A Statement of Significance for The Riddell Ranges Estate, commonly known as The Shone and Scholtz Land, Riddells Creek

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ...... 3 2. Regional Context ...... 3 3. General Description and Land Capability ...... 4 4. Current Planning Controls ...... 5 5. Shire Policy...... 6 6. Planning Background and History ...... 8 7. Main Problems with the Restructure Overlay...... 9 8. Other Threats ...... 11 9. Statement of Environmental and Cultural Significance – Riddell Ranges Estate...... 12 10. Recommendation ...... 17 11. Conclusion...... 17

Prepared by Lachlan Milne and Russell Best for Riddells Creek Landcare, March 2005. Photography by Russell Best (Plant Identification Section) and Lachlan Milne (Landscape and Text Illustrations). Acknowledgements Thanks to Suzanne Zahra and Gill Best for editing, advice and encouragement. Thanks to the Riddells Creek Community for showing interest and support for this idea.

Page 2 1. Introduction The story of this land links deeply with the history of land development in and our changing cultural attitudes to property development and environmental protection. Our use of natural resources since the non-indigenous settlement of has been a process of learning and adaptation. In earlier times, our vast landscape seemed to offer unlimited resources and space for development. But relatively rapidly, natural limitations imposed themselves; ancient, erodable and infertile soils, a parched landscape and the challenges of providing infrastructure over vast distances. With the injection of investment provided by gold, our community faced these challenges and with the rise of industrial technologies, we have consolidated our position in this landscape. With increasing pressure on natural resources we have understood that that these resources are finite. Progressively we have voted for ever stronger environmental protections and planning regulations that seek to preserve the long-term sustainability of our natural systems and communities. But more than the pragmatic self-interest of protecting soil, air, water and biodiversity, we have grown to love and value this landscape for its intrinsic interest and beauty. The landscape, the climate, plants and animals contribute to the quality and nature of our community. Without these distinct features we would lack a way to define our community and ourselves. Just as Uluru and Hanging Rock are significant to the developing identity of Australia and our Shire, the Shone and Scholtz land is the backdrop for community life in Riddells Creek. It sets our tone, it is our scene. 2. Regional Context The Macedon Ranges Shire relies on our natural landscape to attract visitors. Our landscape is a tool we use to market and brand our regional products; it gives us distinctive features that separate us from other areas. Increasingly, the large urban communities to the south will look to the Macedon Ranges Shire for opportunities for them to connect with their landscape. Already urban schools are building partnerships with local groups to provide environmental education experiences in council reserves, such as Barringo Reserve. We can help meet this demand. For our health and wellbeing we need spaces for physical activity or quiet reflection. We need opportunities and places were we can learn about our environment and our place in it. We need natural places that are accessible to all ages and capabilities. The Shone and Scholtz land can provide this to Riddells Creek and beyond.

Page 3 The Shone and Scholtz land provides a connection that links the reserves of the eastern Macedon Ranges together. The land is critical to threading together this landscape, bringing people in to allow them to experience and understand the symbols of our region. By providing tangible quality experiences we can lend credibility and quality perceptions to the products and services that we offer in this shire. 3. General Description and Land Capability

The land on Gap Road three kilometres from Riddells Creek, commonly called Shone and Scholtz Land, is an inappropriate subdivision created in the 1890s and consisting of 162 lots. All of these lots are in private ownership. These individual lots cannot be developed under the current planning scheme. The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has before it the opportunity to take steps to secure this landscape for current and future generations. It can develop a program to provide a just outcome to the current title holders of the land who have few options to benefit from their investment. The Shone and Scholtz land can provide great benefits to the future of Riddells Creek and the broader Macedon Ranges Shire as a public reserve than it can as a residential development. If the Shone and Scholtz land is given over to residential development, only five land owners will benefit and a great community resource will be lost. This land is a part of the community, it must remain part of it. Situated north west of Riddells Creek, the Shone and Scholtz Land comprises wooded slopes leading up to Light Hill Ridge. The ridge forms part of the Robertson Range and the Macedon Range. It covers approximately 120 hectares, and consists of 162 individual titles. The land is bounded by private property on two sides, Gap Road and Conglomerate Gully Reserve. To the east, the land rises gently up from Gap Road for several hundred metres, before climbing steeply to the ridge. This ridge and its five crests form the backbone to Riddells Creek. The woodland leads the eye in from the broad plains up into the greater hills of the Macedon Massif. The Shone and Scholtz land forms a vital part of the landscape of Riddells Creek and Macedon Ranges Shire. The woodlands comprise two ecological vegetation types, Heathy Dry Forest and Grassy Dry Forest. As with most of the Macedon Ranges, the land has been harvested for timber, mostly for firewood or charcoal burning. However, the techniques used were gentle on the land resulting in little soil disturbance. The area seems never, or only lightly, to have been grazed. This low-level land use gives us the woodland we see today, open forest largely absent of weeds, with a vast diversity of ground cover plants. As the trees are mainly around fifty years old, there are few hollows and due to a lack of research little is known about the fauna found on the land, though many species are regularly seen. A large number of birds and insect species stand out if you spend time on the land over the seasons.

