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GIPPSLAND LAKES LAND USE STRATEGY PLAN
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TOWN &COUNTRY PLANNING BOARD· NOVEMBER 1978
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GIPPSLAND LAKES LAND USE STRATEGY PLAN
• BACKGROUND REPORT
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING BOARD
NOVEMBER. 1978 ..
\ 1658688 ! (711.-3099 I I I 456 GIP:P br Gippsland lakes land use I I strategy plan : 1 background report I !
I I l __ -- --· ------·---- . __) .CONTENTS PAGE
1 .. INTRODUCTION 1. LAND CAPABILITY 3
1.1 Land Capability Studies as a Planning Tool 3 1.2 The Land Capability Mapping Programme 3 1.3 The Mapping Process 3 1.4 The Use of Land Capability Maps 4 Example 1: Me tung 4 Example 2: Tambe Delta Area 5 1.5 Special Policies for Areas with Physical Development Constraints 6 1.6 1Floodprone Areas 6 1. 7 Designated Flood Levels 7 1.8 Drainage of Land Act 7 1.9 Management of Floodprone Areas 8
2. WATER QUALITY 15
2.1 Introduction 15 2.2 Water Quality and Land.Use 15
WATER USE AND SALINITY 16
2.3 Water Use 16 2.4 Salinity. 17
SEWAGE EFFLUENT DISPOSAL 18
2.5 Possible Effects on the Lakewaters l~ 2.6 Sewage Disposal Options 19 2.7 summary of Factors Affecting Water Quality 23 2.8 Planning and Water Quality 24
3. LANDSCAPE 28
3.1 Landscape Features 28 3.2 Statutory Powers and Implementation 28 3.3 The Need for General Principles and Flexible . Implementation 29 3.4 Landscape Enhancement 30 3.5 Broad Landscape Guidelines 30
SITING GUIDELINES 33
3.6 Hills and Ridgelines 33 3.7 Significant Views 35 ,3 .8 Scenic Roads 37
GENERAL SITE LAYOUT GUIDELINES 40
3.9 Subdividing a: Rural Site 40 'PAGE
4. VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE 42
4.1 Vegetation 43 4. 2 Wil~:Hife 44 4.3 Areas of Conservation Significance 44 4.4. Strategy Plan Policies 46 4.5 Role of Local Planning 46
5. SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC OR HISTORICAL INTEREST 47 5.1 Introduction 47 5.2 Sites of Special Scientific Interest 47 5.3 Sites of Historic Interest · 48 5.4 The Role of Federal and State Governments 49 5.5 The Role of Planning at the Local Level 51 5.6 Planping Schemes and Interim Development Orders 51 57' 6. POPULATION, EMPLOYMENT AND SUBDIVISION
6.1 Population 57 6.2 Main Population Trends 58 6.3 Location of Population 59 6.4 Employment 60 6.5 Demands for Subdivision 60 6.6 Rural Subdivision 61 6.7 Urban Subdivision 61 63 7. BASIC SERVICES
7.1 Introduction 63 7~2 Sewage Disposal in Townships 63 7.3 Sewage Disposal and Water Supply in Ru~al Residential Areas 64 7.4 Electricity 66 7.5 Fire Protection 67
8. IMPLEMENTATION 71 ·,i ,I I 8.1 Introduction 71 lt 8.2 Special Policies Maps 71 . ('I 8.3 Special Controls for Areas with Physical 1 I. Development Constraints 72 1: :1 8.4 Special Controls for Development on Flood :1 Prone Areas 73 8.5 Special Controls for Areas with Special Landscape Features 75 8~6 Special Controls for Sites of Special Scientific or Historical Interest 77 8.7 Special Controls for the Preservation of Water Quality 79 8.8 Other Special Policies 81
APPENDICES 82
BIBLIOGRAPHY 123 .. ~·:'! t TABLES PAGE
1. Key to Symbols Used in S.C.A. Mapping Components of the Gippsland Lakes Area. 10
2. Land Capability Rating for Secondary Roads and Car Parks. 12
3. A Summary of Land Capability Rating for Urban and Rural Residential Development in the Lakes Area. 14
4. Detailed Annual Water Budget by Subsidiary Catchment in Thousands of Megalitres. 25
5. Possible Water ~udget by Subsidiary Catchment for Year 2000 in Thousands of Megali tres·. 26
6. Projected Water Use in Year 2000. 27
7. Some Broad Landscape Guidelines. 31
8. Sites of Special Sci~ntific Interest in the Gippsland Lakes Area .. 52
9. Population of Strategy Plan Area by Shire, 1971 and 1976. 57
10. Number of Persons Aged 0-49 and 5o+-and in the Main Townships and Rate of Growth by Age Group.· 58
11. Number and Percent of Permanent and Holiday Homes in Main Townships in the Lakes Area 1971 and 1976. 59
12. Percentage Annual.Rate of Growth in Permanent and Hol'iday Homes Compared with overall Rate of Growth in Home Building, 1971 to 1976, for Main Settlements in Gippsland Lakes Area. 59
13. Number of Rural Allotments Created and Permits Issued for Dwellings in Rural Areas, 1974-1977. 61
14. Existing and Proposed Basic Services in the Lakes Area Settlements. 68
15. Possible Methods of Sewage Disposal in the ( Gippsland Lakes Area. 70
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MAPS PAGE
1. Strategy, Plan Area 2-3
2. Township of Metung - Land Capability for Residential Developments 4-5
3. Tambe Delta Area Land Capability for Rural Residential Development 6-7
4. Special Controls Implementation - Tambe Delta Area .72-73 APPEND! CES · PAGE
1. Town and Country Planning Act 1961. Extract. Third Schedule. 82
2. Town and Country Planning Act 1961. Extract. Part lllB - Historic Buildings. 83
3. (a) The History of Planning ~ontrols in the Gippsland Lakes Area. 84 (b) Statements of Planning Policy. 90
4. Landscape Features of the Gippsland Lakes Area classified by type and Shire. 92
5. Vegetation of the Gippsland Lakes Area. 96
6. Mammals and Bird Species Occurrence by 104 Habitat Type.
7. Number of Persons Employed in Agriculture, 121 .11anufacturing and Tour.ist Related Industries as Percent of Total Workforce in the Shires of Avon, Bairnsdale, Tambe and the East Gippsland Region. The following State and local Soverrunent agencies have been consulted during the course of the preparation of the Gippsland Lakes Strategy Plan and Background Report.
Shire of Avon Shire of Bairnsdale Shire of Rosedale Shire of Tambo l
Department of Agriculture I Country Fire Authority l Country Roads Board l Ministry for Conservation ,I Department of Crown Lands and Survey Education Departrr\ent Environment Protection Authority Fisheries and Wildlife Division Forests Commission Department of Labour and_ Industry Land Conservation Council Latrobe Valley Water and Sewerage Board National Parks Service Ministry for Planning Ports and Harbours Division, Public Works Department Soil Conservation Authority State Electricity Commission of Victoria State.Rivers and Water Supply Commission Transport Regulation Board
Particular thanks go to the informal Inter-Departmental Working Group which included representatives of the Ministry for Conservation, Envirorunen.t Protection Authority, Latrobe
Valley Water and Sewerage Board, Soil Conservation Authority I and State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and which enabled . I a common approach to be adopted with respect to many of the i major issues relevant to the future planning of the Gippsland I Lakes area.
Meetings have also been held with:
East Gippsland Regional Planning Committee The Victorian Eastern Development Association and'a cross section of local business interests. 1
INTRODUCTION
This report is a companion volume to the Gippsland Lakes Land Use Strategy Plan and sets out a range of detailed background material that complements, and where appropriate, supports the information and policies outlined in that document. The area covered by this'report is similar to that covered by the Strategy Plan (See Map 1) and comprises parts of th~ Shires of Avon, Bairnsdale, Rosedale and Tambo.
The Strategy Plan has been compiled in these two parts to enable the reader to swiftly locate the main provisions and recorrunendations in the Plan itself, without having to work through large sections of background data and technical information. A cross referencing system in -the margins of this report refers to the relevant sections and/or maps in 'the Strategy Plan. The Strategy Plan incorporates a reciprocal cross referencing system to link its largely illustrated data and its policies to more detailed background sections contained in this report.
The cross referen.cing system that has been used to link this d9cument to the companion Strategy Plan works on the basis of margin references which simply relate the topic or subject being described to the relevant text or table in the Strategy Plan. The notation for these references is as follows: SP4.6 Strategy Plan Section 4.6 SPT13 Strategy Plan Table 13 SPM2 Strategy Plan Map 2
This Background Report can also be· considered as a "users., manual" for the Strategy Plan. It not only expands on the technical background to particular policies, but also sets down guidelines for the implementation of those policies, including the use of the important information on land capability set out in Section 1.
Briefly the sections in this report deal.with, and expand on, the following matters:- 1. Land Capability and Flooding SP2.3 & 9.2 Details of those parts of the Strategy Plan area that are subject to particular physical constraints, and guidelines for the future control of development in these areas along the lines referred to in the Strategy Plan. 2. Water Use and Quality SP2.l An outline of the options available for sewage dispos~ al in the Lakes area and the problems created by increased water usage and possible future increases in the salinity of the lake waters. 3. Landscape SP2.7 Identification of a number of the significant landscape features in the Lakes area and some guidelines for ensuring appropriate standards of subdivision and development in their vicinity. .------
2
4. Vegetation and Wildlife SP2.5 A review of the vegetation types and wildlife that can be.found in the Lakes area and the types of mea sures required to ensure their protection in the face of increased development. 5. Sites of Special Scientific and Historic Significance SP2.8 A listing of sites of particular geological, botanical, zoological, archaeological and historic significance in the Gippsland Lakes area. 6. Population and Employment SP3.. l An expansion of the information in the Strategy Plan on current trends in population growth and employment. 7. Basic Services SP3.12 A review of the policies of various government agenc ies on service provision and the nature and capacity of current servicing proposals for the area. 8. Implementation A guide to the ways in which the policies outlined in the Strategy Plan can best be incorporated and workable planning controls administered at the local level. Thi~ section details sample clauses for I.D.0.s and planning schemes and outlines the manner of their implementation.
These sections outlined above are complemented by a compre ensi ve set of appendices and a bibliography, including a detailed summary of all the local statutory planninq controls that have affected the Gippsland Lakes area, (Appendix 3a) •
The principal concern of this Background Report is to encourage the practical application and use for planning purposes of the wide range of information on physical conditions, effluent disposal, vegetation, etc. that is now available for the Lakes area. A major aim of planning. must be to minimise the adverse impact that man's activities have on his overall environment. This not only" means seeking to protect and enhance those features that are of significance and value, but also involves avoiding inappropriate decisions in respect to the siting and location of subdivision or development proposals. Such decisions can and have in the past had costly results for both individuals and the community as a whole in terms of expenditure on flood relief, soil erosion problems and pollution prevention, etc; Often the impact of man's development and recreational activities does not become apparent for a long period, but with the knowledge now available and the wise use of controls, the Responsible Authorities for planning in the Gippsland Lakes area can ensure the undoubted potential of the area for future development is sympathetically handled in order to protect its future, both as an area of outstanding natural significance and as a centre for recreation and tourism. ,, . I .; I . .; MAP l- I GJPPSLAN D ·· i ! I I L\ B A ,I i ·-2.., A F .A L.1 I I i I ( I j z ,-.1i i...... -;-·
''
~, ...... / ~ / R 0 E E TRARAL&ON ) s ft. ( I s 0 s 10 15 20 25 I KM STATE HIGHWAYS
MAIN ROADS RAILWAYS -- MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES
BOUNDARY OF PLAN AREA -~ ... -----,-·----~---.
3 J Ii 1. LAND CAPABILITY
1.1 Land The suitability of any given area of land for a particular Capability use is to a large extent dependent on its physical charact Studies as eristics. For example, it is clear that more steeply a Planning sloping land is less capable of intensive development than Tool relatively flatter land, and land with thin unstable topsoil and little vegetative cover could be a potential erosion SP2.4 hazard if it were to be developed without sufficient care and regard to the possible risk involved. In addition, the presence of floodprone or poorly drained land can also seriously affect an area's suitability for most types of use and development. Accordingly, the identification and mapping of the full range of local physical conditions becomes a useful tool in developing land use plans for the future of an area.
1.2 The Land The Soil ·conservation Authority, as part of the Gippsland Capability Region Environmental Study, is in the process of making a Mapping comprehensive assessment of land capability in Gippsland. Programme As a major contribution to this project, it was agreed that the inunediate Lakes area should be mapped as a matter of priority, and this task has now been largely completed.
It should perhaps be pointed out at this stage that l~nd capability maps ·are in no way a substitute for convention al zoning maps and should only be regarded as an additional but valuable tool for use by relevant government and municipal agencies, as well as intending developers, to help identify those areas most appropriate in physical terms to any particular form of land use.
1.3 The Mapping The production of land capability maps initially involves Process detailed investigations and surveys being carried out of each area involved. These surveys help to assemble infor mation on a range of factors such as drainage, topography and slope, soil type and depths, etc. These essential characteristics of each particular area are then mapped and. the area is accordingly broken down into 'components', i.e. areas of land each possessing similar drainage, soil and topographical features. The 'land units' are repres ented on the maps themselve.s by letters and numerals that represent the principal physical characteristics of each 'unit'. A list of the letters and numerals that correspond to the soils and landforms of the Gippsland Lakes area is. set out in Table 1.
The completed 'components' map then provides the basis upon which the '·capability' of given areas of land can be ass essed in· terms of their suitability for a range of different land uses. These assessments are carried out through the use of sets of tables, developed by the Soil Conservation Authority, that set out the relative capability of a range of landform and drainage features for a given type of land use. Thus, as an illustration, Table 2 in this section assesses the capability of land for supporting the construc tion of .secondary roads and carparks. It can be seen for example that land with less than 30 cm of soil depth to hard rock or slopes of greater than 20% has a very poor {Class 5) capability for secondary roads~ while imperfectly drained land with a slope of between 8% to 12% and 50 cm to 75 cm soil depth ha.s a fair or moderate {Class 3) cap ability for s,upporting that use. ------:: \
4
Tables similar to Table 2 have been produced for a range of land uses including building foundations, earthworks, various recreation activities and 'on-site effluent disposal.
The final step in the production of land capability maps is to take the basic 'components' map described in prev-' ious paragraphs and then, by applying the information set out in the tables described above, produce maps that place land into one of five classes ranging from Very Good (Class 1) to Very Poor (Class 5) in terms of its capabil ity for supporting a given land use or combination of uses. Maps 2 and 3 illustrate the application of land capability ratings to the Township of Metung and an area adjacent to the Tambo River Delta respectively. In these particular cases land falling into Classes 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 have been shown grouped· together for the purposes of illustrating the implementation of the proposed Special Policies for Areas with Physical Development ·constraints. SP9.l Table 3 illustrates how-a summary can be produced to show the capability rating of each different 'component' in an area for a wide range of activities and land uses associa ted with residential and recreational development. It shows, for example,that mapping 'components' "Sa" (described in Table 1 as duplex textured soils with a clay or sandy clay subsoil overlain with a loam, sandy loam or sandy topsoil o_n slopes in excess of 30%) has a very poor capat>ility for all of the activities li~ted. On the ot~er / hand, the same soil type on gently sloping land, "Ga", 1 (has a fair to good capability for the activities related to urban and rural residential development.
1. 4 The Use of · The following paragraphs relate to the two examples Land illustrated by Maps 2 and 3 and indicate how the informa capability tion set out on land capability maps can be used and Maps applied by the responsible planning authority to assist in its decision-making.
Example 1: Map 2 illustrates the land ca~ability for urban or township Metung development of the Crown Township area of Metung. The five land ctasses present in the area have been grouped in a manner described in·paragraph 1.3 above, but each land class can individually be defined as follows:
Land Class 1: Land which has a very good capability for supporting township development. I Land Class 2: Land which has a good capability for supporting to~ship development. Land Class 3:· Land which has a fair capability for supporting township development, but which contains some areas with high environmental hazard. By consultation with the S.C.A. and by using careful layout and management, subdivision could be acceptable. TOWNSHIP OF METUNG MAP2
(:
Land Capability for Residential Developments
Classes 1&2
Classes 3 &4
Class 5 .,.. Note For Key to Letter Symbols see table 1
Source of L1od C1p1b1l1ty 01t1 ···•• S.C.A.
S C A L E 50 100 '"" HO METRES -
C'ONTOUR INTERVAL 61£1,.E S
PREPARED BY THE T. B C. P. B. s·
Land Class 4: Land which has poor capability for supporting township development, but contains some areas on which physical constraints can.be overcome using currently available technology. By consultation with the S.C.A. specific land management conditions should be applied to rural residential develop ment on carefully selected sites. Land Class 5: Land which has very poor capability for supporting township development because of severe environmental hazards which would be very difficult to overcome using currently available technology. Subdividing this land would be unwise.
Land in Classes 3, 4 and 5 has been shaded on the map. These are the areas which present a moderate to severe degree of physical constraint to residential development. Where the land has a Class 3 or 4 capability rating for township development, any applications for subdivisions or development should be referred to the S.C.A. for comment. The use of this land for urban development is not necess airly precluded,· but much higher building and site costs and considerably greater care will be involved in maintain ing the long-term stability of the land. Careful thought would therefore need to be given to applying appropriate conditions to planning permits to ensure that any environ mental hazard is minimised. The requirement to consult with the S.C.A. should be incorporated into an I.D.O. or planning scheme and.will ensure that any conditions of permit are appropriate to the proper management of land in these areas, thus avoiding any risk of soil slips, erosion problems, etc.
Class 5 land presents the most severe hazard to township development in Metung. This is exemplified by the fact that very little development has occurred on this land ·,. to date, even in the absence of special planning controls. To permit township development on Class 5 land involves risks such as severe erosion and failures in effluent disposal systems, etc. The best course of action is to firmly oppose applications for permits to erect dwellings in these areas, unless after consulting the S.C.A. the applicant is able to submit a proposal of a satisfactory standard. Subdivision of this land is also unwise, although; where an application for subdivision includes both land in Class 5 and some land in less severe classes (for example, an application might involve the subdivision of the land in the northwest of the township, bounded by Park, Stirling and Metung Roads), the advice of the S.C.A. should be sought in maximising the use of those areas which have the least environmental hazard, to achieve the best subdivision layout.
Example 2: The application of the land capability rating system to Tambo Delta rural residential development follows a similar pattern. Area The data can once again be used either to avoid development on the areas of greatest environmental hazard, or to establish a basis for devising the most appropriate condi tions for planning permits in areas where development might I involve certain risk but need not be prohibited. I L 6
Areas presenting a moderate to severe degree of physical constraint to development are again highlighted on Map 3. In this case, much of the land in Class 5 is so classified because of its poor drainage, high water table, liability to flooding, etc. which render it unsuitable for such activities as building foundations, secondary roads, on-site effluent disposal, etc. It is once again stressed that permitting development on these areas would be there J fore extremely unwise. Again, consultation with the S.C.A. and other appropriate agencies can be of assistance in framing conditions of permits or grounds of refusal. Appl ications for rural residential development of land in . Class 3 and 4, despite its fair to poor capability, could I . ' be permitted, provided that the Responsible Authority in conjunction with the S.C.A. can devise appropriate condi i tions to ensure the long term stability of the land. 1 I i 1.5 Special The Special Policies for Areas_ with Physical Development Policies for Constraints are set out in the Strategy Plan and details Areas with of possible methods of incorporation in I.D.O. s and Physical planning schemes are set out in the Implementation section Development of this Background Report. It is important to note, Constraints however, that as outlined at the start of this section, the S.C.A. data relates only to land capability. It does SP9.2 not follow that applications involving areas identified as presenting no physical development constraints will not require careful consideration from the Responsible Authority with respect to a range of other factors. All areas will still be subject to the normal zoning provisions of the municipality which should have regard to other relevant constraints such as access and availability of services, etc.
1.6 Flood Prone Another factor that can seriously affect the suitability Areas of land for development is the problem of flooding or poor local drainage. Special care always needs to be SP2.5 taken when planning for development in order to avoid any hazard to health and property that may arise when buildings are either inundated or subject to persisting failure of their effluent disposal facilities as a result of water logged or poorly drained land. In addition, flooding often causes damage to roads, bridges and access tracks, cutting areas off from the rest of the conununity often for long periods of time.
Every year, many thousands of dollars are spent by both State and local Government bodies, as well as individuals, in dealing with flood relief and related problems. It is unfortunate that it is often the case that much of this expenditure could have been avoided if, in the past, certain land had not been subdivided or developed in areas which were physically unsuited to such use in the first place. A clear obligation rests with every Respon sible Authority to ensure that development does not proceed on land which is likely to be flooded, is subject to poor local drainage or which is likely to be isolated because an access is particularly vulnerable to flood damage. T - 55• 1I II 63 I 11,, 55"! 55• ) _,, II'. MAP3 56' II; Ii 2 5• TAMBO DELTA AREA Ii_.: LAND CAPABILITY FOR RURAL 52 - - -' ·- - - - -· - -- RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
11
!:>EC.: A
SWAN REACH P.R.
1018
I .I .11 H 0 Ii I )"
LAND CAPABILITY D Classes1&2 Fl LW Classes3&4 n t:.:.::.:.I Class 5
Note 50 0 50 100 For Key to Lener Symbols see table 1 METRES Source of Land Capability Data .. M .... S.C.A.
___l__ 7
In those areas such as the Gippsland Lakes, where adequate land capability maps are available, floodprone land will usually be included in areas of low (Class 4) or very low (Class 5) capability for almost all land uses. This classification will·occur because most flood prone areas will usually have a landform and soil character that reflects its floodprone nature. In areas where no detailed information or "land capability" maps are availaole reliance will have to be placed on local l knowledge and analysis of aerial photographs to iqentify areas subject to flooding which are a serious constraint on development. Lakes area I 1. 7 Designated The main causes of flooding in the Gippsland I Flood Levels are usually a combination of high rainfall in the catch ment and the effect of winds, as well as normal tidal i movements. Systematic water level records for the area have only been kept in recent years, but a number of flood levels for major floods have been established and surveyed. Following the recommendations of the Flood Plain Management Committee (1) the Government has of II adopted the level of flood that has a 1% probability I I being equalled or exceeded in any year~, or the flood I of record, if higher, as the designated flood level. Taking into account the limited n~ture of the available flood information, the Commission has adopted the following designated flood levels for the Gippsland Lakes system on an interim basis:
Lake Wellington 3.0m (ARD) Lakes Victoria and King 2. Orn lAHD)
These levels give some indication of the extent of the land that can be expected to be subject to inundation, but it should be pointed out that t~ese are flood levels and not minimum building levels. Houses and associated waste disposal facilities would need to be clear of these levels to meet satisfactory development standards. the 1.8 Drainage of The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, as Land Act Drainage Authority for the Lakes area under the Drainage of Land Act 1975, may seek the proclamation of land subject to flooding.
Proclamation provides a basis upon which control may be exercised over, and conditions imposed upon, the construc tion of any building or work within the proclaimed area which might adversely affect drainage or the passage or storage of flood waters. It is, in effect, a form of planning control. Where a local municipality is particul arly concerned about the future use of an area of land which it considers to be floodprone, it may approach the SRWSC and request that steps be taken to have the area proclaimed under the terms of the Drainage of Land Act.
Plain (1) In April, 1976 the Water Resources Council established a Flood Management Committee. One of its terms of reference was to develop clear technical guidelines to be used in defining flood plains and determining works and structures which could be permitted within these defined areas. 8
The SRWSC' s objectives in relation to land use in area·s affected by flooding are to ensure that the ability of streams and water courses to carry their natural flow (including flood flows) is not impaired by development activities which may increase runoff, cause erosion or siltation, or interfere with natural flow patterns.
1.9 Management Although no areas in the vicinity of the Lakes have of Flood been specifically proclaimed liable to flooding, local Prone Areas councils will, through local knowledge and available flooding data, have a broad picture of areas within SP9.3 their Shires which are subject to flooding. Flooding in the Lakes area has caused considerable hardship in the past and it is essential to minimise the adverse effects of future floods. As well as assisting to meet the SRWSC's objective of keepinq flood flows free from obstruction, Councils should consider the full· range of social and economic consequences of permitting develop ment in flood prone areas. It could arise, for instance, that.within a flood prone area there exist isolated poc kets of higher land which are not normally covered by flood waters. In considering an application for a develop ment permit for a house on s.uch high land the Council must, in t9e interests of health and safety, take into account the problems of isolation when access and other essential services are disrupted during flood periods.
The recognition qf flood prone areas in local planning controls is most important, and to this end the Strategy Plan includes a Special Policy for Flood Prone Areas. The following are some of the matters which the Flood Plain Management Committee recommended should be consid ered when assessing any application for works or structures within a proclaimed flood area and these factors should ~e used as guidelines in other areas which councils may consider to be floodprone:-
(a} "The type of work or structure, e.g. filling, levee, roadworks, access crossings, buildings, construction of darns, fences, mining, cultivation of lands, planting of trees or shrubs; (b) The location of the works or structures in relation to the direction of flow, the boundaries of the area liable to flooding, the depth of submergence, the effect on the available waterway, the possibility of increasing velocities of flow to cause erosion, and the possibilities of increasing flood levels; (c} The stability of the structures, including sub surface investigations, foundation requirements, water table levels, and protection of critical points from erosion or soil movement, e.g. slumping; (d} The levels of permitted works including consideration of floor levels for habitable rooms, their margin above designated flood levels, effect on water and sewerage services and access under flood conditions; I 9 i I j ~) The potential flooding of residential land by ponding upstream of culverts through road or railway embank ments. Such ponding can occur if the design capacity of the culverts is exceeded or if the culvert becomes partially blocked by debris. In rural areas such ponding may have little detrimental effect but on residential land it may be extremely serious; (f) Compatibility with planning ordinances and permits."
