A GREATER REFUGE FOR GLIDERS MARCH 2020 NO 280 GOVERNMENT LATE FOR IMPORTANT DATE MOUNT COLE STILL ON CHOPPING BLOCK LIVING WITH FIRE NEW PARK FOR THE BASS COAST COMMUNITIES LISTENING FOR NATURE SPECIAL SPECIES: WHITE MANGROVE Be part of nature

PRESIDENT Bruce McGregor CONTENTS DIRECTOR Matt Ruchel

Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, VIC 3053 3 From the President ABN 34 217 717 593 Telephone: (03) 9341 6500 4 Updates Email: [email protected] Web: www.vnpa.org.au 5-7 A greater refuge for gliders

OUR VISION 8 Andrews Government late The Victorian National Parks Association vision is to ensure for an important date is a place with a diverse and healthy natural environment 9-10 Mount Cole still on the chopping block that is protected, respected and enjoyed by all.

Everyone can help in the conservation of Victoria’s wild and beautiful places. To find out how you can help, visit 11-20 LIVING WITH FIRE FEATURE www.vnpa.org.au/support or call us on (03) 9341 6500. 12-13 This summer’s fire EDITOR Meg Sobey 14-16 The next fire PUBLISHING POLICY All advertisements should be compatible with 17 Initial response must be sustained VNPA policies. Publication of an advertisement 18-19 Save or salvage does not imply endorsement by the VNPA Inc. of the advertised product or service. The VNPA reserves 20 Reporting for recovery the right to refuse any advertisement at any time.

Park Watch may be quoted without permission 21 Quiz provided that acknowledgement is made. The opinions of contributors are not necessarily 22 Toward the finish line? those of the VNPA Inc. 23 Future of our seas and shores GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS You’re always welcome to contact the 24 Follow the money, not the promises editor to discuss ideas for articles. 24 Project Hindmarsh – save the date Phone the VNPA or email [email protected] 25 The Great Obfuscation Road COPY DEADLINE for June 2020 Park Watch is 17 April 2020. 26-27 All about that Bass DESIGN South Star Design PRINTING Adams Print 28-31 Sing Out! FRONT COVER 32 A rare gem The furry eared, fuzzy tailed . Read about these loveable creatures and 33 Tribute: Diana Snape their important forest refuges on pages 5–7. Photo by Josh Bowell. 34-35 In Parks: Lower Goulburn National Park Park Watch Park Watch ISSN 1324-4361 is printed on 36-37 Special Species: White Mangrove Authorised by Matt Ruchel, Executive Director, FSC certified paper. 38 Quiz Answers Victorian National Parks Association. Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, VIC 3053. 39 Wild Families: Rockpooling!

2 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 VNPA is most concerned about the plants and . Indeed, most impact of repeated fires and attempts tourists to Australia come here to see our by the self-interested logging industry landscapes and nature. to ‘salvage log’ burnt areas. ‘Salvage It was difficult for everyone to have a logging’ requires large heavy machinery, relaxing holiday season with the extreme which results in damaging fragile weather and fires. My family “accidently” soils, compressing soils, causing ruts escaped the weather while visiting and channels which increase water family in Kentucky USA, in below zero erosion, sediment flows to rivers and conditions. The stress was there however, leach nutrients. as the VicEmergency app showed fires Yet burnt trees provide important threatening, but fortunately missing, our habitat. Most eucalypts are not killed by family’s rural hideaway. the fires and quickly regrow from shoots The fires highlight the important role protected by their thick bark. I first learnt that VNPA plays in advocating for nature From the President this after the Gariwerd/Grampian fires protection, better policies, better funding in 1960 as a small boy watching the and ecological management. We thank We live in challenging times, and the shoots emerging from the blackened our members, supporters, and the funding impact of COVID-19 and the landscape- bark. Salvage logging can effectively bodies who support our work. scale fires create a new sense of urgency fragment the forest, causing further to protect the bush for the future. ecological disruption. Read our full coverage of the fires in this Park Watch’s feature ‘Living with fire’ At the end of 2019 and the beginning of The impact on birds and animals has pages 11–20). PW 2020, Victoria experienced catastrophic been severe and Victorians – and others • bushfires over more than 1.5 million across the world – have generously Bruce McGregor, VNPA President hectares, or in Victorian speak, 660,000 donated to help rescue injured, isolated times the area of the MCG. Many and starving wildlife. Our family friend national parks were burnt, and in some at Mallacoota, former ranger and long- cases large forests were completely term ornithologist Bob Semmens said Coronovirus (COVID-19) update burnt-out. Over 100 species of are that he counted over 30 species of birds Still reeling from the devastating fires, we at serious risk of extinction. Fortunately, washed up along the ocean beach. now face the coronavirus pandemic. Our damage to property and people was far In the days after the fires, Lyrebirds, thoughts are with you, your families and less than might have been expected. We normally lurking in the darker wetter communities, and I hope you can take extend our condolences to those who forest, were seen scrounging around the some solace in these uncertain times lost family, friends and homes, and thank lawns on the edge of the town. by safely visiting your favourite place in all those who worked on minimising the The Victorian Government is to be nature. extent of the damage. commended for quickly allocating We want to reassure you that the safety Large fires are to be expected in areas $17.5 million for threatened species. and health of our members, volunteers, experiencing very dry conditions. Significantly more funding will be participants, supporters and staff are our The impact of climate change, a needed, however. And this should be first priority, and that we are following the warmer Tasman Sea, and very hot, seen in light of other expenditure – the advice of health experts and government. strong winds resulted in large parts state government recently gave $30 VNPA is putting in place measures to of eastern Victoria, New South Wales, million to increase prize money at the minimise the exposure of our people and Island in Spring Racing Carnival. The catastrophic to the virus while continuing our work being burnt over many weeks. Much of fires highlight the critical need to properly protecting nature across the state. We are southern Victoria experienced severe fund species recovery plans. Too many postponing or cancelling events, meetings atmospheric pollution, and it would species have no plan, and plans that and activities, including bushwalking have been near-suffocating in the fire- exist are often out of date and many activities we had planned from now until impacted areas. plans are never implemented. More staff the end of June 2020. But we will look for and more operating funds are needed. It Most, but not all, of Victoria’s opportunities to encourage people to enjoy is time the budget office stopped playing ecosystems need fire to function – but nature safely. See enclosed insert or visit games with the Victorian environment. at appropriate ecological intervals. Too vnpa.org.au/covid-19 If the government was in any doubt frequent fire or complete burning of We are all uncertain about the future right about the public feeling on this matter, an ecosystem is not sustainable, and now, and like you, I hope the impact of the they need to look no further than the results in long-term changes in the coronavirus doesn’t last too long. massive level of donations, engagement structure and function of an ecosystem, and volunteering which is going on to But no matter how long this crisis lasts, with some becoming extinct. This help wildlife. the reality is that it is now more important summer, many areas which have been than ever to stand up for national parks burnt in the past ten years were burnt Australians have been warned for and all the nature they support. again. This is not good for nature. decades about the risks associated Hazard reduction burning in recent years with hotter summers, climate change With that in mind, we hope that the did little to reduce the severity of the and extreme weather. Our governments VNPA community will continue to give recent fires. Chief Fire Officers all agree need to focus on their legislated generously throughout the current crisis to protect Victoria’s nature. that hazard reduction is not the panacea responsibilities of protection of our promoted by some sections of society. unique, endangered and important

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 3 UPDATES

Nature for Life Rally! New staff join the team

We are so pleased to welcome several new staff to VNPA team. They are: • Jordan Crook, Nature Conservation Campaigner, is working on forest and grassland protection. • Emily Cork is our new Administrative Assistant, you may speak to her next time you call the VNPA office. • John Kotsiaris, Nature Conservation Campaigner, is working on fire policy. • Jessie Borrelle, Digital Campaigner, has been focusing on communications for our campaign to create new national parks in central west Victoria. • Kristen Agosta, NatureWatch Project Officer, is helping out with our camera monitoring and stagwatching projects. We are very grateful to the donors and philanthropic organisations who have helped ensure we have extra staff at a time when nature in Victoria especially needs our efforts. • PW PHOTO: SANDY SCHELTEMA SANDY PHOTO:

Hundreds of nature lovers joined the Victorian National Parks Association on Parliament steps for the Nature for Life Rally on Environmentalists 28 November 2019 to call for urgent action from the Andrews Government to better protect Victoria’s nature. honoured

It was a truly heart-warming show of care for our precious native plants and animals and our collective future – and an incredible Congratulations to all those who have recently display of costumes, spectacular hand-painted signs and banners, received Medals of the Order of Australia for an amazing whale puppet, and an eighty-metre hand-printed textile services to the environment, including two people artwork of a Mountain Ash tree! we know of who are part of the VNPA community:

Victorians from over 40 local groups travelled to Parliament – from Carl Rayner OAM – Among involvement in many Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Warburton, Healesville, Kinglake, Toolangi, conservation groups over the past 40 years, Strathbogies, , Daylesford, East , Morwell, Mirboo Carl has been a member of VNPA since the late North, Westernport and Mornington Peninsula – to stand united 1970s and was the convenor of the bushwalking with state and national environment groups. group in the mid-1980s. He was co-founder of the first ‘Friends’ group in Victoria at Organ Pipes The atmosphere of coming together as Victorians passionately National Park and was involved in revegetation of working to protect nature was truly uplifting. Many people that park for a number of years. In 1997 he was commented on how good it felt to connect with others from across given the ‘Best Friend’ Award. the state, especially as it can sometimes feel quite isolating as Amanda Martin OAM – Amanda has contributed small groups and individuals caring and campaigning for their local to environmental conservation, especially natural places. through philanthropy, for over 20 years through Thank you so much to everyone who helped organise, spread the various roles, including Executive Director of word and showed up to make this such a special day. VNPA from 1997 to 2003. She co-founded and has been Chief Executive of the Australian We are still calling on the Andrews Government to do more to Environmental Grantmakers Network since 2009. protect nature and approve the recommendations to create new Congratulations also to Daryl Akers, Elaine national parks in the central west of Victoria – read more on the Carbines, Eileen Collins, Elizabeth Corke, Peter following pages. PW • Forster, Joan Grigg and William Incoll for their awards for service to conservation and environment in Victoria. PW 4 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 • A Greater Refuge for Gliders

IN THE TALL TREES OF THE CENTRAL WEST LIVES A QUIET YET ENIGMATIC CREATURE, WRITES NATURE CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNER JORDAN CROOK.

