Working Plan for Boshes Creek Flora Reserve Macquarie Region
Contents Page Authorisation and review 1
1. DETAILS OF THE RESERVE 2 1.1 Location 2 1.2 Key Attributes of the Reserve 2 1.3 General Description 2 1.4 History 3 1.5 Current Usage 3 2. System of Management 4 2.1 Objectives of Management 4 2.2 Management Strategies 4 2.3 Management Responsibility 5 2.4 Monitoring, Reporting and Review 6
1. LIST OF APPENDICES 7 Appendix 1 -Topographic and locality map of the Reserve 7 Appendix 2 - Forest types in the Reserve 8 Appendix 3- Flora species known to occur in the Reserve 9 Appendix 4- Fauna species recorded on or within 2km of the Reserve 12 Appendix 5- Photograph of the typical forest structure within the Reserve 13
I Authorisation and review
This plan will remain in force until July 2016 and will be reviewed before renewal in 2015
This Working Plan for Boshes Creek Flora Reserves has been prepared as a supplementary plan under the Nature Conservation Strategy of the Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (ESFM) Plan for Macquarie Region. This plan is consistent with the model plan and addresses significant aspects and i pacts. It is prepared in accordance with the terms of section 25A (5) of the Forestry Act 1916 ith the objective of providing for the future management of Mullions Range State Forest N .176 set aside as Boshes Creek Flora Reserve No 23. This plan is now approved for imple tation. This plan supercedes the Boshes Creek Flora Reserve Working Plan (publication dat n own c.1980) 1~ ) l I Regional Manager Date
Working Plan for Boshes Creek Flora Reserve Version No.: 1 Page 1 of 13 TRIM File: F2011 /01307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 2016 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. 1. Details of the Reserve
1.1 Location
The Reserve is situated wholly within Compartment 80 and 81 of the Mullions Range State Forest No. 176 at a direct line distance of about 26 km north of Orange. The Reserve has an area of 183 hectares. The boundaries of the Reserve are marked by a gravel road to the north, Lookout Rock Road to the west and by the State Forest boundary on the east. A locality map is attached in Appendix 1.
I 1.2 Key Attributes of the Reserve
The Reserve possesses the following identified attri butes that are to be protected: • Representation of forest types historically cleared for plantation: The Reserve was set aside during a period of extensive clearing of native forest for pine plantation in the 1970's and 1980's as a good example of the forest types being removed. • Relatively undisturbed area of dry sclerophyll forest: The Reserve area is in a relatively undisturbed state with little history of use for wood production, pastoral use or other human activities.
1.3 General Description
Topography The Reserve occupies part of a steep sided valley on the eastern fall of the Mullions Range and is drained by Bashes Creek which descends some 120 metres within the Reserve over a distance of about 1.5 kilometres. This creek flows except in exceptionally dry times and even then the larger holes will still contain water. The valley sides are dissected by numerous steep gullies connecting with the main creek. The landscape is broken and rugged . Altitude varies between about 670 metres and 850 metres.
Geology and soils Geologically the Reserve is on the eastern edge of the Mullions Range volcanic formation which is placed in the Silurian period. Soi l is a grayish to brown podzol derived from acid tuffs, outcrops of which are a general feature of the area, and to a lesser extent from shales and quartz.
Climate The area has a temperate summer climate and a cold winter. Frosts are of frequent occurrence in winter with occasional light snow falls on the higher sections. Rainfall occurs generally in the winter-spring period. Rainfall figures have been taken from the Mullions Range State Forest headquarters where records date from 1941 to the present. Temperatures listed are from Orange and would be approximately similar to those at the Reserve.
