Maria Island National Park Ile Des Phoques Nature Reserve
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Maria Island National Park and Ile Des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan 1998 Maria Island and Ile des Phoques - Management Plan 1998 MARIA ISLAND NATIONAL PARK AND ILE DES PHOQUES NATURE RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN 1998 This management plan for the Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of part IV of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970. A draft of this plan was released for public comment in accordance with statutory requirements from 22 March 1997 until 16 May 1997. This plan is a modified version of that draft, having been varied to take account of public input during that period and the views of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council. Unless otherwise specified, this plan adopts the interpretation of terms given in Section 3 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970. The term “Minister” when used in the plan means the Minister administering the Act. The term “Park” refers to the Maria Island National Park. The term “Reserve” refers to the Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve. In accordance with Section 23(2) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970, the managing authority for the Park, in this case the Director of National Parks and Wildlife, shall carry out his or her duties in relation to the Park for the purpose of giving effect to, and in accordance with the provisions of, this management plan. The position of Director is held by the Director, Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Land Management. APPROVAL This management plan was approved by His Excellency the Governor-in- Council on 4 May 1998 and took effect on 3 June, being seven days after publication of that approval in the Government Gazette. The provisions of Section 27 of the plan, which authorise the exercise of certain statutory powers, are of no effect until they are approved by both Houses of the Parliament of Tasmania and gazetted in accordance with Section 21(3A) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970. ISBN 0 7246 2010 9 © Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Land Management, 1998 Published by Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Land Management GPO Box 44A HOBART TASMANIA 7001 ii Maria Island and Ile des Phoques - Management Plan 1998 Contents Introduction 1 Part A Management Context 1 Location, Access and Regional Context 2 1.1 Location and Access 2 1.2 Regional Context 4 2 Area, Boundaries and Reservation History 4 2.1 Area 4 2.2 Boundaries 4 2.3 Reservation History 6 3 Topography, Geology and Soils 6 3.1 Topography 6 3.2 Geology 7 3.3 Soils 8 4 Climate 10 5 Vegetation 11 5.1 Native Vegetation 11 5.2 Introduced Vegetation 12 6 Fauna 14 6.1 Mammals 14 6.2 Birds 14 6.3 Reptiles and Amphibians 15 6.4 Introduced Land Species 15 7 Marine Flora and Fauna 17 7.1 Marine Flora 17 7.2 Marine Fauna 18 7.3 Introduced Marine Species 19 8 History and Development 19 8.1 Aboriginal Heritage 19 8.2 Historic Heritage 21 8.3 The First Convict Period: 1825-1832 21 8.4 The Second Convict Period: 1842-1850 22 8.5 The Point Lesueur (Long Point) Probation Station: 1845-1850 22 8.6 Period 1850-1884 23 8.7 The Bernacchi Period: 1884-1896 23 8.8 Period 1896-1920 23 8.9 The Industrial Period: 1920-1930 24 8.10 Period 1930-1965 24 8.11 Conservation and Recreation Period: 1965-Present 24 8.12 Heritage Vegetation and Cultural Landscapes 25 8.13 Shipwrecks 26 9 Fire 27 9.1 Fire History 27 9.2 Impacts on Vegetation 27 9.3 Fire Management 28 10 Phytophthora 29 11 Tourism and Recreation 30 11.1 Tourism and Recreational Character 30 11.2 Visitor Characteristics 31 iii Maria Island and Ile des Phoques - Management Plan 1998 11.3 Existing Recreational Opportunities 33 11.4 Existing Visitor Services and Facilities 34 11.5 Existing Camping and Accommodation 35 11.6 Regional Tourism Role 37 11.7 Development Proposals 38 11.8 Interpretation and Education 39 12 Administration and Management Facilities 40 Part B Values and Significance, Goals and Objectives 13 Park and Reserve Values and Significance 42 13.1 Environmental Values 42 13.2 Heritage Values and Cultural Significance 43 13.3 Recreational Values and Tourism 44 13.4 Educational Values 45 13.5 Threats to Park and Reserve Values and Character 45 14 Park and Reserve Management Goals 46 14.1 Sustaining Park and Reserve Values for the Future 46 14.2 Park and Reserve Management Goals 46 15 Park and Reserve Management Objectives 47 15.1 Principal Objectives 47 15.2 Associated Objectives 48 Part C Management Strategies 16 Boundaries 49 17 Management Zones 49 17.1 Zoning Objectives 49 17.2 Zoning