ashby reserve maintenance plan

Transcription

A SHBY R ESERVE
MAINTENANCE PLAN
June 2003
Author
Jacob Kochergen
City of Mitcham
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like to thank the following individuals for their assistance and contribution in
compiling this maintenance plan.
-
Enid Robertson, local resident and conservationist
Maggy Ragless, Community Historian (City of Mitcham)
David Deer, Senior Horticulturalist (City of Mitcham)
Phil McNamara & Mathew Turner (SA Urban Forest Biodiversity Program)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
RESERVE IDENTIFICATION .................................................................................... 1
2.
BACKGROUND, HISTORY & STATUS OF THE RESERVE........................................ 2
3.
2.1
Background and Status............................................................................... 2
2.2
European History ......................................................................................... 3
2.3
Aboriginal History........................................................................................ 6
2.4
Clearance History ........................................................................................ 6
2.5
Fire History .................................................................................................. 6
2.6
Easements ................................................................................................... 7
2.7
Legislation ................................................................................................... 9
2.8
Fencing........................................................................................................ 9
2.9
Current Maintenance Operations............................................................... 10
RESERVE DESCRIPTION....................................................................................... 11
3.1
Physical Description .................................................................................. 11
3.1.1
Topography / Land Form .............................................................................. 11
5.
6.
Geology ........................................................................................ 12
3.1.1.2
Physiography ................................................................................ 14
3.1.2
Soils .......................................................................................................... 14
3.1.3
Rainfall....................................................................................................... 17
3.1.4
Adjacent Land Uses ..................................................................................... 19
3.2
Vegetation.................................................................................................. 22
3.2.1
General Description .................................................................................... 22
3.2.2
Plant Species Richness................................................................................ 25
3.2.3
Significant Flora........................................................................................... 25
3.2.4
Significant Plant Communities ..................................................................... 27
3.2.5
Condition of Native Vegetation..................................................................... 27
3.2.6
Relationship to Other Vegetation ................................................................. 28
3.3
4.
3.1.1.1
Fauna......................................................................................................... 31
RESERVE VALUES ................................................................................................ 33
4.1
Conservation Significance of Vegetation and Habitat................................ 33
4.2
Landscape Values...................................................................................... 34
4.3
Educational, Historical or Scientific Values............................................... 34
RESERVE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES ............................................................... 36
5.1
Economic Objectives................................................................................. 37
5.2
Environmental Objectives.......................................................................... 38
5.3
Social Objectives....................................................................................... 38
MANAGEMENT ISSUES & STRATEGIES ................................................................ 39
6.1
6.1.1
Conservation of Indigenous Flora and Fauna............................................ 39
Sites or Features of Significance.................................................................. 39
6.1.2
Natural Regeneration................................................................................... 40
6.1.3
Revegetation .............................................................................................. 41
6.1.4
Seed Collection .......................................................................................... 42
6.1.5
Fauna Habitat ............................................................................................. 43
6.1.6
Weeds ....................................................................................................... 43
6.2
6.1.6.1
Weed Control Principles ................................................................. 45
6.1.6.2
Weed Control Techniques .............................................................. 46
6.1.6.3
Weed Hygiene ............................................................................... 47
Public Use .................................................................................................. 48
6.2.1
7.
Recreation.................................................................................................. 48
6.3
Drainage .................................................................................................... 51
6.4
Dumping .................................................................................................... 55
6.5
Fire............................................................................................................. 56
6.5.1
Fire Risk Factors ......................................................................................... 56
6.5.2
Fire Protection Measures ............................................................................. 56
6.5.3
Ecological Fire Management ........................................................................ 61
6.6
Quarry........................................................................................................ 62
6.7
Community Education ............................................................................... 62
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIES ..................................................................... 64
7.1
Reserve Status........................................................................................... 64
7.2
Management Zones ................................................................................... 64
7.3
Management Committee............................................................................ 64
7.4
Monitoring, Evaluation and Review ........................................................... 65
7.5
Resourcing and Personnel ........................................................................ 65
7.6
Implementation Guide................................................................................ 68
7.7
Summary of Strategies.............................................................................. 70
REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................. 75
APPENDICES
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
– CITY OF MITCHAM MEMO 20TH JUNE 1984
– ABORIGINAL USE OF PLANTS
– FLORA SURVEY
– FAUNA SURVEY
– WEEDING CALENDAR
– RESERVE RECORD SHEET
– EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE NATIVE VEGETATION ACT 1991
– BUSH FOR LIFE SITE MC018
TABLES
TABLE 1.
GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE ADELAIDE REGION WITH INFORMATION
ON WATIPARINGA RESERV E .................................................................... 13
TABLE 2.
SOIL TYPES IN ASHBY RESERVE ............................................................. 17
TABLE 3.
CLIMATE AVERAGES OF BELAIR AND BLACKWOOD. ............................. 19
TABLE 4.
INDIGENOUS PLANTS WITH A CONSERVATION RATING IN ASHBY
RESERVE................................................................................................... 25
TABLE 5.
CONDITION RATING SYS TEM OF NATIVE VEGETATION FOR ASHBY
RESERVE................................................................................................... 27
TABLE 6.
ASHBY RESERVE’S RELATIONSHIP TO NEARBY NATIVE VEGETATION. 29
TABLE 7.
INDIGENOUS FAUNA WITH A CONSERVATION RATING IN WATIPARINGA
NATIONAL TRUST RESERVE AND SHEPHERDS HILL RECREATION PARK
(NPWSA). .................................................................................................. 32
TABLE 8.
IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE ......................................................................... 68
TABLE 9.
HIGH PRIORITY STRATEGIES ................................................................... 70
TABLE 10. MEDIUM PRIORITY STRATEGIES .............................................................. 74
TABLE 11. LOW PRIORITY STRATEGIES .................................................................... 74
FIGURES
Figure 1.
United Water Infrastructure............................................................................. 8
Figure 2.
Topography of Ashby Reserve.......................................................................11
Figure 3.
Eden Fault Block ..........................................................................................14
Figure 4a. Dominant Soil Types of Ashby Reserve..........................................................15
Figure 4b. Soil types of ridge and valley formations on the Eden Fault Block ....................16
Figure 5.
Rainfall distribution in the Adelaide region ......................................................18
Figure 6a. Land-Use Adjacent to Ashby Reserve ............................................................20
Figure 6b. Bushland reserves surrounding Ashby Reserve ..............................................21
Figure 7a. Vegetation Map of Ashby Reserve .................................................................23
Figure 7b. Significant Weed Infestations .........................................................................24
Figure 8.
Locations of Some Indigenous Flora (Significant)............................................26
Figure 9.
Trails & Entrances ........................................................................................50
Figure 10.
Storm Water Erosion.....................................................................................53
Figure 11.
Bushfire Prevention.......................................................................................59
Figure 12.
Management Zones ......................................................................................67
Ashby Reserve Maintenance Plan, June 2003
1. RESERVE IDENTIFICATION
Reserve Name :
Ashby Reserve
LGA
:
Mitcham
Location
:
End of Gulfview Road, Blackwood. Bound by
dwellings on Dryandra Drive and Gloucester Avenue
on its northern boundary, and Hill Road and Lee
Street on its southern boundary. Watiparinga
National Trust Reserve adjacent to its western
boundary. Grevillea Way, Gum Grove and Gulfview
Road are on its eastern boundary. A fire track
dissects the north-eastern portion of the reserve
linking two bituminised sections of Grevillea Way.
Title Information:
Section 2202 Certificates of Title
• C/T 5773/549, LT 4 (DP 150754)
• C/T 5770/946, LT 10 (DP 9202)
• C/T 5713/133, LT 157 (DP 14965)
• C/T 5738/558, LT 88 (DP 7803)
Section 2203 Certificates of Title
• C/T 5700/943, LT 9 (DP 9202)
• C/T 5700/944, LT 11 (DP 9202)
• C/T 5700/945, LT 12 (DP 9202)
• C/T 1242/92, LT 99 (DP 7805) - former Gulfview
Reserve
Zoning
:
Hills Face Zone (HFZ)
Size
:
Approximately 26 hectares
Class of Reserve:
Undeveloped – modified woodland (a) semi-natural
Page: 1
2. BACKGROUND, HISTORY &
STATUS OF THE RESERVE
2.1
BACKGROUND AND STATUS
Ashby Reserve is amongst the largest of City of Mitcham’s undeveloped woodland reserves. It
is situated approximately two kilometres south-west of the Belair Country Fire Service station.
The reserve is irregular in shape with
residential development on its northern,
southern and eastern boundaries. The
exception to this is its western boundary,
which joins Watiparinga National Trust
Reserve (“Watiparinga”). The Watiparinga
Management Committee is part of the
National Trust of South Australia. The
Committee has undertaken significant native
vegetation works in Ashby Reserve.
Watiparinga is adjacent to Ashby Reserve,
and shares many similarities such as
topography, geology, flora and fauna. Therefore, the Watiparinga Reserve Management Plan
has been used as a valuable source of information in compiling this maintenance plan and has
been cited accordingly.
The present day “Ashby Reserve” consists of the former Gulfview Reserve (R513, 4.45
hectares) and Ashby Reserve (R501, 20.23 hectares). An internal Council memorandum on
20th June 1984 from the deputy town clerk states that the two reserves are to be combined and
will retain the title R501- Ashby (Appendix 1).
The City of Mitcham Open Space Survey 1982 (Moyle et al 1982) classified both Ashby
Reserve and the former Gulfview Reserve as “Undeveloped: modified woodland – (a) seminatural.” Definitions of the classification from chapter four of the report are:
•
“Undeveloped Reserves” – those reserves which remain in a largely semi natural or
cleared condition without any specific development for a particular function.
•
“Modified woodland” – all areas of wooded land. The group is further subdivided into: (a)
Semi-Natural Woodland: woodland in a largely natural condition; some with exotic shrubs
in the understorey, and (b) Woodland Dominated by Exotic Plants: most of the natural
vegetation has been crowded out by exotics.
The above classifications assigned to Ashby Reserve in 1982 are still accurate today.
Page: 2
2.2
EUROPEAN HISTORY
A brief history of Ashby and Gulfview Reserves has been compiled with the grateful assistance
of:
•
Maggie Ragless, City of Mitcham Historian (Land Titles and Old Systems searches);
•
Personal communications with Enid Robertson;
•
Extracts from the Watiparinga Reserve Management Plan, by Enid Robertson - a local
resident and botanist. Enid’s family grazed sheep and cattle on the land now known as
Ashby Reserve and Watiparinga National Trust Reserve. Although the title search provides
minimal information regarding land use, it appears that Section 2202 and 2203, Hundred of
Adelaide which form Ashby Reserve, were used for grazing sheep and cattle during the
period 1850-1974.
According to Ragless (2002) by 1881 a syndicate of gentleman had invested in land along the
proposed route of the railway and this lead to the subdivision of Blackwood, Eden Hills and
Belair. It would appear that land clearing took place during the 1870s for Section 2203 Hundred
of Adelaide as the description changed from “house and land” to “grassland” (property
description from the Mitcham District Council Rate Assessment Books).
During the 1880s and 1890s when the railway line and tunnels were constructed through the
Watiparinga Reserve, workers would pass through Ashby Reserve and Watiparinga with
bullock teams to the Belair Hotel. These trails are still visible today and some were upgraded to
fire tracks within Ashby Reserve and Watiparinga National Trust Reserve (Robertson, pers.
comm., 2002).
According to Ragless (2002) the syndicate attempted to subdivide land around the railway
route but were caught in an economic depression and were unsuccessful in that venture. In
1895 a farmer from Alma in the mid-north, Frederick Mableson purchased the sections and the
family attempted dairying. Although Frederick died in 1902 the family continue to own the land
until 1911 when it was purchased by Ernest C. Saunders and Edwin Ashby. Eden Hills railway
station was installed making access to the additional subdivisions more attractive (CT
596/198).
The Ashby family purchased the land now known as Ashby Reserve from the Rainer family
who utilised the property to graze dry cows, as part of a dairy farm. When purchased in the
1930s the property was predominantly cle ared with some patches of remnant vegetation. The
Ashby’s cleared very little of the land. The property was used in conjunction with Watiparinga
for livestock grazing. The Ashby’s managed the property as part of the larger Wittunga Farm
until the 1960s, which included the Watiparinga land (Robertson, pers. comm., 2002).
.
By the mid 1960s the subject land became Ashby and Gulfview Reserve as part of a land
subdivisional requirement, in which land was set aside for community open space. During the
period 1965-1975, little action occurred on the reserve with the exception of some grazing.
Ashby Reserve and the former Gulfview Reserve were previously cleared, sown to pasture,
fertilised with superphosphate and grazed for many years. The properties were later
abandoned as farm land at the time of subdivision (Moyle et al., 1982). In 1968 the existing
bullock tracks used in the 1880s were excavated to make a fire track near Baeckea Crescent,
leading into Watiparinga (Robertson, pers. comm., 2002) – Subdivision Deposited Plan No.
7805, 1966.
Page: 3
During 1975-1994 The National Trust of SA undertook an environmental weed control and
revegetation program in Ashby/Gulfview and Sleeps Hill Reserves under the direction of Enid
Robertson. University student labour was utilised along with those that volunteered their time.
Weeds of concern included ash trees, olives, African daisy, boneseed and broom. Early on
there was opposition from nearby residents regarding the removal of mature ash trees.
Therefore “showy” non-indigenous natives were planted in their place and this appeased the
concerned residents. In 1989 small populations of indigenous orchids were discovered
(Robertson, pers. comm., 2002). It was also noted from correspondence between Enid
Robertson and the City of Mitcham that new infestations of ash trees continued to establish in
the southern creek line from seeds carried in stormwater from Ben’s Place. During the 1970s
blackberries were eradicated using experimental methods along the contour fire track below
Banksia Crescent.
A Bush for Life site (formerly Bushcare) has been established at the end of Gulfview Road
(Appendix 8) -between the fire track and residential properties off Bens Place and Gulfview
Road. Minimal disturbance weed control has targeted woody and herbaceous weeds.
Application 9946
Section 2202 Hundred of Adelaide, CT 132/192-193
9 Nov 1850
Land grant to Ann Shephard, widow of the Sturt for 73 acres at £83 (road on
south side)
14 Apr 1866
Conveyance from A.S. to William Thomas Shephard, farmer of the Sturt,
“together with all erections, buildings and fences, thereon and together with all
timber minerals, ways, rights, waters watercourses, numbers privileges and
appurtenances thereto belonging or appertaining.
16 Apr 1866
Mortgage for £300 from W. T. S. to Messrs. William Peacock, George Young
and James Munro Linklater all of Adelaide.
26 Feb 1869 Real Property Act Application, W. T. S. to Anne Elizabeth Richards, wife of
Thomas Richards, farmer of Kapunda and Thomas Henry Shephard, coach
maker of Adelaide as tenants in common.
Application 13771
Section 2203 Hundred of Adelaide
1 Nov 1850 Land grant of 91 acres to William Bartley Esq. Adelaide for £91.01.00
10 Sep
1856
Conveyance from W. B to Thomas Tapson, builder of Adelaide for £900
11 Sep
1856
Mortgage from T. T. to W. B. to secure payment of Bill of Exchange for £315 and
of a sum of £500 and interest.
Page: 4
Sections 939, 1044, 1045, 1046, 2203 Hundred of Adelaide = 380 acres House and Land
8 Nov 1856 Section 939, 1046, 2203 Hundred of Adelaide with other land at Goolwa –
mortgage for £1,100 form W. M. Bartley to the very Reverend James Farrell and
Robert Richard Torrens and Francis Davison of Blakiston.
20 Mar
1857
Section 939, 1046, 2203 Hundred of Adelaide with other land at Goolwa –
mortgage form W. B. to Farrell, Torrens and Davison to secure £400
1868
John Kelly renting and Bartley owner
1873
John Kelly occupier and owner. Owner of land at Marion for market gardening.
1876-1878
Sections 17, 939, 1044, 1045, 1046, 2202 and 2203 = 460 acres house and land
1880-1881
Sections 17, 939, 1044, 1045, 1046, 2202 and 2203 = 516 acres grassland and
old house value L130 (Mitcham Council Assessment Books). It would appear
that land clearing took place during the 1870s for Section 2203 as description
changed from “house and land” to “grassland.”
1883
John Whyte of Adelaide, merchant in one divided fourth part Sections 30 & 31 of
(80 acres each), Section 939 (23 acres), 1045 (54 acres), 1044 (63 acres), 1045
(78 acres), 1046 (106) acres, 2202 (73 acres), 2203 (91 acres), Pt Sect 16 & 17
together (1035 acres) and 28 perches and closed government roads. Except Pt
Section 1046 of 12 acres 2 roods and 19 perches for the railway.
Section 2202 & 34 Hundred of Adelaide
1870-1873 Occupier and owner, W. T. Shephard, Cole Road, old house and garden Section
2202, 16 and 17.
1875
Occupier and owner, R. Buchanan, 230 acres L50 house and land (Mitcham
Council Assessment Books).
Section 2202 & 2203 and others Hundred of Adelaide
CT 596/199 ex Transfer No. 291007 & 9
19 May
1895
Frederick Mableson farmer of Blackwood Section 939 of 20 acres, Pt Sec 16, 17,
1045, 2202 2203 & closed roads.
11 April
1895
Mortgaged from FM to Assets Purchase & Realisation Co. Ltd. Discharged 1 April
1897.
01 April
1897
Mortgage. 314473 with other property from FM to Mary Ann Padman discharged
13 March 1903.
1903
Transfer No. 391547 from Mary Mableson (wife of Frederick) to Mary Mableson
for her life and to (sons) Charles David Mableson, John Albones Mab leson &
Page: 5
Harold Henry Mableson all farmers of Blackwood.
13 Mar
1903
Mortgage 391548 from MM. CDM. JAM. HHM to the State Bank of SA.
Discharged 22 Feb 1911.
19 Sept
1904
Lot 13 discharged from Mortgage to CW Priest
22 Feb
1911
Trans 527732 from MM. CDM., JAM, HHM to Ernest Charles Saunders & Edwin
Ashby of Adelaide, Agents as Tenants in Common
2.3
ABORIGINAL HISTORY
According to Robertson (1999 p61) the area lies within the country of the Kaurna, the Adelaide
Plains people. The stringy bark forests of the Mount Lofty Ranges marked their eastern
boundary. The Kaurna were seasonally nomadic people tending to travel along coastal areas in
summer and moving to the more timbered foothills in winter, where there was more shelter and
firewood. Hollows or fallen red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) along the riverbanks were
often used for shelter and it is likely that the caves on Watiparinga were used for this purpose.
According to Robertson (1999) the Kaurna referred to the creek north of the Sturt River as
“Watiparinga.” Many plants utilised by the Kaurna for food, shelter and tools can be found in
Watiparinga and Ashby Reserves (Appendix 2).
2.4
CLEARANCE HISTORY
From a search by Ragless (2002) in the Mitcham District Council Rate Assessment it appears
that land clearing took place during the 1870s for Section 2203, Hundred of Adelaide (majority
of reserve). As the title description changed from ‘house and land” to “grassland…” This is
supported by Enid Robertson (pers. comm., 2002), when recalling the period in which her
grandfather, Edwin Ashby purchased the land in the 1930s. The property was previously
cleared with some patches of remnant vegetation remaining. The Ashby family undertook minor
clearing of native vegetation
The Kelly family rented Section 2203 from William Bartley until they purchased it in 1873. They
owned much of the area as well as undertaking intensive market gardening on the Sturt Creek
near Marion.
2.5 FIRE HISTORY
Robertson (1999, pages 64-65) lists seven prominent fires from 1934-1973 in Watiparinga
whilst Thompson (pers comm. 2002) recalled three minor fires in the area from 1995-1999.
9 Mar 1934
Fire started in Watiparinga (old viaduct gully) and travelled “between
Blackwood and Belair on a five-mile front, burnt hundreds of acres of
orchards and bush, threatened many homes and destroyed the Wittunga
homestead (now Wittunga Botanic Gardens). The Advertiser March 10,
1934, pages 1 and 15.
Page: 6
19 Jan 1943
Fire in viaduct paddock (Watiparinga gully). Fire No. 17 for the season.
Diary entry of Esther Ashby, 1943.
27 Dec 1961
Fire started in Centennial Park areas (Pasadena-Panorama) fanned by a
strong north wind, completely burnt out Watiparinga National Trust Reserve
on both sides of the railway line and threatened homes in the Eden Hills
district. The Advertiser December 28, 1961 and National Trust records.
Summer
1972/73
Country Fire Service (CFS) records at Belair CFS station list many fires in
the vicinity of Watiparinga when the area was considered a definite fire
hazard. These records are given in acres: 1 acre = 0.405 hectares).
26 Nov 1972
Gloucester Avenue extension, three-acre grass fire, deliberately lit.
16 Feb 1973
Watiparinga National Trust Reserve, south side of Gloucester Avenue
extension. Five acre grass fire caused by a camp fire.
26 Mar 1973
Mead Street and Gloucester Avenue extension. Two-acre grass fire
deliberately lit.
26 Dec 1995
Gloucester Avenue, 5 hour fire
28 Nov 1999
Witta Wirra Way, 30 minute grass fire
19 Dec 1999
End of Gulfview Road, 60 minute grass fire
Summer 2001
North-east section of Ashby Reserve. Fire escaped from Watiparinga and
burnt a section of the gully below houses on Gloucester Avenue and
Banksia Crescent
Records from Watiparinga indicate that there is at least one fire somewhere in the reserve each
year. Since 1984 all fires have been less than 0.5 hectares in area.
STRATEGY
2.5 Obtain additional records of the fire history in and around Ashby Reserve from Belair CFS.
2.6
EASEMENTS
Sewage easements appear to be over Ashby Reserve but can not be substantiated without
deposited plans for each title. Council will need to obtain these for each title for asset
management purposes and in then event of future works, ie. emergency repairs. The likely
easements identified include:
•
United Water (formerly E&WS) – see Figure 1.
