The parks and reserves of the planning area are all considered in the one plan because, with the exception of the western Border Ranges, they form part of a common landscape - the Mount Warning shield volcano. (Also forming part of this spectacular landform are Lamington and Springbrook National Parks in Queensland).
Most of the planning area is of international renown for its World Heritage listed subtropical rainforests (part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia) World Heritage Property), outstanding landscapes, and the recreation opportunities it affords.
The majority of Border Ranges National Park and all of Limpinwood Nature Reserve is declared wilderness, thereby affording a sense of remoteness and solitude. The plan also provides for the protection of significant Aboriginal and historic cultural heritage values.
In addition to the subtropical rainforest, there are large areas of wet and dry sclerophyll forest and pockets of sub-montane heath which provide habitat for a large number of threatened plant and animal species. Of particular significance is the border region of the planning area which has the highest concentration of marsupial, bird, snake and frog species in Australia.
Amendments
These amendments should be read in conjunction with the Parks and Reserves of the Tweed Caldera Plan of Management (2004).
Amendments to the Plan of Management for Tweed Caldera National Parks and Nature Reserves (Relevant to Nightcap National Park) (2010). These amendments were adopted by the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment on 16 September 2010.
These amendments affect Nightcap National Park only and have been prepared cognisant of the need for complementary and integrated management of Nightcap National Park with the adjacent, more recently reserved, Whian Whian State Conservation Area.
The amendments consist of four sections:
- Amendment A: changes the designation of some management trails in the park
- Amendment B: changes and clarifies the trails available for horse riding
- Amendment C: updates the plan to recognise closure of an informal hiking track to the top of Tuntable Falls
- Amendment D: includes changes to reflect the gazettal of the adjoining Whian Whian State Conservation Area (SCA), preparation of a separate plan of management for the SCA and other minor editorials.
These amendments should be read in conjunction with the Parks and Reserves of the Tweed Caldera Plan of Management (2004).
Photo: Caldera Basin Tweed Valley / Shane Ruming
