Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan
Conservation Reserves
Management Plan
OCTOBER 2010
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Acknowledgements
This plan has been developed with the support and assistance of staff in Council’s Natural Areas Management Unit. Council officers from the following departments also provided help: Environmental Planning and Conservation Unit, Parks and Recreational Services, Catchment Management Unit, Pest Management Unit, Animal Management Unit, the Office of City Architect and Heritage, and Legal Services. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has also provided valuable input.
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Table of contents
Executive summary...... 6 Acronyms used in this management plan ...... 7 1 Introduction ...... 8 1.1 Management vision ...... 8 1.2 Plan development and implementation ...... 8 1.2.1 Methodology and overview...... 8 1.2.2 Implementation ...... 9 2 Background ...... 10 2.1 Location and planning area...... 10 2.2 Regional context...... 10 2.3 Significance of the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves...... 17 2.3.1 Natural values...... 17 2.3.1.1 Geology...... 17 2.3.1.2 Catchment...... 17 2.3.1.3 Flora...... 18 2.3.1.4 Fauna...... 20 2.3.2 Landscape values...... 21 2.3.3 Cultural heritage values...... 22 2.3.4 Recreation values...... 23 2.3.5 Scientific and educational values...... 23 2.4 Climate change ...... 23 3 Management purposes and principles...... 25 3.1 Legislative and policy framework ...... 25 3.1.1 Gold Coast Open Space Preservation Levy acquisition program...... 25 3.1.2 Gold Coast Planning Scheme and other GCCC policies and guidelines...... 25 3.1.3 Strategies for South East Queensland ...... 27 3.1.4 Other relevant legislation...... 27 3.2 Specific management objectives for Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves ...... 28 4 Management strategies for the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves ...... 30 4.1 Landscape protection...... 30 4.1.1 Current management situation ...... 30 4.1.2 Desired outcomes...... 30 4.1.3 Management strategy...... 31 4.1.3.1 Guidelines ...... 31 4.1.3.2 Actions ...... 31 4.1.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 32 4.2 Catchment protection ...... 32 4.2.1 Current management situation ...... 32 4.2.2 Desired outcomes...... 33 4.2.3 Management strategy...... 33 4.2.3.1 Guidelines ...... 33 4.2.3.2 Actions ...... 34 4.2.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 34 4.3 Native vegetation...... 34 4.3.1 Current management situation ...... 34 4.3.2 Desired outcomes...... 36 4.3.3 Management strategy...... 36 4.3.3.1 Guidelines ...... 36 4.3.3.2 Actions ...... 37 4.3.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 38 4.4 Native animals...... 38 4.4.1 Current management situation ...... 38 4.4.2 Desired outcomes...... 40
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4.4.3 Management strategy...... 40 4.4.3.1 Guidelines ...... 40 4.4.3.2 Actions ...... 40 4.4.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 42 4.5 Bushfire ...... 42 4.5.1 Current management situation ...... 42 4.5.2 Desired outcomes...... 47 4.5.3 Management strategy...... 47 4.5.3.1 Guidelines ...... 47 4.5.3.2 Actions ...... 49 4.5.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 50 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration...... 50 4.6.1 Current management situation ...... 50 4.6.2 Desired outcomes...... 52 4.6.3 Management strategy...... 52 4.6.3.1 Guidelines ...... 52 4.6.3.2 Actions ...... 53 4.6.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 55 4.7 Pest animals...... 55 4.7.1 Current management situation ...... 55 4.7.2 Desired outcomes...... 57 4.7.3 Management strategy...... 57 4.7.3.1 Guidelines ...... 57 4.7.3.2 Actions ...... 58 4.7.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 59 4.8 Aboriginal cultural heritage...... 59 4.8.1 Current management situation ...... 59 4.8.2 Desired outcomes...... 60 4.8.3 Management strategy...... 60 4.8.3.1 Guidelines ...... 60 4.8.3.2 Actions ...... 60 4.8.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 61 4.9 European cultural heritage ...... 61 4.9.1 Current management situation ...... 61 4.9.2 Desired outcomes...... 61 4.9.3 Management strategy...... 62 4.9.3.1 Guidelines ...... 62 4.9.3.2 Actions ...... 62 4.9.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 62 4.10 Recreation opportunities ...... 62 4.10.1 Current management situation ...... 62 4.10.1.1 Bushwalking...... 63 4.10.1.2 Day use...... 69 4.10.1.3 Horse riding...... 71 4.10.1.4 Mountain biking...... 72 4.10.1.5 Nature observation...... 73 4.10.1.6 Other nature-based activities ...... 73 4.10.2 Desired outcomes...... 73 4.10.3 Management strategy...... 74 4.10.3.1 Guidelines ...... 74 4.10.3.2 Actions ...... 75 4.10.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 76 4.11 Built infrastructure ...... 77 4.11.1 Current management situation ...... 77 4.11.2 Desired outcomes...... 78 4.11.3 Management strategy...... 78 4.11.3.1 Guidelines ...... 78 4.11.3.2 Actions ...... 79
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4.11.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 79 4.12 Access...... 79 4.12.1 Current management situation ...... 79 4.12.2 Desired outcomes...... 80 4.12.3 Management strategy...... 82 4.12.3.1 Guidelines ...... 82 4.12.3.2 Actions ...... 82 4.12.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 83 4.13 Leased areas...... 83 4.13.1 Current management situation ...... 83 4.13.2 Desired outcomes...... 83 4.13.3 Management strategy...... 83 4.13.3.1 Guidelines ...... 83 4.13.3.2 Actions ...... 84 4.13.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 84 4.14 Community involvement, education and interpretation ...... 84 4.14.1 Current management situation ...... 84 4.14.2 Desired outcomes...... 85 4.14.3 Management strategy...... 85 4.14.3.1 Guidelines ...... 85 4.14.3.2 Actions ...... 85 4.14.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 86 4.15 Research and monitoring ...... 87 4.15.1 Current management situation ...... 87 4.15.2 Desired outcomes...... 88 4.15.3 Management strategy...... 88 4.15.3.1 Guidelines ...... 88 4.15.3.2 Actions ...... 89 4.15.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 90 4.16 Consolidation of estate and management of isolated reserves...... 90 4.16.1 Current management situation ...... 90 4.16.2 Desired outcomes...... 91 4.16.3 Management strategy...... 92 4.16.3.1 Guidelines ...... 92 4.16.3.2 Actions ...... 92 4.16.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 92 4.17 Coordinated reserve management...... 93 4.17.1 Current management situation ...... 93 4.17.2 Desired outcomes...... 93 4.17.3 Management strategy...... 94 4.17.3.1 Guidelines ...... 94 4.17.3.2 Actions ...... 94 4.17.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 94 4.18 Naming of reserves within the planning area ...... 94 4.18.1 Current management situation ...... 94 4.18.2 Desired outcomes...... 95 4.18.3 Management strategy...... 95 4.18.3.1 Guidelines ...... 95 4.18.3.2 Actions ...... 95 4.18.4 Key monitoring priorities ...... 96 5 Summary of management priorities and timeframes ...... 97 6 References...... 107
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Executive summary
This management plan provides the strategic framework that governs the development and delivery of all management programs and actions affecting the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves (the planning area). It will be effective from 2009-2019.
The Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves contain 24 Council owned and managed conservation reserves covering a total of approximately 1188 hectares. The planning area is located within the Coomera River and Nerang River catchments, protecting parts of Clagiraba Creek and numerous upland, coastal and lowland tributaries of the Coomera and Nerang Rivers.
The planning area is situated within the Canungra to Coombabah habitat corridor, and also links Mount Tamborine and Springbrook. It makes a significant contribution to preserving the native biodiversity of the region – it protects important vegetation associations and plant species, provides habitat for a range of resident and migratory fauna, and is important for local species requiring large expanses of continuous, intact habitat.
Flora surveys have identified fifteen Regional Ecosystems (REs) within the planning area, including one Endangered and two Of Concern REs. Within these communities, a total of 549 plant species have been recorded, including 13 threatened species under State or Commonwealth legislation and 40 listed as regionally significant for the Gold Coast. Species of considerable significance identified within the planning area include Native Jasmine (Jasminum jenniae), Shiny Plectranthus (Plectranthus nitidus) and Tamborine Sandfly Bush (Zieria collina).
Fauna surveys have revealed the presence of 257 species, including twenty species listed as threatened under State or Commonwealth legislation. Examples of species of particular importance for the planning area include Cascade Tree Frog (Litoria pearsoniana), Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia).
The planning area’s position in the landscape makes an important contribution to the green backdrop of the City, with many reserves having a high scenic amenity rating. Similarly, views from some reserves across the Gold Coast are extensive. Additionally, cultural heritage is also an important element within the planning area, owing to past Aboriginal and European utilisation of the area. The region was important for Aboriginal ceremonies, habitation and migration. Additionally, post European colonisation, the area became well known for logging, dairying and banana farming.
Recreation opportunities within the planning area currently include day use, walking, horse riding and mountain biking. These opportunities will be expanded upon through the construction of new recreational trails and the installation of new recreational infrastructure and embellishments, such as lookout facilities and new or improved day use areas. In association with recreation facilities, resources to interpret the planning area’s natural and cultural values will be developed to enhance visitor experiences and foster a greater appreciation of the area’s intrinsic values and role in the broader context of conservation. Furthermore, the planning area’s proximity to Nerang National Park and Nerang Conservation Park, the Hinze Dam Catchment Area, and an encroaching urban interface, in addition to its considerable diversity of flora, fauna and ecosystems, provides many opportunities for scientific research and education.
The Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves will be managed to conserve their natural landscape integrity and scenic, environmental and cultural heritage values, while providing opportunities for sustainable nature-based public use. Management will aim to preserve the remarkable natural values of the reserves and will be based upon sound scientific information and monitoring of ecosystem condition.
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Acronyms used in this management plan
AS: Australian Standard
CA: Conservation Area
CSIRO: Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation
DECC: NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change.
DEH: Australian Department of Environment and Heritage (now the Australian Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts)
DMR: Queensland Department of Main Roads
DERM: Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management
EPA: Queensland Environmental Protection Agency
EPBC Act: Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999
GCCC: Gold Coast City Council
IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
LP Act: Queensland Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
NC Act: Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992
NCS: Gold Coast Nature Conservation Strategy 2009-2019
NCWR: Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006
OSPL: Open Space Preservation Levy
PIP: Priority Infrastructure Plan
QFRS: Queensland Fire and Rescue Service
QPWS: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
RE: Regional Ecosystem
RIRA: Riparian and In-stream Rapid Assessment
SEQ Catchments: South East Queensland Catchment
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1 Introduction
1.1 Management vision
Council’s vision is for a healthy, robust and sustainable reserve network to safeguard ecological processes, biodiversity, ecosystem services, cultural values and recreational amenity for the community in perpetuity.
1.2 Plan development and implementation
1.2.1 Methodology and overview
This management plan is the strategic framework that governs the development and delivery of all management programs and actions affecting reserves of the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves (the planning area) listed in Table 1. It outlines all future management activities and uses (whether temporary or permanent) to be permitted within the planning area (subject to legislative and planning scheme approvals). Where other uses, activities and/or an increase in the scale of a permitted use are proposed subsequent to this plan, they will require full review and assessment. If the review deems that the proposal will likely result in substantive variation to current management strategies, a formal amendment to the management plan will be required, including public consultation and adoption of the amended plan by Council. Generally uses, activities and increases in scale which are not in accordance with the specific management objectives for the planning area (Section 3.3), or the management strategies given in Chapter 4, will not be supported unless an environmental benefit is demonstrated and the proposal will lead to an increase in the community's understanding and appreciation of the environment.
A process of site assessment, stakeholder consultation and literature review has been used to evaluate existing issues and values within the planning area (Sections 1 and 2) and guide the development of broad management principles, goals and objectives (Section 3). Underpinning these objectives is a legislative and policy framework (Section 3) that draws upon relevant State and Federal legislation and guidelines, in addition to relevant Council strategies, policies and corporate objectives.
Chapter 4 is subdivided into 18 broad themes relating to the management of values (e.g. flora, fauna, heritage), issues (e.g. fire, pest species, access) and opportunities (e.g. restoration, recreation, education and research) within the planning area. For each theme the current management situation is presented, including existing management initiatives, management needs and threats. A detailed management strategy for each theme is presented, based on a broad management objective for that theme, desired outcomes to fulfil the management objective, and a series of specific actions and guidelines to achieve each desired outcome. Management guidelines (standard directions) and actions (key operations) are intended to be sufficiently robust to facilitate sustainable natural resource management over the long term, whilst incorporating enough flexibility to adapt management to meet changing operational demands and advances in scientific understanding as required. A summary of key monitoring priorities is provided below each management strategy to guide resourcing of monitoring programs, subject to funding availability.
Chapter 5 provides a prioritised summary of management timeframes for each of the actions listed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 is intended to function as a stand-alone work plan for Council and lists actions reserve by reserve to facilitate easy incorporation into work programs.
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1.2.2 Implementation
Council will undertake day-to-day management of the planning area and will coordinate the implementation of this management plan. Management actions detailed in this plan will be undertaken within the annual works program, subject to the availability of funding, staff and regional priorities.
The effective maintenance and management of the planning area depends on a regular and reliable input of resources for ongoing management requirements and to fund new capital works programs. As operational works programs are developed in more detail and exact resource requirements are identified, these projects can be resourced accordingly.
Contractors and Council officers from a number of Units and Branches will be responsible for the implementation of some management actions. It is important that all staff working within the planning area are familiar with the parts of this plan that are relevant to their responsibilities in regards to working within sensitive natural areas.
For effective delivery of this management plan, it is important that Council officers, councillors and contractors consult regularly to ensure consistency with management objectives and strategies. Community endorsement is also critical in the effective implementation of this plan and public stakeholder input has been, and continues to be, an important part of plan development. In addition to responding to existing public concerns, the plan provides guidelines to facilitate future public involvement and support.
This management plan applies to land currently protected within the Lower Beechmont- Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves and to any future additions to the planning area. Where management strategies or works are proposed for any future additions that are not consistent with this plan, an amendment to the plan will be required.
A review of this management plan will be undertaken by Council within ten years from the date of approval.
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2 Background
2.1 Location and planning area
The planning area is located in the central western region of the Gold Coast, encompassing Lower Beechmont, Mount Nathan, Clagiraba, and parts of Maudsland, Nerang and Advancetown (Figure 1). Neighbouring management clusters of conservation reserves include Tamborine-Guanaba, Maudsland-Pacific Pines, and Coombabah Creek-Parkwood to the north, Nerang-Merrimac and Mudgeeraba-Hinze Dam to the east, and Springbrook- Numinbah to the south. The western boundary of the planning area extends to the edge of the city, bordering Beaudesert Shire Council.
The reserves of the planning area are distributed across a varied landscape characterised by valleys, rural and semi-rural foothills, and vegetated ridgelines. From the undulating foothills of Maudsland, it extends over the ridge-tops of Mount Nathan, through the Clagiraba valley to the northern extent of the Beechmont plateau. It reaches a maximum elevation of 550m, and many of the reserves are visually prominent from the city and coastal lowlands. Several locations offer expansive views towards the Pacific Ocean, with some also providing vistas north to Mount Tamborine and west to Canungra. Additionally, two major waterways traverse the planning area – the Coomera River and Clagiraba Creek.
The Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves contain 24 Council owned and managed conservation reserves covering a total of approximately 1188 hectares (Table 1). It is comprised of 528.74ha purchased under Council’s Open Space Preservation Levy (OSPL) Acquisition Program, 645.61ha of land that Council holds as trustee on behalf of the State, and a further 13.78ha of Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) freehold land. Prominent reserves within the planning area include the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Freeman Family Park (133.5ha) and Mount Nathan Reserve (221.1ha).
2.2 Regional context
The planning area is located a region of the city dominated by semi-rural and public open space land uses. In addition to the predominance of park living allotments and State and Council owned conservation lands, there are also scattered incidences of agriculture, grazing, aquaculture, Commonwealth Department of Defence training land, and urban residential development.
The planning area is comprised of a system of parks and reserves which contribute to one of the most important and consolidated wildlife corridors in the city – a State bioregional corridor extending from Canungra east to Nerang National Park, and ultimately connecting to the coast via Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area. It also plays a significant role in linking the reserves of Mount Tamborine to Hinze Dam and Springbrook, and for the migration of wildlife to Lamington National Park.
The planning area is located in the Gold Coast Local Government Area, a region which is currently experiencing one of the fastest growing populations in Australia. As a result, in recent years, increased residential development has occurred along the ridgeline of Freemans Road. In addition to this, many thousands of visitors travel through the planning area on their way to hinterland destinations such as Binna Burra and O’Reilleys within Lamington National Park. The planning area is situated within the Guanaba-Currumbin Valley Statistical Local Area (SLA) – the population of which is expected to double to approximately 65 000 people by the year 2021. It is anticipated that numbers of residents and tourists to the planning area will increase correspondingly with this predicted future population growth for the broader SLA.
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Figure 1. Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
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Table 1. Summary of reserves within the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Area Park Name Lot and Plan Domain Tenure Location, Brief Description and Access (hectares) Burley Griffin Drive 1.87 901SP149377 Park Living Queensland Vegetated reserve west of Nerang National Reserve Government: Park in Maudsland. Access from Nabberu GCCC as trustee Street and road reserve at the end of Cargellico Street. Cargellico Street Reserve 3.89 905SP15884 Park Living Queensland Vegetated reserve with pedestrian access Government: west of Nerang National Park in Maudsland. GCCC as trustee Access from Cargellico Street and Maudsland Road. Clagiraba Reserve 45.56 999RP899039 Public Open Space Queensland Vegetated reserve located upslope on the Government: northern side of the Clagiraba Valley, GCCC as trustee containing informal trails historically used for mountain biking. Access from Clagiraba Road. Cliff Bird Park 3.28 130WD2324 Public Open Space Queensland Mostly vegetated reserve adjoining the rural Government: alluvial plains of the Coomera River at GCCC as trustee Maudsland. Contains a small recreational area embellished with a tennis court, picnic tables, public toilets and a bin. Access from Maudsland Road. Coolbunbin Creek Reserve 4.49 500SP128369 Public Open Space Queensland Vegetated reserve adjacent to Nerang Government: Conservation Park in the foothills of GCCC as trustee Clagiraba. Access from Clagiraba Road. Darren Smith Reserve 2.02 164WD4527 Public Open Space Queensland Partially vegetated reserve with large cleared Government: area in the centre. Located at Lower GCCC as trustee Beechmont in close proximity to Freeman Family Park and the Canungra Land Warfare Centre. Access from Freemans Road. Darwalla Road Reserve 6.49 900SP151174 Park Living Queensland Mostly cleared reserve opposite Mountain 903SP171951 Government: View Reserve with partially vegetated riparian GCCC as trustee corridor, pedestrian access, a picnic shelter, seating, and an equestrian area. Access from Nerang-Beaudesert Road and Nathanvale Drive. Elimbah Court Reserve 52.12 133WD948 Rural GCCC freehold Vegetated reserve adjoining the Hinze Dam (purchased under Catchment area towards the northern end of OSPL) the Beechmont Plateau. Access from Lower Beechmont School Road.
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Area Park Name Lot and Plan Domain Tenure Location, Brief Description and Access (hectares) Faust Family Park 4.06 7CP897727 Public Open Space Queensland Isolated and partially vegetated reserve with 44CP897727 Government: large cleared area in the centre. Located in GCCC as trustee the foothills of Nerang and accessible from Nerang Murwillumbah Road Freeman Family Park 133.5 3RP862086 Public Open Space Queensland Vegetated reserve located downslope and to Government: the east of the Lower Beechmont plateau. GCCC as trustee Access from Freemans Road and Hellfire Pass. Hughes Court Drainage 3.96 902SP153834 Park Living Queensland Riparian corridor reserve in Maudsland Reserve Government: providing formal pedestrian access. Access GCCC as trustee from Howard Hughes Court and Fred Astaire Avenue. John Wayne Close 12.93 900SP153834 Park Living Queensland Riparian corridor and recreation park in Drainage Reserve 907SP170063 Government: Maudsland with artificial waterbody, formal GCCC as trustee pedestrian access, seating and an easement. Access from John Wayne Close, Tuxedo Junction Drive, Ginger Rogers Road and Capone Court. Lakeview Downs Parklands 7.5 902SP145048 Park Living Queensland Mostly vegetated reserve with artificial 900SP149377 Government: waterbody and some recreational facilities, 909SP158889 GCCC as trustee including: pedestrian/ maintenance trails, picnic shelter and table, barbeque, playground and seating. Located in Maudsland with connectivity to Nerang National Park, and access from Burley Griffin Drive. Little Beechmont Road 3.11 166WD4287 Public Open Space Queensland Vegetated reserve, sloping east and located Reserve Government: at the northern end of Beechmont Plateau, GCCC as trustee proximate to Elimbah Court Reserve and west of the Hinze Dam Catchment Area. Access from Beechmont Road. Little Clagiraba Reserve 9.08 141CP899885 Public Open Space Queensland Predominantly mown park in a meander of Government: Clagiraba Creek, located in between Lower GCCC as trustee Beechmont CA and Mount Nathan Reserve. Contains a maintenance track, playground equipment and a small parking area by the creek.
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Area Park Name Lot and Plan Domain Tenure Location, Brief Description and Access (hectares) Lookout Place Reserve 1.85 904SP171951 Park Living Queensland Partially vegetated reserve opposite Mountain Government: View Reserve with a riparian corridor running GCCC as trustee through the centre of the site, pedestrian access and seating. Access from Mountain View Crest and Nathanvale Drive. Lower Beechmont 618.5 9RP28688 Public Open Space GCCC freehold Mostly vegetated Conservation Area Conservation Area 10RP28688 (purchased under generally sloping eastward from the Lower 11RP28688 OSPL)/GCCC Beechmont plateau into the Clagiraba Valley. 4RP48497 freehold/ Protects the upper reaches of Clagiraba 5RP48497 Queensland Creek and contains existing management 6RP48497 Government: trails, ranger accommodation, and an 12RP48967 GCCC as trustee easement. Access from Beechmont Road, 4RP119768 Freemans Road, Bellis Road, Barcoo Court, 24RP862086 Witheren Road and Glen Circuit. 80RP911507 81RP911507 82RP911507 83RP911507 86RP911507 88RP911507 89RP911506 1WD762 2WD762 3RP862086 25RP862086 26RP862086 27RP862086 28RP862086 900RP863860 900RP863861 901RP863861 85RP886124
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Area Park Name Lot and Plan Domain Tenure Location, Brief Description and Access (hectares) Mirani Street Reserve 1.61 600WD4569 Public Open Space Queensland Mostly vegetated reserve with cleared area in Government: the south-east corner. Located towards the GCCC as trustee northern end of the Beechmont Plateau, opposite Elimbah Court Reserve and west of the Hinze Dam Catchment area. Access from Mirani Street and Lower Beechmont School Road. Mount Nathan Reserve 221.1 2SP127979 Public Open Space Queensland Vegetated, split reserve spanning the western 6RP847219 Government: side and southern end of the ridgeline GCCC as trustee through Mount Nathan. Contains existing management trails, with access from Beaudesert Nerang Road, Nathan Homestead Road, Thendara Drive, Mungindie Court and Glen Nathan Court. Mountain View Reserve 1.57 902SP191028 Park Living Queensland Riparian corridor and recreation park in Government: Mount Nathan, directly adjoining Pasture GCCC as trustee Park with formal pedestrian access and seating. Access from Nathanvale Drive and Mountain View Crest. Nerang National Park 10.77 903SP145048 Park Living/Rural Queensland Mostly vegetated linear reserve adjoining Access Park 906SP158884 Government: Nerang National Park and containing 907SP158884 GCCC as trustee pedestrian/maintenance trails and seating. 908SP158889 Access from Burley Griffin Drive, St Clair Court, Mulwala Street, Hazlett Street, Nabberu Street, and Cargellico Street. Nerang National Park 1.21 293WD4523 Public Open Space Queensland Vegetated reserve adjoining the lower Access Park Government: western boundary of Nerang National Park. GCCC as trustee Access from Mount Nathan Road.
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Area Park Name Lot and Plan Domain Tenure Location, Brief Description and Access (hectares) Oval Drive Parklands 30.59 102RP903978 Public Open Space/ GCCC freehold/ Vegetated, split reserves, including a riparian 105RP907007 Park Living Queensland corridor, located in Mount Nathan adjacent to 107RP910424 Government: Nerang National Park. Contains formal 980SP102587 GCCC as trustee pedestrian access and other recreational 982SP102588 facilities such as picnic tables, a picnic 985SP110558 shelter, barbeque, playground, seating, six 986SP110558 carpark bays, a bubbler and a tap. Access 987SP110558 from The Oval Drive, Lords Ave, Trent Bridge 988SP110558 Court, Kingsmead Court, Nathan Valley 989SP110558 Road, and Beaudesert Nerang Road. 985SP124598 986SP124598 Parkway Drive Reserve 14.05 460WD5570 Public Open Space Queensland Vegetated reserve located east and Government: downslope of Lower Beechmont GCCC as trustee Conservation Area, in the uplands of Advancetown. Access from Parkway Drive and Beechmont Road. Parma Court Reserve 3.99 541WD4226 Public Open Space Queensland Mostly vegetated, split reserve. Located in Government: the foothills of Mount Nathan. Access from GCCC as trustee Parma Court and an unnamed road reserve off Clagiraba Road. Pasture Park 1.73 901SP149995 Park Living Queensland Vegetated riparian corridor in Mount Nathan, Government: directly adjoining Mountain View Reserve GCCC as trustee with formal pedestrian access. Access from Pasture Place, Nathanvale Drive, and an unnamed road running off Mount Nathan Road. Scenic Reserve 4.81 2CP856900 Public Open Space GCCC freehold/ Vegetated, split reserve located in a scenic 21CP900729 Queensland vantage point, south-east of Freeman Family 1RP187901 Government: Park in the hills of Clagiraba. Access from GCCC as trustee Bottletree Lane. Venn Court Reserve 1.12 16SP149975 Park Living Queensland Mostly vegetated riparian corridor. Located in Government: the lowlands of Mount Nathan. Access from GCCC as trustee Venn Court.
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2.3 Significance of the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves
2.3.1 Natural values
2.3.1.1 Geology
The planning area extends from the northern extremity of the Beechmont Range, north to the lower and flatter terrain of Maudsland. Overall the landform can be described as ranging from steep to moderately steep hill slopes, through to alluvial flats, rising from an elevation of 100 metres to a maximum of approximately 545 metres at its highest point.
The majority of the planning area is characterised by an underlying geology of Neranleigh- Fernvale metasediments. This is the predominant geological unit throughout the central area of Gold Coast City. The Neranleigh-Fernvale Beds are metamorphosed sedimentary rocks derived from ancient marine sediments that were subjected to large scale compression, folding and uplift approximately 300 million years ago. They consist of steeply graded sedimentary rocks and interbedded volcanic rocks. The composition of the underlying parent material varies with location, and may incorporate arenite, mudstone, shale, chert, jasper, basic metavolcanics, pillow lava and conglomerate. The corresponding soil association for this geology is comprised of Red, Brown, Yellow and Grey Kurosols (associated with hard rock areas), Red Ferrosols (related to the presence of volcanic rock layers or chert) and Tenosols (associated with some volcanic rock formations and resistant quartzitic rocks).
Limited incidences of interbedded volcanic rocks have also been recorded within several reserves at higher altitudes in the southern portion of the planning area (associated with the Beechmont Plateau). The Lamington Group and Chillingham Volcanics present are associated with volcanic eruptions from the Tweed Volcano in northern New South Wales approximately 23 million years ago. These formations consist predominantly of basalt; however Chillingham Volcanics also contain rhyolite, tuff and shale. Soils associated with this parent material includes Red and Brown Ferrosols, Black Vertosols (related to the presence of weathered basalt), Dermosols, Red and Brown Kurosols, and Brown Kandosols.
The geology of some of the lower slopes and creek lines of the planning area consists of fluvial deposits. These are weathered parent material and soils that have generally been transported via waterways (alluvial) and/or gravity (colluvial) and deposited downstream of their origin. These formations within the planning area may be comprised of clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobbles, and flood plain alluvium. Soil associated with these fluvial deposits consists of Brown and Yellow Kandosols, Brown and Grey Dermosols, Yellow Kurosols, Rudosols, Hydrosols (associated with topographically low areas), Black Vertosols, and Grey Solosols (often occurring in areas with high levels of sodium).
2.3.1.2 Catchment
The majority of the planning area is located within the Coomera River catchment, where it is further subdivided between the Mount Nathan-Clagiraba and Maudsland sub-catchments. The remainder falls within the Nerang River Catchment, and is divided between the Advancetown, Nerang River, and Crane Creek sub-catchments.
Riparian vegetation within the planning area varies between large tracts of uncleared remnant vegetation and regrowth to cleared riverbanks (WBM 2005). The upper catchment values of the Advancetown sub-catchment have been identified as being relatively good, owing to vegetation retention within riparian zones (Parsons Brinckerhoff 2006).
Values associated with mid-catchment areas (i.e. Mount Nathan-Clagiraba, Maudsland, Nerang River and Crane Creek sub-catchments) have been identified as variable owing to a diversity of land uses and levels of vegetation cover (WBM 2005). The Mount Nathan-
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Clagiraba sub-catchment has retained a high level of vegetative cover, whilst the Maudsland, Nerang River, and Crane Creek sub-catchments display higher levels of disturbance as a result of grazing and agricultural uses (in the case of the former), and urban encroachment (in the case of the latter two) (WBM 2005, Parsons Brinckerhoff 2006).
The Coomera River traverses the north-western boundary of the planning area, whilst one of its major tributaries, Clagiraba Creek, extends north-west through the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area in the centre. Clagiraba Creek is the only named waterway within with the reserves of the planning area and varies between being characterised as a first and a second order stream (WBM 2005).
The planning area also protects the upper catchment values and mid-catchment alluvial flats of a number of upland, coastal and lowland streams which form tributaries of the Coomera and Nerang Rivers.
2.3.1.3 Flora
The Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves conserves a diverse assemblage of native flora characteristic of the hills and lowlands of the South East Queensland Bioregion. This includes representatives of various dry and wet Eucalypt open forest communities, vine forest, and gully rainforest. A total of 549 plant species, representing 358 genera and 110 families of vascular plants, have been recorded within the reserves of the planning area. Fifteen distinct Regional Ecosystem (RE) vegetation communities (EPA 2007) have been identified, one of which has been classified as Endangered (RE 12.3.1), with a further two as Of Concern (REs 12.3.2 and 12.3.11), under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999. Additionally, of these REs, five have low or very low representation within the city (Table 2).
