Mallee Parks Management Plan€¦ · MILDURA VIC 3500. MALLEE PARKS Hattah-Kulkyne National Park...

National Parks Service

Mallee Parks Management Plan

September 1996

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

This Management Plan for the Mallee Parks is approved for implementation. Its purpose is to direct allaspects of Management of the Parks until the Plan is reviewed. A Draft Management Plan waspublished in July 1995. A total of 259 submissions were received. Copies of this Plan can bepurchased from:

Outdoors Information CentreDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment240 Victoria ParadeEAST MELBOURNE 3002

Manager, Parks and Reserves, North West RegionDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment253 Eleventh StreetMILDURA VIC 3500

MALLEE PARKS

Hattah-Kulkyne National ParkMurray-Sunset National Park

Wyperfeld National ParkLake Albacutya ParkMurray-Kulkyne Park

MANAGEMENT PLAN

National Parks Service

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATIONAND NATURAL RESOURCES

Victoria

SEPTEMBER 1996

ii Malle Parks

Crown (State of Victoria) 1996A Victorian Government PublicationThis publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any processexcept in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1986.

Published in September 1996 by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment240 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002.

National Library of AustraliaCataloguing-in-Publication entry

Victoria. National Parks Service.Mallee parks management plan.

Bibliography.ISBN 0 7306 6174 1.

1. National parks and reserves - Victoria - Management.2. Hattah-Kulkyne National Park (Vic.). 3. Lake Albacutya Park(Vic.). 4. Murray-Kulkyne Park (Vic.). 5. Murray-SunsetNational Park(Vic.). 6. Wyperfeld National Park (Vic.).I. Victoria. Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment.II. Title.

333.783099459

Cover: Malleefowl (John Las Gourges)

Printed on 100% recycled paper to help save our natural environment

Mallee Parks iii

FOREWORD

The Mallee Parks, comprising Hattah-Kulkyne,Murray-Sunset and Wyperfeld National Parks,Big Desert Wilderness Park and LakeAlbacutya and Murray-Kulkyne Parks, aresome of south-eastern Australia’s mostoutstanding Parks. They are highly valued fortheir complex and subtle semi-arid landscape,diverse environments, wilderness areas,remoteness and important archaeologicalvalues.

There are many opportunities for visitors toenjoy the Parks. Scenic driving or exploringthe remoter and more rugged areas by 4WD,camping, walking, horse riding, fishing, birdwatching or nature study, and enjoying thesolitude in some of Victoria’s best wildernessareas, are among the experiences on offer.

This Approved Plan has been finalisedfollowing careful consideration of the 259submissions received on the Draft Plan. I thankall those who wrote submissions. TheApproved Plan establishes the long-termmanagement framework to protect theimportant conservation and recreation values ofthe Parks while ensuring that they play animportant role in nature-based tourism in theMallee.

As a result of the Plan’s implementation I amconfident that the Parks’ diverse environments,fragile semi-arid landscape and remotecharacter will be protected at the same time asvisitors’ enjoyment is enhanced.

I look forward with confidence to thecommunity’s support for these very importantParks, which are such a significant part ofVictoria’s Parks system.

Hon Marie Tehan MPMINISTER FOR CONSERVATIONand LAND MANAGEMENT

iv Mallee Parks

APPROVED MANAGEMENT PLAN

This Approved Management Plan has beenprepared in accordance with Sections 17, 17Band 18 of the National Parks Act 1975 (Vic.)and is approved for implementation.

Mark StoneDirector, National Parks Service

The Plan provides the basis for futuremanagement of the Mallee Parks. It wasfinalised following consideration of the 259submissions received on the Draft Plan.

Trevor MilesRegional Manager, North West

Mallee Parks v

SUMMARY

The Mallee Parks comprise Hattah-Kulkyne,Murray-Sunset and Wyperfeld National Parks,Big Desert Wilderness Park and LakeAlbacutya and Murray-Kulkyne Parks. TheseParks represent 40 per cent of the total area ofVictoria’s Park system and contain highlysignificant landscape, flora, fauna, and culturalvalues. This Plan is an integrated plan whichsets broad directions for the future managementof these Parks1 and states managementobjectives and strategies (for all parks andwhere relevant for specific parks) which arenecessary to achieve a high standard ofconservation and recreation management.

Park management will aim to protect the Parks’wilderness and conservation values, and tooptimise visitor opportunities and experiencesconsistent with these values.

Major management directions for the Parksinclude:

• Conserving the outstanding naturalcondition of much of the Mallee Parks,their highly significant flora and fauna,and wilderness and landscape values, bycontrolling rabbits and goats, reducing theimpacts of other pest animals and plants,and managing fire to create a greaterdiversity of vegetation age classes.

1This plan does not cover the Big DesertWilderness Park, which has a separatemanagement plan to direct its management.

• Restoring disturbed areas by reducing theimpact of introduced and native herbivoresand pest plants, restoring more naturalwater regimes, and by active regeneration.

• Protecting Aboriginal and Europeanheritage cultural sites from acceleratedprocesses of decay, and promoting anunderstanding of the Parks’ Aboriginaland pastoral heritage.

• Enhancing visitor enjoyment by providingyear-round access for conventionalvehicles, particularly between the mainpoints of visitor interest and activities, andextending the range of opportunitiesavailable by developing long-distancewalking trails and self-guided walks, andimproving information and interpretation.

• Developing a co-operative approach to thedevelopment of sustainable tourism to helpboost local economies.

• Implementing a co-operative approach toboundary management issues to protectPark and freehold land values on thefringes of the Mallee Parks. This willinclude the integration of Landcareinitiatives with Park management.

• Maintaining or enhancing habitat corridorsbetween the Mallee Parks.

vi Mallee Parks

CONTENTS

FOREWORD iii

SUMMARY v

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Location and planning area 11.2 Regional context 11.3 Significance of the Parks 11.4 Creation of the Parks 31.5 Legislation, LCC recommendations and guidelines 31.6 Park management aims 5

2 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 7

2.1 Park vision 72.2 Management directions 72.3 Zoning 8

3 RESOURCE CONSERVATION 12

3.1 Geological and landform features 123.2 Hydrology 14

3.2.1 Outlet Creek system 143.2.2 Hattah Lakes system 153.2.3 Lindsay Island 17

3.3 Vegetation 183.4 Fauna 193.5 Landscape 203.6 Cultural heritage 21

3.6.1 Aboriginal history 213.6.2 European settlement 22

4 PARK PROTECTION 23

4.1 Fire management 234.2 Grazers 24

4.2.1 Total grazing pressure 244.2.2 Rabbit control 254.2.3 Goat control 264.2.4 Kangaroo management 274.2.5 Stock grazing 28

4.3 Pest plants and animals 294.4 Artificial waters 31

Mallee Parks vii

5 THE PARK VISIT 33

5.1 The Park visitor 335.2 Visitor recreation activities and facilities 35

5.2.1 Vehicle access 355.2.2 Camping and day visitor facilities 405.2.3 Campfires 445.2.4 Generators 445.2.5 Built accommodation 455.2.6 Bushwalking and cycling 455.2.7 Boating 465.2.8 Horse and camel riding 46

5.3 Visitor information, interpretation and education 475.4 Tourism and commercial tourism operations 485.5 Public safety 50

6 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT 51

6.1 Friends and volunteers 516.2 Community awareness and Park neighbours 516.3 Man and the Biosphere Program 51

7 OTHER ISSUES 53

7.1 Authorised uses 537.1.1 Apiculture 537.1.2 Gravel extraction 537.1.3 Mineral and petroleum exploration and mining 547.1.4 Commercial fishing 547.1.5 Commercial use of flora and fauna 547.1.6 Military training 557.1.7 Local transportation routes 557.1.8 Other uses 55

7.2 Boundaries and adjacent public land 56

8 IMPLEMENTATION 57

REFERENCES 59

TABLES

1 Land use categories 42 Management zones and overlays 93 Special protection areas 114 Summary of recreation activities 345 Management of tracks 366 Existing and proposed recreation facilities 417 Interpretation themes 48

viii Mallee Parks

8 Priority management strategies 57

APPENDICES

I Significant vegetation communities and threatening processes 63II Significant flora species and threatening processes 64III Significant fauna species and threatening processes 65

FIGURES

1 Planning area End of Plan2 Management zones and visitor opportunities End of Plan3 Lower Wimmera River and Outlet Creek system End of Plan4 Hattah Lakes system End of Plan5 Lindsay Island End of Plan6 Murray-Kulkyne Park End of Plan

Introduction

Mallee Parks 1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Location and planning area

The Victorian Mallee Parks are within the BigDesert and Sunset Country of north-westernVictoria, about 450 km from Melbourne. Onthe south-eastern margin of the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia, the Parks encompassa range of environments including Malleedunefields, woodlands and riverine plains.

The area covered by this Management Plancomprises approximately 10 500 km2 of publicland and includes the following Parks:

• Murray-Sunset National Park (6330 km2);

• Wyperfeld National Park (3568 km2);

• Hattah-Kulkyne National Park (480 km2);

• Lake Albacutya Park (83 km2);

• Murray-Kulkyne Park (35.3 km2).

These areas include 21 reference areas, 7wilderness zones, 2 remote and natural areasand approximately 90 km of the WimmeraHeritage River (table 1).

These Parks, together with the Big DesertWilderness Park, are collectively called theMallee Parks. Management of the Big DesertWilderness Park (1423 km2) is addressed in aseparate Management Plan (CNR 1994).

Murray-Sunset, Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray-Kulkyne all have frontages to the MurrayRiver, while Wyperfeld and Lake Albacutyacontain the Outlet Creek system and theterminal lakes of the Wimmera River. Thewestern boundary of Murray-Sunset abuts theSouth Australian border. All the Mallee Parksfall within the Murray-Darling drainage basin(figure 1).

1.2 Regional context

The area of Victoria commonly known as theMallee encompasses almost 20 per cent of theState. The region supports a population ofsome 70 000 people, most of whom live in thetownships of Robinvale, Swan Hill and Milduraand their immediate surrounds. Agriculture, inthe form of dryland cropping, stock grazing and

irrigated horticulture along the Murray River, isthe main economic base.

Tourism has been an important industry inMildura and Swan Hill for some time, but todate has had little impact on the economies ofsmaller communities (CNR 1993a). Althoughthere is currently a low level of awareness ofthe existence of the Mallee Parks and theirattractions among local communities and thetourism industry in general, the Parks presentoutstanding opportunities for visitors attractedby their remote location and subtle and complexenvironments (section 5.1). The developmentof sustainable tourism in the Mallee Parks willenable visitors to enjoy the Parks’ natural andcultural values, foster a better appreciation ofPark values and generate economic benefits forthe region.

The Parks complement other popular visitordestinations in the area including River Murraybased recreation and sporting activities, theWillandra Lakes World Heritage areas andNational Parks of western and south-westernNew South Wales, and Conservation Parksalong the eastern border of South Australia.

1.3 Significance of the Parks

The Mallee Parks make a valuable contributionto Victoria’s parks system, which aims toprotect viable, representative samples of theState’s natural environments occurring onpublic land. Parks also provide opportunitiesfor visitors to enjoy and appreciate natural andcultural values, and many make importantcontributions to tourism.

The Murray-Sunset, Hattah-Kulkyne andWyperfeld National Parks are listed inCategory II (National Parks) of the IUCNUnited Nations’ List of National Parks andProtected Areas. Category II areas aremanaged primarily for ecosystem conservationand appropriate recreation. Murray-KulkynePark is listed in Category III (Protected areamanaged mainly for conservation of specificnatural features).

Introduction

2 Mallee Parks

Lake Albacutya did not meet the IUCNdefinition of a protected area and was notassigned an IUCN category.

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park was designatedas a Biosphere Reserve in 1981 under theUNESCO Man and Biosphere Program inrecognition of its outstanding natural values.Lakes in Hattah-Kulkyne National Park andLake Albacutya Park were also designatedunder the Convention on Wetlands ofInternational Importance especially asWaterfowl Habitat (the Ramsar Convention) in1982.

Traditionally the level of reservation inAustralia’s semi-arid lands has been low, andrelatively few areas remain undisturbed.Because of the drought of 1913-29, theDepression of the 1930s and unsuitableconditions for agriculture, large areas of theVictorian Mallee remained unsettled. TheMallee Parks are thus of great significance inthat they now protect the least disturbed malleeecosystems in Australia. The Parks containoutstanding areas of semi-arid wilderness, andthe largest areas of highest quality wilderness insouth-eastern mainland Australia. Together,they represent 40 per cent of the total area ofthe Victorian National Parks system.

The Parks’ diverse natural values complementthose protected in other large conservationreserves in north-western Victoria, includingWathe, Wandown, Annuello and BronzewingFlora and Fauna Reserves.

Significant features of the Parks include:

Natural values

• A large diversity of biota, including manyspecies that are significant at a nationallevel.

• A diverse range of ecosystems andlandscapes unique in Victoria, includingdunefields, heathlands, woodlands,grasslands, rivers, lakes, boinkas andwetlands.

• Large areas of essentially undisturbedvegetation, comprising approximately1000 species of native plants from morethan 100 distinct sub-communities.

• Many significant fauna species, including11 Flora and Fauna Guarantee listedspecies (one mammal, seven bird, andthree reptile and amphibian species).

• Over 300 species of birds, including 22species of parrots, among them thevulnerable Regent Parrot and Malleefowl,and the endangered Black-eared Miner andWestern Whipbird.

• A greater diversity of reptiles than anyother region in Victoria.

• Seven wilderness zones within Murray-Sunset and Wyperfeld National Parks,including areas as remote from settlementas any area in the State.

Cultural values

• Over 3800 sites listed on the AboriginalAffairs Victoria (AAV) Register, some(e.g. burial sites) of great archaeologicalsignificance.

• Many significant European historic sites,including relics of early pastoraldevelopment, settlement and salt mining.

• Many opportunities for on-siteinterpretation of the Parks’ Aboriginal andEuropean cultural heritage.

Tourism and recreation values

• Opportunities to experience a broad rangeof recreational activities in a variety ofsettings.

• Exceptional opportunities for experiencingsolitude and self-reliant recreation inremote, semi-arid areas.

• Great potential for motorised recreation,including 2WD scenic driving andextensive 4WD touring in remote andrugged terrain.

• Outstanding opportunities for high qualityinterpretation of one of Victoria’s mostsubtle and least well understood naturalenvironments.

Introduction

Mallee Parks 3

1.4 Creation of the Parks

The history of national park reservation in theMallee dates back to 20 October 1909, whenthe first part of Wyperfeld (38.9 km2) wastemporarily reserved as a site for a nationalpark.

Although several additional areas at Wyperfeldand Hattah Lakes were reserved over the next70 years, by far the largest park reservationshave occurred since 1979, following LCCstudies (LCC 1977; LCC 1989; LCC 1991b).Over 1000 km2 was reserved under the NationalParks Act in 1979 and 1980 as a result of theNational Parks Act 1978 (Vic.), over 10 000km2 in 1990 and 1991 as a result of theNational Parks (Amendment) Act 1990 (Vic.),and a further 331 km2 in 1992 as a result of theNational Parks (Wilderness) Act 1992 (Vic.).Including the Big Desert Wilderness Park, theynow cover nearly12 000 km2.

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park

On 7 June 1960, an area of 178 km2 includingthe Hattah Lakes was reserved as Hattah LakesNational Park as a result of the National Parks(Amendment) Act 1960 (Vic.). The adjacentState forest was added on 26 April 1980 toform Hattah-Kulkyne National Park (480 km2).

Murray-Sunset National Park

Murray-Sunset National Park (6330 km2) wasproclaimed on 5 June 1991, incorporating PinkLakes State Park (507 km2) which had beenproclaimed on 26 April 1979.

Wyperfeld National Park

Following the initial reservation in 1909,permanent reservation and subsequent additionswere made in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. ThePark increased from 565 km2 to 1000 km2 in1979, to 3237 km2 in 1991 and to 3568 km2 in1992.

Lake Albacutya Park

Lake Albacutya Park (107 km2) wasproclaimed in 1980. In 1991, Lake Werrebeanwas transferred to Wyperfeld, and Ross Lakeswas added to Lake Albacutya Park, which nowcovers 83 km2.

Murray-Kulkyne Park

Murray-Kulkyne Park (15.5 km2) wasproclaimed on 26 April 1980. In 1990, it wasincreased to 35.3 km2 with the addition of theLiparoo block.

Other designations

Seven wilderness zones covering 4138 km2 andtwo remote and natural areas covering 561 km2

were established in Murray-Sunset andWyperfeld in 1992 as a result of the NationalParks (Wilderness) Act. This followed theLCC’s Wilderness Special Investigation (LCC1991b).

The Wimmera Heritage River, which includesparts of Wyperfeld National Park and LakeAlbacutya Park, was proclaimed under theHeritage Rivers Act 1992 (Vic.) on 22 August1992, following the LCC’s Rivers and StreamsSpecial Investigation (LCC 1991a).

1.5 Legislation, LCCrecommendations andguidelines

The Mallee Parks are reserved and managedunder the provisions of the National Parks Act.The Act requires the Director to preserve andprotect the natural condition of the Parks andtheir natural and other features, and to providefor the use of the Parks by the public forenjoyment, recreation and education, and forresearch.

Table 1 summarises the other land usecategories within each National Park approvedby Government following acceptance of therelevant LCC final recommendations.

The four wilderness zones in Murray-Sunsetand three in Wyperfeld, are managed under thewilderness provisions of the National Parks Actand the relevant LCC recommendations,particularly those relating to managementprinciples for wilderness areas (LCC 1991b).

Sections 21B, 21C and 21D of the NationalParks Act provide for the management of thetwo remote and natural areas within Murray-Sunset and Wyperfeld.

Twenty-one Reference Areas in the Parks (13in Murray-Sunset, five in Wyperfeld, three in

Introduction

4 Mallee Parks

TABLE 1 LAND USE CATEGORIES

REFERENCE AREAS WILDERNESS ZONES REMOTE & NATURAL

AREAS

EDUCATION

AREAS

Murray-Sunset National Park

Millewa (630 ha) Sunset (126 900 ha) South Sunset (24 000 ha)

Lake Wallawalla (1060 ha) Minook (38 700 ha)

Sunset (8650 ha)* Galpunga (35 700 ha)

Toupnein Creek (1660 ha) Mt Cowra (23 500 ha)

Morkalla (990 ha)

Settlement Road (2580 ha)

Millewa South (2400 ha)*

Berrook (2580 ha)*

Danyo (1600 ha)*

Rocket Lake (2090 ha)

Raak Plain (1480 ha)

Mt Crozier (2010 ha)

Purnya (1090 ha)

(Total 28 820 ha) (Total 224 800 ha) (Total 24 000 ha)


Broombush (1600 ha) North Wyperfeld(97 900 ha)

Hopping Mouse Hill(32 100 ha)

Outlet Ck (710ha)

Rudd Rocks (3750 ha) South Wyperfeld(61 300 ha)

O’Sullivan’s Lookout(1910 ha)

Chinaman Flat(29 800 ha)

Lake Jerriwirrup (290 ha)

Dattuck (1 640 ha)

(Total 9160 ha) (Total 189 000 ha) (Total 32 100 ha) (Total 710 ha)


Kia (990 ha) Wemen (470 ha)

Chalka Creek (400 ha)

Tarpaulin Island (440 ha)

(Total 1830 ha) (Total 470 ha)

* Reference Area wholly or partly overlays a Wilderness Zone or Remote and Natural Area.

Hattah-Kulkyne), proclaimed or to beproclaimed under the Reference Areas Act1978 (Vic.), are managed in accordance withMinisterial directives detailed in NPS guideline12.1W. In accordance with the ReferenceAreas Act, a management statement is requiredfor each reference area. Interim management

statements have been prepared for the followingreference areas within the Mallee Parks:

• Toupnein Creek Reference Area

• Settlement Road Reference Area

• Millewa South Reference Area

Introduction

Mallee Parks 5

• Berrook Reference Area

• Danyo Reference Area

• Morkalla Reference Area.

Following the 1991 Rivers and Streams SpecialInvestigation (LCC 1991a), the WimmeraRiver, from Polkemmet to the terminal lakes inWyperfeld National Park, was designated as aHeritage River under the Heritage Rivers Actand proclaimed as such on 22 August 1992.This Act provides for the protection of HeritageRivers and indicates particular uses which areor are not permitted in these areas.

Lakes in Hattah-Kulkyne National Park andLake Albacutya Park were designated under theConvention on Wetlands of InternationalImportance especially as Waterfowl Habitat(the Ramsar Convention) in 1982. Signatoriesto the Convention are obligated to protectdesignated wetlands and manage for their wiseuse. Under the Japanese Australian MigratoryBird Agreement (JAMBA) and the ChineseAustralian Migratory Bird Agreement(CAMBA), Australia has agreed to conservethe habitat of species listed in the agreements.Eleven listed species of waterbird are found inHattah-Kulkyne National Park.

The LCC has also made particularrecommendations relating to the phase-out ofgrazing, appropriate uses, and the managementof certain tracks in the Mallee Parks (LCC1989, 1991a, 1991b). The Parks are managedin accordance with Department of NaturalResources and Environment (NRE) guidelinesfor the management of parks (NPS 1995) andLCC recommendations, and with other Acts,Departmental plans and guidelines, including:

• the Catchment and Land Protection Act1995 (Vic.), which states that parkmanagement should consider any RegionalCatchment Management Strategy or SpecialArea Plans applying to the Parks. TheParks lie within the region of the MalleeRegional Catchment and Land ProtectionBoard, except for Lake Albacutya Parkwhich lies within the region of the WimmeraRegional Catchment and Land ProtectionBoard;

• the Mildura Region Fire Protection Plan(CNR 1992);

• the Natural Resource Protection Guidelines(CNR 1993b);

• Native Vegetation Conservation Strategy(DCE 1990a);

• Restoring the Balance. The KangarooControl Program to save Hattah-KulkyneNational Park (DCE 1990b);

• the Mallee Tourism and Recreation Strategy(CNR 1993a);

• the Mallee Interpretation and CommunityEducation Plan (CNR 1993d);

• grazing management plans on other publicland.

