Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
This IBA consists of the contiguous forest block around Goonoo National Park, 45 km north of Dubbo. The boundary is taken as the contiguous area of native vegetation as shown on recent satellite images. It excludes the western woodland block of Coolbaggie Nature Reserve and the other isolated blocks of nearby State Forests. The climate is characterised by the temperature and rainfall patterns of Dubbo, with mean maximum temperatures of 15-33 Celsius, mean minimum temperatures of 2-18 Celsius and average rainfall of 585 mm per annum. The eastern block of Coolbaggie Nature Reserve is mallee, whereas Goonoo is predominately box-ironbark-callitris woodland with patches of mallee. Previous forestry management across Goonoo logged many of the larger box trees to promote the growth of ironbark and cypress pine, but the area is now managed primarily for conservation. Much of the area was burned in fires in 2007.
The New South Wales Wildlife Atlas contains two records of Regent Honeyeater among 2216 total bird records for Goonoo National Park (NSW NPWS 2008). Significant populations of Glossy Black-Cockatoos, Gilbert's Whistlers, various woodland birds and the easternmost isolated population of Yellow-plumed Honeyeater.
Non-bird biodiversity: Goonoo National Park and Conservation Area supports one of the few populations of Zieria ingramii, a plant only found in central NSW, from Goonoo to Cobbora Forest.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Ensure that fire management adequately considers the location of key bird species. Maintain fox control. Investigate impact of grazing on Diamond Firetail. Investigate opportunities for linking remnant habitat patches in the general region.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The land previously in State Forest is now protected.
The IBA overlaps Coolbaggie Nature Reserve and contains Goonoo National Park and State Conservation Area.
NSW State government with management by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service; NSW State Forests and some private land.
Andrew Deane and David Geering provided data and comments.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Goonoo (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/goonoo-iba-australia on 22/12/2024.