Page 4 The underlying geology is a metamorphosed sandstone. That is, sandstone that has been altered by heat and pressure into a harder stone where the individual sand particles have become chemically bonded. These metamorphic sandstones are extremely hard and often have rounded river stones embedded in them, providing the regionally distinctive ‘conglomerate’ for which the adjacent Conglomerate Gully Reserve is named. Characteristic of this geology and the vegetation types is a high diversity of indigenous plant species. This range of species has adapted over millennia to low rainfall and infertile soils. The soils that cover the land can be described as yellow duplex soils, that is, soils with two distinctive layers. The topsoil is a grey loam approximately 20-30 cm deep, decreasing in depth towards the crests of the ridges. Below this is a yellow layer consisting of clay shales above bedrock. Again depth decreases towards the crest of the ridges. The yellow layer is highly dispersible, and greatly prone to tunnel and gully erosion. This was one of the key reasons for the lack of development of this land. The former Romsey Shire and the current Macedon Ranges Shire have consistently identified that the land capability is generally unsuitable for uses or development other than the existing natural system, which holds the hillside together. Current community values, policy and regulation value highly the protection of biodiversity. 4. Current Planning Controls The land is zoned Rural Use Zone 2 (RUZ2) with two overlays, Significant Landscape Overlay 1 (SLO1) and Restructure Overlay 7 (RO7). The RUZ2 provides two key restraints to the Shone and Scholtz Land – subdivision of lots must be no greater than 40 hectares and a planning permit is required to construct a dwelling on lots less than 40 hectares. SLO1 recognises the value of the landscape and requires permits for most developments, or clearing of vegetation. The Restructure overlay deals specifically with the Shone and Scholtz land and provides for the creation of five lots, consolidating the 162 that currently cannot be developed. RO7 has a requirement that a dwelling can only be constructed on land greater than 20 hectares. It is interesting to note that one of the restructure lots is 14.7 hectares, and therefore could not be built on. Since the RUZ2 zone limit of 40 hectares is the minimum lot area for a subdivision, further advice would be required to determine if a consolidation of lots could result in lots less than 40 hectares, as proposed by the restructure overlay. In addition to planning scheme zones and overlays there is the Native Vegetation Framework. This is State Government policy that forms part of the Victorian Planning Provisions. This policy seeks to achieve a ‘Net Gain’ in the quality and extent of native vegetation in Victoria. Any land development and many uses must consider impacts in light of the Framework. The Vegetation Framework provides tools for assessing the conservation status of native vegetation and provides rules to guide decisions to clear native vegetation. As the Restructure Overlay could result in

Page 5 the clearing of native vegetation, the Native Vegetation Framework must be taken into account. 5. Macedon Ranges Shire Policy Macedon Ranges Shire has a clear commitment to assessing social and environmental impacts and acting to protect environmental and community resources and assets as outlined in major policy documents. The Shone and Scholtz land needs the protection provided by these council commitments. Key policy commitments are detailed below. Macedon Ranges Shire Council Plan 2004-2008 Our Vision (What we aspire to achieve) To provide leadership in this inspired region by providing the opportunity for all to live a fulfilling life, whilst protecting our heritage, environment and a sense of community through our shared commitment to a sustainable Macedon Range. Council’s Strategic Objectives over the next four financial years will be: (Relevant Extracts) Community Wellbeing Healthy, vibrant and resilient communities. The health and wellbeing of our citizens and their understanding of what we are doing is central to our communities’ development and ownership of Council’s direction. We recognize that what we do and how we do it impacts on the well being of people who live and work in this Shire. Sustainable Living Economic vitality derived from sustainable principles Sustainable living is about ensuring we develop, manage and use our resources to meet not only our current needs, but also meet the needs of future generations. It involves having a healthy economy and recognising that infrastructure such as our roads, footpaths, drains, buildings, parks and public amenities also contribute to a healthy and vibrant community. These physical assets impact on our residents, business community and visitors, and are vital in enabling people to build relationships and maintain connections. Natural Environment Protect the beauty, tranquillity and bio-diversity of the Natural Environment We are committed to looking after our natural assets such as wildlife, waterways, vegetation, air and land. We recognise and value the natural and cultural heritage of this Shire. Council acknowledges its role in responding locally to global responsibilities. We will work actively with our residents, business, community and relevant agencies to raise broad environmental awareness and understanding. Council has identified, and is committed to, the following strategies to achieve the above objectives.

