ANNUAL REPORT 2006-2007 Copyright © Parks 2007 Acknowledgement of Country and Indigenous traditional Level 10, 535 Bourke Street, , . owners Parks Victoria respectfully acknowledges the original custodians of ISSN 1448 – 9082 ISSN 1448 – 9090 (Online) what is now known as Victoria; their rich culture, deep affinity with Published on www.parkweb.vic.gov.au the land and spiritual connection to it. Parks Victoria is committed to establishing strong relationships and partnerships with the This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process descendants of the original custodians to facilitate their active except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. involvement in the future management of protected areas in Victoria.

General Disclaimer This document may be of assistance to you, but Parks Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the information it contains is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this document.

For further information telephone the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Front Cover Images (clockwise from top left) Bouldering at National Park. Photographer Mark Watson.

Playing in the rock pools at the National Park.

Great Ocean Walk – overlooking the Twelve Apostles.

White water rafting on the Mitta Mitta River. Photographer Mark Watson. CONTENTS

2About Parks Victoria 31 Enhancing the Visitor Experience Parks Victoria is responsible for sustainably managing much 3 Chairman’s Message of the recreational infrastructure in parks and waterways across 4 Chief Executive’s Message the State. The provision of information services, educational programs and interpretation also contributes to visitor enjoyment. 6 The Year at a Glance Parks Victoria encourages Victorians to take an active role in 9 Managing Wildfire and Other Emergencies the management of parks and reserves through our community We made a major contribution to the recovery of fire-affected engagement and volunteer programs. It is also the major provider areas through research, conservation works and asset rebuilding, of nature-based tourism in the State. and perhaps most importantly through partnerships and 45 Responsibly Managing our Resources communication with local communities. In order to be effective in our role as custodian of a 13 Caring for the Natural Environment magnificent collection of parks and reserves on behalf Protecting and enhancing the parks and reserves is critical of all Victorians, Parks Victoria is committed to providing to conserving biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future. accountable management, developing staff, and incorporating Parks Victoria undertakes planning, research and on-ground the best of international park management practice into our activities as part of its natural values program. daily work. 25 Protecting our Cultural Heritage 58 Financial Report Parks Victoria manages the most extensive and diverse collection of cultural heritage places in the State, sites that evoke our past through images of Indigenous culture, early settlement, coastal shipping, colonial defence, mining, natural treasures and historic huts. Protecting our shared heritage enables us to learn from the past and help shape the future.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 1 ABOUT PARKS VICTORIA

Vision 31 metropolitan parks An outstanding park and waterway system, protected and enhanced, 61 other parks (including regional and reservoir parks) for people, forever. 2,789 natural features reserves and conservation reserves Purpose 8,400 Aboriginal Affairs Victoria registered Indigenous We exist to: cultural heritage sites/places • conserve, protect and enhance environmental and cultural assets; 2,500 (non-Indigenous) historic places •responsibly meet the needs of our customers for quality 3.96 million hectares (17% of Victoria) – total area of parks information, services and experiences; and reserves •provide excellence and innovation in park management; and Significant environmental values protected in parks • contribute to the social and economic well-being of Victorians. (Percentage of Victorian total) Who we are 1,464 threatened flora species (88%) Parks Victoria was established in December 1996 and is a statutory 280 threatened fauna species (89%) authority that reports to the Minister for Environment and Climate 32 threatened communities (89%) Change. During the reporting period the responsible Minister was the Hon. John Thwaites MP, the Minister for Water, Environment 115 reference areas (80%) and Climate Change (formerly the Minister for Environment). Under the Parks Victoria Act 1998, Parks Victoria’s responsibilities are to Visitor services and facilities1 provide services to the State and its agencies for the management 76.1 million visits per year, comprising: of parks, reserves and other land under the control of the State. 45.3 million to parks and Since its establishment, Parks Victoria has developed a strong reputation nationally and internationally as a leading park 30.8 million to piers and jetties around the bays management agency. Parks Victoria has: 1,570 visitor sites 120 workcentres (75% of them in regional Victoria) 14,000km roads 1,010 direct employees, of whom: 3,673km walking tracks 850 are trained emergency wildfire response personnel who work in partnership with the Department of 53 visitor centre buildings Sustainability and Environment (DSE) 447 viewing lookouts

What we manage 617 park structures Parks Victoria is the custodian of a diverse estate of significant 46 playgrounds parks in Victoria, and is also responsible for the recreational 945 pedestrian and vehicular bridges management of Bay, and the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers. The park estate comprises: 96 piers and jetties 40 national parks 303 vessel platforms, e.g. piers, landings, marinas, wharves 13 marine national parks 68 water access points, e.g. boat ramps, rowing launches and slippings 11 marine sanctuaries 957 navigation aids 3 wilderness parks 27 state parks 1. Due to the effects of recent fire and flood, the facilities and assets data from last year’s report remains the most accurate. Visitor statistics have been updated.

2 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

Rob Gerrand, Chairman.

Dear Minister, creation of new regional parks with the new Mullum Mullum Regional Park and Barwon River Parklands; extending bike On behalf of the Parks Victoria Board, I am pleased to submit paths around Melbourne; and the commitment to create a new Parks Victoria’s 2006-07 Annual Report to you. Parks Victoria has Cobboboonee National Park and Forest Park and extend the had another year of achievements in natural values management, Alpine parks to create a Great Victorian . tourism and, especially, fire. Parks Victoria and our parks estate continue to benefit greatly The 2006-07 fire season was a long and challenging one for us from the many thousands of hours of work contributed by volunteers, all. On behalf of the Board, I commend the efforts of Parks Victoria both from community groups caring for a particular park or place staff directly involved in fire fighting, in support, recovery and and under co-operative arrangements with recreational user groups. rehabilitation roles, as well as those keeping the parks open and Ten volunteer groups celebrated over 25 years of voluntary service operating during the peak summer visitor period. The fire season in parks and reserves this past year. The Board thanks them all for and the recovery period highlighted the essential and ongoing role such wonderful service. that Parks Victoria plays in fire-affected communities and with our Networked Emergency Organisation partners. The tasks of post-fire Our involvement with Indigenous communities continued to gather recovery, including community and stakeholder consultation, park strength. The Board had the privilege of attending the rehabilitation works and the development of access strategies, were Native Title Determination at Mount Eccles National Park with all met with consummate professionalism. an 11 year struggle for recognition ending in elation. With 60 Indigenous staff now employed by Parks Victoria, we are proud The Board is delighted that Parks Victoria has taken action of these special relationships built on a foundation of education on climate change by becoming carbon neutral, and taking full and respect. responsibility for its carbon dioxide emissions. With organisational and personal responsibilities being central to combating climate Whenever the Board visits work centres around the State, we are change, it is with pride that we see Parks Victoria taking a leading always struck by the level of commitment and professionalism role in the community and promoting ongoing sustainability of all Parks Victoria staff in their roles as land managers and strategies. community leaders. On behalf of the Board, I would like to take this opportunity to commend staff across the entire State for their Parks Victoria’s international program, including the continuing efforts over what has been an extremely challenging year. I also seasonal group exchange with Parks Canada, has again been thank my Board colleagues, including Noel Harvey and Clarice successful in further enhancing our global reputation and Ballenden who joined the Board in July and October 2006 strengthening our knowledge and park management. It was respectively. very encouraging to see that our award-winning Healthy Parks Healthy People approach was adopted across Canada with its Finally, Minister Jennings, on behalf of the Board and Parks Victoria ‘Healthy by Nature’ Program. staff I would like to congratulate you on your appointment and look forward to working with you. The Board welcomes the additional funding we have received as part of State Government election commitments, for the continued employment of 50 additional rangers and employment of a further 15 full time employee ranger positions; funding for the revitalisation of several piers in Port Phillip and Western Port bays; capital Rob Gerrand upgrades at the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge (Port Chairman Campbell National Park) and in , Grampians, , and Alpine national parks; the August 2007

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 3 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S MESSAGE

Mark Stone, Chief Executive.

It is my pleasure to introduce our 2006-07 Annual Report. The be a carbon neutral organisation. As well as continuing to reduce 2006-07 year marked the tenth anniversary of the establishment emissions, we offered all staff members a box of energy-efficient of Parks Victoria. It has been ten years of ideas, innovation and light globes and implemented a mass residential energy efficiency achievement; ten years that have borne witness to the expanding program in Horsham that involved local school children distributing role of our organisation and our place in the greater Victorian packs of energy efficient light globes to households. We will community. This report highlights the many contributions we continue to develop programs to support and encourage park staff have made to Victoria’s natural and cultural heritage, economy, and community and business partners to reduce and offset their communities and the health of its people. This past year, parks carbon emissions and become carbon neutral. Other commitments attracted some 76 million visitors, underpinning the central to our sustainability program included taking the Hattah work importance of Parks Victoria to recreation and tourism in this centre off the electricity grid with the installation of photovoltaics, State. I hope you will enjoy this reflection on the accomplishments, three new water tanks, and other energy efficiency improvements; the achievements, and a selection of the personal stories of park the installation of water-saving devices and ‘Every Drop Counts’ management in 2006-07. signs at Wilsons Promontory National Park; and the redirection of stormwater into Albert Park Lake, ensuring that lake levels are It was another year of highlights and challenges. Arguably the sustained for recreation, improving the quality of water entering greatest challenge was that we experienced one of the worst fire Port Phillip Bay and ensuring playing fields within Albert Park are seasons on record. irrigated sustainably.

Severe drought had left the state’s forests and woodlands particularly Another major achievement in 2007 was the launch of the second vulnerable to bushfire. Parks Victoria assisted Department of edition of State of the Parks report which gives a comprehensive Sustainability and Environment in attending 1,083 wildfires that assessment of the entire parks system. This thorough report, which burned a total of approximately 1.2 million hectares. With 850 staff includes an assessment of the cultural, recreational, economic performing in some form of fire role, the summer season brought and other values of Victoria’s parks, is an invaluable tool for Parks many challenges in balancing the fire effort with the need to Victoria, government partners and external stakeholders. It seeks keep parks open during the peak summer season. Parks Victoria to ensure our projects and programs are achieving the outcomes undertook extensive fire recovery works throughout the year, we want on the ground over the long term. I take great pride in notably resulting in the substantial re-opening of the Grampians the fact that Parks Victoria has been praised as a model for park National Park prior to the 2006-07 summer holiday season, and agencies by the World Commission on Protected Areas for our the clean-up of the Alpine National and Mount Buffalo national State of the Parks report. parks in preparation for a busy snow season. I continue to be immensely proud of the efforts of Parks Victoria staff during this One of the issues the State of the Parks report highlighted is the sizeable campaign, and have thanked friends and families, in perennial challenge for all land managers is to manage of weeds effect extended members of our organisation, for their ongoing and pests. This was again our largest part of our natural values support during this time. management program, with many projects forming part of the Government’s Weeds and Pests on Public Land initiative. As a lead agency in responding and adapting to the effects climate After the successful establishment of roving pest plant and animal change, Parks Victoria recognises the need for us to address teams in eastern and central Victoria, further teams were our own carbon footprint. This year Parks Victoria committed to established in western Victoria to deliver targeted pest control

4 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 programs for weeds and pests of concern to the community. The National Park, establishment of the Indigenous Good Neighbour program funded numerous pest plant control Advisory Group, and the inaugural gathering of the traditional projects in other parks, and cooperative efforts continued with owner communities of the lands within the Great Otway National landowners and other agencies to integrate pest plant control Park. At an outdoor hearing on 30 March in Mount Eccles National across land tenures. Park, the Federal Court ratified the second Native Title case to be recognised in Victoria, with the consent of all parties. This historic As well as working with other land owners and managers, Parks settlement of the Gunditjmara’s claim includes Victoria’s first Victoria continues to work with many parts of the greater community. agreement to cooperatively manage a national park with the native Volunteers were again some of our most significant partners helping title holders/traditional owners. Many more achievements, including to protect and sustain environmental and cultural values and visitor details and stories about our 60 Indigenous staff, are in the body service in parks and reserves. In 2006-07, friends groups, community of this report. associations, special interest groups, schools and recreational clubs contributed over 177,000 hours of volunteer work. The We continued our commitment to enriching the experience of the innovative campground host program places volunteers at popular park visitor. Parks Victoria expanded our tourism and commercial camping areas in parks across the State, to enhance camping activities to ensure a sustainable future for Victoria’s parks and experiences for park visitors. This year, 70 volunteers hosted waterways with, among many other initiatives, the opening of the 16 campsites, contributing 3,900 hours. Parks Victoria thanks Parks Victoria Wilderness Retreats at Buchan Caves Reserve and all the volunteers around the State who continue to perform such Cape Conran Coastal Park. In a move towards a greater online a wonderful and essential service. presence and a more efficient service, the Wilsons Promontory National Park accommodation ballot for the Christmas/New Year Parks Victoria sees the health of those who use and enjoy period was released on www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. Details of the parks and the condition of the parks themselves as fundamentally many activities and services we provide across the diverse estate connected. This was again reflected in our world-renowned of significant parks in Victoria, Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and Healthy Parks Healthy People program. This program continued the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers are in the body of the report. with many initiatives, including a series of themed activity brochures highlighting the range of experiences available in parks, a targeted I commend the 2006-07 Annual Report to you and thank you for television campaign which aimed to heighten awareness of the your ongoing support, involvement and interest in Victoria’s parks great diversity, quality and value of our parks, and development and their protection and management. of a renewed Junior Ranger Program and a Ranger Roo Club. We also partnered with the People and Parks Foundation to host the fifth World’s Greatest pram stroll on Saturday 7 October 2006. This fantastic event brings young families together in parks. Over 5,000 mums, dads and families strolled at Albert Park or one of 23 pram stroll events held concurrently across the State.

Indigenous partnerships with traditional owner communities continued to develop across the State, with the opening of Mark Stone Brambuk – the National Park and Cultural Centre in the Grampians Chief Executive

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 5 THE YEAR AT A GLANCE

Parks Victoria delivers park management services across five key program areas (see below). Each year we prepare a performance statement to report on our achievements in key activities. The Corporate Performance Measures are included in this report on page 55.

Program Areas

Wildfire Management and Caring for the Natural Protecting our Cultural Other Emergencies Environment Heritage

Objective To provide services and resources to To provide services for, reduce risks To provide services and actions to DSE for the prevention and suppression to, and improve the condition of, maintain or improve the condition of of wildfire and for responding to other natural values and resources. Indigenous and European heritage emergencies in Victoria. cultural values and resources.

Highlights •We responded to major fires in the •We continued to reduce the extent •A Draft Heritage Action Plan and Alpine, Murray-Sunset and Little and impact of weeds and pests by environmental history of the Great Desert national parks. implementing a range of integrated Otway National Park was prepared programs including the “Keeping as part of the new park’s • Fire recovery operations continued the Lid on Rabbits” program. management planning process. in affected parks, including the Alpine, Grampians and Wilsons •We completed the second • ‘Living Legends: the International Promontory. edition of the State of the Parks Home of Rest for Champion report, providing a comprehensive Racehorses’ was officially opened • Fire Operations Plans were assessment of the entire parks on 31 October 2006. completed for Parks Victoria system, including cultural, managed areas. • In March 2007, the Gunditjmara recreational, economic and native title claim was settled, • In an ambitious 2006-07 prescribed environmental values. recognising the Gunditjmara as burn program. More than 67,000 •Protocols (standardised techniques) native title holders in south-west hectares were treated on the Parks we developed to monitor weeds, Victoria. The settlement package Victoria estate, the largest area in cats, deer, foxes, rabbits, kangaroos provides for the establishment of the ten years since Parks Victoria’s and were applied in 26 parks. the Budj Bim Council as part establishment exceeding all targets. of a co-operative management • As at 30 June 2007 there were • Parks Victoria implemented $1.5 agreement over Mount Eccles approved management plans for million of ERC-funded fire access National Park. all, or parts of, 39 national parks, road works and $250,000 of 3 wilderness parks, 27 state parks, • Dancing with the Devil Fire – Bushfire Mitigation Fund (federal 16 other parks, 10 marine national Uncovering the Hidden History of program) projects to improve fire parks and 10 marine sanctuaries. the Alps received an Interpretation access in parks and reserves. Australia Associations National •We continued to plan and deliver Award for Excellence in Heritage a network of strategic firebreaks to Interpretation. protect towns, Melbourne’s water • Signage acknowledging Aboriginal catchments, infrastructure and park traditional ownership was erected at assets from the impact of wildfire. Plenty Gorge Parklands, and Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Further Details Page 9 Page 13 Page 25

6 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Enhancing the Visitor Responsibly Managing our Experience Resources

To provide services and build facilities To develop and improve organisational that sustainably satisfy visitor needs, services to support the efficient and enjoyment and broader appreciation effective delivery of outputs. of parks.

•A major $4.2 million development • Parks Victoria became carbon at Brambuk – The National Park and neutral. Cultural Centre in the was completed. • The Hattah work centre was taken off the electricity grid after a range •We developed a multilingual park of energy efficiency improvements note translated into 33 languages, were installed. which welcomes visitors to Victoria’s park system as well as •We continued to contribute to communicating vital visitor the functioning of Parks Forum information. (the Australasian peak body • In 2006-07, volunteers contributed representing park management over 177,000 hours of voluntary organisations) through work: 58 per cent of the volunteer representation on its Board (as contribution focused on natural Chair) and standing committees. resource management projects, • As at 30 June 2007, Parks Victoria 30 per cent on visitor service related had 60 Indigenous staff, representing projects and 11 per cent on cultural around 6 per cent of the total values management. workforce (excluding casuals). • Parks Victoria Wilderness Retreats •We presented on the Healthy Parks were introduced at Buchan Caves Reserve and Cape Conran Coastal Healthy People program and the Park during 2006-07. development of partnerships at the George Wright Society Biennial •We developed and distributed a Conference in USA in April 2007. Marine Mapping Educational DVD We also met with the California and teacher CD resource featuring Institute of Public Affairs in school students on a journey to conjunction with Sante Monica discover what lies beneath the waves in a marine national park. Nature Conservancy and California State Parks. Parks Victoria •We distributed around 25,000 presented at the meeting with the copies of eight new activity California State Office on Healthy brochures listing destinations to Parks Healthy People and its four wheel drive, walk your dog, possible role in that state as ride a horse, camp, cycle, walk a wellness initiative. and engage in water activities such as snorkelling, swimming and scuba diving statewide.

Page 31 Page 45 Tarra-Bulga National Park Ranger, Craig Campbell.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 7 recovery

8 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 MANAGING WILDFIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

We made a major contribution to the recovery of fire-affected areas through research, conservation works and asset rebuilding, and perhaps most importantly through partnerships and communication with local communities.

The fire season Prescribed burning As Victoria approached the 2006-07 summer, severe drought in As part of the 2006-07 statewide prescribed burning program, combination with a decade of less-than-average annual rainfall there were 165 prescribed burns with a total treated more than had left the State’s forests and woodlands particularly vulnerable 67,000 hectares in areas managed by Parks Victoria. To respond to fire. The season began early with a significant number of fires in to the increased risk caused by dry fuels and high fire behaviour, September and the largest number of fires ever recorded in Spring. many burns were managed with a full Incident Management Team led by an Incident Controller. On 1 December 2006, lightning from dry lightning storms moved across and north east regions igniting more than 50 Burns were carried out in areas including Croajingolong, fires, with additional fires reported on subsequent days. Many Dandenong Ranges, Grampians, Great Otway, Little Desert, of these fires later merged to form the Great Divide fires, which Murray-Sunset and Point Nepean national parks. The burning ultimately extended from Whitfield and Mount Buffalo in the north program in the Grampians National Park included a traditional to Walhalla and Bruthen in the south. These were declared lighting by an Indigenous Parks Victoria Ranger and a member contained on 7 February 2007. of the Bareni Gadjin . Other fires in the north east and Gippsland in December and January added to the severity of the season, which continued Fire recovery until late Autumn. The Great Divide Fire Initial efforts focused on the rehabilitation of areas disturbed by the Wildfires fire or fire suppression operations. This then merged into the larger DSE records show that in 2006-07 there were 1,083 wildfires fire recovery program. A Ministerial Bushfire Recovery Taskforce reported to DSE and Parks Victoria that burned a total of about was formed to provide a focus for the Government’s response 1.2 million hectares. The Great Divide fires, together with the to the major wildfires. The Taskforce allocated initial funding to Tawonga Gap and Tatong fires, burned through approximately enable high-priority visitor and tourist sites to be re-opened across 1.1 million hectares in eastern Victoria. the fire-affected area. This was followed by a report with the announcement of funding for a three-year fire recovery program. A total of 307 fires were reported during the year in areas managed by Parks Victoria. Of those, 279 fires were confirmed which burnt Specific fire recovery initiatives included the following. a total area of 373,600 hectares, of which more than 338,000 hectares were in areas managed under the National Parks Act. • Stakeholder meetings were held across the region to ensure Lightning was the main single cause of the 279 fires (139 – 49.8 that fire recovery priorities and community and industry per cent), while 60 (21.5 per cent) resulted from deliberate lightings. Other causes included campfire or barbecue escapes (30 – 10.8 expectations were met. As a result, an Access Re-opening per cent), burning off stubble or grass (5 – 1.8 per cent), and Strategy was made available to the public through the Parks escapes or relights from prescribed burns (7 – 2.5 per cent). Victoria website and updated regularly. The strategy set targets for re-opening, focusing on public holiday periods. Among the fires affecting areas managed by Parks Victoria were: • An extensive assessment program was carried out on of the •Great Divide fires (1.048 million ha) – 324,100 ha in the Alpine condition of around 350 visitor sites, 1,500 assets (e.g. toilets, and Mount Buffalo national parks and Avon Wilderness Park; park furniture, signs, car parks, lookouts, bridges and shelters), 550 kilometres of walking tracks and 1,650 kilometres of roads. •Tawonga Gap Fire (33,600 ha) – 12,300 ha in the Alpine This included public safety risk assessments. National Park; • Assessments were made of the initial impact on natural • Berook East Fire (23,200 ha) in Murray-Sunset National Park; and cultural values during this time, with priority actions •Brooks Track Fire (10,800 ha) – 8,900 ha in the Little Desert for protection undertaken, and the need for future remedial National Park; and works identified. •Tallageira Fire (8,000 ha) – 7,700 ha in the Little Desert National Park.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 9 MANAGING WILDFIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCIES (CONTINUED)

•To help complete this assessment, 12 tour operators whose businesses were affected by fire were employed to work alongside park rangers. Through this program, operators also assisted with asset repair, sign installation, interpretation and education, and walking and vehicle track clearing. • Stakeholder meetings were held and recommendations made for the replacement of three huts in the Alpine National Park: Bluff, Ritchie’s and Weston’s. • More than $1 million was directed to fire rehabilitation and recovery in the 2006-07 financial year, focusing on rehabilitation of disturbances, risk mitigation and walking and vehicle track clearing for priority access and reopening. •A Draft Fire Recovery Plan was produced jointly with DSE to identify the program targets over the 2007-09 period.