Page: 7
Page: 8
-
inspections points along both fire tracks (Sections 2202, 2203) which are at the rear of
houses on Banksia crescent and Witta Wirra Way/Grove Street/Baeckea Place;
-
Pumping station, south-east corner of reserve, on boundary west of Bens Place;
-
Pumping Station, north-east corner, where gravel fire track commences uphill section
of Grevillea Way.
-
Pumping Station, where gravel fire track meets upper bitumen section of Grevillea
Way.
United Water should be made aware of this maintenance plan. Adverse impacts may result in
the event of maintenance works or emergency repairs by staff indiscriminately dumping of
materials, driving on the reserve or spreading nutrient rich waste which appears to be occurring
This maintenance plan should be communicated and embraced by all stakeholders to ensure
desired outcomes are achieved.
STRATEGY
2.6 Obtain deposited plans for all titles that form Ashby Reserve and record all easements in
a review of the Ashby Reserve Maintenance plan.
2.7
LEGISLATION
Acts and associated regulations that may impact on the management of woodland reserves
such as Ashby Reserve must be adhered to, and include but not limited to the:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2.8
Local Government Act 1999
Native Vegetation Act 1991
Country Fires Act 1999
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)
Environment Protection Act 1993
Water Resources Act 1997
Development Act 1993
Metropolitan Drainage Act 1935
Fences Act 1975
Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural and Other Purposes) Act 1986
FENCING
Council has not erected or maintained fences in Ashby Reserve, except for a small section
above the quarry at the end of Lee Street. Isolated old wooden fence posts, indicate the
approximate boundary line on the reserve’s western perimeter which adjoins Watiparinga. A
boundary fence between these two properties would not serve any purpose, except to
physically mark the properties.
Page: 9
Fences have been erected in many instances by adjoining residential landholders. Even with
the delineation of boundaries, some residents (with fences) illegally dispose of garden refuse
onto Ashby Reserve.
There are arguments for and against fences. Adequately designed fencing can restrict the
range of feral animals that prey upon native fauna. Also fences can restrict the movement of
people entering the reserve from many points, creating new tracks and causing damage to
native plants. Erecting fences can negate the benefits of habitat corridors, which link remnant
areas of bushland.
It would assist residents and Council staff when undertaking weed control and maintenance
duties to know precisely where reserve boundaries are. This can be achieved by first having all
boundaries surveyed followed by installing posts at 10-20 metre intervals, without the need for
mesh or wire. However, mesh fencing may be required to restrict access to areas of high
habitat value.
It is beyond the scope of this maintenance plan to evaluate the adequacy of quarry fencing for
public safety. This issue is discussed further in Section 6.6.
STRATEGY:
2.8 (a) Install markers along reserve boundaries using recycled posts after they have been
surveyed.
2.8 (b) Consider appropriate fencing around areas of high habitat value. Install entry and exit
points along fences for movement of indigenous fauna.
2.9
CURRENT MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS
Maintenance of the reserve is undertaken by Council and Bush for Life volunteers. In the past
Council has been restricted to annual maintenance of fire tracks and slashing of the eastern
section of Ashby Reserve - end of Gulfview Road.
In order to implement this plan, Council will need to commit considerably more resources than
it has previously. In response, Council has recently established a “woodland reserve team” with
the objective of undertaking minimal disturbance weed control in indigenous vegetation of high
value, including maintenance of fencing and signage in woodland reserves such as Ashby.
However, Council may need to commit additional resources, as the woodland reserve crew’s
efforts will be stretched amongst approximately 500 hectares of bushland and road reserves
throughout the Mitcham Hills.
Page: 10
3. RESERVE DESCRIPTION
3.1
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
3.1.1 Topography / Land Form
.
ASHBY
RESERVE
From a topographic contour map
(Figure 2) the reserve has a
distinct “V’ shape highlighting two
streams which commence at the
north-eastern and south-eastern
sections of the reserve. The
streams converge as they flow
west towards Watiparinga. The
land on both sides of the creek
beds rise quite steeply to the
reserve’s boundaries.
The reserve contains two
dominant steep slopes in what
was formerly known as Ashby
Reserve (R501). The northern
section of Ashby Reserve has a
slope gradient up to 38 degrees,
(if not greater) with a predominate
south-east aspect. The southern
FORMER
GULFVIEW RESERVE
F igu re 2. To po graph y o f Ashb y Reserve
slope has a gradient of about 30
degrees over the majority of the
area with the south-west section
exceeding this. This slope has a
dominant north-east aspect.
The former Gulfview Reserve (R513) is situated between the two converging streams, lying
within the “V” shape. This section can be divided into almost two equal sections: (i) a slope with
a north-west aspect and, (ii) a slope with a south-west aspect. The slope gradients range
between 20-30 degrees.
Page: 11
Throughout the reserve quartzite
rock outcrops are common,
especially on the steep sided
northern and southern slopes. The
south-western section of the
reserve adjoins Watiparinga,
which
contains
spectacular
examples of rock folding. The
stream beds have been eroded
down to bed rock with numerous
examples of rock protruding from
the sides of gullies.
Rock folding in Watiparinga Reserve
3.1.1.1 Geology
Skeletal soils over bedroc k in the north-east
sec tion of zone ‘E’ near the c reek
100 mm soil
The ‘Geological Map of the Adelaide Region’
by Thomson (1972) indicates the Belair and
Blackwood area, in which Ashby Reserve is
situated, is of the Late Pre-Cambrian Belair
Sub-Group - part of the larger Burra Group.
The Belair Sub-Group ‘have an age in excess
of 750 million years’ (Drew, 1999, p 79).
According to Taylor et al.,(1974, p 13):
The Belair Sub-Group…is characterised by
sandstones and quartzites embedded with
bed rock
siltstones. The Sub-Group exceeds 300
metres in thickness and extends from the Glen
Osmond area in a folded and faulted belt to
the Blackwood area….The uppermost units
display extensive ripple marks and mud
cracks. The resistant members of the SubGroup have been responsible for preserving
part of the Tertiary weathering profile from erosional stripping after uplift. The relict
weathering is expressed by the skeletal and podzolic soils of the Eden Hills-BelairCoromandel Valley area occurring near the tilted old land surface preserved in places
on the uplifted Eden Fault Block.
According to Drew (1999, p79) the Belair Sub-Group was probably the result of deposition
under shallow marine conditions. The finely laminated siltstones would represent low energy
subtidal conditions. “The sediments were derived form the Gawler Craton to the west and
entered the Adelaide Geosyncline…’
A summary of the geological history of the Adelaide region by Taylor et al., (1974, p 15) and
specific details of Ashby Reserve and Watiparinga by Drew (1999, p 79) are listed below.
Page: 12
TABLE 1. GEOLOGICAL HISTORY
W ATIPARINGA RESERVE
Geological Time
Pleistocene
OF THE
Millions of
Years
2-now
ADELAIDE REGION
WITH INFORMATION ON
Event
Change from arid to present climate, modern drainage
regime fully established.
Continued uplift of fault blocks, erosion of calcrete and
older sediments, blanket of Pooraka Formation as
slope deposits extending to the Lower Outwash Plain.
Uplift rejuvenated streams such as Watiparinga Creek,
draining from uplifted blocks.
Active block uplift of ranges area, high rainfall and rapid
erosion of younger cover sediment deposition of
riverine fans of Hindmarsh Clay in plains area; followed
by arid interval, low sea level and formation of calcrete
mantle.
End of tertiary, lacustrine sand and clays were
deposited in the Belair-Blackwood area on the pre- or
early-Tertiary peneplain.
Cainozoic
Mesozoic
Pliocene
11-2
Miocene
Oligocene
Eocene
25-11
40-25
60-40
Palaeocene
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
70-60
135-70
180-135
225-180
Permian
270-225
Marine sedimentation in plains area, lake deposits and
laterite development in ranges area, followed by block
uplift on revived para and Eden-Burnside Faults
establishing framework for modern topography. Gentle
faulting and erosion continues
Marine sedimentation in Adelaide Plains area,
subsidence on fault blocks. Then gentle faulting and
erosion in Miocene-Pliocene period.
Prolonged erosion and peneplanation (erosion causing
a flat landscape) in late Mesozoic and early Tertiary,
deep watering, some lake and swamp deposits.
Uplift of fold belt and glaciation of mountain range
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
350-270
400-350
430-400
500-430
Delamerian folding, faulting and metamorphosis in the
Lower Ordovician and development of fold belt on site
of future Mount Lofty Ranges.
Palaeozoic
Cambrian
600-500
Development of Adelaidean and Lower Cambrian
sedimentation in the Adelaide Geosyncline formed by
downwarp of Pre-Cambrian crystalline basement, which
includes the Barossa Complex in the ranges area.
Proterozoic
Pre-Cambrian
4,500-600
Page: 13
3.1.1.2 Physiography
Ashby Reserve is situated on the Eden Fault Block (Figure 3). According to Taylor et al.,(1974).
Late Cainozoic block faulting has shaped the current topography, drainage patterns and the
Eden, Burnside and Para Faults. The Eden Fault forms the backdrop to Adelaide and its
suburbs. It rises rapidly to 300 metres, or more above sea level in the central region, but falls
slightly to the north and
Figure 3. Eden Fault Block
south.
Below the Eden and
Burnside fault blocks are
the upper outwash
plains, which before
European
settlement
formed from seasonal
deposition of flood
materials by creeks such
as the Sturt River and
Brownhill Creek (Taylor
et al., 1974, p 16).
Ashby &
Watiparinga Reserve
Source: Drew, 1999
3.1.2 Soils
According to a study of the soils and geology of South Australia (Taylor et al., 1974, p 49) the
Eden Fault Block which Ashby Reserve is situated is dominated by podzolic soils (mainly Type
P2) and skeletal soils (SK) – Figure 4a.
The study provides more information relevant to Ashby Reserve”
The surface of the Eden Fault Block of the Belair-Blackwood area shows a variety of
land forms according to where smooth remnants of an old laterite (Tertiary) surface
remain, or where there has been vigorous dissection and erosion to steep-sided
narrow ridges. In the former case lateritic podzolic (Type P4), and in the latter other
podzolic (Types P2, P3) soils of varying depth and stoniness occur.(Taylor et al. 1974,
p 50) – Figure 4b
Page: 14
A
B
C
D
F
E
Page: 15
Figure 4b. Soil types of
ridge and valley formations
on the Eden Fault Block
a)
b)
c)
High ridge with flat
tops
Broad ridge with
moderate slope
Steep sided ridge
Source: Taylor et al. 1974
Below are photographs of soil profiles along the northern fire track (zone ‘B’) below Banksia
Crescent and Grevillea Way fire track. Refer to Figure 4a for locations.
A
B
D
E
C
F
Page: 16
From the ‘Soil Association Map of the Adelaide Region’ (Taylor, 1972) Ashby Reserve contains
several soil types listed in Table 2. The podzolic soils which cover most of Ashby Reserve are
described by Murphy et al., (1994) as having low fertility rates and poor water retention
characteristics. For agricultures they are limited to grazing but with large inputs of fertiliser they
can be used for cropping.
TABLE 2. SOIL TYPES IN ASHBY RESERVE
Great Soil Group
Podzolic Soils
Soil Type
Soil Type Description
(Taylor , 1972)
P2
Grey sandy surface over yellow, mottled clay with blocky structure on
slates, shales and quartzites.
P3
Grey sandy surface over red clay with granular structure on slates
and shales.
P4
Grey sandy surface with much ironstone gravel over yellow and
mottled clay with granular structure.
Skeletal Soils
SK
Very thin soils on bedrock. Rock outcrops general.
Rendzina
RZ
Uniform dark brown to black soils with granular structure on highly
calcareous parent material.
3.1.3 Rainfall
Ashby Reserve is situated between the 650-700 millimetre isohyets (Figure 5) according to a
study by Taylor et al. (1974, p29) using data that was compiled some twenty eight years ago.
Climatic data from the Bureau of Meteorology Australia (2002) for Belair is compared to data
tabled by Taylor et al., (1974, p28) for Blackwood. The Bureau of Meteorology Australia did not
have data for Blackwood. The data tabled by Taylor et al., (1974, p 28) for Belair was omitted in
preference for more recent recordings which finally ceased in 1996. Unfortunately Blackwood
only had rainfall data.
It is worth noting the difference between the mean and median rainfall data for Belair, being
33.4 millimetres. It is preferable to use the ‘median’ as it represents the middle value in an
array of numbers, and therefore a more accurate representation of the data set. The ‘mean’ is
subject to variation by outlying numbers, which in terms of rainfall, can be significantly skewed
by exceptionally wet or dry periods.
Taylor et al., (1974, p 27) makes an interesting hypotheses when comparing rainfall data
between Blackwood and Belair. The study states that “Belair at the same elevation has
somewhat higher annual rainfall as it may receive more effective rain-bearing winds sweeping
round the escarpment from the Gulf.” The reason for this variation is “possibly due to
D
natural features such as the Sturt River Valley.”
Page: 17
Ashby Reserve
Figure 5. Rainfall distribution in the Adelaide region (showing isohyets at 50 mm intervals)
Source: Taylor et. al, 1974
Page: 18
TABLE 3. CLIMATE AVERAGES OF BELAIR AND BLACKWOOD .
Belair (Kalyra)
Alt. 305 m 1895-1996
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total
Mean Daily Mean Daily
Max. Temp Min. Temp
0C
0C
Blackwood
Alt. 269 m
Mean 9am
wind speed
(km/hr)
Mean
3pm wind
speed
(km/hr)
Median
Rainfall
(mm)
Mean
Rainfall
(mm)
Mean
Rainfall
(mm)
26.6
26.8
24.0
20.1
16.4
13.2
12.5
13.8
16
19.4
22.6
24.7
14.9
15.4
14.0
12.1
10.1
7.8
7.0
7.4
8.5
10.0
11.9
13.3
14.2
14.0
14.5
14.1
14.7
15.3
16.4
16.8
17.1
16.8
15.7
15.0
15.0
14.7
14.3
14.6
15.6
16.5
18.7
19.5
17.9
17.4
16.7
16.0
20.4
13.7
22.2
52.8
83.6
90.2
97.6
83.1
67.4
54.9
32.0
25.8
24.4
24.6
30.8
58.2
93.2
100.9
97.5
87.5
73.5
58.7
40.0
34.0
23
26
23
61
85
85
91
82
64
57
40
32
19.5
10.9
15.4
16.4
689.8
723.2
669
The climate data confers with Charman and Murphy’s (1994) observation that red and yellow
podzolic soils occur in areas with average annual rainfall above 650 millimetres. This agrees
with Taylor et al., (1974, p 27) who state that podzolic soils:
…have developed generally on all kinds of parent rock on the Eden Fault Block
surface. This relationship has been tied approximately to the 675 millimetre isohyet as
a minimum rainfall from field observation of soil occurrences. The exceptions are for
particular parent material such as calcareous rocks.
3.1.4 Adjacent Land Uses
Residential development surrounds Ashby
Reserve on its northern, eastern and southern
boundaries. Fortunately, its western boundary
adjoins the Watiparinga National Trust Reserve
which assists in maintaining habitat corridors
(Figure 6a). When viewed from a topographic
map, Ashby Reserve is part of a greater
network of interlocking reserves (Figure 6b)
such as Belair Reserve to the north-west,
Zone ‘G’ along fire track.
Saddle Hill Reserve (adjacent to Watiparinga’s
Possible encroachment
western boundary) and Shepherds Hill
Recreation Park (National Parks and Wildlife SA) both adjacent to Watiparinga’s western
boundary. Council should consider increasing habitat corridors between these reserves,
including Sleeps Hill and Belair Reserve to the north of Ashby Reserve.
Page: 19
Page: 20
.
Belair Reserve
Sleeps Hill
Reserve
Ashby
Reserve
Ellis Ave Reserve
Pc potential
N
Source: adapted from a City of Mitcham map by Carto Tech Services
Pty Ltd
BUSHLAND RESERVES
SURROUNDING ASHBY RESERVE
FIG. 6b
Page: 21
3.2
VEGETATION
3.2.1 General Description
Ashby Reserve is described by
Moyle et al., (1982) as containing
remnants of a savannah woodland
with regenerating grey box
(Eucalyptus microcarpa), golden
wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and
patches of native perennial grasses
on the hilltops. River red gums
(Eucalyptus camaldulensis) grow
along the two convergent creeks,
with regeneration of understorey
plants occurring on the south facing
slopes.
Zone ‘D’ looking east
Field observations during April 2002 and vegetation maps support the above description. In
addition there are small pockets of SA blue gums (Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. leucoxylon) on
the northern slopes (south-east aspect) and drooping sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) on the
extreme north-western boundaries adjacent to Watiparinga. The stands of drooping sheoaks
between the two reserves form a magnificent landscape on a largely south-eastern aspect, and
form one of the larger pockets in this area.
The vegetation on Ashby Reserve can be
broadly classified into two categories
based upon land coverage (see Figure 7a
and 7b):
Z one ‘G’ near Watiparinga looking north-east.
Planted native vegetation in the foreground
•
Planted Native Vegetation – using a
mix of non-indigenous and indigenous
species, covers a large proportion of
the reserve. This category is restricted
to the southern sections of the creek
from Bens Place and the former
Gulfview Reserve converging onto the creek from Bens Place.
•
Other – including intact remnant vegetation, degraded remnant vegetation and exotic
grasses. There is a large variation in the condition of remnant vegetation with creek lines
displaying a high level of weed invasion. This contrasts with intact remnant vegetation
containing lower levels of weed invasion situated in the north-eastern section of the reserve
with a small patch in a former quarry at the end of Lee Street (south-eastern corner).
Across this category are vegetation types classified by Gillis (1992-93) as:
- Grey box
- Grey box / SA blue gum
- River red gums
- Drooping sheoak
- Planted natives & exotics ( non-indigenous natives and exotic trees and shrubs)
- Intact remnant vegetation – grey box, SA blue gums and drooping sheoak overstorey
- Grasses
Page: 22
Native Vegetation Condition Rating 1-3
3
2-3
3
1-2
3
2
1
2-3
1
1-2
2
N
3
2-3
VEGETATION MAP
Gillis (1992-1993)
-
OF ASHBY RESERVE
FIG. 7a
Page: 23
Page: 24
3.2.2 Plant Species Richness
A flora survey undertaken by Solveig Gillis in 1992-1993 (Appendix 3) revealed:
•
•
•
82 indigenous species
55 non-indigeno us native species
59 exotic / weed species
3.2.3 Significant Flora
Northern sections of the reserve (areas A, B and D - Figure 12) which have a south-east aspect
contain the largest areas of intact remnant vegetation. Consequently these areas should
receive the highest priority in bushland management. The abandoned quarry at the end of Lee
Street in the southern section of the reserve (area I) contains a small patch of intact remnant
vegetation.
Ashby Reserve contains ten (10) indigenous plant species with a conservation rating (table
below) – see Figure 8 for locations of some species.
TABLE 4. INDIGENOUS PLANTS WITH A CONSERVATION RATING IN ASHBY RESERVE
(see Appendix 3 for key to conservation ratings)
Plant Family and Botanical
Name
AMARANTHACEAE
Ptilotus erubescens
Common Name
Hairy-tails
Australia
South
Australia
Southern Mt Lofty
Botanical Region
R
R
ASPLENIACEAE
Pleurosorus rutifolius
Blanket Fern
U
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Scleranthus pungens
Prickly Knawel
R
CUPRESSACEAE
Callitris preissii (planted)
Southern Cypress Pine
U
GOODENIACEAE
Goodenia albiflora
Velleia arguta
White Goodenia
Toothed Velleia
U
R
Silky-head Lemongrass
R
GRAMINEAE
Cymbopogon obtectus
LEGUMINOSAE
Glycine tabacina
Variable Glycine
MYRTACEAE
Eucalyptus microcarpa
Grey Box
U
Native Apricot
R
PITTOSPORACEAE
Pittosporum phylliraeoides
var. microcarpa
V
E
Page: 25
N
Gillis (1992-1993)
LOCATIONS OF SOME
INDIGENOUS FLORA
(SIGNIFICANT)
FIG. 8
Page: 26
3.2.4 Significant Plant Communities
Turner (2001) reports that in 1995 Neagle
upgraded Davies (1992 p13) conservation
rating of grey box woodland to a priority 4
plant association in South Australia previously priority 5. According to Davies
(1992 p 13) grey box are poorly conserved in
South Australia, that is much depleted but a
few large examples still remaining in the state.
In addition a provisional listing of threatened
ecosystems (DEH, 2001) in South Australia
lists "E. microcarpa Grassy Low Woodland on
Grey box woodland in area A
foothills and slopes of southern Mount Lofty
Ranges" as "endangered." The unpublished
report states that the ecosystem has limited distribution on hills south of Adelaide. It is heavily
modified by urban sprawl and associated invasion of exotics. Only a few degraded examples
exist within reserves..
3.2.5 Condition of Native Vegetation
Robertson (1995 p 3) suggests a simplified means of assessing condition of native vegetation
for management purposes and is based upon three condition classes:
TABLE 5. CONDITION RATING SYSTEM OF NATIVE VEGETATION FOR ASHBY RESERVE
Condition
Rating
Description
1
Native vegetation in which there are few weeds
2
Disturbed vegetation in which there are many-non indigenous plants but also a variety
of native plants
3
Very degraded vegetation dominated by non-indigenous plants but with some native
plants present
Based upon the vegetation survey by Solveig Gillis (1992-93) the above condition rating has
been applied to each vegetation type that has been mapped (Figure 7a). Within each type
there are variances. Therefore, before undertaking bushland activities based upon these
ratings (ie. rating 1), a site inspection is required as a vegetation type(s) in Figure 7a may
contain elements of each condition class. However, comprehensive vegetation condition
mapping should be completed to simplify management actions and supervision.
