Easy Otway Landcare Group East Otway Landcare Group LocalLocal Biodiversity Area Biodiversity Action Plan Plan (Photo: Mike Robinson-Koss) Brown Treecreeper (Photo: DSE/McCann) (Photo: Mike Robinson-Koss) 1 East Otway Landcare Group Local Area Biodiversity Plan This Plan has been compiled by the Flora and Fauna Unit of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (Colac), with assistance from the Biodiversity Unit of the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and in consultation with the East Otway Landcare Group. The plan is intended to be used as both a community resource and to assist Project Officers in planning and implementing the conservation and restoration of biodiversity within the East Otway Landcare area. Produced November 2003 2 Table of Contents Statement of Purpose…………………………………………………… 4 Appendix 1 – Flora Species List for East Otway Landcare Group Area 32 Introduction……………………………………………………………………. 5 Appendix 2 – Vertebrate Fauna Species List for East Otway Landcare Overview of the Target Area………………………………… 7 Group Area 34 The Bioregional Planning Context……………………………………….. 8 Appendix 3 – Bioregional Conservation Status of EVCs 36 Victorian Bioregions…………………………………………….. 9 Appendix 4 –Information and Contacts 37 Landscape Zones……………………………………………. 10 Biodiversity of the Regional Landscape…………………….. 11 Biodiversity of the Local Area…………………… 12 Vegetation 12 Threatened flora and fauna 16 Biodiversity Planning Principles and Priorities…………. 17 Remnant Protection / Enhancement Criteria………. 18 Remnant Protection / Enhancement Actions…………. 19 Restoration Priorities and Actions…………………………….. 20 Focal Species…………………………………………………………………… 21 Focal Species Approach……………………………………… 21 East Otway Landcare Group Focal Species…… 22 East Otway Landcare Group Area Priorities……………………………………… 24 Priority Remnants on Private land Map………………………… 25 Threatened Species Habitat Map…………………………………… 26 Priority Creeklines Map………………………………………………… 27 Priority Roadsides Map…………………………………………………. 28 Linkage Zones Map………………………………………………………… 29 Priority Areas for Biodiversity Actions…………………… 30 3 East Otway Landcare Group Biodiversity Plan Statement of Purpose. “To protect, enhance and extend indigenous biodiversity while promoting sustainable ways of living in the landscape.” This plan seeks to: Facilitate partnerships between the Increase awareness within the local community community, public land managers and other of the need for biodiversity conservation agencies or organisations with responsibility Outline the processes which threaten for environmental protection or natural biodiversity values within the local area resource management Highlight the habitats and species that are most Promote biodiversity conservation within a in need of protection context of sustainable agricultural production Provide focus and direction for actions to Provide a resource that will act as a basis for enhance biodiversity values discussion and future decision-making with regard to biodiversity restoration 4 Introduction What is biodiversity? Some examples of benefits to rural landholders from biodiversity Biodiversity (or biological diversity) refers to the variety of life forms; the conservation practices are outlined below: different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form. For the purposes of this plan, we are referring to the MANAGEMENT PRACTICES BENEFITS TO LANDHOLDERS local native biodiversity of the Linton-Pittong area. Retention of remnant vegetation Habitat for birds, mammals and insects (potential reduction in insecticide use). Why is native biodiversity important? Increased shelter for stock, pasture and crops (resulting in increased production). Biodiversity affects us all and is a fundamental part of our lives and of all Potential for family recreational opportunities (bird watching, nature walks, agricultural production. Local ecosystems provide services, such as clean air etc). and water, on which we all depend and which are vital to agriculture. Many Increased property values. interactions, such as pollination, would not be possible without the presence of Conservation and protection of rare species. Legacy for future generations. other species and processes. Increased gross value of pasture output (at its highest when proportion of remnants is 34%). Natural regeneration of indigenous species. Seed supply for on-farm revegetation. Less reliance on introduced pollinators (as much as 50% of pollination is carried out by native insects that fly from nearby bushland). Reduced salinity, waterlogging, wind and water erosion problems. Improved property landscape and aesthetics. Retention or establishment of vegetation Increase in wildlife species. Waterfowl eat the snail that hosts the liver fluke parasite around farm dams and wetlands in sheep. Safer working conditions. Decreased stock fatalities. Bank stabilisation. Interception & use of nutrients before entering storage. Natural filtration provides cleaner water for stock and homestead. Maintenance of native grasses Fire protection (green fuel in summer). Feed source (selective grazing) in summer. Low rates of fertilizer required. Reduced micron size for wool Wetlands established Fire protection (firebreak and water source). Drought back-up. Family swimming area. Habitat created (with resultant natural pest control). 