For more information contact the Parks Information Centre on 13 1963, or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Yarra Valley Parklands

Management Plan November 2008

YARRA VALLEY PARKLANDS MANAGEMENT PLAN

A Victorian Government Publication. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

Published in November 2008 by Parks Victoria Level 10, 535 Bourke Street, , Victoria 3000

National Library of Cataloguing-in-Publication entry

Parks Victoria Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

ISBN 978 0 7311 8379 1

1. National parks and reserves --Victoria --Yarra Valley --Management. 2. Yarra Valley Park (Vic.) --Management.

333.783099452 Acknowledgements Acknowledgement of Country: In their rich culture, are intrinsically connected to the continent — including the area now known as Victoria. Parks Victoria recognises that the parklands are part of Country of the Traditional Owners. Disclaimers This plan is prepared without prejudice to any negotiated or litigated outcome of any native title determination applications covering land or waters within the plan’s area. It is acknowledged that any future outcomes of native title determination applications may necessitate amendment of this plan; and the implementation of this plan may require further notifications under the procedures in Division 3 of Part 2 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth). The plan is also prepared without prejudice to any future negotiated outcomes between the Government/s and Victorian Aboriginal communities. It is acknowledged that such negotiated outcomes may necessitate amendment of this plan. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this plan is accurate. Parks Victoria does not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in the publication. Cover: Yarra Valley Parklands: paddling on the , Birrarrung Park (Photos: Parks Victoria collection), View to Melbourne CBD from Tikilara Park (James Lauritz)

Text printed on 100% recycled paper to help save our natural environment

FOREWORD

Yarra Valley Parklands are one of the most significant expanses of public open space in metropolitan Melbourne. They are characterised by a diverse array of landscapes including bushland, open paddocks and floodplains, linked by the iconic Yarra River. The diverse landscapes provide for a wide range of recreational pursuits and contain significant natural and cultural values. The parklands are vital in contributing to the health and well-being of the community and the character of the local and regional landscape.

This Management Plan provides strategic management directions for the Yarra Valley Parklands for the next 10 to 15 years. Focus over time will be on ensuring ongoing protection and enhancement of the parkland’s cultural, environmental and landscape values, further developing connections to the parklands, enhancing linkages within the parklands and the provision of recreation and leisure opportunities to meet the needs of the community.

Parks Victoria will implement the plan in partnership with local government, Melbourne Water, other land managers and land owners within and adjacent to the parklands, community groups and the wider community.

The valuable contribution of the key stakeholders and the community in developing this plan and advice provided by staff within Parks Victoria is recognised.

Mark Stone Chief Executive Parks Victoria

Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Yarra Valley Parklands comprise a series • A variety of natural and modified of regionally significant parks and reserves landscapes, including bush, open pastoral that extend along the Yarra River for land, rivers, billabongs and floodplains. approximately 16 km from Ivanhoe to Warrandyte. The parklands are located • The Yarra River which links these diverse approximately 15 km north east of Melbourne landscapes and is an important wildlife CBD and cover an area of over 1500 hectares. corridor. The river is also one of the major sources of water for Melbourne’s urban The Yarra Valley Parklands have been areas. progressively established since the 1970s. The • The diverse vegetation in the parklands main visitor site, Westerfolds, was opened in from sixteen ecological vegetation 1977. The parklands include land managed by classes, of which eight are classified as Parks Victoria, local government, VicRoads, endangered. The variety of vegetation is a Melbourne Water and private land owners. result of the parklands straddling the Some key sites managed by Parks Victoria boundary of two bioregions: the Central within the Parklands include , Highland Bioregion and the , Yarra Flats and Birrarung Park. Plains Bioregion.

The role of this plan is to provide a 10 to 15 • Significant environmental values year strategic framework and clear direction including the presence of over 230 fauna for the management of the Yarra Valley species, including 11 of National Parklands. This plan builds on the outcomes of significance. Over 600 flora species have previous planning, including the existing Yarra also been recorded in the parklands, Valley Park Management Plan. including four of National significance. The parklands also provide habitat for six The parklands are one of the most visited areas species of migratory birds of international of regional open space in Melbourne, attracting importance. over one million visits per year. The diverse • Sites of indigenous cultural significance, range of landscapes provide for a wide variety such as the Bolin Bolin Billabong which of recreational pursuits. was an important gathering place for the . The parklands are within The traverses the parklands the traditional lands of the for 18 kilometres from Burke Road in Ivanhoe people of the language to the confluence of the Mullum Mullum group. Creek with the Yarra River in Templestowe. The Main Yarra Trail is an important • Pontville Homestead, Westerfolds Manor component of the Metropolitan Trail Network and Petty’s Orchard that reflect the areas and connects the parklands to surrounding history and past land uses. areas of open space, schools, universities and • The Heide Museum of Modern Art, which the city. The extension of the Main Yarra Trail borders the parklands and is a significant through to Warrandyte is identified as a long- artistic and cultural centre that attracts term project within Linking People and visitors from the State, interstate and Spaces. overseas. The parklands include culturally significant landscapes painted Key Values by the ‘’ artists. The key values of the Yarra Valley Parklands • The bush and river landscapes of the park, include: that underpin the distinctive character of the surrounding suburbs, including Ivanhoe, Bulleen, Viewbank,

Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

Templestowe, Heidelberg, Lower Plenty, Sites, landscapes and places constituting the Eltham and Warrandyte. cultural heritage of the parklands are preserved. Their relevance to human • The diverse range of recreation endeavours and association with the land are opportunities provided throughout the interpreted to demonstrate the fundamental parklands. Popular activities include importance of place and shared heritage to our walking, jogging, dog walking, children’s many different cultures that enjoy and value play, recreational and commuter cycling, the parklands. The parkland’s outstanding heritage and nature appreciation, and natural and cultural landscapes and vistas are picnicking. protected. Role of the Parklands Management Framework The vision of the Yarra Valley Parklands helps The management of the parklands will be to articulate its role within the region and its underpinned by a number of guiding value to the community. principles, which link broadly to Melbourne’s Open Space Strategy, Linking People and During the life of this plan, Yarra Valley Spaces, and strategic directions that are Parklands will be managed and recognised for specific to the Yarra Valley Parklands. its many social, environmental and economic benefits, the vital contribution to the quality of The parklands have been divided into seven life for all Melburnians and its role in management zones. These management zones Victoria’s system of parks. reinforce the identity of particular areas within The Yarra River is the prime focus of the the Parklands, and provide a framework to Yarra Valley Parklands, forming a link to other direct decision making and to determine how outstanding areas of open space and Parks Victoria and other public agencies will landscapes from the city to beyond manage the land as well as providing direction metropolitan Melbourne. The parklands offer for the future management of private land an opportunity for surrounding communities under consideration for possible incorporation and visitors to connect to the Yarra River. into the parklands. The parklands provide access to quality While the park-wide and management zone experiences and inspire visitors to enjoy a actions provide guidance on issues that are range of activities, contributing to the general current or have been anticipated through the health and well-being of the community and planning process, the ongoing management of people from diverse backgrounds, the parklands will occur within a changing demographics and abilities. Innovative services social, political and economic environment. and support are contributed by the community, The plan will therefore also be used as a business, and other institutions and agencies, decision making framework to respond to in partnership, to achieve a common aim of proposals and issues that may arise in the connecting people with nature and parks. future.

The parklands continue to contribute Implementation substantially to biodiversity conservation within the Yarra River corridor, with Implementation of the actions within this plan progressive gains in the extent and condition of will be dependent on visitor demand, funding key vegetation communities and the protection and agreement with other agencies. The of significant flora and fauna. The parklands actions contained in the plan will guide and be are managed to ensure that they continue to progressively incorporated into the Parks provide a vital riparian environmental buffer Victoria Annual Works Program for the Yarra that contributes to the health of the Yarra River Valley Parklands. It is envisioned that other and its tributaries, with resulting downstream agencies will also use this plan to inform their benefits that support water quality and regional various work plans. environmental values.

Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background 1 1.2 Location 2 1.3 Regional Context 2 1.4 Strategic Planning 3 1.5 Planning Process 4

2 CURRENT STATUS OF THE PARKLANDS 5

2.1 Regional Open Space and Linkages 5 2.2 Visitor and Recreation Values 5 2.3 Park Identity 7 2.4 Environmental Values 7 2.5 Cultural Heritage Values 10 2.6 Land Management 11

3 FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 13

3.1 Vision 13 3.2 The Role of the parklands 13 3.3 Guiding Principles 14

4 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 16

4.1 Regional Context and Linkages 16 4.2 Park Visitors 16 4.3 Parklands Character 17 4.4 Natural Environment 17 4.5 Cultural Heritage 18 4.6 Management Partnerships 18

5 PARK-WIDE ACTIONS 19

5.1 Regional Open Space and Linkages 19 5.2 Park Visitors 19 5.3 Character of the Parklands 20 5.4 Natural Environment 21 5.5 Cultural Heritage 21 5.6 Management Partnerships 22

Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

6 MANAGEMENT ZONES AND ACTIONS 23

6.1 Recreation 23 6.2 Sports and Community Events 24 6.3 Conservation and Recreation 25 6.4 Landscape 26 6.5 Conservation 27 6.6 Special Use Zone A (Utilities) 27 6.7 Special Use Zone B (Multiple Use) 28

7 IMPLEMENTATION 29

7.1 Priorities and Staging 29 7.2 Management Resources 29 7.3 Plan Amendment 30 7.4 Evaluation and Review 30

8 REFERENCES 32

9 GLOSSARY 34

APPENDIX 1 Ecological Vegetation Classes 36

APPENDIX 2 Scientific Names of Other Plant Species Referred to in the Text 38

APPENDIX 3 Threatened Fauna Species 39

APPENDIX 4 Threatened Flora Species 41

APPENDIX 5 Introduced Fauna Species Recorded in the Yarra Valley Parklands 42

APPENDIX 6 Indicative Recreational Opportunities 43

10 MAPS

MAP 1 Location End of plan

MAP 2 Land Status “

MAP 3 Management Zones “

MAP 4 Links and Access “

Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

1 INTRODUCTION

Manningham and Nillumbik), land managed 1.1 Background by public agencies (VicRoads and utilities, This Management Plan provides a 10 to 15 including 90 hectares managed by Melbourne year strategic framework and directions for the Water), and private land designated for management of Yarra Valley Parklands. The potential acquisition as future parkland. plan guides Parks Victoria’s management of The purpose of this plan is to facilitate the the land under its jurisdiction, in the context of effective management of the parklands. It the park as a whole, sections of which are provides a strategic decision-making managed by other agencies. It builds on the framework to ensure that decisions are outcomes of previous planning, including the consistent and contextually relevant. These existing Yarra Valley Park Management Plan decisions must reflect the core role of the (Melbourne Water 1992). parklands, which is to provide natural settings Parks Victoria manages public land across for recreational opportunities that cater for Victoria to conserve, protect and enhance existing, emerging and future trends while environmental and cultural assets, to provide protecting environmental, landscape and settings that enable park visitors to enjoy high- cultural heritage values. quality, sustainable recreation and experiences, A number of the strategies in the 1992 and to contribute to the health and well-being Management Plan (Melbourne Water 1992) of Victorians. Parks Victoria is committed to have been implemented. Sections of privately working with all land managers and owned land within the Yarra Valley Parklands communities to ensure that visitor and have been progressively acquired and reverted recreation opportunities in the parklands are to Crown land. managed to protect significant environmental, landscape and cultural heritage values. The number of visits to Yarra Valley Parklands has doubled since 1992, and the Main Yarra The social and health benefits to people who Trail has been extended along the Yarra River visit parkland is well supported through to the Trail. research (Deakin University and Parks Victoria 2002). The diversity of natural settings in The Trail from Greensborough regional open spaces such as the parklands was extended to connect to the Main Yarra enhances the well-being of park visitors and River Trail in 2007. the surrounding communities. The construction of a new bridge across the The main visitor site in the parklands is Yarra River between Candlebark Park and Westerfolds, which opened in 1977. There are Lower Eltham Park in 2004 created pressures three other urban recreation parks in the that were not considered within the 1992 plan. parklands: Banksia Park, Birrarrung Park and Yarra Flats. In addition, there are a large These changes since the 1992 plan have altered number of distinct areas with established local the recreation settings and opportunities within visitation. These include areas with the parklands. A strategic review of future environmental and cultural values such as directions for the parklands is now required. Candlebark Park, Bolin Bolin Billabong (in The land management agencies at the State and Yarra Flats), Tikalara Park, Sweeneys Flat, local government level have also changed in Laughing Waters and Longridge Farm. the intervening 15 years since the 1992 plan. The parklands extend over 1500 hectares and The current management arrangements are include Crown Land managed as open space addressed in this Management Plan. by Parks Victoria, as well as parks, reserves and sports fields and complexes managed by local government (Banyule, Boroondara,

Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan 1

1.2 Location rural in character. This will remain the case because of its higher environmental values and The Yarra Valley Parklands extend north-east the greater fire risk east of Fitzsimons Lane. along the Yarra River for about 16 km from Burke Road in Ivanhoe to Glynns Road in The population within this catchment has a Warrandyte (Map 1). wide cultural diversity. Many householders in the three adjacent councils of Manningham, The parklands contain a variety of natural and Nillumbik and Banyule speak a language other built features, including bush, open pastoral than English at home, ranging from 7.5% to land, rivers, billabongs and floodplains. The 35% in localities near the parklands. Yarra River is the key landscape feature, Languages spoken include Greek, Italian, providing an important wildlife corridor that Macedonian and particularly Chinese connects different sections of the parklands. languages in Manningham (11% of The river and the parklands have significant households). environmental values. The parklands also contain a range of Indigenous and historic Melbourne’s Open Space Strategy, Linking cultural elements which provide links to People+Spaces (Parks Victoria 2002) Wurundjeri occupation and Melbourne’s early designates the Yarra Valley Parklands as being post-contact settlement. in both the north and east regions, the Yarra River being the boundary between these two 1.3 Regional Context regions. These regions have substantial provision of accessible open space for their The majority of the Yarra Valley Parklands are communities. The closest other metropolitan managed by Parks Victoria (Map 2) and form regional parklands are , one of the most significant public open spaces Warrandyte State Park, and Plenty Gorge in metropolitan Melbourne. They provide Parklands. important recreational and open space opportunities in the north-eastern region of Yarra Valley Parklands are part of a broader Melbourne. The parklands are surrounded by a open-space network along the Yarra River that mix of largely established land uses, including stretches from the river’s source in the Yarra residential areas, light industrial and Ranges to Bay. Warrandyte State commercial developments, schools, parks, Park is immediately east of Yarra Valley recreation facilities, bush and agricultural land. Parklands upstream along the Yarra River, providing nearly 700 hectares of conservation Research undertaken by Parks Victoria reserves with nature-focused passive recreation indicates that 60% of metropolitan park in natural settings. Yarra Bend Park is 4 km visitors will travel up to 15 km to access a west of Yarra Valley Parklands, downstream regional park. The Yarra Valley Parklands are along the Yarra River. It provides 260 hectares in the centre of Melbourne’s north-eastern of natural bushland, manicured lawns, picnic suburbs, and over one million people live areas and active recreation areas. The Main within 15 km of the park. Yarra Trail connects the parklands to Yarra Bend and the city. The suburbs surrounding the western end of the parklands are well established. Melbourne There are other substantial public open spaces 2030: Planning for Sustainable Growth (DOI nearby at in Doncaster, 2002) has identified a number of activity Mullum Mullum Creek Linear Park in centres around the parklands that could support Doncaster East, Green Gully Linear Park, dense redevelopment for higher numbers of Currawong Bush Park in Warrandyte, households. Population and household Bundoora Park, the Diamond Creek parks in densities are expected to increase in these Eltham (Eltham Lower Park to Eltham North areas; this increase will result in an increased Park), Chelsworth Park in Ivanhoe, Koonung demand for recreational open space at the Creek Reserve in , Willsmere– western end of the parklands. The eastern end Chandler Park and in East Kew, of the parklands is less developed and more the Darebin Parklands in Alphington, and the

2 Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

Plenty Valley Parklands to Greensborough The ongoing management and development of along the Plenty River. the parklands is guided by several government strategies. Some government strategies have Other large areas of open space in the Yarra specific implications for the management of Valley contribute to the sense of openness and the parklands and its surrounds, such as the expansiveness. Land adjacent to the parklands Sustainable Recreation and Tourism on includes private golf courses, land used for Victoria’s Public Land Policy (NRE 2002b), agistment, agriculture and horticulture, and the Melbourne 2030 – Planning for Sustainable Environment Living Zone in Nillumbik Growth (DSE 2002), Parks Victoria’s Linking along the Yarra River. People+Spaces (Parks Victoria 2002) and The recently refurbished Heide Museum of Melbourne Water’s Port Phillip and Modern Art, which borders the parklands, is a Westernport Regional River Health Strategy significant artistic and cultural centre for (2006). Melburnians. It also attracts visitors from Melbourne 2030 designates a number of regional Victoria, interstate and overseas. nearby urban centres as ‘a focus for high- The upper reaches of the Yarra River flow quality development, activity and living for the through forested mountain areas that have been whole community’. The nearest principal reserved for water supply purposes for more activity centres of Doncaster and than 100 years. The Yarra River is the major Greensborough are 3 km from the parklands source of urban water supply and is the main boundary. Major activity centres are also drainage basin for eastern Melbourne. located at Eltham, the Pines, Doncaster East and Heidelberg, immediately adjacent to Yarra 1.4 Strategic Planning Flats, Banksia Park and Warringal Parklands.

The Melbourne Metropolitan Town Planning While existing forecasts of population by 2021 Commission identified the Chandler Flood suggest a minimal net population change basin, Plenty River Valley to Lower Plenty across the municipalities surrounding Yarra Road and Yarra Valley as far as Westerfolds as Valley Parklands, new household formation preferred future public open space parkland in will be encouraged at higher densities in and the 1929 Melbourne Plan of General near these activity centres. This may alter Development (Melbourne Metropolitan Town recreation demands on the parklands for local Planning Commission, 1929). residents who have limited private open space. In November 1971, the Melbourne and Melbourne 2030 initiatives specifically Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW), relevant to the Yarra Valley Parklands acting as the responsible metropolitan planning complement actions from Sustainable agency, identified land in the Yarra Valley to Recreation and Tourism on Victoria’s Public be reserved for the provision of regional open Land and Linking People+Spaces to provide space. A proposed suburban subdivision of planning protection for future open-space, to Westerfolds in the early 1970s prompted the strengthen planning controls relating to the State Government to acquire the property to Yarra River, and enhance the recreational and protect future recreational open space. tourism potential of the Yarra River corridor by completing links to the Main Yarra Trail. The Yarra Valley Parklands were the third metropolitan regional park created by the Melbourne Water is the agency responsible for MMBW in the 1970s. The development of river health. Melbourne Water’s Port Phillip much of the infrastructure throughout the and Westernport Regional River Health parklands was guided by the master plan and Strategy (Melbourne Water 2006) outlines a development report prepared for the parklands five-year program for river health and ten-year in the late 1970s (MMBW 1978, Scott and condition targets for waterways in the Port Furphy Engineers Pty Ltd 1979). Phillip region, which includes the Yarra River. It also outlines activities undertaken to achieve targets for river health, such as the

Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan 3

development of a waterway management values to the public. Also of concern was the activity plan (WMAP) for the Middle Yarra ongoing management of conflicting land uses River. A Middle Yarra River WMAP would and recreational activities, and inappropriate identify key waterway issues and recommend behaviour within the parklands. All issues river-reach and site-specific actions to raised were considered in the preparation of prioritise Melbourne Water works for the next the draft Management Plan. 10 to 15 years. The draft Management Plan was released in Melbourne Water is developing a Riparian March 2007 and was publicly exhibited for Vegetation Management Plan for the Middle eight weeks. Twenty-seven submissions from Yarra River. This is being undertaken in three individuals and groups were received. parts, with the final segment from Plenty River to (incorporating the Yarra Valley The key themes and issues raised in the Parklands frontage to the Yarra River) to be submissions to the draft plan included: completed in 2008. The Riparian Vegetation • recognising the potential threats to the Management Plan will provide critical parklands, in particular those arising from background information and riparian climate change; management actions and will enable • concern about inappropriate commercial Melbourne Water to assess additional planning development within the parklands; outputs for the Middle Yarra, including the possible preparation of a WMAP. • provision of appropriate areas for both on- lead and off-lead dog-walking; 1.5 Planning Process • allocation of management zones; • protection of environmental values The process for developing this Management throughout the parklands; Plan has involved six stages: • involvement of community groups in • research and analysis, including review of future consultation processes concerning previous reports and plans; the ongoing development and management • landscape investigation of the Yarra Valley of the parklands; Parklands; • construction and maintenance of trails to • preparation and distribution of a improve safety and access, and provision Discussion Paper to facilitate community of facilities for mountain biking; and consultation and input; • improving the connection of the parklands • definition of guiding principles and to the Heide Museum of Modern Art. strategic directions; • development of management zones and Public submissions were considered, together actions; and with the policy frameworks and priorities of the relevant public agencies and State • preparation and distribution of a draft Government, and the draft plan was revised Management Plan for public comment. accordingly before Parks Victoria endorsed the Consultation with local government, the Yarra final Management Plan. Valley Parklands Advisory Committee, other This final Management Plan provides an land managers, stakeholders and the wider important decision-making framework for community has been an integral part of the determining appropriate use of the parklands planning process. for the next 10 to 15 years. Prior to the development of the Management Plan a Discussion Paper was on public exhibition for six weeks. Seven groups and 43 individuals made submissions. Many of the submissions related to the protection of environmental and landscape values within the parklands and the communication of these

4 Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

2 CURRENT STATUS OF THE PARKLANDS

2.1 Regional Open Space and Minor shared-use trail bridges in the parklands Linkages cross the Plenty River in Lower Plenty, Little Yarra Billabong in Bulleen, Salt Creek in The scale and diversity of the parklands Heidelberg, Banyule Creek in Viewbank, provide public access to open spaces and Ruffey Creek in Templestowe and Mullum bushland within close proximity to many Mullum Creek in Templestowe, and bridge households in northern and eastern Melbourne. smaller tributaries and gullies in Westerfolds These parklands are a buffer to urban Park, Candlebark Park, Tikalara Park and development, protecting the Yarra River Laughing Waters Park. Valley, which includes the culturally significant landscapes painted by the Existing public transport access to and from ‘Heidelberg School’ artists and areas of the parklands is poor and disconnected. Bus recorded Indigenous usage such as Bolin Bolin routes cross the park along the Yarra crossings Billabong. of Banksia Street and Fitzsimons Lane, and run along the Burke Road and Templestowe The Main Yarra Trail runs upstream for 18 km Road boundaries of the parklands. The bus through the parklands from Burke Road in stop locations have little formal connection to Ivanhoe to the confluence of Mullum Mullum park entrances and visitor destinations. Creek with the Yarra River in Templestowe. In Heidelberg railway station is close to the the Yarra Valley Parklands, the Main Yarra parklands, but the sense of connection and Trail connects to the Mullum Mullum Creek relationship between the parklands and Trail, the Green Gully Trail in Doncaster East, Heidelberg Village is poor. The Structure Plan the Ruffey Creek Trail, the , for the Heidelberg Precinct (Banyule City the and the Koonung Council, 2007) proposes improvements in Creek Trail. Linking People + Spaces (Parks connections between Heidelberg and the Victoria 2002) identifies the connection of the parklands. Main Yarra Trail through to Warrandyte as a long-term project. Parks Victoria with the City 2.2 Visitor and Recreation Values of Manningham is also investigating the completion of the Mullum Creek Trail from The parklands are among the most visited the Yarra Valley Grammar School in regional open spaces in Melbourne, attracting Ringwood through to Tikalara Park in over a million visits per year. Its significant Templestowe. landscapes provide for a broad range of recreational pursuits. There are many entrances to different parts of the parklands, ranging from formal vehicle and Yarra Flats, Banksia Park, Birrarrung Park and pedestrian entrances to visitor facilities Westerfolds Park are the most popular areas, through to connections from local paths and offering passive recreation opportunities in adjacent roads in the surrounding suburbs natural settings. The most recent visitor counts (Map 4). from 2001 indicated that close to 1.2 million people visited these four parks. Westerfolds The parklands are crossed by two arterial roads alone had over 595,000 visitors. that bridge the Yarra River: Banksia Street connects Heidelberg and Bulleen, and Yarra Valley Parklands have established Fitzsimons Lane connects Templestowe and visitor facilities that provide a range of Eltham. Major non-vehicular bridges enable recreational and open space opportunities for trails to cross the Yarra River at Finns Reserve visitors. Parks Victoria provides four major at Westerfolds to connect Lower Plenty and visitor sites that cater for large visitor numbers. Templestowe, and the Lower Eltham Park – Westerfolds is the most developed of these and Candlebark Park Bridge links trails in Eltham has the greatest range of visitor settings and and Templestowe. facilities. Local councils own and manage

Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan 5

large areas of open space within the parklands minor access points. Visitors enjoy the that are established as active and passive connections between trails that allow a variety recreation areas. Additional minor visitor sites of walks and rides to recreational facilities throughout the parklands cater for small within and outside the parklands. groups and individuals, particularly in areas with environmental and cultural values. Walking dogs within the park is a highly popular community activity. Dog walking is Parks Victoria conducts visitor surveys at a currently permitted in most of the western end number of parks through the State each year. of the parklands, with dogs required to be on a Visitor surveys were last conducted at lead. This includes the parks managed by Westerfolds in 2004. Some of the key findings Parks Victoria along the Main Yarra Trail from of that survey were: Westerfolds to Yarra Flats, and many parks • 67% of people participated in physical and reserves within and adjacent to the activity; parklands that are managed by local councils. The exception is where dogs are prohibited • 53% of people visited the park for a social around some of the billabongs and other activity; and environmentally sensitive areas. • 34% of people ate or drank at a BBQ or picnic, or at the café. Dogs are also currently permitted in a number of different areas east of Fitzsimons Lane. The average stay was 2.9 hours and the Manningham City Council currently average group size was 12.9 people. 37% of designates Fitzsimons Reserve as an on-lead visitors came with a group of more than 10 dog area, and the provides people. 94% of visitors were from on-lead and off-lead areas at Griffith Park. metropolitan Melbourne and 81% were from Several other council parks and reserves within the eastern and northern suburbs. The average and adjacent to the parklands have off-lead dog number of visits per person per year was 30, areas, including Finns Reserve in suggesting that local people visited Templestowe, Lower Eltham Park in Eltham Westerfolds often. and Warringal Parklands in Heidelberg. Councils also manage other nearby open space Activities in the parklands include picnicking and trails where dogs are allowed. by small and large groups, walking, jogging, children’s play (unstructured and in Cycling is a popular activity along the Main playgrounds), recreational cycling, commuter Yarra Trail, and other formed shared-use trails cycling, bushwalking, nature photography, throughout the parklands. Mountain biking is nature appreciation, car touring, mountain not formally provided for at present, but a biking, canoeing, heritage appreciation, horse number of informal trails are used for this riding in leased areas, orienteering, bird activity. The number of mountain bike riders watching, rollerblading, urban camping (at in the parklands has been increasing since Longridge camp ground), visiting the 1992. This has increased the use of many Westerfolds Manor or Heide Museum of shared-use trails in the parklands, and the Modern Art, grass skiing, dog walking in creation of informal trails has had some impact specified areas, appreciation of orchards (at on riverside and streamside areas. Petty’s Orchard) and art activities through the Artist in Residence Program. Horse riding is allowed in the areas leased to Riding for the Disabled and the North-East The Main Yarra Trail connects different Pony Club at Viewbank, and horses are agisted elements of the parklands and is a major at Yarra Flats. Horse riding facilities are also recreational asset used by many visitors. provided near the parklands at Buck Reserve Research related to the Main Yarra Trail shows and Pettys Reserve on Reynolds Rd, and at that most visitors are satisfied with the Lower Eltham Park. experience provided. Playgrounds are located at Westerfolds, Pedestrians access short and medium length Birrarrung Park, Banksia Park and Finns walks, particularly loop circuits, often through Reserve. The new all-abilities Playspace at