VNPA produced street posters to increase community awareness of our campaign to protect the central west forests, including the Greater Glider. See the others on the

following pages. BORRELLE JESSIE BY ARTWORK

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 5 During the day they curl up in a ball inside hollows. But at night this large animal comes out to glide from tree to tree in the highest canopy. The Greater Glider (Petauroides volans) is the largest gliding mammal in Australia – and the second largest in the world! Growing to a metre in length, the Greater Glider really is a sight to behold from its long fluffy tail to its furry ears. These forest-dependent call the forests of Australia’s east coast home, with a distribution from central Queensland to Victoria. The Forest near Daylesford, only slightly more than one hour from , is its western-most range. Sadly, populations in Victoria are in decline and the species is listed as threatened. In a 12-year period, their numbers have reducing by 50 per cent in East Gippsland, and by 8.8 per cent each year in the montane ash forests of the Victorian Central Highlands. This is due to habitat loss and fragmentation from clearing, logging and bushfires. At least a quarter of Greater Glider numbers have been impacted by the unprecedented bushfires in the east of Victoria. This makes the protection of unburnt habitat vital to the species future. Citizen scientists from Wombat Forestcare have been surveying Greater Glider populations in the Wombat Forests since 2010, and in that time they have documented 278 individual gliders in 212 records. Greatness knows no limits – A recently released report commissioned by the Victorian facts about Greater Gliders National Parks Association and Wombat Forestcare crunched the numbers. y Greater Gliders are nocturnal, largely silent and solitary. You can read the report Wombat Forest, A Greater Refuge y Their body grows up to 45cm, with a tail up for Gliders on our website: www.vnpa.org.au/wombat- to 60cm. forest-a-greater-refuge-for-gliders y Their soft fuzzy fur ranges in colour from pure The report reveals densities of Greater Gliders within white to black, with some mottled grey. the Wombat Forest are large and regionally significant. y A membrane of skin stretches between each Similarly high densities in East Gippsland and the elbow and ankle. Strathbogie Ranges led to the protection of glider habitat y They are able to glide more than 100 metres. in those locations in November 2019, as part of the y Their body forms a triangle when gliding, and conservation measures within the Victorian Greater Glider their tail is used for steering. Action Statement. y Graceful in the air, they are clumsy on The nearest population of Greater Gliders from Wombat the ground. Forest is 80 kilometres east in the Central Highlands. The y They prefer moist forest types and older trees Wombat Forest gliders should be seen as an ‘Insurance with hollows for nesting. Policy’ for the species in Victoria, thanks to their relative y They feed only on gum leaves and buds from isolation which means they could be safer in the context their favourite eucalypts. of landscape-scale fires, which will increase with our y They rarely interact except when mating. changing climate. y Mature females will give birth to a single joey each year, typically in late autumn or early The high numbers of Greater Gliders in the Wombat Forest winter. It will suckle and develop in her pouch. support the recommendation for permanent protection of y Each adult inhabits up to twenty different this habitat. The proposed Wombat-Lerderderg National dens in tree hollows within its home range. Park would secure the glider's future in the west of the y The individual’s territory will be larger and state. You can help support the creation of these new smaller, depending on the respective size of national parks and reserves in the central west here: the patch of forest. www.vnpa.org.au/central-west y Extra fun fact known to many citizen The Greater Glider is a wonder of the natural world and a scientists: when spotted with a torch their true treasure of the Victorian bush – we must protect this eyes reflect a very bright light! loveable creature. • PW

6 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 Hi there! Greater Gliders depend on hollows for their homes.

Help our Greater Gliders

Greater Gliders are quite rare – even rarer now after the bushfires have wiped out a large area of their habitat in Victoria (see coverage on the following pages). One in four of East Gippsland's gliders appear to have died in the tragedy Now, unbelievably, loggers want to cut down remaining forests that have not burnt. Please help us protect these important refuges for Greater Gliders and our other precious wildlife. Donate at www.vnpa.org.au/grace or by filling in the form on the back cover. PHOTO: JOSH BOWELL JOSH PHOTO: PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 7 VNPA produced street posters to increase community awareness of the campaign to protect the central west forests. See the others on pages 5 and 9. Andrews Government late for an important date

WITH THE ANDREWS GOVERNMENT MISSING THEIR DEADLINE TO AGREE TO THE CREATION OF 60,000 HECTARES OF NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES, OPPONENTS ARE NOW LOBBYING HARD TO STOP ANY PROGRESS ON PROTECTION IN PARKS. BY VNPA DIRECTOR MATT RUCHEL.

The forests of the central west don't belong to the timber industry or special interest groups. They are a haven for all Victorian nature lovers, and especially for the vulnerable animals and plants that wouldn't survive without them. Yet there are, shockingly, imminent plans to clearfell log areas within the what is a proposed new national park for Mount Cole (see following pages). These new parks were recommended by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) final report on VNPA produced street posters to increase community awareness of the its Central West Investigation. This report was released campaign to protect the central west forests. See the others on pages 5 and 9. 21 June 2019, and tabled in Parliament in on 15 August 2019. Under legislation the Victoria Government must respond BORRELLE JESSIE BY ARTWORK “… not later than the first sitting day after the period of of consultation. The investigation was informed by over 3000 6 months after the sitting day on which the report was laid submissions, as well as specific focused consultation with before each House of the Parliament.” Traditional Owners, a community reference group and a socio- By our calculations, this would mean the government’s economic impact assessment. The final report was publicly response should have been tabled in Parliament's sitting released in June last year. week of 18 February 2020. At the time of writing a response The Andrews Government has now had six months to consider is overdue and thus in breach of the legislative timelines. the recommendations. Statewide polling consistently shows And the forests in the central west remain wide open widespread support (over 70 per cent support or strongly support for logging. new national parks) – so what is there to think about? • PW When asked in Parliament on 4 March for the lateness, the Victorian Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio answered that the government had been very busy with bushfires Join the push to create new national parks! and would respond to the report “at the most appropriate Urge the Andrews Government to announce new national time”. Similar questions were also asked in the Upper parks and reserves for our state now – after a two-year House, with similarly vague replies. thorough consultation and clear recommendations, what is A letter from the Office of Minister for Tourism, Sport and there to think about? Major Events to a VNPA member stated that a response The forests of the central west need you to contact the was planned in March 2020 in which a “… broad range of Deputy Premier and Environment Minister to send them community views will be considered”. messages of overwhelming support to encourage a strong response from our government (currently they are receiving The Victorian Environment Assessment Council's role is to messages of opposition). conduct investigations requested by the state government, and provide independent assessment and advice on the Call the Deputy Premier James Merlino: management of public land. www.vnpa.org.au/deputy Call the Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio: Over three years ago, in November 2016, the Victorian www.vnpa.org.au/envirominister Government initiated the Central West Investigation by inviting public comments on a proposed Terms of Please also send the postcard included in this edition to Reference. These were released in March 2017 with a Park Watch. Just add your name, suburb, postcode, write a call for submissions from the public. A draft proposal personal message, put a stamp on it and put in the post! paper was released in August 2018, followed by 60 days

8 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 Mount Cole still on the chopping block

VICFOREST'S PLANS FOR CLEARFELL LOGGING IN AREAS OF PROPOSED NATIONAL PARK MUST BE HALTED, ARGUES MATT RUCHEL. Community assets and natural values protected – or not?

The Mount Cole range forms the western extremity of the . Rising to almost 1000 metres, it contains species and communities found more commonly in the cooler and wetter eastern highlands of Victoria. There are extensive patches of montane woodland dominated by Snow Gum and tree ferns. It is home to the westernmost population of Mountain Brushtail Possum.

Due to its height and location, Mount Cole will be incredibly important nature refuge in a changing climate.

VEAC recommended for this area a new Mount Buangor National Park – expanded from the existing and an addition of 2784 hectares from

Mount Cole state forest. BORRELLE JESSIE BY ARTWORK

Also recommended is a new Ben Nevis Nature Reserve to especially as a decision on creating the new parks is the north, and new heritage river designation in the upper imminent. But our submission appeared to be ignored, and reaches of the Wimmera River within Mount Cole. two weeks later on Christmas eve the Timber Utilisation This new Mount Buangor National Park would include the Plan 2019–2023 was released seemingly without change. popular Beeripmo Walk, a 21-kilometre walking trail which We worked with The Age on a piece on 28 December can be done in sections or over two days. highlighting the concerns about the impact on logging on the Beeripmo Walk and proposed park: It would also protect the Mount Cole Grevillea – a https://amp.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/losing-the- spectacular flowering shrub entirely restricted to the woods-for-the-trees-green-light-for-logging-near-popular- Mount Cole Range, where it occupies an extremely narrow hiking-track-20191228-p53nb0.html and rapidly declining area. It was officially listed as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Victoria is the most cleared state in Australia, and much of Act (after nomination by VNPA) just a few months ago our key habitat remains on public land. While public land on 25 October 2019. It is recognised as being vulnerable only covers 40 per cent of the state, it contains 70 per cent of the highest biodiversity values. In the region that Mount to logging. Cole and some of the nearby Pyrenees Ranges sit, more While proposals for these new parks have been developing than 55 per cent of the landscape has been cleared. Public for some years, to the point that the VEAC final report land makes up only 17 per cent of that particular region, recommending them had been tabled in Parliament – the and just 4.4 per cent is in an existing park or reserve – the state government’s logging agency VicForests decided rest is unprotected state forest. Given this, clearly there is a in November to increase the number and intensity of need to better protect more of our public lands, particularly proposed logging in this area. in the central west.