Invasion by exotic grasses is widespread throughout the reserve (Figure 7b). This is not
surprising considering a long history of grazing, adjacent urban areas and the influx of weeds
from stormwater flowing into the reserve’s creeks. Creek lines are largely dominated by exotic
grasses (ie. phalaris) which will require a long-term weed control program. However, there will
Page: 27
always been an influx of weeds being deposited through stormwater, wind, birds, etc. At
present it is virtually impossible to stop weeds being transported in stormwater. However,
community education combined with long term weed control and revegetation programs can
reduce their impact.
Kikuyu and nasturtium infestation in c reek line
receiving runoff from Bens Plac e and possibly the
United Water pum p station
It is concerning the presence of exotic
grasses such as phalaris in areas with a
“condition 1” rating - intact remnant
native vegetation. It must be a high
priority to control these infestations now
as they are very persistent and difficult to
control. Kikuyu has established close to
the United Water pumping stations at the
top of both creek lines. The lush growth
is indicative of nutrient rich waste waters
being discharged into the creeks. This
must be addressed with United Water. A
staged control program of the infestation is prescribed, working from the edges toward the
centre of the infestation. This will reduce the incidence of erosion caused by killing large areas
of vegetation in one spray application. Therefore, a staged weed control and revegetation
program is necessary.
Native grasses are widespread over the reserve and can be encouraged over the long term
through timed slashing of fuel breaks, controlling weeds and direct seeding in areas with low
densities.
STRATEGY
3.2.5 Comprehensive vegetation condition mapping to be completed across Ashby Reserve
Watiparinga
3.2.6 Relationship to Other
Vegetation
Ashby Reserve must not be managed in isolation
to surrounding vegetation, as this will only
increase the impacts of degrading influences.
Ashby Reserve is an important link with a number
of reserves and properties along the Hills Face
Zone which form a sig nificant habitat corridor.
The reserve’s relationship to other nearby
vegetation is summarised below in Table 6.
Severe olive infestation in Shepherds
Hill Recreation Parks (NPWSA)
Grey box and sheoak covered
hillside in Watiparinga Reserve
(adjacent to Ashb y Reserve)
Page: 28
TABLE 6.
ASHBY RESERVE ’S RELATIONSHIP TO NEARBY NATIVE VEGETATION
Property / Reserve
Distance
Watiparinga National Trust
Reserve
Adjoining
reserve
Comments
- Located on western boundary of Ashby Reserve
- Grey box woodland
Belair Reserve
280 m
- North of Ashby Reserve, adjacent Sleeps Hill Reserve
- Grey box woodland
- Threats – seed source of feral olives and other weeds
Sleeps Hill Reserve
120 m
- North-west of Ashby Reserve
- Grey box woodland
Shepherds Hill Recreation
Park (National Parks &
Wildlife SA)
760 m
- west of Ashby Reserve, adjoins Watiparinga Reserve
- Red gum / SA blue gum / Grey box woodland – open
woodland
- Threats – enormous seed source of feral olives (see
photographs on page 29)
Saddle Hill Reserve
880 m
- West of Ashby Reserve, adjoins Shepherds Hill
Recreation Park and Watiparinga National Trust
Reserve
- Grey box woodland
- Contains Cullen parvum & Eryngium rostratum which
have state and Southern Lofty Botanical Region
ratings. Cullen parvum also has a national rating.
Ellis Avenue Reserve
1,100 m
- south-west of Ashby Reserve, adjoins Shepherds Hill
Recreation Park
- Grey box woodland
Private property
surrounding Ashby
Reserve (residential)
Adjoining
reserve
- Located on all boundaries, except for western side.
- Grey box woodland
- Some threats resulting from residential development
to the reserve includes the spread of weeds, illegal
dumping, stormwater run-off, vandalism, inappropriate
public use, fire and feral animals.
- However, many of the properties still contain patches
of remnant vegetation in gullies and creeks which
provide fauna habitat and corridors. Some of these
properties may be valuable for seed collection in
future revegetation programs.
400 m
- South of Ashby Reserve
- Wittunga contains the root rot fungus Phytophthora
cinnamomi which due to its proximity can be carried
into Ashby Reserve. Although Wittunga's water run-off
does not flow into Ashby Reserve, vectors can include
vehicles, humans and equipment.
Wittunga Botanic Gardens
Page: 29
Property / Reserve
Distance
Comments
Hills Face Zone
Part of it
-
-
Important part of the native vegetation across the Hills
Face Zone. Within the City of Mitcham this includes
Shepherds Hill Recreation Park on its far southwestern boundary to Leawood Gardens on its northeastern boundary, turning south to take in Belair
National Park and Upper Sturt. This zones captures
many Council Reserves, National Parks and Wildlife
SA parks and bushland on private property.
Each block of bushland is important to maintain habitat
corridors and to reduce further fragmentation of native
vegetation.
A severe feral olive infestation in Shepherds
Hill Recreation Park. This presents an
external weed threat to Ashby Reserve.
Shepherds Hill
Recreation Park
NPWSA
Watiparinga
Watiparinga
Ashby Reserve
Page: 30
3.3
FAUNA
Koala near the railway line on eastern
boundary of Watiparinga Reserve
Council is unaware of any fauna studies
conducted on Ashby Reserve. However,
fauna surveys have been undertaken on
nearby reserves:
-
Shepherds Hill Recreation Park
(National Parks and Wildlife SA);
Watiparinga National Trust Reserve.
The fauna lists from these surveys are
contained in Appendix 4. Fauna surveys
have documented the presence of 71
avian species (indigenous and nonindigenous), 18 reptile species and 2
amphibian (frog) species. Within the fauna
identified during the survey, 21 avian and
4 reptile species have conservation
ratings (Table 7).
It is likely that most, if not all fauna
occurring on nearby reserves would also
occur in Ashby Reserve as it is part of a habitat corridor between the survey sites. Ashby
Reserve plays an important role in providing critical habitat for indigenous flora and fauna.
During a field inspection in April 2002, a koala (Phascolarctos cinerus) was sighted in a river
red gum in Watiparinga Reserve - along its eastern boundary which adjoins Ashby Reserve. It
should be noted that koalas are not indigenous to the area and should be monitored for their
impact on vegetation.
Shepherds Hill Recreation
Park (NPWSA)
Watiparinga
Watiparinga
Page: 31
TABLE 7. INDIGENOUS F AUNA WITH A CONSERVATION RATING IN W ATIPARINGA
NATIONAL TRUST RESERVE AND SHEPHERDS HILL RECREATION PARK
(NPWSA).
CLASS
COMMON NAME
SCIENTIFIC NAME
AVES
AVES
Yellow Thornbill
Eastern Spinebill
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
Little Wattlebird
Dusky Woodswallow
Sulphur-crested
Cockatoo
Galah
Yellow-tailed BlackCockatoo
Crested Shrike-tit
Musk Lorikeet
Superb Blue Wren
Superb Fairy-wren
Noisy Miner
White-naped Honeyeater
Southern Boobook
Rufous Whistler
Spotted Pardalote
Scarlet Robin
Common Bronzewing
Tawny Frogmouth
White-browed Babbler
Acanthiza nana
Acanthorhynchus
tenuirostris
Anthochaera chrysoptera
Artamus cyanopterus
Cacatua galerita
AVES
AVES
Grey Currawong
Rainbow Lorikeet
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
Cunningham's Skink
Barking Gecko
Common Bearded
Dragon/ Eastern Bearded
Dragon
Red-bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
REPTILIA
CONSERVATION STATUS
Metro
SA
MLR
Region
U
C
U
C
U
Cacatua roseicapilla
Calyptorhynchus
funereus
Falcunculus frontatus
Glossopsitta concinna
Malurus cyaneus
Manorina melanocephala
Melithreptus lunatus
Ninox novaeseelandiae
Pachycephala rufiventris
Pardalotus punctatus
Petroica multicolor
Phaps chalcoptera
Podargus strigoides
Pomatostomus
superciliosus
Strepera versicolor
Trichoglossus
haematodus
Egernia cunninghami
Nephrurus milii
Pogona barbata
V
V
U
V
V
C
C
C
C
C
C
U
U
C
C
U
U
C
En
U
V
V
V
V
Source: Turner (2002) and Roberston (1999).
(Refer to Appendix 3 for an explanation of keys to the conservation ratings of indigenous flora and fauna.
Conservation Rating "South Australia" (NPW Act): E: endangered; V: vulnerable; R: rare. Conservation Rating
"Southern Mount Lofty Ranges"(Carpenter & Reid): X: extinct; E: endangered; V: vulnerable; R: rare; K:
indeterminate; U: uncommon; C: common; I: introduced. Conservation Rating "Metro Region" (Hutchinson): Ex:
extinct; En: endangered; V: vulnerable; U: uncommon.
Page: 32
4. RESERVE VALUES
4.1
CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE OF VEGETATION AND HABITAT
Grey box woodland, which is the dominant indigenous plant community on Ashby Reserve, is
of conservation significance. Turner (2001) reports that in 1995 Neagle upgraded its
conservation rating to a priority 4 plant association (previously priority 5 by Davies , 1992),
being poorly conserved in South Australia, that is much depleted but a few large examples still
remaining in the state. The category: Grey box grassy low woodland on foothills and hill slopes
of southern Mount Lofty Ranges, has an "endangered" status on the State's provisional listing
of threatened ecosystems. Other features of conservation significance include:
•
82 indigenous plant species recorded;
•
13 indigenous plant species with Southern Lofty Botanical Region conservation rating ;
•
3 indigenous plant species with a state conservation rating;
•
71 avian species, 18 reptile species and 2 amphibian species surveyed on nearby
reserves;
•
21 avian species with a Mount Lofty Botanical Region conservation rating;
•
3 reptile species with a Metropolitan Region conservation rating;
•
2 avian species and 2 reptiles with a state-wide conservation rating;
•
Native grasslands containing kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra), spear grass (Stipa sp.)
weeping rice grass (Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides) and iron grass (Loamandra spp)
which are disappearing due to impacts from urban development and agriculture;
•
Part of a large habitat corridor along the western slopes of the Mount Lofty Ranges;
•
Adjacent to the Watiparinga National Trust Reserve, which has significant conservation,
values, ie. 46 indigenous plant species with conservation ratings and 19 native bird species
with conservation ratings;
•
Contains indigenous vegetation which provides an historical link to pre-European
landscapes and guides future revegetation projects;
•
Potentially provides a seed source for future revegetation projects in and around Ashby
Reserve.
Page: 33
4.2
LANDSCAPE VALUES
Ashby Reserve provides a unique, rugged
landscape with its steep slopes, some in
excess of thirty degrees facing south-east
and north-east. Situated within the Hills
Face Zone the reserve is part of the green
backdrop of the City of Adelaide and its
surrounding suburbs.
Exposed rock outcrops of the Belair subgroup throughout the reserve provide
spectacular views and are adjacent to caves
on Watiparinga National Trust Reserve. The
Belair Sub-Group was formed during the Late Pre -Cambrian, in excess of 750 million years old.
From vantage points in the reserve, views of the Gulf of St
Vincent are fantastic. As stated above, the reserve
provides the community with a link to a pre-European
landscape. Since European settlement, grey box
woodland which once formed the expansive Black Forest
of the Mitcham Hills and nearby plains was extensively
cleared and used for agriculture. It is now a plant
association requiring conservation and appreciation by the
community.
STRATEGY
4.1 Ashby Reserve provides critical habitat for indigenous flora and fauna, which some are of
conservation significance. Ashby Reserve needs to be managed in ways that enhance habitat
corridors, protect indigenous flora and fauna and foster regeneration of indigenous flora which
fauna rely upon for habitat.
4.3
EDUCATIONAL, HISTORICAL OR SCIENTIFIC VALUES
The reserve is part of a geology trail, which starts in Watiparinga and winds its way along the
northern creek in Ashby Reserve. Council may wish to consider establishing an interpretive trail
which provides information not only about the reserve’s geology, but also its flora, fauna and
history.
Ashby Reserve has an interesting European history. An account of the history of Watiparinga
Reserve by Robertson ( pers. comm., 2002) states that Ashby Reserve was used by bullock
teams during the 1890s when the railway line was constructed in Watiparinga Reserve.
Workers would pass through Ashby Reserve and Watiparinga with bullock teams to the Belair
Hotel.
Page: 34
The main land-use of the reserve up until the mid-1960s was agriculture, primarily grazing. It
appears that quarrying occurred in the most southern part of Ashby Reserve at the end of Lee
Street.
Scientific values include maintaining the genetic diversity of flora and fauna within and around
the reserve. Revegetation projects should always source local provenance seed to maintain
this gene pool. With a lack of scientific studies undertaken on Ashby Reserve it is difficult to
assess such values. However, value must be placed on maintaining natural ecosystems simply
for the sake of protecting indigenous flora and fauna, which continues to be destroyed through
human activity. There is also the simple enjoyment and appreciation gained by many through
interaction with the natural environment. There is also the utilitarian argument for conserving
natural ecosystems such as the potential discovery of medical cures from plants and animals,
carbon sinks, water purification and buffers.
Page: 35
5. RESERVE MANAGEMENT
OBJECTIVES
Management objectives for the reserve must be consistent not only with relevant legislation
such as the Local Government Act 1999 and Native Vegetation Act 1991, but also policies of
the City of Mitcham. Council’s policies regarding the management and use of woodland
reserves such as Ashby Reserve are listed below. Management objectives specified in this
document are consistent with the following policies:
City of Mitcham Policy 1.7.15 Biodiversity Policy:
As custodian of lands containing significant remnant vegetation and threatened
species, Council aims to ensure protection and enhancement of biological diversity in
the City. The Council will:
•
Benchmark its procedures and decision making against legislation and strategies
aimed at preserving and enhancing biodiversity;
•
Develop an understanding and appreciation among the community of the
importance of biodiversity;
•
Identify, protect and enhance significant habitats and corridors by replanting and
revegetating using local seed sources;
•
As far as practicable, provide support and supervision to community members
protecting and enhancing biodiversity on Council lands;
•
As far as practicable, prevent the removal of fallen or standing dead timber from
Council woodland reserves;
•
Minimise, as far as practicable, biodiversity impacts caused by:
•
Transferring weed seeds and pathogens;
•
Developing and operating recreation facilities;
•
Developing and managing trails;
•
Bushfire prevention works;
Page: 36
•
Construction works;
•
Use of herbicides and pesticides;
•
Erosion.
City of Mitcham Policy 3.2.8 “Management of Woodland Reserves Using Watiparinga
Procedures”:
It is the long term policy of the City of Mitcham to support and promote the
management of its semi-natural modified woodland reserves using procedures
developed by the Watiparinga Management Committee at Watiparinga and the
adjacent Ashby Reserve.
City of Mitcham Policy 3.2.17 “Use of Woodland Reserves”:
It is the policy of the City of Mitcham as to the recreational use of its semi natural
modified woodland reserves, that action is taken which limits the use of those reserves
to activities which do not significantly affect the natural qualities of the reserves.
City of Mitcham Policy 3.1.22 "Water Use and Catchment protection Policy":
To reduce potable water consumption and to protect watercourse health in the City.
One of the statements is that Council will: act to protect and enhance the ecological
value of watercourses in the City.
Management objectives are also consistent with actions listed in Council’s Open Space
Strategy 2001 under the following sections (not limited to):
•
2. Meeting Statutory Obligations;
•
6. Regional Open Space Linkages;
•
8. Providing Quality Open Space;
•
9. Open Space with Conservation Value and Natural Features of Significance.
5.1 ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES
5.1.1 To employ “best management” practices in the operation and maintenance of the
reserve and use proven methodologies such as the Watiparinga Reserve model. This is
aimed at delivering cost effective services to the community.
5.1.2 To benchmark management operations such as weed control, revegetation and grass
slashing. This is not mandatory under the Local Government Act 1999 as the reserve is
classified as 'undeveloped.'
Page: 37
5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES
5.2.1
To protect and enhance natural ecosystems on the reserve;
5.2.2
To minimise and where practicable eliminate potential environmental impacts to other
landholders from reserve management operations;
5.2.3
All management activities and public use of Ashby Reserve must not cause adverse
environmental impacts where practicable. If environmental impacts are expected to
result then it will be necessary for the City of Mitcham (and relevant stakeholders) to
assess any management options available to minimise the impacts. If environmental
impacts are considered unacceptable then a proposed activity must not proceed.
5.2.4
To protect and enhance indigenous flora, fauna and associated habitats within Ashby
Reserve, recognising that many plants and animals on and near Ashby Reserve are of
conservation significance. The reserve consists of a grey box woodland, which has
priority four conservation rating and is also a threatened ecosystem with an
"endangered" rating under South Australia's provisional listing of threatened
ecosystems (unpublished);
5.2.5
To maintain and enhance indigenous flora and fauna across the western slopes of the
Mount Lofty Ranges, which Ashby Reserve is an important component.;
5.2.6
To manage Ashby Reserve using methodologies developed by the Watiparinga
Management Committee.
5.3 SOCIAL OBJECTIVES
5.3.1
To provide the local community with a natural woodland reserve which can be
accessed and enjoyed for passive recreation with consideration given to all user
groups;
5.3.2
To provide the community with open space;
5.3.3
Council in consultation with bike users will look at options for sustainable bike trails in
the reserve;
5.3.4
To provide the community with a link to pre-European landscapes and habitats;
5.3.5
To provide the community with opportunities to learn about the Aboriginal, European
and natural history of Ashby Reserve;
5.3.6
To manage the reserve in accordance with landholder obligations specified in the
Country Fires Act 1999;
5.3.7
To reduce fuel loads through removal of exotic plants, establishment of native grasses
and timed slashing of fuel breaks. Removal of native plants in accordance with
“exemptions” under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 will only be undertaken where a
legitimate hazard has been identified.
Page: 38
6. MANAGEMENT ISSUES &
STRATEGIES
6.1
CONSERVATION OF INDIGENOUS FLORA AND FAUNA
6.1.1 Sites or Features of Significance
To guide management of Ashby Reserve’s indigenous flora it is important that all vegetation
(indigenous, natives and exotics) is mapped with a
condition rating. Once this has occurred
appropriate strategies for the entire reserve can be
prescribed and implemented. Weed control
programs will be based upon such maps.
Weed control in native bushland will have a
primary focus on removing weeds from areas with
indigenous vegetation that contain relatively few
weeds (condition rating 1). Areas of bushland
which are highly degraded, that is dominated by
weeds with some indigenous plants (condition rating 3) will be a low priority. However,
degraded areas may receive high priority when:
•
they contain indigenous flora with a conservation rating;
•
they are adjacent to houses where weeds must be removed to reduce fuel loads;
•
they contain priority weeds species in low abundance.
The importance of protecting and conserving all indigenous vegetation (whether or not they
have a conservation rating, are high or low in abundance or are in pristine areas or degraded)
can not be stressed enough. All remnants must be safe guarded and managed appropriately
for their survival. With this in mind, remnants of particular importance from the vegetation
maps (Figures 7a and 8) include:
•
Intact Remnant Vegetation , Grey Box, Drooping Sheoak, Grey Box and Blue Gums and
River Red Gums (Figure 7a) – these vegetation types all contain grey box woodland which
has a priority 4 conservation rating (Neagle, 1995). However, the vegetation type “Intact
Remnant Vegetation” contains the lowest weed infestations amongst indigenous flora.
Therefore, these areas should receive the highest priority by management, first
concentrating on the larger remnant patches located above the Grevillea Way fire track.
Page: 39
•
Plants with a Conservation rating – although some indigenous flora may be in vegetation
types with a lower priority, it is critical to manage these isolated remnants and degrading
influences upon them. This will ensure that these remnant patches survive and may be
used as a seed source for future revegetation project throughout the reserve.
STRATEGY
6.1.1 Protect and conserve indigenous flora by removing degrading influences upon them
and undertaking appropriate management practices to encourage regeneration.
6.1.2 Natural Regeneration
Regeneration is occurring throughout the reserve and must be considered the primary way in
which indigenous flora is re-established in woodland reserves. Regeneration is nature’s way in
which the following are selected:
•
Species composition;
•
Species density;
•
Species distribution.
The random regeneration that naturally occurs is difficult to replicate in revegetation programs.
Regeneration is also extremely cost effective. For Council to purchase tubestock, stakes, grow
bags, weed mats and plant the tubestock, it costs approximately $5.50 per plant. Regeneration
still requires management to create suitable growing conditions which mostly entails weed
control. There are substantial costs associated with good weed control, however it is required
for both regeneration and revegetation programs.
Some methods that encourage regeneration include:
•
Bradley method of weed control – (i) work outwards from good bush areas towards areas
of weeds, (ii) make minimal disturbance to the environment, and (iii) do not over clear;
•
Reduce degrading influences – such as dumping of garden refuse, new walking trails into
bushland and stormwater containing high nutrient loads and/or causing erosion from
discharge;
•
Maintaining native grasses and ground covers in fuel breaks by annual slashing, avoid
blanket spraying which will produce bare earth and later be colonised by severe weed
infestations. These are often sites from which weeds move deeper into a reserve;
STRATEGY
6.1.2 Management actions are to focus on establishing indigenous flora by regeneration
(natural process) as the primary method. This will be achieved through minimal disturbance
weed control (Bradley / Watiparinga method) and minimising degrading influences.
Page: 40
6.1.3 Revegetation
As outlined above revegetation with indigenous plants
will only be a supplement to regeneration.
Revegetation programs must always use local
provenance seed (collected from the site) to maintain
the genetic diversity of plants within the area.
Revegetation must always complement regeneration
and never thwart natural processes. It should only be
considered when it is deemed a cost effective priority
as part of an overall reserve assessment of
vegetation priorities. According ot Robertson (1994
p9) there may be a need to supplement natural
regeneration at particular sites by seeding or planting
with a clear goal to:
•
Prevent weed re-invasion;
•
Suppress troublesome weeds;
•
Provide particular fauna habitat;
•
Add to the appearance of degraded sites and foster public appreciation;
•
Stabilise eroding areas;
•
Rehabilitate old quarries.
