Coningham Nature Recreation Area Management Statement 2009 Has Been Approved and Will Be Adopted and Implemented Subject to Limitations of Funds, Staff and Resources

MANAGEMENT STATEMENT 2009

Coningham NATURE RECREATION AREA

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

CCConinghamCooonnniiinnnggghhhaaammm NNNatureNaaatttuuurrreee RRRecreationReeecccrrreeeaaatttiiiooonnn AAAreaArrreeeaaa MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt StatementSSStttaaattteeemmmeeennnttt 2009222000000999 This management statement applies to the Coningham Nature Recreation Area which is managed under the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002 and is subject to the National Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999. A draft management statement was released for public comment between 1 June 2009 and 24 July 2009 with 23 representations received at this time. The comments were considered and where appropriate, incorporated into this management statement. Many people have assisted in the preparation of this plan with ideas, feedback and information. Their time and effort are gratefully acknowledged. The dedication of the ‘Friends of Coningham’ to improving the conservation outcomes of the reserve is greatly appreciated.

The Coningham Nature Recreation Area Management Statement 2009 has been approved and will be adopted and implemented subject to limitations of funds, staff and resources.

Peter Mooney General Manager Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

ISBN: 978-0-7246-6785-7

© Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment 2009 Cover photo: Purple beard orchid Calochilus robertsonii A. Turbett Published by: Parks and Wildlife Service Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment GPO Box 1751 HOBART TASMANIA 7001

CCContentsCooonnnttteeennntttsss 111.1... SSSummarySuuummmmmmaaarrryyy ...... 111 222.2... IIIntroductionInnntttrrroooddduuuccctttiiiooonnn ...... 222 2.1. Purpose of this management statement...... 2 2.2. General Details...... 2 2.3. Reservation History...... 3 2.4. Summary of the Reserve’s Values ...... 3 2.5. Challenges and Expectations...... 4 333.3... RRReserveReeessseeerrrvvveee MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt FFFrameworkFrrraaammmeeewwwooorrrkkk...... 666 3.1. Statement of Significance...... 6 3.2. Vision...... 6 3.3. Legislation...... 7 3.4. Tasmanian Reserve Management Code of Practice 2003...... 7 3.5. Key Desired Outcomes...... 8 3.6. Management Zones...... 8 3.7. Strategic Asset Management...... 11 444.4... CCConservationCooonnnssseeerrrvvvaaatttiiiooonnn ooofofff RRReserveReeessseeerrrvvveee VVValuesVaaallluuueeesss...... 11121222 4.1. Landform, Geodiversity and Sea Level Rise...... 12 4.2. Biodiversity ...... 14 4.3. Aboriginal Heritage...... 23 4.4. History and Historic Heritage...... 24 555.5... RRReserveReeessseeerrrvvveee PPProtectionPrrrooottteeeccctttiiiooonnn PPProgramsPrrrooogggrrraaammmsss...... 22262666 5.1. Threats...... 26 5.2. Fire Management...... 27 5.3. Weed Management...... 32 5.4. Boundaries and the Neighbourhood...... 36 666.6... VVVisitorViiisssiiitttooorrr SSServicesSeeerrrvvviiiccceeesss aaandannnddd MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt ...... 33373777 6.1. Track Network and Access Management...... 37 6.2. Providing for Visitors and the Community...... 42 777.7... EEEffectivenessEffffffeeeccctttiiivvveeennneeessssss MMMonitoringMooonnniiitttooorrriiinnnggg...... 55535333 888.8... RRReferencesReeefffeeerrreeennnccceeesss...... iii 999.9... AAAppendicesAppppppeeennndddiiiccceeesss ...... iiiiii Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring..ii Appendix 2 Native Plant Species List (Source: Buchanan, 2009)...... vi Appendix 3 Weeds found in or near Coningham NRA...... x Appendix 4 Analysis of options: internal reserve road...... xiii Appendix 5 Reserve Standards Framework...... xiv Appendix 6 Strategies and Actions...... xvi

MapsMMMaaapppsss Map 1 Location of Coningham NRA...... 2 Map 2 Main tracks, fire trails and firebreaks in Coningham NRA...... 3 Map 3 Zone designations for Coningham NRA...... 9 Map 4 Geoheritage values of Coningham NRA...... 12 Map 5 Coastal geomorphic landforms and vulnerability ...... 13 Map 6 Vegetation values...... 16 Map 7 Priority habitat values ...... 19 Map 8 Threats...... 26 Map 9 Weed management zones ...... 34 Map 10 Weed management effort ...... 35 Map 11 Recreation zones...... 45

TablesTTTaaabbbllleeesss Table 1 Conservation Zone Description...... 9 Table 2 Recreation Zone Description ...... 10 Table 3 Vegetation communities at Coningham NRA...... 15 Table 4 Vegetation values ...... 16 Table 5 Scheduled plant species ...... 16 Table 6 Scheduled animal species ...... 17 Table 7 Indicative habitat values – priority and threatened species...... 20 Table 8 Summary of options for closing the internal reserve road...... 39

AAAbbreviationsAbbbbbbrrreeevvviiiaaatttiiiooonnnsss aaandannnddd tttermsteeerrrmmmsss uuusedussseeeddd iiininnn ttthethhheee mmmanagementmaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt ssstatementstttaaattteeemmmeeennnttt ASL Above Sea Level DPIPWE Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment encroachment An unauthorised occupation of reserved land GIS Geographic Information System ha hectares IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature KDO Key Desired Outcome NMVS Not Managed for Visitor Services NRA Nature Recreation Area NRM Natural Resources Management PWS Parks and Wildlife Service RAA Reserve Activity Assessment RSF Reserve Standards Framework (see Appendix 5) SDI Soil Dryness Index WONS Weed of National Significance

111.1... SSSummarySuuummmmmmaaarrryyy

Coningham Nature Recreation Area (NRA) is situated in southern Tasmania, about 25 kilometres south of Hobart. The reserve covers an area of approximately 490 ha on the coast with Sheppards Hill being its most prominent upland feature. From Sheppards Hill, the land slopes down to the southern shore of North West Bay and to the east, to the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Bruny Island is less than two kilometres to the east across the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Coningham NRA is reserved principally for the protection of its vegetation as well as listed threatened species, Aboriginal heritage and to provide opportunities for a range of recreational pursuits. Coningham NRA will be managed to protect the unique and diverse vegetation communities, the habitat of priority fauna species such as the forty-spotted pardalote and swift parrot and to provide for a range of compatible recreational uses in the reserve. Reserves such as Coningham NRA are central to the maintenance of strong populations of wildlife as it provides a refuge from which dispersal occurs. The continuum of native vegetation from the reserve onto neighbouring properties is central to conserving a network of vegetation corridors in the landscape. The reserve is also highly valued as it provides for a wide range of recreational uses. Due to an increasing number of people living close-by, the reserve needs to be positioned for a likely increase in recreational use. Unauthorised use of the reserve, including persistent unauthorised off-road vehicle access, as well as weeds and neighbour encroachments threaten the reserve’s values. A number of strategies are proposed to reduce these threats. Erosion, damage to vegetation, dumping of rubbish and the spread of weeds are associated with unauthorised off-road vehicle use in the reserve. It is critical that this activity is controlled in order to prevent further damage to the reserve’s values. An estimated 60% of the reserve has been infested with Spanish heath (Erica lusitanica) with the majority of this weed being found in the middle and western parts of the reserve. While the area infested by Spanish heath has been substantially reduced by the hard work and perseverance of care groups, it is recognised that eradication of this weed from the reserve is not possible at this stage. The eastern part of the reserve, together with other strategic areas will be prioritised and actively managed to eradicate Spanish heath as resources permit and community support remains. Remaining areas will be managed to control Spanish heath along tracks, fire trails and firebreaks to reduce the potential for spread. This strategy may be reviewed if resource levels change. Over the past 10 years, the Friends of Coningham and the Friends of Coningham, Oyster Cove and Lower Snug, through successfully securing funds and via their monthly working bees, have played a crucial role in reducing weed infestation in the reserve. Their dedication and efforts are appreciated, acknowledged and will continue to be supported to the greatest extent possible.

Snug Point - Peartree Bay, Coningham Nature Recreation Area

photo: A. Turbett

222.2... IIIntroductionInnntttrrroooddduuuccctttiiiooonnn

222.1.2...111... PPPurposePuuurrrpppooossseee ooofofff ttthisthhhiiisss mmmanagementmaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt ssstatementstttaaattteeemmmeeennnttt This draft reserve management statement has been prepared with the purpose of improving conservation outcomes and recreation opportunities for the Coningham NRA. It describes the reserve and its values and provides strategies to protect the unique natural diversity and rich cultural values. The purpose of the management statement is to detail: • how the values of the reserve will be protected and presented; • how visitor activities will be managed; and • how and where future development of visitor service facilities may occur. It is intended to be a guide for the next ten years. The plan is for the community, including community groups, local residents, Natural Resources Management (NRM) network partners and Parks and Wildlife Service staff. It is a record of agreed strategies, actions and considerations for management, and provides guidelines on how visitors can use the reserve. 222.2.2...222... GGGeneralGeeennneeerrraaalll DDDetailsDeeetttaaaiiilllsss Gazetted Area: 491.837 ha Municipality: Kingborough Central Plan Registry Ref. No.: 4313 IUCN Category: V

Coningham NRA is located about 25 kilometres south of Hobart along the Channel Highway. The reserve can be accessed via local roads through the settlement of Coningham on the south shore of North West Bay, and via Old Station Road. Old Station Road dissects the reserve and serves as a back road between the Coningham settlement and Kettering to the south. A gravel road (the internal reserve road) enables vehicle access through the middle of the reserve to its eastern shore above the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. A cul-de- sac has been constructed upslope of the internal reserve road about 300 metres before its terminus.

MMMapMaaappp 111 Location of Coningham NRA

MMMapMaaappp 222 Main tracks, fire trails and firebreaks in Coningham NRA 222.3.2...333... RRReservationReeessseeerrrvvvaaatttiiiooonnn HHHistoryHiiissstttooorrryyy The area of land which now comprises the reserve was originally a Crown land block. Forest licences were held over much of the land by local saw-millers until the 1950s, with grazing leases in place until the late 1970s. The land had relatively low levels of clearing and very low grazing pressure. In 1975 the land was first reserved as a Regional Park with the recreational and natural value of the reserve being recognised through the creation of a state recreation area on 30 July 1979 under the Crown Lands Act 1976. On 30 April 1999, the reserve was converted by way of the Regional Forest Agreement (Land Classification Act) 1999 to a nature recreation area to be managed under the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002. The section of Crown land to the west of Old Station Road was adhered at this time. Activities in the reserve are subject to the National Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999. The Kingborough Planning Scheme 1993 zones the reserve for Environmental Management. It is also listed in the Heritage Schedule of the Planning Scheme. 222.4.2...444... SSSummarySuuummmmmmaaarrryyy ooofofff ttthethhheee Reserve’sRRReeessseeerrrvvveee’’’sss ValuesVVVaaallluuueeesss

SocialSSSoooccciiiaaalll valuesvvvaaallluuueeesss • Coningham NRA is an area primarily used and appreciated by residents local to the south of Hobart. It is especially valued for its flora values and as a link for wildlife moving between areas. It is cared for by two community groups which have dedicated much time and energy to restoring the reserve’s vegetation. • The majority of visitors come to the reserve for recreation. The reserve offers a range of recreational pursuits including bushwalking, nature (in particular flora) study/photography,

horse riding, orienteering, mountain bike riding, rock fishing and sightseeing in a primarily natural coastal setting. • The value of the area for education and personal development has long been recognised. The reserve now surrounds a private property block which until 2006, was managed by either community organisations or the State government to provide holiday, outdoor education and/or training camps. The reserve is also a favoured site for research by students of the University of Tasmania. • The reserve is viewed by some in the local community simply as “the bush” - a place which is wild, unregulated, a source of firewood, a rubbish tip site, a place to mud-run and a playground for racing old and/or stolen vehicles off track. While this type of use has been common-place in the past, these activities are now less accepted by the wider community and are prohibited under the National Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999.

BiodiversityBBBiiiooodddiiivvveeerrrsssiiitttyyy • The reserve has significant flora values. It is considered to have a high degree of naturalness and high representative conservation value. It also supports a significant area of threatened vegetation communities and forests with old growth values. A number of threatened plant species are also found in the reserve including orchid, rush, heath and grassland species. • The reserve provides habitat for a number of threatened and significant native animal species including the forty-spotted pardalote, swift parrot, chaostola skipper butterfly, bettong, Eastern barred bandicoot, Eastern quoll, swift parrot, white-bellied sea eagle and little penguin.

CulturalCCCuuullltttuuurrraaalll heritagehhheeerrriiitttaaagggeee • The area is highly valued by the Tasmanian Aboriginal community as it provides evidence of occupation and use and may have formed part of a travelling route to Bruny Island. • The reserve does not have a highly significant European history but is important in the local and regional context. 222.5.2...555... CCChallengesChhhaaalllllleeennngggeeesss aaandannnddd EEExpectationsExxxpppeeeccctttaaatttiiiooonnnsss

2.5.1222...555...111 ChallengesCCChhhaaalllllleeennngggeeesss The reserve has a number of significant management challenges that have been identified by PWS staff, visitors, neighbours and the care groups who work in the area. These include: • Improving the management of reserve access points to prevent associated unauthorised uses. This is the most critical management issue that needs to be addressed to ensure the long term viability of the reserve. • Managing additional visitor and neighbour pressure as nearby rural properties are sub-divided or holiday homes and shacks are upgraded to become permanent dwellings. This has resulted in the reserve coming under more pressure in recent years. This trend is likely to continue. • Providing for a wide range of recreational uses without degrading the values of the reserve.

222.5.22...555...222 CCCommunityCooommmmmmuuunnniiitttyyy EEExpectationsExxxpppeeeccctttaaatttiiiooonnnsss aaandannnddd FFFeedbackFeeeeeedddbbbaaaccckkk Feedback from the community who use or live near Coningham NRA was obtained via a survey (32 submissions), a planning forum (40 participants) and via representations to the draft management statement (23). The forum also canvassed issues associated with the reserve as well as the coastal strip (Public Reserve) between the dwellings and North West Bay. The public reserve will be addressed in separate management guidelines. Representations to the draft management statement were analysed according to standard PWS criteria and a response provided for each comment. This report was provided to respondents and has been made available on the PWS website.

There were three main areas where people expressed concern or made suggestions for improvements: biodiversity conservation, access management and recreational activities. BBBiodiversityBiiiooodddiiivvveeerrrsssiiitttyyy ccconservationcooonnnssseeerrrvvvaaatttiiiooonnn was seen as a significant issue with improved access management critical for improving conservation outcomes. Controlling weeds in Coningham NRA was the most common single issue with a high number of people wanting Spanish heath controlled, while others were concerned about a variety of exotic garden species and feral animals. Erosion of tracks and the formation of informal tracks was a concern and more track maintenance was seen as desirable. Unaccompanied, roaming dogs and dogs being walked off-lead were mentioned at the forum and again in submissions as they chase wildlife. Management strategies suggested by contributors and respondents include more funding, greater public education and greater cooperation between the PWS, the Kingborough Council and private individuals and organisations. AAAccessAcccccceeessssss mmmanagementmaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt was a major concern particularly in relation to vehicles driving off-road and related behaviours. Contributors and respondents suggested improving barriers and gates, erecting fences, closing some or all access roads and more policing and prosecution. Off-road vehicle driving was seen by many as being associated with issues such as safety, erosion, the spread of weeds, rubbish dumping, firewood cutting, erosion and camping. Use of trail bikes was also mentioned by several people. Out of the 23 submissions on the draft management statement, 15 submissions were in favour of closing the internal reserve road while two opposed the closure and the construction of a car park close to residences. The remainder were either silent on this matter or neutral. RRRecreationalReeecccrrreeeaaatttiiiooonnnaaalll aaactivitiesaccctttiiivvviiitttiiieeesss that contributors and respondents would like to see better catered for include bushwalking, horse riding, dog exercise and mountain bike riding. The designation of tracks for walking, cycling or horse riding was seen as desirable by a few for safety reasons though not essential at the current level of use. At the forum it was suggested that playground equipment, picnic tables and barbecue facilities be provided, however others objected to further developing these facilities. The development of additional walking tracks was generally supported although closing some tracks to reduce the spread of weeds, erosion and/or damage to vegetation was seen as desirable in some areas. Formalising the walking track to Peartree Bay to the south was suggested at the forum with five written submissions also supporting this proposal. Orienteering Tasmania, in their representation, requested that the entire reserve be made available for orienteering and that all tracks be made available for mountain bike orienteering. Generally respondents to the draft management statement agreed with the proposed designation of tracks for multiple use, although some expressed concern about restricting the use of other tracks. The draft management statement also identified some demand for a downhill bike course and bike skills park in the reserve or the wider region. Coningham NRA in recent years had become a venue for these activities. More PWS staff on site, better community education and information, changes to or more signs and additional funding were most frequently proposed to improve visitor behaviour and compliance. Several submissions also called for a more considered and measurable suite of Key Desired Outcomes for the reserve.

333.3... RRReserveReeessseeerrrvvveee MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt FFFrameworkFrrraaammmeeewwwooorrrkkk

The reserve management framework includes legislation, strategic policies and processes that apply across Tasmania’s public reserve system. Within the framework, specific provisions have been developed for the Coningham NRA. 333.1.3...111... SSStatementStttaaattteeemmmeeennnttt ooofofff SSSignificanceSiiigggnnniiifffiiicccaaannnccceee Coningham NRA is significant for conserving endangered, rare and vulnerable plant and animal species as well as State and nationally listed vegetation communities. Seven plant species found in the reserve are listed as rare or vulnerable under the State Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 with two of these species also being listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The two nationally listed species are pretty heath, (Epacris aff. virgata ‘Kettering’), listed as endangered and the tailed spider orchid (Caladenia caudata) which is listed as vulnerable. Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and woodland and Eucalyptus globulus forest are found in the reserve and are listed as threatened communities under State legislation. Themeda triandra lowland grassland community occurs on Sheppards Hill and is nationally listed as critically endangered. Coningham NRA is central to the maintenance of strong populations of wildlife in the region as it provides a refuge from which dispersal occurs. The continuum of native vegetation from the reserve onto neighbouring properties is important for maintaining genetic exchange and for conserving a network of vegetation corridors across the landscape. The reserve also provides important habitat for a number of state and nationally listed threatened fauna species including the swift parrot, forty-spotted pardalote and the chaostola skipper butterfly. The reserve was an important launching place for Aboriginal people moving from the main island of Tasmania to Bruny Island. The reserve contains many midden sites and a number of highly significant sites including an occupation cave. Today, the reserve is valued by the local community as a place to recreate in – a place to walk and also to ride bikes and horses. It is also highly valued by the two friends groups who come to the reserve expressly to enjoy and protect these values. 333.2.3...222... VVVisionViiisssiiiooonnn

In 10 years time Coningham Nature Recreation Area will be a place where the rich natural and cultural heritage is protected, valued and appreciated, and the local community can enjoy and learn about the environment in an essentially natural setting.

Tiger orchid (Diuris sulphureai) photo: E. Fitzgerald

333.3.3...333... LLLegislationLeeegggiiissslllaaatttiiiooonnn Nature recreation areas are proclaimed under the Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002 and are protected and managed under the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002. Threatened plants and animals are protected under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. All items of Aboriginal heritage in Tasmania are protected under the Aboriginal Relics Act 1975. A ‘nature recreation area’ is a category of reserve under the Tasmanian reserve system. A nature recreation area’s values, purposes and objectives are defined by the Nature Conservation Act 2002 the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002: • NatureNNNaaatttuuurrreee recreationrrreeecccrrreeeaaatttiiiooonnn areaaaarrreeeaaa values:vvvaaallluuueeesss::: Under the Nature Conservation Act 2002, a nature recreation area is an area of land predominantly in a natural state, or containing sensitive natural sites of significance for recreation. • NatureNNNaaatttuuurrreee recreationrrreeecccrrreeeaaatttiiiooonnn areaaaarrreeeaaa purposes:pppuuurrrpppooossseeesss::: The purpose of reservation of nature recreation areas, set out in the Nature Conservation Act 2002, is public recreation and education consistent with conserving the natural and cultural values of the area of land. • NatureNNNaaatttuuurrreee recreationrrreeecccrrreeeaaatttiiiooonnn areaaaarrreeeaaa objectives:ooobbbjjjeeeccctttiiivvveeesss::: A range of management objectives can apply to nature recreation areas. However, not all objectives will apply in each case. The management objectives which apply to nature recreation areas are prescribed in Schedule 1 of the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002. Objective (j), “to provide for exploration activities and utilisation of mineral resources”, applies to all nature recreation areas, until such time as the relevant authority agrees to a restriction and this is included in a statutory management plan. While not restricted by this management statement, exploration and mining activities are largely inconsistent with the protection of significant natural and Aboriginal cultural values, recreation use and amenity provided by the reserve. Management objectives for the reserve are as follows (sections of the management statement that address each objective are indicated in brackets): • to conserve natural biological diversity (see Sections 4.2, 5 and 6.1); • to conserve geological diversity (see Section 4.1 and 6.1); • to preserve the quality of water and protect catchments (see Section 6.1); • to encourage appropriate tourism, recreational use and enjoyment consistent with the conservation of the nature recreation area’s natural and cultural values (see Section 6.2); • to encourage education based on the purposes of reservation and the natural or cultural values of the nature recreation area, or both (see Sections 5.4 and 6.2); • to encourage research, particularly that which furthers the purposes of reservation (see Sections 4.2 and 6.2); • to protect the nature recreation area against, and rehabilitate the nature recreation area following, adverse impacts such as those of fire, introduced species, diseases and soil erosion on the nature recreation area’s natural and cultural values and on assets within and adjacent to the nature recreation area (see Sections 5 and 6.1); • to encourage cooperative management programs with Aboriginal people in areas of significance to them in a manner consistent with the purposes of reservation and the other management objectives (see Section 4.3); and • to provide for exploration activities and utilisation of mineral resources. 333.4.3...444... TTTasmanianTaaasssmmmaaannniiiaaannn ReserveRRReeessseeerrrvvveee ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt CodeCCCooodddeee ofooofff PracticePPPrrraaaccctttiiiccceee 2003222000000333 The Tasmanian Reserve Management Code of Practice, 2003 specifies appropriate standards and practices for new activities in reserves which have been approved through project planning and assessment processes. It also provides best practice operational standards. The General Principles and Basic Approach specified in the Tasmanian Reserve Management Code of Practice 2003 have

7 been adopted in the development of this management statement and will be applied in the conduct of operational management activities. 333.5.3...555... KKKeyKeeeyyy DDDesiredDeeesssiiirrreeeddd OOOutcomesOuuutttcccooommmeeesss Based on consideration of the reserve context, values, threats and resources available for management, the following key desired outcomes are identified for the reserve. The outcomes apply to future dates which are specified in Appendix 1. 1. Degraded bare earth areas have decreased and native vegetation cover is re-establishing in former degraded sites. 2. Native vegetation communities are in as good or better condition than in 2010. 3. Native species diversity is maintained or improved. 4. Fire management practices no longer pose an active threat of impact to significant reserve values. 5. Weeds have decreased and the weed-free zone has increased in size. 6. Adjacent landowners know what activities are permitted in Coningham NRA and cooperate with management by ceasing unlawful activities. 7. Coningham is no longer damaged by unauthorised vehicle access. 8. Visitors know what they can do where. * Aboriginal heritage values are protected (See Section 4.3 Aboriginal Heritage). * Visitors are informed about early use and history of the reserve. * These outcomes will only be evaluated if there is community support to establish and monitor sites and/or strategies and actions. See Section 7 Effectiveness Monitoring and Appendix 1for Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring. 333.6.3...666... MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt ZZZonesZooonnneeesss The management zoning is applied primarily as a basis for recreation planning and development control. The zoning system which has been applied to Coningham NRA was adopted from the (unpublished) Draft General Management Plan (PWS 2009a) for reserves across Tasmania. Coningham NRA is zoned for recreation and conservation. These zones indicate where activities and uses can be considered and will need to be managed to minimise impacts on values or other uses. Adjacent uses should also be compatible. See Map 3 below.

