Rehabilitation Guidelines for the Resort Areas of Kosciuszko National Park August 2007 Rehabilitation Guidelines for the Resort Areas of Kosciuszko National Park Prepared for: Parks and Wildlife Division Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW PO Box 2228 Jindabyne NSW 2627 Australia By: nghenvironmental PO Box 4770 Bega NSW 2550 Australia Published by: Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW 59-61 Goulburn St PO Box A290 Sydney South 1232 Australia Ph: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard) Ph: 131 555 (environment information and publications requests) Ph: 1300 361 967 (national parks information and publications requests) Fax: (02) 9995 5999 TTy: (02) 9211 4723 Email: [email protected] DECC 2007/596 ISBN 978 1 74232 037 3 First Edition published August 2007 Front cover photographs courtesy of Kosciuszko Thredbo Pty Ltd, Perisher Blue Pty Ltd and Mount Selwyn Snowfields Pty Ltd. Acknowledgements This document has been created in collaboration with Marnie Stewart DEC, Liz MacPhee DEC and a steering committee representing the NSW alpine resorts including Kosciuszko Thredbo, Perisher Blue, Charlotte Pass and Mount Selwyn. It was prepared by nghenvironmental. Liz MacPhee (NPWS Rehabilitation Officer, Former Snowy Sites Scheme) provided significant information in regard to the planning of rehabilitation and relevant rehabilitation techniques that have been researched and applied in Victorian alpine resorts. This information in this document is the intellectual property of the Department of Environment and Conservation and is protected under copyright laws. Amendments and Additions The only controlled copy of the Rehabilitation Guidelines will be the version available at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au Amendments are to be recorded in the table below. When an amendment or addition is made to the Guidelines and advisory email will be sent to interested parties. To be included on the distribution list of the advisory email please contact the NPWS Resorts Section Assessments Coordinator or (02) 6450 5543. A summary of the amendments and additions will also be available on the internet. Section Amendment Reason for amendment Approved by Date reference Rehabilitation Guidelines for the Resort Areas of Kosciuszko National Park Table of Contents A INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES OF REHABILITATION........1 A.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................... 1 A.2 How to use these Guidelines................................................................................................... 3 A.3 Alps in Context ......................................................................................................................... 3 A.4 Central Concepts of Rehabilitation......................................................................................... 4 A.4.1 Rehabilitation: revegetation or restoration? .......................................................................................... 4 A.5 Knowledge, Skills and Responsibilities................................................................................. 6 A.5.1 The Advantage of Having Skilled Staff ................................................................................................. 6 A.5.2 The Roles and Responsibilities of Rehabilitation Teams...................................................................... 6 A.5.2.1 Project Managers............................................................................................................................. 6 A.5.2.2 Works Crew ..................................................................................................................................... 7 B PLANNING FOR REHABILITATION .........................................................................11 B.1 Timing in the Planning Process ............................................................................................ 11 B.2 Site Assessment for Rehabilitation ...................................................................................... 14 B.2.1 Land Use ............................................................................................................................................ 14 B.2.2 Altitude, Aspect and Exposure ........................................................................................................... 14 B.2.3 Soil ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 B.2.4 Slope and Drainage............................................................................................................................ 17 B.2.5 Vegetation Communities and Species................................................................................................ 19 B.2.6 Weeds ................................................................................................................................................ 19 B.2.7 Bushfire Protection ............................................................................................................................. 20 B.2.8 Threatened and Significant Species................................................................................................... 20 B.2.9 Other Special Features....................................................................................................................... 21 B.3 The Rehabilitation Plan.......................................................................................................... 22 B.3.1 Pre-Development Planning................................................................................................................. 22 B.3.1.1 Site Assessment............................................................................................................................ 22 B.3.1.2 Aims of Rehabilitation .................................................................................................................... 22 B.3.1.3 SEMP Formulation......................................................................................................................... 23 B.3.1.4 Collection or Sourcing of Plant Material......................................................................................... 23 B.3.1.5 Staging (Sequencing and Timing).................................................................................................. 24 B.3.1.6 Human Resources, Training and Induction.................................................................................... 24 B.3.2 Protection of Resources and Values during Development ................................................................. 25 B.3.2.1 Weed Management ....................................................................................................................... 25 B.3.2.2 Protection of Natural and Cultural Values...................................................................................... 25 B.3.2.3 Designated Access ........................................................................................................................ 26 B.3.2.4 Designated Storage/Stockpile Areas ............................................................................................. 26 B.3.2.5 Earthworks..................................................................................................................................... 26 B.3.2.6 Waste Management....................................................................................................................... 27 B.3.3 Rehabilitation...................................................................................................................................... 27 B.3.3.1 Materials and Equipment Required................................................................................................27 B.3.3.2 Extent of Rehabilitation Area ......................................................................................................... 27 B.3.3.3 Site Preparation and Protection of Soils ........................................................................................27 B.3.3.4 Planting Requirements .................................................................................................................. 29 B.3.3.5 Protection of Rehabilitation............................................................................................................ 30 B.3.4 Post Rehabilitation.............................................................................................................................. 30 B.3.4.1 Maintenance of Rehabilitation........................................................................................................ 30 B.3.4.2 Monitoring of Rehabilitation ........................................................................................................... 31 B.3.4.3 Auditing.......................................................................................................................................... 31 B.3.4.4 Site Handover................................................................................................................................ 31 B.4 Examples of Completed Site Assessment and Rehabilitation Plans................................ 32 version 1.0 June 2007 i This document is UNCONTROLLED when printed Rehabilitation Guidelines for the Resort Areas of Kosciuszko National Park C REHABILITATION TECHNIQUES.............................................................................35