In this context, there are revegetation opportunities within Ashby Reserve and include:
•
Creek lines – high infestations of exotic grasses which require significant resources for
weed control and revegetation;
•
Stormwater Outlets – onto Ashby reserve are causing serious rill and gully erosion. These
areas must be stabilised, weeds controlled and quickly revegetated to reduce further soil
erosion. Significant budget allocations are required;
•
Fuel Breaks – where clearance of indigenous plants and weeds are required to establish a
fuel break, revegetate using indigenous grasses and ground covers to stabilise soil and
reduce weed invasion;
•
Dumped Refuse – once removed it may be suitable to direct seed native grasses, trees
and shrubs if the area is devoid of indigenous plants;
•
Exotic grass and herbaceous weed infestations – large infestations such as phalaris may
require gradual removal by spraying then revegetating with indigenous grasses, shrubs
and trees. Trees would normally be planted before grasses as it can be difficult to
distinguish between some exotic and indigenous grasses. Introduction of native grasses
can be done once trees have established and phalaris has been adequately controlled.
Page: 41
Some guidelines to follow during revegetation include:
•
Always use indigenous plants, collect local provenance seed;
•
Do not disturb areas which shows signs of regeneration. Undertake a site analysis when
considering revegetation;
•
Consider revegetation to re-introduce species or those low in numbers;
•
Use pioneering tree and shrub species in degraded areas, use plants that are taller than
the weeds you are controlling. This assists in follow up maintenance of the site;
•
Where practicable, for each tubestock planting use a blue marker stake, grow bag and
weed mat (370 x 370 mm) to maximise its chance of survival – do it right the first time!
Today’s opportunity may not present itself tomorrow.
Source tubestock from growers that:
•
use local provenance seed;
•
have current seed collection permits for the area;
•
grow quality plants (not "pot-bound," "leggy" or haven't been sun-hardened, etc);
•
have quality assured hygiene practices to prevent the spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi
(Pc).
STRATEGY
6.1.3 Revegetation is only a supplement to regeneration. Revegetation must adhere to
suggested guidelines and best practice methods as they are developed. Revegetation should
first focus on establishing pioneering species in specific degraded areas of the reserve.
6.1.4 Seed Collection
Seed collection from Ashby Reserve can be utilised for revegetation programs within the
reserve. However, unrestricted collection can lead to lower rates of regeneration and damage
to native plants and habitats.
In Randell Park, Robertson (1994 p9) suggests allowing limited non-commercial seed collection
using non-destructive methods, by collectors with a permit from the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources. This is an appropriate policy to adopt for Ashby Reserve. It was also
recommend that the activity be monitored and the policy reviewed in respects to Council’s own
requirements for seed.
Care must be taken not to harvest seed from non-indigenous native plants in the reserve for
use in and around the reserve.
Page: 42
STRATEGY
6.1.4 Allow non-commercial seed collection of common species in the reserve by permitted
individuals/organisations for planting in the local area. Seed collection must not remove
more than 10% of available seed from the reserve.
6.1.5 Fauna Habitat
A lack of knowledge of fauna habitats for grey box woodlands exist. It is a high priority to
update Council’s database and records of emerging studies and best practice techniques in
managing grey box woodlands or similar vegetation associations.
When controlling weed infestations it is important to consider indigenous flora and fauna that
may be displaced. If management actions will impact on a species it will be necessary to
modify the planned works, ie. stage works, revegetate with suitable indigenous plants to
replace lost habitat. It may even be necessary to refrain from weed control in an area for a
period until suitable habitat is provided or a relocation program is undertaken.
STRATEGY
6.1.5 (a) Assess fauna habitats or their potential in areas for programmed works. If works
are likely to impact on fauna habitats then STOP and re-assess works, techniques and
priorities – do we need to undertake these woks now? Can we wait until substitute habitat is
provided? etc.
6.1.5 (b) Gather information on grey box woodland ecosystems and incorporate findings
into management practices where practicable.
6.1.6 Weeds
Ashby Reserve is in good condition regarding the relatively isolated infestations of invasive
woody weeds such as olives, blackberry, desert ash, boneseed and Cape broom. This is
remarkable considering prior land-uses and the typical pattern of weed invasion in grey box
woodland throughout the Mitcham Hills. This can be attributed to excellent weed control and
revegetation works undertaken by Enid Robertson and university students on behalf of the
Watiparinga Management Committee from 1975-1994. Since 1994 the only work undertaken
by Council has been annual slashing of fuel breaks and grading of fire tracks. A Bush for Life
(MC018) site established in the 1990s has also made an excellent contribution to bushland
weeding and regeneration of indigenous plants near the end of Gulfview Road (Appendix 8).
Whilst woody weeds infestations are relatively small and isolated, herbaceous weeds such as
phalaris and plantain are not. These weeds are common throughout grazed woodlands and
significantly impact on indigenous understorey flora. A number of phalaris infestations were
observed in the northern sections of the reserve.
Page: 43
It is apparent that on-going weed control is necessary, especially where urban development
impacts upon the reserve through adjoining properties, stormwater, illegal dumping and
recreation. Through these impacts, weeds are always spread. Even if these impacts could be
stopped, weeds would continue to be spread from vectors such as birds, foxes and rabbits. It
will never be a question of "is weed control required?" but simply a question of "what level of
control is required?" and subsequently "what resources are available?"
In the long term, as weeds are progressively removed and bushland regenerates and condition
ratings improve, resources required for weed control will reduce.
Areas of particular weed importance include (Figure 7b):
•
South African Weed Orchid (Disa bracteata) – observed growing in the extreme northeast corner of the reserve in intact native vegetation. This weed probably has a wider
distribution and must be the highest priority for any weed control program to prevent its
spread throughout the reserve and neighbouring properties;
•
Isolated infestations of blackberry, Cape broom, boneseed, olive and desert ash.
These weeds were successfully targeted from 1975-1994 and must not be allowed to reestablish;
•
Exotic plants and weeds that are escaping from residential properties adjoining the
reserve. In some instances these have been planted in the reserve in areas with a native
vegetation condition rating 1. Residents must be educated about the impacts of “garden
escapes” and these species must be removed from the reserve. An exotic species may be
retained only if it does not have a potential to become invasive;
•
Both creek lines which receive stormwater and possible overflow of effluent from the
United Water pump stations. The high nutrient loads and moist conditions are feeding
kikuyu infestations which are acute in the creek below Bens Place. Phalaris and a range of
other weeds are proliferating in the creeks and will be the most difficult to control within
Ashby Reserve;
•
End of Lee Street – stormwater entering the
reserve is responsible for proliferation of kikuyu,
couch and ash trees;
•
Drainage Lines carrying stormwater to creeks –
are harbouring large phalaris infestations. A good
example is the extreme north-western corner which
receives stormwater from Gloucester Avenue and
upper section of Grevillea Way;
•
Fire tracks – annual grasses are established along fire tracks due to disturbance. Control
is required to reduce invasion from tracks into bushland;
•
Revegetation with Non-indigenous Natives – is an area of concern in the reserve.
Whilst the trees and shrubs reduce weed invasion, erosion and provide habitat they may
become weeds. A long term goal is to replace these plants with indigenous trees and
shrubs in a revegetation program. Volunteers and students under the direction of Enid
Robertson have progressively removed many non-indigenous natives in the reserve.
Reserve at the end of Lee Street
Page: 44
6.1.6.1 Weed Control Principles
As stated earlier, management of the reserve will be based upon methodologies developed by
the Watiparinga Management Committee. For weed control this will require “minimal
disturbance” techniques. Principles of the “Bradley” method are similar to the Watiparinga
methodologies developed by Enid Robertson, and include:
1.
Work outwards from good bush areas towards areas of weed – ie. start weeding in
bushland with a condition rating 1 and where there are the least weeds. Gradually move
outwards to areas with a lower condition rating.
2.
Minimal disturbance to the environment – bare or disturbed soil is an invitation for
weed invasion. Weed control in bushland is entirely different to weed control in
agriculture systems, where large areas may be sprayed or cultivated and sown to a crop
or pasture to quickly cover the soil. Often selective herbicides can be used to reduce
competition within the crop. In native bushland blanket spraying of weeds is not an
option as many indigenous species exist which will be killed if sprayed. Therefore, when
using herbicides they must be carefully selected to minimise impacts on other plants,
soil, water and fauna. Minimal disturbance techniques will minimise soil disturbance by
employing methods such as cut and swabbing, spot spraying, hand-pulling, careful
grubbing, brush cutting exotic grasses before seed set, etc.
3.
Do not over clear – over clearing will also invite further weed invasion by exceeding the
rate at which the weeded areas can regenerate with indigenous plants. The extent of
weeding must be matched to regeneration rates of the surrounding bush.
One exception to the Bradley method is that in some instances it may be necessary to target
small infestations of certain weed species irrespective of the condition of native vegetation without necessarily removing all weed species from that area. This is to prevent highly invasive
species from becoming established throughout the reserve. Some of the weeds that fit into this
category occurring in the reserve include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
South African weed orchid
Cape Broom
Blackberry
Olive
Lavender
Corkscrew Willow
Nasturtium
Fennel
Pampas Grass
Pussy tail
White Arum Lily
Mile-a-minute, Cape Ivy
Kikuyu
Disa bracteata (formerly Monadenia bracteata)
Genista monspessulana
Rubus fruticosa
Olea europaea
Lavandula stoechas
Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’
Tropaeolum majus
Foeniculum vulgare
Cortaderia selloana
Pentaschistis thunbergii
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Senecio milkanioides
Pennisetum clandestinum
The weed of most concern from the list is South African weed orchid and must receive the
highest priority for eradication.
Page: 45
6.1.6.2 Weed Control Techniques
The following techniques listed by Roche (2001) are suited to minimal disturbance weed control
in native vegetation, such as Ashby Reserve. Brush cutting has been added to the list as its
integral to a grassy woodland such as Watiparinga and Ashby Reserve.
Hand Weeding
When the soil is soft enough that plant roots can be removed and before flowering has
occurred, ease the plant from the ground. Remove any soil attached to the roots and ensure
the roots are not left in contact with the ground. Repair site damage by gently pressing back the
soil and replacing any surface mulch. Leave plants scattered, not piled up. If the plant is in
seed it must be removed from the site.
Frill and fill or Drill and fill
Make several horizontal cuts with an axe or similar tool (frill) or drill several holes (drill) around
the trunk at a downward angle into the cambium (outer green bark). Within 15 seconds of
making each cut or hole, brush or inject neat glyphosate into the exposed cambium. Do not
ring bark as this promotes suckering in some species. Suitable for trees while actively growing.
Glove of Death
A tool devised by local bushcarers. Glue a piece of chux (or similar material) over the thumb
and forefinger (palm side) of a heavy-duty chemical resistant glove. Paint the chux with neat
glyphosate, grasp the plant close to the ground between the gloved thumb and forefinger, and
drag your hand up the plant. This technique is suitable for plants with strap-like leaves.
Cut and Swab
With loppers, cut at an angle (to maximise exposed cambium area) through the trunk of the
weed below any branching. Within 15 seconds of making the cut, swab the exposed cambium
with neat glyphosate using a Yates weedbrush or a can of glyphosate and a small paintbrush.
Suitable for woody weeds and small trees.
Weed brush
Use neat glyphosate in a Yates weedbrush or use a small paintbrush and a can of glyphosate.
Suitable for weeds with a basal rosette.
Spot spraying
Use a small knapsack spray unit. Do not fully pressurise the knapsack (a few pumps only) so
the herbicide flows in large droplets rather than a mist, which improves accuracy and minimises
off-target damage due to spray drift. Suitable for weeds which form dense clumps or thickets
with no local plants underneath.
Grub
With minimal possible soil disturbance, remove *Disa (formerly Monadenia) bracteata (South
African weed orchid) and its tubers with as little disturbance as possible. Lever the plant out
using a narrow blade (~2cm wide) and immediately bag to contain the thousands of dust-like
Page: 46
seeds. Repair the site damage the best you can by pressing the soil down slightly with your
foot and replacing surface mulch.
Brush cutting
Target annual exotic grasses before they set seed in spring. This is particularly suited to fuel
breaks and open grassland where timed brush cutting will disadvantage exotic grasses and
favour native grasses. This practice has proved successful in Watiparinga. Care must be taken
to avoid damage to indigenous plants and introduction of weeds from equipment used on other
parts of the reserve, and between reserves.
For a comprehensive list of weed control techniques and timing refer to Appendix 5 for a
weeding calendar.
6.1.6.3 Weed Hygiene
To minimise the spread of weeds and introduction of new species between reserves, weed
hygiene is a top priority. Weed hygiene practices can also be developed in association with
those for Phytophthora cinnamomi (Pc).
Simple weed hygiene practices include:
•
Thoroughly wash down and clean all equipment, vehicles, tools and boots before entering
the reserve. For Pc hygiene this would include disinfection;
•
Do not transport any organic material to the reserve which may contain weed seeds, stems
and roots;
•
Each day (where practicable) commence weed control in areas with fewest weeds and/or
least invasive and progress to areas with most weeds and/or most invasive weeds ;
•
Do not slash or brush cut areas with matures seed heads. However, this rule may be
broken during annual slashing of fuel breaks as coordinating contractors, staff and
equipment place restrictions on timing of cuts. Each season’s weather also plays a major
role as maturity of seed heads vary and even the number of cuts required.
Page: 47
STRATEGY
6.1.6.3 (a) Only minimal disturbance weed control is to be used on Ashby Reserve
according to the Watiparinga Reserve and Bradley methods.
6.1.6.3 (b) Adopt weed and Phytophthora cinnamomi (Pc) hygiene practices for Council
employees, contractors, volunteers, local residents and users of the reserve.
6.1.6.3 (c) Implement an action plan to address weed control within the reserve based upon
conservation values, fire management and priority weeds.
6.1.6.3 (d) Vigilance is required along edges of the reserve where garden escapes are
introduced. Regular patrols of the boundaries with prompt removal of garden escapes.
6.2
PUBLIC USE
6.2.1 Recreation
Recreation in Ashby reserve must be consistent with Objective 5.3.1:
To provide the local community with natural woodland reserve which can be accessed
and enjoyed for passive recreation.
Passive recreation activities that are appropriate in Ashby Reserve include:
•
Bushwalking;
•
Jogging;
•
Painting;
•
Photography;
•
Bird watching;
•
Cycling – only on fire tracks. However this is often ignored and new tracks are formed
through bushland which cause significant damage to native vegetation.
It is important that infrastructure is provided to guide the above activities to minimise impacts
on the natural environment. This may consist of:
•
Interpretive signage posted at reserve entrances – stating recreation activities allowed /
prohibited, importance of native vegetation on the reserve, map of trails, etc;
•
Interpretive signage along tracks – regarding vegetation, history, geology and management
objectives;
•
Trail markers;
•
Well maintained walking tracks;
•
Fencing off indigenous vegetation of conservation significance or considered high value.
Page: 48
During a site visit mountain bike riders were encountered on the track below Banksia Crescent.
This activity can be permitted provided that bike riders stay on defined fire tracks. However, in
other woodland reserves riders have formed new tracks in bushland. This results in damage to
native plants, habitats, erosion, spread of weeds and even Phytophthora cinnamomi (Pc).
Recreation pursuits such as mountain bike riding which have an increased element of risk,
may also increase public liability issues for Council. There is not only the risk of the rider being
injured through a fall, but also non-riders (ie. bushwalkers) by sharing tracks with bike users.
Consultation may be required to assess the current recreational activities in Ashby Reserve
and community views. Instead of immediately erecting signage prohibiting activities, a
consultative process may identify activities which can occur through minor changes to the
reserve.
The walking track heading west from Gulfview Road leading down to the junction of the two
creeks is eroding in the steeper sections (Fig 9). This requires remedial works to halt further
erosion (Figure 9.). The erosion may be increased by mountain bike riding.
Access to the Reserve is by at least nine points (ignoring adjacent private property). This is a
high number of entry/exit points and therefore increases the need for signage and impacts on
native vegetation. Management of these exit/entry points also increases. The entry/exits points
include:
1.
Baeckea Place – fire track;
2.
Hill Road;
3.
Lee Street;
4.
Gulfview Road;
5.
Grevillea Way (lower end)– approximately 180 metres of un-fenced road frontage;
6.
Grevillea Way (upper end) – approximately 250 metres of road / fire track frontage not
fenced and dissects Ashby Reserve;
7.
Banksia Crescent;
8.
Watiparinga - entry through Gloucester Avenue (north-west corner of Ashby Reserve)
9.
Watiparinga – geological trail along creek.
Consideration should be given to closing entrances that serve no purpose and do not have a
track leading from them, this would include:
•
Hill Road – fence;
•
Lee Street – increase fencing;
•
Grevillea Way (lower end) – fence along road and make an entry point near the United
Water pump station;
Page: 49
Grevillea Way – fence off entrances to the portion of reserve on the north side of the fire track
Page: 50
which contains “intact remnant native vegetation.” Fence reserve on the southern side of the
fire track, but consider maintaining an entrance between the Grevillea Way fire track and track
along the rear of houses on Banksia Crescent;
It is a high priority to fence the reserve north of the Grevillea Way fire track as it contains the
largest area of “ intact remnant native vegetation” in Ashby Reserve. Continued public access
will increase degradation.
STRATEGY
6.2.1 (a) Ashby Reserve is a natural woodland which can be accessed and enjoyed by the
community for passive recreation. Council needs to provide some infrastructure to guide
passive recreation within the reserve in an effort to minimise adverse impacts.
6.2.1 (b) Community consultation should be undertaken to determine current recreational
uses occurring in the reserve and community needs. An outcome of the consultation may
be that current non-complying activities be permitted provided adequate planning and onground controls are implemented. This may control prohibitive activities, which at present
are uncontrolled, ie. mountain bikes.
6.2.1 (c) The number of entry/exit points to Ashby Reserve need to be reduced by about
50%. This should reduce damage to native vegetation, signage and management of these
areas.
6.3
DRAINAGE
Rill and gully erosion is a serious issue in Ashby Reserve, as with many undeveloped
woodland reserves in the Mitcham Hills. Most of the stormwater outlets are located only within
a few metres of the kerb, and may be in excess of 100 metres from the creek line. Therefore,
the high velocities that are discharged quickly erode the soil in between the discharge outlet
and creek. These areas will need to be the focus of expensive remedial works if not rectified in
the short term. However, erosion will continue if the stormwater outlets are not designed to halt
their inherent problems. Piping the water into the creek with dissipaters at the end to reduce the
discharge velocity is one possible solution.
Impacts of stormwater and of the outlets include:
•
Rill and gully erosion – soil loss and landscape change;
•
Stream bank undercutting and bed scour;
•
Increased sedimentation within the catchment which increases turbidity and nutrient loads;
•
Increased sedimentation kills aquatic biota;
•
Increased sedimentation chokes infrastructure further downstream;
•
Increased sedimentation reduces channel capacity and can increase flood levels;
•
Destruction of indigenous vegetation and promotion of weeds;
Page: 51
•
Increase of heavy metals and nutrients (particularly nitrogen and phosphorous) which
impact on aquatic biota and promotes a monoculture of alien species;
Stormwater outlets that require urgent attention include (Fig 10):
1.
Grevillea Way (lower end) - producing three separate gullies. Eventually these gullies
will coalesce to form a large single gully.
2.
Grevillea Way (upper end)- the cement stormwater pipe is uncoupled causing water to
escape from this break. At the end of the outlet is a stone, which deflects water to
either side. This spreading of water is actually widening the area that is actively
eroding.
Uncoupled stormwater pipe
3.
Gully erosion from stormwater off Grevillea Way
(upper end)
Grevillea Way – stormwater has stripped soil down to bedrock between the creek and
walking track which runs parallel with Grevillea Way.
A sediment trap for a culvert and gabion-type sediment trap for a
stream. Source: Buchanan, R. A. (1994)
Page: 52
Page: 53
Construction plans for silting basins. Source: Buchanan, R. A. (1994)
Page: 54
STRATEGY
6.3 Council to consider undertaking remedial works to stop further erosion caused by stormwater
discharge from outlets. Remedial works may involve extending stormwater outlets into the creek
with dissipaters at the end of the outlets. Eroded sections must be stabilised and revegetated with
indigenous plants. Ignoring the problem now will exasperate gully erosion impacts and multiply
remedial costs in the future. Of course, Council action will be dependent upon budget allocations, if
any at this stage. Perhaps this can be addressed in annual budget reviews.
6.4
DUMPING
Illegal dumping of garden refuse, soil and general rubbish is a common problem on reserves,
especially those located in urban areas.
Impacts from rubbish dumping include
aesthetics, spread of weeds, damage or
death to indigenous plants, destruction of
habitat and release of toxic compounds
into the soil, air and/or water. Once
rubbish is dumped onto a reserve, it often
encourages others to do the same.
Therefore, it’s important to remove the
rubbish promptly.
Dumping in Ashby Reserve is evident at
the following locations and must be acted
upon promptly by Council:
•
Rear of houses on Dryandra Drive – garden refuse;
•
Rear of houses on Banksia Crescent and fire track / E&WS easement - garden refuse;
•
United Water pump station, Grevillea Way;
•
Rear of house on Baeckea Place – soil from excavations;
•
Rear of house on Grevillea Way - loam
STRATEGY
6.4 (a) Council should regularly patrol the reserve for rubbish dumping, especially at the rear of
houses adjoining Ashby Reserve. Council officers to issue notices to residents to remove their rubbish
and dispose of in a lawful manner.
6.4 (b) Council officers to arrange prompt disposal of rubbish on reserves where the offender can not
be identified
6.4 (c) It is recommended that locked gates are installed at both ends of the fire track below Banksia
Crescent and Grevillea Way (E&WS easement) to limit access to essential services.