Finally, of course, it should be remembered that, under the provisions of the Local Government Act, a subdivision cannot be sealed without the consent of the S.R.W.S.C. In many cases the Commission may refuse to consent to the sealing of plans of subdivision on lands which are flood prone or, where the subdivision is allowed to proceed, conditions would be applied to ensure the retention of the primary function of the area for the passage of flood waters. This whole process requires continued co-operation and consultation between the S.R.W.S.C. and other·government agencies as well as the local municipalities involved.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the planning authority to consider the consequences of permitting development in flood prone areas •. ·.. ~.. 10
TABLE 1 : KEY TO SYMBOLS * USED IN MAPPING COMPONENTS OF THE GIPPSLAND -· . LAKES AREA. SYMBOL MAPPING COMPONENT
A Alluvium - Sandy or loamy deposits which may include waterworn gravels and stones. - Slopes 0-3%
L Levee - Dark, brownish-grey, well-structured loam, usually overlying sand. - Slopes 0-3% z Swamp, unspecified Zs Saline Swamp Zf Freshwater Swamp
W Wet Areas - Seasonally inundated 'or waterlogged areas. - Duplex soils with loam to loamy-sand surface over grey, mottled, dense clay. Slopes 0-3%
B Lakeside Bench Soils may be of two types: (i) Dark loamy sand often with waterworn quartz gravel, grading into grey, lighter coloured sand. A water table is usually present. (ii) Black organic loam or clay overlying dark yellowish brown and grey mottled clay to brownish grey sand. Varying amounts of waterworn quartz may be present. Slopes 0-3%
G Gently undulating Land - Slopes 0-3%
M Moderately Undulating Land - Slopes 3-8%
R Rolling Land - Slopes 8-18%
H Hilly Land - Slopes 18-30% s Steep Land · - Slopes 30% or greater
Landform divisions G, M, R, H & S may have one of three main soil types ass·ocia ted with them. These are indicated by the symbols, a, b or c in conjunction with the capital letter landform symbol. a - Duplex textured soils - loam, sandy loam or sandy surface horizons from 20-100 cm thick, over a dense, yellow, mottled clay or sandy clay subsoil. Large amounts of· waterworn quartz and gravel may be present in the sub-soil. *For full details refer to the S.C.A.'s report on the land capability mapping .exerci?e. 11
TABLE 1: (cont'd)
SYMBOL MAPPING COMPONENT
b - Uniform textured soils - Deep sandy soils (at least l.2m) sometimes with a horizon of water- worn quartz or ironstone'gravel in the profile . • lime c - Shallow, friable, dark reddish brown loam oi clay loam, over stone, or over a brown, coarse-structured clay subsoil on limestone. TABLE 2: LAND CAPABILITY RATING FOR SECONDARY ROADS AND CAR PARKS ···-·-- ··--·----.- (Sealed ~.11rf.~_ges for; ;L.ight Y.eh_~c;Les _:___ ?:r:.:?.~i~_i~!?:- of '?!a.~na.9_e. a.!.19 ~':Eb.~ng)
Land Features CAPABILITY RATING Affecting Use VERY GOOD (~lassl) GOOD (Class 2) FAIR (Class 3) FOOR (Class 4) VERY POOR (Class 5)
Slope (1) Second. Roads Less than 4% 4% to 8% >8% to 12% > 12% to 20% More than 20% Car Parks Less than 3% 3% to 5% >5% to 8% >8% to 15% More than 15%
Site Drainage Excessively Well Moderately Imperfectly Poorly Drained Very Poorly Drained Drained, Well Well drained Drained Drained
Flooding . None Less than More than once in once in 10 yrs. 10 years
Unified Soil Group for CP, GW, SW, GC SM, SC, GM SP, CL, CH, MH, OL, OH Pt Sub-Grade (3) ML
Shrink-Swell Potential(4) 0-4% 4% to 12% 12% to 20% More than 20%
Depth to Hard Rock (2) More than 100 cm 100 cm to 75 cm 75cm to 40 cm Less than 40 cm
Stones (Fragments Less than 10% 10% to 20% 20% to 40% More than 40% 7.5 to 25cm) (of soil volume)
Boulders (Fragments Less than 0.01% 0.01% to 0.5% 0.5% to 5% More than 5% 25Cf)) (of soil surface)
Rock Outcrop Less than 0.05% 0.05% to 0.1% 0.1% to 1% 1% to 5% More than 5% (of soil surface)
Depth to Watertable (5) More than 150 cm 150 cm to 120 cm 120cm to 90 cm 90cm to 50cm Less than 50 cm
EXPLANATORY NOTES: While much of the information included in the above table is clearly of'a highly technical nature, it is included in this report as an example of the extensive background work that has gone into the land capability mapping exercise con ducted in the area. The following brief notes are included to help to explain some of the more technical aspects of the. table: ,...... ,------~--~--~~~~~-~~~-.....---.•,..-.--~------~-
TABLE 2: (~ant' dl.
(1) SLOPE: Specific areas should be downgraded by one class if landslips are known to have occurred. (2) HARD ROCK: Material which cannot be 'ripped' and would require blasting. (3) UNIFIED SOIL GROUP: This is a soil classification which draws together a number of engineering related soil characteristics. It is determined for that portion of the soil profile which will be below the level of the completed road base. (4) SHRINK-SWELL POTENTIAL: This is also determined for the portion of the soil profile which will be below the level of the completed road base and relates to the liability of the soils to expand and contract in .changing moisture conditions. (5) DEPTH TO WATER TABLE: Recorded depth to water which remains more than several days after rain.
I-' w TABLE 3: A SUMMARY OF LAND CAPABILITY FOR URBAN AND RURAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAKES AREA
ACTIVITY MAP I COMPONENT I
I ~ Ga Gb Ma Mb :B.a Rb Ha Hb Sa Sb Zs ! Z£ A ! w L B , i I Building Good Good Good ; Good Fair Fair Poor Poor Very Very Very I Very Very Very Very Very I Foundations r Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor ' Secondary_ Fair Fair Fair , Fair Poor Poor Poor. Poor Very Very Very Very Poor Poor Fair Fair Roads Poor Poor Poor Poor
Car Fair Fair Fair Fair Poor Poor Very Very Very Very Very Very Poor Poor Fair Fair Parks Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor
Shallow Good Good Good Good Poor Poor Poor Poor Very Very Very Very Very Poor Poor Poor Excavations Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor
Septic Effluent Fair Good Fair Good Fair Fair Poor Poor Very Very Very Very Very Very Poor Fair ' Absorption Field Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor
Camp- Fair Good Fair Good Fair Good Poor Poor Very Very Very Very Very Very· Good Fair Sites Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor
Paths and Good Very Good Very Fair Fair Poor Poor Very Very Very Very Very Poor Good Good Trails Good Good Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor I
Intensive Fair Very Fair Good Fair Fair Poor Poor Very Very Very Very Very Very Good Fair Use Area Good , Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor
Playing Good Very Good Good Poor Poor Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Poor Fair yery. Field Good Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor 15
2. WATER QUALITY
2.1 Introduction The Gippsland Lakes comprise the largest single inland waterway in Victoria. The use and quality of the waters of both the Lakes themselves and their tributary rivers is of critical importance to their future as a recreational and economic resource servicing both the region and the State as a whole.
A number of policies designed to help protect the water quality of the Lakes and streams in the region are outlined in the Strategy Plan (S.P.9.6) and most of the measures that would be required to implement these policies will involve the use of planning controls or powers at some stage. However, some of the other policies outlined in the Plan, while not falling directly within the scope of planning legislation, are directed to controlling some of the likely consequences of increased development and leisure activities in the Lakes area. The policies outlined in the Strategy Plan thus form only a part of the co-ordinated inter departmental approach that will be required to bring about necessary and lasting improvements to the quality of the lake and river waters in the area. It is import.ant therefore that all those responsible for the implementation of policy appreciate that the Strategy Plan policies are only one part of an overall package of policies and measures that are all equally important iR trying to achieve the broad objections of improved water quality. The making of exceptions even for isolated or individual cases can not only set an unfortunate precedent for a gradual breaching of standards, but also puts at risk a set of community objectives that can only effect ively be achieved through consistency in the implementation of policy. 2.2 Water Man's activities and, above all, his use of land for farming, Quality and industrial or residential purposes are the main determinants Land use of the water quality in our lakes, ~ivers and streams. Accordingly, it is clear that control over, or the improve SP2.2 ment of, water quality can only effectively be achieved by the introduction of standards relating to the types of wastes that man produces and the manner of their discharg~, in association with the.careful and controlled use of land in areas where the risks of pollution are recognised.
Clearly the major need in this area is for reliable and up to date information on the causes and effects of pollutants and the ways in which the causes and consequences of pollution can best be overcome through the careful regul ation of man's activities.
The present studies being undertaken by the Ministry for Conservation as part of the Gippsland Regional Environmental Study will eventually result in a detailed breakdown of the .main types and sources of ·pollution currently occurring in· the area's lakes and rivers. This information should indicate the relative pollution impact of various types of land uses. In the interim, however, this background report deals with two factors that each have a direct bearing on the quality of water in the Gippsland Lakes area. 16
These are -
(i) Water Use and Salinity A review of the. existing and proposed levels of water use from the rivers of the Gippsland Lakes catchment along with the possible impact of such uses on the water quality, salinity, and future recreational value of the rivers and lakes in the area; (ii) Sewage Effluent Disposal A review of the impact of sewage wastes on the Lakes system along with some broad conclusions on preferred methods of disposal.
The detailed information, analysis and conclusions outlined in this section are drawn together,for the purpose~ of this plan,from data provided by the Ministry for Conserva tion, the Environment Protection Authority and the State Rivers and Waeer Supply Commission.
The principal specific references were: (i) Scenario and Assessment of Options for water Utilization: paper prepared for Gippsland Regional Environmental Study by B.S. Newell & G.J. Pooley; (ii) E.P.A, Report 47-48. Interim Guidelines for Sewage Effluent Disposal in the Gippsland Lakes, November 1978.
WATER USE AND SALINITY
2.3 Water Use Of all the rainfall that falls within the Gippsland Lakes catchment, only some 20% ever reaches the lakes themselves. SP2.l The main losses of this water occur in three ways: (i) evapotranspiration: water lost both by direct evaporation into the atmosphere and transpiration by plants; (ii) groundwater recharge: loss through percolation into water tables and groundwater sources; (iii) net use: meaning use of water for industry, agriculture and domestic use.
Taking their catchments 3.S a whole the average annual input of tributary rivers into the-lakes is derived as follows:
(Thousand ML) Total Average Annual Precipitation 18,057 Less - Evapotranspiration 13,685 Groundwater Recharge 323 Net Use 307
Equals - Total Input to Lakes 3,742
Table 4 at the end of this section details the above break down by individual river catchments. 17
Table 5 sets out projected water utilisation for the ye·ar 2000 taking into account ultimate diversions of 148,000 ML pa (long term average) from the Thomson Dam to Melbourne. Overall, there is a projected 15.8% drop in river flows into the lakes by the year 2000 giving a figure of 22% total annual usage of river flows in the catchment compared with the present figure of 8%. The Latrobe, Thomson and MacalisterRivers have the largest projected drops in fiow, and since these three rivers discharge into Lake Wellington, it will be the lake most affected by this increased usage. The Ministry for Conservation's Repor_t__ .9.L.!:.h~--p_~_~Jc __$_.tugy (2) cites three possible dangers arising from a decrease in the total flow into Lake Wellington; these are: (i) the risk of increased salinity leading to a less diverse and less stable eco-system; (ii) insufficient inundation of the wetlands resulting in a significant decrease in the bird population, and possibly an increase in nutrient and suspended solid loads entering Lake Wellington; (iii) increased concentrations of nutrients and other pollutants.
Taking into ac~ount the proposed increases in water use a possible overall water 'budget' for individual river catchments feeding into the Lakes is given in Table 6.
It should also be pointed out that all figures referred to so far have been annual totals. Whilst the average monthly river input to the lakes is about 300 x 103ML, there are considerable seasonal fluctuations with low flows in summer and high flows in winter and spring. For example, the long term mean input to the Lakes for February is 94 x 103ML, and.for September it rises to 515 x l03ML. The percentage of the total flow th~t is diverted is therefore much higher in February than in September, so assuming an abstraction of 63 x l03ML per month by the year 2000 (Table 5) , some 67% of total inflow to the lakes could be removed in some months. This does not allow for the seasonal fluctuations of evaporation rates, which are highest iri summer. The long term average evaporation loss in. February is 14 x 103ML, which represents another 15% of inflow to the Lakes. The remaining 18% of inflow to the lake~ could prevent hypersalinity occurring, but during the summer period the salinity regime of Lake Wellington would approach that of Lake Victoria.
2.4 Salinity In extreme drought years, hypersalinity in the Lakes could in fact occur. - The 1967-68 drought saw an excess of three times net evaporation loss over river flow resulting,for a period,in zero river flows being recorded in the Latrobe river below Yallourn. Whilst such droughts are infrequent, the increasing abstraction of water in coming years will lower the input threshold at which hyper salinity occurs. Lake Wellington will therefore tend towards an unstable brackish condition with wide seasonal variations. Such an environment is stressful to aquatic life and supports only populations of low diversity.
(2) Ministry for Conservation, Report of the Desk Studx, Gippsland Regional Environmental Study. Environmental Studies Programme. 18
The maintenance of a permanent freshwater environment in Lake Wellington by undertaking engineering works is perhaps an option that may be worth investigating.
SEWAGE EFFLUENT DISPOSAL
2.5 Possible The undesirable effects of disposing sewage wastes into Effects natural waters arises from several constituents in these on the wastes. In particular: Lakewaters suspended solids and floatable materials SP2.2 organic substances requiring oxygen for their natur.al degradation plant nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus viral and bacterial disease-causing organisms detergents and oils (not necessarily together) any industrial wastes and pesticides which may be present.
Apart from the last category, all of these constituents are to be found in domestic sewage and thus pose a disposal problem in the Gippsland Lakes Region.
Although it is generally conceded that the discharge of untreated sewage into shallow water causes unacceptable environmental pollution, it is not always appreciated that even a highly treated effluent can also sometimes result in deterioration of aquatic eco-systems. This occurs because conventional secondary treatment does not remove plant nutrients from the effluent. The introduction of large quantities of such nutrients leads to growth in plant and algal material, and subsequent increases in 'grazing' zooplankton, etc. If growth is rapid then large quantities of plant material are produced, all of which must ultimate ly die and decay. The decay of such .large quantities of material depletes the oxygen supply of the water resulting in fish kills and offensive odours. This cycle of growth, death and decay can be observed during an algal bloom such as occasionally occurs in the Gippsland Lakes. Wl(ile rapid growth, and even algal blooms, may also occur naturally, human activity vastly accelerates this process and thus hastens the deterioration of the waterbody. This ageing process is sometimes described as "eutrophication".
An estimate (3) gives the total river input of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Lakes as 2,319 tonnes and 392 tonnes respectively.
These loadings would be equivalent to the impact of a sewage load from a population of 705,000 persons in the case of nitrogen and 188,000 persons in the case of phos phorus. In reality of course, the present loading comes from a whole range of sou~ces including rainfall and sur- f ace runoff. Thus, if all the 17,000+ vacant residential blocks currently existing in the lakes area were to be developed, the resultant population of approximately 60,000 (at peak holiday periods) could represent a potential in c·rease of approximately 32% increase in loading of phosph orus and a 8.5% increase in nitrogen if direct discharges to the Lakes were permitted.
(3) Input Streams Assessment. This report was prepared for Environmental Stud ies Group, Ministry for Conservation, August 1978. 19
An 8.5% increase in nitrogen, however, would be largely in the readily assimilable forms of ammonia or nitrate (below) , whereas the natural nitrogen input to the Lakes is overwhelmingly (70%-90%) in organic form which is not as readily assimilable. If the relative inputs are re-calculated with allowance for this, then the development of the existing vacant blocks could produce an effluent load resulting in a 28% increase in readily available nitrogen in the Lakes. Such an input would be significant over the Lakes as a whole, but is even more critical if, as would be' likely, the inputs were discharged from a· few localised points.
The fact that high levels of population only occur for ·part of the year is not of great significance since it is during. the summer months that eutrophication effects are most likely to occur. Because sewage effluents are often highly concentrated and released at particular points, they can often result in localised eutrophication with the undesirable effects thereby giving offence to the maximum number of people, quite apart from the harm done by such localised occurrences to the Lakes eco system itself.
2.6 Sewage For existing and particularly newly created settlements Disposal sewage disposal systems must be designed to reduce the Options volumes of effluent discharged to the Lakes, and to ensure efficient dispersal of any treated effluent which cannot be disposed of on the land. A high standard of treatment will certainly be necessary for any discharge to lake waters, but for other systems as discussed below, more limited treatment may suffice. The major options other than lakes discharge are: (i) Ocean Outfall: This would require the least expensive treatment, but a relatively costly pipeline and ocean outfall structure would be required. Some trade-off between extent of treatment and length of outfall is possible; (ii) Diversion to Swamp or Wetland: A swamp represents a large active and diverse hetero tropic eco-system adapted to the handling of large quantities of organic material. Furthermore, if the swamp is large in area and shallow, evaporation will remove much or most of the water input. The effectiveness ·of a swamp in removing organic and inorganic substances from sewage effluent may be ill ustrated by the example of McLeod Morass which pres ently accepts the secondary effluent from the treat ment of wastes derived from the equivalent of 11,000 .persons in the town of Bairnsdale. The following table shows the concentration of nitrate, ammonia, organic nitrogen and total phosphorus in the influent to the swamp and in the Mitchell River just downstream from the exit of the swamp. All concentra tions are in parts per billion. 20
Nitrate Ammonia Organic Total N N N p Influent to Morass 1190 31 000 6200 2000 Rosehill (Upstream) 44 N.D. 170 3 ~ Downstream of the Morass 123 10 240 21
In general, the influent materials are almost entirely absorbed by the swamp. (Flushing during floods may remove some material, but the extent of this is not known.)
The penalty paid for this convenient disposal is the accelerated filling of the swamp in response to greater plant growth and decay, and the input of suspended matter in the sewage effluent. Remedial measures, such as selective dredging or increasing the area of swamp, may be required. In other words, the sewage effluent must eventually be removed elsewhere in a different form, viz. mud. If the input of effluent is excessive, problems of oxygen deficiency may also arise, since swamps depend I upon passive diffusion from the atmosphere for their , I supply of oxygen. In this case, offensive odours will arise, and the fauna present will be changed or driven l out. Such changes have been reported from North America and Europe, and some cases in the Florida Bayous are well documented. If a swamp is completely filled, the upper layers of mud tend to dry out and oxidise, convert-\ ing sulphides to su~phates with the production of a barren acid area on which no vegetation can survive.
Although the assimilation processes occuring in wet lands are understood in a general way, a quantitative evaluation is not yet possible. The amount and quality of sewage effluent with which a swamp can cope is thus difficult to predict, making a practical choice somewhat uncertain.
Consideration should be given to creating new swamps by building retaining walls across natural depressions, discharging treated effluent to them and thus encourag ing swamp vegetation. This could result in enhancing the area of wetland adjacent to the lakes,as well as adequately using the effluent from sewage treatment facilities.
Even at a qualitative level the desirable features of such a swamp are difficult to list as conditions may vary from ~lace to place. In a general sense, the following features appear to be desirable: large volume compared with input volumes permanent inundation with a depth in excess of half a metre over a large part relatively stable water level and. well defined boundary a vigorous growth of emergent vegetation and macro phytes a significant input of normal runoff or seepage large buffer zone between swamp and developed areas - location exposed to sun and wind easily identifiable outlets. 21
Effluent should be r~asonably non-putrescible and free from solids. A good secondary effluent would be best, as then the swamp would act as a "polishing" and nutrient removal lagoon without having an oxygen demand imposed upon it. If disease vector control is ·an important factor, then more costly treatment may have to undertaken.
It must be stressed that swamps are valuable· conser vation zones, affording habitat for numerous species of birds amongst other animals. They also perform a function in retarding flooding. Encroachment on a swamp by engineering works or excessive input of material may destroy the viability of the swamp as an eco-system. Swamps are a valuable resource, not wasteland.
(iii) I:r.rigat;i,on: The principle of this method is that the nutrient content of the effluent is'utilized to grow crops or fodder which are continuously removed by harvesting or grazing. At the same time, phosphorus is removed by absorption onto soil particles and some nitrogen lost through denitrificatiori. .
Irrigation is an effective process provided that the irrigated area is not allowed to build up to an equil ibrium or climax stage when output from the system as runoff is equal to input. The effectiveness may be demonstrated by the levels of nitrate, ammonia, organic nitrogen and total phosphorus measured in the influent to Dutson Downs farm and the tailwater from the farm. These values fluctuate greatly but some analyses for July 1976 (all in parts per billion as nitrogen or phosphorus) are shown in the following table:
Nitrate Anunonia Organic Total Nitrogen Phosphorus
Influent · 8 2~00- 5000- 1000- 13200 15000 5000 Tailwater 360 600- 7900- 900- 750 12000 2500
It can be seen that concentrations of nitrate, total phosphorus and organic nitrogen are much the same (with a negligible inarease in nitrate) . Anunonia levels are reduced dramatically. These are concentrations, and it must be pointed out that the average flow into the farm is 35 megalitres per day, whilst the tailwater outflows average 4.5 megalitres per day. There is, then, a reduc tion of approximately 8 times in the load of organic nitrogen, total phosphorus and nitrate leaving the farm. On the other hand, the load of ammonia leaving the farm is reduced by nearly two orders of magnitude (80 times). The output from the farm fluctuates with rainfall, but the effects are partly self-compensating in that heav ier rain and higher runoff dilute the effluent concent ration. 22
Irrigation in this particular case can be seen to be less effective than swamp disposal in that the concen trations of nutrients in the final effl'uent are .still high. In fact, the tailwater from Dutson Downs farm is led to Lake Coleman which is effectively a swamp. The effluent water is largely evaporated and the nutrients taken up by swamp vegetation. Analyses of water from Lake Wellington adjacent to Lake Coleman during 1976 and 1977 showed in general low values of phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter. Care must therefore be taken when irrigation is used to ensure that an adeq uate area is available or even that storages and re-· circulating systems are installed to retain as much effluent as possible on the site.
A further consideration is the effect on groundwater. If insufficient depth of soil, or an unsuitable soil, overlies a shallow aquifer, contamination of groundwater may occur. This is particularly relevant on the sandy soils to the south of the lakes, but may also apply elsewhere.
On heavier soils, of course, no seepage to groundwater may occur and the irrigation regime must be adjusted so that all of the applied effluent is utilised for plant growth and transpiration. While more land is required in this situation, .and salting problems could eventually occur, such a scheme does have the advantage of no discharge at all. All nutrients are either taken up by the soil or used for plant growth.
(iv) On Site Disposal: . The combination of soils, terrain and low-lying aspects makes conventional on-site disposal difficult on much of the land surrounding the lakes. The interplay of various factors makes a strict codification difficult and the following information is therefore a guid~ only. Modifications in design may occasionally be required to adapt one or another of the systems to the land. In some areas on-site disposal becomes impractical and is thus one of the chief obstacles to development.
Of the three types of systems listed below, transpira tion beds may have the widest applicability. They do not suffer from the soil limitations of ground absorption trenches, nor from the many material demands of sand filters, but do require a larger than normal block size. Although little used so far in the region, their versa tility and ease of maintenance makes them an attraction option. On-site disposal systems do, however, have the follow ing limitations. 1. Individual septic tanks and ground absorption: unsuited to dense developments - unsuited to high water table or flood prone land - unsuited to impermeable soils - unsuited to sandy soils in some locations (groundwater effects, poor nutrient retention) - require sludge pumpout service.
