HOW CAN WE ALLOW PLATYPUS TO DROWN? MARCH 2018 NO 272 LEARNING TOGETHER TO CARE FOR NATURE NEW PLAN FOR POINT NEPEAN SAVAGE BLOW FOR COASTAL RESERVE TIME FOR NEW APPROACH ON FORESTS LESSONS FROM THE LITTLE DESERT NATURE’S MILLION SECRETS Be part of nature

PRESIDENT Euan Moore DIRECTOR Matt Ruchel CONTENTS Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, VIC 3053 3 From the President ABN 34 217 717 593 Telephone: (03) 9341 6500 4-5 Learning together to care for nature Facsimile: (03) 9347 5199 E-mail: [email protected] 5 A champion of the seas Web: www.vnpa.org.au 6 Point Nepean saga: drawing to a close? VNPA’S VISION The Victorian National Parks Association vision is to ensure 7 Savage blow for coastal reserve Victoria is a place with a diverse and healthy natural environment and hooded plovers that is protected, respected and enjoyed by all. 8-9 How can we allow platypuses EDITOR to drown in Victoria? Meg Sobey 10-11 Who’s in charge? GETTING INVOLVED IN VNPA Everyone can help in the conservation of Victoria’s 12 Park’s chance to heal wild and beautiful places. You can: • make a donation 13 Minister for Resources revokes mining • become a regular giver or member exemption over toxic tailings dam • volunteer. You’ll be welcome in the office, on a campaign or in a park • leave a bequest to VNPA in your will. 14-15 Enough already: ten reasons why we need a new approach PUBLISHING POLICY to forest management All advertisements should be compatible with VNPA policies. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement by the VNPA 16-17 New investigation for Inc. of the advertised product or service. The VNPA reserves the right to south-west woodland wonders refuse any advertisement at any time. 17 Policy ideas to protect nature: Park Watch may be quoted without permission provided that Trust for Nature Revolving Fund acknowledgement is made. The opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the VNPA Inc. 18 Authority-mad government GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS blinks on marine You’re always welcome to contact the editor to discuss ideas for articles. Phone the VNPA or email [email protected]. Articles may be 19-21 Lessons from the Little Desert submitted by email, on disk or as hard copy. Include your contact 22-23 Nature’s million secrets details and brief biographical information. Photos, maps and drawings are needed too. Digital photos should be 300dpi and 24-25 Advancing the nature of science around 8cm by 12cm. COPY DEADLINE for June 2018 Park Watch is 20 April 2018. 26-27 Special species: nudibranchs DESIGN Mary Ferlin PRINTING Adams Print 28-29 In Parks: Cape Otway FRONT COVER 30-31 New benefits for Members They are one of our most beloved native animals, but platypus are dying unnecessarily in Victoria. 32-33 A tiny bird in the big city See pages 8-9. Photo: Doug Gimesy. 34 Greater diversity in the Park Watch ISSN 1324-4361 Great Victorian Fish Count Authorised by Matt Ruchel, Executive Director, Victorian National Parks Association. 35 Wild Families: Learning side by side

2 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 From the President

I spend a lot of time thinking about many people enjoying the natural and our VNPA Excursions group. Both the declining state of the natural environment. TV documentaries in groups provide an easy introduction environment and how we can turn particular raise expectations and fears to the bush for people who may not it around. While rapid in ecological to a level that is rarely realised in life. have spent a lot of time outside the terms, for individuals it is often a city. Our experienced leaders help make slow change that goes unnoticed, However if we are to protect our these experiences safe and enjoyable. particularly for the majority of people natural environment, our native The Walk, Talk and Gawk activities are who give little attention to the natural plants and animals, we need people particularly good for teaching people environment in their area. across the community to support and about the bush while on easy walks, advocate for that protection. We need usually within an hour or two’s drive This decline has been going on for many more people who are familiar from the city. centuries as each of us modifies with and comfortable visiting the our personal habitat, yet for each bush, who appreciate its wonders in In coming months we will be changing generation what is ‘normal’ and what all its diversity, and value all life forms, our activities registration process so represents a ‘good environment’ not just the cute and cuddlies. that we can provide our participants is less than that for the previous with more information about VNPA and generation. Think about what your VNPA’s Wild Families program (see our activities. It is important that we children and grandchildren accept page 35) is one area where we are do this. We urgently need more people as a natural environment compared working to engage the next generation who understand and love the bush with what you grew up with or, going of environmentalists. This program and who are at a minimum willing to the other way, what you see now aims to excite a younger audience support those who are fighting for its compared with what your parents or about the wonders of the bush while protection. Without that, the quality of grandparents knew. This is not a case they still have unbridled curiosity the natural environment will continue to a looking back through rose-tinted about all that surrounds them. decline for each generation. • PW glasses. Think how wonderful it would be to still have regent honeyeaters For older groups we have our program Euan Moore, VNPA President or eastern barred bandicoots as an NatureWatch and related projects. integral part of our wildlife in Victoria. Projects like Caught on Camera and Communities Listening for Nature Today most of us live in highly tend to cater more for those already urbanised communities. Air- familiar with the bush, but take conditioned homes and work places this engagement to a higher level. leave little opportunity for interaction Ideally these people will become with nature. For most people, contact ambassadors for the bush and recruit with nature involves watching an more people keen to protect it. Think about what Attenborough documentary or a your children and visit to the zoo. Important though Our ReefWatch program has been they are, these are still very sanitised going from strength to strength with grandchildren and remote contacts with the new records set each year for the accept as a natural natural world. number of participants in the Great Victorian Fish Count. Last year had environment Talk to people outside your circle of more than 700 people in the water compared with what friends and you may be surprised how counting fish (see page 34). This few venture beyond areas covered by program does a great job of raising you grew up with... street lighting. A common perception awareness about an environment that is that the bush is dangerous, that is usually out of sight. there are snakes and other things that bite waiting to attack at the Probably our main area for engaging first opportunity. There is a fear those unfamiliar with the bush is our of the unknown which prevents Bushwalking and Activities Group

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 3 PHOTO: IT'S A WILDLIFE A IT'S PHOTO:

Learning together to care for nature VNPA’S COMMUNITY LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER CAITLIN GRIFFITH INTRODUCES THE THEME OF NATURE-BASED LEARNING FOR THIS EDITION OF PARK WATCH.

The Victorian National Parks Today, VNPA continues to offer many would adjust their own behaviour in the Association’s vision is big: “Victoria learning opportunities for our members light of their knowledge about problems has a diverse and healthy natural (such as yourself), supporters, volunteers, and impacts. It is now accepted that this environment, protected, respected and staff, council and committee members, is not the case. We often have knowledge enjoyed by all”. This vision is about project partners, environmental groups, that there is a problem, but knowledge both nature and people. We recognise schools and the general community. alone does not necessarily (or even often) that learning, education and knowledge lead to appropriate action.” This includes through our: sharing are essential to achieving this • activities and events; vision, and we are delighted to share a VNPA Community Education and • citizen-science and community diverse range of nature-based learning Engagement Strategy, 2012 engagement programs NatureWatch, projects, events and activities from our ReefWatch and Wild Families; Learning about and connecting with and other organisations in this edition • campaign work, educating politicians nature are still essential to fostering and of Park Watch. and the public; encouraging a sense of care for nature. How is the VNPA involved in • creating school resources and Addressing the gap between knowledge and pro-environmental behaviour is not learning and education? presentations; and • producing high-quality and interesting straightforward and not yet strongly VNPA has been committed to learning communications materials about understood. However, it is important and education throughout our full Victoria’s nature and related issues, for us to continue to learn new ways to 66 year history. both online (our website, social media address this gap. One valuable way is and emails) and print (books, booklets in creating opportunities for people to One fine example early on was in and Park Watch magazine). participate and take action. 1974 when a group of eager members researched and wrote The Alps at the Developing a learning culture VNPA developed an ‘Community Crossroads, published by VNPA. That Education and Engagement Strategy’ book triggered the campaign for the “In earlier times it was considered that in 2012 in recognition of the need to Alpine National Park. It is long out information leading to knowledge about the strengthen our education-based work. of print, but remains an impeccable environment would in itself be adequate A key outcome was the philosophy source of information on the park’s motivation for citizens to act to protect and tagline: “learning together to care natural and cultural history. natural places. It was assumed that they for nature”.

4 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 To meet the challenges of collectively • Continuing to create opportunities for An ongoing journey protecting nature in Victoria, we knowledge sharing and development acknowledge the need for everyone for scientists, local communities and Learning and education with VNPA is involved with our organisation, from staff to volunteers through the NatureWatch and an ongoing journey, not a destination. supporters, to continue to learn and share ReefWatch citizen science programs. We are continuing to learn new ways to approach the challenge. skills, knowledge and values, and ways to • Engaging new audiences in these take action. We create opportunitIes for programs, e.g. children and young Our Education and Engagement Strategy our VNPA community to do just this. adults through Wild Families, Scouts, raised numerous questions we will continue Some recent key actions that have schools, and university clubs. to address into the future, including: arisen are: • Developing ‘Skill up for Nature’, • Victoria is the most ecologically • Leading the VicNature2050 process a training program for staff and stressed state, why does only a small bringing academics, land managers volunteer leaders. part of the population seem to care and the community together to share • Partnered with Environment East about this situation? knowledge about climate impacts on Gippsland to run the annual Forests • What are the most effective ways nature, and ways to manage them. Forever camp with adventure and of working with our members and That process has been influential advocacy-based content. Hundreds of supporters to enhance our capacity in building climate actions into people have learned more about the and theirs? Victoria’s new Biodiversity 2037 values of East Gippsland forests and • What are some of the most strategy and has triggered ongoing conservation challenges engaging and effective ways of discussions throughout the • Worked in partnership with diversifying the VNPA audience? conservation community. local community groups around (See: www.vicnature2050.org) Bendigo to develop ‘Living Next to We couldn’t do this without our members • Developing the Wild Families program Nature, Being a good neighbour to and supporters, and we look forward to which has engaged more families with Bendigo’s bushland’ booklet, website continuing this learning and knowledge our organisation. and stories. sharing journey with you. • PW

A champion of the seas

VNPA BID CHRIS SMYTH A FOND FAREWELL.

