Long Hollow Heathland M A N A G E M E N T P L A N Contents

Abstract 3 Vision 3 Background 4 Issues 5 References 8 Management Prescriptions 9 Weed Control Specifications 11 Mapped Details 12

Long Hollow Heathland Page 2 Abstract

Long Hollow Heathland is an area of Significance values consist of the remnant vegetation and has a key role in remnants of a swamp depression, ‘The Bayside’s bushland and open space Long Hollow Swamp’, of local network. It contains woodlands of significance and there are 12 species of regional significance and heathlands of indigenous orchids recorded in the State significance in addition to being the Heathland. Of these, 8 are listed as rare only location for a number of locally in the Melbourne Metropolitan area. significant species. It is a popular local reserve with an It is the site of the most diverse single active Friends Group. remnant of the noted ‘Sandringham Flora’ and is the most biodiverse remnant of Heathland within Bayside.

The primary management objective of the Heathland is the maintenance of the diversity of indigenous vegetation.

This plan aims to protect the indigenous significant and worthy of protective remnant vegetation found in Long Hollow management. It is the site of the largest Heathland and to ensure its diversity is remnants of regionally significant Low maintained through management Woodland community and Open Heath including fire, weeding and education of vegetation of state significance (Cropper the general community. As an area of 1996). Cropper (1996) also states that remnant vegetation in suburbia, Long Long Hollow is the most biodiverse Hollow Heathland is at least locally remnant of Heathland within Bayside.

Long Hollow Heathland MANAGEMENT PLANPage 3 Background

The Office of the Registrar of Geographic tree, regenerative burning and weed Names approved the name ‘Long Hollow control with an added emphasis on Heathland’ in February 1999. Prior to environmental education. One of the this, the Heathland was known as the management directions was the removal Beaumaris Campus Heathland. The area of Coast Tea-tree. is situated approximately 20 kilometres south east of the Melbourne GPO. The Group produced two plans, which directed works in the Heathland. They The Heathland is an uneven rectangle in were a Restoration Plan and a Site shape with the east and west sides Clearing Plan. approximately 215 metres in length and the north and south sides 188 metres and A number of controlled burns and a 113 metres respectively. The area number of unplanned burns have covered is approximately 2.2 hectares. occurred in the Heathland. Post-burn Long Hollow is covered in remnant weed control has been priority of the vegetation comprising heathland, Heathland Group. The quality and woodland and even-aged stands of Coast diversity of the indigenous vegetation in Tea-tree (Leptospermum laevigatum). the Heathland can be attributed largely to the work carried out by this group. The Government of Victoria purchased the area of land from Balcombe Road to Pavey (1996) indicates that the Gramatan Avenue in 1957, for educational Heathland is considered Principal habitat purposes. In 1964 the State Electricity in Bayside and this is due to the high Commission of Victoria purchased the diversity of birds. area on the corner of Gramatan Avenue and Reserve Road. The Heathland area The existing vegetation of the Heathland was transferred from the ownership of the is comprised of mature stands of Coast- Education Department to the Department Tea-tree, heathland vegetation in various of Conservation and Natural Resources stages of development, wet heath (now DNRE) in 1993. vegetation and woodland with heath understorey. It is the only reserve in the Prior to the formation of the Long municipality with woodland vegetation Hollow Heathland Group, previously the and is also the sole location for 28 Beaumaris Heathland Group, the former species. 21 regionally rare species can City of Sandringham carried out limited also be found in the Heathland. maintenance in the area. Vegetation management consisted of clearing of The Heathland is Crown land and is Coast Tea-tree and subsequent mowing managed by the appointed Committee of of the understorey. Following their Management, Bayside City Council. formation in 1982, works by the Long Hollow Heathland Group have concentrated on clearing of Coast Tea-

Long Hollow Heathland Page 4 Issues

This plan is based upon knowledge of Vegetation Management the Reserve with an advisory committee Vegetation management should include a consisting of a member from each of: priority for natural regeneration of the • The Long Hollow Heathland Group indigenous floral community within the • Beaumaris Conservation Society Inc. Heathland. As the largest remnant of the • Bayside City Council original ‘Sandringham Flora’, it is • Department of Natural Resources & important that ecological relationships Environment. within the Heathland be maintained and conserved. This includes the staged eradication of Coast Tea-tree from the Heathland, (excluding Coast Tea-tree in the vegetative buffer system outside the Reserve, which protects the Heathland from external pressures).

