Copiesofthisplancanbeobtainedfrom: Theregionalmanager

-Victoria

ThisManagementPlanforMoondarraStateParkandTyersParkisapprovedforimplementation. ItspurposeistodirectallaspectsofmanagementintheParkuntilthePlanisreviewed.

AproposedplanfortheParkwaspublishedinNovember1989. Atotalof18submissionswere received.

Copiesofthisplancanbeobtainedfrom: TheRegionalManager

CentralGippslandRegion

DepartmentofConservationEnvironment 71HothamStreet

Traralgon VIC 3844

DepartmentofConservationEnvironment InformationCentre

240VictoriaParade

EastMelbourne VIC 3002

FurtherinformationonthisplancanbeobtainedfromtheCentralGippslandRegion, DCE(051746166)

CCrown(StateofVictoria)1991

AVictorianGovernmentPublication Thispublicationiscopyright.

NopartmaybereproducedbyanyprocessexceptinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheCopyright Act1986.

PublishedMay1991byDepartmentofConservationandEnvironment 240VictoriaParadeEastMelbourne3002Victoria

Printedon100%recycledpapertohelpsaveournaturalenvironment

Cover: Short-beakedEchidna (Tachyglossusaculeatus)

ISBN 0730620840

2

MOONDARRASTATEPARKANDTYERSPARKMANAGEMENTPLAN

CentralGippslandRegion

andNationalParksand

PublicLandDivision

DEPARTMENTOFCONSERVATION

ANDENVIRONMENT

Victoria May 1991

APPROVEDMANAGEMENTPLAN

ThisapprovedManagementPlanforMoondarraStateParkandTyersParkcontainsasummaryof theParksresources, areviewofpresentandfutureuse, managementobjectives, anddetailed managementstrategiesandactions.

AproposedPlanfortheParkswasreleasedforpubliccommentinNovember1989and18 submissionswerereceived. Thesesubmissions, andothercommentsmadeinmeetingsand discussionswithinterestedparties, havebeencarefullyconsideredinpreparingthisapprovedPlan.

TheapprovedManagementPlanwillnowbecomethebasisforallaspectsofmanagementofthe Parks.

D.S.SaundersF.Noble

DirectorofNationalParksandPublicLandRegionalManager,Central Gippsland

CONTENTS

1INTRODUCTION1

1.1ThePlan1

PART A BASISOFTHEPLAN3

2BACKGROUND5

2.1Plansetting5

2.2Legislation,Governmentstrategiesandpolicy6

2.3SignificantParkresourcesanduses9

PARTB THEMANAGEMENTPLAN 11

3OBJECTIVESANDZONING 13

3.1Principalmanagementdirections 13

3.2Managementobjectives14

3.3Zoning 14

4MANAGEMENTFORRESOURCECONSERVATION18

4.1Vegetationmanagement 18

4.2Faunamanagement21

4.3Landscape23

4.4Geologicalsites25

4.5Archaeologicalandhistoricsites 26

5MANAGEMENTFORPARKPROTECTION27

5.1Firemanagement 27

5.2Weeds, introducedplantsandplantdiseases 30

5.3Verminandintroducedanimals31

6MANAGEMENTFORVISITORUSE 33

6.1Tourism 33

6.2Vehicularaccess34

6.3Recreationaluseanddevelopment35

6.4Organisedeventsandcommercialrecreationoperations 40

6.5Informationandinterpretation41

6.6Education 42

7MANAGEMENTOFAUTHORISEDUSES43

7.1Shaleextraction 43

7.2Watersupply43

7.3Mineralexplorationandmining44

7.4Apiculture 44

7.5Militaryexercises44

7.6Civildefenceexercises45

7.7Powertransmission 45

7.8ConnanPark46

7.9Timberstoragedump 46

8BOUNDARIES AND ADJACENT LAND USE47

8.1Boundaries47

8.2Adjacentlanduse48

9MANAGEMENTRESOURCES50

9.1Staff50

9.2Buildings51

APPENDICES52

IDefinitionofsignificanceratings52

IIVegetationtypes54

IIIFloraofMoondarraStateParkandTyersPark55

IVBirdsinthevicinityofMoondarraStatePark

andTyersPark66

VMammalsinthevicinityofMoondarraStatePark

andTyersPark70

VIReptilesandamphibiansinthevicinityofMoondarraStatePark

andTyersPark71

VIIFishandcrayfishinthevicinityofMoondarraStatePark

andTyersPark72

REFERENCES73

TABLES

1Contributionmadebyzonestowardsachieving

Parkmanagementobjectives15

2Significantplantspecies20

3RareorthreatenedfaunainthevicinityofMoondarraStatePark

andTyersPark23

FIGURES

1MoondarraStateParkandTyersPark-localityplanEndofplan

2MoondarraStatePark-boundaries"

3TyersPark-boundaries"

4MoondarraStateParkandTyersPark-adjacentlandtenure"

5MoondarraStateParkandTyersPark-watersupplycatchments"

6MoondarraStatePark-LCCeducationarea"

7MoondarraStateParkandTyersPark-areasofconservationsignificance"

8MoondarraStateParkandTyersPark-landscapevalues"

9MoondarraStatePark-zoning"

10TyersPark-zoning"

11MoondarraStatePark-vegetation"

12TyersPark-vegetation"

13MoondarraStatePark-firemanagement"

14TyersPark-firemanagement"

15TyersPark-facilitiesandoccupations"

16MoondarraStatePark-facilitiesandoccupations"

Introduction

1INTRODUCTION

MoondarraStateParkisanareaof6292haonthenorthernedgeoftheLatrobeValley. ThePark straddlestheTyersRiverupstreamofMoondarraReservoir (Figs1and2). TyersParkisanareaof 1810halocatedaboutthreekilometrestotheeastandimmediatelydownstreamofMoondarra ReservoirontheTyersRiver (Figs1and3). BothParksaremanagedbytheCentralGippsland RegionoftheDepartmentofConservationandEnvironment(DCE)underdelegationfromthe DirectorofNationalParksandPublicLandDivision.