Further fire recovery initiatives included:

•implementation of $1.5 million of ERC-funded fire access roadworks and $250,000 of Bushfire Mitigation Fund (federal program) projects to improve fire access in parks and reserves; •review of operational procedures, with DSE, for effective incident management following recommendations from the Victorian Bushfire Inquiry and the Ellis Report of Fire Management. Areas of focus included the role of regional coordination, incident planning, initial attack protocols, resource management and Ranger in charge, Libby Jude takes part in wildfires suppression works. incident control centre facilities; • the debrief process for the 2006-07 fire season, which provided Parks Victoria systematically assessed the extent of damage, information for improving overall fire management in Victoria; identified and mitigated risk, and restored access as soon as this was safe and environmentally appropriate. All key visitor sites in • continued support for the Wildfire Risk Project, led by the Office the most heavily used visitor precinct along Mount Victory Road of the Emergency Services Commissioner, which is developing were re-opened by Easter 2006. Work then continued to tackle a statewide spatial data management system that identifies the next highest priorities within available resources. By Christmas principal assets and values in Victoria and the impact on 2006, all key campgrounds were operating, and by Easter 2007, Victorian communities should they be affected by wildfire; the iconic Pinnacles Walk was reopened to the public after being • significant contribution to the completion of the development available only through guided tours for risk management from phase of a project, led by the CFA, to develop integrated September 2006. Considerable work remains to re-open the (private and public land) Fire Management Plans at state, more remote walking trails. regional and municipal level. Implementation of the project will commence in 2007; Brisbane Ranges National Park The Stony Creek picnic area, Anakie Gorge walking track, Burchell • key recommendations made in reports following the 2005 trail (overnight walk) and Staughtonvale rock climbing site, including Wilsons Promontory fire were implemented, including a complete the access track, were rehabilitated. Fire-damaged interpretive review of the Emergency Management Plan, a Tidal River Site plaques were replaced throughout the park, and information Protection Plan and the completion of works to reduce fire and displays about the fire and fire recovery were installed at major emergency risk for visitors and staff. Internal audit confirmed visitor nodes. The park was officially re-opened to the public in implementation of all recommendations. October 2006, coinciding with the school holidays and the Friends Group Wildflower Show. In addition, the burnt out wooden Parks Victoria continued to undertake fire recovery works in several bridges along Anakie Gorge were replaced with steel bridges, parks following fires in 2005-06, as follows: five permanent vehicle and machinery washdown stations installed throughout the park to minimise the spread of Phytophthora Grampians National Park cinnamomi, the two fire damaged boot cleaning/hygiene stations The Grampians wildfire of January 2006 was caused by a lightning for walkers were replaced and two additional stations installed. strike near Mount Lubra and spread rapidly in extreme weather Tree risk mitigation works are continuing where required and there conditions. By the time it was contained two weeks later, it had is an ongoing program of broadleaf weed control in strategic burnt 47 per cent of the Grampians National Park, along with large areas of adjoining private land and smaller areas of other public land.

10 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 areas. Research partnerships have been established with Deakin Wilsons Promontory National Park (2005 fire) University and NatureWatch to help monitor the effects of fire and The on going, post-fire monitoring program to assess post-fire fire management on the spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi. recovery continued across a range of ecosystems within the park. The South Gippsland Conservation Society contributed 1,740 volunteer hours to the program, which aims to track the regrowth The Wombelano Falls viewing platform and track were of vegetation from the 2005 fire and monitor the effect it has had reconstructed with new signage and fencing. on the park’s ecosystems.

Moondarra State Park Emergency management planning Work to replace signage and to control weeds continued. During 2006-07, 74 emergency management plans (EMPs) ‘Photo-points’ were established for an ongoing ecological for all areas under the National Parks Act 1975 were reviewed and monitoring program. approved. The updated EMPs were independently audited and reviewed by the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner.

Surviving the Inferno

of Fire and Emergency Services, says that given the very real potential for significant loss of life and property, the efforts by firefighters from all agencies and the community to minimize the impact was nothing short of outstanding.

Tony Varcoe, Parks Victoria’s Manager of Parks Research, says it will take time to gauge the impact of the fires on plants and animals. The challenge for Parks Victoria and DSE (Department of Sustainability and Environment) over the next 15 to 20 years, he says, will be to ensure these areas are protected from fire long enough to enable fire-sensitive species to regenerate and reproduce. Tony is optimistic about the recovery of many flora and fauna species. “The great wonder of nature in south-eastern Australia is the fact that many species in the landscape not only have this fantastic ability to recover from fire, but rely on it for their reproduction,” he says.

Tony says one of the most important lessons learnt post 2003 was that the sooner rehabilitation programs start and pest plant Four years ago, Victoria was ravaged by fires which burnt out and animal control measures are implemented, the more 1.2 million hectares. This past summer, walls of flame again swept successful the rehabilitation is. through the vast landscapes of Victoria’s Great Divide, burning 1.1 million hectares – the second-biggest area burnt for 50 years. “Post-fire, our job is to try and make these ecosystems as resilient Exhausted fire fighters and desperate families battled side by side as possible, and that includes a focus on specific risks such as to save homes and livelihoods. weeds and predator control,” he says. “Nature has a remarkable way of recovering, but if there are weeds and predators that are Over 850 of Parks Victoria’s 1,000 staff were directly involved in going to interfere with natural recovery processes that, that’s the fire effort over summer, remaining staff maintaining essential where we come in.” park services elsewhere. Ian Christie, Parks Victoria’s Director

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 11 healthy parks

12 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 CARING FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Protecting and enhancing the parks and reserves is critical to conserving biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future. Parks Victoria undertakes planning, research and on-ground activities as part of its natural values program.

Research Marine research A broad array of applied research addressing diverse issues in A range of research activities occurred in marine national parks marine and terrestrial environments was implemented to improve and marine sanctuaries, including: the management of natural values. • further mapping of deep-water habitats in six outer coast marine national parks (Cape Howe, Discovery Bay, Point Addis, Point Adaptive Experimental Research Hicks, Twelve Apostles and part of Wilsons Promontory). This An adaptive experimental management (AEM) approach, which was done as part of a partnership with the Coastal Zone incorporates research into on-ground management, continued Cooperative Research Centre, Deakin University and the to be an important focus. Projects that continued from previous Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Authority; years were: •review and redesign of the expanded marine biological •the fox AEM project, which began in 2001 in Coopracambra, monitoring program, designed to build a baseline of biological Grampians, Hattah-Kulkyne, Little Desert and Wilsons information across the marine national parks and marine Promontory national parks, entered its final year. This work sanctuaries. This program focused on intertidal and subtidal has improved knowledge of the effectiveness of fox control for reef habitats; and the protection of native fauna, demonstrating that broad-scale • investigation of seal and boat interactions at Wilsons Promontory continuous or pulsed baiting is more effective in reducing fox National Park and Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park. activity than seasonal baiting; •research in the Alpine National Park examining how differences Research partnerships in timing and types of herbicides affect the cost and The Parks Victoria Research Partners program includes ten research effectiveness of English Broom control. This work is also institutions and aims to develop applied research that addresses examining how different weed control methods affect native priority information needs to support and improve park management. vegetation; and This highly innovative and collaborative research program saw • ongoing delivery of the Box-Ironbark ecological thinning trial a wide range of projects over the past year, including continuation in Paddys Range State Park, Castlemaine Diggings National of ongoing research projects as well as a number of new research Heritage Park, and Pilchers Bridge and Spring Plains nature projects. Work that continued included: conservation reserves. This project is being administered in •Alpine National Park: a number of research projects addressing association with research partners and with guidance from issues such as the condition and recovery of alpine mossbeds, an external scientific reference group to examine whether techniques for their rehabilitation and the impact on water ecological thinning can accelerate the development of quality; continued collaboration to investigate the impacts of older-growth characteristics of box-ironbark forests. climate change on alpine vegetation; continued monitoring of (See breakout story on page 17). terrestrial invertebrates on the following the 2002-03 fires; and assessment of the status of the Long-footed In addition to continuing projects, a new AEM project was initiated Potoroo; examining how to manage the effects of trampling in the intertidal zone at Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park and Barwon Bluff, •Wilsons Promontory National Park: a study of herbivore diets Merri, Mushroom Reef and Ricketts Point marine sanctuaries. and impacts on vegetation at Yanakie Isthmus; • ongoing research examining the use of contraceptive implants to manage over-abundant koalas in and Mount Eccles national parks;

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 13 CARING FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT (CONTINUED)

•Grampians National Park: examination of the ecology of the •a study to examine processes influencing thickening of Red Deer, including its diet, home range and habitat use woodland vegetation across Victoria. in the park; • two large-scale research programs, comprising numerous Monitoring and performance evaluation projects to improve our understanding of ecologically appropriate Protocols (standardised techniques) developed to monitor weeds, fire regimes for biodiversity conservation in western Victoria. cats, deer, foxes, rabbits, kangaroos and koalas were applied Parks involved included Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray-Sunset in 26 parks. Standardised monitoring allows evaluation of the national parks and ; effectiveness of management in reducing the level of threat to biodiversity posed by weeds, pest animals and other threats. • work to assess the condition of vegetation in Hattah-Kulkyne, Parks where monitoring was undertaken during the year using Murray-Sunset and Wyperfeld national parks, and its recovery these protocols were: from grazing by both native and introduced animals; • Alpine, Burrowa-Pine Mountain, Coopracambra, Croajingolong, • two projects (one funded by an Australian Research Council Dandenong Ranges, Errinundra, Grampians, Hattah-Kulkyne, Linkage Award) aimed at developing performance measurement Little Desert, Lower Glenelg, Mount Eccles, Murray-Sunset, tools to assess the ecological performance of marine national , Wilsons Promontory and Wyperfeld national parks; parks and marine sanctuaries. One project (partnered with the University of Melbourne) focuses on subtidal reefs and the other • Bunyip, Mount Arapiles-Tooan and Werribee Gorge state parks; (partnered with La Trobe University) on soft sediment • Cape Conran and Discovery Bay coastal parks, Nooramunga communities; Marine and Coastal Park and Woodlands Historic Park; and •continuation of a project with Deakin University to develop a • Plenty Gorge Parklands and Cardinia Reservoir Park, Serendip set of decision support tools for the artificial opening of estuary Wetlands Education Facility, Point Cook and Cheetham mouths in parks in south-west Victoria that takes into account Wetlands. environmental, social, economic and recreational impact; and • various projects that examine management of biodiversity The program established in the Alpine National Park in collaboration in and around Melbourne, including a study to assess impacts with the Australian Deer Association to monitor changes in the of urbanisation on grasslands near Melbourne and a project numbers of deer continued. examining the breeding of the endangered . ‘Sea Search’, a community-based monitoring program New research projects include: administered by the People and Parks Foundation, continued in marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. This program • assessment of the health of trees on Snake Island in Nooramunga uses purpose-built monitoring kits that guide community groups Marine and Coastal Park as a consequence of ongoing in collecting data compatible with other scientific research done management to reduce the impact of over-browsing by koalas; in these parks and sanctuaries. • work to better understand the ecology of Little Penguins at St Kilda breakwater; Environmental management •Croajingolong National Park: a study of sediment history in Information on the values of the parks system and the risks Tamboon Inlet; identified in State of the Parks reports, together with the ‘Levels •a number of projects examining the diet, movement and genetics of Protection’ framework, formed a basis for setting strategic of Powerful Owls across sites in Victoria including Kinglake priorities. Parks Victoria’s environmental management framework and Yarra Ranges national parks and Bunyip and Warrandyte focuses on-ground works on protecting the highest values at state parks; greatest risk.

•a project being administered in partnership with researchers The on-ground environmental management program is divided from DSE to examine the distribution, abundance and impact into seven program areas: of deer across Victoria; • threatened species management; • MorningtonPeninsula National Park: a study to examine the effectiveness of artificial shelters in improving reproductive • native animal management; success of hooded plovers; • catchment and water management; •Brisbane Ranges National Park: an examination of the effects • marine protection; of wildfire and fire suppression activities on the spread of • pest plant management; Phytophthora cinnamomi, and of the effectiveness of different methods for controlling its spread in the park; • pest animal management; and • an examination of processes that control biomass in grassy • grazing management. ecosystems at sites across Victoria including Grampians, Hattah-Kulkyne, Murray-Sunset, and Wilsons Promontory The following are examples of other projects within each of the national parks and Inverleigh Flora Reserve; and eight program areas.

14 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Threatened species management • sterilisation of 138 koalas and relocation of 283 previously Projects undertaken to manage threatened species in areas under sterilised koalas from Snake Island (Nooramunga Marine and the National Parks Act 1975 included: Coastal Park). Over the period of the project, the fecundity rate has been lowered from 39.4 per cent in 1997 to 8.8 per • Mount Buffalo National Park: a captive breeding program cent. With significantly lower numbers on the island, the project commenced to enhance the survival prospects of the Spotted will now move to contraceptive treatment only; and Tree Frog population; • the relocation to State Forest near Mount Disappointment of • Murray-Sunset National Park: surveys of Black-eared Miners, 116 Koalas captured in French Island National Park and on which have shown that birds translocated into the park are freehold land on French Island. surviving in the wild; •: the monitoring of Major Mitchell Catchment and water management Cockatoos, which has shown a limited recovery with 17 breeding This program area continued to focus on improving the condition pairs. However, there has been a 71 per cent reduction in nesting of remnant vegetation and reducing priority catchment degradation hollows over 12 years and, for the first time, numbers of breeding risks. Particular initiatives included: pairs of galahs have exceeded those of Major Mitchells, indicating • installation of a regulating structure at Websters Lagoon and increasing competition for nest space; at Lake Walla Walla in the Murray-Sunset National Park to • fifteen years of monitoring by the Victorian Malleefowl Recovery reinstate more natural wetting and drying cycles; Group, which has offered insights into Malleefowl population •the continuation of the delivery of environmental water to Hattah trends across the Mallee, related to the effects of climate, fire Lakes, with 13.5 gigalitres provided in spring 2006 from Victoria’s and predation; Murray Flora and Fauna Environmental Water Entitlement and • Grampians National Park: three juvenile Brush-tailed Rock through The Living Murray initiative from Murray-Snowy efficiency Wallabies were released in a secure enclosure on the Dunkeld savings. There was a visible improvement to the condition of the Pastoral Company property adjoining the park. There is now River Red Gums as well as aquatic macrophytes (seen for the a total of five wallabies which will remain in the enclosure for first time in about 30 years). Macroinvertebrate and zooplankton around 12 months before release into the park. The three communities have developed, and there is the beginnings of the wallabies were raised by surrogate Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby development of a native fish community; mothers as part of a successful Adelaide Zoo cross-fostering • the restoration of 58 hectares of alpine mossbeds continued program; and with the installation and maintenance of weirs to reduce the • the successful production in the park of the first-ever known effects of channelisation and the speed of water flowing through seed of the nationally endangered Grampians Pin-cushion Lilly the beds, with the assistance of volunteers from Conservation (Borya mirabilis). An attempt is being made to grow the seed at Volunteers Australia, the Victorian National Parks Association the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens, which if successful will and Bushwalking Victoria. Associated areas were seeded and greatly help the recovery of this endangered species. mulched to prevent further erosion; and

Native animal management • various small-scale revegetation projects supported by friends groups and volunteers at Great Otway and Mornington Programs to control kangaroo and koala populations continued in Peninsula national parks, Discovery Bay and Bay of Islands several parks where there is a demonstrable long term impact on coastal parks and Warrandyte State Park. park values caused by excessive numbers. These programs were undertaken in accordance with established ecological rationales Marine protection developed with the support of key stakeholders, including the As reported under research program, there was a considerable Kangaroo and Koala technical advisory committees. research effort during the year in marine national parks and marine sanctuaries to provide a sound basis for the management and Projects included: monitoring of these special areas. • ongoing kangaroo control in Wyperfeld, Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray-Sunset national parks; The formation of new partnerships for Parks Victoria focused •treatment of approximately 660 koalas as part of the trial of around improving water quality and reducing the risk to marine contraceptive implants at Mount Eccles National Park. With and coastal natural values. Many of the key risks or threats to almost 2,500 koalas implanted over the past three years, the the natural values of our marine protected area system come from trial has made progress towards reducing the risk of large-scale outside park boundaries and changes to catchments that have death of manna gums from koala over-browsing and a resulted in high nutrient and sediment loads moving from the land subsequent crash of the koala population; into the marine environment. Forming partnerships with other organisations, government agencies, local government, industry and the community is critical to the development of integrated approaches to address these threats.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 15 CARING FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT (CONTINUED)

State of the Parks 2007

Tony Varcoe, the Manager of Parks Research, says our knowledge has greatly increased about threats such as pest plants and animals, cinnamon fungus and catchment-based threats to marine national parks and sanctuaries in recent years. “Targeted, ongoing programs to control weeds and pests are working to minimise the impact on park values and Parks Victoria is continuing to focus its control efforts on those areas which have the highest values which are at greatest risk,” he says.

“But many threats to park values such as weeds, pest animals and inappropriate fire regimes are not just a park issue; they are a whole of landscape concern involving parks, other public land and private land. We have to take a landscape-based approach and that will be a key to our success over the next five years. There will be even greater challenges ahead through impacts by climate change. Our task is to ensure that parks can be as resilient as possible to these threats.”

Deputy Chief Executive, Geoff Vincent, Professor Nancy Millis and Board Chairman, Rob Gerrand at the launch of State of the Parks 2007. Julie Richmond, Project Officer for the State of the Parks project, says the State of the Parks report plays a big role in understanding the condition of the parks network and the The condition of Victoria’s 3.96 million hectares of parks and effectiveness of management programs so we can learn and reserves essentially acts as Parks Victoria’s environmental improve in the future. “This report sets the baseline and establishes ‘balance sheet’. To get a better measure of how that balance the formal indicators by which we measure our achievements sheet is faring, Parks Victoria has recently published the second against in five, ten and 15 years’ time.” comprehensive State of the Parks report. To view the full State of the Parks report, go to The latest report shows that Victoria’s parks estate over that time www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or call 13 1963. grew by a quarter of a million hectares to include a world-first system of marine national parks and sanctuaries, much improved protection of new Box-Ironbark ecosystems, and the country’s first national heritage park in Castlemaine.

16 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Box-Ironbark Eco-thinning

Patrick says the first report from the experiment will not be made until mid-2008, but information will continue to be gleaned from the program for many years to come. “One reason why people don’t understand forests very well is that things take a long time to develop and unfold and it happens way past our life cycle,” he says. “And in dry forests like the Box-Ironbark, things happen a lot slower than in rainforests.

“We came into this project thinking we weren’t going to get answers straight away, but what we could do was set something up so that people in 30, 40 or 100 years time could look back and say,” ‘People back then did this work and here are the results.’”

Still, the Box-Ironbark forests have already begun to yield their secrets and some have been quite surprising. The thinning operations have shown that the forest’s animals use a greater a variety of habitats than previously thought. Animals that scientists had believed were purely dependent on hollows, such as the Brush-tailed Phascogale, also use other types of habitat.

Flora ecologist Patrick Piggott is involved in Parks Victoria’s “We have a better understanding of the patterns and layout of the ambitious attempt within its Box-Ironbark parks to return the forest now, the types of trees and their distribution. Understanding landscape to its more open, pre-European state. Over the past the forest is going to be a long process but we need to do it 150 years, clear-felling and the absence of traditional Aboriginal because it’s the basis of how we will manage biodiversity and fire management has led Box-Ironbark woodlands to regrow more other issues like weeds and pests. The ecological management densely, with an average of 500 trees per hectare, compared with strategy is based on an interventionist approach and we can’t 30 trees per hectare in pre-European days. intervene and carry out our management activities unless we know what’s there to start with,” says Patrick. The project is to conduct a large, long term experiment to thin 90 hectares of Box-Ironbark woodlands in test plots at Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, Pilchers Bridge Nature Conservation Reserve near Bendigo, Spring Plains Nature Conservation Reserve near Heathcote and near Maryborough.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 17 CARING FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT (CONTINUED)

Initiatives in the marine protection program included the following. Following the successful establishment of roving pest plant and animal teams in eastern and central Victoria, further teams were • Staff were involved in a series of regional forums to examine established in western Victoria at Forrest and at Creswick to actions identified in management plans to address threats to commence targeted pest control programs for weeds and pests the Marine National Park system. This resulted in the Next Wave of concern to the community. (See breakout story page 22). Forum Outcomes report, which identifies key actions required at local, regional and statewide levels to address these threats and The Good Neighbour Program funded a number of pest plant guides staff activity in marine protection over coming years. control projects in other parks, and cooperative efforts continued with landowners and other agencies to integrate pest plant control • Parks Victoria has secured a place on the steering committee across land tenure boundaries. Of particular note was the special for the development of this $3.5 million plan to improve water contribution of volunteers to numerous projects. quality in Port Phillip and Western Port. The project is managed by and EPA Victoria with steering committee Projects included: members drawn from DSE, DPI, the Association of Bayside Municipalities, Port Phillip and Western Port Catchment • control programs in the Box-Ironbark region for Bridal Creeper Management Authority (CMA) and Environment Victoria. Improving and Paterson’s Curse in Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, water quality entering the bays will significantly reduce risks to Paterson’s Curse in Broken-Boosey State Park, Wheel Cactus marine protected areas. in Greater Bendigo National Park, and Gorse in Castlemaine • In January 2007, Parks Victoria was involved with EPA Victoria Diggings National Heritage Park; and other water management agencies, including the Victorian • coordinated programs to control willows in the Alpine, Snowy Coastal Council, Melbourne Water, Coast Action/Coastcare, River and Mitchell River national parks in partnership with East the Marine Discovery Centre and Port Phillip and Western Port Gippsland and North East catchment management authorities, CMAs in the pilot Two Bays program to further engage bayside including Dargo, Howqua, King, Kiewa and Mitta Mitta, Mitchell communities and programs in water quality issues. and Snowy rivers; • control programs in Hattah-Kulkyne, Murray-Sunset and Specific projects have been initiated in each of the three coastal Wyperfeld national parks and Murray-Kulkyne Park focusing on regions, with a focus on developing integrated approaches to summer weed infestations of Paddy Melon, Paterson’s Curse, improve catchment management and reduce the risks to marine Prickly Pear and Horehound brought on by rains along park national parks and marine sanctuaries from poor water quality. boundaries, roadsides and other areas within parks; These projects include: • spraying highly visible weed infestations, including blackberries, •a partnership to address nutrient levels and sediment loads by roving weed teams in State Park, supported by in Watsons Creek that flows into Yaringa Marine National Park complementary work by the Goulburn Broken Catchment in Western Port. This creek has a poor water quality rating and Management Authority Drought Employment Program and was identified as one of the major risks to the Marine National Goulburn Murray Water; Park; •treatment of pines invading coastal woodland in Lower Glenelg •a similar project established to improve water quality entering National Park from adjacent pine plantations, as well as in Great Corner Inlet’s marine protected areas, thus protecting the Inlet’s Otway National Park and Dandenong Ranges National Park; natural values from further decline; and • control programs in the areas of highest biodiversity value •initial engagement with partners to address water quality issues within Great Otway National Park for weeds assessed as being in the Merri River, which flows directly into the Merri Marine highly invasive. As part of a project, both inside and outside Sanctuary in Warrnambool. The Western Coastal Board, the national park, involving Parks Victoria, DSE, Conservation Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Warrnambool City Council and DSE’s Volunteers Australia, local government and community groups, Coast Actions/Coastcare program have committed to increasing weed control occurred at more than 100 sites over 680 efforts to improve water quality within the Merri River and thus hectares in the park, with the largest areas of treatment for protect the values of the Marine Sanctuary. species such as blackberry, ragwort, thistle and St Johns Wort, as well as many smaller areas dealing of invasive horticultural Another significant development that improves protection of species such as Arum Lily and Giant Honey-myrtle; natural values in the marine national park system is that marine staff now have the authority to issue infringement notices to •cross-tenure weed control programs in French Island and increase compliance with ‘no-take’ provisions. Mornington Peninsula national parks, involving Parks Victoria in association with local government, Melbourne Water and Pest plant management VicRoads. There was also a focus along the linear sections of the ocean frontage of Mornington Peninsula and Point Nepean This was again the largest part of the natural values management national parks between and Point Nepean where program, with many projects forming part of the Government’s Sea Spurge and other environmental weeds were controlled to Weeds and Pests on Public Land initiative. protect sensitive coastal vegetation, and to conserve breeding

