National Parks Act Annual Report 2009 Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne October 2009 © The State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2009 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 . Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne 3002 Printed by Stream Solutions Printed on 100% recycled paper ISSN 1031-7899 For further information, contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963. Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication 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 publication. Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, such as large print or audio, please telephone 136 186 or 1800 122 969 (TTY), or email [email protected]. This document is also available in PDF format on the Internet at
Fire recovery
This annual report on the working of the National Parks Act The year also saw considerable progress made towards 1975 for the year ended 30 June 2009 is provided to the implementing key government election commitments to expand Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings the parks system: ]ÊvÀÊÌ iÊ«ÕÀ«ÃiÊvÊÃiVÌÊÎxÊvÊÌ iÊVÌ° UÊ LLLiiÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊÜ>ÃÊVÀi>Ìi`ÊÊv>ÀÊÃÕÌ ÜiÃÌÊ The overwhelming event of the year was the 2009 bushfires, Victoria particularly the devastating fires which started on Black UÊ Ì iÊ}ÛiÀiÌÊ>ÕVi`ÊÌÃÊ`iVÃÃÊÊÌ iÊ6VÌÀ>Ê Saturday. These resulted in a tragic loss of life and property Environmental Assessment Council River Red Gum Forests which was deeply felt through the community. The commitment Investigation Final Report of staff from the Department of Sustainability and Environment, These decisions include the creation of four new national Parks Victoria, Country Fire Authority and other Networked parks and three new other parks and the expansion of six Emergency Organisation partners to the fire effort was existing parks under the Act, and also the establishment exceptional, and this commitment continues into the fire of Traditional Owner majority boards of management recovery phase. for Barmah National Park and Nyah-Vinifera Park, a The fires had a significant impact on the parks system, burning Victorian first. nearly all of Kinglake National Park and Cathedral Range State UÊ Ì iÊ Üi>Ì Ê >`i`ÊL>VÊÌ iÊ+Õ>À>ÌiÊ-Ì>ÌÊvÀÊ Park and a significant part of the Yarra Ranges National Park. In inclusion in the Point Nepean National Park and legislation to addition, the Bunyip fire burnt a large part of Bunyip State Park, add the area to the park was introduced into Parliament and the fire at Wilsons Promontory burnt about half of that UÊ ÜÀÊ«ÀVii`i`ÊÊw>Ã}ÊÌ iÊiÜÊ«>ÀÊ>`ÊÀiÃiÀÛiÊ>Ài>ÃÊ national park. in East Gippsland. Parks Victoria was still able to deliver a significant program of I thank all those who were involved in delivering the parks park management services across the state, as reflected in the program over the past year: the many volunteers and many projects and activities described elsewhere in this report. organisations who assisted, but particularly the staff who have shown ongoing commitment and dedication in extremely challenging times.
Greg Wilson Secretary to the Department of Sustainability and Environment
1 Contents
Foreword 1
Representative parks system 3 Areas managed under the Act 3 Changes to the parks system 3 Future additions to the parks system 4 Management planning 4 Ê >Ì>ÊiÀÌ>}iÊ ÃÌÊ x
Natural values management 6 Research 6 Environmental management 8
Fire management and fire recovery 12 Bushfires 12 Planned burning 13 Preparing for emergencies 13 Fire recovery 13
Traditional Owner partnerships and cultural heritage management 14 Traditional Owner partnerships 14 Indigenous cultural heritage 14 Non-Indigenous cultural heritage 14
Community involvement 15 Volunteers 15 Community grants 15
Visitor and tourism services 16 Information, interpretation and education 16 Enhancing visitor facilities 17 Tour operators 18 Visits to parks 18
Supporting park management 19 Park management 19 Ê i}Ã>ÌÊ £ Authorities granted under the Act 20 Enforcement 22 Interstate cooperation 22 Advisory bodies 23
Appendixes 25 1 – Areas managed under the National Parks Act 25 2 – Pest plant control projects 31 3 – Pest animal control projects 33 Ê {ÊqÊ V>ÌÃÊvÊ«>ÀÃÊ>`ÊÌ iÀÊ>Ài>ÃÊ Î{
2 Representative parks system
Cobboboonee National Park
Areas managed under the Act Changes to the parks system
As at 30 June 2009, there were 133 areas with a total area of Cobboboonee National Park 3.32 million hectares managed under various provisions of the The park system was enhanced with the creation of National Parks Act. Appendix 1 lists the areas and Appendix 4 Cobboboonee National Park (18 510 ha) on 9 November shows their location. 2008. The park is located in the Cobboboonee Forest north- The 133 areas comprised: ÜiÃÌÊvÊ*ÀÌ>`Ê>`Ê>LÕÌÃÊ ÜiÀÊii}Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ>`Ê Cobboboonee Forest Park. UÊ ££ÇÊ>Ài>ÃÊΰΣxÊÊ >®ÊVÌ>i`ÊÊÃV i`ÕiÃÊÌÊÌ iÊVÌ – 41 national parks (Schedule Two) The new national park includes most of the Surry River – 3 wilderness parks (Schedule Two A) VÀÀ`ÀÊ>ÃÊÜiÊ>ÃÊÌ iÊ i>`Ü>ÌiÀÃÊvÊÌ iÊÌâÀÞÊ,ÛiÀ°ÊÌÊ – 27 state parks (Schedule Two B) protects significant areas of lowland forest and many wetlands and endangered and vulnerable vegetation types as well as – 5 coastal parks, 3 historic parks, 1 nature conservation threatened species, including large forest owls, small marsupials reserve, 4 regional parks and Haining Farm and a skink. The park offers a range of recreation opportunities, (Schedule Three) including a section of the Great South West Walk, camping, – 3 marine and coastal parks, 2 marine parks, 1 marine picnicking, horse riding and vehicle touring, complementing the reserve, 1 national heritage park and 1 nature conservation opportunities in the adjoining Cobboboonee Forest Park. reserve (Schedule Four) – 13 marine national parks (Schedule Seven) Park additions – 11 marine sanctuaries (Schedule Eight) Also on 9 November 2009, there were additions totalling UÊ £ÈÊÃV i`Õi`Ê>Ài>ÃÊ{{{ÎÊ >®ÊÌÊÜ V Ê«>ÀÌVÕ>ÀÊ 326 hectares to seven parks under the Act: Great Otway, provisions of the Act apply. }>iÊ>`Ê ÜiÀÊii}Ê>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃ]ÊiÞÊ*>Ã]Ê >}Ê Ghiran and Warrandyte state parks and Castlemaine Diggings The Act also defines: National Heritage Park (see Table 1). UÊ £ÊÜ`iÀiÃÃÊâiÃÊ-V i`ÕiÊÛi®ÊÜÌ ÊÇÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊ (see Appendix 1) Park excisions UÊ ÓÓÊÀiÌiÊ>`Ê>ÌÕÀ>Ê>Ài>ÃÊ-V i`ÕiÊ-Ý®ÊÜÌ Ê£ÓÊ>Ì>Ê An area of about 0.5 ha comprising an access track was excised parks (see Appendix 1) from Great Otway National Park to provide legal access, and UÊ {Ê`iÃ}>Ìi`ÊÜ>ÌiÀÊÃÕ««ÞÊV>ÌV iÌÊ>Ài>ÃÊÜÌ ÊÀi>ÌÊ two roads were excised from Yarra Ranges National Park. Otway, Kinglake and Yarra Ranges national parks.
3 Table 1 – Park additions Addition Park (ha) Summary description Nature of addition Great Otway NP 0.3 Small area at Johanna camping ground (west of Purchased land Cape Otway) to provide access to the beach Kinglake NP 74 Two blocks of undisturbed bushland contiguous Donated land, land purchased with existing park (59 ha) with the assistance of a donation Frontage of Watsons Creek and nearby road Crown land reserve reserve (15 ha) ÜiÀÊii}Ê * 16 Three small areas abutting existing park Crown land supporting heathy or herb-rich woodlands Holey Plains SP 178 Ben Winch Swamp, a significant wetland Purchased land containing two nationally endangered plant species >}Ê À>Ê-* 42 Area containing threatened woodland and forest Purchased land vegetation types Warrandyte SP 6 Three small blocks at Pound Bend Purchased land Road reserves no longer required Road reserves Castlemaine Diggings NHP 10 Part of the historically significant Welsh Village Purchased or otherwise acquired and several small allotments along Happy Valley land Road to consolidate the park in that location
NHP National Heritage Park NP National Park SP State Park
Future additions to the parks system the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, the Hon Peter Garrett AM MP, signed an historic agreement which transferred the River Red Gum parks ä iVÌ>ÀiÊ+Õ>À>ÌiÊ-Ì>ÌÊL>VÊÌÊ6VÌÀ>°Ê/ iÊ >Ì>Ê On 30 December 2008, the government announced its Parks Amendment (Point Nepean) Bill 2009 to add virtually all response to the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council vÊÌ iÊ+Õ>À>ÌiÊ-Ì>ÌÊ>`ÊÌ iÊ>`}ÊÌiÀÌ`>ÊâiÊÌÊ River Red Gum Forests Investigation Final Report . Its formal Point Nepean National Park was introduced into Parliament the response was tabled in parliament on 9 March 2009. next day (see also Legislation ). This marks the end of a long The government committed to create four new national parks process to return this significant area to Victoria and will ensure >À> ]ÊÕLÜiÀ]Ê ÜiÀÊÕLÕÀÊ>`Ê7>ÀLÞ"ÛiîÊ>`Ê that Point Nepean can be managed as a single integrated three other parks (Gadsen Bend, Kings Billabong and Nyah- national park. Vinifera) under the Act, and to expand six existing parks Management planning (Hattah-Kulkyne, Mount Buffalo, Murray-Sunset and Terrick /iÀÀVÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃ]Ê i>} ÕÀÊ-Ì>ÌiÊ*>ÀÊ>`Ê ÕÀÀ>Þ ÕÞiÊ As at 30 June 2009 there were approved management plans for Park) (see also Cultural values management ). These are to be all, or parts of, 42 national parks, 3 wilderness parks, 27 state legislated later in 2009. parks, 17 other parks and reserves, 13 marine national parks and 11 marine sanctuaries. East Gippsland parks During the year: Work progressed on implementing the government’s 2006 election commitment to expand the parks and reserves system UÊ >««ÀÛi`Ê«>ÃÊÜiÀiÊw>Ãi`Ê>`ÊÀii>Ãi`ÊvÀÊ ÌiÀ in East Gippsland. Mt Pilot National Park (October 2008) and Point Nepean >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ>`Ê+Õ>À>ÌiÊ-Ì>ÌÊÕiÊÓää®Ê Point Nepean UÊ >Ê`À>vÌÊ«>ÊvÀÊ-ÌÊÀ>Õ`Ê,>}iÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊÜ>ÃÊÀii>Ãi`Ê On 8 June 2009, the Minister for Environment and Climate for public comment (April 2009) >}i]Ê>ÛÊi}ÃÊ ]Ê>`ÊÌ iÊi`iÀ>Ê ÃÌiÀÊvÀÊ UÊ Ì iÊ>>}iiÌÊ«>ÃÊVÛiÀ}Ê ÕÀV Ê>`Ê >iÊ `Ê national parks, Cathedral Range, Mount Samaria and Holey *>ÃÊÃÌ>ÌiÊ«>ÀÃÊ>`Ê ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>ÀÊÜiÀiÊÀiÛiÜi`Ê>`Ê extended for a further five years.
4 A review of the management plans for the Greater Alpine Owners for the Budj Bim landscape, including Mount Eccles National Parks commenced. The new plan will cover the Alpine, National Park and Mount Napier State Park. Baw Baw, Errinundra, Mount Buffalo and Snowy River national Work continued on finalising the plan for the Great parks and Avon Wilderness Park, as well as five adjacent historic Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park following areas not under the Act (Grant, Howqua Hills, Mount Murphy, the receipt of 493 written submissions on the draft Mount Wills and Walhalla). plans and 367 comments via three open house The planning process is trialing a new landscape management forums and an eForum online discussion board. plan framework, using on-line planning with web-based applications including a blog, social networking, a wiki and a National Heritage List public participatory geographic information system in addition In November 2008, the Australian Alps national parks under to the more traditional methods of engaging communities. This the Memorandum of understanding for the cooperative innovative approach aims to encourage contributions from a management of the Australian Alps national parks were broader range of community groups and individuals and enable VÕ`i`ÊÊÌ iÊ Üi>Ì ½ÃÊ >Ì>ÊiÀÌ>}iÊ ÃÌÊÊ earlier and ongoing participation in drafting the plan. recognition of their outstanding heritage values. The Victorian The process to develop the first joint management plan with parks listed were the Alpine, Baw Baw, Mount Buffalo and Budj Bim Council commenced in partnership with the Traditional Snowy River national parks and Avon Wilderness Park.