Late last year Chris resigned from national marine legislative reform the position of Marine and Coastal and sustainable seafood. Coordinator. His depth of knowledge will be greatly missed by all at the One of Chris’ key achievements has VNPA. We sincerely thank him for his been resolving the conflict over Point dedicated work. Nepean, particularly the Quarantine Station, over many years. The recent Chris was our Marine and Coastal release of the final Management Coordinator from 2015- 2017. During Plan for an integrated Point Nepean this time he took on responsibility for National Park is a milestone in other roles within the organisation, which Chris played a leading role including Acting Executive Director, (see page 6). Chris has also been Program Manager and editor of Park working hard to protect the hooded Watch. Chris also had a previous plover from racehorse training at stint at VNPA as Marine Campaigner Belfast Coastal Reserve (see page 7). between 2000–2003. The work of VNPA in protecting our Prior to returning to the VNPA fold, seas and shores will continue. Chris Chris was the Healthy Oceans has generously agreed to provide Campaigner with the Australian research and strategic advice on an Conservation Foundation, where his ad-hoc basis, and we are currently work focused on the establishment of recruiting a new full-time campaigner marine protected areas, ecosystem- to work on marine, coastal and other based regional marine planning, critical conservation issues. • PW PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS SMYTH CHRIS COURTESY PHOTO

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 5 POINT NEPEAN SAGA Drawing to a close? PHOTO COURTESY VNPA COURTESY PHOTO

Hundreds of protesters gathered Part of the Quarantine Station, and beyond it the Ticonderoga Bay in 2014 to save Point Nepean. Sanctuary Zone, home to the endangered burrunan dolphins.

THE RELEASE OF THE ANDREWS GOVERNMENT’S FINAL MASTER PLAN FOR POINT NEPEAN NATIONAL PARK IS

PHOTO: COURTESY COURTESY PHOTO: INNER MACKAY, MATTHEW PHOTOGRAPHY LIGHT WELCOME, SAYS CHRIS SMYTH.

Are we there yet? That has been a frequently asked question The minister also committed $3.7 million to the master during the more than 20 years that the Point Nepean saga plan’s implementation and new visitor facilities, including the has been running. upgrade of the disinfecting complex to become the beating heart of the park’s interpretation. In other commitments: It was asked when the federal government established a reference group that produced a draft master plan in 2002. • a new Point Nepean Advisory Group will be established and report to the Parks Victoria Board, It was asked when the federal Coalition government’s planned • a new staff member will be appointed to implement the sell-off of public land was stopped in its tracks in 2003. plan and be based in the park, It was asked when the federal Labor government returned • new camping experiences will be installed at the the Quarantine Station to Victoria in 2009, and the state Quarantine Station, Labor government produced a draft master plan in 2010. • the Defence Road out to Fort Nepean will be repaired. It was even asked when the Napthine government rejected Although these commitments are relatively small – the that draft plan in 2014 in favour of a long-term lease with master plan estimates that its full implementation may a developer for a spa retreat and hotel complex that would require $140 million of public and private investment in the have been devastating for the park’s environment. coming years – they serve to reaffirm the state government’s support for an integrated national park that protects the area’s And in 2018 we are now asking it again. Three years after natural and cultural heritage, the very thing the community Victorian Labor’s 2014 election commitment to review the has been urging for more than 20 years. Point Nepean lease and return Parks Victoria to managing the entire park, the state government has delivered. In 2015, The government could immediately save at least $2-3 million capital expenditure, and millions on long-term the developer’s lease was allowed to expire, Parks Victoria is recurrent spending, by scuttling a proposed new jetty in the back and, after two years of research and consultation, the Ticonderoga Bay Sanctuary Zone, previously established to Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio launched the park’s protect the endangered burrunan dolphin. It will significantly final master plan in January 2018. increase boat traffic in the area and distort park management So, are we close? Let’s hope so. priorities, taking resources away from protecting the park. When releasing the final master plan at a small gathering Thank you to all of you who supported this community campaign in front of the Quarantine Station’s disinfecting and shower over the years. VNPA will continue to monitor the implementation complex, Minister D’Ambrosio praised the patient work of of the plan, including options for accommodation and new the community and, especially, the one constant in years of buildings. For more information and to view the final master campaigning, Kate Baillieu. plan go to: www.parks.vic.gov.au/pointnepeanplan • PW 6 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 Savage blow for coastal reserve and hooded plovers

THE ANDREWS GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING A 400 PER CENT INCREASE IN RACEHORSE NUMBERS ALONG THE BEACHES OF THE BELFAST COASTAL RESERVE, REPORTS CHRIS SMYTH.

Are hooded plovers the new sacrificial lambs of Victoria’s The length of beaches available to racehorse training coastal mismanagement? It would seem so after reading would be increased by 250 per cent (from two kilometres the draft coastal management plan for the Belfast Coastal to five kilometres) and the number of horses by 400 per Reserve, released by Parks Victoria in January 2018. cent (from 65 to 256 each day). That represents 25 per cent of the reserve’s beaches, with nothing in the plan Hooded plovers are not alone in their sacrifice. The plan to stop future increases. This is in stark contrast to the would also put to the sword the south-west region’s government’s spin when issuing the licence – only one per biggest conservation, tourism and recreational asset – cent of the reserve would be available to racehorses. its beaches. Racehorses would also be allowed back into 750 metres But let’s go back a few months to 15 June 2017. On of fragile dunes behind Levy’s Beach, where in the past that day, the Andrews Government issued a licence for they have caused severe dune erosion. The plan even racehorse training on the reserve’s beaches between recommends racehorse training within a conservation Warrnambool and Port Fairy. zone at Rutledge’s Cutting. Why? Because the use is ‘historical’. That is simply laughable. The 12-month licence was granted to the Warrnambool Racing Club to coordinate racehorse training on the The plan cites examples of damage caused by racehorses reserve’s beaches, effectively privatising the management but fails to explain how increasing the area available to of coastal public land. And the licence fee? Less than $3 a them by 250 per cent will mitigate those impacts. Worse day for each horse being trained. still, the plan’s risk assessment reveals that management won’t make any difference. Before management, the risk For the government, the licence apparently signalled the to coastal dune vegetation, cultural values, resident and start of a bright future for the reserve and its resident migratory shorebirds from racehorse training is rated hooded plovers. Racehorse numbers would be: ‘Extreme’. And after management is introduced, the rating “reduced to a maximum of 65 across the reserve. remains ‘Extreme’. Before the introduction of the licence, the numbers Ever since the uninvited invasion by racehorses in 2015, of horses being trained in the area had increased their training has been mismanaged, with numerous from about 180 to 250 in two years, with a significant breaches of licensing conditions, public safety put at risk increase in the number of those horses using and taxpayers footing the bill for costly Parks Victoria the beaches.” surveillance and infrastructure upgrades. Expanding the But after almost two years of consultation, during which number of training beaches will simply make that worse. racing interests were given elevated status, the draft This is not a plan for the future, it is a relic of past coastal coastal management plan brings horse numbers back mismanagement and inappropriate use. to…256 per day! It is time to get the horses out of the Belfast Coastal Under the plan, commercial racehorse training would Reserve so that mum, dad and the kids, anglers, surfers – rapidly expand to multiple beaches and in sand dunes, and hooded plovers – can have their beaches back. with devastating effects for the nationally threatened hooded plovers, other coastal wildlife and the safety and You can read the draft plan at enjoyment of other beachgoers. www.engage.vic.gov.au/belfast. • PW PARKPARK WATCH WATCH • MARCH • MARCH 2018 2018NO 272 NO 2727 7 PHOTO: PIXABAY CC PIXABAY PHOTO: How can we allow platypuses to drown in Victoria?

DOUG GIMESY (CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER) AND JOSH GRIFFITHS (WILDLIFE ECOLOGIST) SHED LIGHT ON THE TRAGIC BUT LARGELY AVOIDABLE DEATHS OF AN ICONIC SPECIES.

The thought of any animal trapped underwater, slowly drowning while it frantically searches for an escape, is horrific. Knowing that we allow this to happen to one of our most iconic and unique species, the platypus,

for the sake of a few yabbies, is DELWP PHOTO: simply disgraceful. A shocking sight; this platypus struggled to escape this opera house net before drowning. This is just one of many such cruel deaths. And yet this is what happens every year with people using enclosed yabby traps (such as opera house the use of these indiscriminate death nets and drum net) and other type of 1. “There aren’t any platypus in this traps in private dams do not prevent enclosed nets in our waterways. stream, I’ve been coming here platypuses being drowned. for years and haven’t seen any.” These nets trap indiscriminately and frequently drown platypuses (as well As platypuses can be quite elusive 3. “I use these nets safely as I as other air breathing animals such and mainly active at night, not check them regularly.” observing one in your local waterway as rakali and turtles) and the current Platypuses are mammals like us. certainly does not mean they are not regulations clearly don’t prevent this. They only have a few minutes of air present. Platypuses inhabit many This was graphically and horribly when diving, and if they are frantically illustrated last May by the death of large and small waterways throughout searching for a way out of a trap, five platypuses in just two opera Victoria, and long-term residents are they will use this up even quicker. house nets in West Gippsland. sometimes quite surprised when they Checking nets regularly will not prevent are told they have some platypus their drowning. In Victoria enclosed yabby traps are neighbours. For someone unfamiliar illegal to use in public waterways, with the waterway, it is virtually but allowed on private property 4. “But they are sold in my impossible to tell if platypuses (presumably to allow landowners to local camping store so are present. fish their off-stream dams). But what surely I can use them?” constitutes public waterways? If a creek runs through my property is it a 2. “Platypus don’t live in Yes, and that’s part of the problem. private stream? Do platypuses inhabit farm dams.” While most responsible stores will farm dams? inform customers of the regulations Platypuses are regularly found in and risks, many don’t. These nets Confusion around the current farm dams. In fact, some on-stream are also available in large fishing regulations as well as a lack of dams can provide excellent foraging and outdoor stores and online, awareness or appreciation of the risks habitat for them. They can also travel where no staff are available to share posed by these nets appears to be a across land to reach off-stream dams this information. The problem is major problem, so let’s clarify a few or travel along drainage channels compounded by the fact that many common misunderstandings: after rainfall. So regulations allowing nets sold have little or no labelling.

