strategic linkages plan 2008 – 2011€¦ · shrcc strategic linkages plan 2008-11 3 1...

Strategic Linkages Plan

2008 – 2011

Rural City Council

SHRCC Strategic Linkages Plan 2008-11

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction...............................................................................................3

2 Purpose of The Plan ...................................................................................4

3 The Importance of Roadside Corridors .......................................................5

4 Relevant SHRCC and VicRoad Policies.....................................................7

6 Relevant Local Laws..................................................................................7

6 Roadside Audit ..........................................................................................8

6.1 Methodology for Roadside Conservation Assessments......................8

6.2 Roadside Conservation Value Categories .........................................9

6.3 Map ................................................................................................9

7 Identifying Linkages ...................................................................................9

7.1 Linkage Potential...........................................................................10

7.2 Existing Dimensions, Quality and Replacement .............................10

7.3 Representative Vegetation Communities........................................10

7.4 Inclusion of Unique and / or Threatened Flora and Fauna ..............10

8 Linkages ..................................................................................................10

8.1 Liparoo - Narrung..........................................................................11

8.2 Wandown - Boundary Bend ..........................................................12

8.3 Annuello Flora & Fauna Reserve - Hayesdale................................13

8.4 Narrung - Kooloonong...................................................................14

8.5 Towan Plains - Nyah Forest ...........................................................15

8.6 Meridian .......................................................................................16

9 Action Plan: .........................................................................................17

10 Conclusion...........................................................................................23

12 Appendices ..........................................................................................24

13 Glossary of terms and abbreviations......................................................26

14 References ...........................................................................................27


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1 INTRODUCTION

The Eastern Mallee region of Victoria incorporates the greater area of the Swan Hill municipality, covering 6,100 km2. Large tracts of dryland broadacre agriculture dominate the west of the municipality while irrigation continues to expand along the Murray River to the east and north. Blocks of remnant native vegetation varying in size and composition, punctuate this region. These remnants can be found on freehold and public land, representing less than 10% (including all linear reserves) of original vegetation cover. Linear road reserves support these parcels of vegetation providing a degree of connectivity to most, however the majority are narrow and some are affected by varying degrees of disturbance or under pressure from pest plant and animals. Swan Hill Rural City Council (SHRCC) is the designated land manager of the road reserves within the municipality with a network of roads 4060 km in length. Although the primary function of a road reserve is for the construction of a road that provides safe and efficient movement of vehicles, over time this role has expanded considerably. Roadsides now provide access for services and utilities and have also become increasingly important environmental assets. As agricultural and urban development has impacted on remnant vegetation on private property, the linear road reserves now often hold the last examples of local biodiversity. Council is under increasing pressure from community and government to balance the needs of the roads and roadside users against the need to protect and conserve roadside vegetation. Council, assisted through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust assessed and mapped the conservation value of the native vegetation on the roadside reserves in 2002. This vegetation audit, combined with the Road Hierarchy Plan enables informed decisions to be made in regard to road construction and maintenance programs within SHRCC. The roadside vegetation audit has also resulted in the highlighting of existing strategic flora and fauna linkages across the municipality and the identification of strategic corridors for revegetation to significantly enhance the biodiversity values of the area. The linkages identified are listed in this plan including necessary revegetation works to further enhance their conservation value. The linkages plan will be a living document, constantly reviewed and upgraded as new or more accurate information becomes available. Through partnerships with other agencies, such as CMA, DSE and DPI alongside Vic Roads, information, resources and support are constantly made available to learn and institute best management practices that will enable Council to balance the community’s safety and agricultural demands while assuring the survival of the region’s unique flora and fauna).


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2 PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

The key purposes of this plan is to:

� Increase awareness within Council staff of the significance of roadside vegetation and our legislative responsibility to ensure its protection.

� Identify sites where major road widening or vegetation trimming should be avoided.