5 Goals for Biodiversity The principles and objectives outlined in the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia‟s Biodiversity (1996) and further refined in the statewide strategy Victoria‟s Biodiversity (1997) provide the framework for biodiversity conservation at a National and State level, and establish “bioregions” as the basic regions for biodiversity planning. Briefly, the statewide goals for biodiversity management are to: Reverse the decline in the extent and quality of native vegetation Maintain and improve the diversity and long-term viability of species and ecological communities Maintain and restore ecological processes in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments The Biodiversity Action Planning Strategic Overviews for the Otway Ranges and Otway Plain bioregions detail the priority biodiversity assets within these bioregions, and translate the principles into actions that will assist in achieving the statewide objectives. The East Oway Landcare Group Biodiversity Plan acknowledges the guiding principles and core objectives of the national, state and bioregional strategies. The plan outlines at a local level the priorities and actions necessary to conserve and enhance natural habitats and improve the long-term viability of the populations of native plants and animals within them. Field officer inspecting remnant vegetation (Photo: DSE, Colac) What is Biodiversity Planning? Biodiversity Action Planning is an approach to identify and protect our native plants and animals. This approach involves prioritising to conserve threatened and declining species. Yarra Pigmy Perch (Photo: DNRE) 6 East Otway Landcare Group Area Overview of the Target Area The East Otway Landcare Group covers an area of approximately 12,000 ha WINCHELSEA SOUTH between Winchelsea in the north and Wymbooliel in the south, and extending # D C R OAL M from Deans Marsh in the east to Boonah in the west. The area lies within the IN E ROA H D S R Barwon Catchment, and is drained northwards by the Deans Marsh Creek, A M S D N Pennyroyal Creek, Yan Yan Gurt Creek, Retreat Creek and other minor A D A O E A R D O - P tributaries. R A E M K S A E L W E E S The landscape in the north-western section of the area consists of undulating R H Y C C # N D T D I D D L E O A W A plains and hillslopes, while the south-eastern half is characterised by deeply A BAMBRA N O P L S T D R R RIF LE BU T D T T Y E S R OA S D E dissected hills. The soils of the area are highly prone to erosion. A N D R L A O O R E L R A A G L D K T R L I R Thirty-six per cent of the study area is public land. Extensive areas in the E A A L M P T P H U P A southern half of the zone are included in the Otway State Forest, and are R A O D R O N S K R I E A D T J E R utilised for timber harvesting (mainly sawlogs for building materials) and E D R B R AT IRR E S V GU RR O A A-DEA L N S R F L M ARS EY H R D O recreation. Commercial sawlog harvesting is to be phased out of the Otway # RO A A B B D D D A A M M A DEANS MARSH B B R O State Forest by 2008. The future status of this land, including potential R A- R D A B O A C O H D E N O A A A M H R E R N additions to the reserve system, is currently being formulated by the O T O O Y E A R R D O E Y L B S R L O Victorian Environmental Assessment Council. H A A S V D M R U L A # E A R N B K N I Y TR BOONAH C K There are a number of parks and reserves in the area, most notably the O A S C R K SP Y UR N T Bambra Education Area and Bambra Bushland Reserve. N R A E C K P P E N Freehold land is used primarily for cattle grazing and commercial softwood N Y A CK TR R NIE N TLE AN plantations, with a number of „lifestyle‟ properties around Pennyroyal, Boonah O GE Y A S IN C OC K RO AD L S ROAD EAVIEW and Bambra. Emerging enterprises in the area include Tasmanian Blue Gum - S C W L A Y R K M plantations, olive groves and viticulture. S B P U O R O T L R A I Liaison with the managers of public land to ensure that biodiversity E C K L R D conservation actions complement those on private land will be an important P D E U N component of biodiversity planning in this area. N N N O S Y E R R M T O # A BENWERRIN R Y D N BIG A A E HILL TR A L A T C CK R N K T A S K W C M K A I C R K S H H - A L M O R T N N R # E A C R 1 0 1 2 Kilom etres WYMBOOLIEL D K 7 The Bioregional Planning Context Victorian Bioregions Bioregions are the principal regional units adopted for biodiversity planning in Victoria comprises 22 terrestrial bioregions as indicated on the map below.