National Parks Act Annual Report 2008 Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne October 2008 © The State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2008 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 . Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne 3002 Printed by Stream Solutions Printed on 100% recycled paper ISSN 1031-7899 For further information, contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963. Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, such as large print or audio, please telephone 136 186 or 1800 122 969 (TTY), or email [email protected]. This document is also available in PDF format on the Internet at
Triplet Falls, Great Otway National Park
This annual report on the working of the National Parks Act There were several achievements relating to park management 1975 for the year ended 30 June 2008 is provided to the planning. The release of the management plan for the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings three marine national parks in Western Port meant that the ]ÊvÀÊÌ iÊ«ÕÀ«ÃiÊvÊÃiVÌÊÎxÊvÊÌ iÊVÌ° government’s commitment to prepare plans for all 13 marine national parks and 11 marine sanctuaries has been met. There The Act establishes the statutory basis for the protection, use was also considerable community interaction and involvement and management of Victoria’s system of national and other in the development of the draft plans for the new Great Otway parks, a system that has developed over a period of more National Park (and the adjacent Otway Forest Park). than 100 years and which is the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation as well as the source of enjoyment for many An increasing feature of park management is the partnerships people. The government introduced legislation into Parliament that are developing between the park manager, Parks Victoria, in June 2008 to enhance the parks system through the creation and a wide range of organisations and many volunteers. of Cobboboonee National Park (as well as Cobboboonee Forest Notable also is the increasing involvement of Indigenous Park) in far south-west Victoria. communities in park management. All of these contributions are greatly appreciated. The partnerships emerging also reflect During the year, there were again some significant challenges the importance of managing parks as part of the broader for park management. The impacts of the drought continued to landscape in order to achieve the best management outcomes be felt across the state and, while a potentially severe bushfire for the parks. season did not eventuate, there was considerable activity associated with recovering from previous major bushfires and Further information on the many and varied activities the devastating Gippsland floods of mid-2007. The latter, undertaken during the year in areas managed under the coming so soon after the 2006–07 Great Divide fires, resulted in Act can be found elsewhere in this report. a large and complex program involving Parks Victoria and DSE Finally, I thank all those who were involved in delivering staff working in close partnership with the local community. the parks program over the past year for their continuing In addition, efforts to control weeds and pests included the commitment and dedication to our magnificent parks system. major landscape-scale control programs such as the Otway Eden weed control program, the Southern Ark and Glenelg Ark fox control programs and rabbit control programs in Mallee parks. Improvements were made to visitor facilities in several parks as part of government initiatives to increase Victoria’s natural tourism appeal and to renew or replace older facilities. Peter Harris Additional rangers were employed, again a government Secretary to the initiative. Department of Sustainability and Environment
1 Contents
Foreword 1
Representative parks system 3 Areas managed under the Act 3 Management planning 3
Natural values management 5 Research 5 Monitoring 7 Environmental management 7
Fire management and fire and flood recovery 11 Bushfires 11 Planned burning 12 Preparing for emergencies 12 Fire and flood recovery 12 Parliamentary Inquiry 13
Cultural values management 14 Indigenous cultural heritage 14 Non-Indigenous cultural heritage 15
Community involvement 16 Volunteers 16 Community Group Grants 16
Visitor and tourism services 17 Information, interpretation and education 17 Enhancing park visits 18 Tour operators 18 Visits to parks 18
Supporting park management 19 Park management 19 Ê i}Ã>ÌÊ £ Authorities granted under the Act 20 Enforcement 22 Interstate cooperation 22 Advisory bodies 23
Appendixes 24 1 – Areas managed under the National Parks Act 24 2 – Pest plant control projects 29 3 – Pest animal control projects 31 Ê {ÊqÊ V>ÌÃÊvÊ«>ÀÃÊ>`ÊÌ iÀÊ>Ài>ÃÊ ÎÓ
2 Representative parks system
One Tree Hill, Greater Bendigo National Park
Areas managed under the Act Management planning
As at 30 June 2008, there were 132 areas with a total area of Management plans 3.301 million hectares managed under various provisions of the As at 30 June 2008 there were approved management plans for National Parks Act. Appendix 1 lists the areas and Appendix all, or parts of, 40 national parks, 3 wilderness parks, 27 state 4 shows their location. There were no changes to the parks parks, 17 other parks and reserves, 13 marine national parks system during the year. and 11 marine sanctuaries.
The 132 areas comprised: During the year and as listed in Table 1: UÊ ££ÈÊ>Ài>ÃÊΰÓÇÊÊ >®ÊVÌ>i`ÊÊÃV i`ÕiÃÊÌÊÌ iÊ UÊ ÈÊ>««ÀÛi`Ê«>ÃÊVÛiÀ}ÊnÊ«>ÀÃÊÜiÀiÊw>Ãi`Ê>`ÊÀii>Ãi` Act UÊ ÎÊ`À>vÌÊ«>ÃÊVÛiÀ}ÊÎÊ«>ÀÃÊÜiÀiÊÀii>Ãi`ÊvÀÊ«ÕLVÊ – 40 national parks (Schedule Two) comment – 3 wilderness parks (Schedule Two A) UÊ Ì iÊ>>}iiÌÊ«>ÊvÀÊ ÕÞ«Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ*>ÀÊÜ>ÃÊ>i`i`ÊÌÊ – 27 state parks (Schedule Two B) reflect agreed actions of the approved Recreation framework – 5 coastal parks, 3 historic parks, 1 nature conservation for Bunyip public land . reserve, 4 regional parks and Haining Farm (Schedule In addition, the plans for Chiltern-Mt Pilot and Point Nepean Three) national parks were finalised and submitted for approval. It – 3 marine and coastal parks, 2 marine parks, 1 marine was decided to defer finalising the plan for Warby Range State reserve, 1 national heritage park and 1 nature conservation Park (following the earlier release of the draft plan for public reserve (Schedule Four) comment) pending the government’s response to the Victorian – 13 marine national parks (Schedule Seven) Environmental Assessment Council’s River Red Gum Forests – 11 marine sanctuaries (Schedule Eight) Investigation Final Report . UÊ £ÈÊÃV i`Õi`Ê>Ài>ÃÊ{{{ÎÊ >®ÊÌÊÜ V Ê«>ÀÌVÕ>ÀÊ A process commenced to assess whether older management provisions of the Act apply. plans need to be replaced. An evaluation of the 1996 plan for The Act also defines: Mount Worth State Park concluded that, while there has been UÊ £ÊÜ`iÀiÃÃÊâiÃÊ-V i`ÕiÊÛi®ÊÜÌ ÊÇÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊ significant progress made in implementing the strategies in the (see Appendix 1) plan, the majority of the strategies remain current and the plan should continue to be implemented for a further five years. UÊ ÓÓÊÀiÌiÊ>`Ê>ÌÕÀ>Ê>Ài>ÃÊ-V i`ÕiÊ-Ý®ÊÜÌ Ê£ÓÊ>Ì>Ê parks (see Appendix 1) UÊ {Ê`iÃ}>Ìi`ÊÜ>ÌiÀÊÃÕ««ÞÊV>ÌV iÌÊ>Ài>ÃÊÜÌ ÊÀi>ÌÊ Otway, Kinglake and Yarra Ranges national parks.
3 Community participation Some new approaches were adopted, including an online The contributions of community members, and particularly e-Forum and community Open Houses (where interested people members of management plan community advisory groups, could ‘drop in’ and find out about the proposals in the draft assisted in the development of draft and final plans. plans and give their comments in a variety of ways, in addition to the traditional method of submitting written comments). A There was extensive consultation around the development total of 327 people attended three Open Houses in Apollo Bay, of the management plan for the Great Otway National Park Gellibrand and Anglesea in April 2008. (together with the adjacent Otway Forest Park). The Otway >`ÃV>«iÊ ÕÌÞÊ ÕV]Ê>««Ìi`ÊLÞÊÌ iÊvÀiÀÊ In May 2008, a range of community members attended a Minister in October 2007 (see Advisory bodies ), worked with community forum to discuss the key issues and management Parks Victoria and DSE to develop the community engagement concerns about St Arnaud Range National Park with planners, program. During the consultation period, there were meetings rangers and each other. with more than 25 stakeholder groups to discuss issues and facilitate their preparation of submissions.
Table 1 – Management plans released during 2007–08 Park Release date Approved plans Beechworth HP Nov 2007 Greater Bendigo NP Sept 2007 Heathcote-Graytown NP May 2008 Jawbone MS Aug 2007 Reef Hills SP Aug 2007 Yaringa, French Island and Churchill Island MNPs May 2008 Draft plans Great Otway NP* March 2008 Kooyoora SP March 2008 Paddys Ranges SP July 2007
HP Historic Park MNP Marine National Park MS Marine Sanctuary NP National Park SP State Park * Three plans were released: Caring for Country – the Otways and you – draft management plan , Draft recreation and tourism plan and Draft heritage action plan . Plans also cover the Otway Forest Park.
4 Natural values management
Seagrass monitoring, Corner Inlet Marine National Park
Research UÊ >ÊÃÕÀÛiÞÊvÊÌ iÊ->`Ê>>]Ê/ÀiiÊ>>Ê>`ÊÌ iÀÊ reptile species in Paddys Ranges State Park and Castlemaine Research permits Diggings National Heritage Park for the purpose of Research, study or investigation in an area under the Act investigating the relationship between habitat structure requires a permit under section 20 or 21A of the Act, resulting from different ecological forest thinning treatments sometimes in conjunction with a permit under the Flora and and the distribution and abundance of different reptile Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 , Reference Areas Act 1978 or species Wildlife Act 1975 . UÊ Ì iÊViVÌÊvÊ«iÌÃÊ>`Ê>}>iÊÊ À}ÌÊ*iÃÕ>Ê In 2007–08, 176 permits were issued (114 new permits and and Point Nepean national parks, Port Phillip Heads Marine 62 renewed permits). These enabled research to be carried out National Park and Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary for in 94 parks (a permit may cover more than one park, project the purpose of monitoring the impacts of the Boags Rocks or field of study) or in all parks if required (20 permits). Those sewage outfall. parks for which 10 or more permits applied (in addition to the ‘all parks’ permits) were: Alpine (22), Great Otway (17), Wilsons Applied research Promontory (17), Grampians (16), Murray-Sunset (12) and Parks Victoria oversaw applied research dealing with a broad Mount Buffalo (10) national parks and Port Phillip Heads Marine range of issues to support and enhance the management of National Park (13). natural values in areas managed under the Act.