MoondarraStateParkandTyersParkhavearichvarietyoffloraandfaunaand,inparticular,a diversityofwildflowersandanabundanceofbirdlife. Sightseeing, picnicking, camping, nature studyandfishingarepopularactivities. Theremainsoftheoldnarrowgaugerailwaywhichran fromMoetoWalhallamaybeseeninMoondarraStatePark. TyersParkencompassesthefine sceneryoftheTyersGorge, whichisanareaalsoofconsiderablegeologicalinterest.

BothParkswereproclaimedinJanuary1986followingrecommendationsbytheLandConservation Council(LCC)fortheMelbourneStudyAreain1977,andfortheSouthGippslandStudyAreain 1982.MoondarraStateParkislistedonScheduleTwoBandTyersParkonScheduleThreeofthe NationalParksAct1975(Vic.).

TheParkswillbemanagedinaccordancewiththeNationalParksActandtherecommendationsof theLCC. Bothdirectthatmanagementprovideprimarilyforrecreation, educationandfor conservationofnaturalecosystems. ForTyersParktheLCCrecommendationsplaceagreater emphasisonrecreationaluse, includingtheprovisionof'opportunitiesforinformalrecreationfor largenumbersofpeople'anddevelopment'soastoencouragehigh-intensityuseatsuitablelocalities awayfromtheTyersGorgearea' (LCC1977).

1.1THEPLAN

ThepurposeoftheManagementPlanistosetoutmanagementstrategiesandrequirements, andto definethelocation, typeandintensityofactivitiespermittedintheParks.

ThemanagementofbothMoondarraStateParkandTyersParkwillbedealt withinthisone ManagementPlan. TheParksareverysimilarincharacter, arelocatedclosetogetherandgenerally willbemanagedasoneunit.

Itshouldberecognisedthatplanningisacontinuingprocessandthatadditionsoramendmentsto thePlanmayberequiredinthefuture. Significantchangeswouldonlybemadeafterconsultation withcommunitygroups.

ThePlanisdividedintotwoparts. InPartA, thebasisofthePlanisbrieflyoutlined,basedupona reviewofthenaturalandculturalresourcesoftheParks, pastandpresentlandusesandGovernment policiesanddirections. PartBisthePlanitself, consistingofchaptersonmanagementobjectives, zoning, managementactionsandtheresourcesneededtoimplementthePlan.

Theplanningperiod

ThisPlanwillremaininforceuntilreplacedbyarevisedPlan. Theneedtoreviewtheapproved Planshouldbeconsideredin1996, unlesscircumstanceswarrantanearlierreview.

PARTABASISOFTHEPLAN

Background

2BACKGROUND

ThisManagementPlanisderivedfromaconsiderationofarangeoflegislation, Government strategies, Departmentalplansandpolicies, andofthe regionalandlocalsettingsoftheParks, and theirresources, currentconditionsanduses.

Asummaryofthisinformationisprovidedinthischapter. Moredetailedinformationonthenatural andculturalresourcesoftheParksisprovidedintheappendices. Specificinformationisalso includedinPartBofthePlanasnecessarytoassistintheunderstandingofparticularissues.

FurtherinformationisavailableinthereferencescitedandfromtheDCECentralGippsland Region'sOfficeatTraralgon, EricaWorkCentreandtheNationalParksandPublicLandDivision OfficeinMelbourne.

2.1PLANSETTING

ThetenureoflandadjacenttotheParksisbroadlydescribedinFigure4. TheParksareborderedto thewest, northandeastbylargelyforestedpubliclandmanagedbyDCEandusedfortimber, water production, andrecreation. Bothareborderedtothesouthbyfreeholdgrazingland,andpine plantationsarepresentontheeasternboundaries.

TheLCC (1983)recommendedthatmuchofthereservedforestadjacenttothewesternboundaryof MoondarraStateParkwassuitableforsoftwoodproduction. Therecommendationsincludedbuffer areasalongtheboundarywiththeParkwhichwouldreducetheimpactofplantationsonthePark. However, itisnowGovernmentpolicythatareasofnativeforestarenottobeusedtoestablish softwoodplantations, andtheseareaswillremainnativeforest.

AdjoiningTyersParkonthesouthernboundaryistheWirildaEnvironmentPark. Thisisanareaof about140haacquiredbytheWirildaProjectAssociationinthelate1960swithassistancefromthe CommonwealthGovernment. TheAssociationintendstodeveloptheareaforenvironmental educationandrecreationbyrestoringanaturalenvironmentandprovidingaccommodationand recreationfacilities. SomepicnicfacilitieshavebeenprovidedontheTyersRiveradjacenttothe TyersPark. TheWirildaWalkingTrackhasbeenconstructedalongtherivertotheMoondarra Reservoir. AccesstothesefacilitiesandtothissouthernsectionoftheParkisthroughtheWirilda EnvironmentPark.

BothParksadjoinlandmanagedbytheLatrobeValleyWaterandSewerageBoard (LVWSB) and includewithintheirboundarieswatersupplyfacilitiesassociatedwiththenearbyMoondarra Reservoir. LargeareasoftheseParksarealsowithinthedeclaredwatersupplycatchmentsofeither theTanjilortheTyersRivers (Fig.5). TheNoticeofDeterminationofLandUsefortheTyers RiverWaterSupplyCatchment (SCA1975b)requiresapprovalfromDCEbeforecertaincategories oflandcanbedevelopedforagriculture. Thisrequirementappliestotheunclearedfreeholdblocks inbothParks. FortheTanjilRivercatchmentthelandusedetermination (SCA1975a)requires thatmajorchangesinlandusebereferredtoDCE.

TheStateElectricityCommission(SEC)proposestouseanareaoflandatAndersonsCreek, onthe southernboundaryoftheMoondarraStatePark,todumpoverburdenfromcoalmininginthe LatrobeValley. Thearea (Fig.2)isnotexpectedtobeneededuntilthenextcentury (GovtofVic. 1986a). TheNationalParksActmakesprovisionfortheadditionof170haofthissitetotheParkif itisnotusedasadumpforoverburden.