5 Natural values management
Environmental watering, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park
Research Applied research Parks Victoria’s natural values management research program Research authorisations helps ensure decision-making is underpinned by sound science. Research, study or investigation in an area under the Act are As in past years, adaptive experimental management (AEM), authorised under section 20 or 21A of the Act, sometimes in which uses on-ground management as part of the research conjunction with a permit under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee process, was a focus of the research program in 2008–09. Act 1988 , Reference Areas Act 1978 or Wildlife Act 1975 . Research using the AEM approach included: In 2008–09, 224 permits were issued (137 new permits and UÊ >Ê`iÌ>i`Ê>>ÞÃÃÊvÊ`>Ì>Ê>ÃÃV>Ìi`ÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊLÝÀL>ÀÊ 87 re-issued permits). These enabled research to be carried ecological thinning trial, which is investigating how ecological out in 92 parks (a permit may cover more than one park, thinning can accelerate the rate of development of older project or field of study) or in all parks if required (37 permits). growth characteristics (e.g. hollows, larger trees) in box- Those parks for which 10 or more permits applied (in addition ironbark forests to the ‘all parks’ permits) were: Alpine (23), Croajingolong (14), Grampians (17), Great Otway (21), Hattah-Kulkyne (12), UÊ Ì iÊVÌÕ>ÌÊvÊÌ iÊ }Ã Ê ÀÊ«À}À>]ÊÜ V Ê Murray-Sunset (10), Wilsons Promontory (23) national parks and is examining the effectiveness of different strategies Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park (11). for managing this highly invasive weed in the Alpine National Park The following are examples of the diverse projects covered by UÊ >Ê«À}À>ÊÌÊÛiÃÌ}>ÌiÊÌ iÊvi>ÃLÌÞÊvÊÀiÃÌÀ}Ê >ÃÌ>Ê the permits: Grassy Woodland invaded by Coast Tea-tree at Yanakie UÊ >Ê«ÀiVÌÊÊÌ iÊÀ>«>ÃÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ>`Ê >}Ê À>Ê Isthmus in Wilsons Promontory National Park State Park investigating the effect of herbivory on the UÊ >ÊÛiÃÌ}>ÌÊÌÊÌ iÊÀiëÃiÊvÊÃi>ÃÊÌÊ>««À>V iÃÊLÞÊ reproductive success of the Grampians Bitterpea L>ÌÃÊvÊ`vviÀiÌÊÃâiðÊvÀ>ÌÊÜÊLiÊÕÃi`ÊÌÊ`iÛi«Ê UÊ Ì iÊViVÌÊvÊÃi`iÌÃÊÊ*ÀÌÊ >«LiÊ >Ì>Ê appropriate guidelines for eco-tourism operators Park and Bay of Islands Coastal Park to determine the UÊ Ì iÊVÌÕ>ÌÊvÊ>Ê«À}À>ÊÊ6VÌÀ>½ÃÊ>ÀiÊ>Ì>Ê age of fluvial channel deposits in the Port Campbell- parks and marine sanctuaries investigating visitor impact on Warrnambool area intertidal platforms. UÊ >Ê«ÀiVÌÊÛiÃÌ}>Ì}Ê>VÕÃÌVÊ>Õ>ÊÌÀ>V}Ê>`Ê automated monitoring of several rays and sharks in and Research Partners Program around Swan Bay (Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park) Parks Victoria’s Research Partners Program is a collaboration UÊ >ÊÛiÃÌ}>ÌÊÌÊÌ iÊ«>ÌÊvÊÌ iÊ >ÜÊ >ÜÊ iÀÀÞÊ involving universities and government research institutions. in Baw Baw National Park The research program includes a number of ongoing projects as well as new research gathering essential information for UÊ >Ê«ÀiVÌÊÊ ÕÞ«Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ*>ÀÊ>`ÊÌ iÊ9i}LÊ >ÌÕÀiÊ park management. Conservation Reserve) as part of the Helmeted Honeyeater recovery program, for the purpose of researching and Ongoing collaborative research included six projects funded by analysing the genetic structure of the wild populations of Ì iÊÕÃÌÀ>>Ê,iÃi>ÀV Ê ÕVÊ >}iÊÃV ii]ÊÊÜ V Ê*>ÀÃÊ Helmeted Honeyeater. Victoria is an industry partner. This research included:
6 UÊ >ÊÛiÃÌ}>ÌÊÌÊÌ iÊivviVÌÃÊvÊV>ÌiÊV >}iÊÊyÀ>Ê UÊ Õ`iÀÃÌ>`}ÊÌ iÊiV}ÞÊvÊ >ÜÜii`ÃÊ>`Ê«ÀÛ}Ê and fauna in the Alpine National Park treatment techniques for the Alpine National Park UÊ ÌÜÊ«ÀiVÌÃÊiÝ>}ÊViVÌÛÌÞ]ÊiÊvVÕÃ}ÊÊ UÊ Ì}>Ì}ÊÌ iÊ«>VÌÊvÊV iV>ÊVÌÀÊvÊ }Ã Ê ÀÊ wetlands in Gippsland and the other on birds in fragmented on native vegetation in the Alpine National Park landscapes in central Victoria (including box-ironbark parks) UÊ iÝ>}ÊÌ iÊ i>Ì Ê>`ÊLi >ÛÕÀÊvÊLÀ`ÃÊ>ÌÊvii`}ÊÃÌiÃÊ UÊ >Ê«ÀiVÌÊÌÊ`iÛi«ÊivviVÌÛiÊviÀÌÌÞÊVÌÀÊÌiV µÕiÃÊvÀÊ in the Dandenong Ranges National Park over-abundant native fauna, including koalas and kangaroos UÊ `iÃ}}Ê>Ê}ÌiÀÊÌÀ}Ê«À}À>ÊvÀÊÌ iÊViÌÀ>Ê UÊ >Ê«ÌÊ«ÀiVÌÊ>ÌÊ7ÃÃÊ*ÀÌÀÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊÌÊ highlands including Yarra Ranges National Park develop knowledge management and decision support tools UÊ ÛiÃÌ}>Ì}ÊÌ iÊ«>VÌÊvÊÀiViÌÊÜ`wÀiÃÊÊ>À}iÊvÀiÃÌÊ to give park managers access to diverse information in a owls in Bunyip State Park geographical context UÊ >>ÞÃ}Ê`>Ì>ÊViVÌi`Ê>ÃÊ«>ÀÌÊvÊÌ iÊÌÀ}Ê«À}À>ÃÊ UÊ >Ê«ÀiVÌÊ>i`Ê>ÌÊ>ÃÃÃÌ}Ê«>ÀÊ>>}iÀÃÊÊ«ÌÃ}ÊÌ iÊ for marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. allocation of resources for defending marine protected areas Monitoring and performance evaluation against invasive species. Parks Victoria continued to develop the Signs of Healthy Parks Other ongoing research to address a wide range of issues to program. This aims to establish a comprehensive system of support and improve park management included: natural value monitoring to evaluate the condition of parks and UÊ >Ê«ÀiVÌÊvVÕÃ}ÊÊ}À>ÃÃ>`ÃÊVÕ`}ÊÊ/iÀÀVÊ ecosystems over time. It also aims to evaluate the effectiveness Terrick National Park) to assess the feasibility of developing of management actions and provide an early warning of conceptual models for all of the natural ecosystems within emerging threats. parks and reserves During the year, draft monitoring plans were developed UÊ ÜÀÊÌÊ`VÕiÌÊÌ iÊ`ÃÌÀLÕÌ]Ê>LÕ`>ViÊ>`Ê«>VÌÃÊ for Brisbane Ranges, Grampians, Great Otway and Wilsons of pigs, goats and deer across the state Promontory national parks and Yaringa Marine National UÊ ÀiÃi>ÀV ÊÌÊÌ iÊ«V>ÌÃÊvÊ`vviÀiÌÊwÀiÊÀi}iÃÊvÀÊ Park. A strategic plan for further roll-out of the program was biodiversity conservation in the Mallee (including Hattah- developed, and parks identified for inclusion in the next phase Kulkyne and Murray-Sunset national parks), far south-west of the program. Victoria (including Dergholm State Park) and the Grampians For terrestrial parks, monitoring programs using robust protocols and Mount Buffalo national parks (standardised techniques) were implemented across 40 different UÊ >Ê>ÃÃiÃÃiÌÊvÊ>>}iiÌÊÃÌÀ>Ìi}iÃÊ>`ÊÜ`wÀiÊ«>VÌÊ parks. These included monitoring of park threats including Ê }vÌi`Ê*ÌÀÃÊÊÀÌ i>ÃÌiÀÊ6VÌÀ>ÊVÕ`}Ê pest plants (7 parks), rabbits (8 parks), foxes (23 parks), goats the Alpine National Park (2 parks), feral horses (1 park), deer (8 parks), over-abundant UÊ ÀiÃi>ÀV ÊÌÊ«ÀÛiÊÌ iÊivviVÌÛiiÃÃÊ>`ÊivwViVÞÊvÊÜii`Ê kangaroos (6 parks), and over-abundant koalas (2 parks). control in the Alpine National Park, including predicting Parks where protocol-based monitoring programs were the distribution of willows and establishing priorities for implemented included: controlling this invasive plant UÊ «i]Ê ÀÃL>iÊ,>}iÃ]Ê ÌiÀ ÌÊ*Ì]Ê À>}}]Ê UÊ }ÌiÀÊÀiÃi>ÀV ÊiÝ>}Ê>ÊLÀ>`ÊÀ>}iÊvÊv>Õ>Ê>`Ê Dandenong Ranges, Errinundra, Grampians, Great Otway, habitat in Victoria’s central highlands, including Yarra Ranges >ÌÌ> ÕÞi]Êi>Ì VÌiÀ>ÞÌÜ]Ê }>i]Ê >iÊ `]Ê National Park. This will be invaluable in understanding ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌ]Ê ÜiÀÊii}]Ê À}ÌÊ*iÃÕ>]Ê ÕÌÊ the ecological affects of the 2008–09 bushfires and for Buffalo, Mount Eccles, Mount Richmond, Murray-Sunset, monitoring recovery of ecosystems Port Campbell, Snowy River, St Arnaud Range, Terrick Terrick, UÊ >ÊÛiÃÌ}>ÌÊÌÊ««Õ>ÌÊViVÌÛÌÞÊÊ>ÀiÊ / iÊ >iÃ]Ê7ÃÃÊ*ÀÌÀÞ]Ê7Þ«iÀvi`Ê>`Ê9>ÀÀ>Ê,>}iÃÊ protected areas and their ability to sustain and enhance national parks populations within and beyond their boundaries UÊ >VÊ,>}i]Ê Ài ÃiÞ]Ê >«iÊ iÃ]ÊiÞÊ*>Ã]Ê UÊ >ÊÃÌÕ`ÞÊÌÊ`iÌvÞÊÌ ÃiÊwà ÊëiViÃÊÌ >ÌÊ>ÀiÊ>ÌÊVÀi>Ãi`Ê i>} ÕÀ]Ê*>``ÞÃÊ,>}iÃÊ>`Ê7iÀÀLiiÊÀ}iÊÃÌ>ÌiÊ«>Àà risk due to their biological characteristics, the habitats that UÊ >«iÊ À>]Ê >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«]Ê ÃVÛiÀÞÊ >ÞÊ>`Ê««Ã>`Ê support a disproportionate number of at-risk species, and >iÃÊV>ÃÌ>Ê«>Àà human factors that could negatively impact fish populations, as well as exploring why some species are “naturally rare”. UÊ ÀiÀÊiÌÊ>`Ê- >ÜÊiÌÊ>ÀiÊ>`ÊV>ÃÌ>Ê«>Àð
New research projects established during the year to address Monitoring programs were also implemented for a wide range priority park management issues included projects aimed at: of threatened flora and fauna species in at least eleven parks, including the Alpine, Croajingolong, Grampians, Hattah- UÊ >ÃÃiÃÃ}Ê>«iÊÃÃLi`ÃÊÊ >ÜÊ >ÜÊ>`Ê9>ÀÀ>Ê,>}iÃÊ Kulkyne, Kinglake, Murray-Sunset, Port Campbell, Wyperfeld national parks
7 and Yarra Ranges national parks, Reef Hills State Park and UÊ Ì Ài>Ìii`ÊëiViÃÊ>>}iiÌ ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ >ÃÌ>Ê*>À° UÊ >ÌÛiÊ>>Ê>>}iiÌ The condition of vegetation was monitored to test new UÊ V>ÌV iÌÊ>`ÊÜ>ÌiÀÊ>>}iiÌ protocol-based monitoring techniques in Brisbane Ranges and UÊ >ÀiÊ«ÀÌiVÌ Great Otway national parks as well as four grassland parks. UÊ «iÃÌÊ«>ÌÊ>>}iiÌ A range of projects was undertaken to develop or refine UÊ «iÃÌÊ>>Ê>>}iiÌ monitoring protocols and approaches and further enable Parks UÊ }À>â}Ê>>}iiÌ Victoria to evaluate the effectiveness of its management actions. UÊ iV}V>ÊwÀiÊ>>}iiÌ° These projects included:
UÊ Ì iÊ`iÛi«iÌÊvÊ«ÀÌVÃÊvÀÊÌÀ}ÊÃ>Ê>>Ã]Ê Threatened species management reptiles and amphibians Projects included: UÊ Ì iÊ`iÛi«iÌÊvÊ«ÀÌVÃÊvÀÊÌ iÊÕÃiÊvÊÀiÌiÊV>iÀ>ÃÊ UÊ Ì iÊÀiÌÀ`ÕVÌÊvÊÌiÊ ÀÕà Ì>i`Ê,VÜ>>LiÃÊÌÊ to monitor native fauna and pest animals such as cats and the Grampians National Park as part of a trial bid to save foxes in the Grampians and Great Otway national parks the critically endangered species from extinction in Victoria. UÊ Ì iÊÌÀ>ÊvÊ>ÊiÜÊ«ÀÌVÊ`iÛi«i`ÊLÞÊ - Ê>`Ê *Ê Mortality is within the expected range and seven animals for measuring trends in weed invasion and condition of remain at the site. There has been no evidence of predation native vegetation in the Brisbane Ranges and Great Otway UÊ Ì iÊw`}ÊvÊÌ iÊ }Ãi`Ê*ÌÀÊÊÕLÕÀÌÊÃiVÌÃÊvÊ national parks the upper catchment of the Glenelg River in the Grampians UÊ >ÊV>LÀ>ÌÛiÊ«ÀiVÌÊÜÌ Ê À`ÃÊÕÃÌÀ>>ÊÌÊVÀ«À>ÌiÊ`>Ì>Ê National Park after more than six thousand cage trap nights collected by Birds Australia across the state into the Signs of since the Grampians 2006 fire Healthy Parks program. UÊ «ÀÌiVÌÊvÊÌ iÊ >ÃÌ>Ê > Ê7`>`Ê ÕÌÞÊ For marine national parks and sanctuaries, the subtidal reef through the control of woody weeds and preparation for monitoring program was completed for Cape Howe, Point ecological burning at Point Nepean National Park Addis, Point Hicks and Port Phillip Heads marine national UÊ >ÊÃ>Ê>>ÊÌÀ}Ê«À}À>Ê>ÌÊ*ÌÊ i«i>Ê parks, as well as Beware Reef, Marengo, Merri and the three >Ì>Ê*>À]ÊÜ V Êà Üi`ÊVÀi>Ã}Ê>VÌÛÌÞÊvÊ } Port Phillip Bay marine sanctuaries (Jawbone, Point Cooke and nosed Bandicoots in some parts of the park. Ricketts Point). The intertidal reef monitoring program was completed for Bunurong, Point Addis and Port Phillip Heads Native animal management marine national parks, as well as Mushroom Reef, Barwon Bluff, Programs to control numbers of kangaroos and koalas Point Danger and the three Port Phillip Bay marine sanctuaries. continued in several parks, where there is a demonstrable long-term impact on park values caused by over-abundance. To assess the impact of the abalone virus on Victoria’s west Programs were undertaken in accordance with established coast, the monitoring program was expanded to include more ecological rationales developed with the support of key detailed surveys of abalone populations in Marengo and Merri stakeholders, including the kangaroo and koala technical marine sanctuaries (the latter being ahead of the virus front). advisory committees. Video ground-truthing was conducted in sections of Bunurong, Projects included: Ninety Mile Beach, Port Phillip Heads and Wilsons Promontory marine national parks. The data will be used as part of an UÊ }}Ê>}>ÀÊVÌÀÊÊ>ÌÌ> ÕÞi]Ê ÕÀÀ>Þ extensive program involving DSE, DPI and Parks Victoria to Sunset and Wyperfeld national parks to protect regeneration produce habitat maps for most of Victoria’s near-shore waters. of woody perennials in semi-arid and riverine woodland vegetation communities Environmental management UÊ Ì iÊÌÀi>ÌiÌÊvÊÎÇäÊ>>ÃÊÕÃ}ÊVÌÀ>Vi«ÌÛiÊ«>ÌÃÊ>ÌÊ Information on the values of the parks system and the risks Mount Eccles National Park. The recently recorded population identified in State of the Parks 2007 , together with the of koalas (nearly 5500) is significantly less than the 2004 iÛiÃÊvÊ*ÀÌiVÌÊvÀ>iÜÀ]Ê«ÀÛ`i`Ê>ÊL>ÃÃÊvÀÊÃiÌÌ}Ê population estimate of some 11 000 strategic priorities. Parks Victoria’s environmental management UÊ Ì iÊ>Õ>ÊÀiV>ÌÊvÊ>>ÃÊvÀÊÀiV ÊÃ>`ÊVÕ`}Ê framework focuses on-ground works on protecting the highest French Island National Park) to Mt Disappointment State values at greatest risk. Forest, with 378 koalas relocated and 58 female koalas treated with contraceptive implants and released back into The on-ground environmental management program is the park. categorised into the following program areas, with examples of projects given below:
