Megalong Reserve Plan of Management

January 2008

Community and Corporate Group

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management i January 2008

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management ii January 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary...... 2

1.0 Introduction...... 3 1.1 Background ...... 3 1.2 Purpose of the Plan of Management ...... 3 1.3 Relationship to Legislation, Local Environmental Planning Instruments and Council’s Strategic Plans...... 3 1.4 Community Consultation ...... 5

2.0 Description of Megalong Reserve ...... 6 2.1 Site Location...... 6 2.2 Land to which this Plan applies ...... 6 2.3 Tenure and Zoning ...... 6

3.0 Physical Environment ...... 9 3.1 Climate ...... 9 3.2 Landscape and Topography...... 9 3.3 Geology and Soils ...... 9 3.4 Vegetation Community ...... 11 3.5 Flora Values ...... 12 3.5 Fauna Values ...... 14 3.6 Cultural Values ...... 14 3.7 Stream Health ...... 14

4.0 Management Issues...... 16 4.1 Tenure and Management Strategy...... 16 4.2 Facilities at Megalong Sportsground ...... 17 4.3 Cultural Heritage ...... 18 4.4 Natural Heritage ...... 19 4.5 Water Quality...... 20 4.6 Invasive Weeds ...... 20 4.7 Nature Studies...... 21 4.8 Horse Riding, Cycling, Bushwalking and Trail Management ...... 21 4.9 Bush Fire Management ...... 25 4.10 Licensing and Bookings ...... 27 4.11 Management Action Plan ...... 28

References ...... 37

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 1 January 2008

Appendix 1: Plan of Management Figures ...... 39

Appendix 2: Flora List for Megalong Reserve...... 47

Appendix 3: Potential Fauna Species at Megalong Reserve ...... 63

Appendix 4: Built Assets Inventory ...... 70

Appendix 5: Annexure “A” – Local Environment Plan 1991...... 78

List of Tables Table 1: Megalong Reserve tenure and management responsibility...... 6 Table 2: Zoning and Protected Areas ...... 7 Table 3: Erodibility of soil types in the study area...... 10 Table 4: Erosion hazard of soil types in the study area ...... 10 Table 5: Vegetation communities at Megalong Reserve ...... 12 Table 6: Potential rare or threatened plants of the Reserve ...... 13 Table 7: Streamwatch results for Back Creek...... 15 Table 8: Management Action Plan...... 29 Table 9: Flora list for Megalong Reserve...... 48 Table 10: Fauna species that may potentially occur at Megalong Reserve...... 64 Table 11: Built Assets Inventory for Megalong Reserve...... 71

List of Figures (Appendix 1) Figure 1: Location of Megalong Reserve...... 39 Figure 2: Air photo of Megalong Reserves and surrounds ...... 40 Figure 3: Local Environment Plan 1991 Zonings and Environmental Constraints..41 Figure 4: Soil landscapes within Megalong Reserve ...... 43 Figure 5: Vegetation communities of Megalong Reserve ...... 44 Figure 6: Megalong Reserve Management Areas ...... 45 Figure 7: Primary and secondary trails in Megalong Reserve ...... 46

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 2 January 2008

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 1 January 2008

Executive Summary The Megalong Reserve is an important local and regional public open space that includes community assets such as Megalong Hall, a sports/gymkhana ground, and a large tract of environmentally significant bushland. The Reserve consists of four parcels of land that cover an area of 208 ha, and is located on the eastern slope of the Megalong Valley being approximately 6 km east of Katoomba.

Council’s objectives for this Plan of Management are to: • Ensure the 4 reserves are managed in accordance with the NSW Crown Lands Act 1989; • Provide a framework for the effective and sustainable management of the land, its natural and cultural heritage values, and existing and future infrastructure; • Reflect the community vision for the buildings and sporting infrastructure; • Incorporate measures to protect and enhance the significant natural heritage values of the Reserve; • Ensure consistency with the City Strategy – 25 year Vision; and • Provide a strategy for any future maintenance, capital works and infrastructure.

The Plan of Management has been prepared in accordance with statutory requirements and Council policy directions identified in the NSW Crown Lands Act 1989, and Crown Lands Regulation 2000, and Council’s Local Environmental Plan 1991, Management Plan and 25 Year Vision Strategy, Strategic Bush Fire Management Plan, Fire Trail Sustainable Asset Management Plan and Nature Based Recreation Strategy.

Preparation of the Plan of Management included field assessment, research and stakeholder consultation. This process identified management issues relevant to the Reserve, which have been discussed in detail. Management issues considered by this Plan include: z Tenure and Management Strategy z Cultural Heritage z Facilities at Megalong Sportsground z Natural Heritage z Bush Fire Management z Invasive Weeds z Licensing and Booking z Water Quality z Nature Studies z Horse Riding, Cycling, Bushwalking and Trail Management

Consideration of these management issues has led to the development of Management Action Plan, which has been included in this Plan of Management (refer to S.4.11). The Management Action Plan identifies the actions Council intends to implement to address management issues relevant to the Reserve. The Management Action Plan identifies the action, time frame for implementation, estimated cost, proposed funding sources, and monitoring and evaluation techniques. The implementation of this Plan of Management over a five year period will cost $31,000-$40,000, which is expected to be funded through Council’s budget, the Reserve Trust Fund, and through other external grants.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 2 January 2008

1.0 Introduction This section provides a background on the reason a Plan of Management (PoM) is being prepared and its relationship to statutory and policy documents.

1.1 Background The Megalong Reserve is an important local and regional public open space that includes community assets such as Megalong Hall, a sports/gymkhana ground, and a large tract of environmentally significant bushland. This Plan of Management will identify Council’s strategy for achieving a continuation of existing services, and will consider the issues associated with the provision of new services, with a desired goal of maintaining a sustainable balance between the provision of social and environmental amenities.

1.2 Purpose of the Plan of Management Council’s objectives for this Plan are to: • Provide a framework for the effective and sustainable management of the land, its natural and cultural heritage values, and existing and future infrastructure; • To assist and support formal and nature based recreation opportunities; • Reflect the community vision for the buildings and sporting infrastructure; • Incorporate measures to protect and enhance the significant natural heritage values of the Reserve; • Ensure consistency with the City Strategy – 25 year Vision; and • Provide a strategy for any future maintenance, capital works and infrastructure.

1.3 Relationship to Legislation, Local Environmental Planning Instruments and Council’s Strategic Plans The requirements of the NSW Crown Land Act 1989 are indicated below:

NSW Crown Lands Act 1989 Section 10 Objects of Act ensures that crown land is managed for the benefit of the people of New South Wales. Section 11 details the principals of the Act, which are that: • natural resources (including water, soil, flora, fauna and scenic quality) be conserved wherever possible; • public use and enjoyment be encouraged; • where appropriate, multiple use of the land be encouraged; • where appropriate, land should be used and managed in such a way that both the land and its resources are sustained in perpetuity; and • Crown land be occupied, used, sold, leased, licensed or otherwise dealt with in the best interest of the state consistent with the above principles. Section 112 to 116 details the preparation, referral, adoption and alteration of Plans of Management. Section 113 includes: • A draft Plan may be referred to any person for consideration; and • A Copy of the draft Plan shall be placed on public display for not less than 28 days.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 3 January 2008

NSW Crown Lands Regulation 2000 Clause 35 details the requirements for notification and public comment on draft plans of management, and states: “The Minister is required to cause notice of a plan of management to be published in: a) the Gazette; and b) a newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land concerned is situated or in a newspaper circulating generally in the State.” Clause 32 outlines the purposes for which temporary licenses can be issued.

Council’s planning and policy documents require the PoM to consider the following:

Local Environmental Plan 1991 Blue Mountains Local Environment Plan (LEP) 1991 (as amended 28/02/2005) is an environmental planning tool that defines legal controls on development in the area to which it applies. The objective of the LEP is to achieve through development controls the sustainable use/and or provision of social, economic and environmental amenities. LEP 1991 applies to the Megalong Reserve.

Blue Mountain City’s Management Plan and 25 Year Vision Strategy The BMCC Management Plan 2004-2008 and 25 Year Vision Strategy identifies the City’s vision, key directions and principle activities (BMCC 2004a, 2004b). The Megalong Reserve PoM will address a number of key directions identified in these strategic documents to ensure consistent management by Council. These key directions are: • the Blue Mountains natural environment is protected and conserved; • the impact of existing and new development on the environment is reduced; • Council plan and provide for a range of recreational activities; • Council services and facilities are accessible and fairly distributed; and • Blue Mountains people live sustainably in harmony with the environment.

Blue Mountain City’s Draft Strategic Bush Fire Management Plan Council’s Strategic Bush Fire Management Plan guides decision making processes and details strategies that will be implemented to manage bushfire risk on land vested under the care and control of Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC 2005a). Potential and required management actions contained within this PoM have been developed so as to be consistent with the aims, objectives and management actions identified in the Strategic Bush Fire Management Plan.

Draft Fire Trail Sustainable Asset Management Plan The Fire Trails Sustainable Asset Management Plan (BMCC 2006) aims to cover the sustainable management of fire trails where they occur on lands owned or managed by Council. The Plan covers on those fire trails listed on the District Fire Trails Register. Back Creek Fire Trail, which runs through Megalong Reserve, is on the Register and is therefore of relevance to this Plan.

Nature Based Recreation Strategy The BMCC Nature Based Recreation Strategy 2005-2015 aims to guide the management of recreation in natural areas on public lands and to support land use planning policy associated with nature based recreation activities within the City (BMCC 2005b).

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 4 January 2008

The Megalong PoM is consistent with, and supports the strategy by delivering: • a review of existing and potential nature based recreation opportunities for the Reserve, in particular horseriding; • management directions to ensure no significant damage to cultural and natural heritage values arising from nature based recreation activities; • an appropriate list of options for regulation and education; • a program for maintenance and the potential need for infrastructure improvement; and • a PoM for Megalong Reserve

1.4 Community Consultation Community consultation plays an important role in the development of a PoM. It provides Council with a sound understanding of relevant issues from people who are familiar with and use Megalong Reserve. Before preparing this PoM, Council consulted with key stakeholders and user groups on their needs and desires for the Reserve. The key stakeholders and user groups consulted in the preparation of the PoM included:

• Department of Lands; • Blue Mountains Pony Club; • Megalong Valley Hall Management Committee; • Megalong Valley Landowners Association; and • Nature based recreation license holders that utilise the reserve.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 5 January 2008

2.0 Description of Megalong Reserve This section describes the location of Megalong Reserve, and the planning constraints applied.

2.1 Site Location Megalong Reserve consists of four parcels of land and various crown road reserves that cover an area of 208 ha. It is located on the eastern slope of the Megalong Valley being approximately 6 km east of Katoomba. A map of the Reserve is provided in Figures 1 & 2 (Appendix 1). The Reserve is surrounded on all sides by land that is private in tenure. Land to the east of the Reserve is heavily forested and largely undeveloped. Land to the west is used for primary production, particularly livestock, and is mainly pasture with areas of remnant vegetation. The reserve forms an important corridor between the forested country and remnant vegetation to the west.

2.2 Land to which this Plan applies This Plan of Management applies to the following parcels of land, and as shown in Figure 2 (Appendix 1): Lot 202 DP 751647 – Megalong Rd, Megalong – Crown Reserve No. RR88172 Lot 53 DP751647 – Megalong Rd, Megalong – Crown Reserve No. RR88400 Part Lot 175 DP 751657 – 7-19 Wairoa Rd, Megalong - Crown Reserve No. R 74325 Lot 7013 DP 751657 – Willow Reserve Megalong Road, Megalong – Crown Reserve No. R87788 Various Crown Road Reserves

2.3 Tenure and Zoning Tenure and management responsibilities associated with the four parcels of land that form Megalong Reserve are shown in table 1.

Table 1: Megalong Reserve tenure and management responsibility Reserve Reserve Size Owner Manager Reserve Trust Type No. (ha) Megalong Recreation RR 5.29 Dept. BMCC Megalong Sportsground Reserve 88172 Lands Valley Megalong Recreation RR 80.48 Dept. BMCC Pulpit Hill Creek Reserve (west Reserve 88400 Lands of Back Creek) Megalong Reserved R 74325 120.5 Dept. Dept. No Trust Reserve (east from Sale Lands Lands of Back Creek) Willow Recreation R 87788 1.7 Dept. BMCC No Trust Reserve Reserve Lands Crown Road Road N/A 0.6 Dept. BMCC N/A Reserve Lands

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 6 January 2008

Megalong Reserve is covered by a number of planning zones and protected areas identified under the City’s LEP 1991 (see Figure 3 (Appendix 1) and table 2). The Zone and Protected Area objectives are described below.

Table 2: Zoning and Protected Areas Zone Area (ha)/ % parcel Protected Area Area (ha)/ % parcel Megalong Recreation 5.29/100.0 Nil Sportsground Megalong Recreation 59.01/73.3 Nil Reserve (west of Back Creek) Recreation – 21.47/26.68 Environmental Protection Megalong Environmental 105.92/88.0 Canopy 14.61/12.0 Reserve (east Protection Conservation of Back Creek) Rural 14.61/12.0 Environmental 0.53/0.44 Conservation Constraint

Escarpment Area 1.01/0.84

Land Between 1.01/0.84 Towns Willow Reserve Recreation 1.7/100 Nil Crown Roads N/A 0.6/100 Nil

Recreation (a) To provide for active recreational requirements of the City. (b) To ensure that recreational development is environmentally sensitive and site responsive.

Recreation – Environmental Protection (a) To ensure protection of environmentally sensitive land and areas of high scenic value in the City. (b) To provide a buffer around areas of natural ecological significance. (c) To restrict development on land that is inappropriate by reason of physical characteristics or high bushfire hazard. (d) To encourage the restoration of disturbed bushland areas. (e) To provide for passive recreational activities that are compatible with the land's environmental characteristics.

Environmental Protection (a) To protect environmentally sensitive land and areas of high scenic value in the City from development. (b) To provide a buffer around areas of natural ecological significance. (c) To restrict development on land that is inappropriate by reason of physical characteristics or high bushfire hazard. (d) To encourage the restoration of disturbed bushland areas.

Rural Conservation (a) To ensure that development is compatible with the rural and natural landscape and heritage of the locality.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 7 January 2008

(b) To avoid further fragmentation and loss of usable rural land; to encourage consolidation of small lots and resubdivision of existing holdings where the existing subdivision pattern is not appropriate or is unrelated to existing topography and natural constraints. (c) To retain the low density of rural settlement and ensure that development does not create unreasonable, uneconomic or environmentally damaging demands for the provision of services. (d) To maintain safety and convenience along main roads by discouraging uses that are likely to generate traffic volumes that disrupt traffic flow. (e) To avoid ribbon development. (f) To provide for the requirements of the rural community.

Canopy Conservation (a) To maintain the bushland landscape as a predominant feature in that part of the Megalong Valley designated Protected Area - Canopy Conservation on the Map, when viewed from public places on the Escarpment. (b) To maintain the rural and natural landscape of the Megalong Valley by retaining tree cover. (c) To ensure adequate conservation of tree stands and beneficial ecological associations.

Environmental Constraint Area (a) To protect environmentally sensitive land and areas of high scenic value in the City. (b) To provide a buffer around areas of ecological significance. (c) To restrict development on land that is inappropriate by reason of its physical characteristics or bushfire risk.

