comun - nillumbik.vic.gov.au...comun CERAP Strathewen Catchment • November 2012. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...

community environmental recovery action plan

Strathewen Catchment

CERAP

CERAPStrathewen Catchment • November 2012

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSWe would like to acknowledge and thank the following people for their input:

EnPlan Partners, Alan Thatcher, Darrel Brewin, Graeme David and Luke Hynes

Community Environmental Recovery Action Plan Steering Committee members:

Bronwyn South, Strathewen LandcareDoug Evans, Christmas Hill LandcareSue Aldred, St Andrews LandcareDonna Stoddart, Nillumbik Shire Council

Past and present members of the Natural Environment Recovery Working Group:

LandcareSt Andrews LandcareArthurs Creek and District LandcareChristmas Hills LandcareStrathewen Landcare

Community Recovery Committees:

St Andrews Community Recovery CommitteeStrathewen Community Renewal AssociationChristmas Hills community

Nillumbik Shire CouncilEnvironmental Planning UnitEnvironmental Works UnitInfrastructure Maintenance UnitBushfire Recovery Support Unit

St Mathew’s ParishCountry Fire AuthorityParks VictoriaPort Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management AuthorityMelbourne WaterVBAF Environment Recovery team

All community members who attended CERAP workshops, hosted site visits and provided feedback on draft plans.

The project was funded by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.

© Copyright Permission must be sought prior to the reproduction of any portion of this document. Every effort made to ensure referencing of this document.

CERAP Strathewen Catchment 1

The CERAP consists of:

•The Nillumbik CERAP Literature Review 2011 – this provides details on the wide range of information sources that were used to prepare this CERAP (and the two other CERAPs for St Andrews and Christmas Hills).

•The Community Environmental Recovery Action Plan (CERAP) –Strathewen Catchment – July 2012 – this is the main CERAP document and contains the detailed descriptions of:

•theStrathewenarea(e.g.climate,geology,topography, land use history, waterways and biodiversity)

•theenvironmentalandagriculturalvaluesofStrathewen and the key threats

•theactionsneededtoprotectandenhance these values

•examplesofcommunity-basedprojectsthatcould be undertaken.

•The Strathewen Community Environmental Recovery Action Plan Map – this map depicts the three main land management zones in Strathewen and identifies the types of actions landholders in each zone can do to help care for and manage the environmental and agricultural values of Strathewen.

•The CERAP Fact Sheets – this is a series of updateable information sheets that provide more detail on various specific aspects of land management. Fact sheets in the series at the time of printing include:

•Managingbushblocks•Damsandwaterways•Weedmappingandmonitoring•Erosion•NativefaunainNillumbik•Landclasses-ChristmasHills•Landclasses-StAndrews•Landclasses-Strathewen•Landcare•Legalresponsibilitiesforweedsandpestanimals•Controllingpestanimals•Propertymanagementplanning•Revegetation•Weedcontrol.

What is a cerap?The Strathewen Community Environmental Recovery Action Plan is a package of documents developed with the Strathewen community that identifies actions to care for and manage the environmental and agricultural values of Strathewen.

The Strathewen CERAP has drawn upon many different sources of information (Nillumbik CERAP Literature Review 2011). The findings were then presented to the Strathewen community over two workshops in May 2011 to determine the community’s vision for land management in Strathewen and their priorities.

CERAP

2 CERAP Strathewen Catchment CERAP Strathewen Catchment 3

contents Acknowledgements

What is a CERAP? 1

1. Executive Summary 4

2. Introduction 62.1 Vision,principlesandgoals 72.2 Historyoflanduse 82.3 Existinglanduse 10

3. Catchment Description 113.1 Strathewencatchmentarea 123.2 Climate 123.3 Geologyandsoils 123.4 Topography 123.5 Waterways 133.6 Nativevegetationcover 13

4. Agricultural Land Capability 154.1 Landmanagementunits 154.2 Agriculturallandquality 164.3 Agriculturalcasestudy 18

5. Ecological Values 205.1 Ecologicalvegetationclasses 225.2 Biolinks 245.3 ShireofNillumbikoverlays 265.4 ABZECOecologicalmapping 265.5 Roadsides 265.6 Waterwayhealth 265.7 Ecologicalcasestudy 28

6. Community Engagement and Capacity Building 30

7. Challenges for the Management of the Strathewen Catchment 32

8. Actions 408.1 Agriculture 418.2 Waterwayhealth 458.3 Biodiversity 468.4 Ruralliving 47

9. Potential Demonstration and Priority Projects 489.1 Protectingagricultureandbiodiversityassetsfromweedsandpestanimals 499.2 Tacklingtunnelandgullyerosion 529.3 Agriculturalfutures 549.4 EnhancingandpromotinghabitatlinksintheStrathewencatchment 579.5 Bestpracticenativepasturemanagementonhillcountry 599.5 Nativepaddocktrees:protectinganimportantresource 62

10. Monitoring and Reporting 64

Appendices

Appendix1:Significantfloraandfaunarecords within the Strathewen CERAP area 66

Figures

Figure1: AerialphotooftheStrathewencatchment 14

Figure2: StrathewenLandManagementUnits 70

Figure3: StrathewenAgriculturalQualityClasses 72

Figure4: NEROCsitesintheStrathewencatchment 74

Figure5: EcologicalVegetationClassesNV1750 76

Figure6: EcologicalVegetationClassesNV2005 78

Figure7: BioregionalConservationStatus 80

Figure8: StrathewenBioSites 82

Figure9: EnvironmentalSignificanceOverlay 84

Figure10:ABZECOEcologicalMapping 86

Figure11:RoadsidevegetationqualitywithintheStrathewencatchment 88

Tables

Table1: GoalsfortheStrathewenCERAP 8

Table2: PropertysizeprofilefortheStrathewencatchment 10

Table3: LandclassdescriptionsforStrathewencatchment 16

Table4: NEROCsitesofsignificancewithintheStrathewencatchment 19

Table5: BiositewithintheStrathewencatchmentandtheirsignificance 22

Table6: MelbourneWater’sDiamondCreek(rural)andDiamondCreek

(source)managementtargets 24

Table7: Significantfaunaspecies 38

Photo by Celeste Geer


AnumberofkeychallengestocatchmentmanagementinStrathewen have been identified. These include continuing changestoruraldevelopment,theneedtomaintainecologicalvalues,problemswithpestplantsandanimals,climatechangeandfire.Inparticular,theFebruary2009bushfiresadverselyaffectedtheStrathewencatchment,causing loss of human lives and substantial damage to agriculture,nativefloraandfaunaandinfrastructure.

The CERAP contains a range of specific actions for landholders under the categories mentioned above; namelyAgriculture,Waterwayhealth,BiodiversityandRuralliving.ItalsocontainssomepotentialprojectsthatmaybeactivatedbyaleadorganisationsuchasLandcareandforwhichfundingmaybesought.

Community-buildingandcapacity-buildingactivitiesprimarilyfallundertheresponsibilityofcommunitygroupsandNillumbikShireCouncil.Thesearekeytothe

successful implementation of the plan. Such activities are aimed at involving and engaging subsets of landholders suchasfarmers,immediateneighboursandownersofbush blocks who all have similar land management goals.

InadditiontothisPlan,thefollowingresourceshavebeendevelopedtoassistyouintakingpositiveactiontoprotectandenhanceyourproperty.Theseresourcesinclude:

•aseriesonbestpracticefactsheetsprovidingdetailedinformationofweeds,pestanimals,nativefauna,waterways,erosionandagriculture

•acatchmentmapsummarisingtheenvironmentalvalues,agriculturalvalues,significantthreatsandwhatcan be done to help.

SUBJECT GOALS

Agriculture Toencourageadoptionof‘best’practicesinallagriculturallandscapes.Toidentifysustainableagriculturalenterprisesforthefuture.

Waterwayhealth Tomanagethecatchmentforprotectionandimprovementofwaterquality.

BiodiversityTo protect and enhance native vegetation and fauna populations.Tosecureimportantbiolinksbyprotectingandenhancingremnantnativevegetationandlinking core areas.

Rural living To encourage adoption of sustainable land management practices. Toencourageprotectionandenhancementofbiodiversityvalues.

The vision for the CERAP, developed in consultation with the community, is:

“ A vibrant cohesive community in Strathewen working together, sharing, learning and helping

each other, with the natural environment and green wedge retained, flora and fauna

enhanced, and bush and wildlife appreciated.”

1. Executive SummaryThisCommunityEnvironmentalRecoveryActionPlan(CERAP)forStrathewenprovidesavision,goalsand actions to guide sustainable management of the Strathewen catchmentoverthenextfiveyears.Itisintendedtobeadocumentforusebythecommunityandcoversimportantissues for catchment management in Strathewen. It includes appropriate activitiestobeundertakenbyresidentsindividuallyandinconjunctionwithotherlandmanagers;forinstance,yourneighbours,NillumbikShireCouncilandMelbourneWater.Acarefulreadwillrevealjusthowpreciousourlocallandscape is and how we can protect it for the future.

Thegoalswhichhavebeenidentifiedbythecommunitytofulfilthisvisionare:


2.1 Vision, principles and goals

The vision underpinning the CERAP is:

‘A vibrant cohesive communityinStrathewenworkingtogether,sharing,learning and helping each other,withthenaturalenvironment and green wedgeretained,floraandfaunaenhanced,andbushandwildlifeappreciated.’Implementationoftheactionsandpotentialprojectsincluded in the CERAP will ensure that the vision is realised.

ManagementoftheStrathewencatchmentwillbeshapedbysixguidingprinciples,nowandintothefuture

Principle 1: Community awareness MembersoftheStrathewencommunityunderstand and value good land management.Theyunderstanditsimportance and are willing to invest and activelyparticipateinactionsthatresultingood land management.

Principle 2: Extension and technical support TheStrathewencommunityhasaccesstotechnicalsupportthroughavarietyoflocal,regionalandstateresourcesandexpertise.

Principle 3: Incentives Incentives are provided and promoted to encouragecost-sharingarrangementsthatsupportresearchandon-groundworksthathave a public and private benefit.

Principle 4: On-ground works The implementation of the CERAP will provide coordinated and effective on-groundprojectsthatdemonstratesustainable land management and conservation.

Principle 5: Coordination TheStrathewencommunityworksinpartnershipwithNillumbikShireCouncilandotherstakeholderstowardsahealthy,resilient,productivecommunityandlandscape.

Principle 6: Research and investigation Essentialandlocallyrelevantlandmanagementknowledgeiscompiled,accessible and used to make good decisionsinprograms,investment,standards and planning.


2. IntroductionThisCommunityEnvironmentalRecoveryActionPlan(CERAP) identifies long term goals and actions to engage thecommunityintheenvironmentalrecoveryoftheStrathewencatchmentoverthenextfiveyears.Thegoalsandactionsrelatetoagriculturalareas,bushlandandwaterwaysthatwereadverselyaffectedbytheFebruary2009bushfires.The CERAP has been developed in consultation with the StrathewenLandcareGroupandinterestedmembersofthecommunitythroughcommunityworkshopsandotherstakeholderconsultations.ThecatchmentboundaryfortheCERAPwasdeterminedbytheStrathewencommunity.TheCERAPisalivingdocument,intendedforeasyrevisionandupdatingtoprovideongoingdirectionfor achieving its goals. The implementation of actions byindividualsisvoluntary.ThePlanismeanttobeusedasaguideforprioritisingactionsbothforyoutotakeonyour propertyandforyoutocontributetowithinyour community. TheCERAPisinformedbytheNillumbik CERAP Literature Review(2011),whichidentifiesandreviewsexistingdocumentationincludinglegislation;federal,stateandregionalpolicy;municipalstrategiesandplans;andlocalinformation.ForthoseimplementingtheCERAP,easyaccesstoinformationisalsoprovidedbybestpracticefactsheetsandtheStrathewenCatchmentsummarymap.ThesehavebeenpreparedinconjunctionwiththeCERAPand are available on the Strathewen Landcare and Shire of Nillumbik websites.


Sincethe1980sthesehaveincludedgarlic,emus,buffaloand,morerecently,alpacas.

FiresarepartofthehistoryoftheStrathewenareaandthreemajorfireshaveoccurredinrecentmemory.TheseweretheJanuaryfiresin1939whenthewholeareawascompletelyburntout,January1962,whenfireburntthroughKinglakeNationalParktoStrathewenandsouthtoWarrandyteandFebruary2009whenStrathewenwasdevastatedbytheBlackSaturdaybushfires.

InthemonthsfollowingBlackSaturday,despiteaveryemotive atmosphere concerning vegetation management issues,theaggregatedcommunityresponsestotheStrathewenCommunityRenewalAssociationvisioningworkshopsputloveforthevalleyandournaturalbushenvironmentasthehighestpriority.ThisPlanputsapracticalandtechnicalframeworkaroundthiscommunityaspiration to repair and care for the beautiful place where we all live.

Itisnow2012andtheStrathewencommunitycontinuestheprocessofrenewal.Theschool,community-ownedhallandsportspavilionhaveallbeenrebuilt.Newlemonorchardshavebeenplanted;horses,cattleandotherlivestockarereturningtore-fencedpaddocks.Erosion,damsilting,dangeroustreesandweedinfestationspresentmajorproblemsforlandholders.Thevigourandbeautyofthe natural regeneration processes are both challenging and wondrous.

Acknowledgements: Bruce G. Draper 15 December 2005, Nan Oates ‘Strathewen Landcare Catchment Management Plan’ 1995

In the cleared areas, part-time and hobby farmers predominate. The present zoning provisions generally act to prevent further subdivision and help maintain the rural character of the area. Favoured enterprises are beef cattle, apples, pears, lemons and wine grapes.

Thefollowinggoalswereestablishedincommunityworkshopsconductedin2011.

Table 1: Goals for the Strathewen CERAP

SUBJECT GOALS

Agriculture Toencourageadoptionof‘best’practicesinallagriculturallandscapes.Toidentifysustainableagriculturalenterprisesforthefuture.

Waterway health Tomanagethecatchmentforprotectionandimprovementofwaterquality.

BiodiversityTo protect and enhance native vegetation and fauna populations.Tosecureimportantbiolinksbyprotectingandenhancingremnantnativevegetationandlinking core areas.

Rural living To encourage adoption of sustainable land management practices.Toencourageprotectionandenhancementofbiodiversityvalues.

TheCERAPwillprovidejustificationandsupportingdocumentationforrequeststoexternalorganisationsforfundingandothersupport.Projectswillrequirecommitmentfromaleadorganisation,aprojectmanagementteamandpeoplefromthecommunity,aswell as agencies. This will provide a combination of local knowledge,experience,technicalknowledgeandskills.

Mostimportantly,thisCERAPshouldinspireandassistthecommunitytoundertakebothindividualandcollaborativeaction.

2.2 History of land use PriortoEuropeansettlement,AboriginalsfromtheWurunjeriwillamclanroamedthearea,movingfrequentlyinordertosurvive.Littleisknownaboutthemalthoughevidenceoftheirformeractivitiesoccasionallyappearsintheformofstoneimplementsand’scar’trees.

EuropeansfirstexploredtheUpperArthursCreekareainthelate1830sandsoonaftertimbercuttingbegan.Thisclearingofthelandmadewayforthearrivaloffreeholdsettlersinthe1860swiththelandmadeavailableforselection and clearing.

Theriverflatswereusedfordairyingandtogetherwiththewell-drainedslopesofcoarsesoils,wereparticularlysuitableforfruitgrowing.Manycommercialorchardswereestablished along the Arthurs and Chadds Creeks and the areabecamepartofMelbourne’snortheastern‘fruitbowl’.

In1897,residentsraisedapetitiontoestablishapostofficeinwhatwasstillreferredtoastheUpperArthursCreekarea. The name chosen was Strathewen meaning ‘the broadmountainvalleyofEwen’afterthelocalMemberofParliamentEwenHughCameronMLA.Thecommunityhallwasopenedin1902andtheschoolin1914.

TheextensionoftherailwayfromElthamtoHurstbridgetookplacein1912,largelyasaresultofthesuccessofthefruitindustryinthedistrict.TherailwaywasalsousedtotakefruitandfurnacewoodtoMelbourneandsoonattractedlargenumbersofpicnickersanddaytrippersfromMelbourne.AnumberofguesthouseswereestablishedinStrathewen.

TheKinglakeforestssustainedanactivetimberindustryuntilthegazettalof5,587hectaresasaNationalParkin1928.TheareaoftheParkwassubstantiallyenlargedin1980to10,300hectares.ThereisacloseconnectionbetweentheStrathewenvalleyandtheenfoldingKinglakeranges,particularlyMountSugarloaf.Manypeoplemovetotheareatoenjoyandpromotetheconservationvaluesofbush blocks.

Intheclearedareas,part-timeandhobbyfarmerspredominate.Thepresentzoningprovisionsgenerallyactto prevent further subdivision and help maintain the rural characterofthearea.Favouredenterprisesarebeefcattle,apples,pears,lemonsandwinegrapes.Horsesandmotorbikesremainthemajorlifestyledrawcardsforfamilies.Arecentphenomenonistheinterestinexploringalternativeagriculturalenterpriseswhichhavespecialtynichemarkets.



3. Catchment DescriptionA catchment is an area of land that collects water,whichdrainstothelowestpointinthatarea.

Rainfallingonthelandwillmakeitswaytothelowestpoint,viagroundwater,aquifers,creeks,dams,lakes,rivers,wetlandsorstormwatersystems.

Togetherwithrivers,creeks,lakesanddams,acatchmentincludesgroundwater,stormwater,wastewaterandwater-relatedinfrastructure. Catchments are connected fromtoptobottom,sowhathappensupstream in a catchment has a large influencefurtherdownthecatchment.

Humanactivitiesacrossawholecatchment,suchaspollution,soilerosionandthespreadofweeds,canadverselyaffectthequalityofwater and the environment at the bottom of thecatchment.Thisiswhyitisimportanttomanage a catchment as a whole rather than in parts.