• To preserve and regenerate the quality of soil, water and air • To protect bio-diversity of flora and fauna • To protect and improve landscape and aesthetic values

Page 6 • To integrate environmental priorities across all activities • To address global ecological responsibilities with local plans • To promote clean and green life styles with schools, business and community groups via advocacy and education • To promote sustainable farming through education and support • To maintain open space, development and use • To reduce and control noxious weeds in partnership with all stakeholders

Community Partnerships A governance culture that is inclusive and collaborative We see partnerships as essential to our overall health and well being as a Community. In our planning, decision making and service delivery we will work in partnership with our Community, our Staff and other levels of government. We will ensure that we support our Staff and continuously review and improve our business practices including internal systems and processes to ensure that we are able to provide best value to our Community We will continue to develop a culture of good governance and ensure that the process of decision-making and the implementation of decisions is transparent and accountable. Council has identified, and is committed to, the following strategies to achieve the above objectives. Macedon Ranges Shire Natural Environment Strategy – Council Aims 1. Soil, Air and Water – To protect and restore the Macedon Ranges Shire’s soil, water and air quality 2. Biodiversity – To conserve the indigenous biodiversity values of the Macedon Ranges Shire through protecting, enhancing and restoring our indigenous vegetation and habitat. 3. Global Responsibility – To take responsibility for the Macedon Ranges Shire’s external environmental impacts, particularly its contribution to global environmental issues. 4. Land Use Planning – To strive for ecologically sustainable development and works through strategic land use planning, planning policies and the administration of statutory development controls. Other Catchment Management Authority, State and Federal Policy Key regional environmental policies or regulation emphasise the importance of considering ecological sustainability principles in decision making. There is not space here to discuss all of these. Key documents or regulation include the and Regional Catchment Strategy, the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act and the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act. The Native Vegetation Framework has recently become part of the Victorian Planning Provisions – this

Page 7 policy seeks to achieve a net gain in the quality and extent of native vegetation (See below). 6. Planning Background and History The title structure of land is a nineteenth century anachronism extending into the twenty first century. The plan of subdivision covering the land was established in the 1890s comprising 162 allotments. The lots range in area from 0.29 hectares to 5.21 hectares. There are 10 lots over 2 hectares. These are located on the steepest areas of the land. On some of these larger lots the land rises 90 metres over 250 metres. The majority of lots are approximately 0.41 hectares. The designer of this layout could never have visited the land. The topography, soil and vegetation characteristics render the land unsuitable for residential development. The density of lots against the steep hillsides, poor soil and isolation from town infrastructure render the subdivision design irrational from the outset. The subdivision was inappropriate in the 1800s, and has remained so throughout the twentieth century. If the land could have been practically developed in this period, before planning schemes and the like, then it would have been. The topographical and biological characteristics of the land are such that even agriculture was not seen as suitable for the land. It was not until the 1970s that property speculators identified the 162 allotments as being a simple option to flog off for easy profit. This was a common practice throughout Victoria at the time, with numerous examples of titles in inappropriate subdivisions being sold to unsuspecting buyers. For example, the author’s family once owned a block of land on sand dunes at Golden Beach near Sale, where no development has been permitted due to the limited land capability. This land was eventually given to the local council and a loss of investment grudgingly accepted. The situation was such that the State Government provided buy-back funding to ‘rescue’ the buyers from their predicament. For whatever reason, this buy back option was not approved for the Shone and Scholtz land. Instead, the land was put up for sale by property developers, colloquially known as Shone and Schultz. In response, the former Romsey Shire Council took the uncommon step of applying early planning controls preventing the further development of the land. This coincides with the development of Planning Policy No 8, an early planning tool that aimed to protect the Macedon Ranges Landscape and environment from ad hoc destruction. The decision by the Romsey Shire therefore remains an historic decision, one that should be of interest to this community. There remains a strong community mandate to protect the biodiversity and landscape of the Macedon Range as demonstrated in the Macedon Ranges Shire planning scheme and other council policy as outlined above. Successive councils have consistently refused development of the land. The 1970s - In the 1970s when the individual lots were put up for sale, the former notified purchasers that they would not be able to develop these