Escarpment Area (a) To preserve and enhance the natural environmental and visual significance of the escarpment system of the Blue Mountains. (b) To limit the presence of buildings and works in the escarpment area and to limit the impact of buildings on the perception of the escarpment as a significant natural feature. (c) To limit the proportion of hard surfaces in the escarpment area and to provide for the restoration of all degraded areas and their return to a natural habitat.

Land Between Towns (a) To ensure the conservation of the natural bushland character of land designated as Land Between Towns on the Map. (b) To utilise the indigenous bushland as an important feature of development on land designated as Land Between Towns on the Map and to minimise the removal of vegetation on that land. (c) To minimise traffic generating uses along Classified Roads. (d) To minimise the visibility of development.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 8 January 2008

3.0 Physical Environment This section provides a brief description of the physical environment of the Reserve, including climate, geology, soils, and natural and cultural values.

3.1 Climate The nearest weather station to the Megalong Valley is located at Narrow Neck (Katoomba), approximately 9.6 km due south. The monthly mean daily minimum temperature ranges from 2.50C in July to 12.80C in February. The monthly mean daily maximum temperature ranges from 9.20C in July to 23.10C in January. Katoomba has an annual rainfall of 1398 mm, with monthly rainfall varying from 72.4 mm in September to 173.4 mm in February. Narrow Neck pluviometer is located on a long thin plateau at an elevation of 1030 m ASL, which is about 400 m higher in elevation than Megalong Reserve. Topography and elevation strongly influence climate, and climatic conditions in the Megalong Valley are likely to differ slightly to the averages presented for Katoomba.

3.2 Landscape and Topography The study area is unique in its diversity of landform and includes most topographical features present in the Megalong Valley. The Sportsground and western portion of the Reserve is situated on the valley floor. Travelling east you cross gently undulating country to Back Creek, one of the Megalong Valley’s major tributaries. Back Creek is in places a wide sandstone gorge with low broken escarpment. From Back Creek you continue east up the foot slopes to the base of the escarpment, which can be up to 100m high in places. The eastern boundary of the site lies on the upper sections of the foot slopes and on Radiata Plateau and Mt Elphinstone. In terms of elevation, the site is varied from an elevation of 660m ASL at the sportsground to 590m ASL on Back Creek, 880m ASL at the base of the escarpment and peaks at 980m ASL on Mt Elphinstone.

3.3 Geology and Soils The geology of the Reserve is comprised of several well-known Sydney Basin formations. Triassic Narrabeen Group Sandstone lies exposed on the plateau and associated escarpments. This deposit over lays the Permian Illawarra Coal measures that are visible at the base of the escarpment. The footslopes and valley floor consist of Permian Shoalhaven Group Sandstone overlying Carboniferous Granite. Granite is a dominant geological feature in the lower southern half of the Megalong Valley, however it is not exposed within the Reserve.

There are five soil landscapes occurring in the study area, as shown in figure 5 (Appendix 1). King (1994) provides a description and physical limitations of these soil landscapes.

Derived from the Narrabeen Group Sandstone are the colluvial soil landscapes of Hassans Walls and Warragamba, and the erosional soil landscape Cullen Bullen. The erosional landscape Wollangambe and residual soil landscape Lithgow are derived from Illawarra Coal sediments.

King (1994) describes the soil types occurring in these landscapes as varied and includes Solodic and Podzolic Soils, Earths, Silaceous or Earthy Sands and Lithosols. Soil textures are loams or clays with a varying degree of sand, silt or clay content (King 1994). Soil textures and the distribution of soil type in the study area

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 9 January 2008

have not been specifically identified as this would require an intensive independent study including soil coring.

The soil column may have up to three or four types depending on the soil landscape and position in the physical landscape. Upper slopes would typically have only one or two soil types present, with mid to lower slopes supporting up to four soil types present in layers. The boundaries between layers are in the most part well defined and layers are generally less than 30cm. Soil depth is dependant on position in the environment and/or the number of soil types present. Depth can range from absent on the escarpments of the Wollangambe landscape to up to 170 cm in parts of the Lithgow soil landscape.

Table 3: Erodibility of soil types in the study area (sourced from King 1994). Erodibility Landscape Soil Material K factor Concentrated Non-concentrated Wind flow flow Warragamba wb1 0.026 high moderate low wb2 0.058 high high low wb3 0.046 high high low Wollangambe wo1 0.054 moderate-high low low wo2 0.029 high moderate low wo3 0.049 high high low wo4 0.054 very high high low Hassans Walls hw1 0.004 high very low low hw2 0.025 high moderate moderate hw3 0.044 high high low hw4 0.042 high high low Lithgow li1 0.040 high moderate low li2 0.036 moderate moderate low li3 0.047 moderate high low li4 0.024 high moderate low Cullen Bullen cb1 0.052 high high slight cb2 0.057 high high slight cb3 0.034 very high moderate slight

Table 4: Erosion hazard of soil types in the study area (sourced from King 1994) Erosion Hazard Soil Steep High Water Landuse Concentrated Non- Wind Landscape Slopes Run-on Erosion flow concentrated Hazard flow grazing very high very high slight Warragamba Yes Yes cultivation extreme extreme slight urban extreme extreme slight grazing extreme high slight Wollangambe Yes Yes cultivation extreme extreme slight urban extreme high slight grazing extreme very high slight Hassans Yes Yes Yes cultivation extreme extreme slight Walls urban extreme extreme slight grazing slight slight slight Lithgow Yes cultivation moderate slight slight urban moderate-high slight slight grazing high high slight Cullen Bullen Yes Yes cultivation high high slight urban high moderate slight

Soil erodibility is based on soil properties and is a measure of the susceptibility of a soil to erode. Erodibility of soils present in the Reserve is described in table 3. Erosion hazard is a measure of the susceptibility of an area of land to prevailing agents of erosion, including erodibility, climate, topography and landuse. Erosion

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 10 January 2008

hazard and landscape limitations are described in Table 4. In general, soil material for all five landscapes were low in fertility and most landscapes had the potential for either aluminium toxicity or being acidic.

The Wollangambe, Warragamba, and Hassans Walls soil landscapes are an extreme erosion hazard under concentrated water flow. At present there is no development within the Warragamba and Wallangambe soil landscapes, and these landscapes are unlikely to be able to support any intensive usage. The Hassans Walls and Cullen Bullen soil landscapes are prone to sheet or gully erosion under concentrated flows. Typical usage in these landscapes is trail riding, and erosion frequently occurs where trails concentrate water or are of steep gradient. Moderate to severe erosion is occurring along a number of trails, and their location is shown in Figure 8 (Appendix 1). These points of erosion are significant enough to warrant some form of remedial action, and rationalisation of the trail network may be worthwhile to alleviate future problems. The Lithgow soil landscape has a slight to high erosion hazard. This landscape is positioned on the ridge in the Reserve where the gradient is gentle. Despite its potentially high erosion hazard, this landscape is supporting intensive development, for example the Sportsground and horse trail riding, with only minor sheet or gully erosion under concentrated water flows.

3.4 Vegetation Community Vegetation is influenced by a combination of position in the landscape, microclimate, soil characteristics, and disturbance history. The underlying geology in particular has strongly influenced the types of vegetation communities that occur in the Megalong Valley. Douglas (2001) identified four vegetation communities in the study area (see Figure 6 [Appendix 1] and Table 5). Megalong Footslopes Forest is the most extensive and structurally diverse of the communities present on site. Differing geology and soil characteristics across the site has significantly influenced the floristic structure of this community, and there are eight different structural variants recognised in the Reserve.

Schedule 3 of LEP 1991 lists vegetation communities of environmental significance within the City of Blue Mountains, where they satisfy one or more of the following criteria: • Listed under State or Commonwealth legislation; • Listed on Schedule 3 of LEP1991; • Rare and/or restricted distribution within BMCC; • Poorly or not represented within the Blue Mountains National Park; • Protects hydrological functions; or • Habitat for rare, threatened or ultra-endemic fauna or flora species.

Schedule 3 (LEP 1991) has recently been amended to include 31 communities, seven of which only occur within the Megalong (LEP 1991 Amendment 31 2004). All four of the vegetation communities found in the Reserve are listed as Environmentally Sensitive vegetation in Schedule 3 (LEP 1991).

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 11 January 2008

Table 5: Vegetation communities at Megalong Reserve Vegetation Community Code Sub-community Blue Mountains Escarpment Complex 16 heath - escarpment complex Blue Mountains Heath and Scrub 14 heath (9m) Eucalyptus cypellocarpa - E. piperita Tall Open-forest 28 open / tall open forest (6h) Megalong Footslopes Forest 109 woodland (9m) scl Megalong Footslopes Forest 115 woodland / heath (9m) Megalong Footslopes Forest 116 woodland / heath (9m) scl Megalong Footslopes Forest 42 open forest (6h) Megalong Footslopes Forest 46 open forest (9m) Megalong Footslopes Forest 47 open forest (9m) riparian Megalong Footslopes Forest 65 open forest / woodland (6h) Megalong Footslopes Forest 68 open forest / woodland (9m) Cleared -

There is relatively little woodland or forest in the central Megalong Valley which is now unaffected by human activity. The majority of the intact tracts of woodlands and forests occur towards the margins of the area, often on inaccessible slopes. Of the remaining woodlands away from the escarpment slopes, many have been partially cleared or thinned resulting in areas of modified woodlands that are occasionally grazed. The position in the landscape and early declaration as a crown reserve has ensured that the vegetation of the Reserve has been subject to only minor modification. The Reserve may have been sporadically grazed in the past, in particular areas west of Back Creek, and recreational and commercial horseriding has occurred in the Reserve for several decades. Numerous tree stumps are present in this area suggesting a history of selective logging probably for fence posts or mining props. The low intensity and sporadic nature of past land use is likely to have caused little to no change in diversity or structure of the vegetation communities.

3.5 Flora Values The Blue Mountains is recognised as possessing high floristic diversity and high levels of endemism. Douglas & Bell undertook 60 quadrat samples in the Megalong Valley in preparation of his analysis of vegetation types in the Blue Mountains LGA (Douglas 2001). From 60 locations Douglas recorded over 470 plants in the Megalong Valley (Douglas & Bell unpublished data). Appendix 2 lists 386 plants species that occur in the area and may be present in the study area. This list was determined utilising the NSW NPWS Wildlife Atlas (10km search), 35 Douglas quadrats undertaken in the Megalong at sites with the same soil and vegetation type as found in the study area, and a random transect search undertaken by Council. A total of 119 species of plant have been recorded in the Reserve (see Appendix 2). This list is by no means complete as it is based on 2 quadrats (Douglas & Bell unpublished data) and a limited field investigation by Council. To date, no plants found in the study area are listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, or are considered Rare or Threatened Plants (ROTAP) (Briggs & Leigh 1996). However, as Table 6 shows suitable habitat exists in the Reserve for a large number of these species and many have been recorded from nearby.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 12 January 2008

Table 6: Potential rare or threatened plants of the Reserve [* Smith & Smith 1995] Conservation Status Potential to Occur at Species Preferred Habitat Family EPBC Act TSC Act ROTAP Locally Megalong Reserve Significant * Threatened Species Podocarpaceae Microstrobos fitzgeraldii E E1 waterfall spray zone No Epacridaceae Epacris hamiltonii E E1 wet escarpment/heath No Fabaceae Acacia clunies-rossiae V eucalypt woodland/shrubland Yes Pultenea glabra V E1 swamp/wet heath or eucalypt forest Yes Myrtaceae Melaleuca sp. Magalong Valley V swamp Yes Proteaceae Isopogon fletcheri V V eucalypt forest and heath Yes Persoonia acerosa V V eucalypt forest and heath Yes Rutaceae Leionema lachaeoides E E1 escarpment Yes Zieria covenyi E E1 eucalypt forest Yes Poaceae Tetrarrhena juncea V heath Yes Rare Species Blechnaceae Blechnum gregsonii 2RCa rainforest No Fabaceae Acacia asparagoides 2R eucalypt forest/heath Yes Epacridaceae Epacris muelleri 3RC escarpment Yes Lissanthe sapida 2RCa eucalypt woodland or forest Yes Rupicola sprengelioides 2RC-t escarpment Yes Euphorbiaceae Pseudanthus divaricatissimus 3RCa escarpment Yes Loranthaceae Atkinsonia ligustrina 2RCa eucalypt forest/woodland and heath Yes Proteaceae Hakea constablei 2RCa eucalypt forest on rock outcrops Yes Blandfordiaceae Blanfordia cunninghamii 3RCi escarpment Yes Poaceae Deyeuxia microseta 3KC wet eucalypt forest No Notochloe microdon 2RC swamp No Significant Local Species Apiaceae Xanthosia dissecta Disjunct popn. wet heath/swamp No Anthericaceae Alania enlicheri Disjunct popn. escarpment Yes Orchidaceae Adenochilus nortonii Disjunct popn. escarpment Yes

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 13 January 2008

3.5 Fauna Values Appendix 3 lists 197 fauna species that occur in the area and may be present in the Reserve. This list was determined utilising the NSW NPWS Wildlife Atlas (10km search), and opportunistic observation by Council staff during site visits. This list is by no means complete as the Atlas records are largely opportunistic and there has been no comprehensive fauna survey undertaken in the Megalong Valley or on the Reserve. Of the 197 species that may occur, suitable habitat exists within the Reserve to provide for 178 of these species. This includes the threatened Giant Dragonfly, Giant Burrowing Frog, Red-crowned Toadlet, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Powerful and Barking Owls, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Eastern Pygmy-possum, and Common Bent-wing and Greater Broad-nosed Bats and Eastern False Pipistrelle. To date the only threatened species observed on site has been the Gang-gang Cockatoo (M.Chambers pers. comm.). However, it is noted that there were no records in the Wildlife Atlas from the Reserve and Council’s observations were limited, and it is accepted that additional threatened species would utilise the Reserve.

3.6 Cultural Values The Aboriginal heritage values of the reserve are not known, and there has not been a systematic archaeological assessment of the reserve. The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change’s Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) includes a register of the location of known Aboriginal objects or places. A search of the AHIMS register has indicated there are no known Aboriginal objects or places recorded within the Reserve. During Council field investigation artefacts were found in the Reserve demonstrating Aboriginal usage. All Aboriginal objects and places are protected under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and it is an offence to destroy, damage or deface them without the prior consent of the DECC Director-General. Before any new development occurs within the Reserve a systematic archaeological assessment of the Reserve should be undertaken.

3.7 Stream Health Megalong Valley local residents formed a Streamwatch group and have been monitoring water quality in Back Creek since March 2002. The group’s results and Australian guidelines for aquatic ecosystem health, recreation, drinking water and aesthetic quality has been summarised in table 7.

The results indicate that water in Back Creek is of good quality, and largely complies with Australian Guidelines for recreation, aquatic ecosystem health and aesthetics. Back Creek does not comply with faecal coliform levels for drinking water, exceeding the guidelines during every test event, and should therefore not be used for drinking without prior treatment. On-site sewerage systems that discharge to the environment are the likely source of the faecal coliform load in Back Creek. Average faecal coliform levels were 216 CFU/100mL. Faecal coliform levels failed compliance with primary and secondary contact guidelines on 25% (n=3) and 8% (n=1) of occasions respectively. Dissolved oxygen was on average lower than the guidelines require for aquatic ecosystems and aesthetics. However, results for Councils 45 water quality monitoring program sampling sites in the City suggest that Blue Mountains streams naturally have lower dissolved oxygen levels (BMCC unpublished data).