1.6 Park management aims

Sections 4, 17, 17A and 17B of the NationalParks Act provide the main basis formanagement of the Parks. The followingmanagement aims are derived from thosesections, and as such broadly govern all aspectsof park management.

Resource conservation

• Preserve and protect the naturalenvironment.

• Maintain, or where possible enhance,wilderness values.

• Allow natural environmental processes tocontinue with the minimum of disturbance,and maintain biodiversity.

• Conserve features of archaeological,historical and cultural significance.

Park protection

• Protect water catchments and streamsystems.

• Protect human life, the Parks and adjacentland from injury by fire.

• Eradicate or otherwise control introducedplants, animals and diseases.

Introduction

6 Mallee Parks

The Park visit

• Provide a range of opportunities forsuitable recreation and tourism.

• Promote and encourage an appreciation,understanding and enjoyment of the Parks’natural and cultural values and theirrecreational opportunities.

• Encourage appropriate Park use andvisitor behaviour and foster a conservationethic in visitors.

• Take reasonable steps to ensure the safetyof visitors.

Other

• Provide for and encourage scientificresearch, surveys and monitoring that willcontribute to a better understanding andmanagement of the Parks.

• Co-operate with local, State and interstategovernment authorities, the communityand other interested organisations to assistin the management of the Parks.

Strategic directions

Mallee Parks 7

2 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

2.1 Park vision

A future visitor to the Mallee Parks findsworld-class Parks renowned for their semi-aridlandscapes, diverse environments, and theopportunity to experience a sense of remotenessaway from an increasingly developed world.The Parks are being managed with an increasedunderstanding of their complex and subtlenatural environments. Their many significantspecies and communities, landscape qualitiesand archaeological and cultural sites are wellprotected, and disturbance to their wildernessand other remote and natural areas is minimal.Areas of the Parks that have been degradedthrough past land management activities havebeen or are being restored to their naturalcondition.

Visitor facilities are in keeping with the remoteand essentially undeveloped character of theParks. These facilities, and accompanying highquality interpretation, assist car-based visitorsand campers to enjoy and better understand theParks’ splendid environments. In the moreremote areas, visitors enjoy walking in thewilderness zones and elsewhere, or four-wheeldriving on the Parks’ more remote tracks.

The Parks are being increasingly managed asimportant parts of north-west Victoria’s naturaltourism attractions, and they attract visitorsfrom interstate and overseas. Sensitivemanagement by NRE, assisted by strongFriends Groups and supported by the localcommunity, ensures that increased visitor use isaccommodated without compromising theParks’ key attributes. The interests of futuregenerations are assured.

2.2 Management directions

Major management directions for the Parks areoutlined below:


• Most of the Parks’ area will be maintainedin an essentially undeveloped condition,especially Wilderness Zones and Remoteand Natural Areas.

• In those areas of the Parks that remain inan outstanding natural condition, theexisting diversity of native flora and faunawill be maintained, and a managementregime of minimal disturbance adopted.Significant natural and cultural featureswill be given special protection.

• Wildlife corridors between the Parks andother major blocks of public land in theregion will be established.

• A long-term research and environmentalmonitoring program will be established toprovide a sound scientific basis for futuremanagement strategies.

Park protection

• As far as is practicable, areas of the Parksthat have been degraded through past landmanagement activities will be rehabilitatedby:

• reducing the impact of pest animalsand plants on native species andcommunities;

• addressing the current imbalance ofkangaroo populations;

• restoring a more natural hydrologicalregime within all Parks;

• active revegetation in areas oflocalised extinction and rarity;

• adopting manipulative fire regimeswhere they can be demonstrated to beof value to the Parks’ environmentsand ecosystems.

The Park visit

• Park visitors will continue to enjoy a rangeof activities (e.g. bushwalking, horseriding, canoeing, 4WD touring) in remotesettings without undue disturbance fromother visitors. Opportunities for 2WD and4WD touring will be extended through thelinking of points of visitor interest.

• Existing basic camping facilities will beenhanced through the provision of drinkingwater and appropriate low maintenanceamenities (e.g. toilets) at strategic points.


8 Mallee Parks

All visitor developments will be low-keyand unobtrusive, in keeping with theParks’ remoteness and natural values.

• Visitor enjoyment of the Parks will beenhanced by the development andimplementation of an integratedinformation, interpretation andenvironmental education program.

• Sustainable tourism and recreationopportunities will be developed inaccordance with the Mallee Tourism andRecreation Strategy (CNR 1993a). Mosttourism infrastructure will be provided inand from Mallee townships or public landin close proximity to the Parks.

Community awareness and involvement

• A co-operative approach to themanagement of Park fringes will beadopted through involvement withcommunity Landcare and Rabbit ActionGroups.

2.3 Zoning

A Park management zoning scheme has beendeveloped to:

• provide a geographic framework in whichto manage the Mallee Parks;

• indicate which management aims havepriority in different parts of the Parks;

• indicate the types and levels of useappropriate throughout the Parks;

• assist in minimising existing and potentialconflicts between uses and activities, orbetween these and the protection of parkvalues;

• provide a basis for assessing the suitabilityof future activities and developmentproposals.

Five management zones apply to the Parks -Reference Area, Wilderness, Conservation andRecreation, Recreation Development andEducation.

In addition, Special Protection Areas, a SpecialManagement Area - Public Utility, and twoLand Use Designations - Heritage River andRemote and Natural Area - are used tosummarise requirements additional to those ofthe underlying primary management zones.

Table 2 describes the characteristics of thezones and overlays. Their location is shown onfigure 2. Where possible, boundaries have beendefined by roads or tracks or other readilyidentifiable features.


Mallee Parks 9

TABLE 2 MANAGEMENT ZONES AND OVERLAYS

ZONES

REFERENCE AREA WILDERNESS CONSERVATION &RECREATION

RECREATION

DEVELOPMENT

EDUCATION

AREA/LOCATION

21 Reference Areas(table 1).

Sunset, Minook,Galpunga, Mt Cowra,Chinaman Flat, NorthWyperfeld, SouthWyperfeld WildernessZones.

Most of the Park outsidewilderness zones.

Main visitor destinations. Outlet Creek andWemen EducationAreas (table 1).

VALUES Relatively undisturbedrepresentative land typesand associatedvegetation.

Large, essentiallyundisturbed areas.

Important natural valuesand scope for recreationopportunities.

Sites with facilitydevelopment in a naturalsetting.

Area for educationpurposes.

GENERAL

MANAGEMENT

AIM

Protect viable samples ofone or more land typesthat are relativelyundisturbed forcomparative study withsimilar land typeselsewhere, by keeping allhuman interference to theminimum essential andensuring as far aspracticable that the onlylong-term change resultsfrom natural processes.

Protect or enhance theessentially unmodifiednatural condition of thearea and, subject to thatprotection and minimalinterference to naturalprocesses, provideopportunities forsolitude, inspiration andappropriate self-reliantrecreation.

Protect less sensitivenatural environments andprovide for sustainabledispersed recreationactivities and small-scalerecreation facilitieswithout significantimpact on naturalprocesses.

Provide primarily forhigh-use visitor nodeswith a concentration ofrecreation and/orinterpretation facilities.

Provide primarily forenvironmentaleducation in arelatively undisturbedarea.


10 Mallee Parks

Table 2 (cont.)

OVERLAY

SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA LAND USE DESIGNATION

- PUBLIC UTILITY REMOTE AND NATURAL AREA HERITAGE RIVER

AREA/ LOCATION Areas detailed in table 3 andfigure 2.

Power line easements. Hopping Mouse Hill and SouthSunset Remote and NaturalAreas.

Part of Wimmera HeritageRiver Area (figure 3).

VALUES Discrete significant areasrequiring special attention.

Significant remote and naturalarea. Opportunities for self-reliant recreation.

Rivers significant for natureconservation, recreation, scenicor cultural heritage.

GENERAL

MANAGEMENT AIM

Protect specific natural orcultural values in specificareas and sites where a specialmanagement focus is required.

Highlight areas or sites wherespecial management provisionsare needed to provide for aparticular non-standard use oractivity.

Protect the area’s remote andnatural attributes; prevent newand incremental developments,including the construction andupgrading of vehicular tracksand construction of newstructures.

Protect the heritage values ofthe area.


Mallee Parks 11

TABLE 3 SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS

LOCATION VALUES PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

Outlet Creek floodplain(Wyperfeld NP)

Wildlife corridor; habitat forsignificant species.

Management vehicle only access;dispersed camping permitted onlywhere values not threatened.

Eastern Pine Plains(Wyperfeld NP)

Largest area of Pine-BulokeWoodland in the Mallee Parks;habitat for significant speciessuch as Pink Cockatoo.

Reduce grazing pressure topermit regeneration; increase staffpresence to reduce poaching ofsignificant species.

Lindsay Island(Murray-Sunset NP)

Large number ofarchaeological sites.

Reduce erosion of sites byreduction of grazing pressure andprotection works; maintainconfidentiality of sites.

Black-eared Miner sites*(Wyperfeld NP, Hattah-Kulkyne NP and Murray-Sunset NP)

Endangered species. Maintain confidentiality of sites;maintain favourable habitat byexcluding fire; no disturbance.

*Sites not identified on zoning map for protection purposes.


12 Mallee Parks

3 RESOURCE CONSERVATION

3.1 Geological and landformfeatures

The Mallee Parks, located in the Murray Basinplains, contain an outstanding array of semi-arid and riverine landforms of relatively younggeological origin. These are of considerableconservation and scientific significance, andcontribute to the distinctiveness of the MalleeParks within the Parks system, and to theMallee generally.

The landscape is one of low relief, gentlysloping towards the Murray River to the north.However, this low relief belies the landformdiversity that exists and its influence on thebiota.

Most of the area has a mantle of sands ofmarine origin and alluvium over an older landsurface, but with occasional outcrops of thelatter as lateritised sediments. The sands weresculpted into dunes by wind action during theQuaternary period.

The landforms of the area belong to two maingeomorphic types (LCC 1987):

• the Mallee Dunefields, which covers most ofthe Big Desert (Wyperfeld) and the SunsetCountry (Murray-Sunset and part ofHattah-Kulkyne), and is taken to include thecomplex groundwater discharge areas suchas the Raak Plains and Pink Lakes;

• the Riverine Plain, which occurs along theMurray River at Lindsay Island (Murray-Sunset) and Hattah Lakes (Hattah-Kulkyne), and along the Outlet Creeksystem (Wyperfeld and Lake Albacutya).

The landforms are predominantly the result ofthree main factors:

• the inundation of the area by the sea, mostrecently about 4 million years ago, which onretreat deposited a large sheet of sand(Parilla Sand), forming a stage forsubsequent landforms and providing sandfor some of the later dune formations;

• past climates which were considerably drieror wetter than today, leaving a legacy of

landforms such as lunettes and dunes ofdifferent types;

• the presence of a shallow saline groundwatertable existing in a delicate hydrologicalbalance, which has responded to differentclimates to produce a range of landforms.

Landforms

Dunefields

These are the most extensive feature and arefound in all the Parks, but particularly inWyperfeld, Murray-Sunset and Hattah-Kulkyne. They include:

• occasional outcrops in Murray-Sunset andWyperfeld (e.g. at Majorlock Soak) of thelateritised north-south trending ridges whichmark stages in the retreat of the ancient sea;

• extensive examples of a variety of dunetypes, including:

• the long, low, asymmetrical, east-westlinear dunes of the Woorinen Formation,which occur mainly in the northernSunset Country and consist of reddish-brown calcareous sand with some clay;

• the parabolic, jumbled and irregulardunes of the pale siliceous Lowan Sand,which occur in the Big Desert andsouthern Sunset Country;

• the east-west longitudinal dunes of theLowan Sand, which occur in the BigDesert and southern Sunset Country;

• broad sand plains such as Sunset, Mopokeand Last Hope in Murray-Sunset, possiblyformed over the top of saline depressions,and in the central Big Desert;

• several natural water soaks along thenorthern fringe of the Big Desert (e.g.Majorlock Soak in Wyperfeld).

Groundwater discharge complexes

The striking landscape feature are found inthree main areas of Murray-Sunset, wheresaline groundwater has intersected the surfacein broad depressions, resulting through


Mallee Parks 13

evaporation in the deposition of minerals suchas gypsum and salt.

Features include:

• outstanding examples of State significance,at Raak Plains and Pink Lakes, of theboinka landform complex, consisting of avariety of features including sandplains,gypsum flats, gypsite hills, salinas andsource-bordering dunes;

• Rocket Lake, the largest salt-crustedephemeral lake (salina) in the Parks;

• smaller saline areas and gypseous dunes inthe north-west of the Park, south of the SturtHighway.

Riverine landforms

These occur in parts of Murray-Sunset(Lindsay Island), Hattah-Kulkyne (HattahLakes) and Murray-Kulkyne in relation to theMurray River, and in Wyperfeld and LakeAlbacutya in relation to Outlet Creek. Theyinclude:

• remnants of an elevated clay floodplain nearNeds Corner in Murray-Sunset, formedwhen the Murray River flowed in earliertimes into a large lake further downstream;

• anabranches of the Murray River, at HattahLakes and Lindsay Island (one of the largestfor the Murray in Victoria), including anarray of geomorphic features such asbillabongs, wetlands, meanders, terraces andnatural levees;

• Outlet Creek, which flows from LakeAlbacutya and links 17 terminal lakes inWyperfeld before ending in WirrengrenPlain, the end of the largest internal drainagesystem in the State;

• significant crescent-shaped lunettes on theeastern side of depressions, such as LakeAlbacutya (partly in the Park), WirrengrenPlain (Wyperfeld) and Lake Wallawalla(Murray-Sunset), some of only a few suchfeatures on public land in Victoria. Theycontain a record of past water levels andclimates.

Soils

The soils associated with the differentlandforms reflect the age of the landform aswell as its geological composition. Theyinclude the highly infertile sands of the LowanSand, calcareous soils of the Woorinenformation, and clays associated with theriverine plains and lunettes. Soils in thegroundwater discharge areas in particularcontain a high percentage of salts.

Much of the landscape is susceptible to erosionfollowing disturbance. Dunes may becomeremobilised following vegetation removal (e.g.after fire). This is particularly the case for theinfertile Lowan Sand, but also the Woorinenformation where ‘blowouts’ may occur after theremoval of ground cover. Lunettes are prone towind and water erosion following disturbance.Scalded clay pans occur along the higheralluvial terraces of the Murray River where theloamy topsoil has been eroded.

From an interpretation viewpoint, the landformsof the Park offer excellent opportunities tointerpret the fascinating history of thelandscape evolution of this part of Victoria.

Aims

• Protect areas of geological andgeomorphological interest.

• Provide opportunities for appropriateresearch into, appreciation of and educationabout geological and geomorphological sitesand processes.

Management strategies - all Parks

• Revegetate scalded areas on floodplains bycontrolling grazing pressure, and wherenecessary create surface roughness andadd seed of regenerates.

• Reshape eroded sand dunes to ensure asmooth profile. Revegetate with a non-regenerating cover crop and undersow withindigenous vegetation.

• Reduce the impact of soil disturbance in thedunefields by creating surface roughness,and maintain an adequate ground cover toprevent erosion.


14 Mallee Parks

• Rehabilitate eroded lunettes, particularly inareas where further disturbance couldimpact on cultural values.

3.2 Hydrology

3.2.1 Outlet Creek system

The Outlet Creek system within LakeAlbacutya Park and Wyperfeld National Park(figure 3) supports extensive areas of flood-dependent River Red Gum and Black BoxWoodlands. These communities provideimportant habitat for a range of species,including the nationally vulnerable RegentParrot. When flooded, the terminal lakes of theWimmera River provide important habitat forwaterbirds and other fauna. Lake Albacutya isdesignated as a wetland of internationalsignificance under the Ramsar Convention(section 1.3).

The Outlet Creek system, the terminal lakes andLake Albacutya form part of the WimmeraHeritage River which extends upstream toPolkemmet (LCC 1991b) (figure 3).

Regulation of the Wimmera River since latelast century has resulted in a drastic reductionof the frequency of flows within the OutletCreek system (Binnie & Partners 1993; RWC1993). Outlet Creek has not floweddownstream from Lake Brambruk since 1920.

Rising regional water tables due to vegetationclearing could impact upon both LakeHindmarsh and Lake Albacutya within the next10 years (WRCCG 1992a; Beovich 1993a),transforming them from recharge to dischargelakes.

Saline groundwater discharge into theWimmera River occurs naturally during periodsof low river flow (Strudwick 1992). The risingwatertable and reduced stream flows are bothlikely to be contributing to salinity within thelower Wimmera River and the terminal lakes.The current extent and rate of salinisation isunknown although the areas at greatest risk arethe lower sections of the river.

Severe dieback is now apparent in the RiverRed Gum and Black Box communities of LakeAlbacutya and Wyperfeld, particularly in thelower parts of the Outlet Creek system.

Dieback is most severe below Wonga Lake.This section of Outlet Creek has not floodedsince 1920.

Wyperfeld’s Black Box Woodland showsnegligible regeneration of any woody species,while the lakebed herbfields are now comprisedmainly of annual weeds (LCC 1987).

The LCC (1991b) and the Wimmera RiverIntegrated Catchment Management Strategy(WRCCG 1992b) have recommended that:

• the Wimmera Heritage River corridor bekept free from impoundments or structuresthat impede stream flow;

• a water entitlement be allocated forenvironmental purposes;

• investigations be conducted to determinehow the current system of regulation mightbe modified to restore a flooding regimesimilar to that which occurred prior tocatchment and river modification.

Options for restoring a more natural floodregime

Pipelining the Wimmera Mallee Stock andDomestic System (WMSDS), bypassing LakeHindmarsh, and special environmental flowreleases from storages, have been identified asthe best hydrological options for promotingmore frequent flooding of Wyperfeld (Binnie &Partners 1993). Stage 1 of pipelining (northernMallee) was completed in early 1993 and Stage2 was completed in 1995. Completion willresult in an environmental allocation ofapproximately 33 000 ML.

The former RWC (1993) found that the releaseof 20 000 ML from storage at times of floodwould, under certain circumstances, cause aflood to be promoted beyond Lake Albacutyainto the Park and/or prolong the duration of aflood within the Park. This assessmentassumes that an annual environmentalentitlement of 20 000 ML will be available forrelease at a time when Lake Hindmarsh isspilling and Lake Albacutya has more than60 000 ML in store.

Two options are available for the use of anenvironmental water entitlement:


Mallee Parks 15

(1) Sustaining flows. At times of low river, asustaining flow of 40–50 ML per daycould be released from storage to maintainthe in-stream environment at least as far asDimboola (Anderson & Morrison 1989).Sustaining flows would not be of directbenefit to Wyperfeld (Binnie & Partners1993).

(2) Managed floods. At times of high river,special releases from storages could beused to promote a managed flood into thePark. Wyperfeld would potentially benefitfrom special releases of an environmentalentitlement of the order of 20 000 ML(RWC 1993).

The two options could both be employed asflow conditions require. Consideration alsoneeds to be given to the accumulation of unusedenvironmental entitlements in storage.

Temporarily lowering the outlet sill at LakeHindmarsh by means of a regulatory structurewould generate greater flood flows withinWyperfeld but with a likely loss ofenvironmental and recreational values at LakeHindmarsh.

Aims

• Restore a more natural flooding regime tothe terminal lakes of Outlet Creek in co-operation with relevant agencies andcommunity-based groups.

• Achieve a more natural flooding regimewithout undue detriment to the naturalvalues of Lake Hindmarsh, and withoutjeopardising the supply of existing waterusers.

Management strategies

• Implement the relevant actions of theWimmera River Integrated CatchmentManagement Strategy (WRCCG 1992b).

• Seek agreement from Wimmera–MalleeWater to the release of an environmentalentitlement for the purposes of managedfloods in the event that Lake Albacutya fillsor nearly fills.

• Investigate the option of temporarilylowering the sill level of the Lake

Hindmarsh outlet in consultation withWimmera-Mallee Water and the WimmeraCatchment and Land Protection Board.

• In conjunction with relevant agencies,conduct monitoring studies along theOutlet Creek system of:

• watertable levels;• surface flows;• flood-dependent flora and fauna.

• Prepare a separate management plan forthe Wimmera Heritage River by 1997.

3.2.2 Hattah Lakes system

The Hattah Lakes system is a series ofperennial and intermittent freshwater lakes fedmainly from the Murray River via ChalkaCreek (figure 4). Hattah-Kulkyne has beendeclared a wetland of international significanceunder the Ramsar convention, and is adesignated Biosphere Reserve under theUNESCO Man and the Biosphere program(section 1.3).

All the lakes in the system, and Chalka Creek,are used for recreational purposes such ascanoeing, swimming and fishing.

Substantial changes to the hydrological regimeof the Hattah Lakes system, followingmodification of both the Murray River and theHattah Lakes system (Cumming & Lloyd1991a) have resulted in a general reduction inthe winter/spring flood peaks, and significantreductions in the flooding and inflow frequencyof the Lakes. Flood initiation has been delayedand the duration of flooding reduced.

Internal modifications to the Hattah Lakessystem itself include the construction of achannel between Lockie and Hattah Lakes, andthe installation of an earthen bank and regulatorbetween Lakes Hattah and Little Hattah.