8 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 PHOTO: DOUG GIMESY DOUG PHOTO:

3. We’d like legislation and regulations [email protected]. 5. “I wasn’t aware their use in in Victoria to be changed so the The Environment Minister Lily public waterways in Victoria sale, ownership and use of enclosed D’Ambrosio can be emailed at: was illegal.” yabby nets in any waterway is lily.d’[email protected]. The great news is, now you do, and prohibited. There are platypus- Or simply sign our petition at you can share this information so friendly alternatives that are virtually www.change.org. Search for others know. just as effective, such as hoop or 'Enclosed yabby traps drown drop nets. platypuses - ban their sale, use and possession in Victoria'. 6. “I’m unsure of the difference So what can you do? between an enclosed yabby trap, • Report a sighting such as an opera house net, • Spread the word If you are ever lucky enough to see a and a hoop or drop net”. Many people are simply unaware platypus in the wild, please register the of the regulations or about the risks Victorian Fisheries Authority has good sighting using the platypusSPOT app that these nets pose, so please information available on their website. available at www.platypusspot.org. pass this information on. Go to www.vfa.vic.gov.au The more we know about their If you find any trap being used distribution the better. So how do we prevent this? illegally, immediately report this to the relevant authorities. In Victoria What are we (and others) doing? We’re sure that most people would you can call 13FISH any time of the be absolutely devastated to be In Victoria, a concerned group have been day, or DELWP on 136186 during established (the Victorian Alliance for responsible for the death of a single business hours. platypus. How terrible would it be to Platypus-Safe Yabby Traps), and we are pull out a net with your kids and find • Talk to those who sell them working hard with relevant government authorities and like-minded organisations a drowned platypus in it? Or two? So If you go into a fishing/outdoor to try and get the use of enclosed yabby what to do? store, ask if they sell enclosed yabby traps in all waters banned, as well as traps, and if the answer is yes, 1. We want owners/users to raise awareness around the issue. You explain the issue to them, and then immediately stop using enclosed can find us on Facebook and will update ask them if there is a good reason yabby traps and switch to the with developments. they won’t stop? safer alternatives such as hoop or drop nets. • Engage with those who make policy At the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves, “Are a few yabbies worth 2. We’d like to see retailers Contact your local or state causing the traumatic drowning death of acknowledge the problem, show politicians, and politely ask them our most iconic wildlife?” some corporate responsibility, to support a change in regulations and simply stop selling enclosed which ban the sale, ownership We think the answer has to be a yabby traps immediately. Wouldn’t and use of enclosed yabby traps, resounding ‘NO’, and call on all people who it be great if they considered a and explain why. A key minister use them to stop, all retailers who sell them product recall or implemented responsible for both fisheries and to stop, and all the relevant authorities an in-store discount/swap out animal welfare related regulations with the power to do something, to scheme for safer nets? is Minister Jaala Pulford, email: change the regulations. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 9 Who’s in charge? THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IS ASSUMING CONTROL OF OUR NATIONAL PARKS. PHIL INGAMELLS LOOKS AT TWO CASES WHERE THINGS ARE GOING AWRY.

The Mount Buffalo land grab The proposal would essentially establish an alpine resort complex on Mount Buffalo, smaller than but similar to For over a year now, a proposal for a series of massive the Falls Creek and Hotham villages tucked into the vast tourism developments in Mount Buffalo National Park has Alpine National Park. been pushed as a serious option. But Mount Buffalo is a very small national park and, as one But neither Parks Victoria, the environment department of Victoria’s oldest and most loved (it was proclaimed in (DELWP), or the Environment Minister appear to have any 1898), undoubtedly worthy of vigilant protection. say in this process, even though they alone have clear responsibility for the park under Victorian law. How did this come about?

The proposal, put forward by a consortium called the Faced with seemingly endless millions of dollars to restore Mount Buffalo Destination Advisory Group, wants six the dysfunctional Mount Buffalo Chalet, Parks Victoria hectares of the national park handed over to private put a realistically costed proposal to Heritage Victoria. investors, bypassing national park leasing restrictions. It involved restoring the oldest part of the Chalet – the picturesque front – and demolishing the unsightly and That would allow a new 47 room ‘Spa Retreat Hotel’ and no-longer necessary jumble of extensions at the back of the associated day spa to be constructed behind the old chalet. Heritage Victoria approved the proposal in 2014. chalet, adjacent old sheds revamped as a bar and café, a second bar and function centre, a wedding chapel, a reception room, an ice/roller skating rink and some ‘boutique shops’ added for good measure. The remarkably balanced Sentinel, Mount Buffalo National Park. Every walk on the plateau Then there is an outdoor café with diners precariously is full of interest; there is no need to add ‘attractions’ to the park. perched over the Buffalo Gorge on a glass-bottomed walkway, a reconstruction of the always problematic Cresta Lodge in the plateau’s south and a number of other outrageous schemes.

10 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 PHOTO: PHIL INGAMELLS PHIL PHOTO: PHOTO: PHIL INGAMELLS PHIL PHOTO: PHOTO: HISTORIC PLACES, DELWP PLACES, HISTORIC PHOTO:

A short walk in Little Desert National Park. Parks Victoria should be promoting The remarkable Buffalo Gorge has long been a favourite for visitors. short walks across the state, not spending millions on unnecessary Adding an intrusive glass-bottomed viewing platform would take away infrastructure in highly sensitive areas, to service a very small ‘market’. far more than it contributes.

Unfortunately, the plan met with some local objections Parks Victoria swallowed the scheme whole, and set and triggered a social media campaign aimed at saving about planning: ‘Australia’s largest timber building’, even though that was an 1. The Great Ocean Walk erroneous claim. 2. The Grampians Peaks Trail Had Parks Victoria and the Minister weathered that 3. The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing misinformed opposition and gone ahead with their 4. A Croajingolong coastal walk. pragmatic restoration, we would now have a restored and fully functioning chalet. The Great Ocean Walk, from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, is up and running, but it soon proved far better for We could have been busy promoting Mount Buffalo, everyone if existing B&B operators on nearby private land Victoria’s ‘Island in the Sky’, as one of the finest places for picked up people who wanted a bit of luxury. Unnecessary short walks in the land. And we could be concentrating on development impacts to Great Otway National Park caring for the park’s remarkable sub-alpine ecosystems, were avoided. which face a tricky future under a warming climate. The second walk, the Grampians Peaks Trail, is partly So what’s the state of play? constructed, but plans for private serviced cabins along the way have been abandoned – no private investors The Mount Buffalo Destination Advisory Group’s 40-page showed winterest. manifesto for handing the park over to private developers is still under consideration, and Victoria’s Tourism Minister The third ‘icon’ walk is the Falls to Hotham Crossing, in has now handed $200,000 to the Alpine Shire Council to development for several years now. This time the powers “evaluate the proposal”. But neither the Tourism Minister, nor that be seem determined to fulfill their dream of serviced the Alpine Shire, actually have any legal responsibility for, or in-park luxury accommodation at each stop, to look after planning authority over, Mount Buffalo National Park. the ‘comfort seeker’. At the insistence of Tourism Victoria, one set of luxury huts will be positioned on a steep and hard It’s time for Parks Victoria and the Environment Minister to access spur off Mount Feathertop, where servicing of (who jointly hold that responsibility) to exert their authority fresh bedding and gourmet food will necessitate intrusive and halt this developer’s dream in its tracks. After all, the daily helicopter trips. And fire regulations now mandate Victorian Government’s policy on developments in national clearing native vegetation for some distance around all parks makes it very clear that tourism developments should new accommodation. be "sited on private or other public land outside parks, in locations that are more likely to provide economic benefits But this enthusiasm for serviced multi-day walks to boost directly to regional towns”. tourism in Victoria is founded on a fantasy. Mount Buffalo National Park is one of Victoria’s most While there is a level of interest in Victoria’s long walks, the beautiful and intriguing natural areas, and remains very proportion of people that actually do them is very small. The popular just as it is: around 180,000 people visit the plateau great majority of people visiting our parks do short walks, each year. It doesn’t need a series of ‘added attractions’. And even if they stay in the park for a number of days. it’s very hard to wind back unwise infrastructure. Victoria should dump the ‘icon walk’ idea as an expensive The Falls to Hotham fantasy and damaging waste of resources. We should be playing to our advantage, and promote the state as somewhere where Some time ago, Tourism Victoria got the notion that Victoria you can travel through regional Victoria, staying at wonderful needed four ‘icon walks’ to challenge the great adventure wineries, B&Bs and charming hotels, and experience any walks of our neighbours: Tasmania and New Zealand. of the many hundreds of great short walks our natural areas offer. Ignoring several long-distance walks Victoria already had (such as the Great South West Walk and the Alpine Walking That would be better for tourism, better for the health of Track), they came up with four new ones, all featuring Victorians, and better for our remarkable but very vulnerable serviced accommodation along the way. national parks. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 11 PHOTO: HISTORIC PLACES BRANCH, DELWP BRANCH, PLACES HISTORIC PHOTO: PHOTO: COLIN TOTTERDELL TOTTERDELL COLIN PHOTO:

The long history of scientific study in Victoria’s Alpine National Park The threatened Alpine Marsh Marigold has been recognised in the park’s National Heritage listing. community flowers under melting snow. It is highly vulnerable to the trampling of hard hooves.

Park’s chance to heal MISCONCEPTION MUST NOT STALL ACTION ON HORSES IN THE ALPINE NATIONAL PARK, EXPLAINS OUR PARK PROTECTION CAMPAIGNER PHIL INGAMELLS.

Parks Victoria is about to take action They suffer and die in droves in The cattle are gone, but horses, deer, on the thousands of feral horses bushfires, drought and heavy winter pigs and goats now increasingly trampling wetlands and eating out snows. Many are in a condition that, if reign over what should be one of other areas of Victoria’s magnificent found on a farm, would lead to action the land’s most important protected Alpine National Park. against their owner. conservation reserves.

It’s been a long journey to get to this In 1946, long before the Bogong High The high country shouldn’t be a stage, involving two exhaustive series Plains were included in a national paddock, it’s a national park. of stakeholder consultations and park, action was taken to remove numerous expert reports over the last horses and sheep from the area and Parks Victoria has recently increased six years. limit cattle grazing. It was found back action on pigs in the eastern then that hard-hooved grazers were alps, and Victoria’s environment The length of that process is causing soil erosion and affecting department is developing a strategy remarkable, given that a seemingly the quality and release of water to deal with the so-far intractable endless list of obligations under at the headwaters of so many of problem of feral deer. international treaty, and national Victoria’s rivers. By removing all horses from the and state law, actually compel the Bogong High Plains, and taking government to act on feral animals. Science informed that action then, and the “outstanding” nature of the 400 a year from the eastern Alpine However it seemed the common many high country scientific studies National Park, Parks Victoria is perception of the ‘pure-bred brumby’, have now been recognised in the starting a process to restore this galloping through alpine wildflowers, National Heritage listing for the remarkable park to health. might be able to override decades of Australian Alps National Parks. This action must be done as evidence and unambiguous law. Victoria’s Alpine National Park humanely as possible, but doing The truth is a little different, however: protects some 575 rare and nothing won’t help the park or the horses up there are a bit of a threatened plants and animals, many the horses. • PW hotch-potch of breeds, and they don’t of which have been slowly recovering Opinion piece first published in always have a good time. from decades of grazing. The Weekly Times, 7 February 2018.

12 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 Minister for Resources revokes mining exemption over toxic tailings dam

THE TAMBO RIVER AND GIPPSLAND LAKES ARE UNDER RENEWED THREAT FROM THE LATEST MINING PROPOSAL TO MASSIVELY EXPAND A TOXIC TAILINGS DAM ON THE HEADWATERS OF THE RIVER NEAR

BENAMBRA, WRITES LOUISE CRISP. INGAMELLS PHIL PHOTO: The Stockman tailings dam across the Straight Creek tributary of Tambo River.