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 14 January 2008

Table 7: Streamwatch results for Back Creek 1 2 3 4 5 (range [av./no. of samples]) Temperature (oC) 5.0 – 23.0 [14.7 n=25] * 15-35 * * PH 5.5 – 7.0 [6.32 n=25] 6.5-7.5 5.0-9.0 * 6.5-8.5 Conductivity 50 – 90 [64 n=15] 30-350 * (μS/cm) Total Dissolved 30-50 (34 n=10) * * * <500 Solids (mg/L) Turbidity (NTU) 7 - <10 [n=25] 2-25 * <5 Faecal coliforms 1 – 1820 [216 n=12] * <150 primary <1 * (CFU/100 mL) <1000 secondary Dissolved Oxygen 65 – 98 [80.48 n=25] 90-110 * >85 (% saturation)

1 Streamwatch dataset for Back Creek (as of 6/4/05) 2 ANZECC 2000 Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (aquatic ecosystem health) 3 ANZECC 2000 Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (recreation) 4 NHMRC (2004) Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (Health) 5 NHMRC (2004) Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (Aesthetics) * No guideline value set

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 15 January 2008

4.0 Management Issues This section identifies the issues affecting the use and management of the Megalong Reserve and provides management actions aimed at addressing these issues.

4.1 Tenure and Management Strategy Megalong Reserve consists of four parcels of crown land plus road reseves that are perceived by the community as a single entity. Three parcels and the road reserves are managed by separate reserve trusts or responsibility for management has been devolved to Council. The remaining parcel is crown land reserved from sale and is managed by Department of Lands. The public expectation is that all parcels will be managed as a whole and in a manner consistent with the designated purpose. Currently this is not the case as there are several land managers and trusts, applying differing management practices. Management of all parcels would best be undertaken by a single reserve trust with BMCC as the trust manager.

The crown reserve east of Back Creek (R 74325) is designated as “Reserved from Sale”. It represents a significant portion of Megalong Reserve and is largely undeveloped bushland. This parcel contributes to the protection of the natural values of both the Reserve and the region, and its functions are more consistent with that of a Crown Reserve for Environmental Protection. The current designation of this parcel has implications for the conservation of the natural environment and the management strategy applied to the Reserve as a whole.

Encroachment, or the progressive and/or increasing use of an area by an adjacent landholder, does occur to a limited extent on Reserve 88400. Encroachment typically involves some disturbance to the site, hence damage to vegetation and natural values, and in its most typical form involves the placement of rarely used objects, which are eventually abandoned and become waste. Council’s practice is to gradually reduce encroachment onto Council managed reserves as encroachment often results in a cost to Council.

Management of the Reserve has been limited, and has largely focussed on the Megalong Sportsground. Future management of the Reserve will have to respond to social, economic, environmental and statutory issues. The Reserve has been compartmentalised into four management areas as shown in Figure 7 (Appendix 1) to assist the development of strategies, management of issues and on-ground delivery.

Objectives • Management should be consistent with the designated purpose of the crown reserve, as well as the community needs and desires; and • Management strategies and the execution of management actions should be consistent with, and fulfil statutory requirements. Opportunities • Management outcomes can be enhanced through an improved management framework; • Management options can be increased where council is appointed as the reserve trust, whereby under S.98 of the NSW Crown Lands Act 1989, the Council trust has all the functions of Council under the NSW Local Government Act 1993; • If Megalong Reserve (East Backs Creek) has a status change to Recreation severe there is the opportunity with the review of LEP 1991 to rezone the reserve Environment Protection – Open Space; and

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 16 January 2008

• If Council operates as the Reserve Trust, functions of the trust or management responsibilities can be delegated to management committees or other parties allowing a degree of autonomy. An example would be the care and maintenance of part or all of the Sportsground. Management Actions • Council should request from Department of Lands a review of the status of R74325 with the view of having the reserve’s gazetted as a Recreation Reserve; • Council and Department of Lands should consider formalising a single Council managed reserve trust to oversee all four parcels of land; • If Council is appointed as the Reserve Trust, then Council should give due consideration to devolving some management responsibility to other parties; • Council should continue its practice of reducing encroachment onto the reserve; • Consider rezoning Megalong Reserve (east Back Creek) during the review of LEP 1991; • The development of future management actions should involve public consultation; and • Future management actions should be reviewed prior to implementation to ensure they are consistent with statutory obligations.

4.2 Facilities at Megalong Sportsground The Megalong Sportsground includes built infrastructure, such as a community hall, tennis court, sportsground and playground that provide an important recreation and social amenity for the residents of the Valley. Appendix 4 of the DPoM is an inventory of the Sportsground’s built assets, their condition and maintenance responsibility.

The sportsground is an informally constructed almost circular oval that is over 100 m in diameter. It is primarily used for equestrian sports and is one of only two public venues available for this activity in the City. A common community concern at other sporting venues is the dominance sporting groups have over use and management of facilities. This however, does not appear to be a concern at the Megalong Sportsground. There is no other sporting group competing for use of the ground, and there is strong support for the equestrian activities, which is linked to the cultural values of the Valley.

The community hall includes a stage, kitchen and toilet and is approximately 230 sq.m in size. The hall is an invaluable asset to the community as it is a focal point for much of the organized social activities in the Valley and hosts such functions as the Megalong Ball and community meetings.

The sportsground includes a single fenced tennis court with a hard surface, and under cover seating. The court is used by private groups or during other sporting or social events.

The playground is the only public playground in the Valley, and it provides an important opportunity for local residents and families during sporting or social events. It is probably not utilized by tourist visiting local attractions or the Tea Room. The playground includes swings, a slippery slide and spring rocker, over a timber chip soft-fall surface, and is visible from the spectators stands, hall and tennis court.

Car parking is informal with most utilising the area in front of the hall or near the sportsground. The unformed nature of the access and parking has led to

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 17 January 2008

compaction, large bare soil areas and some erosion. There is no speed or parking advisory signs leading to a possible safety risk.

Maintenance of the facilities is undertaken by Council and to some extent prominent user groups.

Objectives • To encourage and facilitate the use of the Sportsground facilities for appropriate recreational, cultural, and social activities; • To provide and maintain facilities to a level that meets the expectations of the community and is within the realistic budgetary constraints of Council; • To provide sporting infrastructure in line with Council’s vision and aims as set out in the Blue Mountains Recreation & Sports Strategy 2002; and • Ensure the provision, operation, maintenance and improvement of facilities does not adversely affect the natural or cultural values of the Reserve, and the amenity of the community and nearby residents. Opportunities • Planning for realistic and achievable improvement of facilities to meet the communities needs; • Reducing erosion and improving pedestrian safety through formalization of car parking and access, and provision of road advisory and warning signs; and • Seek contributions and partnerships with users groups. Management Actions • Continue required maintenance levels to achieve safe and functioning facilities; • Review the maintenance schedule to ensure that user outcomes can be reasonably achieved and to ensure maintenance frequencies ensure functioning and safe facilities; • Council will pursue and support partnerships with user groups for the shared management responsibility for maintenance; • Investigate options for a replacement clubhouse for Blue Mountains Pony Club and assist the club pursue funding, including external grants; • Improve car park drainage to halt erosion; • The upgrade of any facilities will adhere to Council’s Access & Equity Policy, and any statutory obligation under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and NSW Crown Lands Act 1989; and • Future upgrades will be consistent with LEP 1991, or any subsequent LEP, and will be in accordance with permitted uses (see Annexure A – Appendix 4).

4.3 Cultural Heritage Current usage and management practices are not having an effect on known Aboriginal or European cultural heritage values. The protection and conservation of the cultural heritage values is considered a priority on moral and legislative grounds. In the case of Aboriginal heritage, all Aboriginal objects and places are protected under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and it is an offence to destroy, damage or deface them without the prior consent of the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation Director-General. Council has a clear obligation to identify, within reason, the cultural values of the site, and to ensure their appropriate management and conservation.

Objective • To protect and conserve Aboriginal and European heritage values within the Reserve.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 18 January 2008

Opportunities • Council should liaise with the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute to have the Megalong Reserve included in the Mapping Country Program for assessment of cultural values. Management Actions • Review current usage or management actions to ensure they do not impact upon Aboriginal objects or places; • Amend current or develop new management actions to achieve protection and conservation of Aboriginal objects or places, should they be found on the Reserve; and • Before any new development occurs within the Reserve a systematic archaeological assessment of the Reserve should be undertaken.

4.4 Natural Heritage The Megalong Reserve supports a wide range of biodiversity, including vegetation communities recognised as significant under the LEP. Conservation and protection of the Reserve’s biodiversity should be a key driver for management upon the Reserve, as it is one of the few public spaces supporting these significant vegetation types in the upper Megalong Valley. Other reserves in the Valley conserve other important vegetation types, such as rainforest at Blackheath Glen, and along with the Megalong Reserve contributes to the conservation reserve system within the Valley.

The Reserve has the potential to support a range of threatened fauna and flora listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Council has a statutory responsibility to consider these species and their habitat when developing the Reserve’s management strategy. The obligation to protect fauna, flora and habitat should also be promoted to users of the Reserve.

Current usage of the Reserve causes disturbance and has the potential to introduce or exacerbate existing management issues. However, in the most part these impacts are limited to the Sportsground and to the network of trails, are not of any significant severity at this stage. The protection of natural heritage values can be readily achieved by ensuring sustainable use practices through licensing, minimising user impacts through track maintenance, education and by undertaking appropriate fire and weed management programs.

Objective • To protect and conserve the natural heritage values within the Reserve; • To minimise the impacts of activities within the Reserve; and • To increase knowledge of the natural heritage values of the Reserve. Opportunities • The natural environments, cultural heritage values and built infrastructure in the Megalong Valley would support an industry associated with education. Schools have access to camping/cabin accommodation, a hall, venues catering to cultural heritage education, and numerous natural environments ranging from rainforest to paddocks that can have any number of education programs developed around them. Currently, the built facilities and natural environments of the Megalong are not being widely used for school education. Management Actions • Establish a fauna and flora monitoring program, that includes the establishment of permanent photo points;

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 19 January 2008

• Signage should identify that fauna and flora are protected and that firewood is not to be collected within the reserve; and • Promote the Reserve to the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute as a potential site to undertake biological research.

4.5 Water Quality Back Creek maintains low or intermittent flows within the Reserve so it is unlikely to be used for recreational activities. The creek is more likely to be used during or following high flows when sufficient water is present. Under these conditions faecal coliform levels are likely to be higher than average and would exceed guidelines for primary (eg. swimming) and possibly secondary (eg. wading/boating) contact. The creek should therefore not be promoted as a location for recreational activities.

The better than average water quality in Back Creek can be attributed to the fact that the catchment is largely undeveloped. The current usage of the Reserve for activities such as horse riding and bushwalking is not having a marked impact upon water quality, however appropriate management both in and outside of the Reserve should be implemented to ensure no further decline in water quality.

Objective • To improve river health and ensure public safety. Opportunities • Consider Megalong Reserve as a Streamwatch site to be monitored by volunteers. Management Actions • The Reserve should not be promoted as a site for swimming; • Council should analyse Streamwatch data on a regular basis to detect a change in trend of the water quality in Back Creek; and • Council should continue control and management of on-site sewerage systems, whilst promoting connection to the mains sewerage system.

4.6 Invasive Weeds The Reserve currently support a number of introduced weeds recorded in the Reserve. The majority are recognised pasture weed species. Horses are recognised as a vector for the introduction and spread of non-endemic native or exotic plants. A number of studies have shown that the majority of seeds that pass through the digestive system of horses show little loss of viability, and horses may be capable of dispersing weeds ten days after ingestion (CPNP and HRWG 2003). There are no studies that have determined the extent to which weeds will colonise away from manure. Horse manure contains a significant amount of phosphate and nitrogen, and some seeds may only proliferate within manure piles. There is concern that levels of phosphate and nitrogen may be sufficient to affect native vegetation, evolved to suit Australia’s phosphate and nitrogen deficient soils (NPA 1999).

Objective • To reduce the potential of further weeds being introduced into the Reserve, whilst ensuring that existing weeds are managed so there is no significant adverse impact to the environment. Opportunities • Regular users, such as commercial horse riding operators, could be utilised to identify the introduction or spread of problem weed species.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 20 January 2008

Management Actions • Council inspects the trail network on a regular basis to identify problem weed species; • Problem weeds should be treated by Council within the Reserve, with priority given to species listed under the NSW Noxious Weed Act 1993; and • Council, in consultation with regular users, should consider options for reducing the potential for additional weeds species to be introduced into the Reserve.

4.7 Nature Studies Nature studies, such as bird watching, nature photography or botany, are popular in the Blue Mountains, with activities being undertaken by commercial operators, clubs/interest groups and by private parties. Megalong Reserve is infrequently used for nature studies, which is surprising given the Valley’s high visitation levels. A lack of public awareness of the Reserve may be the reason and further promotion could lead to increase in usage for this activity. Nature studies are low impact activities as they are typically undertaken on foot and are track based. They do not result in any specific adverse management outcomes, however they do contribute to deterioration of facilities such as walking tracks.

Objective • Support low impact nature studies within the Reserve, in line with the requirements of the BMCC Nature Based Recreation Strategy 2005-2015. Opportunities • Blackheath and Megalong Valley combined, support over eight distinct vegetation communities, which provide habitat for a diverse array of birds. The Megalong Reserve supports four distinct vegetation communities, and is one of the few easily and publicly accessible stands of Megalong Footslopes Forest in the mountains. The Valley and Reserve are probably under utilised for bird watching, however with increasing participation in the activity, the Reserve could provide a valued resource to the bird watching community; and • Council in conjunction with Blue Mountains Bird Observers Club could develop a pamphlet promoting bird-watching opportunities in the area. Management Actions • Make the vertebrate fauna and flora lists associated with this DPoM available to the public via Council’s web site; • Prepare a list of birds in the Blackheath-Megalong area, which will be available via the Council’s web site; and • Support nature based studies by providing adequate and appropriate track coverage and signage.

4.8 Horse Riding, Cycling, Bushwalking and Trail Management The Megalong Reserve is utilised for horse riding, and to a far lesser extent mountain biking and bush walking. The use of the Reserve for these purposes has led to the development of a network of trails and tracks, and their management is intrinsically link to the use of the Reserve for these recreational purposes.

Horse riding is a popular recreation and tourism activity in the Blue Mountains, in particular the Megalong Valley. The Megalong is popular for the agistment of horses, and there are two commercial operations in the Valley that are focused on the provision of horse riding activities. The commercial operations are significant in terms of their economic contribution to the City, the Valley and other tourism

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 21 January 2008

operators, which is demonstrated by a Council survey that found 13% of nature tour operators offered horse riding as an activity (BMCC 2005b). One commercial operator based on an adjacent property utilises part of the Reserve to extend the network of trails offered to clients. The majority of horse movements within the Reserve are attributed to this commercial operation. The remainder of movements are attributed to the owners of agisted horses, Valley residents and participants of equestrian activities at the Sportsground that regularly take the opportunity to ride their horses in the large bushland reserve.

The Reserve is not recognised as a venue for private or commercial bush walking or cycling and would be used infrequently for these activities. The Blue Mountains region has one of the largest networks of bush walking tracks and trails in Australia, and it is therefore unlikely that the Reserve would become a focal point for bush walking, rather it would be used opportunistically.

