MULLUM MULLUM CREEK LINEAR PARK STAGE 3 MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFT June 2008 Contents Acknowledgments......................................................................................................................iv Executive Summary....................................................................................................................v 1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Manningham’s Open Space Vision............................................................................. 1 1.2 Development of the Mullum Mullum Creek Linear Park.............................................. 2 1.3 Purpose of the Mullum Mullum Creek Linear Park Stage 3 Management Plan.......... 4 1.4 Plan Development....................................................................................................... 5 2 Context ................................................................................................................................ 8 2.1 The Study Area ........................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Policy Background..................................................................................................... 11 2.2.1 State and Regional Policies and Studies ......................................................... 11 2.2.2 Local Studies and Policies................................................................................ 14 3 Community Consultation ................................................................................................... 20 3.1 Community Survey.................................................................................................... 20 3.1.1 Results from the community survey ................................................................. 20 3.2 Information Session................................................................................................... 22 4 Cultural Heritage................................................................................................................ 24 4.1.1 Legislative Responsibilities............................................................................... 24 4.1.2 Methodology ..................................................................................................... 25 4.1.3 Implications for the trail alignment.................................................................... 28 5 Flora, Fauna and Habitat................................................................................................... 31 5.1 Ecological Survey...................................................................................................... 31 5.2 Biogeographical Regions .......................................................................................... 32 5.3 Vegetation Types ...................................................................................................... 33 5.4 Ecological Condition of Habitat ................................................................................. 39 5.5 Flora .......................................................................................................................... 42 5.5.1 Diversity of Indigenous Flora............................................................................ 43 5.5.2 Significant Plant Species.................................................................................. 43 5.5.3 Weeds............................................................................................................... 45 5.6 Fauna ........................................................................................................................ 46 5.6.1 Invertebrates..................................................................................................... 47 5.6.2 Fish................................................................................................................... 50 5.6.3 Frogs................................................................................................................. 50 5.6.4 Reptiles............................................................................................................. 51 5.6.5 Mammals .......................................................................................................... 51 5.6.6 Birds.................................................................................................................. 52 5.6.7 Birds’ Tolerance of Shared Paths..................................................................... 53 5.7 Ecological Connections to Other Habitat .................................................................. 55 5.8 Overall Biological Significance Rating....................................................................... 56 5.9 Summary of Implications for the Shared Path Route................................................ 56 5.10 Implications for Bushland Management.................................................................... 57 6 Fire Management .............................................................................................................. 59 6.1 Municipal Fire Prevention Plan ................................................................................. 59 6.2 Background ............................................................................................................... 59 6.3 Emergency Access.................................................................................................... 60 6.4 Designated Fire Breaks............................................................................................. 63 7 Waterway Management..................................................................................................... 64 7.1 Mullum Mullum Waterway Management Activity Plan .............................................. 64 7.2 Mullum Mullum Creek Geomorphology Investigation (March 2007)......................... 68 7.3 Wastewater Management ......................................................................................... 70 7.4 Melbourne Water Requirements for shared paths and waterway crossings ............ 70 7.4.1 Bridges and waterway crossings...................................................................... 71 8 Recreation Use..................................................................................................................73 8.1 Walking and cycling................................................................................................... 73 8.1.1 Link to Alder Court Reserve, Park Orchards.................................................... 76 8.2 Nature Appreciation................................................................................................... 76 8.3 Horse Riding.............................................................................................................. 76 8.4 Dog walking............................................................................................................... 78 June 2008 i 9 Infrastructure and Facilities ............................................................................................... 80 9.1 Mullum Mullum Trail .................................................................................................. 80 9.1.1 Shared Paths.................................................................................................... 80 9.1.2 Boardwalks ....................................................................................................... 82 9.1.3 Footbridges....................................................................................................... 84 9.1.4 Melbourne Water Pipe Track (Pipeline Reserve)............................................. 84 9.1.5 Description of Shared Path Route.................................................................... 85 9.1.6 Shared Path Maintenance.............................................................................. 110 9.2 Secondary Paths..................................................................................................... 110 9.3 Car Parking ............................................................................................................. 112 9.4 Seating .................................................................................................................... 112 9.5 Signage ................................................................................................................... 112 9.6 Fencing.................................................................................................................... 112 9.7 Public Toilets ........................................................................................................... 113 10 Vision and Objectives...................................................................................................... 114 10.1 Vision....................................................................................................................... 114 10.2 Objectives................................................................................................................ 114 10.3 Development priorities and funding......................................................................... 130 References ............................................................................................................................ 141 Appendix A – Community Survey Results............................................................................