Agravelquarry, operatedbytheShireofTraralgon, adjacenttotheTyersParkontheTyers- WalhallaRoad (Fig.3), providesroad-makingmaterialwithouthavingaseriousimpactonthe Park. Itis, however, locatedatoneofthemajorvisitorentrypointsandcarefulmanagementofthe landscapeisrequired. TheLCC (1982)recommendedmanagementofthequarryshouldbe transferredtoDCE.

Background

TheParksarelocatedinanextensiveareaofpubliclandandclosetothenorthernboundaryofthe LatrobeValley. TheValleycontainsanumberoflargecities, townsandindustries, togetherwith majorfacilitiesmanagedbytheSECtogeneratemostoftheState'selectricitysupply. Wildfires originatingineitherPark, orinadjoiningpubliclandcouldposeathreattotheseveryimportant assets.

Landuseplanning

TheParksandsurroundingareasareincludedintheNarracanPlanningScheme. Underthis schemetheParksarezoned'reservedforest'.

AreporttotheShireofNarracandescribedthefreeholdlandssurroundingtheParksashavingpoor capabilityforruralsubdivision (ScottFurphy1980b). TheNarracanPlanningSchemepermitsa minimumsubdivisionsizeof60haintheRuralZonesadjacenttotheParks. Thisprovidessome controloverpossibledevelopmentsalongtheboundariesoftheParks. Apermitisrequiredfor clearingnativevegetationonallprivateland. ThePlanningSchemeplaceslittleconstrainton Governmentauthoritiescarryingouttheirstatutoryrole, andthuswillhavelittleeffecton managementoftheseParks.

TheShireofNarracanisoneofthetenmunicipalitieswhichcomprisetheLatrobeRegionasdefined intheLatrobeRegionalCommissionAct1983(Vic.). TheCommissionhasnowreleasedthe LatrobeStrategyPlan, theLatrobeRegionalEnvironmentPolicyandtheLatrobeRegionalLandUse Policy(LRC1988). Thesedocumentsprovideafocusforimportanteconomic, social, environmentalandlanduseissuesintheLatrobeRegionandtheyneedtobeconsideredinrelationto themanagementofpublicland, includingtheParkswhicharethesubjectofthisPlan.

2.2LEGISLATION, GOVERNMENTSTRATEGIESANDPOLICY

Abroadrangeoflegislation, Governmentstrategiesandpolicies, andDCEpoliciesandplans controlorinfluenceParkmanagement.

Legislation

TheprincipallegislationistheNationalParksAct. ThisActdetermineshowNationalandother Parksarecreatedandmanaged. MoondarraStateParkwillbemanagedundertheprovisionsof Section17oftheAct. ThissectionrequirestheDirectorofNationalParksandPublicLandDivision to:

-ensurethattheParkismanagedinamannerthatwill-

reserveandprotecttheParkinitsnaturalconditionfortheuse,enjoyment andeducationofthepublic;

preserveandprotectindigenousfloraandfaunainthePark; exterminateorcontrolexoticfaunainthePark;

eradicateorcontrolexoticflorainthePark;and

preserveandprotectwildernessareasintheParkandfeaturesintheParkof scenic,archaeological,ecological,geological,historicorotherscientific interest;

-ensurethatappropriateandsufficientmeasuresaretakentoprotecteachParkfrominjuryby fire;

-promoteandencouragetheuseandenjoymentoftheParksbythepublicandtheunderstanding andrecognitionofthepurposeandsignificanceofNationalParks;and

Background

-prepareaplanofmanagement.

TyersParkwillbemanagedundertheprovisionsofSection18oftheActwhichrequirestheDirector to:

-ensurethateachParkismanagedinamannerthatwill:

preserve,protectandre-establishindigenousfloraandfaunaintheParkenabletheParktobeusedbythepublicfortheenjoyment, observationand

studyofthecountrysideanditspursuits, itsfloraandfauna, itsecologyand geologyandotherfeatures

controlexoticfloraandfaunainthePark,and

preserveandprotectfeaturesintheParkofscenic, archaeological, ecological, geological, historicorotherscientificinterest

-ensurethatappropriateandsufficientmeasuresaretakentoprotecteachParkfrominjurybyfire

-promoteandencouragetheuseandenjoymentoftheParksbythepublic, and

-prepareaplanofmanagement.

TheDepartmentisalsoresponsibleforthepreventionandsuppressionoffireinParksandon protectedpubliclandunderSection62oftheForestsAct1958(Vic.).

LandConservationCouncil

TheGovernmenthasacceptedtherecommendationsoftheLCCforbothParks.

TheLCC(1977)recommendedthatMoondarraStatePark'provideopportunitiesforrecreationand educationassociatedwiththeenjoymentandunderstandingofnaturalenvironments'.TheLCCalso recommendedaseparateeducationareaatBoggyCreekwhichhasnowbeenincorporatedintothe Park(Fig.6). Otherrecommendationsinclude:

-supplyofwaterandprotectionofwatercatchments.

-protectionofthehabitatoftheOnion-orchid.

-recognitionofthesignificanceoftheParkinprotectingtheLatrobeValleyfromfire, andthe needtodevelopfireprotectionplansinconsultationwiththeSEC.

TheLCC (1977, 1982)recommendationsforTyersParkplaceemphasisonrecreationaluse, includingtheprovisionof'opportunitiesforinformalrecreationforlargenumbersofpeople'and development 'toencouragehigh-intensityuseatsuitablelocalitiesawayfromtheTyersGorgearea'. Theyalsoinclude:

-provisionforconservationofnaturalecosystems

-supplyofwater, andprotectionofwatercatchmentsandwatersupplyinstallations

-additionofConnanPark (leasedbytheScoutAssociation)tothePark, onexpirationofthe lease

-continuedextractionofshaleforbrickmanufactureuntilthelocationofanalternativesourceof supply

-preservationoftheremainsofthelimekiln

-provisionforhoneyproduction (easternhalf, LCC1982)

-theneedtoprovideforadditionaltransmissionlinesandeasementsinthePark

-planningandmanagementinconsultationwiththeWirildaProjectAssociationandthe LVWSB.

Background

MajorGovernmentstrategies

TheVictorianGovernmenthasdevelopedthreemajorstrategiestohelpachievetheinterrelated majorgoalsofenvironmentalconservation, economicdevelopmentandsocialjustice. Together, theyformanimportantpolicybasisforParkmanagementbothdirectly, andthroughanumberof subsidiarystrategies.

