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SCAR Bulletin No 156, January 2005
Proposed Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 162
Mawson's Huts, Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay, George V Land, East Antarctica
Latitude 67°00' 30" S, Longitude 142°39' 40" E
Note: This abbreviated ASPA Management Plan should be read in conjunction with the Management Plan for ASMA 3.
Mawson's
Huts are four timber huts that served as the winter base of the Australasian
Antarctic Expedition of 1911-14 organised and led by geologist Dr
Douglas Mawson. An important symbol of the so-called 'heroic age' of Antarctic
exploration (1895-1917), the huts at Cape Denison are the least disturbed
and altered of those structures remaining from the era. The achievements
of the Mawson
expedition include some of the earliest studies of Antarctic geology,
glaciology, oceanography, geography, terrestrial magnetism, astronomy,
meteorology,
biology,
zoology and botany.
In recognition of the rarity and richness of this social,
cultural and scientific resource, all four Australasian Antarctic Expedition
huts are designated
as an ASPA, embedded within the Cape Denison ASMA
3.
1.0 Description of Values to be Protected
This ASPA is proposed on the grounds that Mawson's Huts are a site of historic, archaeological, technical, social and aesthetic values.The two huts that form the Main Hut were built of Oregon timber frames clad with Baltic pine tongue-and-groove boards. They were prefabricated in Australia, and on-site construction was assisted by a branded letter code on framing members and coded colours painted on board ends. The three other AAE huts are:
- The Absolute Magnetic Hut, constructed during February 1912.
- The Magnetograph House was erected in March 1912 to house equipment usedto measure variations in the South Magnetic Pole.
- Construction of the Transit Hut commenced in May 1913, with packing case timbers being affixed to an Oregon frame.
Mawson's Huts are of aesthetic value; the building form of the huts themselves shows the functional and efficient planning that was undertaken in response to the site position and the elements endured by the expedition .
2.0 Aims and Objectives
- avoid degradation or risk to the value of the Area
- maintain the historic values of the Area;
- allow management activities; and
- prevent unnecessary human disturbance.
3.0 Management Activities
- conservation and archaeological work;
- visits for management purposes;
- review and update the Management Plan;
- consultation among national Antarctic programs to ensure these provisions are implemented; and
- installation of signage to indicate the boundaries.
4.0 Period of Designation
This ASPA is designated for an indefinite period.
5.0 Description of the Area
5.1 Geographical coordinates, boundary markers and natural features
Cape Denison is a 1.5 km-wide peninsula projecting into the centre of Commonwealth Bay. The ASPA covers four areas. Each area consists of one hut and a five (5) metre buffer zone extending from the perimeter of the hut. The huts are located at:
- Main Hut: 67°00'31"S, 142°39'39"E;
- Transit Hut: 67°00'30"S, 142°39'42"E;
- Absolute Magnetic Hut: 67°00'23"S, 142°39'48"E
- Magnetograph House: 67°00'21"S, 142°39'37"E.
5.2 Access to the Area
Sea, land and air access to Mawson's Huts is difficult due to the rugged topography and climate of the area. See ASMA 3 Management Plan.
5.3 Location of structures and other anthropogenic objects within and near to the Area
The ASPA is located within the Cape Denison ASMA
5.4 Location of other protected areas in or near to the Area
ASPA 162 is located within the Cape Denison ASMA 3.
6.0 Zones within the Area
There are no zones within ASPA 162.
7.0 Maps of the Area
See ASMA 3
8.0 Permit Conditions
A Permit may be issued by a national authority.
8.1 Access to and movement within or over the Area
Onshore access to and within the huts is on foot.
8.1.1 Visitor management
Day visits to Mawson's Huts may be permitted provided that:
- visitors do not touch the buildings or artefacts.
- Visitors may enter the Main Hut and Magnetograph House if accompanied by a person who has approved cultural heritage skills;
- visitation of the interior of the huts is limited to up to four (4) persons inside the Main Hut, and up to three (3) persons in the Magnetograph House;
8.2 Activities which are or may be conducted within the Area
8.3 The installation, modification, or removal of structures
8.4 The location of field camps
Tents should be pitched on the wooden platform adjacent to Sørensen Hut.
8.5 Restrictions on materials and organisms that may be brought into the Area
8.6 Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna
8.7 The collection or removal of anything not brought into the Area by the Permit holder
8.8 Disposal of wastes
All wastes should be removed from the Area.
8.9 Measures that may be necessary to ensure aims and objectives of the Plan can continue to be met
- Provision of information for visitors including a briefing video and interpretative literature;
- a post-visit survey to assist in the formal monitoring of visitor impact;
- off-site interpretation that maximises the use of available media, including the Internet; and
- the development of skills and resources to assist in the protection of the Area's values.
8.10 Reports to be made to the appropriate authority regarding visits to the Area
Parties should ensure the principal holder for each Permit submits a report describing the activities undertaken
9.0 Exchange of Information
Parties should maintain a record of activities approved for this ASPA and, in the Annual Exchange of Information, should provide summary descriptions of activities conducted by persons subject to their jurisdiction, which should be in sufficient detail to allow evaluation of the effectiveness of this Management Plan.
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