The following are examples of the diverse projects covered by Integrating research and management the permits: Adaptive experimental management, which uses on-ground UÊ Ì iÊViVÌÊvÊ«ÀÌiVÌi`ÊyÀ>ÊÊÌ iÊ«i]Ê >ÜÊ >Ü]Ê management as part of the research process, continued to be ÀÀÕ`À>]ÊÀ>«>Ã]ÊÀi>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>Þ]Ê >iÊ `]Ê ÀÜi]Ê an important focus of research in areas managed under the Act. Mount Buffalo, Snowy River, Tarra-Bulga, Wilsons Promontory Projects using this approach included: and Yarra Ranges national parks for the purpose of UÊ Ì iÊw>ÊÃÌ>}iÃÊvÊÌ iÊvÝÊ«ÀiVÌÊÀi«ÀÌi`ÊÊÊ«ÀiÛÕÃÊ investigating the palaeo-biogeography of six co-occurring years wet forest species in Tasmania and south-eastern Australia UÊ Ì iÊÃÌ>ÀÌÊvÊ>Ê«ÀViÃÃÊÌÊ«iiÌÊ>`>«ÌÛiÊ>>}iiÌÊÊ UÊ ÃÕÀÛiÞÃÊvÊ«ÀÌiVÌi`ÊyÀ>Ê>ÌÊ `Ã>ÞÊÃ>`ÊÊ ÕÀÀ>Þ-ÕÃiÌÊ native grasslands, including Terrick Terrick National Park National Park for the purposes of establishing a monitoring UÊ Ì iÊLÝÀL>ÀÊiV}V>ÊÌ }ÊÌÀ>ÊÊ*>``ÞÃÊ,>}iÊ framework for future emergency River Red Gum watering State Park and Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage and determining the causes of localised degradation in this Park, which is continuing to examine the role that ecological species following the delivery of environmental water thinning can play in accelerating the development of older- UÊ >ÊÃÕÀÛiÞÊvÊ6VÌÀ>ÊëÞÊVÀ>Þwà ÊEuastacus spp.) in the growth characteristics (such as larger trees and hollows). A Alpine, Mount Buffalo and Wilsons Promontory national parks significant milestone was reached with the completion of the as part of a broader survey investigating the distribution of first round of post-thinning monitoring. Since its inception, Victorian spiny crayfish the project has involved nearly 100 Parks Victoria staff and external scientists, as well as a number of community groups
5 UÊ }}ÊÀiÃi>ÀV ÊÌÊÜ>ÞÃÊÌÊVÌÀÊ }Ã Ê À]Ê>Ê to address priority issues for park management. The research highly-invasive weed on which much time and effort is spent included: trying to control its spread. The project continues to examine UÊ ÌÜÊ>ÀÊÀiÃi>ÀV Ê«À}À>ÃÊÊÌ iÊ >iiÊ>`ÊÃÕÌ how different herbicides and different timing of spraying west Victoria (including Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray-Sunset affect the cost and effectiveness of controlling the weed, as national parks and Dergholm State Park) that aim to improve well as the impacts of the different approaches on native our understanding of the ecological implications of different vegetation in the Alpine National Park fire regimes for biodiversity conservation UÊ >Ê«ÀiVÌÊiÝ>}Ê ÜÊÌÊ>>}iÊÌ iÊ«>VÌÃÊvÊ«i«iÊ UÊ >ÊÀ>}iÊvÊÀi>Ìi`Ê«ÀiVÌÃÊÌ >ÌÊ>ÀiÊiÝ>}ÊÌ iÊ`iÌ]Ê Ü>}Ê>VÀÃÃÊÌ iÊÌiÀÌ`>ÊâiÊÊ*ÀÌÊ* «Êi>`ÃÊ >ÀiÊ movement and genetics of Powerful Owls at sites across National Park and Barwon Bluff, Merri, Mushroom Reef and Victoria, including in Kinglake and Yarra Ranges national Ricketts Point marine sanctuaries. parks and Bunyip and Warrandyte state parks Marine research UÊ two projects focusing on deer Other research activities relating to marine national parks and – one project, administered in partnership with researchers marine sanctuaries included: from DSE, is examining the distribution, abundance and impact of deer across the state UÊ ÀiÃi>ÀV ÊÌÊLiÌÌiÀÊÕ`iÀÃÌ>`ÊÌ iÊViVÌÛÌÞÊvÊ>ÀiÊ habitats, focusing on gastropods that inhabit intertidal reefs – the other project is aimed at improving our understanding in Mornington Peninsula National Park and Cape Conran and of the diet, home range and habitat use of Red Deer in Discovery Bay coastal parks Grampians National Park UÊ w>Ã}Ê>ÊÀÃÊ>ÃÃiÃÃiÌÊiÌ `ÊÕÃi`ÊÊ>>}iiÌÊ UÊ ÃiÛiÀ>Ê«ÀiVÌÃÊÊÌ iÊ«iÊ >Ì>Ê*>À planning for marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. – an investigation into the impacts of climate change on This method has broader application for management >«iÊÛi}iÌ>Ì]ÊÛÛ}Ê - ]Ê*>ÀÃÊ6VÌÀ>]Ê >Ê/ÀLiÊ planning across all areas managed under the Act. It was University and University of Melbourne used during the year to identify priorities for research and – research into the condition, recovery and functioning monitoring in marine national parks and marine sanctuaries of alpine mossbeds following the 2003 and 2006–07 UÊ >Ê>ÀÊÀiÛiÜÊvÊÌ iÊiÝÃÌ}ÊÌÀ}Ê«À}À>ÊvÀÊ>ÀiÊ bushfires national parks and marine sanctuaries. Recommendations – two projects focusing on managing willow invasion in were made regarding the design of the monitoring program alpine bogs. This research will help in predicting areas likely which were considered in the development of the revised to be invaded and in prioritising areas needing control marine national parks and marine sanctuaries monitoring plan – an investigation into possible biological control agents for for 2007–12 English Broom, a collaboration between Parks Victoria and UÊ ÌÜÊ«ÀiVÌÃÊÌ >ÌÊ>ÀiÊ`iÛi«}ÊiÜÊ«iÀvÀ>ViÊ DPI assessment tools for use in marine national parks and marine – research into the ecology of hawkweeds, a new and sanctuaries, undertaken as part of the Research Partners emerging threat to Victoria’s alpine ecosystems Program (see below) qÊ >Ê>ÃÃiÃÃiÌÊvÊÌ iÊÃÌ>ÌÕÃÊvÊÌ iÊ }vÌi`Ê*ÌÀ – at Churchill Island, French Island and Yaringa marine UÊ ÀÃL>iÊ,>}iÃÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌÀ}ÊÌ iÊVÌÀÊ>`Ê national parks – the development of a rapid assessment spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi in fire-affected areas of approach for use in soft sediment habitats using the Ghost the park Shrimp, which is known to influence community structure UÊ À>«>ÃÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÀiÃi>ÀV ÊÌÊiÝ>iÊ ÜÊÛ>LiÊ and sediment conditions populations of fauna can survive and persist in areas subject – at Point Addis and Port Phillip Heads marine national parks to severe and frequent fire and Barwon Bluff and Mushroom Reef marine sanctuaries UÊ ÕÌÊ Õvv>Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊ>ÊÃÌÕ`ÞÊvÊÌ iÊ«>VÌÃÊvÊ – an examination of adult stocks and the recruitment of fish multiple bushfires over the past three decades on the park’s and invertebrates in rock reef habitats. vegetation Research Partners Program UÊ 7ÃÃÊ*ÀÌÀÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊ>ÊÃÕÀÛiÞÊvÊÌ iÊ Parks Victoria’s Research Partners Program is a collaboration abundance of different mammalian herbivore species on the involving ten research institutions. It aims to deliver Yanakie Isthmus applied, collaborative research to support and improve park UÊ 7ÃÃÊ*ÀÌÀÞÊ >ÀiÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÀiÃi>ÀV ÊÌÊ management. The program provides access to a broad range examine the behavioural response of Australian Fur Seals to of research skills and expertise, and creates opportunities for boat disturbance practical, applied research. UÊ >«iÊ À>Ê >ÃÌ>Ê*>ÀÊqÊ>ÊiÝ>>ÌÊvÊÌ iÊÀiëÃiÊ Research undertaken through the program over the past year of Masked Owls and Sooty Owls to intensive and long-term included a range of ongoing projects as well as new research fox baiting.
6 Monitoring UÊ Ì Ài>Ìii`ÊëiViÃÊ>>}iiÌ
Parks Victoria commenced the development of the Signs of UÊ >ÌÛiÊ>>Ê>>}iiÌ Healthy Parks program. This aims to establish a comprehensive, UÊ V>ÌV iÌÊ>`ÊÜ>ÌiÀÊ>>}iiÌ rigorous and strategic system of natural values monitoring to UÊ >ÀiÊÛ>ÕiÃÊ«ÀÌiVÌ evaluate the condition of the parks and ecosystems over time. It UÊ «iÃÌÊ«>ÌÊ>>}iiÌ also aims to evaluate the effectiveness of management actions UÊ «iÃÌÊ>>Ê>>}iiÌ and provide an early warning of emerging threats. A pilot program was commenced in Brisbane Ranges, Grampians, Great UÊ }À>â}Ê>>}iiÌ° Otway and Wilsons Promontory national parks and Yaringa Threatened species management Marine National Park. Projects undertaken in relation to the management of Protocols (standardised techniques) developed to monitor threatened species occurring in areas under the Act included: weeds, cats, deer, foxes, rabbits, kangaroos and koalas were UÊ Ì iÊÌ Ài>Ìii`ÊyÀ>ÊëiViÃÊÕ>]Ê-«ÞvÀÕÌi`Ê->ÌLÕÃ Ê applied in 25 parks managed under the Act. Standardised and Blue Burr-daisy – these were propagated from local monitoring allows evaluation of the effectiveness of unprotected populations and planted in Broken-Boosey State management in reducing the level of threat to biodiversity Park following the exclusion of stock (see Catchment and posed by weeds, pest animals and other threats. Parks water management ) where monitoring occurred during the year using these protocols were: UÊ À>«>ÃÊ*VÕÃ Ê ÞÊqÊÀiÃi>ÀV ÊÌÊÌ ÃÊ>Ì>ÞÊ endangered species has found that there is limited genetic UÊ «i]Ê >ÜÊ >Ü]Ê ÕÀÀÜ>*iÊ ÕÌ>]Ê ÌiÀ ÌÊ variability in wild populations Pilot, Coopracambra, Croajingolong, Dandenong Ranges, Errinundra, Grampians, Great Otway, Hattah-Kulkyne, UÊ iiÌi`ÊiÞi>ÌiÀÊqÊ>Ê«>ÀÌiÀà «ÊÛÛ}Ê - ]Ê }>i]Ê ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌ]Ê ÜiÀÊii}]Ê ÕÌÊ VViÃ]Ê ÕÀÀ>Þ Healesville Sanctuary, Parks Victoria and volunteers released Sunset, Snowy River, Mt Buffalo, Wilsons Promontory and nine captive bred birds into the Bunyip State Park to join the Wyperfeld national parks 38 birds already living in the wild UÊ ÕÞ«Ê>`Ê7iÀÀLiiÊÀ}iÊÃÌ>ÌiÊ«>Àà UÊ `i`Ê*ÛiÀÊqÊ À`ÃÊÕÃÌÀ>>]Ê*>ÀÃÊ6VÌÀ>Ê>`ÊÀi`ÃÊ of Hooded Plover monitored the Hooded Plover population UÊ >«iÊ À>Ê >ÃÌ>Ê*>À]Ê7`>`ÃÊÃÌÀVÊ*>ÀÊ>`Ê along the ocean beaches of Mornington Peninsula National ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À° Park during the nesting season. Of 102 eggs from 49 nests, The program established to monitor changes in deer numbers eight chicks were fledged. However, no chicks were observed in the Alpine, Burrowa-Pine Mountain and Snowy River national ÌÊ >ÛiÊyi`}i`ÊÊ >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«Ê >ÃÌ>Ê*>À parks in collaboration with the Australian Deer Association UÊ >iivÜÊqÊÌ iÊ6VÌÀ>Ê >iivÜÊ,iVÛiÀÞÊÀÕ«Ê continued. Data from this project contributed to the statewide monitoring program found that, of 1170 mounds visited in project (see Research Partners Program ). 2007–08, only 80 were active. This represents a decline in SeaSearch, a community-based monitoring program breeding activity since 2005–06, which can be attributed administered by the People and Parks Foundation, continued largely to the very low winter rainfall over the past two years in marine national parks and marine sanctuaries across the UÊ ,i}iÌÊiÞi>ÌiÀÊqÊÓÇÊV>«ÌÛiLÀi`ÊLÀ`ÃÊÜiÀiÊÀii>Ãi`Ê>ÌÊ state. The program uses purpose-built monitoring kits that Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, with 20 still being observed guide community groups to collect data compatible with other 53 days later. This trial release, co-ordinated by the National scientific research being done in these areas. Regent Honeyeater Recovery Program, aims to assess the survival of captive-bred birds in the wild while also gathering Environmental management information on movement and interaction with the remaining Information on the values of the parks system and the risks wild populations identified in State of the Parks 2007 ]ÊÌ}iÌ iÀÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ iÛiÃÊ UÊ ÀÕà Ì>i`Ê,VÜ>>LÞÊqÊ>Ê«>ÊÜ>ÃÊ`iÛi«i`ÊvÀÊÌ iÊ of Protection framework, provided a basis for setting strategic re-introduction of wallabies into the Grampians National priorities for management. Parks Victoria’s environmental Park and there was again monitoring of the species in Snowy management framework focuses on-ground works on River National Park, where there are two recorded sites where protecting the highest values at greatest risk. breeding is occurring
The on-ground environmental management program is UÊ /}iÀÊ+ÕÊqÊÌ iÊÀÌ ÕÀÊ,Þ> Ê,iÃi>ÀV ÊÃÌÌÕÌi]Ê - Ê categorised into the following seven program areas; examples undertook a survey for this species in Mount Eccles National of projects within each of the program areas are given below: Park, which is one of only five sites in Victoria with a viable remnant population.
77 Native animal management management ), has involved the Broken Boosey Conservation Programs to control kangaroo and koala populations continued Management Network and the Goulburn Broken CMA and its in several parks, where there is a demonstrable long-term drought employment program. impact on park values caused by excessive numbers. The Marine values protection programs were undertaken in accordance with established ecological rationales developed with the support of key Efforts to protect marine values continued to focus on stakeholders, including the kangaroo and koala technical managing the key threats to Victoria’s marine national parks advisory committees. and marine sanctuaries, as well as building stewardship for the marine protected area system. Building relationships Programs included: with catchment managers, landholders, local government UÊ Ì iÊ}}Ê«À}À>ÊÌÊVÌÀÊ>}>ÀÊÕLiÀÃÊÊ>ÌÌ> and communities along the coast is important, particularly in Kulkyne, Murray-Sunset and Wyperfeld national parks to tackling water quality issues caused by nutrient and sediment protect the regeneration of woody perennials in semi-arid and loads in altered terrestrial catchments outside park boundaries. riverine woodland vegetation communities Parks Victoria’s Integrated Catchment Connections projects are UÊ Ì iÊÌÀi>ÌiÌÊvÊ>««ÀÝ>ÌiÞÊÎÈäÊ>>ÃÊÕÃ}Ê designed to raise community awareness and address key risks to contraceptive implants at Mount Eccles National Park. This marine protected areas associated with the poor water quality technique has now progressed from being a management- of some of the streams that flow into these areas. Projects scale trial to being applied more broadly at other sites where included: there are similar problems of defoliation and death of coastal UÊ Catchment to Corner – this project focuses on the marine manna gum vegetation caused by koalas over-browsing protected areas in Corner Inlet. A major initiative involved UÊ Ì iÊ>Õ>ÊÀiV>ÌÊvÊ>>ÃÊvÀÊÀiV ÊÃ>`ÊÌÊ ÕÞ«Ê Museum Victoria and Parks Victoria staff capturing high State Park and Tarago State Forest. quality imagery and video footage of marine environments in Corner Inlet Marine National Park (as well as Wilsons Catchment and water management Promontory Marine National Park) to help increase the local This program area continued to focus on improving the community’s awareness of the values of the marine protected condition of remnant vegetation and reducing priority areas. The project complements work being undertaken catchment degradation risks. Particular initiatives included: by the West Gippsland CMA, which will deliver on-ground UÊ V«iiÌ>ÀÞÊ>>}iiÌÊ>VÌÃÊÊ«>ÀÃÊÜÌ ÊÌ ÀiiÊ actions to address water quality issues Û}Ê ÕÀÀ>ÞÊVÊ-ÌiÃÊ>ÌÌ> Ê >iÃÊqÊ>ÌÌ> ÕÞiÊ UÊ MAD for the Merri – this group was formed and comprises >Ì>Ê*>ÀÆÊ `Ã>Þ7>«>ÊÃ>`ÃÊqÊ«>ÀÌÊvÊ ÕÀÀ>Þ agency, industry and community representatives. It will Sunset National Park; Barmah-Millewa Forest – Barmah State continue to identify and lead initiatives aimed at improving Park). Actions included management of noxious weeds and water quality of the Merri River and, in doing so, protecting }À>âiÀÃÊÃÕV Ê>ÃÊ>}>ÀÃÊ>`ÊÀ>LLÌîÊ>`ÊÌ iÊÀiÛ>ÊvÊ the values of the Merri Marine Sanctuary and associated V>ÌÌiÊvÀÊ `Ã>ÞÊÃ>`ÊÊ ÕÀÀ>Þ-ÕÃiÌÊ >Ì>Ê*>À wetlands UÊ Ì iÊ`iÛiÀÞÊvÊiÛÀiÌ>ÊÜ>ÌiÀÊÌÊÃÌÀiÃÃi`ÊÜiÌ>`ÃÊ>`Ê UÊ Yaringa Integrated Catchment Management Project – building critical drought refuges in Murray Central and Mallee districts, on a project which had focused on Watson Creek, a program including Murray-Sunset National Park initiated by Parks Victoria but now coordinated by the UÊ Ì iÊwÀÃÌÊ«iÀ>ÌÊvÊÌ iÊ `Ã>ÞÊÃ>`ÊÀi}Õ>ÌÀÊÊ ÕÀÀ>Þ Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve -ÕÃiÌÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊÌÊi>LiÊÜ>ÌiÀ}ÊvÊ7iLÃÌiÀÃÊ >}Ê Foundation is considering the other waterways that flow >Ê«ÀiVÌÊvÕ`i`ÊÕ`iÀÊÌ iÊ Û}Ê ÕÀÀ>ÞÊÌ>ÌÛi® into Yaringa Marine National Park. Actions are underway to UÊ Ã>ÊÃV>iÊÀiÛi}iÌ>ÌÊ«ÀiVÌÃÊÃÕ««ÀÌi`ÊLÞÊÀi`ÃÊ}ÀÕ«ÃÊ reduce the significant loads of nutrients entering Watson and volunteers in Mornington Peninsula, Mount Buffalo and Creek, assisted by an Envirofund grant to the Foundation. Terrick Terrick national parks They include a project to improve landholder awareness of UÊ «iÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊiÀÃÊVÌÀÊÜÀÃÊÊ£nÊÃÃLi`ÃÊ waterway and local marine and coastal values. through the installation of weirs, planting, seed sowing, As a major contribution to the development of a water quality mulching and laying of jutemesh. Weed control, particularly improvement plan for Port Phillip Bay and Western Port, Parks the removal of willow seedlings, was also undertaken Victoria, in partnership with the EPA, undertook market research UÊ Ài ÃiÞÊ-Ì>ÌiÊ*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊiÝVÕÃÊvÊÃÌVÊvÀÊÌ iÊ to provide an understanding of the community’s perceptions of park following the erection of fencing along 54 kilometres the health of the bays and how water quality influences their of the park boundary, protecting 412 hectares of remnant natural values. The work highlighted the potential for marine riparian habitat and reducing sediments and nutrients national parks and marine sanctuaries, and the many species entering the waterways. The work, also involving the found within them, to play a key role in engaging communities propagation of threatened flora (see Threatened species on bay and water quality issues.