Page 8 lots. However, all lots were sold. No development has taken place on the land to date. The current landowners have been disadvantaged by their purchase. The 1990s - Prior to local government amalgamations in the early 1990s, the former Shire of Romsey initiated a program to obtain agreements to purchase the land and resell large consolidated blocks similar to the current Restructure Overlay. While there was nearly majority support for the program, sufficient interest was not obtained to allow it to proceed. The Current Situation, The Restructure Overlay that is going nowhere, and its significance for the Land - When the Macedon Ranges Shire was formed, a lease back program was developed underpinned by a Restructure Overlay that aims to consolidate the 162 titles into five. Title holders can lease their properties to the Macedon Ranges Shire for a ‘peppercorn rent’ of $1.00 per year to obtain a waiver in rates. Once sufficient lots are leased, the Shire can consolidate lots and sell them. The proceeds will then be distributed to the title holders. Currently 73 lots have been leased to council. 9 lots are in the process of agreeing to a lease, 4 landowners cannot be located and 4 lots have been offered to council as a donation. The remaining 76 lots are outside the Restructure program. 86 lots (53%) are currently included in the restructure process. In the five years of the last lease period, the title holder support has not been sufficient for any consolidation. It seems that this situation will continue for another five years. Clearly an alternative proposal is required to end this situation for the benefit of title holders and the community. Stronger Environmental and Planning Policy - Throughout the period between the early 1970s to 2005, planning controls have strengthened along with community commitment to protecting our biodiversity assets and cultural interests. Policy developments include limits on the size of lots and a range of overlays, including Significant Landscape overlays and Vegetation Protection overlays. The Victorian Planning Provisions now have as an incorporated document ‘Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management – A Framework for Action’. This has a state policy basis of achieving “A reversal, across the entire landscape, of the long-term decline in the extent and quality of native vegetation, leading to a Net Gain”. 7. Main Problems with the Restructure Overlay The current Restructure Overlay proposes that the land titles be consolidated into five titles to be sold and developed for legitimate uses under the Rural Use Zone – such uses will impact adversely on environmental and landscape values. Yet Council and State policy set a standard of a Net Gain in the quality and extent of native vegetation. The Rural Use Zone and the Restructure overlay are inconsistent with broader landscape and environmental protections that also apply to the land. This contradiction can be resolved by securing the land as a public nature reserve by purchasing it from the current title holders. The Macedon Ranges Shire has made attempts to resolve some of the complex problems and developed a Restructure Overlay that currently applies to the land. But due to the large number of title holders, no consensus has been achieved and the land remains unconsolidated. The Restructure Overlay is flawed and failing its objectives. Some of the objectives of the Restructure Overlay are clearly in conflict with current community values towards landscape and biodiversity as reflected in

Page 9 policy and the Macedon Ranges Shire Planning Scheme and policy, discussed above. The time has come to acknowledge these limitations and develop solutions that benefit the broader community and the environment. Lack of Research and Documentation - The current Restructure Overlay does not consider the social, economic and environmental values of the land. There have been no detailed reports or studies conducted to assess these values. In fact the Restructure Overlay appears to consist of a map and one sentence. The current Restructure Overlay program does not consider the long-term cultural connection of the land with the Riddells Creek community. There has been no assessment of any values the land may have to the traditional owners of the land, the Wurundjeri. Key problems posed by the lack of documentation • The lack of any environmental / cultural assessment and community consultation undermines the legitimacy of the current overlay. • As detailed above, it is Council policy to consider these types of issues to meet Council Plan objectives. Suitable research of issues and documentation is required for decision makers to make a reasoned response. • The range of values of the land have not been determined, therefore we are at risk of losing environmental, economic or cultural assets. Appropriate studies are urgently required. Native Vegetation Framework (NVF) – The Restructure Overlay was developed before the ‘Net Gain’ policy and the Native Vegetation Framework. The NVF provides a three step process for assessing proposals to clear native vegetation. The steps are: • Taking steps to avoid clearing • Obtaining expert input to assess the quality of native vegetation to minimise clearing. • Identify appropriate offsets to ensure there is a net gain in the quality and extent of native vegetation following any clearing. The native vegetation that could be potentially lost through development of the land under the current Restructure Overlay is clearly not a Net Gain. Upwards of 5 hectares of woodland would be cleared to construct dwellings and achieve a suitable level of fuel modification for fire. If we are to achieve the principle of a Net Gain in the quality and extent of native vegetation, we should take action where we can to prevent clearing of native vegetation in the first place. As the land is entirely covered with high quality, contiguous native vegetation, it is not possible to achieve a replacement offset of any vegetation cleared on the properties themselves. Any clearing therefore will have to be offset on other land, which is a complicated and expensive process to establish. This type of process should only be followed for major developments that provide great benefits to the broader community. Incremental Loss of Native Vegetation - Under five separate ownerships over the long term, five land management styles will result in incremental losses of