8 Catchment and water management Work continued on consolidating water quality partnerships This program area continued to focus on improving the established in previous years to deliver effective and well- condition of remnant vegetation and reducing priority resourced strategies for water quality improvement. Focus areas catchment degradation risks. Particular initiatives included: included Corner Inlet, Western Port and Yaringa marine national parks, and Merri Marine Sanctuary and the three Port Phillip Bay UÊ Ì iÊ`iÛiÀÞ]ÊÊ>Ê«>ÀÌiÀà «ÊÛÛ}Ê Ã]Ê - Ê>`Ê*>ÀÃÊ marine sanctuaries. Victoria, of more than 7000 million litres of environmental water to create and maintain a set of drought refuges and Climate change is a key threat to Victoria’s marine values to keep areas of River Red Gums alive. Sites included Chalka and some evidence of this has been the spread of the native ÀiiÊ>`ÊÌ iÊ>ÌÌ> Ê >iÃÊ>ÌÌ> ÕÞiÊ >Ì>Ê*>À®Ê Black Spined Sea Urchin from New South Wales into Victorian >`Ê `Ã>ÞÊÃ>`Ê>`Ê7iLÃÌiÀÃÊ >}Ê ÕÀÀ>Þ-ÕÃiÌÊ waters. At Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary, work is underway in National Park). Watered sites attracted significant numbers partnership with the local Friends of Beware Reef to monitor of waterbirds, with bird breeding observed and new growth the spread of the species and to trial measures to mitigate its evident on watered River Red Gums. Up to 560 hectares impact on park values. of highly stressed River Red Gums in the Mallee parks Another threat was the abalone virus which has affected a were watered number of west coast parks. Working together with DPI and the UÊ V«iiÌ>ÀÞÊ>>}iiÌÊ>ÌÊ Û}Ê ÕÀÀ>ÞÊVÊ-ÌiÃÊ fishing industry, Parks Victoria aims to reduce its spread through >À> ]Ê>ÌÌ> Ê >iÃÊ>`Ê `Ã>ÞÊ>`Ê7>«>ÊÃ>`î]Ê the implementation of protocols developed by the Chief ÃÕV Ê>ÃÊÌ iÊ>>}iiÌÊvÊÝÕÃÊÜii`ÃÊ>`Ê}À>âiÀÃÊÃÕV Ê Veterinary Officer to minimise transfer of infectious materials. as kangaroos and rabbits, and the removal of cattle from Significant projects to spread awareness of marine values `Ã>ÞÊÃ>` included: UÊ ÜÀÃÊÊ>«iÊÃÃLi`à UÊ Ì iÊ/ÜÊ >ÞÃÊ«ÀiVÌ]ÊÜ V Ê } } Ìi`ÊÌ iÊÛ>ÕiÃÊv]Ê>`Ê – erosion control works at 14 mossbeds in the Alpine threats to, Port Philip Bay and Western Port, in partnership National Park and maintenance works at 28 sites that with Pelican Expeditions had been rehabilitated in previous years. Several other sites previously assessed as requiring stabilisation works UÊ Ì iÊVÌÕi`Ê«>ÀÌiÀà «Ê«À}À>ÊÜÌ Ê ÕÃiÕÊ6VÌÀ>ÊÌÊ following the 2006–07 Great Divide Fires were re-assessed capture high quality imagery and video footage of selected but no on-ground work was carried out as they appeared parks including Cape Howe and Pont Hicks marine national to be recovering well naturally parks in East Gippsland and Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary in Port Phillip Bay. – extensive weed control works at several sites on and around the Bogong High Plains in the Alpine National Park Pest plant management and in Mount Buffalo National Park to protect mossbeds Pest plant management was again the largest program area vÀÊÜÜÊÛ>ðÊ-vÌÊ,Õà ]Ê/Ì ÞÊÀ>ÃÃÊ>`Ê ÌÕÃÊ for natural values management. Appendix 2 lists the targeted were also controlled in various mossbeds species for those parks where an area of more than five UÊ Ì iÊÃii`}ÊvÊ>««ÀÝ>ÌiÞÊ£ÓäÊ iVÌ>ÀiÃÊvÊ}À>ÃÃ>`Ê hectares was recorded as being treated for the purpose of within Terrick Terrick National Park with a mix of species controlling or eradicating that species. typical of the pre-1750 ecological vegetation class of that area The Good Neighbour Program funded a number of pest plant control projects statewide in cooperative efforts with UÊ Û>ÀÕÃÊÃ>ÃV>iÊÀiÛi}iÌ>ÌÊ«ÀiVÌÃÊÃÕ««ÀÌi`ÊLÞÊÀi`ÃÊ landowners. These programs were prioritised on the basis that groups and volunteers, as well as CMAs and their drought they provided the greatest benefit to neighbouring values and employment programs. achieve cross-tenure control. They generally treat established Marine values protection pests plants such as Blackberry, Cape Tulip, Gorse, Paterson’s Curse, Ragwort and Serrated Tussock. Management of marine values continues to focus on developing integrated approaches to reduce key threats to the natural Projects included: and cultural values within marine national parks and marine UÊ Ì iÊÌÀi>ÌiÌÊvÊ >VLiÀÀÞÊ>VÀÃÃÊ>Ê>Ài>ÊvÊÀiÊÌ >Ê sanctuaries and other marine parks. 11 000 hectares in parks under the Act to protect high priority In late 2008 Parks Victoria commissioned an external audit of parks such as the Alpine, Burrowa-Pine Mountain, Errinundra, the implementation of the marine national park system and French Island, Mount Buffalo and Snowy River national parks subsequent management. The recommendations will form the UÊ Ì iÊ`iÛiÀÞ]ÊÊ«>ÀÌiÀà «ÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ >ÃÌÊ««Ã>`Ê ]Ê basis for the renewal of the Marine national parks and marine of a program across 300 hectares in parks in the Alpine and sanctuaries management strategy 2003–2010 when it expires East Gippsland districts, treating St John’s Wort, Ox-eye Daisy, next year. Blackberry, thistles and Sweet Briar, as part of a broader cross- tenure program
9 UÊ Ì iÊVÌÕ>ÌÊvÊ>Ê«À}À>ÊvÊÃÕÀÛi>ViÊ>`ÊVÌÀÊ Appendix 3 lists the species and the areas under the of hawkweed over an area of 1000 hectares in the Alpine Act that were targeted during the year in pest animal National Park, with the objective of preventing any existing management projects. plants from seeding and to eventually eradicate the species Projects included: UÊ Ì iÊVÌÕ>ÌÊvÊivvÀÌÃÊÌÊVÌ>Ê }Ã Ê ÀÊÊÌ iÊ UÊ >ÊVÀi>ÃiÊÊÌ iÊ>Ài>ÊvÊvÝÊVÌÀÊ>VÀÃÃÊÌ iÊÀ>«>ÃÊ Alps, with more than 1000 hectares surveyed and treated to 109 000 hectares, and the commencement of engagement in partnership with Goulburn-Murray Water, North East of adjoining landholders in order to further increase the area CMA and the federal Caring for our Country initiative. of effective control and decrease re-invasion pressure on the Remote areas along Big River were accessed by raft for park, as part of the Grampians Ark program chemical control UÊ >ÊV«Ài iÃÛiÊ«À}À>ÊvÊvÝÊL>Ì}Ê>`Ê«ÀiÞÊÀiëÃiÊ UÊ ÜÜÊVÌÀÊÊ ÕÌÊ Õvv>Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊÌÊ«ÀÌiVÌÊ monitoring commenced across 8000 hectares of the Great alpine mossbed communities Otway National Park, which is home to a number of species UÊ VÌÀÊ«À}À>ÃÊÊÌ iÊLÝÀL>ÀÊÀi}ÊvÀÊ >«iÊ ÀÊ ÃÕÃVi«ÌLiÊÌÊ«Ài`>ÌÊVÕ`}ÊÌ iÊ }Ãi`Ê*ÌÀ in Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park and Beechworth Historic UÊ Ì iÊVÌÕ>ÌÊvÊvÝÊ«À}À>ÃÊ>VÀÃÃÊ«>ÀÃÊ>`ÊvÀiÃÌÃÊ Park, Gorse in Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, in East Gippsland and south-west Victoria as part of the Paterson’s Curse in Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, Broken- Southern Ark and Glenelg Ark programs, as well as Chiltern- Boosey and Kooyoora state parks and Beechworth Historic ÕÌÊ*Ì]Ê/ iÊ >iÃÊ>`Ê ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃ]Ê>`Ê Park, and Prickly Pear in Kooyoora State Park ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ >ÃÌ>Ê*>À]ÊÜ iÀiÊÌ iÀiÊÃÊ>Ê } ÊÕLiÀÊ UÊ Ì iÊÌ>À}iÌ}ÊLÞÊÀÛ}Ê«iÃÌÊÌi>ÃÊvÀÊ>ÀÕ`ÊÌ iÊÃÌ>ÌiÊvÊ of fauna species susceptible to predation invasive wildling pines that survived fuel reduction burns in UÊ }>ÌÊVÌÀÊ«À}À>ÃÊÊ ÀÃL>iÊ,>}iÃ]Ê ÀÜiÊ>`Ê the newly proclaimed Cobboboonee National Park, as well ÕÀÀ>Þ-ÕÃiÌÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃ]Ê>`Ê iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê>`Ê7>ÀLÞÊ as Blackberry and Sweet Pittosporum Ranges state parks UÊ Ì iÊÌÀi>ÌiÌÊvÊÀiÊÌ >ÊÇääÊÜii`ÊviÃÌ>ÌÃÊÊ>Ê UÊ Ì iÊ}}Ê`iÛi«iÌÊvÊ>Ê>>}iiÌÊ«>ÊvÀÊviÀ>Ê project area that includes Great Otway National Park, Otway horses in Barmah For est, including Barmah State Park Forest Park and other nearby or adjacent reserves, of which UÊ «}ÊVÌÀÊ«À}À>ÃÊÊ «À>V>LÀ>Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ 74 per cent were applied to new and emerging weed targeting feral pig corridors, and trapping programs in the species. The remainder were treatments of established species «iÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ>`Ê««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ >ÃÌ>Ê*>À expanding their range, predominantly in areas of highest biodiversity value UÊ Ì iÊÌÀi>ÌiÌÊvÊÀiÊÌ >ÊÇÇÊäääÊ iVÌ>ÀiÃÊvÊ«>ÀÃÊvÀÊ rabbits, using baiting, warren destruction or fumigation. UÊ Ì iÊ>Õ>Ê iÃii`ÊVÌÀÊ«À}À>ÊÊ ÕÀV Ê >Ì>Ê Most of this area was in the Mallee national parks (more *>ÀÊ>`Ê ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À°ÊÊVÌ>iÌÊ«À}À>ÊvÀÊÌ ÃÊ than 65 000 hectares) where rabbit control is critical to the ëiViÃÊÜ>ÃÊ>ÃÊ«iiÌi`ÊÊ ÜiÀÊii}Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ continued existence of some semi-arid ecosystems. and Discovery Bay Coastal Park
UÊ VÌÀÊ«À}À>ÃÊÌ>À}iÌ}ÊÜ`ÞÊÜii`ÃÊÊ*ÌÊ i«i>Ê Grazing management National Park and Arthurs Seat State Park. VÌÛÌiÃÊÀi>Ì}ÊÌÊ>>}}Ê}À>â}ÊVÕ`i`\
Pest animal management UÊ «iÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊ*>ÀÃÊ6VÌÀ>Ê>`Ê - ÊVÌÕi`ÊÌÊ work with licensees whose state forest licence areas abut The protection of threatened species and communities and the Alpine National Park over matters associated with the other significant park values continued to be a focus for containment of cattle to the state forest. There was a low the management of pest animals. Cooperative programs iÛiÊvÊÀi«ÀÌÃÊvÊV>ÌÌiÊ}À>â}ÊÊÌ iÊ«>ÀÊÌ ÃÊÞi>À continued with private landowners to control pest animals that threaten economic or ecological values. Several pest animal UÊ Ài>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>ÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊ>ÃÊ«>ÀÌÊvÊÌ iÊi}Ã>Ìi`Ê control projects were undertaken in parks as part of the Good transitional arrangements associated with the creation of Neighbour Program. Ì iÊÀi>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>ÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>À]Ê>ÊÃ>Ê>ÕÌÊvÊ}À>â}Ê continued on previously licensed areas that were incorporated Parks Victoria’s pest management partnership programs with into the park in December 2005. The remaining licences will the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia and the Field and expire in September 2009 Game Association are expanding, with coordinated shooting UÊ >À> Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÀiÊÜ>ÃÊ>}>ÊÊ}À>â}ÊÊÌ iÊ«>ÀÊ groups undertaking fox, goat and rabbit control programs at a ÊÓäänqä°Ê/ iÀiÊ >ÃÊÌÊLiiÊ}À>â}Ê«iÀÌÌi`ÊÊÌ iÊ number of parks including Murray-Sunset National Park. park and the adjacent State forest since April 2007 due to environmental conditions.