2.3 Existing land useAbout half of the properties in the catchment are used for rurallivingonsmallpropertiesofclearedorpartlyclearedlandorbushpropertiesofupto10hectares.Onthesesmallerproperties,clearedlandisgenerallygrazedbyhorsesorcattle,withconservationuseonbushblocks.Agriculturalholdingsofover10hectaresgenerallysupportenterprisessuchasorchards,vineyardsorbeefcattleproduction.

The pattern of settlement and development results in there beingfewlargecommercial-scaleagriculturalholdings.The

slope and soil characteristics of the Strathewen landscape generallyprecludeintensiveagriculture.

Mostpropertieshaveresidentowners.However,thereisalso a significant number of absentee owners.

Property statistics

The data in Table 2 below show the spatial distribution of theseparatepropertiesinthecatchment.Theremaybesingleownershipofmorethanoneproperty.

Strathewen Up to 0.4 ha > 0.4 ha to 1 ha >1 to 4 ha >4 to 10 ha >10 to 40 ha >40 to 100 ha >100 to 400 ha Total

No. properties

(%)

9(6%)

9(6%)

15(10%)

29(18%)

63(40%)

29(18%)

3(2%) 157

AREA (%)2ha

(0.1%)6ha

(0.2%)31ha(0.8%)

201ha(5.2%)

1,512ha(39.0%)

1570ha(40.5%)

554ha(14.3%) 3,875ha

Table 2: Property size profile for the Strathewen catchment area

Source: Nillumbik Shire Council, 2010

Photo by Kylie Woods


3.1 Strathewen catchment areaTheStrathewencatchmentcomprisesthetwomainvalleysofArthursandChaddsCreeksandthenarrowvalleysoftheirseveraltributaries,includingtheStrathewenReserveTributary.Asmallareaofthecatchment,inthesouth-west,flowsintoRunningCreek.Thesevalleysaresurroundedbypredominantlylowhillsthroughthecentralpartofthecatchment that merge with long ridges of steep hills and ruggedterrainparticularlyonthenorthernandeasternboundaries.Muchofthesteeplandremainsinforest,whilemostofthelowhillsandflatshavebeenclearedforagriculture.

3.2 ClimateBetweenDecemberandFebruary,maximumdailytemperaturesinStrathewenaveragebetween23°Cand26°Cbutcansoarabove40°C,especiallywhenhotconditionsprevailacrossthestate.BetweenJuneandAugust,maximumdailytemperaturesaveragebetween10°Cand14°C,buttheycanoccasionallydropbelow0°C,causingfrost.Theaverageannualrainfallisapproximately950mm.Lowtemperaturestendtolimitgrowthinwinterandlowerrainfall limits growth in the summer months.

3.3 Geology and soilsThegeologyoftheStrathewencatchmentisveryoldsedimentaryrock.Thesoilsofthelowhillsarelight-texturedyellow,brownorredduplex.Shallowlight-texturedgradational soils occur on the crests and steeper slopes. Greyclayofuniformprofileoccursalongdrainagelinesandfloodplain.Thislandscapehasahigherosionhazardduetothehard-settingsurfaces,whichtendtoincreaserun-off,andthedispersiblenatureofclaysubsoils.Sheet,gullyandtunnelerosionoccuronslopingland,withtunnelerosiongenerallyonlyinclearedareas.Wheredrainagelinesaredenudedofprotectivevegetation,erosionofthebedandbanks is occurring.

3.4 TopographyThe aerial photo in Figure 1 showsthephysiographicfeatures of the Strathewen catchment including topography,aspect,clearedlandandbushland.Ridgelinesandvalleysarevisible.Thebrownishgreyareasarebushland,thelightgreenareasaregenerallyclearedlandwithnortherlyandwesterlyslopeaspects,andthedarkgreenareasareclearedland,predominantlywithsoutherlyandeasterlyslopeaspects.Managingforslopeaspectisparticularlyimportantforpasturesongrazingproperties,some horticultural crops and in planning to manage the risk of bushfires..

3.5 WaterwaysThe Strathewen catchment includes the upper reaches of ArthursCreekandChaddsCreekandthenarrowvalleysoftheirtributaries,includingtheStrathewenReserveTributary.AsmallareaofthecatchmentinthesouthwestflowsintoRunningCreek.

MelbourneWaterdescribestheupperreachesofArthursCreek as being in good condition. The presence of and potentialspreadofweedsisidentifiedasthemajorrisktothe headwater reaches

3.6 Native vegetation coverThe Strathewen catchment supports large areas of relativelyintactnativevegetationprovidinghabitatforanabundanceofsignificantanduniquefloraandfauna.Thecatchment also supports areas of cleared land used for agriculturalpurposeswithscatterednativetrees.DiamondCreek and its tributaries also provide ecological values.

Indigenouseucalyptvegetationistightlylinkedtosoilandlandtype:

• thewell-drained,exposedareassuchascrestsandslopescontainwoodlandwithLong-leafBox(Eucalyptus goniocalyx),RedBox(E. polyanthemos),Messmate (E. obliqua),RedStringybark(E. macrorhyncha) and Narrow-leafPeppermint(E. radiata)

• thelowerslopessupportmainlyYellowBox(E. melliodora)

• thedrainagelinessupportmainlyCandlebarkGum (E. rubida),andMannaGum(E. viminalis)

• smallpatchesofopenforest,usuallyonoldersoils,support Red Ironbark (E. tricarpa)

Non-eucalyptplantspeciesarealsostronglyassociatedwithparticularlandtypesincludingBlackwood(Acacia melanoxylon),SilverWattle(Acacia dealbata),SweetBursaria(Bursariaspinosa),TreeEverlasting(Ozothamnus ferrugineus) and Common Heath (Epacris impressa).

AnexcellenttextforunderstandingthesepatternsisNative Trees and Shrubs of South-Eastern Australia(6thed.2009)byLeonCostermans.

This landscape has a high erosion hazard duetothehard-settingsurfaces,whichtendtoincreaserun-off,andthe dispersible nature ofclaysubsoils.

The Strathewen catchment supports large areas of relativelyintactnative vegetation...



4. Agricultural Land CapabilityAssessinglandcapabilityor‘landclass’allowsustogaugetheinherentrisks and opportunities for our land to provide for and sustain our current and/orproposedlanduses.Landcapabilityvariesaccordingtothegeology,soiltype,topography,aspectandclimate.

Ingeneralterms,landwithahighcapabilityrating(e.g.landclass1),willbe more suitable to being modified for agricultural use.4.1. Land management unitsLandManagementUnits(LMUs)provideuswithameansforsystematicreviewoflandcharacteristicsandarebroadmeasuresoflandcapability.TheaggregationoflandswithcommoncharacteristicsintoLMUsprovidesuswithageneralindicationofthecapacityofourlandtosustainvarious land uses.

ThefiveLMUscanbeidentifiedintheStrathewencatchment as follows:

•FloodplainLMU:Verygentlyslopingtoflatlandwithgradient<1%-3%

•GentlyundulatingLMU:Gradient3%-15%

•ModeratelyundulatingLMU:Gradient15%-25%

•SteepLMU:Gradient25%-35%

•RuggedterrainLMU:Gradient35%->40%.

ThelocationofeachLMUisidentifiedin Figure 2.

ThehillylandscapeandsoiltypeoftheStrathewencatchment facilitates a significant erosion hazard. Specifically:

•allslopinglandhashightomoderatehazardforsheet,gullyandtunnelerosion

•thesteeperslopeshaveamoderatetohighhazardformass movement (land slips)

•allstreamlineshaveahighhazardforstreambedandbank erosion and sedimentation.

Figure 1: Aerial photo of the Strathewen catchment


LAND CLASS EXPLANATION PHOTO REPRESENTATION OF LAND CLASS

Class 1

Very high

Agriculturallyversatileland,withhighinherent productive potential through possessingdeeppermeable,friable,structurallyresilientandfertilesoils,aflattogentlyundulatinglandform,and an annual growing season of up to11to12monthseitherundernaturalrainfallorthroughtheavailabilityof irrigation. Suitable for intensive irrigated cropping and grazing.

Class 2

High

AgriculturallyversatilelandbutrequiringahigherlevelofinputstoachievethesameproductivityasClass1.Slopeisgreater,soilsmorevariable,andthegrowingseasonislimitedto9to10months,orextendedto12monthsifirrigationwaterisavailable. Suitable for high production extensivecroppingandgrazingandirrigation.

4.2 Agricultural land qualityThissectionexpressesthedegreeofagriculturalversatilityand production potential across the Strathewen catchment intermsoffiveclassesofagriculturallandquality.Itisimportanttonotethatthisonlyprovidesabroadguideandshouldnotbeusedtojustifysignificantchangesinlanduse.

Priortoundertakinganysignificantchangetolanduse,orifyouhaveonlyrecentlypurchasedyourland,itisstronglyrecommendedthatyouprepareadetailedlandcapabilityassessmentofyourland.Thisisbestachieved

asacomponentofadetailed‘PropertyManagementPlan’(sometimesreferredtoasa‘WholeFarmPlan’).Councilcan assist landholders with the preparation of such plans.

Table 3presentsafive-classdescriptionofagriculturallandqualityacrosstheStrathewencatchmentandthemapat Figure 3 depicts a broad spatial interpretation of this information.Thismappingislargelybasedonslopeclassesand hence does not incorporate important components of landcapabilitysuchaslocalhazards(e.g.knowntunnelerosion),variationinremnantvegetationcover,aspect,soiltype,soilmoistureandthepresenceofminordrainagelines.

Table 3: Land class descriptions for Strathewen catchment

LAND CLASS EXPLANATION PHOTO REPRESENTATION OF LAND CLASS

Class 3

Moderate

Landcapableofsupportinggrazingbutlimitedinversatility.Generallyunsuited to cropping either because oflimitationsduetoslope,drainage,lackoftopsoildepth,weakerstructure,water-holdingcapacityorpresenceofrock.Fertilitylevelsaremoderatetolow,andannualgrowing season can be limited to approximately7to8monthsduetodrynessorwetness.Withhighinputs,moderate to high animal production maybeachieved.

Class 4

Low

Landcapableofsupportinggrazingundermoderatetolowstockingrates,butonlyinsituationswherelegallyclearedpaddocksexist.Slopesaremoderatetosteep,withshallowinfertile soils that need care in their management.Fertilitylevelsaregenerallylow.Highinputsmaynotbe economic. Erosion hazard is high. Forest is often the best and most stable form of land use. Removal of remnant indigenous vegetation must be avoided.

Class 5

Very low

Landunsuitedtoagriculture.Constraintsmaybesteepnessofslope,existingindigenousvegetation,shallow,sandyorrockysoils,andhigherosionsusceptibility.Environmentalstabilitymaybebestachievedthroughisolatingareasandstrictlycontrollingor eliminating agricultural land uses. Removal of remnant indigenous vegetation must be avoided.


4.3 Agricultural case study

Feedingandbreedingarethekeystosuccesson a beef cattle farmAcasestudywithBarrieandRaeTully,Strathewen

Watersupplyisplentifulwithtwolargedamsof18and14megalitresbuiltduringorchardingdays.Thedamssupplyallstockandgardenwater,whichisgravity-fedbypipelinesto troughs in most paddocks and the garden.

ThepropertycomprisesfouroftheStrathewenLandManagementUnits,includingGentlyUndulatingLandofhighagriculturalquality,Floodplainofmoderateagriculturalquality,ModeratelyUndulatingLandofmoderateagriculturalqualityandSteepLandoflowagriculturalquality.

The steep land and creekline remain in native bush and are fencedfromthegrazingland.Barrierotationallygrazesallpaddockstomaximisepastureproductivityaccordingtothecapabilityoftheland.Tofacilitaterotationalgrazingandpasturemanagement,all11paddocksonthepropertyarefencedalongLandManagementUnitboundaries.Barriesaid,“Weareverycarefulaboutourstockingratesanddonotoverstock.Wewouldratherunderstockthanhavetoomanycattle.”

Barrieconsiderslandconservationasamanagementpriority.Hesaid,“Soilerosionwasveryseriousafterthefiresandthebestwaytocontrolitwastogrowgrassforgroundcover.OurcreekisfencedundertheMelbourneWaterStreamFrontageManagementProgramandthecreeklineisingoodconditiondespitethefireandfloodof2009.”

Barriesaid,“Wehavehadgreatsuccessrunningcattle.Wedoitbythebook.Feedingandbreedingarethekeystosuccess.Wegrowtherightpastureswiththerightspeciesandfertilisethem.Ourcattlearewell-bredandwell-fedwithabalancedandsufficientdietofpastureandhay.”Barriealwaysbuyswell-bredcattle.Heconsidersthebetter genetics offers the greatest rate of weight gain. And hebelievesthat”topqualitystockinthemarketalwaysimpressesthebuyer.”

BarrieandRaeTullygrazebeefcattleontheir100hectarefarminO’DeasRoad.Thepropertywaspurchased50yearsagoasanextensiontotheirDoncasterorchardandcoolstore.In1983whenthesuburbsreachedthem,theymovedtoStrathewenwiththeiryoungfamily.

UntileightyearsagoBarrieandRaeoperatedamixedorchardof30hectaresontheirStrathewenpropertyastheirmainbusiness.Thentheydecidedonabusinessandlifestylechange.In2003,theydiscontinuedorchardingand began their Angus beef breeding and fattening enterprise.

Theycopedwiththerecentlongdrought,andupuntilthe2009firestheyhadbuilttheirherdto100head,including60cows.Thefireseverelydamagedtheirhouse,andtheylost12headofcattle,90percentoffencing(14kilometres),sheds,stockyardsandmostfarmmachinery–andmostofthepastureswereburnt,includingonekilometre of windbreak/shelterbelt trees. Faced with nopasture,ineffectivefencingandcowsbeginningtocalve,Barriemadethedecisiontosellallhissurvivingcattleandputallhiseffortintore-establishingthefarminfrastructure,whichisnowcomplete.

ImportantlytheTully’swereinsured,butBarriechosetorebuildthefenceshimselfwithhelpfromCFAandVFFvolunteerswhobuilttheboundaryfences.Herupturedatendonduringthefire,soacontractorwasusedtoreplacesomecornerposts.BarrieobservedthatthesurvivingfenceswereinfencelinespreviouslysprayedwithRoundup.Thiswasanimportantlesson,andhenowspraysmostfencelinesannually.

Inthemeantimehealsopurchasedafurther50cattleand a bull and intends to increase the herd to the former 100headinthenearfuture.Barriesayshewantstoproduceasmuchashecanfromthelandandjudgesthatthepropertyremainswellunderstocked.Heintendstopurchase more cows when prices moderate in the autumn of2012,tobringnumbersbackuptoabout70cows.

Toavoidover-capitalisationhedecidednottoreplacealldestroyedmachinerybuttousecontractorsforsuch

operationsashayproductionandfertiliserspreading.

Pasturehasnotbeenimprovedsincethefire,butthelasttwoyearshaveseengoodrainfallandprolificpasturegrowth.MostpasturescontainaperennialgrassbasethatcanincludeCocksfoot,PerennialRyegrassorPhalaris,withWhiteandSubterraneanClovers.Hillpasturestendtocontain a high proportion of annual grasses and the lower slopesandflatsmoreperennialgrass.

ThemainpastureweedisBentgrass,whichcompetesstronglywithpasturespecies,particularlywhensoilfertilityislow.Barriesays,“TherearethreewaystodealwithBentgrass;maintainingastrongvigorouspasture,over-sowingwithpasturegrassesandclover,orifthesituationisverybad,sprayouttheareaandre-seedwithpasturespecies.Wherewehavetheproblem,weintendtoover-sowsomeareasandre-seedothers.”Hesays,“Wedon’tworrytoomuchaboutannualpastureweedssuchasCapeWeed.Grazingmanagementkeepsthemundercontrol.’

Blackberryisaseriousweedontheproperty.Barriesays,‘BeforethefireBlackberrywerevirtuallyundercontrol,andnowyoungbushesareeverywhere,particularlyalongsprayedfencelinesandthecreek,soIspendalotoftimespotsprayingBlackberryatthemoment.”Healsocommented that the main pest animals are wild ducks andkangaroos.‘Theydomoredamagetopasturethanrabbits,whicharenotabigissueonthisproperty.”

Barrieteststhesoilandhasregularlyfertilisedpastureswithphosphorus,potassiumandmolybdenumtoapointwerefertilitylevelsnowonlyrequiremaintenancefertilising.Barriealsoapplieslimetocountersoilacidity.Testingshowedthatsoilswereveryacidicandreducingpasture growth. He believes his orcharding background taught him the importance of proper plant nutrition in achievinghighproductionpastures.Hesays,“Growinggrassismuchcheaperthanmakinghay.”Whenhedoesmakehay,heappliesureainSeptembertothelockeduppaddockstomaximiseproduction.Hesays,“It’sworthit.Wegeta33percentincreaseinhayyieldfromapplyingnitrogenfertiliser.”

Photo by Barrie Tully





TheHighlandsSouthernFallBioregionisthesoutherlyaspectoftheGreatDividingRangeandispredominantlyhilly,withgeologyoflargelysedimentaryrockwithshallowstonysoilsandyellowduplexsoils.

Significantplant(flora)andanimal(fauna)recordswithinthe Strathewen catchment are detailed in Appendix 1. Plants and animals can be listed as being of national or statesignificance.Thismaymeanthatthepopulationofthespeciesispoorlyknownor,rareorthreatenedwithextinction.Onenationallysignificantfaunaspecies,GrowlingGrassFrog(Litoria reniformis),and23statesignificantfaunaspecies,includingBrush-tailedPhascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa tapoatafa),havebeenrecorded in the area.

Nonationallysignificantfloraspecieshavebeenformallyrecorded although the area supports potential habitat fornationallysignificantspecies.Threestatesignificantspecies,CreepingGrevilleaGrevillea repens,Large-leafCinnamonWattleAcacia leprosa(largephyllodevariant)andSouthernVarnishWattleAcacia verniciflua (southern variant) have been recorded in the area and the area has thepotentialtosupportnumeroussignificantfloraspecies.