18 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 habitat for the threatened Hooded Plover. The Moonah •a major program to eradicate Hawkweed species commenced Woodland community on Point Nepean is also a focus for in the Alpine National Park, in a cooperative effort with DPI, protection from weed invasion; DSE, La Trobe University, Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, and the Falls Creek and Resort • seven years of willow eradication in and around Baw Baw Management Boards. This effort was interrupted by fires. National Park. Since the program commenced in January 2000, However, diligent monitoring enabled emerging plants to be 993 willows at 301 different locations have been treated in treated and has revealed little flowering or seeding at known sites. and around the park. Of these, 681 willows were treated using a helicopter to visit 212 extremely remote locations. Parks Victoria has established a strong collaboration with DSE, West Pest animal management Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, The protection of threatened species and communities and Alpine Resort and the CSIRO. Community groups such as the other significant park values continued to be a focus for the Friends of and other individuals have management of pest animals, with many projects forming part contributed an impressive 1,911 hours to the program so far; of the Government’s Weeds and Pests on Public Land initiative. Cooperative programs continued with private landowners to • works to control Wheel Cactus and Prickly Pear in Terrick Terrick control pest animals that threaten economic or ecological values. National Park; in other grassy ecosystem parks the focus was A number of pest animal control projects were also undertaken in on Paterson’s Curse and woody weeds; parks as part of the Good Neighbour program. The Memorandum •a focus on control of South African Weed Orchid in a number of of Cooperation between Parks Victoria and the Sporting Shooters parks and reserves in the Wimmera, augmented by a program Association of Victoria has allowed further joint projects to be for the control of other more established weeds such as established. Horehound and Bridal Creeper across more than 70 reserves; • activities to manage noxious weeds such as Blackberry, Projects included: Horehound, Sweet Briar, Paterson’s Curse and African Boxthorn •the establishment of local partnerships with the Sporting conducted at the public/private land interface in numerous small Shooters Association of Australia to reduce goats in Mitchell conservation reserves throughout northern Victoria. Many of these River National Park and deer in . These activities were conducted by Roving Weed and Pest crews; and built on the successful program instigated in Murray-Sunset • weed management activities across 750 hectares in Basalt National Park, which also continued this year; Plains Grasslands focused on Chilean Needle Grass, Serrated • ongoing fox control in parks with high numbers of fauna species Tussock and Paterson’s Curse control, protecting flora values susceptible to predation, such as Chiltern-Mt Pilot, Great Otway, such as the poorly-known Basalt Tussock-grass in Derrimut Hattah-Kulkyne, Little Desert, Wilsons Promontory and Yarra Grassland Nature Conservation Reserve. Ranges national parks and Coastal Park; • fox control over a large area of public land in East Gippsland There was a continued effort to control weeds in the Alpine and as part of the Southern Ark fox control project, including poison Mount Buffalo national parks following the 2003 fires and (in the baiting in Coopracambra, Croajingolong and sections of the Alpine National Park) since the cessation of cattle grazing. Major Alpine and Snowy River national parks and in Cape Conran projects included: Coastal Park. Progress was interrupted by wildfires, requiring • chemical control of over 2,000 hectares of English Broom sandpads and bait stations to be rebuilt; including boom spraying along the dry shores of Lake Dartmouth, • fox control in Lower Glenelg and Mount Richmond national and a trial of a helicopter-mounted spot spray for inaccessible parks and Discovery Bay Coastal Park as part of the Glenelg sites; Ark fox control project, a large-scale project on public land in •treatment of over 1,700 hectares of blackberry, targeted to south-west Victoria which has successfully reduced fox activity; boundaries with neighbours, small catchments or outlying sites • integrated programs involving rabbit warren destruction, disconnected from other infestations where eradication may be fumigation, poisoning and shooting carried out over large achievable, some on former grazing licences in the eastern Alps. areas of Mallee parks. Larger scale activities have focused on Some of these areas were subsequently overtaken by fires; Murray-Sunset, Wyperfeld and Hattah-Kulkyne national parks, • ongoing works to control English Broom and Himalayan but many smaller programs have been able to limit rabbit Honeysuckle. These included some innovative aerial control densities in smaller reserves. A program to protect large areas techniques and biocontrol agents, as well as conventional of regeneration in Hattah-Kulkyne National Park from burgeoning control techniques. An adaptive experimental management rabbit densities in the wake of increasing resistance to Rabbit program for English Broom has been investigating the most Haemorrhagic Disease Virus was commenced with the effective control techniques to use on this highly invasive weed; assistance of volunteers and drought-affected farmers; and • large numbers of willow seedlings removed from alpine mossbeds • rabbit control programs carried out on a large scale in Little by volunteers from Landrover Owners Club, Victorian National Desert and Terrick Terrick national parks. Parks Association and Bushwalking Victoria; and

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 19 CARING FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT (CONTINUED)

Pest animal management in the Alps largely focused on the Alpine Reefs, Barwon Bluff, Mushroom Reef and Point Cooke marine National Park and included: sanctuaries. The plan for Jawbone Marine Sanctuary was also approved; • wild dog control, funded through the Good Neighbour program and involving DPI and DSE and Parks Victoria across land • draft plans for Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, French Island, tenures, to reduce stock losses on private land; Yaringa and Churchill Island marine national parks were released for comment; • fox programs over some 20,000 hectares of the park, aimed at reducing impacts on fauna species susceptible either to • approved plans for Warrandyte and Broken-Boosey state parks, predation, particularly threatened species (such as the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park were released, Long-footed Potoroo and Mountain Pygmy-possum) or to and the plan for Greater Bendigo National Park was approved; competition for prey and habitat (such as Spot-tailed Quoll). • draft plans for Point Nepean National Park (and Point Nepean Control programs to protect the Mountain Pygmy-possum were Quarantine Station), Chiltern-Mt Pilot and Heathcote-Graytown conducted in conjunction with Falls Creek and national parks, Beechworth Historic Park, Warby Range, alpine resort management boards; Werribee Regional Park, Yarra Valley and parklands •feral horse removal from the Alpine National Park, with the were released for comment; Australian Association; and •initial plans were prepared for Great Otway National Park • feral pig trapping in remote areas of the Alpine National Park. (and Otway Forest Park), St Arnaud Range National Park, and Paddys Ranges and Kooyoora state parks; Grazing management •a draft management plan for the Sandringham foreshore and Alpine National Park harbour was released for public comment; Parks Victoria and DSE continued to work with licensees whose •a draft Riverine Protection Plan for Kings Billabong Wildlife State forest licence areas abut the Alpine National Park over Reserve was prepared in partnership with the Mallee Catchment matters associated with the containment of cattle to State forest. Management Authority; • the approved management plan for the Discovery Bay Parks Great Otway National Park was amended to provide for hang gliding and paragliding at As part of the legislated transitional arrangements associated with four designated sites in Discovery Bay Coastal Park; and the creation of the new Great Otway National Park, grazing under •the Wilsons Promontory Advisory Group was re-established Land Act 1958 and Wildlife Act 1975 licences continued to be for a two-year period through an Expression of Interest process permitted on previously licensed areas that were incorporated to advise Parks Victoria on the management of Wilsons into the park in December 2005. The licences cover small areas Promontory National Park. and support low numbers of stock (if any). These licences are to continue until 31 December 2006 or until their expiry date (whichever is the later). Community participation Many local community advisory groups, particularly for marine Barmah State Park national parks and marine sanctuaries, assisted park staff and planners in finalising plans after their release for public comment. Cattle grazing occurred in Barmah State Park and the adjacent Involvement by traditional owners and other Indigenous community Barmah State Forest from 1 July 2006 until 30 April 2007. Because members in the planning process continued to be encouraged. of the ongoing drought conditions and after an assessment of the Four community days were held to assist with developing the vegetation condition of the area, a decision was made in late 2006 vision and plan for St Arnaud Range National Park. Community that the cattle should be removed from the whole of the Barmah members who attended were able to discuss their interests in, forest pending an improvement in its condition. This occurred by aspirations for and management concerns about the park with 25 March 2007 (in the eastern end) and by 30 April for the remainder rangers, other staff and one another. of the forest. In total, 731 cattle were removed. There is no winter grazing in 2007. The Cooperative Management Program Management plans The Australian Alps Cooperative Management Program continued under the auspices of the Australian Alps Liaison Committee As at 30 June 2007, there were approved management plans (AALC). In Victoria, the Alpine, Baw Baw, Mount Buffalo and for all or parts of 39 national parks, 3 wilderness parks, 27 state Snowy River national parks and Avon Wilderness Park are subject parks, 16 other parks, 10 marine national parks and 10 marine to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in relation to the sanctuaries. cooperative management of the Australian Alps national parks (eleven parks and reserves in three states). During the year:

• 13 approved plans were released for 15 marine parks: Bunurong The MOU aims to promote cross-border cooperation in protecting and Bunurong, Point Hicks, Cape Howe, Ninety Mile and managing this highly significant conservation area. The AALC Beach, Port Phillip Heads, Twelve Apostles, Discovery Bay marine seeks to provide land managers with appropriate technical tools national parks and Beware Reef, The Arches, Merri, Marengo and sound scientific advice in management reports and strategies

20 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Pest plant management was again the largest program area within natural values management. to assist in achieving the objectives of the MOU in delivering • involvement in ‘Australian Alps National Landscapes’ candidacy best practice land management across the region. All participating and taking a lead role in facilitating cooperation between State, agencies have been active contributors to the AALC and regional and local tourism organisations, alpine resorts and Alps working groups. MOU agencies.

About every three years, the program manager position, along Best Practice Management with the program administration, rotates between the relevant Information and ideas were exchanged through a number agencies in NSW, Victoria and the ACT. Parks Victoria’s of meetings and workshops on topics including: duty ended on 30 June 2007 with the transfer of program management to ACT Parks, Conservation and Lands. • climate change research and management implications; • deer and wild dog control; The benefits of coordination and sharing of knowledge during • interpretation skills for Indigenous staff and community the year were achieved through the following projects. participants; and Promoting Community and Interagency Partnerships • alpine ecological rehabilitation. The Alps program continued to foster strategic partnerships Fire through: To assist community understanding of fire in the Australian Alps, • Indigenous interpretation training and employment program two publications have been developed and distributed under the supported by the Indigenous Coordination Centre, TAFE and auspices of the AALC; Remembering Lost Places and Fire History various Aboriginal traditional owner groups and communities of the Australian Alps. from around the Alps; •a ‘Keep Winter Cool’ global warming awareness campaign in Since the 2003 fires, agency staff have continued to work on joint conjunction with the Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council and responses to a number of issues, benefiting from work undertaken Australian Ski Areas Association; within the program on fire monitoring reference plots, rehabilitation techniques and monitoring, and pest plant and animal control. •a Science Management Climate Change forum run in conjunction with the IUCN network, which brought together experts and staff from Alps MOU agencies as well as DSE, Alpine Resorts and a range of tertiary institutions; • distribution of the new Australian Alps Ecological Rehabilitation Manual and Alps Invaders – a Field Guide to High Country Weeds to agency work centres, tertiary institutions, alpine resorts and CMAs around the Australian Alps; • undertaking futures thinking and strategic planning with both community and agency participants at the 21st anniversary celebration of the first signing of the MOU; and

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 21 CARING FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT (CONTINUED)

Roving the State

Andrew says that “Parks Victoria’s roving pest team works in partnership with our neighbours and communities, of which we are a part, to address shared problems.”

“The teams are highly visible,” he says. “Signs are used to indicate where they are operating, and the teams are fitted out with visible uniforms and use appropriately badged vehicles so that the community can become aware of the extent of pest plant and animal work undertaken by Parks Victoria.”

“The teams are a diverse group ranging in age from the 20s to early 60s with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Keith Spence of the team was once manager of Cobungra Station and has real feel for the problems facing Victoria’s high country in combating invasive exotic plants and animals.”

“The Otways team includes two Indigenous staff with great knowledge of the local area and a commitment to caring for country.” In 2006-07, Parks Victoria recruited some heavy-duty assistance as part of its ongoing program to control the spread of weeds and Parks Victoria manages 3.96 million hectares of protected public feral animals. land (about 17 per cent of the State), which means a lot of park boundary and a lot of neighbours. The roving teams add to our Field service officers based in Omeo, Bairnsdale, Foster, ongoing commitment of being a good neighbour and working Castlemaine, Ballarat and Forrest have been engaged on a in partnership with communities to control pest species. seasonal basis as part of a state government initiative to tackle the impact of weeds and pest animals on communities adjoining parks and reserves. Andrew Murphy, Program Coordinator, Pest Plant and Animal Management, coordinates the activities of the teams across the State.

22 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 The Birds Returned to Hattah

Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota floodplain, Hattah Lakes, and the Chowilla-Lindsay-Wallpolla floodplain. River Red Gums depend on periods of flooding, but the drought and irrigation demands have seen a dramatic reduction in the frequency of flooding. As a result, many River Red Gums – some hundreds of years old – have been showing signs of extreme stress, suffering dieback and leaf loss.

These conditions have also had a detrimental impact on the breeding cycles of waterbirds and fish. Now, according to Phil Murdoch, Ranger in Charge at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, the area’s flora and fauna have responded almost immediately to the welcome arrival of the water.

Phil says that rangers have recorded 30 bird species that haven’t been seen on the lakes for the past five years, including Teal, Wood and Blue-bill Ducks, the threatened Freckled Duck, and Nankeen Night Herons. Monitoring of waterways has also resulted in catching small Murray Cod and Silver Perch. After ten years of drought, the waterbirds have come back to Hattah-Kulkyne National Park lakes. A new emergency The emergency watering program began in autumn 2005 and was watering regime has seen vast quantities of water pumped into repeated in spring 2005 and in spring 2006. internationally important wetlands in the park, prompting the return of the birds in abundant numbers. Parks Victoria worked closely with the Mallee Catchment Management Authority and received welcome support from The watering regime is part of the Living Murray initiative, Mildura irrigators. which aims to improve the ecological condition of six iconic sites along the Murray River. Four of these sites include large areas of River Red Gum wetlands: the Barmah-Millewa floodplain, the

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 23 heritage

24 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 PROTECTING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

Parks Victoria manages the most extensive and diverse collection of cultural heritage places in the State; sites that evoke our past through images of Indigenous culture, early settlement, coastal shipping, colonial defence, mining, natural treasures and historic huts. Protecting our shared heritage enables us to learn from the past and help shape the future.

Indigenous heritage • traditional owners monitoring works projects for cultural heritage In March 2007, the Gunditjmara native title claim was settled, values at ; recognising the Gunditjmara as native title holders in south-west • cultural heritage investigations and/or subsurface testing Victoria. This historic settlement package provides for the undertaken at the Collins Settlement Site, Point Cook Coastal establishment of the Budj Bim Council as part of a cooperative Park and ; management agreement between the Gunditjmara and the State, • site protection works for Indigenous cultural values undertaken over Mount Eccles National Park. with traditional owners at Dinner Plain, Alpine National Park; and

Traditional owners including the North West Nations Aboriginal • signage acknowledging Aboriginal traditional ownership Corporation, Boon wurrung, , Bangerang, , erected at Plenty Gorge Parklands, Warrandyte State Park Alps, Otways Traditional Owner Reference Group and the Victorian and Dandenong Ranges National Park. Traditional Owners Land Justice Forum have been consulted on Parks Victoria’s Indigenous Partnership Strategy and Action Plan, Indigenous staff business opportunities and the new Aboriginal cultural heritage Indigenous recruitment increased with the number of Indigenous legislation. staff rising to 60, representing 6 per cent of Parks Victoria’s workforce and exceeding the 5 per cent target. Achievements The Indigenous Business Plan Framework and Castlemaine/ of the 2006-07 year included: Bendigo Goldfields Tourism Project were delivered in consultation • the first appointment of an Indigenous staff member to a senior with the Jarra Jarra People. The framework is openly available and management position with the appointment of an Indigenous can be used by Indigenous people to develop their business ideas District Chief Ranger; into business plans. • an Indigenous Interpretation Information and Education (II&E) Projects undertaken during the year in support of the protection Officer appointed, recently completing a digital three-day and management of Indigenous cultural heritage included: story-telling training program. This new process will be shared statewide with rangers for use in interpreting park values and • establishment of the Otways Traditional Owners Reference connections to the land for school students; Group. This reference group enables traditional owners from the Otways region to engage across all aspects of • under the Indigenous staff development program, eight park management, (including the Great Otway National Park); Indigenous staff members commenced Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management. Five Indigenous • completion of Stage 2 of the Plenty Gorge Bush Tucker Trail, community members have completed another three units including the installation of interpretive signs; towards their Certificate III in Conservation and Land • Parks Victoria participation in the Toolern Creek Cultural Management; Heritage Survey. Archaeological finds were registered with • forty-eight staff took part in cross-cultural awareness and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV), and the report will inform learning exchange programs delivered by elders and traditional negotiations with the Shire of Melton regarding the final owners alongside Parks Victoria staff; and boundary and associated master and management plans of the new Toolern Creek Park at Melton; • Parks Victoria and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria jointly managed the statewide Community Cultural Heritage Study Program. Most of the Indigenous community members participating in this program have already gained employment.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 25 PROTECTING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE (CONTINUED)

The Award Winning Dancing and the Devil Fire

recorded during the survey, tripling the number of previous recorded sites. “What this overall survey illustrates, in site upon site upon site, is the incredible occupation of these areas. It was a lot broader, more widespread and a lot longer than previously thought,” he says.

The Post-Wildfire Indigenous Heritage Survey uncovered 163 artefact scatters containing stone flakes resulting from toolmaking activities. The largest of these sites measured more than 3.5 square kilometres and comprised hundreds of thousands of artefacts. Isolated artefacts, such as stone axes, were found at 127 sites and the survey teams also recorded quarries, grinding grooves, scarred trees and rock shelters. The survey covered 14 fire-affected areas in north-east Victoria and Gippsland.

Ricky Mullett, Parks Victoria’s Indigenous Cultural Heritage Team Leader whose father, Uncle Albert Mullett, is a Gunai Elder and a key member of the project, says Indigenous community Dancing with the Devil Fire – Uncovering the groups were heavily involved in the design of the project. At the Hidden History of the Alps. completion of the four-month survey the Indigenous participants felt a stronger sense of belonging and a greater respect for their In September 2006 the Parks Victoria DVD, Dancing with the lands, he says. Devil Fire – Uncovering the Hidden History of the Alps, gained an Interpretation Australia Association National Award for Excellence James Hackel says the partnerships that Parks Victoria and DSE in Heritage Interpretation. established with so many Indigenous groups was the project’s biggest legacy. “Communities are now much more familiar with The project’s origins stretch back to 2003. In the aftermath of the way land managers do business and we’re more familiar the alpine fires, the bare earth revealed Indigenous sites which with what they do. People who weren’t previously exposed to proved that the harsh environment was no deterrent to Indigenous Indigenous issues or cultural heritage certainly had a huge wake-up people. James Hackel, Parks Victoria’s Program Coordinator for call and came away with a greater understanding,” he says. Indigenous Cultural Heritage, says 325 Indigenous sites were

Caption.

26 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Keeping it in the Family

The team carried out site inspections on about 50 registered cultural sites, which consisted mostly of rock art shelters, scarred trees and stone artefact scatters. Many of these sites had not been visited for 20 to 30 years and some could not be found because the locations had earlier been poorly mapped.

Suzy and Damien’s cultural survey work gave them an opportunity not only to connect as colleagues for the first time, but also to connect with the land in an even stronger way. “This ‘connection to country’ that we talk about refers not only to archaeological artefacts, but also to the cultural landscape, the significant and sacred landscape features, the mythological associations with a place, or the location of a spirit being, all of which remain strong today,” says Suzy.

Damien and Suzy began work at Parks Victoria within a year of each other, Suzy as an information officer on the front desk and Damien and Suzy Skurrie. Damien as one of the first Indigenous ranger recruits. Damien began his work life at 16 at the Brambuk Cultural Centre in Halls Gap and as a summer ranger with Parks Victoria. Meanwhile, After the fires that swept through Gariwerd (the Grampians) early Suzy struggled with ill health, which culminated in a major transplant last year, a mother and son walked lightly through the silhouette operation just a year after she started at Parks Victoria. country of burnt-out bush in the footsteps of their ancestors. Suzy and Damien Skurrie were conducting a post-fire project as members “I’d been sick since Damien was about 15 and he’s had to grow of the Indigenous Cultural Values team. Suzy is a cultural heritage up being looked after by other families. But throughout it all, he ranger based in Halls Gap, while Damien, a ranger in Little Desert stayed focused on achieving his work and career goals. Am I National Park, was seconded to Gariwerd to participate in the proud of him? God, yeah. During his six years with Parks Victoria project and do other post-fire rehabilitation work. The team’s he’s really looked up to Levi Lovett (Parks Victoria’s team leader work involved revisiting known Indigenous cultural sites, mapping for Indigenous cultural heritage in West Region) as his mentor, but them accurately, recording damage and searching for previously what I’ve loved is how he’s fulfilling that role today for other young unrecorded areas of Aboriginal occupation or use. Indigenous people,” Suzy says.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 27 PROTECTING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE (CONTINUED)

Non-Indigenous heritage •At Mount Buffalo National Park, due to the threat of bushfire in Parks Victoria continued to protect, maintain and present the Mount Buffalo Plateau area in September 2006, the most non-Indigenous heritage sites within the parks estate. As in significant items in the movable heritage collection held at the previous years, the primary goal of the management of the large Mount Buffalo Chalet were moved to Bright. The items were and diverse range of heritage assets is to preserve their integrity returned to the Chalet after the threat subsided. through a program of maintenance and other conservation works, • Cataloguing and conservation work on movable heritage and through raising public awareness of the heritage values of collections was carried out by international and Conservation these places. There was a reduced program as a consequence Volunteers Association volunteers, staff and friends groups of the fires. However, there were several highlights in the in Grampians National Park, Wilsons Promontory Lightstation, management of heritage areas, detailed below. Andersons and Days Mills, and the homesteads at Nyerimilang Park and Woodlands Historic Park. • Point Nepean National Park: the first stage of opening the •Volunteer projects in partnership with Conservation Volunteers former Pearce Barracks site to the public, including the removal Australia to clear rampant undergrowth were carried out on of the asbestos-clad superstructures of the Barracks building several recently acquired heritage sites on the outer fringes ruins, was completed. This has created a safe site for the of Melbourne, including historic mill sites in Plenty Gorge development of visitor interpretation of the barracks. Preparation Parklands and a miner’s cottage in the Warrandyte-Kinglake of plans for interpretation development was also completed, Nature Conservation Reserve. with input from a stakeholder focus group, for implementation in 2007-08. • In the Alpine National National Park, the Great Divide Fires burnt three historic huts in the park. Weston’s, Bluff and •Great Otway National Park: a draft Heritage Action Plan and Ritchie’s Huts were destroyed. A community consultation environmental history of the Great Otway National Park was process involved stakeholders including the Victorian High prepared as part of the new park’s management planning Country Huts Association in discussion about the possibility process. of rebuilding the huts. •Woodlands Historic Park’s ‘Living Legends, the International • Heritage Maintenance Plans were prepared for the Wattle Park Home of Rest for Champion Racehorses’ was officially Chalet and . opened on 31 October 2006. A not-for-profit organisation leases paddocks and the Woodlands Homestead complex • In the Mount Wills Historic Area, the large Maud mines battery as a retirement home for champion racehorses, allowing shed, severely damaged in the 2003 Alpine fires, was stabilised, the public to see the horses as part of their visit to the park. and the destroyed shed at the nearby Yellow Girl battery was replaced with a new protective canopy. •Victorian Heritage Grants Program grants funded a number of key conservation projects across the State, including repairs to • In Port Campbell, the asbestos cement sheet roof of the Port the roof and wall cladding of the Wattle Gully Mine Battery Shed Campbell rocket shed was replaced with double-dipped in Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, repair works galvanised iron. Timber work including fascia boards, eaves at Walkerville and Bell Point Lime Kilns (Cape Liptrap Coastal and shingles was repaired, and the original entrance sliding Park), the replacement of historic tram body shelters at Wattle doors reinstated. Park, and a structural report on the entrance arch at Buchan Caves Reserve. A further grant funded repair works to Fry’s Hut in the Howqua Hills Historic Area. This grant was used to purchase materials which supported the volunteer labour provided by the Victorian High Country Huts Association. • Grants from both Commonwealth and Victorian heritage programs funded replacement of corroded roofs and guttering on the lighthouse keeper’s cottages at Point Hicks Lightstation.

28 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park

In September 2006, it was announced that the Government was seeking World Heritage listing of the Victorian Goldfields, focusing on the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. This follows the National Heritage listing of the park in 2005.

Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park is considered to be the most outstanding gold rush era site in Australia in terms of the diversity of types, integrity and time-depth of its collection of mining sites.

Gold was discovered in the Castlemaine area in 1851 and was first won from surface or shallow workings, mostly by panning or cradling. These alluvial methods were followed by the use of horse-powered puddling machines and larger scale quartz reef mining and crushing batteries.

Mining and exploration in the area continue today, although the numbers of mines and miners have greatly declined. Relics of former mining activities scattered throughout the park include old shafts, tunnels and open cut mines, water races, building ruins, machinery foundations and abandoned machinery.

New home of rest for champion horses

Living Legends, the International Home of Rest for Champion Horses at Woodlands Historic Park in Greenvale, opened on 31 October 2006.

The product of a lease agreement between Parks Victoria and the Trustees of Living Legends, the Home of Rest comprises (in addition to the horses) the famous historic Woodlands homestead and its gardens which will house an exhibition of retired equine legends and a historic display of horse racing memorabilia.