Their applicability is therefore confined to large allotments on well-drained, loamy soils (i.e. "rural" rather than "urban" use') . , 23
2. Individual septic tanks and transpiration beds: - unsuited to dense development - require sludge pumpout service method untested on widespread scale - may need to be sealed in sandy soils or where water table is high and this can become costly. " 0 Their applicability is much wider than 1 and all but very dense subdivisions and cluster develop- 3. Septic tanks and sandfilters: N.B. This is not really on-site disposal since a discharge of effluent occurs but it is included here for compa.rison. - unsuited to high water table - not suited to large, dense development - not suited to holiday homes and for intermitt- ent use - materials may not be available - require a sludge pumpout service - may require disinfection - may.need electric pumps - effluent contains nut~ients Yery limited applicability, Not generally reco-. mmended. 2.7 Summary of Discharge of sewage.effluent to the Gippsland Lakes, Factors unless nutrient stripping has occurred, is undesirable Affecting because of the potential for eutrophication and damage to Water the Lakes eco-system. Discharge to input streams is to be Quality avoided where possible for the same reason. Experience of past algal blooms and the calculations of nutrient loads in inputs indicate that the Lakes' eco-system would be likely to undergo increases in algal and macrophyte growth. The Latrobe River provides the principal input of nutrient materials into the Lake's system. Lake Wellington has the highest potential for eutrophication, but this tendency is currently held in check by the high turbidity of these waters. Effluent generated by 60,000 persons (estimated peak Lake side population if all existing available homesites were· developed) would cause a significant increase in nutrient concentrations in the Lakes if it were discharged directly. Poorly circulated waters, especially in enclosures such as Newlands Arm or the shallow weed baffled areas at Loch Sport and Boole Poole, are inappropriate sites for discharges of sewage effluents. For all subdivisions and urban areas in the immediate catchment of the Lakes, treated sewage should be disposed of by one of the following methods (a) ocean outfall; (b) diversion to wetlands; (c) irrigation of land; (d) on-site disposal• - rather than directly discharged to the Lakes. 24 2.8 Planning and The Strategy Plan has already indicated that the maintenance Water and, where possible, improvement of the quality of waters Quality of the lakes is central to their role as a fpcus for a wide· range of recreational, commercial and sporting. activities. If in spite of the intent of Environment Protection Policies and Planning Policies levels of pollution in the lakes continue to rise, the ·area 's economic future as a centre for tourism, retirement and recreation will be put at serious risk. Any planning document outlining proposals for the future of an area such as Gippsland Lakes needs to make it very clear that a close two-way relationship exists between development and the quality of recreational waterways. Firstly, of course, the pollution risks of increasing but unplanned and unserviced development are well known, and all too often this development occurs on the old ad hoc basis of 'just a few more will not really hurt'. On the other hand, once the quality of recreational waters starts to drop, the attractions of the area also start diminishing. First demand and then land values start to slip, local residents and· owners of holiday homes start to complain about ·what are in effect the results of their own activities and decisions. Then, either the area declines or large sums of public money are spent in trying to restore the quality of the waters by the installation of sewerage and the organisa tion of solid waste col~er.tions, etc. Situations such as this have occurred in the United States and other. prosperous advanced countries. One aim of planning in the Gippsland Lakes area must be to ensure that it does not happen here. .. ~ ------~----~-·-~-----·--· -~-- ~ .... l.- ., . ., TABLE 4 :DETAILED A.i.\JNUAJ_, WATER BUDGET BY SUBSIDIARY CATCID1ENT IN THOUSANDS OF I•It:G/l..LITEES---- I I EVAPO- LOSS TO I NET USE I YLOW TO u1·~s- & P:s?..Cfili'I1J;.GE OF CATCHMENT I PRECIPITATION I TRAi"!\jSPIRATION GROLJNJJ:l ATER . j D (% of D&E) l ()CEN;;.. _.... (LPST- ...... W"1i·T~ FLOW TO LPJCES I A · I ]3 E (of-. rd'' •\ . I (% of A) c (% of A) ·,1- .... ~ - : t i i t Latrobe R 4,755 I 3,665 (77 .1) 70 (-1. 9) ! 55 cs .4) 965 ( 20. 4.) 27 ,.3 ! [ Thomso~ R 1, 900 ! 1, 335 (70.3) 't 59 (3.1) • 54 (10.7) 452 (23.3 13,0 I f .Nacalister R 2, 114 I . (25.9) 1, 334 (63.1) Il 58 (2.7) i 187 535 (25.4) 15.4 I I I ( Avqn R 1, 540 ! 1, 296 (n4.2) I 44 (2.9) ~ 2 (l.O) 198 (12.c) 6.7 I ~ Mitchell R 4,384 I 3,322 (75.8) l 50 ( 1,,1) .I 7 (0. 7) 1,005 (22.9) 29.0 ~' • I f, Nicholson R •j ( 11 495 417 (84.1) (4.6) i. 0 \, • c ·;:).. I, 1 • 23 f 56 6 '< I! .· 1 Taz.bo r R 2,272 (88.6) ~ 16 (0.7) 2 (0. 8) 242 (10.8) ~ 2,012 I t 7.0 Lakes Zone ! I j ! 30 0 16 o.6 .. • i (La."ld) ' i \ ¥ ! ~ i Total Lakes ' f f\.) 17,811 • U1 CP-tchment i13,685 (76.8) ! 350 ('2.0) ~ 307 (8 .1) (19.5) 1CO.O ~ ; ., •. 13,46~ f. Lakes s46 38.9 ( 1_55. 7) i-27 Ii 0 -11b 3.3 • Total 13..kes ~ "< ·, 3 ;.;c3 18,057 323 .~ 'f .,, .) and Catchment .• i14,074 I ~ 307 96., 7 I ~ Ministry for Source: Conservation, Report of the Desk Study, Gippsland Regional Environmental Study1 Environmental Studies Programme. TAIJLE 5 . POSSIBLE WA.TER BUDGET BY SUBSIDIARY CATCHMENT FOR YEAR 2000 IN THOUSANDS OF MEGALITRES EVAPO- LOSS TO FLOV..' TO LAKES & PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL CATCHMENT IPRECIPITATION TRANSPIRATION GROUNDWATER NET USE D OCEAN (LAST ROW) I FLOW TO LAKES I A i B {% of A) c (% of A) (% of D & E) E (% of A) I I Latrobe R I 4,755 3,665 ( 77 .1) 70 (1.9) 298 (29 .2) 722 (15.2) 24. 7 Thomson R I 1,900 1,335 ( 70. 3) 59 (3.1) 253 (50 .O) 253 (13.3) 8.7 ; ! Macalister R J 2 ,114 1,334 (63.1) 58 ( 2. 7) 204 (28 .2) 518 ! (24.5) 17. 7 ~ Avon R 1,540 1,296 (84.2) 44 (2. 9) 42 (21.0) 158 (10.3) ! I I I 5.4 Mitchell R 4,384 3,322 ( 75. 8) 50 (1.1) 57 (5 .6) 955 (21.8) 32.7 ,. i I ! Nicholson R .f ': 496 417 (84.1) 23 (4.6) 0 56 (11.3) 1.9 : I - Ij l Tambo R i 2 ,272 2 ,012 (88.6) i 16 (O. 7) 2 (0.8) 242 ( 10. 7) 8.3 i l r I i Lakes Zone 350 I 304 I, 30 I j 0 - 16 0.6 I l (I.,and) ! ' - I l Ir ;' I . : Total Lakes i 1 I I : 17 ,811 113 ,685 ( 76. 8) : 350 . I Catchment • (2.0) 856 ( 22.7) 2,920 (16.4) 100.00 l I I I '. I I I ! Lakes l 246 i 389 i -24 0 -119 4.1 I I ; I I ! I ' I Total Lakes I j 18,057 326 and Catchment : ,14,874 l 856 2,801 I 95.9 l : I I Source: Ministry for Conservation,· Report of the·oesk ·study,·Gippsland Regional Envirorunental Study, Environmental Studies Programme. -~·--~--· ·------~------~~~~----~-~-----~------,_...., ,, 't 'TABLE 6 PROJEC'i'ED ~lA'I.'E'R USE IN YEJJ,R 2000 j)_filERTED FROM DIVERTED FROU RETURNED TO NET :JSE OF CATCHMENT USE Sii\FACE ~-/l1.TER GROUNDWATER SURFACE VlA'TER SURFltCS ,'.'."."S'l'EM SYSTEN SYSTEN i I ;:.;L ML HL t-.JL I 0------+--;>-,5-3-,-C--0-C-, Latrobe R Electricity 312,000 40,COO I 59,00 ----1 I I I I 0 I Oil from Coal 10,000 10,000 , . 10,0C Domestic, private 80,000 200 42 ,00·0 36,000 & industrial I '...... "l I Thomson R Diversion to Melbourr;e 148 ,OOO .- - 148,000 Irrigation 148,000 - 30,00 0 119,000. Groundwater Pumping - 9,000 9,00 0 -9 I 000 1 Domestic, privc.te & 4,000 20,00 8,00 0 -4,.000 industrial I ; I\.) ----.!------~ ' Nacalister R Irrigation I 247,000 - 49,00 0 f 198,000 i Domestic, private &I 7,000 - 1,00 industrial c_J 6,030 I ··-- I--· ' o · l--4-L-,-, c---c)_O ____ j Avon R Irrigation 50,000 - I 10,00 Domestic, private & I 4f000 I•. 7,500 2,00 industrial I :J_2,_00-0- I I - gitchell R Irrigation 60,000 - 12,0C C I 48,000 II Domestic, private & ! 15,000 19,0C-0 I 6,00 a I 9 ,cJ01J industrial I. ____,____, - l Nicholson R Domestic, private & I I industrial ! 400 1,200 40 ..o l I I .' I 'I b --+------·I Irm J.am o R .Domestic, private & l i l industrial I 3,000 1,100 80 0 I 2 ,200 I I - 1-- --f I 'l'O'TAL . il,088,400 108,000 0 849 ,200 I _t.39,20 . I If . I I,.-- ______L_ __j .. -· ... ---.. ------Source: Ministry for Conservation; Report of the Desk Study, Gippsland Regional Environmenta 1 Study, Environmental Studies Programme. 2B 3. LANDSCAPE 3.1 Landscape The Strategy Plan emphasises the importance of the Features landscape of the Gippsland Lakes area to its role as a centre for leisure, tourism and retirement. The SP2.B Plan identif i~s four main types of landscape features which require special consideration when examining specific subdivision or development proposals which may affect them. These features are: (i) Significant Lookout Points and Views (ii) Hills and Ridgelines (iii) Scenic Roads The principal examples·of each of these features in the Lakes area are illustrated on Map 2 in the Strategy Plan, and a complete listing of those identified to date is set out in Appendix 4 to this report. SP9.5 The Special Policies for Areas with Special Landscape Features outlined in the Strategy Plan require that: (i) The special landscape characteristics of the area be clearly identified and recognised in detailed planning provisions; (ii) ~11 applications for permits in areas of high landscape quality include information regarding the type, design and location of development and where necessary details of landscaping, to ensure that any develop ment will complement and blend with the landscape and that existing important stands of vegetation remain largely undisturbed. 3.2 Statutory The powers of Responsible Authorities to introduce Powers and policies for the protection cif areas of landscape value Implementation are derived from Sections a, BA and BB of the Third Schedule of the Town and Country Planning Act. The SPA.4 first step in making use of these powers is to identify the specific features that merit protection. It is intended that those features be sp~cifically identified on a Special Controls map which would form a part of any Interim Development Order or Planning Scheme. An example of how such a plan might be prepared is included in the implementation Section Of this report, (p.75) I along with an outline of other provisions which should be.made to implement the landscape policy. 0 29 Chapter 8 of this report sets out the way in which the above policies can be implemented within the framework of local planning controls. In this section, however, basic guidelines are used to illustrate how ~he appropriate use of planning conditions ,in conjunction with _sympathetic designs and layouts, can help to ensure that developments blend more easily into the surrounding landscape without the .. need for onerous restrictions to be placed on builders and developers. Broad planning guidelines are accordingly outlined in Table 7 for each of the four main types of landscape feature identified by the Strategy Plan, and more detailed illustrated design guidelines are set out in the pages following that table. It should at this stage be emphasised that there is no question of compensation being payable when a Responsible Authority imposes special conditions on a pe_rrnit for development to ensure tha~ the proposal will not adversely affect the surrounding environment. Even under the provisions envisaged by the report on town plannina · compensation presented to the Premier in March 1978 (4), compensation is likely to be payable only where the beneficial use of a site or building is denied to the owner. The imposition 9f reasonable landscaping and design conditions to ensure satisfactory standards of development is a perfectly proper use of planning powers by any planning authority in the exercise of its statutory responsibilities. 3.3 The Need. ,for Having built recognition of an area's landscape features General into local planning controls, it becomes the responsibility Principles of the local planning authority to ensure their satisfac and Flexible tory implementation. It is equally important that intend Implementa ing developers, subdividers arid homebuilders are able to tion. gain a clear understanding of what might be required of them in preparing proposals for development in areas of landscape significance. However, in spite.of the powers that are available to a planning authority,it should not always be necessary to make controls relating to the protection of landscape mandatory. Instead, sets of principles for the design and siting of development can be drawn up which could serve the dual function of helping Councils to assess individual development proposals while providing guidance to applicants when they are 'formulating proposals. To this end, the Town and Country Planning Board is currently preparing a set of broadsheets of design and siting guidelines for rural areas which will be made freely available and will offer advice and hints on the siting of houses, layout of subdivisions and the location and layout of rural residential developments. (4) Committee of Inquiry into Town Planning Compensation (1978), Town Planning Compensation 0 l 30 As far as the guidelines that could·be prepared by councils are concerned, they should concentrate on both the design and siting of buildings on existing parcels of land and the layout of new subdivisi.ons. They .should be oriented towards both the optimum use of the site itself as well as the effect such use will have on the general landscape, either as vie.wed from the road or from neighbouring land. In areas of high landscape quality, e.g. north of Nungurner, the guidelines could be referred to within the statutory control as c.onditions that should be satisfied prior to a development being permitted. However, the guidelines should be written in such a way that they establish the general principles and procedures of landscape control rather than offering narrowly defined solutions for specific types of site. In this way their use can remain flexible and each case can be viewed on its own merits within an easily understood framework of landscape guide lines and any other particular concerns of the Responsible Authority. ~.4 Landscape Occasionally, development proposals which might for most Enhancement purposes be appropriately located on a particular site could still have an adverse effect on the surrounding environment. In such cases the Responsible.Authority should not pnly apply appropriate siting conditons on any pe.rmit·, but should also give careful consideration to whether it should require the applicant to plant any additional new vegetation to help soften the impact of the proposed development. In such cases it would be usual to require the applicant to submit,in addi~ion to the basic proposal, a landscape plan specifying the types of landscape and planting works being proposed. Such landscape plans should, ideally, indicate the types of vegetation proposed as well as their location on the site and height. at maturity. It should be stressed that it is not necessarily difficult or expensive to achieve a development that will enhance and protect the landscape values of the Lakes area. Often a little care and attention aided, if necessary, by guidance or the use of planning conditions by the Respons ible Authority, can achieve the required result. 3.5 Broad As a guide, some broad 'common sense' planning guidelines Landscape are set out in Table 7 with respect to the four main types Guidelines of landscape features identified by the Strategy Plan. The points made in this table are generally applicable throughout the Lakes area, and if due regard is paid. to them in the planning and siting of development, then the .r. more likely it is that the Lakes will remain an attractive and popular destination for tourism and recreation. In addition to guidelines set out in Table 7, the pages that follow it provide some practical examples of specific siting problems which illustrate more detailed landscaping considerations in respect to achieving generally higher standards. of new development. 0 ,. TABLE 7 : BROAD LANDSCAPE GUIDELINES \ . LANDSCAPE FEATURE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS PLANNING GUIDELINES Significant These lookout points provide views,of 1. The elements of the landscape which can be viewed Lookout Points broad, expansive panoramas. The view from .. the Significant Lookout Point (e.g. stream itself is so extensive that it would be lines, areas of woodland, valleys, ridgelines difficult to obliterate, but the quality and hilltops) should be assessed to determine of the view could be adversely affected which features contribute to. the quality of the by development of an inappropriate view and which features require special consider nature or scale. ation when assessing de.velopment proposals. 2. Attractive stopping places could be created, with picnic facilities for example, to make the Si~nificant Lookout Point a tourist feature of the area. Significant Views These differ from Significant Lookout Points 1. The topography can be used to ensure retention in that the view in each case is from a road, of the view. In most cases a setback which w ...... the scope of the view is smaller, and the locates a building downslope from the road edge, view could be blocked out altogether by or particular attention-to an appropriate height inappropriate or poorly sited development. for a bu.ilding, can ensure retention of the view. Hills and These features represent attractive develop- 1. The siting of developments below the crest of a Ridgelines ment sites because of the views they afford. ridge or a hilltop can both afford a· desired view Howev~r, developments on the crest of ridges and reduce the ~isual impact of the development. and on hilltops can become the domin~nt feature 2 The careful siting of developments in valleys in a landscape, upsetting the balance of • winding back from the lakeshores can provide a lake n~tural and can cause run landscape elements, view, make the development less prominent when Lake edge cliffs in off and erosion problems. viewed .from the lakes and surrounding area, and number of places are particularly prone to a reduce the risk of erosion. erosion from runoff and physical disturbance. 3. Developments in elevated locations will often require landscaping to protect or enhance the visual quality of the location. 4. Where hills and ridgelines are in fact part of a present or former dune system development should not be contemplated. ' TABLE 7 (cont 'q) 5. Development proposals in ridge and hilltop vicinities which require the removal of signific ant amounts of vegetation should be avqided. 6. The ability of a ridge or hilltop vicinity to support development should be assessed by reference to the Special Policies for Areas with Physical Development Constraints (See Strategy Plan 9.2). · Scenic Roads These roads in addition to their access ·1. Developments should blend visually with roadside function present such an attractive combin scenery. ation of topography, roadside vegetation, 2. Development should allow views from scenic roads views, etc. that they have a role to play in to be retained. pleasure motoring by visitors and tourists · as well as local residents. 3. Roadside vegetation (both on road reserves and freehold land) should as far as possible be retained. 4. The location of utility service lines along the edges of scenic roads should as far as practicable be avoided. 5. These roads should be maintained to allow safe driving but need· not necessarily be sealed, guttered _and kerbed to urban standards, so as to allow them to blend more easily into the rural landscape. 33 SITING GUIDELINES 3. 6 Hills and Hills and ridgelines, particularly those which afford Ridge lines lake and ocean views, are regarded by many people as attractive sites for house:;and motels, etc. However, the landscape character of an area.can be radically . altered when a dwelling is located on a hilltop or the II' crest of a ridge. Such development often forms prominent and unnecessary intrusions against the skyline. ·structures can easily be sited in a manner that is not only more sympathetic with the surrounding landform, but also provides greater shelter and still retains the desired views. FIGURE 1 Figure 1 illustrates how a poorly sited dwelling may dominate a ridgeline. However, as can be seen in Figure 2, by locating further downslope the dwelling need·not compete with the landform and the occupants can still enjoy extensive views. FIGURE 2 34 FIGURE 3 Development in elevated locations will often require landscaping. Figure 3 illustrates a situation where additional landscaping is required to blend the development with the landscape. Figure 4 shows a solution. If cutting and filling has been required in siting the dwelling vegetation can also help to stablise the exposed soil. FIGURE 4 = 35 3.7 Significant Views If the scenic quality of the Gippsland Lakes is to be retained, many of the valuable localised viewing points from roads in the area will need to be carefully planned for when development proposals are being examined. With a little care and thought these views can be protected by making sure that developments in these locations are appropriate in scale and also properly sited.· Generally, setback requirements and, in some cases, height restrictions or a little additional tree planting, are all that is required to adequately protect the view for the enjoyment both of the local community and the visitors who are so important to the areas economy. FIGURE 5 ·. Figure 5 shows a ho~se site chosen to maximise lake views for the occupants, but unfortunately it prevents passers-by from enjoying. the view. Figure 6 illustrates that a greater setback from the road allows both groups of people to enjoy the view. FIGURE 6 36 • FIGURE 7 Figure 8 illustrates another means of achieving the retention of significant views. In Figure 7, the unathractive ribbon development with six access points onto the main road, while allowing the occupants of: the dwelling to enjoy a particular view, disadvantages passers-by. In Figure 8, by concentrating development in a relatively small area, the visual quality ~long the view line is retained for all who visit and pass through the area to enjoy, and the two access points on to the main road and the variety in allotment shapes have less impact on local amenity. FIGURE 8 37 3.8 Scenic Roads Where roads have been designated as 'scenic', any developments in their vicinity should be so designed and sited as to harmonise with the roadside features. This need not be necessarily difficult or expensive to achieve, but will involve giving careful attention to such details as siting, retention of vegetation, and occasionally additional landscaping. In addition, • part of the attraction of scenic roads in rural areas for pleasure motorists is often partly due to the fact tha~ they lack the more 'severe' engineer ing features normally required in urban areas and thus merge more easily with the character of the scenery ~long their edges. FIGURE 9 I I' i. Figures 9 and 10 show how an attractive roadside setting need not be adversely affected by the careful siting of a dwelling that is sited and ' designed to blend visually with its surrounding landscape FIGURE 10 38 FIGURE 11 Severe engineering standards that are not always justified by either local soil conditions or traffic volumes have, in the past, detracted from the character of the scenic roads. Figures 11 and 12 show how a scenic road edge can, in the absence of kerbs, guttering, etc., be made to blend more easily .intd an attractive landscape. FIGURE 12 . , ' I _f\ '• , I ~ -· 39 FIGURE 13 Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the desirability of locating utility lines in the least visible location practicable. Should utility lines have to pass through areas where little visual screening exists, provision should be made to screen the structure with vegetation or by making the b~st possible use of the existing topography. FIGURE 14 I I ' I I· j . 40. GENERAL SITE LAYOUT GUIDELINES , 3.9 Subdividing a The siting guidelines so far discussed have generally Rural Site referred to the siting of single structures in areas with specific landscape features. The same principles apply equally to developments on a larger scale, such as multi-allotment rural-residential subdivisions. The following diagrams trace the formulation of a proposal for a rural residential subdivision from the site analysis stage through to a consideration of alternative subdivision designs and the ultimate choice of the most appropriate site layout. As.the diagrams indicate, the features and topography of a site can 'suggest' a subdivision layout that is both more economical and more attractive than the ·usual rigid syrnrnetrical'layouts imposed on rural landscapes .. Not only does this more sympathetic approach to the site ensure that each lot has an adequate area to cater for development, but it also protects the important features of the landscape for the community as a whole. SI TE ANALYSIS EXAMPLE FOR 20 TO 100 HECTARE SITE (100 ha. SITE) For Rural Residential Development MAIN ROAD 41 .. pir.;URE 16 UNSATISFACTORY LAYOUT.. 44 LOT SUB-DIVISION (100 ha. SITE) For Rural Residential DeveJop111ent . Dam nere could be prone Large Scafe Earthworks to Flash Floods & Washouts / to Site Road Creek needs Special Treatment to stop Flash Flooding - Bridging needed for Access to Lots STATE FOR!;:ST Open Space Wasted Unrelaled to m06t lots . Isolated & ·. Difficult to Use . MAIN ROAD FIGURE 17 SITE RESPONSIVE LAYOUT. 50 LOT SUB-DIVIS/ON ( 100 ha. SITE) Creek left fur Open Space and DraiM9e Reserve. Plantin9 along Road STATE could break up the 'Open · · FOREST Field ' Appearance & create a mare 'Rural· ~eeling. ----/-~~~~~~ ,:)..-:::;~:::z::~~~ Open Space .. adjacent to --fr· / man!:J lots . / ' Second Access - :ree-Lined Road to More. Convenient Er Safer create Rural Road Locution .;voids Character. Cut 8, Fill by Following in case of Fire . Contour. 42 4. VEGETATION AND. WILDLIFE A most important consideration in the formulation of Strategy Plan policies for the Gippsland Lakes was the fact that much of the area's natural ·appeal derives from the remnant areas of natural vegetation and its wide range of water birds, forest and grassland birds, mammals and fish. A knowledge of the factors which determine the . distribution of important plant and animal communities, together with their vulnerability and sensitivity to the various pressures which might result from man's activities, is therefor~ a valuable planning aid. The impact of· development proposals in all of these important habitat areas needs to be weighed very carefully by local planning authorities. Many developments in the Lakes area in the past have caused far reaching changes to the natural vegetation and wildlife of the area and have proved costly not only to individuals but to the whole community. Building or intensive human activity on foredunes for example has usually been accompanied by damage to the naturally fragile and unstable vegetation of the dunes. Generally this is followed by accelerated erosion of the dune and often finally a dune "blowout" and loss of large . amounts of foreshore habitat. In such circumstances the structure concerned is frequently either buried in sand or undercut such that it collapses, and dune protection and rehabilitation programmes have often been necessary at' substantial cost to the community. To date there is no published literature drawing together information on the wildlife and vegetation (5) of the Gippsland Lakes area in a format which presents the local planner with a clear guide to those areas which are of greatest ecological significance or sensitivity. A valuable starting point, however, is the data that has already been collected on zoological and botanical sites of special scientific interest along the Victorian coastline. The Town and Country Planning Board is currently working through this information in order to provide an overview of those sites which are considered to possess more than just one feature of scientific significance. In addition,· maps are also currently being compiled to highlight the location and relative importance of these sites. (5) As part of·Gippsland Regional Environmental Stud~ information is being collected on· the sites of scientific significance in the East and Central Gippsland Regions. This information will be available for Central Gippsland in December 1979 and East Gippsland in December 1980. 