The original Benambra copper and the Benambra mine. The project also the state government had signed zinc mine operated from 1992-96 until involved reopening and expanding an agreement with CopperChem to the company went into receivership the tailings dam in order to store up maintain and monitor the tailings and abandoned the site. The company to another seven million tonnes of dam in perpetuity after mining is left behind a leaking tailings dam mine waste, even though at that stage completed. Shockingly, The Stockman containing highly-acidic toxic tailings the tailings dam area was exempt Project Post-Closure Deed requires sitting across the headwaters of the from the company’s mining licence. the company to lodge a bank Tambo River. The Department of The wall of the tailings dam would be guarantee of only $5.7 million to Primary Industries (DPI) was forced to raised in a series of staged lifts from ensure the safety of the tailings dam rehabilitate the mine site and tailings 20 metres above the valley floor up for a thousand years. This amount dam, containing 700,000 tonnes of to a total of 45 metres, and increase is peanuts compared to the cost of tailings, at a cost to the taxpayer of the surface area from 8 hectares $264 million calculated by the GHD nearly $7 million. The tailings have to to approximately 32 hectares, consulting firm in an independent remain covered with two metres of drowning a significant area of report during the Environment Effects water for at least a thousand years. headwaters catchment. Statement process.

In 2006 the tailings dam (which Gippsland Environment Group, VNPA At the same time the Minister revoked is still leaking) was renamed Lake and others strongly criticised such the mining licence exemption over the St Barbara; the land was excluded a foolhardy proposal that would tailings dam. CopperChem has now from the surrounding mining lease jeopardise the health of the Tambo applied for a mining infrastructure and the facility exempt from any River and Gippsland Lakes forever. licence over the tailings dam. further mining activity. In 2015 the price of copper fell Anyone who has concerns about However, in October 2014, then and Independence Group put the the severe environmental risk this Planning Minister Mathew Guy Stockman Project on hold, then sold it project poses for the Tambo River approved the Western Australian to CopperChem Limited. and Gippsland Lakes, should write to mining company Independence Victoria's Minister for Resources Group’s Stockman Base Metals In December 2017 the Minister for Tim Pallas. Visit www.vnpa.org.au/ Project EES to reopen and develop Resources Tim Pallas announced tambo-river-toxic-threat • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 13 ENOUGH ALREADY Ten reasons why we need a new approach to forest management PHOTO: JUSTIN CALLY, FLICKR PUBLIC DOMAIN PUBLIC FLICKR CALLY, JUSTIN PHOTO:

NATIVE FORESTS DESERVE BETTER THAN A REGULATORY RELIC, SAYS MATT RUCHEL.

The looming expiry of the Regional Forest RFAs are twenty-year agreements There are five RFAs in Victoria, Agreements (RFAs) offers a once-in-two- between the Victorian and which start expiring from March 2018: decades opportunity to put in place modern, Commonwealth Governments, improved and transparent arrangements which allow for the logging of • East Gippsland (signed 3 February 1997) for the management of Victoria’s publicly public native forests. Logging that • Central Highlands (signed 27 March 1998) owned state forests – arrangements based occurs under these agreements • North East (signed 9 August 1999) on current science, and on community does not require approval under views about how our state forests should federal environmental laws, unlike • West Victorian (signed 31 March 2000) be valued, used and managed. most other industries or activities. • Gippsland (signed 31 March 2000)

14 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 Left: The devastation of logging in the Central Highlands.

The so-called ‘mandatory’ five-yearly 6. RFAs ignore other forest values to an end the special treatment this reviews of the RFAs, currently being – RFAs do not recognise, include industry enjoys under the RFAs by: consulted on by government, do not or account for non-wood forest • ending the regulatory relic which even cover contemporary issues and values (such as water, ecosystem is the West Victorian RFA, and are largely a matter of ‘tick the boxes’. services, recreation and tourism) comprehensively reviewing They are retrospective exercises that that are contributing many proposed logging plans; cover the period of implementation millions to the state’s economy, • discontinuing the industry’s exemption of the RFAs between 1 July 2009 and and could contribute further. from national environment laws in all 30 June 2014, now well in the past. 7. RFA reviews ignore their own RFAs; Even when it is acknowledged that previous recommendations – • accounting for other forest-dependent there have been breaches, or that work Recommendations relating to industries – such as conservation, has not been completed, there are no improved threatened species recreation, tourism, agriculture, recommendations, no alternatives outcomes from the previous five- water, and carbon storage – in any offered, and no consequences or yearly review have still not been arrangement or agreements going accountability measures outlined. complied with. forward; • strengthening management On studying the review documents, 8. RFAs give unjustified and unfair prescriptions for threatened species, along with the outcomes of previous special treatment to native climate change impacts, and fire; reviews, it is difficult to take seriously forest logging – RFAs are exempt • making substantial additions to the the claim that either government is from the national environmental formal reserve system. committed to “effective” conservation laws (the Environment Protection and forest management. and Biodiversity Conservation Act Thank you to all our members and 1999), leading to lower standards In VNPA’s submission to the supporters who responded to the of environmental assessment consultation, we outlined ten reasons call to make submissions. You can and unfair advantages over other why the RFAs have failed, are now read the detail in our submission at industries. obsolete and should not be renewed. www.vnpa.org.au/publications/ These are: 9. RFAs stifle industry innovation – submission-regional-forest-agreements The method of harvesting native • PW 1. RFAs have failed to meet their forest, clear fell logging, has not objectives – Repeated reviews and changed significantly in 30 years, reports highlight that the numbers of yet has a dramatic impact on forest-dependent species listed as native habitats and drinking water Ecotours and walking threatened continue to rise and forest production. The ‘special’ treatment health is declining. Even the native in the High Country, given by RFAs has made the forestry industry itself is in decline as industry unable and unwilling East Gippsland their main resource runs out. to change, keeping it locked in and beyond 2. RFAs ecological targets are out the past while destroying public Are you curious about the natural world? of date – Many of the RFAs’ ecological assets in the process. Imagine immersing yourself in nature standards for the protection of 10. RFAs are a regulatory relic – while we share our love and knowledge ecosystems fall below international RFAs are not a best-practice of the environment with you. and national benchmarks. approach to regulation and are 3. RFAs do not effectively manage outdated. For example, many threatened species and people thought the West Victorian ecosystems – RFAs purport to RFA had been phased out after protect threatened species but the creation of the Otway National contain no targets or outcomes Park. Yet the agreement still for their protection, making the exists and is still part of the objective largely meaningless current review. The last review Let us arrange the accommodation, and ineffective. in 2010 recommended that the the driving, the walks and talks. Even West Victorian RFA be cancelled, your meals appear like magic. Enjoy the 4. RFAs ignore climate change but as recently as mid-2017, companionship of a small group of implications – The RFAs do not plans were released for logging like-minded nature lovers and return even mention climate change and home refreshed, informed and invigorated. of fragmented and depleted its potential impacts. woodlands right across the west. 5. RFAs ignore fire impacts – Gippsland High Country Tours Successive or cumulative impact of The five Victorian RFAs must be bushfire is huge, and even though allowed to expire, and not be extended Phone (03) 5157 5556 there have been extensive fires in or rolled over. This overdue review www.gippslandhighcountrytours.com.au the last 10 years, the RFAs ignore should recommend that the RFAs be both their impact and extent. abandoned, and at a minimum bring Advanced Ecotourism Certification. Est. 1987

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 15 New investigation for south-west woodland wonders MATT RUCHEL REVIEWS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NATURE IN OUR STATE.

A few days before Christmas the Andrews available through the investigations $773,000, while at the same time Government responded to the Victorian will be incorporated into broader VicForests received a grant from the Environmental Assessment Council's processes such as the Regional Forest Victorian Environment Department of (VEAC) Statewide Assessment of Public Agreements… The Regional Forest $678,000 (per annum) paid in advance. Land Investigation. Agreements currently outline that any Assuming the difference of $95,000 per changes to the area of State Forest will annum is made from timber sales, the The recommendations included not lead to a net deterioration in the total costs to the Victorian Government, proposals for new investigations timber production capacity of those and to you and I as taxpayers, is more by VEAC, including areas currently areas available for harvesting.” than $500,000 (half a million dollars), underrepresented in the protected in return for the destruction to large area estate in south-west Victoria, the While this is technically right, the areas of scarce and vulnerable, publicly- Strzelecki Ranges and Gippsland Plains, government’s response fails to owned native forest and woodland. and central Victoria (which is already mention that the Western Regional Forests Agreement (RFA) also says By way of comparison, the Victoria underway as part of the Central West Government invested $6.4 million, and VEAC Investigation). that logging must “…not lead to a net deterioration in the protection of the Federal Government $1.8 million, in An investigation into the south-west identified Comprehensive, Adequate the Wimmera Catchment Management woodlands is long overdue. This region and Representative Reserve System Authority for various conservation stretches west from the Grampians to the (CAR) Values”. This clause is ignored. and land management projects in just South Australian border, north to the Little one of the catchment management The West Victorian RFA itself notes Desert and south to the Glenelg River. areas affected. (Read our full western that the agreement signed in 2000 These areas, mostly in the Wimmera and forests report at www.vnpa.org.au/ failed to reach its own levels of Dundas Tablelands, are some of the most publications/western-forests-at-risk) protection, stating that while the cleared areas in the state. However they agreement “…has increased their have some real hidden gems: scattered Marine national park levels of protection, but not to the woodland and dryer forests rich in habitat double speak level specified in the national reserve for threatened species such as the south- criteria. Further protection of these The VEAC investigation also includes a eastern red-tailed black-cockatoo . ecological vegetation types would proposal for assessment or review of According to analysis in a supplement to have significant resource implications coastal reserves, which is welcome, and the VEAC Public Land Discussion Paper, and potential adverse social and a long-awaited new investigation into if current international standards are economic consequences”. This the comprehensiveness, adequacy, and applied there are is a potential ‘shortfall’ demonstrates RFAs are a flawed and representativeness of marine protected of underrepresented vegetation types obsolete concept (see article on pages areas (such as marine national parks) in the formal reserve system (national 14-15). We know well-managed parks in Victoria. are good for the local economy, and parks and other conservation areas) of While the recommendations were good for society. approximately 200,000 hectares on public accepted by the state government, the land in the south-west regions. It also makes little economic sense marine protected area investigation While the Andrews Government support for the industry. According to the comes with strings (fishing line?), for a new VEAC inquiry in the area is most recent 2016–2017 VicForests which undermine the intent of the welcome, the caveat appears to be annual report, total revenue for recommendation. The government that as long as it does not impact on the so-called western ‘community response states: “The review will not logging. It states: “The information made forestry’ operation was approximately include recommendations to expand

1616 PARK PARK WATCH WATCH • MARCH• MARCH 2018 2018 NO NO 272 272 Looking east towards Mount Langi Ghiran and Mount Cole.