10 Ecological fire management Biophysical units and their associated fire regimes were Fire ecology strategies and assessments continued to identified for the Greater Grampians in a partnership project be developed and implemented to support ecologically with University of Ballarat. These will be used to inform sustainable fire management as a component of integrated ecological fire planning in the Grampians (including the fire management. Grampians National Park and Black Range State Park).
ÀiÊiV}ÞÊÃÌÀ>Ìi}iÃÊÜiÀiÊV«iÌi`ÊvÀÊÌ iÊ ÜiÀÊ"ÛiÃÊ Flora monitoring protocols examining the response of key landscape management unit (including Chiltern-Mt Pilot species to fire have been applied in parks and reserves across National Park) and Upper Murray North unit (including Burrowa- Victoria including Alpine, Burrowa-Pine Mountain, Chiltern-Mt *iÊ ÕÌ>Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ>`Ê ÕÌÊ >ÜÃÊ>`Ê ÕÌÊ Pilot, Dandenong Ranges, French Island, Grampians, Granya state parks). There are draft strategies for the French Great Otway, Wilsons Promontory and Wyperfeld national Island (covering French Island National Park) and St Arnaud units «>ÀÃ]Ê >À> ]Ê ÕÌÊ >ÜÃÊ>`Ê7>ÀLÞÊ,>}iÃÊÃÌ>ÌiÊ«>ÀÃÊ (including St Arnaud Range National Park). and Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park.
A risk analysis and management tool for biodiversity values in the Mallee (including Hattah-Kulkyne, Murray-Sunset and Wyperfeld national parks) has been developed to inform fire management activities.
11 Fire management and fire recovery
Lilly Pilly Gully carpark - Wilsons Promontory National Park
Bushfires
Despite significant rain across the state in December, long term Details on the fire season may be found in DSE’s annual report drought and an extreme heatwave in late January contributed for 2008–09. The fires that burnt more than 500 hectares of to a severe fire season with catastrophic bushfires occurring in parks under the Act are listed in Table 2. many parts of the state. These included the fires starting on Black Saturday, 7 February 2009.
Table 2 – Main fires – 500 hectares and greater burnt in areas under the Act Date fire Date fire Area of Area of park % of Park Fire started contained fire (ha) burnt (ha) park Alpine NP ÌÌ>Ê ÕÀ 8 Feb 09 9 Feb 09 1 066 1 066 <1 ÌÌ>Ê iÃÌi 22 Mar 09 23 Mar 09 1 608 1 608 <1 Nariel Kingspur 22 Mar 09 27 Mar 09 900 877 <1 Baw Baw NP East Tyers - Thomson 7 Feb 09 16 Feb 09 1 778 597 4 Coopracambra NP Murmuring Creek 22 Mar 09 8 Apr 09 1 780 1 780 5 Hattah-Kulkyne NP Wymlet Track 30 Oct 08 1 Nov 08 9 018 1 228 3 Kinglake NP Kilmore East - Murrindindi 7 Feb 09 5 Mar 09 258 160 20 549 92 >iÊ `Ê * 2 048 7 ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ * Darhlenburgs Mill Track 30 Oct 08 1 Nov 08 1 864 1 864 1 ÜiÀÊii}Ê * Mt Richmond 30 Mar 09 2 Apr 09 6 331 6 319 24 Murray-Sunset NP Wymlet Track See Hattah-Kulkyne NP 7 102 1 Wilsons Promontory NP Wilsons Promontory 8 Feb 09 14 Mar 09 25 200 25 200 51 – Cathedral Yarra Ranges NP Kilmore East - Murrindindi See Kinglake NP 30 199 39 Wabba WP Corryong Price Hills 4 Apr 09 11 Apr 09 635 635 3 Track Wilderness Bunyip SP Bunyip Ridge 4 Feb 09 4 Mar 09 26 200 7 736 46 Cathedral Range SP Kilmore East - Murrindindi See Kinglake NP 3 306 92
NP National Park SP State Park WP Wilderness Park Ê -ÕÀViÊvÊ`>Ì>ÊvÀÊ>Ài>ÃÊvÊwÀiÃ\Ê - ÊÀiÜiL]Ê >`Ê>`ÊÀiÊ >>}iiÌÊ ÛÃÊ-Ê>>ÞÃÃ]Ê-i«ÌiLiÀÊÓää°
12 Royal Commission There were also works undertaken in relation to the Great The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission was established Divide Fires of 2006–07, including many volunteers contributing on 16 February 2009 to investigate the causes and responses to the rebuilding of Bluff and Ropers huts in the Alpine National to the bushfires which swept through parts of Victoria in late Park, and the cleaning up of the Welcola school campsite January and February 2009. The commission was required to i>ÀÊ V>° deliver an interim report by 17 August 2009 and a final report 2009 fires by 31 July 2010. The devastating 2009 fires resulted in a range of recovery Planned burning activities relating to the affected parks. These included: UÊ Ì iÊÕÀ}iÌÊÀi >LÌ>ÌÊÜÀÊi`>ÌiÞÊvÜ}ÊÌ iÊwÀiÃ]Ê There were 73 planned burns in areas under the Act as part of including track clearing, repairing road surfaces and clearing the 2008–09 statewide planned burning program. These burns burnt trees and debris. The re-opening of tracks in severely treated an area of approximately 31 900 hectares. The 73 burns burnt areas, such as Kinglake National Park, was a priority comprised 61 burns for fuel reduction purposes (treating approximately 24 900 hectares) and 12 burns for ecological or UÊ Ì iÊÀi >LÌ>ÌÊvÊLÕ`âiÀÊVÌÀÊiÃ]ÊÌ iÊÀiÛ>ÊvÊ other purposes (treating nearly 7000 hectares). unstable or dangerous trees and erosion control measures UÊ >ÃÃiÃÃiÌÃÊvÊ>ÃÃiÌÃÊÃÌÊÊÌ iÊwÀià Included in the program were lightning caused fires in autumn that, under the milder conditions, were managed to achieve UÊ iÝÌiÃÛiÊVÕÌÞÊi}>}iiÌÊ>`ÊVÕV>ÌÃÊ biodiversity and fuel management outcomes. The most throughout and following the bushfire season, including – significant was a fire in March that burnt nearly 9000 hectares – meeting with Traditional Owner communities impacted in Croajingolong National Park. by bushfires (including the Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Bunurong, Dhudhoroa, Wey Wurru, Taungurung, Preparing for emergencies Wandoon and Gunai Kurnai Peoples) and providing them with updated information during and after the DSE, Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria continued work on bushfire season the construction of fuelbreaks on several of the boundaries of the Yarra Ranges National Park as part of the strategy to help – briefing 24 licensed tour operators and tourism protect Melbourne’s water supply catchments. In the Great representatives at Wilsons Promontory National Park Otway National Park, strategic fuelbreaks were constructed and discussing the fire’s effect on the park and the along several roads, and work continued on cross-tenure (public recovery process >`Ê«ÀÛ>ÌiÊ>`®Ê>ÃÃiÌÊ«ÀÌiVÌÊâiÃÊ>ÌÊÃiÛiÀ>ÊV>ÌÃÊ>ÃÊ UÊ «iÃÌÊ>>ÊVÌÀÊ«À}À>ÃÊÊ }>i]Ê7ÃÃÊ part of implementing fire management strategies for coastal Promontory and Yarra Ranges national parks to protect townships. A review of the emergency management plans vulnerable species such as the Broad-toothed Rat, Brush-tailed covering all parks was completed. * >ÃV}>iÊ>`Ê }Ãi`Ê*ÌÀÊÊÀivÕ}iÊ >LÌ>Ì UÊ Ì iÊ«>Ì}ÊvÊëiViÃÊvÊÌ iÊÛÕiÀ>LiÊ- ÞÊ Fire recovery Nematolepis in small fenced plots throughout its habitat in 2006 and 2007 fires the burnt area of Yarra Ranges National Park ,i«>ÀÃÊÜiÀiÊV«iÌi`ÊÌÊÌ iÊ7`iÀ>`Ê «ÊÜ>}ÊÌÀ>VÊ UÊ Ì iÊÀi«>ViiÌÊvÊiÃÌÊLÝiÃÊvÀÊ i>`Li>ÌiÀÃÊ*ÃÃÕÊ>ÌÊ vÀÊ>ÃÊ>«ÊÌÊÌ iÊ ÃÌÀVÊ*>ViÊ ÕÌ]Ê>Ê>Ài>ÊL>`ÞÊ >iÊ ÕÌ>ÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ>ÃÃÃÌ>ViÊvÊÌ iÊÕ`Ì Ê >À`iÞÊ damaged in the 2006 Grampians fires. Parks Victoria staff Foundation and other community groups) and in unburnt worked closely with the Friends of the Grampians to restore and areas of Maroondah and O’Shannassy catchments of Yarra re-open sections of the Red Gum walking track in the Victoria Ranges National Park. Valley. New interpretation signs were installed to replace burnt signs originally installed by the Friends in the 1990s.
The total fire recovery effort for the Grampians fires has seen a $4.5 million program implemented over three years, including assessment of 4120 trees and 473 kilometres of roads and tracks, and the reconstruction or replacement of 100 signs, 8 toilet blocks, 1 house, 13 items of park furniture and countless steps.
13 Traditional Owner partnerships and cultural heritage management
Barmah
Traditional Owner partnerships Indigenous cultural heritage
The government’s response to the Victorian Environmental Cultural heritage management plans and permits were Assessment Council River Red Gum Forests Investigation, prepared under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 in respect announced in December 2008, included a commitment to of various parks, including the Alpine and Wilsons Promontory establish Traditional Owner majority boards of management national parks and Discovery Bay Coastal Park. There were for the proposed Barmah National Park and Nyah-Vinifera also several surveys conducted in collaboration with Traditional Park. This heralds a new era for the involvement of Traditional Owner groups. Owners in the management of parks. In the first half of 2009, DSE and Parks Victoria progressed the development of the legal Non-Indigenous cultural heritage
and policy framework for the establishment and operation of Notable achievements relating to the management and the boards. presentation of non-Indigenous cultural heritage in Cooperation continued with Traditional Owners formally parks included: involved in the management of parks under the Act: UÊ Ì iÊV«iÌÊvÊ>ÊÀiÃi>ÀV ÊÃÕÀÛiÞÊÊVÕÌÞÊ UÊ Ì iÊ9ÀÌ>Ê9ÀÌ>Ê >ÌÊLÀ}>Ê À«À>Ì]Ê«À>ÀÞÊ perceptions of heritage management, which will provide through the Yorta Yorta Joint Body, with respect to Barmah important inputs into developing Parks Victoria’s future State Park directions in the management of the heritage assets under the Act UÊ Ì iÊ >Ài}Ê>`Ê >`Ê ÕV]ÊÜÌ ÊÀiëiVÌÊÌÊÌ iÊ ÌÌiÊ Desert and Wyperfeld national parks, Mount Arapiles-Tooan UÊ Ì iÊ«Ài«>À>ÌÊvÊVÃiÀÛ>ÌÊ>>}iiÌÊ«>ÃÊvÀÊÌ iÊ -Ì>ÌiÊ*>ÀÊ>`Ê >iÊL>VÕÌÞ>Ê*>À "½- >>ÃÃÞÊ `}iÊ>À`iÃÊÊÌ iÊ9>ÀÀ>Ê,>}iÃÊ >Ì>Ê Park and the Wattle Gully mine site in the Castlemaine UÊ Ì iÊÕ`ÌÊ ÀÀ}Ê/À>`Ì>Ê"ÜiÀÊLÀ}>Ê À«À>ÌÊ Diggings National Heritage Park through the Budj Bim Council, with respect to Mount Eccles National Park. UÊ Ì iÊV«iÌÊ>`Ê>ÕV ÊvÊ>Ê>Õ`ÊÌÕÀÊvÊÌ iÊ }}Ê High Plains Road and Great Alpine Road from Omeo to The Victorian Aboriginal Traditional Owner Reference Group Bright. The tour contains interviews with locals and experts, (VATORG), comprising representatives of the Bidawal, Monero- covering the Indigenous and European history of the area Ngarigo, Gunai Kurnai, Jaimathang, Taungurung, Mitambuta, UÊ Ì iÊVÀi>ÌÊvÊvÕÀÊÌ ÀiiÕÌiÊ`}Ì>ÊÃÌÀiÃÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ Dhudhoroa, Wey Wurru and Ngarigu-Currawaong Peoples group title “Mountains of Memories” in association with the continued to advise Parks Victoria about the management of Australian Centre for the Moving Image to capture unique the Alpine, Baw Baw and Snowy River National Parks. VATORG stories of the Alps cultural heritage. members were active in post flood and bushfire cultural heritage survey projects. There was also considerable work leading up to the transfer vÊÌ iÊ+Õ>À>ÌiÊ-Ì>ÌÊÌÊÌ iÊ-Ì>ÌiÊÊÕiÊÓääÊ>`ÊÊ preparing for its inclusion in the Point Nepean National Park.
