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RESPONSE TO THE LAKES
ENTRANCE UDF
ISSUES
AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAKES ENTRANCE
The
following recommendations accord with the stated aims in the Issues and
Opportunities of the UDF (section 7.1.1: Environment; section 7.1.2: Policy
and Strategic Issues. The section of the Vision (8.1) relating to “The
protection and enhancement of the environmental and landscape values will be
a key priority) is particularly relevant to the East Gippsland Rainforests
Conservation Management Network (the Network) submission. These are listed
alongside the relevant headings below.
Drainage
Reserves (7.1.1; 7.1.2; 8.1)
Drainage reserves along gullies are being reserved as residential areas are
being developed. The Council and community are undertaking joint
rainforest/wetland restoration projects in two of these reserves (John
Street and Merrangbaur Estate). This treatment of drainage reserves has the
following benefits (as apposed to leaving them grassed or in a degraded
state):
-
Maintenance costs are significantly reduced (no ongoing mowing required);
-
Fire risks are reduced (rainforest is fire-retardant compared to long
grass);
-
Erosion risks are reduced;
-
Nutrients are trapped and processed;
-
Phosphorous loads on the Gippsland Lakes are reduced and so help to reduce
severity of algal blooms;
-
Urban amenity is improved;
-
Recreational opportunities are enhanced and diversified (picnicking,
nature study, bird-watching, bush walking etc.);
-
Landscape amenity is improved;
-
Resident’s pride in their reserves increases and friends of groups often
arise where the Council is seen to be showing a strong management
presences; and
-
Real estate values are consequently increased.
Nutrient sequestration and storm water treatment (7.1.1; 7.1.2; 8.1)
Revegetating all gully systems within the Urban Design Framework study area
with rainforest will significantly aid in the sequestration of phosphorous
(a major source of nutrients that leads to algal blooms in the Gippsland
Lakes).
Foreshores
(7.1.1; 8.1)
As
mentioned earlier, the isthmus of Lakes Entrance once hosted Littoral
Rainforest. Obviously this has all been cleared in the past. Recent
dredging (dating from the 1970s) to form the Club Spit has had Littoral
Rainforest develop upon it and this site is subject to ongoing scientific
research (Peel in prep. b). These areas should be conserved to allow the
Littoral Rainforest to continue to develop and to show the people of Lakes
Entrance what their town once looked like. These areas are:
-
The Club Spit opposite Number 1 on the Esplanade;
-
The connecting area between the North Arm Bridge and the Club Spit
(between the Highway and the Fishing Club clubrooms south to Bullock
Island Road should be maintained as natural bush to facilitate the
continued development of Littoral Rainforest on the Club Spit. That is
Council should resist the temptation to turn these areas into grassed
areas with trees; and
-
The Jemmys Point sand flat between the North Arm Bridge and the Narrows
under Jemmys Point.
Preservation of these areas of foreshores in their natural state will
ensure the continued development of the oldest stands of Littoral Rainforest
(on sand) along the Entrance Walk along the southern shore of Cunninghame
Arm (that stalled with the clearing of the Lakes Entrance isthmus).
From
the recreation and activity perspective, these ‘wild’ areas provide bushland
recreation within minutes of a dense urban environment and other high
quality recreation experiences including nature study, bushwalking and bird
watching.
Marginal
bluffs and steep valley sides (7.1.1; 8.1)
The
most extensive (around 85ha) and some of the oldest Littoral Rainforest in
Victoria occurs around the Gippsland Lakes. Part of this nationally
significant rainforest complex occurs in the Lakes Entrance UDF study area
on the marginal bluff from the mouth of Maringa Creek through to the end of
Creighton Street in Kalimna and up the North Arm.
Suggested
Amendments to the Lakes Entrance UDF
Sec.
3.2.4 Natural Resources
(p.10)
Flora
& Fauna Value
The
UDF correctly identifies rainforest as a significant feature of the area
study in terms of landscape and remnant vegetation. However there are two
rainforest EVCs that the UDF does not list. They are Warm Temperate
Rainforest and Littoral Rainforest, with six distinct floristic communities
represented. Therefore their conservation status and threats, and their
threatened species are not listed.