8 Following a trial project last year, the Two Bays sailing program Without this program, infestations would not have been was launched in December 2007 and took place over the detected, and hawkweeds in the Alpine National Park and following three weeks. It included a comprehensive water at Falls Creek would have flowered and seeded prolifically quality survey, investigations of climate change impacts on and may have expanded their distributions considerably. exchange processes at the entrances to the bays, community The program is successfully advancing towards its goal SeaSearch volunteers surveying parks, and habitat mapping of eradication through a coordinated approach between at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary. The project involved Parks different land managers, researchers and the community Victoria working with the EPA, the Port Phillip and Western Port (the program has most likely controlled Orange Hawkweed CMA, Melbourne Water, Association of Bayside Municipalities at Mt Buller) and others. – a partnership program to control English Broom involving the North East CMA (Mitta Mitta River), East Gippsland Pest plant management Shire (Omeo township), VicRoads (Omeo Highway) and Pest plant management was again the largest program area Goulburn-Murray Water (Dartmouth Dam). Remote and for Natural Values Management. Appendix 2 lists the targeted difficult access problems have been dealt with using species for those parks where an area of more than five chemical control from raft and helicopter hectares was recorded as being treated for the purpose of – the introduction of more rust-infected Blackberry plants controlling or eradicating that species. and the chemical control of Blackberry infestations in The Good Neighbour Program funded several pest plant control the park projects, and cooperative efforts continued with landowners – the control of Grey Sallow to protect alpine bog and other agencies to integrate pest plant control across communities in the park, as well as in Baw Baw and land tenure boundaries. Of particular note was the willing Mount Buffalo national parks contribution of many volunteers to several of the projects. UÊ Ài>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>ÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ Examples of some of the many projects are: – control programs for highly invasive weeds in areas of highest biodiversity value as part of the landscape-scale UÊ Ì iÊVÌÀÊ«À}À>ÃÊÊ >iiÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊvVÕÃ}ÊÊ Otway Eden project. Works undertaken across the Otways, Paterson’s Curse including areas in the national park, focused on Wild UÊ Ì iÊVÌÀÊ«À}À>ÃÊÊÃiÛiÀ>ÊLÝÀL>ÀÊ«>ÀÃÊqÊvÀÊ Watsonia, Boneseed, Blackberry and other woody weeds example, for Wheel Cactus in St Arnaud Range National – the detection of the strong effects of the Blackberry rust Park, Kooyoora State Park and Castlemaine Diggings National disease. Sick, rust-affected plants have been observed in all Heritage Park, and for Sweet Briar in Chiltern-Mt Pilot areas where diseased seedlings have been introduced over National Park and Beechworth Historic Park the past few years, as well as in quite distant locations UÊ Ì iÊV iV>ÊVÌÀÊvÊ >VLiÀÀÞÊviÃÌ>ÌÃÊÊ – the treatment by Parks Victoria’s roving pest teams of Coopracambra, Errinundra, Mount Buffalo and Snowy River weeds such as Blackberry and Ragwort in high profile national parks and Bunyip State Park areas, including Triplet Falls and along the roadside verges UÊ ÀiV ÊÃ>`]Ê À}ÌÊ*iÃÕ>Ê>`Ê*ÌÊ i«i>Ê of Turtons Track. national parks – the continuation of control programs over more than Pest animal management 1500 hectares in French Island and Mornington Peninsula The protection of threatened species and communities and national parks, involving Parks Victoria in association other significant park values continued to be a focus for the variously with local government, Melbourne Water and management of pest animals. Cooperative programs continued VicRoads with private landowners to control pest animals that threaten – the manual removal of Sea-spurge from sections of the economic or ecological values. Several projects were undertaken ocean frontage between Cape Schanck and Point Nepean in parks as part of the Good Neighbour Program. Appendix 3 in Mornington Peninsula and Point Nepean national parks lists the species and the areas under the Act that were targeted to protect sensitive coastal vegetation and to conserve during the year in pest animal management projects. breeding habitat of the threatened Hooded Plover Projects included: – a focus on the Moonah Woodland community on Point UÊ Ì iÊ>À}iÃV>iÊÀ>LLÌÊVÌÀÊ«À}À>ÃÊÊ>ÌÌ> ÕÞi]Ê Nepean for protection from weed invasion ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌ]Ê ÕÀÀ>Þ-ÕÃiÌÊ>`Ê7Þ«iÀvi`Ê>Ì>Ê«>Àà UÊ «iÊ >Ì>Ê*>À UÊ Ü`iëÀi>`ÊvÝÊVÌÀÊivvÀÌà – the Victorian Alps hawkweed control program, which, – in parks with high numbers of fauna species susceptible to despite a prolific season for hawkweed, prevented seed «Ài`>Ì]ÊÃÕV Ê>ÃÊ ÌiÀ ÌÊ*Ì]Ê ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌ]Ê7ÃÃÊ setting at most of the known infestation sites and all but a *ÀÌÀÞ]Ê/ iÊ >iÃÊ>`Ê9>ÀÀ>Ê,>}iÃÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊ few of the many new infestations that have been found >`Ê««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ >ÃÌ>Ê*>À
9 qÊ Ê ÜiÀÊii}Ê>`Ê ÕÌÊ,V `Ê>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊ Grazing management and Discovery Bay Coastal Park as part of the Glenelg Ark VÌÛÌiÃÊÀi>Ì}ÊÌÊ}À>â}ÊVÕ`i`\ fox control project, a large-scale project on public land in UÊ «iÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊ*>ÀÃÊ6VÌÀ>Ê>`Ê - ÊVÌÕi`ÊÌÊ south-west Victoria which has successfully reduced fox work with licensees whose State forest licence areas abut the activity Alpine National Park over matters relating to containing cattle – over a large area of public land in East Gippsland as part to State forest. There was a decline in the number of reports of the Southern Ark fox control project, including poison- vÊV>ÌÌiÊ}À>â}ÊÊÌ iÊ«>À baiting in the Alpine, Coopracambra, Croajingolong, UÊ Ài>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>ÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊ>ÃÊ«>ÀÌÊvÊÌ iÊi}Ã>Ìi`Ê Errinundra and Snowy River national parks and in Cape transitional arrangements associated with the creation of Conran Coastal Park. Potoroos can now be easily observed Ì iÊÀi>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>ÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>À]Ê>ÊÃ>Ê>ÕÌÊvÊ}À>â}Ê at Cape Conran, where baiting has occurred since 1998 continued on previously licensed areas that were incorporated – in other areas of the Alpine National Park, aimed at into the park in December 2005. The Act provides that the Ài`ÕV}Ê«>VÌÃÊÊëiViÃÊÃÕV Ê>ÃÊÌ iÊÌ Ài>Ìii`Ê } relevant licences can continue until 31 December 2006 or footed Potoroo and Mountain Pygmy-possum. Control until their expiry (whichever is the latter). One licence expired programs to protect the Mountain Pygmy-possum were during the year and the remaining 22 licences will expire in conducted in conjunction with the Falls Creek and Mount September 2009 Hotham alpine resort management boards UÊ >À> Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÀiÊÜ>ÃÊ>}>ÊÊ}À>â}ÊÊÌ iÊ«>ÀÊ UÊ Ì iÊV>LÀ>ÌÛiÊ«ÀiVÌÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ-«ÀÌ}Ê- ÌiÀÃÊ in 2007–08. Cattle had been removed from the park and the Association of Australia to control goats in Murray-Sunset adjacent State forest by April 2007 pending an acceptable National Park. More than 1500 goats have been removed improvement in the condition of the drought stressed from the park over four years. vegetation. However, assessments found that the vegetation Parks Victoria and DSE developed and released for public >`ÊÌÊ«ÀÛi`ÊÌÊ>ÜÊ}À>â}ÊÌÊÀiÃÕi° comment a Draft feral horse management plan for Barmah Forest which included management options for removing feral horses from the forest (including Barmah State Park).
Pest animal management in the Alps largely focused on the Alpine National Park and, in addition to the fox control programs reported above, included: UÊ Ü`Ê`}ÊVÌÀ]ÊvÕ`i`ÊÌ ÀÕ} ÊÌ iÊ`Ê i} LÕÀÊ Program and involving DPI, DSE and Parks Victoria across land tenures, to reduce stock losses on private land UÊ Ì iÊÀiÛ>ÊvÊ£ÓÓÊviÀ>Ê ÀÃiÃÊvÀÊÌ iÊ«iÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ in association with the Australian Brumby Association UÊ viÀ>Ê«}ÊÌÀ>««}ÊÊÀiÌiÊ>Ài>ÃÊvÊ«iÊ >Ì>Ê*>À°
10 Fire management and fire and flood recovery
Fire recovery, Grampians National Park
Bushfires There were 690 bushfires across the state in 2007–08 affecting 32 364 hectares. Of those fires, 113 started in areas managed Despite the strong influence of the long-term drought, well under the Act, affecting approximately 22 700 hectares (mostly below average rainfall in spring, increased lightning activity park). Fifty-three (47%) of the 113 fires were started by early in the season and in January, and heatwave conditions in lightning, 28 (25%) were deliberately lit (including 19 in the March, a potentially severe bushfire season did not eventuate. Dandenongs) and 7 (6%) were caused by campfire escapes. } Ì}ÊÃÌÀÃÊLiÌÜiiÊ ÛiLiÀÊ>`Ê >ÀV ÊVÌÀLÕÌi`Ê The main fires in areas under the Act during the year are to an above average number of fire starts but many of these summarised in Table 2. did not spread due to successful initial attack or accompanying rainfall.