Table 2. Vegetation types occurring within the Lower Beechmont–Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves. GCCC Vegetation Extent Regional Vegetation Description Vegetation Management Remaining Ecosystem Type1 Act Status2 in City 12.3.1 Rainforest on alluvium 20a Endangered Low (18%) Eucalyptus grandis tall open forest on 12.3.2 2b Of Concern Low (20%) alluvium (often with rainforest understorey) Eucalyptus tereticornis, Melaleuca viminalis, Adequate 12.3.7 20 Not of Concern Casuarina cunninghamiana fringing forest (36%) Eucalyptus microcorys-Eucalyptus Very Low 12.3.11 siderophloia-Eucalyptus tereticornis on 6/20a Of Concern (8%) alluvium Complex notophyll vine forest on Cainozoic 12.8.3 29b Not of Concern High (59%) igneous rocks
12.11.1 Gully rainforest on metasediments 29a Not of Concern High (61%) Eucalyptus grandis tall open forest on 12.11.2 metasediments (often with rainforest 2a Not of Concern High (61%) understorey) Eucalyptus siderophloia-E. propinqua open 12.11.3 1b Not of Concern High (63%) forest on metamorphics Lophostemon confertus-dominated open 12.11.3a forest on metasediments (often with 2 Not of Concern High (59%) rainforest understorey) Corymbia citriodora-Eucalyptus crebra 12.11.5 4 Not of Concern High (51%) woodland to open forest on metasediments Eucalyptus carnea-Eucalyptus tindaliae Adequate 12.11.5a 1 Not of Concern woodland to open forest on metasediments (43%)
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GCCC Vegetation Extent Regional Vegetation Description Vegetation Management Remaining Ecosystem Type1 Act Status2 in City Corymbia henryii-Eucalyptus carnea Adequate 12.11.5k 4d Not of Concern woodland to open forest on metasediments (45%) Notophyll vine forest ± Araucaria 12.11.10 29 Not of Concern Low (27%) cunninghamii on metamorphics Eucalyptus moluccana open forest on 12.11.18 7 Not of Concern Low (19%) metamorphics Eucalyptus siderophloia, E. propinqua, E. acmenoides open forest on near coastal 12.12.15 1c Not of Concern High (76%) hills on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks Non-remnant communities Regrowth shrubland (Acacia and rainforest Ac N/A N/A species) Rock face Ro N/A N/A Cultivated or pastoral grassland Gr N/A N/A Other cleared areas N/A N/A N/A 1 Gold Coast Nature Conservation Strategy 1998. 2 Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999.
At least 13 flora species listed as significant under State and Commonwealth legislation have been identified within the reserves of the planning area (Table 3). All of these are listed as threatened under the Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2004, with 7 also protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. A further 40 species within the area are regionally significant, identified as City Wide Significant flora within the Gold Coast City Nature Conservation Strategy 1998.
Habitat for significant species is provided within the wetter gullies, creek lines and rainforest communities of the planning area. Furthermore, some threatened species within these areas are of particular importance owing to their highly limited distribution e.g. Native Jasmine (Jasminum jenniae) and Shiny Plectranthus (Plectranthus nitidus) are only known from two other locations outside the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, whilst the two populations of Tamborine Sandfly Bush (Zieria collina) within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area are the only ones known to occur off the Tamborine Plateau.
Table 3. Significant plants known to occur in the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves. Scientific Name Common Name Status Argophyllum nullumense Silver Leaf Rare1 Baloghia marmorata Jointed Baloghia Vulnerable1,2 Callerya australis Blunt Wisteria Rare1 Cassia brewsteri var. marksiana Brush Cassia Rare1 Cryptocarya foetida Stinking Laurel Vulnerable1,2 Cupaniopsis newmanii Long-leaved Tuckeroo Rare1 Jasminum jenniae Native Jasmine Endangered1 Macadamia integrifolia Macadamia Nut Vulnerable1,2 Macadamia tetraphylla Four-leaf Macadamia Nut Vulnerable1,2 Pararistolochia pravenosa Richmond Birdwing Vine Rare1 Plectranthus nitidus Shiny Plectranthus Endangered1,2 Syzygium moorei Durobby Vulnerable1,2 Zieria collina Tamborine Sandfly Bush Vulnerable1,2 1 Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006. 2 Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The flora values of the planning area contribute significantly to the protection of biodiversity within the city owing to the fact that it conserves vegetation otherwise poorly represented either in the region (e.g. alluvial vegetation communities) or within protected areas (e.g. dry
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open forest communities). Furthermore, the area and configuration of the planning area serves to contribute to one of the most interrelated networks of conservation parks and reserves within the city.
At a regional scale, the planning area is an integral component of a broader mosaic of fragmented yet functional vegetated city-wide wildlife corridors. It contributes to one of the most important corridors within the city, extending from Canungra in the west (commencing at the Canungra Land Warfare Centre – one of the largest remaining intact Eucalypt forests in South East Queensland), through Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and proximate protected areas, to Nerang National Park at the north-eastern extremity of the planning area. This corridor eventually connects to the east coast through the Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area and a series of smaller urban reserves. This key linkage is identified as the Nerang Coombabah Corridor in Council’s Common Nature Conservation Classification System Nature Conservation Mapping Review and has been recognised as a corridor of State Significance within the city (GCCC 2005). The EPA has also acknowledged its importance, listing it as a Bioregional Corridor. This linkage also connects with the Darlington Range Bioregional Corridor to the west, and the State Significant Stradbroke-Moreton and Moreton Bay Island Corridors to the east.
At a more localised scale, the planning area contributes to an important wildlife movement corridor which links reserves and large patches of extant bushland from Mount Tamborine in the north, through to the Hinze Dam catchment area and Springbrook in the south. Small sections in the north-west of the planning area also form part of the Regionally Significant Coomera River Corridor (GCCC 2005). Continued protection of, and addition to, these corridors is particularly important in maintaining the health and viability of populations of resident and transient fauna within the planning area.
2.3.1.4 Fauna
The variety of Eucalypt forest and rainforest habitat types within the locality supports this diverse assemblage of local, nomadic and migratory fauna. A total of 257 species have been recorded within the reserves of the planning area and its surrounds. Of these, over 240 species represent terrestrial vertebrate fauna. Cumulative survey results have revealed the presence of 17 species of amphibian, 35 reptiles, 147 birds, 48 mammals, 8 fish and 1 crustacean.
Twenty species recorded from the planning area are listed as being of conservation significance under State and Commonwealth legislation (Table 4). This includes 1 Endangered, 5 Vulnerable and 4 Rare species listed under the Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006, and 1 Vulnerable, 1 Rare, 8 Migratory, and 9 Marine species listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Table 4. Fauna species of conservation significance recorded within the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Scientific Name Common Name Status AMPHIBIANS Adelotus brevis Tusked Frog Vulnerable1 Litoria pearsoniana Cascade Treefrog Endangered1 REPTILES Coeranoscincus reticulatus Three-toed Snake-tooth Skink Rare1,2 Hoplocephalus stephensii Stephen's Banded Snake Rare1 BIRDS Accipiter novaehollandiae Grey Goshawk Rare1 Anseranas semipalmata Magpie Goose Marine2 Migratory (W,M)2, Ardea alba Great Egret Marine2
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Scientific Name Common Name Status Migratory (W,M)2, Ardea ibis Cattle Egret Marine2 Calyptorhynchus lathami Glossy Black-Cockatoo Vulnerable1 Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle Migratory (T)2, Marine2 Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail Migratory (T)2, Marine2 Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater Migratory (T)2, Marine2 Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch Migratory (T)2, Marine2 Monarcha trivirgatus Spectacled Monarch Migratory (T)2, Marine2 Podargus ocellatus Marbled Frogmouth Vulnerable1 Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail Migratory (T)2, Marine2 Tyto tenebricosa Sooty Owl Rare1 MAMMALS Phascolarctos cinereus Koala Vulnerable1 Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox Vulnerable2 BUTTERFLIES Ornithoptera richmondia Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Vulnerable1 1 Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006. 2 Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Migratory (T) = Migratory terrestrial species; Migratory (W) = Migratory wetland species; Migratory (M) = Migratory marine species.
In addition to those species listed as threatened under State and Commonwealth legislation, a further two species identified within the planning area are classified under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 as being Special Least Concern Species – the Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and the Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).
A number of locally significant species have been recorded within the various habitats of the planning area. The presence of the Spotted Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma punctatum) and the Arcane Skink (Ctenotus arcanus) is considered important as these contribute to the few records for each of these species within the city (Searle 2005b). Additionally, records of the Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris) and the Hoary Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus nigrogriseus) are significant as they were identified in atypical habitat types (Searle 2005b).
Based on the habitat characteristics of the planning area, it has been predicted that a number of additional vertebrate fauna may also occur (Searle 2005b). Species not yet recorded that are considered likely to inhabit the area include: the Long-nosed Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus), Feathertail Gliders (Acrobates pygmaeus), Broad-footed Myotis (Myotis maropus), Golden-tipped Bat (Kerivoula papuensis), the Rare Saproscincus spectabilis.
The high abundance and diversity of fauna species within the planning area can be attributed to high levels of habitat availability, connectivity, diversity and structural complexity. Surveys have revealed that the various vegetation communities within the planning area provide viable and important habitat for both resident and migratory fauna (Searle 2005b). These habitat values are further enhanced by the presence of large numbers of mature hollow- bearing trees, in addition to numerous areas exhibiting undisturbed microhabitat, such as deep leaf litter, hollow logs and well-developed vegetative ground layers.
2.3.2 Landscape values
Several reserves in the planning area are prominent natural elements in the central hinterland area of the Gold Coast. Reserves such as Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Freeman Family Park, Mount Nathan Reserve, and Elimbah Court Reserve are visible from a number of key locations along the coast and serve to form an important green backdrop for the City.
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Gold Coast City Council scenic amenity mapping indicates that the Visual Exposure of the planning area ranges from Moderately Visible to Most Visible, with a large proportion of the planning area falling within the highest category of visibility (i.e. Most Visible). Most Visible areas are typically located at higher altitudes, and often along ridgelines. Less visible sites are generally associated with the more urban, low-lying sections of the planning area.
The Scenic Preference rating within the planning area ranges from slightly below Moderately Preferred, to slightly above Moderately Preferred. Those areas with a higher rating typically correlate with areas of higher visibility and are generally characterised by appealing natural features (such as a fully vegetated hilltop).
Overall Scenic Amenity ratings within the planning area range from Moderate to Very High, with the majority of sites having a High to Very High rating. These high ratings demonstrate the considerable role, in terms of contribution to community benefit, that the planning area plays within the Gold Coast landscape.
Panoramic views of the Gold Coast are accessible from the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Mount Nathan Reserve and Scenic Reserve. The Freemans Lookout Section of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area offers the most extensive views within the planning area, with unobstructed outlooks east to the coastal lowlands, north to Mount Tamborine and west to Canungra.
2.3.3 Cultural heritage values
The planning area falls within the Yugambeh language region which stretches from the Logan River at Beenleigh, west to Beaudesert and south to the Tweed River. The Yugambeh people are the traditional owners of this area and have had a connection to the land for over 24 000 years.
The planning area is believed to have been inhabited at least 6 500 years prior to European settlement (Longhurst 1992). The Wangerriburra, one of many Yugambeh family groups, were known from the region encompassing the Lamington Plateau, Beechmont, Mundoolun and Tabragalba. Along with the Kombumerri, they travelled across the mountains of the Beechmont Range during migrations to and from coastal and inland areas (Longhurst 1992).
Considerable evidence has been found to indicate that the planning area and its surrounds were historically important. Ceremonial sites have been identified at Nerang, Guanaba and Canungra, whilst Beechmont contains burial, habitation and food sites (Longhurst 1992).
European settlement of the planning area spanned between c1860-1890; areas closest to the Nerang township (which was first surveyed in 1865) were colonised earlier than those further west (Jones 1988; Longhurst 1992; Longhurst 1994). In these more western localities (e.g. the upper Nerang, Lower Beechmont), timber getters were often the only inhabitants during the 1860s and early 1970s, with Beechmont not settled until 1889 (Longhurst 1992; Longhurst 1994).
Timber getters and pastoralists were the first European land users in the broader Albert region (Jones 1988); this scenario was reflected in the planning area, where timber-getting was the main industry until the turn of the century (Longhurst 1994). During this period, the sugar industry was also profitable, with a sugar mill established in Nerang during the 1890s (Longhurst 1994). However, by approximately 1905, dairying was becoming the main industry in Nerang (Jones 1988; Longhurst 1994). Nearby areas such as Lower Beechmont followed the trend towards dairy, and along with Mount Nathan, became involved in banana growing (Longhurst 1992; Longhurst 1994).
Historically, uses of the planning area would have been mixed, ranging from grazing or dairying, logging, and banana growing. The Lower Beechmont Conservation Area has a long history of cattle grazing, and was also used for banana plantations. Remnants of these past
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land uses can still be observed, including a dam, old fence lines and a number of derelict banana sheds.
2.3.4 Recreation values
Existing recreation opportunities within the planning area include day use, walking, horse riding and mountain biking. These activities are scattered throughout the planning area, with more formalised opportunities occurring within reserves near urbanised areas in the north. Limited recreation is currently promoted within the central and southern sections of the planning area; however two recreation parks are present in this region which serve to increase the recreational capacity of the area. Little Clagiraba Reserve and Syd Duncan Park both provide easily accessible day use areas in association with natural features (Clagiraba Creek and a lookout across Hinze Dam and Springbrook respectively) and are in close proximity to Lower Beechmont CA. Furthermore, Nerang National Park and Nerang Conservation Park are two State-managed conservation reserves which cater for recreational use (i.e. bushwalking, horse riding, and mountain biking) immediately adjoining some of the reserves of the planning area.
2.3.5 Scientific and educational values
The planning area’s proximity to the Nerang National Park and Nerang Conservation Park, the Hinze Dam Catchment Area, and an encroaching urban interface, in addition to its considerable diversity of flora and fauna and range of ecosystems, provides many opportunities for scientific research and education.
Current research underway in the planning area includes regular bird surveys conducted by Council’s strategic environmental planning officers. This is an ongoing project with data collected approximately once every three months. In addition to this, the opportunity exists to develop new research and education projects based on values, threats and management actions within the planning area. However, because of the accessibility and high ecological values associated with the reserves, adoption of both an adaptive and cautious management regime will be required.
2.4 Climate change
Current observations of global air and ocean temperatures, changing sea levels and melting snow and ice indicate a warming of the global climate system (IPCC 2007), with a warming of approximately 0.8 – 1.3 C recorded in Northern NSW since 1950 (CSIRO 2007). The Australian Government now includes loss of climatic habitat caused by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases as a key threatening process (DEH 2004).
Specific impacts of the changing climate are difficult to predict, with simulated climate futures varying considerably in their predictions of variables such as rainfall, wind speeds, relative humidity and storm activity etcetera (Bushfire CRC, 2006). However, regional changes to climate are likely to have significant impacts on species biodiversity, including changes in species distributions as some species are no longer able to survive in a particular area and others become more competitive and begin to colonise (CSIRO 2007). At particular risk are species that occupy a narrow altitudinal or latitudinal distribution that is unlikely to retain the required temperature envelope for that species under a changing climate (Westoby and Burgman 2006). Even for those species physiologically able to cope with a change in temperature, threats may arise from the cumulative effects of multiple stresses including coping with competitors and diseases previously confined to warmer zones (DECC NSW 2008), changed disturbance regimes, loss of critical habitat or changes to physiological and biological processes due to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (Pittock 2003, Howden et al. 2001).
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Conservation planning under climate change needs to be wide-scale as there are limits to what can be achieved at a reserve, or even a regional scale (Hughes and Westoby 1994). Management attempts to retain species in their present location are dependent on those species being able to tolerate changing temperatures and associated stresses including competition and disease. Translocation of threatened species to a more suitable temperature envelope requires alignment of numerous other factors, including soils, rainfall, disturbance regimes, competition and co-dependant species. Therefore the option of attempting to halt global carbon emissions and prevent further warming is likely to be critical (Westoby and Burgman 2006).
However, climate change is, to a large extent, an exacerbator of other threats to biodiversity and management options that can be adopted at the reserve scale to mitigate these threats may in turn maximise the capacity of species and ecosystems to adapt to changing climates (DECC NSW 2008, NRMMC 2004). Relevant management options are provided in Section 4 of this plan and include specific actions and guidelines to assist in building resilience into natural systems through reducing existing threats to biodiversity, ongoing development of an adequate, representative and well connected protected area network, monitoring and research into the impacts of climate change and adaptation options for threatened species and ecosystems and adapting management systems to incorporate climate change information and associated management tools.
Council’s Climate Change Strategy (GCCC 2009b) has been developed to provide a comprehensive approach to climate change on the Gold Coast. The dynamic nature of the Gold Coast, with around 55 kilometres of coastline, over 260 kilometres of navigable waterways and a historic and anticipated high population growth rate, makes its exposure to climate change particularly unique. The main focus of the Climate Change Strategy is to provide Council and the community with a well-defined direction for responding to climate change risks and challenges and to develop resilience to future impacts. The Climate Change Strategy adopts two broad treatment options to address the risks of climate change: mitigation of the impacts of climate change through reducing the city’s carbon footprint and addition to adaptations to changing circumstances in response to anticipated climate change.
A comprehensive risk response matrix has been developed to identify and prioritise how Council will address climate change risks including bushfire, drought, extreme weather events and impacts on biodiversity. Additionally, Council’s Climate Change Strategy allows provision for Council’s functions and services to be continually informed by a contemporary understanding of climate change, resulting in ongoing adaptive risk-based management responses. The strategy will be reviewed annually to ensure it is consistent with the most recent and relevant information, science and response methodology available.
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3 Management purposes and principles
3.1 Legislative and policy framework
3.1.1 Gold Coast Open Space Preservation Levy acquisition program
The OSPL acquisition program contributes to achieving the core objectives of the Gold Coast City Nature Conservation Strategy (GCCC, 1998) by securing the protection of areas of high conservation value in public ownership. One of the major aims of the Acquisition Program is to consolidate and expand the City’s existing protected area network and assist Council in fulfilling the intent of the ‘Conservation Strategy Plan’ contained within the Nature Conservation Strategy (NCS).
Approximately 45% (528.74ha) of the planning area comprises land purchased under the OSPL for the primary purpose of nature conservation. The direction of management for the planning area reflects the overarching principle established in the Management Guidelines for sites acquired with the Open Space Preservation Levy (Phase 1 and 2 Acquisition Programs), which indicates that sites purchased with funds derived from the OSPL must: have been acquired primarily for nature conservation, be managed to preserve their significant ecological values, and be used in such a way as not to negatively impact upon those values (GCCC 2004). These guidelines describe the actions required for the short-term management of the sites and recommendations for longer term management. Many of the actions or strategies initiated as an Immediate Action via the guidelines are recommended to continue as actions contained in this management plan.
3.1.2 Gold Coast Planning Scheme and other GCCC policies and guidelines
The planning area falls within the Guanaba-Currumbin Valley Statistical Local Area (SLA), which covers the south- and central-western region of the city. Population estimates associated with the Gold Coast Planning Scheme’s Priority Infrastructure Plan indicate that the population of this SLA is expected to double to approximately 65 000 people in 2021 (based on 2004 figures). It is anticipated that this population influx will correspondingly result in increasing impacts and demands on the reserves of the planning area.
The Gold Coast Planning Scheme designates the majority of planning area reserves within the Public Open Space Domain. The intent of this domain is to provide protection of land in public ownership for contribution to a viable city-wide conservation network, conservation of biodiversity, maintenance of ecological values and functions, rehabilitation of degraded habitat and protection of landscape features, in addition to provision of a range of recreational facilities throughout the city and provision of limited community services and facilities. It is intended that all land within the domain will be subject to a development concept plan or an integrated management plan which will guide future development and regulate proposed activities to protect the management intent. Currently the Public Open Space Domain provides the highest level of conservation protection to conservation lands under Council’s Planning Scheme.
A small component of the planning area is located within the Rural Domain of the Gold Coast Planning Scheme. The purpose of this domain is to support a wide range of rural activities and legitimate rural economic activity within suitable hinterland areas, whilst protecting the land’s nature conservation, open space and landscape interest values. Preservation of landscape character, important topographical features, wildlife and wildlife habitats are identified as key objectives.
A similarly small area is designated within the Park Living Domain of the Gold Coast Planning Scheme. The intent of this domain is to provide low-density residential opportunities within a semi-rural landscape, which serves as a transition between more urban and rural
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areas, whilst maintaining and enhancing a parkland living environment. Amongst the key objectives for the domain are to preserve landscape character and important topographical features, and to conserve nature conservation values and wildlife habitat.
Overlay Map 20 of the Gold Coast Planning Scheme, and the Conservation Strategy Plan of the Gold Coast City Nature Conservation Strategy 1998, designates the majority of the planning area within a Large Habitat System. Large Habitat Systems cover extensive areas of relatively intact habitat and provide the highest level of protection available. Conservation objectives in Large Habitat Systems are of primary importance, with function and integrity protected through the retention of large intact areas. Within these areas, management should prioritise the minimisation of fragmentation, and the maintenance and protection of values within existing reserves.
A small proportion of the east of the planning area is located within Foothill Buffers (as identified on Overlay Map 20). Foothill Buffers provide a buffer function at the interface of Large Habitat Systems and existing or proposed rural residential development. Management of these areas should prioritise the conservation and retention of existing vegetation, the rehabilitation of degraded areas, and the protection of values within existing reserves.
Some reserves within the planning area contain Significant Remnants (as shown on Overlay Map 20), which vary across the landscape in size and connectivity. These areas are identified as contributing to the ecosystem and species diversity of the city. Management should aim to retain and enhance these areas, minimise fragmentation and habitat loss, and protect values within existing reserves.
Planning Strategy Map 11 of the Gold Coast Planning Scheme indicates that some western sections of the planning area comprise part of a Major Ridgeline, which along with associated foothills, contribute to the ‘green’ of the city. The management intent for these features is that they remain predominantly undeveloped and well vegetated – to protect the notion of the ‘green behind the gold’ – with continued retention of clear and distinct interfaces. Similarly, Planning Strategy Map 12 indicates that these western areas contribute to Major Views from the hinterland ridges to the coastline and high rise spine of the city. These views encompass a broad viewing area and have been identified as strongly contributing to the city’s character and visual identity, having local and regional significance. Management should aim to ensure that these landmark viewpoints are not compromised.
Planning Strategy Map 13 further highlights the visual significance of the planning area, designating portions of reserves within Lower Beechmont and Mount Nathan as Visual City Edges, which assist in strengthening the elevated topographical areas of the hinterland. It is intended that management protect these areas by retaining their function as a continuous green backdrop and silhouette on the skyline.
The provisions of a number of other GCCC policies and guidelines have been considered in the development of this management plan. These include: the Gold Coast City Nature Conservation Strategy 1998, Gold Coast City Nature Conservation Strategy 2009-2019, Gold Coast City Bushfire Management Strategy 1998, City of the Gold Coast Pest Management Plan 2006-2010, Our Natural Playground: A Parks and Recreation Plan for the Gold Coast, Gold Coast City Climate Change Strategy 2009-2014 and the Gold Coast City Council Corporate Plan 2005-09.
An Interim Management Plan (IMP) was prepared for the Clagiraba Conservation Reserves management cluster in 2006. This plan was designed to provide an overview of the planning area’s key values, threatening processes, management objectives and management strategies. It provides interim guidelines for a range of land management operations including: landscape, soils and catchment protection; native plants and animals; bushfire management; pest plants and animals; cultural heritage; recreation and interpretation; and neighbours, surrounding land uses and future development. Having been prepared in
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accordance with the intent of this interim document, the adoption of this management plan supersedes the IMP for the planning area.
The day-to day operations within the planning area are guided by the NAMU Business Plan 2008-2011. Implementation and prioritisation of management actions and guidelines given in this management plan will be in accordance with the NAMU Business Plan.
3.1.3 Strategies for South East Queensland
The South East Queensland Regional Plan 2005-2026 (Office of Urban Management 2005) provides a sustainable growth management strategy for South East Queensland. Within this strategy, the planning area falls within the Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area which aims to protect these areas from encroachment by inappropriate development, particularly urban and rural residential development. This plan additionally identifies the planning area as being located within Biodiversity Areas of State and Regional Significance, including habitat for rare and threatened species.
All management actions identified in this management plan are consistent with the Regional Nature Conservation Strategy for South East Queensland 2003-2008. The strategy sets the regional framework for nature conservation, and has been endorsed by State and Local governments and establishes agreed processes for assessing, protecting and managing nature conservation and biodiversity values in South East Queensland. Furthermore, all management actions will be consistent with the objectives of a variety of other relevant regional plans including the Queensland Weeds Strategy 2002-2006, the Queensland Pest Animal Strategy 2002-2006m, South East Queensland Natural Resource Management Plan 2009-2031, South East Queensland Regional Water Quality Management Strategy and the South East Queensland Regional Coastal Management Plan 2006.
3.1.4 Other relevant legislation
Management of the planning area must be consistent with the provisions of all relevant State, Commonwealth and International legislation, including acts, regulations and international agreements. Table 5 outlines the primary legislative framework under which Council has management obligations. This addresses those measures which are most directly relevant to management planning within the area and may be subject to change through amendments, repeal, or the creation of new legislation. For a more comprehensive list of legislation applicable to the management of the planning area, refer to Appendix B of Council’s Conservation Areas Management Planning Framework for sites acquired with funds from the Open Space Preservation Levy (GCCC 2003).
Table 5. Relevant State, Commonwealth and International legislation.
Jurisdiction Legislation Description
Provides for the conservation of nature and prescribes State Nature Conservation Act 1992 management principles for protected and other wildlife.
Establishes declared management intents for classes Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation of protected wildlife that include 2006 addressing threatening processes through recovery plans and conservation plans.
Provides for the protection of Vegetation Management Act 1999 remnant vegetation.
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Jurisdiction Legislation Description
Ensures protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage values and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 imposes a duty of care where construction or disturbance is planned.
Requires eradication, control or Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route containment of declared weeds Management) Act 2002 and animals on Council- managed land.
Requires a reduction of fire risk on Council-managed land and Fire and Rescue Services Act 1990 management measures to ensure that fire dies not impact upon neighbouring properties.
Provides a framework for the development of Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives for all Queensland Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997 waters. Requires that Environmental Values be enhanced or protected through compliance with the relevant Water Quality Objectives.
Provides for the protection of Federally threatened species and critical habitat, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Commonwealth identification of key threatening Conservation Act 1999 processes and the preparation of recovery plans and conservation agreements.
Encourages habitat protection Japan-Australia & China-Australia Migratory International for migratory birds listed in the Bird Agreements (JAMBA & CAMBA) agreements.
3.2 Specific management objectives for Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves
The planning area will be managed to maximise its connectivity and ecological viability. The conservation and protection of its environmental, scenic, catchment and cultural heritage values will be paramount. This will be achieved through the provision of opportunities for low- impact sustainable nature-based public use, targeted interpretation and educational material, and responsive ecological management. The following objectives have been identified as desirable to achieving these strategic outcomes. Manage the planning area within the context of a broader interrelated reserve system. Maintain and enhance viable habitat corridors contributing to the ecological richness of the region. Conserve geological and geomorphological features and maintain natural biophysical processes. Protect and enhance the diversity, integrity and viability of indigenous flora and fauna communities, particularly those identified as significant or threatened.
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Protect and monitor threatened and biogeographically significant species and their habitat. Restore the ecological function of degraded ecosystems to the greatest possible extent. Control pest plant and animal species. Implement fire management strategies that protect life and property, whilst ensuring the diversity and function of natural communities is maintained. Protect catchment values of Clagiraba Creek and the Coomera and Nerang Rivers and tributaries – in particular the supply and purity of water associated with drinking water catchments. Protect and improve public appreciation of Aboriginal and European cultural heritage sites and values. Involve traditional owners in cooperative management of indigenous cultural heritage values. Protect and enhance the planning area’s significant landscape values. Provide opportunities for safe, minimal-impact and sustainable nature-based recreation consistent with the protection of natural and cultural values. Develop recreational infrastructure that does not impact upon scenic values associated with intact vegetative cover along ridgelines visible from coastal areas. Mitigate against existing and potential anthropogenic impacts upon biodiversity such as rubbish dumping, inappropriate use of the reserve, the effects of increased visitation and adjacent land uses. Engender greater public awareness and appreciation for the values and management of the planning area. Provide interpretation and educational material that promotes appreciation of the reserve and support for the conservation of its values. Encourage and facilitate scientifically rigorous research and monitoring to improve knowledge of natural and cultural values of the area, and provide feedback into the ongoing strategic management of reserves. Manage pre-existing land uses, such as grazing, in a manner that supports and maintains natural and recreational values. Develop and maintain strong relationships with neighbours, authorities, Government departments, other Council land and/or asset managers and other key stakeholders to enhance the protection, viability and integrated management of the area. Ensure that all relevant Council departments undertake effective adoption of this plan. Where required, employ principles of adaptive management to address the potentially detrimental effects of climate change. Manage in accordance will all relevant legislation and policy.
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4 Management strategies for the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves
4.1 Landscape protection
4.1.1 Current management situation
The overall high scenic amenity and landscape values of the planning area are supported by an extensive coverage of intact vegetation within reserves, including those of highest visual prominence such as the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and Mount Nathan Reserve. This level of vegetative cover enables these reserves to serve as a green backdrop to the highly urbanised coastal plains of the city. Their landscape values also make a considerable contribution to maintaining the rural and natural character of the planning area.
The planning area has been designated with a Slope Instability Hazard rating ranging from Low to High, with the majority of the planning area covered by a Moderate or High rating. Historical landslips have also been recorded in the Oval Drive Parklands, the south of Mount Nathan Reserve, and the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area near Freemans Lookout and Clagiraba Creek.
Landscape values within the planning area are generally well protected; however impacts on vegetated ridgelines (such as that associated with the eastern side of Freemans Road, Lower Beechmont) have been observed as a result of tree clearing on private land. Further impacts on landscape values are incurred through necessary clearing associated with the maintenance of essential infrastructure (such as the Energex powerline easement traversing the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area).
Currently there is limited public access to landscape features and scenic viewpoints located within the planning area. One of the most readily accessible reserve is Scenic Reserve, which offers views to the coastline; however it is not a formalised lookout and contains no recreational infrastructure. Syd Duncan Park, whilst not considered within the scope of this management plan, is a Recreation Park which offers views east to the Hinze Dam Catchment Area and south-west to Springbrook. The Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan (GCCC 2008) also includes provision for the construction of a lookout within the Freemans Lookout Section of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area.
There are currently no projects being conducted with regard to the planning area’s landscape values; however future management should focus primarily on protecting and enhancing existing values through retention and rehabilitation of vegetation, acquisition of additional conservation land where possible, appropriate location of built infrastructure, and environmentally sensitive management techniques.
4.1.2 Desired outcomes
Significant landscape and scenic features within the planning area are protected and enhanced. Visual impacts on the natural landscape, especially from major viewing points, are minimised. Geological hazards, soil erosion and slope instability are minimised and prevented where possible. Geological and soil landscapes are protected from human induced disturbance.
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4.1.3 Management strategy
4.1.3.1 Guidelines
G1.1 Limit clearing of native vegetation within the planning area to that necessary for essential statutory and operational requirements.
G1.2 Ensure that reserve facilities and built infrastructure are located and designed to minimise their visual impact within the landscape.
G1.3 Ensure reserve facilities, visitor use and management actions do not adversely impact on geological and soil landscapes.
G1.4 Locate new built infrastructure and facilities outlined in this plan on previously disturbed sites wherever possible.
G1.5 Restrict visitor and management access to areas that are less susceptible to soil degradation and erosion.
G1.6 Locate all new built infrastructure and embellishments at appropriate setbacks to unstable slopes, as defined by the relevant engineering/geotechnical assessments where necessary.
G1.7 Fence unstable slopes where necessary (e.g. where there are risks to human safety, soil erosion, or sensitive vegetation communities).
G1.8 Avoid locating new built infrastructure and embellishments within areas of Moderate – High Slope Instability Hazard.
G1.9 Where locating new built infrastructure and embellishments within areas of Moderate Slope Instability Hazard or greater, a Slope Stability Report must be prepared. This report must: demonstrate that the area is suitable for building purposes (with due consideration of the stability risk and potential stability problems); provide construction measures to support the proposed works; and be prepared by a registered and appropriately experienced engineer.
