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a2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program
Final Report
Published by the Victorian Government of Sustainability and Environment & Parks Victoria Melbourne, February 2010
© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment & Parks Victoria 2010
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iii2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
ENDORSEMENTS
The Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program is a final Report for the Flood/Storm event of June/July 2007 that followed devastating fires across the Victorian Alps and Gippsland during the Summer of 2006/07. The aim of the Report is to give a final summary of integrated assistance received and achievements completed.
Recovery after the event is about measures that have been taken to achieve desired outcomes by staff, ecosystems and community rebuilding.
The report details
● Visitor Services
● Natural Values, including catchment and River Health
● Indigenous and Post-settlement Heritage, and
● Community and Tourism
The engagement of the community in the plan is seen as paramount to the successful recovery of the affected areas.
The plan recognises that the flood affected area is the ‘Country’ of Gunai-Kurnai, Bidawul, Monero-Nigarigu, Jaimathmathang and Wurundjeri peoples. The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria (PV) acknowledge the above indigenous communities as the traditional owners of the affected ‘Country’.
The recovery actions and priorities in the plan are approved for implementation
Approved by:
Tony Edgar Chris RoseDirector Acting General Manager Land & Fire Services Sustainable Infrastructure DivisionDepartment of Sustainability & Environment Parks Victoria
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In the last week of June 2007, Gippsland received record rainfall associated with an intense low pressure system. The storm followed one of the state’s worst fire seasons, the 2006/07 Great Divide Bushfires, when 1.2 million hectares were burnt and vast areas of soil were exposed. Further compounded by other minor floods in March and November 2007, the storm in June 2007 resulted in major flooding and widespread damage to community and public assets in Gippsland.
In response, the State Government quickly established a Flood Recovery Ministerial Taskforce, which visited Gippsland to assess the flood’s impact and plan the recovery program. From this, the Taskforce outlined a $60 million Flood Recovery Initiative.
This report describes the achievements of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria (PV) in delivering $10 million of this funding, which was the public land component of the program. Another $10 million of the program was allocated to the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority for works focused on stream and water quality, which will be reported separately by these authorities.
Five basins in Gippsland (Latrobe, Thomson, Mitchell, Tambo and Snowy) were affected by the June 2007 flood. All five major rivers within these basins recorded major flood peaks. The flood peaks recorded along the Macalister River, which was the most severely impacted watercourse, were the largest on record.
The major flood event was characterised by the high volume of sediment, woody debris and other material in the flood waters. As this material reached in-stream assets such as stream gauging stations, town water off-takes and bridges, they too were damaged or washed away. More than 40 truck loads of floating debris, including caravans and fridges, were removed from the Glenmaggie Reservoir. Cowwarr Weir also collected a vast amount of material during the event.
Following the floods, community recovery was the highest priority, with efforts directed to restoring normal community functioning as quickly as possible. This was achieved by opening roads and tracks in public land to provide access for local residents, allow through traffic for ongoing commerce and assist the re-establishment of recreation and tourism activities. In addition, community recovery focussed on restoration of Crown Land assets such as public halls, rail trails, camping grounds and public access facilities which are mostly managed by Committees of Management (COMs) on behalf of DSE.
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The key outcomes of the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program were:
● Road and track network re-opened by December, 2008.
● Beaches, jetties and piers repaired, re-established and opened for summer, 2008.
● The re-opening of 80 walking tracks and 108 visitor sites by December, 2008.
● Community halls, rail trails and 33 community projects supported.
● Iconic platypus located and breeding confirmed in four major catchments.
● Gunai/Kurnai participation in cultural heritage surveys.
● The performance of an Indigenous Archaeological Survey on public land.
● Tourism recovery accelerated through rapid public access to public land.
● Local economies supported through restoration of access and short-term employment for Licensed Tourism Officers.
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CONTENTS
ENDORSEMENTS iii
EXECUTiVE SUMMARY iV
1. iNTRODUCTiON 11.1 Strategies, Objectives and Scope of the Plan 3
2. PROJECT MANAGEMENT 42.1 Governance 42.2 Integrated at Place 42.3 Progress Reports 52.4 Integrated with Bushfire Recovery 5
3. iNSURANCE 7
4. ViSiTOR SERViCES – Outcomes and achievements 84.1 Tamboritha Road 104.2 Mason Bay Boardwalk (Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park) 124.3 Ninety Mile Beach walkovers (Ninety Mile Beach Foreshore Reserve and Gippsland Lakes
Coastal Park) 134.4. Sale Common Boardwalk (Sale Common State Game Reserve) 144.5 Costin’s Bridge 154.6 Cheynes Bridge Recreation Area 164.7 Licola Multi-Purpose Community Facility 17
5. NATURAL VALUES – OUTCOMES AND AChiEVEMENTS 185.1 Platypus Surveys 195.2 Ecological Vegetation Class Studies 205.3 Smarter Weed Control 215.4. Discovery of a new and emerging weed – The Mexican Poppy 225.5 Blackberry Leaf Rust Fungus 23
6. iNDiGENOUS hERiTAGE: OUTCOMES AND AChiEVEMENTS 246.1 Reconciliation Week Bus Tours 256.2 Archaeological Flood Survey 26
7. COMMUNiTY AND TOURiSM RECOVERY 287.1 Community Infrastructure on Crown Land 297.2 Community Engagement 307.3 Tourism 31
8. REPORTiNG AND REViEw 328.1 Learnings 32
REFERENCES 33
APPENDiCES APPENDiX 1: FiNANCE 34 APPENDiX 2: OPERATiONS 36 APPENDiX 3: Table 1: Flood-damaged roads, bridges and crossings yet to be re-opended 47 APPENDiX 4: Bridges repaired, replaced and assessed 48
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1. INTRODUCTION
The Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program concluded on the 30 June, 2008 after more than 400 roads and 80 walking tracks spanning hundreds of kilometres were re-opened, as well as 108 recreation visitor sites on public land affected by the fires and/or flood.
The focus is now on finalising arrangements with Committees of Management, ongoing weed control, and the completion of larger engineering works which were covered by DSE and PV’s insurance policies.
An Access Re-opening Strategy was developed on public land which focussed on restoring public access to near pre-flood conditions. Access to all private land has been restored and access to public land has mostly been restored, with most bridges and crossings now re-opened. The exceptions to this are listed in Appendix 3, with completion of works on these roads, bridges and crossings awaiting the processing of insurance claims.
Visitor access to fire and flood-affected public land for recreation and tourism has progressed well. Beachgoers had unrestricted access to Ninety Mile Beach from summer 2007, and removal of destroyed structures, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and the rapid treatment of inundated toilet blocks has resulted in the rehabilitation of public campsites.
The bare soil exposed by the 2006/07 fires and 2007 floods in Gippsland created ideal conditions for the establishment of weeds. By partnering with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Parks Victoria (PV), Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and Landcare groups, opportunities to locate, identify and treat new and existing weeds was maximised. In the process, a Landcare officer identified a new weed, the Mexican Poppy, in the Wonnangatta Valley (Section 5.4), which the DSE then eradicated.
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Threatened animal and plant species and communities in the flood-affected area were surveyed to assess the degree of damage incurred during the flood event. On-ground survey and monitoring focused on those species considered most at risk. With assistance from the local community, a study on the effect of floods in the Macalister River on platypus was completed. This project provided benchmark data on the platypus population in the Macalister catchment and also an understanding of the capacity of this high level predator to survive flood events.
Indigenous archaeological surveys were completed in areas impacted by the 2006/07 bushfires and subsequent flood events. Due to the difficulty in sourcing suitable contractors to undertake archaeological surveys, the archaeoligical surveys in flood and fire-affected areas were implemented concurrently. The delayed commencement of the field work impacted on the surveys as the vegetation in the fire and flood-affected areas had time to regenerate in the interim, reducing ground surface visibility. Final reports are being compiled and are expected to be completed in June, 2010.
Community engagement focused on raising awareness of the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program. Bus tours of flood-affected areas held during reconciliation week (September, 2008) were well-attended, talks were given to various community groups including the Maffra Apex Club and the Ben Cruachan walking club. Engagement continues with local tourism operators and four wheel drive clubs and anecdotal advice from the Gippsland tourism industry suggests tourism revenue has returned to pre-fire and flood levels. A brochure to recognise our achievements in the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program has been published for stakeholders and staff.
Collaboration between DSE, PV, CMAs, DPI, Landcare and local government was critical in the successful delivery of this Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program.
Ongoing project management support was provided post 30 June, 2008, to Committees of Management, to facilitate final project completion.
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1.1 STRATEGiES, OBJECTiVES AND SCOPE OF ThE PLAN
The scale and intensity of the Gippsland floods had significant implications for biodiversity, water resources, regional communities, Indigenous and post-settlement cultural values, industry and public infrastructure within the flood-affected areas. The recovery of these values through the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program supported the recovery of the region as a whole.
The Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program used four themes to reflect the areas of focus:
● Visitor and recreation facilities;
● Natural values, including catchment and river health;
● Indigenous and post-settlement heritage; and
● Supporting the community and tourism on public pand.
The key objectives of the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program were:
● to ensure staff and visitor safety, conserve natural and cultural values, and protect water quality;
● to plan and implement all flood recovery activities within approved management directions for public land, as set out in various park/forest management plans;
● to recognise the rights and aspirations of traditional owners and their primacy to speak for ‘Country’;
● to restore emergency access and where possible enhance risk-mitigation and capacity for future;
● to minimise disruption to public access and the full range of commercial operations and authorised users that depend on the park/forest;
● to ensure efficient allocation and use of resources invested in the flood recovery effort; and
● to promote awareness within the wider community of the recovery program, its objectives and outcomes.
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2. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The Flood/Storm Recovery Program was managed through a Project Control Board and Implementation Team, which reported to the Executive Director of Land and Fire. The Project Control Board comprised the DSE Regional Directors for Gippsland and North East, and the PV Regional Manager East; with DSE Recovery Manager as Executive Officer. The Implementation team included both project staff and line managers whose responsibility included the affected geographic areas. Team business was focussed around the key themes and supported by policy and technical expertise.
2.1 GOVERNANCE
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is the lead agency for recovery across state and local Government. There are four subcommittees in the DHS’s recovery program: social, economic, built and natural environments. The DSE Recovery Manager led the natural environment subcommittee, which collated data relating to the natural environment, water and agriculture. Data from all subcommittees was collated by DHS and provided the basis for decision making by the Ministerial Taskforce. The DHS established a Gippsland Regional Recovery Committee to coordinate the whole-of-government response; DSE was and continues to be an active participant in this committee. The DHS, DSE and DPI recently provided a joint presentation on the lessons learned from this flood recovery program to the State Emergency Recovery Planning Committee.
In comparison to previous recovery projects, the Flood/Storm Recovery Program provided significantly more support to other DSE portfolio agencies and organisations, particularly Committees of Management. Through a change in funding arrangements, the DSE was able to provide more direct support to these parties, some of whom previously relied on a grants program administered through DHS. The aim of this more streamlined funding arrangement was to deliver more cost-effective outcomes and to integrate programs across the public land estate.
2.2 iNTEGRATED AT PLACE
The flood impacted on several communities across Gippsland. A number of recovery agencies worked actively to support community recovery in the areas most severely affected by the flood events. It was essential for these agencies to work cooperatively to make sure consistent advice and assistance was provided to those affected. In the past, recovery agencies have been criticised for their disparate response, with each agency contacting and visiting individuals independently, often asking similar questions. Affected individuals became frustrated by this process, which led them to disengage with the agencies, slowing the recovery process. To avoid this situation in the Flood/Storm Recovery Program, a concerted effort was made to form collaborative relationships between Recovery Officers from the various agencies; to facilitate the sharing of information and to gain an understanding of the range of assistance provided by the various agencies.
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The high country township of Licola was severely impacted by the Great Divide Fires and the subsequent flood events. Support to the Licola community was initially facilitated through the Shire of Wellington, which assisted local residents in the establishment of the Licola Recovery and Development Committee. This committee was then used as a key point of contact by recovery agencies when seeking information on recovery issues and priorities. The recovery agencies were also able to use this committee to facilitate information on the recovery process into the Licola community.