Cox Plate winner Fields of Omagh, Saintly, Might and Power, Doriemus, Better Loosen Up, Rogan Josh, Paris Lane, Juggler and Sub Zero were all ‘in residence’ on opening day with guest appearances by Sub Zero and some of Australia’s other racing icons, along with the Carlton Draught Clydesdale team.

Information on Living Legends, including opening times, can be found at www.livinglegends.org.au. Entry is free.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 29 healthy people

30 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 ENHANCING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Parks Victoria is responsible for sustainably managing much of the recreational infrastructure in parks and waterways across the State. The provision of information services, educational programs and interpretation also contributes to visitor enjoyment. Parks Victoria encourages Victorians to take an active role in the management of parks and reserves through our community engagement and volunteer programs. It is also the major provider of nature based tourism in the State.

Tourism The annual workshop for Parks Victoria LTO Business Contact Nature Based Tourism Strategy 2007-11 Officers was held during the first Parks Victoria Tourism Forum at Werribee in May 2007. In partnership with Tourism Victoria and DSE, the Draft Nature Based Tourism Strategy 2007-11 was released for public comment. Parks Victoria supplied regular updates to LTOs during the fire This strategy seeks to establish a ‘whole of government’ coordinated situation and supported affected operators, making alternative approach to support the development of nature-based tourism in arrangements for their operations during the fires. Victoria. A Communications and Education Plan for the strategy was also completed to help regional communities, the industry Staff worked closely with the Department of Human Services and other stakeholders understand the impacts and opportunities Statewide, North East and Gippsland recovery committees and likely to arise from a greater focus and to make input on community recovery initiatives, including production of a series nature-based tourism in Victoria. of ten radio promotions to encourage visitors to come to the fire-affected areas. Great Ocean Walk Parks Victoria continued with the cooperative marketing agreement Parks Victoria continued to contribute to ongoing projects with Great Ocean Road Marketing Inc., producing a kit of promotional including the DSE-managed Public Land Tour Operator Licensing materials, including a brochure and media kit and new historical System project. The Directions Paper, Public Land Tour Operator fact sheet. The Great Ocean Walk was profiled on Postcards and and Activity Provider Licence Reform Project, was released in Coxy’s Big Break and in an Australian Geographic Magazine feature. February 2006.

On the walk itself, there has been significant track maintenance, Twelve fire-affected tour operators assisted Parks Victoria in an increased number of customer service operators, bridge visitor site assessment, offering an experienced resource for construction, signage (made from recycled materials) at all camping Parks Victoria, some income for the operators and an enhanced sites, motorbike exclusion bollards, stone step construction, GPS/GIS appreciation and understanding of the bushfire return and track distance measuring and many other projects to enhance the recovery effort for all parties. visitor experience. Forums and conferences Licensed Tour Operators Parks Victoria attended the Adventure Tourism Forum held in Licensed Tour Operators (LTOs) play a key role in promoting Marysville in June 2007. Convened by Tourism Alliance, the focus access to the Parks Victoria managed estate, promoting park was on the marketing and co-ordination of the adventure tourism values and appropriate use, and encouraging tourism and segment. Workshops focused on becoming internationally ready, recreation in Victoria. doing business online and going green.

As at 30 June 2006, 239 tour operators were licensed to conduct For the fifth successive year, Parks Victoria attended the Australian a range of guided activities in areas managed by Parks Victoria Tourism Exchange, Australia’s premier international tourism trade and in DSE-managed state forest. During 2006-07, Parks Victoria event. For this year’s exchange, held in Brisbane, Parks Victoria also licensed 28 landscape photographers. developed a 12-page A4 colour brochure to market and promote tour operators and commercial operators operating on public land. All LTOs met government public liability Insurance requirements. Operators received new electronic Parks Victoria updates including information about special initiatives, projects and licence renewal, with a new streamlined electronic form.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 31 ENHANCING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)

The Parks Victoria Wilderness Retreats

experience close-to-nature bush camping with some ‘creature comforts’.

Five accommodation tents and a communal kitchen (also a tent) have been installed in secluded areas of the campgrounds at both Buchan and Cape Conran, with dedicated toilet and shower facilities close by.

Parks Victoria’s Senior Commercial Development Officer, Rob Black, says the new Wilderness Retreats ‘touch the earth lightly’ as the tents sit on innovative modular galvanised steel frames that require no concrete footings.

“They could become very popular for people doing the Melbourne- coastal drive, for example,” says Rob. “And for couples and small family/social groups who do go camping, it’s a chance to enjoy an experience that’s a bit special and a little different.

“We think these retreats will also have a lot of appeal to Lovers of the great outdoors often say that the best sleep you can international visitors looking to really immerse themselves in our have is under canvas. Now everyone can enjoy these pleasures, natural areas but who don’t want to carry all the stuff for camping. even those unaccustomed to camping, as Parks Victoria brings For interstate or international visitors one motel room can start to the romance of the safari to two of Victoria’s most scenic locations. look exactly the same as another, but to stay in a Parks Victoria The East Gippsland Parks Victoria Wilderness Retreats, at Buchan Wilderness Retreat in a wonderful park setting is really a unique Caves Reserve and Cape Conran Coastal Park, allow visitors to experience.”

Visits to parks Metropolitan park visits increased to 15.2 million in 2006-07. This There were 76.1 million visits to the Parks Victoria estate in 2006-07, increase was mainly from Melburnians and occurred only in the the total number of park visits totalling 45.3 million. Although this summer and autumn quarters (January to June 2007), and may was an increase of 2.6 million park visits from 2004-05, it was also be attributed to the consistently fine weather. There were within normal sampling variation and therefore does not represent nearly 1.525 million more visits from Metropolitan Melbourne to a real change in visitation. The results did not show a significant major metropolitan parks. This was offset by 288,000 fewer visits decline in the face of the widespread bushfires in 2006-07. from regional Victoria, which was statistically significant (or a real reduction), and 243,000 fewer visits from interstate, which was National park visits increased to 30.1 million in 2006-07. This not statistically significant. There was no significant change in increase was mainly from Melburnians with increases occurring percentages of those undertaking specific activities in major in all quarters but particularly in summer and autumn (January to metropolitan parks over the year. June 2007). There were 1.983 million more visits from metropolitan Melbourne to national parks, but this was offset by 364,000 fewer Visitor number research was completed for visits and overnight visits from interstate. stays at the Alpine National Park with associated alpine resorts. Major metropolitan rivers were also monitored to investigate the There was a significant decrease in the percentage of people nature of visits and assist planning. Alpine results indicated that staying in parks overnight, particularly Victorians. This was despite the bushfires, the Alpine National Park received nearly the only significant change in visitation. These results suggest 0.5 million visits with a similar number of overnight stays, totalling that unlike the decline in 2002-03 due to bushfires, the bushfires just over a million visit-days throughout the year. Results on the in 2006-07 had local but no overall effect on park-visitation. major metropolitan rivers show that ‘on-water’ activity has grown to 6.1 million visits in 2006-07 since 2001-02. This represents

32 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 an extraordinary increase of 9.4 per cent per annum. Major • Parks Victoria successfully negotiated with a developer the metropolitan river data are not included in the total venues construction of 500 metres of shared trail in Plenty Gorge visitation for Parks Victoria. Parklands. The trail allows residents in the adjacent subdivision to enjoy a previously inaccessible area of the park. The Visitor Satisfaction Monitor is an on-site survey conducted • Parks Victoria purchased 100 hectares for the biennially during summer and, for some Alpine areas, in winter or Parklands, which creates essential habitat and trail linkages and spring. It is designed to provide a reliable quality measure of visitor forms a major recreational node. experience. The survey was not conducted in 2006-07 but will be in 2007-08. •A significant parcel of land for the Berwick Area Parklands was acquired. External boundary fencing and internal creek and The Community Perception Monitor, a telephone survey of 1,000 wetland protection fencing have been completed and weed Victorians, is also conducted in alternate years. It gathers information control works commenced. from the community about how they rate Parks Victoria and its •A visual landscape assessment of the Williamstown Foreshore management of the State. This survey was not conducted during and a review of the fairways analysis commenced. This will form 2006-07, but will be in 2007-08. a basis for assessing current planning applications. A Steering Committee has also been established. Improving and developing facilities • After nearly two years of negotiation, work has started on •A major $4.2 million development in the Grampians National the 9km of ‘shared use’ trail through the Dandenong Valley Park at Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre, was Parklands. The new path is part of the $2 billion Eastlink project, completed. This includes a dramatic new precinct entry building, which will include a path adjoining the main freeway. Work landscaped activity areas and state-of-the-art information and has included vegetation clearance and the installation of interpretive displays. a Phytophthora cinnamomi treatment facility and new • New park development continued at Point Gellibrand, including drainage culverts. decontamination works, landscaping and path construction, • Parks Victoria received a $100,000 grant for the Living Regions site interpretation facilities, and construction of a toilet block. Living Suburbs program for the Tarago Reservoir Park to upgrade •Great Otway National Park – installation of a walking bridge facilities for visitors with limited mobility. to completed works at Maits Rest. The development and •A total of 9,375 passengers used the shuttle service. upgrade of short walks and further improvements to the Operating from Federation Square to Docklands, the shuttle Great Ocean Walk, which is receiving increasing attention offered a regular scheduled ‘hop on hop off’ ferry service as one of Victoria’s icon walks. between key attractions on the Yarra during the summer months. • Albert Park renewal-works were undertaken, including oval In January 2007, the lessee of Mount Buffalo Chalet closed the works and irrigation to better conserve water. Road access and chalet. Parks Victoria appointed a project manager to oversee parking upgrades have been completed, with parking revenue planning for the long term future of the Chalet, which has involved now contributing to parkland improvements. community groups, government agencies and the tourism industry. • New and replacement toilet facilities were constructed at Cape Works were also carried out on skiing facilities and staff to ensure Conran Coastal Park, Tidal River (Wilsons Promontory National that Mount Buffalo was open for the winter snow season, the Park), Jells Pines (Dandenong Valley Parklands), Fernshaw importance of these increased by the loss of Cresta Lodge in (Yarra Ranges National Park) and Barrier Landing (Gippsland the fires. Lakes National Park). •Works were completed at Tidal River (Wilsons Promontory Maritime services National Park), including power supply upgrade (Stage 2), The 2006-07 year in maritime services included many achievements replacement of old amenity block, upgrade of cinema screen across the State detailed below: and cabin refurbishments. Power supplies have also been upgraded at . Power supply upgrades at Buchan St Kilda Harbour Redevelopment Caves Reserve and Point Hicks Lightstation are in progress. •A business case draft master plan (including the • The Wattle Park water main replacement has been completed. commencement of community consultation) was completed Waste water and sewage treatment plant improvements are with contributions from , DSE and in progress at Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre (Port Campbell Tourism Victoria. National Park) and Tidal River (Wilsons Promontory National • Pier condition assessment and a berth demand assessment Park). study commenced. •A major redevelopment of office was completed. Bellarine Safe Harbour Planning • In partnership with TransUrban and the Victorian Climbing Club, bouldering (climbing) walls were constructed under the City Link •Development of a master plan including assessments of existing Tollway in Burnley. infrastructure, coastal processes, natural environment, geology and geomorphology, landscape, and Indigenous and European cultural heritage.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 33 ENHANCING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)

• Following a condition report, the load rating on the Portarlington • – Heritage Hills Wetland Trail, Stage 1 ($92,500); Pier was reduced. Parks Victoria successfully obtained a • Shire of Yarra Ranges – Belgrave Station to Lysterfield Lake Regional Infrastructure Development Fund grant for almost Park ($100,000); $845,000 to complete urgent works and ultimately restore the load rating. • – Trail ($97,800); • Moreland City Council – ($63,211); The Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers • – Tail ($27,300); •A Draft Water and Land Access Plan for the Maribyrnong and • – Trail ($271,183); and Yarra Rivers was developed and presented to key government agencies for comment prior to Ministerial release for public • – Feasibility ($31,695). consultation. Bike trails for a livable city •The long term Sustainable Dredging Strategy for the two rivers was finalised and distributed for endorsement by DSE, EPA, Parks Victoria has continued to work with key partners and Melbourne Water and Port of Melbourne Corporation. stakeholders including local government, VicRoads and Bicycle Victoria in the delivery of the ‘bike trails for a livable city’ initiative •A River Traffic Management Plan for the Yarra and Maribyrnong which promotes the construction of new trails in developing areas, Rivers was completed by Parks Victoria and endorsed by improving the connection between existing trails, and linking Marine Safety Victoria, Port of Melbourne Corporation, City communities to places of work, activity centres and Melbourne’s of Melbourne and VicUrban. Further river traffic monitoring park network. was completed to assist in refining the vessel traffic model and directing strategies for vessel management on the Yarra River. Projects and their progress thus far include: Port Phillip and Western Port • Connection of the Trail to the . • The Draft Sandringham Foreshore Coastal Management Plan This will form a critical northern connection to the Main Yarra was completed and analysis of submissions following public Trail, allowing continuous off-road access to Melbourne’s CBD. consultation commenced. There has been extensive preparation for the application of a planning permit to relevant councils, and continued negotiations • Parks Victoria, with Mornington Shire Peninsula Council, with major stakeholders. commenced a joint planning process for the reconstruction of Flinders Pier and the council managed foreshore area, and • , . This will continue the appointed a consultant to prepare a Coastal Management Bay Trail to the west and offer recreation opportunities for the Plan to inform the development of a detailed master plan. rapidly growing Wyndham community. Detailed design is nearing Expressions of interest were sought for a community completion and will be finalised early in the 2007-08 financial year. reference group and workshop. • Bay Trail, Frankston. Serving the rapidly growing south-east, • Reconstruction of the outer approach at Portsea and this project will complete a coastal shared path from Port maintenance works on Altona Pier and Seaford Jetty Melbourne to Frankston. Construction of Stage 1 is awaiting commenced. Repairs to piles supporting the Point Lonsdale final planning approval. Pier were completed. • Capital City Trail Improvements. Improvements will include •A $250,000 replacement and maintenance program of over an alternate route for the Gipps Street steps, creating a safer 60 recreational navigation aids across Western Port was commuter link to the Melbourne CBD and improving the trail completed, including the replacement of unsound piles and for recreation use. The City of Yarra and Parks Victoria have fitting of the replacement top marks throughout Western Port. formed a working group to oversee the design and project management of a ramp to bypass the Gipps Street Bridge. Queenscliff Harbour • Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail Bridge. This project will • Stage 3 development plans for the Queenscliff Harbour retail build a bridge over the Maroondah Highway, connecting the buildings and promenade are nearing completion. A lease Lilydale train station to the popular trail. An architect has been commenced with Queenscliff Harbour Pty Ltd, which now appointed and Stage 1 of concept designing for the bridge independently operates and manages the harbour facility. has commenced. Pending negotiations, this project will move to more detailed designing, planning and implementation. 2006-07 Metropolitan Trail Network Grants program Regional tracks and trails In August 2006, the 2006-07 Metropolitan Trail Network Grants program was approved. Parks Victoria has participated in the Provincial Pathways Program Committee, chaired by Regional Development Victoria. The following significant projects have been completed in this The Committee oversees the approval of $8 million of funding financial year: with a focus on coastal walking trails and rail trails. Parks Victoria has been instrumental in ensuring that priorities for the Provincial • City of Casey – Hallam Main Drain Trail ($165,000); Pathways Fund are consistent with Victorian Trails Strategy actions. •City of Casey – Eumemmering to Dandenong Creeks ($31,750);

34 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Ensuring visitor safety for the new forest park. The Otways Landscape Community Works undertaken during 2006-07 to improve visitor facilities, Council was established, with Parks Victoria providing executive minimise the impact of visitors on park values, and increase the support. Parks Victoria worked with traditional owners and equity of access to all Victorians included: other Indigenous groups to define Indigenous aspirations under potential cooperative management arrangements. Management •implementing year four of the major works program for marine planning and planning for heritage conservation, visitor services national parks and marine sanctuaries, focusing on installing and tourism progressed. boundary markers and risk signage; •re-opening of the iconic Pinnacles Lookout trail in Grampians Merri Creek Park National Park following the January 2006 fires; The draft management plan is awaiting amendments before approval is sought. The final concept plan is in preparation •renewal of access structures at Koonya Beach (Mornington incorporating a review of trail connections following public Peninsula National Park), the Beeches and Badger Weir submissions. (Yarra Ranges National Park) and Mason Bay (Gippsland Lakes National Park), along with repairs and upgrades to lookouts Werribee Regional Park in the Alpine, Port Campbell and Bunurong national parks; Planning for this new park on the lower progressed • standards and legal compliance projects, including replacement to the point of master planning of facilities and services. Control of asbestos roof at Williamstown Port Melbourne Authority site, of pest animals and weeds, and other environmental works, and testing and associated works in accordance with safe were implemented in partnership with Melbourne Water. drinking water legislation; and •a two-year trial to improve the safety of rock fishing commenced Merri Creek Parklands (Craigieburn) with the installation of Angel Rings at sites on Bass Coast and Significant effort was directed to developing agreements with a in Wilsons Promontory National Park as recommended by Life wide range of parties who have landholdings within the proposed Saving Victoria. parklands including the municipalities of and Whittlesea, DSE, VicRoads and several private owners. A draft management Works to improve park access roads included the following. plan was released for public comment.

• Upgrading roads and tracks as part of the Public Land Fire Devilbend Reserve Establishment Initiative program (PLFI). Funding was allocated to 32 parks, Parks Victoria was appointed by the Government as a Committee including: of Management over the Devilbend Natural Features Reserve on - Alpine, Baw Baw, Croajingolong, Mount Buffalo, Lake Eildon, the Mornington Peninsula on land formerly owned by Melbourne and Grampians national parks; Water. New signage, transition of licences and leases, and planning for future uses with community groups was undertaken. - Mount Lawson, Barmah and Bunyip state parks; and - River Murray Reserve. Proposed Mullum Mullum Park •Projects under the annual Four Wheel Drive program in parks Parks Victoria commenced preparations for a new park to included: be created on State-owned land above the Eastlink tunnel in Mitcham, negotiating transitional arrangements with the Eastlink - Alpine, Kinglake, Lake Eildon, Yarra Ranges, Cape Conran, parties and establishing links with the surrounding municipalities Croajingolong, Mitchell River, Baw Baw, and Snowy River and community groups. national parks; and - Bunyip, Mount Samaria and Cathedral Ranges state parks. Bendigo, Macedon and Kurth Kiln regional parks These three regional parks were created by the National Parks Establishment of new parks Amendment Bill and proclaimed under the Crown Land (Reserves) Parks Victoria continued to implement government commitments Act 1978. to significantly expand Victoria’s parks system including new protected areas (national parks and conservation reserves) Point Gellibrand Historic Park and metropolitan parks in Melbourne. New parks at Werribee, Ann Street Bridge restoration works and landscaping were Merri Creek and Melton realise Parks Victoria’s Linking People completed and planting commenced. The construction of Battery and Places 2002 strategy which proposed new parks in Road and the Bay Trail and installation of interpretive signs was Melbourne’s growth areas. There was also an increased substantially completed, and planning for a playground commenced. focus directed to new parks servicing provincial cities including and Bendigo. Barwon River Parklands Work commenced to implement the Government’s commitment Great Otways National Park and Otways Forest Park to link existing parks and reserves along the Barwon River from The final year of the $7 million Otways Tourism Initiative was Geelong to Barwon Heads. A joint management group was completed with upgrades to several waterfall walks, Maits Rest established with the and other land visitor area, carparking at the Cape Otway lightstation and signage and water managers to improve collaboration and effectiveness.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 35 ENHANCING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)

Brochure and web information explaining the parklands initiative •A comprehensive information service for parks across the was published and all residents and landholders adjacent to the state was again offered through the 24-hour Information Centre parklands were notified. Concept planning for a proposed linking (telephone 13 1963). The service, which assisted 117,152 trail through the parklands commenced. callers and answered over 6,000 email enquiries, maintains current information about park conditions, temporary closures The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve (Frankston) and events, and allows emergency contact with an on-duty Some 220 hectares of land, formerly part of the Department of Parks Victoria staff member at all times to ensure visitor safety. Primary Industries research institute, was added to the Pines Flora • Parks Victoria’s website www.parkweb.vic.gov.au also supplied and Fauna Reserve. Parks Victoria commenced work on fauna a growing range of park and visitor information, receiving assessment of the land in partnership with DSE and the Southern 2,676,178 online visits. Parks Victoria’s free monthly email and Eastern Integrated Transport Authority which is investigating newsletter, Park Life, continued via free subscription from the proposed Frankston bypass. the website’s front page. Park Life now has a subscriber list of over 1,450. Informing and educating visitors • The manual ballot for the Christmas/New Year period at Tidal Parks Victoria continued to produce and distribute a wide range River (Wilsons Promontory National Park) was replaced with an of information to visitors and others interested in the parks across online ballot that commenced 1 June through to 31 July 2007. the State. The new system streamlined previous processes and offered enhanced levels of customer service. • Over 5,000 copies of the free Guide to Victoria’s Parks, Reserves and Waterways were distributed statewide. The guide • The ‘Park Stay’ online booking service was implemented, outlines visitor opportunities in all the key areas managed by Buchan Caves being the first site to go live. Parks Victoria. Distribution included mailouts to schools and statewide accredited visitor information centres. Interpretation • Some 35,000 copies of the new seasonal Parks Discovery In this year’s interpretation program, rangers and educators again magazine were distributed statewide. delivered information on a variety of park management issues including fire, Indigenous culture, balancing conservation and •Around 25,000 copies of eight new activity brochures were recreation needs, box-ironbark parks, marine national parks and distributed statewide. These brochures were developed to biodiversity. More than 40,000 people participated in ranger-led highlight the range of visitor opportunities and experiences interpretive programs in 2006-07. available in Victoria’s parks and reserves. They give details on destinations for four wheel driving, dog walking, horse Highlights included: riding, camping, cycling, walking and water activities such as snorkelling, swimming and scuba diving. • Grampians National Park interpretation sessions focusing on • Some 2,000 printed copies of the seasonal What’s On calendar threatened species management, including the Brush-tailed were distributed statewide. Rock Wallaby release and post-fire mammal trapping survey findings. Fire recovery interpretation continued to be popular • Parks Victoria has again supported the production of the with more than 1,653 visitors and community attending sessions; 2007 Victoria Cabin, Caravan and Camping Guide. This free publication contains detailed information on camping • numerous marine and coastal activities held across the State, opportunities, and 250,000 copies were distributed statewide. ranging from rockpool rambles at Merri Marine Sanctuary in the west to a new Junior Ranger Program activity ‘Secrets of the •Two pages of Parks Victoria promotional material were Sea’ at Wilsons Promontory National Park; included in Spatial Vision’s VicMap books. This is a series of five statewide topographic map books: Central, North West, • rangers at Organ Pipes National Park continued to lead a North East, South West, and South East. The books have been variety of walks, talks and tours with an environmental and adopted by Victoria’s emergency management sector and many geological focus, as did the Dharnya Centre (associated with government agencies, and offer the latest topographic mapping Barmah State Park), engaging children and families in the living available. culture of the Yorta Yorta people; • Parks Victoria Park Notes have been updated. The new designs • the inspirational inaugural International Youth Coastal allow for prominent recreational activities and facilities symbols Conference at Point Nepean National Park using the to be overprinted on the front page of each note to emphasise ‘kids teaching kids’ philosophy; the range of visitor opportunities available. •a photographic exhibition ‘Ladybird Ladybird’ by Jane • In September 2006, a new wall map of the Parks Victoria estate Davenport featured at the National Rhododendron Gardens, was produced, entitled Victoria’s Magnificent Park System. and Jane hosted ‘Artmology’, a photographic workshop for Copies have been distributed extensively to all Parks Victoria local students; offices, giving staff an up-to-date view of the Parks Victoria estate and operational boundaries.