� Provide a basis on which planning applications for tree removal as part of Council’s on-going maintenance program can be formulated.

� Provide a framework on which to base applications for funding for regional investment in natural resource management (NRM) focusing on the management of roadside reserves.

� Identify sites for future connective revegetation works on roadsides to be undertaken by Council in partnership, with external funding agencies, on both public and private land.

� Convey Council’s future revegetation plans to the community to encouraging adjacent landholders and groups such as Landcare to become involved in long-term initiatives and partnership arrangements.

� Implement a linkages action plan.

. Fig 1: Mallee Fowl Tracks in red mallee sand Photo courtesy of Vic. Mallee Fowl Recovery Group, Inc.


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3 THE IMPORTANCE OF ROADSIDE CORRIDORS

Linear roadside reserves represent a significant portion of the remaining remnant vegetation within the Eastern Mallee region; some are associated with small remnants on private and public land. When connected, these reserves and remnant blocks provide the only remaining opportunity to maintain a healthy genetic bases within fauna populations. Land clearance and development has fragmented the original home range and local/regional travel patterns of many species, leading to the isolation of some populations. This affects the viability of a given population through diminished genetic reserves and restricted access to traditional food sources, resulting in altered habits, development and decline in population densities. The maintenance and stability of genetic pools is critical to the future survival of native plants and animals. Roadsides provide vital connectivity opportunities for most fauna populations, forming sheltered transit corridors and habitat, offering protection from most predators and providing sources of food. The SHRCC region contains vital linkages that home a number of species recognised as endangered or vulnerable both nationally, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwth) and State-wide, under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic).

Fig 3: The nationally threatened Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus)

Photo courtesy of Peter Menkhorst—DSE/DPI

Mallee vegetation close to the Murray River provide feeding grounds for the Regent

parrot while they occupy River Red Gum hollows for breeding. The decline in these

habitats along with an absence of vegetated corridors linking the two habitat types

pose a significant threat to the species (CMA 2003).


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Roadsides are further valued as a source of quality indigenous seed for local revegetation projects, in many cases being the only remaining example of original vegetation cover. Remaining remnant corridors and larger blocks can assist with the interception of local recharge, prevent the mobilisation of light unstable soils and provide a windbreak to stock. The importance of roadside corridors is recognised within key state and regional strategies, notably Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy and both the MCMA and NCCMA’s Regional Catchment Strategies. There are many threats to roadside vegetation contributing to a loss of biodiversity.

� Road construction and maintenance � Installation and maintenance of services and utilities � Pest plants � Pest animals � Firewood collection � Agricultural activities � Erosion � Salinity � Sand/gravel extraction � Stack site management � Fire break construction

Council as the designated land manager of roadsides under the Local Government Act 1989 recognises the importance of sound roadside management practices for the protection of biodiversity, cultural and heritage values. The preparation of a Roadside Management Plan and Roadside Code of Practice to identify the threats to roadside vegetation and to formulate actions to mitigate detrimental effects has commenced.

Fig. 2: The endangered Mallee fowl

Photo courtesy of Meryl-Ann Bishop, Victorian Mallee Fowl Recovery Group, Inc.


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4 RELEVANT SHRCC AND VICROAD POLICIES

• Swan Hill Rural City Council Pest Plant Management Strategy 2007 – 2011

• Swan Hill Rural City Council Best Practice Strategy for Roadside Works in the Swan Hill Municipality 2005-2008

• Swan Hill Rural City Council Road Management Plan 2007 • Roadside Management Plan 2007 - 2009

• Vic Roads Roadside Management Guide Parts 1 & 2 – 2001

• Vic Roads Road and Environment Safety Note No. 106 ‘Roadside Hazard Management’

• Vic Roads Roadside Management Strategy 2002

• Vic Roads Environment Strategy 2005-2015

• Under the Road Management Act 2004 five codes of practice were developed:

