Tasmanian Geological Survey Tasmania Record 1997/04 Interim Management Plan for the Mt Read RAP A Co-operatively Formulated Plan by Government Agencies, Statutory Bodies and Relevant Land Users for the Mt Read RAP SUMMARY The formulation of this plan by a co-operative committee, comprising representatives from Government Agencies, statutory bodies and relevant land users, is a ‘first’ for Tasmania. The effort by these various parties with an interest in the Mt Read area demonstrates the commitment to protect the area in the absence of any formal reserve. The Mt Read RAP is almost entirely covered by two current mining leases, ML7M/91 over the Henty gold deposit and ML28M/93 associated with the Rosebery silver-lead-zinc mine, and exploration licence EL5/96 held by Renison Limited. The RAP is within the Mt Read Strategic Prospectivity Zone, which means that if the status of the land is changed and this effectively prevents activities on the current mining tenements, then compensation may be payable. The vegetation around Lake Johnston is acknowledged as having exceptionally high conservation and scientific values, which is why a management plan for the area was written in 1992 and adopted by the lessee. There is a need to expand the scope of the previous plan so that all users of the Mt Read area are aware of the need to abide by measures to protect the vegetation. In addition, media reports have generated much interest in the ancient stands of Huon pine growing in one part of the Mt Read RAP. Studies indicate that the existing Huon pine on the site comprises one or a few individuals which may have vegetatively reproduced on the site since the last glaciation. Demands for visitor/tourist access to view this ancient organism are increasing, and damage is being caused by unauthorised visits. This report recommends that the area around Lake Johnston be made a Nature Reserve (under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970). The area could remain within the mining lease or the area could be excised from the lease with the consent of the lessee. The area which could be made a Nature Reserve is shown in Figure 1. A management plan and regulations could be made to assist with management of the Nature Reserve. Such a plan would have statutory effect; this plan does not. The area covered by the remainder of the RAP needs to remain within the existing mining leases and exploration licence. Conditions are already in place to ensure the two lessees take steps to protect the vegetation values. Additional land users should abide by the provisions of this plan, so all those needing to access the Mt Read area abide by the same vegetation protection and hygiene measures. The report recommends that all land users adopt this Interim Management Plan for the time being, and that the Interim Management Committee (i.e. signatories to this plan) continue to meet as required until a formal change of status for the proposed Lake Johnston Nature Reserve has been made. When the area around Lake Johnston is a Nature Reserve, an Advisory Committee can be established under the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970 to advise on the management of the area. Until that time the Interim Management Committee should administer the Interim Management Plan by agreement between the parties involved. Tasmanian Geological Survey Record 1997/04 1 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That the area around Lake Johnston be made a Nature Reserve. The area can remain within Mining Lease 28M/93 or can be excised by agreement with Pasminco Mining. 2. That a management plan be written to guide the management of the Lake Johnston Nature Reserve, and that this plan contain detailed prescriptions governing visitor access. The Management Plan should: (i) contain recommendations for the development of appropriate infrastructure and regulatory controls to allow sustainable scientific research; and (ii) identify the level and type of educational and recreational visits that are commercially and environmentally sustainable. 3. That an Advisory Committee be established to advise the Minister administering the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970 on management matters affecting the Lake Johnston Nature Reserve. The Advisory Committee should comprise of representatives of all groups who have a reason to access the Mt Read area. NB: Stringent conditions already exist covering operations by the two lessees on the remainder of the RAP. No additional controls are necessary. 4. That the final determination of visitor frequency and numbers should be made by the Parks and Wildlife Service. 5. That a photographic archive of both stills and video footage be established and such material be made freely available to news crews, etc., in preference to such crews taking more (near identical) footage. This will reduce visitor impact and reduce needless duplicate visits. 