Melaleuca Site and Rehabilitation Plan 2014
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Melaleuca Site and Rehabilitation Plan Southwest National Park Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Melaleuca Site and Rehabilitation Plan This site and rehabilitation plan applies to Melaleuca which lies in the Southwest National Park and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It applies to the Melaleuca Visitor Services Zone as well as the former Rallinga mining lease area and nearby sites used for recreational, conservation or operational purposes. The plan has been prepared, as agreed with the Commonwealth Government, to facilitate mining rehabilitation works; to improve visitors’ experiences in the Melaleuca area; and, to guide site management. Peter Mooney General Manager Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service ISBN 978-0-9923628-1-2 (print version) ISBN 978-0-9923628-2-9 (pdf version) © State of Tasmania 2014 Cover photo: Moth Creek by A.Turbett Published by: Parks and Wildlife Service Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment GPO Box 1751 Hobart TASMANIA 7001 Melaleuca Site and Rehabilitation Plan Contents Visitor Experience Statement ................................................................................................ 1 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction and reserve management framework ...................................................... 4 1.1 Significance of Melaleuca .................................................................................................................................. 4 1.2 Background information .................................................................................................................................. 5 1.3 Plan purpose and boundary ............................................................................................................................ 6 1.4 Relationship to other plans ............................................................................................................................. 9 1.5 Management challenges .................................................................................................................................. 10 1.6 Overarching objectives .................................................................................................................................. 10 2. Values of Melaleuca ........................................................................................................ 12 2.1 World heritage values .................................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Landscape values .............................................................................................................................................. 13 2.3 Geoheritage values .......................................................................................................................................... 14 2.4 Flora and fauna values..................................................................................................................................... 15 2.5 Aboriginal heritage values.............................................................................................................................. 16 2.6 Historic heritage values ................................................................................................................................. 17 3. Reserve protection ......................................................................................................... 20 3.1 Diseases, introduced species and biosecurity .......................................................................................... 20 3.2 Research and conservation programs ........................................................................................................ 22 4. Visitors and facilities ....................................................................................................... 25 4.1 Management zones .......................................................................................................................................... 26 4.2 Access – aircraft, boating and walking ....................................................................................................... 29 4.3 Day and overnight facilities ........................................................................................................................... 35 4.4 Information and interpretation .................................................................................................................... 37 4.5 Visitor monitoring ........................................................................................................................................... 40 4.6 New developments ......................................................................................................................................... 41 4.7 Commercial visitor services ......................................................................................................................... 41 4.8 Operational facilities ....................................................................................................................................... 42 4.9 Residential leases ............................................................................................................................................. 45 4.10 Community and volunteers .......................................................................................................................... 45 5. Rehabilitation of Rallinga Mine area ............................................................................. 47 5.1 Background information ................................................................................................................................ 47 5.2 Rehabilitation considerations ....................................................................................................................... 49 5.3 Rehabilitation activities ................................................................................................................................... 49 6. Monitoring and evaluation ............................................................................................. 53 Melaleuca Site and Rehabilitation Plan 7. Information sources ........................................................................................................ 55 8. Appendices ...................................................................................................................... 58 Appendix 1 – Key desired outcomes, indicators and effectiveness monitoring ................................................ 58 Appendix 2 – Implementation plan ................................................................................................................................ 60 Maps Map 1 Location and tenure.....................................................................................................................................7 Map 2 Plan area and features..................................................................................................................................8 Map 3 Zoning............................................................................................................................................................28 Map 4 Rallinga Mine key features and rehabilitation activities......................................................................48 Abbreviations and terminology chytrid amphibian chytrid fungus DPIPWE Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment ha hectares ICOMOS International Council on Monuments and Sites IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature OUV Outstanding Universal Value means cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity. (Definition from the ‘Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention’). PWS Parks and Wildlife Service RSF The Reserve Standards Framework is a PWS policy approach for risk management and sets standards for acceptable levels of visitor risk. It also facilitates the targeted provision of services that are appropriate for specific areas. TWWHA Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation VSZ Visitor Services Zone Melaleuca Site and Rehabilitation Plan Visitor Experience Statement Lying deep within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Melaleuca is a special and spectacular place to visit. The following statement captures the intended experiences for visitors which this plan aims to facilitate. Although it is one of the most remote areas of mainland Tasmania, and beyond the road network, Melaleuca receives many visitors arriving by air, sea or on foot. It attracts a wide range of people due to its beauty, isolation, and both natural and human history. Melaleuca provides a gateway for some visitors to explore the more remote parts of Tasmania’s rugged south-west wilderness. Others appreciate the opportunity to experience the area from air, land and water on a day tour from Hobart. For boaters the area can provide a haven from the wild waters off Tasmania’s south-west coast. Melaleuca can also be experienced through relaxing day trips, combined with a scenic flight. The facilities and aircraft