Modifications to Chalka Creek includedeepening and regrading of the channel and theinstallation of a regulator at Messengers toprevent floodwaters from receding.

These internal modifications have meant thatsince 1970 Lake Hattah has been dry on oneoccasion only for a short period in 1989. The


16 Mallee Parks

natural frequency of drying for Lake Hattahwas once every seven years.

Rising groundwater levels within the Murraytrench may eventually lead to salinisation ofChalka Creek and the Hattah Lakes system.Bitterang, Konardin, Yelwell and Hattah Lakesare all at risk of becoming salt-affected withinthe next ten years (Beovich 1993a).

There is no evidence of widespread dieback offlood-dependent vegetation within Hattah-Kulkyne, although pockets of dieback, possiblydue to length of inundation and water stressbetween floods, have been recorded. Thedistribution of flood-dependent woodyvegetation may also be changing. There isample evidence of regeneration of both RiverRed Gum and Black Box.

The changed hydrological regime is likely tohave caused lower recruitment rates withinsome bird and fish populations. Permanentinundation may favour the proliferation ofEuropean Carp, which are thought to degradewaterbird habitat by muddying water andpreventing the growth of aquatic plants.

Regulation of the Hattah Lakes System mayhave caused changes to the grazing regime ofnative species within the southern half ofMournpall Block (section 4.4).

Toxic algal blooms are now relatively frequentwithin the Hattah Lakes system, necessitatingthe closure of the Lakes to recreational use forextended periods in each of the past threesummers. The worst blooms appear to occurafter the Lakes are recharged with river water.

Options for restoring a more naturalhydrological regime

Management options include removal of theLake Hattah regulator to lower the retentionlevel, and enlargement of the Messengersregulator to increase rate of inflow into ChalkaCreek (Cumming & Lloyd 1991b; Atkins1993).

Amendment of the current system of lakeregulation could cause more frequent drying ofLake Hattah, reducing recreationalopportunities at times. However, alternativerecreational opportunities will still be availableat Lake Mournpall and along the Murray River

frontage. The occurrence of toxic algal bloomsposes a greater threat to recreational use of theLakes than does infrequent drying.

Aim

• Restore, as far as possible, a more naturalhydrological regime to the Hattah Lakessystem within the guidelines of theIntegrated Watering Strategy for MurrayWetlands (Cumming & Lloyd 1991b).


• Deregulate flows between Lake Hattah andLake Little Hattah by the removal of theboards which serve to retard backflow fromHattah to Little Hattah.

• Implement changes to the operation of theregulator at Messengers such that theretention level at Lake Hattah is returnedto its natural level. Increase the capacityof the regulator to allow more rapid inflowto Chalka Creek in the event of a low levelflood.

• Support any initiatives of the IntegratedWatering Strategy for Murray Wetland(Cumming & Lloyd 1991b) which aim torestore a more natural flood regime to theHattah Lakes.

• Continue to make the water from LakeHattah available as an emergency supplyfor the Mournpall Water Users Associationand the Hattah Residents Water UsersAssociation.

• Prohibit recreational use of lakes whichhave been confirmed by testing to containlevels of toxic algae which could pose arisk to users. Advertise closures at all roadentrances and on the shores of eachaffected lake.

• Investigate options for the long-termmanagement of toxic algal blooms.

• Investigate the control of European Carpwithin the Hattah Lakes.

3.2.3 Lindsay Island


Mallee Parks 17

Lindsay Island is on the riverine plain of theMurray River near the SA border and isbounded by the Lindsay River anabranch(figure 5). Numerous lignum swamps are inter-connected by a system of streams andsurrounded by Black Box Woodland (Beovich1993b).

The Island and its waterways have significantnatural and cultural heritage values and provideimportant habitat for native fish, waterbirdsand restricted species such as the PaucidentPlanigale.

The regulation of the Murray/Darling systemhas had significant impacts on the flow regimeassociated with Lindsay Island, including areduction in winter/spring flood peaks, areduction in duration and frequency of flooding,and the development of a steep east-westgroundwater gradient and increased salinegroundwater discharges into the Lindsay Riverupstream of Lake Wallawalla (Dudding, Oakes& Thorne 1989; Beovich 1993b).

Various alterations have modified the naturalinflows and outflows of the system. Theseinclude restrictive off-take structures on theLindsay River and Mullaroo Creek, andinadequate culverts on the inflows and outflowsand possible sill erosion at Lake Wallawalla.

Black Box dieback is now widespread onLindsay Island and on the Lake Wallawallafloodplain. There is increased salinity in theLindsay River which is affecting downstreamwater quality. Prolonged inundation is likely tobe affecting flood-dependent vegetation andhabitats along Mullaroo Creek and the lowersections of Toupnein Creek and the LindsayRiver.

Options for restoring more natural flowregimes

Management options would require bothstructural and operational changes (e.g. anincrease in Murray River flows at times of highriver – spring peak – using releases fromMenindie Lakes and Lake Victoria to benefitLindsay Island). Options for structural changesinclude manipulation of the Lock 6 and 7 weirpools, removal of the obstructive stone crossingat the Lindsay River off-take and removal ofobstructions to Lake Wallawalla inlets(Beovich 1993b; Atkins 1993).

Options to reduce saline groundwater inputsfrom the Lindsay into the Murray includeamended or new structures on the LindsayRiver, a groundwater interception scheme andthe relocation of Lock 7.

Aim

• Restore, as far as possible, a more naturalflow regime to Lindsay Island within theguidelines of the Integrated WateringStrategy for Murray Wetlands (Cumming &Lloyd 1991b).


• Survey the condition of flood-dependentvegetation and habitats on Lindsay Islandas a basis for restoring degradedvegetation and habitats, and forestablishing a longer-term monitoringprogram.

• Negotiate flow management arrangementswith the SA Department of Engineering andWater Supply and the Murray-DarlingBasin Commission to achieve higher springflood peaks on Lindsay Island.

• Negotiate with Murray Sunraysia Water,and Nyah to South Australian BorderSalinity Implementation Committee, toachieve those salinity mitigation optionswhich are least damaging to the ecology ofLindsay Island and Lake Wallawalla.

• Investigate and implement structuralchanges (e.g. culverts under the Mail Routewhere it crosses eastern inlet) where a net


18 Mallee Parks

conservation benefit can be demonstrated.Monitor the environmental effects of thesechanges and implement any furtherstructural alterations that may be required.

3.3 Vegetation

Thirty major vegetation communities, formingsix regional assemblages and supportingapproximately 1000 native plants, have beenidentified in the Mallee Parks (LCC 1987).Most of these communities are restricted to theMallee.

Of particular note is the large area ofessentially undisturbed vegetation in thedunefields of all Parks. These communities,variously comprising mallee and heath onnutrient-deficient sandy soils, support thecontinued conservation of both plant andanimal species with minimal management input.

Twelve significant vegetation communities andthe threatening processes affecting them havebeen identified for the Mallee Parks (Cheal etal. 1992, see appendix I). Three significantcommunities (Gypseous Rise Woodland, Pine-Buloke Woodland and Sandplain Grassland)have been identified as being particularlythreatened. These communities supportrelatively few significant flora or fauna species,their habitat value having been largelydestroyed by long-term grazing pressure. Incontrast, heathland communities remainrelatively undisturbed and support over 30significant flora and fauna species (seeappendix II and III).

There is a high number of significant plantspecies associated with the saline groundwaterdischarge complexes at Pink Lakes and RaakPlain, the latter being described by the LCC(1989) as the most diverse saline and gypseousenvironment in the State.

Substantial areas of the Mallee Parks (largelycorrelating with the threatened communitieslisted in appendix I) are now severely degraded.Management strategies to deal with degradationthrough alteration to flooding and fire regimesare outlined in sections 3.2 and 4.1,respectively. For areas degraded throughgrazing or timber harvesting, there are basicallythree means available to aid regeneration:

(a) natural regeneration: relies principally onsignificant management input from NREin terms of reducing grazing pressure(section 4.2).

(b) hand planting of seedlings: where a severelack of seed trees prevents naturalregeneration, especially in north-westMurray-Sunset, alternative regenerationtechniques such as hand planting or directseeding must be used. Hand planting isrelatively expensive and labour intensivebut may be the only option where grazingpressure is high. Tree guards arenecessary, and an ongoing wateringcommitment required to ensure a highsurvival rate. Volunteer labour can reducecosts.

(c) direct seeding: by far the most economicalmeans of broad-scale revegetation in theMallee Parks. Successful establishment ofseedlings requires reduced grazingpressure and weed control.

Further research is needed to establish the beststrategy to conserve threatened Malleevegetation communities and their associatedfauna.

Aims

• Protect native plant communities in theirnatural condition, and maintain geneticdiversity.

• Enhance the long-term survival prospects ofthreatened or significant plant species orcommunities.

• Encourage degraded communities torehabilitate by natural means.

• Actively rehabilitate degraded communitiesto a level approaching pre-Europeansettlement conditions where lack of seedtrees prevents natural regeneration.


Mallee Parks 19


• Manage Flora and Fauna Guarantee listedspecies and communities according toapproved action statements.

• Ensure the protection and enhancement ofthose communities identified in appendix Iby controlling threatening processes,including:

• overgrazing by rabbits (section 4.2.2),goats (section 4.2.3), kangaroos(section 4.2.4) and stock (section4.2.5);

• competition by weeds (section 4.3);• altered fire regimes (section 4.1);• altered hydrological regimes (section

3.2);• introduced predators (section 4.3).

• Rehabilitate those communities identifiedin appendix I as a matter of highest priorityusing rehabilitation methods based upon:

• reducing or manipulating grazingpressure;

• determining density and viability ofpotential seed trees

• the size of the area to be rehabilitated.

• Ensure that local seed provenances areused in rehabilitation programs.

• Monitor the effectiveness of control andrehabilitation programs. Monitor thewilderness condition of wilderness zones, inparticular the restoration of disturbedareas and the presence of non-indigenousplants and animals.

• Encourage further research into theecological processes within Malleeecosystems, and the ecologicalrequirements of individual communitiesand species. In wilderness zones, allowresearch where it is not destructive andcannot be carried out elsewhere.

3.4 Fauna

The diversity of the Mallee Parks fauna reflectsthe wide range of habitats available, the relativelack of disturbance and low numbers of

introduced predators, and the overlapping oftwo biogeographic regions (the mesic Bassianregion to the south and the arid Eyrean regionto the north).

Species restricted to the area include those thatare specifically adapted to the semi-arid malleevegetation, such as the Mallee Ningaui, SilkyMouse and Mitchell’s Hopping Mouse(Robertson et al. 1989). Typical Eyreanspecies with distributions that overlap intonorth-west Victoria include the Red Kangaroo,Paucident Planigale and Greater Long-earedBat.

Significant fauna species and the threateningprocesses affecting them have been identifiedby Baker-Gabb et al. (1992), Bennet, Lumsden& Menkhorst (1992) and Yen (1992) (seeappendix III).

The composition of small to medium sizedmammalian fauna in the Mallee has altereddramatically since European settlement, with 12species now locally extinct (LCC 1987;Menkhorst & Bennett 1990). Mammals of asimilar size have largely disappeared fromsemi-arid and arid habitats across Australia.

Over 300 species of birds have been recorded inthe Mallee, and more than three-quarters ofthese breed there. Species of particularsignificance include the Regent Parrot,Malleefowl, Black-eared Miner and WesternWhipbird. The abundance of bird speciesappears much higher in mallee-shrublands andwoodlands than in heaths (Emison & Bren1989). However, the heathland is particularlyattractive to honeyeaters. Other wellrepresented groups include the parrots andraptors. Twenty-two species of parrots havebeen recorded in the Mallee Region within thepast 20 years, the largest assemblage of speciesof parrots in Victoria (Emison 1991).

The Mallee supports a greater diversity ofreptiles than any other region in Victoria (LCC1987). Porcupine Grass, a major understoreyspecies in Sand-plain Heath and Mallee Heath,provides an important micro-environment forreptiles.

Three of the ten frog species recorded in theMallee have adapted to the arid environment byburrowing below the ground during drier


20 Mallee Parks

periods, emerging to feed and breed only afterheavy rain. Other species are restricted to moremesic environments along watercourses.

The Lindsay River system has been identifiedas having high conservation value as a breedingground for native fish.

The invertebrate fauna of the area is stilllargely undescribed, except for butterflies(Douglas 1993).

Aims

• Protect native animal communities andmaintain genetic diversity.

• Enhance the long-term survival prospects ofthreatened or significant fauna.


• Manage Flora and Fauna Guarantee listedfauna (appendix III) according to approvedaction statements.

• Encourage further research into theecological requirements of individualspecies.

• Encourage further survey work to betterdefine the distribution of threatenedspecies.

• Actively ensure that the ecologicalrequirements of fauna are taken intoaccount in fire control strategies,controlled burning programs and rabbitcontrol programs.

3.5 Landscape

The Mallee Parks lie within the Murray BasinPlains Landscape Type as identified byLeonard and Hammond (1983), much of whichis characterised by broad NNW-SSE trendingridges and relatively low east-west or jumbledsand dunes largely dominated by malleevegetation.

Special features of the landscape includedistinctive dune formations (including lunettes)in contrast to the more common flat landformpatterns; the Murray River and Outlet Creekand their associated woodland communities ofRiver Red Gum and Black Box; relatively

intact examples of Pine-Buloke and BelahWoodlands; lakebed herbfields, especiallywhere surrounded by forest; and the salinedischarge complexes (boinkas) of the RaakPlain and Pink Lakes.

Due to the visual uniformity of the Malleelandscape, there is a high level of publicsensitivity to the presence of unnaturalelements. Potential causes of damage to theParks’ landscape qualities include managementactivities and structures, power lines, vehicletracks left by off-road vehicles, and trespassingstock.

Aim

• Protect or enhance landscape values.


• Prepare site development plans for allcamping and day visitor areas to ensurethat any adverse impacts to the landscapeare minimal and temporary.

• Avoid constructing long stretches ofstraight road, which are visible over longdistances, when realigning any roads.

• Reduce the impact of tracks that are visibleover long distances by realigning shortsections.

• Minimise the impact of signs byappropriate location and number, and byusing less visually intrusive totems wherepossible.

• Maintain vegetation of high scenic qualityby ensuring appropriate fire andhydrological regimes, and pest plant andanimal control.

• Ensure compliance with RecreationFacilities Manual (CFL 1987b), the SignsManual (CNR 1993c), and the NPSGuidelines and Procedures Manual (NPS1995).


Mallee Parks 21

3.6 Cultural heritage

3.6.1 Aboriginal history

The Mallee was widely occupied by Aboriginalpeople, primarily along the major watercorridors through the dune country, but also atlower densities throughout the more marginaldryland areas (LCC 1987). Over3800 archaeological sites have been recordedon the Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV) SiteRegister for the Mallee Parks region, primarilyalong the Murray River, where the use of sitesis generally less than 3000 years before present(BP). The earliest known occupation along theRiver is from near Merbein and has been datedat 15 250 years BP. Fewer sites have beenrecorded from the semi-arid areas; these aregenerally associated with recent (up to 6000years BP) sources of water, soaks or rockoutcrops.

Surveys have been carried out for much ofHattah-Kulkyne and Murray-Kulkyne(Thompson 1983a), at Lake Wallawalla andparts of Lindsay Island (Luebbers & Ellender1994), and most of the main water resourceareas in the deserts (Ross 1986). Somepreliminary surveys have also been conductedby NRE in north-west Murray-Sunset. Allthese surveys cover only a low proportion ofthe total area of the Parks, and most currentarchaeological works are associated withpreservation of degraded sites.

Many Aboriginal burial sites in dunes andlunettes have been exposed as a result ofovergrazing by rabbits and stock, and arefurther threatened by soil erosion. Other sites(e.g. scarred trees) are threatened by a varietyof natural and human impacts such as fire andincreased recreational activity.

The size and number of sites make itimpractical to carry out expensive protectionworks, such as fencing, on all sites. In the past,protection works have often been carried out onan ad hoc basis, and not necessarily on the mostarchaeologically or culturally significant sites.

Traditional hunting and gathering activities arean integral part of Aboriginal culture. Atpresent, collection of plants for traditionalpurposes is permitted in some areas managedunder the National Parks Act.

Aims

• Identify, protect and where appropriate,interpret, Aboriginal sites.

• Improve knowledge and understanding ofthe Parks’ Aboriginal history.

• Encourage Aboriginal involvement in themanagement of the Parks’ cultural heritageby consulting with the Mildura AboriginalCorporation, the Murray Valley AboriginalCo-operative and the Goolum GoolumAboriginal Co-operative.


• Liaise with local Aboriginal communitiesand AAV regarding the development andimplementation of management andprotection strategies for known sites andall new sites as they are discovered in theParks. In wilderness zones, managementwill focus on identification of sites andtheir protection as necessary in accordancewith LCC management principles.

• Maintain an inventory of archaeologicalsites for the Mallee Parks. Maintainconfidentiality of significant sites inconsultation with AAV and the relevantAboriginal community.

• Ensure adherence to the Natural ResourceProtection Guidelines (CNR 1993b) inrelation to archaeological sites whenundertaking rabbit control programs.

• Ensure that at least one example of eachsite type is preserved per landform.

• Encourage further research into Aboriginalhistory in the Mallee Parks, especially:

• characterising representative cross-sections for the full period ofoccupation, particularly on the MurrayRiver floodplain;

• burial sites;• occupation of the freshwater systems of

the arid zones; and• microlithic technology in the semi-arid

zones.

• Develop interpretive material onAboriginal history in consultation with


22 Mallee Parks

AAV and the relevant Aboriginalcommunities.

3.6.2 European settlement

Early European occupation of the Mallee Parkswas largely associated with the pastoralindustry. Pastoral occupation peaked in the late1860s, although in many cases the grazing runswere speculative and little evidence of earlyoccupation remains (LCC 1987).

Significant historic sites do remain, however,from the subsequent period of grazing, miningand attempted closer settlement. Relics ofpastoral development remain in the form ofbuildings, fences, yards, tanks and water supplysystems. Such structures are generally inremote situations with relatively low levels ofvisitation. Some sites are in a fragile conditionand require urgent conservation works tomaintain their integrity. Nevertheless thesesites have great interpretive potential (FreemanCollett & Partners 1993).

In some cases the continued use of someoutbuildings (e.g. shearers’ quarters and huts)may be a cost-effective means of managing andinterpreting remaining structures. In othercases the reconstruction of structures or sitestabilisation may be warranted to facilitate siteinterpretation.

Mining (mainly salt extraction) was asecondary use of the Sunset Country. TheMillewa South railway line was constructed in1929 for the purpose of closer settlement of theSunset Country but was later abandoned. Theline was used for transporting salt and gypsum.The Nowingi Line Track now follows thealignment of the original railway line.

The Australian ICOMOS Charter for theConservation of Places of Cultural Significance(ICOMOS 1988), known as the Burra Charter,provides the basis for the management by NREof places of cultural significance.

Aims

• Conserve and interpret sites of Europeanhistorical interest and significance.

• Improve knowledge and understanding ofEuropean history in the Parks and theeffects of past land use activities.


• Prepare an inventory of European historicplaces, in accordance with NPS guideline23.1PL and in consultation with historicalgroups and others.

• Manage individual sites in accordance withthe principles of the Burra Charter and therecommendations of recognised authoritiesin conservation architecture andarchaeology. In wilderness zones, removeexisting structures or minimise their impact(in cases where removal may create furtherdisturbance), following an assessment oftheir cultural significance and appropriaterecording.

• Develop and implement a program of on-site interpretation and education to fosteran understanding of the pioneering era,and minimise vandalism and other visitorimpacts (section 5.3).

• Establish historical tour routes in co-operation with local historical groups(section 5.2.1).

• Implement fire protection and weed controlas interim protective measures atsignificant sites as required.

Management strategies - Murray-SunsetNational Park

• Modify catchment dams to prevent themfrom holding water for prolonged periods(section 4.4). Minimise damage and retainas much as possible of the original fabricof the dam walls.

• Maintain the Nowingi Line Track as aminor park access route while the trackremains on its current alignment. Maintainthe original surface level of the MillewaSouth railway line embankment between thePark boundary and Rocket Lake.

Park protection

Mallee Parks 23

4 PARK PROTECTION

4.1 Fire management

The National Parks Act requires the Directorof National Parks to ensure that appropriateand sufficient measures are taken to protectParks from injury by fire.

Current fire protection measures are inaccordance with the Mildura Region FireProtection Plan (CNR 1992). This planincludes provision for the maintenance of theParks’ system of fire access tracks, waterpoints, air support facilities and fuel-reducedbuffers; liaison with private landholders forthe common purpose of fire managementwithin the Park and on adjacent land;information on Park assets, including thelocation of reference areas and areas ofecological and cultural significance; andcommunity education on the responsible useof fire (campfires) in Parks. Fire protectionfor the Parks will be reviewed in associationwith reviews of the Mildura Region FireProtection Plan, or as new informationbecomes available.

Many Mallee species dependent on fire for theirregeneration (Cheal, Day & Meredith 1979).Changes to the natural fire regime of the regionsince European settlement may be adverselyaffecting the diversity of flora and its dependentfauna. Fire intensity and frequency is a majorinfluence on the floristic composition ofheathland vegetation, predominant in the BigDesert, whereas the season of fires appears tobe an important factor in the regeneration ofmallee and grassland communities in Murray-Sunset. Further research is needed into the useof fire as an aid to rehabilitating degradedcommunities.

Fuel reduction burning in the form of strategiccorridors has been planned for approximately89 000 ha (five per cent) of the public land inthe Mallee. Only a small proportion will beburnt each year.