Cycling, more specifically mountain bike riding is growing rapidly in popularity as an individual and competitive sport, and has given rise to a number of disciplines including cross-country, downhill, stunt and free-riding. Most land managers, including Council, do not permit cycling on walking tracks for safety reasons and to limit potential conflicts between users. Cross-country cycling has therefore been limited to the service trails of which there are some 40 that have significant usage in the Blue Mountains. Downhill involves the development of a naturally surfaced course over a variety of terrain, however the development of the sport has been constrained by a lack of approved public venues in the Greater Sydney Region. Demand for mountain biking opportunities may be sufficient to warrant consideration of the development of additional capacity at the Reserve. Free-riding and stunt- riding has an elevated level of risk and requires the erection of some form of structure and Council considered this to be inappropriate in a natural area.

Horse riders, cyclists and walkers can come into conflict when utilising the same trails and tracks, however the occurrence of conflict between users is rare. Conflict typically stems from issues regarding user safety, track and environmental degradation, and social amenity. Conflict can be minimised through trail design or grading, education and the practicing of the code of conduct developed by the representing bodies associated with horse riding and cycling (ATHRA 2005, MBTA 2005). Whether there is an inability to reconcile differences, then restrictions may need to be applied and implemented across users equitably.

Figure 8 shows the network of primary trails, also referred to as double trails as they are wide enough for 4WD vehicles, and secondary or single trails that are in places only wide enough for a single walker or rider to pass. Both primary and secondary trails are a Class 4 trail as per Australian Standards (AS2156.1-2001). Elements typical of a Class 4 trail include a distinct trail without major modification of the ground. Fallen debris and ground obstacles are likely to encountered. Gradient is limited to environmental and maintenance considerations. Facilities and signage will be minimal. Management intervention is low and there is likely to be some degree of degradation of the trail network.

All trail users cause degradation to trails, which can be summarised into four main categories: excessive erosion caused by soil disturbance, changed drainage, development of informal trails, and vegetation disturbance. The contribution of each user group on trail degradation has been an issue of significant debate over the past decade and has been progressively resolved through research of the issues.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 22 January 2008

Soil erosion is considered the most severe of impacts as it is long lasting and encourages other forms of degradation such as water logging, trail duplication and vegetation loss or degradation. The rate of soil erosion and compaction caused by different user groups is variable. Wilson and Seney (1994) demonstrated that more soil erosion occurs on wet trails than dry regardless of the user type. Horses on wet or dry trails cause most erosion on trails, and hikers and mountain bikers cause significantly less (Wilson and Seney 1994). Chui and Kriwoken (2003), found no significant difference in the soil erosion rates caused by hikers and bikers. Goeft and Alder (2001) found compaction rates increased after initial track formation, with subsequent intermittent loosening and recompaction events. In general, compaction rates were found to remain fairly stable with age (Goeft and Alder 2001). When compared to hikers and bikers, horses have the greatest down pressure, and achieve significant compaction of the underlying soil layers (CPNP and HRWG 2003). Track compaction may assist in reducing erosion rates by reducing erosivity. Bjorkman, in Sprung (2004), studied the difference in soil erosion between a natural surface and an artificially hardened surface. Bjorkman measured a soil loss of 10.86 tons/acre on the natural surface and only 0.11 tons/acre from the hardened surface. This result may in part be a reflection of the effectiveness of an appropriately constructed trail in reducing erosion, rather than a true measure of the response of two surfaces to erosive processes. Track compaction may also encourage erosion by concentrating flows, or create bogging by retaining water on the trail (CPNP and HRWG 2003), which further exacerbates erosion, and vegetation disturbance or loss.

Most authors recognise that rainfall intensity and slope gradient is a primary factor in determining soil erosion rates. Soil properties, such as structure and texture, influence soil erosivity, which is of almost equal importance. Wilson and Seney (1994) concluded that trail degradation had more to do with geomorphic processes than user types and intensity of use. Cole, in Cressford (1995) concluded geomorphic processes influence soil erosion to such an extent that there is little value, in terms of reducing impacts, in limiting the use of trails. This indicates that track design, construction, and maintenance are more important than limiting user groups or intensity of use.

The Reserve has numerous points where there is unacceptable erosion of the trail. These points have in common one or more of the following factors: high slope gradient, long unbroken slope and yellow/white residual soils. A large portion of the trail subjected to high use by horse riders is not eroding significantly. Therefore, geomorphic factors rather than user type or intensity of use, is most likely the cause of the erosion. Rerouting or improved design and construction of the degraded portion of the trail network should be the primary remediation tool.

Calais and Kirkpatrick (1986) noted that trail duplication in the Tasmanian Highlands occurred continuously, with new trails being formed when others become impassable, and did not reflect increased usage levels. Weaver and Dale (1978) found that horses and hikers were more likely to short cut corners than bikers. Trial duplication and short-cutting, increase the extent of the trail network, thus increasing vegetation loss, soil erosion and management costs. Examples of duplicated trail, and corner cutting at trail heads can be seen in Figure 8. Appropriate management of the issues can be best achieved through trail reconstruction, decommissioning, and education.

Thurston and Reader, in Sprung (2004), found that vegetation impacts increased with hiking and mountain biking activity, and that there was no discernable difference between the two groups. Horses are more destructive to vegetation, often cutting plants off at the roots, rather than flattening which is typical of hikers and bikers. This

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 23 January 2008

is supported by an experimental study that found vegetation loss in unformed surfaces is four to eight times greater from horse trampling than hiker trampling (CPNP and HRWG 2003). Several studies found the impact on vegetation from hikers and bikers is apparent up to 2 m either side of the trail centre line (Wilson and Seney 1994; Geoft and Alder 2001), however, Thurston and Reader found impacts to be concentrated in an area 30 cm either side of the trail centre line. Vegetation disturbance or loss is increased as a result of track widening, trail duplication and short-cutting. The Reserve’s vegetation is in good condition, and disturbance associated with trail usage is limited the to the proximity of the trails. Vegetation disturbance will be an unavoidable outcome associated with use of the Reserve, however steps should be undertaken to limit disturbance to the minimum extent possible, whilst allowing for appropriate use of the reserve. Management actions should focus on eliminating track duplication and short-cutting through education, and unnecessary or inappropriate sections of trails should be decommissioned and remediated.

Objective • To provide for a range of sustainable activities within the Reserve; and • To minimise the impact of activities upon the Reserve. Opportunities • Review the capacity of the Reserve for further development of mountain biking opportunities; and • Signage at the Reserve should reflect relevant codes of conduct for user groups Management Actions • Bushwalking should be permitted on primary and secondary trails in all management areas; • Private horse riding should be permitted on primary and secondary trails in management areas 1, 2a, 2b, 2c, and 4; • Commercial horse riding operations should be permitted on primary and secondary trails in management areas 2a and 2b, and on primary trails in management area 2c; • Commercial horse riding operations should be permitted on secondary trails in management area 2c once adequate trail remediation works have been completed; • The License of commercial operators will contain conditions limiting use in response to heavy rainfall; • Private mountain biking should be permitted on primary trails in management areas 2a, 2b, and 2c; • If further development of mountain biking opportunities are realised, or if use of the Reserve for mountain biking increases, then consideration should be given to restricting activities to certain management areas to avoid conflict; • Rationalise the trail network, which will include closure of tracks that are duplicate, eroding or are unsuitable in the construction manner or location; • Decommissioned trails should be remediated to reduce further environmental degradation; • Trails remaining open should have points of significant degradation remediated with priority given in order to management areas 2a, 2b, 2c and then 4; • Consideration should be given to maintaining all primary trails to a standard that allows safe passage of 4WD vehicles for emergency or management purposes and • Signage should be erected identifying to users the areas available for their activity.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 24 January 2008

4.9 Bush Fire Management The Blue Mountains region is prone to frequent and intense bush fire events. This is in part due to extensive tracts of highly combustible vegetation, steep topography, and seasonable weather patterns, which are conducive to supporting bush fire.

The majority of Megalong Reserve has remained unburnt for many decades and the only reported fire since official record keeping in 1943 was a prescribed burn conducted in 1979, which covered most of the Reserve east of Back Creek. The infrequent bush fire is in part due to the passive land use and distance from the urban environment. The Reserve’s topography and vegetation is however, capable of supporting an intense ground to canopy wildfire even under moderate bush fire weather conditions. This is reflected in the District Bush Fire Management Plan (BFMP), which identifies the Reserve as being of high bush fire risk (BMBMC 2000).

Bush fire management zones, which are based on a bush fire risk analysis, are mapped in the BFMP. The Reserve is classified as Land Management Zone (LMZ), however an Asset Protection Zone (APZ) exists around buildings and other major infrastructure associated with the Sportsground (BMBMC 2000).

The purpose of an LMZ is to meet relevant land management objectives in areas where life and property are not directly at risk. As the vegetation communities within the Reserve are listed as Environmentally Sensitive under local planning instruments, one of the primary land management objectives should be the conservation and protection of these communities.

The inter-fire interval, or time between two consecutive fires, strongly influences biodiversity. The NSW NPWS has identified minimum and maximum fire intervals, or thresholds, for broad vegetation classes (NPWS 2003). The minimum interval is the length of inter-fire interval that should avoid any local species extinctions, and is based on the minimum maturity requirements of species sensitive to extinction under frequent fire regimes. As it suggests, it is the absolute minimum and to allow for seed production and sufficient restocking of the soil seed bank, a period of 5 reproductive years should be added to the minimum fire interval for all vegetation classes. The maximum interval is the time since fire at which there is a potential for species to be lost from the community due to senescence. Two points must be emphasised in relation to the maximum fire interval. The data used to derive this figure is largely based on assumptions and generalisations rather than quantitative life history studies (NPWS 2003). Secondly, diversity may be lower in long unburnt vegetation, however it supports specialists-species dependant on long-unburnt habitats. Therefore, a portion of the landscape must be maintained as long unburnt to conserve these species, and to maintain biodiversity across the landscape.

The vegetation communities on the Reserve fall into the two broad vegetation classes, identified by NPWS, of heath and shrubby dry sclerophyll forest. The minimum fire interval for heath and scrubby dry sclerophyll forest is 7 years and the maximum interval is 30 years (NPWS 2003). The minimum interval should be increased to 12 years to ensure maintenance of biodiversity.

Repetitive burning at the minimum interval will result in a progressive decline in species that are sensitive to frequent disturbance or reach reproductive maturity at a time in excess of the minimum interval. Repetition of long intervals may have the same effect on those species sensitive to infrequent fire. It is also apparent that intervals constantly in the mid-way between thresholds can lead to dominance of particular species, impacting on biodiversity (Keith et al. 2002), and influencing bush

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 25 January 2008

fire risk by shifting dominance to those species that are more flammable. Conservation of biodiversity is therefore achieved by ensuring variation in the length of inter-fire intervals (Morrison et al. 1995). With this in mind it is recommended that the inter-fire interval between consecutive fires should differ by at least 5 years.

The purpose of an APZ is to protect human life, property and highly valued public assets and values. An APZ exists around major buildings associated with the Megalong Showground and on common boundary fences between two distinct owners/managers. The distance and implementation of the APZ should be consistent with requirements identified in the NSW Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code 2005 (RFS 2005).

Usage of the Reserve following a bush fire could adversely impact upon the regeneration of vegetation, and by promoting soil erosion. Hazard reduction burns should not occur in more than one management area in a single year. Following a burn, the management area should appropriately restrict intensive usage for a period of time to minimise environmental impacts. Access should still be permitted to the primary trails in the management area. Appropriate management actions, including exclusion areas should be applied following wildfire.

The network of tracks and trails allows users to penetrate into areas accessible only on foot, bicycle or horse, making communication and evacuation difficult. Furthermore, the vehicular trail network is degraded in places and may not be suitable for use by the full range bush fire fighting appliances nor provide adequate coverage for bush fire fighting purposes. To reduce the potential risk to users of the Reserve a number of actions can be implemented, including restriction of organised groups to specific areas, requiring tour guides to undergo an emergency management induction course, ensuring adequate communication is carried, erection of signage, and if necessary the establishment and maintenance of refuge areas.

Objective • Fire management of the Reserve will ensure no adverse impact upon the natural area values of the Reserve, whilst ensuring protection of property and public safety. Opportunities • Most accessible conservation reserves in the Blue Mountains are within the Strategic Fire Advantage Zone and are managed primarily for property protection and bush fire suppression. The Megalong Reserve is one of the few accessible Reserves in a Land Management Zone where fire management can be undertaken primarily for biodiversity outcomes; • Review bushfire management zonings for the Reserve in advance of the next revision of the Bush Fire Management Plan; and • The development of a mosaic of vegetation age-classes provides opportunities for the study of fire ecology. Management Actions • An APZ should be established and maintained around buildings and assets of significant value in the Reserve; • The minimum and maximum fire interval should be 12 years and 35 years respectively; • The inter-fire interval between consecutive fire sets should differ by at least 5 years; • Burning should achieve a mosaic of vegetation of differing post fire age;

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 26 January 2008

• Council should give consideration to the establishment of an emergency refuge east of Back Creek; • Within an area burnt, intensive activities such as commercial horse riding, should be appropriately limited for a period of time to minimise environmental impacts; • Organised or commercial groups should have emergency response protocols in place prior to utilising the Reserve; and • Council should consider the upgrading of a number of tracks to a standard suitable for the safe operation of light 4WD vehicles to assist emergency access.

4.10 Licensing and Bookings Under the NSW Crown Lands Act 1989 licences can be issued authorising the occupation and use of crown lands, including public reserves. Licences can be issued for a range of uses such as wharves, boat ramps, grazing, agriculture and other commercial ventures. The occupation and use for which the license is granted must be consistent with the purpose of the reserve or additional purposes identified in a PoM. The Reserve is currently being used for a number of public and commercial recreational uses, which are consistent with the Reserve’s purpose. These include pony clubbing, trail riding and grazing.

Council's ovals, parks and facilities such as halls and public buildings are available for use by the general public and community groups. Organisations such as clubs, schools, and interest groups can book or hire these facilities either as a 'one-off' or as a seasonal or long-term regular booking. Dependent upon circumstances, bookings or hire may permit sole-use or may only allow shared usage. Council’s booking system provides users with surety of use and enables Council to gauge demand and manage the site accordingly.

Council operates a number of licensing and booking systems for the reserve. Commercial nature based recreation activities are licensed through Council’s Nature Based Licensing Scheme, which complies with requirements of the NSW Crown Lands Act 1989. Megalong Valley Halls Committee has been delegated by Council the responsibility for bookings associated with the hall, sportsground and tennis courts. Currently, the NSW Department of Lands issues a grazing lease over R47325. The grazing of this parcel is not inconsistent with the recreational purpose of the Reserve and Council would continue the lease for its duration, and may renew the lease should management of the Reserve become Council’s responsibility.

Under recent changes to the NSW Crown Lands Act 1989 (see NSW Crown Lands Legislation Amendment Act 2005), Council may be appointed as the Reserve Trust, and may be delegated consent authority from the Minister of Lands for the issuing of licenses. The creation of a single reserve trust or the delegation of consent authority direct to Council for all four parcels that form the Reserve would simplify administration and management of the Reserve.