They plan four new logging coupes, and for three Native forest logging ending – or not? existing to have increased intensive clear fell (even stand management); a total area of over 200 hectares. Park Watch readers would know that the Andrews This would be logging forests within the boundary Government in November 2019 announced it will of the proposed Mount Buangor National Park and end native forest logging by 2030. However, this overlapping both the Beeripmo Walk and the Mount Cole announcement is incongrous with VicForest’s plans to Grevillea’s location. log Mount Cole. VicForests argued in The Age that it only logged 4.7 hectares of its total 10-hectare logging VNPA made a submission opposing these new coupes, allocation for the Mount Cole region in 2018/19. Continued overleaf PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 9 Continued from previous page

Immediately outside the proposed park boundary at scale forestry is to be undertaken, its management should Mount Cole there are 448 hectares of logging coupes be returned to the Department of Environment, Land, listed on the new Timber Utilisation Plan 2019-2023 (this Water and Planning (DELWP) rather than VicForests – but is approximately 186 MCG fields in size). If the figures are ideally it should not continue at all. right, that is enough for 40 years of logging at 10 hectares a year, or 90 years at 4.7 hectares per year – well past Mount Cole is the only place in the west of the state where the Andrews Government phase out deadline of 2030. destructive clearfell logging still occurs. While it claims to Even if they log half the area allocated, it is still well more be 'community-focused', if the planned coupes proceed in than enough to supply the small western logging industry the areas proposed to become a national park, they will in past 2030. fact destroy the amenity and ambience of the long-term community asset the Beeripmo Walk, not to mention the The native forest logging industry in the west of Victoria is impact on threatened species such as the rare Mount Cole small, declining and largely funded by our taxpayer dollars. Grevillea. In 2014 VicForests received a $3.3 million government grant in advance to run the so-called ‘Western Community It seems provocative to schedule new logging coupes Forestry’. In their 2018-19 Annual Report, VicForests in an area well-known to be proposed national park. The reported total revenue from the western native forests motivation from VicForests is unclear. They deny it is a (a huge area covering west of the Hume Highway to the pitch for compensation if a new park is created. They have South Australian border) was around just $700,000. State committed to “... comply with any determination made by government funding to VicForests’ ‘Western Community the Victorian Government in relation to this matter" – not Forestry’ in 2018–2019 was $678,000. That’s a surplus of that they really have a choice once legislation is passed. only $22,000, on behalf of Victorian taxpayers. VicForests have agreed to give VNPA two weeks’ notice of The grant for the ‘Western Community Forestry’ is due to proposed logging in Mount Cole and the Pyrenees Ranges run out at the end of this financial year, and in keeping with until mid-year. The first logging is expected to commence the Andrews Government’s announcement to end native in March at Mount Cole in areas outside the proposed forest logging, this subsidy should not be renewed. If small park. We will keep you updated on developments. • PW

Mount Cole – showing both VEAC final recommendation and scheduled and proposed logging coupes VEAC Recommendations Public land use category (VEAC Recommendations)

2340000 2350000 National park

Nature reserve

Bushland reserve Pyrenees Hwy

State forest

Water frontage, beds and banks reserve

Water production reserve

Community use reserve

Utilities and government services reserve

Land leased or licensed for plantation D2 G5 purposes, Plantation Ben Nevis Nature Mount Cole State Uncategorised public land Reserve INCREASE Category 1 Forest Recommended change in public land use Conservation Values

Mt Cole Grevillea records (Sep 2019)

Mt Cole Grevillea records (various) NEW Category 1 Victorian Biodiversity Atlas records - 2 March 2018 NEW (Rare or Threatened species) Category 1 VBA_FAUNA25 Water Race Rd 2470000 VBA_FAUNA100 INCREASE Category 1 VBA_FLORA25

2470000 INCREASE Category 1 VBA_FLORA100 Recreation

NEW INCREASE Beeripmo walk Category 1 Category 1 Logging coupes Proposed logging coupes, November 2019 [TUP_Proposed_Boundaries__November_2019] Labels: G2 NEW = New coupe INCREASE = Higher intensity logging Mount Lonarch State Category 1 = Highest intensity logging NEW Category 1 Forest Even-aged stand management

NEW Multi-aged stand management Blackwood Rd Category 1 A1 Planned logging coupes on NEW VicForests' Timber Utilisation Plan Category 1 Mount Buangor [TUP_Apr2017] Period = 2017 - 2019/20 National Park Beeripmo Walk Even-aged stand management NEW (clearfell logging coupes) Category 1 INCREASE Category 1 Multi-aged stand management INCREASE Category 1 Roads

INCREASE INCREASE Category 1 Category 1 Central West investigation area

NEW Category 2

BENDIGO

Mount Cole Rd 2460000 2460000 GDA94/Vicgrid

012345678910Western Hwy km 1:75000

2340000 2350000 1111 December December 2019 2019

10 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 LIVING WITH FIRE

CLIMATE PREDICTIONS OF MORE FREQUENT LARGE BUSHFIRES ARE PROVING TRUE. SINCE 1900 THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR FIRES OF OVER ONE MILLION HECTARES IN VICTORIA; THREE OF THOSE HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

THE FOLLOWING PAGES LOOK AT THE FIRE PREDICAMENT, AND OFFER SOME SOLUTIONS. PHOTO: IAN RAYMOND IAN PHOTO:

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 11 This summer’s fire OUR NATIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS HAVE HAD A LONG AND TROUBLED PARENT- CHILD RELATIONSHIP WITH FIRE. IT MIGHT BE BECOMING AN IRRECONCILABLE ONE, WRITES VNPA PARKS PROTECTION CAMPAIGNER PHIL INGAMELLS.

Since July last year, fires have burned through nearly 16 It started late last year with the burning of the previously million hectares of Queensland, NSW, Victoria, WA, SA, ‘unburnable’ subtropical of Terania Creek and Tasmania and the ACT. About 1.5 million hectares of that Lamington National Park in NSW. Then, later that summer, was in Victoria. as a final gesture, flames incinerated a great many pockets of East Gippsland’s warm-temperate rainforests and had This has been, unquestionably, an unprecedented event a good bite at the Errinundra Plateau’s cool-temperate since records have been kept. Some 3,500 homes have rainforests. been destroyed and 33 people lost their lives. It was something of a miracle more lives weren’t lost. The assault on our rainforests was just one of many impacts on nature, but perhaps the cruellest stroke. The Australian flora we love, the eucalypts, bottlebrushes and more, have largely evolved in response to fire. Yet Botanists know that ‘’ is a misnomer, and would fire seems unsatisfied with that achievement; it will not rather call them ‘fire-free forests’. These ferny patches of abandon its harsh but nurturing role. It even seems to have green that we mainly find in sheltered valleys in Victoria taken vengeance on its creation, periodically burning the are truly ancient forests. They are surviving patches of bush to a crisp and having a good go at us in the process. the great misty forests of , the one-time single landmass of the Earth’s southern hemisphere. Fire, this most primal of elements, this searing expression of the sun’s energy on Earth, is getting increasingly hard to Their canopy trees, like Lilly Pilly, Southern Sassafras, live with. Muttonwood and Olive-berry, obligingly hold their leaves

This summer's fire through East Gippsland

Pink shows the extent of the fire till mid January. Darker pink indicates parks burnt. Green is unburnt parks. Blue is scheduled logging coupes. The fire also extended through much of Victoria's north-east and alpine regions. Mapped by VNPA from available data.

12 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 Fairy Dell warm-temperate rainforest near Bruthen, is one of East Gippsland’s tourist attractions.

Below: The same Fairy Dell rainforest after this summer’s fires. Many rainforest pockets, most of them tiny refuges for ancient Gondwanan plants, have been torched this summer. Rainforests recover slowly, if ever, from fire.

horizontally, sheltering a moist understory of even more ancient plants: an abundance of spore-shedding mosses and ferns, and their more primitive ancestors in turn. They are, indeed, living museums of ancient flora. Now just tiny remnants of their former extent, these rainforests have been sheltering perilously from fire for some 45 million years. The flames that randomly trickled or roared through the newly evolved ‘Australian’ forests, dominated by more recently evolved plants like eucalypts and wattles, generally skipped over deep valleys leaving the Gondwanan forests unscathed. Or, if fire did occasionally burn into these ferny dells, they would need a very long fire-free period to recover, not having evolved good fire-recovery strategies. Victoria’s most extensive patch of warm-temperate rainforest, East Gippsland’s Jones Creek, burnt extensively in 1983, and a 2013 study of its recovery said that if another fire returned in less than 40–50 years, it would cause progressive decline, returning it to a eucalypt dominated forest. This summer’s fire has brought that scenario close. It’s not just rainforests that have been hit by frequent fire; repeated blazes can seriously test the capacity of many of the fire-adapted species to hang on. Snow Gums, the much-loved, beautifully twisted and gnarled eucalypt species of Victoria’s high country, can live for centuries. A Snow Gum can quickly resprout from a large underground lignotuber when an occasional alpine fire has killed the above-ground parts of the tree. Yet three fires in CROOK TOM PHOTOS: close succession can weaken and kill them. This scenario has happened now around The Horn in Mount Buffalo National fires in eastern Victoria. They include animals like the Barred Park, and in the southern parts of the Bogong High Plains in Galaxias, Long-footed Potoroo and Diamond Python, and the Alpine National Park. plants like Buff Hazlewood and Betka Bottlebrush. Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and We are in a new paradigm. Climate change, and the more Planning’s biodiversity response crew has estimated that frequent fire it brings, is changing our landscape, and not some 170 already rare or threatened species have been over evolution’s necessary aeons; it’s happening now, before impacted by the roughly 1,500,000 hectares of this summer’s our eyes. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 13 The next fire PHOTO: IAN RAYMOND IAN PHOTO:

CAN WE CONTROL FIRE WITH FIRE? WILL MORE FUEL REDUCTION BURNING REALLY SAVE US AND THE BUSH WE LOVE? IT’S TIME FOR A NEW APPROACH, NOT FAILED REMEDIES, SAYS PHIL INGAMELLS.

We learnt as children that fire is a good friend and a produces a significant increase in flammable shrubs over bad master. the next decade or more.

And we’ve managed to tame fire in so many ways in our Let’s be clear about that. Fuel reduction burns can reduce daily lives. But the relationship between fire, the Australian the understory a lot for one year, and a bit for the next few bush, and the people who live there is increasingly a years, but then they can actually increase the shrubby fraught one. understory for many years. Eventually, over time (and this period varies), those shrubs gradually die off, and the Fire is undoubtedly master whenever the weather suits it, understory becomes relatively low in fuel. Without more and the weather will be suiting fire more and more in the fire, it can stay that way for many years. years ahead. This ‘long-since-fire’ low fuel scenario is likely to be the For many decades now the prime tool for fire explanation for many of the more open woodlands management has been reducing the abundance of recorded by early European ‘explorers’. Frequently repeated understory fuel, our shrubs and grasses, through planned Indigenous burning may well have contributed some of burning and other means. It does seem to make sense – that open country, but not across the broad landscape. burning or clearing the fuel before a bushfire does – if you can actually do it. Our understanding of how much this is true in different ecosystems, and under different burn and climate But in most ecosystems there is observed, as well as scenarios, would be very strong if fire managers recorded and published, evidence that while a planned systematically recorded the change in fuel levels in the burn can reduce understory fuel for a year or three, in years following fuel reduction burns. But that simple many or most ecosystems the post-fire growth of shrubs monitoring program hasn’t been happening.