3.6.1333...666...111 OverlaysOOOvvveeerrrlllaaayyysss The second tier of the zoning system consists of a series of management overlays designed to provide further definition with regard to management intentions. A Management Use overlay applies to the firebreaks to allow for slashing and maintenance of the breaks. A Vegetation Management Overlays exists where powerlines fly over the reserve to allow trimming of vegetation under the powerlines. A Marine Resources Overlay has been applied to a small section of the reserve on the eastern coastline, to allow for an existing set of stairs licensed to the adjacent marine farm. These stairs enable staff and contractors to be collected by boat.

MMMapMaaappp 333 Zone designations for Coningham NRA (Source: PWS, 2009a) 3.6.2333...666...222 ConservationCCCooonnnssseeerrrvvvaaatttiiiooonnn zonezzzooonnneee The conservation zone typically contains landscapes or land units managed for low levels of access, which are substantially undisturbed or recovering and contain environmental and possibly cultural heritage values. It has values such as threatened ecosystems, Aboriginal sites, key habitat for threatened species, and old-growth forest communities. The aims of the conservation zone are: • to retain a largely natural setting that provides an experience meeting the needs of a minority of recreation users; • to conserve natural integrity and protect, maintain and monitor geodiversity and biodiversity; and • to conserve cultural heritage values.

TTTable1Taaabbbllleee111 Conservation Zone Description (Source: PWS, 2009a)

ValuesVVVaaallluuueeesss andaaannnddd AttributesAAAttttttrrriiibbbuuuttteeesss IIIndicativeInnndddiiicccaaatttiiivvveee DDDevelopmentDeeevvveeelllooopppmmmeeennnttt aaandannnddd UUUseUssseee

Predominantly those parts of High natural and cultural values are protected, enhanced and monitored. the reserve which are in a Visitor activities are nature-based, ecologically sustainable and have minimal largely natural state and impact on the natural setting. Provide for uses that are largely benign with support high natural values. respect to reserve values. Threatened fauna and flora Signs provided only where necessary to promote public safety. may be present. Works limited to those required for existing infrastructure, in circumstances of safety, for environmental or heritage protection or rehabilitation and for fire management. Other new development is not supported. Special events will not be encouraged. Motorised access is limited to management purposes.

The zone will provide for sustainable and dispersed recreational activities and small-scale, low key recreational facilities for use by people who are suitably equipped and prepared, without causing significant impact on natural processes. Management presence and inputs are generally at a low level. Activities may be undertaken under a concession agreement, but no associated infrastructure may be developed.

3.6.3333...666...333 RecreationRRReeecccrrreeeaaatttiiiooonnn zonezzzooonnneee The aim of the recreation zone is: • to provide at a basic level, for walking and other low impact nature based recreation opportunities in a way that conserves natural and cultural values.

TTTableTaaabbbllleee 222 Recreation Zone Description (Source: PWS, 2009a)

ValuesVVVaaallluuueeesss andaaannnddd AttributesAAAttttttrrriiibbbuuuttteeesss IndicativeIIInnndddiiicccaaatttiiivvveee DevelopmentDDDeeevvveeelllooopppmmmeeennnttt andaaannnddd UseUUUssseee

Varied outdoor recreation use. Low key recreational facilities and relatively high recreational use that does not Conservation values associated significantly impact on natural and cultural heritage values and the bushland with poorly reserved setting. vegetation communities. Any identified threatened flora and fauna species are protected and, where Aboriginal heritage values. possible, natural values are enhanced and/or rehabilitated. Potential historic heritage Recreational activities are ecologically sustainable. values. Visitors are provided with a range of outdoor recreation opportunities reliant Cleared or partially cleared on a natural setting. Low key infrastructure may include safety, directional or areas that are regenerating. hazard signs, minimal interpretation infrastructure, fencing, walking and multi- use recreation tracks. Works required in circumstances of safety, environmental or heritage protection or rehabilitation and for fire management Special events may be considered. No motorised vehicles allowed, except management and authorised vehicles.

This zone includes tracks specifically for walking and some multi-purpose tracks. See Section 6.2 Providing for Visitors and the Community. Specialised recreation infrastructure such as vehicle and horse float parking may be considered in designated locations. Concessions for low-key recreation services including guided tour operations may be considered. Concessions for accommodation will not be considered. Public rubbish bins will not be provided. Tracks identified for recreation will be marked by signs and maintained to ensure protection of the environment and the reasonable safety of users.

DesiredDDDeeesssiiirrreeeddd outcomesooouuutttcccooommmeeesss Visitors know what they can do where. See Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring.

StrategySSStttrrraaattteeegggyyy andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Apply the management zones defined above and on Map 3 when assessing development and use in the reserve.

Assess proposals for special purpose recreational activities involving the development of facilities in accordance with PWS Environmental Impact Assessment Policy (2007) – Reserve Activity Assessment process. Clearly indicate where different activities may be allowed within the reserve. Where adverse impacts on reserve values cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, activities will be directed to more appropriate areas. 333.7.3...777... SSStrategicStttrrraaattteeegggiiiccc AAAssetAsssssseeettt MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt The PWS manages a variety of assets in the reserve, including fire management tracks and firebreaks and visitor facilities such as walking tracks, signs and car parks. The standard, function, safety and appearance of visitor facilities impact on the experience of visitors. The Reserves Standards Framework (RSF) is a PWS management tool that promotes a strategic approach to provide and maintain visitor services and infrastructure across the reserve system (PWS et al. 2003). The RSF sets service standards for infrastructure, to help identify appropriate levels of site development, manage risk and target expenditure. Visitor sites within the reserve have been classified according to a set of site categories which list facilities and standards suited to the different visitors typically expected to use each site. PWS is manages liability by assessing visitor sites and meeting the corresponding site standards. PWS may propose that a site category be ‘upgraded’ or ‘downgraded’ to respond to existing or future visitor types. Such a proposal is recorded as an aspirational category and may require facilities to be introduced, improved, removed or modified to meet visitor requirements and to manage hazards. Coningham NRA is largely classed as Natural/Not Managed for Visitor Services (NMVS) as this reflects the current level of infrastructure and services provided. The Snug Point Track and internal reserve road are currently classified as Day Use – Get Away (basic). See Appendix 5 for a description of the RSF Site Categories. It is proposed that the main fire trails and two minor walking tracks be reclassified to Day Use - Get Away (basic) to better reflect the recreational use of these tracks and the need to provide basic signage for orientation and safety.

ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt issuesiiissssssuuueeesss The current RSF classification of the fire trails and some walking tracks do not reflect existing recreational use of these tracks. There are no directional or orientation signs in the reserve along the fire trails or walking tracks.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Update the RSF classification of the fire trails, walking tracks and other recreational areas to reflect current and planned recreational use.

444.4... CCConservationCooonnnssseeerrrvvvaaatttiiiooonnn ooofofff RRReserveReeessseeerrrvvveee VV ValuesVaaallluuueeesss

444.1.4...111... LLLandform,Laaannndddfffooorrrmmm,,, GeodiversityGGGeeeooodddiiivvveeerrrsssiiitttyyy andaaannnddd SeaSSSeeeaaa LevelLLLeeevvveeelll RiseRRRiiissseee The reserve covers an area of 491 ha with Sheppards Hill, a prominent upland at the centre of the reserve. Sheppards Hill slopes down to the southern shore of North West Bay, eastward to the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and southward toward Oyster Cove. From Sheppards Hill, a series of radiating creeks and small gullies lead to the coast. The shoreline consists of eroding sandstone platforms and cliff-faces with a short sandy beach on the northeast shore. The sandstone stratum is overlain at about 100 metres by dolerite. The slopes of the Coningham area are moderately steep and indented by gullies. The reserve ranges in altitude from sea level to 240 metres at Sheppards Hill. Between the 100 metre and 200 metre contours, gradients are steep and the substrate is typified by areas of bare, shattered dolerite and very stony ground. The soils above this altitude are essentially stony clay developed on a dolerite parent rock. Below the 100 metre contour, slopes are gentler and there is a geological change to Triassic quartz sandstone. The small sandstone cliffs on the coastal margin generally increase in height from south to north. Legacy Beach is a short beach which interrupts the cliff-line. During winter months, underlying pebbles on the beach may become exposed.

MMMapMaaappp 444 Geoheritage values of Coningham NRA (Source: PWS, 2009a)

While there are no listed sites in the reserve on the Tasmanian Geoconservation Database, the coastal Triassic sandstone cliffs present on the coastline are significant at a local scale. This is represented by the one value (green) polygon on map 4. This map and associated information is sourced from the PWS (unpublished) Draft General Management Plan (PWS 2009a). Climate change may cause the sea-level to rise between 0.3 metres by 2050 and 0.9 metres by 2100 (SGS Economics and Planning Pty. Ltd., 2009). This may affect the physical and biological values of the reserve. Australia’s coastal landforms have been mapped and classified into classes of differing physical stability or susceptibility to erosion in response to coastal processes including sea- level rise. Four coastal forms were mapped in Coningham NRA (Sharples, 2006). These are: • pebble, cobble or boulder beach or shoreline; • vertical or very steep cliffs with potential for rock-falls, collapse or slumping of rock faces ; • rocky shoreline including small cliffs with minimal vulnerability to flooding or erosion; and • sandy beaches backed by bedrock with potential for beach erosion but a lower recession vulnerability.

MMMapMaaappp 555 Coastal geomorphic landforms and vulnerability (Source: Sharples, 2006) ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt issuesiiissssssuuueeesss The soils at lower altitudes, particularly those in the vicinity of, and to the west of Old Station Road are derived from Triassic quartz sandstone and are potentially erodible. There is substantial potential for accelerated erosion at a number of locations along firebreaks where these are constructed on sandy soils on the brow of steep slopes. This combination occurs in the western part of the reserve and along firebreaks in the vicinity of Old Station Road. Sand was quarried from a pit to the west of Old Station Road in the 1970s with this practice continuing into the 1980s. The site is significantly disturbed and has recently been the focus of unauthorised track construction for a jump park and downhill mountain bike riding as well as unauthorised four wheel driving. The implications of climate change are not known as changes are difficult to quantify and prepare for given the level of uncertainty around predictions. Legacy Beach is the most vulnerable coastal landform to sea level rise. The Aboriginal occupation cave is located on a section of coastline that has been identified as having potential for rock-falls, collapse or slumping of rock faces.

DesiredDDDeeesssiiirrreeeddd outcomeooouuutttcccooommmeee Degraded bare earth areas have decreased and native vegetation cover is re-establishing in former degraded sites. See Appendix 1 for Performance Indicators. See Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss If resources permit, monitor Legacy Beach for coastline recession by establishing permanent photo points. Develop a rehabilitation plan to guide progress toward rehabilitating or controlling areas of erosion and landscape degradation including the disused sand quarry and unauthorised tracks. See Section 4.3 Aboriginal Heritage for strategies and actions relating to the Aboriginal occupation cave. See Section 5.2 Fire Management for strategies and actions relating to the protection of soils from damage caused by slashing. See Section 6.1 Track Network and Access Management for strategies and actions relating to the protection of soils from damage caused by unauthorised vehicle use. 444.2.4...222... BBBiodiversityBiiiooodddiiivvveeerrrsssiiitttyyy

4.2.1444...222...111 ConnectivityCCCooonnnnnneeeccctttiiivvviiitttyyy acrossaaacccrrrooossssss thettthhheee landscapelllaaannndddssscccaaapppeee Largely undisturbed native vegetation continues across the reserve boundary into private property south of the reserve. This farming property now supports areas of regenerating native vegetation as a result of the owner’s weed control program. This continuum of vegetation cover retains connectivity across the wider landscape and is important for animal movement and genetic exchange. A regional NRM project has commenced which aims to retain and build corridors and connections from Mount Wellington to the sea. Coningham NRA is an important component of this integrated approach to biodiversity management. Maintaining connectivity with surrounding vegetated areas is especially valued by the care groups who work in the reserve. The reserve is an important link in a chain of reserves throughout the region, not only for the maintenance of biodiversity across the wider landscape but also for horse riders who would like to see the link between this reserve and Snug Tiers NRA formalised.

444.2.24...222...222 VVVegetationVeeegggeeetttaaatttiiiooonnn valuesvvvaaallluuueeesss Many of the vegetation types found in the reserve are important in a regional context. The size of the reserve when combined with the adjoining private property is large enough to improve the viability of vegetation communities in the long term. Much of the reserve is timbered with the most significant forest being the threatened native vegetation community Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and woodland on sandstone which occurs on the lower slopes of the reserve. On the western side of the reserve on the sandy soils Eucalyptus amygdalina coastal forest and woodland is common. Eucalyptus viminalis occurs as a minor species in these communities. A small stand of Eucalyptus globulus dry forest, a threatened native vegetation community, is present in the northern gully below Sheppards Hill. Large areas on the higher parts of the reserve support Eucalyptus pulchella forest and woodland. This dry forest sometimes includes E. globulus, E. amygdalina and E. viminalis. Eucalyptus obliqua dry forest is also present in some parts of the reserve around which are some occasional trees of Eucalyptus ovata, Allocasuarina verticillata is also found as a woodland or growing as a sub- canopy around the coastal margins of the reserve.

Eucalyptus amygdalina coastal forest photo: L. Sparrow

Unusual vegetation communities in the area include the small patch of Eucalyptus obliqua/E. globulus - Dicksonia Antarctica - Ctenopteris heterophylla wet sclerophyll forest along the creek line east of Sheppards Hill and the E. pauciflora (cabbage gum) forest and woodland, which is found on dolerite just outside the southwest corner of the reserve. Grassy/heathy forests dominated by cabbage gum are poorly reserved in the State’s reserve system. Although this association is scarce and as a result, not always identified on the TasVeg (1:25 000) map system, it is not recognised as a threatened native vegetation community. Small but significant patches of grassland are found on Sheppards Hill including ‘lowland sedgy grassland’ and ‘lowland Themeda triandra grassland’. The latter community is a threatened native vegetation community listed nationally as critically endangered under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. However, there is evidence of clearing which may have resulted in this grassland community and so it may not represent true lowland Themeda grassland. Species found in these grassland communities include Lomandra longifolia, Themeda triandra, Deyeuxia densa and Poa spp. Some firebreaks cleared in the early 1980s were previously sown with agricultural grasses. There is evidence of these grasses remaining. The area of bushland that is bordered by the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail to the south and the internal reserve road to the north is considered to be in good condition with no weeds present (at this time). The vegetation values throughout much of the reserve are threatened by a heavy infestation of Erica lusitanica (Spanish heath). A wildfire in 2008 has provided a temporary reduction in the density and distribution of Spanish heath in the reserve and promoted the growth of post-fire grasses and shrubs. There are 264 native plant species recorded for Coningham NRA. The majority of species were recorded between 1980 and 1996 with about 172 species recorded in April, May and August (North et.al., 1996) as part of the assessment of the (then) State Recreation Area under the Recommended Areas for Protection program. At that time, 40 weed species were also recorded. The plant list recorded in 1996 provides a baseline dataset for determining if plant diversity has been maintained in the reserve. See Appendix 1 for performance indicators to gauge the trend in plant species diversity, and Appendix 2 for the reserve’s species list (Buchanan, 2009).

TTTableTaaabbbllleee 333 Vegetation communities at Coningham NRA

Vegetation community TAS VEG Approx. area Priority Threatened (1.0) code (ha) where Rating # community known status* Eucalyptus obliqua dry forest and woodland DOB 50

Eucalyptus pulchella forest and woodland DPU 260

Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and woodland on sandstone DAS <150 T Eucalyptus amygdalina coastal forest and woodland DAC Lowland Themeda triandra grassland GTL 6 A N

Lowland sedgy grassland GSL 9

Coastal heathland / canopy E. amygdalina SCH 1

Eucalyptus globulus dry forest and woodland DGL 1 T

Eucalyptus obliqua wet forest WOB 1

Allocasuarina verticillata forest NAV 1

Eucalyptus pauciflora grassy/heathy forest na

Agricultural land FAG 13

*Status of threatened communities T = Listed as a threatened native vegetation community on Schedule 3A of the Nature Conservation Act 2002, N = Listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act 1999. # = Priority rating for the D’Entrecasteaux Bioregion; ‘A’ being high and ‘C” being low; (Bushcare Technical Extension, 2003)

The vegetation values listed in Table 4 below are represented on Map 6. The polygons depicted on Map 6 correspond with the number of vegetation values recorded or mapped in the reserve. This map and associated information is sourced from the (unpublished) Draft General Management Plan (PWS, 2009a) for reserves across Tasmania. Table 4Table4 Vegetation values (Source: PWS, 2009a)

Vegetation value Reserve area (ha) Reserve area (%)

Threatened at State or bioregional level 152 31

Supports old growth 29 6

High representative conservation value 133 27

Highly natural biophysical state 427 87

Map 6Map6 Vegetation values (Source: PWS, 2009a) 4.2.34.2.34.2.3 Threatened plant species Seven plant species protected under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and/or the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 have been recorded in the reserve. These are listed in Table 5 below.

TableTableTable 555 Scheduled plant species

Species Common name Documentation Status Status Tasmania C’wealth* Caladenia caudata Tailed spider orchid Notesheet v VU Recovery plan Deyeuxia densa Heath bent grass Notesheet r

Epacris aff. virgata 'Kettering' Pretty heath Notesheet v EN

Juncus amabilis Gentle rush Notesheet r

Juncus vaginatus Clustered rush Notesheet r

Lepidium pseudotasmanicum Shade peppercress Notesheet r

Oligochaetochilus squamatus* Ruddy greenhood Notesheet r

Tasmanian Status: r = rare, v = vulnerable; Commonwealth Status: VU = Vulnerable, EN = Endangered, (*formerly Pterostylis squamata)

Pretty heath (Epacris aff. virgata 'Kettering') occurs among foothills below 300 metres around D’Entrecasteaux Channel and is found in the reserve to the west of Old Station Road. The validity of some threatened plant species records needs to be confirmed. A wildfire which swept through the reserve in 2008, presents an opportunity to conduct a post- fire survey for orchid species that are likely to flower in response to the fire e.g. Caladenia caudata and Corunastylis species. A find of Corunastylis morrissii would be very significant as there is only one small extant population in Tasmania. There is a historical record of this species in the area (1850), but it flowers in autumn where-as most botanical surveys are conducted in spring (Potts, 2006).

4.2.4444...222...444 ThreatenedTTThhhrrreeeaaattteeennneeeddd andaaannnddd significantsssiiigggnnniiifffiiicccaaannnttt animalaaannniiimmmaaalll speciesssspppeeeccciiieeesss Five animal species protected under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and/or the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 have been recorded in the reserve. These are listed in Table 6 below.

TTTableTaaabbbllleee 666 Scheduled animal species

Species Common name Documentation Status Status Tasmania C’wealth Pardalotus quadragintus Forty-spotted Listing statement e EN pardalote Recovery plan

Lathamus discolor Swift parrot Recovery plan e EN

Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied sea- Recovery plan v eagle Perameles gunnii gunnii Eastern-barred VU bandicoot Antipodia chaostola Chaostola skipper r butterfly

Coningham NRA also provides habitat for other significant native animals such as the Tasmanian bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) and little penguins (Eudyptula minor). Eastern quolls are also known from the area but have not been recorded in the reserve. The following information comes from Bryant and Jackson (1995) except where otherwise cited. Forty-spottedFFFooorrrtttyyy---ssspppoootttttteeeddd pardalotepppaaarrrdddaaalllooottteee Forty-spotted pardalotes are listed as endangered under both the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. They forage predominantly in white gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), which is critical to the survival of individuals and breeding colonies (Woinarski & Rounsevell 1983; Woinarski & Bulman 1985; Brown 1986; Dorr 1999 in Threatened Species Unit, 2006). Forty-spotted pardalotes are territorial and sedentary and form loose colonies at permanently occupied sites. Nests are built in hollows of live or dead trees, stumps of logged or fallen trees and limbs, and very occasionally in holes in the ground (Brown 1986, in Threatened Species Unit, 2006). The forty-spotted pardalote breeds between August and December. Four to five eggs are laid with potential for a second clutch during the breeding period. Clutches are generally fledged by September-October. Some nest sites are re-used in successive seasons and it is likely that pairs remain together for several years (Woinarski & Bulman 1985 in Threatened Species Unit, 2006). Structural changes to the forest that reduce tree canopy cover may lead to reductions in the size of colonies or the local extinction of the forty-spotted pardalote. Fire and dieback contribute to this phenomenon. Wildfires have the potential to kill canopy trees and over-firing can reduce the potential for eucalypt recruitment.

Invasion by the noisy miner is considered to be a major threat to the forty-spotted pardalote where its habitat has been fragmented and/or opened up by disturbance (e.g. Woinarski & Bulman 1985; Brown 1986; Bryant 1991). Forty-spotted pardalotes have not been recorded from Coningham NRA for many years. However, in 2009 there were unconfirmed reports of the bird’s call from the reserve.