36 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 • extensive promotion and information through events and • in collaboration with the People and Parks Foundation, the community festivals. These included the Royal Melbourne Grampians and Wilsons Promontory national parks again Show, the Melbourne Boat Show, Moomba Waterfest, Apollo hosted Variety – the Children’s Charity with the first camp for Bay Music Festival, Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon, Indigenous young people at the Grampians. Activities included the Queenscliff Music Festival and Marine Care Day in ranger-led walks and talks and abseiling with licensed tour Warrnambool; and operators; and • engaging and informative theatrical performances by ‘The Connies’ • several new school/park partnerships were initiated as part at over 60 festivals across the State including the Parks Victoria of Parks Victoria’s Environment Corps Program. Grants of up stand at the Royal Melbourne Show, the Queenscliff Music to $1,500 were used for a range of support resources for park Festival and Skandia Geelong. The Connies distributed over projects including provision of Environment Corps uniforms, 87,000 specially developed Parks Victoria swap cards. building greenhouses to breed leaf roller moths (released as biological weed control agents), and litter and weed removal Education in, and revegetation of, Herring Island. In line with the former Department of Education and Training’s curriculum guidelines, all Parks Victoria schools education programs Major events were amended to meet the Victorian Essential Learning Standards Parks Victoria participated in five major exhibitions during the year: for the key national park education centres. The programs continued • the Royal Melbourne Show; to engage students in hands-on learning opportunities in parks and to raise awareness of the parks’ natural and cultural values, • the National Four Wheel Drive Show and Melbourne Fishing with over 26,000 students participating in activities conducted Show and Outdoor Expo; at Dandenong Ranges (3,772), Grampians (6,573) and Wilsons • the Melbourne Boat Show; Promontory (6,119) national parks and (9,639). • The World’s Greatest Pram Stroll (partnered with the People and Parks Foundation) as part of our Healthy Parks Healthy People Planning has commenced to reinvigorate the Junior Ranger program; and Program which will include innovative online and in-park interpretation and education activities for children aged 5-12. • Bike Path Discovery Day (partnered with Bicycle Victoria) A new mascot ‘Ranger Roo’ has been developed for the program. as part of our Healthy Parks Healthy People program. Further initiatives include a website and children’s club along with a suite of ranger-led park activities. The displays at the Royal Melbourne Show and the National 4x4 showcased Discover Victoria’s Magnificent Parks – there’s so The education website www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/education much to do in our parks, encouraging visitors to learn about continued to be a major source of educational material for the variety of recreational opportunities available. Parks Victoria teachers, educators and students with new resources including participated in the 2006 Royal Melbourne Show for the seventh an ‘e-book’, celebrating the success of a ‘Marine Scientist for a consecutive year as part of the Victorian Government Expo Centre, Day program,’ and promoting Parks Victoria’s key education centres. with a display that attracted keen visitor interest.

Highlights of the education programs in 2006-07 included: We also hosted and supported community events across the State, including the second Wilderness Bike Ride, which traverses • development and distribution of a Marine Mapping Educational some of East Gippsland’s most spectacular and remote country, DVD and teacher CD resource featuring school students on the international surf competition Rip Curl Pro, hosted by Parks a journey to discover what lies beneath the waves in a marine Victoria at Bells Beach, and the Anaconda Adventure Race in national park. The accompanying teacher kit informs students Great Otway National Park. about Parks Victoria’s discoveries from its marine mapping program; (See breakout story page 39). Engaging and supporting the community • Parks Victoria was again represented on the Arbour Week Parks Victoria seeks to engage with communities, organisations steering committee in collaboration with the Natural Conservation and individuals across the State. The future of Victoria’s parks Resources League, Royal Botanic Gardens and Department relies on a strong community, capable of actively using and of Education and Training, facilitating on-site school plantings supporting parks in a range of ways. Parks Victoria strives to across the State and hosting a schools planting day support and encourage community participation understanding at Dandenong Ranges National Park; and appreciation of the value of parks across the Victoria. •a teachers’ education resource pack – ‘reducing your footprint’ Community inclusiveness – was developed as part of Parks Victoria’s carbon neutral program. The packs were distributed to participating schools in Parks Victoria recognises that certain sections of the community Horsham at the ‘make a change’ light bulb pack launch, as part are under-represented in park visitation, with a range of language, of the education and leadership role Parks Victoria has taken cultural and access barriers preventing their use of parks. Our on the subject of climate change; park management activities therefore include community programs which support people from all walks of life to visit and enjoy Victoria’s parks. Highlights include:

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 37 ENHANCING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)

Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award

Embracing the grandeur and history of Werribee Park, 21 finalist sculptures were again on display from March to May for the annual Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award.

The always engaging trip through the gardens featured a fascinating selection of work by Australia’s leading sculptors. This year's outdoor exhibition also celebrated Helen Lempriere’s centenary with a retrospective exhibition featuring 20 of her paintings, diaries and photographs from the 1940s through to the 1970s, displayed in the upstairs Mansion saloon.

Established to honour the philanthropic aspirations of the late Helen Lempriere and her husband Keith Wood, the bequest creates new opportunities for artistic excellence in Australian sculpture. Winning works from the annual Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award are now part of a permanent exhibition at the park. These winning works combined with a selection of finalist pieces from previous Lempriere Awards provide outstanding family visitor experience to Werribee Park. Peeled World 1, 2, 3 – Rae Bolotin.

Architect – Mike Taylor. Casualty Numbers – Jos Van Hulsen.

38 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Marine DVD

When Parks Victoria embarked on a project to map the undersea “The video footage that was taken as part of the mapping isn’t of floor of its marine national parks, literally thousands of hours of cinematographic quality, but it does show people the wonderful video images were collected. In 2006-07, Parks Victoria’s Manager things we found, whole new habitats,” says Anthony. “Even the Marine National Parks Research Programs , Dr Anthony Boxshall stuff that people knew about, like the big sponge gardens, we and Education Program Manager, Franca De Luca, came up with now have fantastic footage of them and you can explain them the idea to turn some of this material into an exciting newa DVD a bit better. The video footage served a scientific purpose, but for secondary school students. it’s also proved to be a great educational tool to show people what’s there.” As Anthony says: “We found all kinds of incredible stuff, the diversity and variety of the ecosystems out there is amazing. And the Franca is also delighted with the final product. “It’s an innovative information we collected fits perfectly into the secondary school and fun way to educate young people about the underwater curriculum. It’s relevant to Year 11 biology, for example, or wonders in Victoria's marine national parks and highlights marine Year 10 geography.” science as an exciting career opportunity. Every secondary school in Victoria will receive a copy of the DVD and an accompanying The DVD stars four high school students who have been given the CD with interactive activities for kids and teachers. Both are also task to find out about the state’s marine parks. accessible to the general public through our Information Centre 13 1963 or via our website, www.parkweb.vic.gov.au”

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 39 ENHANCING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)

• development of a multilingual Park note translated into 33 • more than 100 active volunteers from the Friends of the State languages, which welcomes visitors to Victoria’s park system Coal Mine contributing together over 5,200 hours. Volunteers as well as communicating vital visitor information; regularly undertake the replacement of mine timbers, general site maintenance or improvement projects, and shop retail sales • training for Parks Victoria Information Centre staff to increase at the Coal Mine each year. The Friends Group has been a vital their capacity to manage callers from non-English speaking partner at the mine since 1984; backgrounds, including the use of interpreter services; • Campground Host volunteers playing a valuable role in assisting •provision of park information to the Victorian Multicultural visitors in campgrounds by providing visitor orientation and park Commission and Department of Education and Training information and being a contact point for visitors and rangers Welcome to Victoria Kit which is distributed annually to during peak visitation periods in campgrounds. The Campground every new migrant child entering the education system; Host program operated at 16 campsites across the State and • Plenty Valley Arts Inc. in conjunction with the consisted of 70 volunteers contributing 3,900 hours; and Parks Victoria celebrated International Women’s Day and • Parks Victoria’s international volunteer program attracted Harmony Week with a festival showcasing cultural harmony 13 international students from France, the United Kingdom, through music. Around 300 people from diverse cultures and Canada, Germany and Spain. Students participated in various ages from the Whittlesea community attended the event; activities including pest plant removal, pest animal monitoring, • partnerships with the Victorian Multicultural Commission to revegetation, nursery propagation, customer service, track promote events in parks including a Harmony Day Walk at maintenance, pruning and archaeological cataloguing; and sponsorship of Celebrate our Cultural • the Victorian Malleefowl Recovery Group (VMRG) volunteers Diversity Week (see breakout story on page 43); and worked across a range of national parks and reserves in the •a new Volunteer Bilingual Park Guides program commencing Mallee, monitoring around 1,000 Malleefowl nest sites. The in partnership with Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE, group contributes significantly to scientific data on Malleefowl Merri Creek Management Committee, City of Whittlesea, status, and in 2006-07 recorded over 2,750 hours of volunteer Department for Victorian Communities (Office of Women’s activity. Policy) and Go For Your Life. The 11 graduating guides conduct tours in a second language including Turkish, Arabic, Community Group Grants Spanish, Macedonian, Sudanese and Greek to newly arrived Parks Victoria’s Community Group Grants are available to and culturally and linguistically diverse communities to assist community groups that wish to undertake projects related them in understanding and appreciating their local open to areas managed by Parks Victoria. Groups work in close spaces, flora and fauna. conjunction with local Parks Victoria staff in developing and implementing projects. Contributions by volunteers

Volunteers including friends groups, community associations, Altogether 168 projects were funded across the State in 2006-07, schools, special interest groups, corporate organisations and with funding totalling $709,200. Examples were: individual volunteers are vital partners supporting environmental and cultural values and visitor service in parks and reserves. •rehabilitation of cattle-damaged Bogong High Plains moss beds, and associated willow removal; and In 2006-07, volunteers contributed over 177,000 hours of voluntary •reducing the risk of weed introductions to national parks through work: 58 per cent of the volunteer contribution focused on natural raising awareness of plant invasiveness and sustainability resource management projects, 30 per cent on visitor service accreditation of nearby retail nurseries. related projects and 11 per cent on cultural values management. In addition to these projects, the Albert Park car parking strategy, Friends groups are the largest group type to volunteer across which began last year, has resulted in $100,000 grants to be Parks Victoria, contributing 46 per cent of all volunteer hours. shared among 14 sporting clubs. Examples of other generous and valued contributions by volunteers include: Partnerships •Ten volunteer groups achieving over 25 years of voluntary Parks Victoria’s vision of an outstanding parks and waterways service in parks and reserves. These were the Friends of system, protected and enhanced for people forever, cannot Kalimna Park, the Pioneers and Old Residents Association, be realised without the cooperation of the community. Genuine Friends of Kinglake, Friends of Woodlands Historic Park, Friends and inclusive participation builds a greater sense of community of Brisbane Ranges, Friends of Nyerimilang, Friends of Mount responsibility and belonging, significantly enhancing our ability Worth, Friends of Warrandyte, National Rhododendron Society to deliver this vision. and the Friends of the Great South West Walk;

40 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Parks Victoria’s partnerships span a broad range of environmental, • Parks Victoria’s Marketing and Education Manager was recreational, cultural heritage, commercial and research groups. seconded for three weeks in November 2006 to NSW Parks These partnerships offer valuable input into the strategy and and Wildlife to assist with the development of their Healthy delivery of park management objectives. Parks Victoria continued Parks Healthy People program. to enjoy strong relationships with Four Wheel Drive Victoria and its affiliated local clubs. Volunteer track clearing and maintenance, as People and Parks Foundation well a strategic input into reopening of fire affected areas are key During 2006-07, Parks Victoria continued to support the partnership achievements. People and Parks Foundation. The Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation focused on pioneering programs and supporting The pest animal management program partnership with Sporting research that will ultimately improve the physical, mental and social Shooters Association Australia – Victoria is continuing to expand health and well-being of people and ensure the sustainability of into other parks, and the Australian Deer Association has parks. The following are highlights from the past financial year. commenced deer population control programs. • The first Green Connections volunteer program commenced in As mentioned under Tourism, partnerships with Licensed Tour June with 50 hours invested in parks by corporate volunteers. Operators in the reopening of fire affected areas has again The Foundation will be managing this volunteer program next demonstrated the value of local knowledge in fire rehabilitation year with the expectation that funds raised from the program activities, and in addition operators promoted and supported will go back into ‘Growing Parks’ to support Park Victoria’s work. positive rehabilitation messages in the community. • Over 100 disadvantaged young people were supported by the Healthy Parks Healthy People Foundation, in conjunction with the Variety Club, to be involved in camps which gave them an experience of nature. During the year this highly successful program continued to develop. Parks Victoria has shared its Healthy Parks Healthy • Over 500 volunteer hours were spent with the Sea Search People (HPHP) ideas and program with other park management program which monitors Victoria’s marine national parks and agencies nationally and internationally. sanctuaries. Data from this program across 15 marine and coastal parks and reserves helps Parks Victoria to manage The following promotional activities were highlights of the campaign these areas. during the year.

• Parks Victoria partnered with the People and Parks Foundation to host our Fifth World’s Greatest Pram Stroll on Saturday 7 October 2006 (see breakout story on page 42). • On Sunday 4 March 2007, an impressive 3,160 cyclists cycled through Melbourne’s parks and along bike trails as part of our third Bike Path Discovery Day. This free event, run in partnership with Bicycle Victoria, aims to increase awareness, knowledge and use of Victoria’s off-road trails and parks. There were three rides across Brimbank Park, Waterfront City, Balyang Sanctuary (Geelong), , Westerfolds Park, and , plus two rail trails – Lilydale to Warburton, and Murray to Mountains. • Our HPHP program encourages Victorians to visit and to value their parks by promoting the link between a healthy parks system, individuals and community health. Parks Victoria supported the 2006 Victorian Seniors Festival from 1-8 October, encouraging seniors to enjoy Victoria’s parks and join in a range of healthy activities across the State. •We showcased our national parks through a targeted television advertising campaign from 1-30 September 2006, which aimed to heighten awareness of the great diversity, quality and value of our parks. The commercials invited viewers to call the Parks Victoria Information Centre or visit the website for a free colour guide to help them plan their next visit to a park.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 41 ENHANCING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)

World’s Greatest Pram Stroll

At Albert Park, new families enjoyed a morning of socialising, exercising and entertainment while learning about Victoria’s many parks, support groups available and how to start their own regular pram stroll. The main event was held at Albert Park, and there were 23 other Pram Strolls across the State organised by Maternal and Child Health Coordinators and local councils, supported by Parks Victoria.

World champion swimmer and Pram Stroll attendee Linley Frame says, “I’ve found becoming a mum can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging times in your life.”

“Babies don’t come with a manual, but you can gain a lot of support from other mums by getting together and sharing your experience,” she says. “And what better way than taking a stroll in the park?”

This event is an annual component of the Parks Victoria Healthy Parks Healthy People program, supported by the People and The fifth annual World’s Greatest Pram Stroll was a huge success. Parks Foundation, and aims to draw attention to the risks of social On Saturday 7 October 2006, 24 parks across Victoria came alive isolation and post-natal depression for new mums and families. as over 5,000 mums, dads and their families came together for this inspiring day.

42 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Cultural Diversity Week

Cameroon, Ethiopian, Italian, Chinese, Greek and German communities. “This event is in its third year and there were repeat visitors from previous years, so our message that parks are to be enjoyed by everyone is getting out there,” Ross says.

Kerry Murphy, Parks Victoria’s Manager of Community Participation, says events like Cultural Diversity Week celebrations are among the many initiatives that Parks Victoria supports to bring more people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds into regional and metropolitan parks. “Our research shows that people from CALD backgrounds are under- represented in our visitor numbers,” she says.

“We therefore support a range of initiatives like field trips, translated park notes and a voluntary bilingual guides program to help CALD communities to become more familiar with parks. Our research suggests that some of the reasons CALD communities do not visit parks include people being uncertain of native animals, unsure of park facilities or even afraid of uniformed park rangers This year Plenty Valley Arts, the City of Whittlesea and Parks because they’ve had bad experiences in their home countries with Victoria combined celebrations for Cultural Diversity Week and uniformed authority figures.” International Women’s Day around a distinctly musical theme at Hawkstowe Park. For those enjoying the festivities at the park, it Kerry says events such as these will become increasingly was a chance to marvel at Melbourne’s cultural diversity. Ranger common as Parks Victoria and partners such as the People and Ross Mugavin says participants and visitors came from a wide Parks Foundation bring ethnically diverse groups into parks. range of backgrounds, with representation from the Sudanese,

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 43 managing

44 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 RESPONSIBLY MANAGING OUR RESOURCES

In order to be effective in our role as custodian of a magnificent collection of parks and reserves on behalf of all Victorians, Parks Victoria is committed to providing accountable management, developing staff, and incorporating the best of international park management practice into our daily work.

Park Victoria’s people The Board The Board, which consists of a Chairman and up to eight members, has ultimate responsibility for the governance of Parks Victoria and determines strategies and policies to be adopted. Members are appointed by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, for a period not exceeding three years, but are eligible for reappointment. The Board operates in accordance with the provisions of the Parks Victoria Act 1998.

The Board is responsible for directing and monitoring the business on behalf of the Minister and the State Government of Victoria. It delegates day-to-day responsibility for operations and administration to the Chief Executive and an executive team, which works closely with the Board. Members receive regular written management reports and presentations on corporate and business activities, The Board has overall responsibility for risk management. Parks and participate in site study tours, in addition to regular monthly Victoria has adopted a strategic approach to managing risk and meetings and committees to look at key issues like risk management has formulated a Risk Management Plan in line with Australian and tourism. These tours and meetings are designed to enhance standards which sets out the processes and framework for members’ knowledge of Parks Victoria’s business and assist them managing risk in a consistent manner across the organisation. in assessing the performance of the organisation. Remuneration and Human Resources Committee Chief Executive This Committee makes recommendations to the Board on key The Chief Executive is appointed by the Board following consultation human resources policies and issues, terms of employment for with the Minister. The Board reviews the performance of the executives and strategic workforce issues. Remuneration is set Chief Executive on an annual basis. at levels consistent with State Government policy. The committee, comprising Steve Hibbard (Committee Chair), Rob Gerrand, Board Committees Clarice Ballenden and Noel Harvey, meets bi-annually as required. Audit and Risk Management Committee Environment Committee The primary role of this Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for financial reporting, accounting, The Environment Committee provides frank and independent risk management systems, operational control practices and advice to assist Parks Victoria to develop a strategic and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. The Committee’s scientifically credible approach to the environmental management terms of reference include facilitating communication between of parks. During 2006-07 the committee comprised seven senior the internal and external auditors and the Board to maintain open scientists with environmental expertise (five external and two Board communication among the Board, auditors and management. members, Don Saunders and Sheree Marris). The committee met three times in 2006-07. A brief report is given to the Board after The Audit Committee comprised Rosemary Martin (Committee each meeting. The committee reports annually on major priorities Chair), Rob Gerrand, Steve Hibbard, Noel Harvey and Laurie for environmental management in parks. Cato-Smith (independent committee member from 27 January 2006 to 30 June 2007). The committee is supported by senior managers, internal and external auditors.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 45 RESPONSIBLY MANAGING OUR RESOURCES (CONTINUED)

Board Members

Rob Gerrand, BA, FAMI, FAICD (Chairman) Principal, Gerrand and Associates Mr Gerrand brings to the Board wide business experience in finance, transport, agriculture and telecommunications. He is a former General Manager, Group Public Affairs, at ANZ, where he also established the Group Marketing Division. He is a Director of the Financial Planning Association of Australia and of the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, a former Member of the Koorie Heritage Trust, a former Chair of Theatreworks, and founding President of the Monash Alumni Association. He is an Adjunct Professor at Deakin University and a published author. Mr Gerrand has been recognised widely for his achievements in public relations, receiving awards including the International Public Relations Association Golden World Award and the International Society of Business Communicators’ Golden Quill Award, positioning him as one of Australia’s leading communication strategists.

Clarice Ballenden BA (Hons) M.Ed. Ms Ballenden has diverse experience in education and training and works as an executive coach. She brings to the board strengths in business development, strategic planning, policy development, stakeholder communication and good governance. She established and managed a successful publishing and consulting business and has held senior management positions in the public service in training policy and in women in management. She also has experience as both a member and chair of boards of management.

Noel Harvey, OAM, MAICD Mr Harvey has had extensive experience in local government since 1991 with the Shires of Kyneton, Hepburn and Macedon Ranges and has served four terms as Mayor. He has a keen interest in community development throughout regional Victoria. Mr Harvey was Deputy Chairman of Coliban Regional Water Authority, Board member of North Central Catchment Management Authority, and Chairman of The Victorian Mineral Water Committee. He is a member of Victorian NAP/NHT Independent Advisory Panel and the Envirofund Victorian Assessment Panel. He was also awarded an Order of Australia in January 2004 for services to Local Government, Regional Victoria and the Community of Kyneton.

Steven Hibbard, BA, MBA Mr Hibbard’s principal area of expertise is in directing and managing small to medium enterprises. As former Chief Executive and Director of Lonely Planet Publications he also has extensive experience in the travel and publishing industries. He has a keen interest in responsible corporate practices, triple bottom line results and brand management. In addition to an assortment of advisory roles and directorships he is currently responsible for business development for the Executive MBA Program at Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne. In an earlier career he traded interest rate swaps and options in New York and London.

Ken King Dip. For., B.Sc (Hons) Executive Director, Land and Fire Management Division, Department of Sustainability and Environment Mr King is currently Executive Director, Land and Fire Management with the Department of Sustainability and Environment and was a Board Member of the Nature Park (1997-2003). He has had extensive experience in public land and natural resource management in the Victorian public service since 1974. Previously Regional Manager for the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands through to the former Department of Natural Resources and Environment in South Gippsland, North West and Port Phillip Regions, he was awarded the National Medal for Fire Services in 1989. Mr King is also a Board Member on the Country Fire Authority, the Habitat Trust and the Natural Resources Conservation League.

46 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Sheree Marris BSc Aquatic Scientist/Environmental Communicator An aquatic scientist who runs her own environmental communications consulting business called Visions of Blue, Ms Marris is committed to educating the community about peoples’ responsibilities towards the environment as well as making the environment fun, engaging and entertaining. In 2002, she won three Young Australian of the Year awards: the National Unilever Environment Award, Young Australian of the Year (Victoria) and Victorian Unilever Environment Award. Ms Marris has been commissioned by some of Australia’s leading national organisations to provide advice and initiate environmental projects on their behalf.

Rosemary Martin BA (Hons), LLB (Hons), LLM, MAICD Principal, Martin and McLean Lawyers Ms Martin brings to the Board extensive experience in environmental law and government, gained in both the public and private sectors. In the early 1990s she was a founding member of the Environment and Planning practice of a national law firm. On her return to Melbourne from Sydney, she worked with the (then) Department of Health and Community Services before taking up the role of Solicitor to the Environment Protection Authority (Vic). Ms Martin has since left the EPA and now runs her own legal firm, which advises on environmental law, public sector issues, governance and commercial law.

Lois Peeler An Aboriginal woman from the Yorta Yorta tribe, Ms Peeler has had extensive experience in the area of Aboriginal Affairs, having held senior positions within Federal and State Government departments managing Aboriginal Affairs, as well as at the Aboriginal community level, where she has been involved in the delivery of Aboriginal education, Aboriginal employment and training, and cultural heritage. Ms Peeler is Chairperson of Aboriginal Tourism Australia and Vice President of Worawa Aboriginal College.

Don Saunders, PSM, B.Agri Sc. Mr Saunders was Director of National Parks for 15 years from 1979, former Chairman of the LCC and ECC, and now works part-time as the Conservation Coordinator with the Bird Observers Club of Australia. He has been a member of the National Parks Advisory Council, Reference Area Advisory Committee, Murray Darling Basin Commission, National Landcare Advisory Committee, Commissioner for the Alpine Resorts Commission, and is currently a Trustee of the Trust for Nature and a member of the Birds Australia Threatened Species Committee. He has been awarded the Public Service Medal – Australia Day Award in 1996 for outstanding public service to the development and management of Victoria’s National Parks; the 1998 Parks Victoria Kookaburra Award for outstanding contribution to Victoria’s park system; the National Medal for fire services; and a Churchill Fellowship.

Board Members’ attendance Total Meeting Attendance 2006-07 Rob Gerrand 10 out of 12 Clarice Ballenden (a) 9 out of 9 Noel Harvey 10 out of 12 Steven Hibbard 12 out of 12 Ken King 11 out of 12 Sheree Marris 11 out of 12 Rosemary Martin 12 out of 12 Lois Peeler 9 out of 12 Don Saunders 11 out of 12 (a) Ms Ballenden joined the Board on 10 October 2006.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 47 RESPONSIBLY MANAGING OUR RESOURCES (CONTINUED)

Executive Management

Left to right: Di Kinsey, Andrew Minack, Mark Stone, Chris Rose, Geoff Vincent, Neil McCarthy, Jennifer Wolcott, Trevor Miles, Rod Newnham, Gerard O'Neill, Annie Volkering.