G1.10 Implement appropriate sediment and erosion control measures during all works conducted within the planning area. For major works, or those conducted upon slopes of a Moderate or High Slope Instability Hazard, it is recommended that an erosion hazard assessment be conducted and where necessary, an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan should be prepared.
G1.11 Ensure that weed control activities are conducted in such a manner as to minimise soil disturbance and erosion, and that degraded and erosion-prone areas are prioritised during restoration planning.
4.1.3.2 Actions
A1.1 Liaise with Powerlink and Energex to mitigate the impact of future vegetation management within power easements in the planning area on scenic amenity – particularly along prominent ridgelines.
A1.2 Liaise with neighbours to encourage the retention of landscape values adjoining the planning area – particularly those located in areas of high scenic amenity value.
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A1.3 Support Council’s strategic environmental planning officers in promoting private landholder vegetation conservation incentives to residents in the planning area – particularly those neighbouring conservation reserves.
A1.4 Support the acquisition of vegetated and visually prominent properties within the planning area through Council’s Open Space Preservation Levy.
A1.5 Liaise with Council’s implementation and assessment, recreational planning and engineering services officers to ensure that future developments complement the natural character of the area, and protect significant scenic and landscape features adjoining, or in proximity to, the planning area.
4.1.4 Key monitoring priorities
Photo monitoring of vegetated ridgelines and elevated areas adjoining private property to assist in identifying unauthorised clearing of vegetation by residents and landowners for the purposes of view creation. Monitor sediment and erosion control measures used during any operational works so that any additional management requirements can be identified and implemented immediately. Conduct ongoing monitoring of management programs and actions aimed at improving landscape amenity to ensure their effectiveness.
4.2 Catchment protection
4.2.1 Current management situation
Within the planning area riparian condition varies considerably from fully vegetated and ecologically functioning riparian zones through to totally cleared riverbanks and degraded ecological systems (WBM 2005, Parsons Brinckerhoff 2006). Generally upper catchment areas exhibit greater proportions of vegetative cover owing to less intensive land uses in these areas (WBM 2005).
A number of processes operate within the planning area that serve to adversely impact upon riparian condition and catchment health. Predominantly these are associated with adjacent land uses – particularly urban development and farming/grazing (WBM 2005, Parsons Brinckerhoff 2006). Urban development has been increasing within the planning area in recent times, with new development occurring most commonly within the Maudsland sub- catchment and the middle catchment region of the Nerang River (WBM 2005, Parsons Brinckerhoff 2006). Similarly, grazing and agricultural uses primarily occur within the central and northern portions of the planning area.
These land uses have, in some cases, exerted detrimental effects on the extent and quality of riparian vegetation, which is one of the most prominent factors influencing catchment health within the planning area (WBM 2005). These effects are most pronounced where riparian vegetation is cleared and/or fragmented to facilitate agricultural use or urban development. Less widespread impacts on native vegetation are also incurred from trampling and browsing associated with stock access, and through weed invasion (WBM 2005, Parsons Brinckerhoff 2006).
Adjacent land uses have also resulted in what can be considerable adverse impacts upon the in-stream environments of the planning area. Land use change, clearing of vegetation, and stock access, can all result in stream bank erosion, increased water temperatures, increased light penetration, excess algae and aquatic macrophytes, and an influx of pollutants, nutrients and/or sediment into aquatic systems (WBM 2005, Parsons Brinckerhoff 2006). Many waterways within the planning area have been impacted upon by pollution and studies have demonstrated that diffuse source loads into the Coomera River have increased
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by more than 130% over pre-European levels (WBM 2005). It is predicted that this could increase by an additional 100% over the next 20 years with uncontrolled urban development (WBM 2005).
Catchment values of the planning area are further impacted upon by additional factors such as reduced flows, excessive water abstractions (particularly during times of low flow), road crossings and upgrades - which can cause fish migration barriers, inappropriate land management, and the synergistic effects associated with the competing demands of multiple users (WBM 2005, Parsons Brinckerhoff 2006).
In addition to waterways, several artificial waterbodies are located within the planning area. Two of these are situated in the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area (one in the Freemans Lookout section and another in the cleared paddock area), with one waterbody located within both John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve and Lakeview Downs Parklands. The condition of these features varies depending upon the site, ranging from highly degraded (in the case of the Freemans Lookout section) to reasonably well maintained (such as Lakeview Downs Parklands).
Currently public access to most waterways in the planning area is limited; however parts of the Coomera River, Clagiraba Creek, and some tributaries of the Coomera and Nerang Rivers – particularly those located within more urbanised areas – can be accessed from adjoining public open space areas.
4.2.2 Desired outcomes
Catchment values, riparian condition, water quality and the health of waterways are maintained or improved. Degraded riparian and in-stream areas are rehabilitated to enhance riparian and aquatic ecosystem health, including water quality.
4.2.3 Management strategy
4.2.3.1 Guidelines
G2.1 Ensure that management actions do not adversely impact upon water quality or natural drainage patterns.
G2.2 Ensure that all new built infrastructure is located at appropriate setbacks, as determined by a thorough feasibility assessment, to waterways and ephemeral flow paths.
G2.3 Access to waterways should be minimised, with visitor use concentrated away from waterways – particularly in upper catchment areas. Only those access and recreational opportunities considered sustainable and environmentally appropriate should be permitted, with access only allowed at designated and formalised points.
G2.4 Ensure that management actions and outcomes associated with waterways are in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997, the Nerang River Integrated Catchment and Waterway Management Plan (Parsons Brinckerhoff 2006), the Environmental Inventory of the Coomera River Catchment and its Tributaries (WBM 2005), and all other relevant catchment management strategies that apply to the planning area.
G2.5 Minimise use of herbicides near waterbodies. Under circumstances in which it is necessary to use chemical weed control methods in close proximity to waterbodies, ensure that only herbicides appropriate for use within aquatic and sensitive environments are applied.
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G2.6 As part of the Interpretation Plan (refer to Section 4.14 Community involvement, education and interpretation), provide the community with educational and interpretational materials and opportunities to promote responsible attitudes and support for catchment management initiatives.
4.2.3.2 Actions
A2.1 Work with Council’s catchment management officers to conduct Riparian and In-stream Rapid Assessments (RIRA) of key waterways within the planning area to identify riparian management priorities and provide baseline data for monitoring effectiveness of management activities (eg. restoration projects, recreation trails).
A2.2 Where monitoring reveals significant erosion along the banks of waterways within the planning area, in conjunction with Council’s catchment management officers, implement management strategies to mitigate causative agents and remediate existing damage. Areas in which bank stability may compromise public safety should be assigned the highest priority.
A2.3 Within reserves in which stock are present (Lower Beechmont Conservation Area), install and maintain management measures such as stock-proof fencing and watering points to prevent unmanaged access by stock to waterways.
A2.4 Minimise vehicle access to, or cross over points of, waterways within the planning area.
A2.5 Liaise with Council’s catchment management officers, DERM, SEQ Catchments and other relevant authorities as needed in regard to catchment management initiatives required to maintain water quality within waterways of the planning area.
A2.6 Liaise with Council’s implementation and assessment, recreational planning and engineering services officers to ensure that development or land use proposals within or adjacent to the reserves of the planning area do not result in significant alterations to natural flow regimes (including groundwater and seasonal surface variability), or impacts on existing public open space areas and aquatic ecosystems.
4.2.4 Key monitoring priorities
Use Riparian and In-stream Rapid Assessments (RIRA) to monitor effectiveness of park management eg. at riparian restoration sites and creek crossings. Conduct ongoing monitoring to assess the effectiveness of management strategies on preventing inappropriate access to waterways. During all operational works within the vicinity of waterways, undertake regular site monitoring to ensure that appropriate management measures for the protection of waterway values (e.g. sediment and erosion controls) have been implemented and adequately maintained.
4.3 Native vegetation
4.3.1 Current management situation
Broad scale and site specific vegetation mapping and flora surveys have demonstrated that the planning area plays a significant role in the protection of native vegetation communities and species within the city. Regional Ecosystem mapping by the EPA has highlighted the presence of two Of Concern REs (RE 12.3.2 and RE 12.3.11) at the northern end of the planning area associated with riparian vegetation within Venn Court Reserve and Oval Drive Parklands. Further site-specific vegetation mapping undertaken within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area has also revealed the presence of Gold Coast Vegetation Types equivalent to these REs along Clagiraba Creek. During these surveys Gold Coast Vegetation
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Type 20a, equivalent to RE 12.3.1 – an Endangered RE, was also found within the Conservation Area.
In addition to protecting significant vegetation communities, the planning area also supports numerous communities that, although still widespread within the region, are poorly represented in protected areas. Examples of these are the large areas of dry Eucalypt communities located within Mount Nathan Reserve and the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. Furthermore, the planning area supports a small proportion of regrowth Acacia shrubland, generally occurring in areas previously cleared for logging, grazing or other agricultural purposes. Managed appropriately, these areas have the potential to develop into mature vegetation types characterised by native diversity and a low incidence of exotic species.
A number of vegetation communities within the planning area support higher proportions of significant species. Rainforest communities contain relatively high numbers of threatened flora, such as the Endangered Native Jasmine (Jasminum jenniae) and Shiny Plectranthus (Plectranthus nitidus), along with other listed rainforest species such as Stinking Laurel (Cryptocarya foetida), Jointed Baloghia (Baloghia marmorata), Brush Cassia (Cassia brewsteri var. marksiana), Blunt Wisteria (Callerya australis) and Four-leaf Macadamia Nut (Macadamia tetraphylla). Tall moist sclerophyllous open forest communities also support a number of significant species, such as Long-leaved Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis newmanii), Silver Leaf (Argophyllum nullumense), Macadamia Nut (Macadamia integrifolia), and Tamborine Sandfly Bush (Zieria collina). Similarly, wetter gullies and creek lines also protect a number of rare and threatened species. Furthermore, based on species records in the area surrounding the planning area, an additional three significant species have the potential to occur within natural area reserves (Table 6).
Table 6. Significant flora recorded outside Council managed conservation reserves within the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Scientific Name Common Name Status Endiandra hayesii Rusty Rose Walnut Vulnerable1,2 Marsdenia coronata Forest Milk Vine Vulnerable1,2 Owenia cepiodora Onion Cedar Vulnerable1,2 1 Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006. 2 Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The planning area makes a significant contribution to corridors for wildlife movement between the hinterland and the coast, and along the hinterland spine of the western Gold Coast. As one of the largest and most contiguous expanses of Council owned and managed land within the city, the planning area is essential to the long-term maintenance of local and regional flora and fauna populations. In order to retain their ecological viability, existing corridors need to be maintained, and wherever possible, enhanced. In particular, opportunities should be investigated to enhance connectivity on the north-south axis between Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and Nerang National Park, and on the east-west axis between Nerang Conservation Park and the Nerang River.
Protection of corridor function is particularly important for reserves which are isolated or of an inadequate size to support resident biodiversity (e.g. John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve, Venn Court Reserve etc). Within such reserves, it is important to attempt to increase patch size and connectivity to improve genetic flow and reduce the likelihood of localised extinctions. This can be achieved through the prevention of habitat loss and the restoration of degraded areas in existing reserves. Strategic land acquisitions – through the OSPL or the Development Assessment process – are another means by which corridor values and viability can be improved. The northern end of the planning area, in suburbs such as Maudsland and Mount Nathan, contains a number of allotments large enough for future subdivision. Where appropriate, natural area public open space dedications should be
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sought from future development applications to further consolidate the reserve network and its corridor function.
The floristic integrity of the planning area is threatened by impacts resulting from deleterious factors such as the presence of pest plants and animals. Weed species will often opportunistically outcompete native plants – particularly in disturbed environments, whilst pest animals can destroy vegetation through trampling, soil disturbance and browsing.
Other major potential threats to native vegetation within the planning area include inappropriate fire regimes, edge effects (particularly in small, isolated reserves with multiple neighbours), impacts of stock (e.g. trampling, grazing etc) and fungal pathogens. Unacceptable impacts may also occur as a result of anthropogenic activities associated with management, visitation (e.g. for recreational activities such as horse riding, or unauthorised access) and adjacent land uses. These activities can adversely affect vegetation through altered drainage patterns, soil compaction, trampling, increased fire risk, and the creation of conditions favourable to introduced species.
4.3.2 Desired outcomes
Structural and biological diversity and integrity of remnant vegetation communities, and populations and the diversity of rare, threatened or otherwise significant plant species are protected and enhanced. The full range (landscape biodiversity) of indigenous native plant species found within the planning area are protected and enhanced. Wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity are maintained and where possible improved. Increased understanding of indigenous native flora populations and population viability within the planning area. Improved public understanding and support for the protection of indigenous native flora.
4.3.3 Management strategy
4.3.3.1 Guidelines
G3.1 Prioritise management of Endangered and Of Concern Regional Ecosystems, and areas known to provide habitat for threatened and/or locally significant native plant species, or some other significant ecological function.
G3.2 Ensure that management operations, such as slashing, controlled burns, weed control, pest animal control and construction and maintenance of built infrastructure, do not impact upon significant plant species and communities. Where potential damage or incursion is likely, exclusion zones are created (signed appropriately to ensure visitor safety) and/or suitable barriers are installed.
G3.3 Where works necessitate the clearing of remnant vegetation, approval for these works must be sought under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999 and the Gold Coast Planning Scheme.
G3.4 Essential removal/translocation and seed collection of rare or threatened plant species must be subject to assessment and approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992, with relevant permits obtained where necessary.
G3.5 Liaise with Council’s strategic environmental planning officers to ensure that all activities in relation to the management of threatened plant species are consistent with the Recovery Planning Process identified by relevant State or Commonwealth government agencies, and that management is in accordance with the management intent of their listing
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under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
4.3.3.2 Actions
A3.1 Forward the results of all new floristic studies and incidental flora records to Council's strategic environmental planning officers to be updated to the Gold Coast City Nature Conservation Strategy Database.
A3.2 Using existing survey data as a baseline, in conjunction with Council’s strategic environmental planning officers, conduct floristic surveys (particularly in Endangered and Of Concern vegetation communities) at regular intervals (e.g. every 5-10 years) to assess changes in ecological condition, floristic diversity, and rare or threatened plant populations.
A3.3 Minimise human and stock access in sensitive areas, including those containing known populations of rare and threatened flora species, riparian areas, and restoration sites. Where required, management measures such as information signage, closure of informal and unnecessary tracks, buffer planting and exclusion zones should be implemented to deter inappropriate access.
A3.4 Reduce the threat of long-term forest dieback through minimising disturbance and maintaining ecosystem function and health in remnant communities. Where forest decline is observed, where possible identify the causative factor/s (e.g. Bell Miner associated dieback, Psyllid associated Eucalypt canopy dieback, or fungal pathogens such as Phytophthora cinnamomi), and investigate opportunities to control decline through current best practice guidelines.
A3.5 As part of the Restoration Plan (refer to Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration), prepare a recommended planting list of locally occurring plant species for use in revegetation and landscaping. To enhance population viability, where appropriate and possible, include threatened and locally significant species.
A3.6 Undertake restoration designed to increase riparian buffer widths and connectivity where buffers and/or corridors are deemed inadequate (refer to Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration).
A3.7 Liaise with Council’s strategic environmental planning officers, town planning officers, and open space planning officers to promote the acquisition or protection of lands adjacent and/or proximate to the reserves of the planning area through the Open Space Preservation Levy and the Development Assessment process. Specific investigations should be conducted to facilitate the creation and enhancement of linkages north from Lower Beechmont to Nerang, and east from Nerang Conservation Park to the Nerang River.
A3.8 Liaise with other land managers (e.g. State government departments, other branches of Council, and neighbouring landholders) to encourage the retention of native vegetation and generate support for a collaborative approach to vegetation management in the area.
A3.9 Promote the retention of vegetation and planting of local native garden species by residents and visitors to the planning area. Additionally, through ranger patrols and interpretive material, provide information on other responsible behaviour such as the control of environmental weeds, and issues such as the impacts on native vegetation of informal track creation, and of household and green waste dumping.
A3.10 Where disturbances to native vegetation (e.g. through illegal clearing, encroachment, or garden waste dumping) are identified, implement appropriate management measures to control these activities, where necessary with the assistance of Council’s local law officers.
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4.3.4 Key monitoring priorities
Monitor presence/absence and population changes at known locations of rare, threatened and/or locally significant species within the planning area. Monitor disturbances to native vegetation (e.g. through encroachment, dumping, illegal clearing etc), and the impact of management strategies in remediation and prevention of these. Monitor the impacts of restoration programs on native vegetation structure, diversity and integrity.
4.4 Native animals
4.4.1 Current management situation
The large overall area of bushland, good habitat connectivity, high habitat diversity, and high structural complexity of the planning area ensures that adequate habitat is provided for a diverse and abundant suite of forest dependent fauna. Each of the main habitat types within the planning area supports a distinct faunal assemblage, with the considerable diversity of habitats resulting in a high overall species richness. The protection and continued viability of resident and migratory fauna within the area will be contingent upon a combination of management measures to protect both specific significant or key species and the habitat that supports them, including the consolidation of corridors (Section 4.3 Native vegetation), restoration of disturbed and degraded areas (Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration), control of pest species (Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration and 4.7 Pest animals), and implementation of appropriate fire regimes (Section 4.5 Fire)
Observations of rare and threatened fauna have been recorded across the entire planning area. A number of locations are considered particularly significant, owing to their role in providing important habitat to several threatened fauna species. Lower Beechmont Conservation Area is one such reserve, owing to its large size, habitat availability, overall species richness (194 terrestrial vertebrate species), and number of significant fauna species (7 terrestrial vertebrate species). Furthermore, as this reserve forms a key component of the corridor function of the planning area, it represents a source from which fauna can disperse for either foraging or colonisation of unoccupied habitat.
Rainforest communities within the planning area provide habitat for numerous species. In particular, fringing rainforest communities along Clagiraba Creek (within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area) support species such as the Endangered Cascade Tree Frog (Litoria pearsoniana), the Vulnerable Marbled Frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus), and the Vulnerable Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Orinthoptera richmondii). Additionally, rainforest areas in the upper catchment of Clagiraba Creek, and at the top of the western escarpment of the Conservation Area, support considerable populations of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly’s larval host vine, the Richmond Birdwing Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa), which is critical to this species’ survival.
A number of other significant species are also found between rainforest and adjoining moist tall Eucalypt open forest habitats. The Rare Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa), the Grey Goshawk (Accipter novaehollandiae), and the Three-toed Snake-toothed Skink (Coeranoscincus reticulatus) are examples whereby these two habitats play an important role in foraging and potentially breeding. Similarly, large areas of dry Eucalypt open forest also support populations of the Vulnerable Tusked Frog (Adelotus brevis), Regionally Vulnerable Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and Vulnerable Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami).
Natural waterways and artificial waterbodies within the planning area have also been recorded as providing habitat to rare, threatened and otherwise significant species. Numerous records of the Platypus (Orinthorhynchus anatinus) exist along the Coomera River, with several observations noted in small tributaries near reserves of the planning area.
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Waterways not only support resident fauna (such as amphibians), but also provide resources for migratory species such as the Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) and the Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata).
Whilst not recorded within the planning area itself, seven species of significant fauna have been identified during surveys outside of Council managed conservation reserves within the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves (Table 7). It is expected that further surveys within the planning area may reveal the presence of these species owing to their proximity to the planning area, ability to disperse, and habitat availability within nearby reserves.
Table 7. Significant fauna recorded outside Council managed conservation reserves within the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Scientific Name Common Name Status Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Black-necked Stork Rare1 Litoria brevipalmata Green-Thighed Frog Rare1 Melithreptus gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater Rare1 Menura alberti Albert's Lyrebird Rare1 Ninox strenua Powerful Owl Vulnerable1 Pandion haliaetus Osprey Special Significance1 Rallus pectoralis Lewin's Rail Rare1 1 Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006. 2 Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
To sustain populations of significant species within the planning area, it is critical that management ensures the long-term protection of essential habitat and provision of key ecological requirements.
Owing to the planning area’s position in the landscape, threats to fauna are considerably lower than in other areas of the city, such as more highly populated and developed environments. However, one of the most significant threats to fauna within the planning area is habitat destruction, fragmentation and edge effects associated with ongoing urbanisation. This is particularly relevant in suburbs such as Maudsland and Mount Nathan which have been subject to an increasing number of new subdivisions in recent years.
Land clearing and development generally reduces the availability of habitat for local fauna populations, thereby resulting in overcrowding and/or displacement. This may necessitate the occupation of suboptimal habitat (which could negatively impact upon health), or may result in mortality where no unoccupied habitat is available. Mortality is also expected to increase as a result of motor vehicle strike and domestic animal attacks. Furthermore, for many species, increasingly smaller and disjunct patches (e.g. Venn Court Reserve) have the potential to significantly influence metapopulation dynamics (including factors such as reproductive rates and genetic variability) and hence the ability for localised populations to persist in the newly modified landscape. Correspondingly, edge effects in these areas will exacerbate impacts on fauna through weed invasion, intrusion of aggressive edge specialist flora and fauna (both native and exotic), increased wind shear and light penetration, disease and road kill.
Habitat loss associated with urban development is expected to continue as a number of allotments large enough to subdivide remain in the area. Under these circumstances, it is expected that the relatively undisturbed habitat within the reserves of the planning area could inevitably play an important role in the survival of local species affected by urban development within the region. Hence, one of the primary aims of management must be to maximise the available area and quality of habitat within the planning area.
Fauna may also be impacted upon within the planning area by unauthorised anthropogenic activities, including trail-bike riding, trampling, erosion, fish trapping and rubbish dumping. Clagiraba Creek is a known location for both aquarium dumping, which may introduce
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invasive exotic species and disease into waterways, and fish trapping, which results in the depletion of native fauna from waterways. Greater public education is required to manage these issues.
Influences such as predation, competition, and habitat destruction by pest animals (including domestic stock) and the effects of fire (either through inappropriate regimes or wildfires) are also considered to be significant threats to fauna within the planning area. These issues are elaborated upon further within Sections 4.5 (Fire) and 4.7 (Pest animals).
Currently no specific management programs are being conducted in relation to the fauna of the planning area. However, the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area has been identified as a translocation site for Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) displaced from extensive land clearing occurring in association with the development of the Coomera Town Centre. Under this program, it is predicted that approximately 20 Koalas will be relocated into the Conservation Area. This project may also include a contribution of funds for conservation land acquisition (to consolidate the existing estate), ecosystem rehabilitation and management, and/or incentive schemes for private landholders.
4.4.2 Desired outcomes
Current levels of indigenous fauna species diversity are maintained and viable populations of native species are protected within the planning area. Habitat condition, diversity, area, and connectivity are maintained and where appropriate, enhanced. Adequate habitat area is provided to maintain viable populations of rare, threatened or otherwise significant fauna. Increased understanding of indigenous native fauna populations and population viability within the planning area. Greater public appreciation of, and willingness to protect, local native fauna.
4.4.3 Management strategy
4.4.3.1 Guidelines
G4.1 Undertake all management operations in such a way as to minimise disturbance to indigenous native fauna at all times.
G4.2 Avoid rapid, broad-scale control of pest plant infestations to ensure that there is no abrupt decline in available habitat to local native fauna within the planning area.
G4.3 Liaise with Council’s strategic environmental planning officers to ensure that all activities in relation to the management of threatened fauna species are consistent with the Recovery Planning Process identified by relevant State and Commonwealth government agencies, and that management is in accordance with the management intent of their listing under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
G4.4 Essential removal or translocation of rare or threatened fauna species must be subject to assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Nature Conservation Act 1992, and relevant permits must be obtained where necessary.
4.4.3.2 Actions
A4.1 Minimise access in areas containing known populations of rare and threatened species (except for that required for management actions) to avoid disturbance and displacement.
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Where required, management measures such as information signage, closure of informal and unnecessary tracks, and buffers should be implemented to deter inappropriate access. Buffers of 200m should be provided to known populations of rare and threatened fauna where feasible.
A4.2 Retain and/or restore elements or areas of key indigenous fauna habitat, and maintain and enhance critical habitat corridors for fauna identified on, or adjacent to, conservation reserves. Restoration plans for each reserve must be developed with consideration for local fauna habitat requirements.
A4.3 Support Council’s strategic environmental planning officers in the translocation of Koalas into the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and provide ongoing support throughout the duration of the project to facilitate desired outcomes. Collaborate with Council’s strategic environmental planning officers in the development of an ongoing research and monitoring program and establish reporting protocols with respect to all translocations and follow-up studies.
A4.4 Encourage the provision of habitat for native species within private residences (e.g. the retention of hollow-bearing trees, or planting of locally sourced seed stock of plant species known to provide habitat to local fauna, such as the Richmond Birdwing Vine – Pararistolochia praevenosa or Casuarina species – Allocasuarina littoralis and A. torulosa).
A4.5 Forward the results of all new fauna studies and incidental records to Council’s strategic environmental planning officers to be updated to the Gold Coast City Nature Conservation Strategy Database.
A4.6 Using existing survey data as a baseline, in conjunction with Council’s strategic environmental planning officers, conduct fauna surveys (particularly for key animal species listed under threatened species legislation or regarded as locally significant) at regular intervals (e.g. every 5 years) to assess changes in variables such as species richness, abundance, and distribution.
A4.7 Maintain records of fauna mortality and cause of death within the planning area from Council staff and community observations and local Wildcare records. Where increased disease-related mortality is observed, implement management measures to mitigate risk of further mortality and, where relevant, manage in accordance with State and Commonwealth guidelines for threatened species and/or threatening processes.
A4.8 Where incidences of infectious fauna diseases such as amphibian Chytridiomycosis, Koala Chlamydiosis and Cryptococcosis, and other diseases spread by pest animals are recorded within the planning area, assess the level of risk to the fauna of the planning area and where appropriate, undertake measures based on current best practice guidelines to control their spread.
A4.9 Prohibit domestic animals within the reserves of the planning area. Exceptions include: John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve, Hughes Court Drainage Reserve, Lakeview Downs Parklands, Nerang National Park Access Park, Pasture Park, Lookout Place Reserve, and Little Clagiraba Reserve. Install regulatory signage at entry points to reserves in which domestic animals are not permitted.
A4.10 Liaise with other land managers (e.g. Department of Defence, EPA/QPWS, other branches of Council, and neighbouring landholders) in the development of a coordinated approach to fauna management, including pest control, disease prevention, and restoration of habitat connectivity.
A4.11 Promote public understanding and appreciation of native animals through ranger patrols and interpretive programs and materials to increase awareness of local fauna conservation and management issues (refer to Section 4.14).
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4.4.4 Key monitoring priorities
Conduct regular fauna surveys (eg. every 5 years) to monitor presence/absence of native species. Where surveys indicate a loss in species relative to baseline surveys, more intensive monitoring may be required to confirm and identify likely causes of species decline and to direct future management. Where resources permit, fauna surveys should incorporate terrestrial invertebrate and aquatic macroinvertebrate surveys. Data analysis should make reference to pest animal monitoring (refer to 4.7.4) to identify any correlation between pest animal activity and abundance of native fauna. Record all visitor-related disturbance incidents, including infringements of dog restrictions, during ranger patrols. Periodically review records to identify high risk periods and locations to help direct future management effort. Undertake fauna surveys on Rare and Threatened species for the purposes of establishing a dataset of sightings, habitat utilisation, and where possible, population estimates within the planning area. Priority should be given to species under higher levels of threat (e.g. Cascade Treefrog, Koala, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Richmond Birdwing Butterfly).
4.5 Bushfire
4.5.1 Current management situation
Fire is an important natural phenomenon recognised as one of a number of factors determining the composition of vegetation and animal communities in Australia. Many species of Australian plants and animals have developed mechanisms or behaviour as a response to fire, and some require fire for reproduction or stimulation of new growth.
For many vegetation communities in the planning area, fire is a useful tool for the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. Many flora and fauna species are dependent on fire for their survival, and as such, fire may be introduced in some communities at an appropriate frequency and intensity to promote biodiversity and encourage regeneration. However, a number of vegetation communities within the planning area are particularly sensitive to fire, such as RE 12.3.1, RE 12.8.3, RE 12.11.1, and RE 12.11.10. Where possible, a nil fire regime will be assigned to these communities in the Bushfire Management Plan for the planning area.
Current best practice fire regimes for the site’s vegetation communities are outlined in Table 8. Prescribed burns should not occur below the lower frequency limit, with programs aiming to vary the inter-fire range within the limits for each community. Maximising this variability will allow for a mixed-aged forest, increase the mosaic patterns, and create different microclimates within the one forest type, serving to increase species diversity. As these regimes are those which generally apply to each vegetation community, they should only be used as a guide.
It is of critical importance that where practicable, fire is excluded from rainforest areas, with specific attention given to the protection significant species such as the Endangered Native Jasmine (Jasminum jenniae) and Shiny Plectranthus (Plectranthus nitidus), the Rare Richmond Birdwing Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa), within these areas. Within some areas of moist sclerophyll vegetation, it will be necessary to balance the needs of maintaining a sclerophyll-dominated environment against the conservation requirements of species such as Tamborine Sandfly Bush (Zieria collina), Long-leaved Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis newmanii) and Silver Leaf (Argophyllum nullumense) which are more sensitive to disturbance and require longer fire intervals (e.g. approximately 20-30 years). Conversely, dry eucalypt forests require periodic fire to the extent that some species of flora (and subsequently fauna) may be lost if fire is suppressed or occurs at inappropriate intervals. Of further consideration
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must be the fire ecology of significant species within communities dependent on fire for reproduction.
Fires within moist and dry sclerophyll should be of an intensity and frequency that promotes suitable habitat for Glossy Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus lathami). In particular, intense fires should be at a frequency greater than 15 years as this allows recruitment of mature Allocasuarina species. Additionally, a number of fauna species require lower intensity fires to maintain their habitat or prevent mortality, including the Grey Goshawk (Accipiter novaehollandiae), Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa), Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), Stephen’s Banded Snake (Hoplocephalus stephensii), Cascade Tree Frog (Litoria pearsoniana), and Tusked Frog (Adelotus brevis). Although it is not recommended that fire regimes be determined based upon a single species, where practical, the intervals and intensities preferred or required by significant or important species should be factored into the development of mosaic burning strategies within the optimal fire frequency ranges for each broader vegetation community.
Inappropriate historical fire regimes within some parts of the planning area have resulted in some areas exhibiting deleterious ecological effects in the form of an altered understorey and reduced structural complexity owing to too-frequent fire. Conversely, other areas have accumulated high fuel loads owing to infrequent fire and currently pose a bushfire risk. In order to avert threats to life and property and adverse ecological impacts, it is essential that fire regimes appropriate to each vegetation community (as per Table 8) are implemented within the planning area.
A Bushfire Management Plan has been developed for the planning area (EcoLogical 2009) This plan is a strategic document that identifies the area’s property and built infrastructure assets, natural features and values, and provides direction for the management of fire in the landscape. It is intended to achieve both ongoing protection of life and property within and adjacent to the planning area and long-term conservation of native plant and animal communities.
A number of planned burns have been undertaken within the planning area in recent years for the purposes of reducing bushfire hazard. Within Mount Nathan Reserve, hazard reduction burns were conducted in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006. A hazard reduction burn was undertaken in the northern section of Lower Beechmont Conservation Area in 2005 and a hazard reduction burn and a wildfire occurred in the southeast of the conservation area in 2009. A small portion of the Freemans Lookout Section had a hazard reduction burn in 2008 and a larger burn extending northwest from Freemans Road into the Commonwealth Department of Defence training land was conducted in 2010. Within proximate State- managed land, planned burns occurred in Nerang Conservation Park during 2004 and 2005, and Nerang National Park in 2004.