(i)ConservationStrategy. ThefivemainobjectivesoftheStrategy (GovtofVic.1987b) areto:

-maintainessentialecologicalprocessesandlife-supportsystems

-preservegeneticdiversity

-ensurethesustainableuseofrenewableresources

-ensurethewiseuseofnon-renewableresources, and

-protectnaturalareasandecosystemsforthenon-materialneedsofsociety.

Consistentwiththeseobjectivesistherecognitionthatthecommunityshouldbeabletosustaina highlevelofmaterialwell-being. MuchoftheState'soutdoorrecreationandtourismisbasedonthe naturalenvironment, andlong-termviabilityiscontingentonenvironmentalconservationand maintenance.

NationalandotherParkshaveamajorroletoplayinimplementingtheConservationStrategy; protectingthediversityandlong-termviabilityofnaturalenvironmentsusedforrecreation; and protectingspecial, scarceandparticularlysensitiveenvironments.

TyersParkandMoondarraStateParkcontributetoallthemainobjectivesoftheStrategy. The meansbywhichthespecificobjectivesareachievedformthebasisforthedetailedprescriptionsspelt outinPartBofthisPlan.

(ii)SocialJusticeStrategy. ThisStrategy (GovtofVic.1987a) hasasitsobjectives, toprovide:

-fairaccesstogoodsandservices

-opportunitiesforparticipation, and

-fortheprotectionofpeople'srights.

TheStrategyisrelevanttomanyaspectsofParkmanagement, includingpublicparticipationinthe planningprocess, provisionofequitableaccesstotheexperiencesandfacilitiesinthePark, and directionofpublicity, informationandeducationservicestoawiderangeofinterestgroupsand individuals.

(iii)EconomicStrategy. Firstreleasedin1984andrepublishedinApril1987asthedocument Victoria: TheNextDecade (GovtofVic. 1987d), thisStrategyhasasitsmainobjective'to ensureprosperityandahighstandardoflivingforallsectionsofthecommunity'.

TheTourismStrategy (GovtofVic.1984) wasreleasedbytheGovernmentin1984aspartofthe StateEconomicStrategy. Itsmainobjectivesareto:

-identifyVictoria'scompetitiveadvantagesintourismjourneysanddestinations

-enhanceattractions

-promotemoreintensiveuseofassets, and

-identifyopportunitiesforcomplementarytourismdevelopment.

Tourismisoneofthebroadindustrysectorsofferingsignificanteconomicdevelopmentandgrowth potential. TheapproachadoptedintheStrategyistoselectappropriate 'resortzones' where tourismdevelopmentwillbeencouraged, andtolinkthemwithscenictourismcorridors.

TheParksarenotlocatedintheidentifiedresortzones.Appropriatelyresourced,however,they havethepotentialtoprovidegreateropportunitiesforallVictorianstoenjoyrecreationinnatural settings, inparticulartheattractivelimestonegorgeandriverlandscapes.

Background

TheTimberIndustryStrategy (GovtofVic.1986b) defined15ForestManagementAreas (FMA) asthebasisforsupplyoftimberproductsfromVictoria'snativeforests. BothParksarewithinthe CentralGippslandFMA, anareafromwhichthevolumeoftimbertakenfromnativeforestsis expectedtoincreaseoverthenextseveralyears. InaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheStrategy, theDepartmenthasestablishedaprojecttodevelopamanagementplanfortheCentralGippsland FMA, whichwillbeco-ordinatedwiththisProposedManagementPlanforTyersParkand MoondarraStateParkwhereappropriate.

Policiesandplans

ThePlanispreparedinaccordancewithDCEpoliciesforthemanagementofParksunderthe NationalParksAct (NPWD1988), andwithotherpoliciespreparedbytheDepartmentforall publiclands. ItispartofahierarchyofplanspreparedbytheDepartmenttoassistinimplementing legislation, Governmentstrategiesandpolicies.

ThemainlegislationandpolicydocumentsrelatingtoParkmanagementarelistedinthepreambleto PartBofthePlan.

2.3SIGNIFICANTPARKRESOURCESANDUSES

ThissectionbrieflydescribesthesignificantcharacteristicsoftheParks, bothnaturalandcultural, whichconstrainorprovideimportantopportunitiesformanagement. Significantusesorother issuesarealsobrieflydiscussedwheretheyareanimportantmanagementconsideration.

2.3.1Naturalandculturalresources

Vegetation. Thereareanumberofsignificantvegetationcommunitiesandplantspeciesfoundin theseParks (Section4.1andAppendixII) andbotharenotedfortheirspringwildflowerdisplays. TheYertchuk-SilvertopvegetationtypeispoorlyrepresentedinParksinVictoria(AsheSmith 1983)andtheRedBox-AppleBoxvegetationtypeisofrestricteddistributioninthisState(D.Frood pers.comm.). TheYertchukandopenwoodlandsintheMoondarraStateParkisunusualin Victoriaanddesignatedofstatebotanicalsignificance (seeSection4.1.1; Fig.7; AppendixIfor definitionofterms). Twenty-twospeciesofbotanicalinterest(Table2), includingfivewhichare rareinVictoriaorAustraliahavebeenrecordedintheParks.

Fauna. This areaispopularwithnaturalistsandis notedforahighanddiversebirdpopulationin particular (Section4.2andAppendixIV). PartsofbothParksarewithinanareadesignatedofstate zoologicalsignificance (seeSection4.2; Fig.7; AppendixIfordefinitionofterms). Nineteenrare orthreatenedspeciesofmammals, birds, reptilesandfish, amphibiansandinsectshavebeen identifiedasoccurringinorneartheParks (Table3). AlsoofnoteisanestingpairofPeregrine Falcons (Falcoperegrinus) andaspeciesofbutterflyfoundinMoondarraStateParkwhichisonly foundintwootherlocationsinVictoria.