ThelocationsofthesespeciesareheldintheDSEdatabasesintheVictorianBiodiversityAtlas(seehttp://www.giconnections.vic.gov.au/content/vicgdd/record/ANZVI0803004161.htm). It is worth noting that significant

species records need to be treated with caution; sometimes surveyeffortsacrosstheareaarenotknown.Itisalsohighlylikelythatadditionalsurveyeffortswouldrevealadditionalsignificant species.

The North East Regional Organisation of Councils (NEROC) Report

In1997,theformerNorthEastRegionalOrganisationofCouncils(NEROC)publishedareportonsignificantfaunasitesandhabitatsfornorth-eastMelbourne.TheNEROCRe-port,writtenbylocalfieldecologistCamBeardsall,providesa comprehensive description of sites of faunal significance andthespeciesofnativeanimalsthatrequireconservationmanagement. The document also maps important fauna conservationsites(NEROCsites)andprovidesrecommen-dations to conserve fauna habitat across the region. WhilefiveNEROCsitesofsignificancecoverpartsoftheStrathewencatchment,mostoftheareaiscoveredbythreesites:NUHB82,NUHB83andNUHB84.Thesearecon-sideredpartoftheNillumbikUplandHills(NUH)NEROCbiophysicalzone.ThenortherntipoftheareacoverstheKinglakeRanges(KR)biophysicalzoneandincludesNEROCsiteKRB.Atthesouth-eastcorneroftheareaistheNillumbikLowlandHills.Thehabitatandfaunalsignifi-cance of the sites is detailed in Table 4. A map showing the location of the sites in the Strathewen catchment is shown in Figure 4.

5. Ecological ValuesEcologicalvaluesaregenerallydefinedasthebenefitsthatspace,water,minerals,floraandfaunaandotheraspectsofnaturalecosystemsprovidefor native life forms.The Strathewen area is within the HighlandsSouthernFallBioregion.Bioregionsarerelativelylargelandareascharacterisedbybroadlandscape-scalenaturalfeatures–hills,valleys,creeks and vegetation – as well as the environmental processes that influencethem.Theseenvironmentaland ecological processes include climate,geomorphology,geology,soilsandvegetation.Bioregionsareusedas the broad scale mapping units for biodiversityplanninginVictoria,adoptedunderVictoria’s1997BiodiversityStrategy.

SITE HABITAT SIGNIFICANCE

FAUNAL SIGNIFICANCE

THREATENED FAUNA SPECIES IDENTIFIED

NUH C85 (Arthurs Creek Upper Reaches) Medium Medium/Regional

TreeGoanna,FreshwaterBlackfish,Broad-finnedandMountainGalaxia,AzureKingfisher,Black-earedCuckoo

NUH C86 (Chadds Creek) High High/State

MaskedOwl,BarkingOwl,PowerfulOwl,CommonDunnart,TreeGoanna,MountainGalaxia,Brush-tailedPhascogale

NUH C87 (Hewitts Road) High High/State

BarkingOwl,Brush-tailedPhascogale,TreeGoanna,GrowlingGrassFrog,Bibron’sToadlet

PUH A88 (Deep Creek – Running Creek) Medium Medium/Regional MountainGalaxia,Freshwater

Blackfish,GrowlingGrassFrog

NLH A65 (Arthurs Creek to Strathewen) Medium Medium/Regional SwiftParrot,FreshwaterBlackfish,

Bibron’sToadlet

Table 4: NEROC sites of significance within the Strathewen catchment

Source: NEROC Report


5.1 Ecological vegetation classesAllvegetation–trees,shrubs,grassesandflowers–inan area or catchment can be categorised into Ecological VegetationClasses(EVCs).InStrathewen,EVCsareanimportant complement to the ecological descriptions andmappingcontainedintheNEROCfindingsandtheEnvironmentalSignificanceOverlays.

EVCsrepresentdifferentvegetationcommunitiesandareidentifiedandmappedacrossVictoriabyDSE.Theyareavaluabletoolinbiodiversityplanningandconservationassessment.EVCshelptogiveusabetterunderstandingofourlandscape:whyitlooksthewayitdoes,andwhycertainplantsgrowincertainareas.DSEprovidestwosetsofEVCmapping:Pre-1750EVCmapping,and2005EVCmapping.

•Pre-1750mappingidentifiestheestimatedextentofvegetation(EVCs)thatoccurredinVictoriapriortoEuropean settlement. It is a modeled dataset based onfielddata,soils,rainfall,topographyandhistoricalrecords.

•2005mappingidentifiesthecurrentextentofnativevegetationandEVCsandtheirdeclinesince1750.

Thepre-1750mappingidentifiessixEVCsintheStrathewencatchment (Figure 5).The2005DSEmappingidentifiesthatwhiletheseEVCsareallstillpresenttheirdistributionis reduced (Figure 6).

RemnantvegetationwithinStrathewenisdominatedbythreeEVCs,Herb-richFoothillForest,GrassyDryForestandValleyGrassyForest.

Herb-richFoothillForestoccupiestheeasternandsoutherlyaspects on lower slopes and in gullies. It is a medium to tall openforestto25metres,dominatedbyarangeofeucalyptsincludingNarrow-leafPeppermint,MessmateStringybarkandMountainGrey-gum.Itcontainsalargeshrub/understoreytreelayeroverasparsetodensemediumshrublayerdominatedbyCommonCassinia,PricklyCurrant-bushandDustyDaisy-bush.ItischaracterisedbyahighdiversityofherbsandgrassesinthegroundlayerincludingCommonRaspwort,Ivy-leafViolet,HairySpeedwell,Red-fruitSaw-sedge,TasmanFlax-lily,GrassTrigger-plant,WeepingGrassandCommonApple-berry.MostoftheHerb-richFoothillForestisconcentratedinareasadjacenttoKinglakeNationalPark.

GrassyDryForestoccupiesdriersitesonexposedaspectsand crests of ridges or on the drier areas of sheltered slopes.ItisdominatedbyalowtomediumheightopenforestofeucalyptsincludingRedStringybark,BundyandRedBoxto20metrestall.Theunderstoreyconsistsofasparseshrublayer,includingSpreadingWattleand

CommonCassiniaandisdominatedbyahighdiversityofgrassesandherbsincludingHoney-pots,GreyParrot-pea,Ivy-leafViolet,Red-antherWallaby-grass,WattleMat-rush,GreyTussock-grassandWeepingGrass.

ValleyGrassyForestoccupiesfertile,welldrainedcolluvialoralluvialsoilsongentlyundulatinglowerslopesandvalleyfloors.ItisdominatedbyanopenforestofvariouseucalyptsthatprefermoistorfertileconditionsincludingCandlebark,YellowBox,Bundy,RedStringybarkandNarrow-leafPeppermintto20mtall.ItcontainsasparseshrublayerofBlackWattle,Burgan,CommonCassiniaandCherryBallart.Thegroundlayerisseasonallydominatedbyadiversearrayofmoisturelovingherbs,lilies,grassesandsedgesincludingKidneyweed,TallSundew,ThatchSaw-sedge,SmallPoranthera,GreyParrot-pea,LoveCreeperandWeepingGrass.Atthedrierendofthespectrumthegroundlayermaybesparseandslightlylessdiverse,butwiththemoisture-lovingspeciesstillremaining.

SmallerremnantsofRiparianWoodlandoccuralongArthursCreekandCreeklineHerb-richWoodlandalongminorcreeklinesandtributaries.HeathyDryForestoccursinareasadjacenttoKinglakeNationalParkonexposedaspectsofridgetopsandsteepslopes.DampForestoccursathigherelevationsandWetForestexistsin protected gullies in the upper reaches of Arthurs and Chadds Creek. Strathewen also contains minor remnants of GullyWoodland,DampHeathyWoodland,RiparianScrub,SwampyRiparianWoodlandandShrubbyFoothillForest.

EachEVCinStrathewencanbeassessedintermsofitssignificanceinourbioregion.HowcommonlytheEVCoccurredin1750,howmuchisleftandhowdegradeditisallcontributetoameasureoftheastheBioregionalConservationStatus(BCS).BCSsare:LeastConcern,Rare,Depleted,Vulnerable,EndangeredandPresumedExtinct.AmapofBioregionalConservationStatusofthenativevegetationEVCs’conservationstatus,givingusameasureknowninStrathewen,isshowninFigure 7.

EVCswithinourarearangefromLeastConcerntoVulnerable,withthelatteroftenfoundalongwaterwaysandgullies.

CareisneededwhenusingEVC-modeledmapsastheyprovideaguideonly.VegetationshouldbeverifiedonthegroundbeforeundertakinganymanagementactionsrelevanttoidentifiedEVCs.

Atthedrierendofthespectrumthegroundlayermaybesparseandslightlylessdiverse,butwiththemoisture-lovingspeciesstillremaining.


Photo by Elena TozerPhoto by Elena Tozer


5.2 BiolinksTheresilienceofourecosystemscanbeimprovedbycreating and maintaining biolinks. The concept of biolinks was developed as a land use tool to maintain and improve biodiversityvalues.Itwasinitiallytargetedatfauna,anditskeyobjectivewastoidentifyareaswhereconnectivitycould be improved to assist animals to move through the landscape.Inpart,biolinkscanbeunderstoodaswildlifecorridors which help species move across the landscape rather than remain restricted to small isolated patches. However,biolinksbenefitnotonlyfloraandfaunaspeciesbut also whole ecological communities. In areas dominated byagricultureorfragmentedbydevelopment,biolinksmayhelptorestoreconnectionsbetweenhabitats.Theycanalsoeffectivelyincreasethesizeandconnectivityofexistingreserves,parksandprivatelyownedhabitats.

Biolinksallowspeciesofplantsandanimalstoremaininareasaswellasadaptandevolve,thusmaximisingtheiropportunitiestorespondpositivelytochallengessuchasclimatechange.Withouttheselinks,speciesandpopulationswillbecomeisolatedandgraduallydisappear.

ImportantbiolinkswereidentifiedintheNEROCReport,and Strathewen supports several strategic biolinks through ArthursCreek,aneast-westhabitatlinkthroughNEROCareaNUHC85andhabitatlinksfromtheeastandsouth-eastthroughNEROCareaNUHC86.TheStrathewenLandcareGrouphasalsoimplementedsomebiolinksonprivate land.

Withinthecatchmentmosthabitatlinksareintactandingoodcondition.However,therearesomeareasthathaveonlypoorordegradedlinks.Thequalityoftheselinksmaybeincreasedbyfencingthemoffandallowingfornaturalregeneration,or–ifnaturalregenerationisinadequate–revegetationusinglocallyindigenousspecies.Domesticcats and dogs must also be controlled in habitat link areas iftheyaretoservetheirpurpose.Restoringand/orcreatingbiolinksrequirescooperationbetweenlandmanagers.

BioSitesABioSiteisaphysicalareaoflandorwaterwhichcontainsbiological assets with particular attributes. These attributes might be the presence of rare or threatened plants or animalsortheconditionsrequiredfortheirsurvival(habitat).WehavefiveDSEBioSitesinourarea.TheBioSitesandtheirsignificance are identified in Table 5,whileFigure 8 maps them.TheseBioSitesaredetailedbelow.

4887 – Apteds Bushland – Hewitts Road, Strathewen (State significant): This site includes the larger private bushblockssurroundedbytheCottlesBridge-StrathewenRoad,ShawsRoad,HildebrandRoadandHewittsRoad.ItalsoincludessmalleradjoiningblocksonthenorthsideofHewittsRoad.OveralltheBioSitecoversapproximately170hectaresandmeetsthesignificancecriteriaforecologicalintegrityandviability,richnessanddiversity,andrarityandconservationataStatelevelforflora.ItcontainssignificantspeciesincludingDandenongRangeCinnamonWattle(Acacia leprosa)(DandenongRangevariant),VelvetAppleberry(Billardiera scandens var. brachyantha),Wine-lippedSpiderOrchid(Caladenia oenochila), Brush-tailedPhascogale,LaceMonitorandBarkingOwl.Currentidentifiedthreatsincludedomesticstock,herbivorybyexoticandnativespecies,invasionbyenvironmentalweedsand soil disturbance and erosion.

BIOSITE (with identification number) SIGNIFICANCE

AptedsBushland–HewettsRoad,Strathewen(4887) State

Chadds Creek (4885) State

ArthursCreekUpperReaches(5276) Regional

ArthursCreek–MiddleReaches(5073) Regional

Table 5: BioSites within the Strathewen catchment and their significance

4885 – Chadds Creek (State significant): ThisBioSiterangesalongChaddsCreekfromtheconfluencewithArthursCreektoKinglakeNationalPark.Itcontainsapproximately740hectaresofmountainandfoothills.The site meets the significance criteria for ecological integrityandviability,richnessanddiversity,andrarityandconservationataStatelevelforfloraandfauna.TheChaddsCreekBioSitecontainshighrichnessanddiversityand contains habitat and significant species including CrestedSunOrchid(Thelymitra X irregularis),MaskedOwl,BarkingOwl(Ninox connivens),SouthernVarnishWattle(Acacia verniciflua) (southernvariant),Brush-tailedPhascogale,CommonDunnart(Sminthopsis murina),GreenScentbark(Eucalyptus fulgens),LaceMonitor(Varanus varius)andMountainGalaxias(Galaxias olidus). Currentidentifiedthreatsincludehabitatfragmentation,timberharvesting,inappropriatefireregimes,invasionbyenvironmentalweeds,soildisturbanceanderosion,domesticstock,herbivoryandpollutions/toxins.

5276 – Arthurs Creek – Upper Reaches (Regionally significant): This site encompasses Arthurs Creek from aboveChaddsCreekconfluencetoKinglakeNationalParkandcoversapproximately630haofmountainsand foothills. The site meets the significance criteria for ecologicalintegrityandviability,andrichnessanddiversityforfloraandfauna.ItcontainssignificantspeciesincludingClimbingGalaxias(Galaxias brevipinnis),LaceMonitor(Varanus varius)andMountainGalaxias.Currentidentifiedthreatsincludeinvasionbyenvironmentalweeds,landusechangeandintensificationofagriculture,residentialandcommercialdevelopment,herbivorybyintroducedandnativespecies,carnivorybyintroducedspecies,pollutions/toxins,domesticstock,soilerosionandinstreambarriersincluding dams.

5073 – Arthurs Creek Middle – Reaches (Regionally significant):ThissitestretcheslinearlyalongArthursCreek from Arthurs Creek to Strathewen. The broadest sectionoccursintheextremesouthattheconfluenceofArthursandRunning/DeepCreeks.ItincludesArthursCreekTownshipandcoversapproximately350hectaresof foothills. The site meets the significance criteria for ecologicalintegrityandviability,rarityandconservationandrichnessanddiversityforfloraandfauna.ItincludessignificantspeciessuchasSpeckledWarbler,SwiftParrot(Lathamus discolor)andMattedFlax-lily(Dianella amoena) . Currentidentifiedthreatsincludeinvasionbyenvironmentalweeds,landusechangeandintensificationofagriculture,residentialandcommercialdevelopment,herbivorybyintroducedandnativespecies,carnivorybyintroducedspecies,pollutions/toxins,domesticstock,changestowaterflowandlevels,soilerosionandinstreambarriersincludingdams.

Photo by Elena Tozer Photo by Celeste Geer

Photo by Elena Tozer



5.3 Shire of Nillumbik overlaysTwoEnvironmentalSignificanceOverlaysfromtheNillumbikPlanningScheme,ESO1–SitesofFaunaandHabitatSignificance,andESO4–Waterways,occurintheStrathewen catchment (See Figure 9).

Theoverlayshavestatedenvironmentalobjectives,permitrequirementsanddecisionguidelinestoensurethatanyplanning decisions take into account the environmental values within these areas.

5.4 ABZECO ecological mappingABZECOConsultantshavebeenengagedbyNillumbikShire Council to revise ecological mapping. This will distinguish between two ecological categories in the Shire. CorehabitatandLow-moderatehabitat(see Figure 10).

•AreasmappedasCoreareconsideredlikelytoberelieduponbyrareorthreatenedplantsandanimalspecies.

•AreasmappedasLow-moderatehabitatincludevegetatedareasoflowerqualitythantheCoreareas,but also include some unvegetated land that could be revegetated to provide buffer protection for Core areas andincreaseecologicalconnectivity.

ThisstudyisyettobeformallyconsideredbyCouncil (atNovember2012).

5.5 RoadsidesStrathewen’sroadsidesgenerallysupportnativevegetation,whichvariesinqualityfromlowtohighconservationvalue.Council’sRoadsideManagementPlanisthestrategicdocument which guides the implementation of roadside maintenance activities. This Plan focuses on balancing the sometimes competing interests on roadsides between humansafety,firerisk,managementofremnantnativevegetation located on roadsides and ensuring a safe and efficienttransportnetworkandutilitycorridor.

This Plan contains updated information regarding the environmentalvaluesofroadsidesinNillumbikbasedon revised conservation value mapping work undertaken inwinter/spring2010.ThisprovidesguidancetoCouncilabout where resources should be allocated to protect the more valuable of these roadside reserves. The Plan has a strong emphasis on operational management of roads sothatworksactivitiesdonotadverselyimpactfloraandfauna values of roadsides. Figure 11 details the roadside vegetationqualitywithintheStrathewenCERAParea

5.6 Waterway health TheStrathewencatchmentfallswithintheMiddleYarrasystem.ThewaterwayswithinthissystemarehighlyvaluedespeciallytheYarramainstemandtributariesandhaveareasofnaturalbeauty,supportmanyrecreationalactivitiesandimportantanimalspeciessuchasplatypus.ThesewaterwaysincorporatesignificantIndigenousandEuropeanheritagevalues.CommunityfeedbackhasalsooutlinedabroadspectrumofvaluesacrosstheMiddleYarrasystem,reflectingitssizeanddiversity.