6 Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

Finns Reserve is a regional-level facility that Further upstream, east of the Plenty River attracts many visitors to this section of the confluence, there are uplifted areas that expose parklands. the underlying geology. In a number of places along this section of the river there are small 2.3 Park Identity islands, rapids and cliffs. Yarra Valley Parklands have a diverse range of One of the most appreciated community values landscapes and significant recreation, natural is the diversity of landscapes and the scale of and cultural assets. The Yarra River is the the parklands. The Yarra Valley Parklands common element linking the landscapes from make a major contribution to the liveability of the steep narrow valley gorge at Warrandyte, the surrounding suburbs by creating an Glynns and Laughing Waters with tall trees undeveloped ‘visual break’ that separates the and semi-remote bush, the open paddocks with northern and eastern suburbs on the Doncaster a well-treed backdrop at Tikalara, remnant and Eltham ridgelines. The bush and riverside orchards at Pettys, to the wide billabong-rich parks also underpin the distinctive character of floodplain between Plenty River and Burke the adjacent suburbs, particularly Ivanhoe, Road. Bulleen, Viewbank, Templestowe, Heidelberg, Lower Plenty, Eltham and Warrandyte. The geomorphology of the parklands is among the most diverse and accessible in metropolitan Some well-used recreation sites in the Melbourne. Sandstone, siltstone and mudstone parklands have distinct local identities, such as were laid down when the area was part of a Warringal Parklands, Banyule Flats, Finns vast seabed some 450 million years ago. Reserve and Griffith Park. Several public and Subsequent uplifting, warping, erosion, private golf courses are within or adjacent to volcanic activity and human influences have the parklands, including the Freeway Golf shaped the landscape of the parklands and Course north of the Eastern Freeway, Yarra surrounds. The western end of the parklands Valley Country Club north of Heide Museum incorporates a large portion of the Chandler of Modern Art along the Yarra River, and flood basin; the flood basin was created 2 Rosanna and Heidelberg Golf Clubs along the million years ago when lava flowing down the Plenty River. partially blocked the Yarra River and caused the area to flood. The 2.4 Environmental Values resulting sedimentation produced a large number of billabongs that were carved in the The Yarra Valley Parklands have been flood basin as the Yarra River created a new extensively modified by rural and urban channel south of Ivanhoe. activities since agriculture commenced there in the 1830s. Lineal strips and pockets of remnant As a result of their proximity to Melbourne, vegetation communities have survived along many floodplain wetlands have been cleared, the Yarra River and its tributaries and on filled-in for agricultural and urban steeper slopes, particularly in the eastern half development, or lost when their water source of the parklands. was diverted. The Yarra River still regularly floods into wetlands such as Bolin Bolin Extensive revegetation over the past two Billabong, Banyule Wetlands and the Annulus, decades has connected remnant communities but for much shorter periods of time. and increased both the biodiversity and recreation opportunities for visitors in natural These wetlands provide habitat for a diverse settings. The parklands provide valuable range of species and are important refuge areas opportunities for visitors to learn about the during droughts. A number of artificial natural environment in a setting close to ephemeral wetlands at Birrarrung Park, Melbourne. Sweeneys Flat, and Bobs Wetlands at Glynns Road contribute to local biodiversity and help The park staff and many different groups in the to improve stormwater quality. community, including the Riverlands Conservation Society, the Doncaster & Templestowe (Manningham) Conservation

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Society and Friends of the Yarra Valley, have along the Yarra River. The Chandler undertaken significant work in the last 30 floodplain is a natural water storage area years. This work has changed the landscape of during major floods and reduces downstream the parklands from largely cleared land flood levels. dominated by introduced species to an increasingly indigenous landscape with large Areas within the Yarra Valley Parklands are areas of overstorey revegetation connecting identified as being of very high environmental and buffering remnant vegetation and biolink significance, at National, State and Regional corridors. level in terms of species and communities intactness, diversity and rarity. The Though revegetation has been successful in environmental values have been progressively converting degraded cleared sites into more identified and mapped, enabling a focus on natural settings valued by the community for protecting specific areas with identified recreation, the density and location of some environmental values compared to earlier revegetation programs have reduced the management plans. visibility of some highly used facilities in the parklands. This has raised safety concerns Riverside and streamside vegetation provides among park visitors using these facilities. As a major corridors for wildlife, facilitating the result some vegetation has been removed in movement and dispersal of animals, helping to certain areas such as Yarra Flats in order to maintain or increase the genetic diversity of discourage inappropriate activities. fauna and flora. The initial stage of restoring and enhancing The parklands are within two Victorian vegetation and habitat focused on increasing bioregions, the boundary between the two the extent of vegetation communities to bioregions being around Diamond Creek. The sustainable sizes and connecting them. The western end of the parklands (62% of the next stage of revegetation and vegetation parklands area) is within the Gippsland Plains management will focus on improving the Bioregion, of which there is relatively little quality of vegetation communities and habitat. protected on public land. The eastern end (38% of the parklands) is within the Eastern The catchment of the Yarra River has been Highlands — Southern Fall Bioregion. heavily impacted by rural and urban Candlebark Park contains the only substantial development, and the Environment Protection intact remnant of the overlap between these Authority and Melbourne Water have two bioregions. identified a number of water quality issues. High levels of phosphorus, nitrogen and A section of the Eastern Highlands — suspended solids enter the Yarra River from Southern Fall Bioregion is classified under the tributaries such as the Mullum Mullum and Interim Biogeographical Regions of Australia Koonung Creeks. (IBRA) as Victorian Midlands (DEWHA, 2000). This includes the Eltham and North In the past 10 years phosphorus levels in the Warrandyte areas of the parklands, with drier lower Yarra River have generally remained rainshadow vegetation communities of similar constant but nitrogen levels have increased character to the Broadford to Castlemaine significantly, most likely as a result of urban region. This IBRA bioregion in the parklands growth. The Yarra River Action Plan (DSE contains many threatened and listed species of 2006) outlines projects that will meet the long- National and State significance. term challenge of managing water quality in the Yarra River. Melbourne Water is preparing Sixteen ecological vegetation classes (EVCs) a riparian vegetation management plan for the have been mapped in the parklands, and eight Middle Yarra River that will include the river of these are classified as endangered (NRE frontage in the Yarra Valley Parklands. 2002a). The high number of EVCs results from the parklands extending across the boundaries The floodplains and billabongs contribute to of two bioregions, with a resulting diversity of natural filtration and improvement of water species and communities. The EVC mapping is quality downstream, and control flood levels

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being enhanced by a more detailed within the parklands since the publication of investigation of vegetation subcommunities. the 1992 Management Plan (Melbourne Water 1992) and the 2000 State of the Parks Report Two EVCs that existed before 1750 — (Parks Victoria 2000). The variety and Swampy Riparian Woodland and Swampy diversity of flora species in the parklands is Woodland/ Swamp Scrub — have disappeared currently being investigated further. from the parklands as a result of land clearance for agriculture and urban development. Weed and pest animal management is an ongoing task for all land managers. Extensive The EVCs present in the parklands are modification from grazing, agriculture and described in Appendix 1. The scientific names urban development surrounding the parklands of the plants referred to in the EVC has resulted in weed infestations, particularly descriptions and the remainder of this section in the western end of the parklands. Regular are presented in Appendix 2. programs of rabbit control have been The vegetation communities provide habitat implemented, often in partnership with other for an extensive variety of reptile, fish, and managers within the parklands. amphibian and mammal species. Appendix 3 Weed control on the banks of the Yarra River lists fauna species in the parklands that are of and tributaries is continuing in partnership State and National significance. with Melbourne Water. All major weeds, At least 235 fauna species have been recorded including herbaceous and noxious woody weed in the parklands. Of these, 36 are classified as species such as willows, Desert Ash and threatened in Victoria (DSE 2007), 25 are Blackberries, are a priority for removal and listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee control on sites where there is vegetation of Act 1988, and 11 are listed under the Regional, State or National significance. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Grassy Weeds such as Chilean Needle–grass, Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth) Panic Veldt Grass, Sweet Vernal-grass and (DEWHA 2000). The parklands are Wandering Trad, challenge understorey particularly important in providing protected communities throughout the parklands, habitat for the 11 nationally significant especially orchid assemblages. species: Australian Grayling, Common Bent- wing Bat, Great Egret, Grey-headed Flying- Woody Weeds such as Gorse, Hawthorn and fox, Macquarie Perch, Murray Cod, Painted African Boxthorn have impacted in specific Snipe, Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot, Trout locations in the parklands. Creepers and Cod and Warty Bell Frog. climbers such as Bridal Creeper, English Ivy and Japanese Honeysuckle challenge different The parklands also provide habitat for vegetation communities in the parklands. migratory birds of which 6 are listed under the Angled Onion, Soursob and Bulbil Watsonia JAMBA/CAMBA treaties including Latham’s are among the more prominent bulb weeds Snipe. (Appendix 2). Over 600 flora species have been found in the Pest animals (Appendix 5) have also impacted parklands. Thirty-one of these are classified as on the environmental values of the parklands. threatened in Victoria (DSE 2005), three are Rabbit grazing threatens flora (including listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee communities of State and National Act 1988, and four (Rosella Spider-orchid, significance) in every section of the parklands, Wine-lip Spider-orchid, Matted Flax-lily, and and rabbit burrows impact on soil stability Clover Glycine) are listed under the along waterways. Particular problems occur in Environment Protection and Biodiversity the Riparian Forest EVC along the Yarra River Conservation Act 1999 (Appendix 4). between Westerfolds Park and Tikalara Park The number of flora species recorded in the and in Floodplain Riparian Woodland EVC parklands has increased significantly in along creek banks between Westerfolds Park number due to increased vegetation surveys and the Plenty River.

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Predation by cats, dogs and foxes has elsewhere within and outside the lands of the significantly affected the native fauna within Kulin nation. The Yarra Valley was one of the the parklands. Introduced fish such as earliest areas to be subdivided and occupied by European Carp and Mosquito Fish, and settlers. Settlement and exclusion of the introduced birds such as Blackbirds, European Wurundjeri from their traditional lands led to Starlings, House Sparrows and Common severe disruption to their traditional way of Mynahs, compete with indigenous bird and life. fish species for resources and habitat (Appendix 5). The Newman family at Pontville south of the Yarra River – Mullum Mullum Creek 2.5 Cultural Heritage Values confluence, and the Sweeney family to the north of the confluence, were among the first Cultural heritage values in the Yarra Valley Europeans to occupy land in this region in the Parklands reflect the impact and significance 1830s. Post-contact heritage includes of human activity throughout the parklands structures such as Pontville Homestead and over thousands of years. Parks Victoria is Westerfolds Manor, pastoral landscapes at responsible for protecting and managing these Pettys Orchard, and various sites with values under a range of State and significant heritage vegetation and landscapes Commonwealth Government legislative such as those at Viewbank, Warringal Park and instruments. The Indigenous Partnership Tikalara Park. Local government heritage Strategy & Action Plan (Parks Victoria 2005) overlays protect a number of significant trees. and Heritage Management Strategy (Parks Victoria 2003) guide the management of both Pontville Homestead is listed in the Victorian Indigenous cultural heritage and post-contact Heritage Register and the National Trust heritage in the parklands. Register. Pontville was constructed in the 1840s on part of a large 1830s pastoral holding There are sites of Indigenous cultural at the confluence of the Yarra River and the significance along the entire Yarra River Mullum Mullum Creek. corridor in the vicinity of the Yarra Valley Parklands. The parklands are within the Pontville now comprises a house constructed traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people of between about 1843 and 1850 and extended in the Woiwurrung language group. Abundant the 1870s, along with remnant plantings, resources along the rivers and streams were cottage foundations, outbuildings, bridge used for thousands of years by the Wurundjeri foundations, tracks, and a range of other people as they camped throughout the Yarra features associated with farming. Pontville is River valley. The parklands contain many architecturally important for elements areas of high cultural significance to surviving from the original homestead contemporary Wurundjeri people. building. The Yarra River and surrounds provided the Land around Heidelberg Township reserve was Wurundjeri with an abundance of native flora subdivided and sold in 1838. Large estates and fauna that were used for food and the were developed, and tenant farmers intensively manufacture of many important cultural items. cultivated the Yarra River flats until The Bolin Bolin Billabong in Bulleen was an devastating floods in the 1860s. Viewbank was important gathering place for the Kulin Nation one of the first of these estates to be and has considerable significance to the developed. The site of the demolished Wurundjeri people. Viewbank homestead was the subject of an archaeological investigation by Melbourne An Aboriginal Reserve was established at Parks & Waterways in 1994. Chinese market Pound Bend at Warrandyte in 1840, and was gardeners began cultivating the river flats as extended to include the Glynns section at the market gardens from the late 19th century, but eastern end of the parklands in 1841. This this activity diminished after the 1934 flood. reserve was resumed by the Crown in 1852, with many of the inhabitants relocated Many of the parks’ spectacular landscapes were the subject of paintings by members of

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the influential ‘Heidelberg School’ of artists. subject to the planning schemes. They are Most areas of importance to the Heidelberg predominantly zoned as ‘Public Conservation School are in the Yarra River valley and Resource’ and ‘Public Park and downstream from the Plenty River confluence. Recreation’, with a number of overlays and The Heide Museum of Modern Art beside other provisions. Parkland managed by Parks Banksia Park is culturally significant as one of Victoria is Crown land reserved under the the birthplaces of Australian modernism. Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 (Vic.). Melbourne Parks & Waterways and local Banyule, Nillumbik, and Manningham councils created an artists trail through the Councils are represented on the Yarra Valley Yarra Valley in the 1990s, including signs and Parklands Advisory Committee, which interpretation of significant paintings. This provides strategic advice upon request to the enables visitors to view the landscape from the managers of Yarra Valley Parklands. artist’s perspective from approximately where they created their paintings. Private land within the parklands boundary is covered by public acquisition overlays in the The Eltham district is renowned for mud brick Banyule, Nillumbik and Manningham planning housing, many created by artists living and schemes. These overlays indicate the intention working in the Yarra Valley. There are to consider the possible future incorporation of heritage-listed mud brick houses in the this land into the parklands. Purchase is parklands on Laughing Waters Road. These negotiated voluntarily once the landowners houses are currently being restored to be decide to sell. The Yarra Valley Park managed as part of a Shire of Nillumbik Management Plan of 1992 recognised that the artists-in-residence program that recognises the development of the parklands would occur heritage value of the area as an artists precinct. progressively over the following 50 years and beyond, so that it could be many years before 2.6 Land Management these privately owned areas can be incorporated into the parklands. The land within the Yarra Valley Parklands comprises a variety of public and private land The land around the east of the parklands is (Map 2). The public land is managed by predominantly rural residential of various various agencies, including Parks Victoria, densities. This has resulted from statutory Melbourne Water and Banyule, Boroondara, planning protection of areas with known Manningham and Nillumbik Councils. environmental values, and from limitations on residential development because of Parks Victoria manages a large proportion of topography, provision of services, risks from public land in the parklands, on behalf of the bushfires, and established rural uses. Similarly, Minister for Environment and Climate Change. low-density residential areas are predominant The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of to the north of the Yarra River east of the Works had acquired freehold land titles as a Plenty River. Developed residential areas are statutory authority during the creation of the the predominant use west of Fitzsimons Lane, Yarra Valley Parklands, and this was although there are some light industrial areas transferred to Melbourne Water and then adjacent to the parklands on Banksia Street, Melbourne Parks and Waterways. In 2001 Bulleen Road and Templestowe Road. Melbourne Parks & Waterways land was resumed by the Crown. The boundary of the parklands is 61 km long. It generally borders local government open Local councils also own and manage large space, road reserves, residential areas of areas of open space within the parklands. Most various densities, some low-density residential of this land is zoned as ‘Public Park and in Lower Plenty, pastoral land in Warrandyte, Recreation’ under the Banyule, Nillumbik, and private golf courses. Boroondara and Manningham planning schemes, reflecting the role of the parklands A small number of land parcels are used by for open space and recreation. Areas of the Melbourne Water for underground mains water parklands managed by Parks Victoria are also pipelines running north-west across the

