A NSW Government website
Lord Howe
ISLAND BOARD
NSW Government
24 Mar 2023

The northern walking tracks in the Permanent Park Preserve (PPP) will be reopened tomorrow, Saturday 25 March, as part of a staged approach to re-open the PPP to managed visitation. A review of whether to re-open access to the southern PPP will be made by the end of next week, after additional searches and a review of the implementation of hygiene protocols in the northern walking tracks.
 

Walking Track Map - 25 March 2023 (PDF)(8.79 MB)


OPEN TRACKS

  • Malabar
  • Kim’s Lookout
  • Max Nicholls Memorial Track
  • Transit Hill
  • Clear Place
  • Middle Beach
  • Valley of the Shadows
  • Blackburn Island
  • Mt Eliza
  • Old Gulch
  • North Bay

After extensive monitoring, no new sites of Myrtle Rust infestation have been located on the island.  Importantly, as of yesterday (23 March), there were no active spores at known sites.

Following the extensive treatment and monitoring program and isolation of the myrtle rust outbreak, vegetation adjacent to formal tracks in the PPP have been assessed and a staged re-opening of tracks is underway. 

Based on technical advice, the successful treatment of known myrtle rust sites, and establishment of hygiene stations and rigorous protocols (attached), the walking tracks in the northern section of the island will be reopened this Saturday, 25 March.
 

Myrtle Rust Hygene Protocol Guidelines (PDF)(593.55 KB)



We have confidence that, with the support of walkers, the necessary hygiene practices can be implemented consistently and effectively to support visitation. Continued vigilance will be required along with rapid treatment of any future detected outbreaks. 

Visitors will be provided with pre-trip information on biosecurity hazards and actions they can take to reduce the risk of transmission. Community information sessions will be held and information distributed via the website and Facebook page in the coming days and weeks.

Signage and equipment to undertake treatment before entering the PPP will be available at the start of walking tracks, the airport, the LHIB office and the community hall.  

In response to a request by the Lord Howe Island Board to help manage this outbreak of Myrtle Rust, a contingent of National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) staff are on the island assisting with assessments of the PPP and running an incident management team in collaboration with the LHIB to oversee the response to the outbreak. 

As an initial response LHIB and NPWS staff will be located at track heads during key times when walkers set off on their journey, to help walkers better understand correct biosecurity protocols.  

The reopening of the PPP is a result of the combined effort of the community, LHIB and NPWS in planning for the continued protection of the unique values of Lord Howe.

The LHIB is working hard to ensure a staged re-opening of the island can occur as soon as possible, in a manner that does not pose a risk to the world heritage values of the island or the long term viability of the industries that depend upon them.

Myrtle Rust is a serious threat to the health and integrity of ecosystems.  It will be a great credit to the Lord Howe Island community if it can be eradicated after this 2023 incursion, noting successful eradication also occurred in 2016.

Atticus Fleming

Chairperson
Lord Howe Island Board