Page 10 environmental quality over time including impacts from garden plantings, weed invasion or pets. Only ensuring the land becomes a reserve for conservation and passive recreation under consistent management can prevent this. Land Available for Residential Development - There is plenty of suitable land in Riddells Creek for residential development The presence of native vegetation, erosion issues and lack of services and infrastructure all present significant development costs. There remain ample areas of cleared land suitable for residential development, as detailed in the Macedon Ranges Planning scheme. Restructure Overlay - Conclusion - The Restructure Overlay is failing to consolidate the titles and provide a fair outcome to title owners. Because of the large number of lots, it is difficult to see that there will be a consolidation under the current program. The lack of progress provides the opportunity to reassess the Restructure Overlay and look at the subdivision with contemporary eyes. We have the opportunity to act in order to preserve what we now value. 8. Other Threats The landscape and biodiversity found on the land have benefited from benign neglect. However, a number of threats to the values of the land and surrounds exist. Proper investment in management of the land is required to mitigate theses threats. Due to the significance of the biodiversity and cultural values of the land, sustainable management of the land is best achieved by managing the land as a conservation reserve. Weed Invasion – Without consistent management, weeds will progressively invade the land and reduce its conservation values. Serious weeds that threaten the land include Sallow Wattle, Sweet Pittosporum, Quaking Grass, Gorse, Broom species and Radiata pine. Community members regularly undertake preventative weed control action, however consistent management is required. The community has already eradicated three weed species from the area (Acacia elata, Cedar Wattle; Acacia pravissima, Ovens Wattle; Melaleuca hypericifolia, Hillock Bush) and 90+% of some of the major weeds have been eradicated from in the most heavily used areas (Pinus radiata, Monterey Pine; Acacia baileyana, Cootamundra Wattle; Acacia longifolia, Sallow Wattle; Pittosporum undulatum, Sweet Pittosporum). Lack of Fire Regime and Fire Risk Management– The bushland is adapted to periodic fire. According to Riddells Creek residents, the area was last burned in approximately 1966. The area missed out on the Ash Wednesday Fires in 1984. To maintain the biological health of the bushland, some periodic, mosaic burning should be introduced based on advice from qualified ecologists. Periodic mosaic burning will also reduce wildfire risks to the Riddells Creek township. It should be noted that due to the open woodland character of the land, the area does not pose a major fire risk at this time. In order to ensure fauna populations are not put at risk, the area should not be burned in one event. Access to Vehicles – Many vehicle tracks run through the land. These are utilised daily by people on motorcycles, 4wd and 2wd vehicles. Often the vehicles are unregistered and driven by unlicensed drivers. The unmanaged disturbance of the

Page 11 tracks by these vehicles has created erosion problems in many areas. Motorcycle riders are incrementally creating new tracks, damaging biodiversity values and creating new erosion problems. High speed driving and riding pose risks to pedestrians and the driver/rider themselves. There is considerable noise pollution created by motorcycle riders. Dumping of Rubbish – Casual dumping of garden waste, stolen cars and household garbage are ongoing problems on the land. Garden waste introduces weeds and dumped cars are often set alight, posing a bushfire risk. Each year the local community participates in ‘Clean Up Australia’ activities and removes all rubbish and garden waste from the land. Use of Firearms – Periodically, discharge of firearms is heard on the land. This is an illegal activity. The sound of firearms greatly disturbs residents. Community safety is put at risk by any illegal use of firearms. Threats –Conclusion - As the population of Riddells Creek grows, there will be increasing pressure put on the land from all of these threats. Steps need to be taken to limit vehicle access and prevent continued illegal activities on the land to protect the broader community and the values of the land. By preventing vehicle access most of the antisocial behaviours, rubbish dumping and firearms use can be halted or reduced. Managing weed invasion will require ongoing skilled management.