The planning area has also been subject to a number of wildfire incidents. Five wildfires have been recorded for Mount Nathan Reserve over the last eight years, occurring in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007. Lower Beechmont Conservation Area has experienced two wildfires over the same period – one in 2001 and the other in 2005. Both of these occurred at its northern extent, in proximity to residential areas. Wildfires have also been recorded in nearby Nerang National Park during 2001, 2005, and 2006.
Generally the larger reserves of the planning area contain considerable fire fighting infrastructure. Lower Beechmont Conservation Area contains an extensive network of fire trails enabling access by either 4WD vehicles and/or foot. Fire trails within this reserve provide direct connectivity to the trail system within both Nerang Conservation Park and the Canungra Land Warfare Centre, enabling a coordinated approach to fire management where appropriate. Joint fire management may also be achieved where 4WD fire trails along the northern boundary of Elimbah Court Reserve connect with trails located within the Hinze Dam Catchment area. Other fire trails within the planning area include 4WD and foot trails in Mount Nathan Reserve, a foot trail in Clagiraba Reserve, 2WD and 4WD trails within Nerang
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National Park Access Park, and 2WD trails within Cargellico Street Reserve and Lakeview Downs Parklands.
In addition to fire trails, a number of water tanks are distributed throughout the planning area, including four in the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, one in Little Clagiraba Reserve, one in Faust Family Park, and one adjacent to Elimbah Court Reserve. Lower Beechmont Conservation Area also contains a permanent water point (the dam within the open paddock area) which could be utilised during a wildfire event.
The bushfire hazard rating within the planning area predominantly ranges between Medium and High; however there are some areas of Low hazard located in Little Clagiraba Reserve, lower lying areas of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, and many of the smaller reserves located in more urbanised areas towards the north. Areas of particularly high bushfire hazard are located in association with high points and along ridgelines. Furthermore, the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area has been identified as having the highest ratio of high bushfire hazard to neighbouring properties of any reserve within the city’s natural area estate. This overall high level of bushfire hazard necessitates a planning strategy for prescribed burns that accommodates for the need to manage and reduce fuel loads, particularly in proximity to public use areas and neighbouring homes. It is anticipated that in these areas, fire intervals may have to occur towards the lower limit of the ranges stated in Table 8. Concomitantly, the location and design of visitor infrastructure must be developed in a manner that is sensitive to the inherent bushfire risk of the site.
In some instances bushfire risk is increased at the residential interface, for example by dumping of green waste into natural area reserves or a lack of adequate bushfire mitigation measures on private property. Regular monitoring of residential boundaries will be required to ensure that potential hazards are removed as soon as possible. The creation of open fires created by visitors provides a potential ignition source in an overall high bushfire risk area. Hence, in order to protect life, property, and ecological values, open fires will be prohibited within the planning area.
Owing to the residential interface and connectivity between State and Commonwealth Government land, it is important that fire management responsibilities within the planning area are shared by all landholders. Accordingly, Council and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service will work with adjoining land owners and managers to reduce fire hazards on their lands in the event of a fire. As a result of this, partnerships are currently being developed with the Department of Defence to facilitate a coordinated approach to fire management on Council and Commonwealth Government lands. Furthermore, it is critical that all new developments on private property adjacent or proximate to the reserves of the planning area are designed and managed to reduce the risk of fire spreading into or out of these areas. In the case of new subdivisions, bushfire management strategies, such as additional fire trails and asset protection zones, should be incorporated into the development, without placing further pressure on the conservation values of Council’s existing natural area estate.
Council will continue to support the South East Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium in determining fire management requirements for the range of biodiversity within the planning area. In particular, priority fire research projects will be encouraged within the area.
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Table 8. Vegetation group and ecological fire regimes for Regional Ecosystems occurring within the planning area.
Regional Fire Vegetation 1,2 1,2 Fire Management Strategy Issues Ecosystem Grouping1 12.3.11 Dry (grassy) Fire season: early winter. Maintain a fine scale mosaic. 12.11.18 sclerophyll Fire intensity: low. Weed control through fire may be a focus within this Fire interval: 3 to 6 years. community. Aim to burn 30 to 60% of the area. Burning should only occur in conditions of sufficient soil Mosaic burning can be achieved through spot moisture to facilitate maintenance of ground litter and fallen ignition during cool or moist periods. timber habitats. Where management aims to maintain pasture, implement spring burns after rain. 12.11.5 Dry sclerophyll Fire season: late summer to winter (April to June). Maintain a fine scale mosaic of grassy and shrubby 12.11.5a Fire intensity: low to moderate. understoreys. 12.11.5k Fire interval: 6 to 25 years. Variability in fire season and intensity is important. 12.12.15 Aim for a 25 to 50% mosaic burn. Weed control through fire may be a focus within this Mosaic burning can be achieved through a spot community. ignition and soil moisture strategy. Burning should only occur in conditions of sufficient soil moisture to facilitate maintenance of ground litter and fallen timber habitats. 12.3.7 Fringing (riparian) Avoid intentional burning. Protection of this system is often contingent upon management vegetation Burn surrounding ecosystems in conditions that of surrounding areas through a process of limiting wildfires would minimise fire incursion. through implementation of numerous small fires throughout the year. Buffering from fire and fire exclusion are not necessary. Lantana or other woody weeds invasion may result from fire or other disturbance, which may increase flammability during dry conditions. Impacts of fire can be minimised through appropriate fire management and weather conditions during planned burns. 12.11.3 Moist sclerophyll Fire season: late summer to winter. Fire management should aim to provide a diversity of 12.11.3a Fire intensity: low to moderate, with occasional understorey characteristics. high intensity wildfire. Introduction of intense fire is only required when these Fire interval: 4 to 12 years for grassy understorey; communities have not burnt in a long time. 12-25 years for shrubby/heath understorey; Following an initial hot fire, fire should be more frequent. 20->100 years for vine forest understorey As a number of moist sclerophyll communities are Of Concern Need disturbance to maintain community and contain EVR species, managers should attempt to maintain structure. them as sclerophyllous communities rather than allowing a
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Regional Fire Vegetation 1,2 1,2 Fire Management Strategy Issues Ecosystem Grouping1 transition to rainforest. Moist sclerophyll communities that are relatively open with a mixture of grasses and shrubs should be prioritised to ensure retention of community structure. 12.3.1 Vine forest Do not burn deliberately. Fire sensitive community that is not usually flammable. 12.8.3 Protection of this system is often contingent upon management 12.11.1 of surrounding areas through a process of limiting wildfires 12.11.10 through implementation of numerous small fires throughout the year. Weather conditions of adjacent planned burns must be appropriate to ensure it does not encroach into this community. Lantana or other weed invasion resulting from fire or other disturbance can become problematic. Frequent fire at the margins of this community may limit remnants. 12.3.2 Wet sclerophyll Fire season: winter to spring. Wherever practical, introduce hot to intense fire at long 12.11.2 Fire intensity: moderate to hot. intervals. Fire interval: minimum 20 years, maximum Diversity is likely to be maintained by a range of fire intervals unknown (requires further research), but likely to over time. be >100 years. Many areas of this community can no longer be burned or will Need disturbance to maintain community only burn in wildfire. structure. This community is characterised as a moving ecotone between Burn different localities rotationally to ensure a vine forest and moist/dry sclerophyll with evidence suggesting continuum of habitat availability at the landscape that infrequent high intensity fire sustains the eucalypt scale. overstorey. 1 Smith and Tran (2008) 2 QPWS and GCCC (2008) .
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4.5.2 Desired outcomes
Human life and property (including management structures) within and adjacent to the planning area are protected. Where possible, unplanned fires are prevented from entering or leaving the planning area. Maintenance and enhancement of ecosystem health and diversity through best practice ecological fire management. Improved understanding of fire management requirements for ecosystems and species occupying the planning area. Sites, relics and structures of European and Aboriginal cultural heritage value are protected from radiant heat and fire management activities. Fire management is undertaken in cooperation with neighbours and other relevant organisations. Increased community understanding of fire hazards, individual responsibilities and fire ecology.
4.5.3 Management strategy
4.5.3.1 Guidelines
G5.1 Fire management is to be carried out in accordance with the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves Bushfire Management Plan (EcoLogical 2009).
G5.2 Undertake fire planning and fire management to protect life and property; enhance species and habitat diversity, and connectivity across the landscape; and encourage recruitment of significant species.
G5.3 Where life and property priorities allow, ensure that the timing of planned burns in mitigation and conservation zones (as determined by the planning area’s Bushfire Management Plan) supports ecological restoration projects.
G5.4 Ensure that future fire management incorporates recommendations of the South East Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium and the Queensland Herbarium regarding appropriate fire management prescriptions for each Regional Ecosystem present within the planning area.
G5.5 Prioritise management of mitigation zones that protect life and property and fire sensitive communities such as vine forest, from wildfire.
G5.6 Fire management undertaken for each vegetation community in the planning area will aim to achieve fire intervals within the range identified in Table 8. If further research identifies a requirement for changes in these fire regimes then the Bushfire Management Plan should be altered accordingly.
G5.7 Ensure that planned burns are designed to occur in a mosaic pattern and to maximise the diversity of post-fire successional stages at the landscape level.
G5.8 To maximise opportunities for the protection of fire-sensitive species and ecosystems, Council’s natural area management officers and seconded Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) officers are responsible for all fire planning and implementation within the planning area.
G5.9 Ensure that thorough ground truthing is carried out at all sites prior to planned burning to identify site constraints, safety issues, and species, habitat or ecological communities requiring specific management.
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G5.10 Maintain a diversity of plant communities and post-fire successional habitats to provide for fauna species habitat requirements and preferences.
G5.11 In respect to native animals, fire management in the planning area will be based upon: the need to maintain or create an appropriate range of post fire successional vegetation stages and age classes, including the retention of mature vegetation and critical habitat components such as tree hollows and fallen wood debris the requirements of species that are known to be reliant on particular fire regimes for the maintenance of habitat attributes
G5.12 Aim to protect tree hollows and logs from fire during prescribed burn operations.
G5.13 Wildfires will be extinguished as quickly as possible, except under circumstances in which the fire is considered to be of ecological benefit to the site and does not threaten life and property.
G5.14 Fire will be excluded from all vine forest communities (i.e. RE 12.3.1, RE 12.8.3, RE 12.11.1, and RE 12.11.10) and promoted at appropriate regimes through the remaining vegetation communities of the planning area.
G5.15 Appropriate advice and consultation will be sought to ensure that fire management activities do not impact on sites of Aboriginal cultural significance.
G5.16 Liaise with Council’s strategic environmental planning officers regarding implementation of proposed fire management strategies on neighbouring Land for Wildlife properties.
G5.17 Continue to support and facilitate partnerships with the South East Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium.
G5.18 Provide advice to Council’s town planning officers to ensure that all necessary bushfire hazard reduction measures are incorporated into proximate new developments and that these developments do not adversely impact on the bushfire hazard of planning area.
G5.19 Where resources permit, prioritise weed monitoring and control (refer to Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration) six months following planned and unplanned fires.
G5.20 Maintain management trails identified in Section 4.12 (Access) for fire management purposes.
G5.21 To minimise the impacts of fire on assets, where practicable, utilise fire retardant materials for new built infrastructure and embellishments.
G5.22 Do not promote or provide for uses within the planning area that may substantially increase the fire hazard or risk of ignition and threaten neighbouring homes. Additionally, ensure that new built infrastructure is designed to minimise the potential for increased fire hazard through inappropriate usage.
G5.23 Where possible, avoid the use of heavy machinery for fire suppression within the planning area, particularly in areas of rare plants, threatened wildlife habitat, and cultural heritage value.
G5.24 Ensure that potentially hazardous management activities (such as slashing, welding, grinding and other construction/demolition activities) are excluded from the planning area during periods of very high or extreme fire danger/weather days.
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4.5.3.2 Actions
A5.1 Review the Bushfire Management Plan every five years, in consultation with relevant stakeholders. Confine these reviews to amendments associated with: pertinent new research findings and information the results of monitoring programs, where they indicate the need for changes in management where existing management strategies are not achieving stated objectives
A5.2 Develop and maintain a mapping database which establishes mapping layers for effective fire planning, including: basic topographic attributes vegetation communities, including information on age classes threatened and significant plant species and communities the habitats of rare and threatened native animal species fire histories, including ignition sources and firepath information fuel load attributes management trails and fire breaks water points built infrastructure and assets
A5.3 Develop and implement operational plans for implementing the strategic Bushfire Management Plan, including the delivery of planned burns. All necessary ground truthing and the preparation and assessment of burn proposals is to be assessed and approved by Council’s natural area management officers and other Council specialist officers.
A5.4 Where life and property priorities allow, fuel reduction burns should be carried out in conjunction with ecological restoration projects.
A5.5 Where possible, prioritise and actively control all weed infestations considered to substantially increase fire hazard potential, fire intensity and the site’s capacity to carry fire (e.g. Lantana and Molasses Grass).
A5.6 Close to the public of all or part of the planning area during periods of extreme fire danger and/or high or extreme fire weather days, or during and immediately after prescribed burning operations. Ensure that appropriate signage is provided at all entry points advising the public of these closures and associated risk.
A5.7 Provide incident control support to QFRS at wildfire events on Council controlled lands to maximise opportunities for the protection of fire-sensitive ecosystems.
A5.8 Prohibit open fires (e.g. campfires, wood barbeques) within the planning area. Gas or electric barbeques should be installed at visitor nodes where appropriate (refer to Section 4.10 Recreation opportunities).
A5.9 Maintain close cooperation with other government agencies, neighbours and the local Rural Fire Brigade for the management of fire within and adjoining the planning area.
A5.10 Ensure that bushfire management planning for the planning area is consistent with and complimentary to existing QFRS/RFS Local Action Plans and QPWS Wildfire Response Plans.
A5.11 Keep the public, particularly neighbours, informed of fire management activities through local media, Council’s website and signage at entry points to the planning area.
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A5.12 Facilitate community education (refer to Section 4.14 Community involvement, education and interpretation) regarding threats posed by accidental fire and by dumping combustible garden waste in the reserves.
A5.13 Undertake further community education programs near high bushfire hazard areas of the planning area to improve community fire preparedness.
A5.14 Undertake vegetation and fuel hazard monitoring prior to and following all prescribed burns, and conduct similar monitoring following wildfires where time and resources permit.
A5.15 Where feasible, establish fire-exclusion areas to provide benchmarks for fire management research and monitoring.
4.5.4 Key monitoring priorities
Monitor incidences of garden waste dumping and accidental and/or malicious fires on or adjacent to reserves of the planning area to guide further management action. Monitor vegetation recovery, habitat condition and plant species composition (including weeds) at all sites burnt during planned or accidental fires. Establish long-term monitoring programs in unburnt and burnt areas following planned or unplanned fires to assess the influence of fire frequency on species composition and diversity, habitat condition and vegetation health, and to assist future decision making regarding the use of fire as an ecological management tool within the planning area.
4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration
4.6.1 Current management situation
Of the 896 flora species recorded within the planning area, 88 species (approximately 10%) were exotic or not native to Gold Coast City. This is considered to represent a low percentage by species occurrence. In addition, many of the pest plant species present occur in low densities in natural vegetation and are generally restricted to cleared or previously disturbed areas, the margins of access tracks, or reserve margins.
The relatively low incidence of exotic species present over the vast majority of the planning area, including most areas of remnant and other modified native vegetation, reinforces the conservation value of these natural areas and the need to continue to control possible future increases in exotic plant abundance.
Council has obligations under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 to eradicate, control and contain declared pest plants on the land it manages. Additionally, the loss and degradation of native plant and animal habitat by invasion of escaped garden plants, including aquatic plants, is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. Eleven declared species have been recorded within the planning area, one of which being a Weed of National Significance under the Australian Weeds Strategy (Table 9). Additionally, 52 of the weed species present have been identified amongst the 200 most invasive species within South East Queensland; seven of these are listed in the top 20 (Batianoff and Butler 2001). A Class 1 pest plant, Senegal tea (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) has also been identified along the upper reaches of the Coomera River, which runs to the west of the reserves within the planning area.
Most declared and environmental weeds occur in relatively low numbers and densities, and will be controlled through appropriate and best practice techniques. However, infestations of Cats Claw (Macfadyena unguis-cati), Madeira Vine (Anredera cordifolia), and Creeping Bamboo (Arundinaria sp.) have been identified in some of the smaller reserves, with some high density patches of Lantana (Lantana camara var. camara), Molasses Grass (Melinis
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minutiflora) and Mist Flower (Ageratina riparia) recorded within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area.
The weed species listed in Table 9 are considered to pose a significant threat to the biodiversity or conservation values of the planning area and will therefore be targeted for control. Areas containing threatened species or highly intact vegetation communities will be allocated the highest priority for weed control programs. An ongoing commitment to weed control will be required to conserve and improve the condition of native vegetation within the planning area.
Table 9. List of declared and priority weeds for control within the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Scientific Name Common Name Class1 Invasiveness2 GCCC Priority3 Ageratina riparia Mist Flower - 25 Medium Ambrosia artemisiifolia Annual Ragweed Class 2 - Medium/Low Anredera cordifolia Madeira Vine Class 3 5 High Aristolochia elegans Dutchman’s Pipe Class 3 39 Medium Arundinaria sp. Creeping Bamboo - - - Baccharis halimifolia Groundsel Bush Class 2 2 High/Medium Cardiospermum grandiflorum Balloon Vine Class 3 29 Low Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Laurel Class 3 8 Medium Lantana camara var. camara Lantana Class 3 1 Medium Ligustrum lucidum Large-leaved Privet Class 3 15 - Ligustrum sinense Small-leaved Privet Class 3 21 - Lilium formsanum Formosan Lily - 108 - Macfadyena unguis-cati Cats Claw Creeper Class 3 4 High Melinis minutiflora Molasses Grass - 38 Low Neonotonia wightii Glycine - 19 High Paspalum mandiocanum Broad-leaf Paspalum - 72 - Senecio madagascariensis Common Fireweed Class 2 82 Medium Sporobolus africanus Parramatta Grass Class 2 32 High 1 Class as designated by the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Regulation 2003. 2 Invasiveness as designated by the Queensland Herbarium list of Invasive Naturalised Plants in Southeast Queensland (Batianoff and Butler 2002). 3 Gold Coast City Council Pest Management Plan.
Dumping of aquarium contents has previously been identified in Little Clagiraba Reserve, resulting in the spread of aquatic plants through Clagiraba Creek and into the Coomera River. In addition to facilitating spread of exotic plants, aquarium dumping also increases the risk of spreading pest animals and disease into waterways, and greater public education is required to reduce this threat.
Council has made significant progress towards controlling weeds within the planning area. Restoration works have been occurring within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area for approximately two years along Clagiraba Creek and along the upper slopes and ridgeline associated with the Freemans Lookout Section. Future restoration programs within the Conservation Area should focus on continued maintenance of current works, and establishing connectivity between existing remnant vegetation along the edges of Clagiraba Creek.
Temporary management of weed species and fuel loads within cleared, grassy portions of Lower Beechmont Conservation Area will be necessary until resources are available for the restoration of these sites. Grasses are currently managed by slashing, however a comparison of alternative management methods (ie. slashing versus cattle grazing) is proposed to identify the most successful (in terms of suppressing weed species and promoting natural regeneration) and cost-effective approach. Grazing trials should only occur in areas where fencing is in place to prevent cattle access to Clagiraba Creek. Over time the size of slashed and/or grazed areas will be reduced as areas of restoration or replanting are increased.
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Within the remainder of the planning area, restoration of a 20m buffer to Clagiraba Creek is being undertaken by Council’s catchment management officers within Little Clagiraba Reserve, and additional weed control works are occurring within John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve, Hughes Court Drainage Reserve, Burley Griffin Drive Reserve, Darwalla Road Reserve, Lookout Place Reserve, Pasture Park, Oval Drive Parklands, Venn Court and Darren Smith Reserve. With the exception of Little Clagiraba Reserve, these reserves are all located in new subdivisions, and as such are generally smaller with higher degrees of fragmentation. Therefore, ongoing maintenance should be continued within these reserves, combined with strategies to increase habitat quality and area (e.g. widening of riparian buffers wherever possible).
An Ecological Restoration Plan is currently being developed for the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. This plan will provide for the long and short term restoration of native plant communities by a systematic pest plant control program. Restoration within the remainder of the reserves within the planning area will be guided by the development of Action Plans or Contractor Specifications. All restoration planning should identify priorities, appropriate management practices and implementation schedules for the effective control of pest plants and rehabilitation of degraded areas.
Further weed species are likely to enter or be identified in the planning area in the future. New infestations will be addressed on a priority basis by Council’s natural area management officers, with their management requirements incorporated into the relevant Restoration Plan, Action Plan or Contractor Specification.
4.6.2 Desired outcomes
Restore degraded native vegetation communities and minimise impacts associated with pest plants and their control on native flora and fauna, cultural heritage sites, and landscapes within the planning area. Reduced threat of future weed invasion and vegetation disturbance. Planning for pest plant control and restoration is strategic, coordinated and collaborative. Improved public understanding of, and support for, restoration and pest plant management programs within the planning area.
4.6.3 Management strategy
4.6.3.1 Guidelines
G6.1 In conjunction with Council’s pest plant management officers, Council’s natural area management officers will coordinate all pest plant control programs within the planning area, including management of declared species, to ensure an integrated and controlled program of pest plant control is undertaken.
G6.2 Land owners and managers should be prohibited from carrying out inappropriate and potentially unsafe weed removal or revegetation works adjacent to their properties, where these works do not form part of a Council-coordinated restoration strategy.
G6.3 Ensure that all pest plant priorities, planning, and management are integrated and aligned with the intent and objectives of all relevant Commonwealth, State and Council guidelines, strategies, policies and legislation.
G6.4 All Restoration Plans for the planning area are to address: prioritisation of key restoration sites identification of declared and environmental weeds on-site and locations of major or priority infestations appropriate restoration techniques and follow up
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provision of appropriate native planting lists where revegetation is required timing of restoration activities monitoring and reporting protocols, including performance criteria to assess the effectiveness of restoration programs opportunities for coordinating restoration works with neighbouring landholders and coordinating pest plant management with other sections of Council.
G6.5 Where revegetation is required within the planning area, locally sourced naturally occurring species must be utilised.
G6.6 Restrict mechanical weed removal to cleared paddock areas.
G6.7 Ensure that restoration activities are carried out with due sensitivity to fauna habitat and water quality, including: sensitive use of herbicides adjacent to waterway/wetland areas. Herbicides will generally not be permitted to enter natural waterways and artificial water bodies within the planning area, and where possible, herbicide-free buffer zones should be established around aquatic systems to minimise risk. However, under circumstances in which it is necessary to apply herbicides within close proximity to water bodies, a gradual, planned approach should be used, incorporating only low-impact chemicals suitable for use in aquatic environments (e.g. Glyphosate Biactive or equivalent) no rapid or substantial loss of fauna habitat associated with restoration works. Rehabilitation of weedy areas known to provide fauna habitat is to be staged to ensure no temporary loss of food resources or cover for ground dwelling species incorporation of known food plants of fauna species into restoration programs at an appropriate phase of vegetation establishment (refer to Section 4.4 Native animals).
G6.8 Ensure that restoration activities adjacent to waterways are staged to achieve a gradual transition from exotic to native plant species, preventing exposure and erosion of stream banks.
G6.9 Consultation and collaboration between Council’s natural area management officers and relevant fire officers should be undertaken so as to maximise opportunities for the control of pest plant species in association with prescribed burn programs.
G6.10 Until an Ecological Restoration Plan, Action Plan or Contractor Specifications have been developed for each reserve, pest plant control should be limited to essential works only (i.e. follow up control, removal of declared species, high-threat environmental weeds, infestations located in high visitation areas, and species considered to be a fire hazard or significant threat to the ecology of the site).
G6.11 Ensure that the control priority of new infestations is assessed upon their discovery and incorporated into the relevant Restoration Plan, Action Plan, or Contractor Specification as soon as possible.
G6.12 Restoration works should seek to maximise biodiversity at a landscape level and ensure that a diversity of foraging habitat remains available to key fauna species.
4.6.3.2 Actions
A6.1 Develop an Ecological Restoration Plan for the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, and Action Plans or Contractor Specifications for all other reserves within the planning area in which restoration works are necessary.
A6.2 Implement Ecological Restoration works in priority areas within Lower Beechmont CA.
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A6.3 Regularly update the Natural Areas Restoration Database with weed species observed and treated during site restoration works. Where practical and resources permit, Council’s natural area management officers will be responsible for undertaking an assessment of the condition and degree of infestation within all reserves. New information on declared species, or new incidences of declared species, should be regularly shared with Council’s pest plant management officers.
A6.4 Continue with current ecological restoration works at Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and Little Clagiraba Reserve, ensuring that adequate resources are provided for follow- up management. Within both of these areas, aim to expand out from vegetation edges and establish connectivity between existing remnants. Routine maintenance should be conducted in association with all restoration activities undertaken within the planning area.
A6.5 Continue manage cleared paddock areas within Mount Nathan Conservation Area through bi-annual slashing. A 10 metre buffer should be provided to the edge of existing vegetation to allow for natural regeneration.
A6.6 Monitor the success and comparative cost effectiveness of grazing and slashing treatments within Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and continue management with the most effective method identified. Where cattle grazing is employed it should be restricted to areas in which fencing prevents cattle access to Clagiraba Creek. Where slashing is used a 10 metre buffer should be provided to the edge of existing vegetation to allow for natural regeneration.
A6.7 Continue with ongoing follow-up maintenance works in John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve, Hughes Court Drainage Reserve, Burley Griffin Drive Reserve, Darwalla Road Reserve, Lookout Place Reserve, Pasture Park, Oval Drive Parklands, Venn Court and Darren Smith Reserve. Where possible, implement strategies to increase habitat area and quality and within these reserves through expanding out from the edge of existing remnant vegetation.
A6.8 Following prescribed burns, and where possible wildfires, conduct regular inspections of the reserve to assess the recolonisation of weeds. Where resources permit, follow-up weed control should be conducted in post-fire environments where pest plant species will negatively impact upon the regeneration of naturally occurring species.
A6.9 Educate neighbouring residents, including upper catchment landholders, about the threat posed by dumped plant and animal material (including aquatic material) on ecological values within the reserves through interpretive signage (refer to Section 4.14 Community involvement, education and interpretation), Council’s website, local media, development of a good neighbour initiative, ranger patrols, development and distribution of educational material and coordination of extension activities with those proposed in Council’s Pest Management Plan.
A6.10 Install interpretive signage at visible points adjacent to restoration areas to educate park visitors about the restoration process, impact of restoration on ecological values, and how individual neighbours can help.
A6.11 Participate in the development and implementation of coordinated regional pest plant control initiatives with neighbours, community groups, and other land management agencies. Where feasible, pursue partnerships with QPWS, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, and the Department of Defence to facilitate collaborative pest plant management between Council and State and Commonwealth managed reserves - particularly where pest plant species from State and Commonwealth managed sites occur upslope or upstream of sites recently restored by Council.
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A6.12 Introduce management techniques which will reduce the spread of pest plants throughout the planning area e.g. where possible, confining visitor and management access to formed roads and trails.
A6.13 Liaise with Council’s pest management officers to have reserves of high environmental significance identified as Ecologically Significant Areas under the Gold Coast City Council Pest Management Plan. As a minimum, Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and Freeman Family Park should be designated with this status. Other reserves which may be suitable for inclusion are: Clagiraba Reserve, Coolbunbin Creek Reserve, Elimbah Court Reserve, Little Beechmont Road Reserve, Mirani Street Reserve, Mount Nathan Reserve, Parkway Drive Reserve, Parma Court Reserve and Scenic Reserve.
4.6.4 Key monitoring priorities
Monitor the success (in terms of suppressing weed species and promoting natural regeneration) and comparative cost effectiveness of grazing and slashing treatments within Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. Monitor restoration sites to assess the success of ecological restoration programs, and for evidence of weed regrowth. Ensure that the restoration of Clagiraba Creek within the paddock area of Lower Beechmont Conservation Area is included within this monitoring program. Opportunistically monitor reserves for the purpose of identifying any occurrences of new pest plant species or expansions of existing infestations within the planning area.
4.7 Pest animals
4.7.1 Current management situation
Pest animals are those species not native to the planning area. They generally have a detrimental impact on natural areas through predation, displacement or competition with native animals. Surveys within the planning area have revealed 12 species of pest animals, which are represented by 1 amphibian, 2 birds and 9 mammals (Table 10). In addition to these, a further six pest animal species have been recorded within the surrounds of the planning area, and hence have the potential to occur within the planning area either currently or in the future. These include the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Spotted Turtle Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), feral Deer (Dama dama) and Rusa Deer (Cervus timorensis).
The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 (LP Act) identifies pest animal species and criteria for their control. Four Class 2 pest animals occur within the planning area (Table 10), with three also identified as High priorities under the Gold Coast City Council Pest Management Plan. Furthermore, four species within the planning area have been listed as Key Threatening Processes under the EPBC Act, including: predation by the European Red Fox; predation by feral cats; predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by Feral Pigs; and the biological effects, including lethal toxic ingestion, caused by Cane Toads (Bufo marinus).
Additionally, of the pest animals recorded within the surrounds of the planning area, rabbits are Class 2 pests under the LP Act, with competition and land degradation by rabbits identified as Key Threatening Processes under the EPBC Act, and feral deer are a Class 3 pest under th LP Act, with herbivory and environmental degradation caused by feral deer listed as a key threatening process by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC).
Wild Dogs and Foxes are recognised as a significant threat to native fauna within the planning area, and foxes, in particular contribute to a major potential threat to the native fauna of the reserve, endangering ground-nesting or dwelling birds, such as quails, and small
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to medium-sized mammals, including the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and Common Planigale (Planigale maculata). Moreover, populations of small fauna in the more fragmented reserves of the planning area are less resilient to chance disturbances and external pressures and are therefore particularly vulnerable to predation by or competition from pest animals.
Domestic livestock including Cattle, Horses and Camels historically grazed within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area for many years. At the time of acquisition there was no adequate fencing to restrict stock from creek and vegetation areas, leading to impacts such as trampling and increased erosion; however Council has subsequently installed fencing which prevents stock access to Clagiraba Creek. Only Horses remain in the Conservation Area, with Cattle and Camels no longer present. Where it is determined that cattle are a more effective means of controlling grasses than slashing (refer to Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration), the potential exists for the reintroduction of Cattle into the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area.
Table 10. List of declared and priority pest animals for control within the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Scientific Name Common Name Class1 GCCC Priority2 Acridotheres tristis Common Myna Non-declared Medium Bos taurus Cattle Non-declared - Bufo marinus Cane Toad Non-declared High Canis familiaris Feral Dog Class 2 High Felis catus Feral Cat Class 2 Low Lepus capensis Brown Hare Non-declared - Mus musculus House Mouse Non-declared - Rattus rattus Black Rat Non-declared - Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling Non-declared - Sus scrofa Feral Pig Class 2 High Vulpes vulpes Fox Class 2 Medium 1 Queensland Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. 2 Gold Coast City Council Pest Management Plan.