ChaostolaCCChhhaaaooossstttooolllaaa skipperssskkkiiippppppeeerrr butterflybbbuuutttttteeerrrffflllyyy A colony of chaostola skipper occurs in and adjacent to Coningham NRA. The chaostola skipper is listed as Endangered under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. In this reserve the chaostola skipper is recorded from heathy E. amygdalina forest on sandstone that supports the food plant Gahnia radula in the understorey. The butterfly’s larval stage feed on Gahnia radula and Gahnia microstachya. The caterpillars rest in shelters made by joining leaves of the G. radula plant together. They emerge at night to feed on the leaves. Pupation also occurs in the shelters. The chaostola skipper has a 2 year life cycle, unlike other butterflies in Tasmania which develop from egg to caterpillar to adult in one year. The 2 year life span may make the larval or pupae stage more susceptible to being eliminated by frequent hot fire, firebreak slashing or other disturbance. The adult flight period is around October to December. Gahnia radula is the key food plant for chaostola skipper and should be actively retained and encouraged by replanting throughout the butterfly’s range. When established this plant species forms dense clumps and also provides shelter for other animal species. TasmanianTTTaaasssmmmaaannniiiaaannn bettongbbbeeettttttooonnnggg Bettongs prefers dry open eucalypt forests and grassy woodlands but are not associated with any one undergrowth type as they can be found in grassy, shrubby or heathy areas. The animal is nocturnal, spending the day in a domed, camouflaged nest of grass and feeding at night. It may travel up to 1.5 kilometres from the nest to a feeding area. The main staple of the bettong’s diet is mycorrhizal fungi but it also eats seeds, roots, bulbs and insects. The presence of the fungi largely determines the density of bettongs (Taylor, 1993). Tasmanian bettongs can survive low to moderate fire and there may be an increase in population density on burnt areas. Fire increases bettong digging and foraging activity. Fire has been found to stimulate the production of sporocarps by the mycorrhizal fungi and thus lead to an increase in food supply for bettongs (Taylor 1991, 1992). Frequent fire is detrimental to fungal production which is highest in sites that have not been burnt for four or more years. Bettongs are advantaged by recent fire but not frequent fire. While burnt areas can provide suitable foraging for fungi, long grass and fallen branches are essential to provide protected nesting areas. Little of the bettong's habitat is protected within reserves and the species is wholly protected. It is particularly vulnerable to attacks by cats and dogs. Bettong habitat is affected by fire frequency and intensity. EasternEEEaaasssttteeerrrnnn barredbbbaaarrrrrreeeddd bandicootbbbaaannndddiiicccoooooottt In Tasmania, young bandicoots are born between late May and December. During a single breeding season a female may produce as many as sixteen young in one year. Although the eastern barred bandicoot has a very high reproductive rate, mortality among juveniles is extremely high. The causes of mortality are not well known, but predators and disease appear to be the main agents. The life-span of the eastern barred bandicoot is less than three years.

Eastern barred bandicoots spend their day resting in nests. Nests comprise of a shallow depression in the ground with a dome of grass over the top. Only one adult bandicoot occupies a nest, although young may share the nest with their mother for a week after they first leave the pouch. After dusk, they emerge to forage for food. They eat mainly invertebrates from the soil leaving small conical holes from which they have extracted the insects. They also eat berries and fungi. SwiftSSSwwwiiifffttt parrotpppaaarrrrrrooottt The swift parrot migrates between Tasmania where it breeds during spring and early summer, and the south-east of mainland Australia where it spends winter. In spring, the birds congregate in a narrow coastal band along Tasmania’s east coast south of Binalong Bay with small breeding populations in the north of the state. The swift parrot nests in tree hollows. Pairs breed once a year and may raise three to four young. Swift parrots have a specially adapted tongue to feed on nectar. During the breeding season they target the large flowers of the blue gum Eucalyptus globulus although they will also feed on nectar from the swamp gum E. ovata. The nectar of the blue gum triggers their breeding cycle and is the reason for their return each year to Tasmania. White-belliedWWWhhhiiittteee---bbbeeelllllliiieeeddd sea-eaglessseeeaaa---eeeaaagggllleee The white-bellied sea-eagle requires nesting sites within five kilometres of the coast or open water bodies. In each case the sites need to be relatively free from disturbance. A nest site is thought to occur in the reserve. LittleLLLiiittttttllleee penguinpppeeennnggguuuiiinnn There is a small colony of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) near the beach below the ex-Camp Coningham. In 2005-2006 there were nine pairs of birds. The colony’s current status is unknown.

4.2.5444...222...555 HabitatHHHaaabbbiiitttaaattt valuesvvvaaallluuueeesss Map 7 indicates potential and actual habitat for priority fauna and flora species. Listed in Table 7 are the potential and actual priority species for each of the habitat layers across the reserve. This map and associated information is derived from existing datasets and has been sourced from PWS (unpublished) Draft General Management Plan. It is intended to be used as a guide only.

MMMapMaaappp 777 Priority and threatened species indicative habitat values (Source: PWS, 2009a)

TTTableTaaabbbllleee 777 Indicative habitat values - priority and threatened species (Source: PWS, 2009a)

HHHabitatHaaabbbiiitttaaattt 000 1 species1speciesspecies 2 species2speciesspecies 333- 3---44 species4speciesspecies 555- 5---88 species8speciesspecies 999- 9---1515 species15species pppolygonpooolllyyygggooonnn speciesspeciesspecies AAAreaArrreeeaaa (((ha)(hhhaaa))) 51 57 56 104 191 32 Acacia longifolia Acacia longifolia Acacia longifolia Acacia longifolia Acacia longifolia subsp. longifolia subsp. longifolia subsp. longifolia subsp. longifolia subsp. longifolia Accipiter Accipiter Accipiter Accipiter Accipiter novaehollandiae novaehollandiae novaehollandiae novaehollandiae novaehollandiae (foraging habitat) (foraging habitat) (foraging habitat) (foraging habitat) (foraging habitat)

n n

o on Antipodia Antipodia Antipodia Antipodia Antipodia g go y yg

l ly chaostola chaostola chaostola (likely chaostola (likely chaostola o ol

p po (confirmed site) (confirmed site) habitat & habitat & (confirmed site) t t p

a at confirmed site) confirmed site) t ta Arachnorchis Arachnorchis Arachnorchis i it b bi

a ab caudata caudata Bettongia gaimardi Arachnorchis caudata h ha (likely & known caudata n n h Caladenia caudata Bettongia gaimardi Bettongia gaimardi i in

r r i (known habitat) habitat) Bettongia gaimardi (known habitat) u ur Festuca plebeia c cu

c cc Caladenia caudata Deyeuxia densa (likely habitat) Caladenia caudate

o oc Lathamus discolor

y y o Epacris aff. virgata Caladenia caudata a ay Pterostylis Epacris aff. virgata Juncus vaginatus

m ma 'Kettering' squamata 'Kettering' Deyeuxia densa Lathamus discolor h h m c ch i ic Juncus amabilis Festuca plebeia Epacris aff. virgata

h hi Lepidium

w wh Juncus amabilis 'Kettering'

Pterostylis pseudotasmanicum s s w e es i ie squamata Lathamus discolor Festuca plebeia Pardalotus c ci e ec

p pe Perameles gunni Juncus amabilis quadragintus s sp

y y s

t ty Juncus vaginatus Pterostylis i it r ri

o or squamata

i io Lathamus discolor r ri p pr Lepidium f f p o of

pseudotasmanicum e e o g ge

n ng Pardalotus a an RangeR of priority species which may occur in habitat polygon R Ra quadragintus Perameles gunni Pterostylis squamata

ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt iiissuesissssssuuueeesss (Biodiversity)(((BBBiiiooodddiiivvveeerrrsssiiitttyyy))) Weed invasion and adverse fire regimes are the biggest threats to the maintenance of species diversity. See Section 5.3 Weed Management for further information. The effects of adverse fire regimes are sometimes followed by a failure of seedling recruitment. See Section 5.2 Fire Management for further information. The vegetation mapping (TasVeg) is not entirely correct for the forested areas and may need to be resurveyed. The status of the forty-spotted pardalote in the reserve is unknown. All ground-dwelling animal species are vulnerable to attacks by cats and dogs, and this may cause significant mortality in some populations. While it has been found that the presence of unrestrained pet dogs has a strong negative effect on ground-dwelling fauna, restraining pet dogs is likely to reduce this threat to wildlife (Daniels, 2008). In Coningham NRA the main threat to ground-dwelling fauna species comes from roaming and uncontrolled dogs which can flush them from their nests or shelter. Fauna habitat can also be affected by fire frequency and intensity. Bettongs are advantaged by recent fires and not by frequent fires which can reduce fungi production and nesting opportunities. Cats carry the disease Toxoplasmosis, which can be transmitted to Eastern barred bandicoots and wallabies. Sometimes the disease can be fatal.

Threats to forty-spotted pardalote habitat is likely to be from the loss of tree canopy cover through fire or lack of recruitment which may increase invasion by competitive bird species and the removal of nesting sites in fallen timber through fire and illegal wood cutting. Frequent hot fire can interrupt the two year life span of the chaostola skipper butterfly as the larval or pupae stage is susceptible to being eliminated by frequent hot fire, firebreak slashing or other disturbance. Patches of Gahnia radula are found throughout the firebreak system in Coningham NRA, particularly to the west of Old Station Road near the Channel Highway. On the Hopwood block there is a large patch of Eucalyptus globulus dry forest and woodland which is a listed threatened native vegetation community of importance for swift parrots. This forest patch is heavily infested with Spanish heath Erica lusitanica. A reduction in the stands of blue gum Eucalyptus globulus, and live and dead trees containing hollows, by illegal firewood cutting and a lack of juvenile recruitment due to too-frequent hot fires also threaten the maintenance of swift parrot habitat in Coningham NRA. Disturbance in the vicinity of the sea-eagle nest site during the nesting season may result in preventing the nest from being re-built, used or an unsuccessful breeding attempt The main threats to the little penguin colony is the presence of roaming dogs which can decimate a population in a single attack. The colony’s status is currently unknown.

DesiredDDDeeesssiiirrreeeddd outcomesooouuutttcccooommmeeesss Native vegetation communities are in as good or better condition than in 2010. Native species diversity is maintained or improved. See Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss The strategies and actions below aim to improve knowledge about the reserve’s natural values. See Section 5 Reserve Protection Programs and Section 6 Visitor Services and Management for strategies and actions relating to the protection of priority species and habitats in the conduct of reserve activities. Ensure that newly recruited reserve managers know the location of priority habitat areas. Conduct a vegetation survey and update the reserve plant list. Confirm threatened plant species records. Update the TasVeg vegetation maps. Locate, map and record priority vegetation communities and priority habitat areas for: • forty-spotted pardalote (stands of Eucalyptus viminalis); • chaostola skipper butterfly (associated with Ghania radula); • swift parrot (associated with Eucalyptus globulus for foraging and any eucalypt trees supporting hollows for nesting); • Eastern barred bandicoot; • Tasmanian bettong; • threatened plant populations; • rare or threatened native vegetation communities; and • rare or poorly reserved plant associations (not listed as threatened native vegetation communities). Conduct post-fire surveys for orchids that flower in response to fire. Conduct surveys to monitor the response of the chaostola skipper butterfly and Epacris virgata ‘Kettering’ to fire.

Assess the condition or health of the Eucalyptus amygdalina communities in accordance with Barnes et. al. (2002). Implement the management requirements for scheduled species described in the listing statements and recovery plans. In consultation with specialists, define further reserve-specific management guidelines for the protection of populations of threatened species, priority habitat areas and species or communities of significance. Test frogs for the presence of the Chytrid disease prior to excavating waterholes. Engage in research and monitoring to fill knowledge gaps for ecological and management issues of threatened species or other species of significance in the reserve. Liaise with neighbours who have areas of native vegetation on their properties, so that native vegetation can be managed sustainably across the wider landscape. ChaostolaCCChhhaaaooossstttooolllaaa skipperssskkkiiippppppeeerrr butterflybbbuuutttttteeerrrffflllyyy See Section 5.2 Fire Management for strategies and actions relating to the protection of Ghania radula habitat in firebreaks. See Section 5.4 Boundaries and Local Neighbourhood for strategies and actions relating to extending the range of Ghania radula. Conduct surveys to locate the chaostola skipper butterfly. These are best undertaken during the flight time of mid-October to mid-December but can be undertaken at other times by targeting the occurrence of larval/pupal shelters in Gahnia radula. Report sightings of this species to the DPIPWE Threatened Species Unit. Forty-spottedFFFooorrrtttyyy---ssspppoootttttteeeddd pardalotepppaaarrrdddaaalllooottteee See Section 6.1 Track Network and Access Management for actions to reduce the potential for tree canopy reduction by illegal firewood cutting. Conduct periodic surveys to determine the current status of the forty-spotted pardalote population in the reserve. SwiftSSSwwwiiifffttt parrotpppaaarrrrrrooottt See Section 6.1 Track Network and Access Management for actions to reduce the potential for tree canopy reduction by illegal firewood cutting. Conduct periodic surveys of swift parrot to determine levels of feeding and breeding activity. White-belliedWWWhhhiiittteee---bbbeeelllllliiieeeddd sea-eaglessseeeaaa---eeeaaagggllleee Conduct a survey to ascertain if there is a sea-eagle nest near Peartree Bay and if it is active. If the nest is found to exist, develop a strategy to protect the nest that includes: • conducting a survey for nest activity prior to any potentially disturbing activity including weed control activities within 500 metres; • implementing breeding season buffers if the nest is active, against disturbance of 500 metres and 1 000 metres in line-of-sight to protect the nest; and • conducting periodic surveys to monitor breeding success and the effects of disturbance if necessary. LittleLLLiiittttttllleee penguinspppeeennnggguuuiiinnnsss Conduct periodic surveys to determine the status of the little penguin colony. Develop a site works plan if activities are proposed in the vicinity of the colony. See Prior & Wells (2009) for information and management guidelines.

444.3.4...333... AAAboriginalAbbbooorrriiigggiiinnnaaalll HeritageHHHeeerrriiitttaaagggeee A survey of Aboriginal heritage was conducted by Ian Thomas and Debbie Maynard in June 1988. The area to the west of Old Station Road was not included in the survey as it was unreserved at this time. A total of 50 Aboriginal sites were located during the course of the survey. The majority of sites were found below the 50 metre contour within 100 metres of the sea, demonstrating a highly localised use of the coastal margin. In general, most of the sites are small and situated on level to gentle slopes. The simple state of many of the sites may be due to long-term disturbance. While there is a general lack of large complex sites, there are a few highly significant sites present in the reserve. Nearly all of the artefacts were manufactured from silcrete, with a nearby quarry being the likely source of the material. The Snug Point (coastal) Walking Track was diverted around a midden at the eastern end of Legacy Beach during the reconstruction of that section of track. During reconstruction, a set of stairs that had been built on the midden many years ago, were mostly removed and the midden thatched with branches. Occasionally, though not recently, visitors attempt to walk on the closed section of track across the midden. There is a cave located on the coast that was once occupied by Aboriginal people. It is an important Aboriginal site as it is the closest departure point for swimming to Bruny Island. It would have been used as an overnight shelter and contains midden material. There was a failed attempt to disguise the track to the cave to discourage use and a hazard sign erected. The Aboriginal community would like to see a joint project developed to improve protection of Aboriginal heritage and the reserve’s environment.

ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt issuesiiissssssuuueeesss A history of severe fires through the reserve has resulted in all open heritage sites being subject to increased sheet and incipient gully erosion. The midden at Legacy Beach is partially exposed and subject to minor run-off. The posts that supported the (now removed) stairs are still in place. They are a testament to inappropriate management practices and are an eye-sore. The walking track to the occupation cave is actively eroding and carries surface run-off which enters the cave through a large hole in the cave roof. The track to the occupation cave is promoted in popular walks information books. The Aboriginal occupation cave is located on a section of coastline that has been identified as having potential for rock-falls, collapse or slumping of rock faces by Sharples (2006). See Section 4.1 for description of coastal forms Because there is potential for the cave roof to collapse, a fence was erected along the cliff-top to deter visitors from walking on top of the cave roof but visitors can still skirt around the fence and visit the cave. Recently a section of the fence was removed by visitors to enable easier access to the cave. Visitors recreating at or near the occupation cave are exposed to the risk of injury in the event of the cave roof collapsing. The Aboriginal community would prefer that people not visit the cave out of respect for the place and for those who once lived there.

DesiredDDDeeesssiiirrreeeddd outcomesooouuutttcccooommmeeesss Aboriginal heritage values are protected.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Record and protect places of Aboriginal cultural heritage. Work collaboratively with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community in the protection, conservation, presentation and monitoring of Aboriginal values. Ensure that any new development or activity is assessed in accordance with PWS Environmental Impact Assessment Policy (2007) – Reserve Activity Assessment process. Consult the Aboriginal community concerning development proposals or new activities that may have potential to impact on Aboriginal heritage places and values. Conduct surveys for Aboriginal heritage before development is approved, particularly where: • there is likely to be ground disturbance; • where located below the 50 metre contour; • within 100 metres of the sea; and/or • along ridgelines and/or near water courses. Locate new development away from Aboriginal heritage places. Following closure of the internal reserve road (see Section 6.1, Track Network and Access Management), consider closing and rehabilitating the walking track to the occupation cave. Erect a sign at the start of the track to the cave that promotes the notion of Respecting Place by not visiting the place. Include this information on the track closure sign. Liaise with authors of popular walks information books about the removal of directions to the occupation cave. Replace the existing sign on the fence at the top of the cave roof with a hazard warning sign that meets current approved policy and standards. Install grips to reduce surface water run-off and thatch the track with shrub and tree boughs. Grips should also be installed and maintained between the end turning circle and the junction of the track to the occupation cave. Renew the thatching on the midden at Legacy Beach with seed-bearing boughs and branches. Consider trimming the posts that previously supported the (now removed) stairs in the midden at Legacy Beach. Conduct post-fire Aboriginal heritage surveys to improve site identification after fire. Work with the Aboriginal community to identify and develop joint projects that protect Aboriginal heritage and the reserve’s environment, including monitoring of desired outcomes for Aboriginal heritage, should the Aboriginal community want to undertake this action. 444.4.4...444... HHHistoryHiiissstttooorrryyy aaandannnddd HistoricHHHiiissstttooorrriiiccc HeritageHHHeeerrriiitttaaagggeee There are currently no recorded historic heritage places identified in the Tasmanian Heritage Places Index. Coningham was originally known as The Sheppards, named after the line of hills that form the upland area of the reserve. European history began with the charting of the foreshore by Baudin in 1802. In the 1840s the road to Oyster Cove convict probation station was constructed largely with convict labour. This road was maintained through the 1850s when Oyster Cove housed the remaining Tasmanian Aboriginal people brought in from their land by G.A. Robinson. The land did not attract settlers as it was dry and had poor sandy soils but was considered adequate for sheep grazing. The area was grazed from 1829 until 1922 when the run was surrendered and returned to the Crown as dogs were killing the sheep. Grazing leases for The

Sheppards were later resumed and continued until late in the 1970s. A large shearing shed was built near the pear trees but this was eventually blown off its foundations. The Sheppards had been a source of firewood, which was at first freighted up to Hobart by the ‘she-oakers’. In more recent times the (then) Forestry Department issued licenses to woodcutters in return for a royalty. There are stories of men cutting furnace wood and living on The Sheppards in a bark hut. Many access tracks were made into the hills by woodcutters so that firewood could be transported by truck. In the 1950s there were ten timber licences issued for The Sheppards but only a few were used. The council closed the access road at Coningham at the request of the Coningham Progress Association in June 1950 because of damage by timber trucks. This ban was disregarded by some woodcutters who requested the road be re-opened, claiming their livelihoods depended on it. Forestry Tasmania ceased issuing timber cutting licences for the area. It was noted however that there was indiscriminate cutting and carting of wood including green standing timber with the waste becoming a fire hazard. In 1957, the Legacy organisation leased an area of the reserve, designated as Crown land at the time, with the view to providing holiday camps at Easter and Christmas for the children of Legacy widows. It was originally called Hobart Legacy Gellibrand Camp. In 1967, fires damaged the camp. Legacy bought the area of land at Coningham, rebuilt the camp and fenced the area in 1968. The track from the camp to Legacy Beach was constructed. On 15 September 1975 a Regional Park was proclaimed. At this time Australian Pulp Mills had a licence to obtain pulpwood from Coningham. The company had no objection to the Regional Park being established providing it did not affect the maximum allowable cut of pulpwood available to the company in southern Tasmania. In 1977, the camp was sold to the Education Department’s Division of Recreation and in the 1990s it was sold to Centacare (Anglican Mission). In 2006 the camp was sold to a private vendor. The value of the reserve for recreation, education and the conservation of biodiversity was formally recognised by the creation of a State Recreation Area on 30 July 1979 under the Crown Lands Act 1976. On 30 April 1999, the reserve was converted by way of the Regional Forest Agreement (Land Classification Act) 1999 to a nature recreation area to be managed under the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002.

ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt issuesiiissssssuuueeesss Historic use of the reserve has included a number of activities which became unauthorised uses when the tenure of the land changed.

DesiredDDDeeesssiiirrreeeddd outcomesooouuutttcccooommmeeesss Visitors are informed about early use and history of the reserve.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Incorporate, where appropriate, information about the reserve’s historic heritage into signs and information brochures. Replace out-dated signs and use positive messages to inform the public about the status of the land, permitted activities and any restrictions. See Section 6.1 Track Network and Access Management.

555.5... RRReserveReeessseeerrrvvveee PPProtectionPrrrooottteeeccctttiiiooonnn ProgramsPPPrrrooogggrrraaammmsss

555.1.5...111... TTThreatsThhhrrreeeaaatttsss The main threat to the reserve’s biodiversity is from weed invasion due to the presence of Spanish heath (Erica lusitanica) and other weed species throughout much of the reserve.

MMMapMaaappp 888 Threats (Source: PWS, 2009a)

The likelihood of weed invasion and Phytophthora cinnamomi infection are: • 93% of the reserve has a high risk of weed invasion; and • 0.1% of the reserve is at risk of infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi.

This map and information is sourced from the (unpublished) Draft General Management Plan (PWS 2009a). Until late 2009, the reserve was thought to be potentially free of Phytophthora cinnamomi as the climatic conditions of the reserve are at the lower end of those required for its spread. With the wet conditions of 2009, infection of a stand of Banksia marginata has occurred in the vicinity of the disused sand quarry on Old Station Road. The Phytophthora has appears to have spread across Old Station Road into the main part of the reserve.

ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt issuesiiissssssuuueeesss Of concern is the recent (late 2009) use of the abandoned sand quarry for off-road driving and the potential that exists for vehicles to infect susceptible plant species and to carry the disease further into the reserve. Pretty heath, (Epacris aff. virgata ‘Kettering’), a threatened species, found in the general vicinity of the disused sand quarry, is susceptible to infection by Phytophthora. Unauthorised vehicle access can also accelerate and perpetuate the spread of weeds. This is addressed in Section 6.1 Track Network and Access Management.