A multi-agency collaboration developed between the CMA, Landcare, PV, DSE (Forest), DSE (Crown Land) and DPI allowed the pooling of resources, to mount an effective attack on the weed populations that developed after the flood events. Through local Landcare networks, priority weed species and locations were determined, and works involving the other agencies were initiated under a single supervisory and coordination structure. It was through this network that the new ‘weed’ Mexican poppy was located, identified and rapid control actions implemented.
2.3 PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress Reports, for the Project Control Board and Agency Executives, were prepared on a quarterly basis to monitor progress of works and finance, and to report achievements. These reports were also distributed widely to staff and interested stakeholders. Copies of these reports are available on FireWeb.
2.4 iNTEGRATED wiTh BUShFiRE RECOVERY
Several areas impacted on by the 2006/07 bushfires were again damaged by the subsequent Gippsland flood events. Perversely, the loss of vegetation that occurred as a result of the bushfires rendered vast areas vulnerable to erosion in large rainfall events. The resultant flood damage within the burnt areas was noticeably greater than that in surrounding areas, due to the degree of exposed soil.
Recovery agencies had already implemented a number of recovery measures following the bushfires, including establishment of teams to implement bushfire recovery actions, and the engagement and deployment of external resources and contractors. Unfortunately, the floods destroyed some of the bushfire recovery works that had been completed. In bushfire-affected areas that had not yet been recovered, the flooding exacerbated the extent of damage already incurred. For example, the bridge in Figure 1 was damaged in the bushfires when its decking was burnt, but was totally destroyed by the flood when the bridge bearers (stringers) were washed away. In situations like this, assigning loss or proportion of loss to the fire or the flood event was not particularly meaningful. Furthermore, as many sites had not been fully assessed after the fire and before the flood, the assignment of damage to fire or flood was difficult.
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With bushfire recovery staff already in place and experienced in the recovery process, it was determined that the most efficient means of resourcing the flood recovery effort was to operate both the fire and flood/storm recovery programs concurrently, using largely the same team. Additional resources were engaged to service those areas unaffected by the bushfires, but impacted by the floods.
Fig. 1: An example of a bridge that suffered
both fire and flood damage.
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3. INSURANCE
The DSE and PV each carry separate insurance policies with the State Government’s Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA). Both organisations had a substantial range of assets damaged by the storm and flood events (see Figure 2); the repair and replacement of which were claimed under their respective policies.
Largely similar, the policies cover the repair or replacement of built assets damaged or destroyed by the storm or flood. The repair of roads, tracks and bridges form the major component of both claims. Damaged assets were assessed by DSE, PV and VMIA staff. Most of the damaged assets have been repaired, however, significant works are still required to re-open several roads and bridges (see Appendix 3). These projects are expected to be completed in the 2009/2010 financial year as the insurance claim concludes.
Fig. 2: The status of DSE and PV assets and infrastructure affected by the 2006/07 Great Divide Fire and the 2007 Gippsland Floods, as at July, 2008
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Fire and Flood Recovery Insured Assets & Infrastructure ~ July 2008
DSE/DPI Use Only
Developed by GIS UnitDSE Gippsland
Disclaimer: This map may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence
which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
Map Grid of Australia 1994 (MGA94) Zone 55
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Projection
Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA)
Imagery Information:Please refer to electronic version of this map for more information about any imagery.
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4. VISITOR AND RECREATION SERVICES: Outcomes and achievements
ALLOCATiON $7.3M
Objectives and Strategies
● Restore visitor access
● Repair or replace visitor facilities, recreational and tourist built assets
Achievements
● The restoration of the road network for accessing public sites e.g. the re-opening of Tamboritha Road, which provides access to the Alpine National Park, occurred within six months of the major flood event.
● The provision of public access to major visitor sites within months of the major flood event e.g. public access to Ninety Mile beach was restored by summer 2007.
● Restoration of the walking track network e.g. Blue Pool, Little Cabbage Tree Creek Falls and Youngs Creek Loop Track were opened within six months of the major flood event.
● Re-opening of public recreation sites e.g. Chenynes Bridge Recreation Area was re-opened by December, 2008.
The Gippsland flood/storm events rendered a great deal of the public land inaccessible to the public. Tree fall, landslips and erosion severely damaged several roads, walking tracks and camping areas within parks, reserves and State forests in Gippsland. Immediately post-flood, the highest priorities in the recovery process were damage-assessment and the facilitation of local access to private land. Damage assessment was undertaken as soon as it was safe and practical to access impacted areas of public land. The completed asset assessments formed the basis for the identification of insurable works, the re-opening strategy and the prioritisation of recovery works.
The second priority, to facilitate access to private land, concerned the high-country townships of Licola and Glencairn, which were effectively cut-off after the flood washed away and damaged parts of Licola Road, including Cheynes Bridge. VicRoads installed a temporary bridge within six weeks of the June flood event, however, this was washed away in a subsequent flood in November, 2007. The temporary bridge was repaired within four days. A permanent flood-proof bridge was opened in September, 2008, securing access for locals into the future. Springs Road, which provides access to Licola from Seaton, was re-opened by DSE within five months of the major flood event.
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Once flood damage assessments were completed and access to private land restored, the focus of the recovery program progressed to the re-opening of roads on public land, which was essential to support the social and economic needs of local communities. A public land Access Re-opening Strategy was developed and released for public comment. Comments received at public sessions at Traralgon and Bairnsdale and through direct contact with individuals and interest groups were used to direct road re-opening priorities. The Access Re-opening Strategy, which was published and updated regularly on the Parks Victoria website, informed the sequence of the works programs. Works on the road network in the lower country began soon after the flood waters receded, with roads re-opened in quick succession. Work on the roads and tracks in the alpine areas did not start until after the seasonal road closures were lifted in early November, 2007. Most public land was accessible by December, 2007, however some routes remain restricted due to the need for major repairs (see Appendix 3).
Flood and storm damage to visitor and recreation infrastructure on public land included damage to board walks and pedestrian bridges in recreation sites along the Gippsland Lakes, and the devastation of riverside-camping areas. The first priority of the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program was to assess the flood damage and identify risks to public safety. After debris and damaged structures were removed and flooded toilets pumped out, plans were made to begin repair works to facilitate public usage of the recreation sites as soon as possible. Much of the damage to visitor infrastructure was covered by insurance, however some works such as debris cleanup, were not. Much of these latter works were performed by seasonal workforce or other temporary staff.
Some of the major tasks and achievements in the visitor services theme are discussed on the following pages.
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4.1 TAMBORiThA ROAD
The major flood in June 2007 significantly damaged 22km of the southern-most end of Tamboritha Road (see Figures 3 and 5). Tamboritha Road is the main access route into the Alpine National Park (Wonnangatta – Moroka High Country) and other public land from the west (via Licola), and provides two-wheel drive access to popular campsites along the Wellington River. The first 6km section of Tamboritha Road was constructed by the former Forest Commission, and the authority responsible for the management of this section is currently under review by VicRoads. In the interim, the DSE undertook recovery of this stretch of road. Earlier recovery works as a result of a previous flood were also undertaken by DSE prior to the June 2007 flood. These works costing $200,000, were destroyed in the June flood event.
The remaining 16km of Tamboritha Road is managed by Parks Victoria. Both the 6km section and the 16km section were extensively damaged in the June flood and repair work included the repair of two bridges, the building of a number of substantial retaining walls to prevent the river washing away the road and the reconstruction of several culverts (see Figures 4 and 6).
There was considerable public interest in the re-opening of Tamboritha Road, particularly from Licola residents and business owners. The restoration of the road was a high-priority, however works were hampered by the extent of the damage (see Figures 3 and 5) and the instability of the surrounding countryside. Indeed, two days before Christmas, 2007, a small rain event resulted in the blocking of the repaired track due to rock fall. The road was re-opened for public use in the first week of January 2008 and was only closed temporarily following this to accommodate major repairs.
The partnership between DSE, PV, VicRoads and the VMIA meant that the enormous engineering challenge associated with opening this road could be managed as a single project. The final repair bill for the re-opening of the road was in excess of $6 million.
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Fig. 3: The massive rainfall in the Macalister River catchment overwhelmed and destroyed many culverts on the Tamboritha Road.
Fig. 4: The same culvert, near completion.
Fig. 5: Large sections of the Tamboritha Road were washed away completely posing a significant challenge to repair.
Fig. 6: The same section of road repaired using a substantial retaining wall.
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4.2 MASON BAY BOARDwALk (GiPPSLAND LAkES COASTAL PARk)
Mason Bay is located on the Banksia Peninsula on the Gippsland Lakes. The peninsula is a low-lying, sandy remnant of an ancient shoreline, surrounded by coastal dunes. The original steps over the dunes were replaced with a boardwalk spanning the water’s edge in May, 2007. The significant wave action and extra water from the flood and storm event in June, 2007, ripped the boardwalk decking off its footings and eroded the adjoining bank (see Figure 7). Parks Victoria installed a retaining wall and repaired the damaged boardwalk with an upgraded design (see Figure 8). The new boardwalk has been secured on to a concrete base, effectively rendering it flood-proof.
Fig. 7: The Mason bay boardwalk was severely damaged by the June flood event
Fig. 8: A new flood-proof boardwalk has been erected at Mason Bay
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4.3 NiNETY MiLE BEACh wALkOVERS (NiNETY MiLE BEACh FOREShORE RESERVE AND GiPPSLAND LAkES COASTAL PARk)
The June storm-surge eroded large sections of the Ninety Mile Beach, destroying many beach access points and effectively preventing public access (see Figure 9). To provide secure access to the most popular sections of the beach, three timber walkovers were constructed. These were located at The Honeysuckles and Paradise Beach (see Figure 10) near Seaspray, and at McLoughlins Beach near Yarram. The timber ‘step and platform’ structures were designed to:
● Minimise the impact on the dune system.
● Withstand harsh storms and extreme king tides.
● Provide safe access to the beach following storm events.
The structures were built with sensitivity to the existing coastal vegetation. The walkovers located at The Honeysuckles, Paradise Beach and McLoughlins Beach, provide the public with easy access to the beach. Community feedback has been very positive; indeed, there have been many requests for the installation of more walkovers along the Ninety Mile coastline.
Fig. 9: The storm-surge caused extensive damage to the dune system at Paradise Beach
Fig 10: The completed dune system at Paradise Beach
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4.4 SALE COMMON BOARDwALk (SALE COMMON STATE GAME RESERVE)
Sale Common State Game Reserve is located approximately three kilometres south-east of the Sale township and falls within the Gippsland Plains Bioregion. The reserve is 300 hectares, seventy percent of which is freshwater marsh. The remaining areas are occupied by Red Gum woodland and grasslands. The wetlands at the Common flooded several times during 2007, the last flood event occurring in November. These floods and an algal bloom over late spring 2007, and early summer 2008, delayed the repairs to the Common boardwalk which was severely damaged by the flood (see Figure 11). The boardwalk was repaired with re-enforced footings to prevent damage in future flood events (see Figure 12). Repairs were completed and the boardwalk re-opened by May, 2008.
Fig. 11: The boardwalk at Sale Common was ripped from its footings in the major flood event
Fig. 12: The new boardwalk at Sale Common has re-enforced footings to prevent damage in future events.
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4.5 COSTiN’S BRiDGE
Costin’s Road forms part of an alternative route to access the alpine village, Tanjil Bren. It is also a key timber haulage route and used regularly by the local community. In previous years, Costin’s bridge, which facilitates the traverse of Costin’s Road over the Tanjil River, has undergone a number of repairs to extend its life including: re-decking, restoration of abutments and construction of two props under the bridge surface. Costin’s Bridge was damaged in the June 2007 floods (see Figure 13).
Due to the instability of the bridge following the flood event, Costin’s Road was closed to the public until repair works could be undertaken. A tender was developed for the bridge’s repair and the successful contractor re-constructed the bridge between 1 February and 19 March 2008 (see Figure 14).
Fig. 13: Costin’s Bridge was damaged during the June flood event, causing the closure of Costin’s Road.
Fig. 14: Costin’s Bridge, repaired and open to traffic.