Table 2 – Main fires (100 hectares and greater) in areas managed under the Act Date fire Cause of Area of Area of park % of Park Fire name started fire fire (ha) burnt (ha) park Bunyip SP Tonimbuk - Camp Road 25 Apr 2008 Deliberate 550 490 3 ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ * Dickersons 15 Nov 2007 Planned burn escape 310 300 <1 ->ÌÊ >iÊ/À>V 18 Nov 2007 } Ì} 15 190 14 940 11 Jungkum Track 7 Dec 2007 } Ì} 6 600 6 600 5 ÜiÀÊii}Ê * Kentbruck 31 Aug 2007 Deliberate 107 107 >1 Mount Richmond NP Mount Richmond 24 Aug 2007 Burning off 100 100 6
NP National Park SP State Park Ê -ÕÀViÊvÊ`>Ì>ÊvÀÊ>Ài>ÃÊvÊwÀiÃ\Ê - ÊÀiÜiL]Ê >`Ê>`ÊÀiÊ ÛÃÊ-Ê>>ÞÃð
11 Planned burning Grampians National Park fire (2006)
There were 122 planned burns in areas under the Act as part of Fire recovery activities continued in the Grampians National Park the 2007–08 statewide planned burning program. These burns following the January 2006 fire, which burnt nearly half the treated an area of approximately 33 800 hectares. The 122 park. These activities included: burns comprised 91 burns for fuel reduction purposes (treating UÊ ÃÕÀÛiÞÃÊvÀÊ`}iÕÃÊVÕÌÕÀ>Ê iÀÌ>}iÊÊwÀi>vviVÌi`Ê>Ài>ÃÊ approximately 32 000 hectares) and 31 burns for ecological or UÊ >Ê>ÀÊ«ÀiVÌÊÌÊÀiÃÌÀiÊwÀi`>>}i`Ê>ÃÃiÌÃÊÊÌ iÊ >ÀÊ other purposes (treating nearly 1800 hectares). Mitchell Plateau, involving the airlifting of more than 40 000 Included in the program was the burning of further, small kilograms of materials and equipment to 21 sites areas in Point Nepean National Park to enable the removal of UÊ Ì iÊÀiÃÌÀ>ÌÊvÊÌiÌÃÊÌÊÌ iÊÞÊ ÀiiÊV>«}ÀÕ`]Ê unexploded ordnance by the Commonwealth. These burns will and the restoration and re-opening of the Jimmy Creek and also assist in the restoration of depleted woodland habitat. Bomjinna campgrounds and a picnic area at Mafeking
Following on from last year, further work was undertaken UÊ Ì iÊÀi«>ViiÌÊvÊÌiÌÃÊ>`ÊÀiÃ`iViÊ>ÌÊ >ViâiÊ>ÃÊ to refine and complete fire ecology strategies covering and associated landscaping 7ÃÃÊ*ÀÌÀÞÊ>`Ê ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀðÊÊ`À>vÌÊ UÊ Ì iÊÀiÃÕÀv>V}ÊvÊÞÊ ÀiiÊ,>`Ê>`ÊÌ iÊÀi«i}ÊvÊ plan was also prepared for the Bass Coast including Cape the Sundial carpark (including the restoration of toilets) and «ÌÀ>«Ê >ÃÌ>Ê*>À]Ê>`Ê>Ê`À>vÌÊ«>}Ê}Õ`iÊÜ>ÃÊ`iÛi«i`Ê the Brownings Circuit and Tunnel walking tracks to help guide future planned burning in the area affected by UÊ Ì iÊV«iÌÊvÊÌ iÊÀiVÃÌÀÕVÌÊvÊÌ iÊ*>ViÊ the 2003 Alpine fires. walking track and several other tracks in the Wonderland and Mt Rosea area Preparing for emergencies UÊ Ì iÊVÌÕ>ÌÊvÊÌÀiiÊÀÃÊÜÀÃÊÊÜ>}ÊÌÀ>VÃÊÊwÀi Work continued on the construction of fuelbreaks on several of affected areas. the boundaries of the Yarra Ranges National Park as part of the strategy to help protect Melbourne’s water supply catchments. Great Divide fires (2006–07) In the Great Otway National Park, strategic fuelbreaks were The Great Divide fires, which started on 1 December 2006 constructed along several roads, and work on cross-tenure and burnt more than 1.1 million hectares of eastern Victoria, «ÕLVÊ>`Ê«ÀÛ>ÌiÊ>`®Ê>ÃÃiÌÊ«ÀÌiVÌÊâiÃÊViVi`Ê affected large areas of the Alpine and Mount Buffalo national at several locations as part implementing fire management parks and Avon Wilderness Park (see National Parks Act annual strategies for coastal townships. The fire tower on The Pinnacles report 2007 ). in the Alpine National Park was redeveloped. Activities relating to fire recovery this year included: Emergency management plans for all areas under the Act were UÊ `}iÕÃÊVÕÌÕÀ>Ê iÀÌ>}iÊÃÕÀÛiÞÃÊÊwÀi>vviVÌi`Ê>Ài>ÃÊvÊ reviewed and tested. Emergency risk works were undertaken at the Alpine National Park, involving Indigenous Traditional key sites in the Great Otway, Mornington Peninsula and Mount Owner community representatives, Registered Aboriginal VViÃÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊ>`ÊÊ >«iÊ À>Ê>`Ê >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«Ê Party applicants and Elders coastal parks. UÊ Ì iÊi}>}iiÌÊvÊÌÕÀÊ«iÀ>ÌÀÃÊÊÌ iÊiÞwi`]Ê >Ãwi`Ê and Mount Buffalo areas to assist with asset repair, signage Fire and flood recovery installation and track clearing There was considerable activity associated with dealing with the UÊ Ì iÊÀi«>ViiÌÊÀÊÀi«>ÀÊvÊÃiÛiÀ>ÊÛi ViÊLÀ`}ià effects of fire and flood in various parks across the state.
12 UÊ ÀÃÊ>`ÊÌÀiiÊ >â>À`Ê>ÃÃiÃÃiÌÊÜÀÃÊÌÊ`iÌvÞÊ>`Ê UÊ ÛiÃÌ}>ÌÃÊÌÊÌ iÊ«>VÌÊvÊÌ iÊy`ÊÊëiVwVÊ remove dangers to visitors, with more intensive assessment threatened ecological vegetation classes and subsequent works at high-use visitor sites such as UÊ >Ê>ÃÃiÃÃiÌ]ÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊÕÃÌÀ>>Ê*>ÌÞ«ÕÃÊ ÃiÀÛ>VÞ]Ê campgrounds of the impact of the flood on Platypus populations in the UÊ Ì iÊÀi«i}ÊvÊÜ>}ÊÌÀ>VÃ]ÊVÕ`}Ê>ÊÃ}wV>ÌÊivvÀÌÊ Macalister River in the Alpine National Park to repair the section of the Australian Alps walking track UÊ >ÊÃÕÀÛiÞÊvÊÜÊ`}iÕÃÊVÕÌÕÀ>ÊÃÌiÃÊ>`ÊiÜÊ from Mt Skene to the Bogong High Plains (as well as further sites in the hardest hit river corridors in the Alpine, Baw attention to the section in the eastern Alps burnt in 2003 Baw and Mitchell River national parks. This extended and where regrowth has been vigorous) complemented work being done under the fire recovery UÊ Ì iÊÀi«>ViiÌÊvÊ>ÞÊÃ}ÃÊ>`ÊÛÃÌÀÊv>VÌiÃ]ÊÃÕV Ê>ÃÊ program and was developed in consultation with Traditional picnic tables and toilets Owners through the Victorian Alps Indigenous Reference UÊ Ì iÊÀiLÕ`}ÊvÊ ÕvvÊÕÌÊLÞÊÌ iÊ-ÌiÞÊv>ÞÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ Group and employed community members assistance of Victorian High Country Huts Association UÊ Ài«>ÀÃÊÌÊÛÃÌÀÊv>VÌiÃÊÃÕV Ê>ÃÊV>«}ÀÕ`Ã]Ê«VVÊ volunteers facilities, jetties and beach access tracks in many areas, UÊ «Ài>ÀÞÊ«>}ÊvÀÊÌ iÊÀiLÕ`}ÊvÊ,ÌV i½ÃÊ>`Ê from Baw Baw National Park in the west to Croajingolong Weston’s huts following earlier stakeholder consultation. National Park in the east UÊ Ài«>ÀÃÊÌÊÀ>`ÃÊ>`ÊÌÀ>VÃ]ÊVÕ`}Ê>ÀÊÀi«>ÀÃÊÌ]Ê Gippsland floods (2007) and the re-opening of, the Tamboritha Road in the Alpine Record rainfall in Gippsland over four days from 28 June 2007 National Park, a major project costing more than $3 million. caused major flooding, erosion and other damage, both inland The road was severely damaged in the storm and closed to and along the coast, exacerbated by the impacts of the public access for several months. This was a joint project 2006–07 fires. Parks particularly affected included the Alpine, involving Parks Victoria, DSE and VicRoads >ÜÊ >Ü]Ê ÌV iÊ,ÛiÀÊ>`Ê/ iÊ >iÃÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊ>`Ê UÊ Ì iÊÀiÛi}iÌ>ÌÊvÊ>Ài>ÃÊÊÌ iÊ Õ}>ÊÀÊÊ««Ã>`Ê ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ >ÃÌ>Ê*>À° >iÃÊ >ÃÌ>Ê*>ÀÊÜ iÀiÊ >ÃÌ>Ê/i>ÌÀiiÊ >`ÊLiiÊÃÌÊ>ÃÊ>Ê On 10 July 2007, the government announced, as part of a result of an increase in salinity. $60 million flood recovery package, $10 million to support recovery operations on public land, including parks. There was Parliamentary Inquiry considerable work during the year in the affected parks as part In June 2008, the Environment and Natural Resources of the broader recovery effort. This included: works to protect Committee of the Victorian Parliament released its report on the fragile ecosystems, threatened species and cultural heritage; Inquiry into the impact of public land management practices on weed control; developing an access re-opening strategy for bushfires in Victoria . The report includes 20 recommendations roads, tracks and campgrounds; and restoring roads, tracks and 17 findings which the committee believes will significantly and visitor facilities. contribute to mitigating the effects of future bushfire events, Works in parks included: promoting improved ecological management of public lands and ensuring improved community engagement in UÊ Ì iÊÃÕÀÛiÞÊ>`ÊVÌÀÊvÊÜii`ÊviÃÌ>ÌÃÊ>}ÊÌ iÊ>Ê bushfire management processes. The government is due river corridors in the Alpine, (Wellington and Macalister to provide Parliament with a response to the committee’s rivers), Baw Baw (Aberfeldy River) and Mitchell River (Mitchell recommendations by December 2008. River) national parks
13 Cultural values management
Pearce Barracks, Point Nepean National Park
Areas under the Act include a very diverse range of culturally Four meetings of the Victorian Alps Indigenous Traditional significant Indigenous and non-Indigenous sites, places and Owner Reference Group addressed a wide range of Indigenous landscapes that are protected to ensure that current and future cultural heritage and park related matters (fire recovery, generations have the opportunity to enjoy and understand the environmental management, tourism opportunities, Welcome to legacy of the past. In addition to the activities listed below, Country signs and management planning), as well as proposing there were several others which occurred as part of fire and changing the names of certain features in the Alpine National flood recovery programs (see Fire and flood recovery ). Park containing “Niggerhead” to “Jaithimathang”.
The Otways Traditional Owners Reference Group formed last Indigenous cultural heritage year remained active and had regular contact with Parks Victoria There was considerable activity relating to the protection and over a wide range of park management matters, including the management of Indigenous cultural heritage in parks and development of the management plan for the Great Otway to increasing the opportunities for members of Indigenous National Park. Traditional Owner communities to be involved in park Projects relating to the protection and management of management. Indigenous cultural heritage included: March 2008 marked the first anniversary of the Gunditjmara UÊ Ì iÊViViiÌÊvÊiiÛiÊ`}iÕÃÊVÕÌÕÀ>Ê iÀÌ>}iÊ Native Title settlement. A mutually beneficial relationship management plans under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 between the Gunditjmara people and Parks Victoria continued and the obtaining of several cultural heritage permits to to develop during the year. Two Parks Victoria staff were facilitate specific projects under that Act appointed to the Budj Bim Council to advise the Minister on the UÊ Ì iÊ«Ài«>À>ÌÊvÊ`À>vÌÊ}Õ`iiÃÊVÛiÀ}ÊÌ iÊ>>}iiÌÊ management of Mount Eccles National Park. of Indigenous cultural heritage values during bushfire Members of the Gunditjmara community were employed in a planning and suppression. This involved a partnership of DSE, range of park management activities, including weed control Parks Victoria and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria «À}À>ÃÊÊ ÜiÀÊii}]Ê ÕÌÊ VViÃÊ>`Ê ÕÌÊ,V `Ê UÊ iÝÌiÃÛiÊVÃÕÌ>ÌÊÜÌ Ê/À>`Ì>Ê"ÜiÀÃ]Ê,i}ÃÌiÀi`Ê national parks and Discovery Bay Coastal Park and the koala Aboriginal Parties, Brambuk and other relevant Indigenous control program in Mount Eccles National Park. organisations and other interest groups in the drafting of Members of the Wotjobaluk community were employed on the Grampians National Park Indigenous Cultural Heritage v>Õ>ÊÃÕÀÛiÞÃÊ>`ÊÜii`ÊVÌÀÊÊ ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ Strategy and were involved in examining future directions for visitor use UÊ VÕÌÕÀ>Ê iÀÌ>}iÊ«ÀÌiVÌÊÜÀÃÊ>ÌÊ7Þ«iÀvi`Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ in Mount Arapiles State Park. (Pine Plains), Moondarra State Park and Tyers Park
The Yorta Yorta people have worked with Parks Victoria and UÊ Ì iÊÃÌ>>ÌÊvÊ7iViÊÌÊ ÕÌÀÞÊÃ}ÃÊÊ ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ DSE on establishing a Yorta Yorta Caring for Country Rangers National Park and Cathedral Range State Park Program at Barmah State Park in partnership with Swinburne University.