DesiredDDDeeesssiiirrreeeddd outcomesooouuutttcccooommmeeesss Visitors know what they can do where. See Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Confirm the presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the reserve. Provide information to visitors and neighbours about the need for hygiene measures to control the spread of Phytophthora within the reserve and to other locations. See Section 5.4 Boundaries and the Neighbourhood and Section 6 Visitor Services and Management for strategies and actions relating to the provision of information to visitors and neighbours and the control of unauthorised vehicle use in the reserve. 555.2.5...222... FFFireFiiirrreee ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt Wildfires have burnt the reserve approximately every 15 years with the most recent fire in 2008 burning 85% of the reserve. The remaining unburnt areas included a patch of grassy dry sclerophyll forest near the north-eastern shoreline (below the internal reserve road) and a patch near the Hopwood Street entrance. While the unburnt patch at Hopwood Street contains the densest stand of Spanish heath in the reserve, it is likely that it provides refuge for native animals in the absence of understorey elsewhere in the reserve. A fire management plan was prepared for Coningham NRA in 2006, but now requires updating due to this fire in early 2008. Prior to this wildfire, the primary objective for prescribed burning in the reserve was for ecological management. The burning regime proposed was based on low intensity burns to promote species diversity (both flora and fauna) with a secondary objective of breaking the reserve into a series of smaller areas which may in turn, reduce the intensity and size of wildfires. The wildfire which burnt much of the reserve has forced a rethink of this plan. During 2010 a Fire Management Strategy will be prepared for the PWS Southern Region to manage fire risk. The strategy will be based on an assessment of risk to built, natural, cultural and historic assets. It will make recommendations about planned burning for asset protection, strategic fire management and ecological reasons as well as bushfire mitigation works such as fire trails, firebreaks and water holes. It will generally cover fire planning requirements for small reserves such as Coningham NRA. Fire management and suppression procedures accord with the Inter-Agency Fire Management Protocol. In the Coningham NRA the primary wildfire mitigation work is the maintenance of firebreaks where it is logistically and environmentally appropriate to do so. The firebreaks appear to be wider than is normally found in a reserve with some breaks being more than 80 metres wide. The main firebreaks are located along the northern boundary of the reserve to the south of the neighbouring houses in Coningham and on the southern boundary to the west of Old Station Road. The firebreak near Old Station Road was ineffective at stopping the 2008 wildfire which typically came from the north-west. Substantial resources are tied up in the slashing program each year to maintain the firebreaks. There are seven waterholes in the reserve, a few of which are useful for fire control or management purposes. Some of the waterholes are also used by riders to water their horses when riding in the reserve. The location and condition of the waterholes are Waterhole, Hopwood Street photo: L. Sparrow described below:

• waterhole 1: is located 300 metres east of Old Station Road and is damp but does not hold much water as it is silted; • waterholes 2, 3 and 4 are in the vicinity of Hopwood Street and all hold water with two being suitable sources of water for fire fighting and for horses. Cambungi reed is growing in them; • waterholes 5 and 6 are generally dry and unrecoverable. One is located on the top side of the internal reserve road and the other is in the creek line near the Albert Road fire trail; and • waterhole 7 is located near Legacy Beach and is half in the reserve and half on private property but is not accessible by vehicle. Visitors and neighbours and their properties will be protected from fire as far as is practicable. As far as is practicable and safe to do so, fire management practices should not adversely impact on biodiversity or threatened species nor degrade soil resources. Fires are not permitted in the reserve unless an authority has been granted by the reserve manager.

5.2.1555...222...111 EcologicalEEEcccooolllooogggiiicccaaalll considerationscccooonnnsssiiidddeeerrraaatttiiiooonnnsss Ecological burns, as far as is practicable, should accord with optimal fire frequencies to maintain biodiversity. The following information is from the Bushcare Toolkit Vol 7 and 8 (Wood and Knee, n.d.) LowlandLLLooowwwlllaaannnddd grasslandgggrrraaasssssslllaaannnddd Within the area covered by this management statement, lowland grasslands mostly consist of native grasslands dominated by Themeda triandra, Poa spp. and/or Danthonia spp. Lowland grasslands may burn poorly and form effective fire boundaries if the Soil Dryness Index (SDI) is low (e.g. below about 15). At higher SDI levels, these grasslands may carry fast moving and relatively intense fires. More frequent cool-moderate fires are needed to maintain the grasslands. DryDDDrrryyy sclerophyllssscccllleeerrroooppphhhyyyllllll forestfffooorrreeesssttt withwwwiiittthhh litterllliiitttttteeerrr understoreyuuunnndddeeerrrssstttooorrreeeyyy This assemblage consists of dry sclerophyll forest which is typically over a sparse understorey over litter. It is fire dependent and typically has a fire frequency of five to 30 years. Low intensity prescribed burning for hazard-reduction should be conducted on a five to eight year rotation while ecological management burns are normally scheduled at intervals of 15 to 25 years. Where the fire frequency is more than about 10 to 15 years between fires this assemblage typically has moderate to high dead-fuel loads resulting in it being able to support fires over a broad range of conditions and hence carry a significant level of fire risk. In contrast, where fires occur at less than about 15 years between fires, there is a high probability that adverse ecological impacts will occur. This means that hazard-reduction burning should only be performed where it is going to provide effective reductions in the level of wildfire risk and the majority of the area subjected to prescribed burning should be burnt using ecological management prescriptions. The soils in this assemblage typically have a low organic content but areas of duff may occur. AllocasuarinaAAAllllllooocccaaasssuuuaaarrriiinnnaaa forestfffooorrreeesssttt andaaannnddd woodlandwwwoooooodddlllaaannnddd These communities require a long fire interval of 15 years or more. GrassyGGGrrraaassssssyyy drydddrrryyy sclerophyllssscccllleeerrroooppphhhyyyllllll forestfffooorrreeesssttt Grassy dry sclerophyll forest consists of a eucalypt dominated overstorey over a grassy understorey. This assemblage is fire dependent and typically has a fire frequency of three to 25 years. Low intensity prescribed burns for both hazard-reduction and ecological management are normally conducted at three to eight year intervals in grassy dry sclerophyll forest. The soils in this assemblage typically have a low organic content but areas of duff may occur. Grasslands require more frequent cool-moderate fires.

HeathyHHHeeeaaattthhhyyy drydddrrryyy sclerophyllssscccllleeerrroooppphhhyyyllllll forestfffooorrreeesssttt Heathy dry sclerophyll forest consists of eucalypt forest and woodland over a heath or scrub understorey. This assemblage has similar fire characteristics to dry sclerophyll forest with a litter understorey. The heathy understorey of the coastal Eucalyptus amygdalina forest has become overgrown as scrub and requires burning to re-establish a heathy understory. EpacrisEEEpppaaacccrrriiisss virgatavvviiirrrgggaaatttaaa sspssssssppp ‘Kettering’‘‘‘KKKeeetttttteeerrriiinnnggg’’’ PrettyPPPrrreeettttttyyy heathhhheeeaaattthhh The effects of adverse fire regimes are sometimes followed by a failure of seedling recruitment. Weed invasion and adverse fire regimes are the biggest threat to this species. It is also likely that slashing (if not too low) can promote the vigour of heath plants in the absence of fire (pers. comm. P. Black 2008). The information immediately below is quoted from The Recovery Plan for Tasmanian Forest Epacrids 1999-2004 (Keith, 1997). Current knowledge of the fire ecology of threatened Epacris species suggests the following management guidelines are required to reduce the risk of fire-driven population decline: i) allow the length of fire intervals to vary within the thresholds of eight to 25 years; ii) minimise the occurrence of fires when droughts are predicted in the spring-summer period of the following two years; and iii) avoid the occurrence of three or more low intensity fires (consuming <0.6 kg.m2 ground fuel) in succession.

ChaostolaCCChhhaaaooossstttooolllaaa skipperssskkkiiippppppeeerrr butterflybbbuuutttttteeerrrffflllyyy In this reserve the chaostola skipper butterfly is recorded from heathy E. amygdalina forest on sandstone that supports the food plant Gahnia radula in the understorey. The butterfly’s larval stage emerges at night to feed on the leaves. The chaostola skipper has a 2 year life cycle which may make the larval or pupae stage more susceptible to being eliminated by frequent hot fire, firebreak slashing or other disturbance. The adult flight period is around October to December. BettongBBBeeettttttooonnnggg habitathhhaaabbbiiitttaaattt Because frequent fire is detrimental to the production of the fungi, which is the main staple of bettongs, fungi density is highest in sites that have not been burnt for four or more years. Thus bettongs are likely to be advantaged by recent fire but not frequent fire. While burnt areas can provide suitable foraging for fungi, long grass and fallen branches are essential to providing protected nesting areas. The unburnt patch of grassy dry sclerophyll forest near the north-eastern shoreline (below the internal reserve road) is likely to be critical habitat (important for nesting) for the bettong for several years at least. Forty-spottedFFFooorrrtttyyy---ssspppoootttttteeeddd pardalotepppaaarrrdddaaalllooottteee habitathhhaaabbbiiitttaaattt Fallen branches, dead trees, logs and stumps are essential for providing nesting sites for pardalotes. Fire may reduce the availability of this habitat.

ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt issuesiiissssssuuueeesss Urban development abuts the reserve’s boundaries and complicates the management of wildfire threats. Awareness of the reserve’s values within organisations that suppress fire could be improved.

The timing, intensity and frequency of fire can affect ecological values. Fuel reduction may be used to reduce the risk of wildfire. However, too frequent or infrequent a burning regime can lead to a significant loss of biodiversity. Optimal ecological fire frequency can vary greatly between different vegetation community types. Frequent cool-moderate fires are needed to manage the grasslands. Due to a too-low fire frequency prior to the 2008 fire, the heathy understorey of the coastal E. amygdalina forest had become overgrown with scrub species. Fire management practices can influence the growth and spread of weeds. There is more Spanish heath growing along the firebreaks in the western part of the reserve than along the firebreaks in the east of the reserve. This localised infestation may be due to slashing practices and should be a consideration when planning this activity. Slashing firebreaks and too-frequent hot fires have the potential to adversely affect the habitat of the chaostola skipper butterfly due to its two year life cycle. Waterholes in the reserve are mostly choked with silt and cambungi reeds, thereby reducing their capacity and usefulness for fire management purposes. It is unknown if the frog population in the waterholes has Chytrid disease. See Section 5.3 Weed Management for more information on weeds. See Section 6.1 Track Network and Access Management for other issues relating to fire trail management.

DesiredDDDeeesssiiirrreeeddd outcomesooouuutttcccooommmeeesss Fire management practices no longer pose an active threat of impact to significant reserve values. See Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss aaandannnddd aaactionsaccctttiiiooonnnsss See Section 4.2 Biodiversity for strategies and actions relating to improving knowledge about the reserves priority species. Recommendations will be made in the PWS Southern Region Fire Management Strategy (to be developed in 2010) in relation to planned burning for asset protection, strategic fire management, and ecological reasons as well as bushfire mitigation works such as fire trails, firebreaks and waterholes. In the interim, the following actions and strategies should guide fire management activities in Coningham NRA. Provide information about the reserve and its values to fire suppression organisations. Ensure that in times of wildfire, knowledgeable managers are available to assist in protecting the habitat of threatened species. Fire planning should aim to protect currently unburnt areas from wildfire to maintain a minimum fire interval of at least eight years to a maximum 25 years to create a range of habitats in the reserve. Avoid hot burns in patches of potential habitat (Ghania radula), especially between mid-October to mid-December as this is when butterflies are reproducing. Aim for cool winter or early autumn burns in a patchwork mosaic to minimise disturbance and protect habitat integrity (Bryant & Jackson, 1999). Obtain specialist advice regarding the maintenance of bettong habitat and forty-spotted pardalote habitat areas when planning prescribed burns, particularly if burns are planned for the grassy dry sclerophyll area at the eastern end of the reserve. Where necessary, include pre- and post-fire weed programs in burn plans.

Take into consideration the management guidelines of The Recovery Plan for Tasmanian Forest Epacrids 1999-2004 (Keith, 1997) when developing the burn plans for the reserve. Inspect sites for threatened species before the commencement of ground-disturbing developments associated with fire management such as rerouting fire trails, blading firebreaks or refurbishing waterholes. Mark patches of threatened species (including Ghania radula) located in firebreaks with a recognisable marking system and remove patches from the slashing program where safe and practicable to do so. Patches of Gahnia radula habitat in firebreaks near the Channel Highway should be retained in particular. Mark and remove from the slashing program, areas of the firebreak with bare ground or exposed soils especially where these are located on sandy soils and steep land where safe and practicable to do so. Where necessary, implement erosion control measures on firebreaks, especially where located on sandy soils and steep land. Develop a plan for proposed works. Realign and rehabilitate unnecessary duplications of fire trails. Where practicable realign tracks on disturbed ground. Treat the Spanish heath at the end of Hopwood Street through an integrated approach by slashing and prescribed burning followed by chemical treatment. Burning should be conducted in the autumn to minimise effects on nesting fauna. Slashing should be started in the eastern weed-free firebreaks before slashing the western firebreaks that are infested by weeds and in particular, Spanish heath. Re-excavate the waterholes west of the Hopwood Street entrance to clean out silt and cambungi. Aim to undertake works on waterholes when water levels are low, most likely at the end of summer. Provide access for the watering of horses if reshaping the sides of water holes. Determine if the Chytrid fungus disease is present prior to excavating waterholes to guard against spread. The following actions apply to the waterholes in the reserve: • waterhole 1: (300m east of Old Station Road) reform this waterhole; • waterholes 2, 3 and 4: (vicinity of Hopwood Street) clean out cambungi reed; • waterholes 5 and 6: abandon; and • waterhole 7; formalise access for fire management purposes. Ensure machinery is clean before moving within and before entering and leaving the reserve and moving within the reserve to prevent the spread of weeds and disease. Follow the machinery hygiene guidelines, Tasmanian Washdown Guidelines for Weed and Disease Control.

555.3.5...333... WWWeedWeeeeeeddd MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt There are many weed species present in the reserve with the greatest variety of species concentrated on the interface between the reserve and the Coningham settlement. Spanish heath on the other hand is spread throughout the reserve, occurring as dense patches and single plants. Pampas (Cortaderia sp.), blue bell creeper (Billardaria heterophylla) and blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) occur as single plants through some parts of the reserve. Friends of Coningham NRA and until recently, the Friends of Oyster Cove, Coningham and Lower Snug have worked at controlling weeds since the early 2000s. The Friends of Coningham Group meet monthly in the reserve to control weeds and have sustained this effort since the group formed. Both groups have focussed on removing Spanish heath with Friends of Coningham working mainly in the eastern part of the reserve and the Friends of Oyster Cove, Coningham and Lower Snug working on infestations in the vicinity of Old Station Road. Efforts, particularly in the eastern half of the reserve are starting to reduce the Spanish heath infestation although there is still one dense, extensive infestation on the eastern slopes of the reserve. Control of this patch commenced in early 2009. The group has successfully removed outlying individual weed plants through much of the eastern section of the reserve over the past four years. Spanish heath is thought to have spread initially from neighbouring properties and then through the reserve via recreational activities such as bushwalking, bike riding and horse riding - on footwear, tyres and hooves. Illegal off-road vehicle use is also likely to have caused the spread of this weed. There have been recent eradication activities in the reserve as a result of a wider regional weed control project which targeted nationally significant weed species for eradication. See Appendix 2 for a list of weeds found in or near Coningham NRA. A survey of the Spanish heath and other weeds was undertaken in October 2008 after the wildfire earlier that year. The survey confirmed that there exists a brief opportunity to control the weed due to improved access and a substantial reduction in the density of the infestations. The survey also identified priorities for control of Spanish heath and other outlying weed species. There were 1 092 plots surveyed with no Spanish heath recorded in 731 plots, fire-killed Spanish heath recorded in 228 plots and live Spanish heath recorded in 133 plots. See Appendix 3 for the list of weeds found in or near Coningham NRA. The Friends of Coningham together with PWS has identified the eastern section of the reserve as a priority for the eradication of Spanish heath. The western section is identified for control only at this stage with the emphasis of control along tracks, trails and firebreaks. Vegetation bounded to the south by the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail and the north by the internal reserve road is in good condition as it free of weeds due to the efforts of the Friends of Coningham. This core bushland area is a priority area for preventing weeds from becoming established.

MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt iiissuesissssssuuueeesss Illegal vehicle use is associated with the dumping of garden waste and the spread weeds via mud on tyres and by driving along and off existing tracks. Mud on footwear, horse hooves and tyres may also have a role in the spread of weed seed. Spanish heath is found growing in patches along the firebreaks particularly at the western end of the firebreak behind Coningham. The firebreaks which are used for all recreational activities are a corridor for the movement of weed seed and propagules through the reserve. Annual slashing of the firebreaks could also spread Spanish heath. It is most unlikely that Spanish heath can be eradicated from the reserve at this stage but there is a large area in the east of the reserve where Spanish heath and other weeds can be eradicated. Unauthorised activities undermine the weed control work of the care groups. Some immediate neighbours have in the past used the reserve to stockpile and burn garden waste and also to store excess soil, both of which can introduce exotic species via seed or propagules. There are a number of environmental weeds in the Coningham settlement which have been grown as garden plants and are recognised environmental weeds that have potential to spread into the reserve. Monitoring is required to assess the effectiveness of weed management activities.

DesiredDDDeeesssiiirrreeeddd outcomesooouuutttcccooommmeeesss Weeds have decreased and the weed-free zone has increased in size. See Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss See Section 5.2 Fire Management for managing weeds in firebreaks. The overarching aim for weed management in Coningham NRA is to eradicate all weeds including Spanish heath from the eastern part of the reserve. The remainder of the reserve will be subject to control of weeds. See Map 9. The area of vegetation bordered to the south by the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail and the north by the internal reserve road is in good condition and should not be promoted for walking, horse riding or mountain bike riding to reduce the likelihood of spreading weed seed into this area. The Friends of Coningham NRA, Friends of Oyster Cove, Coningham and Lower Snug and other volunteer organisations should be supported and encouraged in their efforts to undertake weed control. Casual/occasional volunteers, (individuals, school and community groups) should be directed towards working on the most accessible patches of Spanish heath, particularly near Hopwood Street entrance after prescribed burning. Investigate options for recruiting volunteers to work on weed control in the Davies Road area. Identify and pursue opportunities to increase funding and volunteer effort for weed control. Develop, refine, support and monitor the weed management strategy in conjunction with local care groups.

Patches of Spanish heath will be systematically controlled in accordance with those areas marked ‘2009’ and ‘2010’ on Map 10. Review the maps and plans for weed control on an annual basis with local care groups to identify options for control efforts. Record and map effort and changes to the distribution of weeds and

33 provide this information to the Kingborough Council’s Weeds Database or a regional Natural Resources Management database.

MMMapMaaappp 999 Weed management zones (Hatched area: weed eradication zone. Un-hatched area: weed control zone) (NMVS = not managed for visitor services) Priorities for weed control in the reserve include the eradication of outlying individual plants and populations of weeds then follow with the eradication of Zone A weeds from the reserve. See Appendix 3 for an explanation of terms. Follow the Bradley method for weeding; first find and tackle the outlying individuals then work in from the edges of weed populations. Weeds and in particular Spanish heath should be eradicated from all firebreaks, as they serve as a corridor for the movement of weed seed and propagules through the reserve. Weeds should also be removed from within three metres of designated tracks. Treat the Spanish heath at the end of Hopwood Street through an integrated approach by slashing and prescribed burning followed by chemical treatment. Burning should be conducted in the autumn to minimise effects on nesting fauna. Avoid bringing in or moving material such as rubble, gravel, sand, soil and water, and all plants, into or around the reserve. If this is not possible, ensure that these materials are free of weeds and pathogens. Ensure management vehicles, equipment and footwear is clean prior to heading off- road. In 2015, if resources permit, conduct a weed survey based on the methods used in the 2009 survey.

MapMMMaaappp 10111000 Weed management effort (NMVS = not managed for visitor services)

555.4.5...444... BBBoundariesBooouuunnndddaaarrriiieeesss aaandannnddd ttthethhheee NNNeighbourhoodNeeeiiiggghhhbbbooouuurrrhhhooooooddd The reserve shares boundaries with private property to the south and north. The sea borders the reserve to the east and part way along its northern boundary. Most of the bordering private land consists of the small allotments of the Conningham settlement with larger rural properties to the west and south. The reserve rings a parcel of private land in the north-east part of the reserve.

ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt issuesiiissssssuuueeesss Adjacent landowners can enhance or adversely affect reserve values. Some adjacent landowners access the reserve directly from their rear property boundary. In a number of instances this has resulted in unlawful occupation, unauthorised vehicle access, weed incursions and/or clearing on reserved land. There may be a number of unauthorised keys to the locks on reserve boundary gates in the local community.

DDDesiredDeeesssiiirrreeeddd oooutcomesouuutttcccooommmeeesss Adjacent landowners know what activities are permitted in Coningham NRA and cooperate with management by ceasing unlawful activities. See Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring.

SSStrategiesStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss aaandannnddd aaactionsaccctttiiiooonnnsss Survey the boundary of the reserve, particularly behind private land along Davies Road as funds permit, to ensure that neighbours know where their boundaries are. Where there are no fences or gates along private-reserve boundaries, encourage neighbours to fence their back (reserve) boundary including access points and gates. Promote where appropriate, the design of fences which allow for wildlife movement. Directly approach residents where encroachments or access issues occur, particularly where there is evidence of unauthorised vehicle access from neighbouring private property. Provide information on appropriate and lawful use of the reserve directly to these residents and provide a timeline for removal of any occupation. Where there is an established culture of non-compliance and this is unlikely to change, install rock barriers or fence the reserve boundary. Prepare a communication plan to inform neighbours, the local community and visitors about the reserve’s values and threats, including the potential for the spread of some garden plant species and Phytophthora into and through the reserve, activities permitted in the reserve and opportunities to assist with protecting the reserve. Information should be provided via local events, local media, visiting neighbours and mail-outs where appropriate. Properties along Davies Road (west of Old Station Road) are the highest priority. Liaise with neighbours who have areas of native vegetation on their properties, so that native vegetation can be managed sustainably across the wider landscape. Promote the horticultural use of Gahnia radula in local gardens via existing opportunities for community extension in order to extend the habitat of the chaostola skipper butterfly.

666.6... VVVisitorViiisssiiitttooorrr SSServicesSeeerrrvvviiiccceeesss aaandannnddd MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt

666.1.6...111... TTTrackTrrraaaccckkk NNNetworkNeeetttwwwooorrrkkk aaandannnddd AccessAAAcccccceeessssss ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt Tracks and trails in the reserve have developed for a range of reasons over past decades. Reasons include farming, firewood cutting, fire management and recreation. Most tracks were not planned but have formed from previous use and years of informal use by visitors. Section 6.2 Providing for Visitors and Community addresses issues specific to track use for recreation. Several of the tracks in the reserve are used for management purposes such as fire management, weed control and patrols. A number of tracks have no clear purpose, are poorly sited or show signs of erosion. There are limited resources for track management. Some tracks traverse a core bushland area which is in essentially good condition with no known weeds. This area is bordered by the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail and the internal reserve road. Nearly all signs located at the access points (entrances) to the reserve are out-dated and in poor condition. Many signs state “Coningham SRA” (state recreation area) - a tenure which no longer exists. Until 1999, a state recreation area was a designated tenure of reserve under the Crown Lands Act 1976 but has been superseded by the tenure of nature recreation area. See Section 2.3 Reservation History. There are no signs along Old Station Road to identify the reserve and limited signage to prohibit fires, vehicle access or rubbish and garden waste dumping. Control of unauthorized vehicle access in Coningham NRA is the most critical management issue. Many of the threats to the biodiversity in the reserve are a direct result of unimpeded vehicle access off-road and resultant illegal activity which may follow. Unless vehicle access is controlled, attempts to restore and improve biodiversity outcomes will continue to be compromised. Riders of unregistered trail bikes regularly travel through the reserve on the firebreaks and track system. Unauthorised track development by mountain bike riders has occurred near Old Station Road. The reserve has become a destination for joy riders in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles. The later are sometimes either stolen or purchased cheaply from wrecking yards specifically for the purpose of ‘bush-bashing’ through the reserve until they break down. The vehicles are then abandoned and sometimes burnt with an associated risk of wildfire. During wet weather, sections of the fire trails on higher ground in particular, can become deeply rutted by unauthorised vehicle use necessitating other users (horse riders and walkers) to detour around these areas. This may result in trampling of vegetation. There is also localised puddling of soils (where the soil structure breaks down) on the fire trails on Sheppards Hill mainly as a result of unauthorised off-road vehicle use during wet weather. Illegal vehicle use is associated with the dumping of garden, building and domestic waste, firewood cutting and arson and most likely, the spread weeds, in particular Spanish heath. These illegal activities undermine the weed control work of the care groups. Firewood cutting activities has an impact on the natural values of the reserve. The removal of dead trees and logs removes potential habitat for hollow-nesting native birds and animals, including the forty-spotted pardalote.