Page: 55
6.5
FIRE
6.5.1 Fire Risk Factors
Undeveloped reserves often
present an immediate fire hazard
to adjacent properties and to
surrounding suburbs. In the case
of Ashby Reserve, there are a
number of factors which increase
the fire hazard:
•
Located on the western slopes
of the Mount Lofty Ranges –
high fire risk region;
•
Terrain – steep terrain on the
majority of the reserve makes
it difficult to access areas to
extinguish a fire. Fire will travel
faster uphill, as opposed to
burning on relatively flat terrain or downhill. Houses surrounding the reserve are all situated
at the top of slopes, where fire(s) will most likely be travelling toward;
•
Vegetation – open grassy woodland. Dry grasses provide fine surface fuel loads enabling a
small fire to rapidly gain momentum and burn through an area quickly;
•
Adjacent Reserves – part of a large network of undeveloped woodland reserves including
Watiparinga National Trust Reserve, Shepherds Hill Recreation Park, Saddle Hill Reserve,
Sleeps Hill Reserve and Belair Reserve. A fire occurring within any of these reserves can
easily spread to Ashby Reserve;
•
Community Assets – housing adjoins Ashby Reserve on its northern, eastern and southern
boundaries. A fire starting in Ashby Reserve has the potential to spread to other properties
and surrounding suburbs;
•
Deliberate Fires – the risk may increase with the reserve being situated in an urban area
and easily accessed from many points;
6.5.2 Fire Protection Measures
Under the Country Fires Act 1999 Council, like other landholders has an obligation to prevent
fires from occurring on its property. If a fire does occur on its property then Council has an
obligation to prevent the spread of fire to other properties. In consideration of this, fuel load
reduction on the reserve is the most effective method in which the City of Mitcham can reduce
the potential fire hazard that exits. It is also one of the few tools available to Council in
reducing the fire hazard.
Page: 56
Fire protection measures observed in Ashby Reserve undertaken by the City of Mitcham and
the Watiparinga National Trust Reserve include:
•
Fuel Load Reduction – volunteers and students with the Watiparinga National Trust (19751994) have removed woody weeds such as olives which increase elevated fuel loads and
are extremely flammable due to the high oil content in their foliage. During this period they
also slashed exotic and indigenous grasses in accessible areas of the reserve situated at
the end of Gulfview Road (former Gulfview Reserve);
•
Fuel Breaks – the City of Mitcham
annually
slashes
exotic
and
indigenous grasses along reserve
boundaries
adjoining
residential
properties. This is in accordance with
Council’s obligations under the
Country Fires Act 1999, s.41 (1)...to
protect property on the land from fire
and to prevent or inhibit the outbreak
of fire on the land, or the spread of fire
through the land. In the Mitcham Hills,
the District Bushfire Prevention Committee recommends a five-metre wide fuel break in
accordance with listed exemptions under the Native Vegetation Act 1991.
A fuel break has not been established along the reserve’s south-eastern boundary (Figure.
11) where houses from Bens Place, Melton Street and Gulfview Road back onto the
reserve. Council's fire prevention officer has viewed the draft maintenance plan and has
recommended that a fuel break be established along this boundary. Native vegetation
would need to be removed in accordance with listed exemptions under the Native
Vegetation Act 1991. This area contains indigenous orchids and other indigenous plants
which are not widespread throughout the reserve. Therefore, disturbance must be
minimised. A heritage agreement under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 exists on an
adjacent property (96 Gulfview Road - see Figure 11).
•
Fire Tracks – three tracks have been installed:
-
Southern boundary - enter from Gulfview Road, and exit Baeckea Place. The track is
in good condition;
-
Northern boundary - enter Grevillea Way/Gum Way intersection near the United Water
pump station and travel south-west where it exits between houses on Banksia
Crescent. This narrow track runs along an E&WS sewer easement at the rear of five
properties on Banksia Crescent and is in fair condition. According to Zybek (pers.
comm., 2002) the CFS have refused to drive fire trucks along this narrow track due to
its poor condition and the inability to turn vehicles around at the end of the track.
According to Deer (pers. comm., 2002) there is a proposal to extend this fire track
along the rear of houses on Gloucester Avenue, connecting with the unmade
Gloucester Avenue Reserve. The Country Fire Service has indicated that this is a
priority and should be completed when funding is available. Subsequently, the Mitcham
District Bushfire Prevention Committee passed a motion in 2001/02 to establish a fire
track in this location. Initial estimates have indicated the fire track would cost between
Page: 57
$40,000-60,000 to construct. This includes the installation of piping under the track for
stormwater runoff, cut-fill and grading the track to an appropriate standard. The
National Trust must be consulted as several trees would need to be removed from
Watiparinga to facilitate the fire track. At least one stakeholder does not support the
proposed fire track extension and has questioned its purpose as the Gloucester
Avenue properties having a south-easterly aspect - although the adjacent Banksia
Crescent properties have a direct westerly aspect.
A thirty metre fuel break was maintained behind the properties on Gloucester Avenue
and the north-western section of Banksia Crescent by the City of Mitcham during the
2001/02 fire danger season. The fuel break was formed by brush cutting exotic
grasses from the rear of properties, down into the adjacent gully. The City of Mitcham
regards this an important bushfire prevention strategy to be maintained each year.
-
Northern boundary – situated above the second track and links separate bituminised
sections of Grevillea Way. This track is in good condition and dissects Ashby Reserve
leaving a small section of reserve north of the track. Residents use this track as a main
thoroughfare and subsequently requires regular grading. As a result of the traffic dust
impacts upon nearby houses. There is a potential for impacts on native vegetation from
illegal dumping along the track.
Page: 58
Brush cut 30 me tre s into g ully
ß
ß
96 Gulfview Rd
ß
HERITAGE AGREEMENT
(NATIVE VEGETATION ACT 1991)
PROPOSED FIRE TRACK GATES
PROPOSED FIRE TRACK
Page: 59
STRATEGY
6.5.2 (a) Continue weed eradication throughout the reserve to reduce fuel loads by targeting
woody weed species and exotic grasses such as phalaris.
6.5.2 (b) Promote and establish indigenous grasses, herbs and ground covers within fuel
breaks to reduce fuel loads, slashing and weed control costs. Do not plant indigenous trees
and shrubs within 15-20 metres of reserve boundary to ensure the effectiveness of fuel
breaks are not compromised. Form linkages with CFS Community Fire Safe groups to raise
awareness.
6.5.2 (c) Promote indigenous vegetation within Ashby Reserve to provide a competitive
vegetation cover against weeds and reduce the overall biomass in the reserve. Dense olive
infestations dramatically increase the biomass and elevated fuel loads of grey box
woodlands.
6.5.2 (d) It is advisable to maintain a standard five-metre fuel break along all boundaries,
which adjoin residential properties. Maintain a thirty-metre fuel break at the rear of properties
on Gloucester Avenue and the north-western section of Banksia Crescent.
6.5.2 (e) Council should install a five-metre wide fuel break along the reserve's south-eastern
boundary where houses from Bens Place, Melton Street and Gulfview Road back onto the
reserve
6.5.2 (f) Maintain all fire tracks in good condition. Ensure grader operator does not continue
to form piles of loose dirt and rubble along the track and push / dump graded dirt into
bushland. Past operations have increased weed invasion along the track and into bushland.
6.5.2 (g) Unless alternative options can be found, it is recommended that a fire track is
constructed at the rear of properties on Banksia Crescent and Gloucester Avenue - when
funding becomes available in compliance with CFS recommendations. Consultation with the
National Trust and Native Vegetation Council is required as native vegetation would be
cleared.
6.5.2 (h) Council should ensure that residential properties adjacent to the reserve are
implementing bushfire prevention practices, have adequate fuel breaks and do not dispose of
rubbish in Ashby Reserve.
6.5.2 (i) Council to educate the local community on bushfire prevention practices, which can
be assisted through the CFS community awareness programs.
6.5.2 (j) Council to assist in establishing a “reserve watch” to reduce illegal dumping in the
reserve, prohibited recreation activities, loitering and arsonists.
6.5.2 (k) Ashby Reserve to be included in the District Bushfire Prevention Plan with its
maintenance plan (particularly fire section) reviewed by the District Bushfire Prevention
Committee. Upon advice from the Committee, the draft maintenance plan for Ashby Reserve
will be updated (if required) for endorsement by the committee.
6.5.2 (l) Scope options to minimise impacts of the northern boundary fire track on residents.
Page: 60
6.5.3 Ecological Fire Management
This maintenance plan can not adequately assess the appropriateness of prescribed burns for
Ashby Reserve. This would need to be undertaken as a separate study and must be consistent
with the objectives and strategies of this plan.
Consent is required from the Native Vegetation Council for burning native vegetation as it is
considered clearance under the Native Vegetation Act 1991, when used outside of listed
exemptions, eg. five metre fuel breaks.
Prescribed fires can be beneficial for regenerating indigenous plants that rely upon fire for
germination. Fire can also be used as a tool in weed control programs. However, fire is a
double edged sword for weed control as many weed species germinate profusely after a fire.
Therefore, an intensive follow up weed control program is required following a fire. Robertson
(1995) states that frequent fires (10-30 year intervals) have historically occurred in much of the
fragmented vegetation in the Mount Lofty Ranges and have been associated with its
degradation.
Whilst prescribed burns can immediately reduce fuel loads, it will likely increase weed invasion
and only compound problems for those responsible for weed control. Weed infestations tend to
increase and a vicious cycle of continued burning will be required. The impacts to native
vegetation from frequent fires will be the loss of species dependent on longer periods between
fires and dominance by species favouring short periods in between fires. Frequent fires will
affect the diversity and density of vegetation. With lack of weed control, indigenous plants will
be displaced by weeds.
However, mosaic burning is an option for bushland where it not only reduces fuel loads but can
also benefit regeneration of indigenous plants dependent on fire for germination. This a
strategic approach with both biodiversity and fuel hazard reduction outcomes. Mosaic burning
requires careful planning to assess areas that will benefit from this techniques, timing (hot/cool
burns), follow up weed control and possible revegetation required. Underpinning the planning
process will be the determination of frequency of fires in each area. Before mosaic burning is
considered a viable option, Council must research the issue and consult with experts in native
vegetation management and fire prevention, ie. Native Vegetation Council, local botanists,
research scientists and the CFS.
STRATEGY
6.5.3 (a) Research appropriateness and methodologies for mosaic burning in grey box
woodland to achieve biodiversity and fuel load reduction outcomes.
6.5.3 (b) Consider establishing small trial sites in different native vegetation conditions (1-3)
in Ashby Reserve. Trial sites must be of manageable sizes to ensure continued follow up
weed control.
6.5.3 (c) Native Vegetation Council approval is required before prescribed burns can occur
in native vegetation.
5.5.3 (d) Council to keep a detailed history of fires occurring in Ashby Reserve and adjacent
areas to assess impacts on indigenous vegetation and fuel loads.
Page: 61
6.6
QUARRY
A former quarry is located at the end of Hill Road and Lee Street, and provides a rock cutting
suitable for inclusion in a geology or history trail. Interpretive signage can be installed to
describe these features.
The quarry contains remnants of a grey box woodland but is proliferating with pussy tail
(Pentaschistis thunbergii). If a trail was constructed through the quarry, measures must be
implemented to prevent spreading weeds to other sections of the reserve.
A fence has been installed at the end of Hill Road and Lee Street to prevent people traversing
over the quarry face. It is beyond the scope of this maintenance plan to evaluate the adequacy
of quarry fencing for public safety. Council needs to inspect quarry fencing for compliance to
Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare legislation/regulations and rectify any deficiencies. A
quarry audit commissioned by Council in the 1990s may assist with an inspection.
STRATEGY
6.6 (a) Research the history and geology of the quarry for possible inclusion in a geological
and/or historical interpretive trail.
6.6 (b) If a trail is constructed Council must take appropriate actions to minimise further
spread of pussy tail (Pentaschistis thunbergii).
6.6 (c) Council to inspect quarry fencing for compliance to Occupational Health, Safety and
Welfare legislation/regulations and rectify any deficiencies. A past quarry audit may assist.
6.7
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Implementation of this maintenance plan will be more effective if the community are aware of
the issues affecting Ashby Reserve. Through education the community may increase their
appreciation and value of Ashby Reserve and take greater ownership.
Educating the community on issues such as biodiversity, illegal dumping, stormwater pollution
prevention, environmental weeds, recreation guidelines and trail ethics can have a dramatic
affect on attitudes and behaviour. Community participation in management of the reserve can
then be gained by individual residents modifying or ceasing damaging practices or even joining
volunteer organisations (ie. Trees For Life) to actively manage sites of indigenous vegetation.
Page: 62
STRATEGY
6.7 (a) Council to provide the Ashby Reserve Maintenance plan for community consultation
and retain it as a public, working document.
6.7 (b) Council seeks to educate the community on issues such as biodiversity, indigenous
plants, bushfire prevention, illegal dumping, stormwater pollution prevention and
environmental weeds. These are to be delivered through interpretive signage along trails,
mail-outs, brochures, Council’s website, Mitcham Community News and on-site meetings.
6.7 (c) Council should fund the establishment and annual maintenance of additional Bush
For Life sites (volunteers through Trees For Life) in Ashby Reserve to involve the
community in on-ground vegetation management.
Page: 63
7. IMPLEMENTATION OF
STRATEGIES
7.1
RESERVE STATUS
The City of Mitcham Open Space Survey 1982 classified both Ashby Reserve and the former
Gulfview Reserve as “Undeveloped: mo dified woodland – (a) semi-natural.” Refer to Section
2.1 for definitions of terms.
This description is accurate and useful for Council’s internal purposes. However a simplified
classification such as “Native Woodland Reserve” or “Native Bushland Reserve” is more
appropriate when stating the reserve classification on signage.
A letter from the National Trust of South Australia (Watiparinga Reserve Management
Committee) in 2001 to the City of Mitcham canvassed the option of entering into a heritage
agreement for Ashby Reserve under the Native Vegetation Act 1991. The aim of the heritage
agreement is to assist Council in managing the reserve as Council resources are limited. In
response the City of Mitcham declined to enter into a heritage agreement as it was increasing
its resources for Ashby Reserve. Council recently employed two staff dedicated to woodland
reserve works such as weed removal, revegetation, trail maintenance and fence repair. Ashby
Reserve has been included in their list of reserves of which they have responsibility.
7.2 MANAGEMENT ZONES
Ashby Reserve has been divided into nine management zones (Figure 12) based upon
recognised features such as fire tracks, walking tracks and creek lines. These are the most
distinguishable features on the ground and assist in managing activities throughout the reserve.
Within each zone there are varying native vegetation condition ratings which are used to guide
bushland management activities.
7.3
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
In the case of a management plan, Robertson (1995 p11) recommends the formation of a
management committee to:
•
coordinate, oversee and review implementation of the plan;
•
resolve management issues as they arise;
Page: 64
•
provide feedback to Council.
Council does not consider it necessary to form a committee for this maintenance plan as
existing Council operations enable the processes listed above.
7.4
MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REVIEW
Implementation of this plan can be assessed through evaluating on-ground actions which are
derived from recommended strategies. Therefore, monitoring of actions are critical.
Some monitoring methods are listed below.
•
Photo-points – monitoring weed removal programs, long term native vegetation change
and erosion control;
•
Vegetation Surveys – in specified areas, survey plants species to give an indication of
weed control effectiveness in regeneration of indigenous vegetation. This may occur at 1-5
year intervals and involve sampling the same quadrats each survey. This will provide a
good indication of whether or not management techniques are successful;
•
Community Surveys – to obtain feedback on community education initiatives whether or
not the “messages” are understood, relevant, changing attitudes, information gaps, etc;
•
Documentation – confirmation of actions such as fuel breaks being slashed, grading of fire
tracks, clean up notices issued can be recorded on inspection or activity sheets (Appendix
6) as proof that they have been implemented. All activities need to be recorded and
entered into a database (ie. MapInfo) for future reference and analysis.
All actions and monitoring occurring in a reserve should be recorded on an “activity sheet” and
then entered into a Geographic Information System (GIS) such as MapInfo. This will provide
Council and the community with a comprehensive database providing valuable historical data
for a myriad of uses (ie. budgeting) at a later date.
Annual or half yearly reviews of the maintenance plan can take place by evaluating outcomes
of each action. Outcomes of the analysis may be to alter actions for the coming year, reprioritise actions and make changes to the maintenance plan in the next review. It is advisable
to review the maintenance plan every five years.
7.5 RESOURCING AND PERSONNEL
To implement the strategies in this plan it is vital that Council commits to providing adequate
financial and human resources.
Ashby Reserve is relatively large at twenty six hectares. Council’s newly formed “woodland
reserve crew” (two staff) will play a key role in reserve maintenance and vegetation
management. However, they will only have a limited number of hours to devote each year as
they undertake similar works across the Mitcham Hills. It is vital that Council identify resource
Page: 65
restrictions and ways to combat these. Establishment of Bush for Life sites and other volunteer
programs throughout the reserve can greatly assist Council.
Council will need to ensure that a staff member is assigned to implement the maintenance plan
and audit on-ground works. Without one person being responsible for implementing the
strategies, an uncoordinated approach will result.
Page: 66
Page: 67
7.6
IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE
Implementation of the maintenance plan has been summarised below in Table 8. However, this
does not adequately address each strategy in the plan or provide a comprehensive weeding
plan. An “action plan” should follow this document to adequately implement all the
recommended strategies and available resources.
TABLE 8. IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE
TASK
ISSUES
Public
Consultation
•
•
•
Adopt
Maintenance plan
•
•
•
RESPONSIBILITY
DURATION
Ensure that stakeholders are consulted
Consider issues raised by stakeholders for
inclusion in the maintenance plan
Review accuracy of the maintenance plan
Council
Short term
(4 weeks)
Policy: consider changing reserve status.
eg. change classification title or adopt a
heritage agreement. This must be in
accordance with the Local Government Act;
Review / endorse strategies;
Commitment: are existing resources
adequate to implement the maintenance
plan?
Council
Short term
Reserve Status
•
Ensure reserve’s classification is
appropriate for long term protection of
indigenous flora and fauna on the reserve .
Council
Short term
Appoint
responsible staff
•
•
Define roles and responsibilities;
Appoint staff member
Council
Short term
Record Keeping
•
•
•
Establish photopoints in key areas;
Consider a grid system;
Create a standard form linked to the grid
system and photopoints to monitor change
in the reserve.
Obtain fire history of Ashby Reserve from
CFS;
Obtain deposited plans for all titles and
record all easements;
Council
Short term
•
•
Monitoring
•
Establish photopoints and permanent
sample sites in key areas to observe longterm change.
Council &
volunteers
Short term
Weeds
•
Adopt Watiparinga & Bradley method
(minimal disturbance of indigenous
vegetation) to encourage natural
regeneration and minimise weed invasions.
Council staff &
volunteers
Ongoing
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TASK
ISSUES
RESPONSIBILITY
DURATION
Fire
•
Coordinate fire prevention with weed
management.
Consult CFS where necessary;
Minimise weed dispersal in grading fire
tracks and slashing fuel breaks;
Modify maintenance of fuel breaks to favour
regeneration of indigenous grasses and
groundcover plants and disadvantage the
growth of exotic species.
Include the reserve's maintenance plan in
the District Bushfire Prevention Plan.
Council,
volunteers, CFS &
Fire Prevention
Officer
Short-term
Stabilise areas undergoing erosion and
install stabilisation measures where
necessary. Deal with the source of the
problem.
Stormwater erosion sites will require
additional resources to rectify the problems
Council &
volunteers
medium -long
term,
ongoing.
Develop trails and install interpretive
signage to encourage the public to use
designated trails, entry/exit points and
appropriate activities.
Install interpretive signage to provide
information on the history, geology and
indigenous flora and fauna of the reserve;
Ensure that the maintenance plan is readily
available so anyone with an interest in the
area can ascertain what managers aim to
achieve and how.
Inform and advise residents on:
- Regulated activities
- Environmental weeds and nonindigenous natives
- Threat to vegetation from trampling and
illegal dumping
- Fire prevention practices
- “Reserve Watch” role and other
possible involvement
- CFS community awareness programs
Raise awareness of bushland values and
general biodiversity issues
Council
Short-term
(signage,
mail drop)
then an
annual mail
drop
Regulated
Activities
Enforce regulations prohibiting activities that
damage native vegetation and habitat, ie.
unauthorised access, litter and dumping, wood
collecting, woodcutting and moss rock removal.
Council
Ongoing
Feedback
•
Report regularly on progress of work and its
successes/failures
Council
Evaluation &
review
•
Based on results of monitoring, evaluate
management, review priority areas, plans
and resourcing.
Council
Ongoing (612 month
basis)
5 year
intervals
•
•
•
•
Erosion
•
•
Community
Education
•
•
•
•
•
Page: 69
7.7
SUMMARY OF STRATEGIES
TABLE 9. HIGH PRIORITY STRATEGIES
SECTION
2.8 (b)
HIGH PRIORITY STRATEGY
Consider appropriate fencing around areas of high habitat value. Install
entry and exit points along fence for movement of indigenous fauna.
ISSUE
Habitat
3.2.5
Comprehensive vegetation condition mapping to be completed across
Ashby Reserve
Flora
4.1
Ashby Reserve provides critical habitat for indigenous flora and fauna,
which some are of conservation significance. Ashby Reserve needs to be
managed in ways that enhance habitat corridors, protect indigenous flora
and fauna and foster regeneration of indigenous flora which fauna rely
upon for habitat.
Flora &
Fauna
6.1.1
Protect and conserve indigenous flora by removing degrading influences
upon them and undertaking appropriate management practices to
encourage regeneration.
