CARING FOR COUNTRY — THE OTWAYS AND YOU Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park Management Plan December 2009 Published in December 2009 by Parks Victoria, Level 10, 535 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 and the Department of Sustainability and Environment, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne 3002 Parks Victoria and DSE 2009, Caring for Country — The Otways and You. Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park Management Plan, Parks Victoria and DSE, Melbourne Cover photos from top left: Gunditjmara and Kirrae Whurrong dance group (Photo: Terry Woodcroft), and Melba Gully, Spot-tailed Quoll and Cora Lynn Cascades (Photos: Parks Victoria) National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Caring for Country — The Otways and You. Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park Management Plan / Parks Victoria and Dept of Sustainability and Environment ISBN 9780731183845 (pbk) Bibliography. National parks and reserves--Victoria--Otway Range. Tourism--Victoria--Otway Range--Planning. Recreation--Victoria--Otway Range--Planning. Otway National Park (Vic.) Otway Forest Park (Vic.) Parks Victoria. Victoria. Dept of Sustainability and Environment 333.783099457 Acknowledgements Acknowledgement of Country : In their rich culture, Aboriginal Australians are intrinsically connected to the continent — including the area now known as Victoria. Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment recognise that the parks are part of Country of the Traditional Owners. Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment are grateful to all those organisations and individuals who have contributed to this Management Plan. Note: Technical terms used in this plan are explained in the Glossary at the end of the plan. Disclaimers This plan is prepared without prejudice to any negotiated or litigated outcome of any native title determination applications covering land or waters in the plan’s area. It is acknowledged that any future outcomes of native title determination applications may necessitate amendment of this plan; and the implementation of this plan may require further notifications under the procedures in Division 3 of Part 2 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth). The plan is also prepared without prejudice to any future negotiated outcomes between the Government/s and Victorian Aboriginal communities. It is acknowledged that such negotiated outcomes may necessitate amendment of this plan. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this plan is accurate. Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in the publication. Text printed on 100% recycled paper to help save our natural environment ii Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park Management Plan FOREWORD Great Otway National Park protects extensive opportunities to connect with each other in a forest and much of the coastline between natural setting thereby reducing stress. Healthy Torquay and Princetown in south-west Parks Healthy People is all about conserving Victoria. Otway Forest Park includes mountain the natural and cultural values to sustain and foothill forests on the northern fall of the communities. Otway range, adjacent to the national park. The parks are an integral part of Kirrae The Otways have always been, and will Whurrong, Gulidjan, Gadubanud and continue to be, a place for people. The creation Wathaurong Country, and Parks Victoria and of the parks represented substantial progress in the Department of Sustainability and achieving a major change in direction for the Environment are working with Traditional management of public land in the Otways. The Owners and other Indigenous people to parks make a substantial contribution to the support greater involvement in management of conservation of biodiversity and cultural parks. values. They will also continue to be an This approved plan establishes a shared vision important aspect of local lifestyles and support for management and clear strategic goals for a broad range of nature based recreation the long-term management of the parks. Ahead experiences and a vibrant regional tourism lies a challenge to involve the wider Otway industry. and Victorian communities, visitors and Parks play a vital role in ensuring the health government agencies in implementing the plan and wellbeing of society by providing clean air to achieve the shared vision of protecting the and water, protecting biodiversity and habitat parks for the enjoyment of current and future for native species, sequestering carbon and generations. other ecosystem services. Parks also provide Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park Management Plan iii APPROVED MANAGEMENT PLAN This management plan, prepared under section 17 The plan provides the basis for the future of the National Parks Act 1975 (Vic.) and section management of Great Otway National Park and 22 of the Forests Act 1958 (Vic.), is approved for Otway Forest Park. It was finalised following implementation. consideration of the 493 submissions and 367 additional comments received on the Draft Management Plan. iv Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park Management Plan SUMMARY Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest • identifies opportunities for people to Park were created as a result of the Victorian connect with nature and builds on the Goverment’s acceptance of the majority of recommendations of VEAC by drawing final recommendations made by the Victorian together relevant policies, strategies, plans Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC and community knowledge and 2004) following a two-year investigation. aspirations. Great Otway National Park was included on Key elements of the plan are as follows: Schedule Two to the National Parks Act 1975 (Vic.) on 11 December 2005. It includes the • Recognition, respect, understanding and former Otway National Park and Melba Gully aspirations for cooperative management of State Park, most of Angahook–Lorne State the parks with the Traditional Owners Park and Carlisle State Park, a number of • former State forest areas, many smaller Identification of current and future reserves and other areas of public land. challenges for the sustainable management Following amendments to the Crown Land of the parks, in protection and (Reserves) Act 1978 (Vic.) and the Forests Act enhancement of natural and cultural 1958 (Vic.), Otway Forest Park was values, provision and promotion of tourism proclaimed on 24 October 2006. It includes and recreation experiences, and resource former Otway State Forest areas, Karwarren utilisation Regional Park and other smaller reserves. • Recognition and understanding of the For thousands of years, Gadubanud, strong connection many people have to Wathaurong, Gulidjan and Kirrae Whurrong special places for particular activities in peoples have been part of Country now known the Otways as the Otways. After the arrival of Europeans, • Provision and promotion of tourism and land was cleared around the Otways, but many recreation activities in the parks, for a parts of the Otway Ranges were reserved as diverse, inspirational and sustainable range State forest in recognition of their natural of nature-based tourism and recreational values and timber resources. Since then, experiences generations have lived and worked in the • Otways forests, building a tradition of care and Support for a sustainable nature-based respect. tourism and recreation industry that provides economic and social benefits to The parks will continue to make a significant Otways communities contribution to biodiversity conservation. They will also continue to be the centrepiece of local • Cooperation with Traditional Owners to lifestyles, nature-based recreation and a vibrant explore the provision of culturally regional tourism industry. Together the parks appropriate and authentic Aboriginal protect most the Crown land in the Otways. tourism opportunities, and to empower This management plan — Aboriginal communities to deliver a broad range of tourism and recreation services • covers a planning area encompassing Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest • Continued access to sustainable levels of Park, including eight Reference Areas, two firewood and minor forest produce in the Designated Water Supply Catchment Otway Forest Park Areas (covering five areas) and most of the • A strategic and integrated approach to the Aire Heritage River corridor management of the parks across the • identifies strategic directions and aims to Otways that draws together the actions of achieve desired outcomes for the parks the community, Parks Victoria, Department of Sustainability and • identifies park values and major threats Environment (DSE) and other agencies. and the strategies for protecting, managing and enhancing sustainable use of the parks Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park Management Plan v CONTENTS FOREWORD iii APPROVED MANAGEMENT PLAN iv SUMMARY v 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Location and planning area 1 1.2 Creation of the parks 1 1.3 National park and Forest park 1 1.4 Plan development 2 2 BASIS 4 2.1 Regional context 4 2.2 Park significance and values 4 2.3 Past uses of the parks 6 2.4 Park visitation and experiences 8 2.5 Legislation and VEAC outcomes 9 2.6 Policies and guidelines 10 3 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 11 3.1 Vision 11 3.2 Management directions 11 3.3