The Office of the Chief Executive provides executive support programs. The Division is also responsible for the precinct to the Board and Chief Executive and support to the Government management of commercial operations and the delivery of and Minister responsible for Parks Victoria. the $22 million capital infrastructure program.

The Parks and Marine Division manages the policy research, Commercial Business Division manages the strategic development strategic planning and organisation-wide programming for the and performance of Parks Victoria’s commercial operations. development of metropolitan parks, river and bay recreational facilities and services for the conservation, protection and Funding Project Team – The funding case project investigates enhancement of the natural and cultural values of the terrestrial the commercial potential in Parks Victoria, external funding and marine estate. In addition the Division is responsible for the opportunities and the development of a trust for corporate Indigenous Partnership Strategy and Action Plan. funding, and revisits the Parks and Reserves Trust.

The Corporate Strategy and Services Division manages Staff profile short and long term ‘whole of business’ corporate planning, As at 30 June 2007, Parks Victoria had 1,010 direct employees and manages human resources, governance, finance, information comprising full time, part time and fixed term. services, business management services, freedom of information and legal services, community and communications and tourism Parks Victoria expanded its Summer Ranger program from 33 to partnerships. 60 rangers to support both visitor services programs and business continuity during the 2006-07 fires. This additional employment The Regional Management Division manages five regions in of summer rangers allowed for increased availability of more the on-ground delivery of services throughout the estate, including experienced parks staff to fire-related duties. environmental and cultural values conservation, protection and enhancement programs, asset maintenance, fire and emergency services support, visitor and tourist services, and recreational

48 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Organisational chart Executive and State Regional Management Team

Mark Stone

Chief Executive

Di Kinsey

Executive Assistant

Gerard O’Neill Jennifer Wolcott Neil McCarthy Andrew Minack Geoff Vincent

General Manager General Manager Corporate General Manager General Manager Deputy Chief Executive Regional Management Strategy & Services Parks & Marine Business Partnerships

Ian Christie Brett Cheatley

Deputy General Manager Deputy General Manager & & Director Director Community, Tourism Fire & Emergency Services & Communication

Lisa Davis Margaret Gillespie

Director Capital Infrastructure Chief Legal Counsel

Annie Volkering

Regional Manager Melbourne Metro

Trevor Miles Chris Rose Stuart Ord Rod Newnham

Regional Manager Central Regional Manager East Regional Manager Regional Manager West City and Bays

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 49 RESPONSIBLY MANAGING OUR RESOURCES (CONTINUED)

Statement of workforce data OH&S and equal opportunity awareness sessions were run The breakdown of staff in 2006-07 is as follows: during the year for new staff joining the organisation. Programs to maintain currency in a range of required skills continued, including 2005-06 2006-07 four- wheel drive and chainsaw operations. Executive Officers (salary greater than $120,098*) 11# 15 Senior Management (salary less than $120,098*) 59 59 We continued our highly successful staff exchange program with Operational staff** 588 603 Parks Canada. Six Parks Victoria staff members in June 2007 Support staff*** 325 307 relocated to Canada for six months to work in a range of Canadian Finance staff 24 26 national parks. This follows the earlier successful staff exchange Total 1,005## 1,010 program where six staff had two rotations to Canada and six Canadian staff joined Parks Victoria for six-month seasonal terms Indigenous staff 51 60 working at key Victorian locations including Wilsons Promontory, Grampians and Mount Buffalo national parks. Male 683 687 Female 322 323 Indigenous recruitment and training Total 1,005 1,010 As at 30 June 2007, Parks Victoria had 60 Indigenous staff, *Remuneration figures represent base salary. representing over five per cent of the total workforce (excluding # This figure was incorrectly reported as 9 in 2005-06. casuals). Following a centralised recruitment program in 2006, ** Includes Rangers, Rangers in Charge, Team Leaders and Field Service six additional full-time appointments were made, including Ranger, Officers. Field Service Officer and Information Officer positions located at *** Includes administrative, planning and project management roles. Albert Park, Yarra Bend, Colac, , Macedon and Tidal River. ## Excludes casual employees. The new appointees are currently undertaking the Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management at Swinburne University. A Staff development further three seasonal ongoing Field Service Officer positions were filled at Bairnsdale and Forrest. A wide and varied program of training courses was conducted within Parks Victoria in 2006-07. This included technical skills Reward and recognition training, indigenous cross-cultural training and management skills Parks Victoria continued its program of recognising and rewarding training. Fire and emergency training continued to be a major the valuable contribution staff make through years of service. A priority as most staff were involved in some way in the massive range of items such as badges and certificates are presented to fire suppression effort. recognise staff with ten or more years of service. The program also recognises outstanding achievements by staff with the To enhance line manager skills for people management, a new presentation of staff awards annually. training program, ‘Effective Performance Conversations’, was developed and introduced. The objective of the program was to Equal Opportunity help managers (88 of whom attended) to manage performance effectively and develop confidence in having performance-related Parks Victoria continued its implementation of the three-year Equal conversations with staff. In addition to the training, associated Opportunity Management Plan to raise and maintain awareness and eliminate barriers to equal opportunity within the organisation. documentation including policies, procedures and a manager’s tool kit was developed in consultation with staff and unions with Organisational recovery/staff well-being a full rollout planned for 2007-08. Following the intensive emergency response effort during the fires Thirty staff attended the ‘Focus on Personal Leadership’ training of the 2006-07 summer, Parks Victoria implemented a Critical program. Twenty staff were trained in legal systems in order Incident and Organisational Recovery Program for staff. The major to become authorised officers, and a further 40 received legal objective of the program is to ensure the continued health and systems refresher training. Eighty staff received refresher training well-being of our staff both during and after major critical incidents. in Conflict Management and regional training continued to be a Parks Victoria recognised that, with climate change, such priority, focusing on first aid training (341 staff) and training in the responses are becoming more frequent, and that added staff operation of vehicles, vessels and plant (272). support is essential to ensure personal health and well-being.

Parks Victoria continued with its competency assessment program Occupational Health and Safety commenced in partnership with Swinburne University in 2005. The Parks Victoria has developed a draft corporate OH&S Strategy program was made available to all rangers, field service officers that formalises the process for OH&S and injury management and business support officers in October 2006. Sixty-five staff for the next three years. Key Objectives reflected within the plan have completed the program, and a further 47 are in progress. include a review of the ‘SafeAs’ Management System, improving The program enables staff to have their skills and knowledge the Statewide OH&S Network, continuous improvement in OH&S, assessed against national competency standards and to apply provision of OH&S training for all line managers, improved OH&S for qualifications at either Certificate III or Certificate IV level in reporting, improving the culture of OH&S within Parks Victoria, the applicable stream (mostly in Conservation and Land the ongoing program of asbestos risk management and improved Management). integration with DSE in relation to OH&S, especially in firefighting.

50 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Merit and equity • Parks Victoria was a member of the organising committee for The Public Administration Act 2004 specifies a number of the 7th International Walk 21 conference, 23-25 October 2006, employment and conduct principles that must be observed in Melbourne. Participation included presentations and a display by public sector organisations and their employees. on the Great Ocean Walk. •We were represented on the Victorian Bicycle Advisory Committee. Employers must ensure that: •We participated in and coordinated a mountain biking workshop • decisions are based on merit; in partnership with Parks and Leisure Australia at Anglesea and the You Yangs. • employees are treated fairly and reasonably; •We participated in a ‘whole of government’ steering committee, • equal employment opportunity is provided; and convened by Regional Development Victoria, to coordinate the •reasonable avenues of redress against unfair or unreasonable Provincial Pathways Program. treatment are available. •We participated in the National Ecotourism Conference held in Townsville in October 2006. Employees must: •We attended the inaugural Global Ecotourism Conference in • act with impartiality; Norway in May 2007. • display integrity, including avoiding real or apparent • Parks Victoria is currently assisting with planning for the 2007 conflicts of interest; National Ecotourism Conference to be held in Melbourne and • show accountability for actions; and several regional locations in November. •provide responsive service. •We participated in the Australian Tourism Exchange in Brisbane in May 2007, in support of trade companies from all major Organisational performance markets, Tourism Australia, Tourism Victoria and regional During the year we undertook initiatives to share best practice representatives. A targeted brochure highlighted national knowledge and take a leadership role in park management park experiences, Parks Victoria products and services and nationally and internationally. showcased 35 commercial tourism partners. • Parks Victoria was a significant sponsor and major presenter Participation with peak industry bodies and at the Victorian-hosted National Conference on Tourism Futures conferences in Melbourne, December 2006. During the year, Parks Victoria participated in the following park • Parks Victoria is the current chair of the National Tourism and management initiatives. Protected Area Managers Forum (TAPAF).

• Parks Victoria continued to contribute to the functioning of •We participated in the IUCN/World Commission on Protected Parks Forum (the Australasian peak body representing park Areas Mountain Conservation Workshop in South America in management organizations, established in April 2004) through November 2006. representation on its Board (as Chair) and Standing Committees. •A Parks Victoria representative was an invited keynote speaker •We supplied ongoing assistance with planning for the 2007 at the Adelaide Park Lands Symposium in November 2006. Parks Forum Biennial Conference to be held in Auckland, •We hosted the 17th Australasian Cave and Karst Management New Zealand, in May 2008. Association Conference at Buchan Caves Reserve in May 2007. •We presented on the Healthy Parks Healthy People program •We participated in the Joint Australasian Fire Authorities Council/ and the development of partnerships at the George Wright IFCAA, Bushfire CRC Conference, ‘Building our Legacy’ in Society Biennial Conference in USA in April 2007. We also met Melbourne, August 2006. with the California Institute of Public Affairs in conjunction with • Parks Victoria presented at the International Association Santa Monica Nature Conservancy and California State Parks. of Wildland Fire Conference in US, March 2006. Parks Victoria presented at the meeting with the California State Office on Healthy Parks Healthy People and its possible role •We participated in the Ninth International River Symposium in that state as a wellness initiative. 2006, ‘Managing Rivers with Climate Change and Expanding Populations’ in Brisbane in September 2006. •We presented a number of papers at the Parks and Leisure Australia National Conference in Sydney. • Parks Victoria presented at the East Asian Seas Congress in China in December 2006, in collaboration with DSE and •We worked in partnership with Parks and Leisure Australia to the Victorian Coastal Council. develop a series of professional development seminars for open space managers and planners, as outlined in the key outcomes •We participated in a study delegation (with IUCN/WCPA of Linking People and Spaces. representatives) to Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, including signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korean National Parks Service.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 51 RESPONSIBLY MANAGING OUR RESOURCES (CONTINUED)

Business Improvements As the majority of non-National Parks Act land tenures managed The Business Partnerships Division completed 26 leases, by Parks Victoria are classified as ‘Restricted Crown Land’ under 19 licences, 12 permits and 24 Section 27 Consent agreements the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990, in 2006-07. Parks Victoria is responsible for drafting the relevant Consent under Section 44 of the National Parks Act. In 2006-07, seven New leases and licences finalised during the year included applications for such consent were considered and subsequently the redevelopment of the Westerfolds Park Office, roofed granted, demonstrating the high level of involvement with proponents accommodation and camping services at Cape Conran, the prior to submission of applications. Of the seven applications for leasing of the Cape Schanck Lighthouse and the delivery of winter consent, six were for exploration activities and one for activities snow operations at Mount Buffalo National Park. These have all associated with existing mining operations. resulted in an improved product for the customer and cost efficiencies for Parks Victoria. As well as dealing with the development of proposed and current exploration and mining programs, some effort was directed during The annual adjustment of Parks Victoria’s unregulated fees and the year to site inspections, specifically at three proposed mining charges is complete. The fees have increased in accordance with sites and two existing quarries. No new authorities for quarrying government guidelines by approximately 2.5 per cent and were activities under the Extractive Industries Development Act 1995 approved in August 2007. They cover all discretionary services on Parks Victoria managed land were approved in 2006-07. such as camping, roofed accommodation and other value added services. In addition to Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 consent applications, Parks Victoria is also responsible Enforcement for administration of applications for consent under section 40 Approximately 250 Authorised Officers completed training in 2006 of the National Parks Act 1975. One application for consent for on the new Infringement Act and were subsequently issued with existing mine in the Alpine National Park to continue operation new infringement notice books. A total of 232 infringement notices was submitted during the year and at the year’s end was being were issued in 2006-07 in relation to prescribed offences, along considered by the Minister. One application for mineral exploration with 41 official warnings. in the Heathcote-Graytown National Park under section 40 was considered by Park Victoria but referred back to the proponent A new penalty was introduced for use of recreational fishing for further information. equipment in marine national parks and protected areas under the National Parks Act 1975. This has allowed Parks Victoria Our ecological footprint authorised officers to issue infringement notices for this offence. Parks Victoria became carbon neutral in 2006-07. A comprehensive audit and record-keeping system has been developed to ensure Parks Victoria officers submitted 36 prosecution briefs for 46 ongoing carbon neutral accreditation. As part of the initiative, offenders and included 98 charges. Some of the more serious all staff members, licensed tourism operators, several friends offences included possession of and discharging firearms in a groups and leaseholders were offered a box of energy-efficient park and one case of sowing a crop on a reserve. The majority light globes. Parks Victoria also implemented a mass residential of offences were illegal taking of firewood, lighting or maintaining energy efficiency program in Horsham that involved local school a fire and vehicles being off road. children distributing over 2,000 packs of light globes to households. Other sustainability initiatives included: The duck season for 2007 was cancelled by the Minister due to drought, so the usual joint compliance effort with Police and DSE • development and implementation of a standard design staff did not occur. procedure incorporating environmental sustainability principles for every capital project; Earth resources activities •procurement processes modified to ensure that environmentally The past 12 months have seen a decrease in the number of sustainable purchasing options are considered; mining companies submitting work plans for exploration and/or •video conferencing now a standard feature of routine meetings mining proposals under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable within the organisation, thus reducing kilometres travelled; Development) Act 1990 across various land tenures within the estate managed by Parks Victoria. • the Hattah work centre taken off the State electricity grid with the installation of photovoltaics, installation of three new water Parks Victoria staff consult with proponents and provide advice tanks, and other energy efficiency improvements; during the preparation of work plans, and comment on all draft • Parks Victoria actively involved in Victoria Litter Action Alliance work plans before approval by DPI. Around seven preliminary to implement whole of government action to reduce waste; work plans were submitted to Parks Victoria for information and •a partnership was initiated with Sustainability Victoria, the advice prior to formal consultation. Department for Victorian Communities (Employment Programs) and Neighbourhood Renewal to implement energy efficiency The majority of these work plans focus on the search for gold retrofits in Parks Victoria buildings near Neighbourhood Renewal within landscapes with a previous history of mining. Four of the sites through the Energy Task Force program; seven work plans considered were for exploration and the remaining three were for mining activities.

52 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 • water saving devices and signage installed at Wilsons Promontory Freedom of Information requests are made in writing describing National Park as part of a water conservation initiative. In the documents requested and including payment of the $22.00 comparison to 2006 levels, daily water consumption in Tidal application fee. Requests should be sent to: River was reduced by 69,000 litres per day to 198,000 litres; Freedom of Information Officer • Parks Victoria received funding to redirect stormwater into Albert Parks Victoria Park Lake. A retarding basin along the existing stormwater drain Telephone: 13 1963 or email: [email protected] will enable some 200 million litres of water to enter the lake. This will ensure that lake levels are sustained for recreational Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 purposes through periods of little rain, improve the quality of The Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 came into effect on water entering Port Phillip Bay, and allow the sustainable 1 January 2002. It is designed to protect people who disclose irrigation of playing fields within Albert Park; and information about serious wrongdoing within the Victorian Public •a program to reduce staff reliance on vehicles at Albert Park Sector and to provide a framework for the investigation of these commenced in February. Six bicycles were purchased for matters. park patrols and general transport around Albert and Westgate parks. To date the bicycles have collectively travelled over 1,500 Since the commencement of the Act in January 2002, kilometres, equating to a vehicle cost saving of over $1,000. no disclosures have been received by Parks Victoria.

Awards Parks Victoria has established a Whistleblowers Protection policy and organisational procedures for managing disclosures. Parks Victoria featured prominently in several prestigious tourism, Disclosures may also be made directly to the Ombudsman. The government and environmental award programs with a wide contact details for the Protected Disclosure Coordinator and range of projects nominated. The following were category winners Ombudsman are: and finalists. Protected Disclosure Coordinator • Interpretation Australia Associations National Award for C/o Chief Legal Counsel Excellence in Heritage Interpretation – Media Projects Parks Victoria (See breakout story on page 26). Telephone: 13 1963 • Innovation Award – Parks and Leisure Australia State Council The Ombudsman Victoria The State Mountain Bike Centre won the Annual Achievement Telephone: 9613 6222 or toll free 1800 806 314 award for innovation from the Parks and Leisure Australia State Council. John Goodman received the Award on behalf Building Act of Parks Victoria from PLA President Bruce Fordham. The All new works are managed in accordance with the State Mountain Bike Centre is located at , Building Act 1993, and existing buildings are assessed in and consists of the 6.4km competition trail used in the 2006 accordance with Parks Victoria’s asset management system. Commonwealth Games. • Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) Consultancies Dennis Matthews, Chief Ranger East Gippsland District was The total number of consultants engaged in 2006-07 was one awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) announced with a total value of $20,000. There were no consultancies over in the 2007 Australia Day Honours List. This national award $100,000. recognised Dennis’s distinguished service and leadership in the management of fire response and associated activities in forests Major contracts and parks in Gippsland, Victoria and the USA. Dennis has made Parks Victoria did not enter into any contracts greater than an outstanding and sustained contribution to fire management $10 million in value during the reporting period. and community safety as a Level 3 Incident Controller over the past 13 years, particularly in Gippsland during the 2002-03 and Additional Parks Victoria information 2006-07 fires. Other information relevant to the headings listed in Financial Reporting Direction 22B of the Financial Management Act 1994 Corporate compliance is retained by the accountable Parks Victoria officer and is Freedom of Information available to the Minister, Members of Parliament or the public The Freedom of Information Act 1982 allows the public the right of on request subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982. access to information contained in documents held by Parks Victoria. In the reporting period Parks Victoria received 14 requests for National Competition Policy documents and information under the Act. All were responded Competitive neutrality is a guiding principle of the National to in a timely and professional manner. Of the total requests Competition Policy and requires that government-owned received, two went to internal review. None are in the process businesses should compete with private sector businesses of an appeal hearing. on the same footing.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 53 RESPONSIBLY MANAGING OUR RESOURCES (CONTINUED)

Legislative framework Parks Victoria is responsible for managing: Under the Parks Victoria Act 1998, Parks Victoria’s responsibilities • all areas under the National Parks Act 1975 – 3.3 million hectares; are to provide services to the State and its agencies for the •reserved and unreserved Crown land including conservation management of parks, reserves and other land under the control and other reserves, metropolitan parks, regional parks and of the State. With the approval of the Minister, it may also provide historic areas; services to the owner of any other land used for public purposes for the management of that land. The Act requires that Parks •recreational and other activities on waterways land in the Victoria must not act in a way that is not environmentally sound metropolitan area as defined in the Water Industry Act 1994; in carrying out its functions. • piers and jetties in Port Phillip and Western Port and recreational boating on these bays pursuant to powers Overall arrangements regarding the relationships and responsibilities conferred on it as a port manager under the Port Services for the provision of services to the Department of Sustainability Act 1995. and Environment (DSE) are set down in the ‘Management Agreement 2001–2006’ between Parks Victoria and the Minister for Environment, •a number of other areas under leases or other arrangements the Minister for Planning and the Secretary to DSE. Parks Victoria’s (including Yarra Bend Park, land leased by Alcoa at Anglesea management services are delivered within State policy and and reservoir parks). contractual agreements, and in accordance with specific statutory responsibilities. Changes to areas managed Under the Management Service Agreement, the Minister may The Parks Victoria Act 1998 also allows Parks Victoria to act advise Parks Victoria of any addition to or deletion of land from as a committee of management of various reserves. It is currently the Register of Parks and Reserves managed by Parks Victoria. In appointed as the committee of management for a range of reserves 2006-07, the Minister made one such notification (October 2006) including Albert Park, Werribee Park, several gardens in the which resulted in 12 reserves coming under Parks Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges and piers and jetties in Port Phillip and management and a further 879 hectares of additions to parks and Western Port. reserves already managed by Parks Victoria. The largest single addition was 1,005 hectares of the new Devilbend Natural Parks Victoria participated in a number of regulation-making Features Reserve. projects that were progressed but not completed within the financial year, including National Parks (Fees and Charges) Seventeen reserves were formally removed from Parks Victoria’s (Amendment) Regulations 2006 and Yarra Bend Park Regulations. management.

As of 30 June 2007 Parks Victoria managed five fewer reserves than at 30 June 2006, but with the total area managed increasing marginally by 537 hectares.

54 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Annual Report Corporate Performance Measures

Result Against Target Indicator 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Missed Met Exceeded

Quantity Area treated in parks to eradicate Target 400-450 780 700 •• or control pest plants and animals Actual 684.7 1,126 928 (ha 000’s) National Park Act parks schedules Target 75 65 1 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 with approved Actual 57 68 58 • management plans less than 10 years old (per cent) Victorians who have visited a Target 71-76 71-76 75-80 Parks Victoria managed park over Actual 81 79 nm the past 12 months (per cent) (Biennial measure) Parks Victoria personnel required Target 625 625 850 • to assist in wildfire preparedness Actual 625 648 850 and suppression (number) Training days per employee (number) Target 10 10 10 • Actual 10 10 10 Proportion of Indigenous staff Target 5 6 • (per cent) Actual 5 6 Incident Rate (OHS Incidents/staff) Target 16 16 16 • (per cent) Actual 18 19 15 Percentage of bay assets with Target 80-85 80-85 80-85 •2 greater than five years life expectancy Actual 83 82 78 (per cent) Length of 2WD drive roads maintained Target 70-75 80 80-85 •3 in ‘fair’ to ‘good’ condition (per cent) Actual 85 80 65 Compliance with Model of Cover Target 100 100 100 • requirements (per cent) Actual 100 100 100

1. A large number of plans (29) reached the 10 year threshold in 2006-07. This volume of plan reviews cannot be processed in one year. 2. Bays Major Works program partially delayed. 3. Approximately 1,600km of roads were damaged during 2006-07 fire season.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 55 RESPONSIBLY MANAGING OUR RESOURCES (CONTINUED)

The 2006-07 Annual Report of the Parks Victoria is prepared in accordance with all relevant Victorian legislation. This index has been prepared to facilitate identification of the Department’s compliance with statutory disclosure requirements.

Financial Reporting Direction Disclosure Page

22B Manner of establishment and the relevant Ministers 2 22B Objectives, functions, powers and duties 2 22B Nature and range of services provided 2 22B Organisational structure, names and functional areas of responsibility of senior officers 48, 49 22B Names of board members 46, 47 22B Statement of workforce data for current and previous financial year 50 22B Merit and equity 51 15A Executive officer disclosures 50 22B Five year summary of the financial results 59 22B Significant changes in financial position during the year 59 22B Objectives and performance against objectives 55 22B Major changes or factors affecting performance 3, 4, 5 22B Subsequent events which will affect operations in future years 4, 5 22B Details of consultancies > $100,000 and total no. and cost < $100,000 53 12 Disclosure of major contracts 53 22B Application and operation of Freedom of Information Act 1982 53 22B Application and operation of the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 53 22B Compliance with building and maintenance provisions of Building Act 1993 53 22B Statement on National Competition Policy 53 22B Occupational Health and Safety 50 10 Disclosure index 55 22B Statement of availability of other information 53

56 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 57 FINANCIAL REPORT

59 Financial Review of Operations and Financial Condition 60 Auditor’s Report 62 Operating Statement 63 Balance Sheet 64 Statement of Changes in Equity 65 Cash Flow Statement 66 Notes to the Financial Statements 87 Statutory Certificate

58 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 FINANCIAL REVIEW OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 Five Year Financial Summary $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Total Income 158,863 148,785 136,825 118,305 127,632

Net Operating Result before asset transfers * (4,644) (3,554) (11,123) (5,424) (1,891)

Net Operating Result (4,029) (27,586) (9,074) (10,771) (889)

Net Cash Flow from Operations (1,678) 9,620 1,650 (2,724) 7,215

Total Assets 1,020,278 948,770 969,524 934,402 846,688

Total Liabilities 49,020 43,702 38,383 26,768 28,807 * Excludes assets transferred free of charge between Government organisations.

