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Cairns Regional Council Lake Morris Recreation Management Plan

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Cairns Regional Council Lake Morris Recreation Management Plan CAIRNS REGIONAL COUNCIL LAKE MORRIS RECREATION MANAGEMENT PLAN Final Report October 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 1.1 Introduction 2 1.2 Review of Previous Reports 2 1.3 Stakeholder and Community Engagement 3 1.4 Assessment of Potential New Activities 3 1.5 Benchmarking of Other Lakes 4 1.6 Recreation Management Framework 5 2 RECOMMENDATIONS 6 2.1 Providing and Expanding Recreation Opportunities 7 2.2 Seeking Partners in Recreation Provision 10 3 INTRODUCTION 11 3.1 Site Overview 13 4 BACKGROUND AND REVIEWS 20 4.1 Review of Previous Studies 21 4.2 Summary of Values 24 4.3 Implementation of Previous Recreation Management Plan 26 5 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 29 5.1 Stakeholder Groups 30 5.2 Community Engagement 33 5.3 Community Survey Results 34 5.4 Community and Stakeholder Review of Draft Report 38 6 ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL NEW RECREATION ACTIVITIES 39 6.1 Protecting Values 40 6.2 Activity Management 40 6.3 Legislation 41 6.4 Infrastructure Implications 44 6.5 Activity Demand and Potential for Commercial, or other, Partners in Provision. 44 6.6 Potential Recreation Activity Assessment 45 Final Report 3 7 BENCHMARKING OF OTHER LAKES 55 7.1 Key Learnings from Benchmarking 56 7.2 Key Learnings from Benchmarking 57 8 RECREATION MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 59 8.1 Recreation Management of Lake Morris 61 8.2 Recreation Zones and Use Matrix 62 8.3 Recreation Use Zoning Plan and Master Plan 65 9 APPENDIX A - SUGGESTED APPROACH TO MARKET 67 9.1 Commercial Partnership 68 9.2 Community Partnership 68 9.3 The Offers 69 9.4 Approach to Market for Commercial Opportunities 70 9.5 Seeking Community Partnership Offers 72 10 APPENDIX B - COMMUNITY SURVEY DETAILED RESULTS 73 11 APPENDIX C - COMMUNITY SURVEY QUESTIONS 80 12 APPENDIX D - TRAFFIC COUNT DATA 81 13 APPENDIX E - A3 MAPS 96 14 APPENDIX F - REVIEW OF DRAFT: COMMENTS RECEIVED 100 4 Cairns Regional Council - Lake Morris Recreation Management Plan 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 INTRODUCTION Lake Morris (Copperlode Dam) is the principal water provision of recreation opportunities this was reviewed supply for Cairns. The lake sits to the west of the city with and updated in 2001 and was supported by a Risk a catchment predominantly comprised of national park Management Plan, and Visitor Infrastructure Condition and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area forest. The lake is Assessment. Most of the recommendations regarding an outstanding natural and scenic asset in the Cairns infrastructure and visitor facilities were implemented, region. Currently there is a day use and picnic area however the implementation of expanded recreational provided adjacent to the dam wall. Permitted recreation use was delayed for a number of reasons. includes use of the picnic area, a walking track to Crystal Cascades in the Redlynch Valley, riding and running on the access road and some limited tour group use of the This report reviews the previous work, road across the dam wall into the Davies Creek/Clohesy reports on the community’s views in regard River sections of Dinden National Park. to recreation at Lake Morris and proposes a new recreation management framework and In 1991 a recreation management plan for Lake Morris strategies for increasing outdoor recreation was developed to provide a long - term strategy for opportunities for residents and visitors to the region. 1.2 REVIEW OF PREVIOUS REPORTS The previous plans were rigorous and established The previous studies did find that on-water use by paddle considerable detail on environmental, social and cultural craft and non-combustion engine boats could be values and defined water quality objectives for the lake. supported if it was undertaken in a controlled way However the 2001 plan did not include extensive through small groups. Importantly, the key threat in community consultation. The previous plans found that having craft use the water was the importation of weed the protection of water quality was a critical issue and and pest species or pathogens. To resolve this risk it was that without significant upgrade of the treatment plant recommended that no private craft be allowed and that activities involving primary contact (i.e. swimming) were commercial operators be licenced to provide tours on the not advised. Similarly fishing was not supported as the lake with craft that would be kept on site and lake was then the subject of ongoing fish stocking quarantined for use in Lake Morris only. research. 