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parklands through Candlebark Park to underground, but at present this is impractical Fitzsimons Lane in Templestowe and in the because of the considerable cost and Martins Lane road reserve in the northern archaeological impact. section of Viewbank. VicRoads manages main arterial roads in the Melbourne Water is responsible for the metropolitan area and has responsibility for the waterway health of the Yarra River and bridge crossings on Fitzsimons Lane and manages flooding, regional drainage, stream Banksia Street over the Yarra River. VicRoads form and stability, water quality improvement also has responsibility for the on-road sections and streamside vegetation. Melbourne Water, of the Principal . New on-road in conjunction with the Environment bicycle routes are proposed for this region. Protection Authority, monitors the health and water quality of the Yarra River and Parks Victoria manages fire protection for the waterways throughout the parklands. parklands in accordance with its annually reviewed fire protection plan. Methods used Parks Victoria is responsible under the Water include slashing and grazing (in areas that are Industries Act (1994) (Vic.) for the care, not environmentally sensitive), and, where protection, management, and use of the Yarra required, can include fuel-reduction burning. River for recreation, leisure and tourism Fire risk is greatest in the eastern section of the through the parklands. Current water-based parklands because of the form of vegetation recreational activities in the parklands are and the area’s steeper topography. Park typically canoeing, rafting, kayaking and Victoria works closely with other authorities to swimming. achieve a coordinated approach to fire management. The Yarra River, with a catchment of over 4000 square kilometres, has a history of recurring floods. As a consequence, drainage management and flood mitigation is required to prevent damage to property. Melbourne Water is the Drainage Authority for the Port Phillip and Westernport region and the Floodplain Management Authority by delegation from the Minister responsible for the Water Act, managing drainage infrastructure, flood mitigation and stormwater quality improvement opportunities and assets. SP Ausnet manages high-voltage transmission lines running through different sections of the parklands. Access to the transmission line easements is needed for maintenance and vegetation management. Substantial high- voltage lines run north from the Templestowe terminal station adjacent to Tikalara Park across the Yarra River to Eltham, and west through private property and Candlebark Park to Fitzsimons Reserve, where a transmission line branches off to follow the Yarra River through Westerfolds Park, Montpelier, Birrarrung Park, Banksia Park, Yarra Flats and Bulleen Park downstream to Burke Road in Balwyn North. Suggestions have been made in the past to place these high voltage powerlines

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3 FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

3.1 Vision 3.2 The Role of the parklands

During the life of this plan, Yarra Valley The diversity and rarity of environmental Parklands will be managed and recognised for values in different parts of the Yarra Valley its many social, environmental and economic Parklands and the close proximity to benefits, the vital contribution to the quality of Melbourne CBD means that this regional life for all Melburnians and its role in urban parkland has dual conservation and Victoria’s system of parks. recreation roles. The Yarra River is the prime focus of the The parklands provide opportunities for the Yarra Valley Parklands, forming a link to other enjoyment of the recreational, landscape, outstanding areas of open space and environmental, and cultural values in northern landscapes from the city to beyond and eastern Melbourne. The parklands also metropolitan Melbourne. The parklands offer protect areas of high conservation significance. an opportunity for surrounding communities A number of flora and fauna communities in and visitors to connect to the Yarra River. the parklands are of National or State significance. The Yarra River and tributaries The parklands provide access to quality are important biolink corridors that connect experiences and inspire visitors to enjoy a terrestrial, avian and riparian habitats and range of activities, contributing to the general species to sustain these environmental values. health and well-being of the community and people from diverse backgrounds, The parklands provide appropriate recreational demographics and abilities. Innovative services access to the Yarra River, open spaces and and support are contributed by the community, bushland areas for individuals and groups. business, and other institutions and agencies, There are different sorts of recreation in partnership, to achieve a common aim of experiences in varied settings along the river connecting people with nature and parks. corridor. The diversity of settings and activities enables visitors the opportunity to enjoy both The parklands continue to contribute pastoral and Indigenous landscapes. substantially to biodiversity conservation within the Yarra River corridor, with The Main Yarra Trail and linking trails of the progressive gains in the extent and condition of Metropolitan Trail Network enhance visitor key vegetation communities and the protection access to the parklands and enable visitors to of significant flora and fauna. The parklands safely explore the diverse natural settings of are managed to ensure that they continue to the Yarra corridor. The trails also provide provide a vital riparian environmental buffer opportunities for commuters who cycle to that contributes to the health of the Yarra River work. The extensive trail network within the and its tributaries, with resulting downstream parklands increases connections between benefits that support water quality and regional communities in this region and enhances their environmental values. shared identity. Sites, landscapes and places constituting the The role of the parklands in providing natural cultural heritage of the parklands are settings promotes healthy and relaxing preserved. Their relevance to human recreation activities such as walking, endeavours and association with the land are picnicking and socialising. Visitors interpreted to demonstrate the fundamental participating in physical activities in the importance of place and shared heritage to our parklands also gain health benefits. These many different cultures that enjoy and value natural settings enhance the connection of the parklands. The parkland’s outstanding parkland visitors to nature. natural and cultural landscapes and vistas are protected.

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The different landscapes in the parklands range and, in conjunction with the strategic from manicured open spaces to bushy directions, provide the framework and woodlands. Long vistas along the Yarra Valley rationale for the park-wide and specific give views west to Melbourne’s city towers management zone actions for the parklands. and east to the Yarra and Dandenong Ranges. The parklands enable visitors to enjoy the The general principles of Linking People experience of nature and a sense of a remote +Spaces are as follows. natural setting, even though they are in Partnerships. The principle of effective and metropolitan Melbourne. sustainable partnerships is fundamental to The parklands act as a boundary to suburban managing the Yarra Valley Parklands. development and have a role in protecting the Working with local councils, other public recreation needs of current and future agencies, volunteer groups and the wider generations. community facilitates complementary open space management for this ‘whole of The scale of the parkland’s 1490 hectares community’ resource. creates an ‘urban break’ that promotes the health and well-being of the surrounding Diversity. Yarra Valley Parklands provides a communities. This visual break in the urban range of recreational opportunities for its fabric will increase in importance for local visitors in a variety of environments and community identity if the surrounding suburbs landscapes. This includes both active are more intensively developed. recreation and passive recreation, managed to protect environmental and cultural heritage The recreation settings in the parklands values. The parklands will be managed to support tourist activities in the Yarra Valley. maximise benefits to visitor health and well- The Heide Museum of Modern Art, Pettys being. Orchard and other attractions in or adjacent to the parklands also contribute to the tourism Equity. This principle will ensure that the offered in the Yarra Valley region. parklands are widely accessible to the community and managed for inclusive use, Education about the parklands is a valuable now and for future generations. Encouraging resource to increase community understanding community ownership, involvement, and of the significant environmental and important multicultural access to the parklands will be Indigenous cultural heritage sites, places and encouraged. values. Information and interpretation promotes appropriate visitor behaviours to Flexibility and responsiveness. Parkland respect these values. management will respond to changing and emerging community needs and visitation 3.3 Guiding Principles trends where appropriate.

Melbourne 2030: Planning for Sustainable Sustainability. It is important for future Growth (DSE 2002) includes the ‘Parkland generations that Yarra Valley Parklands be Code: urban open space principles’. The code managed sustainably. This includes outlines guidelines for planning and managing environmental, cultural, recreational and open space, such as community involvement. financial management. The government is committed to these The management of Crown land in Victoria is principles for urban open space managed by guided by the Department of Sustainability and Parks Victoria, and encourages other land Environment’s Sustainable Recreation and managers to adopt the principles. Tourism on Victoria’s Public Land (DSE The management of Yarra Valley Parklands is 2002). The policy statements and directions in guided by principles set out in Melbourne’s that document include the following: Open Space Strategy, Linking People+Spaces • Provide equitable access to public land for (Parks Victoria 2002). These principles relate a diverse range of appropriate recreation to the entire metropolitan open space network and tourism opportunities.

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• Plan, manage and monitor recreation and tourism use of public land to avoid any negative impact on natural and cultural values. • Provide and maintain appropriate recreation and tourism services and facilities on public land to foster visitor enjoyment and education and to ensure visitor safety. • Encourage, facilitate and promote opportunities for appropriate recreation and tourism use on public land through research, communication and stakeholder consultation.

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4 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

and well-being of the community and The main objectives of this plan are to provide protect environmental and cultural values. strategic management directions and identify management zones and key actions to guide • New visitor facilities and services decision-making within the Yarra Valley provided through commercial Parklands for the next 10 to 15 years. arrangements may be considered where a public benefit can be demonstrated and the The plan is intended to be used as a decision- proposal is consistent with the purpose of making framework to respond to proposals and the Crown land reservation and the issues that may arise in the future that are not planning scheme and is compatible with specifically addressed within the plan. the role of the parklands. The strategic directions for the Yarra Valley • Planning for new or upgraded park Parklands are as follows: facilities, trails and services will assess the diversity of the community’s needs, 4.1 Regional Context and Linkages including changing community values, recreation and leisure needs, mobility • The parklands will be managed as a major issues and cultural requirements. regional metropolitan park within the metropolitan open space network, • Appropriate visitor behaviour and use of providing a diverse range of recreation the parklands will be encouraged to avoid opportunities in natural settings. negative impacts on environmental and cultural values. • The parklands will continue to be developed by acquiring land that is of high • Information will be provided to the priority in accordance with Linking community about appropriate settings for People+Spaces and Melbourne 2030. different activities. • Trail connections and links to the • The diverse character of settings in the parklands are to be maintained and parklands will be promoted to increase developed to maximise recreational community awareness of the variety of opportunities for visitors, by connecting to natural and modified settings available. other recreation settings in surrounding • Sustainable best practice principles will be communities. applied to the location, design and • The parkland’s recreation areas will construction or renewal of park trails or complement the recreation opportunities facilities. provided by local government and other • Proposed events in the parklands will be public agencies who manage open space required to contribute to public health and within and adjacent to the Yarra Valley well-being, diversify visitor opportunities, Parklands. complement other visitor experiences and • Planning for biodiversity links and riparian the management zones, and be within the environmental management will support management capacity of the parklands. the Port Phillip and Westernport Regional • Appropriate and sustainable community- Catchment Strategy (PPWCMA 2005) and based programs and partnerships in the other government policies and strategies to parklands will be encouraged to increase a improve habitat, fire management and sense of community engagement, without ecological communities. providing extensive exclusive occupation by community organisations that minimise 4.2 Park Visitors visitor opportunities. • The parklands will offer a range of • Tourism opportunities within the parklands recreational and natural settings, facilities will be promoted in partnership with and services that contribute to the health

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stakeholders, regional tourism bodies and • Natural history and environmental values local government. will be promoted to the community • The parklands will provide opportunities through information and interpretation to and experiences that benefit visitors by encourage appropriate behaviour and connecting people to the land in a way that respect for parkland values. promotes an appreciation of natural and • The biodiversity and range of natural cultural heritage values. features, including geomorphology and • The experiences provided for visitors will geology, will be maintained through consider opportunities to improve the environmental programs based on sound health and well-being of individuals and ecological principles. the community. • Riparian environments in the parklands • The safety of visitors in recreational will be managed to support Melbourne settings requires the life cycles of trees and Water to fulfil their river health targets shrubs to be considered when revegetation outlined in the Port Philip and programs are planted adjacent to popular Westernport RRHS (Melbourne Water areas such as trails and picnic areas. 2006). • The vegetation communities and habitat of 4.3 Parklands Character threatened and significant flora and fauna • The sense of large, continuous open spaces species in the parklands will be protected. in the Parkland’s vistas and views into and • Revegetation in the parklands will focus out from the parklands is an important on improving the quality of established value that will be protected. vegetation communities and connections to • The Yarra Valley Parklands Landscape other vegetation communities. This is Analysis (Aspect Melbourne Pty Ltd 2005) required to maintain the environmental will be used as a reference for changes to sustainability of significant flora and park settings and to guide appropriate fauna. revegetation. • The billabongs will be managed to • Revegetation programs will be sensitive maintain natural floodplain processes. and appropriate to the specific areas of the Management decisions will be supported parklands. Planting location and form will by Melbourne Water’s investigation of consider landscape values and safety of options to improve the water quality of the parkland visitors. billabongs. • The diverse natural settings and the • In line with contemporary environmental riparian corridor of the Yarra River are knowledge, built wetland features will not integral to the parklands and will be be artificially supported in times of protected. reduced rainfall by transferring water from other water sources. • The distinct identity of different settings within the parklands will be promoted to • Future management will aim to build the respect the diversity of visitor expectations resilience of native species and ecosystems and experiences. within the parklands to the effects of climate change. This includes: • The landscapes will enable a range of land uses to contribute to visitor enjoyment and – improving the quality and connectivity safe management of the parklands. of areas of habitat along the Yarra River to allow species to migrate in 4.4 Natural Environment response to changes in their habitat as a result of climate change; • The environmental values, particularly those of National or State significance, will – reducing current threats to native flora be protected through management zones and fauna, including habitat and Parks Victoria (set-aside) regulations. fragmentation, fire and introduced plants and animals; and

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– ensuring management of the parklands • Cooperative partnerships with other is able to respond to new challenges as government agencies, adjoining land a result of climate change. managers, community and user groups and recreation providers will be encouraged to 4.5 Cultural Heritage achieve park management objectives.