14 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 It would be a serious enough omission in monitoring Private bushfire bunkers if this was only an issue of public safety, but it’s also an issue of protecting something like 100,000 native The Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission found that species. The fuel that threatens us is, at the same time, half of the people who relied on private bunkers during the our invaluable, ancient, natural heritage. Black Saturday fires survived, but half tragically perished in them. The Commission put out an urgent interim report Independent published research, however, such asking for an approved Australian standard design for as that performed recently in the Australian Alps private shelters, and that standard was published before National Parks, makes this process clear (see diagram the Commission’s final report. this page). However, this critical information has never been How effective has fuel reduction been? communicated to Victorians, and there has been no support for people wanting to install approved shelters. Over the last decade, Victoria’s annual Fuel They should, at least, be compulsory for any new building Management reports estimated a possible reduction in in a high fire-prone area. risk to life and property of up to 20 per cent maximum. But that would only be if all planned fuel reduction programs could be safely implemented.

That’s helpful but not much comfort, particularly when How fire can increase fuel we know that in acute fire weather fuel-reduced areas actually do little to lessen the extent or severity of fire.

And though we’ve never managed to reduce fuel to any truly ‘safe’ level with planned burns, it somehow remains the chief fire management tool in the public’s mind, and also in the minds of many fire managers and politicians.

If we step back and look at things afresh, there are far more useful things we can do. Protecting life

The over-riding priority for fire management is the protection of human life.

Unfortunately Forest Fire Victoria, in its planning, actually use buildings as a surrogate for human life. Why anyone would need such a weak proxy for such a critical and clear objective is a mystery; it’s possible to save buildings but lose lives, and possible to lose buildings while saving lives.

If we dump the surrogate, more effective life-saving options come into the picture. Compulsory evacuation

While Victoria belatedly came close to compulsory evacuation in this summer’s fires, we still lack the Immediately after a fire, understory flammable shrubs etc are largely necessary legal clout to achieve it. Fire managers gone (year zero here), so any new fire is unlikely to generate enough should have the authority to evacuate homes, hospitals flame height to reach the canopy. However the shrub layer quickly and even whole towns if necessary, and all regions regenerates after a fire, soon greatly increasing the possibility of a canopy fire developing. In long-unburnt forests, the flammable shrubs should have well-developed evacuation strategies in die off, reducing the likelihood of a canopy fire. advance of any fire season. LDOW = Low, dry open woodland. In the USA and Canada, compulsory evacuation is DOF = Dry open forest. SWF = subalpine forest and woodland. well established. In 2006, the 88,000 citizens of the OF = Open forest. Canadian town of Fort Murray were evacuated in the TWF = Tall wet forest. face of a several hundred-kilometre fire front. The town Source: Zylstra, PJ. Flammability dynamics in the Australian Alps. was lost, but everyone lived. Austral Ecology 2018. Continued overleaf

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 15 Continued from previous page

These are among a few very employable strategies that can effectively contribute to safety.

But there is one seriously big investment that might radically change fire management in the state. Rapid attack capability

Fires ravaged Tasmania in 2016, burning the previously unburnable high tablelands and incinerating Pencil Pines that had been unburnt for a thousand or more years. But the Tasmanian government was poorly equipped to handle fire in these remote areas, and had to rely on aircraft coming across Bass Strait from Victoria. They arrived far too late to avoid disaster.

Around Melbourne however, faced with the prospect of catastrophic loss of life in the Dandenongs, Warrandyte or the Mornington Peninsula, we now have the capacity to get three aircraft to an ignition point within 10–15 minutes of notification of a fire.

Our aerial attack capacity has increased steadily since 2009’s Black Saturday fires, but rolling out a truly effective aerial point of ignition capacity across Victoria would be expensive, possibly a billion dollars or more. However Black Saturday cost Victoria over $4 billion, and 173 lives, and this summer’s fires have been more expensive.

This is a highly technological solution, but in the face of climate change, it may be the only effective way to seriously reduce the rate of fire in the landscape. We won’t stop every fire, but we should set about establishing a far greater level of control than we currently have.

There are other ways to help control ignitions, such RAYMOND IAN PHOTO: as burying power lines, a recommendation of the Barely a month after fire ravaged the Buchan region, Royal Commission and later rejected by our state eucalypts are sprouting from epicormics buds. government, or encouraging local power generation (which is also good for the climate). And better strategies to control arson could also help.

Investing seriously in ignition control could have many benefits, increasing: If we reduce the frequency of severe fire, we should be able to decrease impacts on both lives, infrastructure and • public safety the environment. And in the long-term, though this might • public health be difficult under climate change, we could potentially • protection of infrastructure decrease the flammability of much of the landscape. • protection for agriculture • protection for tourism Fuel reduction will always have a place in managing • viability for insurance companies bushfires, especially when it is performed strategically • reduced carbon emissions close to assets in need of protection. • And … long-term benefits for biodiversity But increasing management burns across the landscape That has to look like a good return on such a solid won’t be the panacea many are claiming, even if it were investment. possible to achieve the task. • PW

16 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 Initial response must be sustained PHOTO: SARAH DAY SARAH PHOTO: Fire-impacted parts THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT’S FIRE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY PACKAGE FOR NATURE of Gippsland. IS A WELCOME FIRST STEP, SAYS VNPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MATT RUCHEL.

The bushfires this summer hugely An ongoing recovery effort will not The effort will have to be a sustained impacted regional communities, but just help a large number of threatened one if we are to control predators and also damaged extensive areas of the animals; it will also support regional herbivores taking advantage of the habitats of already highly vulnerable economies. catastrophic situation. native species. The key actions identified as priorities Victoria’s exploding deer population, for A strong response is vital if we are for immediate and short-term example, has already had an enormous to help the bush, and the many implementation (within the next six impact on habitats in eastern Victoria. remarkable native animals that months) are: They will eat new shoots as soon as depend on it, recover. they emerge and continue to wallow The announcement on 23 January Fire Recovery Funding Victorian in already damaged wetlands and of a $17.5 million investment by the Initiatives Government streams. However, the lack of cover as Victorian Government over the critical Funding they colonise regrowing areas presents an unprecedented opportunity to next six months is a much needed 1 Immediate $1,850,000 and very welcome first step. reconnaissance of control them. critical fauna, flora The situation is dire. An estimated Given the broad extent of these fires, it and habitat for is more than ever important to protect 185 of Victoria’s species, many of targeted actions them rare and threatened, have all remaining unburnt, or less severely been impacted by the fire. Half of 2 Wildlife welfare $1,000,000 burnt, patches of habitat. 3 the habitat of around 20 rare native Emergency $2,400,000 We are deeply alarmed by calls for extraction to animals and 160 rare native plants extensive post-fire salvage logging of prevent extinction has burnt; some have lost almost their native forests, which will remove tree and limit species entire habitat. hollows, critical habitat features for decline Most of East Gippsland’s remarkable Greater Gliders and many owls, as the 4 $7,000,000 rainforests, remnants of the ancient Intensified forests recover. Salvage logging and and sustained Gondwanan forests and normally thinning in national parks and other management of too wet to burn, have been severely areas of native bush must be ruled out threats impacted. immediately. 5 Maximise long $3,000,000 Among the many affected species term resilience The Victorian Government's recovery are Long-footed Potoroos, Brown Tree response for nature has been much 6 Knowledge, data $2,250,000 Frogs, Greater Gliders, and several better than it has been for previous and program forest owls. A number of rare and management large scale fires. It would be good if highly localised native fish species the federal government would, at least, have been impacted. Total $17,500,000 match the state commitment. • PW www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/home/biodiversity- bushfire-response-and-recovery PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 17 An Australian Owlet-nightjar peering out from a tree hollow. Salvage logging destroys hollow-bearing trees.

Victoria is already Australia’s most cleared state. Now over 1.4 million hectares have burnt in this tragic fire season. And this comes in addition to planned fire increasing significantly in recent years, with around 740,000 hectares across our state treated in the last five years alone.

Due to so much recent fire in the landscape, there are very limited areas of mature and old-growth forests remaining. Vast areas of our temperate forests are being homogenised into young post-fire regrowth; regrowth which is often more flammable than older forests.

In the highly impacted Gippsland region where rainforests and other areas with no recorded fire history have now been burned, patches of unburnt and partially burnt vegetation both within and outside the boundaries of the fires must be protected. These are now vital areas of high conservation value serving as both refuge areas for wildlife and beacons of biodiversity recovery.

An urgent threat to the post-fire recovery of Victoria’s forests is that of salvage logging – a damaging practice historically pushed by logging industries in an effort to reduce economic impacts and/or take financial advantage of wildfire and other natural disasters.

Salvage logging harvests burnt trees. It subjects native forests to the mechanical pressures of logging during the post-fire recovery stage of the vegetation, compounding various disturbance pressures of both fire and logging. Added claims that salvage logging assists with fuel reduction are contrary to studies which show Save or KELLY DAMIAN PHOTO: that it can actually increase bushfire risk, because the salvage logging slash increases fine surface fuels on the ground. salvage Trees wanted dead or alive The Victorian Government estimates that in East Gippsland at least 50 per SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC GAIN, LONG-TERM ECOLOGICAL cent of the trees in logging coupes on DAMAGE – VNPA NATURE CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNER the current Timber Release Plan have JOHN KOTSIARIS DENOUNCES SALVAGE LOGGING. been impacted by the recent bushfires. Despite the now extra importance of any unburnt and partially burnt

18 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 vegetation in the region, the native processes of forests. It’s inconsistent Salvage logging can also undermine forest logging industry is continuing with the management objectives of efforts to protect any small its push for logging and salvage protected areas. remaining areas of mature trees logging. There is also “salvage-like” within the burn area. This “island logging happening along roads and After a fire, both living and dead trees retention” is crucial in the aftermath fire tracks with reports that sawmills serve critical ecological functions within of a broadscale natural disaster are expecting to share 15,000 tonnes a recovering forest ecosystem. Most like we are currently experiencing of timber from trees felled in the of Victoria’s eucalypts are excellent in Victoria. Patches of unburned operation to re-open the Princes resprouters and can fairly rapidly re- green trees, and patches with Highway and other regional roads. establish an extensive elevated leaf area green trees intermixed with dead after medium and even high-intensity trees, need urgent protection and The Institute of Foresters of Australia, fires. This simultaneously shades careful management. while acknowledging the negative lower recovering vegetation, including ecological impacts of salvage logging, other resprouting plants and seedlings. Salvage logging can further increase is pushing for the salvaging of However, a few eucalypts are relatively fire risk at a time when frequent timber from fire affected trees within poor resprouters and are easily killed fire is at the forefront of land logging coupes. Others go one step by large fire. Victoria’s much-logged management challenges. further, with East Gippsland sawmills, Mountain Ash and Alpine Ash trees the Australian Forest Products typically regenerate from seed after high Fire suppression, ignition control, and Association and some politicians severity fires. retaining older growth forests are all calling for governments to support paramount in curtailing the collapse salvaging timber from all burnt forests Dead trees, both standing and fallen, of Australia’s temperate forests and and across all impacted land tenures, provide important habitat for wildlife avoiding their transition into more including within nature reserves and (e.g. hollows), contribute significant fire-prone vegetation types. national parks. organic matter to the soil, and promote wood-boring insects which are a post- Salvage logging only adds extra However, salvage logging and fire food source for other animals. pressure to forests already under associated mechanical disturbances Clusters of burned fallen trees also threat from frequent wildfire, to vegetation significantly affects protect young regenerating seedlings inappropriate planned burning the natural post-fire recovery from browsing by herbivores. regimes, and a warming climate. • PW

