recognise that education rather than prohibition is the answer to solving management problems. By working with the traditional custodians, the Baston family are looking forward to providing informative educational opportunities to visitors about working pastoral stations as they transit Jimba Jimba on their way to visit the western side of the Kennedy Range National Park. This knowledge transfer will focus on appropriate land stewardship of country as it continues to support a viable pastoral business and provide additional opportunities for alternative complementary uses of the land. As the ILUA matures and future enterprises are identified and realised, they will contribute to the benefit of the wider community while helping to safeguard the long-term sustainability of the district. The Winnemia Restoration Project is a vision from Jimba Jimba Station to restore parts of the former shearing shed that was destroyed in the 2010 Gascoyne floods and to make minor repairs to former Winnemia shearing shed infrastructure to allow for low impact tourism which will give independent overlanding travellers who are wanting to camp close to and enjoy the Gascoyne River prior to entering the Kennedy Range National Park. Jimba Jimba Station are working in partnership with Track Care WA to help with the restoration of the site that involves works to establish a small campground. The planned facilities will include a shower, camp kitchen and general siteworks to offer a genuine bush camping experience within walking distance to the mighty Gascoyne River. Track Care WA are excited by this new opportunity to assist the provision of additional access to interesting locations in the short-term for overlanding travellers. In the longer-term, Track Care WA are keen to assist whenever needed to support future initiatives that will be facilitated by the ILUA as it matures.

What a great way to spend a weekend!

Preston Beach is a beachside town that is becoming increasingly popular with holiday-makers, tourists, fishers and day-tripping local Shire of Waroona residents.

The volunteer ranger service was established by the Shire with the intention of educating visitors and residents of their impact on the local environment and region; encouraging responsible activities throughout the area (including 4W driving) while educating users on the responsible behaviours expected of the area. The small group of Volunteer Rangers are present on the beach every day between Boxing Day and Easter. Ian (Toyota LandCruiser Club of WA Environmental Officer) arranged to assist Track Care WA to distribute the Preston Beach Code Off Road flyers that outline expectations for preserving our beach access both for ourselves and future generations. The leaflet was an initiative of the Preston Beach Volunteer Rangers and the Shire of Waroona when they joined with Track Care WA to incorporate their Preston Beach leaflet into the Code Off Road brochure. The intention was to promote local information that is consistent and promotes a standardised advice on safe and responsible off-road driving on Western Australian beaches and coastal national parks. Working closely with Volunteer Ranger Noel, Ian developed and managed the project assisted by Ralph and Sally. Simon and Luke made up the team from the Toyota LandCruiser Club of WA. Phil and John represented Track Care while Noel, Tammy, Dave and Barry rounded out the Preston Beach Volunteer Ranger crew. Over two days of the March long weekend, we had over 800 interactions with beachgoers and 4WD enthusiasts while we handed out the Preston Beach Code Off Road brochures. It was pleasing to note that

virtually 100% of those spoken to were wellaware of the need to protect our pristine coastline. The visitors we spoke with also appeared to be very aware that the use of vehicles on many Australian beaches is prohibited and they appreciated the efforts of the Shire of Waroona and the volunteers who are working together to promote safe and responsible off-road driving. The volunteer rangers took us all for a run up and down the beach in their ATV and young Luke exclaimed, "This is the best day ever!" A great bunch of people who I’m sure we’ll meet up with again in the future. The success of this project demonstrates how effective partnerships can be in achieving shared goals of welcoming visitors and providing local information to create a safe memorable experience; encouraging users to retain and preserve the pristine beach and natural bushland environment; offering guidance on 4W driving; and providing initial support to emergency services in the event of an incident. Thanks to the Preston Beach Volunteer Rangers for showing us their backyard and for putting on such a great sunset.

Wanagarren Track Campground

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson opened the 16km Wanagarren Track in January 2020. Previously, it was an unregulated off-road hotspot that was developed by 4W drivers and conservation volunteers in collaboration with Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). If you like waking to the sounds of lapping waves, the Wanagarren Campgrounds are made for you! Pack your bathers, fishing, surfing and snorkelling gear and camp right near Jurien Bay Marine Park. The campgrounds are situated right by the crystal waters of Jurien Bay Marine Park in Wanagarren Nature Reserve and features 15 campsites that must be booked online. Suitable for tents, rooftop and awning tents, all campers must be completely self-sufficient and bring their own portable chemical toilet. Other facilities, water and firewood are not provided. Campfires are permitted seasonally (usually April - October) but only in provided fire rings. For more information and booking, check out:

parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/wanagarrencampground

Getting to Wanagarren Nature Reserve is via Indian Ocean Drive and Grey Spur Road. Access to the campsites is for highclearance 4WD vehicles with low-range gears only. Reduce your tyre pressure for soft sand. There is no facility to reinflate tyres on exit. Following on from the 2020 opening, DBCA continue to maintain the track and have sought volunteer assistance with necessary management activities. In response to this call for assistance, under the guidance of the Toyota LandCruiser Club of WA (TLCCWA) member Ian, in collaboration with Ranger Dave, the volunteer program was developed that is reported below by TLCCWA magazine editor Ralph with help from Ian: We drove up from Perth in the afternoon to set up camp along the Wanagarren Track at sites 15 and 16 and try to find some level ground to set up sleeping arrangements. Bees were extremely friendly and plentiful seeking out any source of water. In addition, there was the ever-present threat of a tick attaching itself to regions unmentioned necessitating the liberal application of patented repellent mixtures.

The following day saw us return up the Wanagarren Track to Cervantes to apply hessian matting to a track along the primary dune ridge. The rolls of hessian matting required several able bodies to lift them and then draw out to be pegged with biodegradable pegs. The temperature was 35 degrees in the water bag and no breeze! Matting completed, time for knock off, but no, holes to be dug and bollards installed. Bugger! Eventually, back down the track to camp and some much needed refreshment and a good night's kip. The next day we broke camp and headed south along the track to exit on the beach just north of Wedge Island. Looking forward to a nice easy run along the beach but again no, Commandant Ian determined that the beach was a bit messy and required us to conduct an emu bob. Clean up completed we continued and exited through the settlement at Wedge, aired up, said our goodbyes and headed home. Phew ... A great weekend (or parts thereof for some) camped on the Wanagarren Track and helping DBCA with stabilisation and bollarding of an illegal and destructive track along the primary dune ridge in Nambung National Park, south of Cervantes. Thanks to Ralph, Sri, Ian, soon-to-be members Jenny and Kim, and Track Care WA members Tim, Phil, Andy, and also Gary from the 4WD Club of Western Australia. Ranger Dave is very pleased with the efforts of the combined volunteer workforce and the effectiveness of different groups partnering to achieve shared goals and assignments.