The scheduled control of introduced animals needs to be prioritised in order to better utilise resources. Priority for control is given: to declared species or those for which a national emergency control program has been declared or are known to be an important problem in other conservation areas or states to species that have significant environmental impact, including damage to threatened species, catchment values and recreation values to species that may affect neighbouring lands or are considered of high priority by the community where management is needed to maintain benefits gained from previous control programs or to allow another high priority management program to be effective where a window of opportunity to control a particular species occurs
The control of pest animals on adjoining lands is critical to the long-term management of vertebrate pests within the planning area. Therefore, partnership agreements will be established with adjoining private landowners, Queensland Parks and Wildlife, the Department of Defence, and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to develop a coordinated pest animal control program.
Currently all reserves within the planning area are categorised as dog on-leash areas under Local Law 12 Part 9 (55). One dog off-leash area exists within the vicinity of the planning area at Syd Duncan Park – a recreation park off Outlook Avenue at Lower Beechmont. Owing to their ecological values and location, it is recommended that the following reserves are identified as Dog Prohibited Areas under Local Law 12 Part 9 (55): Clagiraba Reserve, Coolbunbin Creek Reserve, Elimbah Court Reserve, Freeman Family Park, Little Beechmont
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Road Reserve, Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Mirani Street Reserve, Mount Nathan Reserve, Parkway Drive Reserve, Parma Court Reserve, and Scenic Reserve. The remainder of the reserves will remain on-leash areas unless evidence becomes available that warrants a reassessment of the situation and subsequent additional protection.
A pest animal photo-monitoring program is currently underway within Lower Beechmont and Mount Nathan Conservation Areas, to examine the use of management trails by pest animals. It is also being used to determine the relative abundance of pest species and to identify individuals which regularly utilise the area. Results obtained to date have revealed that Foxes and Feral Dogs are the most common pest animals utilising management tracks within the Conservation Area, and that there are two wild Dogs which are known to frequent the reserve.
Research into the ecological effects of pest and domestic animals on the native plants and animals, and monitoring of population sizes, is essential to establish an empirically-based set of criteria for non-native animal management. Therefore, it is important that current monitoring is continued, and that future programs are developed where resources permit.
Additional pest animal species may be identified within the planning area in the future. These incidences will be addressed on a priority basis by Council’s natural area management officers and pest animal management officers, with their management requirements incorporated into the Pest Animal Control Plan for the planning area, where required.
4.7.2 Desired outcomes
Reduced impacts of pest animals on native flora and fauna. Planning for pest animal control is strategic, coordinated and collaborative. Improved public understanding of, and support for, pest animal management programs within the planning area. The neighbouring community is well educated with regard to responsible pet ownership.
4.7.3 Management strategy
4.7.3.1 Guidelines
G7.1 Ensure pest animal control programs utilise best practice techniques that minimise impacts on non-target species and comply with animal welfare practices set out in the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
G7.2 Ensure that all pest animal priorities, planning, and management are integrated and aligned with the intent and objectives of all relevant Commonwealth, State and Council guidelines, strategies, policies and legislation.
G7.3 Evaluate the environmental and social acceptability of all pest animal control methods before they are adopted. Where appropriate, liaise with Council’s pest animal management officers and other partnering agencies to ensure that the most environmentally sensitive methods are implemented.
G7.4 Continue to support Council’s pest animal management officers in undertaking existing programs for the control of pest animals within the planning area. Ensure that adequate notice is provided to Council’s natural area management officers prior to all pest animal control activities to enable closure of all or part of the planning area where required.
G7.5 Ensure that adequate fencing is in place to prevent stock access to environmentally sensitive areas, public thoroughfares or recreation nodes.
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G7.6 No new animal control programs are to be undertaken within the planning area until the completion of the Pest Animal Control Plan, unless it is perceived that a pest species poses an imminent threat to the native values or safety within the planning area.
G7.7 Ensure that the control priority of new pest animal incidences is assessed upon their discovery and where appropriate, incorporated into the Pest Animal Control Plan for the planning area as soon as possible.
G7.8 Wherever possible, utilise pest animal control strategies that include multiple control methods, target multiple species, and form part of a strategic and collaborative program.
G7.9 No permits will be issued for bee keeping within the planning area.
4.7.3.2 Actions
A7.1 Produce a Pest Animal Control Plan (PACP) for the planning area that identifies pest animals present and recommends and prioritises control and monitoring programs. This plan should include: triggers for initiating control strategies a set of criteria to establish priorities for non-native animal management control strategies that include multiple control methods, target multiple species and form part of an ecological restoration program integration with relevant Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plans and the Gold Coast City Council Pest Management Plan strategies for community and landholder involvement/cooperation monitoring techniques and regimes to help identify priority areas for feral animal control and to measure the effectiveness of control methodologies reporting protocols assignment of responsibility for tasks and activities
A7.2 Establish baseline data regarding the distribution and abundance of pest animals within the reserves and review the history of control measures undertaken to ascertain their effectiveness.
A7.3 Work with QPWS, Department of Defence, Department of Primary Industries, and proximate landholders to develop and implement a coordinated approach to the management of pest animals within the planning area.
A7.4 Maintain and consistently update a database with information relating to known pest animal movement routes, dens, trap sites and bait locations recorded within the planning area. New information pertaining to pest animal species should be regularly shared with Council’s pest animal management officers and uploaded to Council’s GIS database.
A7.5 Ensure that clear and appropriate notice is provided to visitors and local residents during pest animal control and baiting programs. Where a perceived threat to the public exists, or is likely to exist, exclude public access to relevant reserves. Signage informing visitors of any temporary closures is to be erected at all public access points.
A7.6 Promote responsible pet ownership and community understanding of the impacts of domestic animals on native fauna through interpretive signage (refer to Section 4.14 Community involvement, education and interpretation), Council’s website, local media, development of a good neighbour initiative, and ranger patrols.
A7.7 Promote new pest animal control strategies through ranger patrols and other educational mediums to build community support.
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A7.8 Prohibit domestic animals under Local law 12 Part 9 (55) within the following reserves: Clagiraba Reserve, Coolbunbin Creek Reserve, Elimbah Court Reserve, Freeman Family Park, Little Beechmont Road Reserve, Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Mirani Street Reserve, Mount Nathan Reserve, Parkway Drive Reserve, Parma Court Reserve, and Scenic Reserve. Install regulatory signage at entry points to these reserves in which domestic animals are not permitted. Signage should also advise dog owners of the location of adjacent public open space areas where dog walking is permitted.
4.7.4 Key monitoring priorities
Monitoring to record the presence/absence of domestic or pest animals within the planning area, and where possible, distribution and abundance. This should include a continuation of the current photomonitoring program. Where resources permit, this program should be expanded to encompass off-track areas, and pest animal field surveys should be conducted. Pest species data should be incorporated into native fauna monitoring studies (refer to 4.4.4) to identify any correlation between pest animal activity and abundance of native fauna. Ongoing incidental monitoring of any native fauna fatalities caused by pest animals. Monitoring of the impacts of pest animal control programs on target and non target species.
4.8 Aboriginal cultural heritage
4.8.1 Current management situation
The planning area is part of the Yugambeh language region which stretches from the Logan River to Beenleigh, west to Beaudesert and south to the Tweed River. The Yugambeh people are the traditional owners and have had a connection to the land for over 24 000 years. The Wangerriburra are one of the many family groups that occupied this particular area within the Yugambeh region.
There has been no formal cultural heritage study conducted in the reserve. However, it is known that the planning area’s traditional owners have an ongoing connection with this visually prominent ridge of the Beechmont Range and the surrounding area. Although no formal surveys have been conducted, flake scatters have been identified at two locations within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, highlighting the historic use of this reserve. Furthermore, owing to its proximity to bora rings at Nerang and Canungra, the Clagiraba area was toured by young men during initiation ceremonies (Steele 1984). Clagiraba Creek was named after this purpose, being derived from the Aboriginal name ‘Kalagareebah’ which means young or single men’s ground.
Aboriginal communities have an ongoing association and connection to country. Within a landscape the biodiversity values of the land and water are central to aboriginal spirituality and contribute to Aboriginal identity. Aboriginal communities associate natural resources with the use of foods and medicines, caring for the land, passing on cultural knowledge and strengthening social bonds. Aboriginal heritage and nature are inseparable from each other and need to be managed in an integrated manner across the landscape. Partnerships with the local Aboriginal community are therefore considered a priority to ensure appropriate recognition, conservation and management of cultural values within the planning area.
Council has an obligation to manage its land in accordance with the Queensland Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003. This legislation places a duty of care upon Council to protect items and places of cultural heritage significance. As part of this duty of care, an assessment of cultural heritage values is required where construction or any other ground disturbance is proposed, to identify cultural heritage values and prevent the inadvertent destruction of sites and values. Cultural heritage surveys carried out in accordance with Section 28 – Duty of
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Care Guidelines of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003, may therefore be required prior to construction of built infrastructure.
To promote better cultural heritage management within the planning area further research may be required to identify and record sites of significance within the planning area. To ensure protection of cultural heritage values and maintenance of cultural integrity, Council’s indigenous cultural heritage officers will consult with relevant Aboriginal groups before commencement of any development works.
4.8.2 Desired outcomes
Cooperative and integrated management of Aboriginal places and objects within the planning area with the Aboriginal community and relevant agencies. Aboriginal sites, places and landscapes of significance are identified, conserved and protected from damage. Increased public appreciation and understanding of local Aboriginal cultural heritage values.
4.8.3 Management strategy
4.8.3.1 Guidelines
G8.1 Consult Council’s indigenous cultural heritage officers, Aboriginal people with traditional affiliations to the planning area and relevant State and Commonwealth Aboriginal heritage authorities, in decisions regarding the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage, including identification of sites, and actions to protect objects, sites and landscape features.
G8.2 Through Council’s indigenous cultural heritage officers, seek agreement from local Aboriginal communities before providing interpretive information on the location of any Aboriginal sites and places.
G8.3 Ensure that Council staff working within the planning area undertake cultural awareness training.
G8.4 Support Aboriginal community proposals to research Aboriginal cultural heritage values within the planning area.
G8.5 All works involving ground disturbance are to be carried out in accordance with Section 28 – Duty of Care Guidelines of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003, including preparation of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan or Cultural Heritage Management Agreement where recommended as the result of a cultural heritage assessment.
4.8.3.2 Actions
A8.1 Prior to any ground-disturbing works or development likely to impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage values, Council’s indigenous cultural heritage officers must undertake a risk assessment of the site and, where required, develop a cultural heritage management agreement in partnership with the local Aboriginal community. This should include a desktop search of the Cultural Heritage Database and Cultural Heritage Register. Where the desktop review reveals the presence or likelihood of significant cultural heritage values field surveys may be required.
A8.2 Schedule assessments of known sites of cultural significance to monitor the condition of artefacts and determine whether remedial actions are required.
A8.3 In consultation with the local Aboriginal community, provide interpretation/educational infrastructure and/or material to promote public appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal sites, landscape features and heritage values within the planning area.
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4.8.4 Key monitoring priorities
Undertake scheduled assessments of the condition of sites of Aboriginal cultural significance. Regular ranger patrols to monitor disturbance or damage to known sites and areas of Aboriginal cultural heritage, as identified during cultural heritage assessments. Monitoring to assess for any negative impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage values resulting from management actions.
4.9 European cultural heritage
4.9.1 Current management situation
The relics of early European settlement across the Gold Coast provide evidence of how the current identity of the region was forged. Beechmont was settled by Europeans in 1889 and a number of descendents from these early pioneering families still farm in the area. Following this initial European occupation, the planning area has had mixed use, including logging operations, banana plantations, as well as intermittent use for cattle grazing. Additionally, most of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area was operated as a dairy during the last century. The steep slopes of some of the reserves (including the Conservation Area) have meant that grazing was restricted in its intensity and the conservation values of these reserves have had time to recover.
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area contains a number of features associated with the past use of the property which may be of potential European cultural heritage significance, including a cream shed, a dam, fence lines, and several derelict banana sheds. A cattle dip was previously located along Clagiraba Creek within the Conservation Area; however it was decommissioned in 2006 and the site was rehabilitated through riparian restoration.
It may be necessary to undertake investigations to determine the significance of features within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and the extent of any additional remaining evidence within the planning area. To promote better cultural heritage management within the planning area a cultural heritage assessment may be required to identify and record sites of significance. Where features of historic significance are recorded, Council will actively assist in the preservation of European cultural heritage values by meeting its obligations under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. The Queensland Heritage Act 1992 is written in the spirit of the Burra Charter and the Queensland Heritage Council has adopted this charter as a guide to decision making under the Heritage Act and to guide work in heritage registered places (DERM 2010). The Burra Charter, or Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance, is a nationally accepted standard of practice for those who provide advice, make decisions about, or undertake works to places of cultural significance, including owners, managers and custodians (Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter, 1999), and defines the basic principles and procedures to be followed in the conservation of heritage places (DERM 2010).
4.9.2 Desired outcomes
Historic features are recorded, assessed for significance, and where appropriate, protected and conserved. Increased public appreciation and understanding of local European cultural heritage values.
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4.9.3 Management strategy
4.9.3.1 Guidelines
G9.1 Ensure all operations are carried out in accordance with the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 and the Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter, 1999.
G9.2 Where appropriate, involve local historians or historical societies, and other interested members of the community, in the identification, assessment, planning and management of European cultural heritage values within the planning area.
4.9.3.2 Actions
A9.1 If required, liaise with Council’s heritage planning officers to identify features of European cultural significance through searches on the Queensland Heritage Register, National Trust of Queensland List, or Register of the National Estate.
A9.2 Assess the significance of existing and newly discovered historic features identified within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. Where these are determined to be of European cultural significance, liaise with Council’s heritage planning officers to ensure that they are recorded as being of heritage significance, and that they are provided with adequate protection.
A9.3 Schedule assessments of known sites of cultural significance to monitor their condition and determine whether remedial actions are required.
A9.4 Promote public understanding and appreciation of the planning area’s European cultural heritage values through the provision of interpretation and educational material.
4.9.4 Key monitoring priorities
Undertake scheduled assessments of the condition of sites of European cultural significance. Regular ranger patrols to monitor disturbance or damage to known sites of European cultural heritage, as identified during cultural heritage assessments. Monitoring to assess for any negative impacts on European cultural heritage values resulting from management actions.
4.10 Recreation opportunities
4.10.1 Current management situation
Visitor use of the planning area will be managed to maintain a high-quality nature-based recreational experience that is consistent with nature conservation and threatened species legislation, and other conservation objectives outlined in this plan. For the purposes of this management plan, nature-based recreation can be defined as activities that: are dependent on natural environment (i.e. the natural environment is critical to the participation and satisfaction of the participants) have an appreciation of nature as a key motivational factor do not require substantial modification to the natural environment are environmentally sustainable, as determined by an ongoing monitoring program of impacts
Generally recreation opportunities within the planning area are not well defined or publicised. In order to minimise adverse impacts upon natural and cultural values, and to ensure that appropriate recreation occurs, it will be necessary to provide coordinated opportunities
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across the planning area, with well defined access points and a clear intended use. As such, partnerships with other government land managers such as QPWS should be pursued where recreation opportunities extend across tenures. Furthermore, in order to promote acceptable use and behaviour, it will be important to provide comprehensive information and education to residents and visitors across a number of easily accessible formats.
Impacts associated with current recreational uses in the planning area can include: erosion, soil compaction, vegetation damage, introduction and spread of pest plant species, increased fire risk, fauna disturbance, littering, vandalism, arson and construction of informal tracks. Management of existing and new opportunities must aim to minimise these impacts wherever possible – particularly in more environmentally sensitive areas.
Population increases within the planning area are likely to place increasing pressure on reserves through corresponding increases recreational demand; hence it is essential that future uses and demand are a major consideration in the planning process. The design and location of recreational nodes must incorporate thorough feasibility analyses that evaluate community and visitor requirements, recreational demand, site suitability, access, costs, threats, biodiversity impacts, and long-term management implications.
The planning area is valued highly by many local residents for its wildlife, visual amenity and natural values. Protection of these values and features can be best achieved if visitors to the area are aware of the significance of the reserves of the planning area and their surrounds. This appreciation will be promoted through the provision of interpretive material which will facilitate an understanding of the issues which impact upon conservation and management within the area. Furthermore, owing to the environmental significance of the planning area, proposed uses and activities will be restricted to those which are considered low-impact only.
4.10.1.1 Bushwalking
The planning area offers a range of bushwalking opportunities. Reserves in more urbanised areas generally provide short and highly accessible experiences, such as walking on concrete paths adjoining bushland areas, and walking on hardened gravel tracks through vegetated areas. These opportunities typically occur in relatively flat small to medium sized reserves. Larger reserves tend to offer more challenging recreational experiences across a varying topography, ranging from very steep slopes to low grades in alluvial flats. Walking opportunities in these areas are generally limited to management trails. Currently most use of walking tracks occurs in the urbanised areas to the north of the planning area, where tracks are easily accessible and close to residences.
Whilst it is intended that walking will be permitted on all management tracks within the planning area, certain routes will be promoted to the public as designated walking/mixed recreational use tracks in the planning area. Key recreation tracks are described below, and will primarily be developed through upgrades of existing tracks, with some construction of new track alignments where existing alignments are unsustainable. These tracks are all contained within the reserves of the planning area, but also form part of a more extensive recreation trail network proposed through Council’s Priority Infrastructure Planning (PIP). Thus, in addition to providing recreational opportunities within the reserves, the proposed walking network has been aligned to connect with other planned track networks (shown on Figure 2) that may be developed adjacent to the planning area in the future.
Track 15 will be upgraded to form a moderate grade multi-use track running through Mt Nathan Reserve, and incorporating a portion of land to the east of the reserve that will be dedicated as park to Council as part of the Nathanvale residential subdivision. In the future this track may also form part of the Mount Tamborine to Nerang National Park recreational linkage, proposed as part of Council’s PIP. This proposal would require development of additional tracks between Mt Nathan Reserve and Mt Tamborine to the North and between Mt Nathan Reserve and Nerang National Park Access Park to the west, including construction of a crossing over Mount Nathan Road.
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Figure 2. Recreation map for the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
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Track 17 will be a newly constructed track in Clagiraba Reserve, replacing an existing informal track, which is steep and susceptible to erosion, and therefore unsuitable for ongoing recreational use. The new track will be graded to follow existing topography, facilitating safe speeds for all track users. The track exits onto Mt Nathan Road, from which users would be able to access additional tracks in Nerang Conservation Park, via Bellis Rd. As with track 15, under Council’s PIP, there may be future opportunities for this track to form part of a larger recreational linkage eastwards through Nerang Conservation Park, the planned Hidden Woods Estate development and across the Nerang River into Gilston.
Track 18 follows an old logging track through Mount Nathan Reserve, taking in dry and wet eucalypt forest communities. As with tracks 15 and 17, Council’s Priority Infrastructure Planning may present opportunities to extend this track further along road reserve into Little Clagiraba Reserve.
An additional short walking track, track 29 is planned in association with the proposed day use area in the Freemans Lookout Section of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. Refer to Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan (Gold Coast City Council, July 2008) for further detail.
Table 11. Summary of existing and proposed walking tracks and their maintenance requirements for the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Location, Description and Grade, Length Specific Development and Number1 Points of Interest and Width Maintenance Actions 1 Bitumen track located within John Easy grade Maintain to Australian walking Wayne Close Drainage Reserve. 470m long tracks classification standard Positioned at the interface of a 1.2-1.4m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure mown area and vegetated continued safe access for waterway buffer. walkers. 2 Concrete track located within John Easy grade Maintain to Australian walking Wayne Close Drainage Reserve. Complex of tracks classification standard Partially located within a mown 1903m of paths (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure area, with the remainder 1.2m wide continued safe access for extending around a lake and walkers. adjacent to a vegetated waterway buffer. 3 Concrete track located within Easy grade Maintain to Australian walking Hughes Court Drainage Reserve. 148m long tracks classification standard Positioned within a mown area 1.2m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure parallel to a vegetated waterway continued safe access for buffer. walkers. 4 Exposed aggregate/gravel track Easy grade Maintain to Australian walking located within Lakeview Downs 1937m long tracks classification standard Parklands. Extending partially 1.2-1.4m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure around the lake and along the continued safe access for road reserve. walkers. 5 Gravel and bitumen track within Easy grade Maintain to Council’s current Lakeview Downs Parklands and 2.7km long defined fire trail classification. Nerang National Park Access 3m wide Park. Commencing on the northern side of the lake and extending west and north through Lakeview Downs Parklands and around the boundary of Nerang National Park Access Park. Dual purpose maintenance/fire trail and walking track. 6 Gravel track located within Nerang Easy grade Maintain to Council’s current National Park Reserve. Dual 547m long defined fire trail classification. purpose maintenance/fire trail and 2m wide Manage grass and vegetation walking track connecting from at track edges to ensure clear
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Location, Description and Grade, Length Specific Development and Number1 Points of Interest and Width Maintenance Actions Burley Griffin Drive through to cul- passage is maintained. de-sac in Hazlett Street. 7 Gravel and bitumen track located Easy grade Maintain to Council’s current within Cargellico Reserve. 525m long defined fire trail classification. Extending partially along the 3m wide Provide boundary security northern boundary and through fencing. the centre in the west of the reserve. Dual purpose maintenance/fire trail and walking track. 8 Concrete track located within Easy grade Maintain to Australian walking Pasture Park. Positioned within a 209m long tracks classification standard mown area adjacent to a 1.2m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure vegetated waterway buffer. continued safe access for walkers. 9 Concrete track located within Easy grade Maintain to Australian walking Darwalla Road Reserve. 75m long tracks classification standard Positioned within a mown area. 1.5m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure continued safe access for walkers. 10 Short concrete loop track located Easy grade Maintain to Australian walking within Mountain View Reserve. 84m long tracks classification standard Positioned in a mown area in 1.5m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure close proximity to a vegetated continued safe access for waterway buffer. walkers. 11 Concrete track located within Easy grade Maintain to Australian walking Lookout Place Reserve. 280m long tracks classification standard Positioned in mown area parallel 1.2m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure to a vegetated waterway buffer. continued safe access for walkers. 12 Four-wheel drive access track Easy grade Maintain to Australian walking located within Oval Drive 110m long tracks classification standard Parklands. Located entirely within 3m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure a moist sclerophyll vegetation continued safe access for community. Dual purpose walkers and restoration crews. maintenance and walking track. 13 Concrete track located within Oval Easy grade Maintain to Australian walking Drive Parklands. Extends through 95m long tracks classification standard a wet sclerophyll vegetation 1.2m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure community. continued safe access for walkers. 14 Bitumen track located within Oval Easy grade Connect northern and southern Drive Parklands on either side of a 86m long sections of track across the waterway on-site. Extends through (combined) waterway. dry and wet sclerophyll 1.2m wide Maintain to Australian walking communities. tracks classification standard (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure continued safe access for walkers. 15 Four-wheel drive access track Moderate grade Upgrade track to facilitate safe located within Mount Nathan 4.7km long and sustainable access for Reserve. Extends throughout the 3m wide walkers, horse riders and entire reserve on a north-south mountain bikers along length of axis, passing through an 800m track and Maintain to Australian section of private property which is walking tracks classification designated to be dedicated to standard (AS2156.1-2001) and Council as part of a future appropriate IMBA mountain development. Traverses dry and bike track standards. moist sclerophyll vegetation Also maintain continued safe communities. To be developed as access for maintenance and multi-purpose walking, horse fire fighting vehicles. riding, mountain biking, and
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Location, Description and Grade, Length Specific Development and Number1 Points of Interest and Width Maintenance Actions maintenance/fire track. 16 Grassed four-wheel drive access Moderate grade Provide step-overs to allow track located within the upper 1110m long horse rider access. eastern section of Mount Nathan 3m wide Maintain to Australian walking Reserve. Extends through tracks classification standard regrowth and cleared grassed (AS2156.1-2001) and areas. Multi-purpose walking, appropriate IMBA mountain horse riding, mountain biking, and bike track standards to ensure maintenance/fire track. safe access for walkers, riders and mountain bikers and to facilitate maintenance and fire- fighting access. Where resources permit, rehabilitate cleared areas to enhance the natural amenity value of track. 17 Proposed graded earth track Moderate grade Close and rehabilitate existing located within Clagiraba Reserve. ~3km long degraded track and construct Track to be constructed along 2m wide new graded earth track, contours to replace existing steep (maximum) minimising erosion and impacts and degraded track. Extends to existing vegetation. Utilise through dry and moist sclerophyll switchbacks and follow existing vegetation communities. Dual contours to facilitate gentler walking/mountain biking track. track gradients and improved sight lines. At southern end of track provide signage to indicate safe route to access recreational tracks in Nerang Conservation Park via Bellis Rd. Maintain at appropriate IMBA mountain bike track standards. 18 Proposed earth walking track Moderate grade Construct new earth track connecting Mount Nathan ~1.9km long through Mt Nathan Reserve, Reserve to Little Clagiraba 1.2m wide minimising impacts to existing Reserve via old logging track and (minimum) vegetation and erosion and road reserve. Extends through dry following existing contours to and moist sclerophyll vegetation facilitate gentler track gradients communities. and improved sightlines. Investigate opportunities for providing connectivity with Little Clagiraba Reserve. 19 Earth track through northern end Moderate grade Install gate at junction with of Lower Beechmont Conservation 1.3km long track 28 to prevent horse Area, linking Barcoo Court to 2.5-3.5m wide access to Hellfire Pass. Install Bellis Road and additional gate at junction with track 25 to recreational tracks in Nerang prevent horse access into Conservation Park. Extends southern part of conservation through cleared grass areas area. associated with electrical Upgrade steep southeast easement and then into dry sections of track to facilitate sclerophyll forest. Dual-purpose horse access. walking and horse riding, with Maintain to Australian walking maintenance access at northwest tracks classification standard end. (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure safe access for walkers, riders. 20 Earth track located within the Moderate grade Maintain portion of track on north-eastern section of the Lower 950m long Council land to Council’s Beechmont Conservation Area 4.5m wide current defined fire trail and partially within Nerang classification. Management of Conservation Park. Connects section of track in Nerang between tracks 24 and 25. Conservation Park is the
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Location, Description and Grade, Length Specific Development and Number1 Points of Interest and Width Maintenance Actions Extends through dry sclerophyll responsibility of QPWS. vegetation communities. Dual purpose maintenance/fire-fighting and walking track. 21 Earth track located within the Moderate grade Track to be managed by electrical easement in the north- 250m long Powerlink for maintenance of eastern section of the Lower 3.5m wide easement only. Beechmont Conservation Area. Maintenance track only. 22 Earth track located within the Moderate grade Maintain to Council’s current eastern section of the Lower 1.2km long defined fire trail classification. Beechmont Conservation Area. 3m wide Connects between Track 24 and the eastern Beechmont Road entry. Extends through a dry sclerophyll vegetation community and partially through cleared grass areas in the electrical easement. Dual maintenance/fire-fighting and walking track. 23 Earth track located within the Moderate grade Maintain to Australian walking eastern section of the Lower 440m long tracks classification standard Beechmont Conservation Area. 3m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure Connects off track 24 and extends safe access for walkers. to a high point and clearing. Traverses through dry sclerophyll vegetation communities. Walking track. 24 Earth track located within the Moderate grade Install horse step-over at eastern section of the Lower 1.4km long Beechmont Road entrance to Beechmont Conservation Area. 4.5m wide track. Connects from southern Maintain to Australian walking Beechmont Road entry to tracks classification standard Conservation Area through to (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure recreational tracks in Nerang safe access for walkers, horse Conservation Park. Extends riders, maintenance and fire through dry sclerophyll vegetation fighting vehicles. and cleared grass areas in the electrical easement. Multi-purpose walking, horse riding and maintenance/fire-fighting track. 25 Earth track located within the Moderate grade Maintain to Australian walking Lower Beechmont Conservation 2.2km long tracks classification standard Area. Connects track 19 and Bellis 3-6m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure Road with the southern safe access for walkers, Beechmont Road entry. Extends maintenance and fire fighting through dry sclerophyll vegetation vehicles. communities and cleared grass areas. Dual walking and maintenance/fire track. 26 Earth track located within the Moderate grade Maintain to Australian walking Lower Beechmont Conservation 760m long tracks classification standard Area. Connects between track 25 3m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure and the western Beechmont Road safe access for walkers, entry. Extends through dry and maintenance and fire fighting moist sclerophyll vegetation vehicles. communities. Dual walking and maintenance/fire track. 27 Degraded earth track located Moderate grade Upgrade western half of track within the centre of the Lower 1.9km long to facilitate safe access for Beechmont Conservation Area, Variable width walkers and restoration crews. running parallel to Clagiraba
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Location, Description and Grade, Length Specific Development and Number1 Points of Interest and Width Maintenance Actions Creek. Traverses through dry and moist sclerophyll, vine forest, and Acacia regrowth. Dual purpose management (foot access) and walking track. 28 Earth track located within the Difficult grade Maintain to Australian walking Lower Beechmont Conservation 2.6km long tracks classification standard Area. Connects from the junction 3.5m wide (AS2156.1-2001) to ensure of track 19 and extends to cul-de- safe access for walkers, sac at Hellfire Pass. Extends maintenance and fire fighting through dry and moist sclerophyll vehicles. vegetation. Dual walking and maintenance/fire-fighting track. 29 Earth track located within the Moderate grade Maintain in current condition Freemans Lookout Section of the 730m long and ensure continued safe Lower Beechmont Conservation 4m wide access for walkers, Area. Commences at the end of maintenance vehicles and fire Freemans Road and extends fighting vehicles in accordance through dry and moist sclerophyll, with Lower Beechmont and vine forest vegetation Conservation Area- Freemans communities. Dual walking and Lookout Section Management maintenance/fire track. Olan (July 2008). 30 Concrete track located within Syd Easy grade Maintain in current condition Duncan Park. Positioned within a 135m long and ensure continued safe mown area. 1.5m wide access for walkers. 1 Tracks numbered in accordance with access track numbering given on Figure 2.
4.10.1.2 Day use
Several existing day use areas are present within the planning area (Table 12). These typically cater for low to moderate levels of use and are usually set in cleared areas within natural area reserves. Generally the more urbanised parts of the planning area contain at least one day use area within reasonably close proximity to residents. Provision of day use areas in more rural settings within the planning area is lower owing to large residential lot sizes and consequently lower demand for nearby recreational open space facilities by residents in these areas. Several of the existing day use areas will require upgraded facilities to be designed and installed in accordance with Council guidelines, manuals and policies relevant to the provision of recreational infrastructure within public open space natural areas.
Table 12. Summary of existing day use areas and their maintenance requirements for the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Specific Development and Park Name Location and Description Maintenance Actions Cliff Bird Park Day use area is located in the centre Upgrade picnic tables and public of the reserve and contains a tennis toilets. Maintain as per routine court, picnic tables, public toilets and maintenance schedule. a rubbish bin. Darwalla Road Day use area is located in the south of Install picnic table under existing Reserve the reserve and contains a concrete picnic shelter. path, picnic shelter, seating, and a horse exercise area. Lakeview Downs Day use area is located along the east No specific management required. Parklands and southern boundary of the reserve. Maintain as per routine maintenance It contains a concrete path, gravel schedule. maintenance trails, a picnic shelter and table, a barbeque, a playground, and seating. Little Clagiraba Day use area is located in the north of Investigate relocation and upgrade of Reserve the reserve near Clagiraba Creek and park infrastructure to avoid flood
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Specific Development and Park Name Location and Description Maintenance Actions contains a wood barbeque, picnic impacts and provide a day use facility shelter and table, children’s consistent with community playground, carpark and rubbish bins. expectations. Re-turf old track. Fence reserve boundary adjacent to road. Oval Drive The main day use area is located in No specific management required. Parklands the east of the reserve and contains a Maintain as per routine maintenance concrete path, a picnic shelter and schedule. table, a playground, seating and a carpark. A smaller day use area exists in the south of the reserve and contains a picnic table and barbeque. Syd Duncan Park1 Day use area is located in the north of No specific management required. the reserve and contains a concrete Maintain as per routine maintenance path, a picnic shelter and table, a schedule. gazebo and picnic table, a toilet block, bins, a dog waste bag dispenser, a playground and a bmx track. 1 Park is a recreation park and not a natural area reserve, hence are not considered as part of the planning area. Referenced here due to proximity to the planning area reserves and influence on day use requirements within the planning area.