14 UÊ Ì iÊV«iÌÊvÊ>Ê`iÌ>i`Ê`}iÕÃÊVÕÌÕÀ>Ê iÀÌ>}iÊ UÊ ÌiÀ ÌÊ*ÌÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊV«iÌÊ>`Ê assessment of Harrisons Bowl in Point Nepean National Park installation of interpretation signs for the Magenta Mine following a planned burn, a partnership involving Parks and the Woolshed Falls historic walk Victoria and the Bunurrong and Boonwerung peoples – UÊ ÕÌÊ Õvv>Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊ>ÊiÜÊViVÌÊvÊ«>ÌÃÊ this assessment identified 14 new significant cultural sites, from the park, representing most species in the original including two stone scatter sites historic Grimwade Collection (1938), by botanists from UÊ vÜ}ÊÌ iÊV«iÌÊvÊ>Êwi`ÊÃÕÀÛiÞÊLÞÊ*>ÀÃÊ6VÌÀ>]Ê the University of Melbourne, with one of the two sets of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and Bunurrong, Boonwerung and specimens returned for viewing at the park office. The Gunai Kurnai representatives) of Indigenous human remains original Grimwade collection has been photographed and disturbed by wind erosion of dunes in Wilsons Promontory repaired and is housed in the School of Botany herbarium at National Park, the relocation, accompanied by a traditional the University of Melbourne ceremony, of the human remains away from the public UÊ *ÌÊ i«i>Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊ`iÛi«iÌÊvÊÌ iÊÃÌiÊvÊ UÊ >ÊiV}V>ÊLÕÀÊÊ >À> Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ*>ÀÊV>ÀÀi`ÊÕÌÊÊ the former Pearce Barracks as a passive interpretation node partnership with the Yorta Yorta people, DSE and Parks for visitors, with an innovative sculptural design and display Victoria. utilising primary source documents and first hand transcripts from personnel once stationed there Non-Indigenous cultural heritage UÊ iiV ÜÀÌ ÊÃÌÀVÊ*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊV«iÌÊ>`ÊÃÌ>>ÌÊvÊ Notable achievements in relation to the management and signs at Reids Creek diggings presentation of non-Indigenous cultural heritage in parks UÊ >ÃÌi>iÊ }}}ÃÊ >Ì>ÊiÀÌ>}iÊ*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊ included: commencement of conservation cleaning and the rehousing UÊ }}Ê«ÀiÛiÌ>ÌÛiÊ>Ìi>ViÊ>`ÊÀi«>ÀÃÊÌÊ iÀÌ>}iÊ of artefacts at the Wattle Gully mine buildings and structures, including several huts within the UÊ ÃÊ-iÌÌiiÌÊÃÌÀVÊ-ÌiÊqÊÌ iÊV«iÌÊvÊ>ÊiÜÊ Alpine National Park, the fortifications in Point Nepean interpretation facility and a meeting room for the Friends >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊ>`ÊÛ>ÀÕÃÊLÕ`}ÃÊÊ-Ìi}ÌâÊÃÌÀVÊ*>À group. UÊ Ì iÊ«Ài«>À>Ì]Ê>`Ê«ÕLV>ÌÊÊ*>ÀÃÊ6VÌÀ>½ÃÊÜiLÃÌi]Ê of some 39 articles detailing the history of parks or historic places within some 30 areas under the Act – the articles provide excellent background histories which will greatly enhance park visits, as well as general historical information for students and others UÊ Ì iÊ«Ài«>À>ÌÊvÊ iÀÌ>}iÊ>Ìi>ViÊ«>ÃÊvÀÊÌ iÊiÀÊ Tree Gully kiosk (Dandenong Ranges National Park) and Nyerimilang Park UÊ «iÊ >Ì>Ê*>À – the rebuilding of Roper’s Hut (which was destroyed in the 2003 Alpine fires) with the assistance of the Roper family and Victorian High Country Huts Association volunteers – the development of two new interpretive panels for the historic areas around the Dart River goldfields and Harrington’s Track (in the upper Murray area) – further development of the High Country heritage interpretation project, with a cultural heritage website and audio download for the Alpine Discovery loop nearing completion and a cultural heritage trail to be completed next year interpreting the many journeys and layers of history in the area of Wallace and Cope huts on the Bogong High Plains
1515 Community involvement
Lyrebird, Dandenong Ranges National Park
Volunteers Community Group Grants
Volunteers continued to make a major contribution to the Parks Victoria’s Community Group Grants are available to management of many areas under the Act. In 2007–08, community groups who wish to undertake projects related volunteers, including Friends groups, schools, TAFEs and to areas managed by Parks Victoria. Groups work in close universities, special interest groups, corporate organisations, and conjunction with local Parks Victoria staff in developing and individuals contributed more than 60 700 hours1 of voluntary implementing projects. work in areas under the Act. There were 59 projects funded in 2007–08, totalling more / iÊ- iÀLÀiÊ ÞÀiLÀ`Ê-ÕÀÛiÞÊÀÕ«Ê>V iÛi`ÊxäÊÞi>ÀÃÊvÊ than $200 000, relating to areas under the Act. These projects >ÃÃÃÌ}ÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊÌÀ}ÊvÊ-Õ«iÀLÊ ÞÀiLÀ`ÊÕLiÀÃÊÊ included: what is now the Dandenong Ranges National Park. The Friends UÊ «iÊ>`Ê ÕÌÊ Õvv>Ê>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊqÊÌ iÊÀi >LÌ>ÌÊ of Otway National Park achieved 25 years of voluntary service. of eroded mossbeds and associated willow removal Examples of the types of projects and the generous UÊ À}ÌÊ*iÃÕ>Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÜii`ÊVÌÀÊ>`Ê contributions by volunteers include: revegetation at Spray Point, with new fencing erected to UÊ Ì iÊ >«}ÀÕ`ÊÃÌÊ«À}À>]ÊÊÜ V ÊÛÕÌiiÀÃÊ«>ÞÊ>Ê protect middens and dunes and illegal access tracks closed valuable role by assisting visitors within campgrounds during UÊ 7Þ«iÀvi`Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊÀi«>ViiÌÊvÊ`iÌiÀÀ>Ìi`Ê the peak visitation periods. The program operated during interpretative panels and signs and the restoration of 16 mm the summer and Easter school holidays in Croajingolong, film of the park in flood and of the Malleefowl life cycle, to À>«>Ã]ÊÀi>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>Þ]Ê>ÌÌ> ÕÞi]Ê >iÊ `]Ê ÕÌÊ encourage and foster public education on mallee ecosystems Õvv>Ê>`Ê/ iÊ >iÃÊ>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊ UÊ ÕÌÊÀ>«iÃ/>Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ*>ÀÊqÊiÀÃÊVÌÀÊÊÌÜÊ UÊ Ì iÊ6VÌÀ>Ê ÛÀiÌÊÀi`ÃÊ iÌÜÀ]ÊÜ V ÊVÌÕi`Ê heavily trafficked areas, including the installation of dry to support the coordination of volunteers in Victoria’s parks stonewalls, silt traps, barriers and interpretative signage and through newsletters, seminars and other direct advice to revegetation friends and community groups UÊ ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ >ÃÌ>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊ`iÃ}]Ê«À`ÕVÌÊ>`Ê UÊ À>«>ÃÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊ >ÌÕÀiÜÃiÊ«À}À>Ê placement of interpretive notes and an interpretation panel at conducted by Parks Victoria in partnership with Conservation -ÛiÀà ÌÊ >`}ÊÌÊ«ÀÌiÊÜ>}Ê««ÀÌÕÌiÃÊÊÌ iÊ Volunteers Australia, which provided volunteers with an Boole Poole Peninsula opportunity to assist in the monitoring of small mammal UÊ >ÃÌi>iÊ }}}ÃÊ >Ì>ÊiÀÌ>}iÊ*>ÀÊqÊÜii`ÊVÌÀÊ populations in remote locations and revegetation along Forest Creek, and the design, UÊ Ài>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>ÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÀiÛi}iÌ>ÌÊ«ÀiVÌÃÊ>ÌÊ production and installation of interpretive signs, as well as the Moonlight Head, Johanna Beach, Point Franklin and Crayfish maintenance of tracks, in Kalimna Park Bay by the Friends of Otway National Park, who contributed UÊ iÜ>ÀiÊ,iivÊ >ÀiÊ->VÌÕ>ÀÞÊqÊÌ iÊ>««}ÊvÊÕ`iÀÜ>ÌiÀÊ more than 350 hours features of the sanctuary, and the photographic recording of UÊ >ÀÜÊ ÕvvÊ >ÀiÊ->VÌÕ>ÀÞÊqÊÌ iÊÀi>ÌÊ6VÌÀ>ÊÃ Ê the marine life around each feature, for use in the ongoing Count in December 2007, coordinated by Reef Watch Victoria presentations given by the Friends group to school groups and involving Parks Victoria staff, Friends of the Bluff and and other visitors. other divers.
16 1 The number of hours of voluntary work in areas under the Act reported in the National Parks Act annual report 2007 related only to national parks, marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. Visitor and tourism services
Wilderness retreat, Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory National Park
Information, interpretation and education Education Information services providing current and relevant information Parks Victoria’s statewide education programs continued to to visitors, potential visitors and other interested members of engage students in hands-on learning opportunities in parks, the public, as well as high quality interpretation activities and raising awareness about park management practices and park education programs, are key aspects of park management. values. These services help visitors to enjoy and understand the parks, Programs at the education centres in the Dandenong Ranges and encourage visitors and others to conserve and protect them and Wilsons Promontory national parks were updated to and to better understand park management objectives. They are be compatible with the Department of Education and Early also useful in helping to manage visitor behaviour and public ` `Ê iÛi«i̽ÃÊ6VÌÀ>Ê ÃÃiÌ>Ê i>À}Ê-Ì>`>À`ÃÊ safety. 6 -®ÊVÕÀÀVÕÕ°Ê iÜÊ>ÌiÀ>ÊÜ>ÃÊ`iÛi«i`ÊvÀÊVÕÃÊÊ the education website
17 Innovative online and in-park interpretation and education Road and track maintenance and upgrades were undertaken activities have been developed to foster support for protected in parks across the state and included the Four Wheel Drive areas among the decision makers of the future. Ranger Roo Program, fire recovery programs (see Fire and flood recovery ) made appearances at more than 20 festivals and events during and other programmed maintenance. Works included: the year. More than 400 children joined the Ranger Roo Club in UÊ >Ìi>ViÊvÊvÕÀÜ iiÊ`ÀÛiÊÌÀ>VÃÊÕ`iÀÊÌ iÊÕÀÊ its inaugural year. Wheel Drive Program in the Alpine, Baw Baw, Burrowa-Pine During the year there were Junior Ranger activities in the Mountain, Croajingolong, Murray-Sunset, Snowy River and Dandenong Ranges, Grampians and Wilsons Promontory Yarra Ranges national parks and Bunyip State Park national parks. UÊ «iÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊViViiÌÊvÊÜÀÃÊÌÊÃi>Ê the Bogong High Plains Road Enhancing park visits UÊ Ài>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>ÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊÕ«}À>`}ÊvÊ>VViÃÃÊÌÊ Visitor facility works were carried out across the state to improve Erskine Falls visitor and tourist access and enjoyment while maintaining park UÊ >«iÊ À>Ê >ÃÌ>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊÕ«}À>`}ÊvÊ >ÃÌÊ >«iÊ,>`Ê values and reducing risks (see also Fire and flood recovery ). UÊ >À> Ê>`Ê ÕÞ«ÊÃÌ>ÌiÊ«>ÀÃÊqÊÌ iÊÀi«>ViiÌÊvÊLÀ`}ið These included projects funded in the third year of the six-year program to renew and repair critical visitor facilities in parks and Parks Victoria also made improvements to the on-line Parkstay other projects funded under the government’s four-year program booking system, with the inclusion of campgrounds in Brisbane ‘Victorian tourism - a natural attraction’. ,>}iÃ]Ê }>iÊ>`Ê >iÊ `Ê>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃÊ>`Ê >Ì i`À>Ê Range State Park. There were also enhancements to the on-line Projects completed during this year included: ballot system and peak season application system for Wilsons UÊ Ài>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>ÞÊ>`Ê*ÀÌÊ >«LiÊ>Ì>Ê«>Àà Promontory National Park. – improvements to walking access through enhancements to lookouts and walking tracks Tour operators
– a major signage program in the Great Otway National Park ViÃi`ÊÌÕÀÊ«iÀ>ÌÀÃÊVÌÕi`ÊÌÊ«>ÞÊ>ÊiÞÊÀiÊÊ – improvements to the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre promoting access to parks, promoting park values and (adjacent to Port Campbell National Park) and upgrading appropriate use, and encouraging tourism and recreation in of the sewage treatment plant and improvements to the Victoria. As at 30 June 2008, 267 tour operators were licensed car park there to conduct a range of guided activities in areas managed by UÊ À>«>ÃÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊ`iÌ>i`Ê`iÃ}ÊÜÀÊvÀÊÌ iÊ Parks Victoria and in DSE-managed State forest. Of these, 248 Jimmy Creek, Plantation and Smith Mill campgrounds were licensed to conduct a range of guided activities in areas UÊ ÜiÀÊii}Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊÀi«>ViiÌÊvÊÌ iÊ managed under the Act, offering nearly 4000 tourism and Peachtree Creek jetty recreation opportunities. UÊ À}ÌÊ*iÃÕ>Ê >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊÌ iÊÀi«>ViiÌÊvÊ In May 2008, the Minister launched the Policy statement for toilet facilities at Cape Schanck the licensing system for tour operators and activity providers UÊ 7ÃÃÊ*ÀÌÀÞÊ >Ì>Ê*>ÀÊqÊvÕÀÌ iÀÊ>ÀÊ on public land in Victoria to guide reform in this area. improvements at Tidal River Visits to parks – the provision of new ‘wilderness retreat’ tented accommodation and powered tent sites The Visitor Number Monitor is a biennial survey covering a – further refurbishment of existing cabin accommodation sample of mostly Victorians but also interstate and overseas visitors. The statewide monitor was introduced in 2001 to – the replacement of toilet facilities monitor the number of visits to national and other parks and to – the restoration of the historic Commando Cairn report on change and trends in visitation. The survey was not UÊ >«iÊ À>Ê >ÃÌ>Ê*>ÀÊqÊ>ÀÊÀiiÜ>ÊÜÀÃÊÊÌ iÊ conducted in 2007–08 but will be conducted again in 2008–09. accommodation cabins The Visitor Satisfaction Monitor is an on-site survey which Parks UÊ ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>ÀÊqÊ>Ê>ÀÊÕ«}À>`iÊvÊÌ iÊÃiÜiÀ>}iÊÃÞÃÌi° Victoria conducts biennially in various parks (mostly areas under In Mount Buffalo National Park, the chalet remained closed the Act) during summer and, for some Alpine areas, in winter pending negotiations with the lessee over its future. There or spring. It is designed to provide a reliable quality measure was an audit of the on-mountain infrastructure carried out to of visitor experience. A comparison between the current and underpin future investment decisions. previous results of the survey shows that the satisfaction index declined marginally from 68 in 2005–06 to 66 in 2007–08.
18 Supporting park management
Bay of Islands Coastal Park
Park management bays and waterways in or near Melbourne. As at 30 June 2008, Parks Victoria had 1114 direct employees, comprising 862 full- Management arrangements time, 118 part-time and 61 fixed-term (both full-time and part- The Secretary is responsible under the Act for ensuring that time) and 73 casual staff. the parks and other areas are controlled and managed in accordance with the Act. It is estimated that, as at 30 June 2008, 355 rangers (including 16 chief rangers) and 127 field service officers were engaged in Parks Victoria, established under the Parks Victoria Act 1998 , is managing areas under the Act. These figures do not include the responsible through a management agreement for managing significant numbers of staff not normally involved in managing the parks and other areas under the Act on behalf of the areas under the Act who are deployed for fire suppression Secretary. Various of the Minister’s and Secretary’s powers under activities as and when required. There were 60 ongoing and the Act have been delegated to employees of Parks Victoria. fixed-term Indigenous staff, including rangers, working in areas DSE, on behalf of the Secretary, works with Parks Victoria under the Act. and provides strategic policy advice to the Minister and the Sixty seasonal rangers were recruited to run visitor services Secretary. Under the Act, the Director of National Parks (who is programs during the summer period across the state, including the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Victoria) provides advice to areas managed under the Act. These seasonal programs greatly the Minister and the Secretary about the operational elements enhance Parks Victoria’s capacity to maintain visitor services of park management. during the peak fire period. Additional funding enabled A new management agreement was finalised during the year. Parks Victoria to recruit 8 full-time ongoing rangers and 20 Parks Victoria’s 2007–08 business plan described the park graduates (equivalent to 7 full-time staff) undertaking studies management services and strategic priorities to be delivered in horticulture and environmental studies to participate in an for the year. Its annual report for 2007–08 provides detailed ongoing seasonal undergraduate work/study program. The new information on its operations for the year. positions were allocated across the state, including areas under the Act. Finance -Ì>vvÊvÀÊ - Ê«>ÀÌVÕ>ÀÞÊÌ iÊ*ÕLVÊ >`Ê ÛîÊ>`Ê *Ê The estimated expenditure in relation to areas under the Act in (particularly fisheries officers) also contributed to the parks 2007–08 was $79.9 million (excluding fire suppression costs). program. In addition, Parks Victoria spent $5 million on fire and flood recovery. Information about DSE’s and Parks Victoria’s overall Legislation financial activities is contained in their respective Amendments to the Act annual reports. Several sections of the Act were amended on 1 July 2007 by Staff the Water (Governance) Act 2006 as a consequence of the Parks Victoria manages a wide range of areas, including all of repeal of the Melbourne Water Corporation Act 1992 . The main the parks and other areas under the Act, as well as conservation amendment was to the definition of “metropolitan area” in reserves, regional and metropolitan parks and aspects of the section 10 of the Act, which sets out the membership of the National Parks Advisory Council.