2 Cairns Regional Council - Lake Morris Recreation Management Plan 1.3 STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT A range of stakeholders were interviewed regarding Lake of Gimuy Wallaburra Yidinji (Gimuy) expressed their Morris. In general there was continued support for strong interest in how the area is managed and would additional recreation opportunities to be provided at the like to be involved in on-ground management and lake and a general view that partnerships with development of guided tours. They are developing an commercial or community groups would be a viable way indigenous ranger program and have been preparing a to provide the on-water activities that are considered strategy to work with QPWS in “caring for their country”. suitable. There is strong potential for a partnership with Gimuy to deliver improved management of tracks and forest and Key amongst the stakeholders is the Department of to provide the cultural content that is often sought in eco National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing (Qld Parks and nature based tourism experiences. and Wildlife Service) and Wet Tropics Management Authority. Managing activity in the area has required an Community views were explored primarily through an ongoing partnership between Council and these on-line survey which received 531 responses. The agencies. Both agencies expressed strong support for responses clearly indicated that there was support for initiatives that increased the range of nature based expanded recreation opportunity at the lake but that this recreation in the area and recognised the potential support was tempered with concern for the water tourism benefits that could accrue for the city. The need quality. Stand-out preferences for additional recreation for education / environmental interpretation to be were: integrated into any guided activity was highlighted as part of responsible management and promotion of the Walking Tracks values of the area. Walk/ ride/ paddle to Camping Providing Canoes and Kayaks for Hire Another key stakeholder was Gimuy Wallaburra Yidinji, Kiosk and Café the traditional owners of the area. Representatives Mountain Bike Trails 1.4 ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL NEW ACTIVITIES Providing new recreation opportunities at Lake Morris A range of potential activities were assessed against a was planned with regard to the limited resources matrix of factors including: Council has to develop new infrastructure or to manage new activities. For Council, the main purpose of Lake Protection of Values (Social, Environmental, Water Morris is water supply. However, the current value as a Supply) recreation resource and the potential to add to the Activity Management concerns or issues opportunities for residents has been acknowledged by Legislative constraints Council. Added to that, are the tourism benefits of an Infrastructure Implications opportunity to experience a pristine lake surrounded by Activity Demand and Potential for Partnerships world heritage rainforest close to the city. Therefore, any proposed additional activity needs to be sustainable, The assessment process enabled identification of both environmentally and financially. Developing a range recommended activities and determination of the best of partnerships with community groups and commercial options for delivery. recreation providers offers a viable approach. Final Report 3 1.5 BENCHMARKING OF OTHER LAKES A review of similar lakes and the provision and management of recreation and commercial recreation was undertaken considering a number of locations and states. The key learnings were: There is a mix of approaches to managing camping system. Numerous issues emerge with this approach, with the use of a commercial lessee most likely particularly that of equity and suppression of tourism where there is thought to be sufficient commercial potential. potential. Some Councils are still managing camping Design of visitor facilities is critical at multi-use sites, grounds themselves either as a community service with the following elements recommended: or to use any profits to contribute to operating - Separation of day use areas from o/night stay costs. areas. Commercial recreation activities commonly offered - If possible safe swimming areas should be are: hire of boast/ craft; kiosk/café; “pro” shops/ identified and clearly delineated. fishing kiosk; camping and caravan parks. - Picnic and day use areas should be separated from Mixed use sites are common. In most cases the the boat ramp and trailer parking. camping ground and caravan park is in a defined - Vehicle traffic should be managed to peripheral area with its own access to the water or no access areas and specific water access nodes. to water and visitors having to drive to day use Commercial uses can easily be integrated and there areas / ramps to access. are opportunities for commercial activities to Mix of paddle and skiing uses is common. contribute to better site management through both Provision of safe swimming areas is a recurring issue site management presence and financial contribution at mixed use areas- mostly associated with to operations. “irresponsible “ boat drivers or sites where there is For council managed sites: limited access to waterside. - A range of activities are possible but the tendency is The most common complaint from all users to manage the land component only. (including skiers) is the behaviour of some boat - Commercial uses tend to be the leasing of the drivers and their putting other users at risk. camping ground and caravan park. There are some locations where water access for skiing or rowing is only available through a club 4 Cairns Regional Council - Lake Morris Recreation Management Plan 1.6 RECREATION MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK A recreation management framework is proposed that provision of others.
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