Significant aspects of this year’s results were:

• Parks Victoria undertook a formal asset revaluation during the year which resulted in a $65.2 million increase in fixed assets.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 59 AUDITOR’S REPORT

60 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 61 OPERATING STATEMENT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007

2007 2006 Notes $’000 $’000

Continuing Operations

INCOME Revenue Parks and Reserves Trust funding 3 61,337 60,388 Government funding 4 65,369 61,940 Other revenue 5 30,103 24,509 Assets received free of charge 6 615 520*

Total Revenue 157,424 147,357

Other Income

Interest revenue 1,439 1,428

Total Income 158,863 148,785

EXPENSES Operations 7 156,272 145,617 Parks Victoria Grants Program 8 1,741 1,513 Assets provided free of charge 9 0 24,552* Finance costs 10 41 27 Depreciation 11 4,838 4,662

Total Expenses 162,892 176,371

Net Result for the Period 22 (4,029) (27,586)*

* The net loss for the 2006 financial year includes substantial asset transfers, refer notes 6 and 9.

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

62 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE 2007

2007 2006 Notes $’000 $’000

Current Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents 12 12,960 12,913 Receivables 13 11,951 4,632 Inventories 14 246 233 Other Current Assets 15 151 238

Total Current Assets 25,308 18,016

Non-Current Assets Receivables 13 100 99 Property, Plant and Equipment 16 994,870 930,655

Total Non-Current Assets 994,970 930,754

Total Assets 1,020,278 948,770

Current Liabilities Payables 17 15,834 16,015 Provisions 18 22,631 20,760 Deferred revenue 19 7,128 3,021

Total Current Liabilities 45,593 39,796

Non-Current Liabilities Provisions 18 1,813 2,005 Deferred revenue 19 1,614 1,901

Total Non-Current Liabilities 3,427 3,906

Total Liabilities 49,020 43,702

Net Assets 971,258 905,068

Equity Contributed Capital 20 289,096 284,056 Reserves 21 717,354 652,175 Accumulated Surplus/(Deficit) 22 (35,192) (31,163)

Total Equity 971,258 905,068

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 63 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007

2007 2006 Notes $’000 $’000

Total equity at the beginning of the financial year 905,068 931,141

Net asset revaluation increment 21 65,179 0

Net income recognised directly in equity 65,179 0

Net result for the period 22 (4,029) (27,586)

Total recognised income and expense for the period (4,029) (27,586)

Net movement in contributed capital 20 5,040 1,513

Total equity at the end of the financial year 971,258 905,068

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

64 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007

2007 2006 Notes $’000 $’000

Cash Flows from Operating Activities Receipts from Parks Charge 61,337 60,388 Receipts from Government for Operations 64,638 60,318 Receipts from Customers/Other Sources 26,112 36,213 Interest received 1,422 1,377 Receipts relating to Goods and Services Tax 17,517 15,908 Payments to Suppliers and Employees (149,345) (142,432) Payments to Government for Revenue collected from National Parks (5,571) (5,018) Payments to Parks Victoria Grants Program (803) (1,324) Payments relating to Goods and Services Tax (16,985) (15,810)

Net Cash provided by/(used in) Operating Activities 23 (1,678) 9,620

Cash Flows from Investing Activities Payments for Property, Plant and Equipment (2,158) (7,700) Proceeds on Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment 12 83

Net Cash provided by/(used in) Investing Activities (2,146) (7,617)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities Receipts from Government – Contributed Capital 3,871 2,733

Net Cash provided by/(used in) Financing Activities 3,871 2,733

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash held 47 4,736

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year 12,913 8,177

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year 12 12,960 12,913

Consisting of: Committed cash 11,871 10,861 Non-committed cash 1,089 2,052

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 65 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007

These notes form part of, and should be read in conjunction with, the financial statements of Parks Victoria for the financial year ended 30 June 2007.

1. Background 1.1 Establishment Parks Victoria was formed as a public authority on 3 July 1998 under the Parks Victoria Act 1998. The Parks Victoria Act 1998 was given Royal Assent on 26 May 1998 and was proclaimed on 3 July 1998.

1.2 Objectives and Funding The objective of Parks Victoria is to provide an outstanding park and waterway system, protected and enhanced, for people, forever.

Parks Victoria receives the majority of its funding from the Victorian Government for the management of Victoria’s National/State Parks and Reserves and from the Parks and Reserves Trust for the management of metropolitan parks and waterways. The Trust is funded by a Parks Charge levied on properties within the Melbourne metropolitan area.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 2.1 General Statement of Compliance This financial report of Parks Victoria is a general purpose financial report that consists of an Operating Statement, a Balance Sheet, a Statement of Changes in Equity, a Cash Flow Statement, and notes accompanying these statements. The general purpose financial report complies with Australian Accounting Standards, other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board, Urgent Issues Group Interpretations and the requirements of the Financial Management Act 1994 and applicable Ministerial Directions. Accounting Standards include Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (A-IFRS).

Under A-IFRS, there are requirements that apply specifically to not-for-profit entities. Parks Victoria has analysed its purpose, objectives, and operating philosophy and determined that it does not have profit generation as a prime objective. Consequently, where appropriate, Parks Victoria has elected to apply options and exemptions within the A-IFRS framework that are applicable to not-for-profit entities.

Unless otherwise stated, amounts in the financial report have been rounded to the nearest thousand dollars.

The financial statements were authorised for issue by S Mahony (Chief Financial Officer – Parks Victoria) on 16 August 2007.

2.2 Basis of Accounting The financial statements have been prepared on an accrual and a going concern basis. Values reported are stated at historical cost, except for the revaluation of certain non-current assets and financial instruments. Cost is based on the fair values of the consideration given in exchange for assets.

In the application of A-IFRS management is required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstance, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Judgements made by management in the application of A-IFRS that have significant effects on the financial statements and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustments in the next year are disclosed throughout the notes in the financial statements.

Accounting policies are selected and applied in a manner which ensures that the resulting financial information satisfies the concepts of relevance and reliability, thereby ensuring that the substance of the underlying transactions or other events is reported.

The accounting policies set out below have been applied in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2007 and the comparative information presented for the year ended 30 June 2006.

66 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 2.3 Asset Recognition and Measurement Parks Victoria only recognises assets on land it controls as the committee of management. Parks Victoria also manages other assets on behalf of the Crown. Those assets and any new assets constructed by Parks Victoria on behalf of the Crown are recognised in the asset register of the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

2.4 Non-current Physical Assets The cost of non-current assets constructed by Parks Victoria includes the cost of all materials used in construction, direct labour on the project, and an appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overheads.

Assets acquired at no cost by Parks Victoria are recognised at fair value at the date of acquisition.

Land and buildings are measured at fair value. Cultural depreciated assets and collections, heritage assets and other non-current physical assets that the State intends to preserve because of their unique historical, cultural or environmental attributes (antiques) are measured at the cost of replacing the asset less, where applicable, accumulated depreciation calculated on the basis of such cost to reflect the already consumed or expired future economic benefits of the asset. Plant, equipment and vehicles are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Piers, jetties, and river improvements are measured at fair value.

Property, Plant and Equipment represents non-current assets comprising:

•Crown Land, Land and Land Improvements; • Buildings and Building Improvements; • Piers, Jetties and River Improvements; • Plant, Equipment, Machinery and Vehicles; • Antiques; and •Works in Progress; used by Parks Victoria in its operations. Items with a cost or value of $1,200 or more, and a useful life of more than one year are recognised as an asset. All other assets acquired are expensed.

Restrictive Nature of Cultural and Heritage Assets, Crown Land and Infrastructures During the reporting period, Parks Victoria may hold cultural assets, heritage assets, Crown land and infrastructures.

Such assets are deemed worthy of preservation because of the social rather than financial benefits they provide to the community. The nature of these assets means that there are certain limitations and restrictions imposed on their use and/or disposal.

2.5 Revaluations of Non-Current Assets Subsequent to the initial recognition of assets, Land, Buildings, Piers, Jetties, River Improvements and Antiques are measured at fair value, being the amount for which the assets could be exchanged between knowledgeable willing parties in an arm’s length transaction. At balance date, Parks Victoria reviews the carrying value of the individual classes of non-current assets to ensure that the carrying value of each asset in a class approximates its fair value. Where the carrying value materially differs from the fair value, the carrying value of that class of assets is adjusted to its fair value.

Non-current physical assets measured at fair value are revalued with sufficient regularity to ensure that the carrying amount of each asset does not differ materially from its fair value. Non-current physical assets measured at fair value are revalued in accordance with FRD 103B. This revaluation process normally occurs every five years based upon the assets’ Government Purpose Group.

Where the assets are revalued, the revaluation increments are credited directly to the asset revaluation reserve except to the extent that an increment reverses a prior year decrement for that class of asset that had been previously recognised as an expense, in which case the increment is recognised as revenue up to the amount of the expense. Revaluation decrements are recognised as an expense except where prior increments are included in the asset revaluation reserve for that class of asset in which case the decrement is taken to the reserve to the extent of the remaining increments. Within the same class of assets, revaluation increments and decrements within the year are offset. Revaluation reserves are transferred to accumulated surplus on derecognition of the relevant asset.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 67 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (CONTINUED)

2.6 Crown Land Crown land is measured at fair value with regard to the property’s highest and best use after due consideration is made for any legal or constructive restrictions imposed on the land, public announcements or commitments made in relation to the intended use of the land. Theoretical opportunities that may be available in relation to the asset are not taken into account until it is virtually certain that the restrictions will no longer apply.

The financial statements list the location, area and values of Crown Land over which Parks Victoria is the committee of management (note 16.2). This Crown Land remains the property of the State of Victoria.

Crown Land is used for heritage and environmental conservation, recreation, leisure, tourism and navigation.

2.7 Depreciation Depreciation is applied to completed fixed assets including Land Improvements, Buildings and Improvements, Piers, Jetties and River Improvements, Plant, Equipment and Machinery, Motor Vehicles and Other. Land and Antiques are not depreciated.

Works in Progress are valued at cost and depreciation commences on completion of the works.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to systematically write off the net cost or revalued amount of each non-current asset over its expected useful life to the entity.

Depreciation rates are reviewed annually and, if necessary, adjusted to reflect the most recent assessments of the useful lives and residual values of the respective assets.

Where assets have separate identifiable components that have distinct useful lives and/or residual values a separate depreciation rate is determined for each component.

The expected useful life of each asset category is the same as the previous year and is as follows:

Asset Category Expected Life (Years) Buildings and Building Improvements 10–50 Piers, Jetties and River Improvements 20–50 Land Improvements 10–20 Plant, Equipment, Machinery and Vehicles 3–10

2.8 Impairment of Assets Assets with definite useful lives are assessed annually for indications of impairment, except for:

• trade and other receivables (refer note 2.11); and • inventories (refer note 2.17).

If there is an indication of impairment, the assets concerned are tested as to whether their carrying value exceeds their recoverable amount. Where an asset’s carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount, the difference is written off by a charge to the Operating Statement except to the extent that the write-down can be debited to an asset revaluation reserve account applicable to that class of asset.

The recoverable amount for most assets is measured at the higher of depreciated replacement cost and fair value less costs to sell. Recoverable amount for assets held primarily to generate net cash inflows is measured at the higher of the present value of future cash flows expected to be obtained from the asset and fair value less costs to sell. It is deemed that, in the event of the loss of an asset, the future economic benefits arising from the use of the asset will be replaced unless a specific decision to the contrary has been made.

2.9 Leased Assets Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in the Operating statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.

68 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 2.10 Employee Benefits

(a) Wages and Salaries and Sick Leave Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, that are expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date, are measured at their nominal amounts in respect of employees’ services up to the reporting date. The nominal basis of measurement uses employee remuneration rates that the entity expects to pay as at each reporting date and does not discount cash flows to their present value. Non-vesting sick leave is not expected to exceed current and future sick leave entitlements, and accordingly no liability has been recognised.

(b) Annual Leave and Long Service Leave Annual leave and long service leave entitlements expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date are recognised as a provision for employee benefits in the Balance Sheet at their nominal values.

Annual leave and long service leave entitlements not expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date are recognised at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows to be made by Parks Victoria in respect of services provided by employees up to reporting date. Consideration is given to expected future employee remuneration rates, employment related on-costs and other factors including experience of employee departures and periods of service. The long service leave rates, as prepared by the Department of Treasury and Finance, are used for discounting future cash flows.

Classification of Employee Benefits as Current and Non-Current Liabilities Employee benefit provisions are reported as current liabilities where Parks Victoria does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least 12 months. Consequently, the current portion of the employee benefit provision can include both short term benefits (those benefits expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date), that are measured at nominal values, and long term benefits (those benefits not expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date) that are measured at present values.

Employee benefit provisions that are reported as non-current liabilities also include long term benefits such as non vested long service leave (i.e. where the employee does not have a present entitlement to the benefit) that do not qualify for recognition as a current liability, and are measured at present values. The non-current liability for long service leave represents entitlements accrued for employees with less than seven years of continuous service.

(c) Performance Payments Performance payments for Parks Victoria’s Executive Officers are based on a percentage of the annual salary package provided under their contracts of employment. A liability is recognised and is measured as the aggregate of the amounts accrued under the terms of the contracts at balance date. Since the performance payments earned are paid upon completion of annual performance reviews, the total amount is classified as a current liability.

(d) Superannuation Contributions are made by Parks Victoria to employee superannuation funds and are charged as expenses when incurred.

Disclosure of superannuation contributions by Parks Victoria is provided in Note 26.

2.11 Receivables Receivables are recorded initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method, less impairment.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset, or where appropriate, a shorter period.

Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are written off. A provision for doubtful debts is established when there is objective evidence that Parks Victoria will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of receivables. The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate. Cash flows relating to short term receivables are not discounted if the effect of discounting is immaterial. The amount of the provision is recognised in the Operating Statement.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 69 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (CONTINUED)

A provision for doubtful debts is recognised to the extent that recovery of the outstanding receivable balance is considered less than likely. Bad debts are written off in the period in which they are recognised.

The average credit period on sales of goods or provision of services is 30 days. No interest is charged on trade and other receivables.

2.12 Payables Payables are recognised when Parks Victoria becomes obliged to make future payments resulting from goods and services provided prior to the end of the financial year, which are unpaid at financial year end.

Payables are non-interest bearing and have an average credit period of 30 days.

2.13 Income Recognition Amounts disclosed as income are, where applicable, net of returns, allowances and duties and taxes.

Parks Charge income is recognised when invoiced by Parks Victoria. Other income, including external grants/funding, is recognised when earned or on receipt, depending on which occurs earlier.

Where government and external grants/funding are reciprocal, income is recognised as performance occurs under the grant. Non-reciprocal grants are recognised as income when the grant is received or receivable. Conditional grants may be reciprocal or non-reciprocal depending on the terms of the grant. Where the external grants/funding received has not been expended and a reciprocal agreement exists, whereby the revenue is required to be repaid if not used or an asset transfer to the external party is to occur upon completion of the asset, Parks Victoria records this revenue as deferred revenue.

2.14 Grants and Other Payments Grants and other payments to third parties are recognised as an expense in the reporting period in which they are paid or payable.

2.15 Resources Provided and Received Free of Charge or for Nominal Consideration Contributions of resources (including volunteer resources and assets received free of charge or for nominal consideration) and assets provided free of charge or for nominal consideration are recognised at their fair value. Contributions in the form of services are only recognised when a fair value can be reliably determined and the services would have been purchased if not donated.

2.16 Goods and Services Tax Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of goods and services tax (GST), except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). In these circumstances, the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of an item of expense.

Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of GST. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the ATO is included as part of receivables or payables.

Cash flows are included in the cash flow statement on a gross basis. The GST component of cash flows arising from investing and financing activities, which is recoverable from, or payable to, the ATO, is classified as operating cash flows and disclosed therein.

2.17 Inventories Inventories comprise stores and materials and are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs are assigned to inventory on hand at balance date on a first-in, first-out basis. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

2.18 Cash and Cash Equivalents For the purpose of the Cash Flow Statement, cash assets include cash on hand and highly liquid investments with short periods to maturity that are readily convertible to cash on hand at Parks Victoria’s option and are subject to insignificant risk of changes in values, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.

70 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 2.19 Provisions Provisions are recognised when Parks Victoria has a present obligation, the future sacrifice of economic benefits is probable, and the amount of the provision can be measured reliably.

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using the cashflows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cashflows.

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recognised from a third party, the receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that recovery will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.

Provision for Dismantling When an asset is initially recognised, AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment requires the capitalisation of costs of dismantling and removing an asset and restoring the site on which the asset was created, together with the recognition of this provision determined at present value in accordance with AASB 137 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. As a consequence, there is an increase in depreciation expense as a result of the increase in the carrying amounts of assets and also an interest expense would be incurred as the present value discount on the dismantling unwinds.

2.20 New Accounting Standards and Interpretations Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for 30 June 2007 reporting period. The Department of Treasury and Finance assesses the impact of these new standards and advises departments and other entities of their applicability and early adoption where applicable.

As at 30 June 2007, the following standards and interpretations had been issued but were not mandatory for the financial year ended 30 June 2007. Parks Victoria has not, and does not intend to, adopt these standards early.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 71 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (CONTINUED)

2.20 New Accounting Standards and Interpretations (continued)

Applicable for Annual Reporting Periods Beginning Impact on Departmental Standard/Interpretation Summary or Ending on Financial Statements

AASB 7 Financial Instruments: New standard replacing disclosure requirements Beginning AASB 7 is a disclosure Disclosures. of AASB 132. 1 Jan 2007 standard so will have no direct impact on the amounts included in the departmental financial statements. However, the amendments will result in changes to the financial instrument disclosures included in the departmental financial report.

AASB 2005-10 Amendments Amendments arise from the release in Beginning As above. to Australian Accounting August 2005 of AASB 7 1 Jan 2007 Standards (AASB 132, Financial Instruments: Disclosures. AASB 101, AASB 114, AASB 117, AASB 133, AASB 139, AASB 1, AASB 4, AASB 1023 and AASB 1038).

AASB 101 Presentation of Removes Australian specific requirements from Beginning Impact on presentation not Financial Statements (revised). AASB 101, including the Australian illustrative 1 Jan 2007 expected to be significant. formats of the income statement, balance sheet and statement of changes in equity which entities were previously ‘encouraged’ to adopt in preparing their financial statements.

Interpretation 10 Interim Equivalent to IFRIC10 of the same name. Beginning The Department does not Financial Reporting Concludes that where entity has recognised an 1 Nov 2006 publish interim financial and Impairment. impairment loss in an interim period in respect results, so there is no impact. of goodwill or an investment in either an equity instrument or a financial asset carried at cost, that impairment should not be reversed in subsequent interim financial statements or in annual financial statements.

Interpretation 12 Service AASB approved an Australian Interpretation 12, Beginning The impact of any changes Concession Arrangements. equivalent to IFRIC 12, applying to private sector 1 Jul 2008 that may be required operators, but is silent on accounting by public cannot be reliably estimated sector grantors. The AASB intends to consider and is not disclosed in the how public sector grantors should account for financial statements. service concession arrangements, and will appoint an advisory panel to make recommendations.

72 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 2.20 New Accounting Standards and Interpretations (continued)

Applicable for Annual Reporting Periods Beginning Impact on Departmental Standard/Interpretation Summary or Ending on Financial Statements

AASB 2007-2 Amendments Amendments arise from the release in February Beginning As above. to Australian Accounting 2007 of Interpretation 12 Service 1 Jul 2008 Standards arising from Concession Arrangements. AASB Interpretation 12.

AASB 8 Operating Segments. Supersedes AASB 114 Segment Reporting. Beginning Not applicable. 1 Jan 2009

AASB 2007-3 Amendments An accompanying amending standard, also Beginning Impact expected to be not to Australian Accounting introduced consequential amendments 1 Jan 2009 significant. Standards arising from into other Standards. AASB 8 (AASB 5, AASB 6, AASB 102, AASB 107, AASB 119, AASB 127, AASB 134, AASB 136, AASB 1023 and AASB 1038).

Interpretation 4 Determining Where arrangements might fall both within Beginning May or may not lead to whether an Arrangement this Interpretation and Interpretation 12, 1 Jan 2008 certain arrangements being contains a Lease (revised). Interpretation 12 will take precedence. reclassified. At this stage, As advised above, Interpretation 12 only applies the financial impact is to the private sector operation and the AASB unknown as it depends is still considering public sector accounting on whether there are for these arrangements. arrangements being reclassified.

Interpretation 129 Service Operator to disclose revenue and profit. Beginning The Department is not Concession Arrangements: 1 Jan 2008 an operator of service Disclosures (revised). concession, so there will be no impact on disclosures.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 73 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (CONTINUED)

2007 2006 $’000 $’000

3. Parks and Reserves Trust Funding The Parks and Reserves Trust Funding is a charge levied on commercial and domestic properties throughout the Melbourne and metropolitan area, the majority of which is paid to Parks Victoria. Parks Charge 61,337 60,388

Total Parks and Reserves Trust Funding 61,337 60,388

4. Government Funding National/State Parks and Reserves funding 41,761 38,375 Government Grants for special projects 5,262 4,878 Program Initiatives (including Tracks and Trails and Good Neighbour programs) 1,606 1,733 Major Works funding provided by the Department of Sustainability and Environment 14,238 11,273 Major Works funding provided by the Department of Victorian Communities 2,502 3,950 Major Works funding provided by the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 0 1,731

Total Government Funding 65,369 61,940

5. Other Revenue Accommodation/Camping fees 3,895 3,910 Funding sponsored by external parties 789 815 Rent, Leases and Licences 5,648 4,797 Park entrance fees 1,390 1,450 External sales 1,798 1,486 Insurance claims 3,195 4,413 Yarra Bend Trust 1,441 1,416 Berthing/Mooring fees 337 355 Cave tour fees 413 455 Gift shop sales 107 104 Fire Suppression costs, recovered 8,321 3,250 Other 2,769 2,058

Total Other Revenue 30,103 24,509

6. Assets Received Free of Charge Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) assets transferred from the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 615 520

Total Assets Received Free of Charge 615 520

7. Operations Labour 76,194 68,325 Materials 5,961 5,303 Transport 7,920 7,305 Contracts 34,847 34,732 External Services 20,618 18,923 Payments to Government for Revenue collected from National Parks 5,961 5,950 Other 3,396 4,671 Payments for works sponsored by external parties 1,375 408

Total Operations 156,272 145,617

8. Parks Victoria Grants Program Payments are made to Local Government, Other Agencies, Community Groups and for Program Operating Costs 1,741 1,513

Total Parks Victoria Grants Program 1,741 1,513

74 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 2007 2006 $’000 $’000

9. Assets Provided Free of Charge Rosebud Foreshore assets transferred to the Mornington Peninsula Shire 0 24,552

Total Assets Provided Free of Charge 0 24,552

10. Finance Costs Unwinding of discount and effect of changes in the discount rate for: Provision for dismantling (see note 18) 41 27

Total Finance Costs 41 27

11. Depreciation Land Improvements 1,621 1,375 Buildings and Improvements 1,616 1,562 Piers, Jetties and River Improvements 1,090 1,052 Other 511 673

Total Depreciation 4,838 4,662

12. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash at Bank 12,960 12,913

Total Cash and Cash Equivalents 12,960 12,913

13. Receivables Receivables – Current Debtors 12,221 4,895 Less Provision for Doubtful Debts (270) (263)

Total Receivables – Current 11,951 4,632

Receivables – Non-Current Other Receivables 100 99

Total Receivables – Non-Current 100 99

Total Receivables 12,051 4,731

An amount of $44,397 (2005-06 $430) was written off to bad debts during the year.