The
Council (and by extension the community that it represents) has statutory
obligations to conserve these threatened rainforest communities as well as
their threatened plants and animals. Conservation and maintenance of these
values requires rainforest conservation both through the preservation of
existing stands and the rehabilitation and restoration of a significant
proportion of the degraded or previously cleared rainforest habitat in the
UDF study area.
The
supporting ecological studies to the UDF therefore need the data to describe
the rainforest EVCs and should be amended to incorporate the data provided
in this submission. (The EGRCMN are happy to provide additional supporting
information if required.)
Consequently, the UDF should also be amended as appropriate to reflect the
significance of these EVCs and their contribution to the flora and fauna
values of Lakes Entrance.
It is
suggested that the following statement be included in Section 3.2.4:
‘Lakes Entrance retains some of the most significant stands of rainforest
left in Victoria that have both state and national significance, including a
major portion of a nationally significant aggregation of Littoral Rainforest
stands (the largest in south eastern Australia) that used to once stretch
along the northern shore of the Gippsland Lakes from the mouth of the
Mitchell River into the North Arm.’
Habitat loss and the ongoing threats that continue to degrade and erode the
remaining areas of rainforest in the Lakes Entrance UDF study area are
directly related to urban development, coastal recreation and ongoing
grazing and weed invasion.’
Natural Systems
The
UDF would provide more guidance if it reflected the significance of natural
systems constraints on urban development within the Lakes Entrance UDF study
area. Specific reference should be made to topographic limitations, erosion
risk, (including tunnel erosion), drainage and storm water management, and
the beneficial role of revegetated gullies in nutrient processing.
Sec.
4.2.2 Local Policies
(p.18)
There is no mention of the Colquhoun Development Policy, which provides
significant environmental policy direction in areas included in the UDF
Study Area.
Sec.
8.2 Key Objectives and Strategies
(p.
44)
Objective 1: To enhance the Esplanade / Foreshore precinct
The
isthmus of Lakes Entrance once hosted Littoral Rainforest. This has all
been cleared in the past, however recent dredging (dating from the 1970s)
has had Littoral Rainforest develop upon it. The cost of maintaining these
cleared areas is high. Should the original vegetation be supported to
regenerate, then funding would be available for this purpose; the ongoing
maintenance of the area would be significantly reduced; and the ambience of
the town would reflect its natural environment and heritage. Local community
and tourists could enjoy the rainforest for its beauty and usefulness,
through walkways and picnic areas.
These
areas should be conserved to allow the Littoral Rainforest to continue to
develop and to show the people of Lakes Entrance what their town once looked
like. These areas are:
-
The Club Spit opposite Number 1 on the Esplanade;
-
The connecting area between the North Arm Bridge and the Club Spit
(between the Highway and the Fishing Club clubrooms south to Bullock
Island Road should be maintained as natural bush to facilitate the
continued development of Littoral Rainforest on the Club Spit.
-
The Jemmy’s Point sand flat between the North Arm Bridge and the Narrows
under Jemmy’s Point.
-
The Entrance Walk
Preservation of these areas of foreshores in their natural state will
ensure the continued development of the oldest stands of Littoral Rainforest
(on sand) along the southern and northern shores of Cunninghame Arm. The
benefits of conserving these areas are a variation in the foreshore
landscape, conservation of young Littoral Rainforest types lost to urban
development on the towns’ sandy isthmus, brings wildlife into the town area,
and, provides opportunities for passive recreation.
It is
suggested that an appropriate strategy be included under this objective to
reflect the above.
Objective
3: To manage urban growth in relation to regional demands
Strategy 3.3 should be expanded to reflect the stated commitment to the
environment in the Vision. The investigation and protection of vegetated
areas of significance must be conducted as a priority for the study area and
not as part of the subdivision process. This will ensure that areas of
significance are identified and adequately protected, whilst also clearly
identifying natural constraints to development. It is noted that this
submission contains a number of locations where protection is required.