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4.6 ChEYNES BRiDGE RECREATiON AREA
Cheynes Bridge Recreation Area, which is a popular camping and picnic area, is adjacent to Licola Road, 35 kilometres north of Heyfield. The area sustained significant damage during the 2006/2007 Great Divide Fires and the subsequent Gippsland flood and storm events (see Figure 15). After the flood in November, 2007, the site was closed to the public for two months to allow re-vegetation and re-development works to be undertaken. The DSE worked in partnership with local Landcare and Lions groups, the Sale-Maffra Motorcycle Club, the Fulham Correctional Centre and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) to re-develop the recreation site (see Figure 16). Works undertaken at the site included fencing and planting of the river bank to promote re-vegetation, installation of toilets, signage, picnic tables, fire pits and a new trail bike unloading area.
Fig. 15: Cheynes Bridge was completely washed away by the flood events.
Fig. 16: The re-reopening of the Cheynes Bridge Recreation Area was a combined effort between community groups and government agencies.
4.7 LiCOLA MULTi-PURPOSE COMMUNiTY FACiLiTY
A new tourist and community facility was opened in Licola on 27 November, 2009 (see Figure 17). The Licola Multi-Purpose Community Facility includes undercover picnic and barbecue facilities, a community meeting room, a new CFA station, information panels and refurbished public toilets. The interpretive panels,provided by Parks Victoria present information on local flora and fauna, Indigenous practices
and history. This facility was jointly funded by the Victorian Government through the Flood/Storm Recovery Program, the Wellington Shire Council, and the CFA.
Fig. 17: The opening of the Licola Multi-Purpose Community Facility.
172007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
5. NATURAL VALUES: Outcomes and achievements
ALLOCATiON $1.1M
Objectives and Strategies
● Protect high value biodiversity (flora and fauna) assets from high to extreme risks
● Improve the understanding of the impact of the flood and storm event on biodiversity
● Minimise the risk associated with established and new emerging weeds
● Minimise the risk associated with predators and introduced grazers on high value fauna and flora
● Minimise pest plants and animals along the public/private land interface
Achievements
● Reduction of immediate negative impacts on high value ecosystems through fencing repairs, debris removal, weed spraying and erosion control.
● An improved understanding of the impact of the flood and storm event on platypus populations and Ecological Vegetation Classes.
● An extensive fox baiting program to minimise risk to fauna.
● The use of a biological control to mitigate the post-flood spread of blackberry.
● Support for the Good Neighbour Program, which involves a combined effort between the DSE and landholders to control weeds at the private/public land boundary.
● Extensive weed spraying along riparian areas affected by the flood.
The Flood Recovery Plan detailed five objectives specifically targeting the impact of the flood on rare or threatened species and communities, and minimising the development and establishment of invasive plants and animals. Risk-based assessments determined there were 110 species of threatened mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates and fish as well as Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) within the affected area. From this, the species and EVCs decreed the most affected were targeted for survey and assessment.
The same risk based assessment process was used to target specific areas such as the river corridors for weed survey and control; and to identify specific weeds that posed the greatest risk of spread in areas affected by the flood.
Some of the major tasks and achievements in the natural values theme are discussed below.
18 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
5.1 PLATYPUS SURVEYS
Being a top-level predator, the presence of the iconic platypus in waterways is an excellent measure of river-health. Despite this, to date, no surveys have been carried out to investigate the effects of flooding on platypus populations (Serena & Williams, 2008). In response to this and to concerns that the platypus population in the Macalister catchment upstream of Lake Glenmaggie had been adversely affected by the flood with the possibility of local extinction due to the inundation (Glenmaggie Weir), DSE partnered with the Australian Platypus Conservancy (APC) and PV to conduct live-trapping surveys from the 12th of March to the 12th of May 2008 to assess platypus numbers. In addition, community members took part in a platypus sighting program. The surveys were carried out in State forest along four Gippsland stream or river systems that suffered the major impact of fire and flood events in 2007 (for an example the damage incurred along river banks, see Figure 18).
Platypus were trapped in each of the four survey areas (for example, see Figure 19), which were:
● Wentworth River/Pheasant Creek (Mitchell River Catchment)
● Valencia Creek (Avon River Catchment)
● Mount Skene Creek/Barkly River (Macalister River Catchment)
● Aberfeldy River/Donnelly Creek (Thomson River Catchment)
Approximately double the number of animals were found inhabiting the Wentworth River and Mount Skene Creek (1.2 adults per kilometre of waterway), compared to the Aberfeldy River and Valencia Creek (0.6-0.7 adults per kilometre of waterway). There was also a correlation between the areas displaying the most severe riverbank erosion and sediment deposition, and the areas with the lowest platypus numbers. It was concluded that the severe flooding in mid-2007 had an adverse effect on platypus numbers. The report, which is now available, concluded that major floods can cause platypus fatalities directly, as a result of stress and exhaustion and indirectly, through degradation of habitat and shelter (Serena & Williams, 2008). On a positive note, juvenile platypus were recorded in three of the four study areas, providing evidence that populations are re-recruiting.
Fig. 18: Silt and debris (up to 4m high) left behind following the flood event.
Fig. 19: A platypus at the Valencia creek study site.
192007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
5.2 ECOLOGiCAL VEGETATiON CLASS STUDiES
Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) Studies were performed by the consultancy firm, Practical Ecology, to assess the impact of the flood events on various EVCs. The study areas were located on public land within the catchments of central and east Gippsland, including the Thompson, Avon, Perry, Mitchell and Tambo Rivers and one wetland adjacent to the Latrobe River. In total, EVC assessments were performed at twelve study sites.
The aims of the studies were to:
● Identify threatened Ecological Vegetation Classes which have been significantly affected by the June 2007 floods.
● Present the results of an on-ground survey and assessment of the condition and recovery of threatened EVCs at twelve sites.
● Document the occurrence of significant flora and or fauna species.
● Assess data and information from relevant literature and databases.
The results of the studies were presented in a report titled ‘Condition assessment of threatened EVCs following the June 2007 floods of Gippsland, Victoria,’ (30th of June, 2008, Practical Ecology). In summary, it was reported that of the 382 flora taxa recorded within the study areas, 286 were indigenous and 96 were introduced. Several species listed as Victorian Rare or Threatened Species (VROTS) were identified, including Long-flower Beard-heath Leucopogon juniperinus, Yellow-wood Acronychia oblongifolia and Eastern Bitter-bush Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa. The post-flood impacts varied from study site to study site, with some areas displaying extreme erosion and debris deposition, while other areas appeared to be un-impacted. As expected, threatened EVCs flanking waterways were most severely impacted with damage including debris deposition, vegetation removal, erosion, post flood cohorts, exotic species invasion and siltation. Threatened EVCs situated higher in the riparian zone profile were, as expected, less impacted by the flood event. Exotic species invasion was evident at all study sites, however, the degree to which the flood event was responsible for the extent of exotic species colonisation could not be determined. Native species were also re-generating at several of the sites. Such species are colloquially known as ‘flood mud regenerators’ and, as their name suggests, they are species that colonise quickly after flood conditions. These species include Cassinia trinerva, Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum, Tristaniopsis laurina and Lomandra longifolia. The colonisation of such native species reduces the risk of weeds spreading over flood-disturbed locations.
20 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
5.3 SMARTER wEED CONTROL
Following the 2007 floods, riparian zones flanking the flood-affected rivers were inundated with weeds. These areas are notoriously difficult to access for effective weed-control. Previously, bulldozers were used to create tracks for ground crews, who then hand-sprayed the weeds. Innovative DSE staff developed a method to tackle the issues of access and weed control in parallel. An excavator was modified (see Figure 20) to mulch a pathway to the weed-infested area and subsequently spray the weeds. The excavator can treat up to ninety percent of the weed infested areas along rivers; whereas the previous method of using bulldozers and ground crews only treated forty to sixty percent. The new method is also more cost-effective, reportedly providing a cost-saving of thirty percent. Furthermore, the new method also provides safety benefits, with the plant operator remaining a good distance from the weed spraying chemicals at all times.
Fig. 20: Using an excavator as a weed spraying platform was an innovation that has allowed
more effective and efficient blackberry control along riverbeds and streams.
212007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
5.4. DiSCOVERY OF A NEw AND EMERGiNG wEED – ThE MEXiCAN POPPY
Following the flood events of 2007, a new weed was identified in the Wonnangatta Valley. The Mexican Poppy (Argemone Mexicana) (see Figure 21), is toxic to stock, but is not readily eaten. The weed establishes best without competition, and inhabits bare, gravel pits (see Figure 22), which were abundant following the flood events. The DSE and the West and East Gippsland Landcare networks continue to work in partnership to prevent the spread of this weed to downstream environments. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the re-establishment of native vegetation post-flood has limited the colonisation of this noxious weed. The weed is currently controlled by hand removal; as herbicide spraying has proved ineffectual. As Mexican Poppy seeds can remain dormant for several years, the DSE and local Landcare groups will remain vigilant in monitoring riparian areas for this weed.
Fig. 21: The Mexican Poppy Fig. 22: A typical habitat for the Mexican Poppy
22 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
5.5 BLACkBERRY LEAF RUST FUNGUS
The major focus for the DSE’s weed management activities under the Flood/Storm Recovery Program was blackberry management. River frontages and campsites denuded of vegetation were targeted for weed management works post-flood. The denuding of vegetation acted to facilitate access to previously inaccessible areas with well-established weed populations. Excellent results were achieved in blackberry management via parallel spraying and biological control programs. The latter program involved the release of the blackberry rust, Phragmidium violaceum (see Figure 23), at more than twenty sites across Gippsland, within the Thomson, Aberfeldy, Macalister, Avon and Mitchell river catchments. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the rust release resulted in heavy defoliation of blackberry plants and a marked reduction in the production of daughter plants.
Fig. 23: The blackberry rust, Phragmidium violaceum
232007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
6. INDIGENOUS HERITAGE: Outcomes and achievements
ALLOCATiON $300 k
Objectives and Strategies
● Recognise traditional owners and their elders
● Foster relationships and knowledge exchange
● Prevent damage to indigenous sites and places during recovery work
● Protect Indigenous sites and places
● Develop a more complete picture of archaeological record of indigenous sites
● Assess the impact of flood on known post-settlement sites
● Protect priority post-settlement sites
Achievements:
● The involvement of the Victorian Alps Indigenous Reference Group (VAIRG) in the steering of the flood and storm recovery program
● The performance of several cultural heritage inspections to ensure proposed recovery-works conformed with the Aboriginal Heritage Act of 2006
● A post-flood Indigenous archaeological survey
● Reconciliation Week bus tours
24 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
6.1 RECONCiLiATiON wEEk BUS TOURS
As part of Gippsland Regional Reconciliation Week celebrations, several PV and DSE staff and members of local Indigenous groups participated in two bus tours (to Blue Pool and Dermody’s Campsite). Blue Pool, north of Briagolong, is reputed as a traditional women’s site. Dermody’s Campsite, in the Avon-Mt Hendrick Scenic Reserve, north of Boisdale, is a signficant cultural heritage site, with large artefact scatters. Both areas are very popular with locals and tourists as they are equipped with camping and barbeque facilities and display spectacular scenery. The Great Divide Fire in 2006/07 destroyed walking tracks, signage, seating and other infrastructure at both sites. These were rehabilitated shortly after the fire, however, the amenities at Blue Pool were destroyed again in the flood events, which also exposed artefact scatters (Figure 24).
The bus tours were organised by the Recovery Community Engagement Team to promote the Flood/Storm Recovery Program and explain what was being done to respect cultural heritage values in damaged areas. There was also an oppurtunity for participants to learn about the Indigenous history of the affected regions. A smoking ceremony was held at one of the sites to cleanse the area and the people (see Figure 25). The tours presented an opportunity for staff working outside the recovery program to witness the devastating effects the fires and floods had on the natural environment in parts of Gippsland. All participants bore witness to the tremendous effort that has gone into the recovery of the affected areas and were given the chance to appreciate the Indigenous history of the region.
Fig. 24: Many indigenous artefacts were uncovered by the flood and fire events.
Fig. 25: A smoking ceremony was held to cleanse the site and the people.
