Point Nepean National Park a n d Point Nepean Quarantine Station Management Plan 2009 This Management Plan for Point Nepean National Park and Point Nepean Quarantine Station is approved for implementation. Its purpose is to direct all aspects of management of the area until the plan is reviewed. A Draft Management Plan for the area was published in June 2006. Thirty-three submissions were received. All submissions have been considered in preparing this approved Management Plan. For further information on this plan, please contact: Manager Point Nepean Chief Executive Officer Parks Victoria Point Nepean Community Trust Level 10, 535 Bourke Street Level 3, 22 William Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone: 13 1963 Phone: (03) 9927 2222 Copies This plan may be downloaded from the Parks Victoria website www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. or the Point Nepean Community Trust website www.pointnepeantrust.org. Copies of this plan may be purchased for $8.80 including GST from: Parks Victoria Information Centre Level 10, 535 Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone: 13 1963 Parks Victoria Rosebud Office Hinton Street Rosebud VIC 3939 Phone: (03) 5986 9100 The Point Nepean Visitor Centre Point Nepean National Park Point Nepean Road Portsea VIC 3944 Tel: (03) 5984 1586 POINT NEPEAN NATIONAL PARK AND POINT NEPEAN QUARANTINE STATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2009 Published in 2009 by Parks Victoria and the Point Nepean Community Trust Parks Victoria, Level 10, 535 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 Point Nepean Community Trust, Level 3, 22 William Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Parks Victoria. Point Nepean National Park and Point Nepean Quarantine Station management plan / Parks Victoria and Point Nepean Community Trust. Melbourne: Parks Victoria and Point Nepean Community Trust, 2009. ISBN 9780731183784 (pbk.) Bibliography. Point Nepean Quarantine Station (Vic.) National parks and reserves–Victoria–Nepean, Point, Region–Management. Quarantine–Victoria–Nepean, Point, Region–Management. Point Nepean National Park (Vic.) Point Nepean Community Trust (Vic.) 333.783099452 Cover: Views of the Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait coast at Point Nepean, the Point Nepean Quarantine Station buildings and historic photographs of the forts, barracks and other infrastructure at Fort Nepean. Historic photographs of the forts are provided courtesy of the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Quarantine Station photographs courtesy of Wayne Bootham, Toothpicks Creative. Acknowledgements: Acknowledgement of Country: In their rich culture, Indigenous Australians are intrinsically connected to the continent – including the area now known as Victoria. Parks Victoria and the Point Nepean Community Trust recognise that the planning area is part of Country of the Boonwurrung people. Parks Victoria and the Point Nepean Community Trust are grateful to all those organisations and individuals who have contributed to this Final Management Plan. Special thanks go to: • the Boonwurrung Foundation Ltd and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. • the members of the Point Nepean Advisory Committee: Dr Mick Lumb (Chair), Kate Baillieu, Harry Breidahl, Bernie Fox, Dr Ursula de Jong, Judy Muir, Chris Smyth, Alex Atkins, John Taylor and Dianne Weidner. Thanks are also extended to Ian Harris and Dr Michael Kennedy as former committee members and to Stephen Hare, Frank Hindley, Lisa de Jong, Bill Breidahl and Troy Muir in their role as alternative representatives for members of the committee. • the trustees of the Point Nepean Community Trust: Simon McKeon (Chair), Geoff Bailey, Bruce Lever, Carolyn Briggs, Dr Ursula de Jong, David Stewart, Nina Cullen, Andrew Sutherland and Mark Stone. Thanks are also extended to Tom Harley as former trustee. Note: Technical terms used in this plan are explained in the Glossary at the end of the plan. Disclaimers: This plan is prepared without prejudice to any negotiations or litigated outcome of any native title determination applications covering land or water within the planning area. It is acknowledged that any future outcomes of native title determination applications may necessitate amendment of this Management Plan; and the implementation of this plan may require further notifications under the procedures in Division 3 of Part 2 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth). The plan is also prepared without prejudice to any future negotiated outcomes between the Governments/s and Victorian Aboriginal communities. It is acknowledged that such outcomes may necessitate amendment of this plan. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this plan is accurate. Parks Victoria and the Point Nepean Community Trust do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind and therefore disclaim all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from any person relying on any information in the publication. FOREWORD Point Nepean has outstanding heritage value Victoria and the Point Nepean Community for Australia. The Point Nepean Defence Sites Trust seek to strengthen their relationships and Quarantine Station Area is included on the with individuals and community groups with National Heritage List. The site is particularly particular interests in Point Nepean and to significant for its important role in Australia’s encourage them to share custodianship and quarantine protection and coastal defences, participate in management. with over 100 years of evidence of quarantine This Management Plan sets the long-term processes and defence fortifications. management directions for Point Nepean. It Point Nepean is renowned for its historic will help realise the aspirations of the features, spectacular coastal scenery and community and both the Victorian and panoramic views of Bass Strait, the Rip and Australian Governments for a truly integrated Port Phillip Bay. national park at Point Nepean. Implementation of the plan will see the Quarantine Station Point Nepean is within the Country of the revitalised to become a key attraction. The Boonwurrung people. Parks Victoria on behalf plan will ensure that Point Nepean remains a of the Victorian Government, and the Point nationally significant cultural and nature-based Nepean Community Trust on behalf of the destination for future generations. Australian Government, acknowledge the significance of Point Nepean to the We thank the members of the Point Nepean Boonwurrung people and seek to reflect the Advisory Committee and the Trustees of the views, interests and aspirations of the Point Nepean Community Trust for their Traditional Owners in managing the park. valuable contributions to the plan. We also thank those individuals and organisations who There is great potential to enrich and contributed to the preparation of the plan and strengthen the management of Point Nepean those who made submissions on the draft plan. by engaging the community’s knowledge, skills and enthusiasm. To this end, Parks GAVIN JENNINGS MLC The HON PETER GARRETT AM MP Minister for Environment and Climate Change Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Point Nepean National Park and Point Nepean Quarantine Station Management Plan iii SUMMARY Proclaimed in August 2005, Point Nepean • Establish a range of accommodation and National Park is one of Victoria’s newest associated services to meet the needs of a parks. The proposed inclusion of the broad market. Quarantine Station into the National Park will • realise the aspirations of the State and Establish multi-disciplinary education and Australian Governments and the community research facilities. for a unified National Park at Point Nepean. • Adopt a holistic approach to landscape and The Point Nepean Defence Sites and ecological management through programs Quarantine Station Area was included on the that protect cultural settings and threatened National Heritage List on 16 June 2006 in species and habitats, build knowledge, recognition of its outstanding heritage values, manage the use of fire, and restore coastal particularly with regard to the Quarantine woodlands and grassland habitats. Station and defence sites. It is renowned for its • Work in partnership with the beautiful coastal scenery and significant range Boonwurrung to protect Indigenous places of plants and animals, including threatened and objects and reflect and integrate species and habitats. Its inspirational Boonwurrung knowledge, interests and landscapes illuminate many eras of historic aspirations for Point Nepean in all land use, including cultural landscape settings planning and management. at the fortifications and in the Quarantine • Station. Point Nepean contains extensive Protect, conserve, manage and present Indigenous places and objects that are integral historic values, with an emphasis on to the cultural beliefs of the Boonwurrung conserving the fortifications and managing people. heritage buildings through re-use. The Quarantine Station and its significant • Provide for a mix of recreation, tourism, heritage values present exciting opportunities education, research and community uses, for Point Nepean to become a nationally and while applying high standards of internationally significant cultural and nature- environmental management. based tourism destination, illustrating the • Enhance visitor experiences by improving historic uses of the place and best practice in access, providing quality facilities, the adaptive re-use of the historic buildings. establishing tourism and recreational links This Management Plan ensures an integrated between