Guidelines for the Management of Roadside Vegetation Prepared by the Native Vegetation Council November 2012 Message from the Presiding Member South Australia’s native vegetation is a significant and The conservation and protection of roadside native important asset. It not only is important for its source of vegetation is a shared responsibility. This document, biodiversity but also contributes significantly to our well- Guidelines for the Management of Roadside Vegetation, being, creating a sense of place, ameliorating extremes of has been produced as part of a package of guides and weather and contributing to sustainable agriculture. As a management templates to assist councils, government result of the high levels of clearance of native vegetation, agencies and members of the public to embrace and steps have been taken to ensure the ongoing preservation manage roadside native vegetation. It also encourages and regeneration of what remains of our native vegetation. them to work in partnership with the Native Vegetation Council, through the Native Vegetation and Biodiversity The Native Vegetation Act 1991 ensures that remnant native Management Unit of the Department of Environment, Water vegetation is protected and that clearance is subject to and Natural Resources, for the preservation and appropriate a thorough assessment process. The Native Vegetation management of roadside vegetation. Council is responsible for providing advice and making decisions about the removal and management of native We look forward to working with you to protect remaining vegetation in line with the Act. fragments of South Australia’s native vegetation. In some parts of the State, roadside vegetation is the only remaining native vegetation in an extensively cleared landscape, when compared to pre-European settlement. Native vegetation along roads and tracks provides essential habitat for native flora and faunal species. It takes only a brief walk in a patch of roadside native vegetation to begin Dennis Mutton, to appreciate its diversity and importance as habitat. Presiding Member, Native Vegetation Council Native vegetation along roadways serves as a natural, November 2012 sustainable and minimal maintenance ground cover which helps prevent soil erosion, reduces stormwater run-off and provides diversity in the landscape. However, roadside native vegetation is under potential threat through pressures from development and degradation. Contents Message from the Presiding Member ................................................................................................ 02 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 04 1.1 PROTECTING ROADSIDE VEGETATION ............................................................................................04 1.2 PURPOSE OF THESE GUIDELINES ....................................................................................................05 1.3 CONSULTATION AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES – “CLEARANCE APPROVAL” ...................................05 1.4 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................06 2 Local Council Roadworks ........................................................................................................... 07 2.1 ROADSIDE MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................07 2.2 NEW ROADWORKS ........................................................................................................................08 2.3 GENERAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ............................................................................................08 3 Pest Plant and Animal Control .................................................................................................... 11 4 Bushfire Protection ...................................................................................................................... 13 5 Clearance for Fencelines ........................................................................................................... 14 6 Clearance for Access to Adjoining Land .................................................................................... 15 7 Installation and Maintenance of Services ................................................................................. 16 8 Grazing of Roadsides .................................................................................................................. 17 9 Removal of Plant Material ........................................................................................................... 18 9.1 COLLECTION OF DEAD TIMBER .....................................................................................................18 9.2 CUTTING OF LIVE TIMBER ..............................................................................................................19 9.3 BRUSH-CUTTING ............................................................................................................................19 9.4 SEED COLLECTION ........................................................................................................................19 9.5 FLOWER HARVESTING ....................................................................................................................19 10 Maintaining Biodiversity on Roadsides ...................................................................................... 20 10.1 ECOLOGICAL PRESCRIBED BURNING ............................................................................................20 10.2 MISTLETOE INFESTATION .................................................................................................................21 10.3 LERP INFESTATIONS ........................................................................................................................21 10.4 PLANT DISEASES ............................................................................................................................22 10.5 GARDEN ESCAPEES .......................................................................................................................23 11 Undeveloped Road Reserves ...................................................................................................... 24 11.1 LEASED ROADS .............................................................................................................................24 11.2 ROAD CLOSURES ..........................................................................................................................24 12 Recreational Trails on Road Reserves ........................................................................................ 25 13 Restoration of Roadside Vegetation ........................................................................................... 26 14 Assistance for Roadside Vegetation Management .................................................................... 27 15 Formation of Local Roadside Vegetation Advisory Groups ....................................................... 28 16 Variations to Guidelines .............................................................................................................. 29 17 Glossary ....................................................................................................................................... 30 This document is part of an initiative for the effective Management of Roadside Vegetation. The accompanying documents: • Preparing Roadside Vegetation Management Plans: a guide to assist local councils • Roadside Vegetation Management Plans Template • Instructions to the RVMP template can be found online at www.environment.sa.gov.au/nativevegetation 1 Introduction 1.1 PROTECTING ROADSIDE VEGETATION Native vegetation along roadsides is significant for many reasons. For the most part, it has never been cleared or grazed, and in some areas is virtually the only remaining example of the original vegetation. It provides habitat for native wildlife, and often supports populations of threatened1 species. Roadside trees can be very old and contain resources (e.g. hollows) less common in younger surrounding vegetation. Along with other remnant vegetation and scattered paddock trees, roadside vegetation can facilitate movements of wildlife, particularly birds, through the landscape. Roadside vegetation can also provide a source of seed for revegetation projects and, for adjoining landholders, it provides a shelterbelt that usually Fig 1. Roadsides provide habitat for wildlife Fig 2. Remnant woodland requires little maintenance. on roadside, South East SA Reflecting this importance, native roadside vegetation is protected in South Australia through This publication, Guidelines for the Management both the Local Government Act 1999 and the of Roadside Vegetation, has been prepared to Native Vegetation Act 1991. Under the Local fulfil the requirements of part (ii) of regulation 5(i)(y) Government Act any removal or disturbance of above. The guidelines do have legal status and roadside vegetation requires the permission of the must be followed by local councils who do not local council. Under the Native Vegetation Act such have roadside vegetation management plans3 removal or disturbance also requires the permission approved by the Native Vegetation Council. of the Native Vegetation Council (the Council) unless a specific exemption applies through one Note of the Native Vegetation