Flora &
Fauna
6.1.2
Management actions are to focus on establishing indigenous flora by
regeneration (natural process) as the primary method. This will be achieved
through minimal disturbance weed control (Bradley / Watiparinga method)
and minimising degrading influences.
Flora &
Fauna
6.1.3
Revegetation is only a supplement to regeneration. Revegetation must
adhere to suggested guidelines and best practice methods as they are
developed. Revegetation should first focus on establishing pioneering
species in specific degraded areas of the reserve.
Flora &
Fauna
6.1.4
Allow non-commercial seed collection of common species in the reserve by
permitted individuals/organisations for planting in the local area. Seed
collection must not remove more than 10% of available seed from the
reserve.
Flora &
Fauna
6.1.5 (a)
Assess fauna habitats or their potential in areas for programmed works. If
works are likely to impact on fauna habitats then STOP and re-assess
works, techniques and priorities – do we need to undertake these woks
now? Can we wait until substitute habitat is provided? etc.
Flora &
Fauna
6.1.5 (b)
Gather information on grey box woodland ecosystems and incorporate
findings into management practices where practicable.
Flora &
Fauna
6.1.6.3 (a)
Only minimal disturbance weed control is to be used on Ashby Reserve
according to the Watiparinga Reserve and Bradley methods.
Flora &
Fauna
6.1.6.3 (b)
Adopt weed and Phytophthora cinnamomi (Pc) hygiene practices for
Council employees, contractors, volunteers, local residents and users of
the reserve.
Flora &
Fauna
6.1.6.3 (c)
Implement an action plan to address weed control within the reserve based
upon conservation values, fire management and priority weeds.
Weed
Control
Page: 70
SECTION
6.1.6.3 (d)
Vigilance is required along edges of the reserve where garden escapes are
introduced. Regular patrols of the boundaries with prompt removal of
garden escapes.
ISSUE
Weed
Control
6.2.1 (a)
Ashby Reserve is a natural woodland which can be accessed and enjoyed
by the community for passive recreation. Council needs to provide some
infrastructure to guide passive recreation within the reserve in an effort to
minimise adverse impacts.
Recreation
6.2.1(b)
Community consultation should be undertaken to determine current
recreational uses occurring in the reserve and community needs. An
outcome of the consultation may be that current non-complying activities be
permitted provided adequate planning and on-ground controls are
implemented. This may control prohibitive activities, which at present are
uncontrolled, ie. mountain bikes.
Recreation
6.2.1(c)
The number of entry/exit points to Ashby Reserve need to be reduced by
about 50%. This should reduce damage to native vegetation, signage and
management of these areas.
Recreation
6.3
Council to consider undertaking remedial works to stop further erosion
caused by stormwater discharge from outlets. Remedial works may involve
extending stormwater outlets into the creek with dissipaters at the end of
the outlets. Eroded sections need to be stabilised and revegetated with
indigenous plants. Ignoring the problem now will exasperate gully erosion
impacts and multiply remedial costs in the future. Of course, Council action
will be dependent upon budget allocations, if any at this stage. Perhaps this
can be addressed in annual budget reviews.
Erosion
6.4 (a)
Council to regularly patrol the reserve for rubbish dumping, especially at the
rear of houses adjoining Ashby Reserve. Council officers to issue notices to
residents to remove their rubbish and dispose of in a lawful manner.
illegal
dumping
6.4 (b)
Council officers to arrange prompt disposal of rubbish on reserves where
the offender can not be identified.
illegal
dumpling
6.4 (c)
It is recommended that locked gates are installed at both ends of the fire
track below Banksia Crescent and Grevillea Way (E&WS easement) to limit
access to essential services.
6.5.2 (a)
Continue weed eradication throughout the reserve to reduce fuel loads by
targeting woody weed species and exotic grasses such as phalaris.
Fire
Prevention
6.5.2 (b)
Promote and establish indigenous grasses, herbs and ground covers within
fuel breaks to reduce fuel loads, slashing and weed control costs. Do not
plant indigenous trees and shrubs within 15-20 metres of reserve boundary
to ensure the effectiveness of fuel breaks are not compromised. Form
linkages with CFS Community Fire Safe groups to raise awareness.
Fire
Prevention
6.5.2 (c)
Promote indigenous vegetation within Ashby Reserve to provide a
competitive vegetation cover against weeds and reduce the overall
biomass in the reserve. Dense olive infestations dramatically increase the
biomass and elevated fuel loads of grey box woodlands.
Fire
Prevention
Page: 71
SECTION
6.5.2 (d)
It is advisable to maintain a standard five-metre fuel break along all
boundaries, which adjoin residential properties. Maintain a thirty-metre fuel
break at the rear of properties on Gloucester Avenue and the north-western
section of Banksia Crescent.
ISSUE
Fire
prevention
6.5.2 (e)
Council should Install a five-metre wide fuel break along the reserve's
south-eastern boundary where houses from Bens Place, Melton Street and
Gulfview Road back onto the reserve
Fire
Prevention
6.5.2 (f)
Maintain all fire tracks in good condition. Ensure grader operator does not
continue to form piles of loose dirt and rubble along the track and push /
dump graded dirt into bushland. Past operations have increased weed
invasion along the track and into bushland.
Fire
Prevention
6.5.2 (g)
Unless alternative options can be found, it is recommended that a fire track
is constructed at the rear of properties on Banksia Crescent and Gloucester
Avenue - when funding becomes available in compliance with CFS
recommendations. Consultation with the National Trust and Native
Vegetation Council is required as native vegetation would be cleared.
Fire
Prevention
6.5.2 (h)
Council should ensure that residential properties adjacent to the reserve
are implementing bushfire prevention practices, have adequate fuel breaks
and do not dispose of rubbish in Ashby Reserve.
Fire
Prevention
6.5.2 (i)
Council to educate the local community on bushfire prevention practices,
which can be assisted through the CFS community awareness programs.
Fire
Prevention
6.5.2 (j)
Council to assist in establishing a “reserve watch” to reduce illegal dumping
in the reserve, prohibited recreation activities, loitering and arsonists.
Fire
Prevention
6.5.2 (k)
Ashby Reserve to be included in the District Bushfire Prevention Plan with
its draft maintenance plan (particularly fire section) reviewed by the District
Bushfire Prevention Committee. Upon advice from the Committee, the
maintenance plan for Ashby Reserve will be updated (if required) for
endorsement by the committee.
Fire
Prevention
6.5.2 (l)
Scope options to minimise impacts of the northern boundary fire track on
residents.
fire track
impacts
6.5.3 (c)
Native Vegetation Council approval is required before prescribed burns can
occur in native vegetation.
Fire
prevention
5.5.3 (d)
Council to keep a detailed history of fires occurring in Ashby Reserve and
adjacent areas to assess impacts on indigenous vegetation and fuel loads.
Fire
Prevention
6.6 (b)
If a trail is constructed Council must take appropriate actions to minimise
further spread of pussy tail (Pentaschistis thunbergii).
Recreation
6.6 (c)
Council to inspect quarry fencing for compliance to Occupational Health,
Safety and Welfare legislation/regulations and rectify any deficiencies. A
past quarry audit may assist
Recreation
Page: 72
SECTION
6.7 (a)
Council to provide the draft Ashby Reserve Maintenance plan for
community consultation and retain it as a public, working document.
ISSUE
Community
6.7 (b)
Council seeks to educate the community on issues such as biodiversity,
indigenous plants, bushfire prevention, illegal dumping, stormwater
pollution prevention and environmental weeds. These are to be delivered
through interpretive signage along trails, mail-outs, brochures, Council’s
website, Mitcham Community News and on-site meetings.
Community
6.7 (c)
Council should fund the establishment and annual maintenance of
additional Bush For Life sites (volunteers through Trees For Life) in Ashby
Reserve to involve the community in on-ground indigenous vegetation
management.
Community
.
Page: 73
TABLE 10. MEDIUM PRIORITY STRATEGIES
SECTION
MEDIUM PRIORITY STRATEGY
ISSUE
2.8 (a)
Install boundary markers along reserve boundaries using recycled posts
after they have been surveyed.
Maintenance
operations
6.5.3 (a)
Research appropriateness and methodologies for mosaic burning in grey
box woodland to achieve biodiversity and fuel load reduction outcomes.
Fire
Prevention
6.5.3 (b)
Consider establishing small trial sites (mosaic burning) in different native
vegetation conditions (1-3) in Ashby Reserve. Trial sites must be of
manageable sizes to ensure continued follow up weed control.
Fire
Prevention
6.6 (a)
Research the history and geology of the quarry for possible inclusion in a
geological and/or historical interpretive trail.
Recreation
.
TABLE 11. LOW PRIORITY STRATEGIES
SECTION
LOW PRIORITY STRATEGY
2.5
Obtain additional records of the fire history in and around Ashby Reserve
from Belair CFS.
History
2.6
Obtain deposited plans for all tittles that form Ashby Reserve and record
all easements in a review of the Ashby Reserve Maintenance plan.
History
ISSUE
Page: 74
REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY
Buchanan, R. A. (1994) Bush Regeneration: Recovering Australian Landscapes. Redfern
NSW, The Open Training and Education Network.
Bureau of Meteorology (2002) www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/table/cw_023703.shtml
Charman, P. E. V. and Murphy, B. W. (1994) Soils their Properties and Management: A Soil
Conservation handbook for New South Wales. NSW, Sydney University Press.
Davies, R. J. P. (1982) The Conservation of Major Plant Associations in South Australia.
Adelaide, Conservation Council of South Australia Incorporated.
Deer, D. (2002) pers. comm., regarding fire protection measures and management issues of
Ashby Reserve.
DEH (2001) Provisional Listing of Threatened Ecosystems of the Agricultural Regions for South
Australia. Unpublished report.
Drew, G. L. (1999) ‘Geology of Watiparinga Reserve.’ Appendix 2 of Robertson, E. L (1999)
Restoration of Grassy Woodland: Watiparinga Reserve Management Plan. Adelaide, The
National Trust of South Australia
Gillis, S. (1992-93) Flora survey in Ashby Reserve for the City of Mitcham.
Magraith, D. W. (1984) City of Mitcham internal memo regarding Gulfview Reserve (R513) and
Ashby Reserve (R501)
Moyle, D. and Robertson, E. and Caton, B. (1982) City of Mitcham Open Space Survey 1982.
South Australia, City of Mitcham Open Space Survey Coordinating Committee.
Ragless, M. (2002) pers. comm., Title search and history of Ashby and Gulfview Reserves.
Robertson, E. L. (1991) Correspondence to the City of Mitcham on behalf of The National Trust
of South Australia regarding weed control and revegetation works on Ashby Reserve, Gulfview
Reserve and nearby reserves.
Robertson, E. L (1999) Restoration of Grassy Woodland: Watiparinga Reserve Management
Plan. Adelaide, The National Trust of South Australia.
Robertson, E. L (2002) pers. comm., regarding the background and history of Ashby and
Gulfview Reserve.
Robertson, M. (1994) Randell Park Management Plan – City of Mitcham.
Robertson, M. (1995) Guidelines for Preparing Vegetation Management Plans for Local
Government Reserves. Adelaide, Native Vegetation Council.
Roche, M. (2001) Native Vegetation Plan for Hilltop Reserve, Upper Sturt. South Australia for
the City of Mitcham.
Page: 75
Taylor, J. K. and Thomson, B. P. and Shepherd, R. G. (1974) The Soils and Geology of the
Adelaide Area – Bulletin 46 Geological Survey of South Australia. Adelaide, Department of
Mines.
Thompson, S. (2002) Sturt Logistics Officer, Country Fire Service. pers. comm., regarding the
fire history of Ashby and Gulfview Reserve.
Turner, M. S. (2001) Conserving Adelaide’s Biodiversity: Resources. Urban Forest Biodiversity
Program, Adelaide.
Walker, C. and Hill, B. (2001) City of Mitcham Open Space Strategy. South Australia, City of
Mitcham (report).
Zybek, J. (2002) pers. comm., regarding fire issues in Ashby Reserve.
Page: 76
APPENDICES
APPENDIX – 1
CITY OF MITCHAM MEMO 20TH JUNE 1984
APPENDIX – 2
ABORIGINAL USE OF PLANTS
Plants indigenous to Watiparinga Reserve which were used by the
Aboriginal People (Robertson, 1999).
APPENDIX – 3
FLORA SURVEY
FLORA SURVEY BY SOLVEIG GILLIS 1992-93
(entered into Florlist by Phil McNamara, SA UFBP 2002)
AUS
ADIANTACEAE
Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia
Annual Rock-fern
AMARANTHACEAE
Ptilotus erubescens
Hairy-tails
ARACEAE
*Zantedeschia aethiopica
White Arum Lily
ASCLEPIADACEAE
*Asclepias rotundifolia
Broad-leaf Cotton-bush
ASPLENIACEAE
Blanket Fern
BORAGINACEAE
*Echium plantagineum
Salvation Jane
CACTACEAE
*Opuntia sp.
Prickly Pear
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
*Viburnum tinus
Laurestinus
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Scleranthus pungens
Prickly Knawel
CASUARINACEAE
Allocasuarina muelleriana
ssp. muelleriana
Allocasuarina verticillata
COMPOSITAE
*Chrysanthemoides
monilifera
Chrysocephalum apiculatum
*Gazania sp.
Olearia ramulosa
*Senecio mikanioides
*Senecio pterophorus var.
pterophorus
Senecio quadridentatus
CONVOLVULACEAE
Convolvulus remotus
Common Oak-bush
Drooping Sheoak
Boneseed
Common Everlasting
Gazania
Twiggy Daisy-bush
Cape Ivy
African Daisy
Cotton Groundsel
Grassy Bindweed
SA
SL
R
R
U
R
AUS
CUPRESSACEAE
Callitris preissii
Callitris rhomboidea
Southern Cypress Pine
Oyster Bay Pine
CYPERACEAE
Carex tereticaulis
Chorizandra enodis
Cyperus vaginatus
Lepidosperma curtisiae
Schoenus apogon
Rush Sedge
Black Bristle-rush
Stiff Flat-sedge
Little Sword-sedge
Common Bog-rush
DILLENIACEAE
Hibbertia exutiacies
Prickly Guinea-flower
DIPSACACEAE
*Scabiosa atropurpurea
Pincushion
DROSERACEAE
Drosera auriculata
Drosera macrantha ssp.
planchonii
Drosera whittakeri ssp.
whittakeri
SA
SL
U
R
Tall Sundew
Climbing Sundew
EPACRIDACEAE
Astroloma humifusum
Lissanthe strigosa
Cranberry Heath
Peach Heath
EUPHORBIACEAE
Euphorbia sp.
Spurge
FAGACEAE
*Quercus robur
English Oak
GERANIACEAE
Geranium sp.
Pelargonium sp.
Geranium
Storks-bill
GOODENIACEAE
Goodenia albiflora
Goodenia geniculata
Scaevola albida
Velleia arguta
White Goodenia
Bent Goodenia
Pale Fanflower
Toothed Velleia
GRAMINEAE
*Arundo donax
*Avena sp.
*Cortaderia selloana
Cymbopogon obtectus
Giant Reed
Oat
Common Pampas Grass
Silky-head Lemon-grass
U
R
R
AUS
Microlaena stipoides var.
stipoides
*Pennisetum clandestinum
*Pentaschistis pallida
*Phalaris sp.
*Piptatherum miliaceum
Stipa sp.
Themeda triandra
SL
Weeping Rice-grass
Kikuyu
Pussy Tail
Canary Grass
Rice Millet
Spear-grass
Kangaroo Grass
GUTTIFERAE
*Hypericum perforatum
St John's Wort
HALORAGACEAE
Gonocarpus elatus
Gonocarpus mezianus
Gonocarpus tetragynus
Hill Raspwort
Broad-leaf Raspwort
Small-leaf Raspwort
IRIDACEAE
*Chasmanthe floribunda var.
floribunda
*Homeria sp.
SA
African Corn-flag
Cape Tulip
JUNCACEAE
Juncus subsecundus
Finger Rush
LABIATAE
*Lavandula stoechas
Topped Lavender
LEGUMINOSAE
Acacia acinacea
*Acacia baileyana
*Acacia decurrens
Acacia hakeoides
*Acacia iteaphylla
*Acacia longifolia
Acacia melanoxylon
Acacia notabilis
Acacia paradoxa
Acacia pycnantha
*Acacia saligna
Cullen australasicum
*Genista monspessulana
Glycine tabacina
Hardenbergia violacea
Kennedia prostrata
Platylobium obtusangulum
Pultenaea largiflorens
Wreath Wattle
Cootamundra Wattle
Early Black Wattle
Hakea Wattle
Flinders Ranges Wattle
Sallow Wattle
Blackwood
Notable Wattle
Kangaroo Thorn
Golden Wattle
Golden Wreath Wattle
Tall Scurf-pea
Montpellier Broom
Variable Glycine
Native Lilac
Scarlet Runner
Holly Flat-pea
Twiggy Bush-pea
LILIACEAE
*Allium triquetrum
Three-cornered Garlic
K
R
K
V
E
AUS
Arthropodium strictum
Burchardia umbellata
Dianella revoluta var.
revoluta
Lomandra micrantha ssp.
tuberculata
*Myrsiphyllum asparagoides
Wurmbea dioica ssp. dioica
Xanthorrhoea semiplana
Small-flower Mat-rush
Bridal Creeper
Early Nancy
Yacca
Box Mistletoe
MORACEAE
*Ficus carica
Edible Fig
MYOPORACEAE
Myoporum insulare
Common Boobialla
OLEACEAE
*Olea europaea ssp.
europaea
SL
Common Vanilla-lily
Milkmaids
Black-anther Flax-lily
LORANTHACEAE
Amyema miquelii
MYRTACEAE
Calytrix tetragona
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
var. camaldulensis
Eucalyptus cosmophylla
*Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus leucoxylon
Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp.
pruinosa
Eucalyptus odorata
Eucalyptus sp.
Leptospermum continentale
*Melaleuca hypericifolia
SA
Common Fringe-myrtle
River Red Gum
Cup Gum
Tasmanian Blue Gum
South Australian Blue Gum
Inland South Australian Blue
Gum
Grey Box
Peppermint Box
Prickly Tea-tree
Olive
ORCHIDACEAE
Thelymitra sp.
Sun-orchid
OXALIDACEAE
*Oxalis pes-caprae
Soursob
PINACEAE
*Pinus halepensis
*Pinus radiata
Aleppo Pine
Radiata Pine
PITTOSPORACEAE
Bursaria spinosa
Sweet Bursaria
U
AUS
var. microcarpa
*Pittosporum undulatum
PLANTAGINACEAE
*Plantago coronopus ssp.
coronopus
Native Apricot
Sweet Pittosporum
Bucks-horn Plantain
PROTEACEAE
Banksia marginata
Grevillea lavandulacea
*Grevillea rosmarinifolia
Hakea carinata
*Hakea laurina
Hakea rostrata
Hakea sp.
Isopogon ceratophyllus
Silver Banksia
Spider-flower
Rosemary Grevillea
Erect Hakea
Pincushion Hakea
Beaked Hakea
Hakea/Needlewood
Horny Cone-bush
RANUNCULACEAE
*Ranunculus repens
Creeping Buttercup
ROSACEAE
Acaena echinata
*Prunus armeniaca
*Prunus domestica ssp.
domestica
*Prunus sp.
*Rosa canina
*Rubus sp.
Sheep's Burr
Apricot
Plum
Plum
Dog Rose
Blackberry
RUBIACEAE
Opercularia turpis
Twiggy Stinkweed
SANTALACEAE
Exocarpos cupressiformis
Native Cherry
SAPINDACEAE
Dodonaea viscosa
Sticky Hop-bush
SOLANACEAE
*Lycopersicon esculentum
Tomato
THYMELAEACEAE
Pimelea sp.
Riceflower
TREMANDRACEAE
Tetratheca pilosa ssp. pilosa
Hairy Pink-bells
TROPAEOLACEAE
*Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtium
SA
SL
R
AUS
TYPHACEAE
Typha sp.
Bulrush
UMBELLIFERAE
*Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel
SA
VALERIANACEAE
*Centranthus ruber ssp. ruber Red Valerian
Indigenous species:
85
Alien species: 49
Total number of species:134
Ashby Reserve
* = Non Indigenous Native Plants
NATIVE PLANT SPECIES FOUND IN ASHBY RESERVE
JANUARY 1992, MAY, JUNE & AUGUST 1993.
by Solveig Gillis (original listing)
PTERIDOPHYTA
ADIANTACEAE
Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia
Rock Fern
ASPLENIACEAE
Blanket Fern
GYMNOSPERMAE
CUPRESSACEAE
Callitris preissii
Callitris rhomboidea
Southern Cypress Pine, Murray Pine
Oyster Bay Pine
DICOTYLEDONAE
AIZOACEAE
*Galenia sp.
AMARANTHACEAE
Ptilotus erubescens
Hairy Heads
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Scleranthus pungens
Prickly Knawel
CASUARINACEAE
Allocasuarina muelleriana
Allocasuarina verticillata
Slaty Sheoak
Drooping Sheoak
SL
*Casuarina obesa
(C. glauca) Swamp Oak
COMPOSITAE
Helichrysum apiculatum
Olearia ramulosa
Senecio ?quadridentatus
Common Everlasting
Twiggy Daisy Bush
Cotton Senecio
CONVOLVULACEAE
Convolvulus remotus
Australian Bindweed
DILLENIACEAE
Hibbertia exutiacies
Hibbertia sericea
Hibbertia aff. stricta
Guinea Flower
Silky Guinea Flower
DROSSERACEAE
Drosera auriculata
Drosera macrantha ssp. planchonii
Drosera whittakeri
Tall Sundew
Climbing Sundew
Scented Sundew
EPACRIDACEAE
Astroloma humifusum
Lissanthe strigosa
Native Cranberry
Peach Heath
GERANIACEAE
Geranium sp.