(Refer Table 5) It is also noted that the UDF clearly indicates areas of
remnant native vegetation of high quality on plans attached to the UDF,
however, no strategies or Planning Scheme Amendments are suggested to
protect these areas.
Sec.
9.2 Master Plans
(p.48)
Town
Centre and Foreshore
1C New waterway and town beach
-
Not
supported because of detrimental impact on rainforest vegetation
Town
Entry Treatment
The
proposed ‘sculptural skywalk’ to the waters edge is not supported because of
the detrimental impact on rainforest vegetation.
An
additional item should be added for the Kalimna Jetty car park. It is
suggested that the car park be formalised to incorporate frontline planting
of a lakeshore wind barrier and rainforest species to provide shade within
the car park. The benefits of this action include improved landscape
amenity, reduced sediment and nutrient pollution capture.
Sec.
9.3 Planning Scheme Provisions
(p.
55)
It
is strongly recommended that Table 5 of this submission, (containing a list
of locations where rainforests are depleted, the causes of that depletion,
and recommended planning solutions and benefits), be considered under both
existing Planning Scheme Provisions, and proposed Planning Scheme
Amendments, so as to ensure that these highly sensitive environmental sites
are afforded maximum protection.
Sec.
9.3.2 Zones (proposed amendments)
(p.
56)
The
UDF proposes a Planning Scheme Amendment to re-zone the land south of
Hunters Lane and North of Albatross Road to ‘Residential’. (Subject to
demand and / or further investigation).
It is
suggested that no Amendment be considered until the issues identified in
this submission have been adequately addressed.
Sec.
9.3.4 Other Planning Scheme Actions
(p.
57)
Reference is made to conservation covenanted land in ‘Sec. 4.2.4
Environmental Significance Overlay 96 (ESO 96)
Conservation Covenanted Land (p21)’
The
UDF states that;
‘The
covenants have been placed over certain areas of private land with the
owners’ consent. It should be noted that not all covenanted properties are
included in the overlay, due to the fact that there has been no recent
amendment to include recent covenants.’
It is
suggested that the UDF provides an appropriate opportunity to remedy this
situation through its proposed Planning Scheme Amendments.
Lakes
Entrance Design Guidelines
(Appendix F – Design Guidelines)
These
guidelines should reflect the suggestions and recommendations offered above
as appropriate.
References
Peel,
B. (in prep. a). Rainforest Restoration Manual for south eastern
Australia. The how to book on what we have learnt so that you can do it.
Includes: Cool Temperate Rainforests, Warm Temperate Rainforests,
Subtropical Rainforests, Gallery Rainforests, Dry Rainforests and Littoral
Rainforests. C.S.I.R.O.
Peel,
B. (in prep. b). Littoral Rainforests of south eastern Australia:
composition, ecology and management.
RESPONSE TO THE METUNG
AND NUNGURNER UDF
ISSUES
AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR METUNG AND NUNGURNER
Drainage
Reserves/ wildlife corridors
Drainage reserves along gullies are being reserved as residential areas are
being developed. The Council and community are undertaking joint
rainforest/wetland restoration projects in other similar areas in the East
Gippsland Shire, (John Street and Merrangbaur Estate Lakes Entrance). This
treatment of drainage reserves has the following benefits (as apposed to
leaving them grassed or in a degraded state):
-
Maintenance costs are significantly reduced (no ongoing mowing required);
-
Fire risks are reduced (rainforest is fire-retardant compared to long
grass);
-
Erosion risks are reduced;
-
Nutrients are trapped and processed;
-
Phosphorous loads on the Gippsland Lakes are reduced and so help to reduce
severity of algal blooms;
-
Urban amenity is improved;
-
Recreational opportunities are enhanced and diversified (picnicking,
nature study, bird-watching, bush walking etc.);
-
Landscape amenity is improved;
-
Resident’s pride in their reserves increases and friends of groups often
arise where the Council is seen to be showing a strong management
presences; and
-
Real estate values are consequently increased.