252007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
6.2 ARChAEOLOGiCAL FLOOD SURVEY
After the fires and floods in 2006/07, there was concern that cultural heritage sites may have been damaged. Conversely, the fires and floods provided the opportunity to identify new sites by facilitating access to previously inaccessible areas and by uncovering artefact scatters. To assess the condition of known sites and to identify new sites, a tender was prepared for an Archaeological Flood Survey. Survey locations were developed in consultation with Gunai/Kurnai representatives and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (see Figure 26). Following an unsuccessful tendering process (no bids were received), Ironbark Heritage and Environment were contracted to undertake the survey.
Field assessments were delayed by the extended tendering process and the seasonal closure of roads into the survey sites. The delayed start impinged on the quality of the data as understorey regrowth had occurred, obscuring sites of interest. The field assessments involved Gunai/Kurnai community representatives. Some areas still await survey and it is hoped that the survey process will be completed by January, 2010.
Some of the outcomes of the survey were:
● A number of cultural heritage sites were identified and recorded across the surveyed areas.
● Heavy sedimentation has covered some previously known sites.
● In one location erosion of the stream bank exposed artefacts in the bank cross section.
● Surface flow appeared to have washed artefact-bearing top soil down onto the bed of the Wellington River.
● Severe erosion has removed streamside banks and flats that probably had artefacts present in the Aberfeldy and Wellington catchments.
The results of findings have not yet been released. A final report is expected in January, 2010.
26 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Fig. 26: Locations of post-flood Archaeological surveys.
272007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
7. COMMUNITY AND TOURISM RECOVERY
ALLOCATiON $1M
Objectives and Strategies
● Promote the local tourist industry
● Support flood-affected communities to undertake local events
Achievements
● The involvement of the community in the Public Land Re-opening Strategy.
● The employment of Licensed Tourism Operators through the Licensed Tourist Operator Employment Scheme.
● Media releases for the re-opening of roads, tracks, camping sites promptly released following the completion of repair works to encourage the return of tourists to damaged areas.
● The publication of a news article in Track Watch (4WD Victoria).
● The production of a flood recovery media insert for distribution to the community through Gippsland regional newsletters, tourist information centres and other strategic locations.
● The funding of 33 committees of management for various works on Crown Land.
● The re-opening of the Gippsland Plains and East Gippsland Rail Trails within 14 and six months, respectively of the June flood event.
28 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
7.1 COMMUNiTY iNFRASTRUCTURE ON CROwN LAND
Committees of Management (COMs) for Crown Land manage a significant area of land and associated community assets such as Community Halls, Recreation Reserves, Racecourses, Mechanics Institutes and Surf Life Saving clubs. In total, 33 COMs received funding for works which included structural repairs to buildings, electrical repairs and debris removal. Examples of the types of projects funded are described below. In previous disaster events, COMs have not received support directly through DSE; rather they were required to apply for Community Grants administered by the Department of Human Services. The new funding agreement arranged within the Flood/Storm Recovery Program allowed DSE to directly support these projects, thus streamlining the process.
The COM for the Old Gippstown ‘Gippsland Heritage Park’ in Moe received funding through the Flood/Storm Recovery Program to repair damage to building exteriors and artefacts. Old Gippstown is a not for profit community-based program operating a heritage park on Crown Land. Over eighty percent of the buildings at the heritage park are original, dating back to the 1840s. The village was created by relocating buildings from around the Gippsland region to the site in Moe. The funding received from the Flood/Storm Recovery program was used to replace roofs on a number of the buildings; repaint walls; steam clean carpets; repair flashings and gutters, resurface the main access through the park and install drainage systems.
Funding was also allocated to the COMs for the East Gippsland and Gippsland Plains Rail Trails. The East Gippsland Rail Trail (EGRT) runs between Bairnsdale and Newmerella (near Orbost) over a total of 94 km. The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail (GPRT) extends 65 km from Stratford to Traralgon in Central Gippsland. The trails pass through varied landscapes of farmland, State forest and townships. Both Rail Trails, which are managed by COMs with assistance from DSE, suffered extensive damage in the 2007 floods. On the EGRT, two sections of the cutting near Lees Road collapsed as a result of a drain washout and the subsequent extreme runoff (see Figure 27). Approximately 720 cubic metres of old rail ballast was used to reinstate the damaged embankments (see Figure 28). On the GPRT, several crossings were damaged as well as the Rainbow Creek Bridge. The rehabilitation of both rail trails received strong community support. The Gippsland Plains and East Gippsland Rail Trails were re-opened within fourteen and six months respectively of the June flood event.
Fig. 27: Damage sustained to the East Gippsland Rail Trail during the flood events.
Fig. 28: Old rail ballast was used to reinstate an embankment on the East Gippsland Rail Trail.
292007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
7.2 COMMUNiTY ENGAGEMENT
The objectives for the community engagement program with respect to the Flood/Storm Recovery Program were to:
● Maintain and foster relationships with the local communities
● Promote the role of the community in the flood recovery process
● Engage stakeholders in recovery processes, achievements and activities
● Assist communities in the adaptation to the new landscape
A number of community engagement activities have been undertaken to inform the community about the extent of the flood damage, gain the community’s perspective on the prioritisation and implementation of recovery works, and to support the community in its recovery process. Some of community engagement activities that were organised are listed below:
● Community input invited for the development of the Access Re-opening Strategy
● The employment of Local Tourism Operators (LTOs) in recovery works
● Support for the Licola Recovery and Development Committee
● Support for volunteers from the Victorian Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs for their involvement in track clearing
● A talk on the recovery process was given to school groups in Cowwarr (September, 2007)
● The facilitation of tree planting days in Cowwarr (September, 2007) and Heyfield (November, 2007)
● Community bus tours of flood affected areas (September, 2008).
30 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
7.3 TOURiSM
The tourism industry in Gippsland was seriously impacted by the 2006/07 Great Divide Fires and the subsequent floods. The DSE and PV supported the tourism industry in Gippsland by prioritising recovery works in areas that experience high visitor numbers including the 90 mile beach coastline, recreation sites at the Gippsland Lakes, and prominent parks. For example, access to 90 mile beach was restored and jetties and piers servicing the Gippsland Lakes rehabilitated prior to the peak summer period.
The tourism industry was also supported by the restoration of visitor access to National Parks and State Forest. Where possible, the re-opening of roads was fast-tracked to facilitate access for residents and tourists. For example, the severely damaged Tamboritha road, which provides access to the Alpine National Park from Licola, was inspected by a contracted safety expert to determine what public safety actions were needed to allow a partial opening of the road whilst reconstruction continued. This process allowed public access to this road within three months of the flood event, rather than having the road remain closed for fifteen months until the works were completed. The DSE and PV produced a single public document (Access Re-opening Strategy – available on the PV website) which detailed all of the roads closed due to fire/flood damage and their likely date of re-opening. Works were scheduled to facilitate the re-opening of groups of roads to coincide with peak visitor periods such as long weekend or Easter.
Some commercial businesses are heavily or wholly dependant on public land for their business continuity; in particular Licensed Tour Operators. To support their recovery and that of the local economy and tourism industry, DSE and PV utilised these professionals where possible, capitalising on their skills and knowledge to assist works on public land.
312007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
8. REPORTING AND REVIEW
The DSE and PV reported on the implementation of the actions of the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program, undertaken to recover damage incurred on public land in the flood events in 2007. Four progress reports were prepared for the quarters to September, 2007; December, 2007; March, 2008 and June, 2008. These reports were prepared for the Project Control Board and the Executive Directors of DSE and PV. The progress reports were made available to the public via FireWeb. The reports were used to identify ongoing issues or emerging threats (e.g. weed invasion) that may need to be addressed by follow-up programs. The reports were also used to gauge the progress of the various recovery programs and their expenditure. This report forms the final report for the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program.
8.1 LEARNiNGS
Two facilitated workshops were held with staff involved in the recovery program to capture their views on the successes and failures of the Flood/Storm Recovery Program. The workshops were held in winter, 2008, in order to capture the views of recovery staff before they were re-deployed to other duties.
Most views of staff at the workshops were positive. They were particularly impressed with:
● The coordination of DSE and PV recovery efforts
● Access Re-opening strategy, led by Parks Victoria
● The receipt of the $10M advance for recovery works
● The coordination and engagement of external contractors
● The ability to capitalise on the fire recovery process already in place
● The delegation of authority from a central point
Improvements identified included:
● Keeping personnel lists up to date
● The development of a shared drive for DSE and PV recovery documents
● Recognition of transition from event response to recovery
● The development of a panel contract for recovery/casual staff
● Managing the people we have better (identifying those that will need to continue with recovery process, release them for a period of time, fill with people from elsewhere)
32 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
REFERENCES
DSE and PV (2008) Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Plan. Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria.
Practical Ecology (2008) Condition assessment of threatened EVCs following the June 2007 floods of Gippsland, Victoria. A report prepared for Parks Victoria.
Serena, M. and G.A. Williams (2008) The status of Platypus in flood and fire affected catchments in Gippsland, 2008. A report to Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria. Australian Platypus Conservancy.
332007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
APPENDIX 1: FINANCE
wo
rk P
lan
Ob
ject
ives
Pro
ject
N
um
ber
imp
lem
enta
tio
nA
lloca
tio
n
07/0
8Ex
pen
dit
ure
1. V
iSiT
OR
SER
ViC
ESRe
stor
e vi
sito
r ac
cess
3745
9Ro
ad &
wal
king
tra
ck r
isk
asse
ssm
ent
& r
eope
ning
(DSE
) $2,
200,
000
(PV
) $2,
500,
000
(DSE
) $2,
884,
586
(PV
) $2,
500,
000
3746
0Br
idge
ris
k as
sess
men
t &
rep
lace
men
t
3745
7Ra
il tr
ails
$600
,000
$712
,923
Repa
ir or
rep
lace
rec
reat
iona
l and
tou
rist
built
asse
ts
3745
0C
oast
s an
d po
rts
$1,4
00,0
00$1
,163
,182
3745
8Bu
ilt a
sset
s &
infr
astr
uctu
re(D
SE) $
400,
000
(PV
) $20
0,00
0
(DSE
) $23
9,51
6
(PV
) $20
0,00
0
$7,3
00,0
00$7
,700
,207
2. N
ATU
RA
L V
ALU
ES
Prot
ectio
n fr
om w
eeds
& p
ests
3745
2W
eeds
, pre
dato
rs &
fer
al a
nim
als
(DSE
) $30
0,00
0
(PV
) $10
0,00
0
(DSE
) $42
4,14
7
(PV
) $10
0,00
0
Prot
ect
high
val
ue b
iodi
vers
ity f
rom
hig
h to
extr
eme
risks
3775
3
Rem
ove
high
prio
rity
faun
a at
ris
k of
loca
l ext
inct
ion
(DSE
) $10
0,00
0
(PV
) $10
0,00
0
(DSE
) $60
,000
(PV
) $10
0,00
0Im
prov
e un
ders
tand
ing
of t
he im
pact
of
fire
on
biod
iver
sity
(Mon
itor)
Impa
cts
of fi
res
on k
ey p
opul
atio
ns
Prot
ect
wat
er f
ront
ages
3745
6$5
00,0
00$4
77,7
72
Subt
otal
1,10
0,00
0$1
,161
,919
3. i
ND
iGEN
OU
S A
ND
PO
ST S
ETTL
EMEN
T h
ERiT
AG
E
Indi
geno
us C
ultu
ral V
alue
s37
454
(PV
) $20
0,00
0 (P
V) $
200,
000
Her
itage
cul
tura
l val
ues
3745
5(D
SE) $
100,
000
(DSE
) $30
,000
Subt
otal
$300
,000
$230
,000
34 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
wo
rk P
lan
Ob
ject
ives
Pro
ject
N
um
ber
imp
lem
enta
tio
nA
lloca
tio
n
07/0
8Ex
pen
dit
ure
4. C
OM
MU
NiC
ATi
ON
AN
D C
OM
MU
NiT
Y E
NG
AG
EMEN
T
3746
2$2
00,0
00$9
8,47
9
Subt
otal
$200
,000
$98,
479
5.