9. Statement of Environmental and Cultural Significance – Riddell Ranges Estate. What is Significant? The Riddell Ranges Estate, colloquially known as the Shone and Scholtz land. How is it Significant? The land is at least of regional significance or possibly state significance for its biodiversity and landscape values. The area is of local significance or regional significance for cultural, community and recreant values. If the presence of Audas Spider Orchid is confirmed, the land may be of national significance as habitat for this endangered orchid species. Why is it significant? Community Value – Over decades, the land has been unfenced and open to public access through a network of vehicle tracks and paths. The Land has been a recreation resource for the township of Riddells creek for decades. Residents constantly use the area as a bushland reserve. People walk, ride bicycles and horses, and have parties and picnics. There are regular wildflower walks conducted in the subdivision each year. The area is also used for firewood collection, parties, dumping rubbish or stolen cars. The land is also used by 4 wheel drive and motorcycle riders on a daily basis. Generally speaking, the impacts from these uses

Page 12 are not great, however increasing population in Riddells Creek is increasing the impacts of vehicles on the environment if this use is not managed. This community interest was demonstrated at Riddells Creek Community Ward Meeting, 4th October 2004. Community representatives petitioned the Macedon Ranges Shire to consider reviewing the Restructure Overlay and to develop a new program to create a public access conservation reserve for the land. This proposal received a favourable response from residents, Councillors and officers. Many anecdotes were presented by people familiar with the land relating their use or connection to the land. The Riddells Creek community is looking to Council to address this request. Examples of Community Activities – Nature walks are conducted by Riddells Creek Landcare for the community, Australian Plant Society and other groups. In 2005 four community walks are scheduled, the first two of which attracted an average of 60 participants of all ages. Also, there is a fun/educational element to all walks including bush tucker sampling and wattle identification (see Appendix 3). Each year on ‘Clean Up Australia’ Day rubbish is removed from the land. Further events are scheduled in the coming year. If the area was secured as a reserve, a wider range of groups could be involved in environmental education on the land. The land has a long established value to the Riddells Creek community as an area for passive recreation and environmental education. The constant use of the land for recreational purposes, regular community activities and the presentation at the Community Ward Meeting demonstrate that the land is significant to the Riddells Creek Community Macedon Ranges Shire Vision ~ Realising the Potential - Recent stories in the local media report the growth of employment in tourism in the Macedon Ranges Shire. One article reports that tourism employment has grown 17.7% (Midland Express 1-2-2005, p5). Councillors were reported in recent editions of the Age commenting that the quality of our environment was a significant factor of the success of events in the Macedon Ranges region.

The tourist appeal of the Macedon Ranges lies in the quality and accessibility of our natural environment. Visitors seek a range of experiences as well as locally produced products or services. To ensure people return we need a diversity of locations for them to visit, such that there is always something to visit ‘next time’. The Shone and Scholtz land is strategically located between a number of bushland reserves through the eastern Macedon Range. It provides for easy access for people of all ages and capabilities. Walking trails could be established between reserves, eventually linking through to the Mount Macedon Regional Park and the Great Dividing Trail. The network of existing tracks provide for short walks to a variety of interesting environments and views. These outdoor activities could be linked with accommodation, eating and local produce suppliers. The land is significant because of its strategic location. It could be used to help promote the region and provide recreational and tourism experiences of Macedon Shire residents and visitors to the region.