Tributaries of Arthurs Creek and Chadds Creek is a natural ReachintheYarraBasinandwithintheYarraCatchment.ThelatestIndexofRiverConditiondatafortheTributariesofArthursCreekandChaddsCreekReachisforthefiveyearsto30June2004andwascompiledbyMelbourneWater.TheIndexofRiverConditionRatingforthesetwoCreeksisgood.ThelatestIndexofRiverhealthindicatesthefollowingconditions:

Arthurs Creek and Chadds Creek are identified as being withintheManagementUnitsDiamondCreek(Rural)andDiamondCreek(Source)inthePortPhillipandWesternportRegionalRiverHealthStrategy(MelbourneWater2007).DiamondCreek(Rural)isidentifiedasbeingofhighimportanceandDiamondCreek(Source)isconsideredveryhighimportance.Thisisduetotheirabilitytosupportimportantriparianplants,providehabitatforfishandotheraquaticcreaturesandtheirwaterquality.Themanagementobjectiveforriverhealthistomaintainecologicallyhealthyrivers,andDiamondCreek(Rural)isratedmoderate,whereasDiamondCreek(Source)isratedgood.

Hydrology: Good

PhysicalForm: Good

StreamsideZone: Good

WaterQuality: Excellent

AquaticLife: Moderate

FuturetargetsintheStrategy,summarisedinTable 6below,aremeanttomaintaintheconditionofthesewaterways.

ASPECT

Diamond Creek (Rural)

CURRENT RATING

Diamond Creek (Rural)

TARGET

Diamond Creek (Source)

CURRENT RATING

Diamond Creek (Source)

CURRENT RATING

Waterquality Poor Moderate Excellent Excellent(Maintain)

Aquaticlife Moderate Good Good Good(Maintain)

Habitatandstability Good Good(Maintain) Good Excellent

Vegetation Poor Good Good Excellent

Flow Good Excellent Excellent Excellent(Maintain)

Table 6: Diamond Creek (Rural) and Diamond Creek (Source) management targets

MelbourneWaterhasidentifiedthefollowingaspriorityforthe Strathewen catchment:

•revegetatingandstabilisingruralreachesformacroinvertebrates which will also improve vegetation condition(ArthursandRunningCreeksystems)

•improvingwaterqualityformacroinvertebratesandfishinruralareasbymanagingstreamsidevegetation(ArthursandRunningCreeksystems).

In2010,anassessmentbyMelbourneWaterofthepost-bushfiregeomorphicresponseforSteeles,DiamondandArthurs Creeks identified threats to river health arising from the2009bushfires.

Direct effects included the burning of vegetation and groundcover,whichgeneratesashandincreasessoilwaterrepellence.Thisaffectedfaunalsurvival,catchmenthydrologyandsedimenttransport.Thekeyindirectpost-bushfireeffectsarechangesinstreamflow,erosionandsedimentation.Thesearetriggered,and/orexacerbatedoracceleratedbyrainfalleventsandhaveanimpactonthefollowing:

•aquaticfaunaandflora

•flooding

•channelerosionandsedimentation

•waterways’healthtargetsinthecatchmentanddownstream

•stabilityofbridges,rockchutes,damsandotherwaterwaysinfrastructure.



5.7 Ecological case study

Caring for a bush block in Strathewen: DominicBourkeandCelesteGeerAcasestudywithDominicBourkeandCelesteGeer,Strathewen

DominicBourkeandCelesteGeerownabushblockofapproximately35hectaresat15RankinesRoad,Strathewen.ThepropertysupportsarangeofecologicalvegetationclassesincludingDampForest(EVC29),Herb-richFoothillForest(EVC23)andHeathyDryForest(EVC20)andhasasmalltributaryofChaddsCreekrunningthroughit.Approximatelythreehectaressurroundingthehouse is maintained as slashed grass for fire prevention purposes with the remainder comprising native vegetation.

NativevegetationwithinthepropertyispartofanimportanthabitatlinkidentifiedintheNEROCmapping(Figure4),andmappedashighhabitatandstatefaunalsignificance.ItlistedasCorehabitatintheABZECOmapping (Figure 10)andcurrentlycoveredbyanEnvironmentalSignificanceOverlay(Figure 5).

SeveralregionallyrareplantswerenotedonthepropertybybotanistDr.GraemeLorimerduringavisittenmonthsafterthe2009fires.TheseincludeForestBitter-cress(Rorippadictyosperma),AustralStork’s-bill(Pelargoniumaustrale),ForestBent-grass(Deyeuxiafrigida)andGracefulFescue(Festucaasperula).Threestatesignificantfauna,LaceGoanna(Varanusvarius),SouthernToadlet(Pseudophrynesemimarmorata)andtheWhite-footedDunnart(Sminthopsisleucopus),haveallbeenrecordedadjacenttothepropertyandarelikelytobepresentattimes. Several other significant fauna species have been recordedinthelocalareaandmayalsousetheproperty.

Weedshavebeenthemainthreattothebiodiversityassetsontheblock,particularlyBlackberry(Rubus fruticosus spp. Agg),Thistles(Cirsium spp.)andCapeWeed(Arctotheca calendula).

Immediatelyfollowingthefires,however,erosionbecameaprobleminsteepersectionsoftheblock,particularlythebanks of the creek line.

Rabbitshavealwaysbeenpresent,butsincethefirestheyhave become much more prevalent.

ActionsDominicandCelestehavepersistentlycontrolledweedswithin their block and have been able to receive assistance throughtheNillumbikShireCouncilgrantsprogramstocontributetowardsweedcontrolcosts.TheyhavealsobeenabletosourcefundsfromMelbourneWatertocontribute to weed control works along the creek line. Theweedlevelonthepropertyhasnowbeenreducedtoalevelthatismanageablewithonlyasmallamountofinputcomparedtowhenthecouplefirstpurchasedtheproperty.

Whilethegrowthofnativetreesandshrubsafterthefireshasreducederosionrisks,DominicandCelestearewaiting for natural thinning as plants age to reduce the densityofnativevegetationinheavyregrowthareas.Theyhave slashed a track through the new regrowth to be able toaccesssomepartsoftheirproperty.

TheyarelookingintotakingpartinsomeoftheNillumbikShire Council rabbit control programs.

Lessons learnt and the future“Wehavebeenamazedattheabilityofthenaturalenvironmenttorecoverfromthefireevent.”Celestesaid.“Theonlyrealhelpwehavegiventothebushistodoalittle more weed control after the fires and the bush has reallyrecoveredthroughnaturalprocesses.Wearehopingthat these conditions will still be suitable for the special faunathatwehaveinthispartoftheworld.”

“Wearecontinuingtomaintaintheslashedvegetationclear around our house but are letting nature thin out a lot oftheheavyregrowthinthebushareasbyitself.”Celestesaid,“Sincethefiresthereisnowsomuchdiversityofnativegrassesandherbsinflowerduringthespringtimethathaveemergedfromtheburntareas,it’sfantastictosee.”

“Sincethefiresthereisnowso muchdiversityofnativegrassesand

herbsinflowerduringthespringtime that have emerged from the burntareas,it’sfantastictosee.”



6. Community Engagement and Capacity-Building

Catchment management involves:

• protectingremnantindigenousvegetation

• reconnectingfragmentednativehabitat

• protectingrareorendangeredspecies

• managinginvasiveplantsandanimals

• improvingpasturesandsoils

• protectingandenhancingwaterwayhealth.

Theseareallcomplextasksandinterconnectedissues.Theyrequirecooperationbetweenneighboursandultimatelypeopleacrossthewidercatchment.Majorcommunityengagementandcapacity-buildingprogramswill be needed to support us in this work.

Capacity-buildingprogramsgenerallyfallintothecategories of awareness raising, information and knowledge, skills and training, and facilitation and support.Bybuildingpeoples’ability and motivationtoact,thecapacity-buildingactivities can contribute to greater and more effective communityengagementandactionindevelopingandimplementing this CERAP.

Potentialparticipantsincapacity-buildingcouldincludethefollowing:

•subsetsoflandholderswithspecificlanduseinterests(e.g.farmers,ownersofbushblocks,andvariousland managers) or those located within specific neighbourhoods.

•communitygroups(e.g.Landcare,theCFA, Fireguard groups)

•regionalorganisations(e.g.PortPhillipandWesternportCatchmentManagementAuthority,MelbourneWater,industrygroupsandlearninginstitutions)

•Governmentagencies(local,stateandfederal)

•Privatetechnicalandfinancialadvisers/facilitators.

To achieve the actions identified in this CERAP,weneedtoseeourselvesaslandmanagers,notjustlandholdersandresidents.Weneedtobeawareofthe problems and acknowledge them as importantissues.Weneedtobepreparedtoact,knowwhatmeasurestotake,atwhat scale and with whom to cooperate.

Whenplanningforcapacity-building,arangeofapproachesfor engaging various participants should be considered. It isimportanttoavoidthe‘onesizefitsall’approach,asmoston-groundactionisinthehandsofindividuallandholdersandlocalgroups,andwehavedifferinginterestsandneeds.

Inparticular,thetargetingprocessshouldconsiderthosepeoplewhoarenotcurrentlyengagedbutwhoseparticipationis critical for achieving CERAP outcomes.

Detailedconsiderationisneededtothefollowingquestionstomaximisethesuccessofengagementandcapacity-buildingactions.

•Whatspecificbehaviourandpracticechangesarerequiredtoachievethepriorityoutcomes?

•Whatarethespecific,criticalcapacity-buildingactivitiesthatwillmosteffectivelysupporttheachievementofthesechanges?

•Whatpre-requisiteandco-requisiteactivitiesarerequiredtosuccessfullyundertakethesecapacity-buildingactivities?

•Whathasalreadybeendoneandistheproposedactivitybuildingonthis?

•Wheregeographicallywithinthecatchmentshouldcapacity-buildingactivitiesbetargetedinordertobestachievepriorityoutcomes?

•Whowithinthetargetareasshouldbespecificallyidentifiedforinvolvementincapacity-building?

•Whenshouldspecificcapacity-buildingactivitiesbeundertakenandinwhatorder?Whicharetimecritical,and which cannot be undertaken until others have been completed?

•Whicharethemostappropriatedeliverymechanismsintermsofwhodeliverstheservices(e.g.localgovernment,catchmentmanagementauthority,communitysupportnetwork,educationalinstitutionorotherorganisation/group)?Whatshouldbetheirapproach?

•Whowillsupplytheresources?



WaterwaysOurwaterwaysandtheiruniqueriparianplantsneedprotectiontoo.MelbourneWaterratestheArthursCreekanditstributariesasofveryhighregionalimportance.Thecurrentconditionisratedasgood,andthemanagementobjectiveistoimprovetheconditionofthecreek.Itisdescribed as having:

Whencreeksandsignificantgulliesareleftunfenced,stockmayhaveaccesstograzeandtrampleriparianvegetation.Creekbanksbecometrampledandbegintoerode,andwaterqualityisreduced.Thispracticeoftengoeshandinhandwithovergrazingofpastures,particularlyintimesoflow rainfall or overstocking.

ErosionTheStrathewencatchmentgenerallyhashighlyedispersive,easilydissolvedsubsoils.Thelikelihoodoferosionisgreaterin areas that have:

•steepslopes

•disturbedtopsoil

•concentratedflowsofwater

•verticaldropsinthebedofdrainagelines.

•poorcoverageofvegetation

•highrabbitpopulations.

Note:Acombinationofthesefactorsincreasestherisk.

MuchofthesteeplandoftheStrathewencatchmentwasbaredofvegetationbythe2009fires.Thisresultedinhighervolumesoffasterflowingrainfallrun-off.Thiscausedasignificantspikeinerosion.Fortunately,thenaturalrecoveryof vegetation across the catchment has been dramatic and thishashelpedtostabiliserainfallrun-offanderosionrates.Engineered solutions to stabilising active erosion sites have beenrequiredinsituationswheretheactivityoftheerosionhas been a serious threat to infrastructure or the natural/productiveenvironment,

The sediment load that is generated via an accelerated rateoferosionhasseriousconsequencesfordownstreamwaterwaysandwaterbodies.Thisincludessiltationofin-streampoolsandotherwaterbodieswhichalterstheaquaticecologicalconditionsanddegradesthein-streambiota.

7. Challenges for Management of the Strathewen CatchmentAgricultureOurresidentsareattractedtoboththeagriculturalandbushland landscapes of the Strathewen catchment. The settlement pattern that combines agriculture and bushland has both production value and value for maintaining the ambience of the landscape. Small farms and bush propertiesarethemostnumerousformsofestablishments,withfewtraditionalbroadacreproperties.Themanysmalltomedium-sizedfarmsaremainlybeefcattleorhorse-raising enterprises.

Operatorsofsmallfarmsgenerallyrelyonoff-farmincome,andpurchaseofasmallfarmislikelytobealifestyledecision.Thecombiningoffarmingwithnon-farmincomeas a permanent change is therefore crucial to the future sustainabilityofStrathewen.TheproximityofStrathewentotheMelbournemetropolitanareaenablessmallproducerstofocusonvalue-addingandproducesalestotouristsandcustomers of farmers markets.

Challengesforfarmersinourcatchmentincludedrought,waterscarcity,increasedrunningcostsandreducedviabilityoftraditionalcommercialagriculturalenterprises.Climatechange,growingurbanisationandnewpatternsoflanduse,threatsfromtheintroductionandspreadofweedsandpests,andchangingcommunityandconsumerexpectationsarefurtherchallenges.

Pasture qualityThequalityofpastureis,ofcourse,animportantissueforfarmers.

Pasturedeteriorationleadsdirectlytointer-relatedcomponents and drivers of soil degradation including topsoildepletion,compaction,increasedwaterrun-off,erosion,lossofsoilfertility,acidificationandacrashinsoilbiota.Thisinturncausesdegradationoflocalwaterwaysandwater-bodiesasaresultofanincreaseinsedimentandnutrient load.

Pasturedeteriorationalsoexposesareastoweedinvasion,creatingnewweedhot-spotswhichthenbecomethreatstonearbyagricultureandbiodiversity.Sustainablepasturemanagement is a topic of farm planning in itself. Pasture mismanagement,suchasover-grazing,isaconsequenceofpoorknowledge.Itisadrainontheecological,productiveandeconomicresourcesofapropertyandhencewouldneverbeknowinglypracticed.

Ecological values and native vegetation

There is strong appreciation for the bush in the Strathewen communityandawarenessofthecatchment’secologicalvalues.ThebushlandscapesofStrathewenhavealwaysattractedmanyresidentsandvisitorstotheareaandjustlycontinuetodoso.MuchoftheremnantbushlandinStrathewenisprivately-owned,linkinginwithKinglakeNationalPark.

Theprotectionandenhancementofourexistingremnantbush with its animal and plant populations is the best waytoconservebiodiversityacrosstheselandscapes.Nativeanimalsstruggletoreplenishtheirpopulationnumberswhentheyhavetomovebetweensmallareasofhabitatinafragmentedlandscapewithlittleconnectivity.Fragmentation is worsened after disturbance events such asbushfire.Therefore,largenaturalareasofremnantvegetation are of fundamental importance for nature conservation and are irreplaceable. All other things being equal,largeremnantsareinherentlymorevaluablethangroupsofsmall,fragmentedpatchesthatadduptothesame size.

Ifareasofbushlandhavebecomedegraded,naturalregenerationofnativeplantspeciesisbest,aswehaveseenpost-firethatthebushisuniquelyadaptedtofire.Research shows that restoration of bushland through revegetationorreintroductionisunlikelytoreturnanareato its original condition with all of its inherent ecological processes and resilience. These ecological processes are vitalintheservicestheyprovidetothehumancommunity–carbonsinks,forexample.Restorationshouldbetargetedfirstlytoareasofhighquality,movingontothoseoflowerqualitywhentimepermits.Threatstobiodiversitysuchasweed incursion should be treated at their source.

WhiletheStrathewenareasupportslargeareasofrelativelyintactnativevegetation,therearealsoscatteredmaturenative trees in agricultural paddocks. These provide various benefitsforproductivitysuchasshelterforstock,reductionofwindandwatererosion,andseedsforregeneration(inthepaddocksandelsewhere).Theycanbeimportanthabitatfornativefauna,providingconduitsorstopping-offpoints for animal movement between patches of intact vegetation,andtheymayalsobeasourceoffood.Thesetreesarethreatenedbyringbarkinganduncontrolledgrazinginagriculturalareaswithbiodiversityvalues.Asaresult,theyarepronetodieback.

“….excellentchannelform,good streamside vegetation and its headwater reaches

have been defined as ecologicallyhealthy.Weedsposeariskto

both headwater and rural sections.”



Pest animals, including domestic cats and dogsThemostsignificantpestanimalsintheStrathewencatchmentarerabbitsandfoxes.Theyarewidespreadinagriculturalandbushlandareas,andtheireffectivecontrolrequirescontinualcooperativemanagementbetweenneighbours.Deerandwilddogshavealsobeenreportedinthearea.Feralcatsanddogsarepredatorstoo–aproblemlinked to increased urbanisation.

Pestanimalstypicallyhavefewnaturalpredatorsorfataldiseases,andsomehavehighreproductiverates.Asaresult,theirpopulationshavenotnaturallydiminishedandtheycanmultiplyrapidlyunderfavourableconditions.

The most significant pest animals in the Strathewen catchment are rabbits and foxes.Theyarewidespread

in agricultural and bushland areas,andtheireffectivecontrolrequirescontinualcooperative management betweenneighbours.Deer

and wild dogs have also been reported in the area.


Pest plantsPestplants–weeds–arerightlyconsideredbymanyStrathewenlandholderstobeahighpriorityforlandmanagement.TheStrathewencatchmentcontains,andalwayshasdone,awiderangeofweeds.Theyincludelongestablishedagriculturalweeds,environmentalweedsofbushland.Weedsofgreatestconcernareaggressivelyinvasive environmental weeds and new incursions of environmental weeds.