-Code of Practice for Operational Responsibility for Public Roads 2004 -Code of Practice for Clearways on declared Arterial Roads -Code of Practice for Road Management Plans -Code of Practice for Management of Utility & Road Infrastructure in Road Reserves -Code of Practice for Worksite Safety – Traffic Management

6 RELEVANT LOCAL LAWS

Related Local Laws :

2.6 Grazing A person must not, without a permit, allow any livestock to graze on any road or Council Land. Penalty: 10 penalty units Infringement notice: 2 penalty units

An Authorised Officer may impound any livestock found on any road or Council Land in breach of this clause. 2.7 Prohibited Roads The Council may, by resolution, specify roads or parts of a road within the municipality which cannot be utilised for the droving, grazing or moving of livestock and such roads and parts thereof shall be known as prohibited roads. Notice of any resolutions made by the Council pursuant to clause 2.11a shall be available at the Council's offices. Any person who is in charge of or who owns livestock which are being driven, grazed or moved on any prohibited road commits an offence under this Local Law. Penalty: 10 penalty units Infringement notice: 2 penalty units

5.2 Removal Of Vegetation and Soil On Roadside Reserves


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A person must not, without a permit, remove or cultivate soil from, or damage, remove from or burn any vegetation on, any roadside reservation. Penalty: 10 Penalty Units Infringement Notice: 3 penalty units

5.3 Storage of Materials on Road A person must not, without a permit, deposit or place any soil, garden refuse, prunings, building materials, refuse containers, building rubbish, electrical cords, air hoses or other similar obstructions on, upon, across or over any road or footpath. Penalty: 10 penalty units Infringement notice: 2 penalty units

6 ROADSIDE AUDIT

The audit of roadside vegetation and its conservation status was conducted along the Murray Valley & Mallee Highways, sealed routes and all formed and gravel roads within the municipality. The vegetation and conservation assessment was based on a methodology established by the Victorian Roadside Conservation Advisory Committee that enables community volunteers with limited botanical experience to participate in a “windscreen survey” of roadsides, to identify and map the conservation status of vegetation. Community volunteers and council staff conducted the Survey activities between 2000 and 2002. These activities formed part of the Reconnecting North East Mallee Corridors project funded under the Federal Government’s Natural Heritage Trust program.

6.1 Methodology for Roadside Conservation Assessments

The conservation value of roadside assessed using the Roadside Conservation Advisory Council’s standard assessment process are broadly classified into three categories; High, Low and Medium. These values are based on the following criteria:

� Roadside width – roadsides vary from 1m to 50 m � Fauna Habitat – values include the presence of hollows, the layers of

vegetation (ground covers/grasses, shrubs and trees) or the presence of logs or rocks

� Degree of regeneration � Wildlife corridor – the ability of roadsides to provide links between

patches of remnant vegetation � Weed cover – estimate of the percentage of weed cover � Site disturbance � Presence of rare flora and fauna species - Buloke, Callitris, Grey-crowned

Babbler


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6.2 Roadside Conservation Value Categories

Category Description

High Conservation Value (Shows Green on maps)

A high conservation value roadside or section of roadside may have the following characteristics- � Width of roadside greater than 40 metres � Presence of a rare, threatened or significant flora

species or vegetation community. � A relatively undisturbed vegetation community

including understorey species

Medium Conservation Value (Shows Yellow on maps)

A medium conservation value roadside or section of roadside may have the following characteristics - � Semi-natural indigenous vegetation with some

introduced grasses and other plants � An absence of either understorey, shrub layer or

canopy � A level of disturbance due to factors such as

grazing, erosion or revegetation activities � Width of roadside less than 5 metres

Low Conservation Value (Shows Red on maps)

A low conservation value roadside or section of roadside may have the following characteristics- � Some indigenous vegetation fragmented from its

normal plant community � Disturbance due to ploughing for weed control or

fire breaks � Primarily exotic pasture grasses or weeds

6.3 Map

A municipal map has been created using the Mapinfo platform outlining High Medium and Low conservation values along roadside. Additional details will be added as separate data layers become available to reflect remnants on private land, siting of significant fauna & flora and concentrations of pest plant & animals. The relevant Catchment Management Authorities will provide Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) and Bioregional information as it is developed. The combination of this information will prove to be an invaluable tool in supporting natural resource management efforts and initiatives within this municipality (see appendix- map 1).