14 Community involvement
Celebrating the rebuilding of Ropers Hut, Alpine National Park
Volunteers Parks Victoria. Groups work in close conjunction with local Parks Victoria staff in developing and implementing projects. Volunteers continued to make a major contribution to the management of many areas under the Act. Volunteers including Seventy projects totalling more than $272 000 were funded friends groups, individuals, tertiary students, campground hosts, in 2008–09 in relation to areas under the Act. These walking and recreational clubs, field naturalists and corporate projects included: organisations contributed more than 52 000 hours of voluntary UÊ Ì iÊ}}Ê>iivÜÊÌÀ}Ê«À}À>]ÊÜ V ÊÀiVÀ`ÃÊ work in more than 30 parks under the Act. animal prints and vegetation at 1175 malleefowl mounds and Friends groups are the largest group type to volunteer, collects fox scats for analysis contributing about one quarter of all volunteer hours. During UÊ «iÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊÀi >LÌ>ÌÊvÊ`>>}i`Ê«i>ÌÊ the year, the Friends of Bogong National Park, Friends of beds, removal of willows in these peat beds and removal of Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park, Friends of the Grampians fencing bisecting a peat bed at Buckety Plain >ÀÜiÀ`]Ê>`ÊÀi`ÃÊvÊ7iÀÀLiiÊÀ}iÊEÊ }ÊÀiÃÌÊ >iiÊ UÊ >`i}Ê,>}iÃÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊ}}ÊxäÞi>ÀÊ celebrated 25 years of voluntary service. project to monitor lyrebirds Examples of the types of projects and the generous UÊ Ài>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>ÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌÀ>}Ê>`Ê>VVÀi`Ì>ÌÊvÊ contributions by volunteers include: volunteers from four-wheel drive and horseriding clubs in UÊ Ì iÊ >«}ÀÕ`ÊÃÌÊ«À}À>Ê>`ÊÌ iÊÕÀÊ7 iiÊ ÀÛiÊ specialised chainsaw use so that they can assist in track Club Host Program clearing after storm events and prior to tracks re-opening after the seasonal road closure period UÊ >VÌÛÌiÃÊLÞÊÌ iÊÀi`ÃÊvÊ ÌiÀ ÌÊ*ÌÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ such as Regent Honeyeater and mammal monitoring, and UÊ ÕÀÀ>Þ-ÕÃiÌÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊiÃÌ>Là iÌÊvÊ>ÊiÜÊ revegetation entry gate and heritage-style post and rail fence to protect native vegetation, prevent illegal off-road driving and UÊ Ì iÊV«iÌÊvÊÌ iÊÀiLÕ`}ÊvÊ,«iÀÃÊÕÌÊÊÌ iÊ«iÊ associated environmental degradation and enhance the major National Park, involving many volunteers from the High Country >VViÃÃÊ«ÌÊÌÊ*Ê >ià Huts Association and the North East Freemasons Task Force UÊ />ÀÀ> Õ}>Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊiÀiVÌÊvÊ>Êi`ÕV>ÌÊ UÊ Ì iÊÃ}wV>ÌÊVÌÀLÕÌÊLÞÊÌ iÊÀi`ÃÊvÊÌ iÊÀi>ÌÊ-ÕÌ Ê panel commemorating the centenary of the formation West Walk to maintaining the Great South West Walk. of the (then) Tarra Valley National Park and Victoria’s first Members also conduct guided walks helping park visitors to woman ranger, Kara Healey, and the production of a appreciate and enjoy this spectacular experience complementary brochure UÊ Ì iÊiÃÌ>Là iÌÊvÊ>ÊiÜÊÀi`ÃÊ}ÀÕ«ÊvÀÊ1Õ«>ÊÃ>`]Ê UÊ 7ÃÃÊ*ÀÌÀÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊÌÀ}ÊvÊÕ«ÊÌÊ part of Barmah State Park to provide wildlife carer support, 40 vegetation quadrats to provide information on post-fire revegetation and awareness of the environmental and historic vegetation response for future ecological fire management features of the island. UÊ >ÃÌi>iÊ }}}ÃÊ >Ì>ÊiÀÌ>}iÊ*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊÃÌ>>ÌÊ Community grants of five boardwalks across the low lying sections of the Forest Creek walking track Parks Victoria’s community group grants are available to groups UÊ >ÀÜÊ ÕvvÊ >ÀiÊ->VÌÕ>ÀÞÊqÊÌ iÊ«À`ÕVÌÊvÊ>Êwi`Ê who wish to undertake projects related to areas managed by guide to the animals and plants of the sanctuary, presented as a small booklet: Life on the edge . 15 Visitor and tourism services
The Pinnacles, Grampians National Park
Information, interpretation and education In addition to regular staff services, seasonal summer rangers provided extra interpretive services in some areas during the Information busy summer and Easter holiday periods. These included the Parks Victoria continued to provide a wide range of information Twelve Apostles lookout where multi-lingual staff provided talks to visitors and others interested in parks across the state for a large number of interstate and international visitors. through: UÊ Ì iÊÓ{ ÕÀÊvÀ>ÌÊ iÌÀiÊ£ÎÊ£Èή]ÊÜ V Ê>}>Ê Education offered a comprehensive information service Parks Victoria’s education program provides a range of hands- UÊ *>ÀÊ ÌiÃ]ÊÜ V ÊÜiÀiÊ>`iÊ>Û>>LiÊÊLÌ Ê«>«iÀÊ>`Ê on learning opportunities for students throughout Victoria. Key electronic form, covering most national parks and other areas education centres provide curriculum based learning programs under the Act and are supported by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD). Table 3 shows the number of UÊ Ì iÊÜiLÃÌiÊÜÜÜ°«>ÀÜiL°ÛV°}Û°>Õ]ÊÜ V ÊVÌÕi`Ê students and teachers who participated in activities at the three to supply a growing range of park and visitor information, education centres. including management plans. Education program highlights for the year included: Interpretation UÊ >ÊÀiÛÌ>Ãi`Ê ÛÀiÌÊ À«ÃÊ}À>ÌÊ«À}À>]ÊÜ V Ê In 2008–09 more than 10 000 people participated in Parks increased the number and variety of school-park partnership Victoria’s face to face interpretive programs in areas managed projects across the state. These included the Timboon P-12 under the Act. Topics covered included flora and fauna, fire revegetation project in Port Campbell National Park management, indigenous culture, tourism, marine environments and human impacts on natural environments.
Table 3 – National park education centre programs 2008–09 Park Students Teachers Dandenong Ranges NP 3 879 187 Grampians NP (Brambuk) 4 897 577 Wilsons Promontory NP 3 415 326 Total 12 191 1 090
NP National park
16 UÊ Ì iÊ >Ì>Ê/ÀiiÊ >ÞÊ«>ÀÌiÀÃ «ÊÜÌ Ê,Þ>Ê Ì>VÊ>À`iÃÊ Ranger Program mascot, appeared at significant state events Cranbourne, involving schools in tree planting for biodiversity such as Fun4Kids in Warrnambool, the Royal Melbourne Show and habitat corridors at three sites from the Dandenong and Moomba Waterfest, as well as many regional open days Ranges to Wonthaggi and festivals. UÊ Ì iÊ`iÛi«iÌÊvÊiÜÊi`ÕV>Ì>ÊÀiÃÕÀViÃ]Ê>ÃÃÃÌi`ÊÜÌ Ê funding from the DEECD, through the Strategic Partnerships Enhancing visitor facilities Program. These included: 30 fact files on park related topics Works on visitor facilities were carried out across the state for Parks Victoria’s education website; a rainforest mural for to improve visitor and tourist access and enjoyment while Dandenong Ranges National Park; a marine puppet show maintaining park values and reducing risks (see also Fire for Wilsons Promontory National Park; and an e-brochure for recovery ). Table 4 contains examples of the projects in parks promoting statewide education programs. completed during the year. These included projects funded in the fourth year of the six-year program to renew and repair Junior Ranger Program critical visitor facilities in parks and other projects funded under Junior Ranger Program interpretation activities were offered the government’s four-year program ‘Victorian tourism – a during school holiday periods at the Dandenong Ranges and natural attraction’. Wilsons Promontory national parks. Ranger Roo, the Junior
Table 4 – Visitor facility projects completed Park Project Alpine NP Upgrading of seven visitor sites along the Bogong High Plains Road as part of the sealing of the Bogong High Plains Road Fainter Falls walking track New timber pedestrian footbridge over Moroka River Croajingolong NP Renewal of toilets at Goanna Bay, Mueller River and Wingan Inlet Dandenong Ranges NP Upgrading the Fern Tree Gully picnic ground Renewal of the Nicholas Tan and Hill Climb walking tracks Grampians NP Upgrading of five campgrounds and completion of precinct connections Construction and sealing of the Brambuk carpark Replacing the Wonderland carpark walk footbridge Great Otway NP Upgrading of the Triplet Falls interpretive signage New viewing platform and handrail at the Carisbrook Falls Mornington Peninsula NP Upgrading of the carpark at Cape Schanck Renewal of the toilets at the second Gunnamatta carpark Point Nepean NP Upgrading of the Coles and Butlers walking tracks -Ì>}iÊ£ÊvÊÌ iÊ `Ê À`}iÊV>À«>ÀÊÌÊ iviViÊ ÀÛiÊÜ>}ÊÌÀ>V Upgrading of signage Port Campbell NP Replacing Gibsons Steps Wilsons Promontory NP Replacing the Sealers Cove bridge Renewal of the Darby River access Refurbishing of the Hill toilet block in Tidal River Stage 1 of the visitor precinct including interpretation for Tidal River Yarra Ranges NP 30 kilometres of the O’Shannassy Aqueduct trail, which passes through the park Works on the rotundas at Badgers and Donnelley’s Weirs Cape Conran Coastal Park Upgrading of the West Cape jetty ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ >ÃÌ>Ê*>À Renewal of toilets at several sites ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À Stage 2 of the sewage renewal program
NP National Park
17 Road and track maintenance and upgrades were undertaken Tour operators in parks across the state and included the Four Wheel As at 30 June 2009, 281 tour operators were licensed to Drive Network Program, fire recovery programs and other conduct a range of guided activities in areas managed by Parks programmed maintenance. Works included: Victoria and in DSE-managed state forest. Of these, 223 were UÊ >Ìi>ViÊvÊvÕÀÜ iiÊ`ÀÛiÊÌÀ>VÃÊÕ`iÀÊÌ iÊÕÀÊ licensed to conduct a range of guided activities in areas Wheel Drive Program in the Alpine, Baw Baw, Burrowa-Pine managed under the Act, offering 3400 tourism and recreation Mountain, Chiltern-Mt Pilot, Croajingolong, Grampians, Great ««ÀÌÕÌiÃ°Ê i}Ã>ÌÊÜ>ÃÊÌÀ`ÕVi`ÊÌÊ*>À>iÌÊ`ÕÀ}Ê "ÌÜ>Þ]Ê>ÌÌ> ÕÞi]Êi>Ì VÌiÀ>ÞÌÜ]Ê >iÊ `]Ê the year to extend the maximum licence term under the Act for Mount Buffalo, Murray-Sunset, Wyperfeld, Snowy River and tour operations from 3 to 10 years (see Legislation ). 9>ÀÀ>Ê,>}iÃÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊ>`Ê ÕÞ«Ê>`Ê iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê state parks Visits to parks UÊ À>`Ê>Ìi>ViÊÕ«}À>`iÃÊÊÌ iÊ«i]Ê À>}}]Ê The Visitor Number Monitor is a biennial survey covering Mornington Peninsula and Port Campbell national parks. a sample of mostly Victorians but also interstate and The sealing of Bogong High Plains Road from Falls Creek through overseas visitors. Based on data collected as part of the the Alpine National Park to the Omeo Highway was a significant Visitor Number Monitor, visits to parks under the Act were event during the year. The final seal will be laid in 2009–10. The estimated to have increased to 33.0 million in 2008–09. project has involved federal, state and local governments and The increase in visitation was mainly from Melburnians, Falls Creek resort. The sealing creates a spectacular touring route with increases occurring in all quarters but particularly and will contribute significantly to the nature based tourism in summer and autumn 2009 (January–June). experiences for visitors to this part of the Alps. The earlier estimated visitor numbers since 2002–03 based on the Visitor Number Monitor surveys are: 24.9 million (2002–03), 28.6 million (2004–05), 30.1 million (2006–07).
18 Supporting park management
Hospital buildings, Quarantine Station, Point Nepean
Park management 876 full-time (ongoing), 135 part-time (ongoing), 31 fixed-term (both full-time and part-time) and 71 casual staff. Management arrangements It is estimated that, as at 30 June 2009, 359 rangers (including The Secretary is responsible under the Act for ensuring that 18 chief rangers) and 137 field service officers were engaged in the parks and other areas are controlled and managed in managing areas under the Act. These figures do not include the accordance with the Act. significant numbers of staff not normally involved in managing Parks Victoria, established under the Parks Victoria Act 1998 , areas under the Act who are deployed for fire suppression is responsible through a management services agreement for activities as and when required. There were 53 ongoing and managing the parks and other areas under the Act on behalf fixed-term Indigenous staff, including rangers, working in areas of the Secretary. Various powers under the Act have been under the Act. Parks Victoria is currently recruiting a further 15 delegated to employees of Parks Victoria. indigenous employees, most of whom will be employed in areas DSE, on behalf of the Secretary, works with Parks Victoria under the Act. and provides strategic policy advice to the Minister and the Twenty-nine seasonal rangers were recruited to run visitor Secretary. Under the Act, the Director of National Parks (who is services programs during the summer period across the state, the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Victoria) provides advice to including areas managed under the Act. These seasonal the Minister and the Secretary about the operational elements programs greatly enhance Parks Victoria’s capacity to maintain of park management. visitor services during the peak fire period.
Parks Victoria’s 2008–09 business plan described the park -Ì>vvÊvÀÊ - Ê«>ÀÌVÕ>ÀÞÊvÀÊÌ iÊ*ÕLVÊ >`Ê ÛÃÊ management services and strategic priorities to be delivered for and, more recently, the Forests and Parks Division) and the year. Its annual report for 2008–09 provides information on DPI (particularly fisheries officers) also contributed to the its operations for the year. parks program.