Policy ideas to protect nature: Funding for Trust For Nature’s Revolving Fund

IF YOU THOUGHT BUYING A HOUSE IN VICTORIA WAS TOUGH, TRY BEING A THREATENED SPECIES! PHOTO: ED DUNENS, FLICK CC FLICK DUNENS, ED PHOTO: The state election is not far This is an innovative off, and the political parties are conservation mechanism Victoria’s marine protected area system. starting to think about policy. that creates an ongoing, non- It is current government policy that VNPA has a broad policy diminishing cycle of biodiversity no new marine national parks will agenda, with over 40 individual protection on private land, to be created”. initiatives, which we plan to balance ongoing losses and Victoria has around four per cent of our publicly release later in the shore up the health of habitat marine waters in marine national parks year. Throughout 2018 we will crucial for Victoria’s threatened and sanctuaries; well below international feature some of these ideas in species. detail in Park Watch. benchmarks. It seems hard to reconcile At the last state election an investigation into ‘gaps’ in the reserve In this edition we will examine the Andrews Government system if they can’t be filled due to the need for a boost to the committed to “…work with Trust restrictive government policy. We will Trust for Nature Revolving for Nature so communities can advocate for Andrews Labor, the Coalition Fund. The aim of this initiative have private land protected and and all other political parties to have a is to essentially give Trust for rehabilitated”. The Andrews well-advised marine protected area policy Nature (TFN) enough funds Government has provided some after the next election. to purchase, protect, then additional core support for TFN, resell high-value habitat. This Reform of public land legislation but we really need it to ramp up. is critically important for large As part of a major focus of the farms, peri-urban and coastal The state biodiversity strategy investigation VEAC was asked to look at all properties, which are now released in 2017, Protecting current land categories in Victoria and look worth many millions. Victoria's Environment – at ways to consolidate and simplify them Biodiversity 2037, identifies without altering current levels of protection The Revolving Fund significant gaps in our reserve (see Park Watch article September 2017). is essentially a capital system, particularly on private Fairly dry stuff, but in many ways very investment from the state land. The strategy acknowledges important, as it forms the foundation of the government of around $40 that: “…this can only be achieved way we manage public land and habitats. million over four years, into by land purchase or additional VEAC made 30 recommendations, often a fund managed by the TFN, formal protection of habitat on around complex regulatory and legislative but retained on the Victorian private land”, and its Priority 18 arrangements, and sets out a significant Government balance sheet commits to: “Work with partners reform agenda for crown land legislation. without depreciating. The fund to increase the extent of private It also importantly identifies gaps in our buys, improves, protects (via land under voluntary permanent conservation estate and the need for a Conservation Covenant on protection, and managed under further investigations. title) and then sells property. conservation stewardship The sale proceeds are arrangements to complement The Victorian Government accepted all of returned to the fund at little the reserve system.” the recommendation in full, in principle, or or no reduction of capital. in part. There are significant areas of work Through its ability to replenish This innovative initiative is really required to reform these quite complex its investment, the Revolving worthwhile, with similar schemes pieces of legislation, so this part of the Fund will continue to operate overseas having a proven track investigation is likely to take many years over a long-term, continually record. Let’s hope it gets support and will involve public consultation. We will accruing significant from all political parties and keep you informed of developments. • PW biodiversity outcomes. funding in the next budget. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 17 A smooth toadfish in Port Phillip Bay.

New positive features in the legislation are the preparation of an overarching statewide marine and coastal policy, Authority-mad five-yearly state of the marine environment reports (an extension of the state of the bays reporting), and reference to the development of a marine spatial planning framework. government Another new feature is regional and strategic partnerships, i.e. interdepartmental agencies brought together on blinks on marine a ‘needs’ basis to help resolve regional marine and coastal issues.

THE MARINE AND COASTAL BILL But there are significant negative features: IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO REFORM MARINE AND COASTAL PLANNING IN VICTORIA, • Gutting the Victorian Coastal Council by turning it into an WRITES CHRIS SMYTH. advisory body only. It will no longer prepare the marine and coastal strategy, which will now be done by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). Over the past 20 years, the strategies have been forward looking and innovative documents that have greatly influenced coastal planning and management in the state. That is unlikely under the department’s heavy hand. • Abolishing the regional coastal boards, transferring their role to existing catchment management authorities with coastal boundaries. Even though the boards were starved of resources, they played an important role in developing local community engagement in coastal planning and management. The catchment management authorities have shown little interest in marine and coastal environments, maintaining an agricultural focus, and with boards that have little or no expertise in marine and coastal matters. • Port Phillip Bay is the initial focus of the environment management plans and largely about water quality, while the marine and coastal management plans are very localised and the work of the regional and strategic partnership likely ad-hoc responses to ‘problems’ PHOTO: JOHN GASKELL JOHN PHOTO: emerging. There appears to be no pathway to develop Victoria is awash with statutory authorities. We’ve got the proactive, long-term and integrated regional marine them for ports, channels, transport ticketing, planning, and coastal planning that should be the cornerstone of curriculum, teaching, environment protection, fisheries, a marine spatial planning framework and implement the game management, emergency services, catchment new marine and coastal policies and strategies. management, business licensing, north east link, western • There is no clear public process for public comment on distributor, fires and tenancy bonds – and these are just changes to the use of coastal and marine areas, whereas the ones that have the word ‘authority’ in their name. development projects are covered by the Planning and With so many, you would think it wouldn’t be too hard Environment Act. Racehorse training on public beaches, to establish one for marine and coastal planning. But brought to us by DELWP, is one such use that has avoided the Victorian Government's marine and coastal bill 2017 scrutiny under consent processes. ignores it, even though such reform is needed to establish • And from the outset of consultation on the new an integrated marine and coastal planning framework that legislation, ports and fisheries were excluded from sets a new course appropriate for the 21st century. consideration, and there is nothing in the bill that should worry those sectors even though their impacts are When enacted, the marine and coastal bill will replace the significant (the new environment management plan for Coastal Management Act 1995, which was a significant Port Phillip Bay also excluded them). reform championed by former environment minister Mark Birrell. The new legislation retains some of his vision, The marine and coastal bill is a missed opportunity to including the Victorian Coastal Council, the Victorian reform marine and coastal planning in Victoria. It fails to Coastal Strategy and coastal management plans rise to the ambition of the Andrews Government's 2014 (all with marine added to their titles), and consent pre-election commitment and will substantially reduce processes for coastal use and development. meaningful community engagement. Environmental management plans, currently prepared under State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of VNPA will work to strengthen the provisions of the bill over Victoria) will now be under the new legislation. the coming months. • PW

18 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 Lessons from the Little Desert

MICHAEL HOWES SHARES THE STORY OF VICTORIA’S LITTLE DESERT AND HOW IT BECAME A NATIONAL PARK. BIRDS AND PLANTS OF THE LITTLE DESERT LITTLE THE OF PLANTS AND BIRDS FROM MORGAN, IAN PHOTO:

A rainbow bee-eater exiting a nesting burrow in the Little Desert.

The desert that isn’t species and 60 species of mammals Studying the ‘battle for the and reptiles, as well as a wide range of Little Desert’ Situated 375 kilometres west of insects and other invertebrates. Melbourne, the Little Desert is far from For young people today, the 1960s being the Sahara-like area of bare sand The Little Desert may not be ‘scenic’ controversy over the Little Desert in dunes that its name suggests. Named in the sense that the Grampians, western Victoria is a little known part because its mostly sandy soils are Wilsons Promontory or Tarra-Bulga of our state’s environmental history. unsuitable for farming (and because it national parks, with their tall forests, However, over the next few years, VCE is ‘little’ compared with the Big Desert dramatic mountains and fern gullies, Outdoor and Environment Education to the north), it is largely covered with are scenic. Many people might see students will be learning about ‘the a wide variety of native vegetation and it as flat and monotonous, or even battle for the Little Desert’ as it is now has no fewer than 670 native plant frightening. We need to look more included in the curriculum. They will species. It also is inhabited by 220 bird closely to find its beauty and variety. be preparing a case study of differing

Continued overleaf

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 19 BIRDS AND PLANTS OF THE LITTLE DESERT LITTLE THE OF PLANTS AND BIRDS FROM GOODS, MAREE AND GRAHAM PHOTO:

The delights of spring in the Little Desert.

Continued from previous page values between people who wanted 1&2. Social history of the campaign to preserve areas in a natural state leading up to the creation of Getting to know the and those who wanted to clear the Little Desert National Park. Little Desert National Park more land for farming. It was a true 3. Current values of the struggle between conservation Little Desert National Park. and development. Students will 4. Personal connections to the be looking at how the controversy Little Desert National Park. Little Desert National Park covers developed, who was involved and 5. A deeper history of the Little Desert 132,647 hectares, and extends how it was resolved. prior to the campaign. about 95 kilometres east to west between the Wimmera River near The Little Desert National Park When completed, the podcast will Dimboola, and the South Australian controversy is often considered to be available on the VNPA and border. Its north-south extent varies mark the beginning of widespread Parks Victoria websites. between ten and 24 kilometres. environmental awareness Some 50,000 people visit the park and activism in Victoria, and it To help these students, we have also each year for walking, camping, contributed to the creation of an developed a timeline of the key events discovering the plants and wildlife, independent body to study Victorian in the controversy (see right). This was and enjoying the peace and quiet. public land, which has become compiled using material from the main today’s Victorian Environment reference on the issue, Defending the The park has three camping Assessment Council (VEAC). Little Desert (1998) by Libby Robin. areas accessible by 2WD vehicles and two that cater for people VNPA also is currently working in Additional references undertaking the challenging partnership with Parks Victoria to 80-kilometre Desert Discovery An excellent reference is Birds and Plants develop a five-episode podcast Walk. Facilities are basic but on the battle for the Little Desert, of the Little Desert (2014) by Ian Morgan, adequate. There are also three which will be valuable to students Graham Goods and Maree Goods. This short self-guided nature walks that and teachers studying Outdoor book, which has magnificent photos of introduce you to the park’s flora and and Environmental Studies, and virtually all the park’s birds and many fauna. For more information, see anyone else with an interest in this of its plants featured in this article, is www.parks.vic.gov.au national park. It is to include the available from VNPA, as is Defending the following episodes: Little Desert by Libby Robin. • PW

20 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 LITTLE DESERT TIMELINE

For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal people Mid 1969: McDonald scaled back the Little Desert hunted and gathered food in the Little Desert. The local Settlement Scheme to 12 sheep farms and also Wotjobaluk people maintain a connection with the area announced a larger national park to cover 35,300 even after their forebears were moved into the Antwerp hectares. But conservationists were not satisfied mission near Dimboola in the 19th century. with this, believing that national parks must have ‘ecological integrity’.

