Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve Coastal Management Plan
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FINAL REPORT Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve Coastal Management Plan Prepared for Mornington Peninsula Shire Private Bag 1000 Belgrave Street Rosebud 3939 24 September 2004 35780 006/FINAL REPORT Project Manager: ………………………………….. URS Australia Pty Ltd Natasha Reifschneider Level 6 Senior Environmental Planner 1 Southbank Boulevard Southbank, Victoria 3006, Australia Tel: 61 3 8699 7500 Project Director: ………………………………….. Fax: 61 3 8699 7550 Mark Tansley Senior Principal Author: ………………………………….. Date: September 2004 (Optional) Mark Tansley Reference: 35780 006 Senior Principal Status: Final Report S:\PROJECTS\35780\006\MT ELIZA\FINAL DRAFTS\MT ELIZA FINAL DRAFT SEPTEMBER 24 .DOC\24-SEP-04 Contents 1 Summary----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-1 2 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-1 2.1 Management Plan Study Area 2-1 2.2 Purpose and context of plan 2-2 2.3 Management Plan Review 2-2 2.4 Plan Preparation Process 2-3 3 Background------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-1 3.1 Key Legislation and Policy 3-1 3.2 Foreshore Ownership & Management 3-4 3.3 Stakeholder Consultation 3-5 4 Existing Conditions & Issues ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-1 4.1.1 Introduction 4-1 4.1.2 Geological and Landscape Features 4-1 4.1.3 Flora & Fauna 4-2 4.1.4 Cultural Heritage 4-4 4.1.5 Infrastructure 4-5 4.1.6 Foreshore Activities 4-8 4.1.7 Access & Facilities 4-9 4.1.8 Signage 4-13 4.1.9 Communication and Foreshore Advisory Group 4-14 4.1.10 Leases and Licences 4-14 5 Strategic Direction---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5-1 5.1 Foreshore Vision 5-1 5.2 Introduction to Strategy Tables 5-1 6 Strategies for Conservation --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-1 7 Strategies for Vistors and Local Users ------------------------------------------------------------ 7-1 8 Strategies for Access------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8-1 9 Strategies for Built Environmental and Coastal Infrastructure---------------------------- 9-1 10 Strategies for Community Awareness and Involvement -----------------------------------10-1 11 Strategies for Maintenance and Public Risk----------------------------------------------------11-1 12 Site Specific Management Strategies -------------------------------------------------------------12-1 S:\PROJECTS\35780\006\MT ELIZA\FINAL DRAFTS\MT ELIZA FINAL DRAFT SEPTEMBER 24 .DOC\24-SEP-04 i Contents 13 Business Plan---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13-1 13.1 Introduction and Limitations 13-1 13.2 Existing Services and Facilities 13-1 13.3 Management Goals 13-2 13.4 Revenue 13-2 13.5 Reporting Requirements 13-3 13.6 Expenditure 13-4 13.7 Foreshore Improvement Works Timetable 13-5 13.8 Administration 13-11 13.9 Financial Statements & Timetable for Proposed Works 13-11 Legislation 13-13 State Policies & Guidelines 13-17 Local Policies 13-20 Reports & Studies 13-27 S:\PROJECTS\35780\006\MT ELIZA\FINAL DRAFTS\MT ELIZA FINAL DRAFT SEPTEMBER 24 .DOC\24-SEP-04 ii List of Tables, Figures, Plates & Appendices Figures Figure 1a,b,c Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve - Existing Conditions Figure 2, 3, 4 Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve - Strategies Map Appendices Appendix A List of Abbreviations Appendix B Summary of Key Legislation, Policy, Reports and Studies Appendix C Consultation Report Appendix D List of Regionally Significant Plant Species Appendix E EPBC on-line database report Appendix F Review of Submissions received from Exhibition Period S:\PROJECTS\35780\006\MT ELIZA\FINAL DRAFTS\MT ELIZA FINAL DRAFT SEPTEMBER 24 .DOC\24-SEP-04 iii Summary SECTION 1 1 Summary Mornington Peninsula Shire has authorised and funded the preparation of the Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve Coastal Management Plan to provide for the future use, development and management of the Mt Eliza Coastal Crown Land Reserve (Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve). The Plan will provide management priorities and cost estimates for future use and development to achieve the vision for the Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve. The Management Plan has been prepared by URS Australia Pty Ltd, under the guidance of Mornington Peninsula Shire (MPS) and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), in consultation with the community and key stakeholder groups. The methodology used to prepare the draft management plan included: • collection and review of existing information; • site inspection; • consultation with key stakeholders and the community; • preparation of a draft plan for public exhibition; Through consultation with community groups, key stakeholders and residents, the following Management Plan vision for the Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve was developed: ‘To protect and maintain the natural, cultural and recreational values of Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve, by provision of a clean, safe, and accessible coastal environment.’ The objectives to achieve this vision are to: • Protect and manage natural systems and processes; • Identify and protect cultural values; • Provide a safe and clean environment; • Provide access for a range of users; • Provide for a high quality coastal experience; • Encourage community awareness and involvement; and • Develop a Business Plan to identify future resources, expenditures and sources of income. S:\PROJECTS\35780\006\MT ELIZA\FINAL DRAFTS\MT ELIZA FINAL DRAFT SEPTEMBER 24 .DOC\24-SEP-04 1-1 Summary SECTION 1 The following actions in the management plan have been identified as high priority: • Flora and fauna management; • Public awareness of the importance of vegetation values and enforcement of vegetation removal on the Foreshore Reserve; • Management of bathing boxes and boatsheds; • Protection of Aboriginal values and sites of significance; • Management of dog access to the Foreshore Reserve; • Access for people with limited mobility; • Stormwater management; • Maintenance of existing infrastructure; • Development of an advisory group for Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve; • Minimisation of public risk; • Minimisation of beach litter; • Davey’s Bay stability; • Minimise any potential public risk issues associated with the current condition of the Davey’s Bay jetty; • Establishment of a lease agreement between foreshore user groups and clubs with the appropriate authority; • Minimisation of risk of fire occurrence; and • Provision of a safe and clean environment at Sunnyside Beach and carpark. S:\PROJECTS\35780\006\MT ELIZA\FINAL DRAFTS\MT ELIZA FINAL DRAFT SEPTEMBER 24 .DOC\24-SEP-04 1-2 Introduction SECTION 2 2 Introduction 2.1 Management Plan Study Area Mt Eliza is located on the shores of Port Phillip Bay in the north west corner of the Mornington Peninsula Shire approximately 52 kilometres from Melbourne. The Management Plan study area is defined as the Mt Eliza Coastal Crown Land Reserve which is approximately 4.2km in length extending from Manmangur Creek (southern boundary) to Kackeraboite Creek (northern boundary) as shown in Figure 1. The seaward boundary of the Reserve is the High Water Mark, however the Shire’s responsibility for management under the Mornington Peninsula Shire Planning Scheme takes in a further 600 metres from the high watermark seaward. The inland boundary abuts private land, with the exception of the land from Sunnyside Road up to and including Mt Eliza Business School, (which appears to hold title down to the high water mark) and the Earimil Drive and Sturio Parade road reserves. This management plan only covers Coastal Crown land and is not relevant for properties that hold title to high water mark. The plan focuses on the land within the Crown Land Reserve. Activities located outside of the Coastal Crown Land Reserve may be referred to and addressed where there is a direct impact on the use and management of the Coastal Crown Land Reserve. Mt Eliza consists of a number of significant features of interest including: • Davey’s Bay; • Pelican Point; • Canadian Bay; • Half Moon Bay; • Ranelagh, Moondah and Sunnyside Beaches; • Manmangur, Gunyong, Earimil, Ballar and Kackeraboite Creeks; • Bathing boxes and boat sheds; • Yacht, Boat, and Scout Clubs; • Aboriginal sites of significance; • Scenic views; • Unique geological features; • Coastal vegetation and dune system. Key features of the Mt Eliza Foreshore Reserve are shown in Figure 1. A detailed description of the Reserve’s features is provided in Section 4 of this report. S:\PROJECTS\35780\006\MT ELIZA\FINAL DRAFTS\MT ELIZA FINAL DRAFT SEPTEMBER 24 .DOC\24-SEP-04 2-1 Introduction SECTION 2 2.2 Purpose and context of plan The Coastal Management Act 1995 provides for the strategic planning and management of the Victorian Coast. The Act also provides for the development of: • Victorian Coastal Strategy 2002, which provides the long term planning vision for Victoria’s coast, protection of significant features, direction of suitable development opportunities and consideration of the sustainable use of natural resources. • Coastal Action Plans, which identify strategic directions and objectives for use and development within a region; and • Coastal Management Plans, which guide the future use, development and management of a specific piece of coastal Crown Land. In accordance with the provisions of the Coastal Management Act 1995, the purpose of a Coastal Management