CO
MM
UN
ITY
AN
D T
OU
RISM
REC
OV
ERY
Repa
ir an
d re
stor
e co
mm
unity
infr
astr
uctu
re o
n
Cro
wn
land
3745
3$1
,000
,000
$946
,673
Sub
tota
l$1
,000
,000
$946
,673
6. F
LOO
D R
ESPO
NSE
CO
STS
8800
1(D
SE) $
100,
000
(DSE
) $10
2,31
2
Sub
tota
l$1
00,0
00$1
02,3
12
TOTA
LS$1
0,00
0,00
0$1
0,23
9,59
0*
* N
OTE
: Add
ition
al e
xpen
ditu
re ($
239,
590)
was
fun
ded
thro
ugh
insu
red
wor
ks.
352007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
APPENDIX 2: OPERATIONS
Stat
us
key
: C
om
ple
teEx
cep
tio
nal
p
erfo
rman
ce t
o r
epo
rtO
n t
rack
Beh
ind
sch
edu
leSi
gn
ifica
nt
issu
es t
hat
n
eed
res
olv
ing
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
1.V
iSiT
OR
SER
ViC
ES
Res
tore
vis
ito
r ac
cess
Prov
ide
publ
ic a
cces
s to
m
ajor
vis
itor
site
s by
30
June
200
8
Cle
ar v
ehic
le r
oads
, w
alki
ng t
rack
s an
d vi
sito
r si
tes
of f
alle
n de
bris
, cle
ar
drai
ns, g
rade
roa
ds, a
sses
s an
d m
itiga
te d
ange
rous
tr
ees
and
othe
r ris
ks in
ac
cord
ance
with
the
pr
iorit
y of
the
re-
open
ing
stra
tegy
by
30 J
une
2008
.
$4,3
00,0
00
$80,
000
$3,5
00,0
00
Co
mp
lete
• D
ebris
rem
oved
fro
m r
oad
and
trac
k ne
twor
k
• Tr
ee h
azar
d as
sess
men
ts u
nder
take
n
• A
ll ro
ads
with
out
maj
or in
sura
nce
wor
ks r
e-op
ened
• M
ajor
ity o
f ro
ad/t
rack
net
wor
k re
-est
ablis
hed
and
prog
ress
doc
umen
ted
in r
e-op
enin
g st
rate
gy
• Th
is is
com
mun
icat
ed in
the
re-
open
ing
stra
tegy
for
Gip
psla
nd
Re-e
stab
lish
perm
anen
t an
d se
ason
al r
oads
Re
pair
Road
sB
ehin
d
sch
edu
le•
Park
s V
icto
ria r
oad
and
trac
k sy
stem
com
plet
e
• M
ost
DSE
-man
aged
roa
ds r
e-op
ened
, som
e ne
ed
addi
tiona
l rep
air
(see
Tab
le 1
). U
nfini
shed
roa
ds a
re
awai
ting
the
proc
essi
ng o
f in
sura
nce
clai
ms
• So
me
repa
ir/re
plac
emen
ts
inco
mpl
ete,
wai
ting
on t
he
proc
essi
ng o
f in
sura
nce
clai
ms
Repa
ir an
d re
-ope
n G
ipps
land
Pla
ins
and
East
G
ipps
land
Rai
l Tra
ils
Rem
ove
debr
is a
nd r
epai
r
trai
l sur
face
. Rep
air
or
repl
ace
brid
ges
and
othe
r st
ruct
ures
to
ensu
re s
afet
y an
d co
mpl
ianc
e w
ith
engi
neer
ing
stan
dard
s.
$600
,000
Co
mp
lete
• Ea
st G
ipps
land
Rai
l Tra
il re
-ope
ned
with
in s
ix m
onth
s of
the
maj
or fl
ood
even
t
• G
ipps
land
Pla
ins
Rail
Trai
l re-
open
ed w
ithin
fou
rtee
n m
onth
s of
the
maj
or fl
ood
even
t
• Po
tent
ial f
utur
e co
st o
f $1
M t
o co
nstr
uct
foot
/ cy
cle
brid
ges
over
m
ajor
riv
ers
Dev
elop
a r
e-op
enin
g st
rate
gy f
or G
ipps
land
’s Pu
blic
Lan
d in
con
sulta
tion
with
the
com
mun
ity, k
ey
stak
ehol
ders
and
LTO
s by
30
Jun
e 20
08
Enga
ge w
ith s
take
hold
ers
to id
entif
y pr
iorit
y w
orks
, up
date
Par
kWeb
to
info
rm
publ
ic o
f ro
ad r
e-op
enin
gs.
Co
mp
lete
• Fl
ood
and
fire
re-o
peni
ng s
trat
egie
s am
alga
mat
ed
and
upda
ted
on P
arkW
eb
• Pu
blic
ses
sion
to
faci
litat
e pu
blic
inpu
t in
to t
he r
e-op
enin
g st
rate
gy h
eld
in B
airn
sdal
e an
d Tr
aral
gon
• C
ontin
ue t
o up
date
sta
tus
of r
oads
on
Par
kWeb
36 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
1.V
iSiT
OR
SER
ViC
ES c
on
tin
ued
Rep
air
or
rep
lace
re
crea
tio
nal
an
d
tou
rist
bu
ilt a
sset
s
Rest
ore
beac
h ac
cess
al
ong
90 M
ile B
each
, in
clud
ing
asse
ssm
ent
of
shor
elin
e ha
zard
s by
30
June
200
8
Ass
ess
and
repa
ir of
se
awal
ls a
nd b
reak
wat
ers.
A
sses
s sh
orel
ine
at f
our
maj
or e
rosi
on s
ites
and
min
imis
e ha
zard
s to
sw
imm
ers
and
boat
use
rs.
$1,0
00,0
00C
om
ple
te•
Abo
rigin
al s
ite a
t Ro
undh
ead
prot
ecte
d
• M
arly
Poi
nt s
ea w
all r
epla
ced
• A
cces
s to
Nin
ety
Mile
Bea
ch c
oast
line
rest
ored
(M
cLou
ghlin
s Be
ach,
The
Hon
eysu
ckle
s an
d Pa
radi
se
Beac
h (P
V))
• Er
osio
n pr
otec
tion
and
trac
k re
pair
perf
orm
ed a
long
th
e Lo
ch S
port
For
esho
re
• M
ason
s Ba
y bo
ardw
alk
and
recr
eatio
n fa
cilit
ies
rest
ored
(PV
).
Rest
ore
func
tioni
ng o
f bo
atin
g ca
pabi
lity
with
in
Gip
psla
nd L
akes
by
30
June
200
8
Supp
ort
Gip
psla
nd P
orts
to
re-
esta
blis
h th
eir
full
capa
city
by
30 S
epte
mbe
r 20
07.
$200
,000
C
om
ple
te•
Floo
d da
mag
e th
e Pa
ynes
ville
Boa
t Ya
rd a
nd W
ork
Cen
tre
repa
ired
• Je
ttie
s, s
ea w
alls
, wha
rfs
and
navi
gatio
n ai
des
insp
ecte
d fo
r da
mag
e
• Fl
oatin
g de
bris
rem
oved
• M
itche
ll Ri
ver
Silt
Jett
ies
repa
ired
and
stab
ilise
d
• G
ipps
land
Por
ts (G
P) in
sura
nce
clai
m c
ompl
ete
• G
P St
aff
supp
orte
d Ea
st G
ipps
land
Po
rts
with
insp
ectio
ns a
nd
mon
itorin
g of
boa
ts o
n m
oorin
gs.
All
wor
ks c
ompl
ete.
Supp
ort
flood
aff
ecte
d co
mm
unity
res
erve
s in
fras
truc
ture
Rem
ove
flood
deb
ris
and
faci
litat
e re
pair/
repl
acem
ent
of d
amag
ed
infr
astr
uctu
re o
n C
row
n La
nd m
anag
ed b
y lo
cal C
omm
ittee
s of
M
anag
emen
t (C
OM
s).
$1,5
00,0
00C
om
ple
ted
• Fo
rmal
arr
ange
men
ts m
ade
with
CO
Ms
for
the
reco
very
pro
cess
• 33
Com
mun
ity P
roje
cts
supp
orte
d fin
anci
ally
and
ad
min
istr
ativ
ely
e.g.
Wah
alla
Lon
g Tu
nnel
Min
e ($
245,
101)
, Wah
alla
Tou
rism
Rai
lway
Brid
ges
($75
,000
), G
ipps
land
Her
itage
Par
k ($
112,
370)
, La
kes
Entr
ance
Res
cue
Squa
d ($
60,0
00)
• Po
sitiv
e fe
edba
ck r
ecei
ved
from
C
OM
s re
gard
ing
DSE
rec
over
y su
ppor
t
• 35
age
ncie
s di
rect
ly in
volv
ed
in r
ecov
ery
proj
ect,
5 n
ew
man
agem
ent
arra
ngem
ents
Rest
ore
the
wal
king
tra
ck
netw
ork
by 3
0 Ju
ne 2
008
Rest
ore
seve
rely
dam
aged
w
alki
ng t
rack
s an
d as
soci
ated
infr
astr
uctu
re
incl
udin
g th
e Sa
le
Com
mon
and
Mitc
hell
Rive
r w
alki
ng t
rack
s.
$800
,000
$25,
000
Co
mp
lete
• Bl
ue P
ools
and
Avo
n (C
hann
els
– H
ugge
ts) w
alki
ng
trac
ks r
e op
ened
• Sa
le C
omm
on B
oard
wal
k re
-ope
ned
• Bo
ardw
alk
at E
win
gs M
oras
s at
Pet
tman
s Be
ach
com
plet
e
Ass
ets
repl
aced
fit
for
purp
ose,
con
sist
ent
with
su
stai
nabl
e pr
inci
ples
an
d fu
lly c
ompl
iant
with
re
leva
nt s
tand
ards
by
30
June
200
8
Com
pile
list
of
dam
aged
as
sets
on
publ
ic la
nd.
Trea
t si
tes
to p
rote
ct
publ
ic s
afet
y an
d re
mov
e da
mag
ed o
r de
stro
yed
stru
ctur
es.
Und
erta
ke p
lann
ing
and
desi
gn t
o re
plac
e as
sets
in
acco
rdan
ce w
ith p
riorit
ies.
C
ompl
ete
repa
ir an
d re
plac
emen
t pr
ogra
m.
$400
,000
Co
mp
lete
• Li
st o
f da
mag
ed a
sset
s in
Eric
a/H
eyfie
ld c
ompl
eted
an
d lo
dged
with
insu
rers
.
• Re
pairs
to
all C
ann
Rive
r re
crea
tion
site
s co
mpl
eted
.
• Bl
ue P
ool w
orks
com
plet
ed a
head
of
sche
dule
.
• C
ampg
roun
d gr
avel
ling
in E
rica
dist
rict
com
plet
ed.
• G
ipps
land
Lak
es D
isco
very
Tra
il re
pairs
and
reg
rade
co
mpl
eted
for
sch
ool h
olid
ay u
se.
• M
ount
Tay
lor
Boys
Cam
p re
pairs
com
plet
ed w
ith
reve
geta
tion
area
s fe
nced
off
.
• D
eptf
ord
cam
pgro
und
acce
ss r
epai
red.
• Re
plac
emen
t of
fac
ilitie
s w
as
in a
ccor
danc
e w
ith A
ustr
alia
n St
anda
rds
and
DSE
Fac
ilitie
s D
esig
n C
omm
ittee
.
372007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
2. N
ATU
RA
L V
ALU
ES
Pro
tect
hig
h
valu
e b
iod
iver
sity
as
sets
fro
m h
igh
to
ext
rem
e ri
sks
(mit
igat
e ri
sk)
Ass
ess
high
prio
rity
terr
estr
ial a
nd a
quat
ic
faun
a po
pula
tions
at
risk
of lo
cal e
xtin
ctio
n fr
om
thre
aten
ed h
abita
t by
30
June
200
8 an
d im
plem
ent
rem
edia
l wor
k.
Det
erm
ine
the
impa
ct o
f th
e flo
od o
n si
gnifi
cant
aq
uatic
inve
rteb
rate
s (#
2.1)
; ver
tebr
ates
in
clud
ing
Dw
arf
and
Mou
ntai
n G
alax
ids
and
Aus
tral
ian
Gra
ylin
g (#
2.2)
; am
phib
ians
(#2.