7 IDENTIFYING LINKAGES

The Roadside Vegetation Audit map was used to identify current and potential linkages throughout the landscape. Selection of roads for inclusion in the linkages program was based on the following criteria and order of assessment.


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7.1 Linkage Potential

A combination of agency and community consultation, site inspections, remote sensing image analysis, known areas of habitat on private and public land and roadside conservation assessment was used to identify key roadside linkages. Areas were also examined to determine the need to enhance existing vegetation communities and to link isolated remnants on public and private land.

7.2 Existing Dimensions, Quality and Replacement

Road selection was based on the easement width, connective orientation to remnant vegetation, relationship to habitat values and the road designation within SHRCC Road Hierarchy Plan. Many roads have high conservation values, however, some of these roads are limited in linkage potential due to the narrow width of the road reserve, some being 20m. Selected linkage alignments usually fall within reserve widths of between 30m and 60m. The extension of home ranges for native fauna has been a major consideration, given past vegetation clearance and other pressures placed on existing populations – predation, competition for nesting & food resources and diminished genetic profiles.

7.3 Representative Vegetation Communities

A number of vegetation communities exist within the Swan Hill municipality incorporating mallee, buloke/pine/belah, black box, riverine red gum and native grassland communities. Most Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) are contained within the scope of the strategic linkages layout, some isolated areas containing significant representations have been included in the plan.

7.4 Inclusion of Unique and / or Threatened Flora and Fauna

Flora and fauna advice was sought from the Department of Sustainability and Environment to identify the occurrence of threatened species within the road network. This information has been included in the selection process and where possible has been incorporated into the significant linkage plan.

8 LINKAGES

Six linkages were identified through the above process. They include: 8.1 Liparoo – Narrung 8.2 Wandown - Boundary Bend 8.3 Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve – Hayesdale 8.4 Narrung – Kooloonong 8.5 Towan Plains - Nyah Forest 8.6 Meridian


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8.1 Liparoo - Narrung

Roads Road

classification

Length

Km

Width

m

Linkages Land

Systems

Current Roadside

Vegetation

Unique Flora &

Fauna

Hattah - Robinvale, Lake Powell, Lake Carpul, Murray Valley Hwy

Declared main road - sealed Surfaced Formed Highway- (Vic roads)

78 60 East – west corridor Murray River vegetation, merging between River Red Gum and Black Box, crossing through cleared Mallee farmland below Robinvale.

Boigbeat, Lindsay Island & Central Mallee.

Generally good continuity with some breaks on Mallee and flood plains interface, within Black Box regions.

Belah Regent Parrot – nesting pairs. Apostle Bird Carpet Python

Notes: This linkage is important in a regional context for its facilitation of east west movement of fauna particularly Regent Parrots and carpet pythons along the floodplain of the Murray River. In some areas this roadside linkage is the only connection between the fragmented floodplain and riparian zone vegetation. Sections of this linkage are highway and managed by Vic Roads, or main road with management responsibility devolved to Council. Even though the level of maintenance of the road envelop on these roads will be higher than other surrounding roads the connectivity of this section of road outweighs the disadvantages of inclusion.


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8.2 Wandown - Boundary Bend

Roads Road

Classification

Length

Km

Width

m

Linkages Land

Systems

Current Roadside

Vegetation

Unique Flora &

Fauna

Buckley, Anderson, Boundary Bend - Kooloonong

Formed Formed Collector road - Surfaced

24 60 -30 East west & north south corridor. Connects Wandown Flora Fauna Reserve and Menzies’ Block to O’Bree’s Block to the east and then continues north to the Murray River.