Policies 50 17.3 Darlington Zone 52 17.4 Point Lesueur (Long Point) Zone 52 17.5 Recreation Zone 54 17.6 Natural Zone 54 17.7 Marine Zone 56 18 Access 56 18.1 Access in General - Objectives 56 18.2 Sea Access 57 18.3 Air Access 57 18.4 Roads and Vehicular Tracks 58 18.5 Walking Tracks 59 19 Protecting Environmental Values 60 19.1 Vegetation Conservation 60 19.2 Animal Conservation 61 19.3 Geoheritage Conservation 62 19.4 Marine Conservation 63 19.5 Introduced Animals 64 19.6 Phytophthora Protection 65 19.7 Landscape Management 66 19.8 Managing Human Impact 68 20 Fire Management 69 20.1 Fire Management 70 20.2 Fire Management Resources 72 iv Maria Island and Ile des Phoques - Management Plan 1998 21 Aboriginal and Historic Heritage 72 21.1 Aboriginal Heritage 72 21.2 Historic Heritage Management 74 22 Interpretation and Education 77 23 Developing & Managing Tourism & Recreation 79 23.1 Developing & Managing Tourism & Recreation 79 23.2 Priorities for Development of Visitor Services and Facilities 80 23.3 Visitor Services & Facilities in the Darlington Zone 81 23.4 Visitor Services & Facilities in the Point Lesueur Zone 83 23.5 Visitor Services & Facilities in the Recreation Zone 84 23.6 Visitor Services & Facilities in the Marine Zone 85 23.7 Visitor Services & Facilities in the Natural Zone 85 23.8 Assessing Proposals to Develop Tourism Opportunities 85 24 Managing Development Works 87 25 Leases, Licences and Permits 88 26 Research 88 27 Statutory Powers 89 28 Administration 90 28.1 Staffing 90 28.2 Staff Accommodation 90 28.3 Other Management Facilities 90 28.4 Implementation, Works Programs and Procedures 90 28.5 Search and Rescue, First Aid 91 28.6 Law Enforcement 91 29 Revision Of The Plan 92 References 93 Appendices 97 Appendix 1 Implementation Priorities and Responsibilities97 Appendix 2 Outlying Occurrences Of Plants Of Geographic Significance On Maria Island 106 Appendix 3 Plant Communities On Maria Island Poorly Reserved Elsewhere 107 Appendix 4 Plant Species For Which Maria Island Plays A Significant Conservation Role 108 Appendix 5 Land Vertebrates (Excluding Birds) On Maria Island 110 Appendix 6 Birds Of Maria Island 111 Appendix 7 Suggested Research Priorities 113 v Maria Island and Ile des Phoques - Management Plan 1998 Maps Map 1 Maria Island and Ile Des Phoques Location 3 Map 2 Maria Island National Park 5 Map 3 Simplified Geology 9 Map 4 Vegetation 13 Map 5 Management Zones 51 Map 6 Darlington Area - Management Zones 53 Map 7 Point Lesueur Area - Management Zones 55 Tables Table 1 Visitor Numbers At Darlington 31 Table 2 Visitor Nights And Visitor Days (Darlington) 32 vi Maria Island and Ile des Phoques - Management Plan 1998 Introduction The Director of National Parks and Wildlife, a position currently held by the Director of the Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Land Management, is the managing authority for the Maria Island National Park and the Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve and is charged with the preparation of a management plan for them in accordance with the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970. This management plan is comprised of three parts. Part A gives an account of the features of the Park and the Reserve that set the context and requirements for the management objectives and prescriptions which follow in Parts B and C. Part B sets out the values, significance, goals and management objectives. Part C sets out the prescriptions for management necessary for achieving the management objectives for the Park and the Reserve. Parts B and C constitute the plan as required by the Act. Appendices do not form part of the statutory management plan. The plan may only be varied in accordance with the procedures set out in Sections 19 and 20 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970 and, in any case, will be reviewed five years after approval of the plan by the Governor. Many organisations and individuals have assisted in the preparation of this plan by providing information and comments on earlier drafts. Their time and effort is gratefully acknowledged. 1 Maria Island and Ile des Phoques - Management Plan 1998 Part A Management Context The following account summarises the features of Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve, describes aspects of past and present use and identifies management issues. This sets the context for the formulation of management objectives and provides the basis for management strategies. 1 Location, Access and Regional Context 1.1 Location and Access Maria Island lies off the south-east coast of Tasmania (see Map 1). Access is by boat or plane. There is a jetty at Darlington, used by the Parks and Wildlife Service boat, the ferry, and recreational and fishing craft.