Rainfall Mean Annual 972mm Lowest record 469mm
Working Plan for Bashes Creek Flora ReseNe Version No.: 1 Page 2 of 13 TRIM File: F2011/01307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 2016 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. Highest record 1935mm Temperature Mean Max 21 "C Mean Min 5·c Extreme Max 41 "C Extreme Min -12"C
Vegetation The Reserve supports a dry sclerophyll forest in various stages of maturity which was representative of areas being cleared for pine plantation development in the region between around 1975 to 1980. In general the area is relatively undisturbed. There is a sparse shrub layer and good ground cover layer of grasses, forest litter, herbs and woody material. Canopy height is low and the site quality is generally poor. See Appendix 5 for photographic illustrations of the forest structure. The predominant tree species are Brittle Gum (E.mannifera), Scribby Gum (E.rossil) with Red Stringy bark (E.macrorhyncha), and Longleaved Box (E.gonioca/yx). Broadleaved Peppermint (E.dives), Yellow Box (E.melliodora) , Red Box (E.polyanthemos) , and Candlebark Gum (E.rubida) occur on the deeper soils, and Black Cypress Pine ( Callitris endlichen) is found on some of the northern slopes. A wide range of shrub species exist in the Reserve, including many wattles: Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) is the most common of these. Appendix 2 identifies the major forest types in the Reserve. Appendix 3 outlines a list of flora species known to occur in the Reserve.
Fauna The Reserve supports a broad array of fauna. Fauna records for the area were collected from random sightings at around the time of the gazettal of the Reserve. No formal records for fauna sightings are available through the Wildlife Atlas (NPWS). Appendix 4 lists fauna species informally recorded around 1980 in the Reserve The Black Striped Wallaby (Wal/abia dorsalis) was informally recorded in the Reserve and is presently listed as Endangered. The Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) and Spotted Tail Quoll (Dasyurops macu/ates) were also informally recorded in the area and are presently listed as Vulnerable. These three sighting records are believed to be circa 1980 and are unconfirmed.
I 1.4 History
There is little information available on the history of this Reserve. The adjacent plantation bordering the Reserve was cleared in 1978. The Reserve was not known to be used for timber production except for a small number of Red Box trees removed for fencing material. There is no history of large fires in the Mullions Range area since the 1920's and hazard reduction burning has been largely excluded from the Reserve since its gazettal in 1973. A hazard reduction burn was conducted on the north eastern slope of the Reserve in 2010.
I 1.5 Current Usage
The main use of the Reserve is minor recreation . Recreational use is limited by the rough terrain of the Reserve and limited access to the locality. The surrounding pine forest is used for softwood timber production and other recreational uses.
Working Plan for Bashes Creek Flora Reserve Version No.: 1 Page 3 of 13 TRIM File: F2011 /01 307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 201 6 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. I 2. System of Management
I 2.1 Objectives of Management
The objectives of management will be to: • Provide areas for future scientific study, so long as such work does not upset the essentially undisturbed state of the Reserve. • Maintain a reference stand with which to compare the effects of subsequent land utilization and exotic pine establishment in adjacent areas. • Retain a site that will assist in providing a greater degree of biological diversity in the area as a whole.
I 2.2 Management Strategies
The management strategies will seek to achieve the objectives outlined above by: • Limiting any hazard reduction burning except to o An area within 300m strip from the western and northwestern boundaries. Burning within this strip should aim to produce a mosaic of burnt and unburnt patches. o Where fire retention is required to protect community assets outside of lands managed by Forests NSW • Exclusion of road construction except along Reserve boundaries • Avoid development or support of any recreational activities within the Reserve except for educational activities • Limit any works or construction within the Reserve to walking trails for educational purposes. Under the Forest Management Zoning (FMZ) system, Boshes Creek Flora Reserve is zoned FMZ 1 and therefore contributes to the dedicated Reserve system in the Macquarie Region. Management will be consistent with the requirements of JANIS dedicated Reserves and the area cannot be revoked except by an act of