As far as possible, least-disturbancesuppression techniques will be adhered to inwilderness zones, reference areas and otherareas of high conservation significance.Phosphate-based retardants may also

adversely affect native vegetation on nutrient-deficient soils, predominant in the Big Desertand the southern part of Murray-Sunset, andwill be phased out in favour of sulphate-basedretardants.

Ashwell (1993) has identified the requirementsof a monitoring program for Mallee vegetationin relation to fire.

Aims

• Protect life, property and Park values frominjury by fire.

• Minimise the adverse effects of fires and firesuppression methods.

• Maintain fire regimes appropriate to theconservation of native flora and fauna.

• Increase knowledge of the effects of firefrequency, season and intensity on Malleeecosystems.


• Ensure compliance with the MilduraRegion Fire Protection Plan, including themaintenance of fuel-reduced strategiccorridors.

• Publicise and enforce fire regulations andrestrictions on the use of fire and role offire within the Parks.

• Identify significant biota and other assetsto be protected from fire.

• Further investigate the use of controlledburning as a means of rehabilitation.Allow burning for ecological purposes onlywhere it can be established that such actionis deemed necessary for the conservation ofa significant population or community. Inwilderness zones, burning for ecologicalpurposes will be subject to the preparationof an approved species or communitymanagement plan.

• In wilderness zones and reference areas,restrict suppression to the margins of theareas; otherwise restrict control methods to

Park protection

24 Mallee Parks

(i) backburning, (ii) aerial techniques, and(iii) ground crews with hand tools, asdescribed in NPS guidelines (NPS 1995).

• Use sulphate-based fire retardants onheathland fires.

• Continue to monitor the effects of fire onnative species in accordance withrecommendations by Ashwell (1993) andCNR (1992).

4.2 Grazers

4.2.1 Total grazing pressure

For the purposes of this Plan the expression‘total grazing pressure’ is defined as thecombined effects of all grazers (both native andintroduced) on native vegetation communitiesand habitats within the Mallee Parks. The LCC(1989) found that the combined influence ofdomestic and feral stock, rabbits, goats,Western Grey Kangaroos and Red Kangarooswas having a detrimental effect upon nativevegetation, and hence faunal habitat. Evenafter the removal of stock grazing, there remainareas in all of the Mallee Parks where totalgrazing pressure is high enough to prevent theregeneration of woody native vegetation.

The most severe grazing impacts are withinwoodland, grassland and shrublandcommunities; that is, vegetation types growingon soils of relatively high fertility. Therelatively infertile deep sand malleecommunities appear to be less influenced bygrazing pressure. Communities of intermediatefertility (e.g. chenopod mallee and shallow sandmallee) are at moderate risk, depending on theavailability of water.

The most obvious impact of grazing has beenan absence of regeneration of woody speciesand a loss of perennial taxa from the shrub andground layers. Soil disturbance, and changes insoil nutrient status caused by intensive grazing,favour some introduced species over theirnative counterparts and help to perpetuateweediness (Westbrooke 1990; Cheal et al.1992; Cheal 1993). Other impacts includetrampling, damage to the soil lichen crust andincreased soil erosion.

The impacts of total grazing activity uponvegetation are now being monitored within allMallee Parks. Kangaroo and rabbitpopulations are currently being monitored bydirect counts. Goat numbers are not monitoredin any systematic way although they arerecorded during the kangaroo surveys. AtHattah-Kulkyne both biomass and floristicanalyses are employed to measure the effects ofkangaroo grazing under differing populationdensities and to determine the appropriateecological carrying capacities.

A network of grazing exclosures has beenestablished within intensively grazedcommunities of Murray-Sunset and Wyperfeld.Floristic monitoring methods are being used toassess the long-term impacts of the totalgrazing activity within representativecommunities. The interactions betweendifferent grazers are being monitored only atHattah-Kulkyne, where rabbits have beenselectively excluded from some grazingexclosures.

To be most effective and cost-efficient, controlmeasures are required relatively early in thecycle of population increase for those specieswith high reproductive capability, e.g. rabbitsand goats.

Management strategies dealing specifically withrabbits, goats, kangaroos, and domestic andferal stock are outlined in sections 4.2.2, 4.2.3,4.2.4 and 4.2.5 respectively. It has beenassumed that intensive management of goats,rabbits and kangaroos will only be neededwithin the areas defined by the LCC as havinga history of disturbance. However, furtherresearch is needed to confirm the validity of thisassumption.

Aim

• Reduce the total grazing pressure to a levelwhich allows the native perennial species toregenerate and Park landscapes generally torecover.

Park protection

Mallee Parks 25


• Assign the highest priority in the overallmanagement of grazing pressure to rabbitcontrol. Reduce rabbit populations to, andkeep them (within the limits of resources) atlow levels.

• Control goats as a second priority andmaintain populations at low levels.

• Control Western Grey Kangaroos and RedKangaroos where their combined grazingpressure is threatening the long-termrecovery of native vegetation.

• Liaise with adjoining landowners to reduceaccess to water by kangaroos and goats.

• Continue to monitor grazing impacts withinall Mallee Parks as the basis for long-termmanagement of total grazing pressure.

• Abide by the Natural Resource ProtectionGuidelines (CNR 1993b), the Code ofPractice for the Humane Shooting ofKangaroos (CONCOM 1985) and otherrelevant guidelines in the management oftotal grazing pressure.

4.2.2 Rabbit control

Rabbits are the most significant short tomedium-term threat to native vegetationconservation in the Mallee Parks. Evenrelatively low numbers can prevent regenerationof woody perennial plants.

Rabbit populations vary throughout the Parks.Woodland or grassland communities restrictedto relatively fertile soils typically support highrabbit numbers and are under particular threatfrom grazing (Cheal et al. 1992). In contrast,communities growing on deep infertile sands(i.e. much of the Big Desert) support relativelyfew rabbits.

Estimates of rabbit numbers are conductedusing spotlight transect direct counts andmonitoring of the densities of active warrens.

Control methods to reduce and maintain rabbitnumbers at levels whereby regeneration canoccur include poisoning, ripping, fumigation,

shooting and biological control, with ripping thekey component of long-term control (Williams& Moore 1991; Wood 1985). Controllingrabbit populations at the initial phase of theirgrowth curve is critical if regeneration ofwoody vegetation is to occur (Braysher 1993).

NRE has developed a decision model for theMallee to determine the most effective controlmethod(s) for any given rabbit density (Cooke,Walters & Sluiter 1991). Improvements to andadaptations of the model continue to be made.

A general improvement in rabbit control byMallee farmers in recent years is due in part toco-operation between farmers and NRE; 20Rabbit Action Groups now co-ordinate rabbitcontrol (section 6.2).

Biological control agents being investigated bythe CSIRO include immunosterilisation and therabbit calicivirus disease (RCD). RCD hasbeen recorded in the Mallee Parks and isexpected to have significant impacts, both forrabbit numbers and possibly some native faunaas a result of prey-switching by foxes (section4.3).

Aims

• Minimise damage caused to nativevegetation, and in particular thosesignificant communities identified inappendix I, from overgrazing by rabbits.

• Co-ordinate rabbit control in conjunctionwith Park neighbours.


• Prepare rabbit control plans forsusceptible areas within the Mallee Parks,based on distinct geographic areas or landsystems, so that:

• rabbit abundance is reduced to lessthan 5/km (spotlight transect) or 25active entrances per km2 (warrencount);

• rabbit abundance is effectivelymonitored using the most reliablemethods, including spotlight transectsand warren counts;

• significant communities and otherassets are protected during the courseof rabbit control in accordance with the

Park protection

26 Mallee Parks

Natural Resource Protection Guidelines(CNR 1993b).

• Investigate the feasibility of using contractshooters at the time that other controlmeasures (ripping and fumigation) arebeing conducted.

• Review control programs at two-yearintervals and make the results of reviewsavailable to the public.

• Co-ordinate rabbit control activities withPark neighbours in accordance with theguidelines established in the MalleeRegional Landcare Plan (Landcare 1993),the Regional Catchment ManagementStrategy to be developed by the MalleeRegional Catchment and Land ProtectionBoard, and the Good Neighbour Policy.

• Investigate the feasibility of improving thereliability of existing monitoring methods.

• Seek advice from CSIRO and other relevantauthorities on how the benefits of theintroduction/spread of RCD can beoptimised. Implements such controlmeasures (e.g. warren destruction) as arerequired to ensure that the benefits of RCDpersist after resistance to the virus hasevolved.

• Seek to establish a program for monitoringthe spread, persistence, and impact ofRCD. This program will also investigatethe extent of prey-switching by foxes andcats and the resulting impacts upon nativefauna.

4.2.3 Goat control

Goats are most commonly recorded in themallee and woodland communities of Murray-Sunset and Hattah-Kulkyne. Observations inthe Big Desert are rare. The total population isestimated to be around 2000 (LCC 1987).

Feral goat populations have the potential toincrease up to 75 per cent per year underfavourable conditions. Freely available wateris vital to maintenance of populations (Henzell1992; Henzell & McCloud 1984). Some ten

dams within Murray-Sunset are estimated to becapable of holding water through an averagesummer; these water points may be critical insustaining high numbers of goats and othermammalian grazers over summer (section 4.4).

Goats appear to prefer grasses and herbage towoody shrubs. Although goat numbers in theMallee Parks may not be high, their preferentialgrazing habit may remove those plants criticalto the survival of some native animal speciessuch as Malleefowl (Priddel 1989). The socialnature of goats can also lead to localisedimpacts on vegetation, especially nearfrequently used night camps.

Goat control in the Mallee Parks is restricted totrapping around selected water points andopportunistic shooting. It is unlikely thatopportunistic shooting will have any long-termeffect on the population. The efficiency oftrapping, in Murray-Sunset at least, will beaided by fencing those waters required formanagement purposes, and closure of theremainder (section 4.4).

The Judas goat method (radio-collared goatsthat are released back into the wild population)may be useful in the eradication of smallisolated populations.

Total eradication of goat populations is notseen as being economically feasible in theMallee Parks.

Aims

• Minimise damage caused to nativevegetation by feral goats.

• Establish a system to monitor trends in thegoat population, and determine acceptablepopulation levels.


• Prepare area-based goat control plans,including:

• monitoring requirements;• fencing of artificial waters required for

management purposes and closure of allothers;

• installing traps on designated fencedwater points, with priority given to

Park protection

Mallee Parks 27

water points in areas of highestconservation value;

• mustering around water points toeliminate trap-shy animals, possibly byauthorised groups under the supervisionof Park staff.

• Discourage goat farming on landimmediately adjacent to Park boundariesunless farms are adequately fenced.

4.2.4 Kangaroo management

The dominant species of kangaroos in theMallee Parks are the Western Grey Kangarooand the Red Kangaroo, with Western GreyKangaroos predominating. Only the WesternGrey Kangaroo occurs regularly withinWyperfeld. Eastern Grey Kangaroos have alsobeen recorded, in very low numbers, in Hattah-Kulkyne (Morgan 1992, 1994a; Coulson1992).

Changes to Mallee Parks habitats as a result ofthe introduction of artificial waters, removal ofthe shrub understorey by stock, a reduced levelof predation and periods of intense rabbitcontrol have favoured kangaroo populations.The availability of water allows populations tobe sustained at artificially high densities duringdry periods.

The density of Western Grey Kangaroos atHattah-Kulkyne increased from an estimatedPark average of 25/km2 in 1983 toapproximately 46/km2 in 1990 (Coulson 1990),preventing the regeneration of native perennialplants except in areas enclosed by kangaroo-proof fencing (DCE 1990b). The habitat hasbecome simplified at the expense of other nativefauna.

The population dynamics of kangaroos in otherMallee Parks needs further investigation. Asimilar rate of increase in kangaroo densities tothat experienced at Hattah-Kulkyne wouldseverely threaten the conservation status ofwoodland communities, such as Pine-Buloke, inthose areas.

A mean Western Grey Kangaroo density of47/km2 was recorded for the Sunset Plains areaof Murray-Sunset in 1994 (Morgan 1994b).

The densities of Western Grey Kangaroos inthe vicinity of Outlet Creek and the terminallakes at Wyperfeld have remained sufficientlyhigh to prevent regeneration of woodyperennials such as Slender Cypress-pine. Amean density of 46/km2 recorded in this area in1993 was the highest since counting began in1972 (Morgan 1994c).

Relatively high kangaroo densities occur onsome fringes of the Mallee Parks, leading tocrop and fence damage, loss of revenue andincurred costs on neighbouring farms. Grazingby kangaroos is probably preventing theregeneration of woodland communities in thesefringe areas.

Culling of kangaroos was first attempted atHattah-Kulkyne in 1984, but was discontinuedthe same year as a result of animal welfareconcerns expressed by some interest groups.

A program of culling of kangaroos was initiatedwithin the Mournpall Block of Hattah-Kulkynein October 1990 in response to specificrecommendations by the LCC (1989).Shooting was in accordance with a managementplan, Restoring the Balance (DCE 1990b) andthe CONCOM Code of Practice for theHumane Shooting of Kangaroos (CONCOM1985).

The density of kangaroos within Mournpallblock has now been reduced to an estimated5/km2 (Morgan 1995). At this lower density,the rate of repopulation is likely to increase.

Regeneration of some woody species and asuite of perennial sub-shrubs and herbs,including some rare or threatened plants, hasbeen recorded within Mournpall Block sinceculling began (Sluiter et al. 1992). Vegetationrecovery has been most noticeable in non-mallee dunefield areas, with only moderateimprovement in riverine woodland areas.

An independent Technical Steering Committeereviews the results of each culling program andconsiders further management options. Cullingis an expensive means of managing kangaroosbecause it must be continued for many years toensure lasting benefits of vegetation restoration.Some public opposition remains on animalwelfare grounds to the shooting of kangarooswithin national parks.

Park protection

28 Mallee Parks

Limiting access to water and pasture onadjoining farmland could reduce the habitatsuitability for kangaroos and therefore reducegrazing pressure. Fences have already beensuccessfully employed for this purpose atHattah-Kulkyne and in the Wimmera. A trialkangaroo fence was constructed in 1993 along29 km of the northern boundary of Murray-Sunset in a co-operative project between NREand Millewa-Carwarp Landcare. A furtherfence is being constructed along this boundaryon the western end, on the basis that the fencehas proved successful in reducing farm losses.

The closure of artificial waters within Murray-Sunset also has the potential to be a cost-effective means of preventing kangaroopopulations from reaching abnormally highdensities (section 4.4).

Wildlife destruction permits have been issuedfor a number of years to those farmers whoborder Mallee public lands and who have ademonstrated kangaroo problem. Permits forthe shooting of Western Grey Kangaroos areissued subject to NRE guidelines.

It is envisaged that kangaroo management willno longer be necessary once the structures ofthe woodland vegetation communities have beenrestored.

Aims

• Maintain viable populations of both WesternGrey and Red Kangaroos.

• Ensure that kangaroo densities do notincrease beyond the threshold at which theythreaten the long-term recovery of Parklandscapes and native perennial vegetation.


• Maintain kangaroo populations forpreviously grazed areas within limits whichwill allow the progressive long-termrecovery of key woody perennials while stillpreserving viable kangaroo populations.These limits will vary spatially and will bebased upon the results of kangaroo andvegetation monitoring.

• Use non-lethal methods of control (e.g.habitat manipulation and fencing) in

preference to lethal methods (e.g. culling).Where culling cannot be avoided, NRE willabide by the CONCOM Code of Practicefor the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos.

• Continue to issue wildlife destructionpermits to Park neighbours in accordancewith current guidelines.

Management strategy - Hattah-KulkyneNational Park

• Maintain kangaroo populations for Hattah-Kulkyne within the limits prescribed in‘Restoring the Balance’ or as otherwiserecommended by the Kangaroo TechnicalSteering Committee.


• Prepare a kangaroo management plan.

• Monitor the Millewa trial kangaroo fencefor a period of five years after construction,and conduct a cost/benefit assessment atthe end of that period.

• Improve standards of monitoring for thoseareas that have identified high densities ofkangaroos.

Management strategies - Wyperfeld NationalPark

• Prepare a kangaroo management plan.

• Improve standards of monitoring for thoseareas that have identified high densities ofkangaroos.

4.2.5 Stock grazing

The LCC recommended that stock grazing bephased out of Wyperfeld and Murray-SunsetNational Parks by July 1996. The only areaswhere the LCC recommended that stockgrazing be permitted are in Lake AlbacutyaPark and the Liparoo Block of Murray-KulkynePark, at the discretion of the managementauthority (LCC 1989). Stock grazing on theLiparoo Block of Murray-Kulkyne is combinedwith high numbers of Western Grey Kangaroos.

Park protection

Mallee Parks 29

Total grazing pressure clearly exceeds thatwhich will allow vegetation and habitatrecovery. De-stocking should be undertaken asa first step in the reduction of pressure, prior toany kangaroo control measures.

Stock grazing in Lake Albacutya Park iscurrently restricted to the lakebed herbfield.Most examples of this community in the Malleehave been significantly disturbed by grazing. Itis possible that this community could berestored by maintaining a low grazing pressureimmediately following flooding.

Stock trespass will continue to occur in otherareas of the Mallee Parks during the phase-outperiod because of the fact that fences may notpreviously have been required between freeholdor leasehold land and adjoining former grazingareas now within the Parks. A considerableproportion of the boundaries of both Murray-Sunset and Wyperfeld are unfenced. Much ofthe existing boundary fencing is in a sub-standard condition.

The impact of trespassing stock can beexpected to be greatest at times of droughtwhen feed on adjoining land is severely limited.Even after the phase-out is completed, stocktrespass is likely to continue in those areas ofPark where the boundary remains unfenced.

The construction of electric fences which limitkangaroo movement onto farmland is likely toreduce the overall suitability of Park fringes askangaroo habitat (section 4.2.4).

Fencing responsibilities are detailed in theFences Act 1968 (Vic.).

Aim

• Manage stock grazing in accordance withthe LCC Mallee Area Review FinalRecommendations.


• Monitor and manage stock trespass inconsultation with Park neighbours.

• Where boundaries abut State forest,negotiate with licensees for theconstruction of stock-proof fences inpriority areas, subject to the completion ofgrazing management plans by licensees.

Management strategy - Murray-KulkynePark

• Remove stock grazing from the LiparooBlock as part of a program to reduce totalgrazing pressure.

Management strategies - Lake AlbacutyaPark

• Remove stock grazing from the lakebed ofLake Albacutya (and exclude other grazersfor an extended period). Monitor thepattern of vegetation re-establishment.

• Determine and implement appropriatestrategies for the long-term restoration ofthe lake-bed herbfield.

4.3 Pest plants and animals

Pest plants in the Mallee Parks can be dividedinto three categories:

• Agricultural weeds such as Silver-leafNightshade, Wild Garlic, Prairie Ground-cherry, Camelthorn and Hardheads;

• Weeds that interfere with recreation suchas Bathurst Burr, Spiny Rush and thevarious spined weeds;

• Environmental weeds (in priority order):Bridal Creeper, African Box-thorn, Cactusspecies, Golden Dodder, Horehound,Peppercorn/ Weeping Willow, and exoticannual grasses.

Environmental weeds are of most concernbecause of their potential to spread and threatenthe integrity of indigenous flora and faunacommunities and the survival of particularspecies. Vegetation communities at greatestrisk of weed invasion include those of highestconservation significance, such as Pine-Buloke

Park protection

30 Mallee Parks

Woodland, Gypseous-Rise Woodland andBelah Woodland.

In some formerly degraded landscapes wherethe source of disturbance has been removed(e.g. north-west Murray-Sunset), native speciesare slowly recovering at the expense ofintroduced weeds.

Plant-specific control plans have been prepared,or are in the process of being prepared, for allpriority pest plants.

A number of introduced animals occur in theParks. Problem species include rabbits, goats,foxes, feral cats and pigs. Managementstrategies to deal with feral rabbits and goatsare outlined in sections 4.2.2 and 4.2.3respectively. Predation of native species byfoxes and feral cats is of particular concern.Foxes prey upon a wide variety of nativeanimals (Kinnear et al. 1984; Thompson1983b). Malleefowl chicks and eggs areparticularly vulnerable; foxes are implicated inreducing the reproductive potential ofMalleefowl populations by up to 75 per cent(Priddel 1990).

Rabbits are the most important prey item forboth foxes and cats (Catling 1988; Coman1973; Jones & Coman 1981). This hasimportant implications when implementingcontrol programs for both foxes and cats;without concurrent rabbit control, rabbitnumbers could increase rapidly. Conversely,the collapse of rabbit populations could lead toincreased levels of predation upon nativeanimals by foxes and cats (Newsome & Coman1990).

Poisoning with 1080 is the most cost effectivemeans of reducing fox numbers. Burying baitsincreases the rate of acceptability, as well asreducing the likelihood of attracting non-targetspecies. Cats are also highly susceptible to1080; however, baits must be left on thesurface, thereby increasing the risk of poisoningnon-target species.

Shooting is of limited effectiveness in reducingeither fox or cat populations.Immunosterilisation and biological controlmethods are being investigated for both species.

Populations of feral pigs exist in the riverineareas of Murray-Kulkyne and Lindsay Island,and adjoining areas in NSW. Numbers areextremely difficult to estimate.

Feral pigs can cause minor damage to nativevegetation. However, lamb predation anddamage to agricultural crops is of far greaterconcern, as is their potential role in the spreadof diseases known to affect both livestock andhumans.

Trapping is the main method for controllingpigs in the Mallee Parks. Shooting may beeffective on isolated populations (e.g. LindsayIsland) if the shooting effort is intensive (Hone1984).

Feral Honey Bee colonies are now widespreadthroughout the Mallee Parks in vegetationcommunities containing large, hollow-formingtrees such as River Red Gum, Black Box or oldmallee. Hives have also been recorded in theBig Desert in rock crevices.