GOODENIACEAE
Goodenia albiflora
Goodenia geniculata
Scaevola albida
Velleia arguta
HALORAGACEAE
Gonocarpus elatus
Gonocarpus mezianus
Gonocarpus tetragynus
LEGUMINOSAE
*Acacia baileyana
*Acacia decurrens
*Acacia floribunda
*Acacia glandulicarpa
Acacia hakeoides
*Acacia iteaphylla
*Acacia longifolia
Acacia melanoxylon
Acacia notabilis
Acacia paradoxa
Acacia pycnantha
Acacia rotundifolia
*Acacia saligna
Glycine tabacina
Hardenbergia violacea
Indigofera sp.
White Goodenia
Bent Goodenia
Fan Flower
Spur Velleia
Hill Raspwort
Common Raspwort
Cootamundra
Black Wattle
White Sallow, Gossamer Wattle
Hairy Pod Wattle
Hakea Wattle, Western Black Wattle
Flinders Ranges Wattle
Sallow wattle,
Blackwood
Notable Wattle, Stiff Golden Wattle
Kangaroo Thorn
Golden Wattle
Round-leaved Wattle
Golden Wreath Wattle
Variable Glycine, Glycine Pea
Native Lilac
Kennedia prostrata
Platylobium obtusangulum
Psoralea australasica
Pultenaea largiflorens
Running Postman
Common Flat Pea
Native Verbine, Native Scurf Pea
Twiggy Bush Pea
LORANTHACEAE
Amyema miquelii
Box Mistletoe
MYOPORACEAE
*Myoporum insulare
Boobialla
MYRTACEAE
*Acmena smithii
*Agonis flexuosa
*Callistemon spp.
*Calothamnus graniticus
*Calothamnus sp.
Calytrix tetragona
*Chamelaucium uncinatum
*Eucalyptus ?botryoides
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
*Eucalyptus cinerea
*Eucalyptus citriodora
*Eucalyptus cladocalyx
Eucalyptus cosmophylla
*Eucalyptus erythrocorys
*Eucalyptus ficifolia
*Eucalyptus globulus
*Eucalyptus grandis
*Eucalyptus lehmannii
Eucalyptus leucoxylon
*Eucalyptus leucoxylon
ssp. megalocarpa
*Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. pruinosa
*Eucalyptus maculata
*Eucalyptus nicholii
*Eucalyptus odorata
*Eucalyptus polyanthemos
*Eucalyptus sideroxylon
*Eucalyptus sp. (Series Dumosae)
*Eucalyptus spp.
*Kunzea baxteri
Leptospermum juniperinum
*Leptospermum sp.
*Melaleuca armillaris
*Melaleuca diosmifolia
*Melaleuca hypericifolia
*Melaleuca microphylla
*Melaleuca nesophila
PITTOSPORACEAE
Bursaria spinosa
*Pittosporum undulatum
Lilly Pilly
W.A. Willow Myrtle
Bottlebrush
(C. torulosus var. leptophyllus)
Netbush
Common Fringe Myrtle
Geraldton Wax
Bangalay, Southern Mahogany
River Red Gum
Argyle Apple
Lemon Scented Gum
Sugar Gum
Cup Gum
Red Capped Gum, Illyarie
W.A. Red Flowering Gum
Tasmanian Blue Gum
Bushy Yate
South Australian Blue Gum
Large Fruited S.A. Blue Gum
Spotted Gum
Grey Box
Willow Peppermint
Peppermint Box
Red Box
Red Ironbark
Scarlet Kunzea
Prickly Tea-tree
Tea-tree
Bracelet Honey Myrtle
Red Flowering Paperbark
Western Honey Myrtle
Christmas Bush, Sweet Bursaria
Native Apricot, Weeping Pittosporum
Sweet Pittosporum
PROTEACEAE
*Banksia grandis
Banksia marginata
*Banksia sp.
Grevillea lavandulacea
*Grevillea robusta
*Grevillea rosmarinifolia
*Grevillea spp.
Hakea carinata
*Hakea elliptica
*Hakea laurina
*Hakea petiolaris
Hakea rostrata
*Hakea sericea
*Hakea suaveolens
*Hakea sp.
Isopogon ceratophyllus
Bull Banksia
Silver Banksia
Banksia
Lavender Grevillea
Silky Oak
Rosemary Grevillea
Grevillea
Hakea
Pin Cushion Hakea
Sea-urchin Hakea
Beaked Hakea
Silky Hakea
(Now Hakea drupacea)
Hakea
Cone Bush
ROSACEAE
Acaena echinata
Sheep's Burr
RUBIACEAE
Opercularia turpis
Twiggy Stinkweed
SANTALACEAE
Exocarpos cupressiformis
Native Cherry
SAPINDACEAE
Dodonaea viscosa
*Dodonaea viscosa var. purpurea
Sticky Hop Bush
Purple Hop Bush
THYMELAEACEAE
Pimelea sp.
Riceflower
TREMANDRACEAE
Tetratheca pilosa ssp. pilosa
Pink-eyed Susan
MONOCOTYLEDONAE
CYPERACEAE
Carex tereticaulis
Cyperus vaginatus
Chorizandra enodis
Lepidosperma lineare
Schoenus apogon
Flat Sedge
Black Bristle Rush
Little Sword Sedge
Common Bog Rush
GRAMINEAE
Cymbopogon obtectus
Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides
Stipa sp.
Themeda triandra
Silky Heads
Weeping Rice Grass
Spear Grass
Kangaroo Grass
HAEMODORACEAE
*Anigozanthos sp.
Kangaroo Paw
JUNCACEAE
Juncus subsecundus
LILIACEAE
Arthropodium strictum
Burchardia umbellata
Caesia vittata
Dianella revoluta
Lomandra dura
Lomandra micrantha ssp. tuberculata
Lomandra spp.
Wurmbea dioica ssp. dioica
Xanthorrhoea semiplana
Finger Rush
Vanilla Lily
Milkmaids
Blue-grass Lily
Black Anther Flax Lily
Stiff Iron Grass
Iron Grass
Yacca
ORCHIDACEAE
Thelymitra spp.
Sun Orchid
TYPHACEAE
Typha sp.
Bulrushes, Cumbungis
EXOTIC AND WEED SPECIES FOUND IN ASHBY RESERVE
JANUARY 1992, MAY, JUNE & AUGUST 1993.
GYMNOSPERMAE
PINACEAE
Pinus radiata
Pinus halepensis
Monterey Pine
Aleppo Pine
DICOTYLEDONAE
ASCLEPIADACEAE
Asclepias rotundifolia
Broad-leaved Cotton-bush
BIGNONIACEAE
Tecomaria capensis
Fire Flower
BORAGINACEAE
Echium plantagineum
Salvation Jane
CACTACEAE
Opuntia sp.
Prickly Pear
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Viburnum tinus
COMPOSITAE
Chrysanthemum frutescens
Chrysanthemoides monilifera
Cotula sericea
Euryops pectinatus
Gazania (Cultivars)
Onopordum sp.
Osteospermum sp.
Marguerite Daisy
Boneseed
Cotula
Grey Euryops
Gazania
Thistle
Veldt Daisy
Senecio mikanioides
Senecio pterophorus
A-mile-a-minute, Cape Ivy
African Daisy
CRASSULACEAE
Sedum sp.
Sedum
DIPSACACEAE
Scabiosa atropurpurea
Scabious
EUPHORBIACEAE
Euphorbia sp.
FAGACEAE
Quercus robur
Common Oak, English Oak
GERANIACEAE
Pelargonium sp.
Geranium
GUTTIFERAE
Hypericum perforatum
St John's Wort
LABIATAE
Lavandula stoechas
Lavender
LEGUMINOSAE
Genista monspessulana
Montpellier Broom
LINACEAE
Linum sp.
Flax
MORACEAE
Ficus carica
Fig
OLEACEAE
Fraxinus oxycarpa
Olea europaea
Desert Ash
Olive
OXALIDACEAE
Oxalis pes-caprae
Soursob
PITTOSPORACEAE
Pittosporum crassifolium
Karo
PLANTAGINACEAE
Plantago ?coronopus ssp. coronopus
POLYGONACEAE
Muehlenbeckia complexa
Maidenhair Creeper
RANUNCULACEAE
Ranunculus repens
Creeping Buttercup
ROSACEAE
Prunus armeniaca
Prunus domestica
Apricot
Plum
Prunus sp.
Rosa canina
Rubus fruticosus
Rubus sp.
Dog Rose
Blackberry
SALICACEAE
Salix matsudana `Tortuosa'
Corkscrew Willow
SOLANACEAE
Lycopersicon esculentum (Cultivar)
Cherry Tomato
TROPAEOLACEAE
Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtium
UMBELLIFERAE
Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel
VALERIANACEAE
Centranthus ruber
Kiss Me Quick
MONOCOTYLEDONAE
AGAVACEAE
Agave spp.
Agave
ALLIACEAE
Allium triquetrum
Three Corner Garlic
ARACEAE
Zantedeschia aethiopica
White Arum Lily
GRAMINEAE
Arundo donax
Avena sp.
Cortaderia selloana
Ehrharta sp.
Pennisetum clandestinum
Pentaschistis thunbergii
Phalaris sp.
Piptatherum miliaceum
Bamboo, Spanish Reed
Wild Oats
Pampas Grass
Kikuyu
Pussy Tail
Phalaris
Rice Millet
IRIDACEAE
Chasmanthe floribunda var. floribunda
Homeria sp.
Iris (Cultivar)
Aunt Eliza
Cape Tulip
Iris
LILIACEAE
Agapanthus orientalis
Asparagus asparagoides
Agapanthus
Bridal Creeper
KEYS TO THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF INDIGENOUS FLORA AND
FAUNA IN THE RESERVE
APPENDIX – 4
FAUNA SURVEY
FAUNA SURVEYS IN
SHEPHERDS HILL RECREATION PARK (NPWSA) &
WATIPARINGA NATIONAL TRUST RESERVE.
Refer to Appendix 3 for a key to conservation ratings
Conservation Status
Class
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
Common Name
Scientific Name
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Yellow Thornbill
Eastern Spinebill
Skylark
Red Wattlebird
Little Wattlebird
Richard's Pipit
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Dusky Woodswallow
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Galah
Little Corella
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Grey Shrike-thrush
Yellow-tailed BlackCockatoo
European Goldfinch
Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo
(Rufous-tailed Bronze
Cuckoo)
Grey Shrikethrush
Rock Dove
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Little Raven
Laughing Kookaburra
Varied Sitella
Mistletoebird
White-faced Heron
Black-shouldered Kite
Eastern Yellow Robin
Brown Falcon
Nankeen Kestrel
Crested Shrike-tit
Musk Lorikeet
Australian Magpie-lark
Australian Magpie
Welcome Swallow
Tree Martin
Silver Gull
White-plumed Honeyeater
Singing Honeyeater
Superb Blue Wren
Superb Fairy-wren
Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
Acanthiza nana
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Alauda arvensis
Anthochaera carunculata
Anthochaera chrysoptera
Anthus novaeseelandiae
Aquila audax
Artamus cyanopterus
Cacatua galerita
Cacatua roseicapilla
Cacatua sanguinea
Cacomantis flabelliformis
Calluricincla harmonica
Calyptorhynchus funereus
Noisy Miner
White-naped Honeyeater
Budgerigar
Red-browed Finch
Southern Boobook
Manorina melanocephala
Melithreptus lunatus
Melopsittacus undulatus
Neochima temporalis
Ninox novaeseelandiae
Metro
Region
SA
MLR
U
C
U
C
U
U
V
V
V
V
C
Carduelis carduelis
Chrysococcyx basalis
Colluricincla harmonica
Columba livea
Coracina novaehollandiae
Corvus mellori
Dacelo novaeguineae
Daphoenositta chrysoptera
Dicaeum hirundinaceum
Egretta novaehollandiae
Elanus axillaris
Eopsaltria australis
Falco berigora
Falco cenchroides
Falcunculus frontatus
Glossopsitta concinna
Grallina cyanoleuca
Gymnorhina tibicen
Hirundo neoxena
Hirundo nigricans
Larus novaehollandiae
Lichenostomus penicillatus
Lichenostomus virescens
Malurus cyaneus
C
C
C
C
Class
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
AVES
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
REPTILIA
AMPHIBIA
AMPHIBIA
Common Name
Scientific Name
Crested Pigeon
Golden Whistler
Rufous Whistler
Spotted Pardalote
Striated Pardalote
House Sparrow
Scarlet Robin
Common Bronzewing
Common Pheasant
New Holland Honeyeater
Crimson Rosella (Adelaide
form) and Yellow Rosella
Eastern Rosella
Tawny Frogmouth
White-browed Babbler
Red-rumped Parrot
Grey Fantail
Willie Wagtail
Weebill
Grey Currawong
Spotted Turtle-dove
(Common, European)
Starling
Common Starling
Rainbow Lorikeet
Blackbird
Common Blackbird
Silvereye
Lined Worm-lizard
Marbled Gecko
Eastern Striped Skink
Adelaide Snake-lizard
Cunningham's Skink
Tree Skink
Three-toed Earless Skink
Garden Skink
Bougainville's Skink
Dwarf Skink
Snake-eyed Skink
Barking Gecko
Marbled Gecko
Common Bearded Dragon/
Eastern Bearded Dragon
Red-bellied Black Snake
Eastern Brown Snake
Ocyphaps lophotes
Pachycephala pectoralis
Pachycephala rufiventris
Pardalotus punctatus
Pardalotus striatus
Passer domesticus
Petroica multicolor
Phaps chalcoptera
Phasianus colchicus
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
Platycercus elegans
Sleepy Lizard
(Shingleback)
Eastern Bluetongue
Thick-tailed Gecko
Brown Froglet
Marbled Frog
Tiliqua rugosa
Conservation Status
MLR
Metro
SA
Region
C
U
U
C
Platycercus eximius
Podargus strigoides
Pomatostomus superciliosus
Psephotus haematonotus
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Rhipidura leucophrys
Smicrornis brevirostris
Strepera versicolor
Streptopelia chinensis
Sturnus vulgaris
Sturnus vulgaris
Trichoglossus haematodus
Turdus merula
Turdus merula
Zosterops lateralis
Aprasia striolata
Christinus marmoratus
Ctenotus robustus
Delma molleri
Egernia cunninghami
Egernia striolata
Hemiergis decresiensis
Lampropholis guichenoti
Lerista bougainvillii
Menetia greyii
C
U
U
C
E
Nephrurus milii
Phyllodactylus marmoratus
Pogona barbata
U
Pseudechis porphyriacus
Pseudonaja textilis
V
Tiliqua scincoides
Underwoodisaurus milii
Crinia signifera
Limnodynastes
tasmaniensis
V
V
APPENDIX – 5
WEEDING CALENDAR
NOV
h
c
s
s
h
h
h
d
h
h
d
h
h
d
h
h
b
b
l
c
h
h
l
h
l
c
h
h
s
h
h
h
h
h
d
h
h
c
s
h
h
c
s
h
s
h
h
h
s
h
b
b
b
l
l
l
l
h
b
h
c
c
b
b
b
h
s
g
c
l
b
b
l
c
h
h
l
h
l
c
h
h
s
h
h
b
h
h
c
c
l
c
l
c
c
h
c
l
c
l
c
b
h
s
g
h
h
c
l
c
l
c
h
h
h
b
b
c
c
s
h
b
h
c
h
s
g
h
c
l
h
DEC
OCT
d
SEP
JUL
JUN
MAY
APR
MAR
d
AUG
a silvery hair-grass
African daisy
an agapanthus lily
annual veldt grass
black nightshade
blackberry
blackberry
boneseed
branched centaury
broad-leaved dock
bulbil watsonia
burr-medic
Capeweed
cleavers
common sow-thistle
common vetch
dandelion
deep-rooted catsear
desert ash
dog rose
hares foot clover
hop clover
introduced Grevilleas
jointed rush
Monterey cypress
Montpellier broom
narrow leafed clover
perennial ryegrass
phalaris
pussy tail
quaking grass
ribgrass
rigid brome
rough dog's tail grass
sallow wattle
salvation Jane
scabious
scarlet or blue pimpernel
soursob
South African weed orchid
squirrel-tailed fescue
St. John’s wort
sweet pittosporum
sweet pittosporum
tree lucerne
tree lucerne
tree lucerne; tagasaste
FEB
JAN
WEEDING CALENDAR (ROCHE, M. 2002)
s
J
A
N
tree lucerne; tagasaste
white clover
wild “fruit-trees”
wild oat
wild radish
h = hand pull
s = spot spray
f = frill and fill
b = weed brush
g = grub
l = drill and fill
F
E
B
M
A
R
A
P
R
l
M
A
Y
l
J
U
N
c = cut and swab
d = glove of death
J
U
L
A
U
G
l
h
S
E
P
l
h
h
h
h
h
O
C
T
N
O
V
l
l
D
E
C
APPENDIX – 6
RESERVE RECORD SHEET
Robertson, M. (1995)
APPENDIX – 7
EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE
NATIVE VEGETATION ACT 1991
NATIVE VEGETATION COUNCIL
A Guide to the Exemptions
under the
Native Vegetation Act 1991
The Regulations under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 include a number of exemptions.
These set out circumstances in which native vegetation can be cleared without the need for
specific consent from the Native Vegetation Council. In general, the exemptions allow for the
clearance of vegetation associated with property management
This information sheet has been prepared to provide guidance regarding the exemptions.
In some cases, even though clearance may be exempt under the Native Vegetation Act, there
may be constraints under other legislation which need to be considered.
In the following table, the first column indicates the reference number of each exemption as it
appears in the Native Vegetation Regulations. The second column indicates the actual
wording of the exemption, while the third provides comment to assist in the interpretation of
each exemption.
Further Information
Additional information about the exemptions can be obtained from the Native Vegetation
Council Secretariat as follows.
Postal Address:
GPO Box 1047
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Street Address:
270 The Parade
KENSINGTON SA 5068
Telephone: 08 8204 8739
Facsimile: 08 8204 8724
Native Vegetation Council, May 1999
Exemption
Wording of Exemption
No. & Topic
Exemption
3(1)(a):
Clearance under
other legislation
Where the clearance is authorised or required by an Act or
regulation.
Comment / Explanation
If another Act or regulation authorises or requires the clearance of native vegetation in specified
circumstances then, provided that those circumstances apply, no approval under the Native
Vegetation Act is needed.
For this to apply, the other Act or regulation must be quite specific in referring to clearance of native
vegetation. For example, the Country Fires Act 1989 empowers authorised officers to issue notices
requiring landholders to take steps to reduce fire hazard. However, the Act does not refer specifically
to the clearance of native vegetation to reduce fire hazard. Therefore, the clearance of native
vegetation, if specified in a notice issued under the Country Fires Act, is not exempt under this
exemption.
Exemption
3(1)(b): Buildings
& Structures
Where the clearance is incidental to the lawful erection of a
building or other structure.
Clearance of native vegetation for the establishment of a dwelling, shed or other building or structure
is exempt provided that other relevant approvals have been obtained. For example, clearance of a
house site is exempt provided that building approval has been obtained from the local council.
In some cases it may be unclear whether a proposed item is legally defined as a structure or not. If
there is any doubt, it is suggested that the Native Vegetation Council be contacted for advice.
Exemption
3(1)(c):
Where –
(i)
the clearance is incidental to a proposed development
to which section 48 of the Development Act 1993
applies; and
(ii)
an
environmental
impact
statement,
public
environment report or development report, and an
Assessment Report, relating to the development have
been prepared; and
(iii)
the Minister administering the Development Act 1993
referred the environmental impact statement, public
environmental report or development report to the
This exemption will have little relevance for most rural landholders. It applies where a proposed
development is considered to be of such social, economic or environmental importance that an
environmental impact statement, public environment report or development report is declared to be
necessary under the Development Act.
Where this is the case and the clearance of native vegetation is involved, a clearance application to
the Native Vegetation Council is not required. Instead, the Council is given the opportunity to provide
comment which is then taken into account by the Minister administering the Development Act.
Native Vegetation Council for comment and report
and
(A)
(iv)
Where the clearance is incidental to the building, repair or
maintenance work of the Crown.
Exemption
3(1)(d): Works by
the Crown and
3(1)(da)
associated
electricity supply
companies
the Native Vegetation Council provided
comments which were included (wholly or
substantially) in the relevant Assessment
Report; or
(B)
the Council failed to provide comments
within eight weeks after receiving the
Minister’s invitation for comment and report;
and
the Governor has granted his or her consent to the
proposed development under Section 48 of the
Development Act 1993 and the vegetation is cleared in
accordance with that consent.
Where –
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
the clearance is incidental to the building repair and
maintenance work of an electricity entity within the
meaning of the Electricity Act 1996; and
where clearance has been approved in writing by the
Minister responsible for the administration of that Act;
and
where person undertaking the clearance complies with
any conditions of approval imposed by the Minister
This means that building, repair or maintenance works by Government authorities, which involve
clearance of native vegetation, do not require clearance consent. Routine tree-trimming by electricity
supply authorities under powerlines, for example, is exempt.
While this may be seen as applying one rule to the public and another to the authorities, it takes into
account two particular considerations. The first is that electricity supply authorities need to undertake
regular trimming to ensure public safety, and a requirement for clearance consent would not be
practicable. The second is that many of the public authorities employ their own environmental staff
who are able to advise their respective organisations on conservation issues.
Exemption
3(1)(e): Dams
Where –
(i)
the clearance is incidental to the lawful construction of
a dam that will be used in primary production, and
(ii)
the vegetation to be cleared comprises trees with a
stem diameter at the lowest point on the stem above
ground level of over 150 millimetres; and
(iii)
the land on which the vegetation is situated has been
cleared of all other native vegetation and has been
maintained during the immediately preceding five
years for cultivation or pasture.