Landscape. LandscapevaluesaremoderatebecominghighalongsidetheTyersRiver(Fig.8). TheviewsalongtheTyersGorgeandtotheLatrobeValleyfromPetersonsLookoutareaparticular featureofTyersPark. Therelativelynaturalcharacterofthelandscapescontributesignificantlyto thevisitor'sexperience. Anumberoffeatures, suchasvegetationclearing, powerlinesand roadworks, detractfromthequalityoftheParklandscape.

Geology. ThisisanareaofcomplexgeologyandSitesofState,RegionalandLocalGeologicaland GeomorphologicalSignificancehavebeenidentifiedinbothParks(seeSection4.4; Fig.7; AppendixIfordefinitionofterms). Theseprovidepopularvisitordestinationsandareanimportant educationalresource.

History. Thereisonlyverylimitedinformationavailableaboutthearcheologicalandhistorical valuesoftheParks. InTyersPark thereareremainsofalimekilnandofearlywatersupply technologyassociatedwiththeMoondarraReservoir. TheremainsoftheMoe-Ericarailwayline andpossiblyevidenceoftimbertramlines, associatedwithlogginginthearea, aretobefoundinthe MoondarraStatePark.

Background

Fire. TheincidenceoffireintheParkshasbeenlowinrecenttimes. However,wildfireposesa substantialthreattosomeParkvalues, toParkvisitors,toLVWSBandSECassetsandtothe LatrobeValleytothesouth. TheSECcoalopencutsintheLatrobeValleyareparticularly vulnerabletospottingfromfiresburningintheforestedareasinandneartheParksunder appropriateweatherconditions. TheseresourcesareofvitaleconomicimportancetotheState.

2.3.2Recreationandotheruses

BothParksprovideasimilarvarietyofopportunitiesforsuchactivitiesaspicnicking,bushwalking, fishingandpleasuredriving. Therearealsomanyotherareasofpubliclandinthevicinitywhich offersimilarrecreationsettings. VisitornumbersaregenerallylowthroughouttheParks.

However, theareaiseasilyaccessiblefromtheLatrobeValleyandfromMelbourneandrecreational useislikelytoincrease.

AccesstoandwithinbothParksisgenerallygood,althoughroadandtrackstandardsvary. The closureofsomeroadswithinTyersParktothepublicandthebarrierprovidedbytheTyersRiver restrictsaccesswithinthisPark. ThesefactorsandtheWirildaEnvironmentParkalsorestrict accesstotheParkfromthesouth.

Asmallnumberofexistingoccupancies, utilitiesandcommercialuseswillneedtobeprovidedfor intheParks. Themaintenanceofelectricityandwatersupplyutilitieswillcontinuetosignificantly affecttheuseandmanagementofpartsoftheParks.

PARTB

THEMANAGEMENTPLAN

NOTE

Chapters3to8setoutindetailtheissuesinvolvedinmanagingTyersParkandMoondarraState Parkanddefinespecificmanagementaimsfortheresolutionofgroupsofrelatedissues(printedin bold). Managementactionstoachievetheseaimsarepresented, defininghowtheaimswillbe achieved. Astatementofrelativepriorityaccompanieseachmanagementaction:

HighProposedassoonaspossible.

MediumProposedforactiongenerallyafterhighprioritytaskshavebeen completed.

LowLessurgentbutimportantactions.

OngoingAnactionthatrequiresthecontinuingattentionofDepartmental staff.

AsneededAnactionorissuetobeaddressedwhentherelevantsituationarises.

Chapter9setsoutthemanagerialresources, suchasstaffingandequipment, thatarerequiredto implementthePlan.

ThisPlanwillbeimplementedinconjunctionwiththefollowing:

-NationalParksActandregulationsthereunder

-ParksPolicyandProcedureManual

-CentralGippsland RegionalFireProtectionPlan

-NaturalResourceSystemsDivision, PestAnimalsGeneralManual (VerminPac)

-ForestsAct1958(Vic.)andregulationsthereunder

-Conservation,ForestsandLandsAct1987(Vic.)

-otherDepartmentalPoliciesandProcedures, asappropriate.

Resourceconservation

3OBJECTIVES AND ZONING

3.1PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENTDIRECTIONS

TherecommendationsoftheLCCprovideparticulardirectiontothisManagementPlan. Their implementationisinfluencedbytherelativelylowvisitornumbersintheParksatpresentandthe lackofinformationaboutthenatureoftheParks, theirvaluesandthemanagementneededtoprotect theassetsoftheseareas. InthisPlanthereisastrongemphasisonresearch, investigationand monitoringtoprovideabasisforfuturemanagementandforafuturerevisionoftheManagement Plan. Management, duringtheperiodofthisPlan, willbeconservativeconcentratinguponthe maintenanceandimprovementofexistingfacilitiesandaccess.

Atthisstagethereisinsufficientdemandtojustifyforcateringforthelargenumbersofpeoplein TyersParkrecommendedbytheLCC. UntilmoreisknownabouttheuseoftheParksandthe conservationneedsofthenaturalandhistoricalfeaturestherewillnotbeanymajordevelopmentof recreationfacilitiesorchangesofuse.

ThereisaneedforareviewofroadaccessinbothParks, particularlyinTyersPark. Thiswill includetheidentificationofvehicletrackswhichdonotneedtobemaintainedforotherthan managementpurposes, anassessmentofaccesstopublicutilities, therestrictionofpublicuseof someroadsandoptionsforperiodicorpartialremovalofthesecontrols.

TheopportunitywillbetakentoimprovepublicinformationabouttheParkstoallowbetter enjoymentofthearea. Abetterappreciationofthevaluesshouldalsoencouragearesponsible approachtouseoftheParks.

MoondarraStateParkandTyersParkbothcontainareasofconsiderablebotanical, zoologicaland geologicalsignificance. MoondarraStateParkisofparticularbotanicalvalueandTyersParkof particulargeologicalimportance. ThisPlanincludesmeasurestoprotecttheseimportantnatural valuesandidentifiestheneedforfurtherresearchandinvestigationofthenaturalsystemsofthe Parkstoprovideinformationforfuturemanagementandprotection.

ThehistoricalsignificanceoftheParksisnotfullyunderstood. Furtherinvestigationisproposed, particularlyoftheremainsoftimbertramwaysintheMoondarraStatePark. Conservationand interpretationofthetramwayscouldbecomeafeatureofthisParkinthefuture. Untilmoreis known, managementactivitywhichmayaffecthistoricalfeatures, suchasprescribedburning, will bestrictlycontrolled.