3) a
nd
impl
emen
t re
cove
ry
prog
ram
s as
req
uire
d.
$200
,000
$50,
000
Co
mp
lete
• Po
pula
tions
of
fish
wer
e fo
und
and
are
bein
g he
ld a
t A
RI u
ntil
suita
ble
rein
trod
uctio
n co
nditi
ons
occu
r.
• C
ontin
ue n
orm
al p
reda
tor
cont
rol a
nd a
sses
smen
t of
w
ild p
opul
atio
n st
atus
.
$10,
000
• Pr
ojec
t no
t ac
tione
d th
roug
h flo
od
reco
very
pro
gram
.
Redu
ce im
med
iate
ne
gativ
e im
pact
s on
hig
h va
lue
ecos
yste
ms
by 3
0 Ju
ne 2
008.
Det
erm
ine
impa
ct o
f flo
ods
on A
lpin
e M
ossb
eds
acro
ss a
ll te
nure
s (#
2.4)
an
d im
plem
ent
stru
ctur
al
rest
orat
ion
actio
ns w
ith
area
s fir
e an
d flo
od
affe
cted
as
a pr
iorit
y (#
2.5)
.
Co
mp
lete
• St
ruct
ural
res
tora
tion
impl
emen
ted
to m
inim
ise
eros
ion
and
impr
ove
wat
er q
ualit
y
• To
tal 1
23 m
oss
beds
vis
ited;
all
had
will
ows
$135
,000
• W
illow
s ar
e co
nsid
ered
of
mos
t co
ncer
n in
Bog
ong
Hig
h Pl
ains
, fo
llow
ed b
y M
t Bu
ffal
o an
d W
onna
ngat
ta –
Mor
oka
Reha
bilit
ate
and
redu
ce
imm
edia
te r
isks
to
thre
aten
ed E
VC
s in
clud
ing
Dry
Val
ley
Fore
st,
Rive
rine
Esca
rpm
ent
Scru
b, C
TR, (
#2.6
) an
d D
eep
Fres
hwat
er
Mar
sh in
clud
ing
prot
ectio
n of
sig
nific
ant
geom
orph
olog
ical
fea
ture
s (#
2.7)
.
Co
mp
lete
• 12
site
s re
pres
entin
g va
rious
thr
eate
ned
EVC
s w
ere
surv
eyed
for
floo
d-da
mag
e by
con
sulta
nts
from
Pr
actic
al E
colo
gy
• Th
e fin
ding
s w
ere
publ
ishe
d in
a r
epor
t re
leas
ed in
A
ugus
t, 2
008:
’Con
ditio
n as
sess
men
t of
thr
eate
ned
EVC
s fo
llow
ing
June
200
7 flo
ods
of G
ipps
land
, V
icto
ria.’
• Fl
ood-
impa
cts
on t
hrea
tene
d EV
Cs
incl
uded
exo
tic s
peci
es
colo
nisa
tion,
slu
mpi
ng, e
rosi
on a
nd
falle
n tr
ees
Hyd
rolo
gy r
egul
atio
n st
ruct
ures
at
McL
eods
M
oras
s
Co
mp
lete
• M
cLeo
ds M
oras
s W
etla
nd e
ngin
eerin
g w
orks
co
mpl
eted
in D
ecem
ber
2007
38 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
2. N
ATU
RA
L V
ALU
ES c
on
tin
ued
imp
rove
u
nd
erst
and
ing
of
the
imp
act
of
Flo
od
an
d S
torm
eve
nt
on
bio
div
ersi
ty
(mo
nit
or
risk
)
Impa
cts
of fl
oods
and
st
orm
s on
key
pop
ulat
ions
an
d/or
hab
itat
of fl
ora
and
aqua
tic o
rgan
ism
s,
amph
ibia
ns, m
amm
als
and
rept
iles
asse
ssed
by
30
June
200
8.
Sync
hron
ise
flood
pro
gram
w
ith fi
re p
rogr
am a
lread
y in
pla
ce a
nd p
rovi
de e
xtra
re
sour
ces
whe
re r
equi
red.
Perf
orm
sur
veys
to
confi
rm
pres
ence
/per
sist
ence
of
prio
rity
thre
aten
ed p
lant
po
pula
tions
(#2.
8).
Co
mp
lete
• Fl
ood
reco
very
pro
gram
inco
rpor
ated
into
the
fire
re
cove
ry p
rogr
am a
lread
y in
pla
ce
• Su
rvey
s w
ere
perf
orm
ed t
o co
nfirm
the
pre
senc
e or
pe
rsis
tenc
e of
prio
rity
thre
aten
ed p
lant
pop
ulat
ions
.
• Su
rvey
find
ings
wer
e pu
blis
hed
in a
rep
ort
rele
ased
in
Aug
ust,
200
8: ’C
ondi
tion
asse
ssm
ent
of t
hrea
tene
d EV
Cs
follo
win
g Ju
ne 2
007
flood
s of
Gip
psla
nd,
Vic
toria
.’
• Th
e se
verit
y of
the
fire
was
the
m
ain
cont
ribut
ing
fact
or t
o im
pact
ed b
iodi
vers
ity
• W
eed
mon
itorin
g is
ong
oing
Und
erta
ke s
urve
ys o
f th
reat
ened
fau
na in
clud
ing
Smok
y M
ouse
(#2.
9) [c
ross
te
nure
pro
ject
DSE
lead
]
Co
mp
lete
• Pr
elim
inar
y re
view
of
docu
men
ted
rese
arch
com
pile
d
• Pr
ojec
t su
rvey
s un
dert
aken
in t
he G
oulb
urn
Cat
chm
ent
• Pr
ogre
ss r
epor
ts p
rovi
ded
to t
he R
ecov
ery
Man
agem
ent
Boar
d
• A
fina
l rep
ort
com
pile
d fo
r th
e A
rthu
r R
ylah
Inst
itute
• Pr
ojec
t su
pple
men
ted
with
fed
eral
fu
ndin
g (N
atio
nal H
erita
ge T
rust
).
Mon
itorin
g to
det
erm
ine
the
stat
us o
f pl
atyp
us in
flo
od a
nd fi
re a
ffec
ted
catc
hmen
ts in
Gip
psla
nd.
$33,
000
Co
mp
lete
• Fi
eldw
ork
com
plet
ed a
nd d
raft
rep
ort
subm
itted
to
DSE
.
Min
imis
e th
e ri
sk
asso
ciat
ed w
ith
es
tab
lish
ed a
nd
n
ew a
nd
em
erg
ing
w
eed
s (r
edu
ce r
isk)
Iden
tify
key
prio
ritie
s fo
r de
alin
g w
ith w
eeds
, an
d pr
iorit
ise
high
val
ue
habi
tats
and
veg
etat
ion
com
mun
ities
for
wee
d co
ntro
l by
30 J
une
2008
.
Erad
icat
e ne
w a
nd
emer
ging
wee
ds f
rom
pr
iorit
y ar
eas
in t
he
Mitc
hell,
Tho
mps
on
and
Avo
n C
atch
men
ts
incl
udin
g tr
ibut
arie
s an
d al
pine
bog
s in
the
ir he
adw
ater
s (#
2.10
).
Redu
ce t
he t
hrea
t of
es
tabl
ishe
d w
eeds
im
pact
ing
on k
ey v
alue
s in
prio
rity
area
s in
the
M
itche
ll, T
hom
pson
an
d A
von
Cat
chm
ents
in
clud
ing
trib
utar
ies
and
lake
s th
at r
each
ed m
ajor
flo
ods
leve
ls. (
#2.1
1) –
id
entifi
ed t
hrea
ts in
clud
e bl
ackb
erry
, brid
al c
reep
er,
periw
inkl
e an
d w
illow
s in
rip
aria
n ar
eas;
and
Pa
tter
son’
s C
urse
, gor
se
and
Oxe
ye d
aisy
in u
pper
ca
tchm
ent
area
s.
$600
,000
Co
mp
lete
• M
exic
an P
oppy
, Arg
emon
e or
chro
leuc
a, d
etec
ted
in
the
Won
anga
tta
Valle
y. C
ontr
ol p
rogr
am d
evel
oped
th
roug
h a
part
ners
hip
betw
een
DSE
and
Lan
dcar
e.
• M
exic
an P
oppy
con
trol
pro
gram
impl
emen
ted
in
Sprin
g 20
08.
392007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
2. N
ATU
RA
L V
ALU
ES c
on
tin
ued
Min
imis
e th
e ri
sk
asso
ciat
ed w
ith
p
red
ato
rs a
nd
g
raze
rs o
n h
igh
va
lue
fau
na
and
fl
ora
(re
du
ce r
isk)
Redu
ce im
med
iate
ne
gativ
e im
pact
s on
hig
h va
lue
faun
a an
d flo
ra
thro
ugh
pest
ani
mal
co
ntro
l by
30 J
une
2008
.
Dec
reas
e th
e im
pact
s of
pe
st a
nim
als
incl
udin
g gr
azin
g by
exo
tic
herb
ivor
es (r
abbi
ts, d
eer,
pigs
, goa
ts a
nd f
eral
ho
rses
) on
sign
ifica
nt
valu
es w
ithin
the
maj
or
flood
eff
ecte
d ar
ea
(#2.
12).
Und
erta
ke m
onito
ring
of
the
impa
cts
of b
y ex
otic
he
rbiv
ores
on
rege
nera
ting
thre
aten
ed fl
ora
and
EVC
s fo
llow
ing
the
flood
eve
nt
(#2.
13).
Redu
ce t
he in
crea
sed
thre
at o
f pr
edat
ion
by f
oxes
and
cat
s to
si
gnifi
cant
fau
na w
ithin
th
e flo
od e
ffec
ted
area
s.
Co
mp
lete
• A
n ex
tens
ive
fox-
baiti
ng p
rogr
am w
as u
nder
take
n.
Min
imis
e p
est
pla
nts
an
d a
nim
als
alo
ng
th
e p
ub
lic/
pri
vate
lan
d
inte
rfac
e (r
edu
ce
risk
)
Wor
k in
par
tner
ship
with
ad
jace
nt la
ndho
lder
s to
un
dert
ake
pred
ator
con
trol
an
d to
iden
tify
and
cont
rol
wee
d so
urce
s on
pub
lic
land
by
30 J
une
2008
.
Dec
reas
e th
e co
ver
of
wee
ds d
ispe
rsed
by
the
flood
eve
nt in
inte
rfac
e ar
eas
incl
udin
g w
illow
and
ot
her
pest
pla
nts.
Und
erta
ke s
urve
illan
ce a
nd
trea
t ne
w a
nd e
mer
ging
w
eeds
alo
ng in
terf
ace
area
s.
Man
age
rabb
it, h
are
and
fox
popu
latio
ns a
nd o
ther
pe
st a
nim
als
alon
g th
e in
terf
ace.
Co
mp
lete
• Th
e de
velo
pmen
t of
an
inte
grat
ed p
est,
pla
nts
and
anim
als
prog
ram
in t
he M
itche
ll Ri
ver
Cat
chm
ent
betw
een
EGC
MA
, PV
and
DSE
.
• Su
ppor
t fo
r th
e G
ood
Nei
ghbo
ur P
rogr
am, w
hich
in
volv
es a
com
bine
d ef
fort
bet
wee
n th
e D
SE a
nd
land
hold
ers
to c
ontr
ol w
eeds
at
the
publ
ic/p
rivat
e la
nd in
terf
ace.
imp
rove
pro
tect
ion
o
f ri
par
ian
ve
get
atio
n a
lon
g
stre
ams
and
w
ater
cou
rses
Repa
ir or
rep
lace
bou
ndar
y fe
ncin
g al
ong
stra
tegi
c w
ater
way
s by
30
June
20
08.
Build
str
ong
part
ners
hips
w
ith t
he E
ast
Gip
psla
nd
Cat
chm
ent
Man
agem
ent
Aut
horit
y to
iden
tify
affe
cted
land
hold
ers.