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES Some orchid species have been identified within the Heathland as rare within the Melbourne Metropolitan area. As such, the remaining orchid colonies need to be protected and maintained accordingly. This may require maintenance of some tree canopy to insure the survival of these colonies. The Wet Heath community is another significant community that needs to be conserved and where necessary regenerated to maintain ecological relationships. Determine and conserve significant species.

WEED CONTROL Weed control within the Heathland is an ongoing issue and weed control within the Heathland should be carried out in accordance with Council contract specifications and updated annually in the specification review. Eradication of pest plant species within the Heathland should be conducted.

Long Hollow Heathland MANAGEMENT PLANPage 5 Issues

Fauna Management Access & Visitor Management Further surveys are required within the Recreational opportunities within the Heathland to determine what species are Heathland need to be consistent with present within the Heathland and which conservation objectives. Degradation of these species are significant. Once within the Heathland can occur from identified, management strategies can be visitor access, especially with informal established to best manage these species cubby-house building and the informal and the floral communities in which they BMX track. Informal paths within the occur. This will enable planting or track network should be rationalised and maintaining provision of appropriate closed where necessary to allow habitat for native fauna and their regeneration of soil stored seed. contribution to the ecosystem. Control, and where possible, eradication Dog droppings bring excessive nutrients of introduced animals using best practise foreign to the heathland community into methods of removal should also be the Reserve. Excess nutrients can lead to conducted within the Heathland. an increase in weed species, which can out-compete the indigenous vegetation. Fire Risk Management Dogs running off leash through the Control of wildfire is an issue within Reserve damage delicate regenerating urban areas. Should wildfire occur within species, such as orchid colonies and the Heathland, control is to be those species regenerating after burns. conducted with minimum damage to the Soil stored seed may also be disturbed. Heathland. Preventative measures to protect facilities and abutting properties Long Hollow Heathland is designated as through the reduction of potential fire a dog ‘on-leash’ area, as are all Bushland hazards within the Heathland. Large reserves, due to the sensitivity of the site branches of deadfall should be scattered to disturbance by dogs. to reduce fire hazard and where necessary, fine fuel portions of deadfall Provision of appropriate interpretational removed. signs and information to visitors regarding the natural and cultural Formal access points need to be clear for features of the Heathland may assist to all relevant emergency services. increase their care of the area.

Ecological Fire Regimes Informal BMX track Fire is an important management tool Long Hollow has had an ongoing within the Heathland for maintaining problem with the creation of an informal vegetation diversity. Appropriate fire and unauthorised BMX track within the regimes for the Heathland should Heathland. As a significant area of continue and be carried out in remnant heathland within Bayside, a accordance with Council contract BMX track within Long Hollow does not specifications.

Long Hollow Heathland Page 6 Issues comply with the primary objective of this importance of remnant vegetation. Management plan, which is to maintain Increased promotion of the Heathland the biodiveristy of indigenous through local papers, guided walks and vegetation, nor is it considered active working bees may increase ‘appropriate’ enjoyment of Long Hollow. appreciation of the area.

Active steps must be taken, in However, it is the aim of this plan that conjunction with an education campaign the conservation status of Long Hollow within the school, to ensure the long- Heathland be maintained, with only low- term removal of the track. Importance of key interpretational facilities provided, to conserving the vegetation must be enhance the appropriate enjoyment and communicated to those involved with level of awareness of the visitors to the the BMX track. Heathland.