TheParksareimportantforeducationandtheywillbemanagedtoencouragethisactivity. The developmentofresidentialaccommodationforeducationpurposesisnotappropriate, asseveral campsexistalreadyinthevicinity. WirildaEnvironmentParkmayalsoprovideaccommodation andeducationfacilitiesinthefuture. TheScoutCampinConnanParkwillbemaintainedto providecomplementaryaccommodationandtobeavailableforschoolandotherappropriategroups.

Animportantaspectofthisplanisthecommitmenttomaintaincloseliaisonandco-operationwitha numberofotherbodies. ThemanagementofTyersParkwillbeco-ordinatedwiththedevelopment oftheWirildaEnvironmentParkandthemanagementofbothParkscloselytiedtotherequirements oftheLVWSB. LiaisonwillbemaintainedwiththeSEConmanagementofthetransmissionlines passingthrougheachParkandprotectionofassetsinadjacentareas.

ThelocationofbothParksonthenorthernfringeoftheLatrobeValleymakesthemveryimportant inrelationtoprotectingtheValleyfromfire, andemphasisisplacedonthisaspectofmanagement.

Resourceconservation

3.2MANAGEMENTOBJECTIVES

TheprimarymanagementobjectivesforMoondarraStateParkandTyersParkareto:

-preserveandprotectthenaturalenvironment, andinparticularthehabitatsofrareand significantspeciesandfeaturesofimportance;

-providearangeofrecreationopportunitiesforallpeople, includingtheelderly, disabled andchildrenwhereverpracticable;

-preserveandprotecthistorical, archaeologicalandculturalfeatures;

-protectscenicvalues;

-protectwatercatchmentsandwatersupplyinstallations;

-promoteabetterunderstandingoftheenvironmentthroughtheprovisionofinterpretation andeducationfacilitiesandprograms;

-provideopportunitiesforthepublictoseewildlifeinitsnaturalhabitat;

-promoteresearchdesignedtoprovideabetterbasisforfuturemanagement;

-eliminateorcontrolexoticplants, animalsandpathogens;

-protectlife, each Park, privateassets, andthesurroundingpubliclandfromfire;

-takeadequateprecautionsforthesafetyofvisitors;

-minimisetheimpactofsurroundinglandusesandtheimpactoftheParksonadjacent communities;

-provideforapicultureandextractionofshaleinTyersPark.

3.3ZONING

ParkmanagementzoningisatooltoassistmanagementinachievingtheParkmanagement objectives. Zoningindicateswhichmanagementobjectivesareappropriateandwhichhavepriority ineachpartofthePark. Itidentifiestheplaceswhereconservationisacriticalrequirement, andestablishesbroadlytheintensityandtypesofusethatareappropriatefordifferentpartsofthePark. Itspurposeistopre-emptconflictsbetweenuses, andtoprovideabasisforassessingthesuitability ofmanagementproposalsforparticularpartsofthePark.

ThezoneswhichhavebeendevelopedforthisPlanaredescribedbelow (Figs9and10). The contributionsofthezonestoachievingParkmanagementobjectivesarelistedinTable1.

Resourceconservation

TABLE1CONTRIBUTIONMADEBYZONESTOWARDSACHIEVINGPARK MANAGEMENTOBJECTIVES

Zone

ManagementobjectivesIIaIIIIaIIIIV V

toprotectandconservethenaturalenvironment / *** / ** / ** / ** / * / * / *
toprotectrareandunusualfeatures / *** / *** / *** / ** / * / * / *
toproviderecreationopportunities / ** / ** / *** / ** / *** / * / -
toprotectscenicvalues / *** / *** / *** / ** / * / * / *
toprotectwatersupplycatchmentsandinstallations / ** / ** / ** / ** / *** / ** / **
toprovideopportunitiestoviewwildlife / ** / ** / *** / *** / *** / ** / **
topromoteunderstandingofenvironment / ** / ** / *** / *** / *** / * / *
totakeprecautionsforvisitorsafety / * / * / ** / *** / *** / ** / *
toprotectPark,lifeandpropertyfromfire / * / * / ** / ** / *** / ** / **
toprovideopportunitiesforresearch / *** / *** / *** / *** / *** / * / *
tocontrolintroducedplantsandanimals / *** / *** / ** / ** / ** / * / *
tominimiseimpactonalloperations / *** / *** / *** / ** / ** / ** / **

toprovideforapicultureand/orshaleextraction-***----***

Symbols:

*** zonemaximisesachievementofobjective

**zonepartiallyachievesobjective

*zonemakesacontributiontoachievingobjective

-notappropriateinzone Zonenames:

Resourceconservation

ZoneI-ConservationandRecreationA

Includesareasofconservationsignificancewhichrequireahighlevelofprotection. Provision shall bemadeforactivitieswithalowimpactontheenvironment.

Managementconsiderationsare:

-Significantconservationvaluesarepresent, includingareasofStatebotanical, zoological andgeologicalsignificance, andareasofhighscenicquality.

-Naturalsettingspredominate; lowfrequencyofcontactwithotherpeopleistobeexpected.

Opportunitiesarepresentforrecreationinapredominantlyunmodifiedenvironmentwith somesemi-remoterecreationexperiences.

-Vehicularaccessshouldbelimited. Accessbyprivatevehiclesispermittedondesignated roadswhichshouldonlyreceiveoccasionaluse. Publicroadswillnotbeupgradedwiththe exceptionofmainthroughroads-Moe-EricaandTanjilBrenRoads. Rationalisationof publicandmanagementaccessmayreducevehicularaccess (seeSection6.2)

-Simpleandlimitedfacilitiesmaybeprovidedforsmallnumbersofvisitors. These mayincludeminimalsignposting, walkingtracksandsmallremotecampingsites.

-Utilisationforwatersupplyonlywillbepermitted.

ZoneI(a) ConservationandRecreationA, Sub-Zone-Apiculture

ManagementandactivitiesarethesameasforZoneI, withtheadditionthatapicultureispermitted.