Indigenous Cultural Heritage • Partnerships for agistment and grazing will be used as a temporary tool to enable • Indigenous cultural heritage sites, places complementary community use of altered and values must be protected in landscapes, pending future development of accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage the parklands. Act 2006 (Vic.) and Parks Victoria’s Indigenous Partnership Strategy and • Community participation in parkland Action Plan (Parks Victoria 2005b). activities and management will be encouraged to increase connection to and • Consultation for the ongoing management, awareness of the range of settings and interpretation and conservation of diverse recreational opportunities provided Indigenous cultural heritage sites, places in the parklands. and values will be done in accordance with Wurundjeri cultural expectations. • Commercial partnerships will be managed to be consistent with the role of the • Community awareness about the parklands. importance of Indigenous post-contact heritage will be achieved through visitor • Commercial and community partnerships interpretation and information, where will be encouraged where a public benefit culturally appropriate and in accordance can be demonstrated, the partnerships are with Wurundjeri cultural expectations. consistent with the purpose of the reservation and the planning scheme, and Post-contact Cultural Heritage they are compatible with the role of the • Post-contact heritage sites will incorporate parklands. interpretation material where appropriate • Partnerships should respond to changing to explain the importance of the heritage community requirements and values. The setting. provision of services will be encouraged to • Culturally sensitive landscapes will be achieve park objectives. managed where appropriate to protect and • Partnership proposals should consider enhance the features that contribute to the opportunities to implement the objectives cultural significance of landscape settings. of Parks Victoria’s Indigenous Partnership • The parklands connection with art and Strategy and Action Plan. architecture, as established from past use • State and local government planning by Heidelberg School artists and notable mechanisms will be utilised to protect mudbrick pioneers in the Eltham area, will landscape and park values from adverse be recognised. impacts arising from land uses adjacent to • Wherever possible, heritage buildings will the parklands. be used creatively with compatible • Partnerships with other authorities for contemporary activities to increase increasing community access to quality recreational and educational opportunities. public open space will be encouraged. 4.6 Management Partnerships • The parklands will be managed as a resource for the whole community, in accordance with the principles set out in the Parklands Code (Section 5.6, Melbourne 2030) and this Management Plan.

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5 PARK-WIDE ACTIONS

These park-wide actions apply either to the • Liaise with local councils and VicRoads to parklands as a whole or to specific improve major parkland entrances for management zones within the parklands. safety and to increase the profile and Specific management zones and zone actions visibility of the parklands along adjacent are outlined in Chapter 6. arterial roads as they are upgraded. • Provide input to proposed upgrades along While actions provide guidance on directions major public transport routes adjacent to or issues that are current or have been the parklands to encourage visitor use of anticipated through the planning process, it is public transport and seek to connect bus acknowledged that ongoing management of the stops with popular sites and park trails in parklands occurs within a changing social, the parklands. political and economic environment. • Identify areas within the parklands that 5.1 Regional Open Space and could provide mountain biking experiences Linkages without adversely affecting areas of significant environmental and cultural • Work with local councils to facilitate the values. completion of connections between the • Work with local councils and the Metropolitan Trail Network and other local Department of Sustainability and shared-use trails, and the consistency of Environment to identify unused road trail signage. reserves and fire management tracks that • Prioritise the upgrading of trail surfaces to could be used as trails, in order to appropriate standards in areas of high use minimise environmental impacts. and conflict between users, in partnership with local councils. 5.2 Park Visitors • Support proposals by local councils for • Use Parks Victoria’s Levels of Service pedestrian bridges across the Yarra River Framework to develop priorities for the that improve access to local government parklands relating to: open space and facilities and enhance local – providing sustainable facilities and access to the Main Yarra Trail. services; • Work with local councils, and Melbourne – providing a range of existing and Water to identify future routes for the evolving visitor opportunities; and Main Yarra Trail to Warrandyte that avoid – maintaining the diversity of adverse impacts on the environmental and recreational experiences. cultural values of the parklands. • Promote improved public access to • Investigate access arrangements for recreation areas that have a capacity for proposed trails prior to the acquisition of increased use, to protect areas of private land within a public acquisition significant environmental values. overlay. • Ensure that any new facilities or services • Investigate connecting main trails sections are consistent with the purpose of the land along the southern bank of the Yarra reservation, complement the role of the River. parklands, provide a public benefit and • Support upgrading the standard of shared- facilitate visitor enjoyment of the use trails and trailside facilities in the parklands environment. parklands. • Support the provision of active recreation • Promote the Main Yarra Trail as a and community events in local council recreational and commuter shared-use trail, open space within and adjacent to the connecting different areas within and parklands. outside the parklands.

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• Promote the Main Yarra Trail’s primary – benefits for health and well-being of purpose as a recreational shared-use trail recreation in natural settings; and that connects different areas within the – visitor safety information. parklands. • Promote public knowledge of the range • Improve management of dog-walking and diversity of visitor facilities and along the Main Yarra Trail and in dog on- recreational opportunities within the larger lead areas in the parklands managed by parklands. Parks Victoria, using set-asides in • Promote the well-being of visitors by accordance with the Crown Land identifying and providing short and (Reserves) Act and Regulations, based on accessible walks for groups, with this plan. consideration for mobility limitations. • Continue to work with local councils to • Investigate the feasibility of allowing provide complementary management and adventure and intensive recreation promote community awareness of where activities in appropriate management zones dogs can be walked within the parklands. in the parklands, to avoid adverse impacts • Allow walking of dogs on-lead on main on areas of significant environmental and trails in the Conservation and Recreation cultural values. Zone in the parklands that are managed and maintained by Parks Victoria (Map 3). 5.3 Character of the Parklands • Allow dogs on-lead in the Recreation • Maintain the diversity of landscapes when Zone, Sports and Community Events Zone, developing or rehabilitating visitor and in the Landscape Zone, where facilities and implementing revegetation identified in set-asides. programs. • Prohibit dogs from the Conservation Zone • Use the Yarra Valley Parklands and the Longridge camp ground. Landscape Analysis (Aspect Melbourne • Support the promotion of the designated Pty Ltd 2005) to identify landscape values areas for dogs off-lead in public open when considering revegetation, removal of space. vegetation or the development of facilities. • Investigate shared-use trails in the • Use the Yarra Valley Parklands parklands to identify improvements for the Landscape Analysis to assess applications safety of park users, considering sight for mobile phone towers and other lines, maintenance, trail buffers, vegetation commercial developments that could have management and signage. an adverse impact on the landscape. • Promote the safety of users on the off-road • Consider proposals for new mobile phone shared-use recreational trails in the installations only if they are co-located on parklands. existing electricity transmission towers or existing mobile phone infrastructure. • Improve the management of cyclists on shared-use trails by identifying and • Utilise the Yarra Valley Parklands communicating alternative cycling routes Landscape Analysis and local government for commuters, in conjunction with local planning schemes and overlays when councils and VicRoads, to improve the responding to planning applications on safety of other users. adjacent land to challenge negative impact on the parklands character. • Review the parkland’s existing Information Interpretation and Education • Maintain the rural and natural landscapes Strategy to improve communication of: as an urban break for the health and well- being of visitors and nearby communities. – Indigenous and post-contact cultural heritage; • Liaise with community groups and local – location of visitor facilities; residents to enhance community understanding of the role and character of – environmental information;

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the parklands and encourage a sense of • Prioritise pest plant and animal control community ownership. programs to maximise environmental • Maintain the Pettys Orchard site as a benefits to threatened species and representation of the orchards which communities. characterised the region through the 20th • Coordinate the control of pest plants and century. animals through partnerships with local councils and Melbourne Water. 5.4 Natural Environment • Continue to work with adjacent • Manage the parklands in accordance with landowners and community groups in the identified natural values and environmental management programs conservation objectives for each within the parklands to control rabbits and management zone. other threats. • Utilise Parks Victoria’s Conservation • Continue to work with community groups Objectives and Environmental to support the identification and Management Framework to guide and enhancement of areas that have high prioritise maintenance and enhancement of environmental value. environmental values. • Liaise with local councils, Melbourne • Utilise Parks Victoria’s Conservation Water, the community and stakeholder Objectives to develop priorities for the groups to manage access to the Yarra parklands relating to: River and identify sustainable access to the – targeting the management of water in order to minimise erosion and significant flora and fauna species and environmental damage caused by informal vegetation communities, including river access. research and ongoing monitoring; • Utilise sustainable fire management to – mapping the extent and quality of enhance biodiversity outcomes. vegetation communities and habitat • Continue to work with Melbourne Water condition; and local councils to ensure that – mapping the extent of pest plants and stormwater is treated in accordance with animals; best-practice guidelines (VSC 1999; – controlling pest plants and animals; Sinclair Knight Merz 2005), and support and the implementation of actions in – monitoring flora and fauna, stormwater management plans for the particularly species which are parklands. threatened, regionally significant or • Work with local councils and Melbourne listed under international treaties. Water to identify opportunities for • Maintain and enhance the biodiversity and harvesting water (including stormwater) ecological processes of remnant vegetation for protecting the parklands from the communities and associated ecosystems. effects of drought. • Protect and maintain core habitat areas 5.5 Cultural Heritage containing high-quality remnant vegetation and endangered EVCs, populations of rare Indigenous Cultural Heritage or threatened species, and significant natural landforms such as billabongs as an • Ensure that management actions are ongoing priority, in conjunction with local undertaken in accordance with Parks councils and Melbourne Water. Victoria’s Indigenous Partnership Strategy and Action Plan and relevant legislation. • Maintain areas along the Yarra River and tributaries as a biolink between flora and • Continue to consult with the Wurundjeri fauna communities, ensuring that any when planning to undertake strategic revegetation is sensitive to landscapes and Aboriginal heritage assessments and visitor use. ensure that all development works are carried out in accordance with the

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provisions of the Aboriginal Heritage Act open space management and integrate pest 2006 and Aboriginal Heritage Regulations plant and animal management programs in 2007. the parklands. • Work with the Wurundjeri to develop • Support local council artists-in-residence culturally appropriate interpretative programs in heritage properties in the information and to recognise and protect parklands. culturally sensitive areas. • Continue to seek strategic advice from The Yarra Valley Parklands Advisory Post-contact Cultural Heritage Committee on request. • Protect significant heritage sites with • Encourage and provide opportunities for appropriate site-specific measures in community involvement to extend accordance with Parks Victoria’s Heritage conservation and recreation opportunities. Management Strategy. • Continue to encourage community

• Protect Heidelberg School landscapes by involvement in the protection, maintaining the vistas identified in the enhancement and interpretation of the Yarra Valley Parklands Landscape parklands. Analysis and through sensitive revegetation. • Liaise with cycling groups, Bicycle Victoria and VicRoads to improve

• Retain remnant exotics associated with connections and the consistency of signage gardens in heritage sites and landscapes, between parklands trails and on-road with appropriate controls to prevent their sections of the Principal Bicycle Network. spread. • Liaise with VicRoads to minimise the 5.6 Management Partnerships impact of alterations to arterial roads on park boundaries and the safety of vehicular • Liaise with Melbourne Water to protect and pedestrian entrances to the parklands. water quality in the Yarra River and tributaries and coordinate flood • Work with local councils and DSE to management through riparian vegetation manage existing unused road reserves protection and rehabilitation programs. within the parklands to achieve consistent land tenure and management • Provide input to activities and planning responsibility. undertaken by Melbourne Water, particularly in regard to recreation on, and • Maintain partnerships with neighbouring public access to, the Yarra River in the land owners and managers to achieve parklands. coordinated pest plant and animal control programs. • Continue to work with SP Ausnet and other utilities to ensure that maintenance of powerlines and other easements has minimal impact on the environmental and heritage values of the parklands. • Continue to work with relevant stakeholders to develop appropriate fire management practices in the parklands through the annual Fire Management Plan. • Maintain appropriate emergency response procedures in conjunction with relevant public agencies. These procedures should incorporate fire management, flood management and evacuation procedures. • Liaise with local government and adjacent landowners to maximise complementary

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6 MANAGEMENT ZONES AND ACTIONS

numbers of visitors. It includes parts of Management Zones have been defined to Westerfolds Park, Birrarrung Park, Yarra Flats reflect the primary purpose and values of each and Banksia Park. The western end of the area. The land within the Yarra Valley parklands is closer to established residential Parklands’ boundary has been divided into communities and has been developed to cater seven Management Zones: for higher levels of recreation activity. • Recreation Westerfolds Park is the primary visitor site in • Sport and Community Events the parklands. The parklands in the Recreation • Landscape Zone are accessible by main roads, public transport and trails. • Conservation and Recreation • Conservation The types of recreation activities that may be appropriate for this zone include picnicking Special Use Zone A (Utilities) • and BBQs, group socialising, bird watching, • Special Use Zone B (Multiple Use). occasional events, playing, informal games, walking, jogging and cycling. Management Zones provide a framework for directing decision-making and have been Roles applied to all land within the parklands, • Provide attractive park settings and including private land under public acquisition appropriate amenities to enable visitors to overlays. These overlays are intended to show enjoy the outdoors and engage in passive management purposes that would come into recreation activities. effect if the land were acquired. • Provide open areas and well serviced The zones are based on the significance of visitor nodes catering for large groups and environmental and heritage values, the range high visitation. of recreational values and opportunities, • Provide opportunities and settings for landscape values, and future opportunities that social interaction and to improve mental have yet to be identified. and physical well-being in semi-natural or Special Use Zones have been applied in cases landscaped environment. where the current or future use of land does not • Provide information to maximise an fit within the purpose of the general parklands appreciation of the parklands and the management zones. opportunities it provides.