Weedsreducethenaturalvaluesofbushlandandsomeparticularlyinvasivetypesofweedsarecapableof eliminating individual local plant species or entire vegetationcommunities.Onagriculturalland,weedsreducegrazingproductivity,lowercroppingcapabilityandcontaminateproduce.Otherweedscaninjureorpoisonstockandpets.Weedsinbothbushlandandagriculturalland provide a harbour for pest animals and disease.

Strathewenlandholdershavewitnessedextensiveopportunisticinvasionsofweeds,somefamiliarandsomenew,sincethe2009fires.Weedshavecolonisedlandthatwasusedforpasturebeforethefiresandmayout-competefire-affectedpasturespecies.Weedshavealsoappearedinwhatwerepreviouslyintactareasofbushlandwherethenaturalgroundcoverwasdestroyed.Theseweedshavebeenspreadbyairborneseed,carriedbybirdsandanimals,orencroachedfromroadsides.Poormachinehygienefollowingthemovementoftrucks,earthmovingandothermachineryduringthecleanupandrebuildingprocessalsobroughtweedsontopropertiesinthearea.Gardenescapeeplants,whether‘natives’orexotics,havealsobenefitedinsomecasesfromthepost-fireenvironmentandwidenedtheirrange.Landholdershavebeenoverwhelmedwithmany

decisionspost-fire,propertieshavechangedhandsandfrequentlysoundlandmanagementpracticeshavefallenoffthe agenda.

Wearenowfacedwithchallengesincontrollingweedsinthispost-fireenvironment.Whilesomespecieshavenotprovedtobeasproblematicasfirstfeared,significantworkisrequiredtocontainthemandcontrolfurtherspread.Factorsinthiscontrolarecomplexandincludelandholdersdevelopinganunderstandingofweedbiology,improving our knowledge about the impact of weeds on ournativeecosystemsandimprovingourabilitytoidentifyweed species. Knowledge of these factors all contribute to empoweringthelandholdertoconfidentlyidentifyandtreatweeds. A further challenge in Strathewen and other fire affected areas are properties with absentee landholders and new and emerging pest plants.

TheShireofNillumbiklists126speciesaslocalenvironmentalweeds.InadditiontotheShirelist,otherweeds are declared pest plants under the provisions of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.Whiletheseprimarilythreatenagriculture,manyhavesevereimpactsonnativeplantcommunities.Newandemergingweedsarebecomingofgreatconcern,particularlyChileanNeedleGrass,SerratedTussockandBridalCreeper(Smilax).

Manyofthepestplantsinthecatchmentaregardenescapees such as Sweet Pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) and Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox).OtherenvironmentalweedsincludeBlackberry(Rubus fruticosus), Thistles(Cirsiumspp.)andPanicVeldtgrass(Ehrharta erecta).

Rabbits

Rabbits threaten the values of public and private lands.

NillumbikShireCouncilprovidesincentivesforrabbitcontrolandiscurrentlyseekingtousethesetoencouragetheestablishmentofrabbitactiongroups.Specifically,asubsidyisofferedifyouareworkingwithyourneighboursinsuchagroup.Thesefundsgenerallycoverapproximatelyathird of works costs.

TheDPImayalsousetheprovisionsoftheCaLPAct1994toenforce rabbit control on private land.

The most appropriate method for rabbit control will depend uponyoursituation,availableresourcesandpreferences.RefertoBestPracticeguidesformoredetails.

Allmethodsusedmustcomplywithrelevantagriculturalchemical,animalwelfareandfirearmslegislation.Baitingforrabbitswith1080poisonisnotusuallyundertakenbecause of the unacceptable risk to domestic pets in the closelysettledlocality.

Foxes

FoxesareidentifiedintheNEROCReportasathreattoregionalbiodiversityandpenetratedeepintoresidentialareas.Theycauseseriousenvironmentaldamagethroughpredationandthespreadofdiseaseonnativeanimals.Theymayalsoattacknewbornlivestock,raidchickencoopsanddisturb domestic pets.

Asforrabbits,themostappropriatemethodforfoxcontrolwilldependuponyoursituation,availableresourcesandpreferences,andmethodsmustcomplywithrelevantregulations.RefertoBestPracticeguidesformoredetails.

Wild Deer

WilddeerareoneofAustralia’sworstemergingpestproblems,causingdamagebothtothenaturalenvironmentandagriculture.PopulationsinStrathewenmaybeexpanding,withdeerinvadingnewareassincethe2009fires. Control should occur now while the population is emerging. Appropriate control methods should be developedinconsultationwithDSEandNillumbikShireCouncil.

Wild Dogs

Wilddogsaredeclared‘establishedpestanimals’undertheCaLPAct1994.TheyareamajorthreattolivestockandproductiononprivatelandinprovincialVictoria,andtheypreyonnativefauna.ControlprogramsshouldbedevelopedinconsultationwithDSE,DPIandNillumbikShire Council.

TheDPIofferssupporttoproducersafterwilddogattacks.

Domestic animals

Directpredationbycatsanddogscanbedevastatingtomanyindigenousanimals,mostparticularlytoground-dwellingandforagingspeciessuchasquail,bushrats,frogsandevenpossums.Catswillreadilyclimbandtakebirds,glidersandbats.Dogsthatareregularlyallowedtoroamfreefromtheirpropertycanformpacksandwillattacklarger native mammals.

Containingpetswithinrestrictedareasonyourpropertywillnotonlyprotectbiodiversitybutwillalsosafeguardyourpets.


showanincreaseinrainfallintensityandanincreaseinthenumberofdrydays,whichmeanswearelikelytoexperiencelongerdryspellsinterruptedbyheavierrainfallevents.

By2030,Victoria’sannualaveragetemperaturesmayincreasebyatleast0.6°Crelativetoaround1990.By2070,thismayincreaseby1.0°Cunderalowemissionscenario,andatleast2.5°Cunderahighemissionscenario.Theseincreasescouldbeaccompaniedbyanincreaseinthefrequencyofveryhotdaysandnights,sothatby2030therearelikelytobemoredaysperyearabove35°C.By2070andunderahighemissionscenario,thenumberofdaysover35°Cmayhavedoubled.Conversely,thefrequencyoffrostsandverycolddaysandnightsislikelytodecline.

Thecombinationofprojectedwarmingandlessrainfallhasseriousimplicationsforrun-offandwaterstorage.By2030,streamflowintoVictoriandamsisprojectedtodeclineby7to35percentrelativetohistoricalaverageflows.

Insummary,theprojectedchangeswouldinducearangeofthreatstoagriculture,including:

•decliningproductivityduetoincreaseddroughtandbushfires

•cropandpastureyieldsbenefittingfromwarmerconditionsandhighercarbondioxidelevels,butvulnerable to reduced rainfall

•reducedavailabilityofwater

•greaterexposureofstockandcropstoheat-relatedstressand disease

•earlierripeningandreducedgrapequality

•lesswinterchillingforfruitandnuts

•southernmigrationofsomepests

•apotentialincreaseinthedistributionandabundanceofsomeexoticweeds.

Theseclimatechange-inducedthreatstoagriculturecould create a greater demand for agricultural land and agriculturalproductionincooler,higherrainfallregionsinthe state. This could include the Strathewen catchment.

Climate change is also predicted to have a marked impact onbiodiversitythroughmanyfactorssuchaschangesin vegetation structure including a decrease in foliage quality,andreductioninrangeforthemajorityofvertebratespecies.Increasedtemperaturesareexpectedtoresultinchangestovegetationcomposition.Itislikelythatchangesinstructure,productivityandfoliagequalitywillhaveflow-oneffectstootheraspectsofbiodiversity.Climatologistssuggestthatclimatechangewillresultinadryingclimateandmoreintenseandfrequentfires,withthefollowingimpactonbiodiversity:

•smallerareasofrefugiaasaresultoflargerscalefires,slowingthere-colonisationofburntareasandtherecoveryofpopulations,possiblyresultinginlocalextinctions

•increasedfiremortalityofdrought-stressedplants,notablyeucalypts

•reducedpost-firerecruitmentofflora

•lossofcoreareasofbiodiversity.

BurganBurgan(Kunzea ericoides) can be of concern. It is a native shrubspeciesandoccursnaturallyintheStrathewencatchment,butitcommonlycolonisesdisturbedareasandcanalterthestructureofnativevegetationbyout-competingothershrubandunderstoreyspecies,toreducebiodiversity.Burgancanalsocoloniseareasnearinfrastructure such as dwellings and sheds and become a firehazard.PlannedremovalofBurganfromtheseareasmaybeanappropriatestrategy.ItisimportanttonotethatBurganremovalmayrequireapermit,socheckwithCouncil prior to commencing works.

FireFireispartofthehistoryoftheStrathewencatchment,andthreemajorfireshaveoccurredinthelast72years.In1939thewholeareawasburnt.TheJanuary1962fireburnedthroughKinglakeNationalParktoStrathewenandsouthtoSt Andrews.

Inthe2009,firesStrathewensufferedthetragiclossof27people.Thecommunity’sbuildingsandfacilitiesweredestroyed,agriculturalbusinesseswereseverelyimpacted,82privatepropertiesweredamagedordestroyedandtradebusinesseswereadverselyaffected.Nativefloraandfaunawereseriouslyaffected,andsubstantialdamageoccurredtolocalwaterways.Significantdamagealsooccurredtoroadinfrastructureandsigns,witherosiondamagetodrainageinfrastructureandculverts.Subsequentrainledtofurthererosionandflooddamageinburntareasandunburnt areas downstream.

Manyplantsandanimalshaveevolvedtosurvivefireevents,andarereliantonfiretoregenerateandmaintaintheirhealth.Inparticular,biodiversityisdependenton

appropriatefireregimes(fireintensity,frequency,season,extentandtype).Mostnativevegetationburntinthe2009firesisregeneratingbynaturalprocesses.However,insomecases,forexamplewhereerosionisoccurring,plantingofnativevegetationordirectseedingmayberequiredtostabilisesoilsandassistwiththenaturalprocess of regeneration.

Projectionsforfuturetemperatureandrainfallindicateincreaseddroughtandbushfireevents.Slope,aspectandvegetationtypearelandscapecharacteristicsthatinfluencethe degree of fire hazard. Farmers and residents on bush blocks need to ensure that their management practices areadaptedto,andminimise,theincreasedfireriskstopropertyandlife.UsefulinformationonvegetationfirehazardisprovidedintheDSEpublicationofJuly2010:Overall Fuel Hazard Assessment Guide

Climate changeThereportpublishedbyLandandWaterAustraliain2008,projectsthatVictoria’sfutureclimatewilldifferfromthatofthe past.

Temperatureprojectionsareforcontinuedwarming.Rainfallprojectionsaremoremixedthanfortemperaturebutmainlyindicateadryingtrend,particularlyduringwinterandspring.Thecombinationofprojectedwarmingandlessrainfallhassignificantimplicationsforcommunities,agricultureandstreamflow.

By2030,annualrainfallinVictoriaisprojectedtodecreasebyupto5percentrelativetoaround1990.By2070,adecreaseof5to10percentismostlikelyunderalowgreenhousegasemissionscenario,ora10to20percentdecreaseunderahighemissionscenario.Winterandspringrainfallislikelytodecrease,whilechangesinsummerandautumnrainfallarelesscertain.Projections

Photo by Elena TozerPhoto by Peter Woods

Photo by Peter Woods


38 CERAP Strathewen Catchment Photo by Celeste Geer

Protection of significant animal and plant speciesRecoveryPlansandFloraandFaunaActionStatementshave been created for several significant fauna species withintheStrathewencatchment.Notallsignificantspecies have plans to date. These plans contain information onthedescriptionanddistributionofthespecies,managementissues,threatsandintendedmanagementactions. Specific plans provide detailed information on individual species. Please note that while significant floraspecieshavenotbeenpreviouslyrecordedwithinthe Strathewen catchment there is potential habitat for significantfloraspecies.Relevantplansforfaunaspeciesrecorded in Strathewen are identified in Table 7.

Note:

• FloraandFaunaActionStatementscanbeaccessedelectronicallyontheDSEFFGActionStatementshomepage.

• NationalRecoveryPlanscanbeaccessedelectronicallythroughtheAustralianGovernment’sRecoveryPlanswebpage.

By2030,annualrainfallinVictoriaisprojectedtodecreasebyupto5percentrelative to the climate ofaround1990.

SPECIES (with status) RECOVERY PLAN / ACTION PLAN DOCUMENTS

Growling Grass Frog (Litoria reniformis)(NationallySignificant) NationalRecoveryPlanfortheSouthernBellFrog(Litoriareniformis)

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) (State Significant) FFGActionStatementNo.92

Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) (State Significant) FFGActionStatementNo.79

Barking Owl (Ninox connivens) (State Significant) FFGActionStatementNo.116

Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollaniae novaehollandiae) FFGActionStatementNo.124

Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia) FFGActionStatementNo.120

Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta) FFGActionStatementNo.120

Painted Honeyeater (Grantiella picta) (State Significant). FFGActionStatementNo.193

Table 7: Significant fauna species with National Recovery or Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Plans


8.1 AgricultureGoals

•Toencourageadoptionof‘best’practicesinallagriculturallandscapes.

•Toidentifysustainableagriculturalenterprisesforthefuture.

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY

Minimise weeds now and in the long-term.•Preventandinterveneearlytoeradicatenewweeds.•Containandreducethelevelandimpactofexistingweeds.•Maintainachievementsinweedmanagement.•Collaboratewithneighbours,NillumbikShireCouncil,ParksVictoriaandMelbourne

Watertoprioritiseandcontrolweeds.•Educateyourselfaboutkeyweedsinyourarea.

Landholders and Landcare

Improve weed knowledge and control in the community.•Identifyandmapweeddistributionandprioritiseweedsforcontrol.•EngagewithLandcaregroups.•FacilitatebettercommunicationbetweenCouncilRoadsideworkscrewsandCouncil’s

Environmental section.•Coordinatelandholders’weedcontrolmeasures.•Providemorepublicinformation(e.g.lettersandpamphlets)forlandmanagers

including new managers and help them plan and adopt weed control measures.•Promotethebenefitsofweedmanagementforlandholders’ownandadjacent

properties.•Sendaratenoticereminderforweederadicationandcontrol(e.g.forBlackberry).•Improvelandmanagers’accesstoprofessionaladvice,coursesandforumsaboutweeds

from various agencies.•Improvecontractorknowledgeandpracticestopreventthespreadofweedspecies(e.g.

ChileanNeedlegrass).•Providefundingforspecialistweedspottersandspraying.•PromoteCouncil’sLandManagementIncentivesprogram.•Ensurethatcontractorsapplyvehiclehygieneandearthworkspracticestoreducethe

spread of weeds.•Provideanexpertpersontoconfirmspeciesidentification(Photographsareusefulbut

are not sufficient to provide confidence in species identification).•Holdweedmanagementfielddaysinthecatchment.•Identifygardenplantsthathavethepotentialtobecomebushlandinvaders.

Landcare

Provide whole property/farm planning and advice sessions and/or courses.•Includesectionsonlandcapability,biodiversityweedandpestanimalcontrol,erosion

control,farmwatermanagement,soilandpasturemanagementandbushfireplanning.•Targetnewlandmanagers.

Landcare, Council and DPI

Protect existing scattered paddock trees and limit dieback.•Fenceselectedtreestoprotectthemfromstockandroutineagriculturalpracticesinthe

paddock. •Plantshadetreesawayfromisolatedpaddocktreesforstock.•Donotapplyfertiliserintherootzoneofthetree.•Reduceherbicidespraydriftasmuchaspossible.•Donotburnlogs,stumpsorfallenbranches.Iftheyareinaninconvenientplace,move

logs to a more appropriate remnant vegetation area or creek to provide wildlife habitat.

Landholders

8. ActionsSustainablecatchmentmanagementiscomplex,especiallyinStrathewenwithitsmixofprivateandpubliclandinkeyenvironmentallysensitiveareas.

Actions have to be planned at the catchment level andrequirecollaborationbetweenlandmanagersand coordination of works across private and publiclandpropertyboundaries.Forinstance,anactioninitiatedbyanindividualpropertyownermayfallundertheresponsibilityof,say,ParksVictoria,MelbourneWaterorNillumbikShire.Insuchcases,collaborativeworkbetweenlandholders,Landcareandotheragenciescanachievegreater,longertermsustainableoutcomes.

Suchacontext,however,maybechallengingforsome landholders (both public and private) and thisiswherecommunityeducationincaringforourcatchmentandcapacity-buildingtoworktogethereffectivelybecomecrucial(see Section 6).

The following table outlines potential land managementactions,togetherwiththerelevantresponsibleagencies.Theyaregroupedintothemesofagriculture,waterwayhealth,biodiversityandruralliving.



Maintain adequate pastures.•Ensurethatgrazingpressuredoesnotexceedcarryingcapacityforyourparticularland

capability.•Usegrazingsystemssuitedtotheproductionpotentialorpersistenceofthepasturetype

onyourland(e.g.rotationalgrazing).•Undertakesoiltestinganduseadequateinputoffertilisersandminerals.•Improveyourknowledgeofpasturemanagementandyourparticularsoiltype.•PrepareaPropertyManagementPlantomaximizeyouknowledgeandcreateaworkplan

toachievesustainable,efficientandproductivelandmanagement.

Landholders and DPI

Promote suitable pastures.•Promoteawarenessofsuitablepasturespecies,establishmentandmanagement

techniques.•Provideprogramsandfundingforanagronomicextensionofficer.•Provideaccesstoprofessionalknowledge.•Provideaccesstotechnicalinformation.•Providejob-lottingforsoiltestsforalargenumberoflandholders.

