Disclaimer While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this report is complete, accurate and up to date, Tredwell Management Services (TMS) make no warranty, representation or undertaking whether expressed or implied, nor do they assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect, or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information. Tredwell Management | Augusta Margaret River Bridle Trail Master Plan June 2014 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................... I 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Background................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Project Aims ........................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Project Methodology .............................................................................................. 2 2. STRATEGIC POLICY CONTEXT ................................................................. 3 2.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Strategic Policy Documents ................................................................................... 3 2.2.1 Western Australian Trails Strategy 2009-2015 (Department of Sport and Recreation, Government of Western Australia; 2008) ...................................... 3 2.2.2 Future Direction of Trails Development in Western Australia (Department of Sport and Recreation, Government of Western Australia; 2003) ..................... 4 2.2.3 Western Australian Equestrian Tracks and Trails Study (The Western Australian Horse Council; June 2006) ................................................................................ 4 2.2.4 WA Horse Trails Strategy (Australian Horse Trail Riders Association; forthcoming) ....................................................................................................... 5 2.2.5 Trails SA Sustainable Recreational Trails (Trails SA & Government of South Australia; 2008).................................................................................................. 5 2.2.6 Further resources .............................................................................................. 5 2.3 Alignment with Shire of Augusta-Margaret River Strategic Plans & Policies ....... 5 2.3.1 AMR Community Strategic Plan 2033............................................................... 5 2.3.2 Corporate Plan 2013-2017 ................................................................................ 6 3. HORSE RIDING IN THE SHIRE OF AUGUSTA MARGARET RIVER............ 7 3.1 Permitted horse riding areas.................................................................................. 7 3.1.1 Public roads and paths ...................................................................................... 7 3.1.2 Shire Parks, Reserves and Foreshores ............................................................ 7 3.1.3 Crown Land ....................................................................................................... 7 3.1.4 Conservation Reserves ..................................................................................... 8 3.1.5 State Forests and Timber Reserves ................................................................. 9 3.1.6 Licenses (issued to permit controlled access to Conservation Reserves) ....... 9 3.1.7 Summary.......................................................................................................... 10 4. TRAILS AND TRACKS IN THE SHIRE....................................................... 11 4.1 Existing Trails ....................................................................................................... 11 4.1.1 Cape to Cape Track ........................................................................................ 11 4.1.2 Augusta Busselton Heritage Trail.................................................................... 11 4.1.3 Margaret River Heritage Trail .......................................................................... 11 4.1.4 Shire Reserve: Former Railway Reserve........................................................ 11 4.1.5 Carters Road Trails ......................................................................................... 12 4.1.6 Ten Mile Brook Cycle/Walk Trail ..................................................................... 12 4.1.7 Ten Mile Brook Dam Walk............................................................................... 12 4.1.8 Prevelly Cycle/Walk Trail (9km) ...................................................................... 12 Tredwell Management | Augusta Margaret River Bridle Trail Master Plan June 2014 4.2 Proposed Trails Projects...................................................................................... 12 4.2.1 Flinders Bay to Busselton Rail Trail ................................................................ 12 4.2.2 Trails hub development at Rotary Park ........................................................... 12 4.2.3 Cape Leeuwin-Flinders Bay Trail .................................................................... 12 4.2.4 Review of the Shire Path Plan......................................................................... 13 5. CONSULTATION ....................................................................................... 14 5.1 Online Community Survey ................................................................................... 14 5.2 Community Workshop.......................................................................................... 15 5.3 Additional Submission.......................................................................................... 15 5.4 Mapping................................................................................................................ 15 5.5 Public Review of the Draft Master Plan ............................................................... 15 6. STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR BRIDLE TRAIL DEVELOPMENT .. 16 6.1 Barriers to access ................................................................................................ 16 6.2 Strategic Policy Documents and Guidelines ....................................................... 16 6.2.1 Operational Policy 13: Recreation within public drinking water source areas on Crown Land (Gov.of Western Australia, Dept. of Water; Sept 2012) ............. 17 6.2.2 Policy Statement No.18 Policy Guidelines – Recreation, Tourism & Visitor Services (Department of Environment and Conservation) ............................. 18 6.2.3 Proposed Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 (Conservation Commission of Western Australia; April 2013)......................................................................... 20 6.2.4 Leeuwin-Naturaliste Capes Area Parks and Reserves Management Plan.... 21 6.2.5 Managing Phytophthora Dieback in Bushland, Edition 4; 2008 (Dieback Working Group) .............................................................................................................. 23 6.2.6 Western Australian Road Rules Relating to Horses and Riders .................... 24 6.3 Environmental and Social Impact Considerations............................................... 25 6.3.1 Environmental/Biophysical Impacts ................................................................ 25 6.3.2 Social Impacts ................................................................................................. 27 6.3.3 Management Practices & Strategies ............................................................... 28 6.3.4 Codes of Conduct ............................................................................................ 28 6.3.5 Sharing the Bush (ATHRA) ............................................................................. 30 6.3.6 Monitoring Impacts & Assessing Management Effectiveness ........................ 31 7. BRIDLE TRAIL INFRASTRUCTURE - TYPICAL REQUIREMENTS ........... 34 7.1 Horse Trail Infrastructure Guidelines ................................................................... 34 7.2 Bridle Trail Design................................................................................................ 36 7.2.1 Bridle Trail Dimensions.................................................................................... 36 7.2.2 Bridle Trail Surface .......................................................................................... 36 7.2.3 Multi-Use Trail Surfaces .................................................................................. 36 8. POTENTIAL BRIDLE TRAIL PROJECTS................................................... 38 8.1 Approach to Bridle Trail Project Identification ..................................................... 38 8.2 Trail Project Prioritisation & Timeframes ............................................................. 38 8.2.1 Trail Network - Hierarchy ................................................................................. 39 8.2.2 Trail Classification............................................................................................ 40 8.2.3 Trail Project Partners ....................................................................................... 40 8.2.4 Resources/Indicative Cost Bracket ................................................................. 41 Tredwell Management | Augusta Margaret