Page 13 Wurundjeri connection and heritage – no information is currently available regarding the use of the land by Wurundjeri or its significance to them. There is a reasonable likelihood that artefacts are to be found on the land given the lack of disturbance, and the long connection the Wurundjeri have with this landscape prior to non indigenous settlement, which is generally dated 1835, with John Batman’s Arrival. Undisturbed land retains the fabric of Wurundjeri land management; therefore the Shone and Scholtz land in someway carries significant traces of their land management and culture. Wurundjeri had full connection with their land as Batman and other Europeans expanded their settlement. Their culture intimately meshed with natural systems at low resource and energy consumption rates, but with high levels of community and cultural life. Their fire suppressed forests and maintained broad grasslands and grassy woodlands. Rarely was soil disturbed on a broad scale. Main disturbances would be the falling of large trees, lifting soil in their root ball, or the digging action of animals. Australian soils have had extensive periods of time without disturbance allowing for the development of complex biological systems that include linkages between plant root systems, bacteria, fungi and other soil organisms. This characteristic lack of soil disturbance on the Shone and Scholtz land dating back to the pre 1835 period is unusual on both public and private land tenures. Most areas have experienced some level of cultivation, application of agricultural chemicals, hard hoofed animals or weed invasion. These disturbances make fundamental changes to soil. It takes many years for soils to rebuild complex plant / soil organism links, especially in areas of low plant species diversity, where a range of habitats and differing species functions do not occur. Wurundjeri fire helped shape vegetation communities, the wide diversity of species that benefited from these flames became an entire landscape linked with a webbed patina of roots, mycelium, bacterial chemical interchanges. The ages of some undisturbed soil profiles must be 10s of thousands of years. These soils still bear intimately the imprint of Wurundjeri land management. The land on Riddell Ranges Estate is significant because its soil profiles have remain largely undisturbed, therefore retaining the complex, plant/soil organism relationships. The low lying areas with deeper soils are particularly unusual, in most situations relatively flat areas are cleared for pasture. The land is significant to the Wurundjeri people and part of their and our cultural and natural heritage. This undisturbed soil profile retains the evidence of Wurundjeri connection to the land. Catchments - Woodlands provide flood mitigation and help secure consistent waterway flow, water quality and ground water. The Shone and Scholtz land retains deep-rooted vegetation and the soils have not been compacted by machinery or hard hoofed livestock. Such vegetation is documented as having a role in halting and preventing salinity. There are small areas of salinity on the plains adjacent to the eastern Macedon Range. The land has significance to regional catchments due to the presence of intact native vegetation. The lack of soil disturbance is rare on private land.

Page 14 Biodiversity Value - The major characteristic of the land is its wealth of biological diversity. The land was never cleared for agriculture, it was never grazed, it has never had fertiliser applied to its soils. There has been some minor quarrying and possibly charcoal burning. This lack of disturbance means that the land, despite a lack of maintenance for over 50 years, is largely free of noxious weeds and retains a wide diversity of native flora and fauna species. Vegetation - The Shone and Schultz land is covered by two Ecological Vegetation Classes. These are Heathy Dry Forest and Grassy Dry Forest. Work by members of the community has identified 150 species of native plants growing in the subdivision (see Appendix 1), nearly all documented with photographs (Appendix 3 and 4). This compares with 133 species recorded at the adjoining Conglomerate Gully Reserve. 30% of the native species recorded for the whole of the Macedon Ranges can be found on the Shone and Scholtz land. It includes a staggering 21 orchid species, 22 daisy species, the floral emblems of both Victoria (Epacris impressa, Common Heath) and Australia (Acacia pycnantha, Golden Wattle), 13 species of the pea family, 10 species of lily, 14 wattles, 9 species of eucalypt, and many species that are commonly grown in Australian gardens (eg. Hardenbergia, Correa, Grevillea). One example of Audas’ Spider Orchid has been photographed in the reserve. This orchid species is listed as endangered under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act and the Federal Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act. An Action Statement (No103) for this species has been prepared under the FFG Act, which may assist with gaining funds to purchase this land as a reserve. The location and survival of this species needs to be confirmed. Pictures of some plant species found in the area are included as an attachment to this document. Riddells Creek Landcare is collating pictures and identification notes with the intention of producing a plant ID book for the area. Regular walks through the area are conducted with the Riddells Creek community and with interest groups such as the Macedon Ranges Conservation Society and the Australian Plants Society. Much of the interest in this area relates to the fact that this is unique, corresponding to the point where the Foothills of the Macedon Ranges and the flat Western Plains of Victoria meet. Animals - The vegetation does not appear to ever have been grazed or used for agriculture largely indicated by the absence of weeds, the abundance of so many species of wildflowers, and the lack of any boundary fencing. The land was last used for firewood collection prior to 1950. The sporadic land-use has ensured a range of hollow trees and other habitats have been maintained, providing habitat to fauna such as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, possums, and echidna. Birds - Another important aspect of the land is the bird life. So far, members of the community have recorded 73 species of birds in the area. This compares to 113 bird species previously recorded for the whole of the Macedon Ranges. A list of the bird species recorded in the area is provided in Appendix 2. Corridor Values – The land forms a contiguous area of bushland providing linkages from the plains and Riddells Creek (the waterway) through to the Macedon Ranges. Undisturbed Soil Profile – As discussed above, soil life cycle relationships between plants, bacteria, invertebrates and fungi may take hundreds of years to develop. Soil