Finance Legislation The estimated expenditure in relation to areas under the Act There were several amendments to the Act and regulations in 2008–09 was $97.3 million, including the costs associated during the year, and two bills to amend the Act were with fire and fire recovery. Information about DSE’s and introduced into parliament. Parks Victoria’s overall financial activities is contained in their respective annual reports. National Parks and Crown Land (Reserves) Acts Amendment Act 2008 Staff This amending Act received the Royal Assent on 23 September Parks Victoria manages a wide range of areas, including all of 2008. In relation to the amendments to the Act, several the parks and other areas under the Act, as well as conservation technical amendments were made on 24 September 2008, with reserves, regional and metropolitan parks and aspects of the the remaining provisions coming into operation on 9 November bays and waterways in or near Melbourne. As at 30 June 2008. These included: 2009, Parks Victoria had 1113 direct employees, comprising
19 UÊ Ì iÊVÀi>ÌÊvÊ LLLiiÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ£nÊx£äÊ >®ÊÊv>ÀÊ National Parks Amendment (Point Nepean) Bill 2009 south-west Victoria / ÃÊLÊÜ>ÃÊ«>ÃÃi`ÊLÞÊÌ iÊ i}Ã>ÌÛiÊÃÃiLÞÊÊÓxÊÕiÊ UÊ ÌÀ>ÃÌ>Ê«ÀÛÃÃÊ>ÃÃV>Ìi`ÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊVÀi>ÌÊvÊÌ iÊ 2009. 1 It provided for the addition of nearly all of the historic new park and provisions to enable a licence to be granted +Õ>À>ÌiÊ-Ì>ÌÊ>Ài>Ê>`ÊÌ iÊ>`}ÊÌiÀÌ`>ÊâiÊÌÊ for drainage over part of the park and the granting Point Nepean National Park. The bill inserts provisions to enable of a reasonable right of access through the park to i>ÃiÃÊÌÊLiÊ}À>Ìi`ÊÊÀi>ÌÊÌÊÌ iÊ+Õ>À>ÌiÊ-Ì>ÌÊ>Ài>Ê abutting landowners for a period of up to 21 years for purposes which the Minister UÊ Ì iÊ>``ÌÊvÊÎÓÈÊ iVÌ>ÀiÃÊÌÊÃiÛiÊ«>ÀÃÊ>`ÊÌ iÊiÝVÃÊ considers are not detrimental to the protection of the park. In of small areas from two parks (see Changes to the parks certain circumstances, a lease may be granted for a period up system ) and corrections to the plans of Great Otway, to 50 years. The bill also provided for the granting of licences at Kinglake and Yarra Ranges national parks. Ì iÊ+Õ>À>ÌiÊ-Ì>ÌÊ>Ài>°
Crown Land Acts Amendment (Lease and Licence Terms) National Parks (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Bill 2009 Regulations 2008 This bill was introduced into Parliament on 5 May 2009 to These regulations, which came into operation on 1 August amend the National Parks Act, as well as the Crown Land 2008, increased the fees payable for entry to the whole or (Reserves) Act 1978 , Forests Act 1958 , Land Act 1958 and parts of Baw Baw, Mornington Peninsula, Mount Buffalo, Point Wildlife Act 1975 , to establish a uniform licensing regime Nepean, Wilsons Promontory and Yarra Ranges national parks. for commercial tour operators operating on public land. This includes providing for licence terms of up to 10 years. The bill Authorities granted under the Act will also make it an offence for tour operators to operate on Licences and permits public land without a licence. Table 5 lists permits granted under various sections of the Act. In addition, a considerable number of apiary permits were granted under section 21(1)(b) and commercial tour permits under section 21(1)(c)(ii) (see Tour operators ).
Table 5 – Licences and permits Park Section of Act Licensee/permittee Purpose Mount Buffalo NP 21(3) Rios Alpine Centre Permit for snow play activities at Cresta Valley and Dingo Dell 21(1)(c)(ii) MBC Management Services Permit for the provision of a café and function events >ÌÊ iÜÊ `}iÊ>`Ê }Ê i Point Nepean NP 21(1)(c)(ii) Discovery Attractions Permit for the provision of the people transporter service Wilsons Promontory NP 19(2)(b) >ÃÌÊ >ÃÌÊ i>ÃÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Deed of renewal for the operation of open air cinema, Tidal River Bunyip SP 26A Australian Deer Association ViViÊvÀÊÎÊÞi>ÀÃÊvÀÊ>Ê«ÀiiÝÃÌ}Ê`iiÀÊiVÃÕÀi 26A Two individuals À>â}ÊÉÊ>}ÃÌiÌÊ>}ÀiiiÌÊvÀÊÓ°ÓÊ iVÌ>ÀiÃÊvÊ }À>â}Ê«>ÃÌÕÀi Warby Range SP 26A Individual ViViÊvÀÊÌ iÊÕÃiÊvÊ>ÊÜiÊ>`ÊëÀ}ÊLÀiÊ ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À 21(1)(c)(ii) TrailMix Permit for the provision of recreational and visitor services
NP National Park SP State Park
Leases Consents to public authorities Table 6 lists leases granted under various sections of the Act. Consents were granted under section 27 of the Act to various The leases for Mount Buffalo Chalet and Arthurs Seat Chairlift public authorities (as defined in the Act) to carry out works, reverted back to the State during the year. Expressions of subject to conditions, in various parks, as shown in Table 7. interest processes for both of these sites will run in 2009–10.
20 £Ê / iÊLÊÜ>ÃÊ«>ÃÃi`ÊLÞÊÌ iÊ i}Ã>ÌÛiÊ ÕVÊÊ££ÊÕ}ÕÃÌÊÓääÊ>`ÊÀiViÛi`ÊÌ iÊ,Þ>ÊÃÃiÌÊÊ£nÊÕ}ÕÃÌÊÓää° Table 6 – Leases Park Section of Act Lessee Purpose Mornington Peninsula NP 19(2)(a) Two individuals New lease of 20 years to operate a kiosk and café at Sorrento Back Beach 19(2)(a) Cutting Edge Enterprises Assignment of the above lease at Sorrento Back Beach Arthurs Seat SP 32CA Arthurs Seat Scenic Chairlift Operation and management of the Arthurs Seat Chairlift
NP National Park SP State Park
Table 7 – Consents to public authorities Park Public authority Consent purpose Grampians NP Northern Grampians Shire Drainage works at Halls Gap Council Greater Bendigo NP Ambulance Victoria Operation and maintenance of telecommunications equipment at One Tree Hill *ÜiÀVÀÊÕÃÌÀ>>Ê Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications facility at One Tree Hill -*Ê iÌÜÀÃÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Use of an access road through the Big Hill area to access freehold at Mt Herbert Great Otway NP Colac Otway Shire Council >`wÊ>ÌÊiLÀ>` Barwon Region Water Construction of boreholes as part of the Anglesea borefield project Corporation Heathcote-Graytown NP Coliban Region Water Installation, operation and maintenance of a telemetry system at Mt Ida Corporation Murray-Sunset NP 6 Ê iÌÜÀÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Installation and maintenance of telecommunications equipment at Hattah Wilsons Promontory NP Marine Safety Victoria "«iÀ>ÌÊ>`Ê>Ìi>ViÊvÊ>ÀiÊ>Û}>Ì>Ê>`ÃÊ>ÌÊ } Ì ÕÃiÊ Point, Sealers Cove, Waterloo Bay and Refuge Cove Yarra Ranges NP Ambulance Victoria Operation and maintenance of existing telecommunications iµÕ«iÌÊ>ÌÊ >iÊ ÕÌ> iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-* Melbourne Water Installation, operation and maintenance of a flood warning device and Corporation rain gauge at Mt Blackwood -*Ê*ÜiÀiÌÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications facility at Mt Blackwood Mount Arapiles-Tooan SP Country Fire Authority Operation and maintenance of telecommunications equipment at Mt Arapiles Warby Ranges SP Country Fire Authority Operation and maintenance of existing telecommunications infrastructure at Mt Glenrowan ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ Gippsland Ports "«iÀ>ÌÊ>`Ê>Ìi>ViÊvÊÃ>`ÊLÞ«>ÃÃÊÌÀ>Ê>ÌÊ >iÃÊ ÌÀ>Vi Coastal Park Variation to the consent to operate and maintain the sand bypass trail >ÌÊ >iÃÊ ÌÀ>Vi Castlemaine Diggings NHP /iÃÌÀ>Ê À«À>ÌÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Small increase in the footprint of an existing telecommunications facility
NP National Park SP State Park NHP National Heritage Park
21 Enforcement The benefits of coordination and the sharing of knowledge during the year under the program were achieved through a There were 26 individuals successfully prosecuted during the range of initiatives: year for committing 37 offences under the Act or associated regulations. The main group of offences related to fishing in Best practice management marine national parks and marine sanctuaries (16) (including UÊ >ÊiÝV >}iÊvÊvÀ>ÌÊ>`Ê`i>ÃÊÌ ÀÕ} ÊÜÀÃ «ÃÊÊ one imprisonment), followed by offences relating to dogs (8). topics including:
A total of 242 infringement notices was issued during the year – Indigenous landscape assessment skills in relation to prescribed offences against the Act (62) or the – developing best practice guidelines for the control of National Parks (Park) Regulations 2003 (180). These included hawkweed notices in relation to dogs (97), the use of recreational fishing – feral horse and fire research strategies equipment in a marine national park or marine sanctuary (62) Invasive species and lighting or maintaining a fire (21). In addition, 36 warnings UÊ Ì iÊV«iÌÊvÊ>ÊÀi«ÀÌÊÊÌ iÊÛiiÌÊvÊÜ`Ê`}ÃÊÊ were issued for both infringeable and non-infringeable offences. the Australian Alps national parks DPI fisheries officers continued to play a major role in UÊ >Ê«ÃÜ`iÊviÀ>Ê ÀÃiÊ>iÀ>ÊViÃÕÃÊ enforcement in connection with the marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. Fire research UÊ Ì iÊVÃ`>ÌÊvÊ`>Ì>ÊvÀÊ«ÌÃÊ>VÀÃÃÊÌ iÊÕÃÌÀ>>Ê Interstate cooperation Alps national parks used to monitor the ecological effects Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council of fire The National Reserve System Taskforce and the Marine Promoting community and inter agency partnerships Protected Areas Working Group, both established under the UÊ Ì iÊvÃÌiÀ}ÊvÊÃÌÀ>Ìi}VÊ«>ÀÌiÀà «ÃÊÌ ÀÕ} \ auspices of committees of the Natural Resource Management – the Australian Alps Traditional Owners’ Reference Group, Ministerial Council met during the year. which met three times during the year Australia’s strategy for the national reserve system 2009–2030 – frontline communications and general Alps issues was completed and was released in March 2009. This provides awareness training with the tourism industry and visitor the future direction for the establishment and management centre staff of Australia’s national reserve system. Work progressed on – the Traditional Timber Working Skills Workshop, which the review and update of the Guidelines for establishing the brought together volunteers from the Victorian High national representative system of marine protected areas . ÕÌÀÞÊÕÌÃÊÃÃV>Ì]Ê ÃVÕÃâÊÕÌÃÊÃÃV>ÌÊ>`Ê agency staff to keep traditional skills alive for maintaining Australian Alps Cooperative Management Program huts and other historic structures in the parks The Memorandum of understanding in relation to the – the Oral History Workshop, at which volunteers from cooperative management of the Australian Alps national parks historical societies and similar organisations and some (MOU) covers eleven parks and reserves in the Australian Capital agency staff learnt about the importance of, and Territory, New South Wales and Victoria. In Victoria, these are techniques required for, recording oral histories the Alpine, Baw Baw, Mount Buffalo and Snowy River national qÊ Ì iÊÕÃÌÀ>>Ê«ÃÊ >Ì>Ê >`ÃV>«iÊÌ>ÌÛiÊqÊÌ iÊ parks and Avon Wilderness Park. It aims to promote cross- Australian Alps region is included in this innovative border cooperation in the protection and management of this program between Parks Australia and Tourism Australia highly significant conservation area. which aims to identify Australia’s unique experiences The Australian Alps Cooperative Management Program for marketing to experience seekers from overseas. This «iÀ>ÌiÃÊÕ`iÀÊÌ iÊ>ÕëViÃÊvÊÌ iÊÕÃÌÀ>>Ê«ÃÊ >ÃÊ initiative brings together park managers, local government, ÌÌiiÊ ®°Ê/ iÊ ÊÃiiÃÊÌÊ«ÀÛ`iÊ>`Ê>>}iÀÃÊ state and regional tourism organisations, local government with appropriate technical tools and sound scientific advice and the tourism industry. An exciting DVD program on in management reports and strategies to assist in achieving the Australian Alps was developed and went to air on the objectives of the MOU in delivering best practice land commercial television in January 2009. management across the region. Parks Victoria represents Victoria on the committee.
22 Advisory bodies Alpine Advisory Committee The Alpine Advisory Committee is appointed under section National Parks Advisory Council 32AE of the Act to assist with the development of a The National Parks Advisory Council is appointed under section management plan for the Alpine National Park. The process to 10 of the Act. Its main functions are to advise the Minister re-establish the committee commenced during the year. generally in relation to the administration of the Act and on particular matters on which its advice is required under the Act Otways Landscape Community Council or which is sought by the Minister. It also provides advice on The council was established to provide advice to Parks Victoria, the granting of certain leases and consents for earth resource DSE and the Minister about the processes for engaging activities and on proposed excisions from parks. The council’s communities on the management of public land in the Otways 2008–09 annual report provides additional information on the (including the Great Otway National Park) and to monitor the council and its activities (including changes to membership) effectiveness of community engagement activities to meet during the year. the needs and aspirations of the local community. The council The council comprises the Secretary (or his or her nominee), the provided advice about opportunities for integrated management Director of National Parks (who is the Chief Executive Officer of for public land in the context of the wider Otway landscape. Parks Victoria) and eight non-government members. The council fulfilled its terms of reference and ceased in October 2008. At that time, its membership was as follows: As at 30 June 2009, the membership of the council was as follows: Chair: Ms Elaine Carbines iLiÀÃ\Ê ÃÊ ââiÊ Ài Convenor: Mr Ian Harris Ms Beth Davidson Members: Ms Nina Cullen (Secretary’s nominee) Ms Claire Dennis Mrs Heather Gee Mr Roger Hardley Ms Kate Glenie Mr Terry Kildea Mr John Gray Mr Richard Morrow. Ê ÀÊ >ViÊià Mr Brian Martin Parks Victoria has also established several other non-statutory Dr John Sherwood advisory groups to assist in its management of particular parks. Mrs Deirdre Slattery
Mr Mark Stone (Director of National Parks).
Point Nepean Advisory Committee Section 14 of the Act enables the Minister to establish advisory committees to make recommendations to the Secretary relating to the care and control of a park or parks.
The Point Nepean Advisory Committee met several times during the year to make recommendations to the Secretary on the care and control of Point Nepean National Park.