It is critical that the track is removed as a Hydrology high priority and the area re-established Once part of an extensive swamp with indigenous vegetation, either via a system, Long Hollow Heathland is now regenerative burn or revegetation with mostly drained. As a result, many wet locally indigenous species. heath species dependent on the former swamp system arenow in decline, or Promotion & Awareness may have disappeared completely. It is important to involve of a range of Comprehensive planning and design is interested groups and individuals in the required if the hydrology of Long Hollow management of the Heathland to Heathland is to be restored. increase general awareness of the

Long Hollow Heathland MANAGEMENT PLANPage 7 References

Cropper, S. 1996, The Vegetation in Molnar, C., Fletcher, D. & Parsons, R. Native Bushland Remnants within the 1989, Relationships between heath and City of Bayside, Victoria. Botanicus Leptospermum laevigatum scrub at Consulting. Sandringham, Victoria. Proc. Royal Soc. Pavey, C. 1996, Bayside City Council Vict. Vol 101, pp. 77–88. Fauna Survey and Management Norris, M., Cornwell, G., Longden, M., Guidelines. WBM Oceanics Australia. Parsons, I. & Stewart, F. 1995, Local Birds of Bayside. City of Sandringham. Further Reading O’Toole G. M. 1991, Sandringham Adams, R. and Simmons, D. 1991, Fire Historical Series No. 1—The First People Management Guidelines for George of Black Rock: The Bunurong Tribe of Street Reserve and Bay Road Heathland Aborigines. City of Sandringham. Sanctuary. Ecological Survey and Robinson, R.W, Ellis, J.E. & Lau, J.A. 1986, Assessment. Vegetation Survey of the Melbourne Bird, E. 1990, The Geology and Metropolitan Area (Preliminary Report). Geomorphology of the Sandringham Resource Assessment Report no. 86–1. district. Sandringham Environment Von Mueller Institute, State Forests and Series No. 8. Lands Service, Department of Burrell, Juliet 1969, The Invasion of Conservation, Forests and Lands. Coastal Heathlands of Victoria by Specht, R.L. 1981, Heathlands in Groves, Leptospermum laevigatum. PhD Thesis. H.R. 1981, Australian Vegetation. Melbourne University. Cambridge University Press. Carr, G.W., McMahon, A.R.G., & Race, G.J. 1991, The Vegetation and Management of Gramatan Avenue Heathland Sanctuary, City of Sandringham, Victoria. Ecological Horticulture Pty Ltd. Carr, G.W., Yugovic, J.V. & Robinson, K.E. 1992, Environmental Weed Invasions in Victoria: Conservation and Management Implications, Deparment of Conservation & Environment and Ecological Horticulture Pty Ltd. Department of Conservation and Environment, Wildlife Branch, 1991, Atlas of Victorian Wildlife. Fletcher, D. 1985, Vegetation Management Plan: Beaumaris High School Heathland. Fletcher, D. 1988, The Bushlands of Sandringham. Sandringham Environment Series No. 7., City of Sandringham.

Long Hollow Heathland Page 8 Management PRESCRIPTIONS It is expected that a review of the 1.6 Annually review the status of management plan and expert advice will significant species. be conducted every three years. 1.7 Educate pet owners addressing the High Priority Actions following issues: 1.1 Implement a monitoring program 1.7.1 waste products and their and review of the indigenous effect on the Heathland vegetation as stated by Cropper 1.7.2 responsible pet ownership. (1996). 1.8 Educate users of issues regarding: 1.8.1 dumping of garden and 1.2 Remove BMX track and re-establish household debris—to prevent area with indigenous vegetation, introduction of weeds either via a regenerative burn or 1.8.2 building of cubby houses. revegetation with locally indigenous species. 1.9 Develop vegetative buffers between the external boundaries of 1.3 Implement actions/education the Heathland and the remnant campaign in conjunction with the vegetation. school, to ensure the long-term removal of the BMX track by 1.10 Contact various Universities and emphasising importance of Institutions that have conducted conserving the vegetation. studies or monitoring within the Heathland and obtain copies of 1.4 Remove cubby houses. their data.