Ecological impacts of salvage logging after fire in Victoria’s Mountain Ash forests

y Simplifies forest structure and species composition. y Results in a disproportionate loss of ferns and midstorey trees e.g. Myrtle Beech, Banyalla, Blanket Leaf, Rough Tree Fern, Australian Mulberry, Forest Lomatia, Native Olive, Tasmanian Pepperberry. Flora and y Encourages growth of bracken and shrubs. fauna y Decreases abundance of wood-boring insects which are a post-fire food source for insectivorous birds and mammals. y Destroys old and dead hollow-bearing trees important for forest animals such as possums, gliders, owls and parrots. y Reduces bird species richness, even more so than fire and logging on their own.

y High intensity combination of physical disturbance and fire: ƒ exposes the forest floor ƒ compacts the soil Soil ƒ volatizes soil nutrients ƒ redistributes organic matter y Significantly lowers concentrations of key nutrients such as nitrates and available phosphorus for many decades.

y Increases siltation of rivers and streams. Water y May reduce water quality in water catchments.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 19 An example of ALA records for Greater Gliders in the forests around Toolangi, an area of VNPA’s Great Forest Guardians program.

Reporting for recovery

NOW IS AN IMPORTANT TIME FOR ONLINE REPORTING OF WILDLIFE, SAYS OUR NATUREWATCH PROGRAM’S SERA BLAIR AND KRISTEN AGOSTA.

The aftermath of bushfires is an overwhelming time for everyone in the community – but fortunately, we can all help in the recovery by being citizen scientists. government in regulatory and planning • The online community will provide Here we give you a brief guide to decisions – such as its Biodiversity 2037 input to assist with identification, and getting started. strategy for biodiversity management at you can discuss your findings with the landscape level. fellow citizen scientists! There is a variety of easy to use online • You can also register for various www.environment.vic.gov.au/biodiversity/ reporting systems where you can local and national data collection victorian-biodiversity-atlas/vba-go share information about plants and projects. animals you encounter in your daily • VBA Go is a quick version to use • iNaturalist reports sightings to the life or while on adventures, which can while mobile. Atlas of Living Australia. then be publicly available and used for • Input from government staff and land management planning. partners, conservation organisations, Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) ecological consultants, researchers, These databases are also a great www.ala.org.au students, community groups, and way to search for existing records of citizen scientists. • Web-based database. plants and animals in your area of • New records are verified by • Sightings recorded on iNaturalist will interest. For example, you can search appropriate experts. be listed to Atlas of Living Australia. for existing verified records for a • Sensitive species (e.g. at risk of illegal • Includes species information to help particular national park, or learn where collecting or hunting) are not shown to with identification. a specific plant or animal is found. the public. • Interactive map of species occurrence records (by year Most online reporting platforms • Calculates geographic data so you can and month). require you to set up an account. You only use it at your current location. To • Gallery of photos. can then add a range of data including enter records from another area or at another time, collect all the relevant location, date, time, photo or sound Birdata evidence, additional observations information and enter in VBA online. and information (e.g. number of • VNPA adds all of our NatureWatch birdata.birdlife.org.au wildlife records to the VBA. individuals, behaviour) to assist If you are specifically interested in with verification. The following additional reporting monitoring birds, we recommend systems, while not the state Birdata app or web portal by Birdlife Popular online government’s official records, are Australia. This is an excellent tool for reporting platforms invaluable for science. investigating bird populations across Australia with many search categories Victorian Biodiversity Atlas iNaturalist and you can discover the best time of www.inaturalist.org year to see certain species in an area. The Victorian Biodiversity Atlas is the Victorian Government’s database • iPhone and Android app. Citizen science is a very important of native and introduced plant and • Allows you to quickly record and share element of knowing more about our animal records. It is used as the your sightings from your mobile. wildlife in Victoria – and therefore is official record and informs a range • It’s very simple. All you need is a photo an essential part of protection. Online of species distribution models and or a sound recording of a species, the reporting is one way we can all assist NaturePrint tools that are used by the date, time and location. nature now and into the future. • PW

20 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 Bonus question: QUIZ Who is this trying to hide?

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW VICTORIA’S MARVELOUS MAMMALS?

1 How many species of native mammals live in Victoria? a. 54 b. 76 c. 139

2 How many species of kangaroo live in Victoria?

3 What is another name for the Spot-tailed Quoll? a. Northern Quoll b. Eastern Quoll c. Tiger Quoll

4 What is a baby dolphin called? a. pup b. calf c. puggle

5 Which mammal is the faunal emblem of Victoria? a. Southern Brown Bandicoot b. Brush-tailed Phascogale c. Leadbeater’s Possum

6 Both found in Victoria, platypus and echidna belong to which group of mammals? a. b. c. Placental

7 How many species of possum are found in Victoria? 8 What is the largest mammal found in Victoria? 9 Which mammal proudly displays piles of cube-shaped poo?

10 What is the difference between sea lions and seals?

11 What Victorian is named after a tasty treat? 12 What kind of animal would you be if you were called ‘agile’, ‘dusky’ or ‘yellow-footed’?

Answers: see page 38. PHOTO: CATCHING THE EYE, FLICKR CC FLICKR EYE, THE CATCHING PHOTO:

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 21 Toward the finish line? PHOTO: CHRIS FARRELL CHRIS PHOTO: Belfast Coastal Reserve. NATURE CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNER SHANNON HURLEY SHARES THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE IN THE BATTLE OVER THE BELFAST COASTAL RESERVE.

The efforts to protect Warrnambool’s expired. VNPA's correspondence with would permit racehorse training – and pristine beaches against destructive the Minister confirms that the racing the associated commercialisation of commercial racehorse training have club no longer have their eyes set on Warrnambool’s beaches – to occur faced many challenges over the past Levys Beach. in the groups such as VNPA, have four-year-long campaign. But at long ensured any move made by the Council last it seems we may be nearing the This means one of two main to welcome the racing industry has final bend. commercial racehorse training sites met with firm opposition. At the latest along Warrnambool’s beaches is free Warrnambool City Council meeting The past couple of months, in from pounding hooves! the public floor was filled with local particular, has shown that consistent dissenters, and what started out However, access to nearby Spookys pressure from both a local and state as moving to progress approvals Beach further west is still a live issue level is seeing positive results. ended up instead in a decision to – despite the fact racehorses were meet stakeholders to discuss the never meant to be there at all. Unlike Main training area off the books issue further. – December 2019 Levys Beach, Spookys Beach was not actually identified as a training Good sense is even beginning to prevail In January 2019 the Victorian area in the Belfast Coastal Reserve in a more unlikely arena, with local Planning Minister Richard Wynne Management Plan finalised in 2018, journalists reporting that support from overturned the Warrnambool Planning and seems to have been a late, the local racing industry for commercial Scheme (which deemed commercial unofficial addition – showing just how racehorse training within the Belfast racehorse training on beaches to far special allowances for the racing Coastal Reserve seems to be waning. be illegal) to give the go-ahead to industry can stretch. the racing industry to access Levys As we continue to call on the racing Beach. The Warrnambool Racing Club Local politics faltering – industry to halt their pursuit of Spookys had until November 2019 to get their February 2020 Beach just as with Levys Beach, let’s relevant approvals ticked off. take the time to celebrate the protection Regardless of any involvement from of the Belfast Coastal Reserve to date, Fast forward over 12 months later; the state government, the overriding and for everyone who has stuck with this deadline has now passed, and question has always been whether this campaign this far. Persistence is the planning scheme amendment has the local Warrnambool City Council proving powerful! • PW

22 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 Future for our seas and shores

SHANNON HURLEY GIVES AN OVERVIEW OF THE NEW BLUEPRINT FOR OUR BLUE COMMONS. PHOTO: SHANNON HURLEY SHANNON PHOTO:

The final Marine and Coastal Policy • Aligning the policy with new policy. This year will also see the for Victoria was released in early international goals (UN development of the marine and coastal March, building on the legacy Sustainable Development Goals) strategy, which will set out the actions established through successive • Includes Victoria’s first Marine required to implement the policy, and Victorian Coastal Strategies, but Spatial Planning Framework. timeframes and agencies responsible now with a greater focus on the for delivering those actions. marine environment. However, it is not perfect, with some policies watered down, including: Thank you to everyone who put in a VNPA was highly invested in submission into the draft policy – we ensuring this policy was as strong • Weaker policy on access to and were pleased to see many of our as possible to adequately protect tourism facilities on public land collective comments reflected in the our ‘blue commons’ – our largest along our coasts. final policy. • PW publicly-owned space in Victoria. • Missing from the previous VNPA was a member of the Victorian Coastal Strategy is stakeholder reference group that had clarity around fishing stocks to be input in shaping the policy, and we comprehensively assessed and Ecotours and walking also put in a detailed submission and managed. gave guidance for our supporters in the High Country, • Recreational fishing is mentioned to also have input during the public once throughout the entire East Gippsland consultation last year. policy, despite appearing to be and beyond a top priority for the Andrews We welcome significant Are you curious about the natural world? improvements in protections Government considering their Imagine immersing yourself in nature along the coast that recognise the ‘Target 1 million Plan’ to get while we share our love and knowledge importance of valuing and protecting 1 million recreational anglers out of the environment with you. our seas and shores. on the water.