Parliament. Consistent with FMZ 1, the following activities are not permitted: • Timber harvesting; • Removal of forest products and materials; • Grazing by domestic stock (no new permits will be issued and any existing permits will be phased out); • Gravel or hard rock quarrying; • Mineral and petroleum exploration and mining when exempted by the Minister administering the Mining Act 1992. The following activities may be permitted subject to standard conditions approved by the Regional Manager and consistent with Codes of Practice, Forest Practices/Operational Circulars, protocols, Licenses and ManagemenURecovery Plans: • Scientific studies (eg, fauna surveys including trapping); • Maintenance of existing roads and fire trails; • Maintenance of existing recreation facilities and upgrading where necessary to keep pace with demand while protecting the attributes of the Reserve;
Working Plan for Boshes Creek Flora Reserve Version No.: 1 Page 4 of 13 TRIM File: F2011 /01 307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 201 6 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. • Limited tree and or limb removal for safety, viewing or construction of facilities in areas used for recreation ; • Pest animal and weed control (as far as practicable noxious weeds and other exotic species will be eliminated from the Reserve.); • General access for activities such as bush walking, photography and nature study; • Beekeeping (existing set-down sites may be used but new set-down sites will not be approved); • Aboriginal use of forest products (the Regional Manager may authorise an Aboriginal person to carry out forest product operations within the Reserve. This authorisation should only occur where no other land is reasonably accessible to the Aboriginal person and the scale and intensity of the activity is consistent with the maintenance of the conservation attributes to be protected in the Reserve); • Prescribed burning in a manner consistent with maintaining the health of forest ecosystems. Prescribed burning is to be limited to an area within 300m strip from the western and northwestern boundaries. Burning within this strip should aim to produce a mosaic of burnt and unburnt patches. • Fuel management within the Reserve will be undertaken as part of the District Bush Fire Management Committee considerations and consistent with the Rural Fires Act. Any proposed prescribed burning within or surrounding the Reserve will be considerate of public comment obtained through advertisement in the local newspapers and will be consistent with the Regional Fuel Management Plan exhibited at the Regional Office). The following activities may only be permitted with special conditions: • Construction of communication towers and associated buildings • Construction of new roads. Construction will only be permitted in exceptional instances and consistent with the following principles: o No practical alternative is available; o The attributes of the Reserve will not be significantly affected by the road or fire trail; o Opportunity is provided for public comment on the proposal, obtained through advertising in the local newspaper; o Ministerial approval is given for the proposal.
I 2.3 Management Responsibility
The Reserve will be administered by the Regional Manager of Forests NSW Macquarie Region , who shall ensure: • The boundaries of the Reserve are maintained in a clearly marked condition. The state of the boundary marking will be checked, and if necessary clarified, before any operations are carried out in the vicinity of the Reserve; • Operations in adjacent areas are performed in a manner so as not to cause damage or disturbance to the Reserve; • Occupation and Special Purposes permits are issued only for activities consistent with the management objectives for the Reserve; • Opportunity for public and inter-agency comment when considering any changes to the management objectives or boundaries of the Reserve.
Working Plan for Bashes Creek Flora Reserve Version No.: 1 Page 5 of 13 TRIM File: F2011/01307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 201 6 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. 2.4 Monitoring, Reporting and Review
The Region will inspect the Reserve annually to monitor changes to the key attributes of the Reserve and will review the effectiveness of the management strategies designed to protect those attributes and to achieve the management objectives. The results of this monitoring, review and management response will be reported in the Annual ESFM Report for the Region and will contribute to future reports of the Forest Agreement. The provisions of this Working Plan will be amended, if necessary, in light of the results of the monitoring program and or legislative change.