14. Inventories Stock on Hand (at cost) 246 233

Total Inventories 246 233

15. Other Current Assets Prepayments 151 238

Total Other Current Assets 151 238

Crown Land, Land and Land Improvements

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 75 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (CONTINUED)

2007 2006 $’000 $’000

16. Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) Classification by Public Safety and Environment – Carrying Amounts

Crown Land, Land & Land Improvements At fair value (30/06/2006) 835,320 787,348 Less: accumulated depreciation (1,972) (3,370)

833,348 783,978 At cost 426 0 Less: accumulated depreciation (17) 0

409 0

Net Book Value – Crown Land, Land & Land Improvements 833,757 783,978

Buildings and Building Improvements At fair value (30/06/2006) 82,110 78,231 Less: accumulated depreciation (610) (3,905)

81,500 74,326 At cost 578 0 Less: accumulated depreciation 0 0

578 0

Net Book Value – Buildings and Building Improvements 82,078 74,326

Plant, Equipment, Machinery and Vehicles At cost 8,572 8,157 Less: accumulated depreciation (6,376) (5,886)

2,196 2,271

Net Book Value – Plant, Equipment, Machinery and Vehicles 2,196 2,271

Piers, Jetties and River Improvements At fair value (30/06/2006) 72,767 69,935 Less: accumulated depreciation (866) (2,277)

71,901 67,658 At cost 26 0 Less: accumulated depreciation (1) 0

25 0

Net Book Value – Piers, Jetties and River Improvements 71,926 67,658

Antiques At fair value (30/06/2006) 1,268 1,268

Closing Balance – Antiques 1,268 1,268

Works in Progress At cost 3,645 1,154

Closing Balance – Works in Progress 3,645 1,154

Net carrying amount of PPE 994,870 930,655

76 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 age movement in values for each land use on these figures from the 2006-07 financial year. from on these figures E currently owns the Asset (approx $20 million) which will be owns the Asset (approx E currently the movement of values between 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2006 provements at fair value, involved the use of appropriate provements created by the late William of cultural created Ricketts. These assets are s. An allowance for depreciation per annum has been based on s. An allowance for depreciation

operties valued in 2003 have been indexed from 1 July 2003 to 30 operties valued in 2003 have been indexed from to 30 June 2005. r on the estimated percent the estimated percentage movement in costs for each building the estimated percentage oyed for the revaluation of Buildings and Improvements at fair value, of Buildings and Improvements oyed for the revaluation

alued in 2003 have been indexed from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2006. alued in 2003 have been indexed from market participants would be prepared to pay. These assets were to pay. market participants would be prepared aluation of Antiques at fair value, was to assess the dollar with n Pty Limited, one a government approved valuer, the other a member of n Pty Limited, one a government valuer, approved or at Cost or at Cost at Cost or at Cost Fair Value at Cost Progress Total at Fair Value at Fair Value at Fair Value Vehicles at Fair Value Antiques at in Works 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 Land & Building Plant, Equipment, & River Crown Land, Crown Buildings & Jetties Piers, $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 Improvements ImprovementsImprovements & Machinery Improvements 783,978 802,977 74,326 75,858 2,271 2,352 67,658 66,809 1,268 1,268 1,154 3,859 930,655 953,123 ransfer to assets eference to the active and liquid antiques’ auction market, having regard to the highest and best use of asset, for which to the active and liquid antiques’ auction market, having regard eference evalued during a systematic three-year progressive revaluation process, conducted over the financial years ended 30 June 2003 process, revaluation progressive evalued during a systematic three-year in each postcode area for the nominated financial year. The methodology employed for the revaluation of Crown Land, Land and Im of Crown The methodology employed for the revaluation for the nominated financial year. in each postcode area zoning. The postcode indices for the postcode indices, matched with property extracted from or decrease increase percentage June 2006. Those properties valued in 2004 have been indexed from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2006. Depreciation was then commenced 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2006. Depreciation valued in 2004 have been indexed from June 2006. Those properties Antiques Victoria, the valuers for Colliers International Consultancy and Valuatio of the Valuer-General For and on behalf of the office methodology for the rev determined that the most appropriate Institute of Certified Practising Valuers, the Australian Property r 16a. Property, Plant and Equipment 16a. Property, – Carrying Amounts Classification by Public Safety and Environment Closing balanceCrown Land, Land and Improvements based The indices are of the Valuer-General. has been updated using indices compiled by the office Parks Victoria Land property 833,757 783,978 82,078 74,326 2,196 2,271 71,926 67,658 1,268 1,268 3,645 1,154 994,870 930,655 were established to provide variations for both vacant and improved properties of various zoning categories. Those properties v of various zoning categories. Those properties properties variations for both vacant and improved established to provide were 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2006. valued in 2004 have been indexed from Those properties Buildings and Improvements based on The indices are of the Valuer-General. Parks Victoria Buildings has been updated using indices compiled by the office The methodology empl factor for each year. The index also takes into consideration a depreciation the nominated financial year. building cost movement publication involved an estimate of cost movements as per building types and location based on reputable takes into account physical wear and tear obsolence factors. Those p advice. This depreciation Quantity Surveyor and Valuer r Opening balance AdditionsDisposalsAcquisitions through administrative restructuresT classified as held for sale 0 426 increments/ Net revaluation 4,873 decrements (321) 0 (2,444) 0 (20,053) expenseDepreciation 578 0 Impairment loss 3,421 0 0 (3,302) (1,621) Completed PPE 0 (1,375) (89) 448 51,056 (1,617) (1,562) 672 0 (13) 0 0 (510) (80) 0 0 0 8,791 239 26 (673) 1,901 (1,090) 0 0 0 (1,052) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,111 5,332 8,078 0 0 0 0 0 4,589 0 0 18,945 0 0 0 0 0 0 (4,838) 0 0 (4,662) 0 0 0 0 (334) 0 0 0 (2,613) (23,355) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 65,179 0 (620) 0 (10,783) 0 (381) 0 (10,783) 0 0 The William Ricketts Sanctuary is located in the Dandenong Ranges Gardens and contains over 70 in-ground aboriginal sculptures aboriginal sculptures The William and contains over 70 in-ground Ricketts Sanctuary is located in the Dandenong Ranges Gardens and heritage significance. A valuation of these assets is not able to be determined. 2007. DS Bend in March Note: Parks Victoria has been placed as the Committee of Management for Land and other assets at Devil’s to Parks Victoria in the 2007-08 financial year. transferred

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 77 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (CONTINUED)

16.2 Crown Land 2007 2006 Area 2007 Area 2006 (Hectares) $’000 (Hectares) $’000 Location You Yangs Regional Park 1,960 3,278 1,960 2,973 Eildon Water Reserve 533 960 533 960 Dandenong Police Paddocks 499 66,804 499 62,375 Bays Assets* 498 Not Valued 498 Not Valued Lighthouse Reserves 329 1,799 329 1,428 Dandenong Ranges Gardens 278 2,230 278 2,230 Buchan Caves Reserve 260 238 260 238 Albert Park 229 557,902 229 526,075 Serendip Sanctuary 227 455 227 455 Plenty Gorge 222 2,140 222 1,998 Yarra Valley 139 89,695 139 82,909 Werribee Park 130 4,257 130 3,275 Vaughan Springs 100 114 100 114 Coolart 79 4,200 79 4,200 Mt Dandenong Observatory Reserve 72 1,800 72 1,800 Olinda Golf Course 34 480 34 480 Westgate 34 37,051 34 35,287 Maribyrnong Valley 22 1,122 22 1,122 Dandenong Valley 6 1,680 6 1,680 Peach Tree Creek 4 20 4 20 Point Cook/Cheetham 4 54 4 51 Herring Island 3 4,945 3 4,800 Queenscliff (not including Bays Assets* component) 3 2,500 3 2,500 Orbost Rain Forest 1 128 1 128 Rosebud 1 2,300 1 2,300 San Remo 1 375 1 375

Total Crown Land 5,668 786,527 5,668 739,773

* Represents sea beds located at Swan Bay (220 Ha), Queenscliff (137 Ha) and 141 Ha being sea beds under 31 piers located within Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay.

2007 2006 $’000 $’000

17. Payables Payables – Current Unsecured Creditors and Accruals 15,834 16,015

Total Payables 15,834 16,015

18. Provisions Provisions – Current Annual Leave (see (a) below) 5,226 4,994 Long Service Leave (see (a) below) 17,405 15,766

Total Provisions – Current 22,631 20,760

Provisions – Non-Current Long Service Leave (see (a) below) 1,275 1,508 Dismantling (see (b) below) 538 497

Total Provisions – Non-Current 1,813 2,005

Total Provisions 24,444 22,765

78 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 2007 2006 $’000 $’000

18. Provisions (continued) (a) Employee Entitlements:

Current All annual leave and long service leave entitlements representing seven plus years of continuous service: short term employee benefits, that fall due within 12 months after the end of the period measured at nominal value 19,399 17,568 Other long term employee benefits that do not fall due within 12 months after the end of the period measured at present value 3,232 3,192

22,631 20,760

Non-Current Long service leave representing less than seven years of continuous service measured at present value 1,275 1,508

(b) Movement in Non-current Provision for Dismantling:

Opening Balance 497 379 Additional provisions recognised 091 Unwinding of discount and effect of changes in the discount rate 41 27

Balance at 30 June 538 497

The provision for dismantling represents the present value of expected future payments that Parks Victoria will be obligated to make in respect of the costs of dismantling and removing leasehold improvements and restoring the leased premises to its original state. The estimate may vary as a result of utilisation of the leased premises and additional leasehold improvements where applicable. As at 30 June 2007, the unexpired term of the lease is about five years.

2007 2006 $’000 $’000

19. Deferred Revenue Deferred Revenue – Current Opening Balance 3,021 0 Movement in Deferred Revenue – Current: Payments received in advance for works to be carried out within 12 months, with the amounts to be refunded if not undertaken 4,107 3,021

Net Movement in Deferred Revenue – Current 4,107 3,021

Total Deferred Revenue – Current 7,128 3,021

Deferred Revenue – Non-Current Opening Balance 1,901 0 Movement in Deferred Revenue – Non-Current: Payments received in advance for works to be carried out between 2 and 10 years, with the amounts to be refunded if not undertaken (287) 1,901

Net Movement in Deferred Revenue – Non-Current (287) 1,901

Total Deferred Revenue – Non-Current 1,614 1,901

Total Deferred Revenue 8,742 4,922

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 79 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (CONTINUED)

2007 2006 $’000 $’000

20. Contributed Capital Opening Balance 284,056 282,543 Movement in Contributed Capital: Werribee Park assets transferred to the Department of Sustainability and Environment (Zoological Parks and Gardens Board) 0 (1,220) Capital Contributions from the Department of Sustainability and Environment 5,040 2,733

Net movement in Contributed Capital 5,040 1,513

Total Contributed Capital 289,096 284,056

21. Reserves Movement in Asset Revaluation Reserve Opening Balance 652,175 670,504 Revaluation of Parks Victoria Assets: Crown Land, Land and Land Improvements 51,056 0 Buildings and Building Improvements 8,791 0 Piers, Jetties and River Improvements 5,332 0

Net Revaluation Increment on Parks Victoria Assets 65,179 0

Transfer prior year revaluation increment on assets provided free of charge to Accumulated Surplus/Deficit (refer note 22) 0 (18,329)

Total Reserves 717,354 652,175

22. Accumulated Surplus/(Deficit) Opening Balance (31,163) (21,906) Transfer from Asset Revaluation Reserve (refer note 21) 0 18,329 Net result for the period from Operating Statement (4,029) (27,586)

Closing Accumulated Surplus/(Deficit) (35,192) (31,163)

23. Reconciliation of Net Result for the Period to Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net Result for the Period (4,029) (27,586) Depreciation for the year 4,838 4,662 Provision for doubtful debts 51 (12) Net assets (received)/provided free of charge (615) 24,032 Loss/(gain) on sale, retirement and/or revaluation of assets 12 171 Finance costs 41 27

Change in Assets and Liabilities Decrease/(Increase) in receivables (7,233) 2,894 Decrease/(Increase) in inventories (13) 21 Decrease/(Increase) in other current assets 87 119 Increase/(Decrease) in provisions 1,638 1,022 Increase/(Decrease) in payables (275) (652) Increase/(Decrease) in deferred revenue 3,820 4,922

Net Cash from Operating Activities (1,678) 9,620

24. Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets 24.1 Contingent Liabilities – Other Outstanding Claims There are no material claims against Parks Victoria, arising out of various matters connected with its business dealings.

24.2 Contingent Assets There are no claims lodged by Parks Victoria arising out of matters connected with its business dealings.

80 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 2007 2006 $’000 $’000

25. Commitments 25.1 Capital Commitments Value of commitments for capital expenditure at 30 June 2007 for the supply of works, services and materials not provided for in the financial statements: Not Later than One Year 10,359 2,775 Later than One Year and Not Later than Five Years 0 0 Later than Five Years 00

Total Capital Commitments 10,359 2,775

25.2 Lease Commitments Total lease expenditure contracted for at balance date but not provided for in the financial statements in relation to non-cancellable operating leases is as follows: Not Later than One Year 8,306 7,188 Later than One Year and Not Later than Five Years 10,488 13,319 Later than Five Years 1,538 35

Total Non Cancellable Operating Leases 20,332 20,542

26. Superannuation Parks Victoria contributes, in respect of its employees, to the superannuation schemes as shown in the following table:

Contribution 2007 2006 Scheme Type of Scheme Rate $’000 $’000

AMP Flexible Lifetime Super Accumulation 9% 6 0 AMP Super Leader Accumulation 9% 1 0 ANZ Personal Super Bond Accumulation 9% 0 60 Asgard Capital Management Ltd. Accumulation Various 15 12 Asteron Capital management Ltd. Accumulation 9% 4 2 Australian Ethical Retail Superannuation Accumulation 9% 3 2 Employee Super Trust Accumulation 9% 7 0 Australian Primary Superannuation Fund Accumulation 9% 3 1 Australian Retirement Fund Accumulation 9% 2 1 Australiansuper Pty Ltd Accumulation 9% 8 0 BT Funds Management Accumulation 9% 15 27 Care Super Accumulation 9% 4 0 Colonial First State Accumulation 9% 40 23 Colonial Mutual Superannuation Pty. Ltd. Accumulation 9% 1 1 Construction & Building Union Superannuation Fund Accumulation 9% 11 6 Eight Dragons Superannuation Fund Accumulation 9% 0 3 Emergency Services Superannuation Fund Defined 15.5% 18 17 Emergency Services Superannuation Fund Accumulation Various 44 25 First State Superannuation Fund Accumulation 9% 6 0 GSO-New Scheme Defined 8.8%–10.5% 1,404 1,361 GSO-Revised Scheme Defined 17% 236 205 GSO-State Employees Retirement Benefit Scheme Defined 12.5% 17 16 HESTA Accumulation 9% 5 0 Host Plus Pty Accumulation 9% 14 0 Legal Super Accumulation 9% 1 0 Lifetrack Employer Superannuation Accumulation 9% 0 1 Macquarie Personal Superannuation Fund Accumulation 9% 21 12 MTAA Superannuation Fund Accumulation 9% 1 0 Nationwide Superannuation Fund Accumulation 9% 2 0

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 81 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (CONTINUED)

26. Superannuation (continued)

Contribution 2007 2006 Scheme Type of Scheme Rate $’000 $’000

Netwealth Personal Superannuation Fund Accumulation 9% 1 0 Nulis Nominees Ltd. – Navigator Retirement Plan Accumulation 9% 0 20 Perpetuals Investor Choice Superannuation Fund Accumulation 9% 16 12 Private Superannuation Funds Accumulation Various 92 67 Recruitment Superannuation Accumulation 9% 5 0 Retail Employees Superannuation Trust Accumulation 9% 14 0 Private Superannuation Funds Accumulation 9% 1 0 Sunsuper Pty. Ltd. Accumulation 9% 4 4 Superannuation Trust of Australia (STA Super) Accumulation 9% 1 2 Superwrap Accumulation 9% 1 1 Symetry Personal Retirement Fund Accumulation 9% 6 3 The Austchoice Superannuation Plan Accumulation 9% 5 0 The Select Master Superannuation Fund Accumulation 9% 33 1 UniSuper Ltd. Accumulation 9% 9 2 VicSuper Pty. Ltd. Accumulation Various 1,053 934 Vision Super – Albert Park Scheme Defined 9.25% 6 6 Vision Super – Dandenong Valley Scheme Defined 9.25% 19 10 Vision Super PORTS Port of Melb Authority Scheme Defined 18% 7 7 Vision Super – PORTS Revised Scheme Defined 17% 8 7 Vision Super – PORTS Transport Scheme Defined 12–18% 57 51 Vision Super – WISF Scheme Defined 7–15.25% 770 750 Vision Super Pty. Ltd. Accumulation Various 1,985 1,873 Westpac Personal Superannuation Accumulation 9% 6

Total Contributions to All Funds 5,982 5,531

As at the reporting date, there were outstanding contributions payable to the above funds of $39,030. There were no loans to or from Parks Victoria to or from any of the above funds. Parks Victoria is not liable for any unfunded liability in respect of the above employer sponsored defined benefits superannuation schemes

27. Volunteer Resources Provided Free of Charge During 2006-07 significant community input in the form of voluntary labour was provided to Parks Victoria. Volunteers came from all sections of the community, and included individual volunteers, Friends groups and community groups who provided in excess of 23,000 days (2005-06 23,000 days) of voluntary support. Volunteers undertook a diverse range of activities including tree planting, revegetation, landscaping, camp hosting, cultural site protection and interpretation, flora and fauna monitoring, nursery maintenance and propagation, track clearing and construction, visitor information and interpretation, research and participation in the Community Grants, Camp Host and Work for the Dole programs, festivals and events. No estimate of the value of these resources has been included in the financial report as there is no practical way of determining an appropriate valuation basis.

2007 2006 $’000 $’000

28. Auditor’s Remuneration Amounts paid/payable to: Victorian Auditor-General’s Office for the audit of the financial statements 48 48

29. Related Parties 29.1 Responsible Persons The names of persons who were Board Members at any time during the financial year ended 30 June 2007 were: R Gerrand, S Hibbard, K King, S Marris, R Martin, L Peeler, D Saunders, C Ballenden (appointment date: 10 October 2006), and N Harvey (appointment date: 1 July 2006).

82 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 29. Related Parties (continued) 29.1 Responsible Persons (continued) The name of the responsible Minister from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 was The Honourable John Thwaites MP, Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change.

The name of the accountable officer for the whole of the financial year ended 30 June 2007 was M Stone.

2007 2006 $’000 $’000

29.2 Board Members Remuneration Total remuneration received or due and receivable by Board Members from the reporting entity was: 137 120

Number Number

The number of Board Members of the reporting entity included in this figure is shown below:

Income of: $0 to $9,999 11 $10,000 to $19,999 77 $20,000 to $29,999 11

29.3 Executive Officers Remuneration The number of executive officers, other than Ministers and Accountable Officers, and their total remuneration during the reporting period are shown in the first two columns in the table below in their relevant income bands. The base remuneration of executive officers is shown in the third and fourth columns. Base remuneration is exclusive of bonus payments, long-service leave payments, redundancy payments and retirement benefits.

A number of employment contracts were completed during the year and renegotiated and a number of executives received bonus payments during the year. These bonus payments depend on the terms of individual employment contracts. Some contracts provide for an annual bonus payment whereas other contracts only include the payment of bonuses on the successful completion of the full term of the contract.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 83 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (CONTINUED)

29.3 Executive Officers Remuneration (continued)

Income Band Total Remuneration Base Remuneration 2007 2006 2007 2006 Number Number Number Number

$100,000 to $109,999 1 2 1 0 $110,000 to $119,999 0 1 0 0 $120,000 to $129,999 0 0 2 1 $130,000 to $139,999 2 1 1 2 $140,000 to $149,999 1 2* 4 3 $150,000 to $159,999 4 3 0 1 $160,000 to $169,999 0 0 3 2 $170,000 to $179,999 1 1 0 0 $180,000 to $189,999 2 2 1 1 $200,000 to $209,999 1 1 0 0 $220,000 to $229,999 0 0 0 1 $230,000 to $239,999 0 0 1 0 $250,000 to $259,999 0 1 0 0 $260,000 to $269,999 1 0 0 0 $310,000 to $319,999 0 1* 0 0

Total Numbers 13 15 13 11

Total Amount ($‘000) $2,153 $2,530 $1,997 $2,088

Executive officer base remunerations were reviewed by the Government Senior Executive Remuneration Panel (GSERP) and increases paid in accordance with Government guidelines.

* Includes entitlements paid out under the terms of the contracts specific to the resignation of two executive officers.

2007 2006 $’000 $’000

29.4 Other Transactions of Board Members and Board Member-related Entities Nil Nil

30. Segment Information The activities of the economic entity entirely relate to park management and are all conducted within the State of Victoria, Australia.

31. Financial Instruments (a) Financial Risk Management Objectives Parks Victoria’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in interest rates. Parks Victoria does not enter into derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate risk.

Parks Victoria does not enter into or trade financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the Parks Victoria’s policies approved by its board, which provide written principles on the use of financial derivatives.

The policies for managing these risks are discussed in more detail below.

84 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 31. Financial Instruments (continued) (b) Significant Accounting Policies Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in note 2 to the financial statements.

(c) Significant Terms and Conditions There are no significant terms and conditions applicable to Parks Victoria, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument.

(d) Interest Rate Risk The weighted average cash interest rate earned for 2006-07 was 5.80 per cent (2005-06 5.15 per cent).

(e) Credit Risk Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to Parks Victoria. Parks Victoria has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties and obtaining sufficient collateral where appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults. Parks Victoria measures credit risk on a fair value basis.

Parks Victoria does not have any significant credit risk exposure to any single counterparty or any group of counterparties having similar characteristics. The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies.

The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements, net of any allowances for losses, represents Parks Victoria’s maximum exposure to credit risk without taking account of the value of any collateral obtained.

(f) Fair Value Management considers that the carrying amount of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the financial statements approximates their fair values (2006: net fair value).

The fair values and net fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are determined as follows:

•the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities with standard terms and conditions and traded on active liquid markets are determined with reference to quoted market prices; and • the fair value of other financial assets and financial liabilities are determined in accordance with generally accepted pricing models based on discounted cash flow analysis.

Transaction costs are included in the determination of net fair value.

The carrying values and fair values of financial assets and liabilities at balance date are:

Total Carrying Amount As Per Balance Sheet Aggregate Fair Value 2007 2006 2007 2006 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Cash and Cash Equivalents 12,960 12,913 12,960 12,913 Receivables 12,051 4,731 12,051 4,731

Total Financial Assets 25,011 17,644 25,011 17,644

Payables 15,834 16,015 15,834 16,015

Total Financial Liabilities 15,834 16,015 15,834 16,015

Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount approximates fair value because of their short term to maturity.

Trade receivables and payables: The carrying amount approximates fair value.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 85 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (CONTINUED)

32. Consolidation Elimination Entries Intra* Intra* Inter** Inter** 2007 2006 2007 2006 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

During 2006-07 transactions were undertaken with other State Government controlled entities that amounted to:

Assets 0 0 615 520 Liabilities and Equity 13,782 5,719 0 715 Revenues 131,156 119,921 4,637 7,431 Expenses 14,661 9,923 4,895 5,037 * Intra transactions are those transactions undertaken within the Department of Sustainability and Environment portfolio. ** Inter transactions are those transactions undertaken outside the Department of Sustainability and Environment portfolio.

33. Post Balance Date Events Parks Victoria is unaware of any events subsequent to the reporting date that will have a material impact on its financial position or future financial performance.

86 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 STATUTORY CERTIFICATE

We certify that the attached financial statements for Parks Victoria have been prepared in accordance with Standing Direction 4.2 of the Financial Management Act 1994, applicable Financial Reporting Directions, Australian accounting standards and other mandatory professional reporting requirements.

We further state that, in our opinion, the information set out in the Operating Statement, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity, Cash Flow Statement and notes to and forming part of the financial statements, presents fairly the financial transactions during the year ended 30 June 2007 and financial position of Parks Victoria at 30 June 2007.

We are not aware of any circumstance which would render any particulars included in the financial statements to be misleading or inaccurate.

R Gerrand Chairman

M Stone Chief Executive

S Mahony Chief Financial Officer

Dated at Melbourne, 16 August 2007.

PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 87 88 PARKS VICTORIA – ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07 Level 10, 535 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Facsimile (03) 9629 5563

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