Existing day use areas plus a new proposed day use area is expected to sufficiently support current and future recreational demand within the ten year lifetime of this plan. The proposed day use area is within the Freemans Lookout Section of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. The site has the capacity to provide a short walking circuit, picnic area and lookout. Refer to Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan (Gold Coast City Council, July 2008) for further detail.
A new children’s playground has recently been installed on higher ground in Little Clagiraba Reserve. However, the existing car park, barbeque and picnic shelter are located in a low- lying part of the site, at risk from flooding. Upgrading and relocating this infrastructure to higher ground is currently under investigation, and community input will be sought as part of this process. As new residential developments are completed within the area, the day use capacity of the planning area is expected to increase through further park dedications, particularly in the Mount Nathan area through the Nathanvale development. Further day use areas are not likely to be required during the life of this plan (ten years). However, where recreational demand studies indicate the need for additional day use facilities within the planning area, further expansion of facilities in Little Clagiraba Reserve should be considered. Scope exists within this reserve to increase day use facilities and to provide a walking circuit and interpretive signage.
Development of new recreation nodes in the planning area is likely to be highly constrained by ecological and landscape values and issues associated with the protection of life and property. Constraints may include: the presence of threatened species (GCCC 2005c), State and Regionally Significant vegetation communities (GCCC 2005b), Medium-High Potential Bushfire Hazard (Gold Coast Planning Scheme Overlay Map 10: Potential Bushfire Hazard Areas), Moderate-High Slope Instability (Gold Coast Planning Scheme Overlay Map 16: Areas of Unstable Soil and Potential Landslip), and a Large Habitat System (Gold Coast Planning Scheme Overlay Map 20: Conservation Strategy Plan). Detailed planning for recreational infrastructure must be cognisant of these factors and should at all times aim to work within the framework of these inherent limitations, rather than attempting to over- engineer design solutions. Additionally, owing to these constraints, it is essential that impacts associated with construction be minimised. Therefore, existing tracks and cleared areas should be used wherever possible.
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4.10.1.3 Horse riding
No formalised horse riding opportunities currently exist within the planning area; however some local riders use existing management tracks within the northern and western sections of Lower Beechmont CA and riding is permitted within Nerang Conservation Park and Nerang National Park. These tracks cater to riders of varying experience and typically guide riders through various dry sclerophyll forest communities. Owing to the number of residents within the area that own horses, and existing opportunities within State-managed land, horse riding is relatively popular within the planning area.
Table 13. Summary of existing and proposed horse riding trails for Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Specific Grade, 1 Development and Number Location, Description and Points of Interest Length and Maintenance Width Actions 15 Four-wheel drive access track located within Mount Moderate Refer to Table 11 Nathan Reserve. Extends throughout the entire grade reserve on a north-south axis, passing through an 4.7km long 800m section of private property which is 3m wide designated to be dedicated to Council as part of a future development. Traverses dry and moist sclerophyll vegetation communities. To be developed as multi-purpose walking, horse riding, mountain biking, and maintenance/fire track. 16 Grassed four-wheel drive access track located Moderate Refer to Table 11 within the upper eastern section of Mount Nathan grade Reserve. Extends through regrowth and cleared 1110m long grassed areas. Multi-purpose walking, horse riding, 3m wide mountain biking, and maintenance/fire track. 19 Earth track through northern end of Lower Moderate Refer to Table 11 Beechmont CA, linking Barcoo Court to Bellis Road grade and additional recreational tracks in Nerang 1.3km long Conservation Park. Extends through cleared grass 2.5-3.5m areas associated with electrical easement and then wide into dry sclerophyll forest. Dual-purpose walking and horse riding, with maintenance access at northwest end only. 24 Earth track located within the eastern section of the Moderate Refer to Table 11 Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. Connects grade from southern Beechmont Road entry to 1.4km long Conservation Area through to recreational tracks in 4.5m wide Nerang Conservation Park. Extends through dry sclerophyll vegetation and cleared grass areas in the electrical easement. Multi-purpose walking, horse riding and maintenance/fire-fighting track. 1 Tracks numbered in accordance with access track numbering given on Figure 2.
It is intended that approximately 8.5 kilometres of horse riding tracks be formalised within the planning area (Table 13 and Figure 2), which will extend the existing state-managed riding track network in Nerang Conservation Park through into Council’s Mount Nathan Reserve and Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. There may also be future opportunities to link riding tracks in Mount Nathan Reserve with the 40km multi-purpose track network in Nerang National Park (refer to 4.10.1.1).
In addition to new tracks, it is also proposed that a horse exercise area be provided within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. This area will be located in the grassed clearing immediately within the entry on the eastern side of Barcoo Court. It is anticipated that this facility will cater to residents in the south and east of the planning area, whilst the existing horse exercise area in Darwalla Road Reserve will service residents within the east and north.
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The majority of horse riding tracks within the planning area should be wide enough to operate as shared use tracks with bushwalkers and maintenance vehicles (see Table 13). All tracks accessible to riders will be clearly demarcated, with gates and fences established at the commencement of the track, to prevent access into environmentally sensitive and/or dangerous parts of the site (e.g. creek crossings, track sections with steep gradients, and damp areas vulnerable to erosion, weed colonisation and fungal invasion).
4.10.1.4 Mountain biking
No formalised mountain biking opportunities exist within the planning area; however a small informal track in the southeast corner of Clagiraba Reserve has been historically used for this purpose. This reserve contains a short meandering track that has been created for the purposes of easy-moderate level cross country mountain biking. The reserve was previously the subject of a Material Change of Use development application to increase the site’s capacity for holding mountain biking events; however this application did not progress and has since lapsed. Currently Clagiraba Reserve receives limited ongoing use by mountain bikers. Nerang National Park also caters for this activity by allowing riders to use their perimeter management track system, which also function as multi-purpose recreation tracks.
Opportunities exist to formalise locations for mountain biking within the planning area (Table 14). The multi-purpose track designated for Mount Nathan Reserve (track 15) will cater for mountain bikes (refer to 4.10.1.1). An additional trail from Mount Nathan Reserve through Clagiraba Reserve (track 17) will link track 15 with the small cross country mountain bike track at the south-eastern end of Clagiraba Reserve, and provide connectivity with the mixed-use track network in Nerang Conservation Park. These tracks formalise almost nine kilometres of mountain biking tracks within the immediate area and will provide a centralised node for this activity representing a variety of experiences (long and relatively flat at Mount Nathan and cross country at Clagiraba Reserve). In order to maximise opportunities within the planning area and ensure that appropriate facilities are provided to cater for demand, it will be important to liaise with QPWS regarding complementary mountain bike management between Council’s conservation estate and Nerang National Park.
Table 14. Summary of existing and proposed mountain biking trails for Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Specific Grade, 1 Development and Number Location, Description and Points of Interest Length and Maintenance Width Actions 15 Four-wheel drive access track located within Mount Moderate Refer to Table 11 Nathan Reserve. Extends throughout the entire grade reserve on a north-south axis, passing through an 4.7km long 800m section of private property which is 3m wide designated to be dedicated to Council as part of a future development. Traverses dry and moist sclerophyll vegetation communities. To be developed as multi-purpose walking, horse riding, mountain biking, and maintenance/fire track. 16 Grassed four-wheel drive access track located Moderate Refer to Table 11 within the upper eastern section of Mount Nathan grade Reserve. Extends through regrowth and cleared 1110m long grassed areas. Multi-purpose walking, horse riding, 3m wide mountain biking, and maintenance/fire track. 17 Proposed graded earth track located within Moderate Refer to Table 11 Clagiraba Reserve. Track to be constructed along grade contours to replace existing steep and degraded ~3km long track. Extends through dry and moist sclerophyll 2m wide vegetation communities. Dual walking/mountain (maximum) biking track. 1 Tracks numbered in accordance with access track numbering given on Figure 2.
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It is essential that construction and maintenance of mountain bike tracks is specifically tailored to this use. In particular, tracks should be designed so as to minimise erosion and damage – especially that associated with cornering. In order to protect natural values, mountain bikes will not be permitted to travel at fast speeds, with all tracks intended to cater for an intensity no higher than moderately paced social riding.
Owing to potential user conflicts between mountain bikes and horse riding, tracks for these activities will generally be separated, with the exception of designated areas in which tracks are flat and wide with good sight-lines. Furthermore, although mountain bikes and walkers may utilise the same tracks, clear signage should be provided to indicate where multiple user groups are permitted.
4.10.1.5 Nature observation
The planning area offers visitors the opportunity to recreate within a variety of natural landscapes. Transitions through communities of dry sclerophyll, moist sclerophyll, wet sclerophyll and riparian vegetation provide visual appeal and educational opportunities. In particular, bushwalks within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area will provide visitors with the greatest diversity of vegetation to observe. Furthermore, visitors can expect to readily observe wildlife including macropods and the abundance of birds that inhabit the planning area.
The lookout proposed for the Freemans Lookout Section of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area (Refer to Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan (Gold Coast City Council, July 2008) for further detail) provides visitors with a wide view of the Gold Coast, from the highly vegetated ridgelines at Canungra in the west, north to southern Moreton Bay, and across to urbanised coastal areas in the east. This panoramic view will offer an unprecedented opportunity to observe the diverse landscapes of the city at a single location.
4.10.1.6 Other nature-based activities
The planning area forms part of the route for the annual Kokoda Challenge – a cross-country team bushwalking event in which up to 300 teams of 4 people participate. The designated route extends through Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Clagiraba Reserve and Mount Nathan Reserve. In addition to the race itself, teams for the event often train within the planning area for a number of months prior to the event.
Although no adverse impacts have been observed, this intensive usage of the planning area has the potential to impact upon the natural values of the reserves in which the event occurs. As such, monitoring will be required to ensure that participants are utilising established tracks only and that problems such as erosion are not exacerbated. In order to ensure that the Kokoda Challenge continues to be compatible with the management of the planning area, Council should maintain an ongoing relationship with the event organisers – the Kokoda Challenge Association.
4.10.2 Desired outcomes
Low impact, nature-based recreational opportunities are provided which are consistent with the protection, appreciation, and understanding of natural and cultural values and ecological processes within the planning area. New nature-based recreation opportunities are complementary and designed within the context of existing opportunities within the locality and region. Community support is generated for the protection of the planning area’s values through the provision of appropriately designed recreational infrastructure. Facilities are designed and managed to provide a satisfying and safe visitor experience while minimising environmental and social impacts.
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4.10.3 Management strategy
4.10.3.1 Guidelines
G10.1 Restrict development of recreational activities and recreational infrastructure to that (existing or proposed) described within this management plan.
G10.2 Develop walking tracks as outlined in this management plan with the aim of minimising disturbance to geological features and reducing impacts on native plant and animal communities by utilising existing access and management tracks and/or by avoiding ecologically significant areas. To further reduce potential impacts, new tracks should be designed to follow natural contours and should be constructed at the minimum width necessary to facilitate access requirements.
G10.3 Construct tracks in accordance with the Australian Standards for Walking Tracks (AS 2156.1-2001 and AS 2156.2-2001), Gold Coast City Council’s Recreational Trail Design Guidelines (GCCC 2002) and any other relevant Council design and/or construction guidelines.
G10.4 Horse riding tracks should be constructed so as to be wide enough to accommodate shared usage (e.g. with walkers and maintenance vehicles).
G10.5 Mountain bike tracks should be constructed and maintained to standards specific to this recreational activity, rather than to a general walking track standard. Refer to International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) guidelines.
G10.6 To prevent mountain bikes travelling at high speed, all tracks are to be constructed to facilitate moderately-paced social riding only.
G10.7 Incompatible user groups should be separated wherever possible. Mountain bikes and horse riders should only occupy the same areas where tracks are flat and wide with good sight lines.
G10.8 All recreation tracks should be clearly defined through the installation of signage at trail heads and junctions. This signage should also indicate which user groups each track is suitable for.
G10.9 Tracks and other recreational facilities shall be closed during times in which repairs are required and/or where safety risks are identified.
G10.10 Where new recreational infrastructure or embellishments are proposed, conduct a feasibility assessment to assess site constraints, costs, environmental and cultural impacts, community demand, compliance with Local and State environmental legislation and consistency with other objectives of this plan.
G10.11 Where possible, install new recreational infrastructure and embellishments in existing degraded or cleared areas.
G10.12 Rubbish bins will not be provided at day use areas except where these are already in place (Little Clagiraba Reserve and Cliff Bird Park). Where considered necessary, signage advising of this fact and encouraging visitors to remove their own rubbish will be installed.
G10.13 Commission regular arboricultural assessments of trees within the vicinity of all recreational infrastructure. Prune or, where no alternative exists, remove trees which have been identified as posing an unacceptable safety risk.
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G10.14 Ensure that all relevant planning approvals are sought from appropriate Local and State government departments prior to the construction of any recreational infrastructure.
G10.15 Facilities are planned and constructed in accordance with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles wherever possible.
G10.16 Recreational or remote camping, trail bike riding, and four-wheel driving (except for management purposes) will not be permitted within the planning area.
G10.17 Ensure access points are easy to locate and tracks are well coordinated within the planning area.
4.10.3.2 Actions
A10.1 Upgrade the existing management track (track 15) through Mount Nathan Reserve to a multi-use track, catering for walking, mountain bikes, horse riding and management.
A10.2 Design and construct a shared walking-mountain bike track (track 17) from Mount Nathan Reserve, through Clagiraba reserve to link with the existing mountain bike circuit, and recreational tracks in the adjacent Nerang Conservation Park. Close and rehabilitate existing degraded track.
A10.3 Design and construct a walking track (track 18) along old logging tracks through Mount Nathan Reserve.
A10.4 Connect northern and southern sections of track 14 across the waterway through Oval Drive Parklands.
A10.5 Upgrade western half of track 27 through Lower Beechmont CA to facilitate safe access for walkers and restoration crews.
A10.6 Maintain all other walking and mixed-use tracks in accordance with specifications given in Table 11.
A10.7 Upgrade degraded facilities in existing day use areas with park furniture that complies with all Council guidelines, manuals and policies relevant to the provision of recreational infrastructure within public open space natural areas (refer to Table 12).
A10.8 Upgrade access facilities at Freemans Lookout Section in accordance with Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan (Gold Coast City Council, July 2008).
A10.9 Proceed with community consultation, development of staged design plans and upgrade and relocation of park infrastructure in flood-prone parts of Little Clagiraba Reserve.
A10.10 Clearly define the proposed sightlines for lookout facilities within the planning area and selectively clear vegetation (preferably non-remnant) to facilitate views. Monitor the growth of trees within these predetermined sightlines and prune as necessary to preserve the desired outlook. Only trees considered essential for removal shall be cleared, as determined by Council’s natural area management officers.
A10.11 Facilitate safe horse rider access along proposed mixed use/riding tracks in Lower Beechmont CA (tracks 19 and 24) and Mount Nathan Reserve (tracks 15 and 16), including providing signage, gates, fencing, horse step-overs and track upgrades as specified in Table 11.
A10.12 Design and install a fenced horse exercise area within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, located in the grass clearing adjacent to the entry on the eastern side of
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Barcoo Court. This area will serve a dual purpose as a track head to the horse tracks within the Conservation Area.
A10.13 Liaise with QPWS regarding complementary management of horse riding and mountain biking opportunities within the planning area.
A10.14 Liaise with the Kokoda Challenge Association to ensure that the event continues to be compatible with the conservation objectives of the planning area.
A10.15 Design and implement a visitor impact assessment program to monitor the impact of recreational use on the natural condition of the planning area.
A10.16 Implement a recreational demand study to identify the future need for additional nature-based recreational facilities within the planning area, incorporating monitoring data for existing recreational uses at or near the planning area. Where demand is identified, undertake a feasibility assessment to identify suitable locations within the planning area or opportunities on adjacent land.
A10.17 Use monitoring data for recreational usage to inform future consolidation and development of the recreational track network within the planning area. Where a high level of use is identified, formalise tracks and implement design solutions to minimise erosion and degradation from heavy usage. Where a low level of usage is identified, consider track closure and rehabilitation (within the context of recreational requirements and demand within the planning area).
A10.18 Provide signage to indicate a change of use where walking/riding tracks connect with management tracks, private property or state managed land.
A10.19 Install signage at day use areas where rubbish bins are not provided advising visitors to take their rubbish with them (all reserves except Little Clagiraba Reserve and Cliff Bird Park).
A10.20 Provide information (including downloadable maps) on Council’s website relating to all recreational opportunities within the planning area.
A10.21 Liaise with Council’s strategic recreation planning officers, QPWS and other government agencies to ensure coordinated nature-based recreation planning throughout the planning area and broader region.
A10.22 Establish and implement maintenance schedules for all visitor facilities as part of operational planning.
A10.23 Undertake regular weekday and weekend ranger patrols of the planning area to monitor visitor safety and usage along formal recreation tracks, to encourage safe and appropriate use by visitors, and to control prohibited activities.
A10.24 Maintain records of safety incidents, hazards and inappropriate use observed during ranger patrols or by the public, to inform future planning and risk management.
4.10.4 Key monitoring priorities
Undertake visitor use and demand studies to assess variables such as: visitor numbers, levels of recreational use, preferred activities, visitor demographics, conflicts between different recreational uses, and public demand for new or different nature-based recreational opportunities. Conduct visitor impact monitoring to assess environmental impacts associated with specified recreational activities. Impact thresholds and appropriate management responses should be established in conjunction with this monitoring program.
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Undertake regular monitoring of recreational facilities to ensure that they are being used appropriately, and are maintained in a safe and operational condition.
4.11 Built infrastructure
4.11.1 Current management situation
Reserves across the planning area contain various levels of management infrastructure including gates, signage, fencing, water tanks, sheds, a caretaker accommodation and recreational infrastructure (described in 4.10 above). Other built infrastructure on or adjacent to the planning area includes powerlines, roads and associated road infrastructure (drainage culverts etcetera).
Two powerline easements are located within the planning area. The first is a major easement approximately 120 metres wide, extending north-east through the centre and north of the planning area. The north-east and northern sections of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, and a small north-western section of Mount Nathan Reserve, are impacted upon by the powerlines. A smaller powerline easement, of 60 metres width, is located within John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve. Large cleared areas and some regrowth vegetation are generally associated with these areas. The management authority responsible for this infrastructure is Energex.
A number of roads traverse or run adjacent to the planning area, including Beechmont Road, Mt Nathan Road, Maudsland Road, Beaudesert Road, Bellis Road, Witheren Road and numerous smaller nodes, particularly associated with smaller reserves in the north of the planning area. The management authority responsible for roads and associated drainage infrastructure is either Queensland Department of Main Roads (DMR) or Council’s engineering assets officers. Roads and powerlines bisecting habitat areas can form a significant barrier to fauna movement and, where possible, opportunities to incorporate fauna movement solutions into infrastructure upgrades should be considered.
The Lower Beechmont Conservation Area contains a caretaker accommodation in the form of a large shed and an associated fenced yard area. This dwelling is located east of Clagiraba Creek in the cleared paddock area of the Conservation Area and where possible, should be permanently occupied by a caretaker who performs management functions within the reserve. A second large shed to be retained is located in the paddock area to the west of Clagiraba Creek and is associated with the historic camel use of the Conservation Area. All remaining derelict sheds and buildings within the planning area are to be demolished, with the exception of any identified as having cultural heritage significance.
Extensive testing of a former cattle dip located along Clagiraba Creek within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area revealed high levels of arsenic on the site. In 2006 the cattle dip was decommissioned and the site was rehabilitated. This area is now a riparian restoration site.
Generally the condition of gates, signage, fencing and water tanks within the planning area is good. Regular maintenance should ensure that these structures remain operable and suitable for the purpose for which they were installed. Requirements for additional minor built infrastructure should be assessed either on an as needs basis, or in response to strategies or designs produced through other planning documents such as the Bushfire Management Plan (refer to Section 4.5 Fire) or concept plans for recreational infrastructure (refer to Section 4.10 Recreation opportunities).
Derelict built infrastructure and related debris such as fences, wire, old timber, rubbish piles etc are scattered throughout the reserves of the planning area. Any such remains are to be removed unless deemed to be of significant cultural value as a result of a cultural heritage assessment.
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Structures within the planning area should reflect and harmonise with their contextual setting and landscape. The quality of design, detailing and materials should complement and not detract from the existing natural character of the area. New structures should, as far as possible, be confined to areas that have been disturbed and be designed to achieve the minimum impact for the desired use. Where appropriate, they should be energy efficient and non-polluting and should not cause any detrimental impact to the planning area.
All built infrastructure retained and installed within the planning area in response to the provisions of this management plan (including recreational infrastructure identified in Section 4.10 Recreation opportunities) must be placed on a regular maintenance roster involving provision for scheduled and reactive maintenance inspections and activities.
4.11.2 Desired outcomes
The location, operation and maintenance of built infrastructure is consistent with and designed in light of the planning area values. Built infrastructure is safe, sustainable and cost effective to operate and maintain. Built infrastructure (and where practicable, utilities) supports the management and conservation of the planning areas biodiversity, natural systems and processes.
4.11.3 Management strategy
4.11.3.1 Guidelines
G11.1 Locate new built infrastructure and facilities on disturbed or degraded sites wherever possible.
G11.2 Ensure that all relevant planning approvals are sought from appropriate Local and State government departments prior to the commencement of any works on-site.
G11.3 New built infrastructure should be installed in response to specific strategies or designs for the planning area (e.g. from the Bushfire Management Plan or concept plans for recreational infrastructure), or as a result of demonstrated necessity as determined by Council’s natural area management officers.
G11.4 Design and install all new built infrastructure with due consideration to the whole of life costs associated with the asset. Where practicable select durable, low-maintenance materials that are easy to source and replace, and are positioned in locations that will not expose them to unnecessary impacts or wear.
G11.5 The design, construction, and appearance of all built infrastructure and visitor facilities is to be of a high standard that is commensurate with the significance of the planning area. These facilities should create a signature appearance that is reflected across all forms of recreational infrastructure. Furthermore, they are to be constructed and designed in accordance with all Council guidelines, manuals and policies relevant to the provision of embellishments and recreational infrastructure within public open space natural areas.
G11.6 Maintain an ongoing relationship with Energex to ensure timely and environmentally sensitive clearing of vegetation associated with powerline easements within the planning area.
G11.7 Ensure that Council’s natural areas management officers are consulted as a stakeholder prior to significant maintenance works or development of new built infrastructure within the planning area carried out by any other department of Council (eg. Upgrades to roads or drainage infrastructure or recreational park assets).
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G11.8 Where upgrades of roads and associated infrastructure on or adjacent to the planning areas is proposed, investigate opportunities for incorporating fauna movement solutions into new infrastructure.
4.11.3.2 Actions
A11.1 Retain the caretaker accommodation shed to the east of Clagiraba Creek and the large shed in the paddock to the west of Clagiraba Creek within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area.
A11.2 At sites where built infrastructure has been removed, assess for suitability as a location for recreational or other management purposes requiring infrastructure development. Alternatively, rehabilitate degraded areas in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Restoration Plan, Action Plan, or Contractor Specifications (Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration).
A11.3 Regularly monitor the condition of boundary fencing to ensure it remains effective as a barrier to unauthorised access and neighbouring stock. These assessments may be undertaken during routine ranger patrols within the planning area. Where fencing has been compromised, ensure that it is reinstated as a priority (and in consultation with neighbours where necessary).
A11.4 Where required, install fauna-friendly, stock-proof fencing along the boundary of the reserves of the planning area to facilitate the unimpeded movement of native fauna species. This may necessitate the modification of existing fencing to provide fauna movement capabilities.
A11.5 Prior to formalising and promoting public access, remove unsightly rubbish and derelict infrastructure of no cultural significance (such as internal fence lines, wire, building remnants, pipes, rubbish piles, concrete rubble and debris) associated with past pastoral operations and other historic uses within the reserves.
A11.6 Ensure that all built infrastructure retained and installed within the planning area in response to the provisions of this management plan is placed on a regular maintenance roster involving provision for scheduled and reactive maintenance inspections and activities.
4.11.4 Key monitoring priorities
Monitor for impacts and/or changes in environmental conditions in areas adjacent to the location of built infrastructure. Monitor the recovery of degraded or modified sites after cessation of undesirable uses. Regularly assess the maintenance requirements of built infrastructure managed by Council’s natural areas officers, within the planning area and use this information to inform future decisions relating to design and construction materials.
4.12 Access
4.12.1 Current management situation
The reserves within the planning area have various degrees of accessibility, ranging from gravel tracks suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles to informal walking trails. Formalised tracks are generally in good condition and are well maintained. Those tracks which are informal, or abandoned, are typically demonstrating a propensity towards natural regeneration. Most of the major vehicle access tracks on the reserves are primarily used to access reserves for management purposes and maintain key facilities telecommunication towers.
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Other minor vehicle tracks, such as dirt roads accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles, provide access for management purposes such as fire management, restoration programs, feral animal control, site assessments and ranger patrols. Members of the general public may sometimes utilise these tracks for recreational purposes such as bushwalking and nature appreciation.
A small number of reserves have formal, constructed walking tracks while many reserves have informal trails which have developed over time. Some of the informal trails have the potential to be upgraded in order to provide improved access, connectivity between residential areas and enhanced recreational experience. Currently the planning area does not have a coordinated track system in all areas and many trails appropriate for recreation do not provide a sense of arrival or destination.
A number of easements are present within the planning area, including two powerline easements (refer to Section 4.11), three access easements and two undefined easements. The powerline easements are located within Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Mount Nathan Reserve, and John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve. The three access easements are situated within the Freemans Lookout Section of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Upper Heritage Drive Reserve and the Oval Drive Parklands. The first is a 10 metre wide easement through the Freemans Lookout Section which enables the Department of Defence to access the Canungra Land Warfare Centre, whilst the second is a 2m wide easement joining Lords Avenue to Trentbridge Court through the Oval Drive Parklands. Both undefined easements are located in the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area.
Historically, the planning area has experienced problems associated with unauthorised access to reserves, such as rubbish dumping, car dumping and arson, camping, safety issues associated with vehicles near the end of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area escarpment, anti-social behaviour, inappropriate recreation (e.g. trail bike riding), and the ad hoc creation of roads and trails. These issues often result in adverse impacts on natural values through damage to vegetation, disturbance to fauna, increased erosion, increased fire risk, and increased pest plant invasion. Where unauthorised access is a recurrent problem, gates and/or fencing should be installed as a preventative measure.
The aim of management trails is to enable fire, weed, pest animal, and public activity management. Council will either facilitate natural regeneration or undertake restoration and rehabilitation work on trails not considered necessary for management or access purposes (Figure 3). Roads and tracks within the planning area will be rationalised to provide appropriate levels of access for essential management purposes as outlined in this management plan. No new management trails will be constructed within the reserves of the planning area. Management trails to be maintained are shown on Figure 3. Analysis of access needs should be revisited once detailed fire, ecological restoration, and recreation management plans have been completed.
Public access to reserves will be limited to designated recreation areas and trails (refer to Section 4.10), with only management vehicles permitted on management tracks. Appropriate vehicular exclusion is required to ensure that unauthorised vehicle traffic does not enter the reserves of the planning area.
4.12.2 Desired outcomes
Maintenance access is facilitated in appropriate and necessary locations only. Safe access for public, management and fire fighting vehicles. The environmental impact of management vehicles is minimised, with sensitive and significant areas protected from inappropriate vehicle access.
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Figure 3. Existing and proposed future management tracks within the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves Cluster.
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4.12.3 Management strategy
4.12.3.1 Guidelines
G12.1 Exclude all conventional vehicle access from environmentally sensitive areas such as riparian zones and areas of known habitat for significant flora and/or fauna.
G12.2 All Council staff or contractors required to access management trails within the planning area for management purposes are to be briefed by Council’s natural area management officers on their responsibilities as outlined in this management plan.
G12.3 Restrict speed limits to 20km/h on all public vehicle tracks, and 10km/h on management tracks.
G12.4 Maintain, and where necessary construct, fire trails to appropriate standards as defined by the Bushfire Management Plan (refer to Section 4.5 Fire).
G12.5 Construct all new management trails in accordance with relevant trail construction standards, and ensure that their alignment follows the most environmentally sensitive route available.
G12.6 The Bellis Road entry to the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area is to be established as the main entry point to this reserve.
4.12.3.2 Actions
A12.1 Retain only those roads and tracks that are essential for public and management vehicle access, and rehabilitate those that are not required (refer to Figure 3).
A12.2 Retain access for the Department of Defence along the maintenance trail/easement on-site by providing keys for gates at the main entry gate and the end of the carpark and picnic area. Establish a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defence pertaining to maintenance standards for their connecting fire trail within the reserve.
A12.3 Where necessary, install bollards or other vehicle exclusion devices at entry points of publicly accessible environmentally sensitive areas to restrict vehicular incursion. Ensure these structures are constructed of sustainable materials and commensurate with the natural landscape and all Council guidelines, manuals and policies relevant to the provision of built infrastructure within public open space natural areas.
A12.4 Pedestrian access into the Freemans Lookout Section and Bellis Road gate entry of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area may be facilitated through the provision of squeeze points and pedestrian access control devices.
A12.5 Regulate unauthorised entry at key locations where vehicle access is restricted. This should be achieved through the installation of effective vehicle exclusion barriers. In particular, motorbike access into Nerang National Park (through Nerang Forest Reserve Access Park), and Mount Nathan Reserve (along Clagiraba Road) should be prevented through the extension of existing fencing.
A12.6 During routine ranger patrols of the planning area undertake regular monitoring for unauthorised access to reserves and manage as a priority.
A12.7 Liaise with Council’s local law officers to monitor and manage illegal vehicle access, including trail bike and four-wheel drive access.
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A12.8 Ensure that all management tracks within the planning area are mapped and added to Council’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database.
A12.9 Monitor management tracks to ensure that they are safe and that drainage is functioning effectively; undertake repairs where necessary to avoid ponding of water, erosion and unsafe conditions.
4.12.4 Key monitoring priorities
Undertake regular monitoring of the condition and safety of maintenance tracks within the planning area. During ranger patrols monitor reserves of the planning area for newly created unauthorised trails. Monitor access associated with management activities to ensure that unacceptable environmental impacts are not incurred.
4.13 Leased areas
4.13.1 Current management situation
There are no leases current for reserves within the planning area; however existing uses within two reserves will require formalisation through the implementation of lease agreements. Such leases will give exclusive rights of use in the prescribed areas, and to varying degrees, they will affect the use of the reserves by others and may impact upon natural and aesthetic values.
Based on current usage of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, a lease agreement will need to be created to enable continued occupation by horses. This agreement should extend for 5 years and should address issues such as the area in which horses may be kept, the number of horses permitted, and responsibilities for grazing infrastructure maintenance (e.g. fencing).
The potential exists for the aforementioned uses to detrimentally impact on the natural values of the planning area. Anticipated risks include increases in trail creation, erosion, soil compaction, vegetation damage, and weed invasion, and potential decreases in water quality. Monitoring will be required to ensure that impacts remain within acceptable levels. Additionally, regular inspections should also be conducted to ensure that lease conditions are being adhered to by lessees within the planning area.