Strengths of the policy include: Victoria's new Marine and Coastal Policy should adequately guide the • The need for buildings and proper planning and management structures on marine and coastal for our highly valuable and unique Crown land to have a functional coastal and marine environments need to be near or in the water and – so they can teem with life, and provide significant public benefit. in turn continue to provide air we Let us arrange the accommodation, • The need for industry such as breathe, food we eat, and shelter the driving, the walks and talks. Even fishing, ports and energy to reduce your meals appear like magic. Enjoy the from our changing climate. companionship of a small group of environmental impacts. like-minded nature lovers and return • Strengthened policy around The real test will be in how home refreshed, informed and invigorated. enhancing our marine national managers and decision-makers parks and sanctuaries. use the policy, and how they weigh protecting environmental • Banning canal estates. Gippsland High Country Tours values against commercial and • Ensuring clarity on improving the tourism interests. Phone (03) 5157 5556 condition of wetlands (including www.gippslandhighcountrytours.com.au Ramsar sites) where there are The package of marine and coastal marine areas at those sites. reforms does not stop with this Advanced Ecotourism Certification. Est. 1987

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 23 Follow the money, not the promises PHOTO: IT’S A WILDLIFE A IT’S PHOTO:

NEW GRASSLAND REVENUE BILL PASSES PARLIAMENT.

The Melbourne Strategic Assessment approvals for environmental impacts would: “... increase the extent of (Environment Mitigation Levey) Bill on nationally threatened species from protection of Natural Temperate 2019 passed the Victorian Parliament urban growth around Melbourne’s Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic in early February. west and north, and some parts of the Plain from two per cent to 20 per cent” south-east. It has an expected price and “the Department of Sustainability VNPA supported the Bill, but remain tag of almost $1 billion over 40 years. and Environment will be the acquiring deeply concerned that promises to authority and will acquire all freehold protect grasslands and other habitats The Bill is mostly focused on the land (excluding quarries) and reserve threatened by urban sprawl have still machinery of collecting revenue, but it by 2020”. not been delivered. has some useful improvements to These statements relate to one of This new law is largely about governance, such as a regular audit by the key deliverables promised in collecting and expending revenue the Commissioner for Environmental the MSA – that a 15,000-hectare from levies from the clearing of Sustainability. It, however, does not grassland reserve was purchased, threatened species habitats; such deal with the fundamental flaws and established and managed between as the critically endangered Native failed delivery of key promises in the Werribee and Melton by 2020. To Temperate Grasslands of the MSA. For example, after ten years the date, less than 10 per cent of this has Victorian Volcanic Plain. state government has failed to deliver on promises in the MSA to protect been purchased, so it will be a real These were proposed as trade-offs grasslands and create large grassland test of both the state government’s in the now decade-old Melbourne reserves by 2020. capacity to deliver long-term multi- Strategic Assessment. The MSA term commitments, and of the federal was a joint Commonwealth and In 2010 the MSA clearly stated that environmental laws which underpin Victorian Government agreement on the state and federal governments the whole program. • PW

This year's four planting sites are adjacent to the Wimmera River.

Project Hindmarsh - save the date The annual Project Hindmarsh 2020 planting weekend will be held this year in Dimboola on the weekend of 3–5 July. We will be planting four sites adjacent to the Wimmera River, between Dimboola and Jeparit. Volunteers are needed to help plant 12,000 trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses. For more information contact Hindmarsh Landcare Network on 0429 006 936, check out our website at www.hindmarshlandcare.org.au, and follow us on Facebook. Supported by VNPA. PHOTO COURTESY OF HINDMARSH LANDCARE NETWORK LANDCARE HINDMARSH OF COURTESY PHOTO

24 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 The Great Obfuscation Road PHOTO: ALAN BUTTERS/DREAMTIME ALAN PHOTO: The floor of Parliament PROPOSED GREAT OCEAN ROAD LEGISLATION IS STILL UNCLEAR, House lobby. SAYS PHIL INGAMELLS.

Tiled boldly into the floor of Victoria’s override, Parks Victoria’s management Parks Victoria, effectively duplicating Parliament House lobby are of our national parks. management planning and expertise for the words: national park management along the There has been no suggestion or Otway coast. “Where no counsel is the people fall, discussion of a far better alternative, but in the multitude of counsellors a coordinating agency that can simply More worryingly, however, is that there is safety.” plan and recommend consistent the new legislation actually inserts management options for the road. new clauses into Victoria’s tried Since the 1850s, these words have and true National Parks Act 1975, reminded our parliamentarians that The Department of Environment, weakening Parks Victoria’s focus on good decisions are made when Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) ecological management. proposed legislation is open to has continued to tell anyone who asks informed scrutiny by the public. (including our members of Parliament) Those words tiled into our Parliament’s that the new authority has a precedent floor should be compulsory reading for Unfortunately, the Great Ocean Road in the management of the Great Barrier the group in DELWP who are trying to Environs and Protection Bill, due Reef, but that claim, as with most lever this dangerous Bill through. before the Legislative Council in May, of the information in this process, has failed to honour that objective. is hogwash. You might write to our Environment The lengthy public “consultation” Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, asking her leading to the framing of this The Commonwealth Government, to completely rethink the Great Ocean legislation has been marked by charged with managing the reef and Road Environs and Protection Bill. obfuscation and misinformation islands in Commonwealth waters, Tell her she must not, in any way, (see Park Watch December 2019). contracts the Queensland Parks and compromise the conservation objectives Wildlife Service to do the on-ground of the National Parks Act. • PW Despite three rounds of so-called management of the reef – avoiding consultation, including meetings and a duplication of effort and expertise. The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio, online questionnaires, the public have The Great Ocean Road proposal is Minster for Energy, Environment never been told that the intention is to quite the opposite proposition. It sets and Climate Change. set up a Great Ocean Road Coast and up a new tourism-focussed state Level 16, 8 Nicholson Street, Parks Authority that will oversee, and agency above the existing state agency East Melbourne, VIC 3002.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 25 All about that BASS PHOTOS: MATT BROWNE MATT PHOTOS:

The beauty of the Bass Coast will be protected in the new Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park.

WE CELEBRATE THE CREATION OF THE NEW YALLOCK-BULLUK MARINE AND COASTAL PARK TO PROTECT A BELOVED COASTLINE. BY SHANNON HURLEY.

Boasting rugged sandstone cliffs, rich geological sites The new park's name honours the Yallock-Bulluk Clan of the (where many bones have been found), sandy Bunurong People whose Country includes the park areas. beaches, heathlands, and home to significant wildlife such as the Hooded Plover shorebird – the Bass Coast is The new park will provide a higher level of protection (except truly spectacular. the existing Bunurong Marine Park, where protection will be the same) for the coastal and marine environment while Which is why we are so pleased by the creation of a new encouraging visitors to the already popular tourism spot, Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park for the 40-kilometres including the ability to camp in designated areas for the of coastline between San Remo and Inverloch. first time.

26 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 In the 2018 state election, the Andrews Government by the new park. Foreshore reserves in front of towns will committed to creating a new “Bass Coast Marine and be left out. The Bunurong Marine National Park will remain Coastal Park”, one of its few election commitments for separate to retain its higher level of protection. new parks. It is unclear at this stage what private land will be purchased. It promised a 19.6 million investment including at least VNPA’s 2014 Nature Conservation Review recommended $10 million to purchase land and around $9.6 million creating the new coastal park, but with the additional to build “new campgrounds, paths to access beaches, inclusion of the Kilcunda Nature Conservation Reserve. walking paths and to undertake revegetation works”. The initial phase will be to consider environmental and The Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio introduced a cultural values to provide best options for the location of Bill into Parliament last November, and now it just needs walking tracks, access points, trail heads, car parks and to pass through the Upper House – hopefully as soon as signage (including for the extension of the George Bass possible this year. Coastal Walk). There will be public consultation throughout this phase. The following existing parks and reserves between San Remo and Inverloch are being amalgamated in full into The new park is expected to be created by the end of 2020. the new marine and coastal park under schedule 3 of the National Parks Act 1975, ensuring equal or higher level Like many other areas along Victoria’s coast, these coastal of protection: towns are experiencing high growth rates and increasing urban development pressures, making increased protection • Bunurong Marine Park essential to ensure coastal preservation. • Bunurong Coastal Reserve • Punchbowl Coastal Reserve The Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park will make a • Kilcunda-Harmers Haven Coastal Reserve fantastic addition to Victoria’s marine and coastal estate • Wonthaggi Heathlands Nature Conservation Reserve when complete. Let’s hope there are more to come for the rest of our coastal public land also in dire need of greater Small sections of the Kilcunda Foreshore Reserve and protection, such as the close to 30 per cent of public land Cape Paterson Foreshore Reserve will also be bounded currently making up coastal reserves. • PW

0 1.25 2.5

Kilometres PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 27 Sing Out!

A Superb Fairy-wren tweeting its tiny heart out. PHOTO: ANDREW HAYSOM ANDREW PHOTO:

OUR NATUREWATCH COORDINATOR SERA BLAIR INVITES US TO LISTEN IN ON AN EPIC JOURNEY INTO UNDERSTANDING BIRD POPULATIONS IN VICTORIA THROUGH SOUND.

Monitoring bird populations is an effective way to evaluate At five areas in Victoria, we partnered with local groups local biodiversity and corresponding habitat condition. and land managers to investigate a specific topic in land However, it is time-consuming to both collect and analyse management through bird populations. Community citizen bird sightings or bird call data. scientists then monitored birds in their local area to assist with active management and conservation planning in their area. Which is why VNPA's citizen science program NatureWatch established its Communities Listening for Now, after three incredible years the preliminary phase of Nature project focussing on eco-acoustic bird call data. our Communities Listening for Nature project has come to a This project allowed for collection across large areas and conclusion. over an extended period of time with minimal volunteer Let’s look back on what we heard during that time! time in the field.

28 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 PHOTO: VNPA PHOTO:

Spectogram of a Spotted Nightjar call.

fire response species and differences between the dawn and dusk bird chorus. In Wombat State Forest we looked at seasonal variability and the presence of threatened species. The Mount Alexander region project focussed on detecting target night birds in three of Birdlife International’s Bendigo Box-Ironbark Key Biodiversity Areas and nearby private land. Finally, in Brisbane Ranges National Park we monitored habitat for night birds in and around the park, with a focus on Powerful Owls.

Community partners provided local expertise in project design and data collection with the support of VNPA.