Nutrient sequestration and storm water treatment
Revegetating all gully systems within the Urban Design Framework study area
with rainforest will significantly aid in the sequestration of phosphorous
(a major source of nutrients that leads to algal blooms in the Gippsland
Lakes).
Foreshores
Preservation of these areas of foreshores in their natural state will ensure
the continued development of the oldest stands of Littoral Rainforest (Peel
in prep. b) and allow for the colonisation of currently cleared areas of
foreshore. The low stature of many of these species should in most cases
permit views to be maintained or enhanced whilst reinstating rainforests
where appropriate.
From
the recreation and activity perspective, these ‘wild’ areas provide bushland
recreation within minutes of a dense urban environment and other high
quality recreation experiences including nature study, bushwalking and bird
watching.
Marginal
bluffs and steep valley sides
Marginal bluffs require protection because of erosion risks. If illegal
clearing, restoration and weed control are implemented, much of the existing
Littoral Rainforest will recover and past vegetation can be reinstated.
Suggested
Amendments to the Metung UDF and the Nungurner UDF
Sec.
3.2.4 Natural Resources
Flora
& Fauna Values
The
UDF should be expanded to recognise all the significant stands of native
vegetation occurring in the study areas. These strands occur on the northern
shore of Lake King (Tambo Bay) between the Mairburn Road and Tambo Bluff
(Littoral Rainforests) and the Warm Temperate Rainforests of the gully
systems associated with Chinaman’s Creek and the Nungurner hills.
The
lack of reference to rainforest EVCs has meant that its significance has
been overlooked.
The
UDF does not list the two rainforest EVCs, (Warm Temperate Rainforest and
Littoral Rainforest), with five distinct floristic communities represented,
their conservation status and threats, and their threatened species.
The
Council (and by extension the community that it represents) has statutory
obligations to conserve these threatened rainforest communities as well as
their threatened plants and animals. Conservation and maintenance of these
values requires rainforest conservation both through the preservation of
existing stands and the rehabilitation and restoration of a significant
proportion of the degraded or previously cleared rainforest habitat in the
UDF study area.
The
supporting ecological studies to the UDF are deficient in not recognising
the rainforest EVCs and should be amended to incorporate the data provided
in this submission. (The EGRCMN are happy to provide additional supporting
information if required.)
Consequently, the UDF should also be amended to reflect the significance of
these EVCs and their contribution to the flora and fauna values of Nungurner
and Metung.
It is
suggested that the following statement be included in this section of the
UDF:
Metung / Nungurner retains some of the most significant stands of
rainforest left in Victoria that have both state and national significance,
including a major portion of a nationally significant aggregation of
Littoral Rainforest stands (the largest in south eastern Australia) that
used to once stretch along the northern shore of the Gippsland Lakes from
the mouth of the Mitchell River into the North Arm.’
Habitat loss and the ongoing threats that continue to degrade and erode the
remaining areas of rainforest in the ‘Metung / Nungurner UDF study area are
directly related to urban development, coastal recreation and ongoing
grazing and weed invasion.’
Natural
Systems
The
UDF should reflect the significance of natural systems constraints on urban
development within the Nungurner and Metung UDF study areas. Specific
reference should be made to topographic limitations, erosion risk,
(including tunnel erosion), drainage and storm water management, and the
beneficial role of revegetated gullies in nutrient processing.
Sec.
9.3 Planning Scheme Provisions
It
is strongly suggested that the following sensitive environmental sites are
afforded maximum protection under existing or proposed Planning Scheme
Provisions.
-
Northern shore of Lake King (Tambo Bay) between Mairburn Road and Tambo
Bluff (lakeshore flats and lakeshore cliffs), lakeshore slopes of
Chinamans Creek, Bancroft Bay. (Littoral Rainforests)
o
Ensure
subdivision setbacks to establish and or maintain lakeshore reserves
Archibald Drive gully system, Chinaman’s Creek gully systems, Box’s Creek
and Nungurner Hills gully systems. (Warm Temperate Rainforests)
o
These
steep areas are unsuitable for development and should be reserved for
conservation and as drainage reserves. Further subdivision of these gullies
should be stopped and the reserves consolidated at the point of development
or through covenanting
Nungurner
Design Guidelines
(Appendix F – Design Guidelines)
Metuing Design Guidelines
(Appendix F – Design Guidelines)
These
guidelines should reflect the suggestions offered above as appropriate.
