Bruces Creek Open Space Reserve Management Plan
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Bruces Creek Issued: August 2013 Prepared By: Open Space Reserve Bram Muller Management Plan Final Draft Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3 1.1. Location and Planning Area ........................................................................................... 3 2. Background and Context ................................................................................................... 5 2.1. Values and Significance ................................................................................................. 5 2.2. Legislation and Guidelines ............................................................................................. 5 2.3. Strategic Direction .......................................................................................................... 5 3. Natural Resource Management ......................................................................................... 6 3.1. Geology and Landforms ................................................................................................. 6 3.2. Soils ................................................................................................................................ 6 3.3. Flora ............................................................................................................................... 6 3.4. Fauna ............................................................................................................................. 8 3.5. Fire ................................................................................................................................. 8 3.6. Threatening Processes .................................................................................................. 9 3.6.1. Pest Plants .............................................................................................................. 9 3.6.2. Pest Animals ......................................................................................................... 11 4. Cultural Resource Management ...................................................................................... 12 4.1. Indigenous cultural heritage ......................................................................................... 12 4.2. Post-settlement cultural heritage ................................................................................. 12 5. Land Use Management. .................................................................................................. 13 5.1. Land Tenure ................................................................................................................. 13 5.2. Management ................................................................................................................ 13 5.2.1. Community Involvement ....................................................................................... 14 5.2.2. Walking Tracks ..................................................................................................... 14 5.2.3. Pedestrian Access ................................................................................................ 15 5.2.4. Fencing ................................................................................................................. 15 5.2.5. Signage ................................................................................................................. 15 5.2.6. Interpretation ......................................................................................................... 15 5.2.7. Revegetation ......................................................................................................... 16 6. Authorised uses ............................................................................................................... 16 6.1. Vehicle access ............................................................................................................. 16 6.2. Firewood Collection ...................................................................................................... 17 6.3. Rubbish Dumping ......................................................................................................... 17 6.4. Recreation .................................................................................................................... 17 6.4.1. Horse Riding ......................................................................................................... 17 6.4.2. Motorbike riding .................................................................................................... 17 6.4.3. Walking ................................................................................................................. 17 6.4.4. Cycling .................................................................................................................. 18 6.4.5. Dogs and Cats ...................................................................................................... 18 6.4.6. Camping ................................................................................................................ 18 6.4.7. Fires ...................................................................................................................... 18 6.4.8. Education .............................................................................................................. 18 6.4.9. Research ............................................................................................................... 18 7. Implementation ................................................................................................................ 19 8. References....................................................................................................................... 22 9. Appendix 1 –Orchard and Remnant Plains Grassy Woodland .............................................. 23 10. Appendix 2 –Bruces Creek Native Grasslands ................................................................. 234 11.Appendix 3 - Viridians Just a Minute Flora Database…………………………………………..25 12. Appendix 4 - Viridians just a minute Fauna Database…………………………………………28 13. Appendix 5 - Bruces Creek Access Points and Walking Tracks.……………………………..30 Version control 1.00 Original document developed Bram Muller Jun 2011 1.01 Draft Management Plan Bram Muller Dec 2012 1. Introduction 1.1. Location and Planning Area Bruces Creek Open Space Reserve is located within the township of Bannockburn approximately 23km north west of Geelong and contains important natural and geological features, remnant vegetation and has significant cultural values. Bruces Creek Open Space Reserve contains areas of native vegetation featuring large remnant River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and areas of native grasslands with significant conservation value. The purpose of this management plan is to support the Bruces Creek Master Plan and guide development and management of the Bruces Creek Open Space Reserve. The Bruces Creek Open Space Reserve will become a ‘significant landscape corridor’ that will promote the ecological, recreational and aesthetic values of the area (Land Design 2009). This Management Plan will help to manage and enhance the natural environment, guide infrastructure development such as walking trails and encourage recreation within the Reserve. The management area encompasses freehold land held by Council and includes three discreet areas comprising the following: Bruces Creek South Alice Mews Reserve . Lot RES1 LP218326 . Lot RES2 LP218326 . Lot RES1 LP148270 . Lot RES2 LP148270 . Lot RES1 PS430943 Willowbrae Reserve . Reserve not yet in Council ownership Bruces Creek North . Lot RES1 PS543312 . Lot RES1 PS948410 . Lot RES1 PS606887 . Lot RES1 PS618276 . Lot RES1 PS618277 . Plus additional parcels to come to Council as subdivision progresses. This Management Plan has been divided into two parts in some sections to help clarify certain management themes. Pilloud’s Bridge on the Bannockburn-Shelford Road is used as a divider to distinguish the north and south areas of the Reserve. These two parts will be listed as ‘Bruces Creek Open Space Reserve (North)’ and ‘Bruces Creek Open Space Reserve (South Alice Mews)’. Bruces Creek Open Space Reserve (North) consists of a modified landscape. Agriculture was the primary use of this land prior to residential subdivision. There are extensive areas of cleared vegetation that accommodated cropping and grazing. There are still remaining areas of native grasslands on the escarpment areas and remnant vegetation along the creekline. Bruces Creek Open Space Reserve (South Alice Mews) is bordered by residential houses. There are areas of remnant vegetation along the creek. Willowbrae Reserve not yet under Council ownership with intact remnant vegetation that will increase the environmental values of the Reserve. It is expected the Reserve will expand substantially as the subdivision process continues to the west and north of its current extent. The Reserve falls within the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority region and the Golden Plains Shire Council local government area. Bruces Creek Open Reserve, Bannockburn 3 Management Plan Figure 1- Bruces Creek Locality Map Bruces Creek Open Reserve, Bannockburn 4 Management Plan 2. Background and Context 2.1. Values and Significance Bruces Creek Open Space Reserve is located within the Victorian Volcanic Plains (VVP) bioregion and contains remnants of Creekline Grassy Woodland (EVC