PHOTO: VNPA PHOTO: Acoustic data was collected using song meter Volunteer and VNPA Councillor Euan Moore setting up a song meter. recording devices attached to trees on project sites. They were programmed to record at certain times of the day and for different periods of time depending on the project aims. You can learn how to set-up a song meter by viewing our video at www.youtube.com/ Project Aims: user/VNPATV

In each project area the local group, land managers, The acoustic data was then analysed by Museums VNPA and Museums Victoria established a different Victoria experts Dr Karen Rowe and Dr Amy Adams set of research aims to support their specific needs using specialised software to interpret sound in improving land management and biodiversity frequencies as visual displays called spectrograms outcomes. At Mount Worth State Park and on (see image above). These were then run through neighbouring Landcare properties we monitored the autodetection software that extracts patterns for effects of habitat restoration efforts over time on bird specific species against models developed from assemblages. In we investigated key previous, verified identifications. Continued overleaf

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 29 Birds detected in this project, across all research areas (visit the Museums Victoria Field Guide to Victorian Fauna A Tawny Frogmouth addings its call to the sounds of nature. app to learn more about these birds and listen to their calls. Available at: museumsvictoria.com.au/apps/field-guide- app-to-victorian-fauna). Continued from previous page Australian King Parrot Magpie-lark Project Outcomes: Australian Magpie Masked Lapwing Australian Owlet-nightjar Noisy Miner Communities Listening for Nature is an excellent example of Australian Raven Olive Whistler the NatureWatch program model, bringing together the local Barking Owl Pacific Black Duck community with scientists and land managers to develop Bassian Thrush Pied Currawong citizen science projects. Importantly it has improved our Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Pilotbird collective understanding of local bird species and habitat Bronzewing species use to inform active conservation efforts. Likewise, it has Brown Thornbill Raven species proved to be an engaging way to increase expertise in local Brush Bronzewing Red Wattlebird wildlife and environment requirements, as well as increasing Common Blackbird Rose Robin awareness of the value of well-managed private land and (introduced) Rufous Whistler protected areas in preserving local biodiversity. Common Bronzewing Satin Flycatcher Corella species Scarlet Robin This bird call data will now become a part of Museums Crimson Rosella Sooty Owl Victoria's permanent collections and contribute to their Duck species Southern Boobook development of bird call recognisers software. This is a Eastern Koel Striated Pardalote considerable contribution to the Museum’s curated sound Eastern Whipbird Sulphur-crested Cockatoo reference library of Victorian birds, and will be valuable Eastern Yellow Robin Superb Fairy-wren for monitoring species conservation and further analysis Fan-tailed Cuckoo Superb Lyrebird into perpetuity. Flame Robin, Galah Tawny Frogmouth Gang-gang Cockatoo Tyto species These bird records have also been added to the Victorian Golden Whistler White-browed Scrubwren Biodiversity Atlas accessible for government agencies, Grey Butcherbird White-eared Honeyeater consultants, researchers and the public. Grey Currawong White-throated Nightjar Findings for each location were collated into reports that Grey Fantail White-throated Treecreeper Grey Shrike-thrush Willie Wagtail addressed each local project's question. These reports were Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo Yellow-faced Honeyeater provided to land managers including private landowners, Laughing Kookaburra Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo community participants and Museums Victoria. Long-billed Corella Full project reports for each location, as well as project videos, are available on our website at www.vnpa.org.au/ programs/communities-listening-for-nature and www.youtube.com/user/VNPATV Project stats: y Community volunteer days of field work = 734 y Community volunteer project support Community Partners: (planning equipment management, data analysis etc.) = 523 y Mount Worth and District Landcare, and Friends of y Number of days song meters were in the field =1,215 Mount Worth State Park y Different types of Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC’s) y Friends of Bunyip State Park, and Friends of Kurth Kiln monitored for birds = 18 y Wombat Forestcare Inc. y Number of hours of bird calls collected = 32,282 y Friends of Brisbane Ranges National Park y Number of terabytes of audio data collected = 10.4 y Connecting Country (Mount Alexander Region) y Number of bird species detected and verified =59

30 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 • • Community • • • • Habitat andconservation • • • • Data of thefive siteswesurveyed. We learntarange oflocallessonsateach What wehave learned: PARKWATCH • it organised. it organised. central coordination of dataisessentialto keep collecting audiodatausingsong meters,but Community volunteers are capableof very to protect it. learning abouttheirlocalenvironment and helping dedicated volunteers whoare passionateabout Many communitiesinVictoria have groups of habitat restoration activitiesmore accurately. are missing,they cantarget theirrevegetation and their property, orwhichonesthey shouldhave but When landholdersknowwhatbirds they have on through to larger, hollow-dependentspecies. colonisers whopersistongrasses andshrubs a broader diversity ofbird species from early Multi-aged revegetation inanarea willsupport providing habitatto indigenousbirds. role in Private landalsoplays animportant habitat forawiderange ofindigenousbird species. Protected areas ofhabitatacross Victoria are vital computer capacity. andadvanced Data analysisstillrequires expertise used sparingly. store andanalyse.Continualrecording shouldbe time makes thedatainfinitelyeasier to manage, Setting songmetersfortargeted periodsof store andtake alongtimeto analyse. Large volumes ofaudiodataare cumbersometo traditional bird survey methods. permanent reviewable records. They complement bird populationsasthey deliver highrates of Eco-acoustic projects are agreat way to monitor MARCH 2020 MARCH A littleGrey Fantail withabigwhistle. Some highlights: NO 280 NO 31

a project video. gave anothertwodays oftheirtimeto helpuscreate Alexander region volunteers andlandholderswho Finally,properties. aspecialthank you to the Mount kindly allowedsongmetersto beplaced ontheir this program. We alsothankthe landholderswho forthehuge collaborative in supporters effort Thank you andcommunity to allourproject partners Smith Trust.Macpherson by agenerous grantsupported from theHelen Our CommunitiesListeningforNature project was community volunteers to asongmeter. Former NatureWatch Cooridnator ChristineConnellyintroducing •

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AN URBAN PARK ABUNDANT IN NATURE IS UNDER PRESSURE. BY LUCY FARMER.

There are few places left in Melbourne where you could you see a turtle lay her eggs, an echidna forage for

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ants or a Black-Shouldered Kite take l a c k a mouse. - s h o u ld Braeside Metropolitan Park is a e re d rare gem where to see all this and K ite more is possible on an evening s a t. r s e a . e stroll. Located in the south-eastern mo een n ng th ten s or e raptor of S l f Sandbelt region and just 25 po ria tte ate kilometres from Melbourne's CBD, d pa g m radalote collectin Braeside boasts important wetlands, Braeside is already under intense heathlands and red gum woodland. pressure from the Mordialloc Bypass It also harbours species considered under construction along its western endangered in Victoria such as the boundary. Over the past 15 years Blue-Billed Duck, Freckled Duck and housing development and industrial The draft Precinct Plan is due out in Australasian Bittern. parks have ringed the park and the April for finalisation in July. With much new road will traverse adjacent of Victoria’s wildlife in a parlous state Despite this, Parks Victoria has wetlands to the south. and so few refuges surviving in the foreshadowed a precinct plan and metropolitan area, it’s vital that Braeside’s opened a consultation process At this critical time when the park’s habitats and native species are not held canvassing views on admitting dogs, habitats and wildlife are under intense hostage to populism or commercial holding public events and other pressure, rather than strengthen interests. Dogs in an area with ground- activities squarely aimed at boosting protection, it appears moves are afoot nesting birds, and

human traffic. to weaken it. would be the last straw. • PW FARMER LUCY COURTESY PHOTOS

32 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 Tribute

DIANA SNAPE 6 MAY 1937 – 18 SEPTEMBER 2019

We celebrate and remember Diana Snape – a dedicated member and generous supporter of the Victorian National Parks Association, and a leading environmental philanthropist. Together with her husband Brian Snape, Diana joined as a member of the Victorian National Parks Association in 1968, shortly after moving to Victoria. Diana met Brian at university in Sydney where they were national park. The Little Desert dispute also changed the both studying science. From then on they were a perfect Victorian political landscape by putting nature conservation team in every way and great mates, who pursued their and community consultation on the party-political agenda. love of nature by going on adventures together. One of This was no doubt part of the inspiration for Diana to make their favourite weekend escapes was a scrubby place supporting nature conservation one of her priorities in life. called the Little Desert in western Victoria. They immersed Diana and Brian generously support over a dozen themselves in this haven for wildlife, observing plants environmental organisations, including VNPA. They also and respectfully spying on ‘Romeo and Juliet’, a pair made a significant contribution which created Trust for of malleefowl. In the late 1960s they learned the Little Nature’s Snape Reserve in 2002. This 864-hectare reserve Desert was under threat from subdivision for farming. adjacent to the Little Desert National Park provides valuable It’s no surprise that Diana and Brian joined conservation habitat for the endangered south-eastern red-tailed groups, including VNPA, to fight for the Little Desert – black cockatoo. which thankfully led to its permanent protection as a Diana and Brian had a special interest in native plants. The first organisation they joined together was in 1959, the newly formed Society for Growing Australian Plants, now called the Australian Plants Society. They later bought a house in Hawthorn and established an incredible Australian native garden. For many years Diana wrote for gardening magazines, journals and The Age, and also wrote two books about Australian native gardens. Diana was a well-respected teacher, who taught her students about climate change well before others. She was also a talented artist, with plants and nature a favourite subject. Diana was described as someone who had the unique ability to see the big picture, as well having good attention to detail. These skills were invaluable to her excellent understanding of the issues faced by the natural environment and her role in providing solutions. At the celebration of Diana’s life, former Executive Director of VNPA Doug Humann said “Diana was a gem of a lady. I admired her greatly for her charm, her intellect and her enthusiastic support, along with her dedication for a healthier planet.” Diana’s love of nature, and outstanding contribution to protecting it, will not be forgotten. • PW A celebration of Diana’s life was held on the 15 October 2019. Special thanks to Doug Humann for speaking on behalf of the many environment groups Diana supported.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 33 CC FLICKR ENGLART, JOHN PHOTO: LILY. CHOCOLATE IN PARKS

Lower Goulburn National Park PHOTO: GEOFF DURHAM GEOFF PHOTO: GEOFF DURHAM VISITS A NATIONAL PARK PROTECTING ONE OF The magnificence of a Red River Gum OUR HERITAGE RIVERS AND ICONIC RED RIVER GUMS. along the Goulburn River.