$475
00C
om
ple
ted
• 16
aff
ecte
d la
ndho
lder
s id
entifi
ed
• 11
.1 k
m o
f fe
ncin
g re
paire
d
• 10
.3 k
m o
f rip
aria
n ar
eas
man
aged
for
bla
ckbe
rry,
bl
ue p
eriw
inkl
e an
d w
illow
• 39
.7 h
a of
rip
aria
n zo
ne f
ence
d to
pre
vent
gra
zing
• Th
e 39
.7 h
a of
rip
aria
n zo
ne is
now
un
der
the
Rive
rban
k Re
habi
litat
ion
and
Land
Man
agem
ent
Agr
eem
ent
for
perp
etui
ty.
40 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
2. N
ATU
RA
L V
ALU
ES c
on
tin
ued
Rep
air
or
rep
lace
C
MA
ass
ets
Ass
ess
and
rebu
ild a
sset
s by
30
June
200
8.
n/a
n/a
CM
A fl
oo
d r
eco
very
fu
nd
ing
an
d r
epo
rtin
g a
rran
gem
ents
alt
ered
an
d a
re n
ow
m
anag
ed d
irec
tly
by
the
Dep
artm
ent
of
Trea
sury
an
d F
inan
ce.
inve
stig
ate
and
A
sses
s R
iver
hea
lth
is
sues
Iden
tify
and
impl
emen
t pr
iorit
y w
orks
by
30 J
une
08
Pro
tect
riv
er h
ealt
h
fro
m s
edim
ent
Ass
ess
and
prio
ritis
e w
orks
by
30
June
200
8.
Min
imis
e w
eed
re
esta
blis
hm
ent
and
in
vasi
on
of
new
w
eed
s in
hig
h v
alu
e w
ater
way
s
Und
erta
ke w
eed
man
agem
ent
activ
ities
in
conj
unct
ion
with
adj
oini
ng
land
hold
ers
by 3
0 Ju
ne
2008
.
imp
rove
C
om
mu
nit
y kn
ow
led
ge
and
u
nd
erst
and
ing
of
the
reg
ion
s fl
oo
ds
in r
egar
d t
o r
iver
h
ealt
h
Enga
ge lo
cal c
omm
unity
an
d pr
ovid
e in
form
atio
n an
d ad
vice
reg
ardi
ng r
iver
he
alth
issu
es r
elat
ed t
o flo
od. I
nfor
m a
nd c
onsu
lt co
mm
unity
thr
ough
the
flo
od r
espo
nse
prog
ram
3. i
ND
iGEN
OU
S A
ND
PO
ST –
SET
TLEM
ENT
hER
iTA
GE
Rec
og
nit
ion
of
trad
itio
nal
ow
ner
s an
d t
hei
r el
der
s
Build
on
part
ners
hips
es
tabl
ishe
d be
twee
n tr
aditi
onal
ow
ners
, the
ir el
ders
and
man
agem
ent
agen
cies
in t
he G
reat
D
ivid
e Fi
re R
ecov
ery
Proj
ect.
Wor
k in
par
tner
ship
with
th
e Ta
unge
rung
, Gun
ai
Kur
nai,
Kur
nai,
Dhu
droa
, W
urun
djer
i, M
oner
o-N
garig
u, J
aim
athm
atha
ng
and
Mita
mbu
ta p
eopl
es
and
thei
r el
ders
En
sure
invo
lvem
ent
of
trad
ition
al o
wne
rs a
nd
elde
rs in
the
rec
over
y pr
ogra
m t
hrou
gh t
he
Vic
toria
n A
lps
Indi
geno
us
Refe
renc
e G
roup
(VA
IRG
).
Co
mp
lete
• Tr
aditi
onal
ow
ners
and
the
ir el
ders
ass
iste
d in
the
se
lect
ion
of a
rcha
eolo
gica
l sur
vey
site
s.
• Tr
aditi
onal
ow
ners
and
eld
ers
perf
orm
ed p
re-s
urve
y fie
ld in
spec
tions
at
the
prop
osed
sur
vey
loca
tions
.
An
exte
nded
ten
derin
g pr
oces
s an
d ac
cess
issu
es d
elay
ed t
he c
ompl
etio
n of
Indi
geno
us a
rcha
eolo
gica
l sur
veys
. Th
eref
ore,
the
sur
veys
cou
ld n
ot b
e co
mpl
eted
by
the
agre
ed e
nd d
ate
(30
June
200
8)...
Fost
er r
elat
ion
ship
s an
d k
no
wle
dg
e ex
chan
ge
Prom
ote
good
co
mm
unic
atio
n an
d ex
chan
ge o
f id
eas
and
valu
es b
etw
een
trad
ition
al
owne
rs, P
V, D
SE, A
AV
an
d ot
her
indi
geno
us
com
mun
ities
on
the
impl
emen
tatio
n of
the
fir
e, fl
ood
and
stor
m
indi
geno
us r
ecov
ery
prog
ram
by
30 J
une
2008
.
The
Vic
toria
n A
lpin
e A
borig
inal
Ref
eren
ce
Gro
up (V
AA
RG) t
o pr
ovid
e co
llabo
ratio
n an
d st
eerin
g of
fire
, floo
d an
d st
orm
in
dige
nous
rec
over
y pr
ogra
m.
Co
mp
lete
• VA
ARG
ack
now
ledg
emen
t of
floo
d ar
chae
olog
ical
su
rvey
loca
tions
in G
unna
i/Kur
nai c
ount
ry.
• A
AV
invo
lved
in d
evel
opm
ent
of t
he a
rcha
eolo
gica
l su
rvey
pro
gram
fro
m c
once
ptio
n to
impl
emen
tatio
n.
412007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
3. i
ND
iGEN
OU
S A
ND
PO
ST –
SET
TLEM
ENT
hER
iTA
GE
con
tin
ued
Prev
ent
dam
age
to in
dig
eno
us
site
s an
d p
lace
s
Inst
igat
e th
e im
pact
of
rec
over
y w
orks
on
indi
geno
us s
ites
and
plac
es
by 3
0 Ju
ne 2
008.
Dev
elop
a c
onsi
sten
t pr
oces
s fo
r sc
reen
ing
wor
ks p
ropo
sals
to
ensu
re
cultu
ral s
ites
are
prot
ecte
d in
acc
orda
nce
with
the
A
borig
inal
Her
itage
Act
20
06.
$200
,000
Co
mp
lete
• Su
rvey
s to
ass
ess
dam
age
to in
dige
nous
site
s an
d pl
aces
alm
ost
com
plet
ed a
nd s
ite c
ards
hav
e be
en
subm
itted
to
AA
V.
An
exte
nded
ten
derin
g pr
oces
s an
d ac
cess
issu
es d
elay
ed t
he c
ondu
ctio
n of
Indi
geno
us a
rcha
eolo
gica
l sur
veys
. Th
eref
ore,
the
sur
veys
cou
ld n
ot b
e co
mpl
eted
by
the
agre
ed e
nd d
ate
(30
June
200
8)...
Pro
tect
kn
ow
n
ind
igen
ou
s si
tes
and
pla
ces
Con
firm
pre
senc
e of
site
s an
d es
tabl
ish
prot
ectio
n an
d m
anag
emen
t m
easu
res
by 3
0 Ju
ne
2008
.
Und
erta
ke in
tegr
ated
fir
e, fl
ood
and
stor
m
Indi
geno
us a
rcha
eolo
gica
l su
rvey
s ut
ilisi
ng t
radi
tiona
l ow
ners
.
Impl
emen
t a
prog
ram
of
wor
ks t
o pr
otec
t, m
aint
ain
and
(whe
re a
ppro
pria
te)
inte
rpre
t in
dige
nous
cu
ltura
l val
ues
with
tr
aditi
onal
ow
ners
and
sc
hedu
led
com
mun
ities
/RA
Ps.
Indi
geno
us r
epre
sent
ativ
es
invo
lved
in p
lann
ing
and
impl
emen
tatio
n of
all
site
w
orks
.
Co
mp
lete
• A
rcha
eolo
gica
l fiel
d su
rvey
s co
nduc
ted
in 5
ca
tchm
ents
acr
oss
the
flood
aff
ecte
d ar
ea a
nd a
cros
s a
rang
e of
ter
rain
fro
m c
oast
al m
arsh
to
high
cou
ntry
(t
his
incl
uded
are
as b
urnt
in 2
006/
07 G
reat
Div
ide
Fire
s).
• G
unna
i/Kur
nai r
epre
sent
ativ
es w
ere
invo
lved
in a
ll fie
ldw
ork.
Dev
elo
p a
mo
re
com
ple
te p
ictu
re
of
arch
aeo
log
ical
re
cord
of
ind
igen
ou
s si
tes
Iden
tify
indi
geno
us
arch
aeol
ogic
al s
ites
and
plac
es n
ot y
et r
ecor
ded
by
30 J
une
2008
.
Und
erta
ke p
ost-
flood
in
dige
nous
arc
haeo
logi
cal
surv
eys
utili
sing
tra
ditio
nal
owne
rs.
Co
mp
lete
Pro
tect
po
st
Euro
pea
n
sett
lem
ent
her
itag
e
Ass
ess
and
prot
ect
post
se
ttle
men
t he
ritag
e by
30
June
200
8.
Ass
ess
post
-set
tlem
ent
herit
age
for
evid
ence
of
eros
ion,
exp
osur
e an
d in
stab
ility
.
Prot
ect
site
s or
rem
ove
vuln
erab
le m
ater
ials
.
$100
,000
Co
mp
lete
42 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
4. C
OM
MU
NiC
ATi
ON
AN
D C
OM
MU
NiT
Y E
NG
AG
EMEN
T
Mai
nta
in a
nd
Fo
ster
R
elat
ion
ship
sC
omm
unic
ate
the
reop
enin
g st
rate
gy t
o ge
nera
l com
mun
ity, k
ey
stak
ehol
ders
and
rel
evan
t G
over
nmen
t au
thor
ities
by
30 J
une
2008
.
Enga
ge s
take
hold
ers
rega
rdin
g pr
iorit
ies
for
publ
ic a
cces
s an
d in
corp
orat
e in
to P
ublic
La
nd R
eope
ning
Str
ateg
y by
1 D
ecem
ber
2007
.
Dev
elop
and
pub
licis
e Pu
blic
Lan
d Re
open
ing
Stra
tegy
on
Park
Web
with
m
onth
ly u
pdat
es.
Con
tinue
to
upda
te a
nd
publ
icis
e Pu
blic
Lan
d Re
open
ing
Stra
tegy
–
resp
ondi
ng t
o ne
w a
nd
chan
ging
sta
keho
lder
ex
pect
atio
ns.
$200
,000
Com
plet
e•
The
floo
d an
d fir
e re
cove
ry r
e-op
enin
g st
rate
gies
w
ere
inte
grat
ed a
nd u
pdat
es o
n th
e pr
ogre
ss o
f ro
ad-r
e-op
enin
gs w
ere
post
ed o
n th
e Pa
rks
Vic
toria
W
ebsi
te (w
ww
.par
kweb
.com
.au)
.
The
Stra
tegy
wor
ked
very
wel
l to
info
rm s
taff
and
ext
erna
l par
ties
on a
pa
rk, r
oad,
or
trac
ks o
peni
ng s
tatu
s.
Ther
e ar
e 3
PV s
ites
liste
d as
clo
sed
(on
park
web
) due
to
curr
ent
wor
ks.
Web
site
info
was
diffi
cult
to fi
nd f
or
som
e pa
rtie
s, a
dire
ct li
nk s
houl
d be
cr
eate
d fo
r em
erge
ncy
situ
atio
ns.
Mai
ntai
n an
d fo
ster
re
latio
nshi
ps b
etw
een
PV
and
DSE
sta
ff a
nd lo
cal
com
mun
ities
by
30 J
une
2008
.
DSE
and
PV
sta
ff t
o at
tend
an
d su
ppor
t co
mm
unity
re
cove
ry a
nd r
ehab
ilita
tion
even
ts.
DSE
and
PV
sta
ff t
o w
ork
with
the
com
mun
ity
to b
uild
and
mai
ntai
n pa
rtne
rshi
ps t
hat
supp
ort
broa
der
com
mun
ity
reco
very
.