There has been considerable debate over thepossible effects of Honey Bees on native floraand fauna. Research to date has not beenconclusive in this regard.

Interference with recreation around sources ofwater is a major problem associated with feralbees.

Commercial apiculture is discussed in section7.1.1. Commercial hives are generally placedwell away from visitor focal points.

Aims

• Control, and where possible eradicate, non-indigenous plants and animals.

• Minimise the impact of control programs onnative flora and fauna.


• Prepare and implement plant-specificcontrol plans for all priority pest plants.

• Control environmental weeds according tothe weed control priorities listed above andthe conservation significance of infestedvegetation communities.

Park protection

Mallee Parks 31

• Eradicate or control weeds interfering withrecreation areas according to sitepopularity.

• Co-ordinate agricultural weed controlefforts with adjacent landholders.

• Monitor the occurrence of foxes and feralcats in different communities throughoutthe Mallee Parks.

• Determine priorities for fox controlprograms based on:

• the conservation status andsusceptibility to predation of nativespecies;

• season of greatest risk to nativeanimals;

• efficiency (measured in terms ofresource protection success rather thanthe number of foxes killed);

• cost-effectiveness.

• Determine priorities for cat controlprograms based on:

• the conservation status andsusceptibility to predation of nativespecies;

• periods when juvenile rabbit numbersare low and the threat to native wildlifeis greatest;

• efficiency and cost effectiveness.

• Encourage further research into fox andcat ecology and improved control methodsin the Mallee Parks.

• Continue trapping of pigs on Parkboundaries as necessary.

• Investigate the feasibility of usingauthorised volunteer groups to conductintensive shooting programs targeted atpigs during periods of high water.

• Liaise with the apiary industry on thepreparation of an apiary management planfor each Park that includes:

• improved management of commercialhives to prevent swarming events;

• control of feral Honey Bees (prioritisedaccording to the conservationsignificance of the vegetationcommunity or potential effects onindividual species) (see also section7.1.1).

4.4 Artificial waters

It is estimated that there are more than 100catchment dams in Murray-Sunset, mainly inthe eastern section. There are very few damswithin other areas of the Mallee Parks. Damswere preferentially sited in Pine-BulokeWoodland, Belah Woodland and SavannaMallee vegetation communities, all of which areat most risk from continuing high grazingpressure.

The role of catchment dams in maintainingartificially high kangaroo numbers over dryperiods is not fully understood. Western GreyKangaroos have a significant waterrequirement; however, high kangaroo numbershave been recorded at Wyperfeld despite thegeneral absence of surface water within thePark.

In summer, feral goats need free water almostdaily. Rabbits can live without free water, buthave been found to occur in higher densitiesclose to dams during hot weather (Newsome1989). The influence of artificial waters on foxpopulations is not known. Feral Honey Beescan only thrive where they have access to waterduring summer.

The LCC (1989) recommended that dams notrequired for community use (principally firesuppression) should be closed because theysupport feral animals and artificially highnumbers of native herbivores.

Dam closure is likely to lead to a decline inboth the goat population and the relativeabundance of Western Grey Kangaroos. It isunlikely that Western Grey Kangaroos wouldmigrate to adjoining farmland, but goats mayrely more heavily upon water sources onadjacent farmland.

Dam closure cannot generally be considered asa threatening process to other native species,since these species survived independent of

Park protection

32 Mallee Parks

artificial waters prior to European settlement.Water availability may, however, have led togreater species richness of birds. Species thatappear to have been favoured by reliable watersupplies include the Galah, Little Raven,White-plumed Honeyeater, Brush Bronzewing,Crested Pigeon and Red-rumped Parrot(Favaloro 1966).

High numbers of bats currently occur in thevicinity of catchment dams within Murray-Sunset. However, bats can travel longdistances to alternative water sources.

A number of existing dam sites have beenidentified in the Mildura Region Fire ProtectionPlan (CNR 1992) as being suitable for fireprotection purposes. Supplies in concrete tanksat these points would be a more reliable sourceof water for fire protection than catchmentdams.

In August 1991 trial fences were constructedaround two dams in Murray-Sunset to preventuse of water by kangaroos and goats but allowcontinued access for birds and for fireprotection. The fences have been successful inpreventing access to water by the large numbersof goats and kangaroos attracted to the dams.Monitoring has not recorded any visible signsof distress on the part of the affected animalsbut animal welfare remains a consideration.Fences are visually intrusive and would partlydestroy the historical integrity of the dams.

The historic value of individual catchment damsis a consideration in their future management.Most dams can be made inoperative withoutdestroying their historical integrity e.g. byfilling their drains with soil.

Aims

• Reduce grazing and pest animal impactscaused by artificial waters within Murray-Sunset.

• Retain the historical value of dams as far aspossible, consistent with the need to reducegrazing and pest impacts.


• Progressively render catchment damsinoperative without undue loss of culturalvalues (section 3.6.2).

• Close those dams first which are:

• remote from other artificial watersources;

• within a wilderness zone;• within an area of particular

conservation significance.

• Install alternative water storages (sealedconcrete tanks) where dams have beenidentified as having value for firesuppression or for visitor use (e.g. for bushwalkers’ use and watering horses). Do notclose the relevant dams until alternativewater storages have been installed.

• Retain existing concrete tanks in thewestern Sunset in their current form for firesuppression.

• Monitor the impacts of the dam closureprogram review two years aftercommencement to assess any impacts onnative fauna and Park neighbours.

The Park visit

Mallee Parks 33

5 THE PARK VISIT

5.1 The Park visitor

The Mallee Parks offer three distinctive visitorexperiences, each enabling visitors to enjoy thekey attributes of the Parks – their subtle semi-arid landscapes, diverse environments and senseof remoteness.

• For those in two wheel drive vehicles, toenjoy at key sites the Parks’ natural andcultural values without undue disturbancefrom other visitors.

• For self-reliant recreationists, toexperience solitude in the more remoteareas of the Parks, through bushwalking,canoeing, nature study, or horse or camelriding.

• For four wheel drivers to enjoy otherrelatively remote areas of the Parks.

In Hattah-Kulkyne and along the Murray River,water-based activities are also popular duringthe warmer months.

Current access limitations restrict manyactivities to relatively small areas of the MalleeParks (section 5.2.1). Existing nodes of visitoractivity in the Mallee Parks are:

• Lake Hattah and Lake Mournpall in Hattah-Kulkyne;

• river frontage in Hattah-Kulkyne andMurray-Kulkyne;

• Wonga Campground in southern Wyperfeldand Casaurina Campground in centralWyperfeld;

• Pink Lakes in the Murray-Sunset;

• Western and Yaapeet beaches at LakeAlbacutya (when the Lake holds water).

The remainder of the Parks generally receivelow visitor use.

Over the past eight years there has been asignificant increase in visitor numbers to theParks, especially to Hattah-Kulkyne, Wyperfeldand Pink Lakes. These visitors arepredominantly from Melbourne and elsewherein Victoria, although a significant number visitfrom interstate. They are mainly family groups

with an interest in camping, bushwalking andthe natural environment, and many visit morethan once. A significant number also includeother Victorian and interstate parks in theiritinerary. Peak periods of visitor use tend to beschool holidays in the cooler months.

Locally, the Hattah-Kulkyne river frontage is apopular destination for many campers (fromOuyen, Mildura, and Horsham regions)particularly over the Christmas and Easterbreaks. Many of these visitors have a longhistory of attachment to particular locations.

Market research indicates that the Mallee Parkswill attract increasing numbers of visitors in thefuture. The Mallee Tourism and RecreationStrategy (CNR 1993a) has identifiedecotourism, cultural tourism and special-interest niche markets (such as those interestedin bird watching or nature study) as the mostappropriate directions for this projected growth.There is also potential to attract lessadventurous visitors and stop-over traffic enroute to other destinations. Domestic tourismwill remain the area’s main source of visitorsfor the foreseeable future, with someinternational visitors from the special-interestand backpacking markets.

The fragile semi-arid ecosystems of the MalleeParks, especially the woodlands and grasslands,are particularly vulnerable to visitor pressure.The dispersed and seasonal use of the Parkscreates additional problems for management.Sustainable tourism, however, is in the long-term interests of the Mallee Parks as it enablesvisitors to continue to enjoy the Parks,generates economic benefits and fosters a betterappreciation of the need to protect Park values.

Providing for the visitor

The Mallee Parks will remain available forecologically sustainable tourism and recreationactivities in accordance with the principlesoutlined in the Mallee Tourism and RecreationStrategy (CNR 1993a). The main challenge formanagement will be to provide visitors withopportunities for experiencing the Parks’

The Park visit

34 Mallee Parks

TABLE 4 SUMMARY OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES

MANAGEMENT ZONES - OVERLAY

ACTIVITY 1 2 3 4

Picnicking Yes Yes Yes YesCamping

Land-based, designated sites, limited facilities No Yes Yes NoLand-based, dispersed, no facilities YC Yes Yes YCBoat-based, no facilities N/A Yes Yes YC

Walking YC YC YC YCBicycle riding No YC YC NoHorse riding No YC YC NoCamel riding No YC YC NoOrienteering Yes Yes Yes YesFishing N/A Yes Yes YesMotor boating (inc. launch & mooring) No YC No NoCanoeing/kayaking N/A Yes Yes YCWater skiing N/A No YC NoHunting (Lake Albacutya Park only) No Yes No NoDogs (under control, in Murray-Kulkyne Park and LakeAlbacutya Park only)

No Yes Yes No

1 Wilderness Zone 3 Recreation Development Zone2 Conservation & Recreation Zone 4 Special Protection Areas

Yes Appropriate YC Conditional, refer to relevant section for detailsNo Not appropriate N/A Not applicable

special qualities, including their remote andlargely undeveloped nature, without impactingon them.

The Parks will continue to offer visitors a rangeof activities in remote settings. Those who areprepared to walk, or who enjoy other self-reliant activities such as canoeing, will berewarded by a wilderness experience that isavailable in few other areas of Victoria. Thosewho prefer more comfort and convenience, butstill a high degree of interaction with the naturalenvironment, will have the opportunity to campin formal campgrounds with limited facilities.

It is proposed that the Shearer’s Quarters, anda cottage at Berribee, be restored to offer basicaccommodation for Park visitors. Thisaccommodation could be managed under acommercial licence/lease.

There are currently extensive opportunities forfour-wheel driving and bushwalking in the

Mallee Parks. However, 2WD accessopportunities are more limited. Managementwill maintain a range of access opportunitiesincluding walking only, horse and camel riding,and where possible extend 4WD touring andincrease 2WD routes to link points of interestand visitor nodes.

A higher level of interpretation and communityeducation services is planned for the Parks.These services will include self-guided walks,tour drives and a range of other activities andinformation services. Park facilities, however,will remain low key and unobtrusive, in keepingwith the remoteness and natural values of theParks.

A close working relationship will be maintainedwith the regional tourism industry. It isenvisaged that most tourism infrastructuredevelopment and services will be provided fromMallee townships or from private or public land

The Park visit

Mallee Parks 35

in close proximity to the Parks. Preference willbe given to recreation and tourism opportunitieswhich have low environmental and socialimpacts and high economic yields, primarily tolocal Mallee communities.

The promotion of minimum impact techniquesand safe practices will be important in ensuringthe long-term sustainability of recreational useof the Parks, as well as in enhancing theenjoyment of visitors generally.

Existing and future visitor needs will beevaluated to identify trends as a basis fordetermining appropriate future visitor services.

Aim

• Provide visitors with opportunities toexperience the Parks’ special qualities,including their remote and largelyundeveloped nature, without impacting onthem.


• Provide and maintain facilities andservices which highlight, but are in keepingwith, the Parks’ distinctive character(sections 5.2.1 – 5.2.8, 5.3, tables 4 & 5).

• Permit a range of recreation activities asdescribed in table 4.

• Encourage tourism in the Mallee Parks,where consistent with the protection of parkvalues.

• Implement the relevant strategies andinitiatives of the Mallee Tourism andRecreation Strategy (CNR 1993a) in orderof priority as designated.

• Minimise potential conflicts betweenrecreational and commercial tourism users.

• Conduct visitor surveys to assess visitorprofiles, patterns of behaviour,expectations and preferences, andsatisfaction levels.

• Encourage all visitors to practise minimalimpact techniques, to adhere to codes ofconduct appropriate to their activity and to

consult with Park staff on activities thatthey intend to undertake in the Parks.

• Monitor visitor use to ensure adequateprovision of facilities consistent withappropriate types and levels of use.

5.2 Visitor recreation activities andfacilities

5.2.1 Vehicle access

Current access in the Mallee Parks is based ona track network initially established for fireprotection purposes or to service past land uses.This network is inadequate for the presentneeds of the Parks and their users.

Public vehicle track classification is detailed infigure 2. Access to the river on Lindsay Islandand within Murray-Kulkyne is detailed infigures 5 and 6 respectively.

Current access limitations restrict many visitoractivities to relatively small areas of the Parks(section 5.2.1). Preferred travel routes linkpoints of interest, such as Wonga Campgroundat Wyperfeld, the lakes in Hattah-Kulkyne, andPink Lakes, Mopoke, Rocket Lake and LastHope in Murray-Sunset. Currently these linksare made predominantly via 4WD tracks andsealed shire roads. Other popular four-wheeldriving routes are Milmed Rock and ChinamanWell tracks in Wyperfeld and various tracksthroughout Murray-Sunset.

Touring visitors could benefit from increasedaccess and the development of improvedthrough-routes in each Park. Public accessthrough-routes of varying quality already existin Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray-Sunset, but notin Wyperfeld.

The LCC (1989) recommended that the MalleeParks system should continue to contain aseries of linked roads, utilising those trackstraversing rough terrain in relatively isolatedareas as well as the system of formed roads.

Minimally upgrading certain tracks to andbetween visitor nodes could improve links and

The Park visit

36 Mallee Parks

TABLE 5 MANAGEMENT OF TRACKS

TRACK NAME CLASS CURRENT

STATUS

FUTURE MANAGEMENT(No change unless indicated below)

Murray-Sunset National ParkRenmark Mail Route Road 2 OWallawalla Track 2 OBerribee Tank Track 2 OBennets Hut Track 2 OBorder Track 2 OTaparoo Track 2 O

Lindsay Island Track 3 OSanford Track 3 ONorth South Settlement Road 2 OCarwarp Road 2 OSettlement Road 2 OMillewa South Bore Track 3 OPheeneys Track 3 OBambill South Track 3 OSunset Track 3 OUnderbool Track 2/3 O Upgrade section between Last

Hope Track and Grub Track to2WD

Grub Track 3 O Upgrade to 2WDHoneymoon Hut Track 3 OClay Lake Track 3 OMt Crozier Track 3 OLast Hope Track 3 O Upgrade to 2WDNowingi Line Track 2/3 OMidnight Tank Track 2 OMeridian Road 2/3 OHenschke Track 2 ORocket Lake Track 2 OMopoke Track 3 OMt Jess Track 3 ONulty’s Boundary Track 3 ODouble Tank Track 3 OPink Lakes Entrance Road 1 ORing Road 1 O

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park & Murray-Kulkyne ParkNowingi Track 3 OMallee Track 3 OOld Calder Highway 1 ODumosa Track 3 MVORed Ochre Track 3 MVOKonardin Track 3 OBoolca Track 3 MVORaak Track 2 O

The Park visit

Mallee Parks 37

Table 5 (cont.)

TRACK NAME CLASS CURRENT

STATUS

FUTURE MANAGEMENT(No change unless indicated below)

Eagles Nest Track 3 MVOMournpall Track 1 OBuloke Track 2 MVOYerang Track 2 OBoolungal Track 2 OBitterang Track 2 OMoonah Track 2 MVORed Gum Track 2 MVOIsland Track 2 OLockie Track 2 ORoonki Track 2 MVOBungle Ridge Walking Track 3 MVOBrockie Track 3 MVONip Nip Track 3 MVONoonflower Track 3 MVOJasmine Track 3 MVOLake Hattah Nature Drive 1 OStockyard Track 2 OChalka Creek Track 2 OCantala Track 2 OKulkyne Track 3 MVOFlorence Annie Track 2 MVORiver Track 2 OMessenger’s Mailbox Track 2 MVOShorts Pipeline Track 2 MVOKramen Track 2 MVO

Lake Albacutya ParkPurra Track 3 OWembulin Track 2 O (As far as

Outlet Creek)Western Beach Rd 2 OBluff Track 2 OBoat Ramp Track 2 OOutlet Creek Track 2 2WDRoss Lakes Track 2 2WD

Wyperfeld National ParkUnderbool (Tritter) Track 3 MVONine Mile Square Track 3 MVOMeridian Track 2 O (as far as Nine

Mile SquareTrack)

Archbold Track 3 MVOMoonah Track 3 O Upgrade to 2WDEagle Track 3 MVO Open to public and upgrade

to 2WD

The Park visit

38 Mallee Parks

Table 5 (cont.)

TRACK NAME CLASS CURRENT STATUS FUTURE MANAGEMENT(No change unless indicated below)

North South Track 3 MVO Open to public and upgradeto 2WD

Dattuck Track 3 MVO Open to public and upgradeto 2WD

Freeway Track 3 MVO Emergency use onlyMilmed Rock Track 3 OChinaman Well Track 3 OPella Track 3 OGunners Track 3 O Upgrade to 2WDOutlet Creek Track 3 O (Dry weather

only)Lowan Track 3 MVOCambacanya Track 3 MVOGinap Track 3 MVORing Road 2 OBlack Flat Track 2 O

NB Many tracks are subject to seasonal closure after wet weather

Key:Class Status1 = all weather road O = Open to all public vehicles2 = dry weather 2WD road MVO = management vehicles, walkers and cyclists only3 = 4WD track

allow greater year-round access with minimalenvironmental impact. A Mallee Parks touringroute utilising already existing tracks willprovide a link between all the Mallee Parksfrom Pine Plains to Hattah via the main visitornodes of Pink Lakes and Mopoke Hut (figure2). Tracks that will need some level ofupgrading to establish this route for 2WDvehicles include:

• Gunners Track (northern Wyperfeld);

• Grub Track (Pink Lakes area);

• Underbool Track (southern section inMurray-Sunset);

• Last Hope Track (eastern section ofMurray-Sunset to Hattah).

These tracks become impassable to 2WDvehicles during wetter periods or in summer.Progressive upgrading will consist primarily ofdrainage works or consolidation of sandiersections.

As part of the Mallee Parks touring route theDraft Management Plan canvassed threealternative routes allowing north south accessthrough Wyperfeld National Park - via FreewayTrack; via Meridian Track; or viaDattack/North-South/Eagle Tracks. Factorsconsidered in assessing their suitability were:

• environmental concerns, especially thoseassociated with an access route centredalong the floodplain of Outlet Creek;

• recreation opportunities

• tourism benefits;

• tracks required for fire protection and othermanagement purposes;

• costs.

Of the three options, the Dattuck/North-South/Eagle Tracks route best satisfies thesecriteria. Opening this route to public vehicleswill have minimal environmental impact, while

The Park visit

Mallee Parks 39

increasing visitor opportunities as well asbenefiting the tourism industry by providing alink between all the Mallee Parks from southernWyperfeld to Hattah via the main visitor nodesof Pine Plains, Pink Lakes and Mopoke Hut.This route also passes through a variety ofvegetation communities, incorporates manyareas of cultural and scenic interest, andrequires least upgrading.

The Wyperfeld leg of the touring route will bedeveloped through allowing access on whatwere previously Management Vehicles Onlytracks.

Legislation precludes public vehicular access towilderness zones. Roads are not permitted, noris any form of mechanised or animal transport,except where they are deemed to be essentialfor the responsible management of the Park,e.g. for fire protection.

Certain tracks may be closed for Parkmanagement purposes, for instance where atrack traverses a wilderness zone or referencearea, or where weather conditions necessitateseasonal closure. Major tracks will only beclosed following consultation with the publicand the Victorian Association of Four-WheelDrive Clubs, except where closures arerequired by legislation.

In the past, tracks generally followed theshortest possible route between two points. Thishas led to tracks being visible from dune topsover extremely long distances. Such tracks maybe realigned or closed in places in order to bemore sympathetic to landscape values.

Signposting within the Mallee Parks iscurrently inadequate. An integrated Signs Planthat is sensitive to the local character of thenatural environment will be developed.

Aims

• Provide and maintain an access network forvisitor enjoyment, management purposesand private property access.

• Minimise the impact of vehicle and trackmanagement on the Parks’ natural andcultural values.


• Manage and permit use of roads and tracksin the Parks in accordance with table 5,figure 2 and NRE guidelines.

• Operate a track closure system during wetweather to prevent damage to roadsurfaces.

• Close all vehicular tracks in wildernesszones and reference areas.

• In accordance with the NRE Signs Manualand other relevant guidelines, develop aSigns Plan for the Mallee Parks that

• identifies and names tourist routes/trailsthrough and to the Parks, and from thehighways and other direct access roads;

• encourages a distinctive local identityand is in accordance with localenvironmental and visual influences(section 5.3).

• Identify and promote specific routes ofscenic, cultural and historic interest(sections 3.5 and 3.6).

Management strategies - Wyperfeld NationalPark

• Develop the Wyperfeld leg of the MalleeParks touring route by:

• progressively upgrading southern RingRoad, Dattuck Track, North SouthTrack, Eagle Track and Moonah Trackto 2WD all weather standard;

• progressively upgrading Gunners Trackfrom 4WD to 2WD standard.

• Maintain Tritter Track, Archbold Trackand Nine Mile Square Track formanagement vehicles and walkers only.

• Use Freeway Track for emergencies andwalkers only.