Central Mallee & Lindsay Island.

Large Mallee blocks connected by high quality roadside Mallee remnants to Black Box adjoining Red Gum on river frontage.

Mallee Fowl, Regent Parrot – nesting pairs.

Notes: The provision of a linkage between Wandown Flora & Fauna Reserve and Menzies’ and O’Bree’s block to the east will enable the movement of Mallee Fowl between the large tracts of Mallee vegetation that is necessary for feeding and breeding to occur. Regent Parrots also rely on mallee vegetation as feeding grounds during breeding season but require a vegetated flight path to the Red Gums of the riparian zones of the Murray River which provides their nesting habitat. This flight path will be provided through the section of linkage along the Boundary Bend – Kooloonong road. The Boundary Bend – Kooloonong road classified, as a collector road will be maintained to a higher level than the other roads of this linkage. The inclusion of this road is necessary to enable Regent Parrot’s access to feeding grounds adjacent to Buckley and Anderson roads.


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8.3 Annuello Flora & Fauna Reserve - Hayesdale

Roads Road

classification

Length

Km

Width

m

Linkages Land

Systems

Current Roadside

Vegetation

Unique Flora &

Fauna

Kelly, McLean, Robinvale-Sea Lake Tin Dog Hayesdale—Kooloonong

Formed Formed Sealed Surfaced

Collector road - sealed

68 30 East west linkage connecting Annuello Flora & Fauna Reserve to linkages to the east and north. Extending Mallee fowl range and feeding range for nesting pairs of Regent Parrots.


Predominantly Mallee communities

Mallee Fowl Regent Parrot

Notes: This linkage will provide a vital east west flow of fauna from Annuello Flora & Fauna Reserve to large remnants of Mallee vegetation to the east such as Wandown Flora & Fauna Reserve and Menzies’ and O’Brees’ blocks.


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8.4 Narrung - Kooloonong

Roads Road

classification

Length

Km

Width

m

Linkages Land

Systems

Current Roadside

Vegetation

Unique Flora &

Fauna

Fisher Heywood Lake Coomb Gill

Surfaced Formed Formed Formed

32 40 North east to south west linkage connecting Mallee communities from Kooloonong area with Black Box communities on river frontage


Mallee, Black Box, Regent Parrot – nesting pairs Carpet Python

Notes: Recent surveys of breeding pairs of the nationally threatened Regent Parrot recorded for the first time nesting sites in the Narrung to Kenley area. The roadside vegetation of this linkage allows access to the mallee vegetation vital for feeding in the breeding season.


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8.5 Towan Plains - Nyah Forest

Roads Road

classification

Length

Km

Width

m

Linkages Land

Systems

Current Roadside

Vegetation

Unique Flora &

Fauna

Cant Fire Access Yarraby Chinkapook – Nyah West Hawthorn

Formed Surfaced Surfaced Collector rd- sealed Formed

35 30 North south linkage between dry land and Red Gum forest. Naturally occurring saline discharge sites occur in this area creating a unique ecosystem.

Central Mallee & Raak.

Mallee / Callitris communities and Red Gum forest.

Notes: Connection is established between the Nyah State Forest and the Towan Plains Flora & Fauna Reserves and several remnant blocks of mallee vegetation. A short section of the Chinkapook – Nyah West road classified as a collector road is included in this linkage. This gives access to Hawthorn Road to the west of Towan Flora & Fauna Reserve.


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8.6 Meridian

Roads Road

classification

Length

Km

Width

m

Linkages Land

Systems

Current Roadside

Vegetation

Unique Flora &

Fauna

Meridian

Surfaced 55 60 -100

This north south corridor links the Murray River region with the Black Box, pine/belah and Mallee communities to the south.

Lindsay Island, Central Mallee, Hopetoun.