July 1836: Assistant Surveyor Granville Stapylton, second October 1969: Labor MP J.W. Galbally MLC set up in command of Major Mitchell’s expedition through what a Select Committee to inquire into the Little Desert is now western Victoria, crossed part of the Little Desert, Settlement Scheme. Leading ecologists such as reporting that the country was “dreadfully deep” (in sand Malcolm Calder gave evidence about the natural and mud). values of the Little Desert. The Age newspaper ran articles suggesting that the scheme was proposed partly because a new road it included would benefit 1840-1880s: The Little Desert became known as ‘scrub McDonald’s brother-in-law. country’. Settlers avoided it because of its infertile sandy soils and low rainfall, although there was some sheep and cattle grazing. December 1969: The Victorian Liberal government lost the Dandenong by-election, partly because of community opposition to the Little Desert scheme. The Legislative 1870s to 1950s: Much of the natural vegetation of the Council voted to block the scheme. Little Desert National Wimmera and Mallee districts was cleared for farming Park was enlarged to 35,300 hectares and the clearing by selectors and soldier settlers (especially after World scheme was abandoned. War I). The Little Desert, however, remained ‘an island of biodiversity in a sea of agriculture’. May 1970: In the Victorian election, the Liberals won with a slightly reduced vote, but McDonald lost his seat of Dundas after 15 years as member. During the 1946: Small conservation reserves were established election campaign Premier Bolte promised to create near Dimboola. and extend national parks so that they covered five per cent of Victoria’s area. He also promised to set up a new independent body, the Land Resources Council (later 1955: Kiata Lowan Sanctuary (218 hectares) was named the Land Conservation Council) which would established to protect malleefowl (also called lowans), encourage public involvement. The Council would study which were in decline. The Sanctuary was incorporated Victoria’s public land and recommend how it should be into a 945 hectare Little Desert National Park in 1968. used. It continues today as the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC).

1963: The AMP Society, a large insurance company, William Borthwick became Minister for Lands (later proposed to subdivide and clear the Little Desert for Minister for Conservation) in the new government. agricultural and pastoral development. However, declining wool and wheat prices, and government indecision, led to 1988: The western part of Little Desert was added to Little the scheme being abandoned in March 1967. Desert National Park, roughly tripling it in size and making it the state’s second largest national park at the time.

June 1967: Sir William McDonald, a local pastoralist 1991: An addition of seven hectares was donated to the and long-standing Victorian Member of Parliament, was park by a local family. appointed Minister of Lands by premier Henry Bolte. 1997: 640 hectares was added to the park. Early 1968: McDonald announced the Little Desert Settlement Scheme, under which 48 wheat farms would 2005: Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation be established. Agricultural experts, economists and and the Victorian and Australian governments entered into conservationists opposed the scheme. Conservationists the first Indigenous Land Use Agreement in Victoria. A set up the Save our Bushlands Action Committee, cooperative agreement that includes Little Desert National representing eight conservation groups, including VNPA, Park ensures that the Traditional Owners will continue and held two major public meetings in Melbourne in 1969, to be able to care for country by being involved in the each attended by over 1000 people. Local Wimmera management of the areas where their native title rights people also ran a campaign against the clearing scheme. have been recognised.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 21 NATURE’S MILLION

A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE UPS AND DOWNS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN VICTORIA BY PHIL INGAMELLS.

As a child in the 1950s I was enchanted by nature talks, then one of the world’s greatest natural broadcast by radio into our primary school classroom. history communicators, broadcasting to Australia, I must have focussed long on the loudspeaker placed New Zealand and even South Africa. 78 per cent of centrally above the blackboard, because I still remember all Victorian radios tuned in to his program at 6pm its octagonal plywood frame. every Sunday evening.

Once each week, a compelling voice invited us into the Crosbie Morrison (as he was known) would also be natural world. We heard how snakes and lizards aren’t instrumental in setting up the Victorian National Parks truly ‘cold-blooded’, but take on the temperature of their Association, becoming its first president in 1952. He environment, sometimes having a higher temperature lobbied successfully for Victoria’s national parks to than warm-blooded animals like possums and people. be managed by the Victorian Government (parks were We learnt that ‘fairy rings’ of mushrooms are just the then managed by a series of inexpert and unfunded visible fruits of an underground fungus, that some have committees), and he was appointed as the new National been found up to 30 feet wide, and that a mushroom ring Parks Authority’s first director in 1957. To his dismay the that size might have started its life before Captain Cook new park agency was poorly resourced, and he struggled sighted these shores. His voice was kind and generous to to win the levels of management he knew our natural the young listener: “…you probably know that we never get areas needed. He was to die suddenly a year later, but his frogs in salt water”. extraordinary energy, his commitment to the protection of our natural heritage, and his belief in the power of nature’s I had no idea I was listening to Philip Crosbie Morrison, stories have echoed through the years. renowned President of the Royal Society of Victoria and Chairman of the National Museum of Victoria. He was Times would change.

22 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 PHOTO: PHIL INGAMELLS PHIL PHOTO: Left: Nature has many stories yet to be told.

Thirty years later, in 1985, I fluked a job in the community education arm of his Parks Authority’s successor agency, the National Parks Service of Victoria. That park agency was in the process of being absorbed into a new mega-department, Conservation, Forests and Lands, incorporating all of Victoria’s land management bodies. I was to become part of a 40-person-strong conservation education group, extending information to the public about fisheries, farming, forestry and, by no means least, the remarkable heritage of Victoria’s fast-growing park system.

I was no Crosbie Morrison (my knowledge was thin) but I had the freedom to talk to staff biologists, academics and amateur naturalists, and bring their stories to the public. Through publications, posters, information centre displays, audio-visuals and any other means, we told stories about the evolution of rainforests, the rarest of frogs, the pollination of orchids and those precious wetlands waiting for the arrival of migrating birds. We relentlessly encouraged the community to visit their parks and experience nature at its best.

Others in the group talked to farmers about Victoria’s rising salinity problems, or organised holiday programs for young summer visitors.

Throughout the 80s and early 90s there were fairly comprehensive, routinely staffed visitor information centres VNPA COURTESY PHOTO at Wilsons Promontory, Grampians, Mount Buffalo, Lower Crosbie Morrison in his element. Glenelg, Organ Pipes, Point Nepean, Tarra-Bulga, and Hattah-Kulkyne national parks, as well as a new multi- million-dollar Rainforest Information Centre at Orbost. People could generally meet a park ranger at these centres, There are signs things might be improving. The Victorian or come across one as they walked through any of our Government’s new biodiversity strategy has promised parks. As well as increasing visitor enjoyment of the natural a “campaign to raise awareness about Victoria’s world, community education engendered cooperation with biodiversity”. So far, the government has invested in and support for good conservation management. new park rangers, but under current work regimes they are more likely to be stuck behind a computer, arranging In the mid 90s I came under the Morrison spell once more. I contracts, than out in the parks. And very modest had been working on an audio-visual outlining the evolution improvements to visitor information are in progress in the of Victoria’s remarkable parks system, to be installed in tiny space now available at the Prom’s park office. most of those visitor centres. We invited Crosbie Morrison’s gracious wife Lucy to a launch of that production, partly to It’s time for a real surge in investment in park management show her the tribute it paid her late husband. and, most importantly, in community education. There are something like 100,000 native species in Victoria, But times were to change again. and there is a host of extraordinary stories to tell about them, about their evolution, about the roles they play in A few months later, the Kennett government declared that ecosystems, and indeed, about the people who study them conservation education was not the role of government, and work to protect them. and the department’s 40-strong group of environmental educators was scrapped. There are also important stories about Indigenous knowledge of native species and their care for country. Since then, most of Victoria’s park visitor centres have closed or become greatly diminished. Even the remarkable All Victorians, and Victoria’s visitors, surely have a right to Orbost Rainforest Centre lost its funding and abandoned know about our remarkable natural heritage, and a right to its role in education and regional park tourism; it was understand what skills and resources we need to fulfil our handballed to the town as a local community centre. role as nature’s custodians.

Rangers are now rarely, if ever, seen in our parks, and Crosbie Morrison knew that the protection of nature was walking tracks and signage are often in poor repair in all a core role for government and its land managers. He also but the most high-profile places. Inevitably, public respect said it was a role for “anyone who has ever sat under a tree”. for our parks and the natural areas they protect has declined within large sections of the community. And he knew that education was the key. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 23 Advancing the nature of science

The Victorian Government released a strategy for protecting Victoria’s biodiversity in April 2017. This article in the fourth in a series in Park Watch (see June, September and December 2017 editions) that addresses the strategy, why it matters and what we would like to see from the strategy.

Protecting Victoria’s Environment

– Biodiversity 2037 is the first WILDLIFE A IT’S PHOTO: formal statewide, long-term Citizen scientists learn how to install a motion-sensing camera for our NatureWatch program's Caught biodiversity plan in two decades on Camera project. Since 2012 this long-term project has monitored wildlife in locations across Victoria, and it contains a range of leading to several important discoveries. priorities and initiatives around Sometimes it looks like community more about nature and contribute to two main goals: members sighting birds with nature conservation. binoculars, and sometimes it looks Goal 1: Victorians value nature One of my favourite things about citizen like people watching on their desktop science is that it is an opportunity for Goal 2: Victoria’s natural an underwater camera to count fish, everyone and anyone to participate in environment is healthy and in both scenarios reporting what well-founded science. While so many they record. The work of these citizen of us see science as being just for the scientists is generally a part of bigger academics, or something we gave up in projects that they contribute to. high school, it is a great way of making CITIZEN SCIENCE IS ONE WAY Sometimes citizen science also looks science an accessible community and OF APPROACHING BOTH GOALS IN like community members sitting down cultural practice. THE BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY, AS with scientists to develop projects IT ENGAGES PEOPLE IN NATURE that address issues of local concern, Victorians value nature AND COLLECTS VALUABLE for example coming up with a way to and citizen science SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION monitor a waterway that has had a With the new Victorian chapter of the THAT CONTRIBUTES TO OUR pollution spill. Australian Citizen Science Association UNDERSTANDING OF THE and the Victorian Biodiversity 2037 VNPA has developed and delivered HEALTH OF VICTORIA’S NATURAL strategy, VNPA is excited to see traction citizen science projects over the last ENVIRONMENT, EXPLAINS and support building for citizen science 15 years, particularly through our CAITLIN GRIFFITH. initiatives in our state. ReefWatch and NatureWatch programs. Thousands of people have been Where to now? The potential to build how involved in collecting highly valuable communities can contribute to nature information on the health of Victoria’s As a result of the Biodiversity 2037 conservation is acknowledged in natural environment. Motion sensing strategy, we hope to see real action, the strategy, with a target for 2022 cameras have been used to record increased funding, and programs being: “More people are undertaking thousands of mammals and birds, and that support nature-focussed citizen effective action for the environment, divers have logged data for thousands science projects. including through 'citizen science'.” of fish during the Great Victorian Fish It provides a great new framework Count. for supporting community initiatives, What does citizen science including citizen science. look like? Citizen science projects gather valuable scientific information about Victoria’s The following are some things Citizen science is the meaningful biodiversity, answer scientific questions, VNPA would like to see the Victorian involvement of members of the and provide strong opportunities for Government put in to action in support of public in authentic scientific work. participants and scientists alike to learn citizen science:

24 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 • Build on what’s being done – Take the • New data hub – Consider new • Value knowledge – Build a lead from existing citizen science work ways to incorporate and align bureaucratic and community in Victoria by asking questions and quality citizen science data into culture that recognises finding out what this community needs, policy and management, potentially development of evidence acknowledging this existing wisdom, with a third party (government, and knowledge as a and working accordingly. We are community, academic) data credible outcome. pleased work has already happened in management agency. this area, and hope to see it continued. • Long-term focus – Science can We also hope to see an approach to • Promote citizen science data – take time. Support citizen science supporting citizen science projects Strengthen resourcing and support through regular and long-term that hold the values and interests of for land, waterway and marine community funding for state and the community at heart (not just a management staff to partner on regionally based projects. Include way for the Victorian Government citizen science projects to collect funding for paid coordinators. to achieve its goals) – there needs useful data which complements Support existing citizen science to be plenty of space for projects to professional science. projects as well as new ones. continue to be community led. • PW

Case study: VNPA's Great Victorian Fish Count and four Biodiversity 2037 priorities relevant to citizen science.