43 4.1 Vegetation As far as vegetation is concerned, the most comprehensive .. study covering the Gi~psland Lakes area is that conducted SP2.6 in 1976 by Ladd, Ladiges and Calder(6) as part of the Ministry for Conservation's Gippsland Regional Environmental Study programme. The study describes the natural vegetation • surrounding the Gippsland Lakes and Lake Tyers, and assesses its significance for conservation and management. The report distinguishes three broad classes of vegetation:- (i) Plateau vegetation (ii) Coastal vegetation (iii) Swamp vegetation. For full details of the distribution of vegetation the original report itself should be consulted, but Appendix 5 presents most of this information in a summarised forfl'l. The appendices outline the distribution of the major or dominant canopy species in the Lakes area, as well as listing the names of common understorey and ground cover species. It should be stressed that a tabulation of plant communities such as that in the appendix means little if merely read in isolation. Any broader unders·canding of the Lakes area's vegetation and fauna requiresexamination of the information on the areas sites of scientific interest as well as an understanding of the complex relationships that exist between particular plant and animal communities. Ladd et al. also made a number of recommendations for the conservation and management of vegetation in the Lakes area. The recommendations,which can be found in full in the report itself, fall into two broad categories: (i) Proposals for the study and protection of swamp and semi-aquatic communities on low-lying land around the lakes togA~her with consideration in respect to rehabilitation of areas which have a_lready deteriorated (ii) Conservation of vegetation on the coastal dunes, barrier islands and the plateau hinterland north of the lakes. The Gippsland Regional Environmental Study is conducting investigations, as recommended by Ladd et al., into the erosion of lake shores and disappearance of those semi-aquatic plant communities which provide breeding grounds for animals and birds. The feasibility of the rehabilitation of original lakeshore vegetation and/or the introduction of other plant species is also being pursued by the G.R.E.S. (6) P.G. Ladd, P.Y. Ladiges and D.M. Calder, Vegetation surrounding the Gippsland Lakes and Lake Tyers, December 1976. Department of Botany, Melbourne University, ~eport to G.R.E.S, Ministry for Conservation. 44 The study also mentions several specific instances where it considers protection of native vegetation in the Lakes area is an important issue: (i) Forest Red Gum; (ii) Shiny Leaved Peppermint at Spermwhale Head, where · maintenance of the tall heath understorey in the National Park is a potential fire risk; (iii) dune vegetation along most of the Ninety Mile Beach; (iv) grassland & sedgeland which provide wildlife refuges; (v) the Tussock Rushland (extensive areas of this species are rare in Victoria) of McLeod Morass; (vi) Salicornia Herbfield on saline soils incapable of supporting other types of vegetation. Other issues, such as the problems of gully erosion and habitat disturbance resulting from the clearing of veget ation between Lakes Entrance and the Tambo River, are also raised in the report. I 4.2 Wildlife The relationship between the. expansion of man's settlements and activities in the Lakes area and the diminishing SP2.7' numbers and 6cc~rrence of a wide range of wildlife species is self-evident to those who know the area well. As mentioned previously, the relationship between vegetation, itself a reflection of landform and soil type, and the occurrence of wildlife is an important one. Indeed most classifications of habitat are usually based largely on vegetation • The most comprehensive listing of wildlife in the Gippsland Lakes area is that compiled by the Fisheries and Wildlife Division of the Ministry for Conservation during the initial stages of the G.R.E.S. (7), although work is currently proceeding on adding to and refining this information. An abridged version of this listing is presented in Appendix 6 which, when taken together with the information in Chapter 5 on sites of special zoological interest, should be of assistance, to local planners in assessing whether the need to protect a ~articular wildlife species or community should act as a constraint to certain types of development in specific areas. 4.3 Areas of As new data on sites of particularly significant wildlife Conservation or vegetation becomes available, it will be brought to the Significance attention of local Councils for information and, where appropriate, inclusion in their planning controls. In the interim,however, some basic types of area which are of zovlogical and botanical interest can be identified as being significant for one or more reasons:- (i) Areas of natural biological diversity: The. greater the biological diversity, the more sig nificant an area is for nature conservation. Greater diversity indicates ecological stability and highly diverse areas should.be maintained wherever possible. Iri addition, the more diverse the habitat, normally, the more chance of fauna survival within it and the higher its scientific interest. (7) Ministry for Conservation, Report of the Desk Study, Gippsland Regional Environmental Study, Environmental Studies Programme. 45 (ii) Natural/semi-natural vegetation remnants: These are now uncommon and no longer representative of the Gippsland Lakes region, but are important with regard to (i) above. Indigenous vegetation is the characteristic of the Gippsland Lakes that many people, tourists and residents alike, are attracted by. (iii) Swamps and Swamp Vegetation: These are normally very productive biologically and are important in the food chains of the whole Gippsland Lakes system. They are alsp important in a scientific· !conservation sense since swamplands in Victoria or are fairly re~tricted;I...... :..... elsewhere Australia. In~~ddition, they have a sensitive and easily dama9~d ecology and present many engineering problems for most proposed development in their immediate vicinity. (iv) (a) Shorelines Systems: These are unstable and prone to changes in landform around the Gippsland Lakes. Development too close to a shoreline may well cause or accelerate an erosion problem. Replanting of some form of vegetation along the eroding shorelines of the Gippsland Lakes may well be a control method of the future. Options should be left open for this by restricting,for the time being, the number of structures close to the shorelines. (b) Coastal vegetation: This is generally very sensitive to man's interference and disturb ance often leads to erosion, dune blowout and destruction of man-made structures~ (v) Fauna Habitats: The critical areas for native fauna are: - natural or semi-natural vegetation (e.g. New Holland Mouse); swamp areas (e.g. waterf~wl, and invertebrate productivity for higher parts of the food chain in the lakes, e.g. Bream); - water areas (e.g. fish and fish industries). Most of the sites or features that reflect an)' of the five considerations outlined above are dealt with in Section 5 of the report, Sites of Special Scientific or Hi~toric Interest. 46 4.4 Strategy While the Strategy Plan makes no specific provision for Plan policies covering vegetation and wildlife, specific powers Policies exist in Section SA of-the Third Schedule of the Town and Count~Y. Planni~g Act (see App~ndix.l) to provide for the SP8.4 p~otection of significant areas of vegetation and wildlife. BX implication, several of its major proposed policies will also serve to protect most significant areas. The proposed Rural (Southern Shores) Zone, for example, is designed primarily to keep free from intensive development those large areas of land which are subject to considerable physical and economic development constraints, but will also have the effect of retaining significant and valuable ·areas of 'natural vegetation and wildlife. The Policies for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (S.P.9.4) will also be an important planning tool in this regard: It should once again be stressed that the identification of significant and sensitive plant and animal communities is an ongoing process, requiring local planning to be sufficiently flexible to take into account the significance of additional communities as information becomes available. 4.5 The Role Planning controls could be.introduced either in the form of of Local specific clauses in·I.D.O.s or planning schemes which Planning nominate areas of significant vegetation or wildlife and contain provisions for their protection (such as controls over the removal, injury, lopping, etc. of particular ·types of trees, understorey, vegetation, grasses, etc.), or, in dealing with specific applications, conditions could be applied to permits to ensure that a proposed development will not endanger a particular plant or wildlife community in the vicinity. 47 s. SITES OF SCIENTIFIC OR HISTORIC INTEREST 5. l· Introduction The Gippsland Lakes area has a number of areas and sites of particular scientific and historic interest which SP9.4 form an important part of the attraction of the area. Thus special policies have been developed to ensure that these sites will have an increasing role to play in the future promotion of the Lakes as an area catering for visitors and tourists with a wide range of interests and hobbies. The sites which have been identified and the possible steps which can be taken to assist in their preservation are therefore outlined in this report. 5.2 Sites of Information regarding Sites of Special Scientific Special Interest in the Lakes area has been drawn from a series Scientific of reports on Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Interest. the Victorian Coastal Area, representing studies co-ord inated by the Town and Country Planning Board. (8) SP2.9 The studies relate to four major aspects of scientific interest, that is, geological/geomorphological, botanical, zoological and archaeological. Sites of geological/ geomorphological, botanical and zoological interest have been identified on Map 2 of the Strategy Plan and are catalogued in Table 8 at the end of this section. ,. The criteria for the specification of these sites are as I follows: (i) Geological/Geomorpholog1cal Sites: Geological sites are held to be of special interest where they are unusual or even unique or are the best representative examples of features that may occur extensively. Geomorphological features are similarly held to be of special interest if they are unique examples of these landforms in Victoria or if they are typical features particularly well displayed or preserved in relation to geological conditions. In some cases the interest is dynamic in that the landforms (beach and dune, mangrove and saltrnarsh) are subject to natural changes over time in a manner that can be measured and analyzed. (ii) Botanical Sites: Such sites generally include representative rem nants of coastal plant communities thought to be originally widespread, undisturbed characteristic examples of coastal vegetation types, together with plant communities displaying unusual features. (8) Bird, E.C.F. Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Victorian Coastal Region, Report on. Geological and Geomorphological Aspects prepared for the T.C.P.B., 1977 (limited availability until next printing). Barsen, M.M. and Calder, D.M. Sites ·of Special Scientific Interest in the Victorian Coastal Region. Report on the Botanical Aspects prepared for the T.C.P.B. (limited availability until next printing). Dorward, E.F. Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Victorian.Coastal Region. A report on the Zoological Aspects preparedfor the T.C.P.B., 1976 (limited availability until next printing). Coutts, P.J.F., Witter, V.C., Coohrane, R.M. & Patrick, J. Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Victorian Coastal Region, A report on the Archaeo logical Aspects prepared for the T.C.P.B., 1976 (limited availability until next printing) . 48 An area is also regarded to be of special significance if it represents the.limit of the geographic distribution of a community or species or is of special scientific interest for educat ional or research purposes. ·• (iii) Zoological Sites: To establish sites of special scientific interest with respect to zoological aspects, data was compiled on mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects and presented in. terms of habitats, communities, populations and species of interest. In many cases it was not possible to define specific sites of zoological interest in the same.way as those of geological/qeomorphological, or botanical interest. Table 8 lists a large number of sites of geological/ geomorphological, botanical and zoological interest in the Lakes area and includes details of the aspects for which they have been recognised. (iv) Archaeological Sites: 1·. s.ites of special scientific .interest from the point of view of archaeological value have not been identified on the Strategy Plan map or Table 8 due to a lack of specific data and the lack of a fully established system of assessing site significance. Investigations in the area are incomplete. However available information demon strated the unique nature of archaeological sites and their generally poor state of preservation. Available information indicated the presence of several midden sites within the area along the Ninety Mile Beach and at Disher Bay, Lake Wellington, a site which was regarded as particu larly .worthy of more detailed investigation. A number of axe grinding sites were also identified on the margins of the Avon River and scarred trees occur with great frequency throughout that part of the area north of· Lakes Victoria and King. A detailed study of a 12 km. stretch north-east of Letts Beach on. the outer barrier was also undertaken and twenty-one sites were recorded, but in other areas a number of sites still remain to be recorded. Not all sites of special scientific interest in the Lakes area have as yet been identified and further research will be needed to continue the process of site identification. 5.3 Sites of Many Councils throughout the State are beginning to Historic recognise the value of sites of historic significance Interest contained in their.districts and are taking steps to protect or enhance them through planning control and to SP2.9 pu):>licise them for tourism. 49 .•· A great deal of work is still required to fully docum~nt the features of historic significance in the Lakes area. However, Ms. M. Le Cheminant, working for the East Gippsland Regional Planning Committee, has taken a significant step in commencing the documentation of features of historic interest and importance in F.ast Gippsland. There is an important need to pursue this work and to assess the relative merits of historic features of the Lakes area. 5 .4 The Role of Both Federal and State governments can implement a number Federal of measures to ensure that sites, buildings or features and State of historic or scientific interest can be preserved for Governments future study and enjoyment. Those measures which apply equally to both scientific and historical features are as follows: (a) Register of the National Estate: At the Federal Government leveJ., the Australian Heritage Commission, which was established under the Australian Heritage Commission Act 1975- 197 6, has as one uf its functions the pre para tion of a Register of the National Estate. Covering both the built and natural environment, the National Estate includes historic and scientific features. ~he listing of places on this register protects them from harmful actions of Federal Government depart-. ments and authorities. It does not place any legal constraints on the actions of State or local govern ment authorities or of individuals. Protection at these levels depends on State government legisla tion. "Strathfieldsaye" homestead in Avon Shire appears on the Reg.ister of the National Estate. (b) Public Reserves: The Land Conservation Council is progressively studying all public land in Victoria and making recommendations to the Minister for Conservation on its future use. The L.C.C. may recommend, for instance, that the best primary use for an area of public land is to conserve feat.u.res of scientific or historic significance. The L.C.C has recently commenced its Gippsland Lakes Hinter land study which takes in the northern shores of the lakes. Work on that part of the southern shores in the Shire of Rosedale has been completed, and several areas were recommended as being best used primarily for the conservation of flora and fauna. (c) Purchase of Property: A means of ensuring the continued existence of .. particular scientific and historic features would be for a government responsible authority or other agency to purchase them. For example the Victorian Government purchased Nyerimilang Estate in the Shire of Tarnbo. However, this alternative is .... costly and since the funds available are scarce this approach is normally restricted to only the most significant and vulnerable areas. 50 In addition to the procedures described above, the follow ing means of.preservation apply specifically to Sites of Special Scientific Interest:·· (d) Archaeological Areas and Relics: In order to preserve archaeological relics in Victoria, the lands.which contain them may be proclaimed under the Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act 197~ as Archaeological Areas. All relics within such areas are the property of the Crown. Also it is an offence to.deface or damage an Aboriginal relic of any kind regardless of wh~ther or not it is within a proclaimed Archaeological Area. Relic finds must be reported to the Survey for registration and investigation, and a register of these relics is kept. Wherever possible, the Victorian Archaeological Survey encourages landowners and developers to avoid sites of potential archaeological interest. Ideally the Victorian Archaeological Survey should be informed at the initial planning stages of a development so that a preliminary archaeological survey can be carried out and the potential of the site as a relic site be ascertained. As far as special historic features are concerned three bodies in Victoria prepare registers of features of historic interest as follows: (a) Designated Buildings: The Historic Buildings Preservation Council (under the auspices of the Ministry for Planning) , by statute, keeps a register of Historic Buildings for the State. Only the most significant buildings are placed on this register, becoming Designated Build ings. (The register excludes buildings owned by either State or Federal government departments.) "Strathfieldsaye" homestead in Avon Shire is the only building in the Plan .area listed on this register. (b) Classified Features: The National Trust of Australia (Victoria)' gives· a 'classified' status to all features (e.g. historic buildings, landscapes, areas, sites, etc) in the State which it views as essential to the heritage of Australia and worthy of pre.,servation. (c) Recorded Featuresi If, in the o~inion of the National Trust, a feature contributes to the heritage of Australia and its preservation should be encouraged it is given a 'recorded' status. (N.B. Although National Trust gradings have no legal standing they are accepted by government, semi government, local government, private organisations and individuals as an authoritative statement of architectural/historic/landscape significance.) ': ... 51 (d) Government Owned Historic Buildings: A member of the public,any historic society or munic ipal council may make representations to ~ne Minister of Public Works seeking a report on a particular feature. The Minister may then require the Government Buildings Advisory Council to report on the feature to enable him to make a decision on its future. These registers are continually being revised as further information is received and researched by the bodies compiling them. Suggestions for amendments to the records will be received by the responsible groups and should be forwarded to them.· 5.~ . The Role of Planning at the local level can offer a number of courses Planning of action by which,in addition to those measures implemented at the at State-wide and Federal levels, sites, buildings or Local Level features of historic or scientific significance can be retained to play an important role in the recreational, tourist, education and residential quality of the Lakes area. 5 .0 Planning The Third Schedule to the Town ?nd Country Planning Act Schemes and 1961 lists the matteIB which may be provided for in pla1.ning Interim schemes. Clauses 8, BA and BB of the Schedule relate Development specifically to the conservation of items of architectural, Orders historic or scientific interest and areas and objects of natural beauty. (See Appendix l) Part lllB of the Act also contains specific directions concerning Designated Buildings (within the meaning of the Historic Buildings Act 1974). In particular Section 59B is relevant (See Appeno.:i.x 2) as it requires that a respon sible authority preparing a planning scheme shall be concerned as far as practicable to ensure the conservation and enhancement of any designated building in the planning scheme area. Local planning schemes and I.D.O. s can therefore make specific and detailed provisions for the protection of features· of special scientific and historical interest. TABLE 8: SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST IN THE GIPPSLAND LAKES AREA DESCRIPTION MAP NATURE OF DETAILS TENURE REF. SPECIAL INTEREST Delta extending across lagoon sector between an old cliffed Partly Crown Merriman's Creek Geological/ coastline and the dune ridge of the outer barrier. Shell beds Land Geomorphological extending beneath the adjacent swamps and coastal dunes have yielded radiocarbon dates of 4,100 to 6,810 years B.c. The outer barrier in this section is unusually narrow having been pared down to a single dune ridge. Latrobe River Geological/ Delta, still largely reed fringed, extending out into Lake Crown Land Delta Geomorphological Wellington but in recent years its growth has been reduced. Lake Wellington Zoolog~cal Important wintering area for common tern. Big flocks of Most of shoreline White-winged black terns. White-breasted sea eagles breed on Crown Land southern shores. Hog deer in concentrations around the Lake. Lake Coleman Zoological Exceedingly valuable as breeding and feeding grounds for large State Game ~ populations of waterfowl. Reserve Marlay Point and Geological/ Extensive paperbark swamp at Marlay Point gives place northward Crown Land Avon River Delta Geomorphological to an eroded deltaic shoreline with a sandy beach, and then to 0 the reed fringed Avon delta extending out into Lake Wellington. Lake Reeve Geological/ A long shallow lagoon fringed by salt marshes, sandy beach Partly State Geomorphological ridges and spits and separated from the sea by the outer Game Reserve 0 barrier capped with dunes. Extensive sandflats are exposed after dry weather, but after wet weather the water level rises by up to 1 metre. At its northe~stern end it opens into the Gippsland Lakes. Botanical Extensive sandy flats exposed during dry periods have patches of Salicornia quinqueflora. Species around Lake margins include Distichlis distichophylla, Samolus repens, Suacela maritima, Mimulus repens, Triglochin stricta and Hemichroa pentandra. Salt marsh species,which are relatively uncommon in Victoria east of Seaspray,occur occasionally around the shores including Wilsonia backhousia, Frankenia pauciflora, Arthrocnemum halocneimoides (very stunted) and Lawrenia spicata. Carpobrotus modestus, the· inland pigface, ha~ been reported from Lake Reeve near the Golden Beach causeway. Zoological Contains many interesting animal assemblages and is noted for its large population of Coxiella. An important Waterfowl area. Best. East Gippsland area for Waders, Stints, Curlew Sandpipers, Godwits and Curlews. Emus in surrounding countryside. ------~----~-~,,__-_.__ ------ TABLE 8: (Cont'd) McLennan's Geological/ Lowlying area between Lake Wellington and Lake Victoria on Isthmus Geomorphological either side of McLennan's Strait, an unusual channel linking these two lakes. In addition to parallel foredunes behind the sandy beach on the eastern shore of Lake Wellington there are parabolic dunes, lagoons, shallow freshwater lakes, swamps and salt marshes. Blond Bay Zoological Significant as a breeding area for waterfowl. State Game w Reserve Storm Point Geological/ A cuspate foreland with beachridge systems enclosing small Partly Crown ~ Geomorphological lagoons and swamps. Land Lake Victoria Zoological Important wintering area for common tern. Has permanent water so important drought refuge. Loch Sport Botanical West of Loch Sport leached sandy soils support a Eucalyptus Areas of Crown CV nitida Woodland with Banksia serrata an important associate. Land outside the This woodland community is floristically very rich. Species Township. of the heathy understorey include Leptospermum Vl typical w myrsinoides, Banksia marginata, Ricinocarpus pinifolius, Dampiera stricta, Aotus ericoides, Xanthorrhea australis, ~alytrix tetragon, Thryptomene micrantha, Acacia suaveolens, Astroloma pinifolium, Leucopogon virgatus and Monotoca scoparia. The very localised Astroricha parviflorus, endemic to Central Gippsland, also occurs here. Zoological Fourth colony of New Holland Mice to be discovered. Large colony. Also supports reasonable numbers of Pigmy possum especially in Banksias. Sperm whale Geological/ Forms part of the inner barrier of the Gippsland Lakes which Part of Lakes Head Geomorpological consists of sandy beach ridges, old parabolic dunes fixed National Park ~eneath scrub and woodland vegetation and associated swale and shore swamps. Lake shoreline is su~ject to erosion and deposition and occasionally mud islands appear offshore1 probably as a result of squeezing out of swamp deposits on to which sand is drifting. Botanical Heath vegetation, including the localised Thryptomene micrantha, is well developed on sandy soils. Most westerly occurrence of the swamp mahogany 1.::ucaly'Otus botryoides a-nd eastern limit of salt marsh succulents Hemichroa pentandra and Arthrocemum halocnemoides (in Dolomite Swamp). An unusual occurrence of Eucalyptus melliodora on deep sands has also been reported. Zoological A relict band mollusc fauna is present. The Park supports a fairly large numher of kangarocsand wallabies and fair numbers of other species. Hog deer occur and breeding areas for little terns and White breasted sea eagles. Lakes Banksia Geological/ A part of the earliest or prior barrier in the Gippsland shingle Peninsula Geomorphological region. It has sandy ridges and a fringe of sand and beaches with some developing spits. of McLeod State Game McLeod Morass @ Botanical Juncus ingens tussock rushland is found in areas Morass which contain shallow standing water all year round. Reserve Associated with Juncus ingens are aquatic species such as Triglochin procera and Potomogeton sp. Extensive areas of Juncus ingens are rare in Victoria. Zoological Significant breeding and fe·eding area for waterfowl. with improvement will become an important link in the chain of waterfowl areas through Gippsland. Lewin waterrail, Brown bittern and Marsh terns seen. Breeding White and Straw necked ibis. Crown Land • Eagle Point Geological/ A river cliff showing Pleistocene plateau gravels resting Bluff Geomorphological upon Pliocene sands undercut by Mitchell River. of Mitchell River Geological/ Deltaic silt jetties extending out into the northern part Partly Crown Silt Jetties . Geomorphological Lake King. Eroded during.recent decades following disappear Land ance of former reed fringe.Northern arm has been breached by the Cut formed by floodwaters in 1919. present. State Game Jones Bay Zoological Fauna of a fresh to slightly bracki~h environment are Serves as a feeding and resting area for miqratorv waterfowl. Reserve Important wintering area for Common terns, moulting area for Black Swans. Permanent water so important drought refuge. by Partly Crown Tambo River Geological/ Delta built by Tambo River into Lake King has b.een reduced· Land Delta Geomorphological shoreline erosion following loss of its former reed fringe and is thus contrasted with the similar Avon delta in Lake Wellington. ----·------~ ------~------~~-·-,--·-·---.