High quality remnants exist on the roadside reserve of this road.

Regent Parrot Mallee Fowl

Notes: The Meridian road provides excellent opportunity for the movement of fauna linking the floodplain of the Murray River to the north to the mallee vegetation including the threatened pine/belah communities of the south.


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The following terms have been abbreviated Department of Sustainable Environment - DSE Department of Primary Industries – DPI Parks Victoria – Parks Vic Vic Road – no abbreviation Murray Catchment Management Authority - MCMA North Central Catchment Management Authority – NCCMA Landcare – Landcare The above are included in the All Stakeholders categories Country Fire Authority – CFA Priority rating as follows – 1 being the highest, 2 being medium and 3 being low.

9 ACTION PLAN:

Objective 1: Protect and manage current linkages Area Action Priority Estimated

Cost Responsibility Liase

with: Completion Date

Status

1.1 Provide formal recognition of high value

linkages through signage to alert community and

any people carrying out works on roadsides.

1 Dependent on situation

Environment Unit

MCMA NCCMA

Ongoing Commenced

1.2 Bring to attention of community through

signage, etc of local laws that are of particular

importance to linkage areas to minimise threats

to corridors, eg no firewood collection, stock

movement, rubbish dumping, etc [see SHRCC

Roadside Management Plan].

1 Dependent on situation

Environment Unit

MCMA Ongoing Commenced 2008


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1.3 Where necessary fence areas under threat by

stock, pest animals, etc. 2 Dependent

on fence type

Landowners MCMA NCCMA

Ongoing 2007

1.4 Enforce local laws in place to protect remnant

vegetation (in accordance with the SHRCC

Roadside Management Plans) [See 6 - Relevant

Local Laws]

1 Cost recovery

SHRCC Local laws Planning

DSE MCMA NCCMA

Ongoing 2007 - 8

1.5 Ensure adjacent landholders have not altered the

roadside landscape in any way without council

approval, eg clearing fire breaks/tracks, removal

of vegetation to fence boundaries, etc through

spot checks.

2

Internal

Environment Unit

All

Ongoing

2007-8

1.6 Re-evaluate priority of linkages (in consideration

of current MCMAs BAP Priority Investment

Areas)

1 Internal Environment Unit

DSE MCMA NCCMA

Ongoing Commenced

1.7 Ensure relevant council staff and any contractors

carrying out work on roadsides have been

informed of and are following council’s

management plans (also mentioned under

objective 4)

2 Internal Works Depot Environment Unit

DSE Vicroads

Ongoing Commenced

Objective 2: Enhance connectivity value of current remnant vegetation

Area Action Priority Estimated Cost Responsibility Liase with: Completion Date

Status

2.1 Map conservation values within

council and identify areas of linkage

value (completed). Re-evaluate data

2 Internal Environment Unit MCMA NCCMA DSE

Annually Commenced 2007


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accuracy through spot-checks and

update where appropriate. Parks Vic

2.2 Work with other organizations to

ensure private land revegetation

opportunities are being utilised within

the Swan Hill Council region. Provide

information to these organizations on

areas identified as having linkage

potential to connect these linkages with

their own projects (extension of

linkages recognised by this document,

areas not previously recognised as an

area with linkage potential).

2 Internal Environment Unit, CMA, Landcare, Adjacent, landowners Field Naturalist

DSE Parks Vic Vicroad

Ongoing Commenced 2006

2.3 Remain aware of funding opportunities

for council and other groups to enhance

linkages in the region.

2 Internal Environment Unit MCMA NCCMA DSE DPI


2.4 Complete grant applications for

council linkage projects and aware

suitable parties of grants available to

carry out linkage restoration on non-

council land (eg. Grants through CMA)

2 Internal Environment Unit MCMA NCCMA


2.5 Development of management

agreements and the use of covenants to

safeguard linkage works on private

land (Victorian Conservation Trust

Act 1972) [not necessarily through

council but with council support/

3 Internal Environment Unit Planning

DSE Parks Vic Vicroads MCMA NCCMA Landcare



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encouragement in order for such

projects not just to occur but are

successful long term] 2.6 Liase with community groups, CMA’s,

landcare, etc to discuss linkage plans/

priorities, etc.

