Sustainable Management of the Helidon Hills Draft Management Plan
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Western Subregional Organisation of Councils (WESROC) Sustainable Management of the Helidon Hills Draft Management Plan December 1999 Bruce Boyes, Susan Pope and Michelle Mortimer As amended by Sharon Boyle & Associates under direction of the Interim Management Group The Sustainable Management of the Helidon Hills Project is funded by the Commonwealth Government Natural Heritage Trust (NHT), Gatton Shire Council, and the Western Subregional Organisation of Councils (WESROC) DRAFT FOR CONSULTATION Foreword for the December Draft This management plan is intended to be a living document and this edition brings the achievements up to date for December, 1999 and reflects the intentions and wishes of the Interim Management Group. The action plan now reflects the changes discussed at meetings in Helidon between 28 August and 23 November, 1999. The layout, intent and spirit of the December, 1998 Sustainable Management Plan for the Helidon Hills are untouched. This draft reflects developments such as the • Queensland Land Trust proposal – which closed for comment 30 October • The Queensland Government Plan for the South East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement – which was announced on 16 September • The on-going negotiations with DME in respect of the proposed Key Resource Area for Mt Cross – in particular the meetings on 16 October and 11 December, 1999. • The beginning of the plan review for Gatton Shire Council • And most importantly, the formation of the Interim Management Group. These developments and many more will shape the progress of this ambitious project. The implementation will ultimately rest with the landholders and the interested agencies of the Helidon Hills. Already their achievements have been far greater than are suggested by this updated report, we trust you will keep talking and the outcomes for the Helidon Hills will be far more secure and sustainable than could be otherwise. This report has been prepared by Sharon Boyle and Associates and we have enjoyed our time will the people of the Helidon Hills. Sharon, Wendy and Marisa all wish the project the very best success. Sharon Boyle 20 December, 1999. ii DRAFT FOR CONSULTATION WESROC Sustainable Management of the Helidon Hills Project Helidon Hills Draft Management Plan December 1998 Bruce Boyes, Project Coordinator. Susan Pope, Project Assistant. Michelle Mortimer, Project Assistant. As amended by Sharon Boyle and Associates under direction of the Interim Management Group. Third Draft 1/12/99 Forward for the December Draft............................................................ ii Executive Summary ............................................................................... vii Landholders’ Rights. ...........................................................................................................vii Nature Conservation.......................................................................................................... viii Cultural Heritage. .............................................................................................................. viii Timber Harvesting................................................................................................................ix Farming Enterprises. ............................................................................................................ix Tourism and Recreation. .......................................................................................................x Sandstone, Extractive, and Explosives Industries.................................................................x Fire Management..................................................................................................................xi Water. ...................................................................................................................................xi Property Management. ........................................................................................................xii Infrastructure (Powerline Easement, Rail, Roads and Access, Gas Pipelines). ..................xii Planning Schemes................................................................................................................xii 1. Introduction ..................................................................................... 1 1.1 A different approach....................................................................................1 1.2 Why was this project needed? .....................................................................2 1.3 What has been the project method?.............................................................3 1.3.1 Project approach......................................................................................................3 1.3.2 Project objectives.....................................................................................................4 1.3.3 Project structure.......................................................................................................4 1.3.4 Community involvement.........................................................................................5 1.3.5 Report structure.......................................................................................................6 i DRAFT FOR CONSULTATION 1.3.6 Study area and supporting maps ..............................................................................7 References and notes .............................................................................................................7 Figure 1: Sustainable Management of the Helidon Hills.......................................8 2. Creating a sustainable future for the Helidon Hills..................... 8 2. Creating a sustainable future for the Helidon Hills..................... 9 2.1 Achieving sustainability ..............................................................................9 2.2 The Helidon Hills project ............................................................................9 References and notes ...........................................................................................................12 3. Landholders’ Rights...................................................................... 13 3.1 Background................................................................................................13 3.2 Summary of community consultation........................................................13 3.3 Discussion and future directions ...............................................................13 3.3.1 Security and safety.................................................................................................13 3.3.2 The rights of landholders .......................................................................................13 3.4 Objectives ..................................................................................................15 3.5 Actions .......................................................................................................17 3.6 Achievements.............................................................................................18 References and notes ...........................................................................................................18 4. Nature Conservation..................................................................... 19 4.1 Background................................................................................................19 4.1.1 Surveys and assessments .......................................................................................19 4.1.2 Vegetation attributes..............................................................................................20 4.1.3 Significant Flora and Fauna...................................................................................22 4.1.4 Conservation planning...........................................................................................22 4.1.5 Regional Forest Agreement ...................................................................................23 4.2 Summary of community consultation........................................................24 4.3 Discussion and future directions ...............................................................25 4.3.1 Nature conservation knowledge.............................................................................25 4.3.2 Weeds and feral animals........................................................................................26 4.3.3 Nature conservation on State Forest and leasehold land .......................................27 4.3.4 Nature conservation on private land ......................................................................27 4.3.5 Sustainable economic pursuits...............................................................................29 4.3.6 Incentive-based conservation.................................................................................29 4.3.7 Vegetation Management Trusts .............................................................................30 4.3.8 The Helidon Hills Landscape Trust proposal ........................................................32 4.3.9 Revolving funds.....................................................................................................34 4.3.10 Conservation agreements...................................................................................34 4.3.11 Land for Wildlife ...............................................................................................36 4.3.12 Conservation of genetic diversity