Objective • To authorise and regulate specialist or commercial activities on the Reserve, where they are consistent with the purpose of the reserve; • To allow organised activities some degree of autonomy whilst minimising Council’s management costs; and • To provide a level of surety to Licensees, that is necessary to facilitate development of facilities and services.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 27 January 2008

Opportunities • Council or the Reserve Trust may issue a license for multiple or non-exclusive use of all or part of the Reserve; • A license may be issued providing short-term or intermittent control of all or part of the Reserve; and • A number of licenses/bookings may be issued for the Reserve, providing differing or overlapping use of an area, for same or differing times. Management Actions • If Council is appointed as the Reserve Trust, then Council should seek consent authority for licenses over the Reserve from the Minister of Lands; • Council should require the licensing and/or bookings for all specialised or commercial activities that will use the Reserve; • Overnight camping associated with events that book the hall and/or sportsground will be permitted with approval from Council; • Licenses should only be granted where they are consistent with the purpose of the Reserve and where they can achieve compliance with the objectives and management actions of this PoM; • In determining a license application, Council should give due consideration to options for multiple use, and equitable access; and • Licenses should be for a specified period of time, and for a specified geographic area.

4.11 Management Action Plan Section 4.11 outlines the means by which the Council proposes to achieve the objectives identified in this Plan of Management. It tables a variety of actions that arise from the Management Actions in Section 4.1-10. For each proposed action it indicates a cost, priority, resource availability and monitoring technique.

The Priority column in the Action Plan reflects the relative importance of each action. Priorities are indicated in the Action Plan as follows:

Priority 1: These actions address issues that arise under the following circumstances: • where there is the potential for the public to be exposed to an unacceptable risk; • there is potential for a serious threat to the environment; and • to meet statutory obligations.

Priority 2: These actions address issues that meet a significant community need.

Priority 3: These actions address issues that have longer-term impacts, such as meeting less urgent community needs, improving inefficient services, or providing policy guidance for Council services.

The resource Availability column in the Action Plan provides an indication of when the action is likely to be implemented. The year indicates the year Council aims to commence work. This may include, as a first step, applying for funds from external sources, or Council’s Capital Works Program. In some cases, the resources to deliver a Priority 1 or 2 Action may be available before those of a Priority 1 Action. This may be due to the amount of money required, or the fact that it is reliant upon actions or funding provided by external parties, which are beyond Council’s control.

The Action Plan also indicates funding sources, as well as monitoring and evaluation techniques.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 28 January 2008

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 29 January 2008

Table 8: Management Action Plan Action Action Priority Resource Indicative Funding Monitoring Evaluation No. Availability Cost Source Technique 4.1 Tenure and Management Strategy 4.1.1 Council should request from Department of 2 20007/08 Staff Time BMCC Correspondence Decision regarding Lands a review of the status of R74325 with management the view of having the reserve’s gazetted as responsibility a Recreation Reserve 4.1.2 Council and Department of Lands should 3 2007/08 Staff Time BMCC Correspondence Decision regarding consider formalising a single Council reserve trust managed reserve trust to oversee all three parcels of land 4.1.3 If Council is appointed as the Reserve Trust, 2 As required Staff Time BMCC File notes Community Feedback then Council should give due consideration to devolving some management responsibility to other parties 4.1.4 Council should continue its practice of As As required Staff Time BMCC File Notes Encroachment reducing encroachment onto the reserve required reduced 4.1.5 The development of future management 2 As required Staff Time BMCC Consultation Response actions should involve public consultation undertaken incorporated into decision 4.1.6 Consider rezoning Megalong Reserve (east 3 As required Staff Time BMCC File Notes Recommendation on Back Creek) during the review of LEP 1991 zoning 4.1.7 Future management actions should be As As required Staff Time BMCC File notes Review undertaken reviewed prior to implementation to ensure required they are consistent with statutory obligations. 4.2 Facilities at Megalong Sportsground 4.2.1 Continue required maintenance levels to 1 Annual $2,500p/a BMCC File notes/ Budgets Annual Reporting achieve safe and functioning facilities. 4.2.2 Review the maintenance schedule to ensure 2 2008/09 Staff Time BMCC File note Review produced that user outcomes can be reasonably achieved and to ensure maintenance frequencies ensure functioning and safe facilities.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 30 January 2008

Action Action Priority Resource Indicative Funding Monitoring Evaluation No. Availability Cost Source Technique 4.2.3 Council will pursue and support partnerships 2 As required Staff Time BMCC File notes Management with user groups for the shared Agreements management responsibility for maintenance. 4.2.4 Investigate options for a replacement 2 2007/08 Staff & BMCC File notes Evaluation, costing clubhouse for Blue Mountains Pony Club volunteer BMPC and funding options and assist the club pursue funding, including Time provided to Club external grants 4.2.5 Improve car park drainage to halt erosion 1 2007/08 $1500 BMCC Inc. in works program Works completed 4.2.6 The upgrade of any facilities will adhere to 1 As required Staff Time BMCC File Notes DA assessments Council’s Access & Equity Policy, and any statutory obligation under the NSW EPA Act 1979, and NSW Crown Lands Act 1989. 4.2.7 Future upgrades will be consistent with LEP 1 As required Staff Time BMCC File Notes DA assessments 1991, or any subsequent LEP, and will be in accordance with permitted uses (see Annexure A – Appendix 4). 4.3 Cultural Heritage 4.3.1 Review current usage or management 1 2007/08 Staff Time BMCC File notes Review is undertaken actions to ensure they do not impact upon Aboriginal objects or places should they be found. 4.3.2 Amend current or develop new 1 As required Staff Time BMCC File Notes Amendments made if management actions to achieve protection required and conservation of Aboriginal objects or places, should they be found on the Reserve 4.3.3 Before any further development occurs 1 As required $1,000- BMCC File notes Assessments within the Reserve a systematic $10,000 Grants undertaken when archaeological assessment of the Reserve required should be undertaken.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 31 January 2008

Action Action Priority Resource Indicative Funding Monitoring Evaluation No. Availability Cost Source Technique 4.4 Natural Heritage 4.4.1 Establish a fauna and flora monitoring 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC Program Developed Program program that includes the establishment of implemented permanent photo points. 4.4.2 Signage should identify that fauna and flora 2 2008/08 Staff Time BMCC Signs Developed Included on signs are protected and that firewood is not to be Grants collected within the reserve. 4.4.3 Promote the Reserve to the Blue Mountains 3 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC File Notes Research undertaken World Heritage Institute as a potential site to on reserve undertake biological research. 4.5 Water Quality 4.5.1 The Reserve should not be promoted as a 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC Public and staff No BMCC material site for swimming. feedback promoting swimming 4.5.2 Council should analyse Streamwatch data 2 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC File notes Analysis undertaken on a regular basis to detect a change in trend of the water quality in Back Creek. 4.5.3 Council should continue control and 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC Councils database of Reduction in on-site management of on-site sewerage systems, Sydney on-site systems systems in the whilst promoting connection to the mains Water catchment sewerage system. 4.6 Invasive Weeds 4.6.1 Council inspects the trail network on an 3 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC SLA reporting Included in Service annual basis to identify problem weed Level Agreement species. 4.6.2 Problem weeds should be treated by 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC SLA reporting Included in Service Council within the Reserve, with priority Level Agreement given to species listed under the NSW Noxious Weed Act 1993. 4.6.3 Council, in consultation with regular users, 3 2007/08 Staff Time BMCC Public feedback Agreement reached should consider options for reducing the on the potential for additional weeds species to be implementation of introduced into the Reserve. additional strategies

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 32 January 2008

Action Action Priority Resource Indicative Funding Monitoring Evaluation No. Availability Cost Source Technique 4.7 Nature Studies 4.7.1 Make the vertebrate fauna and flora lists 3 2007/08 Staff Time BMCC Lists developed Lists available on associated with this PoM available to the BMCC website public via Council’s web site. 4.7.2 Prepare a list of birds in the Blackheath- 3 2007/08 Staff Time BMCC Lists developed List available on Megalong area, which will be available via BMCC website the Council’s web site. 4.7.3 Support nature based studies by providing 2 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC Signs developed Establishment of adequate and appropriate track coverage $5,000 for Grants signage and signage. signage (inc. 4.2.2) 4.8 Horse Riding, Cycling, Bushwalking and Trail Management 4.8.1 Bushwalking should be permitted on 1 Ongoing Not Not User feedback Observed usage primary and secondary trails in all applicable required management areas. 4.8.2 Private horse riding should be permitted on 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC User feedback Observed usage primary and secondary trails in Council Ranger management areas 1, 2a, 2b, 2c, and 4. feedback 4.8.3 Commercial horse riding operations should 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC User feedback Reflected in licensing be permitted on primary and secondary Council Ranger trails in management areas 2a and 2b, and feedback on primary trails in management area 2c. 4.8.4 Commercial horse riding operations should 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC User feedback Reflected in licensing be permitted on secondary trails in Council Ranger management area 2c once adequate trail feedback remediation works have been completed. 4.8.5 The License of commercial operators will 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC User feedback Reflected in licensing contain conditions limiting use in response Council Ranger to heavy rainfall feedback 4.8.6 Private mountain biking should be permitted 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC User feedback Observed usage on primary trails in management areas 2a, Council Ranger 2b, and 2c. feedback

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 33 January 2008

Action Action Priority Resource Indicative Funding Monitoring Evaluation No. Availability Cost Source Technique 4.8 Horse Riding, Cycling, Bushwalking and Trail Management (continued) 4.8.7 If further development of mountain biking 1 As required Staff Time BMCC User group Response taken opportunities are realised, or if use of the feedback when required Reserve for mountain biking increases, then consideration should be given to restricting activities to certain management areas to avoid conflict. 4.8.8 Rationalise the trail network, which will 1 2007/08 Staff Time BMCC File notes Finding available on include closure of tracks that are duplicate, website eroding or are unsuitable in the construction manner or location. 4.8.9 Decommissioned trails should be 2 As funding is Dependant BMCC File Notes Trails progressively remediated to reduce further available on User Service Level remediated environmental degradation. rationalisation groups Agreement 4.8.10 Trails remaining open should have points 1 As funding is Dependant on BMCC File Notes Level of trail of significant degradation remediated with available rationalisation User Service Level degradation reduced priority given in order to management groups Agreement areas 2a, 2b, 2c and then 4. 4.8.11 Consideration should be given to 1 2007/08- Staff Time BMCC File notes Trail maintained or maintaining all primary trails to a standard 2008/09 $7,000 for Grants deemed unnecessary that allows safe passage of 4WD vehicles trail for emergency or management purposes. maintenance 4.8.12 Signage should be erected identifying to 2 2008/09 Staff Time BMCC Signs developed Establishment of users the areas available for their activity. $2,500 Grants signage signage 4.9 Bush Fire Management 4.9.1 An APZ should be established and 1 2007/08 Staff Time BMCC File notes Hazard reduction maintained around buildings and assets of certificate issues – significant value in the Reserve. works completed 4.9.2 The minimum and maximum fire interval 1 Ongoing Staff Time Not File notes Reflected in should be 12 years and 35 years required conditions of Hazard respectively. Reduction Certificate

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 34 January 2008

Action Action Priority Resource Indicative Funding Monitoring Evaluation No. Availability Cost Source Technique 4.9.3 The inter-fire interval between consecutive 1 Ongoing Staff Time Not File notes Reflected in fire sets should differ by at least 5 years. required conditions of Hazard Reduction Certificate 4.9.4 Burning should achieve a mosaic of 1 Ongoing Staff Time Not File notes Reflected in vegetation of differing post fire age. required conditions of Hazard Reduction Certificate 4.9.5 Council should give consideration to the 1 2007/08- Staff Time BMCC File notes Works completed or establishment of an emergency refuge east 2008/09 $1,500 for deemed uncessary of Back Creek. refuge 4.9.6 Within an area burnt, intensive activities 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC File notes Reflected in nature such as commercial horse riding should be based recreation restricted to primary trails for a period of at license least twelve months after the burn. 4.9.7 Organised or commercial groups should 1 Ongoing Not Not Ranger feedback Observed compliance have emergency response protocols in required required place prior to utilising the Reserve 4.9.8 Council should consider the upgrading of a 1 2007/08- Staff Time BMCC File notes Trail maintained or number of tracks to a standard suitable for 2008/09 $ as per Grants deemed unnecessary the safe operation of light 4WD vehicles to 4.8.11 assist emergency access. 4.10 Licensing and Bookings 4.10.1 If Council is appointed as the Reserve Trust, 1 2007/08 Staff Time BMCC File notes Dept. Lands then Council should seek consent authority Dpt. Lands endorsement for licenses over the Reserve from the Minister of Lands 4.10.2 Council should require the licensing and/or 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC File Notes License & booking bookings for all specialised or commercial numbers activities that will use the Reserve

4.10.3 Overnight camping associated with events 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC Booking Records License & booking that book the hall and/or sportsground will numbers be permitted with approval from Council

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 35 January 2008

Action Action Priority Resource Indicative Funding Monitoring Evaluation No. Availability Cost Source Technique 4.10.3 Licenses should only be granted where they 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC File Notes License applications are consistent with the purpose of the considered by Reserve and where they can achieve Council compliance with the objectives and management actions of this PoM

4.10.4 In determining a license application, Council 2 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC File notes Reflected in license & should give due consideration to options for booking conditions multiple use, and equitable access 4.10.5 Licenses should be for a specified period of 1 Ongoing Staff Time BMCC File notes Identified in time, and for a specified geographic area. conditions of license

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 36 January 2008

References

ANZECC 2000. Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality – Paper No. 4: Volume 1 Chapters 1-7. Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra.

ATHRA 2005. ATHRA Code of Conduct. Australian Trail Horse Riders Association Code of Conduct 2005. Albion Park Rail NSW.

Bjorkman A. 1996. Off-road Bicycle and Hiking Trail Users Interactions:L A Report to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Bureau of Research, in Sprung G. Natural Resource Impacts of Mountain Biking. International Mountain Bicycling Association, Boulder, Colorado.

BMBMC 2000. Blue Mountains District Bush Fire Risk Management Plan. Blue Mountains Bushfire Management Committee (BMBMC), Katoomba.

BMCC 2004a. Blue Mountains City Council Management Plan 2004-2008. Blue Mountains City Council, Katoomba.

BMCC 2004b. Blue Mountains 25 Year Vision Strategy. Blue Mountains City Council, Katoomba.

BMCC 2005a. Strategic Bush Fire Management Plan. Blue Mountains City Council, Katoomba.

BMCC 2005b. Nature Based Recreation Strategy 2005-2015. Blue Mountains City Council, Katoomba.

BMCC 2006. Fire Trails Sustainable Asset Management Plan. Blue Mountains City Council, Katoomba.

Briggs J.D. and Leigh, J.H. 1996. Rare or Threatened Plants of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Canberra.

Calais S.S and Kirkpatrick, J.B. 19986. Impact of Trampling on Natural Ecosystems in the Cradle Mountain-Lake ST Clair National Park. Australian Geographer 17:6-15.

Cape Peninsula National Park and Horse Riding Working Group 2003. Environmental Management Program for Horse Riding in Cape Peninsula National Park. Cape Peninsula National Park, South Africa.

Chui L. and Kriwoken, L. 2003. Managing Rcereational Mountain Biking in Wellington National Park, Tasmania, Australia. Annals of Leisure Research 6(4):339-61.

Cole D.N. 1987. Research on Soil and Vegetation in Wilderness: A State-of- Knowledge Review. Proceedings – National Wilderness research Conference: Issues, State-of-Knowledge, Future Directions. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, General Technical Report INT-220:135-77. Intermountain Research Station. In Cressford G.R. 1995. Off-road Impacts of Mountain Bikes: A Review and Discussion. Wellington, New Zealand: Science and Research Series No. 92. Deprtment of Conservation. http://www.mountainbike.co.nz/politics/.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 37 January 2008

Douglas S. 2001. Native vegetation mapping of Areas 1 to 5 in Blue Mountains local government area 2001. Ecological Surveys and Planning, Canberra.