6. That until a formal change in tenure (i.e. to Nature Reserve) is made, the Interim Management Plan be accepted and used by all parties needing to access the Mt Read RAP; and 7. That the Interim Management Committee continue until a formal Advisory Committee is established. 8. That no access for tourism be granted until such time as a formal Management Plan has been developed for the proposed Lake Johnston Nature Reserve. Tasmanian Geological Survey Record 1997/04 2 SIGNATORIES TO THE MT READ RAP INTERIM MANAGEMENT PLAN Mineral Resources Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service Environment Tasmania Forest Scientists Tourism Tasmania Goldfields Tasmania Limited Pasminco Mining Rosebery Pasminco Exploration Telstra Hydro-Electric Corporation Tasmanian Geological Survey Record 1997/04 3 CONTENTS Summary …………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Recommendations …………………………………………………………………………… 2 Signatories to the Interim Management Plan for the Mt Read RAP……………………………… 2 Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………………………… 5 INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………… 6 MANAGEMENT PLAN OBJECTIVE ………………………………………………………… 6 MANAGEMENT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ………………………………………………… 6 DESCRIPTION OF THE MT READ RAP ……………………………………………………… 7 Location ………………………………………………………………………………… 7 Climate ………………………………………………………………………………… 7 Physiography/topography ………………………………………………………………… 7 Geology ………………………………………………………………………………… 7 Soils …………………………………………………………………………………… 8 Hydrology ……………………………………………………………………………… 8 Surface hydrology …………………………………………………………………… 8 Groundwater ………………………………………………………………………… 8 Vegetation ……………………………………………………………………………… 9 Vegetation and scientific studies ……………………………………………………… 9 Vegetation surveys …………………………………………………………………… 9 Introduced flora ……………………………………………………………………… 9 Phytophthora cinnamomi …………………………………………………………… 9 Fauna …………………………………………………………………………………… 10 Terrestrial fauna …………………………………………………………………… 10 Aquatic fauna ……………………………………………………………………… 10 Invertebrates ………………………………………………………………………… 10 Introduced fauna …………………………………………………………………… 11 Archaeological, conservation and heritage aspects ………………………………………… 11 Tasmanian Aboriginal archaeology …………………………………………………… 11 Areas of historical significance………………………………………………………… 11 Fire management ………………………………………………………………………… 12 Impact of bushfires …………………………………………………………………… 12 Lease conditions ……………………………………………………………………… 12 Exploration Licence conditions………………………………………………………… 12 Reporting of fires …………………………………………………………………… 13 CURRENT LAND USE ……………………………………………………………………… 14 Legislative framework …………………………………………………………………… 14 Land use classifications…………………………………………………………………… 14 Tasmania/Commonwealth Regional Forests Agreement …………………………………… 14 Land tenure ……………………………………………………………………………… 14 Road access ……………………………………………………………………………… 14 Existing controls — mining and exploration ……………………………………………… 14 Existing rights — mining leases…………………………………………………………… 17 Access to Mining Leases ………………………………………………………………… 17 Visitor responsibilities …………………………………………………………………… 17 Permission to visit Mining Leases ………………………………………………………… 17 Visitors to the Mt Read RAP area ………………………………………………………… 17 Scientific study…………………………………………………………………………… 17 Visitor impacts …………………………………………………………………………… 18 Forestry ………………………………………………………………………………… 18 Communications ………………………………………………………………………… 18 INTERIM MANAGEMENT PLAN …………………………………………………………… 19 Management framework ………………………………………………………………… 19 Tasmanian Geological Survey Record 1997/04 4 Possible land use classification …………………………………………………………… 19 Land tenure ……………………………………………………………………………… 20 Proposed Lake Johnston Nature Reserve — constraints on visitation ……………………… 20 Possible visitation guidelines……………………………………………………………… 20 Interim management requirements ……………………………………………………… 21 Flora management …………………………………………………………………… 21 Introduced plant species ……………………………………………………………… 21 Flora management zones ……………………………………………………………… 21 Phytophthora cinnamomi …………………………………………………………… 21 Rehabilitation ……………………………………………………………………… 22 Fire management …………………………………………………………………… 22 Water management …………………………………………………………………… 22 Terrestrial and aquatic fauna management …………………………………………… 22 Introduced fauna …………………………………………………………………… 22 Waste management …………………………………………………………………… 22 Recreation …………………………………………………………………………… 23 Cultural resources …………………………………………………………………… 23 Research …………………………………………………………………………… 23 Environmental education …………………………………………………………… 23 BIBLIOGRAPHY …………………………………………………………………………… 24 APPENDIX 1: Native species observed in the Mt Read RAP …………………………………… 26 APPENDIX 2: Areal extent (ha) of vegetation communities of the Mt Read RAP ………………… 30 APPENDIX 3: Vegetation studies of the Mt Read RAP