Despite concerted efforts by management staff over past decades, illegal off-road vehicle use remains an on-going problem and the main cause of many management issues. There are at least 21 access points into the reserve’s bushland areas from a variety of locations including road reserves, directly off public roads, off the internal reserve road and via private property. Fourteen of these locations are directly off public roads or publicly accessible road reserves. The access points and associated signs have been mapped, described, analysed and strategies devised to rationalise and strengthen each access point (PWS 2009a). This strategy has not been included in this management statement due to concerns about further compromising reserve security. Closer liaison with some neighbours who have unimpeded access into the reserve through their properties’ back boundary is also recommended. See Section 5.4 Boundaries and the Neighbourhood. One of the most problematic access points is on Old Station Road. This access was gated some years ago but the adjacent boundary fence was cut thus enabling vehicle access into the reserve. In October 2008, a trench and berm was constructed along the boundary to prevent access. While this measure was successful for almost 12 months, vehicles have since breached this point. The security of this access point is the highest priority.

InternalIIInnnttteeerrrnnnaaalll reserverrreeessseeerrrvvveee roadrrroooaaaddd The internal reserve road into the heart of Coningham NRA was constructed in the late 1970s by the (then) Lands Department. The actual reason for its construction is undocumented but it is thought to have been constructed to allow for wider recreational use of the reserve. The internal reserve road is 2.8 kilometres long and constructed of red gravel requiring regular maintenance. It is also known locally as Sheppards Hill Road. Both two and four wheel drive vehicles are able to drive off this road along much of its length into the bushland areas of the reserve. This situation has been further exasperated by the 2008 wildfire that burnt much of the reserve, thus opening up the bush, making ingress far easier than before the fire. The internal reserve road terminates in two separate turning circles that are less than 300 metres apart. A limited number of visitors use these turning circles to access the coastal walk and fishing spots, for looking at the view and sometimes car camping. Horse owners do not use the turning circles very often as the internal reserve road is too narrow to be negotiated safely while towing a horse float. There is a short track from the bottom turning circle to a set of stairs, built and licensed to the fish farm, which accesses the shoreline below. A trench and berm (mound) barrier for preventing vehicle access has been constructed for about 150 metres along the uphill side of the top turning circle to its eastern most point. Vehicles can easily drive around the end of the barrier and drive off-road through the reserve. It has been suggested that this turning circle be closed to prevent off-road access from this point. To be effective, a fence or other barrier would have to extend from the top turning circle almost to the bottom turning circle to prevent vehicles from driving around the end of the barrier. In 2003 the level of use of the internal reserve road was considered to be low with the number of vehicles entering the reserve for legitimate purposes estimated to average less than eight vehicles a week. This estimate was made on the basis of vehicle counters which were in place for three

38 years between November 2000 and October 2003. During this period there was an average of 37 cars per week entering the reserve. This figure included the fish farm workers vehicles which averaged 25 vehicles per week. Of the 12 other vehicles entering the reserve, some were there for legitimate reasons while a number of vehicles entered expressly to “hoon”, take firewood or dump waste. Preventing vehicles from accessing the bushland areas of the reserve from the internal reserve road is considered a critical step toward reducing illegal activities in the reserve. The main options for managing the internal reserve road into Coningham NRA were identified and analysed for the social and economic cost and benefit of each option. All options, with the exception of closing the internal reserve road, require the allocation of substantial funds to upgrade (even partially) the road to Australian Standard and for on-going maintenance. See summary below. Costs are based on an engineering report written in 2001 (Sinclair Knight Mertz 2001). All costs have risen substantially since this date. A summary of the options and associated costs found in the table below indicates that there are few savings made by partial closure of the internal reserve road.

TTTableTaaabbbllleee 888 Summary of options for closing the internal reserve road

CapitCapitCapitalCapital or project Annual maintenance OptionOptionOption cost ($)cost($) cost ($)cost($)

RRRoadRoooaaaddd ooopenopppeeennn aaallallllll yyyearyeeeaaarrr - Top turning circle retained Barriers installed to block access from internal reserve 62 700 12 600 road and install signs Road open all year --- Top turning circle closed Barriers installed to block access from internal reserve 63 000 11 500 road and install signs Road closed wwwinterwinterinterinter --- Top turning circle closed Barriers installed to block access from internal reserve 65 500 8 050 road and install signs Road closed winter --- Top turningTopturning circle retained Barriers installed to block access from internal reserve 65 000 8 600 road and install signs Road closed all year 20 400 900

The most cost-effective option in terms of resources (funds and staff), community goodwill, conservation outcomes and recreational benefit is the closure of the internal reserve road immediately inside the main entrance (eastern end of Coningham settlement). This option will result in at least four major ingress points and 5.6 kilometres (i.e. 2.8 kilometres x two sides) of easily breached road edge being closed by one gate, associated earthworks and car park. In addition, the substantial work completed by volunteers would not be compromised and additional opportunities for recreation will be available. See Appendix 4 for Analysis of options for community benefit. Since 2003, many local residents, interest groups and some neighbours have asked repeatedly for this road to be closed in order to reduce the many significant impacts of unauthorised vehicle access. The concept of road closure was raised at the community forum and then canvassed with all identified user groups. The majority supported the concept as it would provide additional recreational opportunities. A small number of rock fishers, some local residents who drive to the

39 end of the internal reserve road and immediate neighbours have expressed some concern about this option. Most recreational user groups would benefit from the road closure as more opportunities become available for the use of the internal reserve road. For example, walkers, dog walkers, horse riders, cyclists and orienteering groups benefit from being able to use the road for their pursuits. The most significant benefit of closing the road is that the reserve’s heritage values can be protected in the most efficient manner and that the friends of groups will no longer have their work undermined by illegal practices. This single action will enable priority vegetation communities to be protected from weeds, threatened fauna habitat to be protected from direct harmful activities and erosion to be reduced.

ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt issuesiiissssssuuueeesss There are a number of tracks with no clear purpose and/or poorly sited with a management cost associated with their maintenance. There are two infrequently used tracks which join the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail with the internal reserve road in the east of the reserve which traverse a core bushland area now in good condition due to the removal of weeds by the Friends of Coningham. It is expected that use of the reserve will increase in the future and if these tracks are not closed, weeds may spread back into this area. See Section 5.3 Weed Management. Entrance and boundary signs provide scant information about permitted and prohibited activities in the reserve. Most entrance (reserve name) signs are out of date. Prosecutions are difficult to justify and can be compromised if signage is not clear and accurate. There is a risk of wildfire from stolen or cheaply-purchased vehicles which are abandoned and then burnt after being bush-bashed through the reserve. Erosion, reduced water quality, direct damage to grassland communities, dumping of waste, firewood cutting and spread of weeds are associated with unauthorised off-road vehicle use. There is a management cost associated with repairing track damage, cleaning up waste and weed control. These illegal activities undermine the weed control work of the care groups. There are at least 21 access points into the reserve, several of which are often used for illegal purposes or to gain unauthorised access into the reserve. The environmental impacts of constructing the internal reserve road are high but were not predicted at the time of construction. Both two-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles are able to drive off the internal reserve road along much of its length into core bushland areas of the reserve making successful vehicle control difficult and costly. There are a number of options for managing the internal access road in order to reduce unauthorised access with one option clearly being the most cost-effective.

DDDesiredDeeesssiiirrreeeddd oooutcomesouuutttcccooommmeeesss Coningham NRA is no longer damaged by unauthorised vehicle access. Degraded bare earth areas have decreased and native vegetation cover is re-establishing in former degraded sites. See Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss AccessAAAcccccceeessssss controlcccooonnntttrrrooolll See Section 6.2 Providing for Visitors and the Community for detail on recreational access. See Section 5.2 Fire Management for additional strategies and actions in relation to management of tracks and firebreaks. Close the internal reserve road at the Coningham settlement boundary at the reserve’s main entrance. This will be subject to a period of monitoring and will be evaluated to identify and rectify any issues that may arise. Following closure of the internal reserve road, private motorised vehicles will only be permitted in the reserve where authorised. Prepare a communication plan for this option. Methods could include letterbox drops for neighbours and residents, local advertising, media article, a public notice in a major southern newspaper and meetings with individuals. A small area may be designated for parking at the reserve’s main entrance. Assess the suitability of the firebreak near the Hopwood Street entrance for parking of horse floats after the control of Spanish heath has been substantially completed. Two infrequently used tracks which join the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail with the internal reserve road in the east of the reserve should be closed and rehabilitated in order to reduce the risk of spreading weeds back into this area. See Section 5.3 Weed Management. Address illegal vehicle use at other access points through closing or barricading all obvious points of illegal vehicle access into and within the reserve in accordance with the Coningham NRA Reserve Access Strategy (PWS, 2009b). Establish photo points to monitor the change in area of exposed soil in the Themeda grassland caused by vehicle damage. See Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring. SignsSSSiiigggnnnsss See Section 6.2 Providing for Visitors and the Community (Designated Use). Prepare a sign plan for the Coningham NRA according to the PWS outdoor signage standards and implement over the next five years as funds permit. Replace out-dated signs that relate to the reserve name as a high priority with signs to inform the public about the status of the land, restrictions and permitted activities. Basic information and regulatory signage, including the location of the nearest toilet should be installed at the reserve entrance. Any additional interpretive signage should be located a short distance inside the reserve boundary. Install reserve name signage along Old Station Road as a high priority and signs to prohibit dumping of waste with on-the-spot fine warnings. ComplianceCCCooommmpppllliiiaaannnccceee Develop and implement a range of measures to increase compliance. These measures may include: • increasing community awareness of the appropriate and lawful use of the reserve through provision of information and via events; • introducing a “Bushwatch” program as a means for the community to contribute to surveillance of the reserve;

• including Coningham NRA in a regional program of regular surveillance to curb illegal activities such as firewood gathering, targeting the reserve at times when activities are most likely to occur; • installing adequate signage to improve knowledge and thus compliance; and • including Coningham NRA in routine and random operation patrols/fire patrols in summer. ErosionEEErrrooosssiiiooonnn controlcccooonnntttrrrooolll Develop a rehabilitation plan to guide progress toward rehabilitating and/or controlling areas of erosion and landscape degradation including the disused sand quarry and unauthorised tracks. Identify tracks, fire trails and other cleared sites including firebreaks which are actively eroding. Take remedial action if required in accordance with a rehabilitation plan. Minimise vehicle movement in the reserve and restrict such movement to essential activities only. Apply the precautionary approach and restrict management vehicle access on fire trails during the wetter months of the year and/or in the wetter parts of the reserve. Realign and rehabilitate unnecessary duplications of fire trails. Where practicable realign tracks on disturbed ground. Implement those actions specified to reduce sedimentation as required in the maintenance plan for the internal reserve road and/or rehabilitation plan. Where erosion is occurring along tracks and trails, install grips or other water diversion structures to reduce surface water run-off and cover the site with slash from local native species plants. 666.2.6...222... PPProvidingPrrrooovvviiidddiiinnnggg ffforfooorrr VVVisitorsViiisssiiitttooorrrsss aaandannnddd ttthethhheee CCCommunityCooommmmmmuuunnniiitttyyy

6.2.1666...222...111 DesignatedDDDeeesssiiigggnnnaaattteeeddd UUUseUssseee Under the PWS Reserve Standards Framework, some of the major tracks in the reserve have been classified as ‘Day Use Get Away’, with the majority of the reserve being ‘Natural/Not Managed for Visitor Services’. These categories are defined by the type of visitor typically using an area. See Appendix 5 Reserve Standards Framework. Day Use Get Away visitors often undertake one or more nature-based activities in a natural setting. The typical Day-Use Get-Away visitor requires limited facilities. This group seeks to go beyond the security of facilities such as toilets, barbecues, picnic benches and shelters, and often undertakes longer walks of two hours or more in duration. Signage (hazard and/or directional) is provided to reduce risk. Areas that are classified as Natural/ Not Managed for Visitor Services are managed predominantly for non-recreation values. Visitors to these areas are typically self-reliant and require no facilities or signage and are prepared for high risk situations. Services and facilities are not provided. Acceptable visitor risk control level is considered to be severe. See Section 3.7 Strategic Asset Management for more information on classifications. Currently, camping and hunting are not permitted in the reserve. While dog walking and horse riding typically occur on many tracks at relatively low levels, neither of these uses are currently authorised but are accepted as traditional uses. Dogs and horses were authorised when the reserve was a state recreation area subject to the Crown Lands Act 1976. Following the conversion of the reserve to a nature recreation area in 1999, it became subject to the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002 and National Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999. Under these regulations, dogs and horses are not permitted on reserved land unless authorised. Authorisation can be provided by way of appropriately worded signage.

While there is currently no zoning to manage the different uses, most visitors have experienced little conflict between uses. It is likely that this is at least partly due to the relatively low level of recreational use. The reserve is relatively modest in size (491 ha) and is coming under increasing pressure for recreation as surrounding rural properties are sub-divided and cleared or established former holiday homes and shacks are upgraded to become permanent dwellings. Some activities have little or no impacts, others positively improve the reserve’s values while some have the potential to cause harm if not appropriately directed. It is important to position the reserve for an anticipated increase in recreational use, Activities which typically occur in Coningham NRA include Coastcare and Bushcare activities, bush walking, bird watching, dog walking, horse riding, orienteering, mountain bike riding, research, nature (in particular flora) study/photography, rock fishing, abseil training and sight seeing. The more common activities are described later in this section. Currently, it is PWS policy that development proposals for recreational facilities or structures and new activities where impacts are likely, be assessed in accordance with the PWS Environmental Impact Assessment Policy (2007) – Reserve Activity Assessment process. Recreation activities in the reserve should be ecologically sustainable and manageable within PWS resource constraints and should not adversely affect other groups.

ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt IssuesIIIssssssuuueeesss Due to more people living close-by, the reserve needs to be positioned for a likely increase in recreational use. Currently horses are not authorised under the National Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999 (due to an absence of authorising signs) to be in the reserve while dogs are permitted by signage, to be walked along the Snug Point Walking Track on-lead. There are no/few signs at most reserve entrances to authorise use of the reserve for dog walking and/or horse riding. There is very little information on signs to inform visitors about permitted activities in the reserve. The current PWS Reserve Standards Framework classification of the fire trails does not reflect current recreational use of parts of these tracks. An unauthorised downhill mountain bike track has been constructed alongside a small drainage line which is actively eroding near Old Station Road. Unmanaged mountain bike riding on terrain that is vulnerable to erosion or on narrow single file pads is not likely to be sustainable and may cause conflicts with other users including conflicts due to the speed at which downhill tracks are ridden. In the future, recreational developments and activities, not addressed by this management statement may be proposed.

DesiredDDDeeesssiiirrreeeddd outcomesooouuutttcccooommmeeesss Visitors know what they can do where. See Appendix 1 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd ActionsAAAccctttiiiooonnnsss Prepare a communication plan to inform neighbours, the local community and visitors about the appropriate activities in the reserve and track designations. Information should be provided via local events, local media, visiting neighbours and mail-outs where appropriate. See Section 5.4

Boundaries and the Neighbourhood regarding other information that needs to be addressed in a communication plan. Apply the zoning for recreation as specified on Map 11 Recreation Zones. Explore the option of conducting activities for visitors to the reserve during the summer months as part of the PWS Discovery Ranger Program. If erosion becomes evident on tracks, the use of these tracks will be reviewed. Users will be consulted as far as is practicable in relation to changes to the use of these tracks. If needed in the future, a specific track and recreation use plan for the reserve should be prepared and include the following elements: • management goals and objectives; • evaluation and specification of recreational opportunities; • incorporation of a decision-making framework, identification of indicators, standards and monitoring protocols; • trail inventory; • evaluation of proposed trail use; and • trail standards. Until such time as a track and recreation plan is prepared, the following guidelines should be used: • firebreaks are designated as multiple use tracks; • the internal reserve road will be designated as a multiple use track once it is closed; • with the exception of downhill bike riders, all user groups will be able to use existing tracks, fire trails and firebreaks marked as multiple use on Map 11. If safety issues arise this may be reviewed; • only those tracks designated as multiple use or as walking tracks on Map 11 will be sign- posted and promoted for recreational activities; • dog walkers must step off the track for horse riders and ensure their dog is clear of the horse; • unless otherwise designated by sign, pedestrians and horses have absolute right of way over bicycles and pedestrians have right of way over horses; and • tracks may be designated as ‘one-way’ to reduce the potential for collisions. Also see specific guidelines under each use. Prepare and implement a sign plan for the Coningham NRA that: • is consistent with the PWS outdoor signage standards; • includes information concerning potential hazards in the reserve, as per PWS Standard Operating Procedure: Hazard Signage; • identifies essential visitor information about the tracks and permitted/authorised activities (including dog walking and horse riding), information about heritage values and protocols for safe minimum impact recreation use at the main reserve entrances on a single sign; and • includes small pictogram style signs to designate permitted uses at track or fire trail/break junctions. Where appropriate, signs should alert users to the multiple use or single use nature of the tracks e.g. that horse and mountain bike riding may be encountered. Private memorials or commemorative plaques will not be permitted in the reserve.

MMMapMaaappp 111111 Recreation zones 6.2.2666...222...222 AssessingAAAsssssseeessssssiiinnnggg proposalsppprrrooopppooosssaaalllsss forfffooorrr newnnneeewww recreationalrrreeecccrrreeeaaatttiiiooonnnaaalll activitiesaaaccctttiiivvviiitttiiieeesss The assessment of a proposal for new recreational activities where impacts are likely, will be the responsibility of the proponent. The assessment must accord with PWS Environmental Impact Assessment Policy (2007) – Reserve Activity Assessment (RAA) process and may be required to include a botanical and Aboriginal heritage survey. Proposed developments may also require a planning permit from Kingborough Council and other permits or authorities as required by relevant Tasmanian legislation. A design plan which details the proposed development including location and technical features and structures will be required in addition to a values and impact assessment as required by the RAA process. As a minimum, proposals must meet appropriate recreational standards where they exist. If reserve values are likely to be impacted by an activity then the final location of the proposed activity must be adjusted or activity modified to minimise impacts on values and soils to meet sustainability requirements. All permits required under Tasmanian legislation must be obtained. As the soils on the lower slopes in the reserve are vulnerable to erosion, provisions to minimise erosion may be required. Where adverse impacts on reserve values cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, activities will be directed to more appropriate areas. Where a new use or development is approved then monitoring of use will be required to ensure that the use accords with specified conditions and unacceptable impacts can be identified and ameliorated. See Outcome 8 in Appendix 1.

6.2.3666...222...333 CommunityCCCooommmmmmuuunnniiitttyyy andaaannnddd recreationalrrreeecccrrreeeaaatttiiiooonnnaaalll activitiesaaaccctttiiivvviiitttiiieeesss CoastcareCCCoooaaassstttcccaaarrreee andaaannnddd BushcareBBBuuussshhhcccaaarrreee activitiesaaaccctttiiivvviiitttiiieeesss For more than ten years there have been two active care groups mostly formed from members of the local community, who voluntarily work to protect and enhance the reserve’s biodiversity. Members of the groups attend regular working bees to control weeds, significantly reducing the extent of the weed infestation in the reserve. Now the eastern part of the reserve is virtually weed-free. The Friends of Coningham have also held open days, distributed brochures in the local community, organised displays and worked with various youth in the reserve. See Section 5.3 Weed Management. The care groups have expressed support for the option of closing the internal reserve road as this is the best option for stopping illegal off-road driving and the associated activities that undermine their work. There is some support in the local community to increase community involvement in managing the reserve.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd ActionsAAAccctttiiiooonnnsss The Friends of Coningham NRA, Friends of Oyster Cove, Coningham and Lower Snug and other volunteer organisations should be supported and encouraged in their efforts to undertake weed control and other activities that benefit the reserve. Encourage local residents to participate in conservation and monitoring activities. Provide opportunities for community involvement in managing the reserve through established forums such as the Kingborough Council’s Tracks and Trails Committee or the Coningham Progress Association.

WalkingWWWaaalllkkkiiinnnggg Various individuals and members of walking clubs visit the reserve to undertake walks throughout the year. Typically a walk is a six hour circuit commencing at Hopwood Street entrance traversing Sheppards Hill to the southern private property boundary before heading downhill to Peartree Bay. Walkers then follow the eastern shore back to the Snug Point Track, then along the track to join the fire trails and firebreaks back to Hopwood Street. Should it be proven that there is a sea- eagle’s nest near Peartree Bay then this activity may impact on future nesting. A number of options for shorter walking circuits are available in the reserve. With the exception of the formed coastal track no tracks or trails are sign-posted. There are a number of narrow unformed (i.e. not deliberately constructed) but well-established walking tracks throughout the reserve, particularly in proximity of the Coningham settlement. It appears that these are used by local residents on a semi-regular basis and form a basis for establishing short circuit walks. The Aboriginal occupation cave is regularly visited by walkers. The walking track to the cave concentrates surface water along the track to the cave roof. There is a recognised risk of slabs of sandstone dislodging from the roof of the cave so a safety fence has been installed. See Section 4.3 Aboriginal Heritage. Coningham NRA is largely classed as Natural/Not Managed for Visitor Services as this reflects the current level of infrastructure and services provided. The Snug Point Track and internal reserve road are classified as Day Use - Get Away (basic). See Appendix 5 for a description of the RSF Site Categories. The current RSF classification of the fire trails does not reflect current recreational use of these tracks. There are no directional or orientation signs in the reserve along the fire trails.

It is proposed that the main fire trails and two minor walking tracks be reclassified to Day Use - Get Away (basic) to better reflect the recreational use of these tracks and the need to provide basic signage for orientation and safety. Construction activities must meet PWS Walking Track Standards (Parks and Wildlife Service, 2003).

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Update the RSF classification of the fire trails and other recreational areas to reflect current and planned recreational use. The extension to the Snug Point walking track to Peartree Bay will not be developed due to insufficient resources to construct and maintain such an asset. The development of other tracks will not be encouraged. Maintenance activities should include diverting surface water off tracks to reduce erosion. Following closure of the internal reserve road, consider closing and rehabilitating the walking track to the occupation cave. See Section 4.3 Aboriginal Heritage. Include the Tasmanian Aboriginal community in track location, construction, closures or maintenance activities as appropriate and required by legislation. See Designated Use and Signs above for further strategies and actions relating to walking.

OrienteeringOOOrrriiieeennnttteeeeeerrriiinnnggg Orienteering has occurred at Coningham NRA since the early 1980s. It is the only area within the Kingborough Municipality used for orienteering. There are a number of markers located in the reserve for a permanent orienteering course that is open to the public, including school groups to use. The events typically commence at Coningham Beach where there is parking and a toilet. Hard, medium and easy grade courses may be set with the hard courses generally going off-track while easy courses will stay on existing tracks. Events are normally run over the winter months when it is cooler. Orienteering Tasmania was neutral in regard to closing the internal reserve road but stated that it could potentially benefit the development of easy courses along the internal reserve road formation.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Develop guidelines for orienteering events in the reserve in order to minimise the spread of weeds. For the majority of the year, the entire reserve can be used for organised orienteering events but during the seed-fall season (October – February inclusive) courses for organised events should be set outside the weed-free zone. If the weed-free zone needs to be used for an orienteering event, then the course should be restricted as far as possible to the main tracks which are clear of Spanish heath and/or planned so that competitors do not enter weed patches in order to minimise movement from weed-infested areas to weed-free areas. There are no restrictions on using the reserve outside weed-free zone for orienteering events. Restrictions may be relaxed once the Spanish heath is controlled.