RESPONSE TO
THE MARLO UDF
ISSUES
AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MARLO
Foreshores
Preservation of these areas of foreshores in their natural state will ensure
the continued development of the oldest stands of Littoral Rainforest (Peel
in prep. b) and allow for the colonisation of currently cleared areas of
foreshore. The low stature of many of these species should in most cases
permit views to be maintained or enhanced whilst reinstating rainforests
where appropriate.
From
the recreation and activity perspective, these ‘wild’ areas provide bushland
recreation within minutes of a dense urban environment and other high
quality recreation experiences including nature study, bushwalking and bird
watching.
Marginal
bluffs
Marginal bluffs require protection because of erosion risks. If illegal
clearing, restoration and weed control are implemented, much of the existing
Littoral Rainforest will recover and past vegetation can be reinstated.
Suggested
Amendments to the Marlo UDF
Sec.
3.2.4 Natural Resources
Flora
& Fauna Values
Marlo
retains some of the most significant stands of rainforest left in Victoria
that have both state and national significance, including the largest and
best developed stands of Damp Sands Littoral Rainforest. (It is noted
that the UDF incorrectly identifies the rainforest in the study area as Dry
Rainforest.) These stands occur within the Marlo UDF study area (with
relatively little occurring further east along French’s Narrows)
The
incorrect reference to Dry Rainforests results in the UDF failing to list
the Damp Sands Littoral Rainforest floristic community, its
conservation status and the threats to it, and their threatened species.
The
supporting ecological studies to the Marlo UDF should therefore be amended
to incorporate the data provided in this submission. (The EGRCMN are happy
to provide additional supporting information if required.)
The
Council (and by extension the community that it represents) has statutory
obligations to conserve these threatened rainforest communities as well as
their threatened plants and animals. Conservation and maintenance of these
values requires rainforest conservation both through the preservation of
existing stands and the rehabilitation and restoration of a significant
proportion of the degraded or previously cleared rainforest habitat in the
UDF study area.
The
UDF should be amended to reflect the significance of these EVC’s and their
contribution to the flora and fauna values of Marlo.
Sec.
9.3 Planning Scheme Provisions
It
is strongly recommended that Table 5 of this submission, (detailing a list
of locations where rainforests are depleted, the causes of that depletion,
and recommended planning solutions and benefits), be considered under both
existing Planning Scheme Provisions, and proposed Planning Scheme
Amendments, so as to ensure that these highly sensitive environmental sites
are afforded maximum protection.
Marlo
Design Guidelines
(Appendix F – Design Guidelines)
These
guidelines should reflect the suggestions offered above as appropriate.
RESPONSE
TO THE MALLACOOTA UDF
ISSUES
AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MALLACOOTA
The
conservation of rainforests within the town precincts offers considerable
opportunities for good town planning, land and water management as well as
the protection of rare and threatened rainforest vegetation.
Drainage
Reserves
Drainage reserves along gullies are being reserved as residential areas are
being developed. Friends of Mallacoota are already undertaking joint
rainforest restoration projects in two reserves that contain rainforest
(Shady Gully and associated gullies, as well as in the gully behind the
Oval. This treatment of drainage reserves has the following benefits (as
apposed to leaving them grassed or in a degraded state):
-
Maintenance costs are significantly reduced (no ongoing mowing required);
-
Fire risks are reduced (rainforest is fire-retardant compared to long
grass);
-
Erosion risks are reduced;
-
Nutrients are trapped and processed;
-
Phosphorous loads on Mallacoota is reduced and so help to reduce severity
of algal blooms;
-
Urban amenity is improved;
-
Recreational opportunities are enhanced and diversified (picnicking,
nature study, bird-watching, bush walking etc.);
-
Landscape amenity is improved;
-
Resident’s pride in their reserves increases and friends of groups often
arise where the Council is seen to be showing a strong management
presences; and
-
Real estate values are consequently increased.