Council, DPI and Landcare

Plan for bushfire events.•UnderstandandbecomeinvolvedindevelopingtheFireSafetyPlanforStrathewen. Landholders

Assist landholders to prepare for bushfire.•CoordinatedevelopmentoftheFireSafetyPlanforStrathewenonenvironmentaland

land management matters.•Investigatethefindingsofotherstudiesintoregenerationafterfiretounderstandthe

natureofnaturalsuccessionandfuel-loadbuild-up.•Drawonlocalknowledgeoffirehistory.•Improveknowledge,particularlyfornewlandholders,throughimprovedaccesstoCFA

fire plans and strategies.•Improvelandmanagers’knowledgethroughimprovedinformationaccess,particularly

onwaystorespondtoseasonalvariabilityandextremesofweather.

Council and Landholders

Develop a plan to manage Burgan for fire prevention purposes.•ItisimportanttonotethatBurganremovalmayrequireapermitormaybeprotected

underapropertyspecificcovenantorSection173Agreement.SocheckwithCouncilprior to commencing works.

•Makesureothernativefloraspeciesarenotdestroyedduringtheremovalprogram,byusingappropriateremovaltechniques.

Landholders

8.1. Agriculture (continued)


Help natural regeneration.•Usetemporaryfencingandencloseanareatwicethesizeofthetreecanopyto

encourage regeneration.•Managegrazingtohelpyoungplantssurvive.•Controlherbivoressuchasrabbitsandgoats.

Landholders

Control pest animals.•Planandadoptpestanimalcontrolmeasuresandhaveaccesstosuitablemachinery

andequipment.•Cooperatewithyourneighboursinplanningandtakingaction.•UseCouncil’sLandManagementIncentivesprogram.•Seekadvicefromprofessionalsanduseskilledcontractorsifnecessary.•Educationonpestanimalspeciesandtheireffects.

Landholders

Implement pest animal control programs.•Continueexistingandformnewrabbitactiongroups.•Continuesuccessfulfoxandrabbitcontrolprograms.•Targetcontrolprogramsatdeerandgoats.•Providelandholderswithadvice,includingworkshopsonrabbitcontrol.•Provideaccesstomachineryandequipmentforrabbitandfoxcontrolaswellasskilled

contractors.•Educatelandmanagersontheimpactsandresponsibilitiesofpetownership.

Landcare and Council

Prevent and control erosion.•Maintainahealthyvegetativecoveracrosstheland.•Worktowardsincreasingthehealthanddepthoftopsoilviasoundlandmanagement

practices. •Maintaindebris(logs,stickandleaves)inbushlandareas.•Undertakeactiveintegratedrabbitcontrolprogramswithneighbours.•Avoidactionsthatchangethenaturalflowofwateroverthelandsurfaceorwithin

waterways.Inparticularavoidchangingbroadsurfaceflowintoconcentrated‘channelizedflow’.

•Avoidsoildisturbancesuchasremovaloftopsoiloranyearthworksthatmightprovidewaterwitheasyaccesstothesub-soil.

Landholders

Assist landholders to control erosion.•IdentifytheextentandseverityoferosioninStrathewen,andmaperosionproblems,

including silting of dams.•Providetechnicalsupportfordesign,sitingandconstructionofdrainage,roadwaysand

farm dams.•Providetechnicalinformationandon-siteadviceregardingerosioncontrolmeasures•Ensurethereisaccessibleadviceregardingsustainablelandusetopreventerosion(e.g.

withinPropertyPlanningCourses).

Council

8.1. Agriculture (continued)



Building capacity of new landholders. •DevelopaseriesofLandmanagementfactsheetsandapropertymanagementplanning

template/workbook. •Provideregularlandmanagementfielddays,informationsessionsandcourses.•Targetadvicetonewlandholders(e.g.developlocationspecificLandcareinformation

‘welcome’packages).

Landcare and Council

Improve community understanding about climate change.•Provideinformationtolandmanagers,particularlyonwaystorespondtoseasonal

variabilityandextremesofweather.

Council, DPI, Port Phillip and Western Port Catchment Management Authority

Identify and promote sustainable agricultural enterprises for the future.•Prepareacasefortheprotectionofstrategicallyimportantagriculturallandfromfurther

development.•Trialpotentialalternativecrops.•Encourageandeducatesmall-scaleagriculturalproducerstomaintainagriculturalland

insoundconditionbyapplyingsustainablepracticesandremedyingpastlandproblemssuch as soil erosion.

•Provideshortcoursesforsmallproducerstofocusonviableenterprises,value-addingand produce sales to tourists and customers of farmers markets.

•PromotetheVictorianGovernment’sFarmersMarketsSupportProgram–fundingforrural,regionalandperi-urbancouncilstoundertakefeasibilitystudiesintoproposedfarmersmarkets,establishnewmarketsandexpandonexistingones.

•Promoteappropriatelandusebasedonlandcapabilityandagriculturallandquality(seeSection4ofthisCERAP).

Council, DPI and Landholders

8.1 Agriculture (continued) 8.2 Waterway healthGoal

•Tomanagethecatchmentforprotectionandimprovementofwaterquality.


Protect waterways in your area.•Excludestockfromwaterwaysbyfencingandprovidingalternativereticulatedwater

supply.•Regenerateandenhanceriparianvegetation.•Cooperatewithyourneighboursalongstreams.•InvestigatepotentialforassistanceunderMelbourneWater’sStreamFrontage

ManagementProgram

Landholders

Improve community knowledge of how to keep waterways healthy.•Undertakevegetationmapping.•Undertakestreamconditionassessments.•Coordinateactionsofadjoininglandholdersalongstreams.•Improveknowledgeofnewandexistinglandholdersthroughimprovedaccessto

information.•Provideincentivestofencewaterwaysandestablishoff-streamwatersupply.•Increasecontrolsonthedesignofprivateroads,damsanddrains.•PromoteMelbourneWater’sStreamFrontageManagementProgramtoprivate

landholderswithfreeholdorlicensedwaterwayfrontage.(Theprogramprovidessupportforfencing,off-streamstockwatering,weedcontrolandrevegetation).

•Targetothermunicipalities,ParksVictoriaandCommitteesofManagementtocomplementworksonprivateproperty,throughMelbourneWater’sCorridorsofGreenProgram.

•SupportcommunitygroupstoaccessMelbourneWater’sCommunityGrantsProgramwhen working on public land.

•Ensureprojectcoordinationbetweenagenciesandcommunityorganisationsinrelationtowaterwaymanagement.

Council, Melbourne Water and Landcare

Photo by Celeste Geer Photo by Celeste Geer


8.3 Biodiversity (continued)8.3 BiodiversityGoals

•Toprotectandenhancenativevegetationandfaunapopulations.•Tosecureimportantbiolinksbyprotectingandenhancingremnantnativevegetationandlinkingcoreareas.


Protect flora and fauna in your area.•Controldomesticcatsanddogssothattheydonotposeathreattonativefauna,and

keep them out of habitat links.•Controlpestanimalssuchasferalcats,foxes,rabbitsanddeer.•Controlpestplants(weeds)inknownhabitatareas,tomaintainandenhanceexisting

faunahabitatandprotectsignificantfloraandfauna.•Retaintimberinnativevegetationareastoprovidehabitatforhollow-dependentanimal

species.•Protectandestablishseedlingsfromscatterednativepaddocktrees.•Fencearoundremnantvegetationwherepossiblewithwildlifefriendlyfencing.•Fenceoffareasthatcanactascorridorstolinkcoreareasofnativevegetation.•Implementre-vegetationinareaswherenaturalregenerationisnotadequate.•Conductfuelreductionactivitiestoensurethatlargehollow-bearingtreesarenot

destroyedduringintensefiresituations.Thisincludesrakingforaminimumofonemetrearoundallbigoldtrees.(Hollowssuitableformanyfaunaspeciesdonotformineucalyptsuntiltheyare150–200yearsold).

•Beawarethatsomepredatorynativefaunamayalsobeaffectedbypoisoningregimesaimedatrabbits,whichmaybeafoodsourceforsomeanimals,particularlyowlsandthenationallysignificantSpot-tailedQuoll.(MoreinformationonalternativemethodsofrabbitcontrolcanbefoundontheVictorianDPIIntegratedrabbitcontrolwebpage).

•Establishamonitoringprogramtorecordfaunafindings.•EnterintoavoluntaryagreementthroughTrustforNatureorLandforWildlife.

Landholders

Improve community knowledge of biodiversity in Strathewen.•Promotecommunityawarenessofsignificantspecies.•PromotetheNillumbikShireCouncilLandManagementIncentiveProgramto

landholdersadequatelymanagingtheirland.•Educatelandholdersonthebenefitsofprotectingandretainingnativevegetation.•Ensureallnewlandholdersareawareoftheecologicalvaluesontheirpropertyand

understand their responsibilities to maintain native vegetation and the benefits of linking core areas.

•Increasecommunityknowledgeabouttheeffectsoffireonnativefloraandfauna.

Council and Landcare

Monitor and record fauna species in the catchment.•Providetrainingforvolunteers.•Setupacentralisedportaltostoreandaccessdata.Thiscouldincludeanonline

volunteerdatabaseforcommunitymemberstorecorddata,setupbytheLandcaregroup with support from Council.

Council and Landcare


Reduce stock access to native vegetation.Implementmeasurestoprotectfloraandfauna.•Implementpermitconditionsinimportantfaunahabitatlinksthatprohibitdogsandcats

in new developments.•UsingDSE2005EVCmappingandrecommendationsfromtheABZECOmapping

prioritise areas for protection and restoration.•LiaisewiththeLandcaregroupandDSEtodetermineareasofhighestecologicalvalue.•EngageNillumbikShireCouncilstaffandexternalconsultantstoprovidetechnical

support and Engage with.•Encourageprivatelandholderswithpotentialhabitattoenterintovoluntaryagreements

thatprotecthabitat,suchasTrustforNatureorLandforWildlife.•Investigatehowmuchlandisstillbeingactivelyusedforagriculturalpurposesin

Strathewen. Ensure that land not being used for agriculture is still being managed appropriately.

Council

Investigate the possibility of implementing a controlled burning regime – on private and public land where appropriate.

CFA, Council and Landholders

8.4 Rural livingGoals

•Toencourageadoptionofsustainablelandmanagementpractices.•Toencourageprotectionandenhancementofbiodiversityvalues.


Carry out strategic planning for the future of ‘rural living’ in the Shire. Council

Conduct research and development where critical information is lacking. The following themes are important:•socio-economicresearch•decision-tooldevelopmentincluding‘bestpractice’guides•alternativeproductionormanagementpractices.

Council

When planning for capacity building, avoid the ‘one size fits all’ approach.•Considerindividuallandholdersandlocalgroupswithdifferinginterestsandneeds,

suchassubsetsoflandholderswithspecificlanduseinterests(e.g.farmers,ownersofbushblocks,andMelbourneWater)orthoselocatedwithinspecificneighbourhoods.

•EngagepeoplewhoarenotnecessarilycurrentlyengagedbutwhoseparticipationwouldbeusefulforachievingCERAPoutcomes,suchasstudents,communitygroups,industrygroups,governmentofficersincludinglocalgovernmentcommunitysupportofficersandcoordinators,andeducationalinstitutions.

•Establishnetworksandforums(e.g.NERWG)toensureprogram/projectcoordinationbetweenallrelevantagenciesandcommunityorganisationsinrelationtoenhancingbiodiversityandsustainableagriculture.

Landcare, Melbourne Water and Council


9. Potential Demonstration and Priority ProjectsWhileallgoalsandproblemsneedtobetackledovertime,therewillalwaysbeinadequatefinancialandpersonnelresources.Accordingly,priorities need to be identified. It is also good practicetohavearangeofprojectsdevelopedandreadytoactivateasopportunitiesarise.Public funding associated with natural resource managementisnowtypicallyproject-based.Awell-knownrecentexampleofthisattheAustralianGovernmentlevelisthe‘CaringforOurCountry’funding.Priorityprojectsoverthenextfiveyearsemergedfromthecommunityworkshopsandareprovidedbelow.ThescaleoftheprojectsmaybegeographicallycontainedwithintheStrathewencatchment,developedacrosstwoormoreoftheStrathewen,StAndrewsandChristmasHillsCERAPareas,orShire-wide.ThefinalselectionofprojectsandtheirscalerequiresdecisionbytheStrathewencommunityinconsultationwithCouncil,NillumbikNaturalEnvironmentRecoveryWorkingGroup(NERWG)and,asneeded,theotherCERAPcommunities.

PROJECT TITLE: Protectingandenhancingagricultureandbiodiversityassets in the Strathewen catchment through control of weeds and pest animals

GOALS To encourage adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.To protect and enhance native vegetation and fauna populations.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE Control of pest plants and animals to protect agricultural and conservation assets.

BACKGROUND

Pest plants and animals have a considerable impact on agricultural production and ecological healthintheStrathewencatchment.Thisisduetoarangeofnaturalandhuman-inducedfeaturesincludingthecatchment’sproximitytoMelbourneanditspositionattheinterfacebetweenruralandurbanareas.Thecatchmenthasexperiencedsubstantialrestructuringinpropertysizesandownerships,anditcontainsavarietyoflandwithagriculturalandbushlanduses.Thisinturnresultsincontinuouschangesincommunitystructuresanddynamicsandpresents challenges in achieving and maintaining sustainable agricultural and ecological land use.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

Diminishedagriculturalproductionandlossofnativefloraandfaunaandassociatedhabitats.

Causes of the problems

Theaboveproblemsarecausedbythefollowing:

Weeds •Ongoingpresenceandspreadofnoxious,agriculturalandenvironmentalweedspecies.•Continuinginvasionofweedsfromneighbouringpropertiesorroadsidesintoagricultural

land. •Weedcompetitionwithpasturespecies.•Weedinvasionofnativevegetationareas.

Pest animals•Inadequate/inappropriatecontrolofinvasivedomesticanimals(dogsandcats).•Thepresenceofsignificantnumbersofrabbits.Thepresenceofsignificantnumbersoffoxes.

Highlocalpopulationsofsomecommonnativespeciesmayhaveanimpactonagricultureand/orbiodiversityandcanbeaddressedonacase-bycasebasisifsignificantdetrimentalimpactscan be demonstrated.

Effects of weeds and pest animals on agriculture and native flora and fauna

Effectsofweedandpestinvasionsthatinturnimpactadverselyonagricultureandecologicalhealth include the following:

Weeds•Potentialforadverseanimalhealthissues(e.g.impactsofpoisonousorspinyweedson

stock).•Reducedcarrying-capacityofpasture,causingreducedanimalproduction.•Competitionwithanddisplacementofnativevegetation,andassociatedimpactson

ecological communities.•Lossofnativefaunahabitat

Pest animals•Stockpredation.•Competitionforexistingpasture.•Soilerosionduetolackofgroundcoverandsoildisturbancewherepestanimalscontribute

to overgrazing of the land.•Predationofnativefauna.•(Sometimes)Lossofnativefaunahabitatbygrazingcompetitionorbrowsing.

9.1 Protecting agriculture and biodiversity assets from weeds and pest animals


Continued

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

Why is this happening?

Theprimarycausesoftheproblemsincludeoneormoreofthefollowing:

Weeds•Lackofknowledgeregardingsustainablemanagementtechniquesthatcanbeadoptedto

minimise the risk of weed invasion (e.g. rotational grazing).•Landholdersareunawareoftheneedforandobligationsrelatingtoweedcontrol.•Lackofknowledge/interestregardingweedsmanagementbynewandother(e.g.ongoingor

absentee)landmanagers.(Forexample,landholderscannotidentifyweeds.)•Relativelysmallpropertysizesincreasesthedifficultytoachieveintegratedcontrolonan

effective scale.•Lackoftime,financialresourcesorequipmenttocarryoutcontrolworks.•Inadequatefundingavailableorinvestedintrainingandengagingcontractorstocontrol

roadside weeds.•Informationregardingthespreadofweedsviamachineryisnotgettingthroughto

contractors.•Slashingofroadsideswithoutawarenessoforregardforareasofmappedweeds(i.e.results

in spread of seeds).Pest animals•Lackofknowledgebynewandother(e.g.someabsenteeandestablished)landowners.•Landholdersareunaware(asdistinctfromlackingknowledge)ofproblems,andmayhave

other priorities.•Lackoftime,financialresourcesorequipmenttoimplementpestanimalcontrolworks.•Easeofaccesstograzingandpermanentwater(e.g.damsandotherwatersources)for

wildlife. •Landscapeconducivetorabbitharbourandsusceptibletoerosion•Relativelysmallpropertysizesincreasesthedifficultytoachieveintegratedcontrolonan

effective scale.•Inadequatecontrolofpestanimalsbylandmanagers.•Increaseinpestanimalsduetoincreaseinfreshgrowthpost-fires.•Inadequatecontrolofdomesticcatsanddogs.

ACTION NEEDS

Thefollowingactions(individuallyorcollectively)cancontributetoachievingtheprojectobjectives.

Weeds

Research and investigation•Identifyandmapweeddistribution,andprioritiseweedsforcontrol.

Coordination•EngagewithLandcaregroups.•BettercommunicationbetweenCouncilRoadsideworksandEnvironmentalsections.•Coordinationofweedcontrolmeasuresbylandholders.

Community awareness•Morepublicinformation(e.g.lettersandpamphletsfornewlandholders).•Ratenoticereminderforweederadicationandcontrol(e.g.Blackberry).Extension and technical support.•Improvelandholders’accesstoprofessionaladvicefromvariousagencies.•Broadenlandholders’knowledge(courses/forums).•Improvecontractorknowledge/practicesonpreventingthespreadofweedspecies(e.g.

ChileanNeedleGrass).Incentives•Fundingforspecialistweedspottersandspraying.•UseCouncil’sLandManagementIncentivesprogram.

On-ground works•Councilsupervisionofcontractorstoapplyvehiclehygieneandearthworkspracticesthatwill

reduce unintended spread of weeds.•Landholdersemployweedcontrolmeasures.

Continued

ACTION NEEDS

Pest animalsResearch and investigation•Noactionsidentified.

Co-ordination•Continuerabbitactiongroups.•Continuesuccessfulfoxandrabbitcontrolprograms.•Needforcooperationandcoordinationbetweenneighbouringlandmanagers(publicand

private) to plan and implement pest animal control programs.