--·--·-··----·--·.·------· ------·-----·------·-···----·-----··--··-·-··---·-·--·------ TABLE 8: (cont'd) and Point Point Scott Geological/ Raymond Island is another part of the prior ba+rier Geomorphological Scott is a developing c~spate foreland with shingle beach ridges. fringed by Boole Poole Geological/ An extensive· area of sand ridges and saline mudflats of the inner Peninsula Geomorphological saltmarsh and swamp scrub vegetation forming part barrier of the Lakes area. The sand ridges are separated by infilled swales which show evidence of a vegetation sequence from former freshwater swamps to present saline mudflats. Botanical Includes Melaleuca ericifolia, Leptospermum scoparium, Eucalyptus viminalis and Eucalyptus tereticornis. Evidence of a complex physiographic and ecological history has been obtained from swamp borings in the area. The sequence of deposits indicates that encroachment succession (invasion of a former arm of the lake by Phragmites communis and subsequently by swamp scrub) has taken place. However present v~getation bears little relation to this sequence as in response to the · change in salinity conditions there has been a dieback of swamp scrub and disappearance of much of the Phragmites fringe around the east~rn parts of the Lakes. and outer barrier of the Lakes Ul Bunga Arm Geological/ Narrow lagoon between inner Ul Geomorphological north-east of Ocean Grange. Outer barrier scrub covered dunes and its inner shore is modified by erosion and deposition to form a series of spits some of which enclose small lagoon and swamp areas notably Mu llacky Lagoon. Botanical Mullacky Swamp thought to have been formerly connected to the.Lake. Site of unusual form 0f pebble shaped alga Cladophora aegagropila (Moss balls). Mullacky SwaI}1p and Lake Tyers are the only known locali tie·s of this particular species of alga in Australia. is a Jemmy's Point Geological/ A cliff of calcareous sandstone with fossiliferous horizon. It Geomorphological type locality for the Jemmy's Point Formation (Kalimna stage, Pliocene system) . The cliff is capped by late Tertiary or Quaternary gravels, equivalent to the Haunted Hills formation in the Latrobe Valley. TABLE 8: (cont'd). . --······· Kalimna West Botanical Small remnant of mixed rainforest community once more common. In most Victorian occurrences of warm temperate rainforest Acmena smithii is the dominant tree. Here Acmena is · · co-dominant with Acronychia oblongifolia. Other species present include Rapanea howittiana, Pittosporum undulatum and Acacia melanoxylon. Species present as small trees or tall shrubs include Bedfordia arborescens, Olearia argophylla, Pomaderris aspera, Beyeria .sp., Helichrysum dendriodeum, Notelea venosa and Myoporum insulare. The liane flora is well developed with 11 native and 1 introduced species, including Marsdenia rostrata, M. flavescens; Smilax australis, Morinda jasminoides, Tylophora· barbata·, Eustrephus latifolium, Clematis glycinoides,· Celastrus subspicatus, Pandorea pandorana and Geitonoplesium cymosum. Toorloo Arm Botanical The scenic reserve contains Eucalyptus bauerina, Eucalyptus Scenic obligua, Eucalyptus globoidea tall open forest and Acmena Reserve smithii. _close.a forest .with ·mature emergent Eucalyptus maidenii. V1 Note: As the Ministry for Conservation~ work on the Gippsland I Regional Environmental Study progresses, a great deal I more detailed information on both existing and newly I. identified sites of particular scientific interest is. likely to become available. For further. information in this regard approaches can be made to: The Director, Gippsland Regional Environmental Study, Ministry for Conservation 240 Victoria Parade, EAST MELBOURNE. 3002 57 6. ?()PULATION, EMPLOYMENT AND SUB DI VIS ION 6.1 Population The steady growth of the permanent population in recent years is perhaps as important an indication of the future of the SP3.l & 3.2 Lakes.area as are its known attractions as a centre for tourism and recreation. However, while a knowledge of population trends is usually essential.to the satisfactory future planning of an area, it is not always possible to gather precise and relevant population data. For example: (i) The districts for which census data are collected do not always coincide neatly with any particular area that is being planned. This problem arises with the Gippsland Lakes Strategy Plan since it is based on the area covered by the Gippsland Lakes Planning Scheme Interim Development Order, and not any ideal grouping of census Collectors' Districts; (ii) The Strategy Plan area excludes the towns of Bairnsdale and Sale upon which the Lakes area depends so heavily for the whole range of social, educational, health and service facilities. The growth or decline of either of these important centres will inevitably have an effect on the rate of growth and the popula tion structure of their surrounding areas. The closest approximation of Collectors' District boundaries with the Strategy Plan area shows that the population of the Strategy Plan area in 1971 and 1976 was as. follows:. Table 9: Population of Strategy Plan Area by Shir.e., 1971 and 1976. Average Annual Rate of Growth 1971 1976 1971-1976 Shire of. Avon 767 770 0.1% Shire of Bairnsdale 1,532 2,043 5.9% Shire of Rosedale 210 285 6.29% Shire of Tambo 996 1,164 3.0% STRATEGY PLAN AREA 3,505 4,262 3.9% East Gippsland Region 50,664 52,174 0.6% source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Censuses of Population and Housing 1971 and 1976. Another difficulty in respect to data collection concerns the size of many of the settlements in the area for which policies are proposed, since population figures for small individual settlements within larger Collectors' Districts are usually unavailable, (e.g. the settlements along the Princes Highway east of Bairnsda1e). On the other hand, where such information is in fact available, such concepts as percentage rates of growth can sometimes be misleading. For example, in a township of 200 to 300 persons, the arrival or departure of a single large family could have a significant impact on the annual rate of population change and mask an underlying trend that might ·otherwise be apparent. 58 Alternatively, a slowdown in the growth of a small town might easily be caused by a shortage of building blocks with a lake view, rather than any other combination of social or economic factors. Trends of percentage changes derived from low base figures will always be .subject to this risk element of being possibly misinterpreted. / Inspite of all the qualifications that have been spelt out in the preceeding paragraphs, the figures from the 1966, 1971 and 1976 censuses are still the best available guide to the basic population trends and changes affect ing the Gippsland Lakes area. The tables set out in the Strategy Plan itself were designed largely to illustrate the main trends occurring in the area,the tables set out in this document are intended to fill in the background to· those figures in more detail. 6 .2 Main The Strategy Plan points out three main conclusions that Population can positively be drawn from census information available Trends for the area. These are: (i) Growth: The rate of population growth in the Lakes SP3.l area, and more particularly in the main settlements of Paynesville and Raymond Island, Metung and Eagle Point, is .significantly greater than the rate of growth for either the East Gippsland Region or the State as a whole. See Table 10 above and Table 1 (p .12) in the Strategy Plan itself;. (ii) Age of Population: Elderly people form a signifi cantly higher proportion of the resident population in the Lakes area than in either the Region or the State as a whole. In addition, this 'retirement' element of the population makes up the largest part of the current growth in.population which is largely comprised of newcomers moving into the area from outside. ' Table 10: Number of Persons ag.e~ .. _o_-49 and 50+ in theMain ·······~··-·-· ... Townships and Rate of Growth by Age Group, 1971-76••W·--- Annual Average % Rate Growth by 1971 1976 Age Group 0-49 50+ 0-49 50+ 0-49 .50+ Eagle Point 249 105 324 159 5.7 8.6 Paynesville 564 297 698 417 4.4 7.0 Raymond. Is. 51 46 60 67 3.2 7.9 Me tung 86 86· 155 124 12.5 7.9 Loch Sport n/a n/a 40 64 * * 7.6 TOTAL 950 534 1,.237 767 \ 5.4 East Gippsland I Region 38,525 12,139140,055 12,119 0.8 -.02 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Censuses of Population and Housing, 1971 and 1976. * Totals do not include figures for Loch Sport. 59 (iii)Nwnber of Permanent Residents: A significant number of houses in the area are occupied only on a tempor ary or holiday basis. The proportion of temporarily occupied houses is decreasing as former holiday homes • become permanent dwellings,often for people retiring to the area . .. Table 11: Nwnber and Percent of Permane.n~ anc:t H.oli Table 12: Percentage Annual Rate of Growth in Permanent and Holiday Homes compared with Overall Rate of Growth in Home Building, 1971 to 1976, for Main Settlements in Gippsland Lakes Area. I ~ I ~ .r:: ~ .r:: )..i .j..l 0 Ul .r:: .-l 0 .j..l .-l 0 Ul c: Ul .-l Q) .j..l 0 Ul .-l Ul ~ rd Q) ~ ~ Q) Q) rJ,O rd Ul ~ :i:: :;., Q) rJ,O rd Q) 0 .j..l e 0 c: e .j..l ::I 0 rd e .j..l s )..i c: 0 0 0 )..i c: 0 Ul 0 0 )..i c: 'd 0 Ul 0 01 rJ,O (.9 ·ri E-t z :i:: (.9 ·ri ~ :i:: rd E-t :i:: (.9 ·ri ·ri :i:: rd E-t .r:: ! Paynesville 10.8 9.7 l. 7 Raymond Is. 8.3 8.4 8.4 Eagle Point 3.9 7.7 -1.2 Me tung 7.4 11.3 3.9 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Censuses of Population and ·Housing, 1971 and 1976. The above tables clearly indicate that in most settlements much of the growth in housebuilding is for permanent occupation, and indeed a number of former holiday homes The only exception to are becoming permanent residences. \ this trend is Raymond Island, where existing access diffi culties and the drainage.problems associated with many parts of the island have restricted the num)::>er of people choosing to live there permanently. Figures in Table 10, indicate that a large proportion of those living permanent ly on the island will be either permanently or semi-retired. 6.3 Location of In addition to the three points outlined above, it is Population clear from the census information that population growth is concentrated at the eastern end of the Lakes area in an arc from Paynesville through Bairnsdale towards Lakes Entrance. The only notable exception to this is the holiday township of Loch Sport where the rate of growth of home construction'is running at above 15% annually. The permanent population of Loch Sport is still however only a little over one hundred although this is likely to increase as more and more holiday homes become permanent retirement homes in line with the general trend in the area. 60 Overall it is possible for planners to gain considerable guidance from t.he range of information on population and housing trends that is available. This information is the best indication that can be obtained of the types of .. pressures and demands for land, housing and services that are likely to arise in the Lakes area in the· coming years. 6.4 Employment The process-of collecting accurate figures on employment suffers fr.om many of the same difficulties as tho::;e already SP3.5 outlined with respect to collecting population data. The task is further complicated by the fact that detailed employment figures .from the 1976 census have not yet been produced owing to expenditure cutbacks at the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Those figures that are available relate to the years 1961, 1966 and· 1977 (see Appendix 7) , and clearly demonstrate the three main factors most affecting levels of future employ ment in or adjacent to the Lakes area: (i) Firstly, it is clear that while percentage employment in agriculture is steadily declining, the industry re~ mains the major single occupation for the workforce of the four rural shires immediately surrounding the lakes; (ii) Secondly,· the numbers employed in manufacturing industry have remained fairly static in recent years, and this is the sector in which new jobs are urgently needed in order to create 'spin-off' jobs in other areas of employment; (iii) Thirdly, those areas of employment related directly to tourism are slowly but steadily increasing, especially l in the Shires of Bairnsdale and Tambe. In ad~ition, since the figures in Appendix 7 represent the situa l tion over.the whole of each of the Shires concerned, I the relative increase in tourist rel·ated employment in the immediate Lakes area is likely to be consider I ably greater than the tables indicate. I ,, This expansion in tourism, along with the increase in the permanent and 'retired' population in the area, provides the l main hope at present of increasing employment opportunities . I in the area both directly and through increa.sing turnover for related industries such as construction, retailing, l ~ real estate, etc. I 6.5 Demands for In providing for the future planning of the Gipps!and Lakes Subdivision area, the Strategy Plan has sought to ensure that there is no repetition of the serious problems that have arisen ' I SP5.5 from the speculative subdivision of inappropriate, unser viced areas. Accordingly, in evaluating proposals for new i subdivisions outside existing established township areas, the ·T.C.P.B. has been concerned to ensure that not only are new subdivisions appropriately located and, 1f necessary, serviced, ·but also that there is a genuine demand for the ·type of block being created. New subdivisions should be avoided where they will merely add to an existing oversupply of any given type of allotment. The gross oversupply of blocks, especially in isolated or unserviced areas,can lead to extreme problems of expense and conflicting priori ties in the provision and maintenance of facilities such as access and waste collection and the provision of utilities. 61 In order to achieve as accurate a picture as possible of the current market for permanent and holiday homes, rural retreats and hobby farms, etc., the T.C.P.B. has conducted detailed studies of the range of available information, i.e.: Titles Office Records - for sales and subdivisions including numbers of allotments created. Shire Records - for numbers of building pet:mits issued. Town and Country Planning Board records for numbers of applications for rural subdivision and development since 197 3. In addition, discussions have been held with representatives of local estate agents on the types of lots and associated services that are being sought by their clients. 6.6 Rural At present the rate of creation of small rural lots by Subdivision subdivision is steadly outstripping the rate at which such lots are being developed. The table below illustrates the SP5.8 situation in the two most popular lakeside shires of Bairnsdale and Tambe, where the number of lots created exceeded the number of dwellings erected in rural areas by some 24% over the ·1ast four years. Table 13: Number of Rural Allotments Created and Permits Issued for Dwellings in Rural Areas, 1974.:..·1977. No. of Rural No. of Permits Issued Allotments for Dwe~lings in Created Rural Areas 1974 77 60 1975 78 63 1976 llO 80 1977 127 ll2 392 315 Source: Shire Records and Titles Office Records. The above figures exclude townships of Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, Swan Reach, Nungurner, Metung, Eagle Point and Johnsonville but include Buchan and Bruthen in the north of Tambe Shire. Thus the gap between lot creation and develop ment in strictly rural areas will.in fact be slightly greater. If these figures are looked at in the light of the 140 devel oped rural blocks of 4ha and less existing as' at December 1977 in the lakeside areas of the Shires of Bairnsdale and Tambo, the current extent of the oversupply of small rural allotments becomes evident. Detailed examination of- the location of new buildings outside township areas clearly indicates that there is a strong preference among purchas ers of rural blocks for locations close to existing settle ments and services with adequate access and, in many cases, an existing or proposed reticulated water supply. 6. 7 Urban It is the firm intention of the T.C.P.B~ as reflected in Subdivision policies of the Strategy Plan, that new multiple urban lot subdivisions be strictly confined to the existing established SP5.7 township and village areas. The creation of entirely new areas developed at urban density could result in significant expenditure being incurre~ in the provision of new basic services and facilities. 62 On the other hand, by directing growth into those settle ments where there are at least some existing services, the likelihood of having those facilities improved and upgraded is increased. Table 13 (p.3P) in the Strategy Plan indicates the current extent of undeveloped land both subdivided and unsubdivided still available for develop ment in the principal townships in the Lakes area. This above policy is not designed to preclude the consideration of new major integrated residential and recreational development proposals, which can if approp riate be made the subject of an amendment to planning controls. The object of this policy is rather to prevent .the gradual and random creation of new small allotments away from existing facilities with associated problems for service provisions. 63 7. BASIC SERVICES 7.1 Introduction The distribution of basic services and utilities is an important factor taken into consideration in preparing SP3.12 landuse plans for any area. The existing extent of basic service provision in the Gippsland Lakes area is set out in Table 14 at the end of this section, and is also illustrated on Map 3 in the Strategy Plan itself. In developing the policies outlined in the Strategy Plan, particular attention was paid to making the most efficient future use of existing and proposed basic services such as reticulated water and sewerage, as well as community facilities such as schools. Proposals for the area have taken into account not only the availability of surplus capacity and current population trends, but also the likelihood of existing services being upgraded and improved through increased use and demand. This section accordingly examines the provision of basic services to new and existing developments including,in some cases,the criteria taken into account by the major statut9ry agencies respon sible for these services in assessing their own standards and requirements before making provision for any new area of demand. 7.2 Sewage It is particularly significant that none of the existing Disposal settlements in the Strategy Planning Area is ·serviced in Townships by reticulated sewerage. Proposals are however currently with the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission for schemes SP3.15 to be provided at Paynesville/Raymond Island/Eagle Point and Metung~ Given current rates of population growth, the proposed schemes are likely to be adequate for many years after the date of their completion,which is still a few years away. In the interim period until reticulation is provided some provision should be made for continued infill growth in these larger townships. Large multiple lot sul?divisions·of urban sized blocks should however .be resisted:since there is ample land available, much of it already subdivided, to cope with growth until the projected date for the completion of the proposed schemes. In those settlements where there is no likelihood of reticulated sewerage provision in the foreseeable future, great care must be taken to ensur~ that the best, most appropriate form of on-site disposal is selected having regard to site conditions, and that as far as possible each site is of a size capable of dealing with its own wastes within its boundaries. To this end the Strategy Plan has adopted a policy of a minimum allotment size of 0.2 hectares (~ an acre) for all new allotments within village or township zones in the plan area. It needs to be recognised that this figure of 0.2 ha is a minimum and that should any information on soil capability or local conditions be available from the Soil Conservation Authority, the Environment Protection Authority or its agents indicating the need for a larger block size to cope with wastes, then such a·block size should be required of the subdivider. 64 It should be appreciated that while the minimum figure of .2 ha has been selected, it is far from ideal for the purposes of on-site disposal in either a township or village environment. Its selection merely reflects the fact that a larger size of 0.4 ha (1 acre) would tend to cause settlements to sprawl and lose the more intimate siting of dwellings normally associated with a village environment. On the other hand a smaller allotment size of say .1 ha (~ acre) would almost inevitably. result in the early failure (-9) of any absorption method of on-site effluent disposal that might be installed. Thus the figure of 0.2 ha represents a 'trade-off' or compromise between the development density that is most desirable in a village or small township environment and the functional life of the on-site methods of sewage disposal that would need to be installed. Table 15 at the end of this section sets out a tentative list of suggestions for the most appropriate form of sewage disposal in various locations in the Lakes area. Further detai1ed site specific tests would need to be undertaken before these suggestions could be finally confirmed. 7.3 Sewage In formulating policies for development outside the defined Disposal and township area care has been taken to,avoid undue dispersion Water Supply of settlement which might result in pressure for services in Rural such as water supply and sewerage in locations where this Residential would represent an uneconomic use of community resources. Areas It has been necessary, however, to recognise that for some time real demand for smaller rural blocks has been increa SP3 .16 sing, especially towards the easter~ en9 of the lakes in the Shires of Bairnsdale and Tambe. To cater for this de mand the Strategy Plan recommends the creation of rural residential zones. By concentr.ating rural residential development close to existing settlements the owners of small rural lots can draw on the existing community or service facilities of the townships and established rural services networks such as roads, telephone and electricity. The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission is currently developing detailed policy guidelines for the servicing of small rural holdings. While the Commission is concerned that•problems of land use management and demands for uneco nomic service provisions·are often associated with small rural holdings, it recognises that a demand for such devel opment exists and that clear guidelines are required to ensure efficient use of resources and the maintenance of water quality. The Commission has issued interim general policy guidelines on the servicing of small lot subdivisions, as follows: (a) Lots greater in area than 4 hectares: (i) Water Supply: Under normal circumstances the provision of reticulated water supply wo?ld not be required; (9) Failure is regarded as occurring when the absorption field can no longer allow wastes to percolate into the soil. The life of a domestic absorption field in a village or township environment of urban sized allotments is typically between ten to fifteen years in reasonably good soils but could be considerably less in more unfavourable conditions. 65 {ii) Waste Disposal: Reticulated sewerage would not be required but it is recommended that septic tanks be required to be of the "all waste" type. ... The area of individual lots should permit effluent lines to be terminated at least 100 metres horizontally from any water course or drainage line (including roadside drains) , and to allow all treated effluent from the tank to be dispos~d of entirely within the lot boundaries. (b) Lots between 2 and 4 hectares in area: The requirements for reticulat~d servicing would be considered on an individual basis and minimum desirable standards for waste disposal would be as for (a) (ii) above; however under normal circumstances no objection would be raised to such subdivisions. {c) Lots less than 2 hectares in area: {i) Water Supply: In areas where a subdivision was reasonably close to an existing reticulation system, the provision of a reticulated water supply at the expense of ·the developer would generally be required before the State Rivers and WaterSupply Commission would normally consent to the sealing of a subdivision. Where subdivisions are remote from an available water resource, each subdivision is considered on its merits having regard to the following: - where the- subdivision is of a substantial nature which could justify the capital expenditure on works of supply and distribution and provide satisfactory returns for maintenance and management purposes, reticulated water supply would have to be provided at the developer's cost. 4 - where the subdivision does not.meet the criteria referred to above or where the required water supply cannot be provided, the Commission would generally refuse to consent to such a subdivision; however, consideration could be given to a subdivision of a small number of lots where special circumstances prevail. (ii) Waste Disposal: In areas which could be reason ably serviced from existing reticulated sewerage systems, all subdivisions involving individual lot sizes of less than 0.5 ha would generally require reticulated sewerage. In areas where there is no existing reticulated sewerage system, the provision of a proper reticulated sewerage system may not be required although large subdi visions may be subject to further investigation, which may require the provision of a package type treatment plant or other approved waste treatment works. 66 Subdivisionai lots of less than .2 ha (including "standard" urban blocks) (10) are generally considered on their merits having regard to lot numbers and sizes, the proximity of existing or proposed development and services, topography and soil type, and the zoning of adjacent land. Soil suitability is an important consideration for disposal of septic and sullage effluents. The Environment Protection Authority has developed a soil test to determine suitability of soils for waste disposal. However, it is also necessary for the Responsible Authority to ensure that the topography, soil type, size of each lot and local rainfall are such that, on the basis of the E.P.A. test, all treated effluent from the tank can be disposed of entirely within the lot boundaries by means of.a sub-surface absorption system or transpiration beds. 7.4 Electricity With the exception of Loch Sport, all settlements and most of the rural areas around the Gippsland Lakes have a mains SP3.17 electricity supply. The S.E.C. allocates supply on request and the customer requesting supply has to advance money towards the cost of the work. However, under the State Electricity Conunission Act, the S.E.C. is not required to supply everyone.who requests electricity, nor do people have to draw on an electricity supply if it exists in their vicinity. Set out below is a summary of S.E.C. policies on the extension of supply: . Initial Supply to residences arranged with an owner or group of owners of properties: The 'pioneer' (or 'pioneers') are required to advance money towards the cost of the initial supply.' There is no retrospective adjustment to the amount paid by the pioneer when subsequent extensions are made. The S.E.C. encourages the formation of group schemes to spread costs over as many customers as possible and is prepared to negotiate with customers who expect to require electricity within a •year • Supply arranged by developers: A developer who wishes (or is required by a Council) to sell lots with an electricity supply laid on is required under the Sale of Land Act to have a contract for the supply of that service. The amount to be paid by the developer is based on the average estimated cost per allotment. For allotments larger than urban size or in locations remote from existing assets the cost are usually higher. Supply initially financed by a Council: Under the provisions of the Local Government Act a Council is required to consider a request for an electricity supply to an area when petitioned by 33% of the landowners concerned. The Council can partly or wholly finance the extension of supply and receive re-imbursement from landowners through rate payments.