4.13.2 Desired outcomes
Lease arrangements do not compromise conservation values of reserves. New or existing leases should provide for the appreciation and interpretation of the planning areas natural values and foster community support for conservation values.
4.13.3 Management strategy
4.13.3.1 Guidelines
G13.1 Activities allowed on leased land are ecologically sustainable and for purposes consistent with sound conservation, social and recreational outcomes.
G13.2 All leases should contain a condition indicating that leased uses will not be permitted to negatively impact on Council management programs (e.g. restoration activities) within the planning area. Where a conflict exists, Council management requirements and outcomes should be given priority.
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G13.3 Where a new lease or new lease use is proposed within the planning area, conduct an assessment of the potential environmental impacts of the proposal prior to granting approval. No activities or leases deemed to pose an unacceptable environmental impact are to be permitted within the planning area.
4.13.3.2 Actions
A13.1 Liaise with Council’s property officers regarding the drafting of a lease agreement for the keeping of horses within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. This agreement should extend for 5 years and should limit horses to fenced paddock areas only. It should also ensure that no additional horses are introduced into the Conservation Area over the duration of the lease.
A13.2 Keep a register of all leases and their renewal date.
A13.3 Review the appropriateness of all lease arrangements 6 months prior to renewal.
A13.4 Review the conditions of leases such that they are made more ecologically sustainable and update as required 6 months prior to renewal.
A13.5 Report all breaches of lease conditions to Council’s property officers.
4.13.4 Key monitoring priorities
Undertake monitoring to assess compliance by lessees with lease conditions. Impacts associated with the keeping of horses within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area are to be assessed and monitored in order to determine long term sustainability of this designated use under the lease agreement. Impacts associated with cattle grazing within Mount Nathan Reserve are to be assessed and monitored in order to determine long term sustainability of this designated use under the lease agreement.
4.14 Community involvement, education and interpretation
4.14.1 Current management situation
Protection of the environmental values of the planning area becomes easier to achieve when local residents and other visitors are aware of the environmental significance of the reserves and understand their management and conservation priorities. Providing information and environmental education can promote this awareness by helping to orientate visitors and enhance their visit. This in turn fosters an understanding and appreciation of the planning area’s features and values, encouraging appropriate public use and behaviour, reducing potential management problems and contributing to a broader understanding of natural environments and management objectives.
Only minor management signage currently exists within the reserves of the planning area. Regulatory signage is the most commonly occurring signage, being located within Cargellico Street Reserve, Hughes Court Drainage Reserve, John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve, Lakeview Downs Parklands, Little Clagiraba Reserve, Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, and Nerang National Park. Additionally, several Conservation Area identification signs are located at a number of entrances to the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, whilst minor advisory signage has been installed within Cliff Bird Park, Hughes Court Drainage Reserve and John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve. No interpretation signage currently exists within the planning area.
An Interpretation Plan will be developed to provide for directional and interpretational needs of visitors, and to ensure that proposed interpretive facilities enhance the management of the
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planning area. Existing signs will be removed and replaced with a suite developed in accordance with the Council Signage Masterplan.
Signage will be required at various locations within the planning area. Entry signage is to be provided at the main entry point of all reserves. As a minimum, this signage is to indicate the name of the reserve and activities which are (or are not) permitted. Additional information may include a map of recreation opportunities and/or interpretive information pertaining to the values of the reserve or planning area.
The planning area offers opportunities to develop interpretive themes relating to significant flora and fauna, its role in local and regional wildlife corridors, cultural heritage, and the biological diversity of the area. Opportunities also exist for promoting Council’s OSPL acquisition program, and educating visitors on other Council nature conservation and management initiatives. The potential exists for the planning area to play a role in environmental education for school and university groups owing to its proximity to the Gold Coast City and Brisbane.
Encouraging community and neighbour interest in the values of the planning area and raising community awareness of management issues may be a critical factor in the success of land management activities. Community groups and volunteers can contribute to natural area management through involvement in conservation and monitoring projects, public education, community development, and the promotion of Council’s conservation objectives.
Currently there are limited opportunities for community involvement in management of the reserves of the planning area. Presently the only community group working within the planning area is Brisbane Bird Observation and Conservation Australia (BRISBOCA), who conduct periodic bird surveys within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. No bushcare groups currently exist within the planning area; however increased urbanisation – particularly towards the northern end of the planning area – may result in future demand for more volunteer opportunities.
4.14.2 Desired outcomes
The local community and visitors have appreciation, enjoyment and an understanding of the planning area’s values and support its ongoing protection. Where appropriate, community and visitor involvement in conservation and management of the planning area is encouraged. Good relationships are established with residents and landowners neighbouring the reserves of the planning area (including both private residences and the Department of Defence), and with community groups with an interest in the planning area.
4.14.3 Management strategy
4.14.3.1 Guidelines
G14.1 Continue to support community groups in the delivery of management plan objectives.
G14.2 Continue to support systematic bird surveys within the planning area that are carried out by established natural history groups/societies working in conjunction with Council conservation officers and in accordance with the objectives of this management plan.
G14.3 Manage educational use of the planning area according to permitted visitor uses (refer to Section 4.10 Recreation opportunities).
4.14.3.2 Actions
A14.1 Prepare and implement an Interpretation Plan. The primary aim of the plan is to ensure that all reserve and communication signage, activities and facilities are coordinated
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throughout Council, of consistent quality and effectively communicate with visitors. The plan will include: objectives for reserve communication activities and priorities strategies for the development of information, interpretation, education and public relations products themes relating to the planning area’s values – for example, flora and fauna (in particular threatened or otherwise significant species and communities), contribution to wildlife corridors, cultural heritage, scenic amenity, and biological diversity a signage plan
A14.2 Provide opportunities for visitors to learn and appreciate the natural and cultural values of the planning area through: interpretive programs by Council’s natural area management officers and volunteers interpretive signage highlighting key conservation values and management programs a visitor information pamphlet maps and guides self guiding interpretive walking tracks information shelters information on the GCCC website regular input into local media
A14.3 Improve visitor behaviour, understanding and support of reserve management initiatives through increased Ranger patrols on weekends and holiday periods, and signage encouraging environmentally responsible recreation and activities.
A14.4 As a minimum, install naming and regulatory signage at all formal and publicly used entrances to reserves. Where appropriate, install totems with symbols rather than signs bearing excessive text.
A14.5 Provide directional, interpretational and risk management signs in accordance with the GCCC Signage Masterplan, and ensure that proposed interpretative facilities and services enhance the management of the reserve.
A14.6 Liaise with the Department of Defence regarding the provision of signage clearly identifying adjoining Commonwealth land.
A14.7 Review and update interpretive material for the planning area on a regular basis to ensure currency and relevance of information.
A14.8 Implement a good neighbour initiative tailored towards neighbouring residences. This program should address issues such as: planting of suitable native species, responsible disposal of household and garden waste, responsible pet ownership, a coordinated approach to pest plant and animal control, and bushfire hazard reduction strategies.
A14.9 Develop and evaluate a long-term volunteer strategy that incorporates the skills and interests of volunteer groups in a range of management activities.
A14.10 Provide education and training to new community bushcare and other volunteer groups about operating effectively with minimal Council supervision.
A14.11 Develop and implement a permitted use, and risk assessment process for all external users (e.g. school/university or nature observation groups) to ensure that all activities within the planning area are appropriate and conducted in an environmentally sustainable manner.
4.14.4 Key monitoring priorities
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Conduct surveys of visitors to ascertain the effectiveness of educational and interpretive material within the planning area by assessing for an improvement in knowledge and understanding of conservation and land management issues. Conduct ongoing monitoring of neighbour behaviour to assess the effectiveness of the Good Neighbour Program and other neighbour-based education initiatives. Monitor levels of community interest and participation in conservation projects within the planning area.
4.15 Research and monitoring
4.15.1 Current management situation
The purpose of undertaking scientific research and monitoring is to provide Council with a comprehensive understanding of the natural and cultural values, as well as ecological processes of the planning area. Furthermore, ongoing monitoring of management actions is necessary to establish whether such actions are effective and are achieving the desired conservation objectives.
It is considered essential that management of these highly important reserves be based on sound scientific information and continued monitoring of ecosystem conditions. Experimental design and data collection methodologies should be consistent throughout all Council- managed natural areas. Research and monitoring of this nature will ensure that the ecological dynamics of the area are well understood, thereby enabling land managers to make informed decisions at both the reserve and landscape scale.
A number of existing institutions, management agencies and research groups have, or may have, an interest in ecological and threatened species research within or adjacent to the planning area, including: other sections of Gold Coast City Council, Griffith University Centre for Innovative Conservation Strategies, EPA, Southeast Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium, South East Queensland Catchments, the Glossy Black Cockatoo Conservancy, and the Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network. These groups may be able to identify critical gaps in current knowledge and provide direction for research priorities.
Current research underway in the planning area includes regular bird surveys conducted within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area by Council’s strategic environmental planning officers. This is an ongoing project with data collected approximately once every three months. Informal pest animal monitoring is also occurring within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. This project involves the use of fauna cameras to monitor pest animal species diversity and track utilisation, and is undertaken on an ongoing basis. Additionally, pre- and post-fire monitoring is undertaken in association with planned burns conducted within the planning area. Data on fire hazard and vegetation composition is collected once prior to a planned burn; fuel load data is then collected opportunistically on an ongoing basis by Council’s natural area management officers, whilst vegetation composition is assessed at unfixed intervals as part of a longer term monitoring program. It is anticipated that these projects will be ongoing and will continue throughout the duration of the planning period.
The Lower Beechmont Conservation Area is one of the main identified koala release sites for the East Coomera Koala Conservation Project. This project commenced in September 2009 and will involve thorough health assessments and radio-tracking of all koalas relocated into suitable sections of the Conservation Area from East Coomera, as well as koalas that are currently present at the site. The condition of koala habitat at the site and overall use by koalas will be regularly surveyed and monitored within the Conservation Area over the next two to three years.
Further investigations may be required with respect to population sizes and habitat requirements for resident macropods and other grass-dependent species. This information is an important consideration for future restoration programs and should dictate how much
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grassland habitat should be retained within the planning area (particularly the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area).
There will also be a continuing need to monitor the impact of recreational use of the planning area over time. While usage may be low to begin with, population growth in the area has the potential to place increased pressure on the planning area. Well planned research and monitoring will serve to ensure that appropriate recreational opportunities are provided and that impacts are minimised.
The objective of this plan is to achieve sustainable management of the range of values associated with the planning area. Monitoring and evaluation will allow for the identification of developing management issues and will highlight changes in existing management practices necessary to ensure continued protection of ecological values. Furthermore, while research is important for guiding management, the areas involved can be sensitive and research itself may have an impact. It is important that research activities within the area are appropriately managed.
4.15.2 Desired outcomes
Monitoring and research contributes to improved management of the planning area. Impacts of management are rapidly assessed through targeted monitoring. Management is adapted to effectively manage trends identified during monitoring. No unacceptable environmental impacts result from research and monitoring. Research is coordinated and integrated with strategic regional biodiversity management priorities.
4.15.3 Management strategy
4.15.3.1 Guidelines
G15.1 Undertake and support research and monitoring in the planning area which aims to: increase knowledge of planning area values and conservation significance understand the nature and rate of any change in these values improve knowledge about visitor demand, satisfaction, use, characteristics and impacts improve management practices for the natural and cultural resources provide information that contributes to Council’s strategic planning functions contributes to the broader (e.g. regional, state, national etc) body of scientific knowledge.
G15.2 Ensure that data collection and experimental design are scientifically rigorous and produce results that are able to be analysed statistically.
G15.3 All research within the planning area will be subject to a permit system implemented by Council’s natural area management officers. Permits will be issued in accordance with the provisions of Gold Coast City Council Local Law No. 9 (Parks and Reserves) and Local Law Policy No. 9.1 (Parks and Reserves). Particular consideration should be given to Sections 17 and 18 of the Policy, which regulate scientific research within public open space.
G15.4 Researchers working within the planning area must liaise with Council’s natural area management officers regarding access, safety, compliance with management plan objectives and handover or research findings.
G15.5 Research activities involving the taking, use, or keeping of protected wildlife for scientific purposes must demonstrate sustainability and require a permit under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006.
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G15.6 Where research and monitoring activities result in environmental disturbance or degradation within the reserve, researchers will be required to undertake rehabilitation of affected areas at the completion of the project/s and/or cease projects if the impact is deemed by Council’s natural area management officers to be unacceptable.
G15.7 Ensure that the results of research conducted within or relevant to the reserve inform the review of this management plan.
G15.8 Adapt management practices to take into account threats, changes and opportunities identified in monitoring surveys/research studies.
G15.9 Collaborate with research institutions and other relevant organisations where opportunities exist to develop a strategic approach to addressing key management questions within the region.
G15.10 All proposed monitoring projects will be conducted based upon the availability of resources and funding. In order to ensure that those projects of the highest imperative are undertaken first, all monitoring initiatives will be prioritised within Council’s natural area monitoring projects database.
4.15.3.2 Actions
A15.1 Liaise with other Council sections (e.g. Council’s strategic environmental planning officers, catchment management officers etc) regarding current and planned strategic research programs within the planning area.
A15.2 Regularly update Council’s natural area monitoring projects database when new monitoring and research projects for the planning area are identified. This database should additionally be used for assigning priorities to each of the proposed projects within the context of the planning area and the entire city.
A15.3 Using Council’s natural area monitoring projects database prepare and update a prospectus of priority research projects to be distributed to research organisations and/or tertiary institutions as a guide to preferred research projects within the reserve. Priority topics include: updates to flora and fauna inventories monitoring of significant species and communities and further understanding of their management requirements monitoring of vegetation change and succession the role of wildlife corridors in the area monitoring of fauna populations and community interactions the most appropriate fire regimes for particular vegetation communities and individual plant and animal species monitoring of the planned burn program and its effects on fuel load accumulation monitoring the success of restoration programs within the planning area the impact of pest plants and/or animals on the ecology of the planning area cultural heritage research the acceptable limits of disturbance for different environments from recreational and management activities investigation of recreational demand within the context of the planning area and the entire city
A15.4 Develop and implement a monitoring strategy to assess the overall effectiveness of this management plan. This will be a high level monitoring strategy that will monitor and assess the overall performance of the plan and the performance of the specific management strategies included within.
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4.15.4 Key monitoring priorities
Review the number and type of research and monitoring programs undertaken each year to ensure that an adequate suite of data is being collected to inform major management decisions. Assess all research and monitoring programs to ensure that they do not result in unsustainable impacts upon the values of the planning area. Review on-ground management actions against desired outcomes and timelines at least every 5 years to assess the effectiveness of this Management Plan.
4.16 Consolidation of estate and management of isolated reserves
4.16.1 Current management situation
Within the planning area, a number of parks are incorrectly designated under current Gold Coast Planning Scheme Domain mapping. Twelve reserves require reclassification from the Park Living Domain, with a further two reserves requiring removal from the Rural Domain (Table 15). The Domain for all reserves within the planning area should be identified as Public Open Space.
The planning area contains a number of small, isolated reserves that receive little attention because of their inaccessibility, small size, and lack of recreational infrastructure or amenity. Some of these reserves are owned by Council, whilst others are State-owned and managed by Council as the trustee. It is probable that a number of these reserves will be of strategic importance in the future if they are consolidated through future acquisitions or if demand for public open space increases. Others, particularly those that occur in close proximity to State managed conservation reserves, may be more effectively managed by the State Government, allowing Council to consolidate its conservation estate and better direct resources to its more prominent and publicly-accessible reserves. Those reserves located directly adjacent to existing State-managed conservation lands (i.e. Nerang National Park and Nerang Conservation Park) should be considered for revocation of trusteeship (Table 15).
Table 15. Management recommendations for reserves requiring consolidation within the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Reserve Name Future Management Recommendations Burley Griffin Drive Reserve Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Park Living to Public Open Space. Cargellico Street Reserve Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Park Living to Public Open Space. Coolbunbin Creek Reserve Liaise with DERM regarding revocation of Council trusteeship and incorporation of reserve into Nerang Conservation Park. Darwalla Road Reserve Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Park Living to Public Open Space. Elimbah Court Reserve Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Rural to Public Open Space. Hughes Court Drainage Reserve Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Park Living to Public Open Space. John Wayne Close Drainage Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Reserve Park Living to Public Open Space. Lakeview Downs Parklands Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Park Living to Public Open Space. Lookout Place Reserve Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Park Living to Public Open Space. Mountain View Reserve Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Park Living to Public Open Space. Nerang National Park Access Park Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from
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Reserve Name Future Management Recommendations Park Living and Rural to Public Open Space. Liaise with DERM regarding revocation of Council trusteeship and incorporation of reserve into Nerang National Park. Nerang National Park Access Park Liaise with DERM regarding revocation of Council trusteeship and incorporation of reserve into Nerang National Park. Oval Drive Parklands Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Park Living to Public Open Space. Liaise with DERM regarding revocation of Council trusteeship and incorporation of components of reserve adjoining State-managed land into Nerang National Park. Pasture Park Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Park Living to Public Open Space. Venn Court Reserve Revise Planning Scheme Domain designation from Park Living to Public Open Space.
Currently two unused road reserves are located within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. The first, and the largest, runs through the middle of the Conservation Area extending from the end of Hellfire Pass in the west to Bellis Road in the east. The second is an extension of Witheren Road into the north of the Conservation Area. These road reserves are untraversable in parts, fragment the reserve, and do not contribute to the management of the land. As they have no practical future purpose and there is no intent to open them, these road reserves should be permanently closed.
Lands to the north and south of the conservation area containing important regional vegetation associations and connected wildlife corridors should be considered for acquisition using the OSPL or through the Development Assessment process to guarantee consolidation of wildlife habitat and safeguard viability of biodiversity in the area. In particular, it is considered important to pursue additions to Council’s natural area estate north from the Hinze Dam Catchment Area through the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and into Nerang National Park. Owing to the Koala translocation program (Section 4.4 Native animals), it is considered particularly important to consolidate areas of suitable koala habitat adjacent, or in close proximity to, the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. Acquisition potential will be impacted upon by relatively smaller lot sizes in this area. Where addition to the public open space network is not possible, alternative conservation mechanisms such as Land for Wildlife or Voluntary Conservation Agreements may be pursued. It is also desirable to consolidate the conservation network east to the Nerang River. Nerang-Murwillumbah Road represents a physical barrier to such connections; however restoration of cleared paddock areas are expected to result in a viable fauna movement corridor on this axis.
Several new developments within the planning area are currently being undertaken which contribute to the estate consolidation aims outlined above. Public open space dedications from the Nathanvale subdivision to the east of Mount Nathan Reserve will further develop linkages between the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and Nerang National Park. Additionally, the Hidden Woods development off Nerang-Murwillumbah Road will enable a viable connection from Nerang Conservation Park to the Nerang River. A third, smaller development off Freemans Road will serve to contribute additional land to Freeman Family Park.
4.16.2 Desired outcomes
Ensure that the planning area’s values are adequately protected by appropriate land tenure and Domain or Local Area Plan designation within the Gold Coast Planning Scheme.
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Pursue the acquisition of strategically positioned allotments, or portions of allotments, to improve the functionality and connectivity of Council’s natural area estate within the planning area.
4.16.3 Management strategy
4.16.3.1 Guidelines
G16.1 Support the incorporation, acquisition or protection of lands adjacent to the planning area to improve the representation and connectivity of vegetation communities, particularly important Koala habitat areas located adjacent, or in close proximity, to the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. Also pursue consolidation of conservation values between the Hinze Dam Catchment Area and Nerang National Park, and between Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and the Nerang River.
4.16.3.2 Actions
A16.1 Liaise with Council’s property officers and DERM to seek the revocation of Council trusteeship for land adjacent to Nerang National Park and Nerang Conservation Park. Parks to be relinquished include: Coolbunbin Creek Reserve, Nerang National Park Access Parks, and parts of Oval Drive Parklands.
A16.2 Transfer Burley Griffin Drive, Cargellico Street Reserve, Darwalla Road Reserve, Hughes Court Drainage Reserve, John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve, Lakeview Downs Parklands, Lookout Place Reserve, Mountain View Reserve, Nerang National Park Access Park, Oval Drive Parklands, Pasture Park, and Venn Court Reserve from the Park Living Domain to the Public Open Space Domain during the next revision of the Gold Coast Planning Scheme.
A16.3 Transfer Elimbah Court Reserve and Nerang National Park Access Park from the Rural Domain to the Public Open Space Domain during the next revision of the Gold Coast Planning Scheme.
A16.4 Provide advice to Council’s strategic environmental planning officers regarding the acquisition of suitable parcels of land through the Open Space Preservation Levy.
A16.5 Liaise with Council’s town planning officers and open space planning officers to deliver developments, and where appropriate acquisition of developer-contributed natural area public open space, within the region that are compatible with the management intent of the planning area.
A16.6 Liaise with DRNW regarding the closure of all road reserves within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area.
4.16.4 Key monitoring priorities
Undertake periodic assessments to ensure that all new Council-managed natural areas are designated within the Public Open Space Domain. Regularly review the location of new natural area acquisitions (OSPL, developer contributions, or other) to assess whether and how their position in the landscape contributes to the functionality and connectivity of Council’s natural area estate. Regularly review Council’s natural area estate for opportunities to expand and/or consolidate. Ensure that any proposed additions or reductions to Council’s natural area public open space are in accordance with the overarching management objectives identified within this management plan.
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4.17 Coordinated reserve management
4.17.1 Current management situation
Nerang National Park and Nerang Conservation Park are managed by QPWS and are the only State owned and managed conservation lands within the planning area. Nerang National Park covers 1692 hectares and is currently used by walkers, mountain bike riders, and horse riders; four wheel driving is also permitted by permit. Nerang Conservation Park is over 112 hectares and is predominantly used by horse riders. These areas will be primarily managed for conservation purposes with a range of recreational activities also permitted in some areas. Currently limited coordinated management occurs between Council and QPWS in the management of conservation lands within the planning area.
The Canungra Land Warfare Centre is located to the west of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area in the Scenic Rim Shire and is owned and managed by the Commonwealth Department of Defence. This site has considerable environmental values, which are recognised through its listing on the National Heritage Register. However, it is a major military training area for the Australian Army and is managed primarily for these purposes. Currently partnerships are being developed between the Department of Defence and Gold Coast City Council with regard to bushfire management between the Land Warfare Centre and the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area.
A number of private lots adjacent to conservation reserves also provide connectivity between conserved remnants and are strategically important in maintaining a viable conservation network throughout the planning area and broader city-wide landscape. Within the planning area 27 land holders participate in Council’s Land for Wildlife program. The potential exists for an expansion in the number of participants in this program, and/or higher level conservation agreements such as Voluntary Conservation Agreements or Nature Refuges, in order to enhance viability of fragmented ecological corridors within the planning area. Support should be provided to Council’s strategic environmental planning officers to promote such outcomes.
A number of management issues within the planning area would benefit greatly from a coordinated approach across tenures. In particular, outcomes for bushfire, pest plant and pest animal management would greatly improve with a collaborative approach between Council, State and Commonwealth Government, and private land owners. A partnership is currently being developed between Council and the Department of Defence for the management of bushfire. This should be expanded to involve QPWS and residents, and include other management issues, in the future.
Approximately 20 overt encroachments from neighbouring private properties have been identified within the planning area. These range in severity from easily remediated encroachments such as mown areas, to fixed dwellings which cannot be readily resolved. Other examples include access roads and driveways, sheds and other structures, paths, fences, paving, and landscaping. It is further anticipated that numerous additional smaller scale incidences, such as garden waste dumping, may also exist within the planning area. Council will need to prioritise encroachments according to their level of impact and facilitate site remediation where appropriate. Alternative solutions will need to be devised where fixed structured are encroaching on the planning area.
4.17.2 Desired outcomes
Integrated and collaborative management between Council, QPWS, Department of Defence and neighbours. Effective and efficient use of Council’s resources in managing priority reserves within the planning area.
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4.17.3 Management strategy
4.17.3.1 Guidelines
G17.1 Ensure that Council’s natural area management officers are key stakeholders in strategic land use planning in the area. These officers should be consulted regarding all development applications on properties adjacent to conservation reserves.
4.17.3.2 Actions
A17.1 Collaborate with QPWS and the Department of Defence in the management of threatened species, fire, catchments, pest control, access and recreation in Council and State-managed conservation reserves.
A17.2 Liaise with local owners of Land for Wildlife properties and Council’s strategic environmental planning officers regarding the coordination of management activities and operations.
A17.3 Provide advice to Council’s strategic environmental planning officers regarding acquisition of suitable land parcels through the Open Space Preservation Levy.
A17.4 Undertake ongoing monitoring for encroachments within the planning area through ranger patrols, examination of aerial photography, and community feedback.
A17.5 Immediately report to Council’s natural area management officers any encroachments into the planning area by adjoining land owners or managers. These incidents are to be pursued with Council’s local law officers where required.
4.17.4 Key monitoring priorities
Undertake a review of the success of each collaborative management program to determine whether outcomes have been achieved and to provide feedback for the improvement of future programs. During ranger patrols, monitor for new or expanded encroachments within the planning area. Periodically assess the success of collaborative management and community engagement in reducing the incidences of encroachments within the planning area.
4.18 Naming of reserves within the planning area
4.18.1 Current management situation
Parks within the planning area have been named in accordance with Council’s Naming of Parks and Community Facilities Policy. Council adopts a general practice of naming parks and facilities after their street, suburb or a nearby geographical feature so parks are readily identifiable to Council staff, emergency services and the public. Applications to name or rename parks and community facilities after individuals, families, service clubs or community organisations may be suitable in some circumstances and must be assessed against the criteria outlined in Attachment A of the policy.
The Naming of Parks and Community Facilities Policy includes a general principle relevant to lands bought with the OSPL, and requires that such sites are named at the time of the preparation of the management plan. The policy states that these acquisitions must be given a name which describes the general location and key natural values for which the area was purchased, followed by the term ‘Conservation Area’. The policy also acknowledges the importance of identifying any cultural and natural heritage, indicating that it is appropriate to
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name interpretive or recreational infrastructure after historical affiliations or individual families who have made a contribution to the city or locality.
In light of the above, the following names are proposed for the OSPL-acquired properties covered in this management plan: the name Lower Beechmont Conservation Area should be retained (Lots 9RP28688, 10RP28688; 11RP28688, 4RP48497, 5RP48497, 6RP48497, 12RP48967, 4RP119768, 24RP862086, 80RP911507, 81RP911507, 82RP911507, 83RP911507, 86RP911507, 88RP911507, 89RP911506, 1WD762, 2WD762, 25RP862086, 26RP862086, 27RP862086, 28RP862086, 900RP863860, 900RP863861, 901 RP863861, and 85RP886124) the name Elimbah Court Reserve (Lot 133WD948) should be replaced with Beechmont Conservation Area
The opportunity exists to amalgamate a number of reserves within the planning area that occur immediately adjacent to each other. The following consolidations are recommended:
Pasture Park (901SP149995) should be integrated into Mountain View Reserve (902SP191028) Clagiraba Reserve (Lot 999RP899099) should be integrated into Mount Nathan Reserve (Lots 2SP127979 and 6RP847219) Freeman Family Park (Lot 3RP862086) should be integrated into Lower Beechmont Conservation Area The western section of Scenic Reserve (2CP856900) should be integrated into Freeman Family Park (and therefore Lower Beechmont Conservation Area)
It is further recommended that future OSPL acquisitions or developer contributions located adjacent to existing natural area public open space be amalgamated into these existing reserves for ease of identification and management.
4.18.2 Desired outcomes
The names of all OSPL acquisitions within the planning area are formalised. Reserve nomenclature is consistent within the planning area and identifies geographic location or cultural history, and management intent for the reserves.
4.18.3 Management strategy
4.18.3.1 Guidelines
G18.1 Naming or renaming other non-OSPL reserves within the planning area is carried out in accordance with Council’s Naming of Parks and Community Facilities Policy.
G18.2 Ensure that the naming of all reserves within the planning area adequately reflects their conservation status and general management intent.
G18.3 All future signage and communication materials should reflect reserve names adopted in this management plan.
G18.4 All new natural area public open space adjoining reserves within the planning area should be amalgamated into these existing reserves and named accordingly.
4.18.3.2 Actions
A18.1 The names Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and Beechmont Conservation Area be formalised at the adoption of this management plan.
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A18.2 Reserve amalgamations are undertaken in accordance with the recommendations outlined within this management plan – Pasture Park to be incorporated into Mountain View Reserve, Freeman Family Park to be incorporated into Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, and the western section of Scenic Reserve to be incorporated into Freeman Family Park (and hence Lower Beechmont Conservation Area).
4.18.4 Key monitoring priorities
Undertake periodic assessments ensure that all new natural area public open space within the planning area is named in accordance with the Naming of Parks and Community Facilities Policy. Undertake a periodic review of the location of new natural area public open space to ensure that acquisitions adjoining existing reserves have been appropriately amalgamated.
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5 Summary of management priorities and timeframes
Table 16 provides a prioritised list of all management actions given in Section 4 of this plan, for incorporation into strategic and operational works programs for Council. Management actions are listed reserve by reserve to facilitate easy identification of priority actions for each reserve within the planning area. Actions that apply to the entire planning area are listed first.
High priority activities are those imperative to achievement of the objectives and desired outcomes. It is expected that they will be achieved within five years of the approval of this plan in order to avoid significant deterioration in natural, cultural or management resources. Medium priority activities are those that are necessary to achieve the objectives and desired outcomes but are not urgent. They should be completed within the lifetime of the plan (i.e. 10 years), unless otherwise specified (e.g. many high and medium priority actions have ongoing relevance throughout and beyond the lifetime of the plan). Low priority activities are desirable to achieve management objectives and should be implemented within the lifetime of the plan, but will be contingent upon the availability of resources.
Table 16. Management priorities and timeframes for the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan Conservation Reserves.
Theme Action Action Priority Timeframe number
Liaise with Powerlink and Energex to ensure that future vegetation management within power easements in the planning area has Landscape L Ongoing protection A1.1 minimal impacts on scenic amenity – particularly along prominent ridgelines. Liaise with neighbours to encourage the retention of landscape values adjoining the planning area – particularly those located in areas A1.2 M Ongoing of high scenic amenity value. Support Council’s strategic environmental planning officers in promoting private landholder vegetation conservation incentives to A1.3 M Ongoing residents in the planning area – particularly those neighbouring conservation reserves. Support the acquisition of vegetated and visually prominent properties within the planning area through Council’s Open Space A1.4 H Ongoing Preservation Levy. Liaise with Council’s implementation and assessment, recreational planning and engineering services officers to ensure that future A1.5 developments complement the natural character of the area, and protect significant scenic and landscape features adjoining, or in H Ongoing proximity to, the planning area. Work with Council’s catchment management officers to conduct Riparian and In-stream Rapid Assessments (RIRA) of key waterways Catchment A2.1 within the planning area to identify riparian management priorities and provide baseline data for monitoring effectiveness of M 5-10 years management management activities (eg. restoration projects, recreation trails). Where monitoring reveals significant erosion along the banks of waterways within the planning area, in conjunction with Council’s A2.2 catchment management officers, implement management strategies to mitigate causative agents and remediate existing damage. L As required Areas in which bank stability may compromise public safety should be assigned the highest priority. Within reserves in which stock are present (iLower Beechmont Conservation Area), install and maintain management measures such A2.3 M 5 years as stock-proof fencing and watering points to prevent unmanaged access by stock to waterways.