Douglas, S. & BMCC 2002. Native vegetation mapping in the Blue Mountains 1999-2002. Blue Mountains City Council, Katoomba.

Goeft U. and Alder J. 2001. Sustainable Mountain Biking: A Case Study from the Southwest of western Australia. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 9(3):193-211

Keith, D. A., Williams, J. E. & Woinarski, J. C. Z. 2002. Fire management and biodiversity conservation: key approaches and principles, pp 401-428 in Bradstock, R.A., Williams, J.E. & Gill, A.M. (eds.), Flammable Australia. The Fire Regimes and Biodiversity of a Continent. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

MTBA 2005. Policy on Mountain Bike Access to Natural Areas. Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), Mirani Queensland.

Morrison, D. A. Cary, G. J. Pengelly, S. M. Ross, D. G. Mullins, B. J. Thomas, C. R. & Anderson, T. S. 1995, Effects of fire frequency on plant species composition of sandstone communities in the Sydney region: inter-fire interval and time-since-fire. Australian Journal of Ecology. 20, 239-247.

NPA 1999. Horse Riding in Natural Areas: Policy No.12 6/11/99. National Parks Associated of NSW.

NPWS 2003. Fire Interval Guidelines for Broad Vegetation Types. NPWS, Hurstville.

NHMRC 2004. National Water Quality Management Strategy: Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004. National Health and Medical Research Council, Canberra.

Harden, G.J. 2002. Flora of New South Wales: V1. UNSW Press, Sydney.

SAI 2001. Australian Standard; Walking Tracks Part 1: Classification and signage. Standards Australia International Ltd, Sydney.

Smith P. and Smith J. 1995. Flora and fauna study for Blue Mountains Environmental Management Plan: Areas 1 to 5. P & J Smith Ecological Consultants, Blaxland.

Thurston E. and Reader, R.J. 2001. Impacts of Experimentally Applied Mountain Biking and Hiking on Vegetation and Soil of a Deciduous Forest. Environmental Management 27(3):397-409, in Sprung G. Natural Resource Impacts of Mountain Biking. International Mountain Bicycling Association, Boulder, Colorado.

Weaver T. and Dale D. 1978. Trampling Effects of Hikers, Motorcycles and Horses in Meadows and Forests. Journal of Applied Ecology 15:451-57.

Wilson J.P. and Seney J.P. 1994. Erosional Impact of Hikers, Horses, Motorcycles and Off-road Bicycles on Mountain Trails in Montana. Mountain Research Development 14(1):77-88.

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 38 January 2008

APPENDIX 1

Plan of Management Figures

- 39 - Figure 1: Location of Megalong Reserve

- 40 - Figure 2: Aerial photograph showing cadastral boundaries

- 41 - Figure 3: Local Environment Plan 1991 Zonings and Environmental Constraints

- 42 - Figure 4: Soil landscapes of the Megalong Reserve

- 43 - Figure 5: Vegetation communities of Megalong Reserve

- 44 - Figure 6: Megalong Reserve Management Areas

- 45 - Figure 7: Trail network status

- 46 - APPENDIX 2

APPENDIX 2

Flora List for Megalong Reserve

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 47 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Table 9: Flora list for Megalong Reserve

1 Douglas & NSW NPWS Class/Family Scientific Name Common Name Study Area Bell 2 Wildlife Atlas POLYTRICHOPSIDA MOSSES Dawsoniaceae Dawsonia superba Giant Moss P

LYCOPSIDA CLUBMOSS and QUILLWORTS Lycopodiaceae Lycopodium deuterodensum Bushy Clubmoss P Selaginellaceae Selaginella uliginosa Swamp Selaginella P

FILICOPSIDA FERNS Adiantaceae Adiantum aethiopicum Common Maidenhair P Asclepiadaceae Marsdenia flavescens Hairy Milk Vine P Tylophora barbata Bearded Tylophora P Aspleniaceae Asplenium flabellifolium Necklace Fern P Blechnaceae Blechnum ambiguum P Blechnum cartilagineum Gristle Fern P P Blechnum gregsonii P Blechnum minus Soft Water Fern P Blechnum nudum Fishbone Water Fern P P P Cyatheaceae Cyathea australis Rough Treefern P P Cyathea leichhardtiana Prickly Treefern P Dennstaedtiaceae Pteridium esculentum Bracken Fern P P P Dicksoniaceae Calochlaena dubia Common Ground Fern P Dicksonia antarctica Soft Treefern P Gleicheniaceae Gleichenia dicarpa Pouched Coral Fern P P Gleichenia microphylla Scrambling Coral Fern P P Sticherus flabellatus Umbrella Fern P Hymenophyllaceae Hymenophyllum cupressiforme Common Filmy Fern P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 48 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Lindsaeaceae Lindsaea linearis Screw Fern P Lindseae microphylla Lacy Wedge Fern P P Osmundaceae Todea barbara King Fern P P P Sinopteridaceae Cheilanthes distans Bristly Cloak-fern P Cheilanthes sieberi Poison Rock Fern P P Pellaea falcata Sickle Fern P

CONIFEROPSIDA CONIFERS Podocarpaceae Microstrobos fitzgeraldii Dwarf Mountain Pine P

MAGNOLIOPSIDA DICOTYLEDONS Acanthaceae Pseuderanthemum variabile Pastel Flower P Apiaceae Actinotus helianthi Flannel Flower P Centella asiatica Pennywort P Hydrocotyle geraniifolia Forest Pennywort P Hydrocotyle laxiflora Stinking Pennywort P Hydrocotyle peduncularis P Platysace ericoides Heath Platysace P Platysace linifolia Carrot Tops P P Xanthosia dissecta Cut-leaved Xanthosia P Xanthosia pilosa Wooly Xanthosia P P Xanthosia tridentata Rock Xanthosia P Apocynaceae Parsonsia straminea Common Silkpod P Araliaceae Polyscias sambucifolia Elderberry Panax P P Asteraceae Brachycome angustifolia var. angustifolia P Brachycome diversifolia var. dissecta Large-headed Daisy P Cassinia aculeata Dolly Bush P Cassinia arcuata Chinese Shrub P Cassinia cunninghamii P Cassinia longifolia Snow Daisy P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 49 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Calotis dentex P Asteraceae Cotula coronopifolia Waterbuttons P Helichrysum rutidolepsis Pale Everlasting P P Helichrysum scorpioides Button Everlasting P P Lagenifera stipitata Blue Bottle-daisy P P Olearia erubescens Silky Daisy Bush P P Olearia quercifolia Oak-leaved Daisy Bush P Ozothamnus diosmifolius White Dogwood P P Senecio lautus Coast Groundsel P Senecio minimus Saw Groundsel P Senecio vagus P Gnaphalium involucratum Star Cudweed P Bignoniaceae Pandorea pandorana Wonga Wonga Vine P Campanulaceae Wahlenbergia communis Tufted Bluebells P Wahlenbergia gracillis Sprawling Bluebell P Wahlenbergia stricta Tall Bluebell P Caryophyllaceae Stellaria flaccida Forest Starwort P Stellaria pungens Prickly Starwort P Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina littoralis Black She-oak P P Allocasuarina nana Dwarf She-oak P Clusiaceae Hypericum gramineum Small St John's Wort P Convolvulaceae Convolvulus erubescens Australian Bindweed P Dichondra repens Kidney Weed P Cunoniaceae Callicoma serratifolia Black Wattle P Dilleniaceae Hibbertia aspera Rough Guinea Flower P P Hibbertia cistiflora subsp. cistiflora P Hibbertiafasciculata P Hibbertia obtusifolia Grey Guinea Flower P Hibbertia rufa Brown Guinea Flower P Droseraceae Drosera auriculata P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 50 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Drosera binata Forked Sundew P Drosera peltata Pale Sundew P P Drosera spathulata P Elaeocarpaceae Elaeocarpus reticulatus Blueberry Ash P Epacridaceae Brachyloma daphnoides Daphne Heath P Epacris breviflora P Epacris glacialis P Epacris hamiltonii P Epacris microphylla Coral Heath P Epacris muelleri Mueller's Heath P Epacris obtusifolia Blunt-leaf Heath P P Epacris paludosa Swamp Heath P Epacris pulchella NSW Coral Heath P P P Leucopogon appressus P Leucopogon attenuatus P Leucopogon fraseri P Leucopogon lanceolatus Lance-leaf Beard-heath P P P Leucopogon virgatus P P Lissanthe sapida Native Craneberry P P Lissanthe strigosa Peach Heath P Monotoca elliptica Tree Broom-heath P Monotoca scoparia Prickly Broom-heath P P Rupicola apiculata Leura Heath P Rupicola sprengelioides P Sprengelia monticola Mountain Swamp-heath P Styphelia triflora Pink Five-corners P Euphorbiaceae Amperea xiphoclada Broom Spurge P P Phyllanthus hirtellus Thyme Spurge P P Poranthera corymbosa P P Poranthera microphylla Small Poranthera P P P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 51 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Pseudanthus divaricatissimus Tangled Pseudanthus P Fabaceae (Faboideae) Swainsona galegifolia Smooth Darling Pea P Almaleea incurvata Incurved Bush Pea P Fabaceae (Faboideae) Bossiaea heterophylla Variable Bossiaea P P Bossiaea neo-anglica P Bossiaea obcordata Spiny Bossiaea P P Bossiaea prostrata P Daviesia alata P Daviesia corymbosa Clustered Bitter Pea P Daviesia latifolia Broad-leaved Bitter Pea P P Daviesia ulicifolia Gorse Bitter Pea P P Desmodium varians Slender Tick-trefoil P Dillwynia brunioides Eggs and Bacon P Dillwynia retorta Heathy Parrot Pea (complex) P P Dillwynia sieberi P Glycine clandestina Twining Glycine P Glycine microphylla Small-leaf Glycine P Glycine tabacina P Gompholobium huegelii Pale Wedge Pea P P Gomphlobium uncinatum Red wedge Pea P Hardenbergia violacea False Sarsaparilla P P Indigofera australis Native Indigo P Mirbelia rubiifolia Heathy Mirbelia P P Platylobium formosum Handsome Flat Pea P Podolobium ilicifolium Native Holly P P Pultenaea glabra P Pultenaea linophylla Bush Pea P P Pultenaea retusa P Spaerolobium vimineum P Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia asparagoides P P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 52 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Acacia brownii Heath Wattle P Acacia dealbata Silver Wattle P Acacia decurrens Green Wattle P Acacia elata Mountain Cedar Wattle P Acacia falciformis Swamp Wattle P Acacia floribunda Sally Wattle P Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia implexa Hickory P Acacia longifolia Sydney Golden Wattle P Acacia melanoxylon Blackwood P Acacia obtusifolia Blunt-leaf Wattle P Acacia parramattensis Sydney Green Wattle P Acacia ptychoclada Needle Wattle P Acacia suaveolens Sweet Wattle P Acacia terminalis Sunshine Wattle P P Acacia ulicifolia Prickly Moses P Acacia uncinata Wavy-leaf Wattle P Geraniaceae Erodium crinitum Blue Crowfoot P Geranium homeanum Northern Cranesbill P Geranium retrorsum Common Cranesbill P Goodeniaceae Dampiera stricta Blue Dampiera P P Goodenia bellidifolia Daisy-leaved Goodenia P P Goodenia hederacea Ivy Goodenia P P Goodenia heterophylla Variable-leaved Goodenia P Scaevola ramosissima Purple Fan Flower P Haloragaceae Gonocarpus tetragynus Poverty Raspwort P P Gonocarpus teucrioides Germander Raspwort P P Lamiaceae Ajuga australis Bugle P Lauraceae Cassytha glabella Slender Devil's Vine P P Cassytha pubescens Common Devil's Twine P Lentibulariaceae Utricularia dichotoma Fairy Aprons P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 53 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Lobeliaceae Pratia purpurascens Whiteroot P Loganiaceae Logania albiflora P Loranthaceae Amyema pendulum ssp. pendulum Drooping Mistletoe P Atkinsonia ligustrina Shrub Mistletoe P Lythraceae Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife P Malvaceae Howittia trilocularis Howittia P P Myrtaceae Angophora costata Sydney Red Gum P P Angophora floribunda Rough-barked Apple P P Callistemon citrinus Crimson Bottlebrush P P Calytrix tetragona Fringe-myrtle P P Darwinia taxifolia P Eucalyptus blaxlandii Blaxland's Stringybark P P Eucalyptus camphora Mountain Swamp Gum P Eucalyptus consideniana Yertchuk P Eucalyptus cunninghamii Cliff Mallee Ash P Eucalyptus cypellocarpa Monkey Gum P P Eucalyptus dalrympleana Mountain Gum P Eucalyptus dives Broad-leaved Peppermint P Eucalyptus eugenioides x globoidea P Eucalyptus eugenoides Thin Leaved Stingybark P P Eucalyptus globoidea White Stringybark P Eucalyptus gullickii Mountain Spotted Gum P P Eucalyptus mannifera Brittle Gum P Eucalyptus oreades Blue Mountains Ash P Eucalyptus piperita Sydney Peppermint P P P Eucalyptus punctata Grey Gum P P Eucalyptus punctata mallee form Grey Gum P Eucalyptus radiata Narrow-leaved Peppermint P Eucalyptus rossii Scibbly Gum P Eucalyptus rubida Candlebark P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 54 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Eucalyptus sclerophylla Hardleaved Scribbly Gum P P Eucalyptus sieberi Silvertop Ash P P P Eucalyptus stricta Mallee Ash P P Eucalyptus tereticornis Forest Red Gum P Eucalyptus viminalis Ribbon Gum P Kunzea capitata Pink Kunzea P Myrtaceae Leptospermum arachnoides Spidery Teatree P Leptospermum juniperinum Prickly Teatree P P Leptospermum lanigerum Wooly Teatree P Leptospermum morrisonii P Leptospermum obovatum P Leptospermum parvifolium Small-leaf Teatree P P Leptospermum polygalifolium Yellow Teatree P P P Leptospermum squarrosum Pink Teatree P Leptospermum trinervium Paperbark Teatree P P P Melaleuca linariifolia Snow-in-summer P P Melaleuca sp. nov Magalong Valley Megalong Melaleuca P Melaleuca styphelioides Prickly-leaved Paper-bark P P Micromyrtus ciliata Fringed Heath-myrtle P Tristaniopsis laurina Water Gum P Olacaceae Olax stricta Olax P Oleaceae Notelaea ovata P P Onagraceae Epilobium billardierianum Smooth Willow Herb P Epilobium gunnianum Mountain Willow Herb P Epilobium hirtigerum Hoary Willoe Herb P Oxalidaceae Oxalis perennans Wood-sorrel P Pittosporaceae Billardiera scandens Appleberry P P P Bursaria longisepala P Bursaria spinosa Blackthorn P Rhytidosporum procumbens P P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 55 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Polygalaceae Comesperma volubile Love Creeper P Polygonaceae Rumex stenoglottis P Plantaginaceae Plantago debilis Slender Plantain P Proteaceae Banksia ericifolia Heath-leaved Banksi P P Banksia marginata Silver Banksia P Banksia serrata Old Man Banskia P P Proteaceae Banksia spinulosa Hairpin Banksia P P P Conospermum taxifolium Coneseeds P Grevillea acanthifolia Acanthus Grevillea P P Grevillea arenaria P P Grevillea laurifolia Laurel-leaf Grevillea P P P Hakea constablei P Hakea dactyloides Broad-leaved Hakea P P P Hakea laevipes P P P Hakea propinqua P Hakea salicifolia Willow-leaved Hakea P P P Hakea sericea Needle-bush P P Hakea teretifolia Dagger Hakea P Isopogon anemonifolius Broad-leaved Drumsticks P P P Isopogon anethifolius Narrow-leaved Drumsticks P Isopogon fletcheri Fletcher's Drumsticks P Lambertia formosa Mountain Devil P Lomatia myricoides River Lomatia P Lomatia silaifolia Crinkle Bush P P P Persoonia acerosa Mossy Geebung P Persoonia chamaepitys Prostrate Geebung P Persoonia laurina Golden Geebung P P Persoonia levis Broad-leaved Geebung P P Persoonia linearis Narrow-leaved Geebung P P Persoonia myrtilloides Myrtle Geebung P P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 56 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Petrophile pulchella Conesticks P P Symphionema montanum Mountain Symphionema P Telopea speciosissima Waratah P Ranunculaceae Clematis aristata Old Man's Beard P Clematis glycinoides Old Man's Beard P Ranunculus lappaceus Common Buttercup P Rhamnaceae Cryptandra amara Bitter Cryptandra P Discaria pubescens Hairy Anchor Plant P Pomaderris andromedifolia P Pomaderris lanigera Woolly Pomaderis P Rosaceae Acaena novae-zelandiae Bidgy-widgy P P Acaena ovina Sheep's Burr P Rubus parvifolius Native Raspberry P Rubiaceae Asperula conferta Common Woodruff P Galium propinquum Thin Stink Weed P Opercularia aspera Course Stinkweed P Opercularia diphylla P Opercularia hispida Hairy Stinkweed P P Pomax umbellata Pomax P Rutaceae Boronia parvifolia Swamp Boronia P Boronia rigens Stiff Boronia P Correa reflexa Common Correa P P Leionema lachnaeoides P Philotheca obovalis P Zieria covenyi Coveny's Zieria P Santalaceae Choretrum candollei White Sour Bush P Exocarpos cupressiformis Native Cherry P Exoxarpos strictus Pale-fruited Cherry P Leptomeria acida Sour Currant Bush P P Sapindaceae Dodonaea boronifolia Fern-leaf Hop-bush P P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 57 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Dodonea viscosa Sticky Hop-bush P Scrophulariaceae Gratiola pedunculata Stalked Brooklime P Veronica plebeia Trailing Speedwell P Stackhousiaceae Stackhousia viminea Slender Stackhousia P Stylidiaceae Stylidium graminifolium Grass Trigger Plant P P Stylidium lineare Narrow-leaved Trigger Plant P Stylidium productum P P Thymelaeaceae Pimelea curviflora var. gracilis Curved Rice Flower P Pimelea linifolia Slender Rice Flower P P Violaceae Hybanthus monopetalus Slender Violet Bush P Violaceae Viola betonicifolia Showy Violet P P Viola hederacea Ivy-leaved Violet P P Vitaceae Cissus antarctica Water Vine P