(11) (.10) See previous paragraphs on Sewage Disposal in Townships. (11) The negotiations between the S.E.C. and Rosedale Shire Council concerning an electricity supply for Loch Sport referred to i~ the.strategy Plan (see strategy Plan 3.16lh~ve involved this form of financing supply. 67 In 1977 the Local Government Act was amended to require that all plans of proposed subdivisions be. sent to the S.E.C. for l report. The S.E.C. is not empowered to prevent suhdivision but can certainly warn Councils of the very high costs of .. service provision likely to be associated with some proposals . In such cases, high costs will accrue both to customers concerned and the whole community as the S.E.C. itself contributes some of the costs of extending electricity supply. This is one reason why the Strategy Plan seeks to avoid unduly dispersed development. 7.5 Fire The Country Fire Authority provides fire protection services Protec.tion to all privately owned land in the Strategy Plan area, while responsibility for the co-ordination of fire control SP3.20 over puhlic landis vested in the Forests Commission. During the summer period there is often a high risk of serious fire in the Gippsland Lakes area as evidenced by the fires of January 1978 which caused much damage in the area between Bairnsdale, Paynesville and the Banksia Peninsula. When developing plans for rural areas, especially where farmlet, hobby farm or bushblock developments are likely to occur, particular attention needs to be paid both to proposed locations and to the conditions attached to permits with respect to access and the. clearing and/or maintenance of vegetation. Under Schedule 10 of the Regulations relating to the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 it is required that the C.F.A. be consulted.in respect to new subdivision applica tions in gazetted 'Special Fire Risk Areas'. The C.F.A. can then make specific recommendations relating to access and other fire prevention measures that could then be made the subject of conditions on any subdivision sealed under the terms of Section 259 of the Local Government Act. Of particular concern to the Country Fire Authority are subdivisions in densely wooded or vegetated areas where access is by either a long narrow or single width access road. The problem is often exacerbated by the under standable desire of rural residents to retain vegetation in close proximity to their homes and associated buildings. In these and other areas where a fire hazard by way of vegetation is felt to exist, powers under Section 41 of the Country Fire Authority Act can be used to enforce the removal of grass and undergrowth from any land at the expense of the landowners. Overall, great care needs to be taken to avoid small clusters of small rural blocks in high fire risk areas, and where such developments are approved very strict conditions relating to the maintenance of access and the clearing of vegetation should be attached to each permit. Thus, where a proposal in a scenic area would require the extensive clearance of vegetation and the substantial alteration of that area!5 appearance in order to achieve satisfactory fire protection standards, serious thought should be given to the question of whether the site is really appropriate for such a development in the first place. TABLE 14: EXISTING AND PROPOSED BASIC SERVICES IN LAKES AREA SETTLEMENTS POP'N POP'N PROPQSED WATER SUPPLY ELECTRICITY SOLID WASTE COMMENTS GROWTH SEWERAGE - LINE DISPOSAL RATE TYPE & CAPACITY VOLTAGE Paynesville ll5 5.3% pa Proposed Ponds Paynesville 12.7 Kv Existing Given current population and Land Waterworks Trust tip almost growth rates, the proposed Disposal. Design which serve.s all at capacity sewerage treatment works Population 6,800. three settlements -Council for Paynesville/Raymond Completion purchases water seeking new Island/Eagle Point will be expected within in bulk from the site for adequate for the area for 5-10 years. Bairnsdale landfill at least 25 years and the Waterworks Trust. tip. proposed reticulated water Raymond Island 127 7.1% pa 12.7 kv supply will be adequate Existing for approximately 18 years. tip has an expected Raymond Island 127 7.1% pa 12.7kv life of 29 years. Eagle Point N/A N/A. I 12.7 kv As for Paynesville ()'\ I ()') Metung 279 10% pa Plans have Existing supply 22 kv Landfill tip Given current population been drawn up has design pop'n with life of growth rates, the proposed for a sewerage of 650. Plans 15-20 years. sewerage treatment works treatment works drawn up for will meet Metung township's with a desiqn additional 4.5 needs for at least 17 population of megalitre service years. The effect of the 1440. basin. service basin will be to double the capacity of the water supply in peak periods. Nungurner N/A N/A Ratepayers curr- 22 kv ently reviewing the costs of a proposed extension to Nungurner of the Lakes Entrance Supply pipeline. Johnsonville N/A N/A Pipeline source: 22 kv Lakes Entrance Supply TABLE 14: (cont'd) Nicholson N/A N/A Pipeline Source: 22 kv Lakes Entrance Supply Nungurner Road N/A I N/A Pipeline Source: 22 kv I Turnoff I Lakes Entrance I ! Supply ' I Swan Reach N/A N/A IPipe.line Sourc.e: 22 kv Lakes Entrance ; I l Supply ' ! ' ; ' Hollands Landing N/A N/A I !under investiga- \Bores and tanks :tion by Council ! \ I !of Shire of Avon . I: i ' ' Loch Sport· ! N/A N/A Bores and tanks Proposed ) Landfill \ Ratepayers : tip. : : currently ' reviewing the costs. 70 TABLE 15: ~QSSIBLE METHODS OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL IN THE GIPPSLAND LAKES 'AREA Sug9ested method of sewage Suggested method of sewage disposal for high density disposal for low density Location development development Northern shore Reticulation and Septic tank and ground of Lake Victoria irrigation absorption where applicabl~. Septic tank & transpiration. Hollands Reticulation & irrigation Septic tank & transpiration Landing or swamp disposal Newlands Arm Reticulation & irrigation Septic tank & transpiration Lake King Reticulation & irrigation Septic tank & soil abso,:ptionI more transpiration Blue Horizons Reticulation & disposal to Septic tank &· transpiration/ proposed Metung scheme absorp.tion Me tung Reticulation & irrigation Reticulation & irrigation Loch Sport Reticulation & swamp Reticulation & swamp disposal disposal Source: Input of Sewage Wastes into,she Gippsland Lakes, paper . by Balkau, F. , Bremner, A. , Collett, L: , Newell B. 71 8. IMPLEMENTATION 8.1 Introduction The preceding seven sections of this report have dealt in depth with the detailed background and reasoning behind many of the policies outlined in the Gippsland Lakes Strategy Plan. Where appropriate, each section has set down details of relevant enabling legislation or other powers available to the Responsible Authority for the implementation of appropriate policies. Only through effective use of available powers will local municipalities be able to achieve implementation of their planning policies while, at the same time, minimising their addi tional administrative load. This final section of the report is designed to draw together the information set out in the pr~ceding sections and to illustrate how existing legislation and powers can best be used to properly implement the proposals and, more particularly, the Special Policies outlined in the Strategy Plan. The question of the implementation of the Township and Rural P·olicies has already been outlined in broad terms in Sections 7 and 8 of the Strategy Plan, and where necessary this will be the subject of further detailed discussions before new or amended planning controls are agreed for local shires.The implementation of 'Special Policies' will however, still relate to each of the various zones proposed, where considerations such as land capability, scientific significance or landscape, materially affect the suitability of an area for a particular type of use. The Special Policy for the Development of Tourism is not discussed in detail in this chapter since it is a broad policy of 'intent' which is not in itself appropriate for inclusion into the detailed clauses or Zone Provisions of an I.D.O. or Planning Scheme. However,-the Policy could be spelt out where appropriate in the General Provisions section of Shire controls as a matter to be taken into account in the consideration of any relevant permit appli cations. It should also be noted .that in addition to the Strategy Plan Policies there are a range of broad policies with widespread application such as Statements of Planning Policy which apply to all areas of Victoria and reference to which should also be· incorporated, where appropriate., into the General Provisions of local I.D.O.s or Planning Schemes. 8.2 Special The implementation of the Strategy Plan's Special Policies Policies Maps will involve the preparation of Special Controls maps. These maps will supplement the usual statutory zoning maps which form a part of every Planning Scheme or Interim Development Order and will indicate all special features, (e.g. sites of scientific and historic interest, signifi cant landscape features, land presenting physical constraints to development, etc.) which the Responsible Authority will have regard to notwithstanding the zoning of the land, in assessing applications for planning permits. The notations on the Special Controls maps should be related to a schedule(s) attached to the Planning Scheme or Interim Development Order. 72 I The map on the following page covering the Tambo River Delta area, provides an example of the form a Special Controls map might take. This area has been selected because it enables examples of a wide range of proposed Special Polic ies to be illustrated in map form at a convenient scale. 8.3 Special Chapter 1 of this report outlines the details of the inter Controls for pretation and application of the Soil Conservation Authority's Areas with land capability data which will be made available to Physical local councils. Development Constraints The incorporation of the land capability material into local Planning Schemes or I.D.O.s is a requirement of the SP9.2 Strategy Plan. Giving effect to the Special Policies for Areas with Physical Development Constraints falls within the normal powers accorded to planning authorities under Clause 4 of the Third Schedule to the Town and Country Planning Act, to prescribe "areas in which land or buildinq,,s are to be used for specified purposes, or prohibiting, restricting or regulating the development and use of land within those areas." Land in Classes 3 and 4 and land in Class 5 would_most ap propriately be identified on the Special Controls maps. In addit~on to identifying these areas on the statutory maps, each I.D.0. or· Planning Scheme will need to contain clauses in its provisions relating to either Township Zones or Rural Residential Zones, as appropriate, to give effect to the following matters: (i) When considering applications for a specific type of development (e.g. a rural residential de~elopment in a rural residential zone) the Responsible Authority shall, wher·e the land capability rating for the area proposed for the development is Class 5, refuse to grant a permit unless the applicant can satisfy .the Responsible Authority, following consultation with the S.C.A., that the proposed development is so designed as to overcome . the severe environmental hazards presented by that land; (ii) When considering such an application within the appropriate zone where the land capability rating is either Class 3 or Class 4, the Responsible Autho rity shall obtain and consider a report from Soil Conservation Authority on the application; (iii) In addition, those matters which the Responsible Authority should have regard to in assessing applica tions for planning permits where the land capability rating is Class 3, Class 4 or Class 5, e.g. slope, drainage, erosion risk, etc. should be specified. Although it is not a specific requirement of the Strategy Plan, it should also be recognised that the Soil Conserva tion Authority's land capability ratings have the potential for application outside Township and Rural Residential Zones. The information that the. ratings provide should be used, where appropriate, to help in the consideration of any applications to erect dwellings or carry out other works on steep land in Rural Zones, or on land on old dune systems in the Southern Shores area, etc. so• li 63 31• MAP4 (example only) TAMBO DELTA AREA SPECIAL CONTROLS IMPLEMENTATION SE<.. ' A SWAN REACH P.R. 1018 I .·I II H 11 H ·I )" 50 0 50 100 METRES LAND CAPABILITY FOR RURAL SPECIAL LANDSCAPE FEATURES SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OR HISTORIC INTEREST /,\. Site of special.geological D Classes1&2 E] Major ridgelines \:/ interest FLOOD PRONE & POORLY [ill Classes 3 & 4 l1* l Significant lookout point DRAINED LAND Example only - [J Class5 ~ Significant view full extent of areas to be D defined by shire councils Nole For Key to Letter Symbols see table 1 Note Source Of Land Capability Oal•-··wS.C.A. 8 Scenic road Numbers on map refer to Schedules in 1.0.0 or Planning Scheme L ____i__ _J 73 8.4 Special The control of development in flood prone areas will in due Controls for course be adequately covered under powers vested in the Development State Rivers and Water Supply Commission by the Drainage of on Flood Land Act, 1975, to proclaim certain areas as "land liable Prone Areas to flooding". In the interim, however, until the S.R.W.S.C. have completed their statewi?e inv~stigations and commenced SP9.3 proclaiming flood prone areas in accordance with the legis lation, it is quite proper for any Responsible Authority to use powers available to it under the Third Schedule of the Town and Country Planning Act to regulate restrict or prohibit development on land that it considers to be floodprone. Where. a local planning authority identifies land that it considers to be flood prone or poorly drained to the extent that certain types of development would either by undesir able or necessitate the imposition of specific controls, it should include these areas on a Special Controls Map (or its main zoning map) pursuant to a corresponding clause under the Special Controls (or Zone Provisions) section of its Order or Scheme (se~ Map 3). The local authority should first satisfy itself that the use of the land in question could,without adequate controls, result in an unsatisfactory standard of development, i.e. that adequate sewage disposal would not be possible,that the area would be liable to isolation or inundation during floods, or that access would be likely to be damaged or disrupted during a flood, etc. In addition, where appropriate, the local authority should send such evidence as it has on the nature and extent of the flooding of these areas to the State Rivers an? Water Supply Commission with a request that they investigate the possible proclamation of the area as 'floodprone' pursuant to the provisions of the Drainage of Land Act. Outlined below are sample draft claus_es for Schemes or Interim Development Orders that provide for the control of . development in areas liable to flooding. The first of these examples would be appropriate to areas where there is a definite and demonstrated danger of flooding and where most forms of development, and especially residential deve lopment, would be inappropriate. The example would involve a zone being defined on the appropriate statutory map and the table to the appropriate clause in respect to the use and development of land within that zone could be as follows: Zone Purposes for which Purposes for Purposes land may be used which land may for which without the consent be developed land shall of the Responsible only wi.th the not be Authority consent of the used or Responsible developed. Authority Floodway Farmi~g, but not includ House, Buildings (Blue) ing construction of any Buildings and 1 other than building or the carrying Works ancillar~ those out of any works (other to farming. i specified in Col. 2 than fences) whether or i ~at.ancillary to farming ! u~~~>W.Q,rks and operations'. carried out by the SRWSC · for drainage and flood protection purposes. 74 The second example relates to a situation where a local authority may have identified land which, while subject to flooding, is not so seriously affected as to warrant inclusion in a specific zone, but which nonetheless warrants some form of special control. In these cases a clause should be included within the Special Provisions or Special Controls Section of the Scheme or Order, along the following lines: 1. For the purposes of this Clause, "Land liable to flooding", means land liable to flooding as specif i.ed on the Special Controls Map. 2. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Order, building or works shall not be constructed on land liable to flooding except with the consent of the Responsible Authority, and subject to such conditions as the Responsible Authority considers proper in order to prevent or reduce the concentrations or diversion of floodwaters or stormwaters. 3. In considering an application for consent for use or development on land liable to flooding, the Responsible Authority shall have regard to the views of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and in addition to all other considerations, pay particular attention to: (a) the importance of protecting health and safety, particularly where the use or development may involve the provision of services (water, sewerage, drainage, solid waste disposal, power, gas, access, communications) which could be damaged, made ineffective, or destroyed by flooding; (b) the location of proposed buildings or works in relation to the directionof flow, the bounda ries of the area liable to flooding, the depth of submergence, the effect on the available waterway, the possibility of the proposed building or works increasing velocities of flow to cause erosion, and the possibilities of increasing flood levels; (c) the stability of proposed buildings or works, including foundation requirements, water table levels, and protection of critical points from erosion or soil movement, e.g. slumping. 4. The floor level of any buildings and the level of services or appurtenant works constructed on land liable to flooding shall not be less than 300 milli metres ~bove the designated flood level. In areas where the Responsible Authority lacks reliable data on flooding, but believes that land may be subject to poor drainage, local sheet flooding, etc., it would be in the interests of the community to refer planning applications to the S.R.W.S.C. and S.C.A. for comment. 75 8.5 Special Those special landscape feat~es which are felt to make a Contr9ls for significant contribution to the overall landscape quality Areas with of the Lakes area are listed in Appendix 4 of this rep9rt. Special The Special Policies for Areas with Special Landscape Landscape Features require that these landscape features be clearly Features identified and recognised in detailed planning provisions. Implementation of this policy w.ill involve the following: SP9.5 (a) the identification of the landscape features of the Special Controls Maps forming part'of Planning Scheme or I.D.O. and their inclusion in a schedule to the ordinance; (b) the uses or development of land in the vicinity of these landscape features which will require the con.sent of the Responsible Authority should be specified, e.g. houses iri the vicinity of signifi cant views; (c) the matters which the Responsible Authority may take into account in dealing withapplications to use or develop land in the vicinity of these features should be outlined; (d) the broad types of controls the Responsible Authority may apply in dealing with applications to use or develop land in the vicinity of these features should be described. (Siting and layout guidelines of the types described in Chapter 3 of this report could be incorporated) . The following are examples of clauses which may be appropriate. "1. Areas and objects of natural beauty, interest and importance are specified on the Special Controls maps and listed in Schedule 1 to Clause 4 as either: (i) significant vegetation; (ii) significant look out point; (iii) signif.icant view; (iv) hill or ridgeline; (v) scenic road. 2. Where areas and objects specified under Clause 1.1 are proposed to be used or deve.loped for a purpose the Responsible Authority shall require, by way of additional information to the application, the submission of a site plan and a landscape plan. 3. Where areas and pbjects specified under Clause 1.1 are proposed to be used,developed or subdivided the Responsible Authority .shall ·J.n addition to all other considerations apply the following guidelines where appropriate: (a) In the case of Significant Vegetation: (i) A person shall not destroy or remove significant vegetation except with the consent of the Responsible Auth ority or in accordance with a notice given pursuant to the Forests Act 1958, the C.F.A. Act 1958 or the Local Government Act 1958 or as. a result of road works carried out by the Council under the Local Government Act; 76 I (ii) In considering applications for the I removal or destruction of significant vegetation, the Responsible Authority shall have regard to: (a) the value of the natural ve9~ta tion to be removed in respect to its physical condition, rarity or .. variety; (b) any alterative means of locating buildings and works in order to conserve the natural vegetation of the area; (c) the stability of the soil after the removal of the natural vegetation; (d) the effect on the fauna of the area after the removal of the natural vegetation; and (e) the protection and enhancement of the landscape. (b) In the case of Significant Lookout Points: The elements of the landscape which can be viewed from the significant lookout point (e.g. streamlines; areas of woodland; valleys; ridge lines and hill tops_) should be assessed to determine which features contribute to the quality of the view and which features could be adversely affected by development of an incompatible nature or scale. (c) In the case of Significant Views: The Responsible Authority should ensure that the height and bulk of any proposed building will not obscure or partially obscure the view. (d) In the case of Hills and Ridgelines: (i) the siting of buildings and works below the crest of a ridge or hill top can both afford a desired view from the building or work and reduce the visual prominence of the development; (ii) the careful siting of buildings and works in valleys winding back from .. the lakeshores can provide a lake view from the development, make the development less prominent when it ~ is viewed from the lakes and surr ounding area, and reduce the risk of erosion; (iii) the siting of buildings and works in elevated locations will often require landscaping to make the development less prominent when it is viewed from the lakes and surrounding area; .,,.:~"·.,.,.· ' .... : . 77 (iv) the Responsible Authority should not consent to the siting of buildings and works on hills and ridgelines which are part of a present or former dune system; (v) the Responsible Authority should not consent to development proposals i~ ridge and hilltop vicinities, which require the removal of significant amounts of vegetation. (e) In the case of Scenic Roads: (i) buildings and works should blend visually with roadside scenery; (ii) buildings and works should not obstruct views from scenic roads; (iii) roadside vegetation (on both road reserves and freehold land) should not be destroyed or removed, except with the consent of the Responsible Authority or in accordance with a notice given pursuant to the Forests Act 1958, the C.F.A. Act 1958 or the Local Government Act 1958; (iv) scenic roads should be ~aintained to prevent erosion and allow safe driving, but should not be required to be guttered and kerbed to urban standards; (v) the location of above ground utility service lines along the edges of scenic roads should be avoided. " \ area 8.6 Special The known sites of scientific interest in the Lakes ·controls for are documented· in Chapter 5 of this report, and local Sites of councils should be able, at their own discretion, to Special' document any other recognised features of historic Scientific interest within their Shires. The identification of both or Historic scientific and historic sites will be an on-going process, Interest and it will therefore probably be necessary to make minor amendments to I.D.O.s or Planning Schemes to SP9.6 recognise the significance of new sites as ·information becomes available. Implementation of the Special Policies for Areas of Special Scientific and Historic Interest requires that known sites be indicated on a Special Controls map (see Map 4). In addition, the I.D.O. or Planning Scheme should in the section detailing those special controls which apply to all .zones, contain clauses to the effect that the Responsible Authority shall, in its consideration of any proposed development on, adjacent to, or which may in some way affect any of these sites, ensure that the proposal includes adequate measures for their protection. ------=-.----.=----. 78 The Pl~~ning Scheme or Interim Deveiopm~nt Order sho~ld acknowledge , the~a significant features in the following ways: (a) ,they should be· clearly identified on the planning scheme map; (b) a schedule should be included listing the features of special scientific or historic significance ., which have been identified on the planning scheme map; (c) the matters which the Responsible Authority may take into account in dealing with applications to use or develop land in the vicinity of these features should be briefly outlined, e.g. a require ment to consult with the Ministry for Conservation might be appropriate in some cases; (d) the broad types of controls the Responsible Authority may apply in dealing with applications to use or develop land in the vicinity of these features should be briefly described. Actual examples of the way in which local planning controls can be drawn up or adapted to include measures for the protection of·particular sites, buildings or features are set out in the sample clauses below: "l. Buildings, j-lOrks, sites or objects of special architectural, historic or scientific interest are specified on the Special Controls Map and listed in Schedule 1 to Clause 1. 2. Notwithstanding anything in this Order, a person shall not: (a). construct without consent any building or work (other than a fence) ; (b) demolish, remove, alter, decorate, or deface without consent any building (other than a Designated Building)work, site or object, provi / ded that consent is not required for routine maintenance or repair of damage to any building; or (c) destroy, or remove without consent any natural vegetation on or adjacent to any b~ilding, work, site or object specified in Schedule 1 to Clause 1. 