Map 3 shows the location of these Actions Management Zones. Appendix 6 specifies the • Maintain the existing picnic areas to possible recreational opportunities within each ensure quality facilities for large numbers zone. of visitors and to facilitate opportunities 6.1 Recreation for group socialising. • Maintain visitor services, facilities and Purpose provision of information at Westerfolds Park consistent with its focus as the main Provide a wide range of recreation Parks Victoria visitor node within the opportunities catering for a large number of parklands. visitors in a pleasant semi-natural or developed • Consider proposals for commercial and setting. community partnerships to enhance visitor Description experiences that are compatible with the recreation zone role and the relevant The Recreation Zone includes large areas with planning scheme. well-developed facilities catering for large

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• Recognise the value of Westerfolds Manor fostering the art heritage of the Yarra Valley. as a visitor focus for the range of The types of recreation activities that are experiences connecting people to the appropriate for this zone are determined parklands. mainly by local councils and may include • Investigate innovative ways to improve the community events, art appreciation, organised visitor experience at Yarra Flats by sport, using the trails, picnicking and playing. improving visibility and appropriate Roles recreational activities to reflect the changed population dynamics of the • Provide settings and facilities for adjacent activity centre at Heidelberg. community use and events that diversify recreational opportunities and experiences • Retain introduced species of specimen for parkland visitors. trees that do not invade adjacent land as weeds. • Provide facilities for recreation and organised sport for the local and regional • Work with local councils to improve community. access between Banksia Park, Heide Museum of Modern Art, the Main Yarra Actions Trail, the Warringal Parklands and the • Maintain the zone as the focus for Heidelberg Activity Centre. community events and active recreation • Continue to liaise with the Heide Museum including organised sport where of Modern Art to manage the shared appropriate within the parklands. vehicular exit through Banksia Park, and • Work with local councils and sports provide input to any proposals to upgrade ground managers to protect the Templestowe Road. environmental and cultural heritage values 6.2 Sports and Community Events along the Yarra River and other waterways and waterbodies by undertaking Purpose complementary measures such as fencing, revegetation and weed control. Provide space and existing or potential • Consider proposals for commercial and facilities to cater for local recreation, group community partnerships to enhance visitor recreational activities, organised sports and experiences that are compatible with the community events. purpose of the Sports and Community Zone and the relevant planning scheme. Description • Liaise with Heide Museum of Modern Art The Sports and Community Events Zone is and other relevant public agencies to mostly owned or managed by local councils maximise connectivity between Banksia and includes Warringal Parklands, Banyule Park, Heide and other future access points Flats Reserve, Bulleen Park, the Freeway Golf to the Art precinct. Course, Finns Reserve, Fitzsimmons Reserve, • Parks Victoria will continue to work Griffith Reserve, part of Lower Eltham Park cooperatively with Heide Museum of and part of Tikalara Park. Modern Art while ensuring that the values These areas provide space and facilities for a of the parklands continue to be protected. number of activities, including playgrounds, • Work with Heide Museum of Modern Art socialising, BBQs, picnicking, walking dogs, and the relevant local government golf, skateboarding, model planes, archery, authorities to develop appropriate art netball, football, cricket, and other active themes in Banksia Park and other adjacent recreation. parklands, which reflect the rich arts heritage of the area. Heide Museum of Modern Art is a heritage property and art gallery in Bulleen adjacent to • Continue to work with Manningham City Banksia Park. Heide is regionally significant Council for the future use, development and a major community facility displaying and and management of Tikalara Park as part

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of the implementation of the Tikalara Park • Manage and enhance remnant vegetation and Mullum Mullum Creek Linear Park communities and fauna habitats along the Stage 5 Development Plan prepared by the Yarra River and tributary corridors. Manningham City Council • Enhance connectivity between areas of 6.3 Conservation and Recreation remnant vegetation to improve habitat links, particularly strengthening east-west Purpose connections along the Yarra River. • Facilitate existing and future pedestrian Protect, maintain and enhance areas with and cycle access without conflicting with environmental values while providing suitable environmental values and flood passive recreation opportunities. management. Description • Provide recreational opportunities in vegetated natural settings without The Conservation and Recreation Zone impacting on areas of high environmental includes land along many waterways and significance. wetlands comprising of the riparian corridors along the Yarra River and tributaries west of Actions the Mullum Mullum Creek confluence. The • Create a qualitative focus for revegetation zone also encompasses some areas containing and vegetation management programs that significant habitat values and remnant progressively build on the initial indigenous vegetation, and modified areas that revegetation across the parklands. have been or are planned to be sensitively • Consider proposals for commercial and revegetated to provide key vegetation links community partnerships to enhance visitor between areas of environmental significance. experiences that are compatible with the The non-indigenous species to be retained in Conservation and Recreation Zone and the this zone are some non-invasive introduced relevant planning scheme. tree species at Banksia Park and Yarra Flats. • Promote and support community partnerships for revegetation and The zone also includes privately owned land vegetation management programs. used as residential, commercial and rural properties. This land is covered by public • Ensure that vegetation management and acquisition overlays in the Manningham, revegetation programs adjacent to trails Banyule and Nillumbik planning schemes, to and visitor nodes will consider selection of allow for consideration for future incorporation appropriate species to maximise long-term into the parklands. public safety and park management sustainability. The types of recreation activities that may be • Investigate utilising natural settings with appropriate for this zone include walking, low conservation value that sustainably jogging, cycling, appreciating nature, allow for emerging nature-based recreation canoeing, walking dogs on-lead on main trails, activities. mountain biking and small group picnics. • Identify and protect sites, places and Roles values of cultural significance to the Wurundjeri. • Protect and manage important environmental values while providing • Focus revegetation planting for EVC opportunities for visitors to enjoy the restoration and buffer protection of natural setting, enhance their significant vegetation communities while understanding of the local natural recognising the achievement of many environment, and experience views across revegetation milestones. the open landscape. • As resources become available, prepare a detailed plan and implement the required works to make the Pontville Homestead

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site a static interpretation area and Roles destination located off the Main Yarra • Maintain examples of past rural and Trail. agricultural land uses, cultural landscape • Maintain the canoe launch ramp facility at and character of the region. Westerfolds Park. • Enable visitors to experience the extensive • Allow on-lead dog-walking only on the open space and long distance views, and main shared-use trails throughout the appreciate the diverse landscape. parklands to connect surrounding • Consider proposals for commercial and communities to recreational areas and to community partnerships to enhance visitor improve management of the impact on experiences that are compatible with the significant flora and fauna communities. Landscape Zone role and the relevant • Work with mountain bike groups to planning scheme. identify alternative areas and alignments • Maintain areas to provide the opportunity where mountain biking experiences will for visitors to experience large open spaces not damage values in the parklands. with its attendant mental health and spiritual benefits. 6.4 Landscape • Protect open space for use by future Purpose generations. • Provide opportunities for visitors to Protect, maintain and enhance areas with experience areas of large open space and significant natural, rural or cultural landscape undertake compatible recreation activities. values, views, vistas and geographic features, while providing low-key passive recreation • Contribute to urban amenity and liveability opportunities. Landscape Zones can be used to by providing a visual break in the urban maintain a low fuel load area to support fire environment. management objectives. Actions Description • Work with local government as the responsible authority to support The Landscape Zone includes many different maintenance of viewscapes in and out of areas within the Parkland. The predominant the parklands. character of the land in this zone is of areas • Consider the use of horse and cattle that have been substantially altered for grazing in lower conservation areas within agricultural purposes. the parklands to manage grass paddocks This zone includes large areas of river flats and and maintain the rural character. undulating paddocks rising from the Yarra • Consider land in the zone that could be River to ridges immediately adjacent to the appropriately revegetated for net gain or Yarra River. Land within this zone is mostly carbon sequestration that will also enhance open grassy grassland, reflecting the recreation opportunities in the parklands. agricultural and rural history of the area. • Continue to undertake pest plant and pest The types of recreation activities that may be animal management to minimise their appropriate for this zone include walking, invasion into areas of environmental value. jogging, cycling, walking dogs on-lead, • Protect and enhance areas of remnant mountain biking, informal ball games, small indigenous vegetation, including isolated group picnics, kite flying, bird watching, River Red Gums. heritage appreciation and viewing of the • Maintain existing introduced specimen landscape. trees that contribute to landscape and cultural values, provided they are not invasive in surrounding vegetation.

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• Liaise with Melbourne Water to floodplain, while recognising ongoing investigate potential stormwater quality natural processes. treatments such as wetlands that provide • Protect and manage threatened flora and complementary open space benefits within fauna populations within the parklands. the parklands. • Promote sustainable enjoyment of the • Ensure that lease and license arrangements indigenous vegetation by providing are developed and managed in line with opportunities for visitors to appreciate the park management role and vision. nature and learn about natural values and processes. 6.5 Conservation • Recognise and protect sites, places and Purpose values of cultural significance to the Wurundjeri. Protect, maintain and enhance natural bushland with significant habitat and environmental Actions values. • Enhance habitat connectivity and maintain self-sustaining viable communities and Description populations of flora and fauna. The Conservation Zone applies to areas of • Ensure that recreation activities in this indigenous vegetation with significant zone will have minimal impact on existing environmental values (such as Morrisons) and environmental values and provide remnant geomorphological features. The zone inspiration through experiences of encompasses the Yarra River riparian corridor tranquillity and solitude. east of the Mullum Mullum Creek confluence • Continue the partnership with Nillumbik and significant billabongs in the Chandler Shire Council in maintaining the integrity Floodplain. of the Eltham mud brick houses and their The biodiversity values and integrity of use for the artists-in-residence program. vegetated areas within the Conservation Zone • Minimise the impact of dogs, cats and varies from relatively undisturbed nationally other introduced animals to protect flora significant remnant areas at Morrisons on and fauna values. Laughing Waters Road and Bolin Bolin Billabong to areas with extensive weeds that 6.6 Special Use Zone A (Utilities) have been identified for prioritised enhancement and protection. Purpose The types of nature-based recreation activities Provide (easements) for main supply water, that may be appropriate for this zone include gas mains and electricity transmission that pass walking, viewing of the landscape, bird through the parklands. watching and nature and heritage appreciation. Description Roles The water easement runs west through the • Conserve remaining areas of indigenous parklands from Templestowe to Lower Plenty. vegetation that contribute to regional The mains electricity transmission easement biodiversity, and protect the natural runs from the Templestowe substation to landscape for current and future Lower Plenty, with a branch line running generations. parallel to the Yarra River to Burke Road. A • Protect and manage the significant high-pressure gas pipeline runs from vegetation communities and fauna habitats Templestowe to Eltham. along the Yarra River east of Mullum The types of recreation activities that may be Mullum Creek. appropriate for this zone include walking, dog • Protect and manage significant billabongs walking, jogging and cycling. and their environmental value in the Yarra

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Roles Roles • Provide a utility easement for the provision • Recognise pre-existing uses of land in of mains supply of water, mains supply of private ownership for commercial gas, transmission of electricity and purposes, such as golf driving ranges and associated maintenance. nurseries. • Provide trail access where appropriate. • Provide space for administration and depots for undertaking activities that Actions support park management and operations, • Continue to liaise with the utility volunteers, and education and partnership companies in regard to agreed installations activities. and park management activities, including vegetation management, tree planting and Actions maintenance access. • Maintain the park office and depot areas as • Ensure that proposals for further utility the focus for park management, recreation, installations avoid negative impacts on the education, and support for community parkland’s visual, environmental, cultural involvement within the parklands. and amenity values. • Work in conjunction with private • Where a new proposal for new utility landowners, other public agencies, and infrastructure is made, investigate community and user groups to compatibly opportunities to enhance visitor access and manage the parklands and adjacent land. recreation experiences in the parklands. • Liaise with the , City of • Consider proposals for new mobile phone Manningham and private landowners to installations only if they are co-located on ensure that current land uses are managed existing electricity transmission towers or to avoid negative impacts upon the values existing mobile phone infrastructure. of the parklands. • Investigate opportunities to provide a range of compatible land uses that extend 6.7 Special Use Zone B the recreational and leisure opportunities in (Multiple Use) addition to the experiences already available within the parklands. Purpose • Assess proposals for future commercial and community activities or facilities and Acknowledge existing land uses located within provide input to ensure that they provide a the parklands on privately owned land that are public benefit consistent with the values, not compatible with the general parkland role and strategic directions of the management zones, and recognise the existing parklands. park management buildings, offices and depot.

Description This Special Use Zone comprises small areas of land in private ownership within the parklands boundary and the Westerfolds Park office and depot. The zone includes parts of private land covered by a Public Acquisition Overlay (for consideration of future incorporation into the parklands) under the Manningham and Banyule planning schemes.

28 Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

7 IMPLEMENTATION

that the future condition of values is This final Management Plan provides the considered in identifying threats and framework for the management of Yarra developing actions to ameliorate them. Over Valley Parklands over the next 10 to 15 years. time, the success of actions is reviewed against The implementation of the actions in this plan set objectives to ensure ongoing learning and will depend on the timing of non-compulsory refinement of management. The selection of land acquisition, visitor demand, funding and actions and treatments of threats are guided by agreement with other agencies. the precautionary principle. Management 7.1 Priorities and Staging options are evaluated on the basis of least impact on the environment. Treatment of The park-wide and specific management zone threats with a potential for serious damage that actions contained in this plan will guide and be is not addressed in this plan will not be progressively incorporated into Parks postponed for lack of information. Victoria’s annual works programs for Yarra Valley Parklands. Parks Victoria will use a variety of means to report to the community about the progress and Parks Victoria staff report internally against implementation of the plan. Future State of the ‘on time and within budget’ delivery of work Parks reports, which will be available on the programs and regional programs and whether Parks Victoria’s website, will include completed programs have achieved their information on management performance in objective. Parks Victoria reports annually to relation to the parkland. the government on the overall delivery of regional and divisional programs. This broader The results of monitoring and research work reporting on management performance is will continue to be available to the community included in Parks Victoria’s annual reports. as technical reports available on Parks Victoria’s website (www.parkweb.vic.gov.au). During the implementation of the plan, Parks Victoria will work in partnership with the Parks Victoria will also report on the Traditional Owners. Ongoing collaborative evaluation of the plan at the start of any new or activities with interested members of revised plan, through community liaison and Indigenous communities, the wider consultation in the subsequent draft plan. community, scientists and agencies in realising 7.2 Management Resources the vision and management directions for the parkland will be especially important, as The complexity of the current status of land outlined in previous sections of the plan. ownership and management of Yarra Valley Parklands means that it requires cooperative The implementation of the plan will be management by a number of land managers. consistent with Parks Victoria’s commitment The resourcing and implementation of actions to sustainable practices, which involves the in this plan therefore requires collaboration delivery of operations, services and facilities in between all management agencies as well as an ecologically and socially responsible adjoining landowners and community and user manner with minimal use of expendable groups. Sources of funding or assistance to resources and minimal generation of waste. achieve the actions within this plan may In implementing the plan, management will include: respond to monitoring and research • individual management agency funding; information as it emerges. Parks Victoria’s • State and Federal Government grants; environmental management framework makes this possible. Based on the International • environmental and community grant Standard for Environmental Management programs; Systems (ISO 14001), the framework ensures • Sport and Recreation Victoria funding;