All three parts of this exemption must be satisfied before it applies. An example of where it does
apply is where there are native trees (other than red gums) which are larger than the specified
minimum size in a farm paddock and growing over developed pasture. Provided there is no other
native vegetation on the site and it has been maintained as pasture for the preceding five years, the
trees can be cleared for the purpose of establishing a dam.
Conversely, if the trees are red gums or smaller than the specified size, or if there are native grasses,
sedges or other native plants growing under the trees, or if the dam is not for use in primary
production (eg as with a golf course), the exemption does not apply and a clearance application is
needed.
[Note: this exemption does not apply to River
Red Gum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis]
Exemption
3(1)(f): Clearance
around Dwellings
Where the vegetation is situated within 20 metres of a dwelling.
Exemption
3(1)(g):
Clearance for
Safety
Where –
(i)
the purpose of the clearance is to prevent, or reduce,
the risk of personal injury or damage to property (but
not injury or damage caused by fire); and
(ii)
the plant or plants comprising the vegetation exceed
two metres in height; and
(iii)
the nature and extent of the clearance is reasonable
This exemption allows for clearance of native vegetation around houses or dwellings for purposes
such as fire protection.
It does not apply to other buildings such as sheds, halls or commercial premises.
This exemption is essentially designed to protect people or property from trees or tree branches
which are likely to fall. For example, if a tree is close to a house or other building and has branches
which are sick or weak and appear likely to fall on the building, trimming of the branches or possibly
removal of the tree would be exempt. Removal of the tree would be considered to be “reasonable”
where the whole tree was unsafe or where the trimming of unsafe branches would be so severe as to
destroy the amenity value of the tree.
The same would apply where the tree was in an area regularly used by people (eg a children’s
playground), although in this case other options, such as relocation of the playground, should also be
considered. The exemption would not usually apply where the degree of risk was minimal (eg a tree in
the middle of a paddock).
Where there is any doubt about the health of a tree, or where large and significant trees are involved, it
is advisable to get professional advice from a qualified tree surgeon or other tree expert.
Exemption
3(1)(h): Fire
Prevention and
Protection (See
also 3(1)(k)
3(1)(ha): Fire
Protection,
Houses and
Buildings
Exemption 3(1)(i):
Clearance for
Firewood and
Fenceposts
Where –
(i)
the clearance consists of burning for the purpose of
reducing combustible material on land; and
(ii)
the owner of the land or the district bushfire prevention
committee under the Country Fires Act 1989 for the
area in which the land is situated has prepared a
management plan that applies to ht e burning of the
vegetation and the Council has given its approval to the
management plan; and
(iii)
the person who carries out the burning complies with
the requirements of the management plan.
The burning of native vegetation is classified as clearance. However, burning of native vegetation for
fuel reduction purposes is exempt where it complies with a management plan which has been
approved by the Native Vegetation Council.
(i)
where the only purpose of the clearance is to protect a
house or other building from the threat of fire; and
the person undertaking the clearance complies with
guidelines prepared by the Council relating to the
clearance (the Council must consult the Country Fire
Service Board, the Soil Conservation Council, the
South Australian Farmers Federation, the Local
Government Association of SA, and the Conservation
Council of SA when preparing the guidelines).
Clearance for fire protection within 20m of dwellings is provided for in exemption 3(1)(f), while
clearance within 5m of other buildings is allowed under exemption 3(1)(k) (see below).However, in
some instances clearance more than 20m from dwellings or more than 5m from other buildings is
needed. This exemption provides the opportunity for the Native Vegetation Council to prepare
guidelines for clearance for fire protection beyond the 20m or 5m zone so that necessary clearance
can be undertaken without the need for clearance applications. At the same time the exemption
requires broad consultation with a range of community groups about the content of the guidelines.
Where (i)
the clearance is solely for the purpose of providing
fencing material (but not for the construction of
trellises) or firewood for use (for a period not
exceeding two years from the time of the clearance) by
the owner of the land on which the vegetation was
growing or was situated; and
(ii)
the vegetation has a stem diameter at one metre above
the ground of 200 millimetres or less; and
(iii)
the nature and extent of the clearance is reasonable.
[Note: river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) cannot be
cleared under this exemption.]
All three parts of this exemption must be satisfied before it applies. It allows the owner of the land to
clear native vegetation for fenceposts or firewood, but only for the owner's personal use. Vegetation
cleared under this exemption cannot be sold or given away.
(ii)
A fuel reduction burning management plan does not have to relate to a single property. A group of
adjoining landholders can submit a single plan setting out a coordinated burning program across their
properties. Alternatively, the local bushfire prevention advisory committee can prepare a plan
encompassing one or more properties for approval by the Native Vegetation Council.
The Native Vegetation Council Secretariat can provide advice regarding information which should be
included in a management plan.
The Native Vegetation Council Secretariat can advise about the current status of the guidelines.
At any one time, the amount cleared should be sufficient for the owner's requirements for a period not
exceeding two years. Any trees with a stem diameter more than 200mm at one metre above ground
level are not to be cut and no red gums (of any size) are to be cleared for this purpose.
This exemption therefore allows a landholder to continue with traditional practices of gathering
firewood or fenceposts from vegetation on the property, while placing some limits on those practices.
Exemption 3(1)(j):
Fenceline
Clearance and
Tracks
Part (i) of this exemption allows landholders to clear a strip of native vegetation up to five metres wide
to provide access for fence maintenance or construction. It does not provide an automatic right to
providing a strip of cleared land of not more than five clear a five metre strip along fence. If vegetation is within five metres but does not impede reasonable
metres in width on each side of a fence (or of a fence in access to the fence, the exemption cannot be used to clear the vegetation.
the course of construction), to give access for the
purpose of maintaining or establishing the fence; or
This exemption does not apply to native vegetation growing on road reserves. A separate exemption
a track for the passage of vehicles having four or more (see 3(1)(l) below) applies to that situation.
wheels and that is not more than five metres in width.
Part (ii) of the exemption allows for clearance of a strip of native vegetation up to five metres wide for
an access track. This may be for general access to a property or for fire access purposes. However,
the exemption is restricted to access tracks for use by vehicles with four or more wheels. Thus it
does not allow for clearance of tracks for bicycles or walkers.
Where the clearance is for the purpose of:
(i)
(ii)
Exemption 3(1)(k): Where the clearance is for a fire break and –
Fire Breaks
(i)
The fire break is not more than five metres in width; or
(Fuelbreaks)
(ii)
The fire break is not more than 15 metres in width and
Under this exemption, landholders are able to clear fuelbreaks up to five metres wide in native
vegetation. This should be done in accordance with advice or guidelines from the Country Fire
Service (CFS).
(A) the fire break is situated on a property the sole use,
or one of the principal uses, of which is primary
production; and
(B) the purpose of the fire break is to protect that
property; and
(C) the fire break is situated within the area of a rural
council as defined in the Country Fires Act 1989;
and
(D) the district bushfire prevention committee
established under the Country Fires Act 1989 for that
area has given its consent to the clearance.
In specific situations, where all of the requirements of (A) to (D) have been met, fuelbreaks up to 15
metres wide can be constructed. This applies where the property is used mainly for primary
production, the fuelbreak is needed for the protection of that property and has been approved by the
local district bushfire prevention committee. Thus the 15 m exemption cannot be used where the
property is not mainly used for primary production.
3(1)(ka)
Where the clearance is for a fire break and –
This exemption allows for fuelbreaks in excess of the 5m or 15m breaks (see above) to be established
in some circumstances, without the need for a clearance application. The exemption applies where a
management plan, showing the proposed breaks and describing why they are needed, has been
(i)
(ii)
Exemption 3(1)(l):
Roadside
Vegetation
the owner of the land on which the vegetation is
growing or the district bushfire prevention committee
under the Country Fires Act 1989 for the area in which
the land is situated has prepared a management plan
that applies to the clearance of the vegetation and the
Council has given its approval to the management
plan; and
the person undertaking the clearance does so in
accordance with the management plan.
Clearance by, or on behalf of, a local council where –
(i)
(ii)
the vegetation is growing on a road reserve in the area
of the council; and
the person undertaking the clearance complies with a
management plan relating to the clearance prepared by
the local council and approved by the [Native
Vegetation] Council or, if no such plan has been
prepared and approved, with guidelines prepared by
the [Native Vegetation] Council relating to the
clearance.
approved by the Native Vegetation Council.
The plan may be submitted by a landholder for a single property, a group of landholders for a
fuelbreak network across several properties, or the local district bushfire prevention committee for
one or more properties.
A road reserve is defined here as the whole area of land surveyed and defined as public land for the
purpose of establishing a road. It includes the made road itself and the strip of land on either side of
the made road extending to the boundary of the adjoining land. That boundary is usually fenced but
this is not always the case.
The strip of public land alongside the made road is known as the roadside and often has a cover of
native vegetation described as roadside vegetation. With only one or two exceptions roadside
vegetation is the responsibility of the relevant Local Government council, described in the exemption
as the “local council”. Even on main roads managed by Transport SA (except for the South Eastern
Freeway), the roadside vegetation is mainly the responsibility of the local council.
The clearance of native vegetation from roadsides is controlled under the Native Vegetation Act.
However, this exemption allows for clearance by a local council, or someone acting on behalf of the
local council, where the clearance complies with a roadside management plan that has been approved
by the Native Vegetation Council. If no such plan has been prepared and approved, the exemption
allows clearance where this complies with guidelines issued by the Native Vegetation Council. The
Council’s booklet “Guidelines for the Management of Roadside Vegetation, is available from the
Native vegetation Council Secretariat.
Thus there is no compulsion on local councils to produce roadside vegetation management plans, but
many have done so and have found the plans to be very beneficial.
Exemption
3(1)(m): Local
Council Reserves
Clearance by, or on behalf of, a local council where –
(i)
the vegetation is on a reserve (other than on a road
reserve) vested in the council or the care, control and
management of which is vested in the council; and
(ii)
the person undertaking the clearance complies with a
management plan relating to the clearance prepared by
the council and approved by the [Native Vegetation]
Council.
Each local council in South Australia has responsibility for a number of usually small areas of public
land which can be broadly defined as council reserves. These include Cemetery Reserves, Recreation
Reserves, Stone Reserves and others. Many of these council reserves contain native vegetation, the
clearance of which is controlled under the Native Vegetation Act.
The clearance of native vegetation from council reserves requires the consent of the Native Vegetation
Council unless, by means of this exemption, the clearance complies with an overall management plan
for the particular reserve(s) which has been approved by the Native Vegetation Council.
The Native Vegetation Council Secretariat can provide guidance regarding the preparation of local
reserve management plans.
Exemption
3(1)(n): Taking of
Seeds and
Specimens
Exemption
3(1)(o): Mining
Activities
Where the clearance comprises the taking of –
(i)
a specimen; or
(ii)
a cutting for propagation; or
(iii)
such part of a plant as is required in order to obtain the
seeds of the plant,
The collection of seeds, cuttings or other specimens from native plants does not require consent from
the NVC provided that damage to the plant is only very localised. As a guide, cutting a substantial
branch off a tree or bush to collect seed would not be regarded as exempt; nor would the removal of
virtually all harvestable seed from a single plant.
and does not cause substantial damage to the plant.
The collection of seeds, cuttings and specimens from native vegetation on private land requires the
consent of the landholder. For collection from roadsides, the consent of the local council and
National Parks and Wildlife SA is needed. A National Parks permit is also needed for any such
collection from Crown land.
Where the clearance is incidental to exploratory or mining
operations authorised under the Mining Act 1971 or the
Petroleum Act 1940.
Clearance of native vegetation associated with authorised mineral exploration or mining activities is
exempt. Borrow pits for road construction and pits on private property are not authorised under the
Mining Act and are therefore not covered by this exemption.
Exemption
3(1)(p): Mining
Operations at a
Private Mine
Where the clearance is incidental to mining operations at a
private mine at which mining operations have not been
discontinued for a period exceeding 12 months at any time after
21 November 1984.
This is a more specific exemption than 3(1)(o) relating to native vegetation clearance associated with
private mining operations. The exemption applies at a given site provided that there has not been a
break in the operations for more than a 12 month period since 21/11/84.
Exemption
3(1)(q):
Clearance to
maintain Pasture,
Cropping or
Forestry.
Where –
This exemption is largely about allowing clearance of regrowth native vegetation on land that has
been used for cultivation, pasture or forestry over the previous five years. All three parts ((i) – (iii)) of
the exemption need to be satisfied.
(i)
(ii)
the land on which the vegetation is situated was used
for cultivation, pasture or forestry within five years
immediately before the proposed clearance occurs; and
the clearance is necessary to maintain the land so that it
can continue to be used for cultivation, pasture or
forestry to the extent to which it had been used for that
purpose within the immediately preceding five years;
and
On such land, native vegetation with a stem diameter at the lowest point on the stem above
ground level of 150mm or less, can be cleared to allow the same level of use for cultivation,
pasture or forestry as has applied within the last five years. Any clearance to achieve a
greater area of cleared land than has existed within the previous five years would require a
clearance application to the NVC.
(iii)
Exemption
3(1)(r): Grazing
(A) the vegetation has a stem diameter at the lowest point
on the stem above ground level of150 millimetres or
less; or
(B) the vegetation is of the genus Xanthorrhoea.
Reference to Xanthorrhoea (yacca or grass tree) in (B) means that, provided the other conditions
apply, plants of this genus can be cleared even if the stem diameter is greater than 150mm.
Clearance by grazing of domestic stock in a manner and a rate
that is consistent with the manner in which, and the rate at
which, the land has been grazed by domestic stock of the same
species during the previous 10 years.
Grazing of native vegetation by domestic stock can cause substantial damage and is therefore
regarded as clearance in some situations. For example, introduction of stock into previously
ungrazed native vegetation would require clearance consent from the NVC.
This exemption allows landholders to continue grazing in areas containing native vegetation provided
that the type and rate of grazing is the same as has applied over the previous 10 years. A change from
one type of stock to another (eg sheep to cattle) would require clearance consent, as would an
increase in stocking rate by the same species over and above that which occurred in the previous ten
years.
Exemption
3(1)(s): Native
Vegetation
associated with
Management
Problems
If –
(i)
the vegetation is causing land management problems
because it is –
(A) detrimentally affecting other native vegetation; or
(B) growing on land previously cleared of native
vegetation; and
(ii)
the person undertaking the clearance complies
with –
(A) a management plan relating to the proposed clearance
approved by the [Native Vegetation] Council; or
(B) if no such plan has been approved – guidelines
prepared by the Council relating to the proposed clearance
(the Council must consult the Soil Conservation Council,
the SA Farmers Federation, the Local Government
Association of SA and the Conservation Council of SA
when preparing the guidelines).
Exemption
3(1)(t):
Pest Control
(APPCC Act)
Where –
(i)
it is not reasonably practical to comply with an
obligation under the Animal and Plant Control
(Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986
to destroy or control animals or plants without at the
same time destroying, damaging or otherwise clearing
native vegetation; and
(ii)
the person undertaking the clearance complies with
guidelines prepared by the Council relating to the
clearance (the Council must consult the Animal and
Plant Control Commission, the Soil Conservation
Council, the SA Farmers Federation, the Local
Government Association of SA and the Conservation
Council of SA when preparing the guidelines).
Both parts (i) and (ii) of this exemption need to be satisfied. It applies to native vegetation which is
affecting the health of other native species. An example of this is mistletoe, a group of semi-parasitic
native plants which can stress native trees in some situations.
The exemption also applies to other native plants which are regrowing on previously cleared land and
causing management problems for landholders – problems which are not dealt with by exemption
3(1)(q) (see above). An example of this is certain acacias regrowing on previously cleared lands in
northern agricultural regions. Because of the large size of the properties and the slow growth of the
acacias, exemption 3(1)(q) may not be sufficiently flexible to enable effective management of these
plants. Another example is reeds regrowing at boat ramps or pumping sites: 3(1)(q) does not cope
with this situation at all.
Native plants in these situations can be cleared if a plan dealing with their
management has been approved by the NVC and the clearance is then in line with
that plan. Alternatively, if no such plan has been prepared and approved, the
clearance is only exempt if it complies with guidelines issued by the NVC after broad
consultation with a range of community groups as named in the exemption.
The Native Vegetation Council Secretariat can advise on the current status of any guidelines prepared
under this exemption.
Both parts (i) and (ii) of this exemption need to be satisfied. It provides an exemption for clearance of
native vegetation where this is essential for the control of pest plants or animals, but only applies
where that clearance is in line with guidelines issued by the NVC. In preparing the guidelines, the NVC
is required to consult the Animal and Plant Control Commission and several other community groups.
This exemption therefore recognises that there will be some situations where the
control of scheduled pests will not be possible without some damage to associated
native vegetation. As long as the guidelines are applicable, no clearance consent
will be required from the NVC.
The Native Vegetation Council Secretariat can advise on the current status of any guidelines under
this exemption.
Exemption
3(1)(u):
South
Drains
East
Exemption 3(1)(v)
Streaky Bay /
Port
Lincoln
Water Catchment
Where –
(i)
the land on which the vegetation is situated is in the
County of Cardwell; and
(ii)
the clearance is to provide cleared land for the purpose
of the construction and maintenance of water
management works (within the meaning of the South
Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Act 1992)
by, or on behalf of, the South Eastern Water
Conservation and Drainage Board pursuant to section
34 of that Act; and
(iii)
the Board or the person undertaking the clearance on
its behalf has prepared a management plan in relation
to the clearance of the vegetation and the Native
Vegetation Council has given its approval to the plan;
and
(iv)
the Board or the person undertaking the clearance on
its behalf complies with the plan;
All parts of this exemption need to be satisfied.
Where –
(i)
the land on which the vegetation is situated is in the
County of Flinders or Robinson; and
(ii)
the clearance is necessary to preserve or augment an
underground water supply of a city or town; and
(iii)
the clearance has been requested by the local council;
and
(iv)
the owner of the land or the person who has the care,
control and management of the land has prepared a
management plan in relation to the clearance of the
vegetation and the Native Vegetation Council has
given its approval to the plan; and
(v)
the person undertaking the clearance complies with the
plan.
All parts of this exemption need to be satisfied
It provides an exemption for clearance of native vegetation for the construction of drains by or on
behalf of the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board within certain parts of the south
east (County of Cardwell) of the state. That clearance must be undertaken in accordance with a
management plan prepared by the Board and approved by the Native Vegetation Council. Any
clearance must comply with the approved management plan.
Provides for the clearance of native vegetation as requested by a local Council within established
water reserves near Streaky Bay and Pt Lincoln. Clearance requires the development of a
management plan that needs to be approved by the Native Vegetation Council. Any clearance must
comply with the approved management plan.
Additional Clarifying Regulations
Exemption 3(3):
For the purpose of determining the width of the fire break
referred to in subregulation (1) (k) (ii), the fire break will be
taken to include –
(a)
(b)
Exemption
3 (4):
Exemption
3 (5):
Provides a framework to guide the District Bushfire Prevention Committees when considering the
extension of fuel breaks to 15 metres in accordance with the previous firebreak exemption 1(k)(ii).
any area of land cleared to give access for the purpose
of maintaining or establishing a fence that adjoins, or is
adjacent to, the fire break; and
any area of land cleared for the purposes of a track that
adjoins or is adjacent to the fire break
The decision of a district bushfire prevention committee to
consent to the proposed clearance of land under subregulation
(1) (k) (ii) (D) must be made in accordance with guidelines
relating to the clearance of native vegetation for fire break
purposes in the committee’s area adopted by the Native
Vegetation Council under section 25 of the Act.
When a district bushfire prevention committee resolves to grant consent to the clearance of fuel
breaks greater than 15 metres, that consent must be in accordance with guidelines developed by the
Native Vegetation Council.
If relevant guidelines have not been adopted by the Council, the
district bushfire prevention committee must, when making its
decision, have regard to the following:
Where Native Vegetation Council guidelines have not been prepared the district bushfire prevention
committee must give consideration to both the need to protect farming land and the significance of
the vegetation under consideration.
(a)
the need to protect land used for primary production;
and
(b)
the need to preserve the vegetation for such of the
reasons set out in paragraphs (a) to (k) (inclusive) of
schedule 1 of the Act as are applicable.
When making a decision for the clearance of a firebreak greater than 5 metres, the significance of any
vegetation proposed for clearance should be assessed against the Principles of Clearance (Schedule
1, Native Vegetation Act) in the same manner as required by the Native Vegetation Council. This may
involve consultation with Biodiversity Assessment Section of DEH.
The Native Vegetation Council Secretariat can provide guidance regarding the preparation of fuel
breaks guidelines.
Exemption
3 (6):
Exemption
3 (7)
If a district bushfire prevention committee is of the opinion that
there is more than one effective method of clearing native
vegetation in the circumstances of an application for its consent
under subregulation (1) (k ) (ii) (D), it must, if it gives its
consent to the clearance and subject to any relevant guidelines
adopted by the Native Vegetation Council, direct the applicant
to use the method of clearance that will cause the least
environmental damage.
Where a bushfire prevention committee requires a wider fuel break the committee is required to give
consideration to alternative methods of establishing an effective fuel break, eg rolling, slashing or
burning, rather than use of heavy machinery to create a mineral earth break.
A committee’s consent to clearance under subregulation (1) (k)
(ii) (D) is subject to –
Allows the bushfire prevention committee to attach conditions to a decision for a fuel break of up to
15 metres, including a condition that the applicant complies with the conditions.
(a)
a condition that the applicant comply with a direction
(if any) given to the applicant under subregulation (6);
and
A failure to comply with a condition is considered to be a breach of the Native Vegetation Act.
(b)
such other conditions as the committee imposes.
That process should include consideration of ongoing impact of the clearance, eg weed
establishment, growth of introduced grasses etc which may not reduce the fire threat and increase the
management problem within the vegetation.
APPENDIX – 8
BUSH FOR LIFE SITE MC018
APPENDIX – 8
BUSH FOR LIFE SITE MC018

ashby reserve maintenance plan

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