Priority 2: Increase the collection of targeted data Citizen scientist using a dive slate to for evidence-based decision making and make all identify and record marine species during the Great Victorian Fish Count. data more accessible. In 2017, nearly 700 people participated in the Great Victorian Fish Count. This significantly increased the number of records of fish species and where they are found along Victoria’s coastline. Even a small group of scientists couldn’t collect this data alone.

Priority 3: Raise awareness of all Victorians about the importance of the state’s natural environment. The fish count raises awareness of the fish species present at sites across the state for hundreds of divers and snorkelers, by providing them with resources to identify and record fish species. This increases knowledge and understanding of the value and threats present for these species.

Priority 4: Increase the opportunities for all Victorians to have daily connections with nature. The fish count provides a novel and engaging way to connect with nature by giving a different purpose to a snorkel or dive.

Priority 5: Increase opportunities for all Victorians to act to protect biodiversity. Through providing records of fish species and increasing collective knowledge of where they occur along the Victorian coastline, Victorian’s have an opportunity to act in protecting nature.

See page 34 to read more about the Great Victorian Fish Count. PHOTO: KADE MILLS KADE PHOTO:

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 25 SPECIAL SPECIES: NUDIBRANCHS

My name is Ian Scholey and I have a confession to make. I am one of the considerable number of sea slug addicts among the diving community. From my earliest encounter as a novice diver with a nudibranch I have been hooked.

Nudibranch (pronounced nooda-brank) comes from the Latin word nudus (naked) and Greek brankhia (gills).

These shell-less mollusks are slow- moving, short-lived and solitary. They are hermaphrodites that can mate with any other mature member of their species.

They are carnivorous, identifying their prey with tentacles on their heads, and deriving their colouring from the food they eat as camouflage.

Nudibranchs can be found just about anywhere underwater, from the coldest arctic waters to the tropics, inhabiting reefs, walls, sea grass meadows and any man-made structure, including shipwrecks.

There are currently 2300 species identified worldwide, with new ones being classified regularly.

We are lucky to have here in Victoria a nudibranch hotspot. The pier and surrounds at Blairgowrie are home to numerous species. In the past year we have recorded 85 species and are finding new ones on almost every visit.

The key to spotting them is to slow right down and take the time to really look carefully.

Many of the species we find are just 3-4 milimetres in length (though they can be up to 30 centimetres long and weigh up to a kilogram) and are never seen by most divers.

Once you start to hunt for nudibranch it’s difficult to stop. A great way to start discovering them is to take part in our upcoming Port Phillip Bay Sea Slug Census on 21-22 April. More information: www.vnpa.org.au/programs/sea-slug-census • PW

26 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 26 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 The brightly coloured and patterned sea slugs, with their numerous striking forms, look like something from a crazed inventors imagination.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 27 PHOTOS: IAN SCHOLEY SCHOLEY IAN PHOTOS: IN PARKS

Cape Otway PHOTO: GEOFF DURHAM GEOFF PHOTO:

GEOFF DURHAM HIGHLIGHTS A SOMEWHAT OVERLOOKED SECTION OF THE COAST ALONG THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD.

In their rush to get to the Twelve walking tracks down to Shelly Beach park and then private land – both Apostles, many travelers experiencing or to the mouth of the Elliot River, and cleared and timbered. The vegetation the Great Ocean Road ignore the area with low tide and calm seas you can changes are explained by the geology. between the road and Cape Otway, complete a circuit by walking and The underlying rock is early Cretaceous the southern-most point of Western rock-scrambling the half kilometre sandstones and mudstones, in the Victoria. They miss much of interest. along the beach and shore platforms. south overlain with Paleocene, Pliocene and Pleistocene sediments. In 1880 Cape Otway was named after The next stop is Maits Rest, Captain William Otway by his friend Lt 18 kilometres from Apollo Bay, where Manna gum and messmate with James Grant of the Lady Nelson, the there is off-road car parking but twisting branches grow on undulating first ship to sail west to east through no toilet or picnic tables. The easy dunes of the Pleistocene. I assumed a Bass Strait. Sailing in this direction cut self-guided one kilometre rainforest stand of white, skeleton trees was due 1200 kilometres from the voyage to circuit on a boardwalk and gravel to fire, but am informed the dead trees Sydney, but it was hazardous. Many path meanders through a beautiful are the result of desperate overgrazing shipwrecks led to the construction of fern gully with towering mountain by starving koalas. I had seen the lighthouses at Cape Otway, completed ash and a 300 year old National Trust impact of koalas at French Island, in 1848, and Cape Wickham on King registered myrtle beech tree. Look for Tower Hill and Budj Bim National Park Island, completed in 1861. the glossy black shell of the endemic (Mt Eccles), but never anything as stark Otways carnivorous snail and the as this. From Apollo Bay it is only about seven small beech orange fungus. At night kilometres along the Great Ocean there are glow worms, and you may Since 2015, DELWP has been delivering Road to the Elliot River Road turn off. hear the scream of a yellow-bellied management programs to improve This bitumen and gravel road takes glider or a bellowing, grunting koala. the health of the koala population you through Great Otway National and their habitat at Cape Otway. Park southern blue gum forest to The turn-off to Cape Otway is These government programs include Shelly Beach picnic area, where 22 kilometres from Apollo Bay. The health assessments, translocations, there are several picnic tables, an 12 kilometre bitumen road from the euthanasing any unhealthy koalas information shelter and a pit toilet, but Great Ocean Road turnoff to the to prevent their suffering and fertility no barbecues. From here there are lighthouse passes through the national controlling healthy females.

28 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 Clockwise from top left:

Maits Rest. Koala forest devastation. Cape Otway Lighthouse. PHOTOS: GEOFF DURHAM GEOFF PHOTOS:

Three kilometres before the lightstation and Parker River are extraordinary campgrounds at Parker Hill and is the Blanket Bay turn-off to the east, natural sculptures, concretions and Blanket Bay and the Great Ocean Walk and from this a turn-off to the south pot holes in the rock platforms. can be made through the Parks Victoria along a sandy track to the Parker Hill hot line 131 963. car park and campground with 20 tent The old fenced lightstation reserve sites overlooking Parker Inlet. The Great is part of the national park but is The Lighthouse, Head Keeper’s Ocean Walk track goes down into the privately managed and has an House and Manager’s House has inlet at the head of which is a four- admission fee. The grounds are well accommodation (phone 5237 9240). metre waterfall. kept, although I was disappointed Bimbi Park has camping and to see weeds such as polygala. caravan sites and a range of roofed After returning to the Blanket Bay track, There is much to see, not only accommodation (phone 5237 9246). you cross the Parker River which marks the 19 metre high lighthouse, but The Conservation Ecology Centre the boundary between the Pliocene also the Telegraph Station, a small offers high-class accommodation in and the Pleistocene to the east. The dinosaur exhibition, the World War its ecolodge with the opportunity to be vegetation changes to low stringybarks 2 radar bunker and a collection of involved in its koala habitat restoration and dense damp heathlands with the Aboriginal artefacts. Take advantage and native animal research programs Victorian endemic bog gum. of interpretive talks and displays and (phone 5237 9297). an atmospheric café. Secluded Blanket Bay has toilets, a Apollo Bay is the start of the picnic area, 22 camp sites and the Outside the reserve, the historic Cape 100-kilometre Great Ocean Walk – a 1.5 kilometre, 45 minute Katabanut Otway cemetery is a 15 minute walk one-direction walk to the Twelve Apostles circuit walk. When the Otway National from the lightstation entrance car with seven special hike-in campgrounds. Park was declared in 1981 it had park. One of the early projects of In the Cape Otway section these are at a collection of private shacks, on the Friends of Otway National Park Elliot Ridge, Blanket Bay, Cape Otway government leased land, which were in 1983 was restoration work at the and Aire River. With vehicle access to progressively removed against vigorous cemetery. There was little vegetation Shelly Beach picnic area, Blanket Bay, opposition. (The Otway National Park but now it is enclosed by dense bush. Parker Hill, Cape Otway and Aire River, was expanded in 2005 to make the car shuttles provide opportunities for Great Otway National Park.) Apollo Bay, with its variety of wonderful day walks. accommodation, is a civilized Most of the coast is inaccessible. At base from which to explore this For day visits, an extended stay or Shelly Beach, Elliot River, Blanket Bay part of Victoria. Bookings for the bushwalking, Cape Otway has it all. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 29 New benefits for Members As a Member of the Victorian National Parks Association, you’re critical to protecting our national parks, special places and Victoria’s vanishing plant and animal species. To thank you for all you do to protect our natural environment, we’ve reached out to some like- minded businesses to see how they can recognise your commitment Not yet a Member? to nature too. So don’t forget to Know someone who might like to be? mention that you’re a VNPA Member Join for as little as $40 at and show your membership card for www.vnpa.org.au/membership/new some generous discounts! PHOTO: IT'S A WILDLIFE A IT'S PHOTO:

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30 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 The Wilderness Shop Gippsland High Willis's Walkabouts For over 30 years, The Wilderness Country Tours Kakadu, Kimberley, Pilbara, Red Centre Shop has been meeting the needs Offering 25 years’ experience and – even overseas! Since 1986, Willis’s of Victorian bushwalkers, rogainers, ‘Advanced Eco-certification’ from Walkabouts have offered off-trail treks adventure runners, rock climbers Ecotourism Australia, Gippsland High of a week or more to wild places where and cross-country skiers. As an Country Tours lead small-group nature you can enjoy Indigenous rock art, independently owned store, tours and walks with local guides. beautiful gorges, wildflowers, waterfalls The Wilderness Shop provides Experience Victoria’s High Country, and secluded campsites. All Australian specialised service from experienced East Gippsland and beyond. tours are certified by the Ecotourism staff and quality outdoor equipment. Association of Australia. 10% discount on tour bookings 10% discount on full-priced items (not available in conjunction with 5% discount on bookings other discounts or offers) (book early for additional discounts 969 Whitehorse Rd of up to 20%) Box Hill VIC 3128 (03) 9898 3742 www.gippslandhighcountrytours.com.au www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au www.wildernessshop.com.au (03) 5157 5556 (08) 8985 2134 [email protected]

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PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 31 An eastern yellow robin keeps a watchful eye over its patch. A tiny bird in the big city PHOTO: NICK BRADSWORTH NICK PHOTO:

CHRISTINE CONNELLY RECENTLY SUBMITTED HER PHD ON THE EFFECTS OF URBANISATION ON EASTERN YELLOW ROBINS. THIS IS A SUMMARY OF HER FINDINGS WRITTEN FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, TO UNDERSTAND.