A2.4 Minimise vehicle access to, or cross over points of, waterways within the planning area. M Ongoing
Liaise with Council’s catchment management officers, DERM, SEQ Catchments and other relevant authorities as needed in regard to A2.5 M Ongoing catchment management initiatives required to maintain water quality within waterways of the planning area.
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Theme Action Action Priority Timeframe number Liaise with Council’s implementation and assessment, recreational planning and engineering services officers to ensure that A2.6 development or land use proposals within or adjacent to the reserves of the planning area do not result in significant alterations to H Ongoing natural flow regimes (including groundwater and seasonal surface variability), or impacts on existing public open space areas and aquatic ecosystems. Forward the results of all new floristic studies and incidental flora records to Council's strategic environmental planning officers to be Native flora A3.1 M Ongoing updated to the Gold Coast City Nature Conservation Strategy Database. Using existing survey data as a baseline, in conjunction with Council’s strategic environmental planning officers, conduct floristic A3.2 surveys (particularly in Endangered and Of Concern vegetation communities) at regular intervals (e.g. every 5 years) to assess M 5 years changes in ecological condition, floristic diversity, and rare or threatened plant populations. Minimise human and stock access in sensitive areas, including those containing known populations of rare and threatened flora A3.3 species, riparian areas, and restoration sites. Where required, management measures such as information signage, closure of H 2 years informal and unnecessary tracks, buffer planting and exclusion zones should be implemented to deter inappropriate access. Reduce the threat of long-term forest dieback through minimising disturbance and maintaining ecosystem function and health in A3.4 remnant communities. Where forest decline is observed, where possible identify the causative factor/s (e.g. Bell Miner associated L As required dieback, Psyllid associated Eucalypt canopy dieback, or fungal pathogens such as Phytophthora cinnamomi), and investigate opportunities to control decline through current best practice guidelines. As part of the Restoration Plan (refer to Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration), prepare a recommended planting list of A3.5 locally occurring plant species for use in revegetation and landscaping. To enhance population viability, where appropriate and H 1 year possible, include threatened and locally significant species. Undertake restoration designed to increase riparian buffer widths and connectivity where buffers and/or corridors are deemed A3.6 M Ongoing inadequate (refer to Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration). Liaise with Council’s strategic environmental planning officers, town planning officers, and open space planning officers to promote the A3.7 acquisition or protection of lands adjacent and/or proximate to the reserves of the planning area through the Open Space Preservation H Ongoing Levy and the Development Assessment process. Specific investigations should be conducted to facilitate the creation and enhancement of linkages north from Lower Beechmont to Nerang, and east from Nerang Conservation Park to the Nerang River. Liaise with other land managers (e.g. State government departments, other branches of Council, and neighbouring landholders) to A3.8 M Ongoing encourage the retention of native vegetation and generate support for a collaborative approach to vegetation management in the area. Promote the retention of vegetation and planting of local native garden species by residents and visitors to the planning area. A3.9 Additionally, through ranger patrols and interpretive material, provide information on other responsible behaviour such as the control of M 5 years environmental weeds, and issues such as the impacts on native vegetation of informal track creation, and of household and green waste dumping. Where disturbances to native vegetation (e.g. through illegal clearing, encroachment, or garden waste dumping) are identified, A3.10 implement appropriate management measures to control these activities, where necessary with the assistance of Council’s local law H Ongoing officers. Minimise access in areas containing known populations of rare and threatened species (except for that required for management Native fauna A4.1 actions) to avoid disturbance and displacement. Where required, management measures such as information signage, closure of H 2 years informal and unnecessary tracks, and buffers should be implemented to deter inappropriate access. Buffers of 200m should be provided to known populations of rare and threatened fauna where feasible. Retain and/or restore elements or areas of key indigenous fauna habitat, and maintain and enhance critical habitat corridors for fauna A4.2 identified on, or adjacent to, conservation reserves. Restoration plans for each reserve must be developed with consideration for local H Ongoing fauna habitat requirements. Support Council’s strategic environmental planning officers in the translocation of Koalas into the Lower Beechmont Conservation A4.3 Area and provide ongoing support throughout the duration of the project to facilitate desired outcomes. Collaborate with Council’s H 3 years strategic environmental planning officers in the development of an ongoing research and monitoring program and establish reporting protocols with respect to all translocations and follow-up studies. Encourage the provision of habitat for native species within private residences (e.g. the retention of hollow-bearing trees, or planting of A4.4 locally sourced seed stock of plant species known to provide habitat to local fauna, such as the Richmond Birdwing Vine – L 10 years Pararistolochia praevenosa or Casuarina species – Allocasuarina littoralis and A. torulosa).
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Theme Action Action Priority Timeframe number
Forward the results of all new fauna studies and incidental records to Council’s strategic environmental planning officers to be updated A4.5 M Ongoing to the Gold Coast City Nature Conservation Strategy Database. Using existing survey data as a baseline, in conjunction with Council’s strategic environmental planning officers, conduct fauna A4.6 surveys (particularly for key animal species listed under threatened species legislation or regarded as locally significant) at regular M 5 years intervals (e.g. every 5 years) to assess changes in variables such as species richness, abundance, and distribution. Maintain records of fauna mortality and cause of death within the planning area from Council staff and community observations and A4.7 local Wildcare records. Where increased disease-related mortality is observed, implement management measures to mitigate risk of L Ongoing further mortality and, where relevant, manage in accordance with State and Commonwealth guidelines for threatened species and/or threatening processes. Where incidences of infectious fauna diseases such as amphibian Chytridiomycosis, Koala Chlamydiosis and Cryptococcosis, and A4.8 other diseases spread by pest animals are recorded within the planning area, assess the level of risk to the fauna of the planning area L As required and where appropriate, undertake measures based on current best practice guidelines to control their spread. Prohibit domestic animals within the reserves of the planning area. Exceptions include: John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve, Hughes A4.9 Court Drainage Reserve, Lakeview Downs Parklands, Nerang National Park Access Park, Pasture Park, Lookout Place Reserve, and M 5 years Little Clagiraba Reserve. Install regulatory signage at entry points to reserves in which domestic animals are not permitted. Liaise with other land managers (e.g. Department of Defence, EPA/QPWS, other branches of Council, and neighbouring landholders) A4.10 in the development of a coordinated approach to fauna management, including pest control, disease prevention, and restoration of M 5 years habitat connectivity. Promote public understanding and appreciation of native animals through ranger patrols and interpretive programs and materials to M Ongoing A4.11 increase awareness of local fauna conservation and management issues. Review the Bushfire Management Plan every five years, in consultation with relevant stakeholders. Confine these reviews to Fire A5.1 amendments associated with: pertinent new research findings and information H Ongoing the results of monitoring programs, where they indicate the need for changes in management where existing management strategies are not achieving stated objectives Develop and maintain a mapping database which establishes mapping layers for effective fire planning, including: A5.2 basic topographic attributes vegetation communities, including information on age classes threatened and significant plant species and communities the habitats of rare and threatened native animal species M 5 years fire histories, including ignition sources and firepath information fuel load attributes management trails and fire breaks water points built infrastructure and assets Develop operational plans for implementing the strategic Bushfire Management Plan, including the delivery of planned burns. All A5.3 necessary ground truthing and the preparation and assessment of burn proposals is to be assessed and approved by Council’s H 2 years natural area management officers and other Council specialist officers. A5.4 Where life and property priorities allow, fuel reduction burns should be carried out in conjunction with ecological restoration projects. M As required
Where possible, prioritise and actively control all weed infestations considered to substantially increase fire hazard potential, fire A5.5 H Ongoing intensity and the site’s capacity to carry fire (e.g. Lantana and Molasses Grass). Close to the public of all or part of the planning area during periods of extreme fire danger and/or high or extreme fire weather days, or A5.6 during and immediately after prescribed burning operations. Ensure that appropriate signage is provided at all entry points advising H As required the public of these closures and associated risk.
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Theme Action Action Priority Timeframe number
A5.7 Provide incident control support at wildfire events to maximise opportunities for the protection of fire-sensitive ecosystems. H As required
Prohibit open fires (e.g. campfires, wood barbeques) within the planning area. Gas or electric barbeques should be installed at visitor A5.8 H 3 years nodes where appropriate (refer to Section 4.10 Recreation opportunities). Maintain close cooperation with other government agencies, neighbours and the local Rural Fire Brigade for the management of fire A5.9 H Ongoing within and adjoining the planning area. Ensure that bushfire management planning for the planning area is consistent with and complimentary to existing QFRS/RFS Local A5.10 H Ongoing Action Plans and QPWS Wildfire Response Plans. Keep the public, particularly neighbours, informed of fire management activities through local media, Council’s website and signage at A5.11 H Ongoing entry points to the planning area. Facilitate community education (refer to Section 4.14 Community involvement, education and interpretation) regarding threats posed A5.12 M 5 years by accidental fire and by dumping combustible garden waste in the reserves. Undertake further community education programs near high bushfire hazard areas of the planning area to improve community fire A5.13 M 3 years preparedness. Undertake vegetation and fuel hazard monitoring prior to and following all prescribed burns, and conduct similar monitoring following A5.14 M Ongoing wildfires where time and resources permit.
A5.15 Where feasible, establish fire-exclusion areas to provide benchmarks for fire management research and monitoring. L 10 years
Develop and implement an Ecological Restoration Plan for the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, and Action Plans or Contractor Pest plants A6.1 H 3 years Specifications for all other reserves within the planning area in which restoration works are necessary. and ecological restoration A6.2 Implement Ecological Restoration works in priority areas within Lower Beechmont CA. H 3 years Regularly update the Natural Areas Restoration Database with weed species observed and treated during site restoration works. A6.3 Where practical and resources permit, Council’s natural area management officers will be responsible for undertaking an assessment M 5 years of the condition and degree of infestation within all reserves. New information on declared species, or new incidences of declared species, should be regularly shared with Council’s pest plant management officers. Continue with current ecological restoration works at Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and Little Clagiraba Reserve, ensuring that A6.4 adequate resources are provided for follow-up management. Within both of these areas, aim to expand out from vegetation edges and H Ongoing establish connectivity between existing remnants. Routine maintenance should be conducted in association with all restoration activities undertaken within the planning area. Continue manage cleared paddock areas within Mount Nathan Conservation Area through bi-annual slashing. A 10 metre buffer A6.5 H Ongoing should be provided to the edge of existing vegetation to allow for natural regeneration. Monitor the success and comparative cost effectiveness of grazing and slashing treatments within Lower Beechmont Conservation A6.6 Area and continue management with the most effective method identified. Where cattle grazing is employed it should be restricted to M 5 years areas in which fencing prevents cattle access to Clagiraba Creek. Where slashing is used a 10 metre buffer should be provided to the edge of existing vegetation to allow for natural regeneration. Continue with ongoing follow-up maintenance works in John Wayne Close Drainage Reserve, Hughes Court Drainage Reserve, A6.7 Burley Griffin Drive Reserve, Darwalla Road Reserve, Lookout Place Reserve, Pasture Park, Oval Drive Parklands, Venn Court and M Ongoing Darren Smith Reserve. Where possible, implement strategies to increase habitat area and quality and within these reserves through expanding out from the edge of existing remnant vegetation. Following prescribed burns, and where possible wildfires, conduct regular inspections of the reserve to assess the recolonisation of A6.8 weeds. Where resources permit, follow-up weed control should be conducted in post-fire environments where pest plant species will M Ongoing negatively impact upon the regeneration of naturally occurring species. A6.9 Educate neighbouring residents, including upper catchment landholders, about the threat posed by dumped plant and animal material M Ongoing (including aquatic material) on ecological values within the reserves through interpretive signage (refer to Section 4.14 Community involvement, education and interpretation), Council’s website, local media, development of a good neighbour initiative, ranger patrols
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Theme Action Action Priority Timeframe number and the development and distribution of educational material and coordination of extension activities with those proposed in Council’s Pest Management Plan. Install interpretive signage at visible points adjacent to restoration areas to educate park visitors about the restoration process, impact A6.10 L 10 years of restoration on ecological values, and how individual neighbours can help. Participate in the development and implementation of coordinated regional pest plant control initiatives with neighbours, community A6.11 groups, and other land management agencies. Where feasible, pursue partnerships with QPWS, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, and the Department of Defence to facilitate collaborative pest plant management between Council and State and M Ongoing Commonwealth managed reserves - particularly where pest plant species from State and Commonwealth managed sites occur upslope or upstream of sites recently restored by Council. Introduce management techniques which will reduce the spread of pest plants throughout the planning area e.g. where possible, A6.12 M 5 years confining visitor and management access to formed roads and trails (refer to Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration). Liaise with Council’s pest animal management officers to have reserves of high environmental significance identified as Ecologically A6.13 Significant Areas under the Gold Coast City Council Pest Management Plan. As a minimum, Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and Freeman Family Park should be designated with this status. Other reserves which may be suitable for inclusion are: Clagiraba M 3 years Reserve, Coolbunbin Creek Reserve, Elimbah Court Reserve, Little Beechmont Road Reserve, Mirani Street Reserve, Mount Nathan Reserve, Parkway Drive Reserve, Parma Court Reserve and Scenic Reserve. Produce a Pest Animal Control Plan (PACP) for the planning area that identifies pest animals present and recommends and prioritises Pest animals A7.1 control and monitoring programs. This plan should include: triggers for initiating control strategies a set of criteria to establish priorities for non-native animal management control strategies that include multiple control methods, target multiple species and form part of an ecological restoration program H 3 years integration with relevant Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plans and the Gold Coast City Council Pest Management Plan strategies for community and landholder involvement/cooperation monitoring techniques and regimes to help identify priority areas for feral animal control and to measure the effectiveness of control methodologies reporting protocols assignment of responsibility for tasks and activities Establish baseline data regarding the distribution and abundance of pest animals within the reserves and review the history of control A7.2 M 5 years measures undertaken to ascertain their effectiveness. Work with QPWS, Department of Defence, Department of Primary Industries, and proximate landholders to develop and implement a A7.3 M Ongoing coordinated approach to the management of pest animals within the planning area. Maintain and consistently update a database with information relating to known pest animal movement routes, dens, trap sites and A7.4 bait locations recorded within the planning area. New information pertaining to pest animal species should be regularly shared with M 5 years Council’s pest animal management officers and uploaded to Council’s GIS database. Ensure that clear and appropriate notice is provided to visitors and local residents during pest animal control and baiting programs. A7.5 Where a perceived threat to the public exists, or is likely to exist, exclude public access to relevant reserves. Signage informing M As required visitors of any temporary closures is to be erected at all public access points. Promote responsible pet ownership and community understanding of the impacts of domestic animals on native fauna through A7.6 interpretive signage (refer to Section 4.14 Community involvement, education and interpretation), Council’s website, local media, M Ongoing development of a good neighbour initiative, and ranger patrols. A7.7 Promote new pest animal control strategies through ranger patrols and other educational mediums to build community support. M Ongoing Prohibit domestic animals under Local law 12 Part 9 (55) within the following reserves: Clagiraba Reserve, Coolbunbin Creek A7.8 Reserve, Elimbah Court Reserve, Freeman Family Park, Little Beechmont Road Reserve, Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, H 2 years Mirani Street Reserve, Mount Nathan Reserve, Parkway Drive Reserve, Parma Court Reserve, and Scenic Reserve. Install regulatory signage at entry points to these reserves in which domestic animals are not permitted. Signage should also advise dog owners of the
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Theme Action Action Priority Timeframe number location of adjacent public open space areas where dog walking is permitted. Prior to any ground-disturbing works or development likely to impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage values, Council’s indigenous Aboriginal A8.1 cultural heritage officers must undertake a risk assessment of the site and, where required, develop a cultural heritage management cultural agreement in partnership with the local Aboriginal community. This should include a desktop search of the Cultural Heritage Database H As required heritage and Cultural Heritage Register. Where the desktop review reveals the presence or likelihood of significant cultural heritage values field surveys may be required. Schedule assessments of known sites of cultural significance to monitor the condition of artefacts and determine whether remedial A8.2 M 5 years actions are required. In consultation with the local Aboriginal community, provide interpretation/educational infrastructure and/or material to promote public A8.3 M 5-10 years appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal sites, landscape features and heritage values within the planning area. If required, liaise with Council’s heritage planning officers to identify features of European cultural significance through searches on European A9.1 H 3 years the Queensland Heritage Register, National Trust of Queensland List, or Register of the National Estate. cultural heritage Assess the significance of existing and newly discovered historic features identified within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. A9.2 Where these are determined to be of European cultural significance, liaise with Council’s heritage planning officers to ensure that they H 3 years are recorded as being of heritage significance, and that they are provided with adequate protection. Schedule assessments of known sites of cultural significance to monitor their condition and determine whether remedial actions are A9.3 M 5 years required. Promote public understanding and appreciation of the planning area’s European cultural heritage values through the provision of A9.4 M 5-10 years interpretation and educational material. Upgrade the existing management track (track 15) through Mount Nathan Reserve to a multi-use track, catering for walking, mountain Recreation A10.1 M 5 years bikes, horse riding and management. opportunities Design and construct a shared walking-mountain bike track (track 17) from Mount Nathan Reserve, through Clagiraba reserve to link A10.2 with the existing mountain bike circuit, and recreational tracks in the adjacent Nerang Conservation Park. Close and rehabilitate L 10 years existing degraded track. A10.3 Design and construct a walking track (track 18) along old logging tracks through Mount Nathan Reserve. L 10 years
A10.4 Connect northern and southern sections of track 14 across the waterway through Oval Drive Parklands. M 5 years
A10.5 Upgrade western half of track 27 through Lower Beechmont CA to facilitate safe access for walkers and restoration crews L 10+ years
A10.6 Maintain all other walking and mixed-use tracks in accordance with specifications given in Table 11. M ongoing
Upgrade degraded facilities in existing day use areas with park furniture that complies with all Council guidelines, manuals and A10.7 L 10 years policies relevant to the provision of recreational infrastructure within public open space natural areas (refer to Table 12). Upgrade access facilities at Freemans Lookout Section in accordance with Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout A10.8 M 10+ years Section Management Plan (Gold Coast City Council, July 2008). Proceed with community consultation, development of staged design plans and upgrade and relocation of park infrastructure in flood- A10.9 M 5 prone parts of Little Clagiraba Reserve. Clearly define the proposed sightlines for lookout facilities within the planning area and selectively clear vegetation (preferably non- A10.10 remnant) to facilitate views. Monitor the growth of trees within these predetermined sightlines and prune as necessary to preserve the H 2 years desired outlook. Only trees considered essential for removal shall be cleared – as determined by Council’s natural area management officers. Facilitate safe horse rider access along proposed mixed use/riding tracks in Lower Beechmont CA (tracks 19 and 24) and Mount A10.11 Nathan Reserve (tracks 15 and 16), including providing signage, gates, fencing, horse step-overs and track upgrades as specified in M 5-10 years Table 11.
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Theme Action Action Priority Timeframe number Design and install a horse exercise area within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, located in the grass clearing adjacent to the A10.12 entry on the eastern side of Barcoo Court. This area will serve a dual purpose as a trail head to the horse trails within the L 10 years Conservation Area. A10.13 Liaise with QPWS regarding complementary management of horse riding and mountain biking opportunities within the planning area. M Ongoing
Liaise with the Kokoda Challenge Association to ensure that the event continues to be compatible with the conservation objectives of A10.14 M Ongoing the planning area. Design and implement a visitor impact assessment program to monitor the impact of recreational use on the natural condition of the A10.15 M 5-10 years planning area. Implement a recreational demand study to identify the future need for additional nature-based recreational facilities within the planning A10.16 area, incorporating monitoring data for existing recreational uses at or near the planning area. Where demand is identified, undertake M 5 years a feasibility assessment to identify suitable locations within the planning area or opportunities on adjacent land. Use monitoring data for recreational usage to inform future consolidation and development of the recreational trail network within the A10.17 planning area. Where a high level of use is identified, formalise tracks and implement design solutions to minimise erosion and M As required degradation from heavy usage. Where a low level of usage is identified, consider track closure and rehabilitation (within the context of recreational requirements and demand within the planning area). A10.18 Provide signage to indicate a change of use where walking/riding tracks connect with management tracks or private property. M 5-10 years
Install signage at day use where rubbish bins are not provided areas advising visitors to take their rubbish with them (all reserves A10.19 M 5 years except Little Clagiraba Reserve and Cliff Bird Park). Provide information (including downloadable maps) on Council’s website relating to all recreational opportunities within the planning A10.20 M 5 years area. Liaise with Council’s strategic recreation planning officers, QPWS and other government agencies to ensure coordinated nature- A10.21 M Ongoing based recreation planning throughout the planning area and broader region.
A10.22 Establish and implement maintenance schedules for all visitor facilities as part of operational planning. H 3 years
Undertake regular weekday and weekend ranger patrols of the planning area to monitor visitor safety and usage along formal A10.23 M Ongoing recreation tracks, to encourage safe and appropriate use by visitors, and to control prohibited activities. Maintain records of safety incidents, hazards and inappropriate use observed during ranger patrols or by the public, to inform future A10.24 H Ongoing planning and risk management. Retain the caretaker accommodation shed to the east of Clagiraba Creek and the large shed in the paddock to the west of Clagiraba Built A11.1 H Ongoing Creek within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. infrastructure At sites where infrastructure has been removed, assess for suitability as a location for recreational or other management purposes A11.2 requiring infrastructure development. Alternatively, rehabilitate degraded areas in accordance with the provisions of the relevant M 5-10 years Restoration Plan, Action Plan, or Contractor Specifications (Section 4.6 Pest plants and ecological restoration).
A11.3 Regularly monitor the condition of boundary fencing to ensure it remains effective as a barrier to unauthorised access and neighbouring stock. These assessments may be undertaken during routine ranger patrols within the planning area. Where fencing has M Ongoing been compromised, ensure that it is reinstated as a priority (and in consultation with neighbours where necessary).
Where required, install fauna-friendly, stock-proof fencing along the boundary of the reserves of the planning area to facilitate the A11.4 unimpeded movement of native fauna species. This may necessitate the modification of existing fencing to provide fauna movement M 5-10 years capabilities. Prior to formalising and promoting public access, remove unsightly rubbish and derelict infrastructure of no cultural significance (such A11.5 as internal fence lines, wire, building remnants, pipes, rubbish piles, concrete rubble and debris) associated with past pastoral L 10 years operations and other historic uses within the reserves.
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Theme Action Action Priority Timeframe number
Ensure that all built infrastructure retained and installed within the planning area in response to the provisions of this management A11.6 M 5 years plan is placed on a regular maintenance roster involving provision for scheduled and reactive maintenance inspections and activities. Retain only those roads and tracks that are essential for public and management vehicle access, and rehabilitate those that are not Access A12.1 M 5 years required (refer to Figure 3). Retain access for the Department of Defence along the maintenance trail/easement on-site by providing keys for gates at the main A12.2 entry gate and the end of the carpark and picnic area. Establish a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defence M 5 years pertaining to maintenance standards for their connecting fire trail within the reserve. Where necessary, install bollards or other vehicle exclusion devices at entry points of publicly accessible environmentally sensitive A12.3 areas to restrict vehicular incursion. Ensure these structures are constructed of sustainable materials and commensurate with the M 5 years natural landscape and all Council guidelines, manuals and policies relevant to the provision of built infrastructure within public open space natural areas. Pedestrian access into the Freemans Lookout Section and Bellis Road gate entry of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area may be A12.4 M 3 years facilitated through the provision of squeeze points and pedestrian access control devices. Regulate unauthorised entry at key locations where vehicle access is restricted. This should be achieved through the installation of A12.5 effective vehicle exclusion barriers. In particular, motorbike access into Nerang National Park (through Nerang National Park Access M Ongoing Park), and Mount Nathan Reserve (along Clagiraba Road) should be prevented through the extension of existing fencing. During routine ranger patrols of the planning area undertake regular monitoring for unauthorised access to reserves and manage as a A12.6 M Ongoing priority.
A12.7 Liaise with Council’s local law officers to monitor and manage illegal vehicle access, including trail bike and four-wheel drive access. M Ongoing
Ensure that all management tracks within the planning area are mapped and added to Council’s Geographic Information Systems A12.8 M Ongoing (GIS) database. Monitor management tracks to ensure that they are safe and that drainage is functioning effectively; undertake repairs where A12.9 M Ongoing necessary to avoid ponding of water, erosion and unsafe conditions. Liaise with Council’s property officers regarding the drafting of a lease agreement for the keeping of horses within the Lower Leased areas A13.1 Beechmont Conservation Area. This agreement should extend for 5 years and should limit horses to fenced paddock areas only. It H 2 years should also ensure that no additional horses are introduced into the Conservation Area over the duration of the lease. A13.2 Keep a register of all leases and their renewal date. H Ongoing
A13.3 Review the appropriateness of all lease arrangements 6 months prior to renewal. H As required
Review the conditions of leases such that they are made more ecologically sustainable and update as required 6 months prior to A13.4 H As required renewal.
A13.5 Report all breaches of lease conditions to Council’s property officers. H As required Prepare and implement an Interpretation Plan. The primary aim of the plan is to ensure that all reserve and communication signage, Community A14.1 activities and facilities are coordinated throughout Council, of consistent quality and effectively communicate with visitors. The plan will involvement, include: education and interpretation objectives for reserve communication activities and priorities H 3 years strategies for the development of information, interpretation, education and public relations products themes relating to the planning area’s values – for example, flora and fauna (in particular threatened or otherwise significant species and communities), contribution to wildlife corridors, cultural heritage, scenic amenity, and biological diversity a signage plan A14.2 Provide opportunities for visitors to learn and appreciate the natural and cultural values of the planning area through: M 5-10 years
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Theme Action Action Priority Timeframe number
interpretive programs by Council’s natural area management officers and volunteers interpretive signage highlighting key conservation values and management programs a visitor information pamphlet maps and guides self guiding interpretive walking tracks information shelters information on the GCCC website regular input into local media Improve visitor behaviour, understanding and support of reserve management initiatives through increased Ranger patrols on A14.3 M Ongoing weekends and holiday periods, and signage encouraging environmentally responsible recreation and activities. As a minimum, install naming and regulatory signage at all formal and publicly used entrances to reserves. Where appropriate, install A14.4 M 5 years totems with symbols rather than signs bearing excessive text. Provide directional, interpretational and risk management signs in accordance with the GCCC Signage Masterplan, and ensure that A14.5 M 5 years proposed interpretative facilities and services enhance the management of the reserve.
A14.6 Liaise with the Department of Defence regarding the provision of signage clearly identifying adjoining Commonwealth land. M 5 years
A14.7 Review and update interpretive material for the planning area on a regular basis to ensure currency and relevance of information. M Ongoing Implement a good neighbour initiative tailored towards neighbouring residences. This program should address issues such as: A14.8 planting of suitable native species, responsible disposal of household and garden waste, responsible pet ownership, a coordinated M 3-5 years approach to pest plant and animal control, and bushfire hazard reduction strategies. Develop and evaluate a long-term volunteer strategy that incorporates the skills and interests of volunteer groups in a range of A14.9 L 10 years management activities. Provide education and training to new community bushcare and other volunteer groups about operating effectively with minimal A14.10 M As required Council supervision. Develop and implement a permitted use, and risk assessment process for all external users (e.g. school/university or nature A14.11 observation groups) to ensure that all activities within the planning area are appropriate and conducted in an environmentally M 5 years sustainable manner. Liaise with other Council sections (e.g. Council’s strategic environmental planning officers, catchment management officers etc) Research and A15.1 M Ongoing regarding current and planned strategic research programs within the planning area. monitoring Regularly update Council’s natural area monitoring projects database when new monitoring and research projects for the planning A15.2 area are identified. This database should additionally be used for assigning priorities to each of the proposed projects within the M Ongoing context of the planning area and the entire city. A15.3
Using Council’s natural area monitoring projects database prepare and update a prospectus of priority research projects to be M 5-10 years distributed to research organisations and/or tertiary institutions as a guide to preferred research projects within the reserve. Priority topics include: updates to flora and fauna inventories monitoring of significant species and communities and further understanding of their management requirements monitoring of vegetation change and succession the role of wildlife corridors in the area monitoring of fauna populations and community interactions LOWER BEECHMONT MOUNT NATH AN theCONSER most appropriateVATION RESERVES fire regimes MANAGEMENT for particular vege PLANtation communities and individual plant and animal species Page 105 of 109 monitoring of the planned burn program and its effects on fuel load accumulation monitoring the success of restoration programs within the planning area
Theme Action Action Priority Timeframe number
cultural heritage research the acceptable limits of disturbance for different environments from recreational and management activities investigation of recreational demand within the context of the planning area and the entire city Develop and implement a monitoring strategy to assess the overall effectiveness of this management plan. This will be a high level A15.4 monitoring strategy that will monitor and assess the overall performance of the plan and the performance of the specific management H 3 years strategies included within. Liaise with Council’s property officers and DERM to seek the revocation of Council trusteeship for land adjacent to Nerang National Consolidation A16.1 Park and Nerang Conservation Park. Parks to be relinquished include: Coolbunbin Creek Reserve, Nerang National Park Access L 10 years of estate and Parks and parts of Oval Drive Parklands. management Transfer Burley Griffin Drive, Cargellico Street Reserve, Darwalla Road Reserve, Hughes Court Drainage Reserve, John Wayne of isolated A16.2 Close Drainage Reserve, Lakeview Downs Parklands, Lookout Place Reserve, Mountain View Reserve, Nerang National Park Access M 5 years reserves Park, Oval Drive Parklands, Pasture Park, and Venn Court Reserve from the Park Living Domain to the Public Open Space Domain during the next revision of the Gold Coast Planning Scheme. Transfer Elimbah Court Reserve and Nerang National Park Access Park from the Rural Domain to the Public Open Space Domain A16.3 M 5 years during the next revision of the Gold Coast Planning Scheme. Provide advice to Council’s strategic environmental planning officers regarding the acquisition of suitable parcels of land through the A16.4 H Ongoing Open Space Preservation Levy. Liaise with Council’s town planning officers and open space planning officers to deliver developments, and where appropriate A16.5 acquisition of developer-contributed natural area public open space, within the region that are compatible with the management intent H Ongoing of the planning area. A16.6 Liaise with DRNW regarding the closure of all road reserves within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. L 5-10 years
Collaborate with QPWS and the Department of Defence in the management of threatened species, fire, catchments, pest control, Coordinated A17.1 M Ongoing access and recreation in Council and State-managed conservation reserves. reserve Liaise with local owners of Land for Wildlife properties and Council’s strategic environmental planning officers regarding the management A17.2 M Ongoing coordination of management activities and operations. Provide advice to Council’s strategic environmental planning officers regarding acquisition of suitable land parcels through the Open A17.3 H Ongoing Space Preservation Levy. Undertake ongoing monitoring for encroachments within the planning area through ranger patrols, examination of aerial photography, A17.4 M Ongoing and community feedback. Immediately report to Council’s natural area management officers any encroachments into the planning area by adjoining land owners A17.5 M As required or managers. These incidents are to be pursued with Council’s local law officers where required. The names Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and Beechmont Conservation Area be formalised at the adoption of this Naming of A18.1 H 1 year management plan. reserves within the Reserve amalgamations are undertaken in accordance with the recommendations outlined within this management plan – Pasture A18.2 Park to be incorporated into Mountain View Reserve, Freeman Family Park to be incorporated into Lower Beechmont Conservation planning area M 3-5 years Area, and the western section of Scenic Reserve to be incorporated into Freeman Family Park (and hence Lower Beechmont Conservation Area).
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