ZoneII-ConservationandRecreationB

Includesareaswhereconservationvaluesarenotthreatenedorwheresmallspecificsitesof conservationvaluecanbeadequatelyprotectedwhilstprovidingformoderatelevelsofrecreational activity.

Managementconsiderationsare:

-Significantconservationvalues, both naturalandcultural.

-Natural-appearingsettingspredominate; moderatelevels ofcontactwithotherpeopleare tobeexpected.

-Access by privatevehiclesispermittedonroadswhichwillbesuitablymaintainedor upgradedasnecessary.

-Small-scalefacilitiesmaybeprovidedforcamping, informalpicnickingandother recreationactivitiesbysmalltomoderatevisitornumbers.

-Utilisationforwatersupplyonlywillbepermitted.

ZoneII(a) ConservationandRecreationB, Sub-Zone-Education

Theprimaryuseisenvironmentalstudy, althoughtheintegrityoftheenvironmentistobe maintainedasfaraspracticable. Activitiessuchascollectionofspecimens, establishmentof growthplotsandlimitedexperimentalmanipulationoftheenvironmentareconsistentwith managementobjectives. ManagementconsiderationsarethesameasforZoneII.

Resourceconservation

ZoneIII-Development

Includesareasinwhichknownconservationvaluesarenotthreatened, orwherenaturalfeatures havebeendisturbedandmodifiedbydevelopment. Managementwillaimtomaintainorrestore thenaturalappearanceoftheenvironment, whileprovidingfacilitiesforrecreation. Mostofthe facilitiesforrecreationandParkinfrastructurearetobelocatedinthiszone.

Managementconsiderationsare:

-Fewsignificantconservationvaluesarepresent orthesevaluesarenotthreatenedby development.

-Natural-appearingsettings, howeverwithsubstantialdevelopmentandsitedisturbance.

-Theaccessnetworkmaybeupgradedtogood2WDstandardtotakehighlevelsofuse.

-Arangeofrecreationfacilitiesmaybeprovided. Thismayincludemajor development/structuressuchasdevelopedcampsites, picnic/barbecueareas, naturetrailsand interpretivecentrescateringformoderatetohighvisitorlevels.

-Therewillbeahighlevelofcontactbetweenusersandthereforepotentialforconflictstooccur.

-Majoropportunitiesexistforeducationandinterpretation.

ZoneIV-SpecialUse-Utilities

Thiszoneappliestothetransmissionlineeasementrunningalongandundertheexisting transmissionlinesinthesouthernsectionsofbothParksandtotheareasunderexistingtransmission lineselsewhereintheParks. SpecialmanagementisrequiredintheseareasbytheSECtooperate andmaintainthetransmissionlines.

ThiszonealsoappliestothepipelineeasementrunningthroughMoondarraStateParkandtothe stripoflandalongtherouteofthewatersupplypipelineinTyersParkwherespecialmanagementis requiredbytheLatrobeValleyWaterandSewerageBoardtooperateandmaintainthepipeline.

ThepurposeofmanagementistominimisetheimpactofthezoneontheParks. Thelandscape impactsareamajorconcern.

ZoneV-SpecialUse-Quarrying

ThiszoneappliestotheshalequarryinTyersPark. Thepurposeofmanagementistominimisethe impactofthezoneintheParks. ThiszonewillreverttoZoneI(a)whenthequarryceasesoperation.

Resourceconservation

4MANAGEMENT FOR RESOURCE CONSERVATION

ThischaptersetsoutaimsandactionsforthoseaspectsofParkmanagementrelatingtothe protectionandconservationofthenaturalandculturalenvironment. Particularemphasisisplaced ontheprotectionandmanagementoftherarerplantcommunitiesandplantandanimalspeciesin theParks.

4.1VEGETATIONMANAGEMENT

Thevegetationhasnotbeencomprehensivelysurveyedandmoredetailedinvestigationandmapping oftheParksisneeded. Thisparticularlyappliestothelocationandmanagementrequirementsof significantplantcommunitiesandspecies.

AlthoughthereisadegreeofsummerdroughtgenerallyinandaroundFebruary,theareahasalong growingseasonbecauseofthewelldistributedrainfall (meanannual1149mm). Lowwinter temperature,oftenwithfrosts,betweenJulyandAugust, retardsvegetationgrowth(ScottFurphy 1980a).

ThezoningschemeadoptedinthePark (Section3.3) inpartreflectsvegetationandflora conservationrequirements, butspecificmeasuresarerequiredinanumberofcases.

4.1.1Plantcommunitymanagement

SixmajorvegetationtypeshavebeendescribedinthetwoParks (AsheSmith 1983,Figs11and 12andAppendixII). Theseare:

VegetationTypeDominantspeciesandstructure

1Yertchuk-SilvertopOpenForest

2SilvertopOpenForest

3YertchukWoodland/OpenWoodland

4MessmateStringybark-SilverleafStringybarkOpenForest

5RedBox-AppleBoxOpenForest

6PricklyTeaTreeHeath/Scrub.

Significantfeatures

-TheYertchuk-SilvertopgroupofvegetationtypesarepoorlyrepresentedinotherParksin Victoria(AsheSmith,1983).

-TheRedBox/AppleBoxvegetationtypeisrestrictedinVictoria(D.FroodPers.Comm).

-Thewoodland(Vegetationtype3)inMoondarraStateParkisunusual,andmuchofthearea (Fig.7)hasbeendesignatedofstatebotanicalsignificance(Gullanetal.1984;AppendixIfor definitionofterms). ItisnotablefortheoccurrenceofBanksiaandHakeashrubsoveraground layerofSpear-Grass,sedgesandlilies,andisunlikeotherVictorianplantcommunitiesexcept forthoseonthelowerslopesoftheGrampians.

ThemajorityofvegetationtypesintheParkdonotrequirespecificmanagement, andwillbe satisfactorilyprotectedbytheactionssetoutelsewhereinthisPlan, particularlyinrelationtofire protection.