MountainMMMooouuunnntttaaaiiinnn bikebbbiiikkkeee orienteeringooorrriiieeennnttteeeeeerrriiinnnggg Orienteering Tasmania also expressed a desire to conduct mountain bike orienteering events in the reserve.

The use of all tracks in the reserve, including a number of tracks that are identified on orienteering maps, is seen as desirable by the organisation. Some of these tracks are not designated for recreational use by this management statement. Some tracks in the reserve may need to be temporarily closed to other users in order to reduce risk to the general public.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Mountain bike orienteering will be permitted as an activity in Coningham NRA if it can be demonstrated through an appropriate plan or other document that there will be no risk to other users subject to guidelines (see below). Develop guidelines for mountain bike orienteering events in order to minimise the spread of weeds. Use of the weed-free zone beyond those tracks and firebreaks designated as multiple use on Map 11 will be limited to the main tracks which are clear of Spanish heath as required by Section 5.2. Weed Management. The two tracks which join the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail with the internal reserve road in the east of the reserve and specified for closure in Section 6.1 Track Network and Access Management may not be used. The use of firebreaks should be limited as far as possible to sections where Spanish heath has been controlled or does not occur. Events may only be set in non-seed fall seasons. Commence dialogue with Orienteering Tasmania to see if mountain bike orienteering events can be conducted on a sustainable basis.

MountainMMMooouuunnntttaaaiiinnn bikebbbiiikkkeee ridingrrriiidddiiinnnggg Cross-country mountain bike riding has become more popular in Coningham NRA in recent years and this is a trend that is expected to continue. While there is potential for conflict between bike riders and horse riders or walkers, especially where riders are descending at speed, the general consensus has been that there have been relatively few incidents or conflicts. Participants at community planning forum held in 2008 felt that due to relatively low levels of use by casual users riding the track network, there was no need to designate tracks to specific user groups. This situation is likely to change as the reserve becomes more popular for cross-country mountain bike riding. There also are some concerns about erosion of tracks by mountain bikes and the development of informal tracks. This will need to be closely monitored and an adaptive management process followed.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Mountain bike riding will be permitted on: • all tracks designated multiple use on Map 11 including the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail and the fire trails in the vicinity of Hopwood Street; • perimeter firebreaks; and • the internal reserve road through the reserve. See Section 6.1 Track Network and Access Management. Mountain bike riding will not be permitted: • off-track in the weed exclusion zone (eastern third of the reserve) as designated on Map 9 due to weed control activities in this area; and • tracks designated as walking track only on Map 11 and any other narrow single file tracks specified or not by this management statement.

Mountain bike riding while not prohibited, will not be encouraged on: • internal tracks west of Old Station Road marked NMVS on Map 11; and • all other fire trails not designated as multiple use on Map 11.

Where adverse impacts on reserve values cannot be kept to an acceptable level, activities will be directed to more appropriate areas, where possible. Monitor the reserve for unauthorised track construction and accelerated erosion of tracks. See Outcome 8 in Appendix 1. Any unauthorised tracks will be closed as soon as is practicable.

DownhillDDDooowwwnnnhhhiiillllll bikebbbiiikkkeee ridingrrriiidddiiinnnggg aaandannnddd bbbikebiiikkkeee ssskillsskkkiiillllllsss aaareaarrreeeaaa In 2009, without the knowledge or permission of PWS, the reserve was targeted by a group of bike riders for downhill mountain bike riding with a short unauthorised downhill bike track constructed to the east of Old Station Road and dirt bike jumps constructed in the disused sand quarry on Old Station Road. The track was constructed in a gully, alongside a small water course which is actively eroding. The location of this track in a gully tends to concentrate water rather than allow for it to be shed from the track surface. The sandy soils in the sand quarry are considered to be largely unsuited to the construction of bike jumps due to their erodible nature which requires constant maintenance. Because downhill bike riding occurs at high speeds, this activity requires its own dedicated track to separate it from other recreational activities. The development of a downhill track would necessitate a comprehensive assessment of values as well as require the track and technical elements to be fully designed. The final track location would need to be largely determined by the presence (or absence) of the reserve’s values and this may not match design requirements. Signs of Phytophthora cinnamomi were recently detected in the vicinity of the disused sand quarry on Old Station Road and appear to have spread downhill across the road into the eastern part of the reserve. If tracks were to be connected with fire trails, there is an increased risk that Phytophthora may spread into the reserve. The wide range of values present, as well the presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi and erodible soils would make the development of a downhill bike track and bike skills area complex and its sustainability difficult and expensive to guarantee. There are community concerns about the construction of a downhill track impacting on reserve values, particularly through the development of informal tracks.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Support Kingborough Council or other mountain bike peak body to provide opportunities for this activity in a more suitable central location. Develop a rehabilitation plan to guide progress toward rehabilitating and/or controlling areas of erosion and landscape degradation including the disused sand quarry and unauthorised tracks.

DogDDDoooggg walkingwwwaaalllkkkiiinnnggg andaaannnddd dogdddoooggg managementmmmaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt The reserve is used regularly by the local community for dog walking. Many dogs are walked off- lead through the bush. The reserve is also used several times a year, mainly during the cooler months, by the Kingborough Dog Walking Group for organised social walks. Members of this group are from the wider community and are responsible dog owners. Generally they walk their dogs on-lead except where permitted off-lead. There are a substantial number of dogs which stray from neighbouring residences into the reserve. Dogs are regularly sighted and heard chasing wildlife in the reserve. Roaming and off-lead dogs are a threat to ground-nesting wildlife and to the little penguin colony. Recent research provided

49 evidence of the impact of dog (on-leash) walking in woodland areas. This research demonstrated that even on-lead dog walking led to a 35% reduction in bird diversity and 41% reduction in abundance (Banks P. and J. Bryant 2007). An authority to have a dog in the reserve was not required prior to 1999 when the reserve was a state recreation area under the Crown Lands Act 1976 and many people came to enjoy walking their dog off-lead. With the change of tenure to a nature recreation area, the National Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999 require an authority to bring dogs into the reserve. This authority can be provided by way of a sign. The management objectives for a nature recreation area allow for the ‘recreational use and enjoyment’ of the reserve, provided they do not conflict with the purposes of reservation. Regulated dog walking is considered appropriate in the reserve subject to conditions. Currently dogs are permitted on-lead by way of a sign on the Snug Point Coastal Track. It is not clear if the authority granted by way of this sign applies to the remainder of the reserve or just this track. Clarification is needed at all designated reserve entrances.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Discuss with the Kingborough Council the notion that the reserve be included in the Kingborough Dog Management Plan as it is revised, in order to restrict dog walking in priority habitat areas. Negotiate a strategy with Kingborough Council to deal with roaming dogs, compliance issues associated with dogs and provision of dog bins if the reserve is included in the Councils Dog Management Plan. Take into consideration the priority habitat areas in the formulation and review of dog exercise and dog prohibited areas. Dog walking will be permitted by regulation on: • established tracks and fire trails specified as multiple use and walking track on Map 11 but must be walked on-lead; and • the perimeter firebreaks where dogs can be walked off-lead but must be “under effective control” at all times. This may be modified if there is ground-nesting wildlife habitat. Dogs are not permitted to be walked off designated tracks as identified on Map 11. Erect signs at the main entrance points to the reserve that comply with the National Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999, to permit dogs in the reserve in accordance with the conditions specified in the management statement. Provide additional information on signs to encourage responsible behaviours as resources permit.

HorseHHHooorrrssseee ridingrrriiidddiiinnnggg The reserve has a tradition of horse riding most likely commencing about 1980. The reserve was proposed as an alternative site for a pony club looking to relocate from Crown land at Huntingfield. The reserve was not deemed to be suitable at the time due to a lack of flat ground. Currently trail riding and fitness training for endurance riding are the main riding activities in the reserve. The precise level of use is not known but riders indicate that there is a regular low level of use of the reserve by mostly local riders, some of whom have been using the reserve for more than 20 years. There is a strong concern in the riding community of Kingborough that due to increased subdivision of land in recent years, the number of bridle trails and areas available for riding is substantially reduced and many links between areas no longer exist. This issue is being partly addressed by the Kingborough Council Tracks and Trails Committee. The riding community of Kingborough highly value Coningham NRA as a riding venue and wish to see this activity continue

50 in the reserve. Horse riders consulted expressed support for the option of closing the internal reserve road as this would enable safe riding along the internal reserve road formation. Tracks to the west of the reserve are sandy and susceptible to erosion. At the current levels of horse riding use, erosion has not become a problem. If however, the level of use was to increase significantly in the western part of the reserve, some erosion especially on steep slopes may occur. The National Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999 require authorisation in order for horses to be taken into the reserve. This authority can be provided by way of a sign. Authority was not required when the reserve was a state recreation area under the Crown Lands Act 1976.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Horse riding will be permitted in the reserve by regulation on: • all tracks designated multiple use on Map 11 including the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail; • perimeter firebreaks; • the fire trails in the vicinity of ex-Camp Coningham (marked ‘not managed for visitor services’) on Map 11; and • the internal reserve road through the reserve when closed. See Section 6.1 Track Network and Access Management. Horse riding is not permitted: • off-track in the weed exclusion zone (eastern third of the reserve) as designated on Map 9 due to weed control activities in this area; and • tracks designated as walking track only on Map 11 and any other narrow single file tracks specified or not by this statement. Horse riding while not prohibited, will not be encouraged on: • internal tracks west of Old Station Road marked ‘not managed for visitor services’ on Map 11; and • all other fire trails in the reserve. Erect signs at the main entrance points to the reserve that comply with the National Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999, to permit horses in the reserve in accordance with the conditions specified in the management statement. Provide additional information on signs to encourage responsible behaviours as resources permit. Basic infrastructure may be provided at the Hopwood Street entrance to cater for float parking and horse riding after weed control has occurred.

FishFFFiiissshhh farmfffaaarrrmmm accessaaacccccceeessssss The reserve also acts as an access point for a fish farm in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel with a set of steps constructed on the eastern shore to the rock platform below. These steps are used to collect contractors and occasionally staff working on the fish farm. The steps were authorised by way of a Letter of Authority issued in 1992 under the Crown Lands Act 1976. The steps have been authorised by way of a lease issued under the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss Provide employees and contractors with authorised access to the internal reserve road.

ResearchRRReeessseeeaaarrrccchhh There are a number of research projects which have been undertaken over past years in the Coningham NRA. These include a Weed Management Strategy (Eynon, 2002) for the wider Coningham - Oyster Cove - Lower Snug - Nichols Rivulet area (which included the reserve), research into the impacts of domestic animals on ground-dwelling native fauna (Daniels, 2009) and various vegetation studies by undergraduate students of the University of Tasmania. All research in the reserve, including social and biophysical, requires a written authority prior to commencement.

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd actionsaaaccctttiiiooonnnsss On completion of research, researchers will submit copies of all results to PWS. Research which is likely to assist in the conservation of values and management of the reserve should be encouraged. Only research that will not adversely affect reserve values will be permitted. Aim to obtain previous research information about the reserve from the University of Tasmania.

777.7... EEEffectivenessEffffffeeeccctttiiivvveeennneeessssss MMMonitoringMooonnniiitttooorrriiinnnggg

This plan aims to direct improvements in how the reserve is managed, used and enjoyed. PWS is committed to a system of adaptive management (Jones,2005). Preparing a plan is just one step in a cyclic process of good reserve management. The system is intended to be simple and flexible. It is focused on achieving results.

The adaptive management cycle (Source: Jones, 2005) A key ingredient to this management is monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the plan. For this, two reviews are committed at five and 10 year intervals. The stating of clear measurable performance indicators also provides the community and partners in implementation with an easy method of holding PWS to account.

ReviewRRReeevvviiieeewww

The management statement is to have an interim evaluation after five years. This evaluation will be a check on the performance indicators by collating relevant data, reviewing progress and making recommendations as appropriate for any adjustments in management. These performance indicators are found in Appendix 1. An informal public feedback process may also be run at this time. The management statement will be fully reviewed in 10 years time. The management statement has not been written to work beyond 10 years without a thorough review and evaluation of its effectiveness and the currency of its objectives and vision. This review will require full public consultation and engagement...

StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd ActionsAAAccctttiiiooonnnsss Implement the monitoring actions as described in Appendix 1 (Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring) of the management statement.

888.8... RRReferencesReeefffeeerrreeennnccceeesss

Banks, P.B. and Bryant, J.V. 2007. Four-legged friend or foe? Dog walking displaces native birds from natural areas, in Biology Letters 3, 611-613. Barnes, R.W. and McCoull, C.J. 2002. A land manager’s guide for assessing and monitoring the health of Tasmania’s forested bush. Nature Conservation Report 02/2. Nature Conservation Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Hobart. Bryant, S.L. and Jackson, J. 1999. Tasmania’s Threatened Fauna Handbook: what, where and how to protect Tasmania’s threatened animals. Threatened Species Unit, Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart. Buchanan, A.M. 2009. A census of the vascular plants of Tasmania & Index to the Students Flora of Tasmania 2009, web edition, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart. Daniels, G.D. 2009. Ecological Implications of periurban subdivision, unpublished PhD thesis. School of Geography and Environmental Studies. University of Tasmania. Jones, G. 2005. ‘Is the management plan achieving its objectives?’ in Worboys, G, Lockwood, M & De Lacy, T, Protected Area Management. Principles and Practice, second edition, Oxford University Press. Keith, D.A. 1997. The Recovery Plan for Tasmanian Forest Epacrids 1999-2004, Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart. Parks and Wildlife Service 2003. Walking Track Management Manual: Field Techniques. Dept. Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts, Hobart. Parks and Wildlife Service 2003. Reserve Standards Framework Policy, Dept. Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts, Hobart. Parks and Wildlife Service 2007. Environmental Impact Assessment Policy, unpublished report, Dept Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Hobart. Parks and Wildlife Service 2009a, Draft General Management Plan, unpublished internal report, Dept Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart. Parks and Wildlife Service 2009b. Coningham NRA Reserve Access Strategy, unpublished internal report, Dept Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts, Hobart. Pers. comm. P. Black 2008. Fire Management Officer, Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart. Potts, W. 2006. Parks and Wildlife Service Reserve Activity Assessment Coningham Fire and Weed Control 2006 to 2009, unpublished report, Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart. Prior, H. and Wells, F. 2009. Co-existing with Little Penguins in the Derwent Estuary, Information and Management Guidelines, Derwent Estuary Program, Hobart. Rudman, T., Tucker, D. and French, D. 2004. Tasmanian Washdown Guidelines for Phytophthora and Weed Control, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Hobart. Sharples, C. 2006. Indicative Mapping of Tasmanian Coastal Vulnerability to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Explanatory Report second edition, Consultant Report to Department of Primary Industries and Water, Tasmania, 173 pp., plus accompanying electronic (GIS) maps. SGS Economics and Planning Pty. Ltd. 2009, Climate change impacts on Clarence coastal areas, Final Report, Hobart. Sinclair, Knight, Mertz 2001. Coningham Road, Snug: Condition Assessment and 10 year Works Programme Draft July 2001, internal report, Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart. Threatened Species Section 2006. Fauna Recovery Plan: Forty-Spotted Pardalote 2006-2010, Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart. Woinarski & Rounsevell (1983); Woinarski & Bulman (1985); Brown (1986); Dorr (1999) in Bryant and Jackson 1999. Wood, R. and A. Knee (eds) n.d. Tasmanian Bushcare Toolkit. Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart.

999.9... AAAppendicesAppppppeeennndddiiiccceeesss

AppendixAppendixAppendix 111 Key Desired Outcomes, IndicatorsIndicatorsIndicators and Effectiveness MonitoringMonitoMonitoMonitoringringring OutcomeOutcomeOutcome 1.1.1. DegradedDegradedDegraded bbbarebare earth aare areasareasreasreas have decreased and native vegetation cover is rerere-re---establishestablishestablishestablishinging in former degraded sites Indicator Area of bare earth exposed by Area of bare earth exposed by fire unauthorised vehicles in the native management slashing practices grassland Monitoring actions In 2010: • establish reference set of monitoring sites and photo points for evaluating effectiveness of the planned closures; • photograph existing conditions. Establish folder of digital images of Coningham 2010 on PWS intranet together with details of site locations, dates, photographer etc.; • measure or estimate area of bare earth in each degraded site; and • reference sites with photo points established in 2010. Photographed annually in spring or early summer Annually: • repeat above monitoring survey in spring or early summer. Great result By 2015 native grassland re-established By 2015, native vegetation cover re- on 85% of area of bare earth. established on 85% of area of bare earth at reference sites. Acceptable result By 2015 native grassland re-established By 2015 native vegetation cover re- on 50% of area of bare earth. established on 50% of area of bare earth. Unacceptable result By 2015 area of bare earth has By 2015 area of bare earth has increased in increased in size. size.

EEExampleExxxaaammmpppllleee RRReferenceReeefffeeerrreeennnccceee cccondition,cooonnndddiiitttiiiooonnn,,, OOOutcomeOuuutttcccooommmeee 111

SSSiteSiiittteee ccconditions,cooonnndddiiitttiiiooonnnsss,,, NNNovemberNooovvveeemmmbbbeeerrr 222008:2000000888 This photo shows the degraded bare earth area near the top turning circle on the internal reserve road, Photo point 1.

Photo: L. Sparrow

OutcomeOutcomeOutcome 222 Native vegetation communities are in as good oras or better condition than inthanin 201020102010 Indicator Condition of Eucalyptus amygdalina communities (DAS) and (DAC) Monitoring actions • In 2010 commission a botanical survey/s to report on the condition of Eucalyptus amygdalina communities (DAS) and (DAC). Great result By 2012, a statement of condition is prepared for the Eucalyptus amygdalina communities. By 2015, there is no decline in the condition of Eucalyptus amygdalina communities. Acceptable result By 2015, a statement of condition is prepared for the Eucalyptus amygdalina communities. Unacceptable result By 2015, condition of Eucalyptus amygdalina communities is unknown.

OOOutcomeOutcomeutcomeutcome 333 NativeNativeNative plantplantplant species diversity is maintained or improved Indicator Number of native plant species recorded in the reserve compared with 1996 plant survey (North et.al. 1996) Monitoring actions • By end of 2011, update the plant species list for Coningham. • Compare current and earlier plant species lists for Coningham NRA and highlight changes. Great result Significant increase in number of native plant species recorded. Acceptable result No significant decrease in number of native plant species recorded. Unacceptable result Significant decrease in number of native plant species recorded.

OutcomeOutcomeOutcome 444 Fire managementmanagement p practices ractices no longerlon er pg pose ose an active threatthreatthreat of impactimp act to significantsignificantsignificant reserve values Indicator Condition and extent of patches of Distribution of Spanish heath in threatened species (Ghania radula) firebreaks Monitoring actions • In 2010, GPS and record patches of • In 2015, resurvey the 2009 weed Ghania radula in firebreaks. survey plots. • In 2015, repeat the above survey and report on changes since 2010. Great result By 2015 patches of threatened species 100% of Spanish heath p( resent in 2009) (Ghania radula) habitats are clearly has been eradicated from the firebreaks. marked and protected from slashing. Acceptable result By 2015, a practical system for marking By 2015, the number of plots in the threatened species habitats is developed firebreaks which have Spanish heath is within 5 years. reduced by 50% compared with 2009 levels. Unacceptable result Ghania radula habitat is slashed annually. The number of plots with Spanish heath remains the same or increases compared with 2009 levels.

iii

OutcomeOutcomeOutcome 555 WeWeWeedsWeeds have decreased and the weedweed----ffffreeree zone has increased in size Indicator Distribution of Spanish heath Area of weed free zone Number of weed species present in the reserve

Monitoring actions • In 2014, resurvey the 2009 weed survey plots • In 2014/15, update the Coningham weed list Great result By 2015, 100% of Spanish By 2015, the weed-free By 2015, there are heath (present in 2009) has zone has increased by fewer weed species been eradicated from the 25% since 2009. than in 2009 (by weed- free zone and comparison of 2015 firebreaks. and 2009 weed lists 50% reduction in plots (Appendix 2). containing Spanish heath outside the weed-free zone. Acceptable result By 2015, 100% of Spanish In 2015, the weed-free By 2015, the weed list is heath (present in 2009) has zone has remained updated and compared been eradicated in the weed- stable and 100% of with 2009 free zone. Spanish heath (present (Appendix 2). The number of plots in the in 2009) has been No increase in weed firebreaks which have Spanish eradicated. species compared with heath is reduced by 50% 2009. compared with 2009 levels. The number of plots in the weed management zone which have Spanish heath remains stable. Unacceptable result The number of plots with By 2015, weeds are By 2015, the weed list Spanish heath remains the present in the 2009 has not been updated. same or increases compared weed-free zone. with 2009 levels. Spanish heath is found in areas which were weed-free in 2009.

OutcomeOutcomeOutcome 666 Adjacent landowners know what activities are permitted in Coningham NRA andNRAand cooperate with management by ceas ceaseaseasinginginging unlawful activities Indicator Numbers and extent of boundary encroachments and unauthorised clearing Monitoring actions • In 2010, establish reference sites with photo points. • Annually repeat photographic monitoring survey in spring or early summer. • Record photo point location,, area, number and/or type of encroachment or clearing. Great result By 2012 there are no encroachments or evidence of unauthorised clearing of vegetation. Acceptable result By 2015 there are no encroachments or evidence of unauthorised clearing of vegetation. Unacceptable result By 2015 there are the same or even more encroachments or clearing than in 2010. There is continuing unauthorised clearing of native vegetation.

OutcomeOutcomeOutcome 777 Coningham NRA is no longer damaged bybyby unauthorised vehiclevehiclevehicle accessaccessaccess Indicator • Closure of access points for unauthorised vehicular use in the reserve: − internal reserve road closed; − roadside barrier installed on Old Station Road; and − other access points closed. • Monitored effectiveness of the above closures in preventing damage by unauthorised vehicle use. Monitoring actions • Undertake regular monthly inspections of installed barriers and record evidence of any access breaches. Great result By 2012 all unauthorised access barriers are installed and effective. Acceptable result By 2012 unauthorised access barriers installed on main internal road and Old Station Road. Unacceptable result By 2015 unauthorised access barriers installed but not effective in preventing damage by unauthorised vehicular access.

OOOutcomeOutcomeutcomeutcome 888 Visitors know what they can do where Indicator Number of main reserve entrances and tracks with information and regulatory signs Monitoring actions • Photograph installation of signs. • Regularly (e.g. monthly) monitor cooperation/compliance with signs and record evidence of breaches especially new recreational uses. Great result By 2012, signs are installed at six By 2012 visitors are 100% compliant reserve entrances (four on Old Station with signs, there is no evidence of Road, Hopwood Street and start of unauthorised track construction and Sheppards Hill Road). tracks proposed for closure have started to revegetate. Acceptable result By 2015, signs are installed at six By 2012 the trend toward compliance reserve entrances and on multi-use with signs has increased and there is tracks. no evidence of unauthorised track construction. Unacceptable result Signs are not changed or installed. By 2012 construction of unauthorised tracks has continued.