Very few people would know the Lower after Henry Goulburn, Under The River Red Gum Goulburn National Park, which came Secretary for Colonies. It is one of into existence in 2010 as a result of the Victoria’s 18 Heritage Rivers. It has ‘River’ because it grows along rivers; ‘Red Victorian Environmental Assessment a very wide floodplain with several gum’ because the wood is red. Council’s River Red Gum Forests anabranch and effluent systems. Investigation. The national park is the It is my favourite tree. At my home town public land along that section of the River boats commenced on the of Bacchus Marsh it grows on the river river downstream from Shepparton to Murray in 1853, and between flats, and the first eucalypt I identified the Murray River Reserve. It is a narrow 1878 and 1890 they operated on was a River Red Gum on which was sinuous strip of varying width, in area the Goulburn between Shepparton suspended the state school bell. and Echuca. 9321 hectares, of which 7132 hectares The Red River Gum is the most is Riverine Forest and Wetland Construction of the original widespread eucalypt in mainland and 1099 hectares is Permanent storage on the river, known as Australia. Aged trees have massive Freshwater Wetland. Sugarloaf Reservoir, commenced trunks. Author Murray Bail in his The Goulburn River in 1915. The dam was enlarged in novel Eucalyptus describes them as the 1950s and named Lake Eildon. “overbearingly masculine; covered with At 654 kilometres, the Goulburn River Goulburn River water is also grandfatherly warts and carbuncles”. is the longest river in Victoria. It rises stored in the Goulburn Weir near While this can be said of some old in the Victorian Alps near Woods Nagambie and the Waranga Basin trees (they can live for more than 500 Point and flows through Alexandra, near Rushworth. These storages years), younger trees can be elegant, Seymour, Nagambie and Shepparton, provide irrigation water for the even graceful. A feature is the beautiful, then approximately north-west to its northern plains, and some water is subtle, colouration of the smooth bark. confluence with the Murray between diverted to supply Melbourne. The It is ironic that the botanical name of and Echuca. The river was supply of water in summer has this Indigenous iconic Australian tree, named by Hume and Hovell in 1824 reversed the seasonality of flows. camaldulensis, comes from a specimen

34 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 tree growing in the gardens of the Count of Camaldula near Naples, Italy.

Its timber is dense and a favoured FRANKZED, PHOTO: COMMONS WIKIMEDIA firewood. It powered the paddle-steamer river boats, was harvested for timber and provided long-lasting fencing material and railway sleepers. There is much DURHAM GEOFF PHOTO: evidence in this park of tree removal. Clockwise from top left: The Land Conservation Council Rivers Royal Spoonbill and Streams Special Investigation Red River Gum forest along the river banks Report states: The Goulburn–Murray rivers junction Reedy Swamp

“River red gum forests provide DURHAM GEOFF PHOTO: important habitat for many animals, particularly those that depend on hollows in mature trees. Animals that nest in these sites include possums, gliders, parrots, kingfishers, treecreepers, owls, , and carpet . In the Murray Valley, where river red gums support a high diversity of animals, several rare species that use hollows are found. For example, the mature river red gum and box woodlands that occur adjacent to the Goulburn River, and near its confluence with the Murray River, are important strongholds for the rare squirrel glider. … Whether for

breeding, feeding, or sheltering, river COSTERMANS LEON PHOTO: red gum hollows are vitally important to the animals that live along our inland rivers.” There are various points of entry and the species that depend on them for only three bridges across the river. their continuing survival.” The park Within the park there is a labyrinth of informal dirt tracks, often rutted and “Park managers face a high degree The park is Yorta Yorta Country and some suitable for 2WD vehicles, but of complexity and considerable covered by the 2004 Cooperative only in dry weather conditions. uncertainty in managing the Management Agreement with natural environment, particularly Parks Victoria. The following is taken from the in the face of climate change management plan: (which is) expected to cause My personal experience of the park is further stress to waterways and limited to a two-day visit in January this “The Riverine Forest and Woodland floodplain ecosystems.” year. A highlight was the huge number Sub-ecosystem consists mainly and variety of birds at Reedy Swamp, of floodplain forests dominated Threats identified in the plan are: near Shepparton, where there is a fenced by River Red Gum. On higher rabbits, goats, pigs, deer, feral cattle, area with a walking track, picnic tables ground, where flooding is less wandering stock, carp and weeds. and good interpretive signs. frequent, Black Box is the dominant Dogs, grazing, timber removal and tree species. The understorey is mining are not permitted in the park. As well as bird watching, Parks Victoria's typically open and dominated by River Red Gum Parks Management Plan grasses, sedges and herbs.” The management challenges are many, lists as recreation activities: boating, boundary issues being one of them. bushwalking, car touring, cycling, fishing, “The development of river Clearly, Parks Victoria has not been and dispersed camping with camp fires. regulation, and irrigation resourced to deal adequately with them. infrastructure such as regulators, Camping is mostly above the steep river canals and levees, have drastically The significance of this park is its banks and at the few sandy beaches. altered stream flows and flooding long-term protection of the River Red Camping is free with no pre-booking. regimes on the floodplains, Gum and other communities, and as There are no facilities. Campers should resulting in a decline in the health a flora and fauna corridor (although be aware that trees can shed branches of the River Red Gum forests, convoluted) through the vast, flat, without warning. streams and wetlands as well as expanse of what is now farmland. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 35 SPECIAL SPECIES WHITE MANGROVE

Mangroves are flowering trees that usually grow between the low and high tide marks on the coast and along estuaries. Only one species, the White Mangrove, (Avicennia marina var. australasica), occurs in Victoria. It is estimated that are a little over 60 square kilometres of mangroves in our state.

Living in a challenging environment White Mangroves are inundated by salt water at high tide and exposed to air at low tide. As such, they have many fascinating adaptations for living in salty and tidal environments. This includes their special aerial root system known as pneumatophores (pronounced ‘new-mat-o-fores’) which they spread wide around the trees, sticking upwards 20–30 centimetres above the soil. These pneumatophores have special pores that allow the roots to take up air into spongy tissues and to breathe in waterlogged soils. A single mangrove tree can have thousands of individual pneumatophores. White Mangrove leaves are very thick and glossy and excrete salt through glands on the underside of the leaves. They can also drop leaves where too much salt has accumulated. The propagules (plant material with the purpose of propagation) of White Mangroves float, which is a very practical adaptation for living in a tidal environment. Many wash up to the shore near the parent plant (see inset image). Some propagules can travel on ocean currents to new sites.

Important providers Mangroves provide valuable habitat for marine and estuarine wildlife such as juvenile and adult fish, wading birds, and a huge range of tiny marine invertebrates including crabs, snails, and worms. The pneumatophores also provide hard structures for barnacles and algae to grow on. Mangroves are critical for preventing soil erosion and protecting coasts from damaging storms, winds, waves and floods. They also have important roles in filtering water and storing carbon.

Spending time with mangroves There are many wonderful places along Victoria’s coastline to see White Mangroves. These include the most southerly location of White Mangroves in the world at Millers Landing at Wilson’s Promontory National Park/Corner Inlet Marine National Park; Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve on the Barwon Estuary (Barwon Heads); French Island National Park in Western Port Bay; and Jawbone Marine Sanctuary at Williamstown. • PW

36 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 37 PHOTOS: MARTIN GRIFFITH, BARWON ESTUARY PROJECT ESTUARY BARWON GRIFFITH, MARTIN PHOTOS: This is who was hiding on page 21 – the Dusky Antechinus! P h o to : C a t c h i n

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Rockpooling!

WILD FAMILIES COORDINATOR CAITLIN GRIFFITH INVITES FAMILIES TO HUNT FOR MARINE TREASURE.

What is a rockpool?

Rockpools are mini marine worlds filled with seawater and teeming with marine life.

Rockpools can be found on rocky coastal areas between high and low tide. There are rockpool habitats at hundreds of locations along Victorian beaches. They are sometimes completely covered by the sea and sometimes completely exposed.

Rockpool rambling

Rockpool rambling involves clambering, searching, sometimes even snorkelling, to discover hidden treasures. PHOTO: MARINE CARE RICKETTS POINT RICKETTS CARE MARINE PHOTO:

Use these 10 simple tips for an LLUSTRATIONS BY exciting rockpool ramble: NICOLE MERTENS 1. Do some research on great rockpooling spots. If you come across rocky sections on the beach, take a closer look, they

may be home to a wonderful REINHARD DAVID PHOTO: collection of marine creatures. 5. Look all the way from the sea’s You might spot an Eleven Armed Seastar! edge to the furthest inland rocks. 2. Check the tides at www.tides. Are the creatures found in close willyweather.com.au. It is usually to the sea’s edge the same as easiest to rockpool ramble when 9. Always keep your hands where those further inland? the tide is out. you can see them as many 6. Use a book or app. to see if you creatures are hiding amongst 3. Try our rockpool rambling ‘spotto’ can figure out what all the marine algae and in rock crevices and game on the latest Wild Families creatures are, e.g. the Museum some creatures can sting, nip activity sheet at www.vnpa.org.au/ Victoria Field Guide to Victorian or bite, including Blue-ringed wild-families and see how many Fauna app. Octopus. of these living things you can find. 7. Make a plan together to stay safe, For more about rockpool rambling with 4. Look closely, carefully and keep and always supervise children the family, including caring for rockpools, still. If you keep still you will get around water. and all about the Eleven-armed Seastar, your eye in and creatures may check out our latest Wild Families crawl or swim out from hiding 8. Always watch for incoming activity sheet at www.vnpa.org.au/ places in the pool. waves and tides. wild-families. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2020 NO 280 39 All donations over $2are tax-deductible. ABN 34217717593 flames. Donatenowtostoptheloggers. And nowloggerswanttocutdownthetreesstillstandingafter the have wipedoutahugechunk oftheirforesthomesinEastGippsland. Level 3,60Leicester St,Carlton VIC3053 | Authorised by MattRuchel,Executive Director, Victorian National Parks Association. call uson Please postwithpayment to Payment method ______/___ Date of birth Email______Phone ______Suburb/TownPostcodeState ______Address ______Surname ______Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms/Other First ______name ______My contactdetails $50 $100 $500 $5,000 $______Yes,IwanttoprotectVictoria’sremainingforests Victoria’s GreaterGlidersarequiterare Cardholder name ______SignatureCardholder ______name______Date____/ Expiry Card no ____ / ____ Cheque/money order Credit card 03 93416500

orvisit Visa payable to ‘Victorian NationalParks Association’ isenclosed.

Victorian NationalParks Association,Level 3,60LeicesterSt,Carlton VIC3053, www.vnpa.org.au/grace PH: 03 9341 6500 | MasterCard EMAIL: the GreaterGlider. I’m Grace, [email protected] | Please help save the last Please helpsavethelast My choice – even more so now that the fires evenmoresonowthatthefires WEB: vnpa.org.au

of ourhabitat.

GREATER GLIDER. PHOTO: JOSH BOWELL. CENTRAL HIGHLANDS. PHOTO: EMILY CORK.