Community awareness•Educatenewandother(absenteeandsomeestablished)landownersandoccupierson

impacts and responsibilities associated with pet ownership and pest control.

Extension and technical support•Seekadvicefromprofessionals(includingShireandagencyadvisorypersonnel).•Counciltoassistandadviselandholders.

Incentives •UseCouncil’sLandManagementIncentivesprogram.

On-ground works•Landholdersplanandimplement‘bestpractice’pestanimalcontrolmeasures.

METHODOLOGY

Methodology for weeds •Conductpost-bushfireweedmappingsurveytoidentifyweedspeciesandtheirdistribution

in the Strathewen catchment. •Establishcriteriaforprioritisingweedsforcontrolonagriculturallandandbushblocks.•Conductacommunitymeetingtoestablishpriorityweedsandactionprioritiesforweed

control. •Establishcoordinationproceduresbetweenlandholders,andbetweenlandholdersandthe

Shire.•Developandimplementcommunityawarenessprogramforresponsibilitiesforweedcon-

trol.•Promotebestpracticeandcontinuousimprovementinweedcontrol.

Methodology for pest animals •Continueassistancetorabbitactiongroups,andcontinuesuccessfulrabbitandfoxcontrol

programs.•Establishanawarenessprogramaboutresponsibilitiesassociatedwithpetownership.•Promotebestpracticeandcontinuousimprovementinpestanimalcontrol.

POTENTIAL FUNDING AND RESOURCING

Caring for Our Country 2011-2012Environmental Stewardship Program –Thisprogramgiveslandholdersaccessto15-yeargrantssotheycantakelong-termactionontheirlandtoreducegrazingintensity,controlweedsandferalanimals,andprotectkeyspeciesandecologicalcommunities.PortPhillipandWesternportCMACommunityGrantsProgram.NillumbikShireCouncilCommunityRabbitControlProgram.NillumbikShireCouncilLandcareSupportGrants.NillumbikShireCouncilCommunityWeedControlProgram.


PROJECT TITLE: Controlling soil erosion

GOALS

To stabilise soil erosion in the Strathewen catchment.To improve the awareness and knowledge of landholders about common local soil erosion problems;thecauseandpreventionandmethodstorehabilitateerodedland,toprovideforongoinglandandsoilstability.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Toencourageadoptionofsustainablepracticesinallagriculturallandscapesbydemonstrating: •measurestopreventsoilerosion.•stabilisationmethodsforexistingerodingsites(gullies,tunnelsandroadsides).

BACKGROUND

ThehillyStrathewenlandscapeisformedonveryoldsedimentaryrockandcontainssoilsthatarehard-settingonthesurface,andwithdispersibleclaysthataresusceptibletoerosionwhenexposed.Muchofthesteeplandremainsinforest,whilemostofthelowhillsandflatshavebeenclearedforagriculture.Themaindrainagelinesandfloodplainareascontainuniformclayprofiles.Gullyerosioniscommonindrainagelineswherewaterisconcentrated.Erosionhazardisalsohighwhereexposedhard-settingsurfacesoilsreducerainfallabsorptionandincreaserun-off,andduetothedispersibleclaysubsoils.Sheet,gullyand tunnel erosion occur on sloping land. Erosion of the bed and banks of streams occurs where drainage lines are denuded of protective vegetation.

Continued

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

•Thecatchmentcontainslocallysignificantareasofserioustunnelandgullyerosioninproductive agricultural land.

•Thereisahighriskoferosionoccurringmorewidelyonslopinglandwithlowlevelsofvegetationprotectionandhighrun-off.

Causes of the problems

•Lossofgroundcoverandincreasedrun-offthatinturncausetunnelandgullyerosiondamaging agricultural land.

•Changingthenaturalflowofwateroverthelandsurfaceorwithinwaterways.Inparticularavoidchangingbroadsurfaceflowintoconcentrated‘channelizedflow’(e.g.alongdrivewaysoratdamoutfalls).

•Topsoildisturbancethatprovideswaterwitheasyaccesstothedispersiblesubsoil(thisincludesinappropriateearthworks,poorgrazingtechniques,andpoorrabbitcontrol).

Effects of soil erosion

•Lossofproductivelandandassociatedproduction.•Potentiallyimprovedconditionsforpestanimalconsolidations(e.g.rabbitwarrensandfox

dens in eroded banks of gullies and water courses).•Adverseimpactsonaccessibilityacrosstheland.•Sedimentationandturbidityofstreams,damsandanywetlandareas.•Pooraesthetics.•Adverseimpactonpropertyinfrastructureandpropertyvalues.

Why are the problems happening?

Soilerosionoccursfromoneorpotentiallyacombinationofsomeofthefollowingcauses:•lackofknowledgeandawarenessoflandownersandoccupiersaboutsoilpropertiesand

the roles of groundcover and deep rooted perennial vegetation in sustainable land use and management.

•inappropriatedesignofdrainagedisposalforroads,tracks,anddamoutfallstosupporthighenergyrun-off.

•lackofexpertiseofmanagersonprivateandpubliclandsincludingroadsandroadreservesinthedesignandmaintenanceofroadsidecut-offdrains.

•naturalcharacteristicsofthecatchmentincludinghighrun-offfromstormevents,highlyerodible soils.

•insufficientadvicefromagencies.

9.2 Tackling tunnel and gully erosion

Continued

EXISTING INFORMATION

From Literature Review (FiguresinbracketsindicatethereferencenumberintheLiteratureReview.)

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (3.2.1).Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 / Protected Flora list and Action Statements (3.3.1).Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010 – 2030. (4.2.1).National Recovery Plan for the Southern Bell Frog 2010 (4.2.5).Victoria’s Resources On-line (4.3.7).Recovery Plan for Twelve Threatened Spider-Orchid Caladenia R. Br. Taxa of Victoria and South Australia. (4.3.14).Sites of Faunal and Habitat Significance in NE Melbourne 1997 – the NEROC report (4.4.1).Port Phillip and Westernport Regional Catchment Management Strategy 2004-2009 (4.4.2).Port Phillip and Westernport Native Vegetation Plan 2006 (4.4.3).Nillumbik Weed Action Plan 2008 (5.5.3).Nillumbik Rabbit Action Plan 2009 (5.3.4).Roadside Management Plan (5.3.5).Nillumbik Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (5.3.6).Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Fox Control Program (5.3.8).Watsons Creek State of the Environment Summary 1999 (6.1.3).Rabbit Control Program 2009/10 (6.1.6).


Continued

METHODOLOGY

Thekeyelementsofthemethodologyaretodemonstratepracticalerosioncontrolmeasuresinthefield,createawarenessandknowledgeintheStrathewencommunityabouterosioncontrol,andprovideincentivesforon-groundaction.

Demonstration sites•Selectappropriategullyandtunnelerosionsitesforrehabilitation.•Developarehabilitationplanfortheselectedsitesandaprocessfordemonstratingsite

planning for rehabilitation. •Demonstratetherehabilitationtechniquesforthecommonerosionproblemsinthe

catchment.

Awareness and knowledge•Conductfielddaysoncatchmentmanagementtoimprovecatchmenthydrologyfor

prevention of erosion.•Conductfielddaysaterodedandrestoredsitestoexamineandunderstandthecauses,

effectsandrehabilitationtechniques.•Provideeasyaccesstoinformationonpreventionandmanagementofsoilerosion.•Providewholefarmplanningadviceand/orcourses.

Incentives•Provideincentivesthroughtheexisting‘SustainableAgriculturalRebate’offeredby

Council.


MelbourneWater,NillumbikShireCouncil,AustralianGovernment(CaringforOurCountry),DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries,landholders.

Continued

INTRODUCTION

DescriptionTheStrathewenlandscapeisformedonveryoldsedimentaryrockinalandscapeofvalleysandpredominantlylowhillsthatmergewithlongridgesofsteephillsandruggedterrainparticularlyonthenorthernandeasternboundaries.Muchofthesteeplandremainsinforest,whilemostofthelowhillsandflatshavebeenclearedforagriculture.Thisagriculturallandisina‘GentlyUndulating’LandManagementUnitwhichhasshallowlighttexturedgradationalsoilsonthecrestsandsteeperslopes.Greyclaysoilswithuniformprofilesoccuralongdrainagelinesandthefloodplain.Smallareasofthelowerslopes(upto5percentgradient)containhighqualityagriculturalsoilswitha9to10monthgrowingseasonthatcanextendto12monthsunderirrigation.Thesemoderatelyfertilesoilsaresuitedtoorchardsandpotentiallyotherhorticultureonthedeepersoils.Annualrainfallisapproximately950millimetres,andthegrowingseasonisapproximately8to9monthsorextendedto12monthsifirrigationwaterisavailable.

RationaleStrathewenhaspotentialforhighyieldsperhectareonsmallfarmingbusinesseswherehighqualitylandmanagementunitsarelocatedandthereisaccesstowater.Insuchsituationsgreateragriculturaldiversitycouldpotentiallyoccurincludingvegetable,fruit,grapes/wine,floriculture,nurseryandlivestockproduction.ThepurposeofthisprojectistoscopetheagriculturalpotentialoftheArthursCreekcatchment for increased agricultural diversification and to capitalize on farmers markets. Theseinturncouldattractregionalvisitorswillingtopaypremiumpricesforfreshqualitylocalproduce.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

The following are considered to be the main general problems for agricultural diversification in the Strathewen catchment:•reducedviabilityoftraditionalcommercialagriculturalenterprises•lackofinformationonalternativeenterprises•minimalinformationorknowledgeonsoilsuitabilityforagriculturalusesandavailable

water resources•experiencedfarmersleavingtheircatchmentortheirindustries•manypeoplepurchasingrurallandwithouttheknowledgeandskillsrequiredforfarming.

Effect

•Highqualityagriculturallandandlandofstrategicimportance(i.e.largerproductivelandparcels) being underutilised.


•Smallpropertieslackeconomiesofscale.•Landisoftenpurchasedforlifestylepurposes,whichcommandshigherlandpricesthan

canbejustifiedforcommercialagriculture.

PROJECT TITLE: Agricultural futures for Strathewen catchment

GOAL ToidentifypotentialagriculturalenterprisesforthefutureintheStrathewencatchment,asamain basis for continuing sustainable agriculture in the Strathewen catchment area.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

TodevelopsufficientinformationabouttheagriculturalpotentialofthehighqualityandstrategicallyimportantagriculturallandintheStrathewencatchment,toenableinvestmentinalternativeagriculturalenterprisesandtosupportincreasedproductivity.

Todevelopsufficientinformationabouttheagriculturalpotentialofthehighqualityagricultural land in Strathewen to strengthen the case for its protection.

TomaketheinformationwidelyavailablethroughtheCouncil’srurallandusewebpage.

9.3 Agricultural futures


Continued

ACTION NEEDS

Thefollowingactions(individuallyorcollectively)cancontributetoachievingtheprojectobjectives.•Protecthighqualityagriculturalland,andstrategicallyimportantagriculturalland,from

further development.•Identifysource,volumeandavailabilityofwaterresourcesforagriculture.•Develophighresolutionsoilmapsfordecision-makingonsoilsuitabilityforparticular

agricultural enterprises.•Collatecurrentinformationontypeandvalueofsuitableagriculturalenterprises,

includingtheirstrengths,weaknessesandopportunities.•Takeintoaccounttheopportunitiesandthreatsthatclimatechanceandpeakoilwillhave

on the development of particular agricultural enterprises. •Identifyandelaboratemarkettrendsandvalue-addingthatcouldprovideopportunitiesfor

small growers.•Publicisealternativefarmingopportunities.•Provideeducationandtraininginproductionsystems,enterprisebusinesspracticeand

farmingsustainability.•Supportthedevelopmentoffarmersmarkets.

METHODOLOGY

Thefollowingprovidesmethodologyprinciplesthatrequirefurtherrefinementtogetherwiththechosenactionsindevelopingadetailedproposalforthisproject.•WorkwithMelbourneWatertoidentifysource,volumeandavailabilityofwaterresources

for agriculture.•Develophighresolutionsoilmapsfordecision-makingonsoilsuitabilityforparticular

agricultural enterprises.•Collateinformationontypeandvalueofsuitableagriculturalenterprises,includingtheir

strengths,weaknessesandopportunities(i.e.SWOTanalysis)andplaceonCouncil’sruralland use webpage.

•Identifyandelaboratemarkettrendsandvalue-addingthatcouldprovideopportunitiesforsmall growers.

•PubliciseidentifiedalternativefarmingopportunitiesinStrathewen.•Provideeducationandtraininginproductionsystems,enterprisebusinesspracticeand

farmingsustainabilityforresidentsinterestedininvestinginalternativeagriculturalenterprises.

•IdentifyandprovidemeanstosupportthedevelopmentorexpansionoffarmersmarketsintheShireofNillumbik.


•VictorianGovernment’sFarmersMarketsSupportProgram–fundingforrural,regionalandperi-urbancouncilstoundertakefeasibilitystudiesintoproposedfarmersmarkets,establishnewmarketsandexpandonexistingones.

9.4 Enhancing and promoting habitat links in the Strathewen catchment

PROJECT TITLE: Enhancing and promoting habitat links in the Strathewen catchment

GOAL Tosecureimportanthabitatlinksbyprotectingandenhancingremnantnativevegetationand connecting core areas.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Toprotect,enhanceandrestorehabitatlinks.To restore habitat links identified in Figure 4.

INTRODUCTION

Description

The1997reportoftheformerNorthEastRegionalOrganisationofCouncils(NEROC)onsignificantfaunasitesandhabitatsfornorth-eastMelbourneidentifiesthattheStrathewencatchmentsupportsseveralhabitatlinksthroughArthursCreek,aneast-westhabitatlinkthroughNEROCareaNUHC85,andhabitatlinksfromtheeastandsoutheastthroughNEROCareaNUHC86.Itisconsideredhighlyimportantthattheselinksareprotectedandenhanced.TheStrathewenLandcareGrouphasalsoimplementedsomebiolinksonprivateland.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Problems

Historic loss of important habitat links.On-goinglossofscatteredtreesandunderstoreyvegetationonagriculturalland.

Increasedthreatofdegradationofremnantvegetationbyweedsandpestanimals.

Causes/Why this is happening?

Theprimarycausesforlossandfragmentationofhabitatlinksinclude:

•overgrazingonagriculturalland•lackofprotectionofnativevegetation•lackofunderstandingofbiodiversityvalues•lackofknowledgeoftheimportanceofnativevegetationandresponsibilitiesunderthe

PlanningSchemerelatingtoremoving,destroyingorloppingnativevegetation•inappropriatedevelopmentthatcanrestrictthemovementoffauna(e.g.wildlifeunfriendly

fencing) •reducedpropertysizes,increasedurbanizationandhumanpopulationpressurecausing

greater ecological threat/disturbance and making it harder to implement positive ecologicalprojectsonalandscapescale.

Effects

Deteriorationandfragmentationofregionalandlocalhabitatlinksincludinglossof:

•canopyformovementofsomefaunaspeciesacrossopenpaddocks•canopyandunderstoreyvegetationforsafemovementofnativefauna•Thequantity,qualityandconnectivityofremnantvegetation•landscapevalues•Indigenousfloraandfauna.


Continued

ACTIONS NEEDED

Research and investigationAnalysetherecommendationsmadeintheABZECOmapping(Figure 10) for guidance on restorationprioritiesinconjunctionwithcommunityengagement.

Coordination Council to ensure that landholders are aware of ecological values on their properties and understand their responsibilities to maintain native vegetation and the benefits of linking core areas.Community awarenessImplementprogramtoenhancecommunityeducationandcapacitytoretainand regenerate native vegetation.Extension and technical supportTobeprovidedbyNillumbikShireCouncilandexternalconsultantswhererequired.IncentivesLandholdersadequatelymanagingtheirlandmaybeeligiblefortheNillumbikShireCouncilLandManagementIncentiveProgram.On-ground worksImplement fencing around remnant vegetation where possible. Fence off areas that can act as corridors to link core areas of native vegetation. Implementrevegetationinareaswherenaturalregenerationisnotadequate.

METHODOLOGY

AnalysetherecommendationsmadeintheABZECOmapping(Figure 10) for guidance on restorationprioritiesinconjunctionwithcommunityengagement.

Establishaprogramtoenhancecommunityeducationandcapacitytoretainandregenerate native vegetation.

Fence off areas that can act as corridors to link core areas of native vegetation.

Fencearoundremnantvegetationwherepossible,andotherareaswherenaturalregenerationisnotadequate.

POTENTIAL FUNDING PROGRAMS

OneexampleofapotentialfundingsourceistheAustralianGovernment‘CaringForOurCountry’program.

In2012,fundingwasobtainedthroughtheVictorianGovernment’sCommunitiesforNaturegrantprogram.Thegrantprovides$600,000overfouryearsforLandcareGroupstoworkonthreatenedspeciesprojectsacrosstheShire.

Wherehabitatlinksareproposedalongriverfrontage,MelbourneWaterisapotentialfundingsourcethroughitswaterqualityimprovementprogramming.

9.5 Best practice native pasture management on hill country

PROJECT TITLE: Bestpracticenativepasturemanagementonhillcountry

GOALToincreasethecontentandpastureyieldofnativeperennialgrassspeciesinpasturesonModeratelyUndulatingandSteepLandManagementUnitsintheStrathewencatchment(AgriculturalLandQualityclasses3-4).

LOCATION

AgriculturallandontheModeratelyUndulatingandSteepLandManagementUnitsinthe Strathewen catchment is identified in ‘Figure 6–Map:StrathewenAgriculturalLandQuality’intheCommunityEnvironmentalRecoveryActionPlan–StrathewenCatchment(2011)asClasses3and4.(Alandholderpropertyforthedemonstrationprojectisyettobedetermined.)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

MosthillcountryintheStrathewencatchmentcontainsnativepasturespecies.Muchofthis is depleted or not achieving its productive potential.Nativegrassspeciescancontributetothestabilityofpastureproductionbecausemanyhaveanactivegrowingseasonbeyondthatofannualgrassesandmanyintroducedperennialpasturespecies.Agoodqualitydensestandofactivelygrowingperennialgrassesprovidesacontinuousfoodsupplyforstockandgivessoundprotectionagainstsoildegradation and weed invasion.