Nutrient sequestration and storm water treatment
Revegetating all gully systems within the Urban Design Framework study area
with rainforest will significantly aid in the sequestration of phosphorous
(a major source of nutrients that leads degradation of water quality in
Mallacoota Inlet).
Foreshores
The
foreshores of Mallacoota host some of the most significant stands of
rainforest within the town area (especially around Devlin Inlet), however
much of the previous areas of Littoral Rainforest have been degraded
originally by clearing for grazing and more recently by weed invasion and
development (eg the Municipal Caravan Park’s lakeshore escarpment (Peel in
prep. b).
Preservation of these areas of foreshores in their natural state will
ensure the continued development of the oldest stands of Littoral
Rainforest.
From
the recreation and activity perspective, these ‘wild’ areas provide bushland
recreation within minutes of a dense urban environment and other high
quality recreation experiences including nature study, bushwalking and bird
watching.
Marginal
bluffs steep lakeshores and lacustrine flats
The
most extensive (around 15ha) and some of the best examples of Mallacoota
Inlet Littoral Rainforest in Victoria (and Australia: hence its national
significance) occur on the marginal bluffs of Devlin Inlet. Large areas of
lakeshore have been cleared of their original rainforests including steeper
lakeshore margins and the lacustrine flats.
Suggested
Amendments to the UDF
Sec.
3.2.4 Natural Resources
Flora
& Fauna Values
Mallacoota
retains some of the most significant stands of rainforest left in Victoria
that have both state and national significance, including a major portion of
a nationally significant but (as yet) unnamed floristic community of
Littoral Rainforest, and good examples of Warm Temperate Rainforest in Shady
Gully and in the gully system behind the Oval: The foreshores of Mallacoota
host some of the most significant stands of rainforest within the town area,
especially around Devlin’s Inlet.
It is
noted that the largest stand in the town area, (around 15ha), was not
recognised by the UDF. Consequently the value of this rainforest has been
neglected by the UDF. Warm Temperate Rainforests in the gully systems were
also not mentioned in the UDF
The
Council (and by extension the community that it represents) has statutory
obligations to conserve these threatened rainforest communities as well as
their threatened plants and animals. Conservation and maintenance of these
values requires rainforest conservation both through the preservation of
existing stands and the rehabilitation and restoration of a significant
proportion of the degraded or previously cleared rainforest habitat in the
UDF study area.
The
supporting ecological studies to the UDF are deficient in not recognising
the significance of the rainforest EVCs and should be amended to incorporate
the data provided in this submission. (The EGRCMN are happy to provide
additional supporting information if required.)
Consequently, the UDF should also be amended to reflect the significance of
these EVCs and their contribution to the flora and fauna values of
Mallacoota.
Sec.
9.3 Planning Scheme Provisions
It
is strongly recommended that Table 5 of this submission, (detailing a list
of locations where rainforests are depleted, the causes of that depletion,
and recommended planning solutions and benefits), be considered under both
existing Planning Scheme Provisions, and proposed Planning Scheme
Amendments, so as to ensure that these highly sensitive environmental sites
are afforded maximum protection.
Marlo
Design Guidelines
(Appendix F – Design Guidelines)
These
guidelines should reflect the suggestions offered above as appropriate.
RESPONSE TO
THE LAKE TYERS UDF
ISSUES
AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAKE TYERS
Drainage
Reserves/ wildlife corridors
Drainage reserves along gullies are being reserved as residential areas are
being developed. The Council and community are undertaking joint
rainforest/wetland restoration projects in other similar areas in the East
Gippsland Shire, (John Street and Merrangbaur Estate Lakes Entrance). This
treatment of drainage reserves has the following benefits (as apposed to
leaving them grassed or in a degraded state):
-
Maintenance costs are significantly reduced (no ongoing mowing required);
-
Fire risks are reduced (rainforest is fire-retardant compared to long
grass);
-
Erosion risks are reduced;
-
Nutrients are trapped and processed;
-
Phosphorous loads on Lake Tyers are reduced and so help to reduce severity
of algal blooms;
-
Urban amenity is improved;
-
Recreational opportunities are enhanced and diversified (picnicking,
nature study, bird-watching, bush walking etc.);
-
Landscape amenity is improved;
-
Resident’s pride in their reserves increases and friends of groups often
arise where the Council is seen to be showing a strong management
presences; and
-
Real estate values are consequently increased.