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• volunteer and community involvement • Restoring the structure and floristic such as Friends and special interest groups; diversity of endangered EVCs. and • Preserving the open structure of the grassy • partnerships with, or contributions from, woodlands in the parklands. interested organisations and providers. • Riparian stream-bed and bank stability. 7.3 Plan Amendment • Water quality data. • Meeting community expectations as a During the 10-15 year life of the plan, good environmental manager. amendments to the plan may only be made by • Timely management intervention to following an authorised process which minimise threats to the natural values of includes community consultation, as the parklands from pest plants and animals appropriate. e.g. foxes, rabbits, riparian, grassy and Circumstances that might lead to amendment woody weeds. of the plan include: • Minimising environmental impact of • the results of monitoring or research, visitor activities. management experience or new • Ensuring compliance with park information (such as greater understanding regulations. of new threatening processes) which indicate the need for a change in Protecting cultural values management direction; • Progress towards working with the • significant changes in visitation or use; relevant Registered Aboriginal Party in • a change in policy that calls into question managing the parkland and in protecting plan objectives and actions; and and interpreting Indigenous cultural heritage. • new legislation or regulations (such as significant boundary changes). • Overall progress towards achieving directions for Aboriginal places and The plan may also be amended if an activity, objects in partnership with Traditional development or use which conflicts with the Owners. provisions of the plan is approved by • Timely management intervention to avoid government. damaging activities and threats. 7.4 Evaluation and Review • Conserving the significant Pontville homestead site by protecting the site from Periodically through the life of this plan, Parks avoidable damage. Victoria will assess overall progress towards • Protecting the significant Heidelberg implementing the strategies in the plan and School landscapes along the Yarra River in will also assess progress towards achieving the the parklands. plan vision and directions. These evaluations • Meeting community expectations as a will inform a decision about whether a new or good manager of heritage values. revised plan is required. The achievements of the plan will be assessed by considering • Integrating complementary management performance areas such as the following. outcomes from any future cultural heritage management plans for different land Protecting natural values managers within the parklands. • Overall progress towards achieving Managing recreation and visitor use environmental conservation objectives. • Maintaining the levels of information and Protecting and enhancing vegetation • interpretation. communities, particularly for nationally significant species. • Meeting and maintaining the levels of service for facilities.

30 Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

• Ensuring all facilities meet public safety It is envisioned that other agencies will also standards, and the majority of facilities use this Management Plan to inform their have a life expectancy of more than five various work plans and further improve years. complementary management between the • Maintaining all visitor access roads in at different land managers in the Yarra Valley least fair to good condition. Parklands. • Managing costs of asset maintenance. The plan provides the basis for input into • Minimising environmental impact from internal and external funding sources, but it visitors, including individuals and school does not represent the system by which Parks and tour groups. Victoria allocates State-wide capital funding priorities. • Maintaining visitor use levels. • Maintaining visitor satisfaction with the The following objectives will guide Parks adequacy of recreational opportunities. Victoria in prioritising the implementation of actions: • Meeting general community expectations in relation to Parks Victoria’s management • Ongoing monitoring and review of this of the parklands. plan is required to ensure that strategic directions and actions remain relevant, and • Improving community and visitor meet the management objectives of the awareness. parklands and its visitors. Providing for research and promoting • To ensure the continuing relevance of this understanding Management Plan and associated works, • Progress towards reflecting Indigenous plans, programs, periodical assessment of views and aspirations of the parklands. outcomes against resourcing, work • Improving understanding of the key threats priorities and actions will be required. from pest plants and animals to habitat and • Evolving leisure and recreational needs, vegetation communities. community expectations and emerging • Investigating the needs and impacts of management issues will necessitate regular emerging recreational activities. review of this Management Plan, including a full review of the plan within 10-15 • Ongoing Indigenous and broader years. community participation.

Methods for evaluating the benefits of the plan are likely to be refined over time. Parks Victoria has introduced a range of structured monitoring practices to collect standardised and scientifically robust information. In particular, these will improve understanding of the outcomes of management on natural values; and allow improved reporting and assessment of performance. Parks Victoria also partners external research agencies to enhance knowledge and understanding of the values and features of the parklands and inform management decisions particularly in relation to pest and fire management. By using sound monitoring and assessment methods this monitoring and research work will strengthen the basis for comparing management performance over time.

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8 REFERENCES

Department of Sustainability & Aspect Melbourne Pty Ltd 2005, Yarra Valley Environment, Melbourne. Parklands Landscape Analysis. Report prepared for Parks Victoria by Aspect DSE 2007, Advisory List of Threatened Melbourne Pty Ltd– June 2005 Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria – 2007. (unpublished). Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne. Banyule City Council 2007, Structure Plan for the Heidelberg Precinct. Banyule City Heritage Victoria 2000, Victorian Heritage Council, Melbourne. Strategy. Heritage Victoria, Melbourne. Context & NLRA 1995, Pontville cultural MMBW 1978, Yarra Valley Metropolitan significance & conservation policy. Report Park – Westerfolds Masterplan – 1978. prepared for Melbourne Parks & Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Waterways and the by Works, Melbourne. Context & Nigel Lewis Richard Aitken, Ballarat. Melbourne Metropolitan Town Planning Commission 1929, Plan of General Deakin University and Parks Victoria 2002, Development, Melbourne. Metropolitan Healthy Parks Healthy People – the health Town Planning Commission, Melbourne. benefits of contact with nature in a park context, a review of current literature. Melbourne Water 1992, Yarra Valley Park Deakin University, Melbourne. Management Plan. Melbourne Water, Melbourne. DEWHA 2000, Revision of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Melbourne Water 2006, Port Phillip and Australia and Development of Version 5.1 – Westernport Regional River Health Summary Report. Department of Strategy. Melbourne Water, Melbourne. Environment, Water, Heritage & the Arts, Canberra. NRE 2002a, Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management – A framework for action. DSE 2002, Melbourne 2030: Planning for Department of Natural Resources & Sustainable Growth 2002. Department of Environment, Melbourne. Sustainability & Environment, Melbourne. NRE 2002b, Sustainable Recreation and DSE 2004, Securing our Water Future Tourism on Victoria’s Public Land Policy. Together — Our Water Our Future. Department of Natural Resources & Department of Sustainability & Environment, Melbourne. Environment and Melbourne Water, Melbourne. Parks Victoria 1997, The Tikalara Project – October 1997. Parks Victoria, Melbourne. DSE 2005a, Advisory List of Rare and Threatened Plants in Victoria – 2005. Parks Victoria 2007, Victoria’s State of the Department of Sustainability & Parks Report. Parks Victoria, Melbourne. Environment, East Melbourne. Parks Victoria 2002, Linking People+Spaces: DSE 2005b, Victorian Biodiversity Strategy. A strategy for Melbourne’s open space Department of Sustainability & network. Parks Victoria, Melbourne. Environment, Melbourne. Parks Victoria 2003, Heritage Management DSE 2006, Yarra River Action Plan: Securing Strategy. Parks Victoria, Melbourne. water quality for a healthy future.

32 Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

Parks Victoria 2004, Fire Management Plan for the Yarra Valley Parkland 2004–2005. Parks Victoria, Melbourne. Parks Victoria 2005b, Indigenous Partnership Strategy and Action Plan. Parks Victoria, Melbourne. Parks Victoria 2006, Warrandyte State Park Management Plan. Parks Victoria, Melbourne. PPWCMA 2005. Port Phillip and Westernport Regional Catchment Strategy. Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Authority, Melbourne. Scott and Furphy Consulting Group 1979, Yarra Valley Metropolitan Park: report for proposed development. Report prepared by Scott and Furphy Engineers Pty. Ltd. for the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Sinclair Knight Merz 2005, Determination of the minimum environmental water requirements for the Yarra River. Report prepared by Sinclair Knight Merz for Melbourne Water, Melbourne (unpublished). VSC 1999, Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines. Victorian Stormwater Committee, Melbourne.

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9 GLOSSARY

Biodiversity – the natural diversity of all life: Infrastructure – physical structures that the sum of all our native species of flora and facilitate the human use of an area (e.g. roads, fauna, the genetic variation within them, their paths, toilet blocks). habitats and the ecosystems of which they are an integral part. Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) – an agreement between Japan and Bioregion – an area with unique underlying Australia providing for the protection of environmental and ecological features. migratory birds. China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement Levels of Service Framework – a strategic (CAMBA) – an agreement between China and framework for visitor services and asset Australia providing for the protection of management that is used to support resource migratory birds. allocation decision-making to best provide appropriate recreational infrastructure in a Catchment – the area of land that drains to a consistent manner. watercourse or estuary. Monitoring – the process of systematic Country – all of nature, culture and observation of one or more elements of the spirituality relating to an area. environment over time. Crown land – land belonging to the State. Nature-based tourism – tourism that provides Customs – observances and practices of a range of experiences that rely on attractions people (includes land management and directly related to the natural environment. resource use) in accordance with tradition. Pest – an organism (plant, animal or pathogen) Ecological values – the importance of natural that, if introduced outside its natural or assets in maintaining natural ecosystems and previous distribution, can cause significant ecological processes, of which it is a part. changes to habitats, food chains, ecosystems or human health by feeding on or competing with Ecologically sustainable use – the use of a native species. species or ecosystem at a level that enables it to recover naturally. Relevant Indigenous communities – includes the Traditional Owners and the registered Ecosystem – a dynamic complex of interacting Aboriginal party for the area including the organisms and their associated non-living parklands. environment. Registered Aboriginal party – a body Freehold land – land held in private registered under part 10 of the Aboriginal ownership. Heritage Act 2006 by the Aboriginal Heritage Council. Heritage – a place, activity, cultural way of life, structure or group of structures that has Sediment – insoluble material suspended in aesthetic, historic, scientific or social value for water, consisting mainly of particles derived the past, present or future generations. from rock, soil and organic material. Indigenous cultural heritage – all aspects of Set-aside – A specified area where particular contemporary and traditional culture, and activities may take place in accordance with places and objects of significance to certain conditions. Indigenous people in accordance with tradition. Stakeholders – people and organisations who may affect, be affected by, or perceive Indigenous people – people who are themselves to be affected by, a decision or descendants of Aboriginal Australians. activity.

34 Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

Stormwater – run-off from land during and NRE – former Department of Natural following rain. Stormwater removes Resources and Environment accumulated material including litter, soil, nutrients, pathogens, chemicals, pesticides, oils WMAP – Water Management Activity Plan and grease. Threatening processes – a source of potential harm or a situation with a potential to cause loss. Tradition – the body of knowledge, belief and customs that is passed from generation to generation. Traditional Owner – person with traditional or familial links, an Aboriginal person with particular knowledge about traditions, observances, customs or beliefs associated with the area, and the person has responsibility under Aboriginal tradition for significant Aboriginal places located in, or significant Aboriginal objects originating from, the area; or is a member of a family or clan group that is recognized as having responsibility under Aboriginal tradition for significant Aboriginal places located in or significant Aboriginal objects originating from, the area. Values – natural and cultural assets (e.g. historic artefacts, features, landscapes, flora and fauna species, flora communities) that have been given worth or are considered to be desirable.

Acronyms AAV – Aboriginal Affairs Victoria CMA – Catchment Management Authority DSE – Department of Sustainability and Environment EPA – Environment Protection Authority (Victoria) EVC – ecological vegetation classes IBRA – Interim Biogeographical Regions of Australia JAMBA/CAMBA – Japan–Australia and China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreements MMBW – former Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works

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APPENDIX 1 ECOLOGICAL VEGETATION CLASSES RECORDED IN THE YARRA VALLEY PARKLANDS

Box Woodland occurs on hill-crests and spurs Floodplain Riparian Woodland is found of the Plenty River, Mullum Mullum Creek along the Plenty River in the vicinity of and Yarra River. Yellow Box, Red Stringybark Martins Lane and along the Yarra River and a rich understorey of goldfields wattles downstream from the confluence of Kestrel and grassland species are present. Box Creek in Westerfolds Park. River Red Gums Woodland is classified as endangered in the and Manna Gums are characteristic species of Gippsland Plains Bioregion. this EVC. Floodplain Riparian Woodland is classified as endangered in the Gippsland Creekline Grassy Woodland is found along Plains Bioregion. Kestrel Creek and gullies in Westerfolds Park. River Red Gums are scattered along creeks on Aquatic Herbland (Floodplain Wetland) the Yarra floodplain above a midstorey of occurs in wetlands, billabongs and swamps, Swamp Paperbark. Creekline Grassy including Bolin Bolin Billabong and Banyule Woodland is classified as endangered in the Swamp. Knotweed and Water-milfoil are Gippsland Plains Bioregion. characteristic plants of these wetlands. Aquatic Herbland (Floodplain Wetland) is classified as Creekline Herb-rich Woodland is located vulnerable in the Eastern Highland Southern along creeks entering the northern bank of the Falls Bioregion and the Gippsland Plains Yarra River upstream from Diamond Creek. Bioregion. Prominent species include an overstorey of Manna Gum, Swamp Gum, and an understorey Wetland Formation is found at the artificial of ferns and sedges. Creekline Herb-rich wetlands built since the 1970s at Bobs Woodland is classified as vulnerable in the Wetlands at Glynns Road, Birrarrung Park and Eastern Highland Southern Falls Bioregion. Westerfolds Park. These areas support the diversity of riparian communities and species Riparian Shrubland is located on small along the Yarra River floodplain and are islands among the rapids of the Yarra River characterised by Common Reed, Cumbungi upstream from Plenty River. Muttonwoods and Tall Spike-sedge. dominate among Swamp Paperbark. Riparian Shrubland is vulnerable in the Eastern Herb-rich Foothill Forest is found in the Highland Southern Falls Bioregion and is Laughing Waters area north of the Yarra River. threatened by the colonisation of the islands by Messmate and Narrow-leaved Peppermint willows. A fine example of this EVC can be occur in this EVC. seen from the Yarra River viewing platform at Westerfolds Park. Valley Grassy Forest is located on valleys and terraces along the Yarra River upstream Gully Woodland is found along ephemeral from Westerfolds Park. Yellow Box stands are gullies on the northern bank of the Yarra River characteristically in swathes of Kangaroo upstream from Mullum Mullum Creek. Manna Grass. Valley Grassy Forest is classified as Gums are scattered through a midstorey of vulnerable in the Eastern Highland Southern Swamp Paperbarks. Gully Woodland is Falls Bioregion. classified as vulnerable in the Eastern Highland Southern Falls Bioregion. Grassy Dry Forest is found on slopes of the Yarra valley upstream from Mullum Mullum Riparian Forest is found along the Yarra Creek. The rich variety of flora in the River upstream from Mullum Mullum Creek to goldfields orchid assemblage includes species the boundary of Warrandyte Park. The of National significance. The Grassy Dry overstorey is characterised by Manna Gums Forest supports several endangered vegetation and there is a midstorey of Silver Wattles. communities in the Yarra Valley Parklands, Riparian Forest is classified as vulnerable in including Box–Stringybark Woodland. the Eastern Highland Southern Falls Bioregion.