19 National Parks and Crown Land (Reserves) Acts Leases and other authorities Amendment Bill 2008 As part of authorising the construction and operation in the This Bill was introduced into Parliament on 10 June 2008. Alpine National Park of a tunnel between the Mt McKay Power In relation to amendments to the Act, the Bill will create Station and a new power station at Bogong Village (see also Cobboboonee National Park in south-west Victoria and add Consents to public authorities ): approximately 300 hectares to seven parks managed under UÊ >Êi>ÃiÊÜ>ÃÊ}À>Ìi`ÊÌÊ ÊÞ`ÀÊ*>ÀÌiÀà «ÊÕ`iÀÊÃiVÌÊ Ì iÊVÌ\ÊÀi>ÌÊ"ÌÜ>Þ]Ê }>iÊ>`Ê ÜiÀÊii}Ê>Ì>Ê 30AA for the operation of the tunnel. The lease will become «>ÀÃ]ÊiÞÊ*>Ã]Ê >}Ê À>Ê>`Ê7>ÀÀ>`ÞÌiÊÃÌ>ÌiÊ«>ÀÃÊ operative on the completion of the construction of the tunnel and Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. Other UÊ >Ê`iÛi«iÌÊ`ii`ÊÜ>ÃÊiÌiÀi`ÊÌÊÕ`iÀÊÃiVÌÊÎä Ê amendments include minor excisions and plan corrections and ÜÌ Ê Ê-ÕÌ iÀÊÞ`ÀÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì`Ê>`Ê ÊÞ`ÀÊ*>ÀÌiÀà «° some technical amendments. A lease and associated licence previously granted under sections National Parks (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) 19(2)(b) and 19(3)(b) of the Act to the Returned & Services Regulations 2007 i>}ÕiÊvÊÕÃÌÀ>>Ê6VÌÀ>Ê À>V ®ÊVÊvÀÊÕÃiÊvÊLÕ`}ÃÊ>`Ê These regulations, which came into operation on 13 December associated land at Zumstein in the Grampians National Park was 2007, increased the fees payable for entry to the whole or surrendered. parts of Baw Baw, Mornington Peninsula, Mount Buffalo, Point Nepean, Wilsons Promontory and Yarra Ranges national parks. Consents to public authorities Consents granted under section 27 of the Act to various public Authorities granted under the Act authorities (as defined in the Act) to carry out works in parks, Licences and permits subject to conditions, are listed in Table 4. On 26 June 2007, Table 3 lists permits granted under sections 21(1)(c)(ii) and 21(3) 9>ÀÀ>Ê6>iÞÊ7>ÌiÀÊ Ìi`ÊÜ>ÃÊ`iV>Ài`ÊÕ`iÀÊÃiVÌÊÎÊvÊÌ iÊ and licences granted under section 26A during the year. Other Act to be a public authority for the purposes of the Act. permits include apiary permits granted under section 21(1)(b) Consent to earth resource activities and commercial tour permits under section 21(1)(c)(ii) (see Tour operators ). The Minister gave consent under section 40 of the Act to the granting under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 of two mining licences in relation to Red Robin Mine and Red Robin Battery in the Alpine National Park. The consent was granted on the basis that the operation would cease during the seven-year term of the licences.
Table 3 – Licences and permits Section of Act Park Permittee Purpose 21(1)(c)(ii) Alpine NP Howqua Hills Trader Operation of a mobile food van Grampians NP Wireless Institute of Australia Operation of existing telecommunications equipment Mount Buffalo NP Ê >>}iiÌÊ-iÀÛViÃÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` *ÀÛÃÊvÊv`ÊÃiÀÛViÃÊ>ÌÊ iÜÊ `}iÊ (winter–spring) *ÀÛÃÊvÊv`ÊÃiÀÛViÃÊ>ÌÊ iÜÊ `}iÊ (summer) *ÀÛÃÊvÊv`ÊÃiÀÛViÃÊ>ÌÊ >iÊ >Ì>Ê (summer) Rio’s Alpine Centre Provision of snowplay services at Cresta 26A Arthurs Seat SP Carrington Park Bowling Club ÝÌÀ>VÌÊvÊÜ>ÌiÀÊvÀÊ V >ÀiÊ >
NP National Park SP State Park
20 Table 4 – Consents to public authorities Park Public authority Consent purpose Alpine NP Ê-ÕÌ iÀÊÞ`ÀÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Construction of a hydro-electric tunnel from Mt McKay Power Station to Bogong Village through the park /iÃÌÀ>Ê À«À>ÌÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at Mt Benambra Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at Snowy Range Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at The Pinnacles Dandenong Ranges NP -ÕÌ Ê >ÃÌÊ7>ÌiÀÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing water storage tanks, Hughes Road pumping facility ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ * Gippsland Ports Installation, operation and maintenance of infrastructure associated ÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ >iÃÊ ÌÀ>ViÊ->`Ê >>}iiÌÊ*À}À>]Ê iÊ*i /iÃÌÀ>Ê À«À>ÌÊ Ì` Installation of new optical fibre infrastructure from Golden Beach ÌÊ V Ê-«ÀÌ Grampians NP Air Services Australia Authorisation for air traffic control management and related services at Mt William Horsham Rural City Council Installation of new pedestrian foot bridge at Dadswells Bridge "«ÌÕÃÊ LiÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at Mt Zero /iÃÌÀ>Ê À«À>ÌÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at Mt William Wannon Region Water Operation and maintenance of existing water infrastructure within Corporation the park Greater Bendigo NP Central Highlands Water Installation of new infrastructure for the Bendigo to Ballarat Corporation Superpipe in the vicinity of the Calder Highway, Sandhurst -*Ê*ÜiÀiÌÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at One Tree Hill Hattah-Kulkyne NP Goulburn-Murray Water Installation of new infrastructure at various locations for drilling, sampling and monitoring as part of the Bore Construction Program, River Murray Salinity Mapping Project Heathcote-Graytown NP State Emergency Services Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at Mt Ida Mornington Peninsula NP "«ÌÕÃÊ LiÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment within >ÊiÝÃÌ}Ê-ÕÌ Ê >ÃÌÊ7>ÌiÀÊ Ì`ÊÃÌÀ>}iÊV«Õ`Êi>ÀÊ"Vi>Ê Beach Rd, Sorrento Mount Arapiles-Tooan SP "«ÌÕÃÊ LiÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at Mt Arapiles Rural Ambulance Victoria Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at Mt Arapiles Mount Granya SP /iÃÌÀ>Ê À«À>ÌÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at Mt Granya Murray-Kulkyne Park Goulburn-Murray Water Installation of new infrastructure at various locations for drilling, sampling and monitoring for the Bore Construction Program, River Murray Salinity Mapping Project Murray-Sunset NP Goulburn-Murray Water Installation of new infrastructure at various locations for drilling, sampling and monitoring as part of the Bore Construction Program, River Murray Salinity Mapping Project Point Nepean MNP, Point Port of Melbourne Authority Works and activities as part of the Channel Deepening Project, to Nepean NP, Jawbone MS, the extent that those works and activities may relate to the parks Ricketts Point MS and sanctuaries
21 Table 4 – Consents to public authorities (continued) Park Public authority Consent purpose Snowy River NP Bureau of Meteorology Installation of a weather monitoring station at Mackillop Bridge /iÃÌÀ>Ê À«À>ÌÊ Ì` Installation, operation and maintenance of new infrastructure for the DSE Incident Channel at Monkey Top Yarra Ranges NP /iÃÌÀ>Ê À«À>ÌÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at ÌÊ-ÌÊ i>À` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at Mt Victoria Warby Range SP /iÃÌÀ>Ê À«À>ÌÊ Ì` Authorisation of pre-existing telecommunications equipment at Mt Glenrowan Woodlands HP 6`>viÊ iÌÜÀÊ*ÌÞÊ Ì` Installation of telecommunication equipment at Gellibrand Hill
CP Coastal Park HP Historic Park MNP Marine National Park MS Marine Sanctuary NP National Park SP State Park
Enforcement Interstate cooperation
There were 36 individuals successfully prosecuted during the Ministerial councils year for committing 51 offences under the Act or associated DSE staff continued to represent Victoria in the National Reserve regulations. The main group of offences related to fishing in System Taskforce and the Marine Protected Areas Working marine national parks and marine sanctuaries (18), followed by Group, both established under the auspices of committees of offences relating to guns or other weapons (14). One person the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council. was imprisoned for three months for possessing a priority During the year, it was agreed that the Directions of the species (abalone) in Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary. National Reserves System – a partnership approach and the A total of 167 infringement notices was issued during the year Guidelines for establishing the National Representative System in relation to prescribed offences against the Act (53 notices) or of Marine Protected Areas would be reviewed and updated. the National Parks (Park) Regulations 2003 (114 notices). These It was also agreed that matters relating to protected areas included notices in relation to the use of recreational fishing would be dealt with under the auspices of the Natural Resource equipment in a marine national park or marine sanctuary (52), Management Ministerial Council rather than also by the dogs (45), driving a vehicle in a prohibited area (27) and lighting Environmental Protection and Heritage Ministerial Council. or maintaining a fire (12). Australian Alps Cooperative Management Program In addition, there were 6 warnings issued for non-infringeable The Australian Alps Cooperative Management Program offences, all relating to fishing in a marine national park or VÌÕi`ÊÕ`iÀÊÌ iÊ>ÕëViÃÊvÊÌ iÊÕÃÌÀ>>Ê«ÃÊ >ÃÊ marine sanctuary, and 40 official warnings for infringeable ÌÌiiÊ ®°Ê*>ÀÃÊ6VÌÀ>ÊÀi«ÀiÃiÌÃÊ6VÌÀ>ÊÊÌ ÃÊ offences, the main offences relating to recreational fishing in a committee. The Memorandum of understanding in relation to marine national park or marine sanctuary (13) and bringing a the cooperative management of the Australian Alps national dog into or allowing a dog to remain in a park (14). parks (MOU) covers eleven parks and reserves in three states. There was again considerable enforcement effort in connection In Victoria, these are the Alpine, Baw Baw, Mount Buffalo and with the marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. DPI Snowy River national parks and Avon Wilderness Park. fisheries officers continued to play a major role. The MOU aims to promote cross-border cooperation in ÃÊ«>ÀÌÊvÊivÀV}ÊÌ iÊ«À LÌÊÊV>ÌÌiÊ}À>â}ÊÊÌ iÊ the protection and management of this highly significant Alpine National Park, 13 cattle in the Bundarrah River valley VÃiÀÛ>ÌÊ>Ài>°Ê/ iÊ ÊÃiiÃÊÌÊ«ÀÛ`iÊ>`Ê>>}iÀÃÊ were impounded under the Impoundment of Livestock Act with appropriate technical tools and sound scientific advice to 1994 . assist in achieving the objectives of the MOU and delivering best practice land management across the Alps region.
22 A new strategic plan for 2008–11 was developed during the Convenor: Mr Ian Harris year. The new plan sharpens the focus on emerging issues for Members: Ms Nina Cullen (Secretary’s nominee) the Alps by replacing more generalist working groups with new Mrs Heather Gee reference groups that will address climate change, water and Ms Kate Glenie catchments, visitor experience, stakeholders, natural resource Mr John Gray management and cultural heritage, as well as establishing an Ê ÀÊ >ViÊià Indigenous reference group. Mr Brian Martin Dr John Sherwood The program continued to encourage coordination and the Mrs Deirdre Slattery sharing of knowledge and to foster strategic community and Mr Mark Stone (Director of National Parks). inter-agency partnerships through: UÊ v>VÌ>Ì}ÊV«iÀ>ÌÊLiÌÜiiÊÃÌ>Ìi]ÊÀi}>Ê>`ÊV>Ê Point Nepean Advisory Committee tourism organisations, alpine resorts and MOU agencies Section 14 of the Act enables the Minister to establish advisory UÊ v>VÌ>Ì}Ê>ÊÃÌiiÀ}Ê}ÀÕ«ÊvÊÌÕÀÃÊÀ}>Ã>ÌÃÊ>`Ê committees to make recommendations to the Secretary relating providers around the Alps in partnership with Tourism to the care and control of a park or parks. Australia and Parks Australia, resulting in the successful listing The Point Nepean Advisory Committee met several times during of the Australian Alps as one of Australia’s eight national the year to make recommendations to the Secretary on the care >`ÃV>«iÃÊÕ`iÀÊÌ iÊ Üi>Ì ½ÃÊ >Ì>Ê >`ÃV>«iÃÊ and control of Point Nepean National Park. Program UÊ >Ê`}iÕÃÊÌiÀ«ÀiÌ>ÌÊÌÀ>}Ê>`Êi«ÞiÌÊ As at 30 June 2008, the membership of the committee was as program, which was supported by various Aboriginal follows: Traditional Owner groups and communities from around >À\Ê ÀÊ VÊ ÕL the Alps Members: Mr Alex Atkins UÊ >ÊÜÀà «ÊÊÌ iÊ>>}iiÌÊvÊ`iiÀÊ«>VÌÃÊÊÌ iÊ«Ã]Ê Ms Kate Baillieu attended by key stakeholders, including the Australian Deer Mr Harry Breidahl Association Dr Ursula de Jong UÊ >ÊÜÀà «ÊÊÛÃÌÀÊiÝ«iÀiVi]Ê>ÃÊiÊvÊ>ÊÃiÀiÃÊvÊ Mr Bernie Fox science/management forums being organised under the Ms Judith Muir MOU. The workshop, run in partnership with the IUCN World Mr Chris Smyth Commission on Protected Areas, brought together experts Mr John Taylor including tertiary institutions, MOU partners and included an Ms Dianne Weidner. international perspective from Parks Canada Otways Landscape Community Council UÊ VÌÕ}ÊVÕÌÞÊÃiÀÛViÊ>ÕViiÌÃÊ«ÀÌ}ÊÌ iÊ The council was established to provide advice to Parks Victoria, Alps landscape as one that is both stunning and fragile DSE and the Minister about the processes for engaging com- UÊ «ÀÛ`}Ê>VVÕÀ>ÌiÊVÕÌÞÊvÀ>Ì]ÊÃÕV Ê>ÃÊÌ iÊv>VÌÊ munities about the management of public land in the Otways sheet series on wild dogs. (including the Great Otway National Park) and to monitor the effectiveness of community engagement activities to meet the Advisory bodies needs and aspirations of the local community. The council also National Parks Advisory Council provides advice about opportunities for integrated management The main functions of the National Parks Advisory Council are for public land in the context of the wider Otway landscape. to advise the Minister generally in relation to the administration As at 30 June 2008, the membership of the council was as of the Act and on particular matters on which its advice is follows: required under the Act or which is sought by the Minister. The council’s 2007–08 annual report provides additional Chair: Ms Elaine Carbines information on the council and its activities (including changes iLiÀÃ\Ê ÃÊ ââiÊ Ài to membership) during the year. Ms Beth Davidson Ms Claire Dennis The council comprises the Secretary (or his or her nominee), the Mr Joe DiCecco Director of National Parks (who is the Chief Executive Officer of Mr Roger Hardley Parks Victoria) and eight non-government members. Mr Terry Kildea As at 30 June 2008, the membership of the council was as Mr Richard Morrow. follows: Parks Victoria has also established several other non-statutory advisory groups to assist in its management of particular parks.