As at 30 June 2009, the membership of the committee was as follows:
>À\Ê ÀÊ VÊ ÕL Members: Mr Alex Atkins Ms Kate Baillieu Mr Harry Breidahl Dr Ursula de Jong Mr Bernie Fox Ms Judith Muir Mr Chris Smyth Mr John Taylor Ms Dianne Weidner.
23 24 Appendix 1 Land managed under the National Parks Act
A National parks (Schedule Two) Area (ha) as at Addition Excision Area as at National park 30 June 2008 (ha) (ha) 30 June 2009 1 Alfred 3 050 3 050 2 Alpine 660 550 660 550 3 Baw Baw 13 530 13 530 4 Brisbane Ranges 7 718 7 718 5 Burrowa-Pine Mountain 18 400 18 400 6 Chiltern-Mt Pilot 21 560 21 560 7 Churchill 271 271 8 Cobboboonee - 18 510 18 510 9 Coopracambra 38 800 38 800 10 Croajingolong *87 790 87 790 11 Dandenong Ranges 3 540 3 540 12 Errinundra 26 875 26 875 13 French Island *11 050 *11 050 14 Grampians 168 110 168 110 15 Great Otway *103 190 0.3 0.5 ^*103 185 16 Greater Bendigo** 17 004 17 004 17 Hattah-Kulkyne 48 000 48 000 18 Heathcote-Graytown 12 700 12 700 19 Kinglake 22 360 74 ^22 430 20 >iÊ ` 27 750 27 750 21 `Ê 1 370 1 370 22 ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌ 132 647 132 647 23 ÜiÀÊii} 27 300 16 #26 430 24 Mitchell River 14 250 14 250 25 Mornington Peninsula *2 680 *2 680 26 Morwell 565 565 27 Mount Buffalo 31 000 31 000 28 Mount Eccles 8 375 8 375 29 Mount Richmond 1 733 1 733 30 Murray-Sunset 633 000 633 000 31 Organ Pipes 153 153 32 Point Nepean *470 *470 33 Port Campbell *1 830 *1 830 34 Snowy River 98 700 98 700 35 St Arnaud Range 13 900 13 900 36 Tarra-Bulga 2 015 2 015 37 Terrick Terrick 3 880 3 880 38 / iÊ >iÃÊ 2 390 2 390 39 Wilsons Promontory *49 049 *49 049 40 Wyperfeld 361 770 361 770 41 Yarra Ranges 77 040 ^#77 190 Total – National parks 2 756 365 18 600 0.5 2 774 220
* Area includes the area of the national park located beneath a marine national park. ** Parts of Greater Bendigo NP extend only to 100 metres below the land surface. ^ Area takes into account a plan correction. # Area takes into account a re-calculation of the park area.
25 Appendix 1 continued
Land managed under the National Parks Act
B Wilderness parks (Schedule Two A)
Area (ha) as at Area (ha) as at Wilderness park 30 June 2008 30 June 2009 1 Avon 39 650 39 650 2 Big Desert 142 300 142 300 3 Wabba 20 100 20 100 Total – Wilderness parks 202 050 202 050
C State parks (Schedule Two B)
Area (ha) as at Addition Excision Area (ha) as at State park 30 June 2008 (ha) (ha) 30 June 2009 1 Arthurs Seat 558 558 2 Barmah 7 900 7 900 3 Black Range 11 700 11 700 4 Broken-Boosey 1 010 1 010 5 Bunyip 16 655 16 655 6 Cape Nelson 210 210 7 Cathedral Range 3 616 3 616 8 Dergholm 10 400 10 400 9 Enfield 4 400 4 400 10 Holey Plains 10 641 178 *10 740 11 Kooyoora 11 350 11 350 12 >}Ê À>Ê 3 000 42 3 040 13 i>} ÕÀÊ 1 580 1 580 14 iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê 20 180 20 180 15 Moondarra 6 330 6 330 16 Mount Arapiles-Tooan 7 470 7 470 17 Mount Buangor 2 400 2 400 18 Mount Granya 6 140 6 140 19 ÕÌÊ >ÜÃ 13 150 13 150 20 Mount Napier 2 800 2 800 21 Mount Samaria 7 600 7 600 22 Mount Worth 1 040 1 040 23 Paddys Ranges 2 010 2 010 24 Reef Hills 2 020 2 020 25 Warby Range 11 460 11 460 26 Warrandyte 680 6 686 27 Werribee Gorge 575 575 Total – State parks 166 875 226 0 167 020
* Area takes into account a re-calculation of the park area based on a new map base.
26 D Other parks (Schedule Three) Area (ha) as at 30 *Area (ha) as at Other park June 2008 30 June 2009 1 Bay of Islands CP 950 950 2 Beechworth HP 1 090 1 090 3 Cape Conran CP 11 700 11 700 4 >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«Ê * 4 225 4 225 5 Discovery Bay CP **10 460 **10 460 6 ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ * 17 600 17 600 7 Haining Farm 66 66 8 >iÊL>VÕÌÞ>Ê*>À 8 300 8 300 9 >}Ü>ÀÀÊ, 214 214 10 ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À 1 397 1 397 11 Murray-Kulkyne Park 3 530 3 530 12 -Ìi}ÌâÊ* 425 425 13 Tyers Park 1 810 1 810 14 Woodlands HP 820 820 Total – Other parks 62 587 62 587
CP Coastal Park FFR Flora and Fauna Reserve HP Historic Park * No changes during the year. ** Area includes the area of the park located beneath a marine national park.
E Other parks and reserves (Schedule Four) Area (ha) as at Addition Excision Area (ha) as at Other park and reserve 30 June 2008 (ha) (ha) 30 June 2009 1 Bunurong MP *1 660 *1 660 2 Castlemaine-Diggings NHP** 7 550 10 7 560 3 Corner Inlet MCP *18 000 *18 000 4 ii«Ê i>`Ê ,Ê °Ê£®IIÊ 1 120 1 120 5 Nooramunga MCP 15 000 15 000 6 Shallow Inlet MCP 2 000 2 000 7 Wilsons Promontory MP ) 8 Wilsons Promontory MR ) *10 000 *10 000 Total – Other parks and reserves 55 330 10 0 55 340
MCP Marine and Coastal Park MP Marine Park MR Marine Reserve NCR Nature Conservation Reserve NHP National Heritage Park * Area includes the area of the park or reserve located beneath a marine national park. Ê IIÊ >ÃÌi>iÊ }}}ÃÊ *Ê>`Ê ii«Ê i>`Ê ,Ê °Ê£®ÊiÝÌi`ÊÞÊÌÊ£ääÊiÌÀiÃÊLiÜÊÌ iÊ>`ÊÃÕÀv>Vi°
27 Appendix 1 continued
Land managed under the National Parks Act
F Wilderness zones (Schedule Five)
7`iÀiÃÃÊâiÃÊ>ÀiÊV>Ìi`ÊÜÌ ÊÃiÛiÀ>Ê>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃ]Ê>ÃÊÃiÌÊÕÌÊLiÜ°Ê/ iÊ>Ài>ÃÊvÊÌ iÊÜ`iÀiÃÃÊâiÃÊ>ÀiÊVÕ`i`Ê in the areas of the relevant parks in Part A of this appendix.
*Area (ha) as at National park Wilderness zone 30 June 2009 1 Murray-Sunset Sunset 126 900 2 Murray-Sunset Minook 38 700 3 Murray-Sunset Galpunga 35 700 4 Murray-Sunset Mount Cowra 23 500 5 Wyperfeld North Wyperfeld 97 900 6 Wyperfeld South Wyperfeld 61 300 7 Wyperfeld Chinaman Flat 29 800 8 Alpine Mount Darling-Snowy Bluff 40 400 9 Alpine ,>âÀ6} 15 700 10 Alpine Indi 13 800 11 Alpine Cobberas 10 000 12 Alpine Buchan Headwaters 30 000 13 Alpine Tingaringy 7 900 14 Snowy River Snowy River 27 000 15 Snowy River Bowen 17 500 16 Coopracambra Genoa 19 400 17 Croajingolong Sandpatch 15 600 18 Croajingolong Cape Howe 7 100 19 Wilsons Promontory Wilsons Promontory 21 800 Total – Wilderness zones 640 000
* No changes during the year.
G Remote and natural areas (Schedule Six)
Remote and natural areas are located within several national parks, as set out below. The areas of the remote and natural areas are included in the areas of the relevant parks in Part A of this appendix.
*Area (ha) as at National park Remote and natural area 30 June 2009 1 Murray-Sunset South Sunset 24 000 2 Wyperfeld Hopping Mouse Hill 32 100 3 ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌ ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌ 16 400 4 Grampians Victoria Range 14 000 5 Grampians Serra Range 11 200 6 Grampians Major Mitchell Plateau 6 900 7 Baw Baw Baw Baw Plateau 6 500 8 Alpine The Governors 8 100 9 Alpine Macalister 33 300 10 Alpine Dandongadale 3 700 11 Alpine Bundara-Cobungra 13 700 12 Alpine Bogong 16 300 13 Alpine Davies Plain 10 500 14 Alpine Suggan Buggan 17 800 15 Alpine Upper Snowy 11 800 16 Mount Buffalo North Buffalo 6 500 17 Burrowa-Pine Mountain Mount Burrowa 6 200 18 Errinundra Brodribb 7 700 19 Coopracambra Mount Kaye 8 100 20 Croajingolong Rame Head 9 800 21 Wilsons Promontory Wilsons Promontory Islands (12) 469 22 Wilsons Promontory Southern Wilsons Promontory 14 400 Total – Remote and natural areas 279 469
* No changes during the year. 28 H Marine national parks (Schedule Seven) I Marine sanctuaries (Schedule Eight) **Area (ha) as at *Area (ha) as at Marine national park* 30 June 2009 Marine sanctuary 30 June 2009 1 Bunurong 2 100 1 Barwon Bluff 17 2 Cape Howe 4 050 2 Beware Reef 220 3 Churchill Island 670 3 Eagle Rock 17 4 Corner Inlet 1 550 4 Jawbone 30 5 Discovery Bay 2 770 5 Marengo Reefs 12 6 French Island 2 800 6 Merri 25 7 Ninety Mile Beach 2 750 7 Mushroom Reef 80 8 Point Addis 4 600 8 Point Cooke 290 9 Point Hicks 4 000 9 Point Danger 25 10 Port Phillip Heads 3 580 10 Ricketts Point 115 11 Twelve Apostles 7 500 11 The Arches 45 12 Wilsons Promontory 15 550 Total – Marine sanctuaries 876 13 Yaringa 980 * No changes during the year. Total – Marine national parks 52 900
* Marine national parks extend only to 200 metres below the land surface and some partly overlay parts of other parks under the Act. ** No changes during the year.
J Other areas (non-scheduled) **Area (ha) as at Area* Section of Act 30 June 2009 1 Bald Hills BR 19B 1 2 Collins Settlement Historic Site 19B 1 3 Flinders NCR 19B 1 4 Flinders Natural Interest Reserve 19B 4 5 }ÊÀiÃÌÊ , 19B 283 6 ÜiÀÊii}Ê**,Ê>`Ê- , 19B 24 7 Main Ridge NCR 19B 64 8 Moreep BR 19B 10 9 Nyerimilang Park 19B 200 10 Recreation Reserve, Otway 19B 1 11 Wychitella NCR 19B 3 780 12 Mt St Gwinear access road 19C 35 13 Commonwealth land adjacent to Woodlands Historic Park 19D 31 14 *VVÊ>Ài>Ê>ÌÊ V iâi½ÃÊ>ÌÊ iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ*>À® 19E # 15 >VÜ`Ê,>}iÃÊ/À>VÊ iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ*>À® 19E # 16 Glenample Homestead 32AA 8 Total – Other areas 4 443
BR Bushland Reserve NCR Nature Conservation Reserve PPR Public Purposes Reserve Ê - ,Ê -ViVÊ ÕÌÊ,iÃiÀÛi * Only specific sections of the Act apply to these areas. ** No changes during the year. # Area approximately 0.1 ha.
29 Appendix 1 continued
Land managed under the National Parks Act
K Summary – areas managed under the National Parks Act No. as at Area (ha) as at Area (ha) as at Category 30 June 2009 30 June 2008 30 June 2009 A National parks (Schedule Two) 41 2 756 365 2 774 220 B Wilderness parks (Schedule Two A) 3 202 050 202 050 C State parks (Schedule Two B) 27 166 875 167 020 D Other parks (Schedule Three) 14 62 587 62 587 E Other parks and reserves (Schedule Four) 8 55 330 55 340 H Marine national parks (Schedule Seven) 13 52 900 52 900 I Marine sanctuaries (Schedule Eight) 11 876 876 J Other areas (non-scheduled) 16 4 443 4 443 Total 133 3 301 426 3 319 436
L Unproclaimed areas
i}Ã>ÌÊ>ÃÊ>ÌÊÎäÊÕiÊÓääÊ«ÀÛ`iÃÊvÀÊÌ iÊvÜ}Ê>``ÌÃÊÌÊÌ iÊ«>ÀÃÊÃÞÃÌi°
Act Park Section of Act Area (ha) 1 National Parks (Amendment) Act 1989 Moondarra State Park 29(3) 178 2 National Parks Act 1975 Greater Bendigo National Park 50K *16 Total – unproclaimed areas 194
* Area will become part of the park on surrender of title to the Crown.
30 Appendix 2 Pest plant control projects
Appendix 2 lists the targeted species (and Cinnamon Fungus) for those parks where an area of more than five hectares was recorded as being treated for the purposes of controlling or eradicating that species. Areas of less than five hectares were also treated in various parks.