36 Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

Plains Grassy Wetland is found in ephemeral APPENDIX 1 continued wetlands and floodplains north of the Yarra Grassy Woodland is found in a small linear between Ruffey Creek and Banyule Creek. parcel of alluvial sands along the Yarra River Club Sedges and Swamp Wallaby Grasses are between Westerfolds Park and Finns Reserve. found in these wetlands. Banyule Swamp is one of the finest representations of this Plains Grassy Woodland is found at community in the region. Plains Grassy Westerfolds and the Viewbank escarpment Wetland is endangered in the Gippsland Plains along the Plenty River. River Red Gums and Bioregion. Swamp Gums are prominent in these vegetation communities. Plains Grassy Riverine Escarpment Scrub occurs on cliffs Woodland is endangered in the Gippsland of the Yarra River upstream from Bonds Road, Plains Bioregion. It is characterized by an Lower Plenty. The middle storey has super- upper-storey of Manna Gums and Sheoaks. abundant Yarra Burgan, Golden Wattle and Grassy Woodland is endangered in the Sweet Bursaria and the ground-storey supports Gippsland Plains Bioregion. a number of rare ferns adapted to rock faces. Riverine Escarpment Scrub is depleted in the Eastern Highland Southern Falls Bioregion.

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APPENDIX 2 SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF OTHER PLANT SPECIES REFERRED TO IN THE TEXT Common Name Scientific Name *African Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum *Angled Onion Allium triquetrum *Blackberries Rubus spp. *Bridal Creeper Myrsiphyllum asparagoides Bulbil Watsonia Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera *Chilean Needle-grass Nassella neesiana Common Reed Phragmites australis Cumbungi Typha spp. Club Sedges Bolboschoenus spp. *Desert Ash Fraxinus angustifolia *English Ivy Hedera helix Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha Gorse Ulex europaeus Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna *Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra Knotweed Persicaria spp. Manna Gum Eucalyptus viminalis Messmate Eucalyptus obliqua Muttonwood Rapanea howittiana Narrow-leaved Peppermint Eucalyptus radiata *Panic Veldt Grass Ehrharta erecta Red Stringybark Eucalyptus macrorhyncha River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis Sheoak Casuarina spp. Silver Wattle Acacia dealbata *Soursob Oxalis pescaprae Swamp Gum Eucalyptus ovata Swamp Paperbark Melaleuca ericifolia Swamp Wallaby Grass Amphibromus spp. Sweet Bursaria Bursaria spinosa *Sweet Vernal Grass Anthoxanthum odoratum Tall Spike-sedge Eleocharis sphacelata *Wandering Trad Tradescantia albiflora Water-milfoil Myriophyllum spp. *Willow Salix spp. Yarra Burgan Kunzea leptospermoides Yellow Box Eucalyptus melliodora * Introduced species

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APPENDIX 3 THREATENED FAUNA SPECIES (DSE 2007)

Scientific Name Common Name FFG Conservation Status Status Australia Victoria BIRDS Accipiter novaehollandiae Grey Goshawk L Vul Alcedo azurea Azure Kingfisher NT Ardea alba Great Egret L V Vul Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret L CEnd Aythya australis Hardhead Vul Biziura lobata Musk Duck Vul Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern L End Calidris acuminata Sharp-tailed Sandpiper M (J, C) Chrysococcyx osculans Black-eared Cuckoo NT Chthonicola sagittata Speckled Warbler L Vul Coturnix ypsilophora Brown Quail NT Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe M (J, C) NT Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail M (C) Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern L End Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot L E End Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin L NT Ninox connivens Barking Owl L End Ninox strenua Powerful Owl L Vul Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron NT Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck L End Porzana pusilla Baillon's Crake L Vul Rallus pectoralis Lewin's Rail L M (J) Vul Rostratula australis Painted Snipe L V M (C) CEn Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater L E M (J) CEn MAMMALS Miniopterus schreibersii Common Bent-wing Bat L CD End # Myotis macropus Southern Myotis NT Phascogale tapoatafa Brush-tailed Phascogale L Vul Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox L V Vul Sminthopsis murina Common Dunnart Vul FROG & REPTILES Litoria raniformis Warty Bell Frog L V End Macrochelodina expansa Broad-shelled Tortoise L End * Pseudemoia rawlinsoni Glossy Grass Skink NT

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APPENDIX 3 continued

Scientific Name Common Name FFG Conservation Status Status Australia Victoria FISH Maccullochella macquariensis Trout Cod L E CEn * Maccullochella peelii Murray Cod L V End * Macquaria ambigua Golden Perch I Vul * Macquaria australasica Macquarie Perch L E End * Prototroctes maraena Australian Grayling L V Vul Tandanus tandanus Freshwater Catfish L End *

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (FFG): Conservation status in Victoria: L listed NT near threatened I nominated for listing but deemed Vul vulnerable invalid or ineligible End endangered CEn critically endangered Conservation status in Australia: # colonial nesting species Environment Protection and Biodiversity * introduced to the parklands Conservation Act (EPBC) status: V vulnerable E endangered CD conservation dependent M migratory species listed under JAMBA (J) and CAMBA(C) agreements

40 Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan

APPENDIX 4 THREATENED FLORA SPECIES (DSE 2005) Scientific Name Common Name FFG Conservation Status Status Australia Victoria Acacia leprosa (Dandenong Range Dandenong Range Cinnamon R variant) Wattle Austrostipa rudis ssp. australis Veined Spear-grass R Billardiera scandens var. brachyantha Velvet Apple-berry R Bolboschoenus fluviatilis Tall Club-sedge K Caladenia oenochila Wine-lip Spider-orchid V Vul Caladenia rosella Rosella Spider-orchid L E End Callitriche brachycarpa Short Water-starwort L Vul Cardamine papillata Forest Bitter-cress Vul Carex chlorantha Green-top Sedge K Correa reflexa var. lobata Powelltown Correa R Corybas fimbriatus Fringed Helmet-orchid R Desmodium varians Slender Tick-trefoil K Dianella amoena Matted Flax-lily E End Dianella sp. aff longifolia (Banambra) Arching Flax-lily Vul Eucalyptus X studleyensis Studley Park Gum End Eucalyptus yarraensis Yarra Gum I R Fimbristylis velata Veiled Fringe-sedge R Geranium solanderi var. solanderi Austral Cranesbill Vul Geranium sp. 3 Pale-flower Cranesbill R Glycine latrobeana Clover Glycine L V Vul Helichrysum aff. rutidolepis (Lowland Pale Swamp Everlasting (Foothill Vul Swamps) Form) Lachnagrostis filiformis var. 2 Wetland Blown-grass K Lepidium pseudohyssopifolium Native Pepper-cress K Levenhookia sonderi Slender Stylewort R Olearia ramulosa var. tomentosa Twiggy Daisy-bush K Pomaderris vacciniifolia Round-leaf Pomaderris Vul Pterostylis aciculiformis Slender Ruddyhood K Pterostylis smaragdyna Emerald-lip Greenhood R Pterostylis sp. aff. plumosa (woodland) Woodland Plume-orchid R Pterostylis sp. aff. striata Silurian Striped Greenhood End Senecio campylocarpus Floodplain Fireweed K

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (FFG): Conservation status in Victoria: L listed K poorly known I nominated for listing but deemed invalid or R rare ineligible Vul vulnerable End endangered Conservation status in Australia: CEn critically endangered Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) status: V vulnerable E endangered

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APPENDIX 5 INTRODUCED FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE YARRA VALLEY PARKLANDS Common Name Scientific Name BIRDS Blackbird Turdus merula Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Common Skylark Alauda arvensis Domestic Pigeon Columba livia European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris European Tree Sparrow Passer montanus European Starling Sturnus vulgaris House Sparrow Passer domesticus Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Spotted Turtle-dove Streptopella chinensis MAMMALS Black Rat Rattus rattus Brown Hare Lepus capensis Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus Domestic Dog Canis familiaris Domestic Cat Felis catus European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Fox Vulpes vulpes House Mouse Mus musculus Sambar Cervus unicolor FROG Little Tree Frog Litoria phallax FISH Brown Trout Salmo trutta European Carp Cyprinus carpio Goldfish Carassius auratus Mosquito Fish Gambusia holbrooki Redfin Perca fluviatilis Roach Rutilus rutilus Weather Loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

42 Yarra Valley Parklands Management Plan APPENDIX 6 INDICATIVE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES This Table provides an indicative list of the type of recreation activities that may be appropriate in Yarra Valley Parklands. In some areas the services and facilities to support such activities are not currently available. Activities will only be permitted after assessment against parkland management objectives. This Table needs to be read in conjunction with the description, purpose and role of individual Management Zones. For the exact locations of current activities please refer to park signage, information brochures, council regulations and parklands staff. LEGEND 9 Activity allowed within management zone − Activity possible within management zone – Dog Walking on-lead in the Conservation and Recreation zone is allowed only on main trails 8 Activity not appropriate

ACTIVITY Recreation

RECREATION SPORT & COMMUNITY CONSERVATION & LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION SPECIAL USE ZONE A SPECIAL USE ZONE B EVENTS RECREATION (Utilities) (Multiple use)

5.6% of 12.5% of parklands 41.9% of parklands 27.1% of 11.8% of parklands 1.9% of parklands 1.1% of parklands parklands parklands (overlays on other zones) Walking 9 9 9 9 9 9 − Dog Walking (on lead) 9 9 − 9 8 9 − Dog Walking (off lead) -- 8 8 8 8 − Jogging 9 9 9 9 8 9 − Bicycle riding 9 9 9 9 8 9 − Rollerblading 9 9 9 − 8 9 − Skate boarding 9 9 9 − 8 9 − Picnicking 9 9 9 9 8 8 − Barbecuing 9 9 − − 8 8 − Playing (playground) 9 9 − − 8 8 − Playing (ball games) 9 9 − 9 8 8 − Horse Trail Riding 8 − 9 9 8 8 − Equestrian eventing 8 − 8 8 8 8 − Motocross 8 − 8 8 8 8 − Tennis 8 9 8 8 8 8 − Cricket (fields) 8 9 8 8 8 8 − Baseball 8 9 8 8 8 8 − Netball 8 9 8 8 8 8 − Softball 8 9 8 8 8 8 − Golf 8 9 8 – 8 8 − Fishing 9 9 – – 8 8 − Scenic Viewing 9 9 9 9 9 9 − Bird watching 9 9 9 9 9 9 − Nature Study 9 9 9 9 9 – − Heritage Study 9 9 9 9 9 – − • Note: Some areas within the Parklands are private land and not accessible to the public (refer to Map 2 – Land Status).

Yarra Valley Parklands Managament Plan 43

APPENDIX 6 INDICATIVE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES This Table provides an indicative list of the type of recreation activities that may be appropriate in Yarra Valley Parklands. In some areas the services and facilities to support such activities are not currently available. Activities will only be permitted after assessment against parkland management objectives. This Table needs to be read in conjunction with the description, purpose and role of individual Management Zones. For the exact locations of current activities please refer to park signage, information brochures, council regulations and parklands staff. LEGEND 9 Activity allowed within management zone − Activity possible within management zone – Dog Walking on-lead in the Conservation and Recreation zone is allowed only on main trails 8 Activity not appropriate

ACTIVITY Recreation

RECREATION SPORT & COMMUNITY CONSERVATION & LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION SPECIAL USE ZONE A SPECIAL USE ZONE B EVENTS RECREATION (Utilities) (Multiple use)

5.6% of 12.5% of parklands 41.9% of parklands 27.1% of 11.8% of parklands 1.9% of parklands 1.1% of parklands parklands parklands (overlays on other zones) Walking 9 9 9 9 9 9 − Dog Walking (on lead) 9 9 − 9 8 9 − Dog Walking (off lead) -- 8 8 8 8 − Jogging 9 9 9 9 8 9 − Bicycle riding 9 9 9 9 8 9 − Rollerblading 9 9 9 − 8 9 − Skate boarding 9 9 9 − 8 9 − Picnicking 9 9 9 9 8 8 − Barbecuing 9 9 − − 8 8 − Playing (playground) 9 9 − − 8 8 − Playing (ball games) 9 9 − 9 8 8 − Horse Trail Riding 8 − 9 9 8 8 − Equestrian eventing 8 − 8 8 8 8 − Motocross 8 − 8 8 8 8 − Tennis 8 9 8 8 8 8 − Cricket (fields) 8 9 8 8 8 8 − Baseball 8 9 8 8 8 8 − Netball 8 9 8 8 8 8 − Softball 8 9 8 8 8 8 − Golf 8 9 8 – 8 8 − Fishing 9 9 – – 8 8 − Scenic Viewing 9 9 9 9 9 9 − Bird watching 9 9 9 9 9 9 − Nature Study 9 9 9 9 9 – − Heritage Study 9 9 9 9 9 – − • Note: Some areas within the Parklands are private land and not accessible to the public (refer to Map 2 – Land Status).

Yarra Valley Parklands Managament Plan 43

This Management Plan for Yarra Valley Parklands is approved for implementation. Its purpose is to direct management and development of the Parklands until the plan is reviewed.

A Draft Management Plan for the area was published in March 2007. Twenty seven submissions were received. All submissions have been considered in preparing this approved Management Plan.

For further information on this plan, please contact:

Chief Ranger, Northern Melbourne Parks Victoria Fitzsimons Lane Templestowe VIC 3106 Phone: (03) 9955 0800

Copies This plan may be downloaded from the Parks Victoria website www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. Copies of this plan may be purchased for $8.80 including GST from:

Parks Victoria Information Centre Level 10 535 Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000 13 1963

Parks Victoria Westerfolds Office Fitzsimons Lane Templestowe VIC 3106 Phone: (03) 9955 0800