2 $20 per hour (Environment Officer)

Environment Unit, Landcare, CMA, DPI, DSE, VicRoads, community groups

All Stakeholders


Objective 3: Restoration through revegetation create/ extend linkages.

Area Action Priority Estimated Cost

Responsibility Liase with:

Completion Date

Status

3.1 Carry out direct seeding and/or tube stock

planting to revegetate and reintroduce

individual plants, and as a result wildlife, into

depleted populations where natural vegetation

regeneration (ideal) is unlikely (CMA).

2 Dependant on project

Environment Unit

MCMA, NCCMA Landcare DSE


3.2 Identify gaps between high conservation

remnant vegetation may be connected through

direct seeding and/or tube stock where natural

regeneration is unlikely.

2 Dependent on project

Environment Unit Landcare

DSE Ongoing Commenced 2006

Objective 4: Ensure council’s policies and strategies are consistent with the aims of the linkages management plan and relevant staff are

aware of plan.

Area Action Priority Estimated Cost Responsibility Liase With:

Completion Date

Status

4.1 Review documents annually and when 1 $20 per hour Environment All Ongoing Commenced


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council policies and strategies are

amended to ensure consistency. (Environment Officer)

Unit Stakeholders 2004

4.2 Ensure council policy and management

plans that have significant effect on

linkages are acknowledged and followed

by council staff. This includes the eg.

Roadside Management Plan (as listed in

Sec. 4).


SHRCC All Stakeholders

Ongoing - As required

Commenced

4.3 Continue to implement awareness/

training of current practices, value of

linkages and awareness of high priority

linkages within relevant council staff

members.

2 Works Budget SHRCC Works Depot

All Stakeholders

Annually Commenced 2006

Objective 5: Educate Community (and Monitoring)

Area Action Priority Estimated Cost Responsibility Liase

With: Completion Date

Status

5.1 Presence at field days, education, adult

learning. 2 Staff Time Environment

Unit All Stakeholders


5. 2 Education through schools, may include

school involvement in some revege

projects.

2 Staff Time Environment Unit

All Stakeholders


5.3 Provide information to landowners, particularly those adjacent to roadsides identified as having linkage value.


CFA All Stakeholders

Ongoing

5.4 Ensure landholders adjacent to the 6 identified linkages are aware that the

1 Staff time Environment Unit

Parks Vic Field



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area has been recognised as having high linkage value and of local laws relating to roadside veg [see 6- Relevant Local Laws].

DSE Landcare NCCMA MCMA

Naturalist

5.5 Distribute Roadside Management Brochures

2 30,000 SHRCC ALL October 2007

Completed 2007

5.6 Form project partnerships – with other

agencies Environment

Unit All stakeholders

Ongoing 2006

5.7 Media Releases 3 Internal Environment Unit

All Stakeholders

Ongoing

5.8 Monitor any noted conservation value

changes in order to evaluate the

effectiveness of this action plan.


Environment Unit

All Annually and as necessary- Ongoing

5.9 Discuss with CFA current fire

prevention practices and methods to

ensure there is no information given to

landholders to encourage vegetation

damage.


CFA Ongoing 2006

5.10 Liase with CFA to educate importance

of roadside vegetation 2 Internal Environment

Unit CFA Ongoing 2006


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10 CONCLUSION

The development of the Roadside Conservation Values map that identifies priority linkages provides a tool to support Council in its management of roadsides and further development of flora and fauna linkages. With regular updating the map will not only remain useful in this area but become an invaluable evaluation tool of this linkages plan. Members of the community active in the formulation of this map are keen to support Council’s efforts in the protection and enhancement of the municipality’s roadsides, affirming community support towards such a crucial issue. Through Council communicating its direction in roadside management, community groups such as Landcare are able to ‘value add’ to existing projects to achieve a better conservation outcome. The addition of an action plan to the document will ensure such positive outcomes are continuously being achieved, involving not only protection and management of remaining linkages but also the enhancement and restoration of areas with high linkage potential.