AppendixAAAppppppeeennndddiiixxx 222 NNNativeNaaatttiiivvveee PPPlantPlllaaannnttt SSSpeciesSpppeeeccciiieeesss LLListLiiisssttt (((Source:(SSSooouuurrrccceee::: Buchanan,BBBuuuccchhhaaannnaaannn,,, 2009)222000000999))) Tasmanian Status: r = rare, v = vulnerable, e = Tasmanian endemic Commonwealth Status: VU = Vulnerable, EN = Endangered

FamilyFamilyFamily Species NameName CCCoCooommmmmmoooonnnn NNNaNaaammmmeeee SSStStttaaaattttuuuussss Adiantaceae Adiantum aethiopicum common maidenhair Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia green rockfern Aizoaceae Carpobrotus rossii native pigface Apiaceae Daucus g lochidiatus Australian carrot Hydrocotyle hirta hairy pennywort Hydrocot y le muscosa mossy enn yp wort Xanthosia dissecta cutleaf crossherb Xanthosia p ilosa woolly crossherb Xanthosia tasmanica small xanthosia Aspleniaceae Asp lenium flabellifolium necklace fern Asplenium flaccidum weeping spleenwort Asteraceae Argenti p allium dealbatum white everlasting Argyrotegium collinum (2009 census =Euchiton collinus) cudweed Bedfordia salicina Tasmanian blanketleaf e Brachyscome aculeata hill daisy Brachyscome sp athulata subs . gp labra blue daisy Cassinia aculeata dollybush Chrysoce halum app iculatum common everlasting Coronidium scorpioides curling everlasting Cotula australis southern buttons Helichrysum luteoalbum jersey cudweed Lageno hora sti pp itata blue bottle daisy Leptorhynchos nitidulus shiny buttons Leptorh nchos sqy uamatus scaly buttons Olearia argophylla musk daisybush Olearia floribunda flowery dais y bush Olearia ramulosa twiggy daisybush Olearia stellulata sawleaf daisy bush Olearia viscosa viscid daisybush Ozothamnus ferrug ineus tree everlasting bush Picris angustifolia subsp. angustifolia lowland hawkweed Senecio biserratus crosscut fireweed Senecio glomeratus fireweed Senecio hisp idulus roug h fireweed Senecio linearifolius fireweed or fireweed groundsel Senecio minimus shrubby fireweed Senecio quadridentatus cotton fireweed Solenogyne dominii smooth flat-herb Solenogyne gunnii hairy flat-herb Blechnaceae Blechnum nudum fishbone waterfern Blechnum wattsii hard waterfern Borag inaceae Cyno g lossum suaveolens sweet houndstong ue Brassicaceae Lepidium pseudotasmanicum shade peppercress r Campanulaceae Lobelia ancep s ang led lobelia Wahlenbergia gracilenta annual bluebell Wahlenbergia g racilis sprawlin g bluebell Wahlenbergia gymnoclada naked bluebell Wahlenberg ia multicaulis bushy bluebell Wahlenbergia stricta tall bluebell Caryo h yp llaceae Scleranthus biflorus twinflower knawel Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina littoralis black sheoak Allocasuarina monilifera necklace sheoak e Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina verticillata drooping sheoak Clusiaceae Hyericum gp ramineum small st j ohns-wort Hypericum japonicum matted st johns-wort Convolvulaceae Dichondra rep ens kidneyweed Crassulaceae Crassula sieberiana Cyperaceae Carex appressa tall sedg e Carex breviculmis shortstem sedge Gahnia g randis cutting grass Gahnia radula thatch sawsedge Gymnoschoenus s haerocepp halus buttong rass Isolepis fluitans floating clubsedge Isolep is inundata swamp clubsed g e Isolepis marginata little clubsedge

FamilyFamilyFamily Species Name Common Name StatusStatusStatus Isolepis lat car pyp a flatfruit clubsedg e Lepidosperma concavum sand swordsedge Lepidos p erma curtisiae little swordsedg e Lepidosperma elatius tall swordsedge Lepidos p erma ensiforme arching swordsed g e Lepidosperma filiforme common rapiersedge Lepidos erma gp unnii narrow swordsedge Lepidosperma inops Schoenus a ogp on common bo sedgg e Schoenus lepidosperma subsp. lepidosperma slender bogsedge Dennstaedtiaceae Pteridium esculentum bracken Dicksoniaceae Dicksonia antarctica soft treefern Dilleniaceae Hibbertia emp etrifolia scramblin gg uinea-flower Hibbertia procumbens spreading guineaflower Droseraceae Drosera p eltata pale sundew Drosera auriculata tall sundew Drosera p gy maea dwarf sundew Dryopteridaceae Polystichum proliferum mother shieldfern Rumohra adiantiformis leathery shieldfern Epacridaceae Acrotriche serrulata ants delight Astroloma humifusum native cranberry Epacris impressa common heath E acris lanugp inosa swamp heath Epacris virgata (Kettering) pretty heath e, v, EN Leuco ogp on collinus white beardheath Leucopogon ericoides pink beardheath Leucopo on pg arviflorus coast beardheath Leucopogon virgatus common beard-heath Lissanthe strig osa peach berr or py each heath Sprengelia incarnata pink swampheath Stpy helia adscendens golden heath Euphorbiaceae Amperea xiphoclada var. xiphoclada broom spurge Bey eria viscosa pinkwood Phyllanthus australis southern spurge Fabaceae Aotus ericoides olden pg ea Bossiaea cinerea showy bossia Bossiaea p rostrata cree ingp bossia Daviesia latifolia hop bitterpea Daviesia ulicifolia native gorse or g orse bitter-p ea Dillwynia sericea showy parrotpea Gomp holobium hueg elii common wed epg ea Indigofera australis native indigo Kennedia p rostrata runnin pg ostman Oxylobium ellipticum golden shaggypea Pultenaea dap hnoides var. obcordata heartleaf bushp ea Pultenaea gunnii golden bush-pea Pultenaea unipj erina prickl beaut yy Gentianaceae Sebaea ovata yellow sebaea Geraniaceae Geranium p otentilloides mountain cranesbill Geranium sessiliflorum subsp. brevicaule alpine cranesbill Geranium solanderi southern cranesbill Pelargonium australe southern storksbill Pelarg onium inodorum annual storksbill Gleicheniaceae Gleichenia dicarpa pouched coralfern Goodeniaceae Goodenia elong ata lank native-py rimrose Goodenia lanata trailing native-primrose Goodenia ovata ho native-pp rimrose Haloragaceae Gonocarpus micranthus subsp. micranthus creeping raspwort Gonocarpus tetra yg nus common rasp wort Gonocarpus teucrioides forest raspwort Hymeno h yp llaceae Hymeno h yp llum rarum narrow filmy fern Iridaceae Diplarrena moraea white flag-iris Patersonia frag ilis short pur lefla gp Juncaceae Juncus amabilis gentle rush r Juncus astrep tus rig id rush e Juncus australis southern rush Juncus p allidus pale rush Juncus planifolius broadleaf rush Juncus subsecundus finger rush Juncus vaginatus clustered rush r

vii

FamilyFamilyFamily Species Name Common Name StatusStatusStatus Luzula flaccida pale woodrush Lamiaceae Ajuga australis Australian bugle Prostanthera lasianthos var. lasianthos christmas mintbush Cassytha glabella slender dodderlaurel Cassytha p ubescens downy dodderlaurel Liliaceae Arthropodium milleflorum pale vanilla-lily Bulbine g lauca bluish bulbinelily Bulbine semibarbata smallflower leeklily Dianella revoluta spreading or black-anther flax-lily Dianella revoluta var. brevicaulis Dianella revoluta var. revoluta spreadin flaxliliyg Dianella tasmanica forest flaxlily Linaceae Linum marginale native flax Lindsaeaceae Lindsaea linearis screw fern Lyco p odiaceae Lycopodiella lateralis slender clubmoss Lycopodium deuterodensum conifer clubmoss Lycopodium fastigiatum mountain clubmoss Malvaceae Asterotrichion discolor Tasmanian currajong e Mimosaceae Acacia dealbata silver wattle Acacia gunnii ploughshare wattle Acacia melanoxylon blackwood Acacia myrtifolia redstem wattle Acacia stricta hop wattle Acacia suaveolens sweet wattle Acacia terminalis sunshine wattle Acacia verticillata prickly mimosa My rtaceae Euryomyrtus ramosissima baeckea or rosy heath-myrtle Callistemon pallidus yellow bottlebrush Eucalyptus amygdalina black peppermint e Eucalyptus globulus Tasmanian blue gum Eucalyptus obliqua stringybark Eucalyptus ovata var. ovata black gum Eucalyptus pulchella white peppermint e Eucalyptus tenuiramis silver peppermint e Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. viminalis white gum Leptospermum scoparium manuka Melaleuca squarrosa scented paperbark Orchidaceae Acianthus caudatus mayfly orchid Caladenia caudata tailed spider orchid r, e , VU Caladenia echidnachila fawn spider orchid Caleana major large duck orchid Calochilus herbaceus pale beard orchid Chiloglottis reflexa autumn bird orchid Cyrtostylis reniformis small gnat orchid Dipodium roseum rosy hyacinth orchid Diuris sulphurea tiger orchid Glossodia major waxlip orchid Microtis sp. Oligochaetochilus squamatus (formerly Pterostylis squamata) ruddy greenhood r Prasophyllum lindleyanum green leek-orchid Pterostylis curta blunt greenhood Pterostylis foliata slender greenhood Pterostylis pedunculata maroonhood Thelymitra flexuosa twisted sun-orchid Oxalidaceae Oxalis perennans grassland woodsorrel Pittosporaceae Bursaria spinosa prickly box Rhytidosporum procumbens starry a leberr ypp Plantaginaceae Plantago varia variable plantain Poaceae Amphibromus archeri pointed swamp grass Austrodanthonia caespitosa common wallaby-grass Austrodanthonia laevis wallaby-grass Austrodanthonia penicillata slender wallaby-grass Austrodanthonia pilosa velvet or purp le-awned wallab -gy rass Austrodanthonia racemosa wallaby-grass Austrodanthonia setacea Austrostipa aphylla tall spear-grass e Austrostipa flavescens yellow spear-grass Austrostipa mollis soft spear-grass Austrostipa pubinodis tall spear-grass

viii

FamilyFamilyFamily Species Name CCommonomommon mon NamName e SSStStttaaaattttuuuussss Austrostipa rudis subsp. australis austral spear-grass Austrostip a semibarbata fibrous or barbed s ear-gp rass Austrostipa stuposa corkscrew grass Deyeuxia contracta compact bentgrass Dey euxia densa heath bentg rass r Deyeuxia monticola mountain bentgrass Deyeuxia q uadriseta reed bentg rass Dichelachne crinita longhair plumegrass Dichelachne inaequi g lumis loose plume g rass Dichelachne rara common plumegrass Ely mus scaber rough wheatgrass Festuca plebeia Tasmanian fescue e Microlaena stip oides weepin gg rass Notodanthonia gracilis slender wallaby-grass Pentapo on qg uadrifidus five-awned spear- g rass Pentapogon quadrifidus var. quadrifidus five-awn speargrass Poa labillardierei tussock or snow g rass Poa rodwayi velvet tussockgrass Poa sieberiana gre y tussockgrass Rytidosperma dimidiatum half-formed wallaby-grass e Tetrarrhena distichoph y lla hairy rice g rass Themeda triandra kangaroo grass Polygalaceae Comesp erma volubile blue lovecreep er Rumex brownii slender dock Polypodiaceae Microsorum p ustulatum kang aroo fern Proteaceae Banksia marginata silver banksia Lomatia tinctoria guitar p lant e Persoonia juniperina prickly geebung Psilotaceae Tmesipteris obli q ua common forkfern Ranunculaceae Clematis aristata southern clematis Ranunculus lappaceus woodland buttercup Restionaceae Empodisma minus spreading roperush Leptocar p us tenax slender twinerush Rhamnaceae Pomaderris apetala dogwood or native hazel Rosaceae Acaena echinata sheep 's burr Acaena novae-zelandiae common buzzy Acaena xanserovina hybrid sheepsburr Rubiaceae Asperula sp. Co rosma qp uadrifida native currant Galium australe tangled bedstraw Galium g audichaudii roug h bedstraw Opercularia varia variable stinkweed Rutaceae Boronia p arviflora swamp boronia Boronia pilosa hairy boronia Correa reflexa native fuchsia Santalaceae Exocarpos cupressiformis common native-cherry Lep tomeria drup acea erect currantbush Sapindaceae Dodonaea viscosa subsp. spatulata broadleaf hopbush Scrop hulariaceae Veronica g racilis slender sp eedwell Selaginellaceae Selaginella uliginosa swamp spikemoss Solanaceae Solanum laciniatum kangaroo a pp le Stackhousiaceae Stackhousia monogyna forest candles Sty lidiaceae St lidium gy raminifolium narrowleaf triger pg lant Thymelaeaceae Pimelea humilis dwarf riceflower Pimelea linifolia subsp. linifolia slender riceflower Pimelea nivea bushmans bootlace e Tremandraceae Tetratheca labillardierei landular pg inkbells Violaceae Viola hederacea ivy-leaf violet Xanthorrhoeaceae Lomandra long ifolia sagg Lomandra nana dwarf mat-rush

AppendixAAAppppppeeennndddiiixxx 333 WeedsWWWeeeeeedddsss fffoundfooouuunnnddd iiininnn ooororrr nnnearneeeaaarrr CCConinghamCooonnniiinnnggghhhaaammm NNNRANRRRAAA

WWWeedsWeeeeeedddsss oooccurringoccccccuuurrrrrriiinnnggg iiininnn CCConinghamCooonnniiinnnggghhhaaammm aaatattt MMMarchMaaarrrccchhh 2220092000000999 aaandannnddd rrrequiringreeeqqquuuiiirrriiinnnggg sssignificantsiiigggnnniiifffiiicccaaannnttt cccontrolcooonnntttrrrooolll eeefforteffffffooorrrttt Develop a schedule to eradicate Spanish heath from weed eradication zone within 2 years and inspect every 2 years. Commence control in priority vegetation communities, along tracks, water courses then firebreaks. Treat infestation at Hopwood Street with fire and chemical control.

Species nSpeciesnamenameameame Common name DistributionDistributionDistribution StaStaStatusStatustustus Erica lusitanica Spanish heath Widespread in reserve - distribution reduced Declared Zone B by wildfire but substantial reshooting and seed germination after rains

WWWeedWeeeeeeddd ssspeciesspppeeeccciiieeesss rrremovedreeemmmooovvveeeddd fffromfrrrooommm CCConinghamCooonnniiinnnggghhhaaammm NNNRANRRRAAA (((prior(ppprrriiiooorrr tttotooo 222009)2000000999))) bbbutbuuuttt nnneedneeeeeeddd mmmonitoringmooonnniiitttooorrriiinnnggg Undertake annual monitoring. Liaise with neighbours to remove plants from their garden.

Species nSpeciesnamenameameame Common name Distribution (prior to control) StatusStatusStatus Acacia pycnantha Golden wattle Occasional in reserve Environmental weed

Acacia baileyana Cootamundra Occasional in reserve Environmental weed wattle

Agapanthus praecox Agapanthus Along internal reserve road. Environmental weed Albizia lophantha Cape Leeuwin Scattered throughout reserve Environmental weed wattle Chrysanthemoides Boneseed Found around Coningham settlement spread WONS, declared monilifera from domestic plantings Zone B Cortaderia sp. Pampas grasses Was scattered throughout reserve controlled Declared Zone A* in 2008 Genista monspessulana Broom South-east boundary of Camp Coningham Declared Zone B** (dam at Legacy Beach) Grevillea rosmariniifolia Rosemary Odd plants removed near reserve entrance Environmental weed grevillea along coastal track Hakea laurina Pin cushion hakea Odd plants removed near reserve entrance Environmental weed Hedera helix English Ivy Occasional in reserve Environmental weed Rubus fruticosus Blackberry Scattered throughout reserve- few individual WONS, declared aggregate plants survived the fire Zone B Vinca major Blue periwinkle Lower car park Environmental weed

*Zone A includes those Tasmanian municipalities for which eradication of a declared weed is the principal management objective. These municipalities are either free of the declared weed, host only small, isolated infestations, or host larger infestations which are deemed eradicable because a strategic management plan exists and the resources required to implement it have been or are likely to be secured. **Zone B includes those Tasmanian municipalities for which containment of the declared weed is the principal management objective. Such municipalities host large, widespread infestations of the declared weed that are not deemed eradicable because the feasibility of effective management is low at this time. These municipalities lack a strategic management plan for the weed and/or resources to undertake control actions at a level required for eradication have not been secured.

WWWeedWeeeeeeddd ssspeciesspppeeeccciiieeesss fffoundfooouuunnnddd iiininnn CCConinghamCooonnniiinnnggghhhaaammm NNNRANRRRAAA iiincludinginnncccllluuudddiiinnnggg gggardengaaarrrdddeeennn eeescapeesessscccaaapppeeeeeesss ooononnn mmmarginsmaaarrrgggiiinnnsss ooofofff CCConinghamCooonnniiinnnggghhhaaammm NNNRANRRRAAA

Remove as soon as possible. Liaise with neighbours to remove plants from their garden.

Species nSpeciesnamenameameame Common name DistributionDistributionDistribution StatusStatusStatus Acacia elata (cedar Mainland Wattle Albert Road entrance. Has spread from neighbour’s Environmental wattle) (grows to 8 m) property. Has potential to grow into a tree. weed Acacia retinodes Wirilda Scattered throughout reserve including unburnt area Environmental weed Acacia sophorae v Sydney Golden Scattered throughout reserve including unburnt area Environmental longifolia wattle weed

Billardiera Bluebell creeper Several occurrences - spreading from domestic Environmental heterophylla plantings in the vicinity of Hopwood Street and found weed (formerly Sollya) in significant numbers throughout the reserve Chamaecytisus Tree lucerne Found around Coningham settlement, can spread Environmental palmensis from domestic plantings weed Coprosma robusta Mirror bush South of Sheppards Hill fire trail Environmental weed Kennedia spp Kennedia Mainland species garden escapee near Old Station Rd Environmental Weed Pinus radiata Radiata pine Potential to spread from property adjacent to Environmental firebreak at the main road entrance to reserve. weed Individual plants also in reserve near Hopwood Street and west of Bush Lane on boundary. Pittosporum Pittosporum Spreading from domestic plantings near Bush Lane Environmental undulatum (off Davies Street) Weed Rubus fruticosus Blackberry Few individual plants that survived the fire WONS, aggregate declared Zone B Sonchus thistle Thistle Widespread throughout the reserve after the fire Agricultural concentrated south of Sheppards Hill weed Ixia spp Ixia Bulbous plant growing along western side of Old Environmental Station Road near southern firebreak weed

WWWeedsWeeeeeedddsss fffoundfooouuunnnddd nnnearneeeaaarrr ConinghamCCCooonnniiinnnggghhhaaammm NRANNNRRRAAA butbbbuuuttt notnnnooottt iniiinnn thettthhheee reserverrreeessseeerrrvvveee

Raise awareness of these species and target them for eradication in the reserve. Encourage removal from properties close to the reserve.

Species nSpeciesnamenameameame CommonCommonCommon DistributionDistributionDistribution StatusStatusStatus namenamename Acacia baileyana Cootamundra Found growing in gardens in Coningham settlement. Environmental wattle weed A. pycnantha Golden wattle Found growing in gardens in Coningham settlement. Environmental weed

Agapanthus praecox Agapanthus Found around Coningham settlement including Environmental adjacent to the main entrance to the reserve. Can weed spread from domestic plantings. Asparagus Bridal creeper Found near Old Station Road WONS, declared asparagoides Zone A Coprosma repens Mirror bush Found around Coningham settlement, can spread Environmental from domestic plantings weed Cotoneaster species Cotoneaster Found around Coningham settlement, can spread Environmental from domestic plantings weed Chamaecytisus Tree lucerne Found around Coningham settlement, can spread Environmental palmensis from domestic plantings weed Chrysanthemoides Boneseed Found around Coningham settlement, can spread WONS, Declared monilifera from domestic plantings Zone B Cytisus scoparius English broom Extent uncertain Declared Zone B Echium plantagineum Paterson’s curse One local infestation in Coningham settlement. Declared Zone A Genista Canary broom Widespread along road verges and in gardens Declared Zone B monspessulana Hieracium spp. Hawkweed Previously at start of Coningham Road near the Declared Zone A Channel Highway. Currently controlled. Watsonia species Watsonia Widespread, in domestic gardens and on road verges Environmental species weed

xii AppendixAAAppppppeeennndddiiixxx 444 AA AnalysisAnnnaaalllyyysssiiisss ooofofff oooptions:oppptttiiiooonnnsss::: iiinternalinnnttteeerrrnnnaaalll rrreservereeessseeerrrvvveee rrroadroooaaaddd

Road open all Road open all Road closed all Road closed Road closed winter year year year winter Top turning circle Top turning Top turning circle Top turning circle retained circle retained closed closed Management Impacts Unauthorised Access off- Access off road Access off road Access off road Access off road vehicles road not moderately substantially reduced by half not reduced for off road reduced reduced all year reduced half of the year Clean up of 100% of cost 100% of cost reduced reduced reduced rubbish and assigned to assigned to PWS tip fees PWS weed spread continuous continuous reduced reduced reduced

Enforcement Required all All year but Effort minimised reduced reduced year reduced if road fenced Community impacts

Friends of High adverse Mod to high High positive Moderate Mod adverse Group Weeds control adverse impact on adverse impact Weed control not possible Weed control activities Weed control marginal marginal Weed control marginal possible Horse riders Moderate Moderate High positive Moderate positive Moderate positive adverse adverse impact impact impact Road Road continues Road can be Road can be Road can be continues to to be a safety ridden on safely ridden on safely ridden on safely for be a safety concerns for half of the half of the year concern year Orienteerers No change No change Low impact if Low impact if Low impact if access is access is access is provided provided provided Road can be used Road can be Road can be by junior runners used by junior used by junior as part of the set runners as part runners as part of course of the set course the set course Bush walkers No change No change Depending on Depending on Depending on route route route Moderate net Moderate net Moderate net benefit as road benefit as road benefit as road can can be walked can be walked on be walked on on safely safely safely Dog walkers No change No change Moderate - with Moderate Moderate negative some net benefit negative impact. impact. Some dog as road becomes Some dog walkers start from available for safe walkers start from end of road walking end of road Fishers No change No change High negative High negative High negative impact for a low impact for a low impact for a low number of fishers number of fishers number of fishers for part of the for part of the year year Some local No change Minor change High negative for High negative High negative residents a low number of impact for part of impact for part of locals the year the year Mountain No change. No change High positive Moderate positive Moderate positive bike riders Safety impact impact as road impact as road can concerns not Road can be can be ridden on be ridden on safely addressed ridden on safely safely for part of for part of the year the year Fish farm No change No change High negative High negative High negative employees impact impact impact and Low impact if Low impact if Low impact if contractors access is access is access is provided provided provided

xiii

AppendixAppendixAppendix 555 Reserve Standards Framework

Summary of categories Day UseDayUse ––– Get AGetAwayAway (basic)way(basic) Day Use – Get away sites provide visitors with the opportunity to undertake one or more nature- based activities in a natural setting. The typical get-away visitor seeks to go beyond the security and comfort of facilities such as toilets, barbeques, picnic benches and shelters and often undertakes walks of two hours or more in duration. Such sites provide experiences in natural settings that foster a sense of space and freedom. Visitors must be prepared to encounter hazards of a moderate to severe nature depending on the site’s characteristics and the level of service provided. Natural/Natural/Natural/NotNatural/Not Managed for Visitor Services In these locations, facilities are provided for environmental purposes only. Visitors are expected to be self-reliant and must be capable of coping with severe hazards associated with remote areas. Reserve Standards Framework The Reserve Standards Framework is a system used by Parks and Wildlife Service to determine management and maintenance requirements for assets across all reserve categories in Tasmania.