The Park visit

40 Mallee Parks

Management strategy - Murray-SunsetNational Park

• Develop the Murray-Sunset leg of theMallee Parks touring route by upgradingthe following tracks to 2WD standard:

• Last Hope Track, Underbool Trackbetween Last Hope and Grub Tracks,and Grub Track.

5.2.2 Camping and day visitorfacilities

Existing camping and day visitor facilities arebasic, in keeping with the remote nature of theMallee Parks. The main visitor areas havetoilets, information shelters, fireplaces, picnictables, litter bins and limited drinking water.Wonga Campground at Wyperfeld alsocontains a picnic shelter, and a gas barbecuehas been installed at Pink Lakes. Remotecamping sites generally contain a fireplace andpicnic table and several also have aninformation shelter. Current and proposedfacilities are detailed in figure 2 and table 6.

In Hattah-Kulkyne, eastern Wyperfeld and thePink Lakes area of Murray-Sunset, vehicle-based camping is permitted only in the majorcampgrounds. Within western Wyperfeld,Murray-Kulkyne and the remainder of Murray-Sunset, dispersed vehicle-based camping isallowed within 50 metres of a road or trackproviding the vehicle remains on the trackallowing sufficient room for other vehicles topass. Vehicle-based camping is also permittedoutside the main camping areas at LakeAlbacutya (Western Beach, O.T.I.T. andYaapeet Beach), but permission must first beobtained from the Ranger.

Facilities are generally adequate for currentPark visitor numbers although increasingvisitor numbers will place considerablepressure on existing facilities, especially duringpeak periods, and create new demand.

The lack of toilet amenity and drinking water isa concern for many visitors to existing campgrounds. The need to carry water is also alimiting factor for many walkers in the Mallee.While it may be possible to provide water, it isextremely difficult to guarantee supply.

Reliance on supplies which could be vandalisedor depleted would compromise visitor safety,particularly during summer.

Consistency in the design of new facilities willemphasise the management responsibilities ofNRE and the collective nature of the MalleeParks, and be in keeping with thecharacteristics of the Mallee landscape.

Aims

• Establish and maintain day visitor andcamping facilities which enhance visitorenjoyment of the Parks and are consistentwith protection of Park values.

• As far as practicable, provide facilities withaccess for a range of groups.


• Provide additional basic picnic andcamping facilities as identified in figure 2and table 6.

• Where possible, separate facilities for day-visitors, independent campers, and largegroups of campers.

• Develop and maintain walkers-only campsites with basic facilities in the MalleeParks.

• Develop a consistent and distinctivefacilities architecture for the Mallee Parks,subject to NRE guidelines. Design andplace facilities so that they are appropriateto the cultural, landscape and recreationalsetting of the site.

• Continue to investigate alternativetechnology such as solar-powered facilitiesand improved low-maintenance facilitydesigns, e.g. of toilets.

• Provide a supply of drinking water forwalkers and campers at strategic pointswhere regular patrols and maintenance arepossible.

• Encourage minimum impact use ofwilderness zones, including use by smallgroups and the use of portable liquid fuelstoves wherever possible. Avoid promoting

TABLE 6 EXISTING AND PROPOSED RECREATION FACILITIES

SITE DEFINED CAMPING

TOILETS PICNIC TABLES

FIRE PLACES

WATER AVAIL.

WALK TRACK

LOOKOUT PARK INFO.

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS AND COMMENTS

Murray-Sunset National Park Pink Lakes E E E E E E E Nature drive proposed. Gas BBQ to be

installed.

Mopoke Hut E E E E E P

Mt Crozier E E E E P E

Rocket Lake E E E E E

Lake Wallawalla E No motorised boats.

Tower paddock (Wallawalla tk)

E

Noora Gate E

Shearers Quarters

E E E E E Accommodation available.

Pheenys Tk (end of)

E E E

Pheenys Tk (Millewa S. RA)

E E E

Rock Holes E

Sunset Tank E P E E

Mt Jess E

Ochre Pit E P E E

Table 6 (cont.) SITE DEFINED

CAMPING TOILETS PICNIC

TABLES FIRE

PLACES WATER AVAIL.

WALK TRACK

LOOKOUT PARK INFO.


Raak Plain north end (Meridian Track)

E

Gypsum Mound P

Adelaide Hills P

Large Tank E E E


Lake Hattah E E E E* E E E Also nature drive. Gas barbecue to be installed. No generators or motorised boats.

Lake Mournpall E E E E* E E E Gas barbecue to be installed. No generators or motorised boats.

Murray-Kulkyne Park

Emmerts Bend E

River Track/ Robinvale Rd

P

Lake Albacutya Park

Western Beach E E E E* E E Also boat ramp. Generators at specified times.

Yaapeet Beach E E E E* E Generators at specified times.

O.T.I.T. E E E E* No generators

Outlet Ck/Ross Lake

E E* E Generators at specified times.

Table 6 (cont.) SITE DEFINED

CAMPING TOILETS PICNIC

TABLES FIRE

PLACES WATER AVAIL.

WALK TRACK

LOOKOUT PARK INFO.


Dorrington Point E


Wonga Campground

E E E E* E E E Gas barbecue to be installed.

Casuarina Campground

E E E E E

Nine Mile Square track

E E Walkers only permitted

Rudd Rocks E E Walkers only permitted

Pine Plains E P P P P P

Broken Bucket E E E E E E

The Springs E E

Round Swamp E P E E

Booligal E

O'Sullivan Lookout

E E

Eastern Lookout E

E – Existing P – Proposed * Conditions apply to use of firewood.

The Park visit

44 Mallee Parks

particular destinations so as to avoidplacing undue pressure on significantconservation features.

• Promote low impact camping techniques ininterpretation media such as signs,publications, displays and interpretationand education programs.

• Promote the existence of powered andserviced camping facilities in campinggrounds outside the Parks.

5.2.3 Campfires

Firewood collection can cause significantenvironmental damage through the destructionof habitat of many small ground-dwellinganimals. Fallen timber available for use asfirewood is becoming increasingly rare aroundthe major camping areas in Hattah-Kulkyne,Wyperfeld and Lake Albacutya. Even withinMurray-Kulkyne, with its extensive riverineforests, the amount of fallen timber has declinedmarkedly in many of the popular river bends.

Options to reduce the environmental damagecaused by firewood collection, yet still enablevisitors to enjoy campfires, will vary accordingto existing and future natural supply,conservation value and the level of visitor use.In large areas of the Mallee Parks, visitor use islow enough for firewood supply to be self-sustaining.

Aim

• Reduce environmental damage caused by thecollection and use of firewood.


• Permit firewood collection and maintainthe opportunity for the use of campfires inthe Mallee Parks by implementing thefollowing site-specific actions:

• Within the recreation developmentzones (which includes the majorcampgrounds) campfires will only bepermitted in fireplaces provided.

• The lighting of campfires in other areaswill be permitted subject to FireRegulations.

• Install gas barbecues at major dayvisitor areas such as Lake Hattah, theWonga Campground at Wyperfeld andLake Crosbie;

• Prohibit the use of campfires over thesummer months in the campgrounds atHattah-Kulkyne, Wyperfeld and LakeCrosbie, and at Lake Albacutya.

• Prohibit the use of chainsaws within theMallee Parks.

• Encourage the use of gas barbecues andliquid fuel portable stoves in other areas,especially Wilderness Zones.

• Develop a public education plan whichpromotes minimal use of firewood.

• Regularly assess the impacts of firewoodcollection and restrict collection inspecified areas as appropriate.

5.2.4 Generators

Generators are currently permitted withinsections of Murray-Kulkyne, Hattah-Kulkyneand Lake Albacutya, and on sections ofLindsay Island in Murray-Sunset under interimmanagement plans.

The two categories of Park status (NationalPark and Other Park) along the river at Hattah,and different regulations in regard to generatorseven within each Park, have led to pastconfusion and difficulties in enforcement(figure 6).

At Lake Albacutya, the previous widespreaduse of generators led to conflicts between usersand non-users, and disturbed nesting birds.Generators are now permitted only within theWestern Beach and Yaapeet Beachcampgrounds, and in the Outlet Creek/RossLake area.

Generator use on Lindsay Island (figure 5) willnow be prohibited in accordance with the ParkRegulations 1992.

The Park visit

Mallee Parks 45

Aim

• Provide for the use of generators, whereconsistent with the protection of Parkvalues.


• Permit the use of generators between 8.00am and 10.00 pm:

• within Murray-Kulkyne Park;• within Hattah-Kulkyne National Park

in the area bounded by the RiverTrack, Firemen’s Bend and Jinker’sBend inclusive;

• at Western Beach campground andYaapeet Beach campground at LakeAlbacutya Park;

• on Outlet Creek/Ross Lakes withinLake Albacutya Park dependent uponthe potential disturbance to wildlife.

• Do not permit the use of generators withinMurray-Sunset National Park, WyperfeldNational Park and the remainder ofHattah-Kulkyne National Park.

• Use signposting and other print media topublicise conditions of use.

5.2.5 Built accommodation

The range, quality and style of accommodation(other than camping) currently available in theMallee region is limited. A significant numberof visitors to the natural environment prefer tostay in more comfortable accommodation thancamping. In some cases, long distances maymake town-based accommodation impracticalfor visitors.

In these cases, development of higher standardaccommodation on private or public landadjacent to, or within, a Park may beappropriate. Cabins and wilderness lodges arepopular forms of accommodation in naturalareas in other parts of Victoria and interstate.

The development of accommodation facilitieswithin the Mallee Parks will need to be weighedagainst the potential damage to the Parks’fragile natural environments, the possibledisturbance to the Parks’ remote andundeveloped character, and the possible

implications for private sector tourism servicesin the region.

A further opportunity that has been identified isthe existing Berribee Homestead and Woolshed,located on Crown land on the edge of Murray-Sunset National Park.

Accommodation facilities will generally berestricted to the Recreation Development Zoneand will not be permitted in Wilderness orReference Area Zones or Special ProtectionAreas.

Aim

• Provide built accommodation for visitors,where consistent with the protection of Parkvalues.

Management strategy - all Parks

• Encourage the construction ofaccommodation on private land or Crownland adjacent to the Mallee Parks whileensuring that Park values are not adverselyaffected by inappropriate development.

5.2.6 Bushwalking and cycling

Opportunities for bushwalking range from shortself-guided walks to wilderness hiking. Longdistance hiking and cycling, based onManagement Vehicles Only tracks, areparticularly popular at Wyperfeld. A longdistance trail linking the main points of visitorinterest in each Park will be established, similarto the Mallee Parks touring route (section5.2.1), but utilising different tracks oralignments. This will necessitate the provisionof drinking water at key locations.

Aim

• Increase the range of bushwalking andcycling opportunities, consistent with theprotection of Park values.


• Develop a long distance trail for walkersand/or cyclists to category D standard(NPS 1995) between the southerncampground at Wyperfeld (Wonga),through Murray-Sunset and on to Hattah-Kulkyne incorporating:

The Park visit

46 Mallee Parks

• Casuarina Campground and PinePlains in Wyperfeld;

• Pink Lakes, Mt Crozier and MopokeHut in Murray-Sunset.

• Maintain self-guided trails at Category Cstandard at locations of high visitor use.

• Develop and maintain walking tracks listedin table 6 to at least Category D standard.

• Avoid promoting particular routes ordestinations in Wilderness Zones, to avoidplacing undue pressure on significantconservation features.

• Publish a Wilderness Walkers Code:Desert Parks, which will include safetyinformation.

5.2.7 Boating

Prohibition of motorised boats on the HattahLakes system, including Chalka Creek (figure4), is currently enforced under Schedule 80 ofthe Marine Act 1988 (Vic.). The lakes andwaterways are important habitat for largenumbers of waterfowl and wading birds listedunder the JAMBA and CAMBA agreements(section 3.2.2). The relatively small size ofmost of the lakes and Chalka Creek makes themeasily accessible by canoeists and kayakers.

There has been some public pressure to ease therestrictions on powered boats on the Lakes.Yabbying and fishing from canoes are popularpastimes and, on the larger lakes, this caninvolve a great deal of paddling.

Lake Wallawalla has similar high conservationvalues to the Hattah Lakes system. Motorisedboats were permitted prior to its inclusion inMurray-Sunset, and this has continued. Theintermittent water supply and its extremelyshallow nature, however, reduce motor boatingto relatively infrequent occasions after majorfloods. This is generally also the time of highestwaterbird concentrations.

Because of its high conservation value and therecent phasing out of commercial fishing, onlyvessels with electric motors, canoes, kayaks androw boats will be permitted on LakeWallawalla.

Aim

• Provide boating opportunities whileminimising conflict with Park conservationvalues.

Management strategy - Hattah-Kulkyne andMurray-Sunset National Parks

• Provide for only non-motorised or electric-powered boats to be used on the HattahLakes system and Lake Wallawalla.

5.2.8 Horse and camel riding

Overnight trail horse and camel riding activitiesin the Parks require water, and are hencerestricted primarily to those parts of Murray-Sunset where former stock water points havebeen retained for fire protection purposes.Routes specifically restricted for trail horseriding are not considered necessary by horseriding groups. Continuing controls on feed arenecessary to prevent weed dispersal.

There is also potential for camel riding in theParks. Camels have large soft feet which causeminimal soil disturbance, and they require lesswater than horses. Standards for managementof weed dispersal associated with camel ridingwould need to be consistent with those thatapply to horse riding. Both activities will bemanaged in accordance with guideline 6.2.7P.

Horse and camel-riding will not be permitted inHattah-Kulkyne National Park.

Aim

• Provide opportunities for horse riding andcamel riding, consistent with protection ofPark values.

The Park visit

Mallee Parks 47

Management strategies - Wyperfeld NationalPark and Murray-Sunset National Park

• Investigate the development of overnighttrail-riding routes for horses and camels:

• along existing roads and tracks• in areas that will minimise conflict with

other users• away from areas of biological or

cultural significance• in consultation with interested parties.

• Establish a monitoring program toregularly monitor the impacts of horse andcamel-riding and provide alternative routesor restrict activity as necessary.

Management strategy - Lake Albacutya Parkand Murray-Kulkyne Park

• Assess the suitability of these Parks forhorse and camel riding if there is a demandfor this activity.

5.3 Visitor information,interpretation and education

The provision of a comprehensive system ofinformation, interpretation and environmentaleducation in the Mallee Parks will helporientate visitors, foster an appreciation of theParks’ natural and cultural values, reducevisitor impacts, and encourage co-operationbetween Park management and the localcommunity. These services are particularlyimportant in the Mallee environment wheremany features are not readily perceived byvisitors, many of whom have little knowledge ofsemi-arid environments.

The principles of an integrated system ofinformation, interpretation and environmentaleducation for the Parks will be developed onregional, unit and site-specific themes. Thesewill convey the subtle and diverse nature of thesemi-arid Mallee ecosystems as well ashistorical and cultural values (table 7).

The program will employ a variety ofinterpretation media appropriate to the targetaudience, the theme presented and the nature ofthe site. The Mallee’s cultural and naturalheritage will be presented in ways that are

acceptable to, and which actively involve, localpeople and those with particular ties to thisheritage (e.g. the Aboriginal community).Services will be co-ordinated throughout theMallee and linked to other programs statewide.

Personal interpretation and education will bedelivered and supervised in a systematic andprofessional way by relevant NRE staff whoare trained for the task. Interpretation andeducation services will be given adequate timeand priority in work schedules.

Aims

• Assist visitors to discover, enjoy andappreciate the natural and cultural featuresof the Mallee Parks, and the value ofNational Parks and their management.

• Encourage all visitors to adopt minimumimpact techniques and safe practicesappropriate to their activity.


• Provide adequate visitor orientation andsafety messages at key visitor nodes.

• Develop interpretive and visitor planswhich provide a framework for interpretivefacilities and programs.

• Improve and promote links between visitornodes and develop interpretationaccordingly.

• Maintain high quality publications for theMallee Parks, including at least one A4 orA3 leaflet for each Park and specialistinformation sheets.

• Produce the Mallee Parks Newsletter forlandholders adjacent to the Parks andothers.

• Develop a hierarchy of strategicallylocated on-site information facilities in theMallee Parks and nearby towns that takeinto account:

• the appropriate level of facilities andservices in each management zone;

The Park visit

48 Mallee Parks

TABLE 7 INTERPRETATION THEMES

The vastness of the Mallee’s dry country is uniquely outback in an otherwise essentially green anddensely populated State.

The Mallee Parks preserve some of the last remaining tracts of undisturbed semi-arid vegetation in theworld, including the largest area of high quality wilderness in south-east mainland Australia.

The apparent uniformity of the Mallee landscape hides rich, complex and varied ecosystems.

Ancient inland seas and wind blown sands have shaped the landforms and landscapes of the Mallee.

Mallee ecosystems are well adapted to extremes of climate, and to natural phenomena such as fire, floodand drought.

Aboriginal occupation of the dryland areas of the Mallee depended on obtaining water from soaks andplants.

The installation of water supply and collection systems was central to European occupation andsettlement of the Mallee.

Park management is actively restoring Mallee ecosystems which, although adapted to harsh conditions,are susceptible to human influences.

SOURCE: Draft Mallee Interpretation and Community Education Plan (CNR 1993d).

• the cultural, landscape and recreationalsetting of the site.

• Investigate the development of educationmaterial for primary and secondaryschools that addresses the Mallee Parksthemes. Continue to support curriculumdevelopment initiatives.

• Seek opportunities to develop interpretationand education in conjunction with thegeneral community and the tourismindustry.

• Co-operate with local and regional tourismassociations, and the private sector, indeveloping orientation centres in strategictowns/locations such as Mildura, SwanHill, Ouyen, Hopetoun, Cullulleraine,Robinvale and Murrayville.

• Further develop the distribution network inlocal business, motoring associationoutlets, visitor information centres and

NRE work centres within the Mallee, at keyentry points to the Mallee, in adjacentregions, and in State and interstate tourismand conservation agencies.

• Develop, link and promote special eventsor theme weeks for the Mallee Parks.

• Continue to utilise electronic or printmedia to increase awareness of specificevents, issues such as blue-green algae andlake levels, and the Parks generally.

• Develop and implement a maintenanceschedule for all interpretive facilities.

• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of theParks’ information and interpretativeservices.

5.4 Tourism and commercialtourism operations

The Mallee Parks and their associated natural,cultural and aesthetic values are one of the

The Park visit

Mallee Parks 49

major tourist attractions of the region,consequently making a significant contributionto the economic well-being of localcommunities. To optimise tourismopportunities and to protect the conservationvalues of the Parks, it is important that closeworking relationships are maintained with localgovernment and the tourism industry. Thisliaison also ensures effective use of resourcesthrough co-ordinated planning, developmentand marketing.

The Mallee Tourism and Recreation Strategy(CNR 1993a) defines various target marketsfor the Mallee Parks and makesrecommendations on a number of issuesincluding signposting, training, commercialoperations, product development, promotion,planning and monitoring.

Other strategies such as the Mildura RegionalTourism Board Business Plan (MRTB 1996)and the Oasis Country Marketing Plan (CVTV1996) highlight the significance of the MalleeParks for tourism in the region. They useTourism Victoria’s research to identifypotential visitors and make recommendationson marketing and development that are relevantto NRE.

Commercial operators can play an importantrole in introducing visitors to Parks andinterpreting them to their clients. There arecurrently a small number of commercial touroperators who use the Mallee Parks. Activitiesoffered include four-wheel driving, naturestudy, canoeing, bushwalking, and vehicle-based camping. Potential activities includecultural heritage tours, wilderness walking,guided horse and camel rides, and a greaterdiversity of special interest and study tours.

Currently there are few restrictions on touroperations in the Mallee Parks, although as thenumber of independent visitors and touroperations increase, this may becomenecessary. Ongoing monitoring should ensurethat changes due to increasing use are keptwithin acceptable limits.

Aims

• Become more customer-oriented and providequality services and experiences to visitorsand clients.

• Optimise sustainable tourism opportunitiesfor current and potential visitors.

• Develop a constructive and prosperouspartnership with local government and thetourism industry.

• Integrate the Mallee Parks with othertourism attractions and services in theregion.


• Contribute to the ongoing development,review and implementation of regionaltourism development strategies, businessplans and marketing plans.

• Continue to identify and facilitateecologically sustainable tourismopportunities within and related to theMallee Parks.

• Actively seek opportunities to promote theMallee Parks in co-operation with industryand in accordance with the principles andrecommendations outlined in the MalleeTourism and Recreation Strategy (CNR1993a).

• Review current levels of service for visitorsand initiate a continuous improvementprogram.

• Conduct or facilitate familiarisation toursand workshops for commercial touroperators, the broader tourism industryand relevant boards and organisations, todevelop a greater understanding of theMallee Parks’ values, opportunities andmanagement issues.

• Conduct or facilitate training for NRE staffin relation to tourism and tourismoperations.

• Fully implement the NRE commercial tourpermit system in the Mallee Parks andmaintain regular contact with operators.

The Park visit

50 Mallee Parks

5.5 Public safety

Factors that can affect visitor safety in theMallee Parks include:

• variable road conditions which varymarkedly according to the weather,especially in clayey areas;

• poor visibility on tracks across dune crests(can result in car collisions);

• lack of water in many areas, especially inthe semi-arid areas;

• high summer temperatures;

• inadequate maps;

• lack of distinguishing features;

• feral Honey Bees;

• wildfire.

Responsibility for search and rescue operationsrests with the Victoria Police, although NREmay play a supporting role through DISPLAN,the State’s Disaster Plan. NRE also has aSearch and Rescue Plan for the former MilduraRegion.

Aim

• Promote and encourage safe practicesamong visitors and staff.