Nutrient sequestration and storm water treatment
Revegetating all gully systems within the Urban Design Framework study area
with rainforest will significantly aid in the sequestration of phosphorous
(a major source of nutrients that leads to algal blooms in the Gippsland
Lakes).
Foreshores
Preservation of these areas of foreshores in their natural state will ensure
the continued development of the oldest stands of Littoral Rainforest (Peel
in prep. b) and allow for the colonisation of currently cleared areas of
foreshore. The low stature of many of these species should in most cases
permit views to be maintained or enhanced whilst reinstating rainforests
where appropriate.
From
the recreation and activity perspective, these ‘wild’ areas provide bushland
recreation within minutes of a dense urban environment and other high
quality recreation experiences including nature study, bushwalking and bird
watching.
Marginal
bluffs and steep valley sides
Marginal bluffs require protection because of erosion risks. If illegal
clearing, restoration and weed control are implemented, much of the existing
Littoral Rainforest will recover and past vegetation can be reinstated.
Suggested
Amendments to the Lake Tyers UDF
Sec.
3.2.4 Natural Resources
Flora
& Fauna Values
The
UDF does not recognise the very large and significant stands of native
vegetation (mostly Littoral Rainforests) occurring in the study area. These
omissions occur on the east facing marginal bluff of Lake Tyers between
Fishermans Landing Arm and Mill Point Arm.
The lack of reference to rainforest EVCs has meant that its significance has
been overlooked.
There
are two rainforest EVCs present in the study area (Warm Temperate Rainforest
and Littoral Rainforest) with two distinct floristic communities represented
as well as threatened species.
The
Council (and by extension the community that it represents) has statutory
obligations to conserve these threatened rainforest communities as well as
their threatened plants and animals. Conservation and maintenance of these
values requires rainforest conservation both through the preservation of
existing stands and the rehabilitation and restoration of a significant
proportion of the degraded or previously cleared rainforest habitat in the
UDF study area.
The
supporting ecological studies to the do not recognise the rainforest EVCs
and should be amended to incorporate the data provided in this submission.
(The EGRCMN are happy to provide additional supporting information if
required.)
Consequently, the UDF should also be amended to reflect the significance of
these EVCs and their contribution to the flora and fauna values of Lake
Tyers.
It is
suggested that the following statement be included in this section of the
UDF:
‘The
Lake Tyers study area retains some large and significant stands of
rainforest that have both state and national significance.
Habitat loss and the ongoing threats that continue to degrade and erode the
remaining areas of rainforest in the Lakes Tyers UDF study area are directly
related to urban development, coastal recreation and ongoing grazing and
weed invasion.’
Sec.
9.3 Planning Scheme Provisions
It
is strongly recommended that Table 5 of this submission, (containing a list
of locations where rainforests are depleted, the causes of that depletion,
and recommended planning solutions and benefits), be considered under both
existing Planning Scheme Provisions, and proposed Planning Scheme
Amendments, so as to ensure that these highly sensitive environmental sites
are afforded maximum protection.
Lake
Tyers Design Guidelines
(Appendix F – Design Guidelines)
These
guidelines should reflect the suggestions offered above as appropriate.
References
Peel,
B. (in prep. a). Rainforest Restoration Manual for south eastern
Australia. The how to book on what we have learnt so that you can do it.
Includes: Cool Temperate Rainforests, Warm Temperate Rainforests,
Subtropical Rainforests, Gallery Rainforests, Dry Rainforests and Littoral
Rainforests. C.S.I.R.O.
Peel,
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