Site Category Current Day Use Get Away (Basic) Visitor Safety Rating isisis ModerateModerateModerate Site aspiration for this plan same Facilities requiring works to Suitable safety signage is required for visitors to come up to standard the reserve. Facilities currently over nil standard Other Issues Adjust RSF site boundary to include main fire trails and tracks that are used for walking and riding.

Site Category Current Natural/Not MManagedanaged foranagedfor VVVisitorVisitorisitorisitor SSServicesServiceserviceservices Visitor Safety Rating isisis notnotnot applicableapplicableapplicable or severeorsevere Site aspiration for this plan same Facilities requiring works to nil come up to standard Facilities currently over Some authorisation signs already provided in this standard category on main fire trails. Other Issues

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AppendixAAAppppppeeennndddiiixxx 666 StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd ActionsAAAccctttiiiooonnnsss ImplementationIIImmmpppllleeemmmeeennntttaaatttiiiooonnn Priorities:PPPrrriiiooorrriiitttiiieeesss::: VH: <1 year; H: 2 - 3 years; M: 4 - 5 years; L: >5years (subject to funds, staff and resources) StrategiesSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiieeesss andaaannnddd ActionsAAAccctttiiiooonnnsss WhoWWWhhhooo PriorityPPPrrriiiooorrriiitttyyy 3.6333...666 ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt ZonesZZZooonnneeesss Apply the management zones as defined and on Map 3 when assessing development and use in the reserve. Assess proposals for special purpose recreational activities involving the development of facilities in accordance with PWS Environmental Impact Assessment Policy (2007) – Reserve Activity Assessment process. PWS M - H There should be a clear indication of where different activities are allowed within the reserve. Where adverse impacts on reserve values cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, activities will be directed to more appropriate areas, where possible. 3.7333...777 StrategicSSStttrrraaattteeegggiiiccc AssetAAAsssssseeettt ManagementMMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt Update the RSF classification of the fire trails and other recreational areas to reflect PWS M current and planned recreational use. 4.1444...111 LandformLLLaaannndddfffooorrrmmm andaaannnddd GeologyGGGeeeooolllooogggyyy If resources permit, monitor Legacy Beach for coastline recession by establishing permanent photo points. community L Develop a rehabilitation plan to guide progress toward rehabilitating or controlling areas PWS/ M of erosion and landscape degradation including the disused sand quarry and community unauthorised tracks. 4.2444...222 BiodiversityBBBiiiooodddiiivvveeerrrsssiiitttyyy Ensure that newly recruited reserve managers know the location of priority habitat PWS H areas. Conduct a vegetation survey and update the reserve plant list. Confirm threatened UTas H plant species records. BCB H Update the TasVeg vegetation maps. Locate, map and record priority vegetation communities and priority habitat areas (see BCB PWS M p21). Conduct post-fire surveys for orchids that flower in response to fire. BCB L Conduct surveys to monitor the response of the chaostola skipper and Epacris virgata BCB L ‘Kettering’ to fire. Assess the condition or health of the Eucalyptus amygdalina communities in UTas/PWS H accordance with Barnes et. al. (2002). Implement the management requirements for scheduled species described in the listing PWS ongoing statements and recovery plans. In consultation with specialists, define further reserve-specific management guidelines for the protection of populations of threatened species, priority habitat areas and PWS BCB ongoing species or communities of significance. Test frogs for the presence of the Chytrid disease prior to excavating waterholes. BCB H Engage in research and monitoring to fill knowledge gaps for ecological and management issues of threatened species or other species of significance in the reserve. Liaise with neighbours who have areas of native vegetation on their properties, so that

native vegetation can be managed sustainably across the wider landscape. Conduct surveys to locate the chaostola skipper butterfly. These are best undertaken during the flight time of mid-October to mid-December but can be undertaken at PWS H other times by targeting the occurrence of larval/pupal shelters in Gahnia radula. BCB Report sightings of this species to the DPIPWE Threatened Species Unit. Conduct periodic surveys to determine the current status of the forty-spotted BCB/FoG pardalote population in the reserve. Conduct periodic surveys of swift parrot to determine levels of feeding and breeding BCB M

activity. Conduct a survey to ascertain if there is a sea-eagle nest near Peartree Bay and if it is active. BCB/FoG H If the nest is found to exist, develop a strategy to protect the nest. See p22 for provisions. Conduct periodic surveys to determine the status of the little penguin colony. Develop a site works plan if activities are proposed in the vicinity of the colony. See BCB/FoG H Prior & Wells (2009) for information and management guidelines. 444.34...333 AAAboriginalAbbbooorrriiigggiiinnnaaalll hhheritageheeerrriiitttaaagggeee PWS/ Record and protect places of Aboriginal cultural heritage. Aboriginal ongoing community PWS/ Work collaboratively with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community in the protection, Aboriginal ongoing conservation, presentation and monitoring of Aboriginal values. community Ensure that any new development or activity is assessed in accordance with PWS Environmental Impact Assessment Policy (2007) – Reserve Activity Assessment PWS / process. Aboriginal ongoing community

Consult the Aboriginal community concerning development proposals or new activities that may have potential to impact on Aboriginal heritage places and values. Conduct surveys for Aboriginal heritage before development is approved, particularly where: PWS & Aboriginal ongoing • there is likely to be ground disturbance; community • where located below the 50 metre contour; • within 100 metres of the sea; and/or • along ridgelines and/or near water courses. Following closure of the internal reserve road, consider closing and rehabilitating the walking track to the occupation cave. Erect a sign at the start of the track to the cave that promotes the notion of Respecting Place by not visiting the place. Include this information on a track closure sign. PWS / Replace the existing sign on the fence at the top of the cave roof with a hazard Aboriginal H warning sign that meets current approved policy and standards. community Install grips to reduce surface water run-off and thatch the track with shrub and tree boughs. Grips should also be installed and maintained between the end turning circle and the junction of the track to the occupation cave. Renew the thatching on the midden at Legacy Beach with seed-bearing boughs and Aboriginal branches. Consider trimming the posts that previously supported the (now removed) community/ L stairs in the midden at Legacy Beach. PWS PWS/ Conduct post-fire Aboriginal heritage surveys to improve site identification after fire. Aboriginal ongoing community Work with the Aboriginal community to identify and develop joint projects that PWS/ protect Aboriginal heritage and the reserve’s environment, including monitoring of Aboriginal ongoing desired outcomes for Aboriginal heritage, should the Aboriginal community want to community undertake this action. 444.44...444 HHHistoryHiiissstttooorrryyy aaandannnddd HHHistoricHiiissstttooorrriiiccc HHHeritageHeeerrriiitttaaagggeee Incorporate, where appropriate, information about the reserve’s historic heritage into PWS/ L signs and information brochures. community Replace out-dated signs and use positive messages to inform the public about the status of the land, permitted activities and any restrictions. See Section 6.1 Track PWS H Network and Access Management. 555.15...111 TTThreatsThhhrrreeeaaatttsss Confirm the presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the reserve. PWS H Provide information to visitors and neighbours about the need for hygiene measures to PWS H

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control the spread of Phytophthora within the reserve and to other locations. 555.25...222 FFFireFiiirrreee MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt Provide information about the reserve and its values to fire suppression organisations. PWS M Ensure that in times of wildfire, knowledgeable managers are available to assist in PWS ongoing protecting the habitat of threatened species. Fire planning should aim to protect currently unburnt areas from wildfire to maintain a minimum fire interval of at least eight years to a maximum of 25 years to create a range of habitats in the reserve. Avoid hot burns in patches of potential habitat (Ghania radula), especially between mid- October to mid-December as this is when butterflies are reproducing. Aim for cool winter or early autumn burns in a patchwork mosaic to minimise disturbance and protect habitat integrity. PWS ongoing Obtain specialist advice regarding the maintenance of bettong habitat and forty-spotted pardalote habitat areas when planning prescribed burns, particularly if burns are planned for the grassy dry sclerophyll area at the eastern end of the reserve. Take into consideration the management guidelines of the Forest Epacrids Recovery Plan when developing the burn plans for the reserve. Where necessary, include pre- and post-fire weed programs in burn plans. Inspect sites for threatened species before the commencement of ground disturbing developments associated with fire management such as rerouting fire trails, blading PWS ongoing firebreaks or refurbishing water holes. Mark patches of threatened species (including Ghania radula) located in firebreaks with a recognisable marking system and remove patches from the slashing program where safe and practicable to do so. Patches of Gahnia radula habitat in firebreaks near the Channel Highway should be retained in particular. Mark and remove from the slashing program, areas of the firebreak with bare ground or PWS M exposed soils especially where these are located on sandy soils and steep land where safe and practicable to do so. Where necessary, implement erosion control measures on firebreaks, especially where located on sandy soils and steep land. Develop a plan for proposed works. Realign and rehabilitate unnecessary duplications of fire trails. Where practicable realign tracks on disturbed ground. PWS L Treat the Spanish heath at the end of Hopwood Street through an integrated approach by slashing and prescribed burning followed by chemical treatment. Burning should be PWS H conducted in the autumn to minimise effects on nesting fauna. Slashing should be started in the eastern weed-free firebreaks before slashing the PWS ongoing western firebreaks that are infested by weeds and in particular, Spanish heath. Re-excavate the water holes west of the Hopwood Street entrance to clean out silt and cambungi. Aim to undertake works on waterholes when water levels are low, most likely at the end of summer. Provide access for the watering of horses if reshaping the sides of water holes. PWS M Determine if the chytrid fungus disease is present prior to excavating waterholes to guard against spread. Repair, reform or abandon water holes as per p31 of the management statement. Ensure machinery is clean before moving within and before entering and leaving the reserve and moving within the reserve to prevent the spread of weeds and disease. ongoing Follow the machinery hygiene guidelines, Tasmanian Washdown Guidelines for Weed PWS and Disease Control. 555.35...333 WWWeedWeeeeeeddd MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt The overarching aim for weed management in Coningham NRA is to eradicate all weeds including Spanish heath from the eastern part of the reserve. The remainder of the reserve will be subject to control of weeds. See Map 9. The area of vegetation bordered to the south by the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail and the PWS ongoing north by the internal reserve road is in good condition and should not be promoted for walking, horse riding or mountain bike riding to reduce the likelihood of spreading weed seed into this area.

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The Friends of Coningham NRA, Friends of Oyster Cove, Coningham and Lower Snug and other volunteer organisations should be supported and encouraged in their efforts to undertake weed control. Casual/occasional volunteers, (individuals, school and community groups) should be directed towards working on the most accessible patches of Spanish heath, particularly near Hopwood Street entrance after prescribed burning. PWS ongoing Investigate options for recruiting volunteers to work on weed control in the Davies Road area. Identify and pursue opportunities to increase funding and volunteer effort for weed control. Develop, refine, support and monitor the weed management strategy in conjunction with local care groups. Priorities for weed control in the reserve include the eradication of outlying individual plants and populations of weeds then follow with the eradication of Zone A weeds FoG / PWS H from the reserve (see lists in Appendix 2). Follow the Bradley method for weeding; first find and tackle the outlying individuals then work in from the edges of weed populations. Patches of Spanish heath will be systematically controlled in accordance with those areas H marked ‘2009’ and ‘2010’ on Map 10. FoG Review the maps and plans for weed control on an annual basis with local care groups to identify options for control efforts. Record and map effort and changes to the PWS/FoG VH distribution of weeds and provide this information to the Kingborough Council’s Weeds Database or a regional NRM database. Weeds and in particular Spanish heath should be eradicated from all firebreaks as they serve as a corridor for the movement of weed seed and propagules through the FoG/PWS H reserve. Weeds should also be removed from within three metres of designated tracks. Treat the Spanish heath at the end of Hopwood Street through an integrated approach by slashing and prescribed burning followed by chemical treatment. Burning should be PWS/FoG H conducted in the autumn to minimise effects on nesting fauna. Avoid bringing in or moving material such as rubble, gravel, sand, soil and water, and all plants, into or around the reserve. If this is not possible, ensure that these materials are All ongoing free of weeds and pathogens. Ensure management vehicles, equipment and footwear is clean prior to heading off-road. In 2015, if resources permit, conduct a weed survey based on the methods used in the FoG H 2009 survey. 555.45...444 BBBoundariesBooouuunnndddaaarrriiieeesss aaandannnddd ttthethhheee NNNeighbourhoodNeeeiiiggghhhbbbooouuurrrhhhooooooddd Survey the boundary of the reserve, particularly behind private land along Davies Road as funds permit to ensure that neighbours know where their boundaries are. Where there are no fences or gates along private-reserve boundaries, encourage PWS M neighbours to fence their back (reserve) boundary including access points and gates. . Promote where appropriate, the design of fences which allow for wildlife movement. Directly approach residents where encroachments or access issues occur, particularly where there is evidence of unauthorised vehicle access from neighbouring private PWS H property. Provide information on appropriate and lawful use of the reserve directly to these residents and provide a timeline for removal of any occupation. Where there is an established culture of non-compliance and this is unlikely to change, install either rock barriers or fence the reserve boundary. Prepare a communication plan to inform neighbours, the local community and visitors about the reserve’s values and threats, including the potential for the spread of some garden plant species and Phytophthora into and through the reserve, permitted activities and opportunities to assist with protecting the reserve. Information should be provided via local events, local media, visiting targeted properties and mail-outs where PWS M appropriate. Properties along Davies Road (west of Old Station Road) are the highest priority. Liaise with neighbours who have areas of native vegetation on their properties, so that native vegetation can be managed sustainably across the wider landscape. Promote the horticultural use of Gahnia radula in local gardens via existing opportunities

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for community extension in order to extend the habitat of the chaostola skipper butterfly. 666.16...111 TTTrackTrrraaaccckkk NNNetworkNeeetttwwwooorrrkkk aaandannnddd AAAccessAcccccceeessssss MMManagementMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt Access control Close the internal reserve road at the Coningham settlement boundary at the reserve’s main entrance. This will be subject to a period of monitoring and will be evaluated to identify and rectify any issues that may arise. Following closure of the internal reserve road, private motorised vehicles will only be PWS VH permitted in the reserve where authorised. Prepare a communication plan for this option. Methods could include letterbox drops for neighbours and residents, local advertising, media article, a public notice in a major southern newspaper and meetings with individuals. A small area may be designated for parking at the reserve’s main entrance. Assess the suitability of the firebreak near the Hopwood Street entrance for parking of PWS L horse floats after the control of Spanish heath has been substantially completed. Two infrequently used tracks which join the Sheppards Hill Fire Trail with the internal reserve road in the east of the reserve should be closed and rehabilitated in order to PWS M reduce the risk of spreading weeds back into this area. Address illegal vehicle use at other access points through closing or barricading all obvious points of illegal vehicle access into and within the reserve in accordance with PWS VH the PWS Coningham NRA Reserve Access Strategy (2009). Establish photo points to monitor the change in area of exposed soil in the Themeda PWS H grassland caused by vehicle damage. Signs Prepare a sign plan for the Coningham NRA according to the PWS outdoor signage standards and implement over the next five years as funds permit. H – for reserve Replace out-dated signs that relate to the reserve name as a high priority with signs to boundar inform the public about the status of the land, restrictions and permitted activities. PWS y signs Basic information and regulatory signage, including the location of the nearest toilet M – for should be installed at the reserve entrance. Any additional interpretive signage should be other located a short distance inside the reserve boundary. signs Install reserve name signage along Old Station Road as a high priority and signs to prohibit dumping of waste with on-the-spot fine warnings. Compliance Develop and implement a range of measures to increase compliance. These measures may include: • increasing community awareness of the appropriate and lawful use of the reserve through provision of information and via events; • introducing a “Bushwatch” program as a means for the community to contribute to surveillance of the reserve; PWS H • including Coningham NRA in a regional program of regular surveillance to curb illegal activities such as firewood gathering, targeting the reserve at times when activities are most likely to occur; • installing adequate signage to improve knowledge and thus compliance; and • including Coningham NRA in routine and random operation patrols/fire patrols in summer. Erosion control Develop a rehabilitation plan to guide progress toward rehabilitating and/or controlling PWS/ M areas of erosion and landscape degradation including the disused sand quarry and community unauthorised tracks. Identify tracks, fire trails and other cleared sites including firebreaks which are actively eroding. Take remedial action if required in accordance with a rehabilitation plan.

Minimise vehicle movement in the reserve and restrict such movement to essential activities only. Apply the precautionary approach and restrict management vehicle access on fire trails during the wetter months of the year and/or in the wetter parts of the reserve. Realign and rehabilitate unnecessary duplications of fire trails. Where practicable realign

xix tracks on disturbed ground. M Implement those actions specified to reduce sedimentation as required in the PWS maintenance plan for the internal reserve road and/or rehabilitation plan. Where erosion is occurring along tracks and trails, install grips or other water diversion structures to reduce surface water run-off and cover the site with slash from local species plants. 6.2666...222 ProvidingPPPrrrooovvviiidddiiinnnggg forfffooorrr VisitorsVVViiisssiiitttooorrrsss andaaannnddd thettthhheee CommunityCCCooommmmmmuuunnniiitttyyy Prepare a communication plan to inform neighbours, the local community and visitors about the appropriate activities in the reserve and track designations. Information should be provided via local events, local media, visiting neighbours and mail-outs where appropriate. See Section 5.4 regarding other information that needs to be addressed in a communication plan. PWS M Explore the option of conducting activities for visitors during the summer months in the reserve as part of the PWS Discovery Ranger Program. If erosion becomes evident on tracks, the use of these tracks will be reviewed. Users will be consulted as far as is practicable in relation to the use of these tracks. A specific track and recreation use plan for the reserve should be prepared and implemented. (see p43 of the management statement for elements to include). Use the PWS L-M guidelines on p44 of the management statement until such time as a track and recreation strategy is prepared. Prepare and implement a sign plan. See p44 of the management statement for M-H see PWS guidelines. above Assessing proposals for new recreational activities Use the guidelines on p45 to assist in the assessment of third party proposals for recreational developments and/or new activities in the reserve. Coastcare and Bushcare activities The Friends of Coningham NRA, Friends of Oyster Cove, Coningham and Lower Snug PWS ongoing and other volunteer organisations should be supported and encouraged in their efforts to undertake weed control and other activities that benefit the reserve. Encourage local residents to participate in monitoring and conservation activities. Provide opportunities for community involvement in managing the reserve through ongoing established forums such as the Kingborough Council’s Tracks and Trails Committee or PWS the Coningham Progress Association. Walking Update the RSF classification of the fire trails and other recreational areas to reflect L current and planned recreational use. PWS The extension to the Snug Point walking track to Peartree Bay will not be developed due to insufficient resources to construct and maintain such an asset. The development of other tracks will not be encouraged. ongoing Maintenance activities should include diverting surface water off tracks to reduce erosion. PWS/ Aboriginal Following closure of the internal reserve road, consider closing and rehabilitating the community H walking track to the occupation cave. See Section 4.3 Aboriginal Heritage.

Include the Tasmanian Aboriginal community in track location, construction, closures or ongoing maintenance activities as appropriate and required by legislation. Following closure of the internal reserve road, consider closing and rehabilitating the walking track to the occupation cave. See Section 4.3 Aboriginal Heritage. PWS/ L Aboriginal Include the Tasmanian Aboriginal community in track location, construction, closures or community ongoing maintenance activities as appropriate and required by legislation. Orienteering Develop guidelines for orienteering events as part of the conditions for conducting events in the reserve in order to minimise the spread of weeds. See p47 for further PWS/OT L details.

Mountain bike orienteering Mountain bike orienteering will be permitted as an activity in Coningham NRA if it can be demonstrated through an appropriate plan or other document that there will be no risk to other users. Subject to guidelines (see below). PWS/OT L Develop guidelines for mountain bike orienteering events in order to minimise the spread of weeds. See p47 of the management statement for more information. Commence dialogue with Orienteering Tasmania to see if mountain bike orienteering events can be conducted on a sustainable basis. Mountain bike riding See p47-48 of the management statement for more details on mountain bike riding in PWS H the reserve. Monitor the reserve for unauthorised track construction and accelerated erosion of tracks. Downhill bike riding and bike skills area Support Kingborough Council or other mountain bike peak body to provide PWS opportunities for these uses in a more suitable central location. M Develop a rehabilitation plan to guide progress toward rehabilitating and/or controlling PWS/ areas of erosion and landscape degradation including the disused sand quarry and community unauthorised tracks. Dog walking and dog management Discuss with the Kingborough Council the notion that the reserve be included in the Kingborough Dog Management Plan as it is revised, in order to restrict dog walking in priority habitat areas. Negotiate a strategy with Kingborough Council to deal with roaming dogs, compliance PWS M issues associated with dogs and provision of dog bins if the reserve is included in the Councils Dog Management Plan. Take into consideration the priority habitat areas in the formulation and review of dog exercise and dog prohibited areas. See p49 of the management statement for details of dog walking restrictions. Erect signs at the main entrance points to the reserve that comply with the National Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999, to permit dogs in the reserve in accordance with H the conditions specified in the management statement. PWS Provide additional information on signs to encourage responsible behaviours as resources permit. M Horse riding Erect signs at the main entrance points to the reserve that comply with the National H Parks and Reserves Regulations 1999, to permit horses in the reserve in accordance with the conditions specified on p50 of the management statement. PWS Provide additional information on signs to encourage responsible behaviours as M resources permit. Basic infrastructure may be provided at the Hopwood Street entrance to cater for float PWS L parking and horse riding after weed control has occurred. Fish farm access PWS M Provide employees and contractors with authorised access to the internal reserve road. Research On completion of research, researchers will submit copies of all results to PWS. Research which is likely to assist in the conservation of values and management of the PWS/UTas reserve should be encouraged. L and others Only research that will not adversely affect reserve values will be permitted. Aim to obtain previous research information about the reserve from the University of Tasmania. 777 EffectivenessEEEffffffeeeccctttiiivvveeennneeessssss MonitoringMMMooonnniiitttooorrriiinnnggg Implement the monitoring actions as described in Appendix 1 (Key Desired Outcomes PWS H Indicators and Effectiveness Monitoring).

xxi CONTACT DETAILS Parks and Wildlife Service GPO Box 1751 Hobart,Tasmania, 7001 1300 135 513 www.parks.tas.gov.au