3. The Responsible Authority shall not determine to grant a permit for the Use or Development of any Allot ment on which is situated a Designated Building unless: (a) the Responsible Authority has referred a copy of the application for such Use or Development to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council and requested a report under Section 10(2). of the Historic Buildings Act 1974 on each application; (b) the Responsible Authority has considered any report of the Historic Buildings Preservation Council made in response to a request under para graph (a) of this clause and any other relevant report of such Council. 79 ·4. In considering an application for consent in respect of development on or·adjacent to· a building, work, site or object of architectural: historic or · scientific interest the Responsible Authority shall, in addition to all other considerations, give.parti cular attention to: (a) whether the proposed use or development will ~adversely affect the building, work, site or object of architectural, historic or-scientific interest, and where appropriate, what conditions might be proper to reduce the impact of the proposed use or development; (b) the desirability of requiring a buffer zone between the proposed use or development and the building, work, site or object; (c) the desirability of consultation with persons or bodies skilled in the assessment and manage ment of features of architectural, historic or scientific interest." The Schedule to be attached to Planning Scheme or I.D.O. with clauses of these types could either be a simple list of significant features or a tab~e of the type set out below: Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column ·41 Column 5 Column 6 Column 7 Description of Address or Notation SPECIFICATION: Designa- Reason Land or Name Location on Map Building, Architect- ted for or Building Work, ural, Hist- Building inclus- Site or oric or Yes/No ion in Object. Scientific Schedule Interest EXAMPLES: C .A. 3 Parish Greens A Sj.te Historic No Site of of Blackwood Lane Interest Designated Blackwood Building "The Manor" "The Manor" A Building Historic Yes Homestead Built in Homestead Greens Lane - Interest Black~ood 1845 Lot 6, lodged 24 Grey St. B Site :Scientific No Aborigin- ! Plan No. 1000 Brownville al Bu~ial Ground I 8.7 Special The Strategy Plan Special Policies for the Preservation of Controls for Water Quality include the following requirements: the Preserva that no discharge of treated or untreated domestic tion of Water sewage be permitted directly into the lakes; and Quality that particular care be taken in the siting of solid SP9.6 waste disposal sites adjacent to the lakes or their associated wetlands. l I 80 I Neither of the above policies readily lend themselves to direct inclusion into either'Interim Development Orders or Planning Schemes, but in both cases adequate control can be exercised under such existing legislatio~ as the Environment Protection Act and the Health Act in the case of the discharge of sewage wastes and the tipping of solid wastes and Section 25 of the Town and . . • 0 Country Planning Act where the local Responsible Authority proposes a new site for the dispos~1 of solid wastes. The main policy for the preservation of water quality that requires appropriate provisions to be made in local planning controls relates.to the establishment of Stream Protection Zones, or requirements for setback from waterways. These Stream Protection Zones or Waterways should be identified on the Special Controls Map and listed in a Schedule to the Planning Scheme or Interim Development Order, and clauses such as the following should be included: 111. For the purposes of this. clause"land adjacent to waterways" means land within 60 metres of the waterways specified on the Special Controls Maps. 2. Notwithstanding all other provisions of this Order on land adjacent to waterways: (a) the construction of buildings or works (other than a fence) is prohibited in order to protect the water quality of the waterways. Provided that where the Responsible Authority is satisfied that it is not able to otherwise comply with this provision, it may consent to buildings or works being located at a distance 0 not less than 30 metres, and S ubject to any other conditions the Responsible Authority may impose; (b) the removal of natural vegetation other than noxious weeds shall not be permitted within 30 metres of any waterway without the consent of the Responsible Authority. In determining whether to consent pursuant to this paragraph clause the Responsible Authority shall have regard to the · views of the Soil Conservation Authority. 3. In considering an application for consent in respect of land agjacent to waterways, the Responsible Authority shall, in addition to all other considera tions, give particular attention to: (a) the importance of the adjacent waterways to the , preservation of wildlife and fish and other marine life: (b) the effects of flooding and flood control measures; (c) the possibility and consequences of increased runof~ due to an increase in the extent of impervious surfaces; 81 (d) the desirability of requiring the subdivision to be provided with a system for the collection of surface water runoff and stormwater dischar ges, e.g. by the use of silt traps, settling basins, diffusion througq wetland areas; and (e) the maintenance of water quality in the adjacent waterway." • 8.8 Other Special The remaining policies for the preservation of water quality Policies relating to wastes, urban run-off and monitoring are not appropriate for inclusion into local statutory planning controls but are broad statements of 'intent' that will need to be pursued by the responsible local and state goverp. ment agencies to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect the water quality and the environs of the Gippsland Lakes. A P P E N D I C E S ·8.2 APPENDIX 1 TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1961: EXTRACT: THIRD SCHEDULE Extract from the Third Schedule to the Town and Country Planning Act 1961 relating to matters which may be provided for in Planning Schemes (and Interim Development Orders) in respect to policies for areas of Special Landscape, Historic or Scientific Interest: II 8 • The conservation and enhancement of buildings, works, objects and sites specified as being of architectural, historical or scientific interest by prohiting restricting or regulating the use or development of the land concerned or adjacent land and by prohibiting restricting or regulating the pulling down removal alteration decoration or defacement of any such building work site or object. SA. The conservation and enhancement of areas and objects specified as being of natural beauty or interest or of importance by prohibiting restricting or regulating the use or development of land in such areas and by prohibit ing restricting or regulating the destruction of bushland, trees,rock formations and other objects. BB. The conservation and enhancement of the character of an area specified as being of special significance by pro hibiting restricting or regulating the use or development of land in the area and by prohibiting rest?;icting or regulating the pulling down removal alteration decoration or defacement of any building work site or object in such area or by requiring buildings and works to harmonise in character and appearance with adjacent buildings or with the character of the area or (in the case of an area of historical interest) to conform to the former appear ance of the area at some specified period and for such purposes specifying the materials colours and finishes to be used in the external walls of buildings or in the external coverings of such walls. " APPENDIX 2 TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING------ACT 1961- EXTRACT PART lllB - HISTORIC BUILDINGS Designated Buildings Part lllB of the Act contains specific directions concerning particular Section 59D (within the meaning of the Historic Buildings Act 1974). In_ is relevant. is preparing a planning II ( 1) A responsible authority which scheme for any area in which there is a designated building within the meaning of the Historic Buildings Act 1974 shall in preparing the planning scheme be concerned to ensure as far as practicable the conservation and enhancement of the designated buildi_ng. (2) Where:- (a) a planning scheme has been prepared and submitted to the Minister with respect to any area in which there is a designated building within the meaning of the Historic Buildings Act 1974; or (b) a planning scheme is in force in an area in which there is a designated building within the meaning of the Historic Buildings Act 1974, and it is practicable by amendment of the scheme to provide for the conservation and enhancement of the designated building, the responsible authority shall prepare and submit to the Minister an amendment accordingly. 11 APPENDIX 3a: HISTORY OF LOCAL PLANNING CONTROLS IN THE GIPPSLAND LAKES AREA SCHEME APPROVAL TYPE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS COVERING STRATEGY PLAN AREA DATE SHIRE OF AVON INTERIM DEVELOPMENT 15.7.75 Township Zone, 2 Rural Res Township Zone: ORDER idential Zones, Rural Highway Hollands Landing Subdivision subject to consent. Zone, Forest Zone, Rural Zone, Rural Zone: uses subject to consent Balance of plan area. Minimum subdivision size specified. 16 ha. with provision for excision. Minimum setback from roads 18 m. AMENDMENT NO .1 24.12.75 Minimum subdivision size in that part of Rural Zone within plan area increased to 32 ha. Provisions for excision to 00 p10vide site for use or - ~ development that consent has has been obtained for. AMENDMENT NO. 2 3 .11. 76 Provision for subdivision of certain Grown allotments. AMENDMENT NO. 3 10. 5. 77 Provision for subdivision of certain crown allotments. AMENDMENT NO. 4 11.4.78 Provision for subdivision of certain crown allotments. * Note: The Shire of Tambe has administered planning control in Lakes Entrance since 1960 (IDO control) and the Shire of Tambe (Lakes Entrance) Planning Scheme was approved on 10.11.76. The Shire has also drawn up an Interim Development Order for the balance of the Shire outside the Strategy Plan a~ea which has been adopted by Council and lodged with the Town and Country Planning Board on 29.3.78. • ------·--· · · - --·---·-----·--·--·- ---···- ·- - -· ·-· ------·- · ··------·------APPENDIX 3a: (cont ' d ) SCHEME APPROVAL TYPE OF CONTROL PROVI SIONS COVE RING STRATEGY PLAN AREA DATE SHIRE OF BAIRNSDALE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT 28 .9. 71 2 Rural Zones, Township Rural A Zone: ORDER Zone. uses subjec t to consent Majority of area. Minimum subdivisi on size 10 are specified. acres (4 ha) with provision for excision. Minimum setback f.rom roads 60', from high water mark 132'. Rural B Zone: Along major roads and lake frontage, either side Mitchell River, Eagle Point - Paynesville, Banksia Peninsula. Township Zone: Newlands Arm Estate, Crown Township Raymond Island, Paynesville, Eagle Point, Nichols~n. Subdivision subject to consent. AMENDMENT NO. 1 29.10.75 Minimum subdivision size in Rural A and B Zones increased to 125 acres. AMENDMENT NO. 2 2.12.75 Metrication of measurements. AMENDMENT NO. 3 1.6. 76 House made a consent rather than permitted use in Rural A Zone and Township Zone. AMENDMENT NO. 4 14.9.76 Cluster House introduced as consent use within Township Zone. INTERIM DEVELOPMENT Exhibited Urban Zone, 5 Rural Zones, Urban Zone: ORDER 18 .5. 77- Forest Zone, Area of Special Paynesville, Eagle Point, Crown Township ~ymond 18.6.77 Significance. Uses subject Island, Nicholson, Newlands Arm Estate. S·.lbdivi to consent specified. sion subject to consent. Minimum setback from high water mark 40 m. Single storey restriction water frontage and roads. APPENDIX 3a: (cont!d) SCHEME APPROVAL TIPE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS CO"\lERING STRATEGY PLAN AREA DATE SHIRE OF BAIRNSDALE Rural A Zone: Majority of area. Minimum subdivision (cont'd) size 30 ha with provision for excision. 2ha minimum lot size for motels and camping areas . Minimum setback 100 m. from Bairnsdale-Paynesville Road, 50 m. from C.R.B. road, 40 m. from high water mark. Rural C Zone: Balance Raymond Island, escarpment McLeod Morass, Banksia Peninsula. Development density 1 house per 4 ha. with tenement provision for subdivision (as of 18.5.71). Minimum lot size 0.5 ha with provision for less to cater for existing or permitted use. Minimum setback from road and water frontage 40 m. Single storey restriction. 2 ha. minimum lot size for motels and camping areas. Rural D Zone: Victoria Road vicinity Forge Creek. Development density 1 house per 10 ha. with tenement provision for subdivision (as of 18.5.77). Minimum lot size 4 ha with provision for less to cater for existing or permitted use. Minimum setback from roads 40 m. Area of Special Significance: · Mitchell River Silt Jetties, eastern side McLeod Morass, escarpment above McLeod Morass,shores Lake Victoria east to Newlands Arm. General Provisions: Non-conforming uses; dwellings may be permitted on lots that do not meet the density provisions if they existed as separate holdings prior to 18.5.77. In dealing with subdivision applications a number of factors must be considered e.g. methods of waste disposal, fire risk, existing and possible future use 'of the land. • -- - ·- - ~· - ·------.--,_..------~------~- - ~ - ---~- ----c-- --=------~ -----, APPENDI X 3a: (con_t'.d) SCHEME APPROVAL TYPE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS COVERI NG ST RATE GY PLAN AREA DATE Note: Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, Restricted Residential Zone: Seaspray and the Crown Blue Horizons Estate , Newlands Arm Country Club Township of Raymond Island Estate. Subdivision subject to consent, develop are excluded from this I.D.0. ment subject to adequate services. Non-Urban Zone: Balance of plan area. Subdivision subject to consent - a development density policy of 1 house per 50 ha. operates. Areas of Special Significance: Southern shores of lakes, eastern shores Lake Wellington and northern shore Lake Victoria, Raymond Island, Mitchell River Silt Jetties, Eastern Shore of Lake King, mouth of Nicholson CXJ -..] River. REVOCATION NO. 1 18.5.77 Control revoked from: Policies referred to: Guidelines for the Planning of the Gippsland (a) C.A. 145, Parish of Lakes (Town and Country Planning Board - Bairnsdale October 1973): (Paynesville) • (b) c.A.6 Parish of - Gippsland Lakes Planning Scheme Development Giffard (Seaspray) ; Density Policy in Non-Urban Areas (Town and Country Planning Board, July 1974) (c) Shire of Rosedale, western extremity I.D.O. - Interim PoJicv Statement, Tarnbo River - south of Latrobe River Nungurner Area Gippsland Lakes Planning to Seaspray. Scheme (Town and Country Planning Board, April 1974) - Sta tement of Planning Policy No. 5 (Highway Areas). APPENDIX...-., ______3a: (cont'd)_- -- SCHEME APPROVAL TYPE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS COVERING STRATEGY PLAN AREA DATE GIPPSLAND LAKES PLANNING SCHEME INTERIM DEVELOPMENT ORDER (administered by Town and Country Planning Board) PARTS SHIRE OF 11.9. 73 'Blanket' ROSEDALE AND AVON AMENDMENT NO. 1 10.9.74 Re-wording clause relating to exemption (X) for public authorities (X) PARTS SHIRE OF 7.8.73 'Blanket' BAIRNSDALE AND TAMBO AMENDMENT NO. 1 10.9.74 Re-wording clause relating to exemption for public authorities GIPPSLAND LAKES 3.2.76 Urban Zone, 2 Rural Zones Urban Zone: PLANNING SCHEME Restricted Residential Metung, Nungurner, Loch Sport, Eagle Point, INTERIM DEVELOPMENT zone, Area of Special Nicholson, Johnsonville, Swan Reach. Subdivi ORDER Significance. Uses sion subject to consent. (SUPERSEDED THE s'tlbject to consent are Special Rural Zone: PREVIOUS 2 I.D.O.s) specified. Either side Mitchell River and Eagle Point Bay. (administered by Subdivision is prohibited. Town and Country Planning Board) APPENDIX 3a: (cont I cf.) SCHEME APP ROVAL TYPE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS COVERING STRATEGY PLAN AREA DATE $HIRE OF ROSEDALE Urban Zone: INTERIM DEVELOPMENT 13.11.62 Use and subdivision subject ORDER to permit - urban and rural Ocean Grange, The Barrier, Mosquito Point, Loch areas Sport, area between Lake Reeve and Ninety ~le Beach east of Seaspray. Rural Zone: Minimum subdivision size 10 acres with provision for excision. PLANNING SCHEME 1963 Exhibited 3 Rural zones, Residential Residential Zone: 3.3.71 - Zone, 2 Commercial Zones, Ocean Grange, Mosquito Point, The Barrier, Loch 3.6.71 3 Industrial Zones, Special Sport. Minimum subdivision sizes 5,750 sq. ft. Uses. 00 Rural C Zone: l.O Balance of Plan Area. Minimum subdivision size 10 acres (4 ha) with provision for excision. Minimum setback from roads 60 metres. AMENDMENT NO. 1 Exhibited Additional Rural Zone and Rural C Zone: 14.8.74 - Village Zone Southern shores lakes including ~cean Gran~e, 14.11.74 The Barrier, Mosquito Point. Minimum subdivision size 80 ha. Provision for excision providej Note: excised lot not less than 1 ha. Minimum setback Scheme approved from roads 20 m. for that part Rural C Zone: of Shire out Area south Lake Wellington, west L.V.W.S.B. side Strategy Dutson Downs, Minimum subdivision size 15 ha. Plan Area on Provision for excision provided excised lot not 21.12.76. less than 1 ha. Minimum setback from roads 20 m. Residential Zone: Minimum subdivision size 785 sq.m. 90 APPENDIX 3 b STATEMENTS OF PLANNING POLICY Section 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1961 as amended gives the Town and Country Planning Board the power to prepare a Statement of Planning Policy for any part of Victoria. Such a statement is concerned with Mbroad general planning to facilitate the co-ordination of planning throughout the State by all responsible authorities". Furthermore when the statement has been approved by the Governor in Council as Section SE states: "Every responsible authority shall in preparing or amending any planning scheme have due regard to any approved Statement of Planning Policy which affects its p lanning area." Statements of Planning Policy are generally applicable to the whole State and therefore to the Lakes area. EXTRACT : Statement of Planning Policy No. 5 - (Highway Areas) "l. This is a Statement of Planning Policy under Part 1 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1961. It applies to roads declared under the Country Roads Act 1958 to be State Highways, Freeways, Main Roads, Tourist~ Roads, and Forest Roads, to roads shown dS Main Roads in planning schemes, and to the areas through which they pass. (These roads are referred to in this Statement as Highways) . 2. It is planning policy that:- 2.1 The planning of highways and planning and control of land use and development in the areas through which they pass shall be co-ordinated and undertaken as an integrated operation. 2.2 Any new use or development of land in the vicinity of an existing or proposed highway shall be so planned and regulated as to avoid detriment to the levels of service, safety and amenity desirable for that highway in both the short and long term. 2.3 New highways shall be so located and designed as to minimize detriment to the environment and disruption of residential communities and their amenity. 2.4 The planning of highways and of areas in their vicinity shall be designed to achieve standards of visual amenity commensurate with the importance of the highway. " EXTRACT : Statement of Planning Policy No. 6 - (Land Use and Aerodromes) "l. This is a statement of Planning Policy under Part 1 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1961. It applies to the planning of land use in the vicinity of aerodromes. The aerodromes referred to are those owned and operated by the Government or licensed under the Air Navigation Regulations. 2. It is planning policy that: 2~1 All studies, planning and determinations regarding the location of new aero dromes and the expansion of existi ng aerodromes to meet the requirements of air transport shall take account of the present and prospective character, amenity, land use and development of any land considered for the purpose, and of surrounding areas. 2.2 The location of new aerodromes in areas of greater long term value to the community for other purposes shall be avoided. 2.3 The location of aerodromes, the growth they generate, the nature and limits of development in their vicinity and the surface transport system required to serve them shall be planned as an integrated operation. 91 2.4 In the planning of areas in the vicinity of aerodromes:- (a) any new use or development of land which would prejudice the safety or efficiency of the aerodromes shall be precluded; and (b) the detrimental effects arising from aircraft operations shall be taken into account in regulating and limiting the use and development of land • any .. 2.5 Any use or development of land, particularly on the surface approaches to aerodromes, shall be planned to ensure that visual amenity is consistent with the status of the aerodromes." Statement of Planning Policy No. 10 of Statement of Planning Policy No. 10 (Coastal Environments) is in the course preparation by the Board. It covers an area which extends generally to 5 kilometres inland from the high water mark of all of Victoria's coastline. The Statement seeks to affirm a number of fundamental and necessary principles for the wise planning and management of coastal environments, and to establish criteria by which local or regional objectives can be identified and proposals assessed. The Statement has been reviewed by the State Co-ordination Council and is by currently with the Minister for Planning for approval and subsequent adoption the Governor in Council. 92 APPENDIX 4: SPECIAL LANDSCAPE FEATURES OF THE GIPPSLAND LAKE S AREA SHIRE FEATURE LOCATION AVON Significant Look-out Lake views from Strathfieldsaye area Point " " II Lake views from hillocks east of Roseneath Point " " II Lake views from hillocks north-west of Victoria Lagoon Hills & Ridgelines North of Strathtieldsaye homestead on Roseneath Peninsula, east of Roseneath Point Scenic Road Strathfieldsaye Road BAIRNS DALE Significant Look-Out Lake views from east of Blond Bay Point " " " Lake and inland views from hills at Waddy Point " " II Lake and inland views from nill at Storm Point " " " Lake views from Newlands Drive, approxi mately lOOm south of Bairnsdale/ Paynesville Road " " " Extensive views to the lakes and inland from Eagle Point Bluff " " " Extensive views to the lakes and inland from ridgelines west of McLeod Morass Significant View Across Eagle Point Bay and the Mitchell River Silt Jetties from Bairnsdale/ Paynesville Road, east of Bay Road Hills & Ridgelines Bengworden Crown Township to Mason Bay " " East of Blond Bay II II Lake shoreline from Duck Arm to Butler Point II " South from Bairnsdale, west of McLeod r:torass Scenic Road Access road to Wattle Point II " Lake Victoria Road II " Birrells Road II II Forge Creek Road " " Bairnsdale/ Paynesville Road between McLeod Morass and Mitchell River ROSEDALE Significant Look-Out Extensive views to north from Johnson's Point Road, approximately 1.3 km south of Dutson Downs Road APPENDIX 4: (cont'd) 93 SHIRE FEATURE LOCATION Uuuuyli Hills & Ridgelines Extending tram ueadman 's Hill Colliers Hill II II Extending east from Seaspray along northern shore of Lake Reeve II II Ninety Mile Beach dunes II II Waverley Pt vicinity II II Boole Poole Peninsula, south-west of Point Best II II North-west shore of Bunga Arm II II Boole Poole Peninsula, south east of Purran Corner Tambo Bluff TAMBO Significant Look-Out Extensive lake views from Point II II II Extensive views to the lakes and inland fr-om Metung Hill II II II Views to the lakes and inland from the hill 0.5 km south-west of Metung Road/ Nungurner Road intersection II II II Views across the Tambo River and beyond from Metung Road appro.ximately 1.5 km north of Punt Road intersection II II II Views across the Tambo River and beyond from Rosherville Road approximately 1 km from Metung Road intersection II II II Views across the valley and creek to the lakes and ocean from the Nungurner Primary School vicinity II II Views to the lakes and ocean from the vicinity of the Loop and Kleini tz Road intersection Nungurner II II II Views to the west across the Tambo River flood plain and beyond from the vicinity of the transmitter on Cornwalls Road II II II Extensive lake views from the junction of Kalimna west and Nyerimilang Roads II II II Extensive views across Lake Tyers from the Toorloo Arm area Significant Views Views to the north west from the vicinity of the Mill Point Road/Kent Road inter section II II Views across Lake Tyers from th~ vicinity of Mill Point Road the significant lookout point in the Toorloo Arm area. II II Views to the south-east down a valley from the Princes Highway approximately 0.5 km north of the junction with Lake Tyers Road II II Views to the south-east from Baades Road, approximately 1 km south of junction with Scriveners Road APPENDIX 4: (cont'd) 94 SHIRE FEATURE LOCATION Significant Views Views to the south-west from Rick.mans Road approximately 2.8 km south of junction with Scriveners Road " " Views across a valley to the north from Hunters Land approximately 1.6 km from junction with Princes Highway " " Views to the north from Princes Highway 0.5-1 km east of Fergusons Road " " Views to the south-east and south-west from Princes Highway/Fergusons Road intersection " II Views to the west from the Nungurner Road/ Princes Highway intersection " " Views to the north-east from Fergusons Road, 0.5 km from junction with Metung Road . " II Lake views to the south-west from Nyerim ilang Road, 0.75 km south of junction with Kalimna West Road " " Views to the south from Kalimna West/ Prestons Road intersection II II Views to the West from Nungurner Road, midway between Fergusons Road and Kalimna West Road " II Extensive lake views to the south-west from a number of points along Nungurner Road south of Nungurner Primary School " " Views to Chinaman's Creek from Gilsenan's Road " II Views across a valley to the south from Cantriils Road/Rosherville Road intersection " II Views to the north-east across the Tambo River floodplain from Punt Road in the vicinity of Normans Road intersection " " Views to west across Tambo River flood plain from Punt Road approximately 1.5 km south of where the road terminates at the Tambo River south of Johnsonville " II Views south to the lakes from Princes Highway approximately 50-100 km east of Punt Road Hills & Ridgelines Many hills and ridgelines east of Tambo Delta through to Toorloo Arm-see Map 2 in Strategy Plan. Scenic Road Mill Point Road " " Swan Reach - Metung Road " " Nungurner Road II " Kalimna West Road " " Fergusons Road " II Loop Road, Nungurner 95 APPENDIX 4: (_cont'd) SHIRE FEATURE LOCATION Scenic Road Cornwalls Road .. II II Scriveners Road II II Rickmans Road II II Baades Road II II Colquhoun Road HE I GET COMl-'.0.V S~BCIES CO!·lf.tON SPECIES 3.~:Jl!~ ~OCA.TION CO!ffNAN'r'S DOIUNANTS (M) IN $HRUB LAYBR IN FIELD LAYER Sh~l : ::: re~ gul.Iies B.2ackbutt Peppermint 10-15 P1· i cJ:ly C::rrant Eush l Sheltered gullies B3stard Eurabbie 30-40 Hazel Pamaderris Mother Shie l d Fer~ 2. .30. .sr:~.,_-.:J. E:.nab:;,ie anc s2:>_r.;e:; f~om (E. pse~dQglobulus) (Pomaderris a.spera) (Poly s tic~um pr oliferum) ( :::. i...a.ke 'l'yers t.:; .dlue 3ox Blanket Le af Cor.11T1on Grour.d Fer m _::; s.:=>J:!aglcb;,;,l;;,s) Metu.-:q (E. b.>.uerana} (Eedfordia salicina) (Culcita du bia) Peppermint Gum :-rusk Daisy-Br.;s.IJ Forest Staz-.,;ort (E. elataj (Clearia argop.'!Jylla) (Stellaria flaccida) Sno~.ry Daisy-Bush (Oleari::.. lirata) 3. :,:;·,f.-:c S::.ri.--:qybar.