Working Plan for Boshes Creek Flora Reserve Version No. : 1 Page 6 of 13 TRIM File: F2011/01307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 2016 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. 1. List of Appendices Appendix 1 -Topographic and locality map of the Reserve
C) ,._C) ..,"' C) C) ..,"' C) ~ :!l.., C) C) C) .., C) C) 0 0 ..,"' g ..,"'~ C) ..,~ 0 0 0 ..,~ 0 0 .., 140000 140400 140800 141200 141600 142000 142400 142800 143200 143600 Mullions Range Legend a Flora Reserve -- Sealed Flora Reserve Native Forest ~ ~ Major Gravel - Softwood Plantations ~~ Minor Gravel Topographic and Natural Surface -- Contour (10m) = l ocality Map -- Drainage Lines ---· 4 \.Aitleel Drive Track Produced by Macquarie Region 0 255 510 1,020 Meters June 2011 I Working Plan for Boshes Creek Flora Reserve Version No.: 1 Page 7 of 13 TRIM File: F2011 /01307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 2016 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. Appendix 2 - Forest types in the Reserve Forest type Dominant species Dominant species (scientific name) (common name) Shallow soil forest type E. mannifera, E. rossii, Brittle Gum, Scribby Gum, E. macrorrhyncha, Red Stringybark, Longleaved E.goniocalyx box Deep soil forest type E. dives, E. melliodora, Broadleaved Peppermint, E.polyanthemos, E.rubida Yellowbox, Red Box, Candlebark Northern slopes Callitris endlicheri Black Cypress Pine Working Plan for Boshes Creek Flora Reserve Version No.: 1 Page 8 of 13 TRIM File: F2011/01307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 2016 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. Appendix 3- Flora species known to occur in the Reserve Family Genus and Species Adiantaceae Adiantum aethiopicum Cheilanthes tenufolia Pellaea falcate Aspleniaceae Asplenium flabellifolium Dennstaedtiaceae Pteridium esculentum Pteridaceae Pteris tremula Cuppressaceae Callitris endlicheri Asteraceae Brachycome scapiformis Cassinia arcuata Cassinia longifolia Craspedia uniflora Helichrysum apiculatum spp. Bracteatum and rutidolepis Microseris scapigera Senecio sp. Olearia erubescens Bignoniaceae Pandorea pandorana Campanulaceae Wahlenbergia stricta Caryophyllaceae Stellaria pungens Casuarinaceae Casuarina sp. aff.distyla Dilleniaceae Hibbertia obtusifolia Droseraceae Droser peltata Ericaceae Brachyloma daphnoides Leucopogon virgatus Leucopogon sp. Lissanthe strigosa Melichrus urceolatus Monotoca scoparia Styphelia triflora Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus thymoides Fabaceae Bossiaea foliosa Bossiaea rhombifolia Daviesia virgata Dillwynia retorta Glycine clandestine Gompholobium heugelii Hardenbergia violacea Hovea linearis lndigofera australis Pultenea polifolia Pultenea subtemata Swainsonia galegifolia Gerianaceae Geranium sp. Wori Working Plan for Bashes Creek Flora Reserve Version No.: 1 Page 1 0 of 13 TRIM File: F2011/01307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 2016 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. Sterculiaceae Sterculiaceae Brachychiton populneus Tremandraceae Tetratheca thymifolia Violaceae Viola hederacea lridaceae Patersonia sericea Juncaginaceae Triglochin procera Liliaceae Anguil/aria dioca Dianella laevis Dianella revolute Stypandra glauca Tricoryne elatior Orchidaceae Caladenia carnea Corybas sp. Diuris sp. Glossodia major Microtis sp. Chiloglottis sp. Xanthorrhoeaceae Lomandra filiform is ssp. coriacea and longifolia Working Plan for Bashes Creek Flora Reserve Version No .: 1 Page 11 of 13 TRIM File: F2011/01307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 2016 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. Appendix 4- Fauna species recorded on or within 2km of the Reserve There were no fauna species recorded on the Wildlife Atlas within 2km of the Reserve. The following informal sightings were taken at the time of the creation of the Reserve around 1980 and may have been provided by the Orange Field Naturalists (source unknown). FNSW was unable to verify the sightings. Common Name Scientific Name Threatened Species (NSW) Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula Not Listed Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus /anginosus Not Listed Greater Glider Schoinobates volans Not Listed Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis *Vulnerable Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps Not Listed Marsupial Mouse Antechinus sp. Not Listed Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Not Listed Red-necked Wallabia rufogrisia Not Listed Wallaby Black-striped Wallabia dorsalis *Endangered Wallaby Spotted Tail Quail Dasyurops macu/atus *Vulnerable Working Plan for Bashes Creek Flora Reserve Version No.: 1 Page 12 of 13 TRIM File: F2011 /01307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 2016 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use. Appendix 5- Photograph of the typical forest structure within the Reserve Working Plan for Bashes Creek Flora Reserve Version No.: 1 Page 13 of 13 TRIM File: F2011/01307 Issue date: Sept 2011 Review date: Sept 2016 WARNING: a printed copy of this document may be uncontrolled. Please verify this is the latest version prior to use.