23 Appendix 1 Areas managed under the National Parks Act
A National parks (Schedule Two) B Wilderness parks (Schedule Two A)
Area (ha) as at Area (ha) as at National park 30 June 2008 Wilderness park 30 June 2008 1 Alfred 3 050 1 Avon 39 650 2 Alpine 660 550 2 Big Desert 142 300 3 Baw Baw 13 530 3 Wabba 20 100 4 Brisbane Ranges 7 718 Total – Wilderness parks 202 050 5 Burrowa-Pine Mountain 18 400 6 Chiltern-Mt Pilot 21 560 7 Churchill 271 C State parks (Schedule Two B) 8 Coopracambra 38 800 Area (ha) as at 9 Croajingolong *87 790 State park 30 June 2008 10 Dandenong Ranges 3 540 1 Arthurs Seat 558 11 Errinundra 26 875 2 Barmah 7 900 12 French Island *11 050 3 Black Range 11 700 13 Grampians 168 110 4 Broken-Boosey 1 010 14 Great Otway *103 190 5 Bunyip 16 655 15 Greater Bendigo** 17 004 6 Cape Nelson 210 16 Hattah-Kulkyne 48 000 7 Cathedral Range 3 616 17 Heathcote-Graytown 12 700 8 Dergholm 10 400 18 Kinglake 22 360 9 Enfield 4 400 19 >iÊ ` 27 750 10 Holey Plains 10 641 20 `Ê 1 370 11 Kooyoora 11 350 21 ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌ 132 647 12 >}Ê À>Ê 3 000 22 ÜiÀÊii} 27 300 13 i>} ÕÀÊ 1 580 23 Mitchell River 14 250 14 iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê 20 180 24 Mornington Peninsula *2 680 15 Moondarra 6 330 25 Morwell 565 16 Mount Arapiles-Tooan 7 470 26 Mount Buffalo 31 000 17 Mount Buangor 2 400 27 Mount Eccles 8 375 18 Mount Granya 6 140 28 Mount Richmond 1 733 19 ÕÌÊ >ÜÃ 13 150 29 Murray-Sunset 633 000 20 Mount Napier 2 800 30 Organ Pipes 153 21 Mount Samaria 7 600 31 Point Nepean *470 22 Mount Worth 1 040 32 Port Campbell *1 830 23 Paddys Ranges 2 010 33 Snowy River 98 700 24 Reef Hills 2 020 34 St Arnaud Range 13 900 25 Warby Range 11 460 35 Tarra-Bulga 2 015 26 Warrandyte 680 36 Terrick Terrick 3 880 27 Werribee Gorge 575 37 / iÊ >iÃÊ 2 390 Total – State parks 166 875 38 Wilsons Promontory *49 049 39 Wyperfeld 361 770 40 Yarra Ranges 77 040 Total – National parks 2 756 365
* Area includes the area of the national park located beneath a marine national park. ** Parts of Greater Bendigo NP extend only to 100 metres below the land surface.
24 D Other parks (Schedule Three) E Other parks and reserves (Schedule Four)
Area (ha) as at Area (ha) as at Other park 30 June 2008 Other park and reserve 30 June 2008 1 Bay of Islands CP 950 1 Bunurong MP *1 660 2 Beechworth HP 1 090 2 Castlemaine-Diggings NHP** 7 550 3 Cape Conran CP 11 700 3 Corner Inlet MCP *18 000 4 >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«Ê * 4 225 4 ii«Ê i>`Ê ,Ê °Ê£®IIÊ 1 120 5 Discovery Bay CP *10 460 5 Nooramunga MCP 15 000 6 ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ * 17 600 6 Shallow Inlet MCP 2 000 7 Haining Farm 66 7 Wilsons Promontory MP ) 8 >iÊL>VÕÌÞ>Ê*>À 8 300 8 Wilsons Promontory MR ) *10 000 9 >}Ü>ÀÀÊ, 214 Total – Other parks and reserves 55 330 10 ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À 1 397 11 Murray-Kulkyne Park 3 530 MCP Marine and Coastal Park MP Marine Park 12 -Ìi}ÌâÊ* 425 MR Marine Reserve 13 Tyers Park 1 810 NCR Nature Conservation Reserve NHP National Heritage Park 14 Woodlands HP 820 * Area includes the area of the park or reserve located beneath a marine national park. Total – Other parks 62 587 Ê IIÊ >ÃÌi>iÊ }}}ÃÊ *Ê>`Ê ii«Ê i>`Ê ,Ê °Ê£®ÊiÝÌi`Ê only to 100 metres below the land surface. CP Coastal Park FFR Flora and Fauna Reserve HP Historic Park * Area includes the area of the park located beneath a marine national park.
2525 Appendix 1 continued
Areas managed under the National Parks Act
F Wilderness zones (Schedule Five)
7`iÀiÃÃÊâiÃÊ>ÀiÊV>Ìi`ÊÜÌ ÊÃiÛiÀ>Ê>Ì>Ê«>ÀÃ]Ê>ÃÊÃiÌÊÕÌÊLiÜ°Ê/ iÊ>Ài>ÃÊvÊÌ iÊÜ`iÀiÃÃÊâiÃÊ>ÀiÊVÕ`i`Ê in the areas of the relevant parks in Part A of this appendix.
Area (ha) as at National park Wilderness zone 30 June 2008 1 Murray-Sunset Sunset 126 900 2 Murray-Sunset Minook 38 700 3 Murray-Sunset Galpunga 35 700 4 Murray-Sunset Mount Cowra 23 500 5 Wyperfeld North Wyperfeld 97 900 6 Wyperfeld South Wyperfeld 61 300 7 Wyperfeld Chinaman Flat 29 800 8 Alpine Mount Darling-Snowy Bluff 40 400 9 Alpine ,>âÀ6} 15 700 10 Alpine Indi 13 800 11 Alpine Cobberas 10 000 12 Alpine Buchan Headwaters 30 000 13 Alpine Tingaringy 7 900 14 Snowy River Snowy River 27 000 15 Snowy River Bowen 17 500 16 Coopracambra Genoa 19 400 17 Croajingolong Sandpatch 15 600 18 Croajingolong Cape Howe 7 100 19 Wilsons Promontory Wilsons Promontory 21 800
Total – Wilderness zones 640 000
G Remote and natural areas (Schedule Six)
Remote and natural areas are located within several national parks, as set out below. The areas of the remote and natural areas are included in the areas of the relevant parks in Part A of this appendix.
Area (ha) as at National park Remote and natural area 30 June 2008 1 Murray-Sunset South Sunset 24 000 2 Wyperfeld Hopping Mouse Hill 32 100 3 ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌ ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌ 16 400 4 Grampians Victoria Range 14 000 5 Grampians Serra Range 11 200 6 Grampians Major Mitchell Plateau 6 900 7 Baw Baw Baw Baw Plateau 6 500 8 Alpine The Governors 8 100 9 Alpine Macalister 33 300 10 Alpine Dandongadale 3 700 11 Alpine Bundara-Cobungra 13 700 12 Alpine Bogong 16 300 13 Alpine Davies Plain 10 500 14 Alpine Suggan Buggan 17 800 15 Alpine Upper Snowy 11 800 16 Mount Buffalo North Buffalo 6 500 17 Burrowa-Pine Mountain Mount Burrowa 6 200 18 Errinundra Brodribb 7 700 19 Coopracambra Mount Kaye 8 100 20 Croajingolong Rame Head 9 800 21 Wilsons Promontory Wilsons Promontory Islands (12) 469 22 Wilsons Promontory Southern Wilsons Promontory 14 400
Total – Remote and natural areas 279 469
26 H Marine national parks (Schedule Seven) I Marine sanctuaries (Schedule Eight) Area (ha) as at Area (ha) as at Marine national park* 30 June 2008 Marine sanctuary 30 June 2008 1 Bunurong 2 100 1 Barwon Bluff 17 2 Cape Howe 4 050 2 Beware Reef 220 3 Churchill Island 670 3 Eagle Rock 17 4 Corner Inlet 1 550 4 Jawbone 30 5 Discovery Bay 2 770 5 Marengo Reefs 12 6 French Island 2 800 6 Merri 25 7 Ninety Mile Beach 2 750 7 Mushroom Reef 80 8 Point Addis 4 600 8 Point Cooke 290 9 Point Hicks 4 000 9 Point Danger 25 10 Port Phillip Heads 3 580 10 Ricketts Point 115 11 Twelve Apostles 7 500 11 The Arches 45 12 Wilsons Promontory 15 550 Total – Marine sanctuaries 876 13 Yaringa 980 Total – Marine national parks 52 900
* Marine national parks extend only to 200 metres below the land surface and some partly overlay parts of other parks under the Act.
2727 Appendix 1 continued
Areas managed under the National Parks Act
J Other areas (non-scheduled) Section Area (ha) as at Area* of Act 30 June 2008 1 Bald Hills BR 19B 1 2 Collins Settlement Historic Site 19B 1 3 Flinders NCR 19B 1 4 Flinders Natural Interest Reserve 19B 4 5 }ÊÀiÃÌÊ , 19B 283 6 ÜiÀÊii}Ê**,Ê>`Ê- , 19B 24 7 Main Ridge NCR 19B 64 8 Moreep BR 19B 10 9 Nyerimilang Park 19B 200 10 Recreation Reserve, Otway 19B 1 11 Wychitella NCR 19B 3 780 12 Mt St Gwinear access road 19C 35 13 Commonwealth land adjacent to Woodlands Historic Park 19D 31 14 *VVÊ>Ài>Ê>ÌÊ V iâi½ÃÊ>ÌÊ iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ*>À® 19E # 15 >VÜ`Ê,>}iÃÊ/À>VÊ iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ*>À® 19E # 16 Glenample Homestead 32AA 8 Total – Other areas 4 443
BR Bushland Reserve NCR Nature Conservation Reserve PPR Public Purposes Reserve Ê - ,Ê -ViVÊ ÕÌÊ,iÃiÀÛi * Only specific sections of the Act apply to these areas. # Area approximately 0.1 ha.
K Summary – areas managed under the National Parks Act No. as at Area (ha) as at Area (ha) as at Category 30 June 2008 30 June 2007 30 June 2008 National parks (Schedule Two) 40 2 756 365 2 756 365 Wilderness parks (Schedule Two A) 3 202 050 202 050 State parks (Schedule Two B) 27 166 875 166 875 Other parks (Schedule Three) 14 62 587 62 587 Other parks and reserves (Schedule Four) 8 55 330 55 330 Marine national parks (Schedule Seven) 13 52 900 52 900 Marine sanctuaries (Schedule Eight) 11 876 876 Other areas (non-scheduled) 16 4 443 4 443 Total 132 3 301 426 3 301 426
L Unproclaimed areas
i}Ã>ÌÊ>ÃÊ>ÌÊÎäÊÕiÊÓäänÊ«ÀÛ`iÃÊvÀÊÌ iÊvÜ}Ê>``ÌÃÊÌÊÌ iÊ«>ÀÃÊÃÞÃÌi°
Act Park Section of Act Area (ha) 1 National Parks (Amendment) Act 1989 Moondarra State Park 29(3) 178 2 National Parks Act 1975 Greater Bendigo National Park 50K *16 Total – unproclaimed areas 194
* Area will become part of the park on surrender of title to the Crown.
28 Appendix 2 Pest plant control projects
Appendix 2 lists the targeted species for those parks where an area of more than five hectares was recorded as being treated for the purposes of controlling or eradicating that species. Areas of less than five hectares were also treated in various parks.