What does it mean to be a tiny bird into environments ideal for a single I had a few sites in the Dandenong in the big city? species (humans), we threaten the Ranges National Park, including just existence of many others. near the 1000 Steps. There’s plenty of Well, if you’re an eastern yellow robin, yellow robins that inhabit the forest it means there’s lots of bad guys to I’ve focused on how urbanisation right next to the tracks there. Perhaps avoid, food and shelter are scarce, fragments and degrades yellow you’ve noticed one there? your living space is getting smaller, robins’ habitat, who are usually forest and sometimes you become so dwellers. I have also examined the In total I caught and banded 120 yellow imprisoned in your patch you can’t genetic consequences of urban robins at 18 sites in the area, adorning leave home to find a member of the fragmentation. most of them with pretty leg jewellery in opposite sex (that is not your sibling!) a unique combination so I could identify Genetic data compliment field data, by to mate with. them later. Sounds easy? Not quite. enabling us to make inferences about Sometimes I sat among the shrubs for Truly, it’s a tough life for a tiny bird whether fragmented populations are days on end with mist-nets and traps at in the city. likely to go extinct (because of the the ready, without so much as glimpsing harmful effects of in-breeding). I’ve been investigating the effects a robin, even though I knew from of urbanisation on yellow robins; I used a mix of field surveys and lab previous surveys that they were there. those spunky little creatures that techniques to delve in to an in-depth On many occasions, I spent hour upon you might expect to see flitting study on the effects of urbanisation hour patiently watching busy pairs around and pouncing on insects in on a single species. the undergrowth of the Dandenong of yellow robins collecting cobwebs Ranges, especially if you happen to I spent almost three years surveying and bits of bark to build their perfect have kicked up a bit of leaf litter. robins in the various bits of little sculpted nest, carefully following fragmented forest on public land them through the thick undergrowth, Urbanisation is likely to be one of the across the urban sprawl of eastern sometimes crawling under blackberry biggest contemporary challenges Melbourne, from Braeside Park in the thickets or wading through Tradescantia for biodiversity conservation. As south-west, to Kinglake National Park (a thick ground-cover weed) so high I we transform entire landscapes in the north-east. couldn’t sense the terrain underneath.

32 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 PHOTO: ALVIN KUAN ALVIN PHOTO: PHOTO: NICK BRADSWORTH NICK PHOTO:

Clockwise from top left: Eastern yellow robins make tiny open-cup nests, which they build with leaves and bark bound by spider webs and decorate with lichen and moss. Juvenile robins wear a camouflage of brown feathers with light coloured streaks and huddle together to stay warm. Christine listens intently to track a calling robin living in habitat along the Yarra River with a thick ground-cover infestation of Tradescantia weed. Measuring the head-and-bill length to explore whether there are size differences between robins living in urban reserves and those in intact forest. Christine in the field. PHOTO: CHRISTINE CONNELLY CHRISTINE PHOTO: PHOTO: THOMAS THOMAS HEALY PHOTO:

Sometimes I eventually found their I combined the field data I collected At a finer scale, yellow robins are nest, so I could monitor its fate, but with that which I accrued from able to exploit some elements of often my efforts weren’t fruitful at all. many long days of lab work, plus the modified microhabitat in urban extensive spatial modelling (for environments. For example, it seems On one occasion I had been which I had to construct my very that ground covering weeds such as watching a pair of yellow robins, own super computer!) Tradescantia may be performing an sitting completely still in the similar function to the deep, moist leaf undergrowth for what seemed like And the results? litter that is ideal habitat for insects an age. Eventually I decided to break and spiders that yellow robins feed on Sadly, urbanisation is causing for lunch, but not far away, just in in less modified habitat. case. No sooner had I opened my extreme fragmentation of suitable sandwich wrapper than the pair yellow robin habitat. And detrimental This species is known to be a kind of started with the most crazed racket. in-breeding is highly likely in patches indicator for other small woodland that are entirely isolated, such as bird species. What threatens yellow I crept over to investigate and Braeside Park in Braeside or The robins is likely to also threaten a watched them aggressively diving at Grange Reserve in Clayton South. variety of other species, especially the something on the ground. The next small insectivores. moment, the largest tiger snake I However, it’s not all bad news: all have ever seen came slithering at full we need is trees! The connectivity So, for the sake of these species, let’s speed out of the grass and straight models and genetic data show that make sure we protect the trees in our towards me! landscape tree cover facilitates urban landscape, and look after the gene flow, that is, individuals forest and woodland reserves across Even in my panic, I couldn’t help dispersing and passing on their Melbourne, with special care for the but marvel at the gall of these tiny genetic material successfully. river corridors. 20-gram birds. They were willing to Thus, retaining trees in the east of take on a large predator for the sake Melbourne, to connect our parks Finally, a note of caution for of their feathered family. and reserves, is absolutely critical. conservation managers. Sometimes weeds can be important for our native They’re tough, alright, but my And it’s apparent that vegetation fauna, so before you remove them, research has showed that there’s along protected river corridors make sure you’ve considered their a limit to their toughness, and that (particularly the Yarra River and ecosystem function and how you will maybe they’re not quite robust Dandenong Creek) are providing replace that function once the weeds enough for inner city life. important landscape links. are gone. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 33 Grandma and grandson team at a Wild Families REEF fish count activity. WATCH

Greater diversity in the Great Victorian Fish Count TABATHA LOUGHNAN JOINED VNPA’S REEFWATCH PROGRAM TO ASSIST WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF SHARKS AND RAYS TO LAST YEAR’S FISH COUNT. SHE REPORTS BACK ON

SOME FINDINGS HERE. GRIFFITH CAITLIN PHOTO:

The 2017 Great Victorian Fish Count A greater diversity of fish Participants have uploaded their was our most successful and fun year findings online to the Atlas of Living yet! Over 700 divers and snorkelers This year’s theme was ‘praise our Australia to improve our knowledge took part in the event – if you were rays’, to celebrate the addition of of Victoria’s marine species.The one of them, thank you enormously. our ten new target species, the ReefWatch team is currently collating It was fantastic to see so many new friendly sharks and rays of Victoria. the data and preparing a report to be and familiar faces jumping in the water These included: released in coming months. across the state to gather data on the • smooth stingray, black stingray, amazing and unique marine life found To find out more about ReefWatch spotted stingaree, southern fiddler or to be the first to know about the here in Victoria. All this couldn’t happen ray, southern eagle ray without the ongoing support of our 2018 fish count, subscribe here: • Port Jackson, spotted partners, dive clubs and operators, www.vnpa.org.au/programs/reefwatch wobbegong, elephantfish, varied environmental groups, community • PW carpetshark, draughtboard shark groups, schools and universities. Rays were regularly seen during the A greater diversity of participants fish count, and many participants We frequently were delighted to watch them fly This year we were able to diversify the through the water with grace and see wobbegongs fish count in more ways than one; not beauty. Wild Families were some along our coast ... only did we add sharks and rays, but of the lucky participants to see but to see one during we also saw the addition of many new smooth stingrays, black stingrays the fish count made it groups such as Scuba Scouts, schools and southern fiddler rays at and dive companies. VNPA also ran two extra special! St Leonards Pier. Wild Families events to give mums, dads, grandparents and kids the opportunity to Despite the sharks proving a little put their snorkels on and experience the more elusive, a spotted wobbegong SHARENE COLLETT wondrous underwater world together. was spotted at Lee Breakwater. FISH COUNT PARTICIPANT

Salesian College students dived into the fish count.

3434 PARK PARK WATCH WATCH • •MARCH MARCH 2018 2018 NO NO 272 272 PHOTO: NICK SHAW NICK PHOTO: WILD FAMILIES Experiencing nature together. Learning side by side

A family nature adventure is a wonderful chance to embrace a ‘learning side by side’ approach to discovery.

Have you ever taken the kids out on an adventure, only to find yourself learning more about nature than they do? Even adults with years GRIFFITH CAITLIN PHOTO: of experience in exploring and understanding nature can learn more, them. Depending on your family or Example list: and many adults may find themselves your mood you could compete (see 1. A tree that large fallen across the track in a position of being taught all sorts who can find the most), collaborate 2. A blue beetle of things by their wildlife loving kids. (see how long you can make a 3. A yellow looking wormy thing combined list of things you’ve never 4. A pelican landing in the water For some fun on your next family seen before) or play adults versus kids. 5. A purple crab adventure try playing a game of ‘I’ve never seen that before!’. You can record your findings by writing Always remember to look after your them down, photographing them or safety on all outdoor adventures! The rules are super easy. Find as drawing them. What matters most is Find more Wild Families and sign up for many things as you possibly can that that you get to explore, discuss and emails on our website: www.vnpa.org.au/ you’ve never seen before and record remember together. programs/wild-families • PW

Space 1 for kids to record 2 their 3 ‘I’ve never seen that 4 before’ findings 5

Space for 1 adults to record 2 their 3 ‘I’ve never seen that 4 before’ findings 5

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2018 NO 272 35 Donate today to give nature a louder voice at this critical time PHOTO: BETTE DIVINE BETTE PHOTO:

By supporting the Victorian National Parks Association, you’re rescuing our National Parks, reserves and special places. You’re saving Victoria’s vanishing species, and protecting our waterways, beaches and the marine environment. With a state election in November, it is critical that we give nature a louder voice. Please donate today. With your support, we will be able to commit to strengthening our campaigns for Victoria’s National Parks, natural places and wildlife, and hold our government to account at this critical time.

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Payment method Cheque/money order payable to ‘Victorian National Parks Association’ is enclosed. Credit card Visa MasterCard

Card no ______/ ______/ ______/ ______Expiry Date ______/ ______

Cardholder name ______Signature ______Please post with payment to Victorian National Parks Association, Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton VIC 3053, call us on 03 9341 6500 or visit vnpa.org.au/support/give-nature-a-louder-voice

* Donations will be automatically deducted from your credit card or direct debit arrangement on the 28th day of each month. You will receive a tax receipt at the end of each financial year, and you can alter your donations at any time. Minimum gift is $15/month. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible. ABN 34 217 717 593

Authorised by Matt Ruchel, Executive Director, Victorian National Parks Association. Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton VIC 3053 | PH: 03 9341 6500 | EMAIL: [email protected] | WEB: vnpa.org.au