MAGNOLIOPSIDA MONOCOTYLEDONS Anthericaceae Alania endlicheri Alania P Laxmannia gracilis Slender Wire Lily P Blandfordiaceae Blandfordia cunninghamii Mountain Christmas Bells P Cyperaceae Baumea johnsonii P Carex inversa P Carex klaphakei P Carex longebrachiata Drooping Sedge P Caustis flexuosa Curly Wig P P Chorizandra cymbaria Bristle-rush P Cyathochaeta diandra Sheath Rush P P Cyperus sphaeroideus P Eleocharis sphacelata Tall Spike-rush P Gahnia clarkei Tall Saw-sedge P P Gahnia erythrocarpa P Gahnia melanocarpa Black-fruited Saw-sedge P P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 58 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Gahnia microstachys Slender Saw-sedge P Gahnia sieberiana Red-fruited Saw-sedge P P Gymnoschoenus sphaerocephalus Button Grass P Lepidosperma concavum Sword-sedge P Lepidosperma elatius P Lepidosperma elatius Tall Sword-sedge P Lepidosperma evansianum P Lepidosperma gunnii P Lepidosperma latens P Lepidosperma limicola Razor Sedge P P Cyperaceae Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Saw-sedge P Schoenus apogon Common Bog-rush P Schoenus imberbis Beardless Bog-rush P Schoenus melanostachys Black Bog-rush P Tricostularia pauciflora Needle Bogrush P Iridaceae Libertia paniculata Branching Grass Flag P Patersonia glabrata Leafy Purple Fag P P Patersonia longifolia Dwarf Purple Flag P Patersonia sericea Silky Purple Flag P P Juncaceae Juncus usitatus Common Rush P Luzula flaccida P P Liliaceae Caesia parviflora Pale Grass-lily P Stypandra glauca Nodding Blue Lily P P Thysanotus sp. Fringe Lily P Tricoryne elatior Yellow Rush-lily P P Tricoryne simplex Yellow Rush-lily P Lomandraceae Lomandra confertifolia ssp. Pallida Mat-rush P P Lomandra cylindrica Needle Mat-rush P P Lomandra fluviatilis Brown-spine Mat-rush P P Lomandra glauca Pale Mat-rush P P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 59 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Lomandra gracilis P P Lomandra longifolia Spiny-headed Mat-rush P P P Lomandra multiflora Many-flowered Mat-rush P P Lomandra obliqua Fish Bones P P Luzuriagaceae Eustrephus latifolius Wombat Berry P Geitonoplesium cymosum Scrambling Lily P Orchidaceae Adenochilus nortonii P Arthrochilus huntianus Elbow Orchid P Bulbophyllum elisae Pineapple Orchid P Caladenia carnea Pink Fairy Orchid P P P Orchidaceae Caleana major Large Duck Orchid P P Calochilus paludosus Red Beard Orchid P Chiloglottis trilabra P Cryptostylis subulatus Tongue Orchid P Cymbidium suave Snake Orchid P Dendrobium aemulum Ironbark Orchid P Dendrobium speciosum Rock Orchid P Dendrobium striolatum Streaked Rock Orchid P Dipodium punctatum Hyacinth Orchid P Diuris aurea P Diuris sulphurea Tiger Orchid P P P Gastrodia sesamoides Cinnamon Bell's P Liparis reflexa Yellow Rock Orchid P Microtis unifolia Common Onion Orchid P Orthocerus strictum Birds Mouth Orchid P Pterostylis curta Blunt Greenhood Orchid P Pterostylis decurva Summer Greenhood P Pterostylis longifolia Tall Greenhood Orchid P Pterostylis nutans Nodding Greenhood Orchid P Pterostylis obtusa Blunt-tongue Greenhood Orchid P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 60 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Pterostylis parviflora Tiny Greenhood Orchid P Pterostylis pedunculata Little Red Riding Hood P Rimacola elliptica Green Beaks P Sarcochilus falcatus Orange Blossom Orchid P Thelymitra ixioides var. ixioides Dotted Sun Orchid P P Thelymitra pauciflora Slender Sun Orchid P Phormiaceae Dianella caerulea Blue Flax Lily P P Dianella longifolia Smooth Flax Lily P P Dianella revoluta Spreading Flax Lily P P Thelionema caespitosum Tufted Blue Lily P Poaceae Agrostis avenacea Blown Grass P P Poaceae Anisopogon avenaceus Oat Spear Grass P P Aristida sp. Spear Grass P Austrostipa pubescens Tall Spear Grass P P Deyeuxia decipiens Reed Bent Grass P Deyeuxia microseta P Dichelachne sp. Plume Grass P Echinopogon caespitosus Tufted Hedgehog Grass P Echinopogon ovatus Forest Hedgehog Grass P Entolasia marginata Bordered Panic Grass P Entolasia stricta Wiry Panic Grass P P Imperata cylindrica Blady Grass P P Microlaena stipoides Weeping Grass P P P Notochloe microdon P Notodanthonia longifolia Long-leaf Wallaby Grass P Panicum sp Panic Grass P Phragmites australis Native Reed P Poa labillardieri Tussuck Grass P Poa sieberiana Snowgrass P P Tetrarrhena juncea Wiry Ricegrass P

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 61 January 2008 APPENDIX 2

Tetrarrhena turfosa P P Themeda australis Kangaroo Grass P Restionaceae Baloskion australe Slender Cord-rush P Baloskion gracilis Slender Cord-rush P Empodisma minus Spreading Rope-rush P P Lepyrodia scariosa Scale-rush P P Smilacaceae Smilax australis Sweet Sarsaparilla P Smilax glyciphylla Native Sarsaparilla P Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea spp. Grass Tree P 1 Study Area – Douglas & Bell 2 vegetation quadrats in the study area (unpublished data) and BMCC field investigations. 2 Douglas & Bell: 35 vegetation quadrats from the Megalong Valley with the same vegetation and soil as the study area (unpublished data).

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 62 January 2008 APPENDIX 3

APPENDIX 3

Potential Fauna Species at Megalong Reserve

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 63 January 2008 APPENDIX 3

Table 10: Fauna species that may potentially occur at Megalong Reserve (source: NSW NPWS Wildlife Atlas – 10km search)

Scientific Name Common Name 1 2 Class Insecta Insects Odonata Petalura gigantea Giant Dragonfly Yes E1

Class Amphibia Frogs Hylidae Litoria citropa Blue Mountains Tree Frog Yes Litoria dentata Keferstein's Tree Frog Yes Litoria lesueuri Lesueur's Frog Yes Litoria peronii Peron's Tree Frog Yes Litoria phyllochroa Green Stream Frog Yes Litoria verreauxii Verreaux's Tree Frog Yes Myobatrachidae Crinia signifera Common Eastern Froglet Yes Heleioporus australiacus Giant Burrowing Frog Yes E1 Limnodynastes dumerilii Eastern Banjo Frog Yes Limnodynastes peronii Striped Marsh Frog Yes Pseudophryne australis Red-crowned Toadlet Yes V Pseudophryne bibronii Bibron's Toadlet Yes Uperoleia laevigata Smooth Toadlet Yes

Class Reptilia Reptiles Cheloniidae Chelodina longicollis Eastern Snake-necked Turtle No Gekkonidae Oedura lesueurii Lesueur's Velvet Gecko Yes Phyllurus platurus Broad-tailed Gecko Yes Varanidae Varanus varius Lace Monitor Yes Pygopodidae Pygopus lepidopodus Southern Scaly-foot Yes Agamidae Physignathus lesueurii Eastern Water Dragon Yes Tympanocryptis diemensis Mountain Heath Dragon Yes Scincidae Bassiana platynota Red-throated Cool-skink Yes Ctenotus taeniolatus Copper-tailed Ctenotus Yes Cyclodomorphus michaeli Yes Egernia cunninghami Cunningham's Spiny-tailed Skink Yes Egernia saxatilis Black Crevice-skink Yes Egernia saxatilis intermedia Yes Egernia whitii White's Rock-skink Yes Eulamprus heatwolei Warm-temperate Water-skink Yes Eulamprus leuraensis Blue Mountains Water skink No E1 Eulamprus quoyii Eastern Water-skink Yes Eulamprus tenuis Bar-sided Forest-skink Yes Eulamprus tympanum Cool-temperate Water-skink Yes Lampropholis delicata Dark-flecked Garden Sunskink Yes

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 64 January 2008 APPENDIX 3

Scincidae (cont.) Lampropholis guichenoti Pale-flecked Garden Sunskink Yes Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii Tussock Cool-skink Yes Saproscincus mustelinus Weasel Shadeskink Yes Tiliqua nigrolutea Blotched Bluetongue Yes Tiliqua scincoides Common Bluetongue Yes Colubridae Dendrelaphis punctulata Green Tree Snake Yes Boidae Morelia spilota Carpet / Diamond Python Yes Elapidae Austrelaps ramsayi Highlands Copperhead Yes Drysdalia rhodogaster Mustard-bellied Snake Yes Notechis scutatus Mainland Tiger Snake Yes Pseudechis porphyriacus Red-bellied Black Snake Yes Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens Small-eyed Snake Yes

Class Aves Birds Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Pied Cormorant No Podicipedidae Poliocephalus poliocephalus Hoary-headed Grebe No Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Australasian Grebe No Anatidae Chenonetta jubata Australian Wood Duck No Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck No Anas gracilis Grey Teal No Rallidae Fulica atra Eurasian Coot No Rallus pectoralis Lewin's Rail No Ardeidae Egretta novaehollandiae White-faced Heron Yes Charadriidae Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing Yes Accipitridae Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk Yes Falconidae Falco berigora Brown Falcon Yes Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel Yes Columbidae Columba livia Rock Dove Yes Leucosarcia melanoleuca Wonga Pigeon Yes Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon Yes Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing Yes Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Turtle-Dove No Cacatuidae Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Yes Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella Yes Callocephalon fimbriatum Gang-gang Cockatoo Yes V Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Yes Calyptorhynchus lathami Glossy Black-Cockatoo Yes V Eolophus roseicapillus Galah Yes

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 65 January 2008 APPENDIX 3

Psittacidae Alisterus scapularis Australian King-Parrot Yes Barnardius zonarius Australian Ringneck No Glossopsitta pusilla Little Lorikeet Yes Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot Yes E1 Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella Yes Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet Yes Cuculidae Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo Yes Cacomantis variolosus Brush Cuckoo Yes Eudynamys scolopacea Common Koel Yes Scythrops novaehollandiae Channel-billed Cuckoo Yes Strigidae Ninox boobook Southern Boobook Yes Ninox connivens Barking Owl Yes V Ninox strenua Powerful Owl Yes V Tytonidae Tyto alba Barn Owl Yes Tyto tenebricosa Sooty Owl No V Podargidae Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth Yes Aegothelidae Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet-nightjar Yes Apodidae Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift Yes Alcedinidae Alcedo azurea Azure Kingfisher Yes Dacelo novaeguineae Laughing Kookaburra Yes Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher Yes Menuridae Menura novaehollandiae Superb Lyrebird Yes Neosittidae Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella Yes Climacteridae Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper Yes Cormobates leucophaeus White-throated Treecreeper Yes Climacteris erythrops Red-browed Treecreeper Yes Maluridae Malurus cyaneus Superb Fairy-wren Yes Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren Yes Stipiturus malachurus Southern Emu-wren No Pardolotidae Acanthiza lineata Striated Thornbill Yes Acanthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill Yes Acanthiza reguloides Buff-rumped Thornbill Yes Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill Yes Pardalotus punctatus Spotted Pardalote Yes Gerygone olivacea White-throated Gerygone Yes Gerygone mouki Brown Gerygone Yes Origma solitaria Rockwarbler Yes Pycnoptilus floccosus Pilotbird Yes