The main native grass species contributing to pastures in the Strathewen catchment include: Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra),Wallabygrass(Austrostipa spp),Weepinggrass(Microlaena stipoides) and Spear grass (Austrostipa spp).

Eachperennialgrassspecieshasitsownpatternofseeding,germinationandgrowthandwillresponddifferentlytothetimingandlengthofrests,heightofgrazing,competitionandshading.Whileitisn’tpossibletocaterforallcharacteristicsofeveryspeciesinadiversenativepasture,understandingthedifferencesofthemorecommonspeciesallowsmanagerstomaintainorimprovethecompositionoftheirpasturebymakinginformedchoices of how and when to graze and rest pastures to favour desirable species over undesirable species.

Thereisnosetrecipeformanagingnativepastures,butsomebasicprinciplesapplytoallperennial-basedpastures.Thekeyistohaveaflexiblesystemthatcanbechangedastheseason,pasturespeciesandstockrequire.Inthisdemonstrationmanagementdecisionsshould consider the:•effectofgrazingontheabilityofthedesiredperennialplantstosurviveandfacilitate

recruitment. •effectofpercentagepasturecoverontherateofsoilerosion•needforseedingopportunitiestoallowrecruitmentandreplenishmentofsoilseedbank.•likelybenefitofdiversityofspeciesondroughttolerance•effectofovergrazingorlackofrotationonpasture/weedcomposition•benefitsofperiodicrestingviatheuseofrotationalgrazingpractices.

Aspoorrotationandoverstockingisamajorcauseofnativepasturedegradation,themost important principle is that stocking rates and rotations need to match to the forage availability,whichwillvaryseasonallyandbetweenyears.


Continued

METHODOLOGY

Thisfive-yearprojectwilldemonstratebestpracticesustainablepasturemanagementofperennialnativegrassspeciesonhillcountryintheStrathewencatchment.This practical demonstration will meet the sustainable needs of the pasture and the economicsofthefarmbusiness.Themethodologywillbegenerallybasedon‘deferred’(rotational)grazingsystemsaimedatprovidingeconomicandenvironmentalbenefitsforhillcountry.Dependingontheconditionoftheselecteddemonstrationsite,anyofthefollowingresearch-testedsystemscouldbechosentomakethemostofnativegrasses.•Optimised deferred grazing,basedongrazingatkeytimesinthelifecycleofpasture

plants,isoneofthemosteffectivewaystochangepasturecomposition.Thisaimstoincreasetotalperennialgrasspopulationanddrymatterproductionwhilesuppressingannual grasses and weeds.

•Short-term deferred grazing,withstockexcludedfromOctobertomid-summer.Thisaimstoincreasesoilseedreservesandplantpopulationdensitybutwithoutalteringpasturecompositionaseffectivelyasoptimiseddeferredgrazing.

•Long-term deferred grazing,withstockexcludedfromOctobertoautumnbreak,andtimedgrazing,witharestingperiodof120to130daysaftereachgrazing.Thisaimstobuildupthesoilseedreserves,restoregroundcoverandrecruitnewplantswherenativeperennialgrassescontributeonly5to20percentofdesirablespecies.

•Strategic deferred grazing, which combines optimised deferred grazing with fertiliser and weed management. This aims to alter pasture composition and lift perennial grass yield.

PROJECT TEAM

Aprojectteamisrequiredwithresponsibilityfordevelopingtheworkprogramforthesiteselection,choiceofgrazingsysteminconsultationwiththeimplementinglandmanager,theprojectbudget,andthesecuringoffunding.TheprojectteamshouldincluderepresentationfromfarmingmembersoftheStrathewencommunity,anextensionagronomist(DPI)andNERWG.

FUNDING

Fundingwillberequiredoverthefive-yeardemonstrationtocoverthefollowing(costfiguresare indicative):•Set-upcostspotentiallycomprisingfencingandwatersupplymaterialforfurther

subdivisionofthedemonstrationsite–$10,000inyearone.•Fieldextensionactivitiesandpublicity.(Thesewouldrelyonvolunteerstoorganise,but

costswouldoccurforpublicityanddocumentation/publishing)-$1,000peryear.•Monitoringmeasuresincludingdocumentationofgrazingpractices,measuringchangein

nativegrasses’densityandyield,weedcontentandpercentagebareground.(Thiswouldrelyonvolunteers,butsomeinstrumentswillneedtobepurchased,)-$1,000peryear.

•Finaldocumentationandpublishingoftheresults-$5,000afteryearfive.

MONITORING AND REPORTING

Overafive-yearperiodthereshouldbe:•Measurablechangeinthecontributionofnativeperennialgrassspeciestothepasturein

termsofcontributiontopercentagegroundcover,andareductionintheweedcomponentandinbareground.Measureusingphotographyandrandomvisualestimatesofpercentagegroundcovercontributedbyeachspecies.

•Seasonalextensionactivitiesatthedemonstrationsite,recordingnumberofactivitiesandnumber of local land managers attending.

•Publicationofresults(includingyearlyinterimresults)topromotebestpracticeforhillcountrygrazinginStrathewen.

Continued

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Thegrowthandhealthofplantsreliesprimarilyonobtainingsolarenergyandhencetheyneedenoughleaves(asenergyreceptors)andundergroundroots(forenergystorage)aspossible.Hencerecoverytimebetweenboutsofgrazingisveryimportant.Whengrazedshort,theleafareaisreducedandplantsneedtorelyonenergystorestore-grow.Rotationalgrazing and resting of pastures needs to be timed to the growth of the plants and not on a settimebasis.Conversely,notgrazingoronlylightlystockingperennialgrassesallowsthemtobecomerankandunpalatable,reducingtheirgrazingvalue.Thisdemonstrationprojectshouldextendoverfiveyearstodemonstratethebenefitsofbestpractice.ItshouldincorporatethedevelopmentofaProperty/WholeFarmPlanthatfullyintegrates all aspects of sustainable and productive land management. It will demonstrate bestpracticeinmanagingnativespecies-basedpasturesonStrathewenhillcountrybyhighlighting:•rotationalgrazingandstockingratepracticesthatfavourthereproductiveandgrowth

processesofnativegrassesandincreasetheirdensityandyield•weedandrabbitcontrol•soilconservationmeasures.

Problems

Inmanyinstancescontinuinginfestationofpastureweedsandinvasionofnoxiousweedshasdamagedtheresilienceandyieldofnativepastures,reducingcarrying-capacityandanimal production and increasing bare ground. Stocking rates that are too high can improve the competitiveness of inferior species and reduce the population of pasture species (native orintroduced),withaconsequentialreductionincarrying-capacityofpastureandanimalproduction. Theimpactofweedinvasionandinappropriategrazingincludingovergrazingbystock,rabbitsandkangarooshasdepletedthedensityandtotalcontentofnativespeciesandreducedgroundcover.Thiscausesincreasedrun-off,soilerosion,compaction,lossoffertilityandacidification,anddamagetostockwaterstoragesandwaterquality.Insummary,keyproblemsassociatedwithmaintainingthecontentandrangeofnativespeciesandproductivityofnativepasturesspeciesare:•grazingmanagementthatdoesnotfavourseed-settingandregenerationandtheplant

vigour of mature native species•increasedweedinfestationthroughovergrazingbylivestock,rabbits,andkangaroos•soilerosion.


Therecentdecadeofdroughtandthe2009fires,andtheconsequenthighergrazingpressureofstockandrabbitsondroughtaffectedpasture,havereducednativegrassdensity,vigorandyield.Thishasallowedinvasionofweedsandinferiorannualpasturespecies.Lackofgroundcoverhasledtohighrun-offoffhard-settingsoilscausingfloodingand soil erosion.


9.6 Native paddock trees: protecting an important resource

PROJECT TITLE: Nativepaddocktrees,protectinganimportantresource

GOAL To enhance native vegetation and fauna through the protection of scattered native paddock trees and establishment of regeneration from them.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nativescatteredpaddocktreesprovideimportantecologicalvaluesandshouldbeprotectedwherepossible.Pastureswithscatteredpaddocktreessupportagreaterdiversityandabundanceofbirds,reptiles,invertebratesandplants.Scatteredtreesalsoprovideastepping stone for animal movement between patches of native vegetation and provide value to stock through shade and shelter. The Strathewen catchment supports areas of grazing landwithscatteredpaddocktrees.Withoutprotectionandallowingforsomeofthesetreestoregeneratetheseresourceswilleventuallybelost.Onepropertyisbeingusedasademonstrationprojecttoshowhowpaddocktreescanbeprotectedandallowedtoregenerate.Keyactivitieswillbe:•fencingofmaturepaddocktrees•protectionofscatteredsapling•naturalregenerationtoapointwheresaplingsarerobustenoughtoendurecattle.

Problems

Withoutprotection,scatterednativepaddocktreeswilleventuallybelostfromagriculturalareas. This will impact on native fauna that use paddock trees as habitat and stepping stones between habitat areas.

Causes/Why this is happening

Constantgrazingbystockmeansthatexistingpaddocktreeswillnotbereplaced.Alsoanyseedlingsthatdoemergearelikelytobegrazed.

METHODOLOGY

Existing treesFivepaddocktreeswillbeselectedacrossthepropertyforprotection.ToallowenoughspaceforadequatenaturalregenerationanareatwicethecanopywillbefencedaspertheVictorianDSE’sGuideforAssessmentofreferredplanningapplications(DSE2007).Fenceswillbeconstructedfrompre-fabricatedQuikfence.Thistypeoffencingcanbemovedonceregenerating seedlings have reached a size resilient to cattle. A solar panel powering a single hot wire around each fence will be installed. It is anticipated that the fences will remaininplaceforapproximatelyfiveyears.Theycanthenbereusedfornewtrees.Weedcontrolwillberegularlymaintainedforanyinvasivespeciesthatappearinthefencedareas. Existing seedlingsAnyexistingseedlingscanbeprotectedthroughinstallingguardsuntiltheyarematureenough to be resilient to cattle.

Continued

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Outputs Estimated Cost

•25by25metrefencearoundfivetrees. To come.

•Guardsaround50saplings. $600

TOTAL COST To be determined

PROJECT TEAMAprojectteamwithrepresentationfromlandholdersandtheStrathewencatchmentwillberequired.Theteamwillberesponsiblefordevelopingtheworkprogramincollaborationwiththe landholder.

POTENTIAL FUNDING PROGRAMS

TheVictorianGovernmentCommunitiesforNaturegrantsmaybesuitableforthisproject.

MONITORING AND REPORTING

Monitoringandreportingwouldbethroughthecompletionoftheproposedtargetsoverfiveyears.Year 1 Measures of success•Fencinginstalledaroundfivetrees.•Weldmeshguardsinstalledaround50seedlings.

Year 3 Measures of success•Naturalregenerationoccurringwithinfencedareas.Assesswhetherplantingofseedlings

mayberequired.

Year 5 Measures of success•Seedlingswithinfencedareasarerobustenoughtohavefencingremoved.

REFERENCES

DepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment(2007)NativeVegetationGuideforassessmentofreferredplanningpermitapplications.VictorianGovernment,DepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment,EastMelbourne.MelbourneWater2007.RiverReflections.MelbourneWaterRiverHealthGrantsProgramNewsletter.Edition2,June2007.



10. Monitoring and ReportingThisCERAPisalivingdocument,intendedtoprovideongoingusetotheStrathewencommunityin guiding sustainable catchment management. In time,astheStrathewenCERAPisimplemented,the condition of the catchment will change. Some actionswillnolongerbenecessaryorwillneedtoberevised,andnewactionswillbecomeusefulandimportant.ResearchintotheecologyoftheStrathewenarea,andinnovationincatchmentmanagement,willplayaroleinthis.

Accordingly,theCERAPshouldbereviewedeveryfiveyearsinordertoreviseitsvisionandgoals,assess and revise its current list of actions and developnewactions.Communityinputwillbevitalto this process.

Thefollowingkeyprincipleswillbetakenintoaccountwhenconducting the review of the Strathewen CERAP:

•berelevantandusefulforallpartnersandstakeholders

•besimple,cost-effective,affordableandpracticalby:

•avoidingduplicationofeffort

•usingdataformultiplepurposes

•ensuringthatuserscanobtainthedata

•ensuringthatuserscaneasilyfindoutwhethersuitabledataalreadyexists

•recognisethatcatchmentmanagementoutcomesoccuroverarangeoftime-scales(oftenoutsidefundingperiods)

•recognisethatmosttargetssetwithinthefirstfiveyearswillrepresentonlytheearlieststagesofprogresstowardsremedyingkeycatchmentissues.

•allowmeaningfulinterpretationofdataovertime

•specifyassumptionswithinstrategiesanddecision-making processes.


Common Name Scientific Name EPBC Listing VROT Listing FFG Listing Last Record Number of

Records Habitat

STATE SIGNIFICANT

Barking Owl Ninox connivens - Endangered Listed 1992 5

Open woodlands and forest edge habitats where forests adjoin farmlands.

Spotted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma punctatum - Near

Threatened - 1990 4

Sclerophyll woodlands dominated by Eucalyptus trees and have sparse understorey vegetation

Chestnut-rumped Heathwren

Calamanthus pyrrhopygius - Vulnerable Listed 1990 4

Dense heathland and undergrowth in Eucalyptus forests and woodlands, and is most commonly found in rocky areas.

Brown Treecreeper (south-eastern ssp.)

Climacteris picumnus victoriae

- Near Threatened - 1999 3 Occurs in eucalypt

forests and woodlands.

Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius - Near

Threatened - 1979 3

Marine habitats, including estuaries, harbours and bays. Also found on large inland wetlands.

Common Dunnart Sminthopsis murina - Vulnerable - 1990 2 Open forests, woodlands

and heathland areas.

Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus - Near

Threatened - 1976 2

Well-vegetated wetlands, and is found along shallow river margins, mangroves, floodplains, swamps, and parks and gardens.

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia - Critically

Endangered Listed 1979 2 Wetlands and swamps.

Mountain Galaxias Galaxias olidus - Listed 1992 1Usually in clear flowing streams with a sand, gravel or boulder bottom.

Black-eared Cuckoo Chrysococcyx osculans - Near

Threatened - 1990 1

Dry open woodlands, eucalypt forests and shrublands and vegetation along creek beds.

Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata - Near

Threatened Listed 1990 1 Eucalypt tall open forests and Acacia shrublands.

Appendices


Records Habitat

STATE SIGNIFICANT

Creeping Grevillea Grevillea repens - Rare - 2000 3

Dry well drained clay loam soils in drier heathy forests. Frost tolerant. Semi-shade to dappled shade. Limited to a small area within the Shire. Endemic to Victoria.

Large-leaf Cinnamon Wattle

Acacia leprosa (large phyllode variant)

- Rare - 2006 3

Occurs in dry forests and prefers semi-shade. Likes moist, well drained soils.

Southern Varnish Wattle

Acacia verniciflua (southern variant)

- Poorly known - 1968 1

Tolerates wet and dry conditions, found in damp and valley sclerophyll forests and grassy open forests.


Records Habitat

NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT

Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis Vulnerable Endangered Listed 1992 2

In water or very wet areas in woodlands, shrublands, and open and disturbed areas.

STATE SIGNIFICANT

Speckled Warbler Pyrrholaemus sagittatus - Vulnerable Listed 1990 20

A wide range of Eucalyptus dominated communities that have a grassy understorey, often on rocky ridges or in gullies.

Lace Goanna Varanus varius - Vulnerable Listed 2005 8

Rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, woodland and coastal scrub.

Powerful Owl Ninox strenua - Vulnerable Listed 2006 6Drier forest types which have many live hollow bearing eucalypt trees

Brush-tailed Phascogale

Phascogale tapoatafa - Vulnerable Listed 2006 5

Open dry foothill forest with little ground cover, typically associated with box, ironbark and stringybark eucalyptus.

A3.1SignificantflorarecordedwithinStrathewen

A3.2SignificantfaunarecordedwithinStrathewen

Appendix 1: Significant flora and fauna records within the Strathewen CERAP area A3.2SignificantfaunarecordedwithinStrathewen



Records Habitat

STATE SIGNIFICANT

Southern Toadlet Ninox connivens - Vulnerable - 1990 1

Lower elevations in damp areas usually under leaf litter, logs or rocks.

Azure Kingfisher Cinclosoma punctatum - Near

Threatened - 1991 1

Aquatic habitats such as well vegetated streams where waters are slow flowing. Also inhabit billabongs, lakes, swamps, lagoons and dams.

Bearded Dragon Calamanthus pyrrhopygius - Data

Deficient - 1990 1

Open forests, heathland, scrub and even some disturbed areas such as farmland.

Eastern Great EgretClimacteris picumnus victoriae

- Vulnerable Listed 1977 1 Wide range of wetland habitats.

Grey Goshawk Phalacrocorax varius - Vulnerable Listed 1977 1

Most forest types, especially tall closed forests, including rainforests.

Hardhead Sminthopsis murina - Vulnerable - 1976 1

Freshwater swamps and wetlands and occasionally in sheltered estuaries.

Masked Owl Nycticorax caledonicus - Endangered - 1990 1

A range of habitats from wet sclerophyll forest, dry sclerophyll forest, non eucalypt dominated forest, scrub and cleared land with remnant old growth trees.

White-footed Dunnart Ardea intermedia - Near

Threatened Listed 1974 1

Forest and woodland cover of more than 50% heath understory or mid-story plant species. Other habitats include coastal tussock grasslands, sedgeland and wet heath.

Total 77

A3.2SignificantfaunarecordedwithinStrathewen


Photos by Elena Tozer


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CERAP Strathewen Catchment 89

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