Com
plet
e•
DSE
and
PV
sta
ff h
ave
been
invo
lved
in s
ever
al C
OM
s to
ass
ist
in t
he p
rogr
essi
on o
f co
mm
unity
pro
ject
s
432007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
4. C
OM
MU
NiC
ATi
ON
AN
D C
OM
MU
NiT
Y E
NG
AG
EMEN
T co
nti
nu
ed
Eng
age
stak
eho
lder
s in
re
cove
ry p
roce
sses
, ac
hie
vem
ents
an
d
acti
viti
es
Prom
ote
the
role
of
the
com
mun
ity in
fire
, floo
d an
d st
orm
rec
over
y by
30
June
200
8.
Reco
very
Offi
cers
will
ac
tivel
y co
llabo
rate
with
Sh
ire R
ecov
ery
offic
ers
to id
entif
y co
mm
unity
re
cove
ry o
ppor
tuni
ties.
The
com
mun
ity w
ill b
e en
cour
aged
to
shar
e th
eir
expe
rienc
es t
hrou
gh
part
icip
atio
n in
com
mun
ity
even
ts.
Iden
tify
and
enco
urag
e pa
rtic
ipat
ion
from
the
G
ipps
land
com
mun
ity
and
key
user
gro
ups
in
reco
very
and
mon
itorin
g ac
tiviti
es s
uch
as w
ildlif
e su
rvey
s an
d tr
ee p
lant
ing
field
day
s.
Wor
k w
ith t
he c
omm
unity
to
bui
ld t
heir
capa
city
to
enga
ge w
ith fl
ood,
sto
rm
man
agem
ent
on p
ublic
la
nd.
Co
mp
lete
• C
ontin
uatio
n of
wee
d st
rate
gy p
rogr
ams
acro
ss C
MA
an
d D
SE m
anag
ed a
reas
and
liai
son
with
land
hold
ers
alon
g pr
ivat
e/pu
blic
land
inte
rfac
e.
• Lo
cals
livi
ng w
ithin
the
cat
chm
ents
are
as w
ere
prov
ided
with
impo
rtan
t in
form
atio
n ab
out
plat
ypus
si
ghtin
gs a
nd o
ther
wild
life
in t
he fi
re/fl
ood
zone
.
• Tw
o bu
s to
urs
wer
e he
ld t
o sh
ow t
he c
omm
unity
w
hat
was
bei
ng d
one
to r
ecov
er fl
ood
dam
age.
Supp
ort
reco
very
tea
ms
to m
anag
e co
mm
unity
re
latio
nshi
ps a
nd
enga
gem
ent
activ
ities
.
Prod
uce
and
diss
emin
ate
info
rmat
ive
reco
very
st
orie
s th
roug
h Re
gion
al
Reco
very
New
slet
ters
, IN
FORM
, Gip
psla
nd N
ews
and
Vie
ws,
med
ia o
utle
ts,
Bush
y Ta
les,
New
sflas
h an
d Fi
reW
eb.
Prod
uce
FAQ
s an
d fa
ct
shee
ts t
hat
supp
ort
appr
opria
te f
ores
t us
e du
ring
fore
st a
nd
park
reh
abili
tatio
n an
d re
gene
ratio
n ph
ases
in
the
com
bine
d fir
e, fl
ood
and
stor
m a
ffec
ted
area
s St
ate-
wid
e.
Dev
elop
and
impl
emen
t a
com
mun
icat
ions
pla
n fo
r th
e Fl
ood
Reco
very
Pr
ogra
m t
hat
addr
esse
s ea
ch t
hem
e.
Co
mp
lete
• Se
vera
l PV
and
DSE
med
ia r
elea
ses
wer
e pu
blis
hed,
in
form
ing
the
publ
ic o
n th
e pr
ogre
ss o
f re
cove
ry
wor
ks, r
ecov
ery
activ
ities
and
the
re-
open
ing
of
trac
ks, r
oads
and
vis
itor
site
s.
• A
new
s ar
ticle
on
the
re-o
peni
ng o
f ro
ads
was
pu
blis
hed
in T
rack
Wat
ch (4
WD
Vic
).
• Se
vera
l art
icle
s de
taili
ng t
he p
rogr
ess
of t
he fl
ood
reco
very
eff
ort
wer
e pu
blis
hed
on t
he D
SE in
tern
al
web
site
, Inf
orm
.
• A
med
ia in
sert
on
the
Floo
d Re
cove
ry P
rogr
am w
as
dist
ribut
ed t
o th
e co
mm
unity
thr
ough
Gip
psla
nd
regi
onal
new
spap
ers,
tou
rist
info
rmat
ion
cent
res
and
stra
tegi
c lo
catio
ns (i
.e. D
SE/P
V o
ffice
s).
• Th
e Fl
ood/
Stor
m R
ecov
ery
Plan
and
qua
rter
ly u
pdat
es
on t
he F
lood
Rec
over
y Pr
ogra
m w
ere
publ
ishe
d on
Fi
reW
eb.
44 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
4. C
OM
MU
NiC
ATi
ON
AN
D C
OM
MU
NiT
Y E
NG
AG
EMEN
T co
nti
nu
ed
Co
mm
un
itie
s ad
just
to
th
e n
ew
lan
dsc
ape
Supp
ort
reco
very
tea
ms
to m
anag
e st
akeh
olde
r re
latio
nshi
ps a
nd
enga
gem
ent
activ
ities
.
DSE
and
PV
rep
rese
ntat
ives
w
ill p
artic
ipat
e an
d re
port
on
rec
over
y ac
tiviti
es
at r
egio
nal a
nd lo
cal
stak
ehol
der
foru
ms
and
regi
onal
Rec
over
y W
orki
ng
Gro
ups.
Pres
enta
tions
pro
duce
d to
sup
port
eng
agem
ent
with
key
sta
keho
lder
s an
d co
mm
unity
gro
ups
and
upda
ted
and
circ
ulat
ed
to k
ey p
erso
nnel
in b
oth
regi
ons
(Gip
psla
nd a
nd N
E)
regu
larly
.
Del
iver
com
bine
d fir
e,
flood
and
sto
rm r
ecov
ery
info
rmat
ion
sess
ions
to
key
stak
ehol
ders
.
Dev
elop
and
impl
emen
t an
app
ropr
iate
co
mm
unic
atio
ns p
lan
for
each
the
me.
Co
mp
lete
• D
SE a
nd P
V s
taff
att
ende
d se
vera
l com
mun
ity
reco
very
eve
nts,
whe
re t
hey
prov
ided
info
rmat
ion
on
the
Floo
d Re
cove
ry P
rogr
am a
nd it
s pr
ogre
ss (
e.g.
Li
cola
Rec
over
y Fe
stiv
al a
nd V
icto
rian
4WD
sho
w).
• Se
vera
l tal
ks o
n th
e Fl
ood
Reco
very
Pro
gram
wer
e gi
ven
to s
choo
l and
com
mun
ity g
roup
s (e
.g. F
ield
N
atur
alis
ts, A
pex
Clu
b an
d W
alki
ng C
lubs
).
Mea
sure
com
mun
ity
attit
ude
to fi
re, fl
ood,
st
orm
and
pub
lic la
nd
man
agem
ent
by 3
0 Ju
ne
2008
.
Surv
ey lo
cal r
esid
ents
and
fo
rest
and
par
k us
ers.
Co
mp
lete
Inte
grat
ed in
to K
PIs
for
flood
rec
over
y m
edia
inse
rt.
452007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
Ob
ject
ives
Stra
teg
yPr
oje
ctB
ud
get
fo
r 07
/08
Stat
us
(s
ee k
ey)
Ach
ieve
men
tsC
om
men
t &
issu
es
5. C
OM
MU
NiT
Y A
ND
TO
UR
iSM
REC
OV
ERY
Pro
mo
te t
he
loca
l to
uri
st in
du
stry
Wor
k w
ith s
tate
-wid
e an
d lo
cal t
ouris
m b
odie
s to
pr
omot
e pa
rk a
nd f
ores
t re
-ope
ning
s th
roug
h ad
vert
isin
g an
d m
edia
th
roug
hout
com
bine
d fir
e,
flood
and
sto
rm r
ecov
ery.
Mai
ntai
n lo
cal t
ouris
m
capa
city
thr
ough
Li
cens
ed T
ouris
t O
pera
tor
Empl
oym
ent
Sche
me
(PV
pr
ojec
t)
Fund
ed
thro
ugh
Fire
Re
cove
ry
Co
mp
lete
• LT
Os
fam
iliar
with
the
Alp
ine
Nat
iona
l Par
k w
ere
empl
oyed
to
asse
ss d
amag
e to
tra
cks
follo
win
g th
e fir
e an
d flo
od e
vent
s.
Col
labo
rate
with
D
estin
atio
n G
ipps
land
Inc,
To
uris
m V
icto
ria, G
reat
A
lpin
e Ro
ad M
arke
ting
and
loca
l tou
rism
bod
ies
in
thei
r re
cove
ry s
trat
egie
s.
Fund
ed
thro
ugh
norm
al
busi
ness
ac
tiviti
es
Co
mp
lete
Prom
ote
loca
l des
tinat
ions
at
key
eve
nts
thro
ugh
PV/D
SE a
tten
danc
e th
roug
hout
fire
, floo
d an
d st
orm
rec
over
y (2
007
2008
).
Fund
ed
thro
ugh
norm
al
busi
ness
ac
tiviti
es
Co
mp
lete
• D
SE/P
V s
tand
at
the
Vic
toria
n 4W
D s
how
Sup
po
rt fl
oo
d
affe
cted
co
mm
un
itie
s to
u
nd
erta
ke lo
cal
even
ts
Supp
ort
loca
l com
mun
ity
even
ts b
y pr
ovid
ing
disp
lay
mat
eria
ls, s
tand
s an
d in
-ki
nd m
arke
ting
supp
ort.
Fund
ed
thro
ugh
norm
al
busi
ness
ac
tiviti
es
Co
mp
lete
• Jo
int
PV, D
SE, D
PI s
tand
at
Man
sfiel
d C
onne
cted
C
omm
uniti
es f
estiv
al (1
0/05
/08)
to
prom
ote
fire
and
flood
rec
over
y.
• Fl
ood/
fire
reco
very
pre
sent
atio
n at
Mus
ic in
the
M
ount
ains
Wee
kend
(DSE
E/H
).
Ass
ist
tour
ism
mar
ketin
g bo
dies
to
iden
tify
even
ts
and
activ
ities
(egg
D
estin
atio
n G
ipps
land
) th
at c
an b
e su
ppor
ted
thro
ugh
flood
, sto
rm
reco
very
fun
ding
.
Prod
uce
com
bine
d re
cove
ry b
roch
ures
and
si
gnag
e (in
clud
ing
self
driv
e br
ochu
res)
for
prio
rity
area
s th
at in
clud
e th
e im
pact
of
the
fire,
floo
d an
d st
orm
on
site
s an
d ke
y m
essa
ges
abou
t na
tura
l di
sast
ers.
Fund
ed
thro
ugh
Fire
Re
cove
ry
Co
mp
lete
• Se
lf-dr
ive
broc
hure
s pr
epar
ed.
• Si
gnag
e de
taili
ng d
amag
e in
curr
ed a
nd p
oten
tial
risks
to
the
publ
ic p
oste
d at
floo
d-da
mag
ed s
ites.
46 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
APPENDIX 3:
Table 1: Flood-damaged roads, bridges and crossings yet to be re-opened in the heyfield, Bairnsdale and Swifts Creek districts.
District heyfield Bairnsdale Swifts Creek
Roads Middle Ridge Road Boundary Track
Glenee
Parts of Yahoo Track
Shady Creek Rd
Thomas Track
Melwood Boundary Track
Deptford Rd
Mount Tambo Track
Nunniong Road
Bindi Break
Mt. Stawell Track
Dahlstroms Break
Bridges/crossings Five Mile track at Five Mile Creek
Store Creek Bridge at Store Bridge
Deptford Crossing at Nicholson River
Endacott Highway at Scrubby Creek
Jones Road at Wentworth River
472007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
NOTES
48 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report
NOTES
www.dse.vic.gov.auwww.parkweb.vic.gov.au