For more information contact the Parks Victoria 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, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 National Library of Australia 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, Indigenous Australians 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 Yarra River, 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 Westerfolds Park, Highland Bioregion and the Gippsland Banksia Park, 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 Kulin Nation. The parklands are within The Main Yarra Trail traverses the parklands the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri for 18 kilometres from Burke Road in Ivanhoe people of the Woiwurrung 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 ‘Heidelberg School’ 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