Page 15 processes are poorly documented, we only have a basic idea how soils function, so we have little understanding as to their importance in maintaining complex natural systems. Destruction of ancient soil profiles may therefore result in the loss of something not yet properly understood. The undisturbed soils of the Shone and Scholtz land may prove valuable for research purposes. Conservation Significance – There has been no formal survey of fauna or flora conducted in the area. The high number of native plant species, the distinctive habitat, and intact vegetation communities indicate that the quality of the native vegetation is very high. However, further assessment is required by qualified botanists and zoologists to determine the conservation significance of the land. No decision about the future of this land should be made until a detailed flora and fauna study has been completed. It is the view of the authors that the Shone and Scholz land is at least of State Conservation Significance due to the species diversity, area of the land and lack of weeds. If the presence of Audas’ Spider Orchid is confirmed, the area is of National Conservation Significance. Heritage Value - The bulwark of the land property title system underwrites the Victorian economy, democracy and community, but it proves to be a barrier to the sensible management and protection of the critical assets of the Shone and Scholtz land that are well protected elsewhere throughout the Macedon Range. The challenge for this community and Council with respect to this issue is to ensure the protection of cultural and biological assets while providing a just outcome for existing land title owners. The current land zoning and restructure overlay do not achieve either of these core council responsibilities and, therefore, an alternative program needs to be developed. An innovative proposal could be developed that protects the planning heritage that is embodied on this land and its titles. As a minimum, a case study could be prepared to document this aspect of our past. However, if we can develop the land as a public nature reserve as outlined below, recognition of the planning history could be incorporated into the interpretation of the natural and cultural landscape. The Riddell Ranges Estate is significant because it tells part of the land development story of Victoria Land Capability - This land was never suitable for any agricultural use, nor is it suitable for residential uses. If the capability allowed this, the woodland would have been cleared long ago. Over 5 hectares of vegetation would have to be cleared or significantly modified. A net gain under the native vegetation framework cannot be achieved under the current proposal, as there are no suitable offsets to compensate for the loss. Whatever the process, the loss of 5 hectares would occur over the lower slopes, which retain a unique vegetation distribution. The Shire of Romsey identified that the geology of the land meant houses could not be constructed at that density. The area, especially steeper lots, would be exposed to landslip or erosion. While five lots provide more secure options for development, the resulting loss of native vegetation is unacceptable under current state and shire policy. It is significant that successive councils have consistently identified that this land is not capable of sustaining development our uses, other than a natural system.

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10. Recommendation That council develop a program to facilitate the purchase of the Riddell Ranges Estate and establishment of the land as a conservation reserve. To achieve this, council could work in partnership with the community to seek support and funding from a range of government and non-government agencies. 11. Conclusion Social and environmental changes in the 169 years of non- indigenous settlement in Victoria have been rapid. Development in the Macedon Ranges Shire will be no less rapid into the future. By 2031, Council reports estimate that our communities are expected to grow by 21,601 people making up 11,114 households. Our current population is approximately 38,000 people. Areas capable of sustaining development should be developed as the need arises. However, to provide for the quality of life of this growing population, we must set aside areas that - promote health and wellbeing, - define the identity of our communities - provide symbols we can use to promote our local businesses and economy - protect our unique biodiversity and catchments. If the Shone and Scholtz land is subdivided into five lots, the broader community loses access to an open space resource it has taken for granted and cared for over many years. Five landowners only will benefit from what once was a community asset. Instead, Council can make a decision that will benefit our whole community, into the future. The current title holders of the land have waited 30 years for a resolution to their dilemma. It is impossible for them to realise their dreams for the land, given the physical and regulatory limitations. However, a reasonable value for the land can be established through a fair and open process that will result in the purchase of the land for public purposes. Only this action will provide an end to speculation and uncertainty. These people must not be ‘strung on’ for another 30 years. The Restructure overlay must be replaced to take into account current community values and state planning policy as well as the future needs of our community. This report demonstrates the significance of this land; it is land that should be set aside as a public conservation reserve.

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