• Increase public awareness of the potentialdangers involved in recreation in theMallee Parks, especially in the semi-aridareas, by:

• including appropriate information oninformation boards at key locationsthroughout the Parks;

• including relevant information on Parkbrochures;

• publishing a Wilderness Walkers Code:Desert Parks, which will include safetyinformation.

• Encourage overnight walkers to notify thenearest NRE office of their intentions.

• Carry out search and rescue operations inaccordance with NPS guideline 22.5PL,and co-operate with authorities if and whenDISPLAN is effected.

• Train Park staff in first aid and search andrescue techniques and ensure qualificationsare kept up to date.

• Consult with the Victoria Police andVicRoads regarding the introduction ofpark speed limits in areas where visibilityover dunes presents a risk to motorists.

• Through appropriate media encourage safedriving and awareness of hazards.


Mallee Parks 51

6 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT

6.1 Friends and volunteers

NRE encourages and greatly values the input ofvolunteer groups in park management activities.Friends Groups currently operate in Wyperfeldand Hattah-Kulkyne National Parks inactivities such as revegetation, interpretation,track work and fencing. Australian Trust forConservation Volunteers and CampusConservation Groups regularly participate insimilar projects.

Aim

• Encourage volunteer involvement inmanaging the Parks.


• Encourage the formation of, and support, aFriends group for the Murray-SunsetNational Park, and support the existinggroups.

• Develop and evaluate a long-termvolunteer strategy which incorporates theskills and interests of volunteer groups inPark management e.g. in volunteer guideprograms.

6.2 Community awareness andPark neighbours

Park Advisory Committees exist for WyperfeldNational Park/Lake Albacutya Park andHattah-Kulkyne National Park/Murray-Kulkyne Park. They were established as aformal means of providing community inputinto the management of these park areas.

The majority of the Mallee Parks’ neighboursare involved in the agricultural industry. Anumber of factors affecting the Park/freeholdinterface have the potential to impact on theParks’ ecological processes and landscapes:

• the relatively high number of weed specieson the Park/freehold interface;

• the need for co-operative approaches torabbit control;

• the relative abundance of kangaroos, emusand rabbits on the Park fringes;

• stock trespass from neighbouring freehold orlicensed land into the Parks;

• the need for buffers to prevent fire escapesfrom (or into) the Parks.

Management of these issues requires a co-operative approach between NRE and Malleefarmers (sections 4.1, 4.2.1– 4.2.5, 4.3, 4.4).

Twenty Rabbit Action Groups have now beenestablished to co-ordinate rabbit control.

Aims

• Increase public awareness of managementactivities including fuel reduction burning,grazer control, pest plant and animalcontrol, and the conservation of threatenedspecies.

• Encourage conservation and sound landmanagement practices on private landadjoining the Parks.


• Liaise with local community groups andland holders, and as appropriate involvethem in relevant aspects of planning andmanaging the Parks.

• Apply, and encourage the application of,the Good Neighbour Policy to managementissues on or near the boundary of theParks.

6.3 Man and the BiosphereProgram

Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray-Kulkyne weredesignated as a Biosphere Reserve in 1981under the ‘Man and the Biosphere Program’ ofthe United Nations Educational Scientific andCultural Organisation (UNESCO) - one of onlythree such Reserves in Victoria.

Biosphere reserves are areas significant on aworld scale for their characteristic landforms,plants and animals, and the way they have beenused by people. Since 1971 the designation of


52 Mallee Parks

Biosphere Reserves has been a world-wideprogram of international scientific co-operationdealing with people-environment interactions inthe globe’s range of bioclimatic and geographicsituations. Research under the program isdesigned to produce the information needed tosolve practical problems of resourcemanagement.

Key ingredients are the involvement ofdecision-makers and local people in researchprojects, training and demonstration in the field,and the pooling of disciplines from the social,biological and physical sciences in addressingcomplex environmental problems (ANCA1993).

Programs for the Parks are yet to be developed.

Aim

• Promote and adopt the principles of the‘Man and the Biosphere Program.’

Management strategy - Hattah-KulkyneNational Park

• Identify management requirements of theHattah-Kulkyne National Park BiosphereReserve.

Other issues

Mallee Parks 53

7 OTHER ISSUES

7.1 Authorised uses

7.1.1 Apiculture

The Mallee is popular with apiarists foroverwintering hives, being River Red Gum andBlack Box communities the main honey-producers. There is considerable debate overthe possible effects of Honey Bees on nativeflora (section 4.3); however, in the Mallee atleast they are of great economic value aspollinators of commercial crops such asalmonds and stone fruits.

The LCC (1989) recommended that the numberof apiary sites in the Mallee Parks bemaintained at the current level and that no newsites be issued pending the resolution ofenvironmental concerns. Access to existingapiary sites is to be rationalised to reduce thedisturbance associated with the transporting ofhives. Where located on public land, apiarysites are not permitted within 1.6 km ofwilderness zones in the case of permanent sites,or within 0.8 km in the case of a temporarypermit. Apiary sites are not permitted within 2km of a reference area.

Control of feral Honey Bees is discussed insection 4.3.

Aims

• Minimise the effects of commercial HoneyBees on recreation and native flora andfauna.

• Increase knowledge of the possible effects ofHoney Bees on native flora and fauna.


• In conjunction with the apiary industry,prepare an apiary management plan foreach Park that includes:

• access arrangements;• definition of sites using an agreed

standard;• incorporation of those elements of the

proposed Code of Practice forBeekeeping relating to improved hivemanagement practices in order to

minimise the possible environmentalimpacts of beekeeping.

• Investigate the feasibility of fieldassessment of floral resources to determinethe appropriate number of hives permittedper site at any given time.

• In consultation with the apiary industryand individual beekeepers, remove orrelocate all apiary sites near popularrecreation sites.

• Encourage continued research into theeffects of Honey Bees on native flora andfauna.

7.1.2 Gravel extraction

Gravel and stone resources within the MalleeParks are occasionally required for park roadmaintenance and construction. Material issought from sources in the immediate vicinityof the point of use.

There are several unused gravel pits within theParks. One of these is adjacent to theSunraysia Highway within Hattah-KulkyneNational Park, and is clearly visible to largevolumes of traffic from the highway.

Extraction of gravel and stone is governed bythe Extractive Industries Development Act1995 (Vic.). NRE is exempted from someresponsibilities under the Act under certaincircumstances (e.g. extraction for use within apark).

Aims

• Provide material for Departmental usewhere it is not cost-effective to import itfrom other areas.

• Minimise the environmental effects of anyextraction operation.


• Use gravel and stone deposits only forroads within the parks.

Other issues

54 Mallee Parks

• Minimise the environmental and aestheticimpacts of extraction sites.

• Liaise with local shires and VicRoads tominimise the aesthetic impacts of extractionor stack sites adjacent to Parks entrancepoints, and encourage rehabilitation assoon as pits are no longer needed.

• Rehabilitate unused pits.

7.1.3 Mineral and petroleumexploration and mining

Mineral exploration and mining areadministered by NRE under the MineralResources Development Act 1995 (Vic.) andSection 40 of the National Parks Act. Mineralexploration and mining may be approved inLake Albacutya and Murray-Kulkyne Parksbut only with the consent of the Minister afterreceiving advice from the National ParksAdvisory Council.

Petroleum exploration is not permitted in anywilderness parks or zones, but operations underthe Petroleum Act 1958 (Vic.) may beapproved in other areas or Parks with theconsent of the Minister after receiving advicefrom the National Parks Advisory Council.There is one Petroleum Exploration Licencevalid for the Mallee Parks (PEP 121) whichincludes large sections of both Wyperfeld andMurray-Sunset.

Aim

• Protect environmental, cultural and historicvalues where any exploration or mining isundertaken.


• Ensure that any exploration or miningpermitted is conducted in accordance withthe relevant legislation. Protection ofenvironmental and historic values, andrehabilitation, will be given a high priorityin determining appropriate conditions andlicences.

7.1.4 Commercial fishing

Under the Fishing (Amendment) Regulations1992, fishing with mesh nets in Murray-Sunsetis no longer permitted except for one pre-existing commercial licence to fish the Lindsayand Mullaroo Creeks. The licence will not berenewed after its termination date in 1997.Commercial fishing of the above waters, andPotterwalkagee Creek to the immediate east ofthe Lindsay Island, has been removed to protecttheir value as habitat for a number ofthreatened species.

Commercial fishing for yabbies is permitted inLake Albacutya, but is no longer allowed inLake Wallawalla. There is no limit on thenumber of commercial permits that can beissued to fish for yabbies on Lake Albacutya.This could potentially lead to overfishing,affecting the recreational appeal of the lake asan amateur fishery. Amateur fishermen arepermitted to use three yabby pots each in theLake. Commercial fishing on other waters inthe Mallee Parks is not permitted.

Aim

• Maintain viable populations of all fishspecies, including yabbies.

Management strategy - Lake Albacutya Park

• Determine appropriate limits for thenumber of commercial permits foryabbying on Lake Albacutya.

7.1.5 Commercial use of flora andfauna

At present the only commercial utilisation offlora or fauna within the Parks is the collectionof seed from the Lake Albacutya provenance ofRiver Red Gum. Propagates of this seed arefrequently used to lower saline watertables oras an ornamental in saline areas. Althoughcommercial quantities of Lake Albacutyaprovenance seed are now available fromplantation sources, it is necessary to return tothe original source to maintain genetic vigour.Seed has not been commercially collected since1991 because of the low quantity available.

Other issues

Mallee Parks 55

It is possible that other Mallee Park speciesmay become valuable for land protection,research or horticultural purposes.

Aim

• Minimise the environmental impacts ofcommercial flora and fauna utilisation.


• Ensure that any utilisation does notendanger or deleteriously affect naturalpopulations.

• Encourage commercial utilisation onCrown land other than the Mallee Parkswherever possible.

7.1.6 Military training

Minimum impact Defence Force activities arepermitted in National Parks under NPSguideline 21.1PL. The LCC (1989)recommended that military training exercises inthe Mallee Parks should be excluded fromreference areas and, except where it does notconflict with the purpose of the reserve, fromParks and other areas of recreation andconservation significance. Any trainingexercises in wilderness zones should beconsistent with the protection of wildernessvalues and be subject to the same restrictions asother users.

Aim

• Protect conservation and recreation valuesfrom damage by military training where it ispermitted in the Mallee Parks.


• Permit Defence Force exercises inaccordance with NPS guideline 21.1PL.

7.1.7 Local transportation routes

A number of tracks and roads through or onpark margins are important as local accessroutes, especially to the neighbouring farmingcommunity. Interim guidelines were developedfor Murray-Sunset National Park andextensions to Wyperfeld in June 1991, enabling

the carriage of firearms, pets and livestockalong designated routes as follows:

• Underbool Track;

• Settlement Road;

• Carwarp Road;

• North-South Settlement Road;

• the Mail Route;

• Pine Plains Track;

• Gunners Track;

• access to Booligal in Wyperfeld NationalPark.

These designated routes are intended to beretained as carriageways, with the exception ofUnderbool Track and North-South SettlementRoad south of Carwarp Road. These trackshave limited value as carriageways in relationto farming enterprises.

Aim

• Provide for the carriage of firearms, petsand livestock by Park neighbours alongdesignated routes where use of routesoutside the Parks is not practical.


• Permit the carriage of firearms and petswithin vehicles and the trucking of stockalong the above tracks within the MalleeParks, except Underbool Track and North-South Settlement Road south of CarwarpRoad.

• Ensure that the public are made aware ofthese routes by adequate signposting andthe distribution of written material.

7.1.8 Other uses

Public utilities located within the Mallee Parksinclude:

• a radio communications station;

• trig points (used only irregularly, but mayrequire selective tree clearing at the time tore-establish sight lines);

• electricity supply lines (220 kV power linestraverse both Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray-

Other issues

56 Mallee Parks

Sunset; the easements are occasionallycleared for fire protection purposes);

• a Telecom fibre-optic cable (follows the 220kV SEC easement through Murray-Sunset).

Aims

• Ensure the appropriate use and maintenanceof the existing public utilities in the MalleeParks.

• Minimise the impact of existing and anyfuture utilities in the Mallee Parks.


• Authorise existing public utilities underSection 27 of the National Parks Act.

• Remove installations from wilderness zonesin accordance with Section 17 of theNational Parks Act. This precludes theinstallation of new utilities, and prohibitsexisting installations that are notconsidered necessary for the responsiblemanagement of the Parks or were erectedafter 23 August 1989.

7.2 Boundaries and adjacent lands

A number of management problems areassociated with the precise locations of sectionsof the boundaries of parts of the Mallee Parksdeclared in 1991.

Although the Mallee Parks comprise largeblocks of mostly undisturbed land, furtherconservation benefits could be obtained byestablishing habitat corridors between them andother smaller blocks of public land (Bennett1990; Saunders et al. 1987).

Major habitat corridors established in theMallee include the Annuello Corridor, whichlinks the Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserveand Murray-Sunset National Park, and theWathe Corridor, which links Wathe Flora andFauna Reserve with the eastern edge ofWyperfeld.

Vegetated roadsides also play an important roleas habitat corridors between blocks of publicland in the Mallee. There are numerous 5 chain(99 m) and 3 chain (66 m) road reservesthroughout the Mallee which would form anideal framework for the establishment of ahabitat corridor network linking the MalleeParks, particularly Wyperfeld and Murray-Sunset, and other reserves. In many instances,however, there is little remnant vegetation.Channel reserves also offer possibilities toenhance the corridor network.

Aims

• Where necessary, rationalise boundaries ofthe new Mallee Parks in consultation withall interested parties.

• Maintain or enhance the extent of habitatcorridors between the Mallee Parks andother reserves.


• Review the apparently anomalous sectionsof new Mallee Parks boundaries inconsultation with interested parties.

• Identify and protect remnant vegetationalong roadsides and other linear reservesthat link areas of conservation value.

• Re-establish native vegetation along 3 and5 chain road reserves between Wyperfeldand Murray-Sunset, incorporating otherpublic land reserves wherever possible.

• Liaise with Local Government Authoritieson planning matters that may affect theParks.

Implementation

Mallee Parks 57

8 IMPLEMENTATION

A three year rolling implementation program will be prepared for the Mallee Parks to ensure efficientimplementation of this Plan. Priorities for management are identified in table 8 as an initial step in thisprocess.

TABLE 8 PRIORITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY SECTION IN PLAN

Resource conservationDevelop and implement active management strategies for the protection ofkey species and communities by controlling the following threateningprocesses:

• overgrazing by rabbits, goats, kangaroos and stock 3.3, 4.2.2, 4.2.3,4.2.4,4.2.5

• competition by weeds 3.3, 4.3• altered fire regimes 3.3, 3.4, 4.1• altered hydrological regimes 3.2, 3.3• introduced predators. 3.4, 4.3

Negotiate more natural flow regimes to:• Outlet Creek system 3.2.1• Hattah Lakes system 3.2.2• Lindsay Island. 3.2.3

Rehabilitate degraded areas 3.1, 3.3, 4.2Maintain habitat corridors between Mallee Parks 7.2Survey and protect Aboriginal and European cultural sites 3.6.1, 3.6.2Rationalise Park boundaries 7.2

Park protectionEnsure compliance with the Regional Fire Protection Plan 4.1Develop and implement control plans for rabbits and goats 4.2.2, 4.2.3Maintain sustainable kangaroo populations 4.2.4Phase out stock grazing from all Parks 4.2.5Close artificial waters in Murray-Sunset 4.4Develop and implement pest plant and animal control strategies 4.3Close tracks in wilderness zones 5.2.1

The Park visitDevelop and maintain visitor facilities 5.2.2 – 5.2.8Develop the Mallee Parks touring route 5.2.1Implement initiatives of the Mallee Tourism and Recreation Strategy 5.1Regulate firewood collection 5.2.3Regulate generator use 5.2.4Develop long-distance walking and cycling routes 5.2.6Develop overnight trail riding routes for horses and camels 5.2.8Implement relevant initiatives of the Mallee Interpretation and CommunityEducation Plan 5.3Standardise the permit system for commercial tour operators 5.4

Implementation

58 Mallee Parks

Table 8 (cont.)

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY SECTION IN PLAN

Community awareness and involvementCo-operate with local land owners on management issues affecting Parkfringes, particularly rabbit and goat control, stock trespass and pest plants 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.5, 4.3Continue to issue wildlife destruction permits to Park neighbours 4.2.4Liaise with Park users, user groups, tourism industry and local community

5.2, 5.4, 6.1. 6.2

Monitoring and researchEncourage research on Mallee ecosystems, vegetation communities, andsignificant flora and fauna species 3.2.1, 3.3, 3.4Monitor control and rehabilitation programs 3.3Survey and monitor vegetation and habitats on Lindsay Island 3.2.3Monitor flow regime and vegetation along Outlet Creek system 3.2.1Investigate and monitor effects of fire and fire ecology 4.1Monitor grazing impacts on all Parks 4.2.1Review rabbit control program on two-year basis 4.2.2Monitor Millewa kangaroo trial fence 4.2.4Review dam closure program on a two-year basis 4.4Encourage research and monitor foxes, feral cats and Honey Bees 4.3, 7.1.1Monitor Aboriginal history of Parks 3.6.1Monitor visitor use and requirements, and impacts on Park values 5.1, 5.4

References

Mallee Parks 59

REFERENCES

ANCA (1993) Biosphere Reserves inAustralia: A Strategy for the Future.Australia Nature Conservation Agency,Canberra.

Ashwell, D. (1993) Mallee fire ecology -preliminary investigations and monitoring ofresponses to fire. Department ofConservation and Natural Resources,Victoria (unpub.).

Atkins, B. (1993) The integrated wateringstrategy project report - Draft. FloodplainEcology Group, Department ofConservation and Natural Resources,Victoria (unpub.).

Baker-Gabb, D., Bennett, A., Benshemesh, J.,Emison, W., Menkhorst, P. & Sluiter, I.(1992) Birds, in Endangered species andcommunities and threatening processes inthe Murray Mallee. Australian NationalParks and Wildlife Service and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.

Bennett, A. (1990) Habitat corridors: theirrole in wildlife management andconservation. Department of Conservationand Environment, Victoria.

Bennett, A., Lumsden, L. & Menkhorst, P.(1992) Mammals, in Endangered speciesand communities and threatening processesin the Murray Mallee. Australian NationalParks and Wildlife Service and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.

Beovich, E.B. (1993a) Environmental Report toMallee Dryland Salinity Management Plan(Draft). Department of Conservation andNatural Resources, Victoria (unpub.).

Beovich, E.B. (1993b) Lindsay Island. DraftBackground Paper and Interim WaterManagement Strategy. Department ofConservation and Natural Resources,Victoria (unpub.).

Binnie & Partners (1993) Study of FloodEvents within Wyperfeld National Park.Occasional Paper Series NPPL No. 10,Department of Conservation and NaturalResources, Victoria.

Braysher, M. (1993) Managing vertebratepests: principles and strategies. Bureau ofResource Sciences, Canberra.

Catling, P. (1988) Similarities and contrasts inthe diet of foxes, Vulpes vulpes, and cats,Felis catus, relative to fluctuating preypopulations and drought. Aust. Wildl. Res.15: 307-18.

Coman, B.J. (1973) The diet of red foxes,Vulpes vulpes, in Victoria. Aust. J. Zool.21: 391-401.

CFL (1987a) Floristic Vegetation Maps -Mallee Series. Flora Survey Branch,Department of Conservation, Forests andLands, Victoria.

CFL (1987b) Recreation Facilities Manual.Department of Conservation, Forests andLands, Victoria.

Cheal, D.C. (1993) Effects of stock grazing onthe plants of semi-arid woodlands andgrasslands. Proc. Roy. Soc. Vic. 105(1):57-65.

Cheal, D.C., Day, J.C. & Meredith, C.W.(1979) Fire in the national parks of north -west Victoria. National Parks Service,Victoria.

Cheal, D.C., Parkes, D., Parsons, R.F. &Sluiter, I.R.K. (1992) Vascular plants andcommunities, in Endangered species andcommunities and threatening processes inthe Murray Mallee. Australian NationalParks and Wildlife Service and the Murray– Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.

CNR (1992) Mildura Region Fire ProtectionPlan. Department of Conservation andNatural Resources, Mildura.

CNR (1993a) Mallee Tourism and RecreationStrategy. Department of Conservation andNatural Resources, Victoria.

CNR (1993b) Natural Resource ProtectionGuidelines. Department of Conservationand Natural Resources, Mildura (unpub.).

References

60 Mallee Parks

CNR (1993c) Signs Manual. Department ofConservation and Natural Resources,Victoria.

CNR (1993d) Draft Mallee Interpretation andCommunity Education Plan. Department ofConservation and Natural Resources,Victoria (unpub.).

CNR (1994) Big Desert Wilderness ParkManagement Plan. Department ofConservation and Natural Resources,National Parks Service, North West Area.

CONCOM (1985) Code of Practice for theHumane Shooting of Kangaroos.Australian National Parks and WildlifeService, Canberra.

Cooke, J.W., Walters, D. & Sluiter, I.R.K.(1991) The control of rabbits in nationalparks in northern Victoria, in NinthAustralian vertebrate pest controlconference. Handbook of working papers,Adelaide May 1991. South AustralianAnimal and Plant Control Commission, SA,pp. 63-6.

Coulson, G. (1990) Hattah-Kulkyne KangarooManagement Plan, in Restoring theBalance. A Kangaroo Control Programfor the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park.Department of Conservation andEnvironment, Victoria.

Coulson, G. (1992) First record of an EasternGrey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) atHattah-Kulkyne National Park in NWVictoria. Victorian Naturalist. 109(2): 49-52.

Cumming, P.L.F. & Lloyd, L.N. (1991a) FloodCharacteristics of the Hattah Lakes System:A Background Paper for the IntegratedWatering Strategy. Department ofConservation and Environment, Mildura(unpub.).