Fig 4: The endangered Carpet Python (Morelia spilota metcalfeis) is under threat due to the removal of habitat refuges including standing hollows and hollows in

fallen timber via logging and firewood collection. Photo courtesy of Peter Robertson—Wildlife Profiles Pty Ltd


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12 APPENDICES

1. Roadside Conservation Value and Flora and Fauna Linkages Map


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2. MCMA Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Investment areas 2007/2008-

02-04


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13 GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Best Practice The practices that result from decisions made on the best available information.

Biodiversity The variety of all lifeforms; the plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems of which they form a part.

CMA Catchment Management Authority

Code of Practice Defines the minimum standards to be followed. Connectivity The degree to which native vegetation is connected in terms of

the ecological function of the remnants. Council Swan Hill Rural City Council

DPI Department of Primary Industries DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment Ecological Vegetation Class

Are derived from underlying large-scale forest type and floristic community mapping with floristic, structural, and environmental attributes being used to define individual EVCs.

Ecosystem The dynamic inter-relationships between all forms of living organisms and their abiotic (non-living) environment. Ecosystems function as a complex, interconnected system and, if maintained in a healthy condition, provide free ecosystem services such as the production of oxygen, soil formation, maintenance of water quality, etc.

Endangered Species in danger of extinction whose survival is not likely in the absence of threat abatement.

Enhancement Introduction to a place of additional individuals of one or more organisms, species or elements of habitat or geodiversity that naturally exist there. (Australian Heritage Commission 1997).

Indigenous/Endemic Vegetation

Native vegetation that occurs naturally in a particular district.

Native Vegetation Any local indigenous plant community containing throughout its growth the complement of native species and habitats normally associated with that vegetation type or having the potential to develop these characteristics. It includes vegetation with these characteristics that has been regenerated with human assistance following disturbance. It excludes plantations and vegetation that has been established for commercial purposes.

Rare A species that characteristically has a limited distribution and/or abundance due to the specificity of their habitat requirements or that has a limited distribution and abundance because habitat resources have been modified or lost. The terms is used to describe taxa that are not threatened or vulnerable by definition, but are at risk due to the small population size and/or limited distribution.

Regeneration The natural regeneration of vegetation contributes to vegetation cover when the dominant species of the pre-existing vegetation type re-establishes, but are less than 10 years of age.

Remnant Vegetation Areas of existing native vegetation that have not been planted,


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where the dominant species still remain and is greater than 10 years of age.

Revegetation The deliberate planting of vegetation. Revegetation contributes to vegetation cover when the species composition and structure, i.e. all vegetation strata, is similar to pre-existing vegetation types for that area

Road Reserve The total strip of land reserved for transportation purposes from fence line to fence line or boundary to boundary if unfenced. The road reserve includes the roadside.

Roadside Any non-paved areas within the road reserve, including land either side of the road and between carriageways.

SHRCC Swan Hill Rural City Council

Threatened species The generic term used to describe taxa that are rare, vulnerable, endangered or insufficiently known and are subject to threatening processes.

Vulnerable Species likely to become endangered in the short term (approximately 25 years) if threatening processes continue.

14 REFERENCES

Mallee Catchment Management Authority (2003), ‘Murray River Frontage Action Plan – Nyah to Robinvale’. [online] Available: http://www.malleecma.vic.gov.au/media/docs/Nyah to Robinvale FAP.pdf [Accessed] January 16th , 2008 Swan Hill Rural City Council (2007), ‘Community Local Law, Local Law No. 2’.

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