< Toorloo Arm Are:a. White stringybark 25-JO Blar.k ;-1..ittlc Til Bracken White Stringybark 20-25 Black She-Oak s. White Stringybark - Between Lakes (Casurarina littoralis) (Pteridium esculentum) (E. globoidea) Gippsland Grey Box Entrance and Tambo Burgan Wallaby Grass Species G.ippsland Grey Gox (E. globoidea - River (Leptospermum (Danthonia species) (E. bosistoana) E. bosistoana) phylicoides) Weeping Grass Red Iron Bark Black Wattle (Microlaena stipoides) (E. sideroxylon) (Acacia mearnsii) Common Raspwort Shiny Cassinia · (Haloragis tetragyna) (Cassinia lohgifolia) Various pennyworts Tree Everlasting (Hydrocotyle species) (Helichrysum dendroideumJ Thatch Saw Edge Kurrajon; (Ghania radula) (Brachychiton populneus - very rare) Bracken White Stringybark 20 Lightwood (Rare) G. White Stringybark Mitchell to Perry (Acacia implexa) (Pteridium esculentwn) (E. globoidea) River (E. globoidea) Thatch Saw Edge Yertchuk (Rare) Black r·lat.tle (Acacia mearnsii) (Ghania radula) (E. consideniana) Common Raspwort Red Box (Haloraqis tetragyna; (E. polyanthemos) . Common Heath (Epacris impressa) Sword-sedge (Lepidosperma laterale) Weeping Gras.;; (Microlaena stipoides) Ivy Leaf Violet (Viola hederacea) 7. Gipfsland Grey Box Edge of La.Ice Tyers, Gippsland Grey Box 20-25 Snowy Daisy-Bush Grasses (E. bosistoa!la) in patches west to {E. bosistoana) (Olearia lirata) {Poa siebei:ana) Tambo River Blue Box Tree Everlasting Wallaby grass species (E. bauerana) (Helichrysum dendroideum)(Danthonia species) Red Box Akeake Kangaroo Grass (E. polyanthemos) {Dodonaea viscosa) (Themeda australis) Bush.~an's Bootlace Various pennyworts (Pimelea axiflora) (Hsdrocotyle species) 8. Southern Mahogany Boole Poole Sout.~ern Mahoga.•y 15 Black Wattle Bracken (E. botrgoides) ?~ni!lsula, south (E. botryoides) (Acacia mearnsii) (Pteridium esculentum) side or Sperm S1inshine Wattle Honey-pots f'lhale Head ., (A. botrycophala) (Acrotiche serrulata) Saw Banksia Common Heatli (Banksia serrata) (Epacris impressa) Tree Broom-Heath Blady Grass (Monotoca elliptica) (Imperata cylindrica) Co;nmon Raspwort (Haloragis tetragynai Kidney-~!eed (Dichond::::a repens) Various penn:,·worts (Hydr.ocotyle species) Orchids D. Fo.t:est R.:d Gu111 Nicholso.'1 R.iver to Forest Red Gum 20 Black She-oak Thatch Saw-edge (E. teriticornis) ~1estern boundary (E. teritico:::nis) (Cas:iarina littoralis) (Ghania zadulaj Gippsland Grey Box Drooping She-oak Kangaroo Gras.s (E. bosistoana) (Casuarina stricta) (Themeda australia) Black Wattle Spear grass species (Acacia mearnsii) (Stipa species) Lightwood Wallaby grass species (Acacia implexa) (Danthonia species) Burgan Rush species (Leptosperm~~ phylicoides)(Juncus species) Rock Fern (Cheilanthes tenuifolia} • 10. Yertchuk Sand ~hac ts west Ye .::-tchuk 10-15 Burgan Bl'acken (E. consiieniana) of ?t~r1 y River (E. consideniar.a) ( Lept·Jspermum phylicoides) ( Pter idi um esculent1..m) Lig.'ith'OOd Penny•..iG.Ct (Acacia implexa) (Hydrocotyle ) $aw Banksia Sand Hill Sword-edge (Danksia serrata) (Lepidosperma concavum) Honey-po ts (Acrotiche serrulata) 11. Na.=r.::m-leaved Fa= we stern sand Narrow leaved Peppermint 15-20 Bur9·an Bracken Peppe~:r:int sheets (E. radiata) (Leptospermu:n phylicoides) ( Ptc.ricium esculentum) (E. radiata) Ma!'.na Cum Lightwood Honey-pots (E. viminalis) (Acacia implexa) (Acrotiche serrulata) But But Common Hec;th (E. bridgesiana) (Epacri& irnpressa) Pennyt-1or';;s (Hydroc:otyle) 2'1-:atch saw-edge (C.'iania zadula) Sand Hill Sword-edge (Lepido;:;pernw. concav im) fvGOJ:LAND TO O?SN ~!est from .Mitchell Silver Leaf Stringy Bark 5-15 Silver Banksia Thatch Sa;,;-edge (E. cine.cea) ( Banksia. marg.inata) (Ch.wia z:adul a) 12. .:5iJ.··./·E! .J.... ~eaf ~tr ingy But But Black She-oak Cor..r.:on Scalt:-rush Bark - Eut Bu~ - (E. br.iogesfar.a) (Casuarina littoralis) (Lepyi·odia muel.lcsi) St•12~p Gt:.7? S~1amp 9·un: Swamp Paperbaz:k K.;;.ngaruo Gress ( E·. c i:Je re,z - (E. ovata) (Malaleuca er.icifolia) (Themeda australia) E. hriaqesiana. - Narrow Leaved Peppermint Prickly Tea-tree Spiny-headed Mat-rush E. ovata) (E, radiatai (Leptospermum (Lomarid!'a longifolia.' jtiaiperi.'lum) E;:ect Guinea !"lower Burg~n (Hibber~ia stricta) ( L·eptospe.rmum phylicoides)Yellow Kunz ea Cz:imson Bottlebrush (Kunzea muellerij (Callistemon citrinusj Grasses ( Poa sieberai1a) i:;. Manna Gum wattle Point ana sand Nanna Gum 5-15 Black ffattle Bracken (E. vir:.inalis) sheets west of Sperm (E. viminalis) (Acacia mearnsii) (Pteridium esculentum) Y.'J;ale i!ead Sat-1 Banksia Sand Hill Sword-edga (Bai:ksia serrata) (Lepidosperma concav~~) 'Yellow Box Blady Grass only in (E. r:zelliodora) (Imperata cylindrica) west Narrow Leaved Peppermint Common 1'lotus f(E. radiata (Aotus ericoidesj Daphne Heath (Brachyloma daphoides) Hairy Pennyw·ort (Hydrocotyle hirta) .. Kidney-weed {Dichondra repends) Ivy -leaf Violet (Viola hederacea) 14. Shiny !,hc:ets west Shiny I.eaved Peppermint 2-10 Ribbed Thriptomene Heath Tea Tree Peppermint of Sperm f-ihale (E. nitida) (Thriptomene micrantha) (Leptospermt1m myrsinoides) (E. nit.ida) Head and Wattle Saw Banksia Austral Grass Tree Fringe myrtle l'cint (Banksia serrata) (Xanthorrohea australis) (Calytrix tetragona) Dwarf 5lie-oak I-' (Casuarina pusilla) 0 .5il1;12r Banks.ia 0 {Banksia marg.inata) Thick Twist Rush {Causti.s pentandra) Gu .inea Flotver species (Iiibbertia species) Beard Heath species { Leucopogon specie.".:) Pine Heath (Astroloma pinifolium) Tassel Rope Rush (Hypolaena fastigiata) Broom Spurge (Amperea xiphoclada) i5. Saw Banksia Sand siieets west Saw Banksia 10-15 Blackwood Daphne Heath (Banksia serrata) of Wattle Point (B. ser.rata) (Acacia melanoxylon) (Brachyloma daphnoides) :1ar.na Gum Bracken ( E. vi:ninalis) (Pter.idium esc:uler;ti:.rr.) Sand Hill Sword-edge (Lepidosperma concavum) Common Raspwort (Haloragis tetragyna) Pennywort species (Hydrocotyle species) 16. Coast Banksia Behind f oredune Coast Banksia 10-15 Sallow Wattle Bracken (Ba!iksia along Ninety Mile (Banksia integrifolia) (Acacia longifolia) (Pteridium esculentum) integrifoli~) Beach Drooping She-oak Black Wattle Blady Grass (Casuarina stricta) (Acacia mearnsii) (Imperata cylindrica) (Manna Gum Sv1amp Paperbark Sand Hill S;rord-edge f.rE. viminalis) ( /olalaleuca ericifolia) ( Leptosperma concavu:n) 'Scathern Mahogany Gum Coast Tea-tree Spiny-headed Mat-rush Rare ( E. botryo.ities) (Leptospermum laevigatum)(Lomandra longifolia) Forest Red Gum Spinach species l(E. teriticornis) (Tetragoma species) 17. Scrub Cleared areas Black ~lattl:: 2-10 Thatch Saw-edge (Acacia mearnsii) (Ghania radula) Burga12 Shade tolerant plants (Leptospermum phylicoides) Swamp Paperbark (Malaleuca ericifolia) 18. sw~~P Paperbark Low lying areas Swamp Paperbark o.s-s Club-rush species - Coast:al Scrub around the Lakes (Malaleuca ericifolia) (Scirpus species) (Malaleuca a.~d in wet places Tall sedge er.icifolia) in the hinterland (Carex appressaj Corrmon Reed (Ph1:agmites communis) Large Bindwood (Calystegia sepium) Coast BeaL·d-Eeat:h Seuberry Saltbush .:iild western Coast 2'ea-tree 1-5 19. i"orc:dur,e Veqet:ation ForedurJes (Rhagodia baccata) pact of Sperm Whale (Leptospecmum laevigatum) (Leucopogon parvif1.orus) Sea-box Head Drooping She-oak Coast Everlasting (Casuarina strict:a) (Helichrysum paralium) (Alyxia buxifolia) Sallow Wattle Coast Daisy-bush Cushion-bush (Acacia longifolia) (Oleariaaxillaris) (Calocepha. lus bro~mii) Coast Sword-edge (Lepidosperma gladia~um) Knobby Club-rush (Scizpus nodosus) Pig-·face species (Carpobrotus species) Kidney Weed ., ( Dichon:J.ra repens j Spinach species (Tetragonia species) Grasses 0.5 Common Rasp~1or t 3et:1;een foredune (I!aloraqis tetragyna) and L~ke Reeve (Poa poiformis) Bush-pea T~1ig Rush (Buamea juncea) (Pultenaea Subu~bellate) 20. Tusso=k Gr~ssland 1/ar ious penny1>·orts - Poa Coarse Twine - rush {Leptocarpus browniii (Hydrocotylc spec.ies) Selliera (Seiliez·ia radicar.s) 5piny-r.e-::ded •'lat-rush {Lom~ndra lcnqifclia) Knobby Club-rush 11-'ester."1 morass Common RE.ed 1-2 21. C~osed C::ass1a..'1d (Scizpus maritimus) areas, discontinuous {Phragff.ites corr.munis) ( Ph;:aqn.i tes Large Bindwood cc;;:m~nis) o;; ed-;e of lakes Leafy Twig-rush (Cladium procerum) {Calystegia seprum) (Baumea articulata) Bullrush species (Typhi'I spe..:ies) ,. 22. Tussock SP.dge or Saline ground Sea Rush 1-1.S Creeping Brookweed Rt,shland a.co:md 't..<'le lakes (J>.incus ma:ritimusj (Samolus repens) Coast Saw-edge Beaded Glassivoi:t {Galmia trifida) ( Salicoriiia qinqur:flora) Chaffy Saw-edge Thick-head Glasst.·o:::t (Ca.'mia filum) (Siilicornia bla::kiana) Sou-chern Sea-heath (Frankenia pauciflora) Streaked Arrowgrass (Triglochin striata) 23 . 'J.'ur;scck Ru~-.110.nd ,"1cLeod Norass Giant: Rush 1-3 Pondweed species (Juncus i:Jgens) (Potamogeton species) ( ,7'.lncus in.gens) Water ribbons (Triglochin procera) 24. Closec Sedgeland Wet depressions in Pithy St~ord-edge 0.5-l Rare: Swamp Paperbark Goode~ia species the country v1est of (Lepidosperme (Malaleuca ericifolia) (Goodenia speciesj the !-iitchcll Ri·.rer longitudinale) Crimson Bottlebrush Bush-pea Common Scale Rush (Callistemcn citrinus) (Pultenaea subumbcllata) (Lepyrocra muelleri) Creeping Rasp;mrt Zig Zag Bog Rush (Haloragis mi::rantha; (Schoenus b:::evifolius) Corr 25. Herb./ield - Saline g!·o;md E~a3ed Glasswort o.s Cavanillc::s I-' 0 3.::licorni.a arour.d t.~e lakes (Salicorr.ia (Selleria radicans ) w (Glass;vor-cs) quinqueflora) Austral Seablite Trailing Hemich:::oa (Suaeda mariLima) (Hemichroa pentandra) Streakea Arrc1-1grass (Triglcchin striata) Creeping Brook'deeC. (Samolus rependsj Creeping Monkey Flower (Mimulu.s repen:;) Grey Glass-,.,ozt (Arthrocnemum halocnemoides) .APPENTIIX 6: MAMMALS & BIRD SPECIES OCCURRENCE BY HABITAT TYPE MAMMAL SPECIES HABITAT TYPE COMMENTS Key: P = Probably - The tables does not purport to indicate the U c: Uncommon abundance of species. However, where R ""' Rarely reliable information on abundance is known + = Species currently it has been recorded. known in at least (/) parts of t his 0 - An asterisk denotes introduced species. habitat type. § Echidna + + + + Commoner in drier areas Platypus + Probably common Twan + + Rare in Gippsland area Brown Antechinus + + Abundant Swainsons Antechinus + + Less common, restricted to moist areas Unusual colour variant reported near Lakes Entrance Short-nosed Bandicoot + + Mostly coastal in this part of Victoria Long-nosed Bandicoot + + Quite common particularly near coast-Lakes area Wombat + p Common Koala + + Bush tailed Possum + + + + Very common Common Ring-tailed Possom + u + + Common particularly in coastal areas . Sugar Glider + + + Widespread but uncommon Yellow-bellied Glider + Widespread but uncommon to rare. • APPENDIX 6 (contd. ) MAMMAL SPECIES HABITAT TYPE Key: P = Probably U = Uncommon COMMENTS R = Rarely + 2 Species currently tr.I known in at least 0 parts of this habitat § t-vnf'> Greater Glider + Uncommon to Common (Dry Wet) Feather-tailed Glider + + Eastern Pigmy Possum + + Appears not uncolDI:lon in coastal Banksi~ Potoroo + + Only around Lakes-Nungurner,Lake Tyers, Lake Bunga Eastern Grey Kangaroo + + + + Commoner in open grassy forest areas ...... R Not as common as Eastern Grey Kangaroo 0 Red-necked Wallaby + + + U1 Black Wallaby + u u Common Little Bat + + + Probably common Gould's Wattle Bat + + + Probably common Greater long-eared Bat + + + Status uncertain Lesser Long-eared Bat + + + Status uncertain Bush Rat + + Abundant *Black Rat Probably not uncommon in agricultural & urban areas Swamp Rat + Can be abundant in some heathlands New Holland Mouse + Rare Smokey Mouse + Primitive rodent. Eastern Water Rat + Appears rare in Gippsland area Dingo + Status uncertain *Fox Widespread APPENDIX 6 ., (cont'd. ) MAMMAL SPECIES HABITAT TYPE ~ 0 Key: P =Probably ~ 0 0 ~ u Uncommon 0 > ~ = ~ C/l H R = Rarely COMMENTS + = Species currentl' ~ ~ §~ known in at leas1 C/l i ~ i 0 parts of this 1-3 habitat type. § ~ Probably a few feral animals surviving in *Ferret I agricultural land *Cat Status unknown but suspected common and widespread *Hog Deer + + Population important as species is threatened in its natural range in Sri Lanka *Sam.bar Deer - + • - "' a • . . l APPENDIX 6 {cont'd.) HABITAT TYPE :e:: 0 Key: M = Migratory ~ 0 0 ~ 0 > ~ ~ m H ~ ~ e~ ; m ~ ~ 0 b~ BIRD SPECIES 8 § Emu + Hoary headed Grebe + Little Grebe + Little Penguin Coastal Shoreline areas Wandering Albatross Coastal Shoreline areas Black Brewed Albatross Coastal Shoreline areas ..... Yellow-nosed Albatross Coastal Shoreline areas 0 ~ White-capped Albatross Coastal Shoreline areas Southern Giant Petrel Coastal Shoreline areas Cape Petrel Coastal Shoreline areas Mottled Petrel Coastal Shoreline areas Medium-billed Prion Coastal Shoreline areas Broad-billed Prion Coastal Shoreline areas I Slender-billed Prion I I Coastal Shoreline areas Fairy Prion I Coastal Shoreline areas I Sooty Shea.rwater Coastal Shoreline areas I Short-tailed Shearwater Coastal Shoreline areas Wilson 's Storm Petrel Coastal Shoreline areas White-faced Storm Pet rel Coastal Shoreline areas I I APPENDIX 6 (conttl.) HABITAT TYPE 0 M ~ ~ 0 ~ Key: = Migratory 0 ti>- ~ Cf) §~ COMMENTS ::5 ~ Ul i ~ ~ 0 BIRD SPECIES 1-3 § I Common Diving Petrel Coastal Shoreline Areas Australian Pelican + Coastal Shoreline Areas Australian Gannet Coastal Shoreline Areas Australian Darter + Rare in Gippsland Area Black-faced Cormorant + Mainly offshore occasionally on lakes near coast Pied Cormorant + Little Pied Cormorant + + Dams and irrigation channels Black Cormorant + Little Black Cormorant + + Irrigation channels and waterways White-necked Heron + + White-faced Heron + + Cattle Egret + + Large Egret + Little Egret + Rare in Gippsland area Plumed Egret Very f ew records Reef Heron Very few records Nankeen Night Heron + Little Bittern + Rare in Gippsland area Brown Bittern + Extensive reed beds Glossy Ibis + Rare in Gippsland area APPENDIX 6 (cont'd.) HABITAT TYPE 0 Key: M = Migratory ~ ;§ 0 ~ 0 > ~ ~ tf.l COMMENTS ~ ~ §~ (/) ~ i 0 I BIRD SPECIES t-3 § ~ White Ibis + + Extensive reed beds and scrub swamps for breeding Straw-necked Ibis + + Extensive reed beds and scrub swamps for breeding Royal Spoonbill + Extensive reed beds and scrub swamps for breeding Yellow-billed Spoonbill + + Occasionally along channels and farm dams ' Plumes Tree Duck + Rare in Gippsland area Black Swan + + Pasture near channels, billabongs and large farm dams Freckled Duck + Rare in Gippsland area Mountain Duck + + Breeds in tree hollows well away from wateI Farm dams Black Duck + + *Mallard + Rare Grey Teal + Chestnut Teal + Shoveller + Pink-eared Duck + White-eyed Duck + Wood Duck + + Nests in tree hollows away from water. Most often about farm dams rather than large swamps Blue-billed Duck + Rare in Gippsland ar~a APPENDIX 6 (contd.) HABITAT TYPE CJ Key: M Migratory ~ C5 ~ = 0 ~ ~ Ul COMMENTS ~ ~ §~ Ul I ~ 0 t-3~ BIRD SPECIES ~ ~ Musk Duck + Osprey + Coastal Shoreline areas Black-shouldered Kite + + Whistling Kite + + + Brown Goshawk + + Collared Sparrowhawk + ..... White-breasted Sea + + Nests in isolated areas of bushland about the ..... Eagle lakes 0 Wedge-tailed Eagle + + Little Eagle + + Spotted Harrier + + Swamp Harrier + + Nests in swamps Black Falcon + Peregrine Falcon + I + Little Falcon + + I Brown Falcon + + + Nankeen Kestrel + + Stubble Quail + + Brown Quail + + + • APPENDIX 6 (9_9I1t'd.· ) HABITAT TYPE 0 Key: M = Migratory ~ ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ Ul COMMENTS ~ §~ Ul i i 0 I BIRD SPECIES t-3 § ~ Painted Button Quail + Land Rail + + Water Rail + Marsh Crake + Spotted Crake + Dusky Moorhen + + Pasture near water Eastern Swamphen + + Pasture near water Coot + + Pasture very close to water Painted Snipe + Rare in Gippsland area Pied Oyster-catcher + Coastal Sooty Oyster-catcher + Coastal Masked Plover + + Banded Plover + Eastern Golden Plover +M Tidal flats, salt pans, shallows and shores of salt lakes Grey Plover I +M Tidal flats, salt pans, shallows and shores of salt lakes Red-Kneed Dotterel + Hooded Dotterel + Rare in Gippsland area. Mainly ocean beaches Double-banded Dotterel +M Tidal flats, etc. Red-capped Dotterel + ~ENDIX 6_ ( c eir ~ L. ) I HABITAT TYPE ~ 0 Key: M = Migratory ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ COMMENTS ~ §i ; CJ) i 0 i BIRD SPECIE'S 1-3 § ~ Black-fronted Dottered + Freshwater areas Pied Stilt + Turnstone +M Eastern Curlew +M Tidal flats, etc. Whimbrel +M Tidal Flats, etc. Wood Sandpiper +M Tidal flats, etc. Rare in Gippsland area ...... Grey-tailed Tattler +M rv Common Sandpiper +M Japanese Snipe I +M + Rank vegetation usually near water or slightly boggy Greensha.nk +M Tidal flats, etc. Black~tailed Godwit +M Tidal flats, etc. Rare in study area Bar-tailed Godwit +M Knot +M Great Knot I +M Rare in Gippsland area Sharp-tailed Sandpiper +M Red-necked Stint I +M Tidal flats, etc. Curlew Sandpiper +M Tidal flats, etc. Southern Skua + Coastal shoreline areas Arctic Skua + Silver Gull + + Mainly near coast Pacific Gull + Coastal ,. ... . ' .. • ---- ·------A ' ... . ~ ' APPENDIX6 · (con~~·) HABITAT TYPE 0 Key: M Migratory i:a ~ 0 @ = 0 > ~ ~ Ul COMMENTS § §~ ~ ~ Ul ; Ul BIRI) SPECIES ~ 0 8 § ~ Whiskered Tern + White-winged Black Tern +M Gull-billed Tern + Rare in study area Caspian Tern + Coastal and throughout lakes Common Tern +M Whi te-fronted Tern +M Mainly coastal Nests on ocean beaches easily disturbed and t-' Little Tern +M t-' nest destroyed by holiday-makers w Fairy Tern + Rare in Gippsla.~d area Crested Tern + Mainly coastal Domestic Pigeon (Rock Mainly urban areas Dove) ' *Spotted Dove + + + Common Bronzewing + + Green Bronzewing + + Wonga Pigeon + Yellow-tailed Black + + Cockatoo Gang Gang Cockatoo + Gal ah + + + + + Sulphur-crested Cockatoo . Rainbow Lorikeet + APPENDIX 6 (_cont' HABITAT TYPE ~ 0 Key: M - Migratory ~ 0 0 ~ ~ 0 :i:--m COMMENTS ~ ~ §~ ~ m i m ~ 0 8 BIRD SPECIES § I Musk Lorikeet + + Purple-crowned Lorikeet + + Little Lorikeet + + Swamp Parrot (Ground Parrot) + Swift Parrot + Crimson Rosella + Eastern Rosella + I-' ...... Red-rumped Parrot + ~ Blue-winged Parrot + + Pallid Cuckoo + + Fantailed Cuckoo + + + Rufous-tailed Bronze Cuckoo + + + Golden Bronze Cuckoo + Powerful Owl + Spotted Owl + + Barn Owl + + Masked Owl + Rare in Gippsland area Tawny Frogmouth + + Owlet-Night Jar + + White-throated Night Jar + Spine-tailed Swift + + + APPENDIX 6 (contd.) HABITAT TYPE M = Migratory ~ 0 Key: ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ :::0 ge t::l ti) COMMENTS ~ § ~ §~ ~ ti) ti) I ti) 0 BIRD SPECIES 8 § ~ Fork-tailed Swift + Azure Kingfisher + Kookaburra + + + Sacred Kingfisher + + + Rainbow Bee-eater + Dollarbird + Restricted to woodland adjacent to major rivers Superb Lyrebird + ' Singi ng Bushlark + I Conunon Skylark + + Welcome Swallow + + Tree Martin + Fairy Martin + ! Richaros Pipit + + Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike + + White-bel .lied Cuckoo-shrike + + White-winged Triller + Scaly Thrush - Aust. + I Ground Thrush l Common Blackb.i rd + + ' APPENDIX 6 ~ ~~~~·~. ) HABITAT TYPE 0 =E: 0 ~ ltj 0 0 ~ Key: M = Migratory 0 ~ 8 ~ ~ t;j Ul COMMENTS ~ § §~ § ~ Ul &: Ul Ul Ul 0 8 ~ BIRD SPECIES § ~ Song Thrush Usually only folL~d in urban environments Rose Robin + Flame Robin + Scarlet Robin + Hooded Robin + + Eastern Yellow Robin + + + Jacky Winter + + + Crested Shrike Tit + + Olive Whistler + Golden Whistler + + Rufous Whistler + + Grey Shrike-.Thrush + + Leaden Flycatcher + + Latin Flycatcher + R- ~ stless Flycatcher + Grey Fantail + + + Willy Wagtail + + Eastern Whipbird + Spotted Quail-Thrush + • APPENDIX 6 ( con-ed. ) HABITAT TYPE fd ~ a ~ Key: M = Migratory 0 ~ ~ COMMENTS ~ §~ i Cll i BIRD SPECIE5 i8 ~ ~ Clamorous Reed Warbler + Found in rushes near freshwater Little Grassbird + l Golden-headed Cisticola + ) Rufcus Longlark + Brown Longlark + + Superb Blue Wren + + + Southern Emu Wren + Restricted to heathland less than lm high or saltmarsh White-browed Scrubwren + + Chestnut-rumped Hylacola + + Fieldwren + + Speckled Warbler + + I Wee bill + + I White-throated Warbler + Brolm Thornbill + + Buff-rumped Thornbill + + + Yellow-rumped Thornbill + + Striated Thornbill + + + Varied Sitella + + + Yellow Thornbill + + __ _J APPENDIX 6 (contd.) - HABITAT TYPE 0 ~ ~ 0 ~ Key: M c Migratory 0 :::0 ~ E;; H ~ §~ COMMENTS I I ro I BIRD SPECil5 8 ~ ~ White-throated Treecreeper + + + Brown Treecreeper + Red Wattlebird + + + Little Wattlebird + Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater + Noisy Friarbird + + Little Friarbird + Regent Honeyeater + Noisy Miner + Yellow-faced Honeyeater + + 'White-eared Honeyeater + + Yellow-tufted Honeyeater + Fuscous Honeyeater + White-plumed Honeyeater + Brown-headed Honeyeater + + White-naped Honeyeater + Tawny-crowned Honeyeater + Eastern Spinebill + + Scarlet Honeyeater + White-fronted Chat + + Wet areas of sedges near water Mistletoe Bird + + Brown Headed Honeyeater + + New Holland Honeyeater + + .. APPENDIX 6 (~_9ntd.) HABITAT TYPE Key: M = Migratory 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ ; tl COMMENTS ~ ~ §~ m ~ ~ 0 BIRD SPECIES 8 § ~ Spotted Pardelote + + Striated Pardelote + + Silveroye + + + *European Goldfinch + + *European Greenfinch + *House sparrow + + *Eurasian Tree Sparrow + I-'.... Red-browed Firetail + + IO Beautiful Firetail + Dramind Fire tail + *Common Starling + + *Common Myna + Especially numerous in urban environments Olive-backed Oriole + + White-winged Chough + Australian Magpie Lark + + Masked Woodswallow + White-browed Woodswallow + Dusky Woodswallow + + + Grey Butcherbird + + + Australian Magpie + + APPENDIX 6 (contd.) HABITAT TYPE 0 ~ 0 !;:; Key: M = Migratory ~ l:d ~ E;; H COMMENTS ~ ~ §~ ; tl.l I ~ BIRD SPECIES t-3 ~ ~ Pied Currawong + Grey Currawong + Australian Raven + + + Little Raven + + 121 APPENDIX 7: Number ()~ P_ersons Employed in Agriculture, ~anufac _ tui::i.!!.9 and Tourist Related Industries as % of Total Workforce Tambo and East in the Shires of Avon, Bairnsdale, -- Gippsland Region. SHIRE OF AVON, 1961-1971 June 1961 June 1966 June 1971 Primary Industry No. % No. % No. % incl. Agriculture Fishing, Forestry, Mining, etc. 538 38 623 43 541 40 Secondary Industry Manufacturing 78 5 92 6 77 6 Construction 88 6 66 5 59 4 Tertiary Industry Wholesale and Retail 107 7 102 7 128 10 Public Administration, Defence and Community Services 492 35 415 29 403 30 Entertainment and Accommodation etc. 55 4 67 5 66 5 Other 65 5 69 5 69 5 TOTAL 1423 100 1434 100 1343 100 SHIRE OF BAIRNSDALE, 1961-1971 June 1961 June 1966 June 1971 Primary Industry No. % No. % No. % incl. Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry, Mining, etc . 759 57 729 52 614 44 Secondary Industry Manufacturing 107 8 ll5 8 106 8 Construction llO 8 ll8 8 ll8 9 Tertiary Industry Wholesale and Retail 126 9 167 13 188 13 Public Administration, Defence and Community Services 61 5 83 6 131 10 Entertainment and Accommodation etc. 93 7 104 7 122 9 Other 86 6 84 6 94 7 TOTAL 1342 100 1400 100 1373 100 122 SHIRE OF TAMBO, 1961-1971 June 1961 June 1966 June 1971 Primary Industry No. % No. % No. % incl. Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry, Mining, etc. 810 43 769 38 699 32 Secondary Industry Manufacturing 233 12 261 13 213 10 Construction 187 9.5 238 12 191 9 Tertiary Industry Wholesale and Retail 187 9.5 237 12 319 15 Public Administration Defence and Community Services 131 7 117 6 159 7 Entertainment and Accommodation, etc. 223 11 251 13 351 16 Other 159 8 129 6 241 11 TOTAL 1930 100 2002 100 2173 100 EAST GIPPSLAND REGION, 1961-1971 June 1961 June 1966 June 1971 Primary Industry No. % No. % No. % Incl. ·Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry, Mining, etc. 4687 28.3 4729 27.0 4238 22.8 Secondary Industry Manufacturing 2431 14.7 2621 15.0 2394 12.9 Construction 1603 9.7 1559 8.9 1605 8.6 Tertiary Industry Wholesale and Retail 2477 15.0 2749 15.7 3411 18 . ·3 Public Administration Defence and Community Services 2268 13. 7 2483 14.2 2991 16.0 Entertainment and Accommodation, etc. 1341 8.1 1448 S.2 2042 11.0 Other 1735 10 . 5 1952 11.0 1937 10.4 TOTAL 16542 100 D 17541 100.0 18618 100 123 BIBLIOGRAPHY Australian Bureau of (1966) Census of Population and Housing Statistics ... Australian Bureau of (1977) Census of Population and Housing Statistics Australian Bureau of (1976) Census of Population and Housing Statistics Australian National (1972) A Tourism Plan for East Gippsland. Travel Association An industry appraisal by the ANTA. Balkau, F., BreI!ll1er, A., (1978) Input of Sewage Wastes into the Gippsland Collet, L., Newell, B., Lakes. Paper prepared for Strategy Plan Inter Departrnental Working Group (Unpublished) • Barson, M.M., and (1976) Sites of Special Scientific In~erest in Calder, D .M. the Victorian Coastal Region. A report on the Botanical Aspects prepared for the Town and Country Planning Board. Bird, E.C.F. (1977) Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Victorian Coastal Region. Report on Geological and Geomorphological Aspects prepared for the Town and Country Planning Board. Coutts, P.J.F., Witter, (1976) Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the V.C., Cochrane, R.M., Victorian Coastal Region. A report on the Arch ana. Patrick, J. aeological Aspects prepared for the Town and Country Planning Board. Committee of Inquiry (1978) Town Planning Compensation into Town Planning Compensation. Dorward, D.F. (1976) Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Victorian Coastal Region. A report on the Zoological Aspects prepared for the Town and Country Planning Board. Environment (1978) Draft Statement of Environmental Protection Protection Authority Policy; Latrobe River. Flood Plain (1978) Flood Plain Management in Victoria. A report Management Committee prepared for the Water Resources Council of Victoria. Hayes, G.P. (May 1978) Ministerial Statement on Town Planning Compensation. Ladd, P.G., Ladiges, P.Y., (1976) Vegetation Surrounding the Gippsland Lakes and Calder, D.M. and Lake Tyers. Land Conservation (1973) Report on the South Gippsland Study Area Council of Victoria (District 1) . Le Cheminant, M. (1978) Study of Sites and Features of Historical Significance for the East Gippsland Regional Planning Committee. (Unpublished). Loddon Carnpaspe (1977) Conservation of Archaeological and Historic Regional Planning Features. Authority . ~ II II (1977) Conservation of Geological Features .t..24. Ministry for Report of the Desk Study. Gippsland Regional Conservation Environmental Study. Royal Automobile Club (1978) Accommodation Guide. of Victoria State Rivers and Water (1978) (Draft) Land Subdivision in Relation to Supply Commission Water Resource Management. Touche Ross and Co. (1974) Gippsland Tourist Survey.Report prepared for Victorian Eastern Development Association. Town and Country (1977) East Gippsland Regional Study. Working Paper Planning Board No. l: Demographic and Economic Factors Town and Country (1977) East Gippsland Regional Study. Working Paper Planning Board No. 3: Tourism. Town and Country (1977) East Gippsland Regional Study. Working Paper Planning Board No. 5: Basic Services. Town and Country (1977) East Gippsland Regional Study. Working Paper Planning Board No. 6: Accessibility to Services. Town and Country (1978) Boole Poole Peninsula: Ecology and Land Use Planning Board Options. (Unpublished). Town and Country (1973) Statement of Planning Policy No. 5: Highway Planning Board Areas. Town and Country (1973) Gippsland Lakes Planning Guidelines . .. Planning Board Town and Country (1974) Tambo River - Nungurner Interim Policy Planning Board Statement. Town and Country (1974) Gippsland Lakes Planning Scheme. Development Planning Board Density in Non-Urban Areas. Town and Country (1975) The Ninety Mile Beach - The Future of Planning Board Existing Subdivisions. Town and Country (1976) Raymond Island Policy Report. (Unpublished) Planning Board Town and Country (1977) Caravan Parks: A Planning Guide. Planning Board Town and Country (1976) Motels: A Planning Guide. Planning Board Town and Country (1975) A Guide to Administrative Procedures Under Planning Board the Town and Country Planning Act. Town and Country (1978) (Draft) Statement of Planning Policy No.10: Planning Board Coastal Areas. (unpublished.) Tract Consultants (1977) Coastal Appraisal South Western Coastal Pty. Ltd. Planning Scheme. Prepared for Town and Country Planning Board. 125 Tract Consultants (1978) (Draft Broadsheets prepared for Loddon Pty. Ltd. Campa.spe Regional Planning Authority) Design and Siting Guidelines: Hobby Farms, Rural Subdivision, and Houses in Rural Areas. Urbangroup Pty.Ltd., (1976) Gippsland Lakes Pilot Leisure Study. • and Natural Research Pty.Ltd. Victorian Eastern (1977) Submission to House of Representatives Development Association Select Committee on Tourism. Yuncken and Freeman (1977) Gippsland Lakes Planning Study. Architects Pty.Ltd. I · • ~------· - - · · -- TOWN AND COUNTRY PtflNN~NG BOARD LIBRARY • •