1.5 Involve students from the 1.11 Carry out weed control as per Sandringham Secondary College specifications overleaf. Beaumaris Campus in the management of the Heathland Medium Priority Actions through participation in activities 2.1 Gradually replace the invasive including weed control, monitoring coastal over-storey species with activities and through the other indigenous species over a 10- curriculum. year period.

Long Hollow Heathland MANAGEMENT PLANPage 9 Management PRESCRIPTIONS 2.2 Close and revegetate all informal 3.2 Develop and implement a plan for tracks in the Heathland. the enhancement of wet heath.

2.3 Continue to support the Heathland’s 3.3 Identify the sources of nutrient role in the vegetation corridor. enrichment in the Heathland and determine methods for reducing or 2.4 Repair the fencing around the eliminating nutrient enrichment in Winifred Waddell Sanctuary. the Heathland.

2.5 Introduce a Neighbourhood Watch- 3.4 Develop methods to reduce the style program to help reduce impact of pollution in the vandalism. Heathland.

2.6 Rezone the Heathland to a 3.5 Maintain the paths and the conservation-orientated zoning. boardwalk including clearing of deadfall and pruning of pathside Low Priority Actions vegetation. 3.1 Investigate the causes of dieback in the Eucalyptus species in the 3.6 Assess the requirements for bins Woodland. throughout the Heathland.

Long Hollow Heathland Page 10 Weed Control SPECIFICATIONS Zone 19 Zone 24a Annual cut & paint of Rubus spp. Shall be 95% free of all weeds. Shall be 95% free of following weeds: Zone 24b Leptospermum laevigatum, Acacia Shall be 80% free of all weeds including sophorae, Pittosporum undulatum, seedlings and saplings of Leptospermum Hedera helix. laevigatum, Acacia sophorae, Shall be 50% free of all weeds, especially: Pittosporum undulatum. Holcus lanatus, Hypochoeris radicata, Cynodon dactylon. Zone 24c Shall be 80% free of all weeds including Zone 20 seedlings and saplings of Leptospermum Annual cut and paint of Rubus spp. laevigatum, Acacia sophorae, Shall be 80% free of all weeds capable of Pittosporum undulatum. setting seed. 2m wide strip on the northern boundary, adjacent to driveway, shall be 95% free Zone 21 of all weeds. Shall be 95% free of Pitttosporum undulatum. Zone 24d Annual spray of Rubus spp. Shall be 50% free of all weeds. Zone 22 Zone 24e All internal pathways shall be 95% weed 1999 burn site shall be 95% free of all free. weeds for the following three (3) years. 1m of either side of path shall be 80% Zone 25 weed free. Shall be 80% free of all weeds. All internal pathways shall be clear of Zone 26 vegetation to a width of 0.5m and to a Annual spot spray of Cynodon dactylon. height of 1.8m. Zone 27 Zone 23 Shall be 80% free of all weeds. Shall be 50% free of Pennisetum clandestinum, Cynodon dactylon, 1m wide strip along boundary of zone Hypochoeris radicata and all exotic grasses. shall be 95% free of all weeds. Annual spray of Rubus spp. Zone 27a Twice a year spray of all exotic climbing Shall be 95% free of Foeniculum vulgare. vines including Tradescantia albiflora , Zone 24 Salpichroa origanifolia. Shall be 80% free of all weeds including Annual spray of Rubus spp., Foeniculum seedlings and saplings of Leptospermum vulgare. laevigatum, Acacia sophorae and Pittosporum undulatum.

Long Hollow Heathland MANAGEMENT PLANPage 11 Mapped Details

Bayside City Council Corporate Centre PO Box 27 Royal Avenue Sandringham Victoria 3191 Phone: 9599 4444 Fax: 9598 4474 Website: www.bayside.vic.gov.au Email: [email protected] Hours of business: 8.30am–5.00pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays)

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