Park Target species Alpine NP Blackberry, Cape Broom, English Broom, Orange Hawkweed, Ox-eye Daisy, Paterson’s Curse, Soft Rush, St John’s Wort, Variegated Thistle Arthurs Seat SP Boneseed, Pittosporum, Sweet Pittosporum Barmah SP Bathurst Burr, Spear Thistle Baw Baw NP Cape Broom , Gorse Beechworth HP Cape Broom, Paterson’s Curse Brisbane Ranges NP Cape Weed, Cinnamon Fungus, Gorse, Serrated Tussock Broken-Boosey SP Paterson’s Curse, Prickly Pear Bunyip SP Blackberry Burrowa-Pine Mountain NP Blackberry, St John’s Wort >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«Ê * African Boxthorn Castlemaine Diggings NHP Gorse, Spear Thistle Chiltern-Mt Pilot NP Cape Broom, Paterson’s Curse Churchill NP Boneseed, Sweet Pittosporum Coopracambra NP Blackberry Corner Inlet MCP Asparagus species Croajingolong NP >VLiÀÀÞ]Ê7 ÌiÊÀÕÊ Þ Dandenong Ranges NP Blackberry, Cestrum, Ragwort, Sweet Pittosporum Dergholm SP Cape Tulip (one-leaf), Paterson’s Curse, St John’s Wort Discovery Bay CP Beach Daisy, Bitou-bush, Boneseed Errinundra NP Blackberry French Island NP African Boxthorn, Apple of Sodom, Blackberry, Cape Tulip, Cluster Pine, Couch, Flatweed, Spanish Heath ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ * African Boxthorn Grampians NP Blackberry, Bridal Creeper, Sallow Wattle, Scotch Thistle Great Otway NP Asparagus Fern, Blackberry, Bluebell Creeper, Boneseed, Bridal Creeper, Bulbil Watsonia, Coast Tea-tree, Coast Wattle, Himalayan Honeysuckle, Kikuyu, Pinus spp, Ragwort, Spanish Heath, Sweet Pittosporum, Wandering Tradescantia, willow spp. Haining Park Wandering Tradescantia Hattah-Kulkyne NP Prickly Pear (erect) Holey Plains SP Ragwort Kinglake NP Tutsan, White Sallow Wattle Kooyoora SP Paterson’s Curse, St John’s Wort >iÊL>VÕÌÞ>Ê*>À Caltrop >iÊ `Ê * Blackberry >}Ê À>Ê-* Cootamundra Wattle, Hawthorn >}Ü>ÀÀÊ, Boneseed iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-* Blackberry, Gorse, Serrated Tussock ÜiÀÊii}Ê * Beach Daisy, Boneseed ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À Boneseed Mitchell River NP African Boxthorn, Cape Ivy, St John’s Wort Mornington Peninsula NP African Boxthorn, Cape Broom, Cape Ivy, Dolichos Pea, Ragwort, Sallow Wattle, Spiny Rush, Sweet Pittosporum Morwell NP Cape Broom, Ragwort, Tutsan
31 Park Target species Mount Buangor SP Bitou-bush, Hawthorn Mount Buffalo NP Blackberry, Grey Sallow, Himalayan Honeysuckle, willow, Yarrow Mount Granya SP Blackberry, Paterson’s Curse ÕÌÊ >ÜÃÊ-* Blackberry, Paterson’s Curse Mount Worth SP Blackberry, Ragwort Murray-Sunset NP Paterson’s Curse Organ Pipes NP Chilean Needle-grass, Serrated Tussock Paddys Ranges SP Bridal Creeper Point Nepean NP African Boxthorn, Myrtle-leaf Milkwort, Spiny Rush Port Campbell NP Sweet Pittosporum Shallow Inlet MCP Asparagus species Snowy River NP Blackberry, Paterson’s Curse -Ìi}ÌâÊ* Cinnamon Fungus, Gorse Tyers Park Cape Broom Warby Range SP St John’s Wort Warrandyte SP Angled Onion, Sweet Pittosporum Werribee Gorge SP Serrated Tussock Wilsons Promontory NP Asparagus species, Blackberry, Blue Periwinkle, Californian Thistle, Dolichos Pea, Hemlock, Mirror Bush, Ox-eye Daisy, Spear Thistle, Twiggy Mullein Woodlands HP Serrated Tussock Wyperfeld NP Caltrop Yarra Ranges NP English Holly, Ragwort, Wandering Tradescantia
CP Coastal Park FFR Flora and Fauna Reserve HP Historic Park MCP Marine and Coastal Park NHP National Heritage Park NP National Park SP State Park
32 Appendix 3 Pest animal control projects
Appendix 3 lists the targeted species for those parks where an area of more than five hectares was recorded as being treated for the purposes of controlling or eradicating that species. Areas of less than five hectares were also treated in various parks.
Park Target species Park Target species Alpine NP Cattle, Dog, Fox, Horse, Pig `Ê * Fox Bay of Islands CP Rabbit ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ * Fox Black Range SP Fox ÜiÀÊii}Ê * Fox Brisbane Ranges NP Fox, Goat Mitchell River NP Dog Broken-Boosey SP Fox Mornington Peninsula NP Fox Burrowa-Pine Mountain NP Rabbit Morwell NP Goat Cape Conran CP Fox Mount Buffalo NP Rabbit >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«Ê * Fox Mount Richmond NP Fox Chiltern-Mt Pilot NP Fox, Rabbit Murray-Kulkyne Park Rabbit Coopracambra NP Pig, Fox Murray-Sunset NP Goat, Rabbit Croajingolong NP Fox Organ Pipes NP Rabbit Dandenong Ranges NP Fox Paddys Ranges SP Fox Discovery Bay CP Fox Point Nepean NP Fox Errinundra NP Fox, Pig Snowy River NP Dog, Fox French Island NP Cat St Arnaud Range NP Fox ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ * Fox, Pig -Ìi}ÌâÊ* Fox Grampians NP Fox, Rabbit Terrick Terrick NP Fox, Rabbit Great Otway NP Fox / iÊ >iÃÊ * Fox Hattah-Kulkyne NP Rabbit Warby Range SP Goat, Rabbit Heathcote-Graytown NP Fox Warrandyte SP Rabbit Holey Plains SP Fox Werribee Gorge SP Fox, Rabbit Kinglake NP Fox Wilsons Promontory NP Fox >iÊL>VÕÌÞ>Ê*>À Rabbit Woodlands HP Fox, Rabbit >iÊ `Ê * Fox Wyperfeld NP Rabbit i>} ÕÀÊ-* Fox, Rabbit Yarra Ranges NP Fox iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-* Rabbit
CP Coastal Park HP Historic Park MCP Marine and Coastal Park NP National Park SP State Park
33 Appendix 4 Locations of parks and other areas
National and other parks/areas
1 Murray-Sunset NP 44 Collins Settlement HS 87 Wilsons Promontory MP 2 Hattah-Kulkyne NP 45 Mornington Peninsula NP 88 Wilsons Promontory MR 3 Murray-Kulkyne Park 46 Arthurs Seat SP 89 Corner Inlet MCP 4 Big Desert WP 47 Main Ridge NCR 90 Nooramunga MCP 5 Wyperfeld NP 48 Bald Hills BR 91 Tarra-Bulga NP Ê ÈÊ >iÊL>VÕÌÞ>Ê*>À 49 Flinders NCR 92 Morwell NP Ê ÇÊ ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ * 50 Flinders NIR 93 Holey Plains SP 8 Mount Arapiles-Tooan SP 51 French Island NP Ê {Ê ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ * 9 Dergholm SP Ê xÓÊ >}Ü>ÀÀÊ, Ê xÊ / iÊ >iÃÊ * 10 Black Range SP 53 Churchill NP 96 Mitchell River NP 11 Grampians NP Ê x{Ê ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À 97 Nyerimilang Park Ê £ÓÊ ii«Ê i>`Ê ,Ê °Ê£® 55 Bunyip SP 98 Snowy River NP Ê £ÎÊ ÜiÀÊii}Ê *Ê>`Ê 56 Dandenong Ranges NP 99 Errinundra NP Cobboboonee NP 57 Warrandyte SP 100 Coopracambra NP 14 Discovery Bay CP 58 Organ Pipes NP Ê£ä£Ê `Ê * Ê £xÊ ÜiÀÊii}Ê**,ÊEÊ- , 59 Woodlands HP and adjacent 102 Alfred NP 16 Mount Richmond NP Commonwealth land 103 Cape Conran CP 17 Cape Nelson SP 60 Kinglake NP 104 Croajingolong NP 18 Mount Eccles NP 61 Haining Farm Marine national parks and 19 Mount Napier SP 62 Yarra Ranges NP marine sanctuaries Ê ÓäÊ >}Ê À>Ê-* 63 Cathedral Range SP A Discovery Bay MNP 21 Mount Buangor SP Ê È{Ê >iÊ `Ê * B Merri MS 22 Paddys Ranges SP 65 Mount Samaria SP C The Arches MS 23 St Arnaud Range NP 66 Reef Hills SP D Twelve Apostles MNP 24 Kooyoora SP 67 Broken-Boosey SP E Marengo Reefs MS 25 Wychitella NCR 68 Barmah SP F Eagle Rock MS Ê ÓÈÊ i>} ÕÀÊ-* 69 Warby Range SP G Point Addis MNP 27 Terrick Terrick NP 70 Chiltern-Mt Pilot NP H Point Danger MS 28 Greater Bendigo NP 71 Beechworth HP I Barwon Bluff MS 29 Heathcote-Graytown NP 72 Mount Granya SP J Port Phillip Heads MNP 30 Castlemaine Diggings NHP Ê ÇÎÊ ÕÌÊ >ÜÃÊ-* K Point Cooke MS Ê Î£Ê iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-*Ê>`Ê>ÃÃV>Ìi`Ê 74 Burrowa-Pine Mountain NP Ê Ê >ÜLiÊ - leased areas 75 Wabba WP M Ricketts Point MS Ê ÎÓÊ }ÊÀiÃÌÊ , 76 Mount Buffalo NP N Mushroom Reef MS 33 Werribee Gorge SP 77 Alpine NP O Yaringa MNP 34 Enfield SP 78 Avon WP 35 Moreep BR 79 Baw Baw NP and Mt St Gwinear P French Island MNP 36 Brisbane Ranges NP access road Ê +Ê ÕÀV ÊÃ>`Ê * Ê ÎÇÊ -Ìi}ÌâÊ* 80 Moondarra SP R Bunurong MNP 38 Bay of Islands CP 81 Tyers Park S Wilsons Promontory MNP 39 Port Campbell NP 82 Mount Worth SP T Corner Inlet MNP 40 Glenample Homestead 83 Bunurong MP U Ninety Mile Beach MNP 41 Recreation Reserve, Otway Ê n{Ê >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«Ê * V Beware Reef MS 42 Great Otway NP 85 Shallow Inlet MCP W Point Hicks MNP 43 Point Nepean NP 86 Wilsons Promontory NP X Cape Howe MNP
BR Bushland Reserve MNP Marine National Park NIR Natural Interest Reserve CP Coastal Park MP Marine Park NP National Park FFR Flora and Fauna Reserve MR Marine Reserve PPR Public Purposes Reserve HP Historic Park MS Marine Sanctuary Ê - ,Ê -ViVÊ ÕÌÊ,iÃiÀÛiÊ HS Historic Site NCR Nature Conservation Reserve SP State Park MCP Marine and Coastal Park NHP National Heritage Park WP Wilderness Park
34 X 150 102
100
HWY 104 MONARO 100 W u Cann River 101 99 kilometres
103 HIGHWAY September 2009. G/7215-3 V 50 Spatial Information Infrastructure, IBT, Department of Sustainability and Environment Cartography by the Customised Mapping Unit, 98 u
Orbost
River Snowy 77 0
u River
Y 97
W 74
H 75 ROAD Tambo River
Corryong River Lake Dartmouth Omeo u u 95 reviR Nicholson 73
VALLEY 94 HIGHWAY 96 VALLEY River Mitta River Mitchell Mitta KING Dargo 77 MURRAY River Lake Wellington Lake Hume U Bairnsdale 72
Kiewa PRINCES River ALPINE Sale u
River u Avon HIGHWAY GREAT River 93 71
78 River HWY 76 77
HYLAND 90 River Wodonga 30 June 2009 70 Macalister u
River T Traralgon King 87 91 Thompson
81
92 HIGHWAY
S
u
Wangaratta HWY 86 u National or other park greater than 1000 ha National or other park/area less than 1000 ha Marine national park greater than 1000 ha Marine national park or marine sanctuary less than 1000 ha
89
Ovens 79 I K
C
Y
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E D
65 A 80
88
L N
Lake Mulwala
W E
FREEWAY A E Z
L 87
64 E R S
85
69 Lake Eildon R T River P La Trobe 82
Benalla F S IP
Lake Mokoan G u u Warragul A - X 66
63 1 - 104 Broken HWY 62 84
SOUTH
River
VALLEY HIGHWAY
H
67 A
D 55
R N O PRINCES 83
61
HIGHWAY RO A
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M BASS Shepparton HIGHWAY
56
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51
N 57
MURRAY R
U 60
B O
L
Yarra U O Goulburn G u
Seymour yarru 53 Dandenong
52
u HUME
49 M 48 68 River N Areas managed under the National ParksAct M
u MIDLAND 47 Waranga Reservoir L 50 29 46 HIGHWAY 59
K River 45 u 58
J NORTHERN FWY 44
MELBOURNE
River 43
Y
A 32
Campaspe W I
FWY H
G I Echuca
H Werribee PRINCES H 31 28 Lake Eppalock u
River HIGHWAY 36 G 30 27 u River 33 37
N
F Y R
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HIGHWAY W T H S Moorabool 35
E
HIGHWAY
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W
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LODDON VALLEY River u N
A
Geelong
L Ballarat
Loddon
D 42 I
River Bendigo M
u AY HIGHWAY
W H Barwon G E 22 34 u I H
25 26 CALDER HIGHWAY u Swan Hill
24
Lake Corangamite Colac u River
41
Maryborough
Creek 42 Avoca
VALLEY 21
S 40
MURRAY E
E N
23
E
20 D
R Mt.Emu 39
Y P
SUNRAYSIA N C S
Lake Buloke A
Y E E
A C C
u HIGHWAY N
I O W
H R
Murray HIGHWAY P
GIH
Lake Tyrrell
River T Y WAY 12 A H A
HIG E
Y W R
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A
H G
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Ararat GH Hopkins 38 HI
River HIGHWAY HOPKINS u B
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3 SUNRA o
11 HAMILTON o HIGHWAY
b
2 CALDER HENTY m u a
u n
BORUNG
Y River
A r
W H H G I r 19 Mildura a u u W Ouyen Lake Albacutya 10
6 Wimmera 18 Lake Hindmarsh
G L
RN Horsham E Rocklands Reservoir
HIGHWAY E N T HENTY E S 8
L HIGHWAY E
G Portland
W A Hamilton
5 R E 17
Wannon u
M
M
I W 7 16 13
PRINCES MALLEE 15 1
A
River Glenelg 14 9
4 STURT
35 36 37 38 www.dse.vic.gov.au