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 66 January 2008 APPENDIX 3

Pardolotidae (cont.) Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrubwren Yes Sericornis citreogularis Yellow-throated Scrubwren Yes Sericornis magnirostris Large-billed Scrubwren No Meliphagidae Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Eastern Spinebill Yes Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird Yes Lichenostomus fuscus Fuscous Honeyeater Yes Lichenostomus chrysops Yellow-faced Honeyeater Yes Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater Yes Manorina melanophrys Bell Miner Yes Manorina melanocephala Noisy Miner Yes Meliphaga lewinii Lewin's Honeyeater Yes Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater Yes Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater Yes Myzomela sanguinolenta Scarlet Honeyeater Yes Philemon corniculatus Noisy Friarbird Yes Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera Crescent Honeyeater Yes Phylidonyris novaehollandiae New Holland Honeyeater Yes Phylidonyris nigra White-cheeked Honeyeater Yes Cinclosomatidae Cinclosoma punctatum Spotted Quail-thrush Yes Psophodes olivaceus Eastern Whipbird Yes Petroicidae Eopsaltria australis Eastern Yellow Robin Yes Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter Yes Petroica goodenovii Red-capped Robin Yes Petroica phoenicea Flame Robin Yes Petroica rosea Rose Robin Yes Pachycephalidae Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush Yes Falcunculus frontatus Eastern Shrike-tit Yes Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler Yes Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler Yes Dicruridae Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark Yes Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch Yes Myiagra rubecula Leaden Flycatcher Yes Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher Yes Rhipidura albiscapa Grey Fantail Yes Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail Yes Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail Yes Ptilonorhynchidae Ptilonorhynchus violaceus Satin Bowerbird Yes Campephagidae Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Yes Coracina papuensis White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Yes Coracina tenuirostris Cicadabird Yes Artamidae Artamus superciliosus White-browed Woodswallow Yes Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird Yes Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie Yes Strepera graculina Pied Currawong Yes Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong Yes

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 67 January 2008 APPENDIX 3

Corvidae Corvus coronoides Australian Raven Yes Corcoracidae Corcorax melanorhamphos White-winged Chough Yes Hirundinidae Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow Yes Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin Yes Sylviidae Cincloramphus mathewsi Rufous Songlark Yes Passeridae Passer domesticus House Sparrow Yes Ploceidae Neochmia temporalis Red-browed Finch Yes Stagonopleura bella Beautiful Firetail No Zosteropidae Zosterops lateralis Silvereye Yes Pycnonotidae Pycnonotus jocosus Red-whiskered Bulbul No Muscicapidae Turdus merula Eurasian Blackbird No Zoothera lunulata Bassian Thrush Yes Sturnidae Acridotheres tristis Common Myna No

Class Mammalia Mammals Tachyglossidae Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna Yes Dasyuridae Dasyurus maculatus Spotted-tailed Quoll Yes V Antechinus stuartii Brown Antechinus Yes Antechinus swainsonii Dusky Antechinus Yes Sminthopsis murina Common Dunnart Yes Peramelidae Isoodon obesulus Southern Brown Bandicoot Yes E1 Perameles nasuta Long-nosed Bandicoot Yes Phalangeridae Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum Yes Petauridae Petauroides volans Greater Glider Yes Petaurus australis Yellow-bellied Glider Yes V Petaurus breviceps Sugar Glider Yes Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum Yes Murramyidae Cercartetus nanus Eastern Pygmy-possum Yes V Vombatidae Vombatus ursinus Common Wombat Yes Macropodidae Wallabia bicolor Swamp Wallaby Yes Molossidae Nyctinomus australis White-striped Freetail-bat Yes Vespertilionidae Nyctophilus gouldi Gould's Long-eared Bat Yes Miniopterus schreibersii Common Bentwing-bat Yes V

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 68 January 2008 APPENDIX 3

Vespertilionidae (cont.) Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat Yes Chalinolobus morio Chocolate Wattled Bat Yes Scoteanax rueppellii Greater Broad-nosed Bat Yes V Scotorepens orion Eastern Broad-nosed Bat Yes Falsistrellus tasmaniensis Eastern False Pipistrelle Yes V Vespadelus vulturnus Little Forest Bat Yes Muridae Rattus fuscipes Bush Rat Yes Rattus lutreolus Swamp Rat Yes Rattus rattus Black Rat Yes Leporidae Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit Yes Canidae Canis lupus "Dingo, domestic dog" Yes Vulpes vulpes Fox Yes Felidae Felis catus Cat Yes

1 Suitable Habitat available at Megalong Reserve 2 Threatened Species status under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 69 January 2008 APPENDIX 4

Appendix 4

Built Assets Inventory

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 70 January 2008 APPENDIX 4

Table 11: Built Assets Inventory for Megalong Reserve

Asset Construction Condition Maintenance Comment Photo Method Responsibility Megalong Hall – Brick, timber Good BMCC Includes kitchen, frames, iron roof. stage, disable toilet, gas, Rainwater tank 15 Good BMCC heating, powered, kL galvanised rainwater tank unplumbed Canteen Concrete slab, Good-fair BMCC [sportsground]- timber frame, iron powered, and timber walls. rainwater tank Rainwater tank 1 plumbed kL

Gas tank – Galvanised Good BMCC Includes fence cyclone fence with two strand barb wire overhang top

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 71 January 2008 APPENDIX 4

Asset Construction Condition Maintenance Comment Photo Method Responsibility Freight container Freight container Fair BMCC storage [Hall]

Freight container Freight container Fair BMCC storage and shed with affixed shed [sportsground] with timber frame roof and part walls in iron

Male/Female Brick walls, Fair BMCC Toilet Block concrete floor and [Hall]– powered, roof, interior and septic exterior painted

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 72 January 2008 APPENDIX 4

Asset Construction Condition Maintenance Comment Photo Method Responsibility Male Long-drop Timber frame, Fair-poor BMCC Toilet iron walls and roof, concrete slab

Female Long- Timber frame, Fair-poor BMCC drop Toilet iron walls and roof, concrete slab

Tennis court Concrete slab, Good BMCC (synthetic)- synthetic surface, Includes fence, plastic coated locked gate cyclone fence

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 73 January 2008 APPENDIX 4

Asset Construction Condition Maintenance Comment Photo Method Responsibility Fixed Steel frame and Fair-poor BMCC Numerous slats sportsground timber seats – all need replacing. seating stands (3) unpainted Stands require structural inspection

Fixed table and Steel frame, Good-fair BMCC Paint bench (3) timber table and deteriorating – [sportsground] bench seats, all needs painting painted

Fixed seating (4) Steel frame, Good BMCC [tennis court] timber bench all painted (3)

Concrete frame, Good BMCC Unfixed to timber ground bench/back all painted (1)

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 74 January 2008 APPENDIX 4

Asset Construction Condition Maintenance Comment Photo Method Responsibility Fixed seating (5) Concrete frame, Poor BMCC Timbers [sportsground] timber deteriorated, bench/back all some broken painted and need replacing, needs painting

Fixed seating (2) Concrete frame, Good BMCC [canteen] timber bench/back all painted

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 75 January 2008 APPENDIX 4

Asset Construction Condition Maintenance Comment Photo Method Responsibility Outdoor shelter Timber frame and Fair BMCC Needs painting [tennis court] walls, concrete slab, iron roof, interior timber bench seats, exterior walls painted

Sportsground Surface grass Fair-poor Large area of bare earth. Needs some improvement

Post and rail gal Fair Several rails pipe fence. Some broken and areas with require repair cyclone mesh. Several galvanised farm gates. Covered Stall Timber frame, Good and iron roof

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 76 January 2008 APPENDIX 4

Asset Construction Condition Maintenance Comment Photo Method Responsibility Yards Timber post and Fair Timbers rail. Several showing galvanized farm moderate gates deterioration in places

Horse Loading Timber and earth Fair Ramp

Playground- Timber, plastic Good Includes two coated steel and swings, slide and plastic spring ride. Good Timber chip softfall

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 77 January 2008 APPENDIX 5

APPENDIX 5

ANNEXURE “A” LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN 1991

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 78 January 2008 ANNEXURE “A” LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN 1991

NOTE: This is only an extract from the Local Environmental Plan 1991, and should be read in conjunction with the other provisions of Local Environmental Plan 1991.

8. ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS USED ON THE MAP

The following zones, zone subscripts and protected areas are used in this plan. They are shown on the Map in a distinctive manner and by the following annotations:

(a) Zones

Rural Conservation RC Bushland Conservation BC Residential Bushland Conservation RES-BC Residential Investigation RES-I Light Industrial IND-LT Recreation REC Recreation - Environmental Protection REC-EP Environmental Protection EP Environmental Protection - Acquisition EPac National Park NP Regional Open Space R

(b) Zone Subscripts

Density Control Provision shown as lots per hectare e.g. (8/ha) No Subdivision to create additional lots (NS) Minimum Area Requirement shown as square metres e.g. (2000) Minimum Area Requirement shown as hectares e.g. (1 ha) Consolidation Requirement (CONS) Specific uses e.g. (SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT)

(c) Protected Areas

Canopy Conservation

Environmental Constraint Area

Escarpment Area

Land Between Towns

Water Supply Catchment Area ---- c ----

(d) Roads

Proposed Road Closure

Proposed New Alignment P N A

79 9. GENERAL CONTROL OF DEVELOPMENT

9.1 With the consent of the Council, development for the purposes of any activity, building, place or work specified in the Table may be carried out on land within a zone where “C” is shown in the Table.

9.2 Except as permitted by clause 9.1 or by some other specific provision of this plan, the carrying out of development is prohibited.

9.3 Except as otherwise provided by this plan, the Council shall not grant consent to the carrying out of development on land to which this plan applies unless the Council has considered the objectives of this plan and the objectives of the zone and of any protected area in which the land is situated, and is of the opinion that the carrying out of the development complies with the objectives that are relevant to that development.

9.4 Notwithstanding clause 9.1: (a) Development for the purposes of an arts and crafts gallery, depot, guest house, helicopter landing site, holiday cabin, refreshment room, rural industry or sawmill is prohibited in the Rural Conservation zone at Mount Irvine, Mount Tomah, Mount Wilson, Shipley Plateau and Sun Valley. (b) Development for the purposes of an electricity substation (not being a pole or padmount substation), gasholder or generating work is prohibited on land within the Recreation, Recreation-Environmental Protection, Environmental Protection, Environmental Protection-Acquisition, National Park or Regional Open Space zone. (c) Development, except for the purposes of a utility installation or National Park, in the Recreation or Recreation - Environmental Protection zone is permissible only when carried out by the Council. (d) In the Protected Area - Land Between Towns, development other than for the purposes of a dwelling house, bushfire hazard reduction, drainage works or utility installation (not being gasholder, generating work or electricity substation, except a pole or padmount substation) is prohibited within 100 metres of, or having direct access to, a Classified Road. (e) In the Recreation - Environmental Protection, Environmental Protection and Environmental Protection - Acquisition and Regional Open Space zones, the use of land for recreation is limited to use for passive recreation. (f) Development for the purposes of a communication facility is permissible within the Rural Conservation, Residential Bushland Conservation, Residential Investigation, Recreation and National Park zones only when its use is ancillary or incidental to the use for which the land is otherwise put. (g) Work by the Council in accordance with Section 14 of the Bush Fires Act 1949 shall not require consent. (h) Development for any purpose authorised by or under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 is permissible in the National Park zone without the consent of the Council. (i) Where the maximum permissible number of holiday cabins, calculated in accordance with clause 26.1 (in the case of land within the Rural Conservation zone in Megalong Valley) or clause 26.2 (in the case of other land), have been erected on a holding (in the case of the land in Megalong Valley) or a lot (on other land), any development for the purpose of a bed and breakfast establishment, guest house or education establishment (if the latter includes accommodation), excluding a dwelling house, is prohibited. (j) Where any development for the purpose of a bed and breakfast establishment, holiday cabin, guest house or education establishment is carried out on a holding (in the case of land within the Rural Conservation zone in Megalong Valley) or a lot (in the case of other land), and where that development includes or provides accommodation of, or equivalent to, 60 single beds or more, then development for the purpose of any additional accommodation including holiday cabins, but

80 excluding a dwelling house, is prohibited on the holding concerned (in the case of the land in Megalong Valley) or the lot concerned (in the case of other land). (k) Where any development for the purpose of a bed and breakfast establishment, holiday cabin, guest house or education establishment is carried out on a holding (in the case of land within the Rural Conservation zone in Megalong Valley) or lot (in the case of other land), and where that development includes or provides accommodation of, or equivalent to, 60 single beds or less; then any development for the purpose of a bed and breakfast establishment, holiday cabin, guest house or an education establishment (if the latter includes accommodation), but excluding a dwelling house, is restricted so that the total accommodation provided on the holding (in the case of the land in Megalong Valley) or the lot (in the case of other land) must not exceed 60 single beds or equivalent.

9.5 In clause 9.4 (i) – (k), holding has the same meaning as in clause 26, and those paragraphs, in as far as they apply to development for the purpose of holiday cabins, apply subject to that clause.

9A. WHAT IS EXEMPT AND COMPLYING DEVELOPMENT?

9.A.1 Development of minimal environmental impact listed in Schedule 1 to Development Control Plan No. 33 as adopted by the Council on 24th August, 1999 is exempt development, despite any other provision of this plan.

9A.2 Development listed in Schedule 2 to Development Control Plan No. 33 as adopted by the Council on 24th August, 1999 is complying development if: (a) it is local development of a kind that can be carried out with consent on the land on which it is proposed, and (b) it is not an existing use, as defined in section 106 of the Act.

9A.3 Development is exempt or complying development only if it complies with the development standards and other requirements applied to the development by Development Control Plan No. 33 as adopted by Council on 24th August, 1999.

9A.4 A complying development certificate issued for any complying development is to be subject to the conditions for the development specified in Development Control Plan No. 33 adopted by the Council, as in force when the certificate is issued.

NOTE: COUNCIL MUST ASSESS EACH DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION ON ITS MERITS. DEVELOPMENT MAY BE RESTRICTED OR NOT PERMITTED, DESPITE THE ZONING, DUE TO PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE.

81 APPENDIX 5 TABLE

ZONES

DEVELOPMENT

Rural Conservation Conservation Bushland Residential Bushland Conservation Residential Investigation Light Industrial Recreation – Recreation Environmental Protection Environmental Protection & Environmental Protection – Acquisition Park National Open Space Regional Advertising Sign C C C C C C Agriculture C Airport Animal establishment C C Aquaculture C Arts & crafts gallery C C Bed and breakfast C C C C establishment Boarding house Bushfire hazard reduction C C C C C C C C C Business premises Camping site C C Caravan park Child care centre C C C Communications facility C C C C C C C Community centre C C C C Dam C C C C Depot C C Display garden C C C C C Drainage works C C C C C C C C C C Dwelling house C C C C Educational establishment C C C C Exhibition homes C C C C Extractive industry Forestry C General store C C C C Generating works C Guest house C C Hazardous Industry Hazardous Storage Establishment Helicopter landing site C Heliport High technology industry C C Holiday cabin C C Home industry C C C C Hospital C Hotel Industry Institution C Intensive Agriculture Junk Yard

Megalong Reserve Plan of Management 82 January 2008

ZONES

DEVELOPMENT

Rural Conservation Conservation Bushland Residential Bushland Conservation Residential Investigation Light Industrial Recreation – Recreation Environmental Protection Environmental Protection & Environmental Protection – Acquisition Park National Open Space Regional Keeping of hoofed animals C C C C C Light industry C Low intensity agriculture C C C Medical Centre Mine C Motor Showroom C National Park C C C C C C C C C C Neighbourhood shopping centre Offensive industry Parking C C C C C C C C Place of public worship C C C C C Public office C Public transport terminal C Recreation area C C C C C C C C C C Recreation facility C C C C Refreshment room C C C Registered club C Residential flat building Resort Retail plant nursery C C C Riding establishment C Roads C C C C C C C C C C Roadside stall C Rural industry C Sawmill C Service station C Shop Stock and sale yard C Subdivision C C C C C C C C Tourist accommodation Transport depot C Utility Installation C C C C C C C C C C Vehicle repair workshop C Veterinary establishment C C C Visitor facilities C C C C C C C C C Walking track C C C C C C C C C C Warehouse or distribution C centre Wholesale plant nursery C C C

Note: See also restrictions under clause 9.4

83