Park Target species Alpine NP Blackberry, Cape Broom, English Broom, Grey Sallow, Hawthorn, King Devil Hawkweed, Ox-eye Daisy, Paterson’s Curse, Soft Rush, St John’s Wort, Timothy Grass, Willow, Yarrow Arthurs Seat SP Boneseed, Pittosporum, Sallow Wattle Barmah SP Paterson’s Curse Baw Baw NP Blackberry, Grey Sallow Beechworth HP Paterson’s Curse, Sweet Briar Brisbane Ranges NP Serrated Tussock Bunyip SP Blackberry Burrowa-Pine Mountain NP Blackberry, Paterson’s Curse, Yarrow Cape Conran CP Dolichos Pea >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«Ê * African Boxthorn Castlemaine Diggings NHP Gorse, Wheel Cactus Chiltern-Mt Pilot NP Paterson’s Curse, Sweet Briar Churchill NP Aarons Beard, Boneseed Coopracambra NP Blackberry Corner Inlet MCP Cord-grass Croajingolong NP Blackberry Dandenong Ranges NP Ragwort, Sycamore Maple Dergholm SP Cape Tulip (one-leaf), Paterson’s Curse, Tall Wheat-grass Discovery Bay CP Bridal Creeper Errinundra NP Blackberry French Island NP Blue Psoralea, Boneseed, Cape Tulip, Couch, Radiata Pine, Spanish Heath ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ * African Boxthorn Grampians NP Blackberry, Bridal Creeper Great Otway NP Blackberry, Bluebell Creeper, Blue Stars, Boneseed, Coastal Tea-tree, Montbretia, Ragwort, ->ÜÊ7>ÌÌi]Ê-ÜiiÌÊ*ÌÌëÀÕ]Ê7>`iÀ}Ê Àii«iÀ]Ê7 ÌiÊÀÕÊ Þ]Ê7`Ê7>ÌÃ> Hattah-Kulkyne NP Yellow Burr-weed Kooyoora SP Boneseed, Wheel Cactus >iÊ `Ê * Blackberry >}Ü>ÀÀÊ, Sallow Wattle iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-* Blackberry, Gorse ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ * Bridal Creeper ÜiÀÊii}Ê * Bridal Creeper ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À Aarons Beard, Boneseed Mitchell River NP vÀV>Ê ÝÌ À]ÊvÀV>Ê Ûi}À>ÃÃ]Ê >VLiÀÀÞ]Ê Mornington Peninsula NP African Boxthorn, Dolichos Pea, Radiata Pine, Ragwort, Sallow Wattle, Sea Spurge, Sweet Pittosporum Morwell NP Ragwort Mount Arapiles-Tooan SP Boneseed Mount Buangor SP Cape Broom Mount Buffalo NP Blackberry, Grey Sallow, Himalayan Honeysuckle Mount Granya SP Blackberry, Paterson’s Curse ÕÌÊ >ÜÃÊ-* Blackberry, Paterson’s Curse, Yarrow Mount Worth SP Ragwort Murray-Sunset NP Paterson’s Curse
29 Appendix 2 continued
Pest plant control projects
Park Target species Nooramunga MCP Ragwort, Thistle Point Nepean NP African Boxthorn, Coast Tea-tree, Myrtle-leaf Milkwort, Sea Spurge Port Campbell NP Ragwort Shallow Inlet MCP Cord-grass, Ragwort Snowy River NP Blackberry St Arnaud Range NP Wheel Cactus Tarra-Bulga NP Blackberry Terrick Terrick NP African Boxthorn, Wheel Cactus / iÊ >iÃÊ * Aloe Warby Range SP Paterson’s Curse, St John’s Wort Warrandyte SP Angled Onion, Paterson’s Curse, Serrated Tussock Werribee Gorge SP Prairie Ground Cherry, Serrated Tussock Wilsons Promontory NP African Boxthorn, Cord-grass, Ragwort Woodlands HP Cape Tulip (two-leaf), Paterson’s Curse, Serrated Tussock Wyperfeld NP Paterson’s Curse Yarra Ranges NP Blackberry, Ragwort
CP Coastal Park FFR Flora and Fauna Reserve HP Historic Park MCP Marine and Coastal Park NHP National Heritage Park NP National Park SP State Park
30 Appendix 3 Pest animal control projects
Appendix 3 lists the targeted species for those parks where an area of more than five hectares was recorded as being treated for the purposes of controlling or eradicating that species. Areas of less than five hectares were also treated in various parks.
Park Target species Park Target species Alpine NP Cattle, Dog, Fox, Horse, Pig ÜiÀÊii}Ê * Fox Bay of Islands CP Rabbit ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À Rabbit Brisbane Ranges NP Fox Mitchell River NP Dog Broken-Boosey SP Fox Mornington Peninsula NP Fox Bunyip SP Fox Mount Richmond NP Fox Cape Conran CP Fox Mount Samaria SP Fox >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«Ê * Fox Murray-Kulkyne Park Rabbit Chiltern-Mt Pilot NP Fox, Rabbit Murray-Sunset NP Goat, Rabbit Coopracambra NP Fox, Pig Paddys Ranges SP Fox Croajingolong NP Fox, Pig Point Nepean NP Fox Dandenong Ranges NP Fox Port Phillip Heads MNP Fox Discovery Bay CP Fox Snowy River NP Fox Errinundra NP Fox -Ìi}ÌâÊ* Fox French Island NP Goat / iÊ >iÃÊ * Fox ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ * Fox Warrandyte SP Rabbit Grampians NP Fox Werribee Gorge SP Fox, Rabbit Hattah-Kulkyne NP Fox, Goat, Rabbit Wilsons Promontory MNP Fox Heathcote-Graytown NP Fox, Goat Wilsons Promontory NP Fox, Rabbit >iÊ `Ê * Fox Woodlands HP Fox, Rabbit iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-* Rabbit Wyperfeld NP Rabbit `Ê * Fox Yarra Ranges NP Fox ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ * Fallow Deer, Fox, Rabbit
CP Coastal Park HP Historic Park MCP Marine and Coastal Park MNP Marine National Park NP National Park SP State Park
31 Appendix 4 Locations of parks and other areas
National and other parks/areas
1 Murray-Sunset NP 45 Mornington Peninsula NP 88 Wilsons Promontory MR 2 Hattah-Kulkyne NP 46 Arthurs Seat SP 89 Corner Inlet MCP 3 Murray-Kulkyne Park 47 Main Ridge NCR 90 Nooramunga MCP 4 Big Desert WP 48 Bald Hills BR 91 Tarra-Bulga NP 5 Wyperfeld NP 49 Flinders NCR 92 Morwell NP Ê ÈÊ >iÊL>VÕÌÞ>Ê*>À 50 Flinders NIR 93 Holey Plains SP Ê ÇÊ ÌÌiÊ iÃiÀÌÊ * 51 French Island NP Ê {Ê ««Ã>`Ê >iÃÊ * 8 Mount Arapiles-Tooan SP Ê xÓÊ >}Ü>ÀÀÊ, Ê xÊ / iÊ >iÃÊ * 9 Dergholm SP 53 Churchill NP 96 Mitchell River NP 10 Black Range SP Ê x{Ê ÞÃÌiÀwi`Ê*>À 97 Nyerimilang Park 11 Grampians NP 55 Bunyip SP 98 Snowy River NP Ê £ÓÊ ii«Ê i>`Ê ,Ê °Ê£® 56 Dandenong Ranges NP 99 Errinundra NP Ê £ÎÊ ÜiÀÊii}Ê * 57 Warrandyte SP 100 Coopracambra NP 14 Discovery Bay CP 58 Organ Pipes NP Ê£ä£Ê `Ê * Ê £xÊ ÜiÀÊii}Ê**,ÊEÊ- , 59 Woodlands HP and adjacent 102 Alfred NP 16 Mount Richmond NP Commonwealth land 103 Cape Conran CP 17 Cape Nelson SP 60 Kinglake NP 104 Croajingolong NP 18 Mount Eccles NP 61 Haining Farm 19 Mount Napier SP 62 Yarra Ranges NP Marine national parks and Ê ÓäÊ >}Ê À>Ê-* 63 Cathedral Range SP marine sanctuaries 21 Mount Buangor SP Ê È{Ê >iÊ `Ê * 22 Paddys Ranges SP 65 Mount Samaria SP A Discovery Bay MNP 23 St Arnaud Range NP 66 Reef Hills SP B Merri MS 24 Kooyoora SP 67 Broken-Boosey SP C The Arches MS 25 Wychitella NCR 68 Barmah SP D Twelve Apostles MNP Ê ÓÈÊ i>} ÕÀÊ-* 69 Warby Range SP E Marengo Reefs MS 27 Terrick Terrick NP 70 Chiltern-Mt Pilot NP F Eagle Rock MS 28 Greater Bendigo NP 71 Beechworth HP G Point Addis MNP 29 Heathcote-Graytown NP 72 Mount Granya SP H Point Danger MS 30 Castlemaine Diggings NHP Ê ÇÎÊ ÕÌÊ >ÜÃÊ-* I Barwon Bluff MS Ê Î£Ê iÀ`iÀ`iÀ}Ê-*Ê>`Ê>ÃÃV>Ìi`Ê 74 Burrowa-Pine Mountain NP J Port Phillip Heads MNP leased areas 75 Wabba WP K Point Cooke MS Ê ÎÓÊ }ÊÀiÃÌÊ , 76 Mount Buffalo NP Ê Ê >ÜLiÊ - 33 Werribee Gorge SP 77 Alpine NP M Ricketts Point MS 34 Enfield SP 78 Avon WP N Mushroom Reef MS 35 Moreep BR 79 Baw Baw NP and Mt St Gwinear O Yaringa MNP 36 Brisbane Ranges NP access road P French Island MNP Ê ÎÇÊ -Ìi}ÌâÊ* 80 Moondarra SP Ê +Ê ÕÀV ÊÃ>`Ê * 38 Bay of Islands CP 81 Tyers Park R Bunurong MNP 39 Port Campbell NP 82 Mount Worth SP S Wilsons Promontory MNP 40 Glenample Homestead 83 Bunurong MP T Corner Inlet MNP 41 Recreation Reserve, Otway Ê n{Ê >«iÊ «ÌÀ>«Ê * U Ninety Mile Beach MNP 42 Great Otway NP 85 Shallow Inlet MCP V Beware Reef MS 43 Point Nepean NP 86 Wilsons Promontory NP W Point Hicks MNP 44 Collins Settlement HS 87 Wilsons Promontory MP X Cape Howe MNP
BR Bushland Reserve MNP Marine National Park NIR Natural Interest Reserve CP Coastal Park MP Marine Park NP National Park FFR Flora and Fauna Reserve MR Marine Reserve PPR Public Purposes Reserve HP Historic Park MS Marine Sanctuary Ê - ,Ê -ViVÊ ÕÌÊ,iÃiÀÛiÊ HS Historic Site NCR Nature Conservation Reserve SP State Park MCP Marine and Coastal Park NHP National Heritage Park WP Wilderness Park
32 X 150 102
100
HWY 104 MONARO 100 W u Cann River
101 99
Y A
kilometres W July 2008. G/7215-2
103 HIGH V 50 Spatial Information Infrastructure, IBT, Department of Sustainability and Environment Cartography by the Customised Mapping Unit, 98 u
Orbost
River Snowy 77 0
u River
Y 97
W 74
H 75 ROAD Tambo River
Corryong River Lake Dartmouth Omeo u u 95 reviR Nicholson 73 VALLEY Y 94 HIGHWA 96 VALLEY River
AY Mitta River Mitchell Mitta KING Dargo 77 MURR River Lake Wellington Lake Hume U Bairnsdale 72
Kiewa PRINCES River
ALPINE Sale
u
T WAY River A HIGH u Avon GRE River 93 71 78 River HWY 76 77
HYLAND 90 River Wodonga 30 June 2008 70 Macalister u
River T Traralgon King 87 91 Thompson
81
92 HIGHWAY
S
u
Wangaratta
HWY 86
National or other park greater than 1000 ha National or other park/area less than 1000 ha Marine national park greater than 1000 ha Marine national park or marine sanctuary less than 1000 ha Y 89
u
Ovens 79 KI
C
Y
Moe
E D
65 A 80
88 L N
Lake Mulwala
W E
FREEWA A E Z
L 87
64 E R S 85
69 Lake Eildon R T P River La Trobe 82
Benalla F S IP
Lake Mokoan G u u Warragul A - X A 66
63 1 - 104 Broken HWY 62 84
SOUTH
River
HIGHW ALLEY AY
V
H
67 A
D 55
R N
O PRINCES 83
O 61
HIGHWAY R
A
WAY HIGH
M BASS
Shepparton HIGHWA
Y 56
u MELBA VALLEY P Q 54
51
N 57
MURRAY R
U 60
B O
L
Yarra U O Goulburn G u
Seymour ya 53 Dandenong
52 rr
u u HUME
49 M 48 68 River N Areas managed under the National Parks Act Areas managed under the National Parks M u MIDLAND AY 47 Waranga Reservoir L 50 29 46 HIGHW 59
K River 45 u
THERN 58
J NOR FWY 44
MELBOURNE
River 43
Y
A 32
Campaspe W I
FWY H
G ribee I
Echuca H er
W PRINCES H 31 28 Lake Eppalock u
River HIGHWAY 36 G 30 27 u River 33 AY 37
N
F Y R
WAY E
ROAD
HIGHW W T H S Moorabool 35
E
HIGH
Lorne
W
River
LODDON VALLEY D u N AY
A
Geelong
L Ballarat
Loddon
D 42 I
River Bendigo M
u AY HIGHW
W H Barwon G E 22 34 u I H
25 26 CALDER HIGHWAY u Swan Hill
24
Lake Corangamite Colac u River
41
Maryborough
Creek 42
A voca
VALLEY 21
S 40
MURRAY E
E N
23
E
20 D R Mt.Emu
AYSIA 39
Y
P WAY
SUNR N C S
Lake Buloke A
Y E E
A C C
u HIGH
N
W I O
H R
Murray HIGHWAY P
GI
Lake Tyrrell
River T
H Y WAY 12 A H A
HIG E Y W
R
HWY
A
H G
W
GI Ararat
H Hopkins H
G 38 WAY HI
River HIGH HOPKINS u
TON B
IA l YS
3 A
SUNR o
11 HAMIL Y o A HIGHW
b 2 HENTY m
CALDER u a
u n
BORUNG
Y River
A r
W H H I G r 19 Mildura a u u W Ouyen Lake Albacutya 10
6 Wimmera
18 Y Lake Hindmarsh
WA
Y A G L
RN Horsham E Rocklands Reservoir
HIGH E N T HENTY E S 8
L
HIGHW E
non
G Portland
W A Hamilton
5 R E 17
Wan u
M
M
I W 7 16 13
PRINCES MALLEE 15 1
A
River Glenelg 14 9
4 STURT
33 34 www.dse.vic.gov.au