Cumming, P.L.F. & Lloyd, L.N. (1991b) AnInterim Management Strategy for the HattahLakes System. A Report for the IntegratedWatering Strategy. Department ofConservation and Environment, Mildura(unpub.).

CVTC (1996) Oasis Country Marketing Plan.Country Victoria Tourism Council,Melbourne.

DCE (1990a) Native Vegetation ConservationStrategy, Department of Conservation andEnvironment, Mildura Region (unpub.).

DCE (1990b) Restoring the Balance. TheKangaroo Control Program to saveHattah-Kulkyne National Park.Department of Conservation andEnvironment, Victoria.

Douglas, F. (1993) The conservation status,distribution, and habitat requirements ofdiurnal Lepidoptera in central and westernVictoria. Part 1: Family Castniidae; Part 2:Family Zygaenidae, Arctiidae andNoctuidae; Part 3: Hesperiidae. Reportprepared under the National Estates GrantsProgram (unpub.).

Dudding, M., Oakes, A. & Thorne, R. (1989)Lindsay River Salinity Assessment ProgressReport No. 3. Investigations BranchTechnical Report No. 1989/23, Rural WaterCorporation, Victoria.

Emison, W.B. (1991) The importance ofremnant vegetation to the Blue Bonnet innorth-western Victoria. Australian BirdWatcher 14:159-64.

Emison, W.B. & Bren, W.M. (1989) Commonbirds of the Mallee, north - westernVictoria, in Noble, J.C. & Bradstock, R.A.(eds) Mediterranean landscapes inAustralia: Mallee ecosystems and theirmanagement. CSIRO, Melbourne, pp. 221-42.

Favaloro, N.J. (1966) Honeyeaters of theSunset Country. Proc. R. Soc. Vic. 79:621-6.

Freeman Collett & Partners (1993) Murray-Sunset Historic Structures Study. Report tothe Department of Conservation and NaturalResources, Mildura (unpub.).

Henzell, R. (1992) Goat biology andenvironmental impacts - implications foreradication, in Best, L.(ed.) Feral goatseminar proceedings, Adelaide 1992.National Parks and Wildlife Service,

References

Mallee Parks 61

Department of Environment and Planning,Adelaide, pp 18-23.

Henzell, R.P. & McCloud, I.P. (1984)Estimation of the density of feral goats inpart of arid South Australia by means of thePeterson Estimate. Aust. Wildl. Res. 11:93-102.

Hone, J. (1984) Controlling feral pigs. AgfactA9.0.9, First Edition, Department ofAgriculture, NSW.

ICOMOS (1981) Charter for the Conservationof Places of Cultural Significance, the BurraBurra, The Australian International Councilof Monuments or Sites (unpub.).

Jones, E & Coman, B.J. (1981) Ecology of theferal cat, Felis catus, in south-easternAustralia. 1. Diet. Aust. Wildl. Res. 8:537-47.

Kinnear, J., Onus, M. & Bromilow, B. (1984)Foxes, feral cats and rock wallabies. Swans14: 3-8.

Landcare (1993), Mallee Regional LandcarePlan, Landcare Victoria.

LCC (1977) Mallee Study Area FinalRecommendations. Land ConservationCouncil, Melbourne.

LCC (1987) Mallee Area Review. LandConservation Council, Melbourne.

LCC (1989) Mallee Area Review FinalRecommendations. Land ConservationCouncil, Melbourne.

LCC (1991a) Rivers and Streams SpecialInvestigation Final Recommendations.Land Conservation Council, Melbourne.

LCC (1991b) Wilderness Special InvestigationFinal Recommendations. LandConservation Council, Melbourne.

Leonard, M. & Hammond, R. (1983)Landscape character types of Victoria.Forests Commission Victoria.

Luebbers, R. & Ellender, I. (1994) Anassessment of archaeological sites in north-west Victoria. Victoria ArchaeologicalSurvey, Melbourne.

Menkhorst, P.W. & Bennett, A.F. (1990)Vertebrate fauna of Mallee Vegetation insouthern Australia, in Noble, J.C., Joss, P.J.& Jones, G.K. (eds) The mallee lands. Aconservation perspective. CSIRO,Melbourne, pp. 276-9.

Morgan, D.G. (1992) Yanga-Nyawi (Murray-Sunset) National Park KangarooPopulations, July 1992. University ofMelbourne, Victoria (unpub.).

Morgan, D.G. (1994a) Hattah-KulkyneNational Park and Murray-Kulkyne ParkKangaroo Populations, June 1994.University of Melbourne, Victoria (unpub.).

Morgan, D.G. (1994b) Murray-Sunset NationalPark Kangaroo Populations, June-August1994. University of Melbourne, Victoria(unpub.).

Morgan, D.G. (1994c) Wyperfeld NationalPark Kangaroo Populations, July 1994.University of Melbourne, Victoria (unpub.).

Morgan, D.G. (1995) Hattah-Kulkyne NationalPark Mournpall Block KangarooPopulations, March 1995. University ofMelbourne, Victoria (unpub).

MRTB (1996) Business Plan, MilduraRegional Tourism Board, Mildura.

Newsome, A. E. (1989) Large Vertebrate Pests,in Noble, J. C. and Bradstock, R. A. (eds)Mediterranean landscapes in Australia.Mallee ecosystems and their managementCSIRO, Melbourne, pp. 406–17.

Newsome, A.E. & Coman, B.J. (1990) Someintroduced mammalian pests of the Mallee,in Noble, J. C., Joss, P. J. & Jones, G. K.(eds ) The mallee lands. A conservationperspective. CSIRO, Melbourne, pp. 234-7.

NPS (1995) National Parks and ConservationReserves, Guidelines and ProceduresManual, National Parks Service,Department of Conservation and NaturalResources, Victoria.

Priddel, D. (1989) Conservation of Rare Fauna:the Regent Parrot and the Malleefowl, inNoble, J. C. and Bradstock, R. A. (eds)Mediterranean landscapes in Australia.

References

62 Mallee Parks

Mallee ecosystems and their management.CSIRO, Melbourne, pp. 243-49.

Robertson, P., Bennett, A.F., Lumsden, L.F.,Silveira, C.E., Johnson, P.G., Yen, A.L.,Milledge, G.A., Lillywhite, P.K. & Pribble,H.J. (1989) Fauna of the Mallee Study AreaNorth-western Victoria. Technical ReportSeries No. 87, Arthur Rylah Institute forEnvironmental Research, Department ofConservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria.

Ross, A. (1986) Aboriginal land use in theMallee district of north-western Victoria.Report to the Land Conservation Council,Victoria (unpub.).

RWC (1993) Feasibility of Enhancement ofFlooding Regime of the Wyperfeld NationalPark by Supplementary Releases fromHeadworks - Draft. CatchmentManagement Services Report No. 1993/40.Rural Water Corporation, Victoria.

Saunders, D.A., Arnold, G.W., Burbidge, A.A.& Hopkins, A.J.M. (eds) (1987) Natureconservation: the role of remnants of nativevegetation. Surrey–Beatty, Sydney.

Sluiter, I., Allen, G., Morgan, D. & Walker, I.(1992) Kangaroo management at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park: the vegetationresponse. Abstract Proceedings of the FifthAustralasian Wildlife Management Society,Brisbane 1992. Australasian WildlifeManagement Society.

Strudwick, D. (1992) The HistoricalDevelopment of Saline GroundwaterDischarge in the Lower WimmeraCatchment, Victoria. Technical Report No.2. Centre for Land Management Research,Department of Conservation andEnvironment, Victoria.

Thompson, K. (1983a) Management ofarchaeological sites in Hattah-KulkyneNational Park and Murray-Kulkyne Park.Report to the National Parks Service by theVictoria Archaeological Survey (unpub.).

Thompson, M.B. (1983b) Populations of theMurray River tortoise Emydura(Chelodina): the effect of egg predation bythe red fox, Vulpes vulpes. Aust. Wildl.Res. 10: 363-72.

Westbrooke, M.E. (1990) Effects of activity onweediness in mallee communities - studies atMallee Cliffs National Park and NanyaStation, south-western New South Wales, inNoble, J.C., Joss, P.J. & Jones, G.K. (eds)The mallee lands. A conservationperspective. CSIRO, Melbourne, pp. 276-9.

Williams, C.K. & Moore, R. (1991) Cost-effectiveness of combinations of rabbitcontrol methods, in Ninth AustralianVertebrate Pest Control Conference,Adelaide 1991. South Australian Animaland Plant Control Commission, pp. 119-123.

Wood, D.H. (1985) Effectiveness andeconomics of destruction of rabbit warrensin sandy soils by ripping. Aust. Ranger. J.7(2): 122-9.

WRCCG (1992a) Wimmera Catchment DraftSalinity Management Plan - Draft.Wimmera River Catchment Co-ordinatingGroup, Horsham.

WRCCG (1992b) Wimmera River IntegratedCatchment Management Strategy - FinalReport. Wimmera River Catchment Co-ordinating Group, Horsham.

Yen, A. (1992) Invertebrates, in Endangeredspecies and communities and threateningprocesses in the Murray Mallee.Australian National Parks and WildlifeService and the Murray-Darling BasinCommission, Canberra.

AppendicesAPPENDIX I SIGNIFICANT VEGETATION COMMUNITIES AND THREATENING PROCESSES

COMMUNITY (PARK* AND AREA#) DESCRIPTION THREATENING PROCESS

Gypseous Rise Woodland(M-S 210 ha)

Gypseous rises or dunes characterised by a grassy ground layer with scatteredSugarwood in tree form.

Overgrazing (rabbits), competition from weeds

Pine-Buloke Woodland(W 5 070 ha; H-K 3 025 haM-S 4 830 ha)

Woodlands comprising Slender Cypress-pine and/or Buloke as the canopydominants.

Overgrazing (rabbits, kangaroos), fire,competition from weeds

Sandplain Grassland(M-S 1 380 ha)

Grasslands on sandy plains dominated by Desert Spear Grass and BeardedKerosene Grass.

Overgrazing (rabbits, kangaroos)

Belah Woodland(M-S 1 490 ha)

Woodland dominated by Belah and containing a diverse understorey of shrubsand, in some cases, grasses.

Overgrazing (rabbits)

Floodplain Grassland(M-S 6 030 ha)

Occurring on frequently flooded sites and usually dominated by River Couch. Altered hydrological regimes, overgrazing(stock), rising groundwater

Black Box Woodland(H-K 8 950 ha; W 4 590 ha)

Not common along the Murray River, but characteristic community of less-frequently flooded sites along other streams, e.g. Chalka Creek.

Altered hydrological regimes, overgrazing(kangaroos, rabbits), rising groundwater,competition from weeds

Alluvial-rise Shrubland(M-S 6 220 ha)

Restricted to elevated river terraces characteristic of former river courses andlevels. Typically dominated by Black Bluebush and Pearl Bluebush.

Overgrazing (rabbits, kangaroos)

Big Mallee(W 40 ha)

Mallee woodland containing either Black Mallee Box or Bull Mallee as thecanopy dominant.

Competition from weeds, rising groundwater

Savannah Mallee(M-S 41 380 ha; W 500 ha;H-K 400 ha)

Canopy dominated by Dumosa Mallee, White Mallee and/or Acorn Mallee, withunderstorey of grasses and chenopod shrubs

Competition from weeds, rising groundwater

Lakebed Herbfield(W 10 230 ha; H-K 860 ha;M-S 550 ha)

Native vegetation in the form of tall herbs dominates following the recession oflake waters.

Altered hydrological regimes, overgrazing (stock,rabbits, kangaroos)

'Heathland' communities(W/BD 150 000 ha)

Mallee and shrubland communities growing on highly infertile Lowan Sands ofthe Big Desert.

Altered fire regimes, Banksia dieback

'Evaporative Basin' communities (M-S 11 760 ha; H-K 245 ha)

Mixture of saline shrublands dominated by glassworts growing on salinedischarge pans, and other chenopod shrubs growing on associated gypseous copirises.

Rising groundwater, overgrazing (rabbits)

*BD Big Desert WP, H-K Hattah-Kulkyne NP and Murray-Kulkyne Park, M-S Murray-Sunset NP, W Wyperfeld NP and Lake Albacutya Park#Approximate area based on 1:100 000 Floristic Vegetation maps (CFL 1987a).

Appendices

SPECIES HOST COMMUNITY PERCEIVED THREATS

Daviesia pectinata R-SM Altered fire regimesEchinochloa lacunaria RA* Altered hydrological regimes, overgrazing (rabbits, kangaroos,

stock)Elachanthus glaber S-SM, E-WDM Rising groundwaterHaegiela tatei SS Rising groundwaterHalosarcia flabelliformis SS Altered hydrological regimes, salinityLepidium monoplocoides# PBW Overgrazing (rabbits)Phebalium lowanense SPH, MH Altered fire regimes, earthworksPhlegmatospermum eremaeum CM Altered fire regimes, overgrazing(rabbits)Pterostylis arenicola BW, CM UnknownSpyridium spathulatum SPH, MH Altered fire regimes, earthworksStipa nullanulla GPW Overgrazing (rabbits)Swainsona pyrophila D-SM, S-SM Overgrazing (rabbits, kangaroos)Swainsona sericea Overgrazing (rabbits, kangaroos)Swainsona purpurea# Rising groundwater

Source: Cheal et al. (1992)

# Listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.D-BD* Dunefield - Big Desert D-USR* Dunefield - Underlying Sandstone Ridge LR* Lunettes and Ridges

D-CTH Dune - Crest Tree - Heath BBM Broombush Mallee PBW Pine - Buloke WoodlandSH Sandplain Heath HW Heath Woodland BW Belah woodlandMH Mallee Heath R-SM Red - Swale Mallee SM Savannah Mallee

BM Big Mallee/Yellow Gum G Grassland

D-SC* Dunefield - Sunset Country EB* Evaporative Basin RA* Riverine and Alluvial TerracesE-WDM East - West Dune Mallee SG Sandplain Grassland A-PS Alluvial - Plain ShrublandCM Chenopod Mallee GPG Gypseous - Plains Grassland A-RS Alluvial - Rise ShrublandS-SM Shallow - Sand Mallee SS Saline Shrubland BB-CW Black Box - Chenopod WoodlandD-SM Deep - Sand Mallee BBW Black Box Woodland

RRGF River Red Gum Forest

APPENDIX II SIGNIFICANT FLORA SPECIES AND THREATENING PROCESSES

Appendices

APPENDIX III SIGNIFICANT FAUNA SPECIES AND THREATENING PROCESSES


MammalsPlatypus RA* Salinity, altered hydrological regimes, illegal net fishingMallee Ningaui E-WDM, S-SM, D-SM, SH, MH, R-SM Altered fire regimesPaucident Planigale # A-PS, BB-CW Altered hydrological regimes, overgrazing (rabbits and stock), recreational activitiesCommon Dunnart E-WDM, CM, D-SM, MH, BM, R-SM Altered fire regimesWestern Pygmy-possum D-CTH, SH, MH, BM, R-SM Altered fire regimesLittle Pygmy-possum S-SM, SH, MH, BM, R-SM Altered fire regimesInland Eptesicus D-SC*, LR* Competition for tree hollowsGreater Long-eared Bat PBW Competition for tree hollowsMitchell's Hopping Mouse E-WDM, S-SM, D-SM, D-CTH, MH, BM Altered fire regimes, introduced predatorsSilky Mouse D-CTH, SH, MH, BM, HW Altered fire regimes, introduced predators

BirdsMalleefowl # S-SM, D-SM, R-SM Altered fire regimes, introduced predatorsRegent Parrot E-WDM, CM, S-SM, D-SM, MH, SM, SS,

BBW, RRGFCompetition for nest hollows, clearance of mallee on freehold land, introducedpredators, altered hydrological regimes, destruction as pest species, road kills

Freckled Duck # RA* Hunting, altered hydrological regimes, salinityRed-lored Whistler D-SC*, D-BD*, BM Altered fire regimes, small population sizeWestern Whipbird # D-USR*, Altered fire regimesMallee Emu-wren E-WDM, D-SM Altered fire regimes, small population sizeSlender-billed Thornbill SH Altered fire regimesBlack-eared Miner # D-SC* Altered fire regimes, hybridisation, small population sizeWhite-browed Treecreeper PBW, BW Lack of habitat regenerationStriated Grasswren E-WDM, MH, Altered fire regimesAustralian Bustard # SH Introduced predators, huntingRedthroat RA*, MH, R-SM Altered fire regimes, small population sizeWhite-bellied Sea-Eagle # A-RS, RRGF Bird poaching (eggs)Spotted Bowerbird RA* Habitat degradation, lack of habitat regeneration, introduced predators, destruction

as pest speciesPink Cockatoo E-WDM, CM, S-SM, D-SM, MH, PBW,

BW, GPGHabitat degradation, lack of habitat regeneration, bird poaching

Bush Thick-knee RA* Introduced predators, overgrazing (rabbits, kangaroos, stock)Ground Cuckoo-shrike RA* Overgrazing (stock, rabbits, kangaroos)Grey Falcon # CM, A-RS, RA* Bird poaching (eggs)Square-tailed Kite RA*, D-SC*, D-BD*D-USR*, LR* Lack of habitat regeneration, bird poaching

Appendices

Appendix III (cont.)


Fish Agassiz's Charda Perch rivers/lakes Altered hydrological regimes, salinity Murray Cod rivers/lakes Altered hydrological regimes, salinity

Reptiles and amphibiansAprasia aurita # MH, BM Altered fire regimesCtenotus brachyonyx E-WDM, S-SM, D-SM, MH, R-SM Altered fire regimesHemiergis millewae D-SM, Altered fire regimesLong-thumbed Frog RRGF Salinity, altered hydrological regimesBroad-shelled Tortoise rivers/lakes Introduced predators (eggs), salinity, altered hydrological regimesTessellated Gecko A-PS, A-RS, BB-CW, BBW Altered hydrological regimes, overgrazing (rabbits, stock)Tympanocryptis lineata lineata # MH, SG, GPG Overgrazing (stock)Varanus rosenbergi MH, BM, Introduced predators, accidental or secondary poisoningTree Goanna BB-CW, BBW, RRGF Introduced predators, accidental or secondary poisoning, loss of tree hollowsCtenotus brooksi iridis E-WDM, S-SM, D-SM, D-CTH, SH, MH,

BM,Altered fire regimes

Egernia multiscutata D-BD* Altered fire regimes, recreational activitiesCarpet Python # RA* Collection, habitat degradation, indiscriminate killing by humansMorethia adelaidensis SS Overgrazing (rabbits)Yellow-faced Whip Snake D-SM, D-USR* Altered fire regimesBardick D-SC*, MH, BM, Altered fire regimesRed-naped Snake RA* Overgrazing (stock, rabbits)Curl Snake A-RS Overgrazing (rabbits)Western Blue-tongued Lizard E-WDM, S-SM, D-SM, MH, BM, R-SM Altered fire regimesEastern Water Skink RRGF Altered hydrological regimes, salinityUnechis spectabilis MH, BM, PBW UnknownBandy Bandy CM Altered fire regimes

Invertebrates †Antipodia atralba atralba. D-SC* Large frequent firesCandalides cyprotus cyprotus MH, D-CTH, D-BD* Large frequent fires, altered fire regimesCandalides hyacinthinus simplex D-SC*, D-BD* Large frequent firesHypochrysops ignitus ignitus SH Large frequent firesOgyris genoveva araxes BM Large frequent fires, earthworks (firebreak construction)Ogyris idmo halmturia MH, SH Large frequent firesOgyris otanes MH Large frequent firesMotasingha trimaculata trimaculata MH, D-CTH, SH Large frequent fires

Appendices

Appendix III (cont.)


Synemon jcaria D-BD* Large frequent firesSynemon nais G Overgrazing (rabbits), earthworks, habitat degradationTheclinesthes albocincta D-BD* Large frequent fires, overgrazing (rabbits)Themognatha congener D-BD* Large frequent firesThemognatha pascoei PBW Large frequent fires, earthworks (firebreak construction), overgrazing (rabbits)Trapezites sciron eremicola MH, D-CTH, D-BD* Large frequent fires

Source: Mammals: Bennett, Lumsden & Menkhorst (1992); birds: Baker-Gabb et al. (1992). Knowledge of invertebrates is limited. This list consists mainly of speciesfrom the Order Lepidoptera and is based on Douglas (1993) and Yen (1992).

# Listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

D-BD* Dunefield - Big Desert D-USR* Dunefield - Underlying Sandstone Ridge LR* Lunettes and RidgesD-CTH Dune - Crest Tree - Heath BBM Broombush Mallee PBW Pine - Buloke WoodlandSH Sandplain Heath HW Heath Woodland BW Belah woodlandMH Mallee Heath R-SM Red - Swale Mallee SM Savannah Mallee

BM Big Mallee/Yellow Gum G Grassland

D-SC* Dunefield - Sunset Country EB* Evaporative Basin RA* Riverine and Alluvial TerracesE-WDM East - West Dune Mallee SG Sandplain Grassland A-PS Alluvial - Plain ShrublandCM Chenopod Mallee GPG Gypseous - Plains Grassland A-RS Alluvial - Rise ShrublandS-SM Shallow - Sand Mallee SS Saline Shrubland BB-CW Black Box - Chenopod WoodlandD-SM Deep - Sand Mallee BBW Black Box Woodland

RRGF River Red Gum Forest

Mallee Parks Management Plan€¦ · MILDURA VIC 3500. MALLEE PARKS Hattah-Kulkyne National Park...

Documents

Transcript of Mallee Parks Management Plan€¦ · MILDURA VIC 3500. MALLEE PARKS Hattah-Kulkyne National Park...