Clearingandrepeatedfiremaywellberesponsibleforlowerandmoreopenwoodlandvegetationin someareas(AsheSmith1983). Silvertopappearstohavebecomemoredominantinthe vegetationonridgesandslopesfollowinglogging(Loynetal.1980). Firemanagementisan importantissueintheseParks. Abetterunderstandingisneededofthenaturalfireregimeofthese forestsandtheimpactofregularfuelreductionburning.

Resourceconservation

Pestplants, invasionbytheCinnamonFungus (Phytophthoracinnamomi) andunauthorised vehicleaccessarethreatstothevegetationcommunity. Controlsonearthworksandvehicleaccess areappropriate.

Aimsandactions

TomaintainandprotectthediversityofnaturalplantcommunitiesinthePark. Toprotectplantcommunitiesthatarethreatenedorareofspecialsignificance. Toensurethatecologicalprocessesareallowedtocontinue.

Topromoteappliedecologicalresearch, particularlytoassistfutureParkmanagement.

AsneededRehabilitatenativevegetation(removeweeds,rip,replantetcasappropriate) inareaswhereitisidentifiedasnecessary.

HighInvestigatetheconservationrequirementsoftheYertchuk-Silvertopgroupof alliancesinbothParks, andtheYertchukWoodlandinMoondarraStatePark anddevelopappropriatemanagementstrategiesasrequired.

HighMonitortheimpactoffireonthevegetationandtheuseoffireasa managementtoolfornaturalsystems. Particularattentiontothesedge-land habitatofararebutterfly(see4.2)isrequired. Encouragetheparticipationof interestedgroupsandindividuals, includingtheLatrobeValleyField NaturalistsClub.

MediumEncourageresearchintothestatusanddistributionofnativeplant communities,withemphasisonthoseofknownsignificance.

MediumInvestigatetheestablishmentofaprogramtorestorevegetationspecies compositioninareasaffectedbypastlogging.

LowInvestigatetheconservationsignificanceoftheRedBox-AppleBox vegetationtype(Vegetationtype5).

4.1.2Indigenousplants

Atotalof360nativeplantspecieshavebeenrecordedintheParks, (Beauglehole1983;Appendix III). Ofthese, fivehavebeenclassifiedasbeingrareinVictoria (Gullanetal.1990)(Table2). Onespecies, Burnettia, israreAustraliawide. Another18specieshavebeenclassifiedby Beauglehole (1983) asbeingsignificant (Table2).

BothParksarenotedfortheirspringwildflowerdisplays, particularlyorchidsalongSeninisRoadin MoondarraStatePark. AlocalformoftheCommonOnion-orchid(Microtisunifolia; recordedas

M.biloba, Willis1970)hasbeenrecordednearGould(eastofMoondarraStateParkand immediatelyupstreamofMoondarraReservoir) andnearMoe. Thisformmaybepresentinthe Parks.

ItisthoughtthattheParkssupportthemostwesterlyoccurrenceoftheRushLily(Sowerbaea juncea)andthemosteasterlyoccurrenceofWirySpear-grass(Stipamuelleri).

Aimsandactions

Toprotectrareorthreatenedplantspecies.

AsneededDevelopappropriatemanagementactionsfor anyfurtherspeciesidentifiedas rareorthreatenedthroughfurthersurveyortaxonomicrevision.

Resourceconservation

HighInvestigatetheconservationrequirementsofspeciesofidentifiedsignificance; theseincludethespecieslistedinTable2andtheCommonOnion-orchid (localform).

HighPrepareimprovedmanagementprescriptionsbasedondetailedecological studyfortheplantspeciesofidentifiedsignificance.

HighProtectandwherenecessaryrehabilitatethehabitatofsignificantfauna species,particularlythesedge-landhabitatoftherarebutterfly(seeSection

4.2andseparatereport).

TABLE2SIGNIFICANTPLANTSPECIES

Brachyscomeaculeata / BranchingDaisy
Brachyscomeangustifolia / GrasslandDaisy
Burnettiacuneata / Rr / Burnetta
Caladeniaaurantiaca / Orange-tipCaledenia
Caladeniacucullata / HoodedCaladenia
Caladeniapattersonii / r / CommonSpider-orchid
Desmodiumvarians / r / SlenderTick-trefoil
Eucalyptusbridgesiana / ButBut
Eucalyptuscinerea / r / Silver-leafStringybark
Gnaphaliumumbricola / r / CliffCudweed
Grevillealanigera / WoollyGrevillea
Hibbertiaaspera / RoughGuinea-flower
Lasiopetalummacrophyllum / ShrubbyVelvet-bush
Leucopogoncollinus / FringedBeard-heath
Loganiaalbiflora / Narrow-leafLogania
Lycopodiumdeuterodensum / BushyClubmoss
Micrantheumhexandrum / BoxMicrantheum
Mitrasacmeserpyllifolia / ThymeMitrewort
Myosotisexarrhena / SweetForget-me-not
Pomaderrisintermedia / CitronPomaderris
Sowerbaeajuncea / RushLily
Tetrathecapilosa / HairyPink-bells

Source: NationalParksFloraDatabase(NPFLORA)andGullanetal.(1990)

R RareinAustralia r RareinVictoria

Resourceconservation

4.2FAUNA MANAGEMENT

TheParkscontainarangeofhabitatsandconsequentlythedependentfaunaisdiverse, includinga numberofspeciesthatarerestrictedoratthelimitsoftheirdistribution. SurveysoftheBoolaBoola Forest by Loyn et al.(1980)andManserghandWatson(1984), andtheworkoflocalnaturalists, haveprovidedinformation onfaunaintheParks. AlistofthefaunaisincludedasAppendicesIV toVI.

Twenty-sevennativemammalsandsixintroducedspecieshavebeenfoundinthearea. Themost commonmammalsaretheBushRatandtheBrownAntechinus. Alsofairlyabundantarethe CommonRingtailPossum, SugarGlider, SwampWallabyandCommonWombat.

Approximately100speciesofbirdhavebeenrecorded(DCERecords,LatrobeValleyField NaturalistsClub,Loynetal.1980). Themostcommon, theBrownThornbillandtheStriated Thornbill, aretypicallyfoundintheGippslandeucalyptforests. Othercommonlyoccurringnative speciesincludetheCrimsonRosella, Fan-tailedCuckoo, LaughingKookaburraandSuperb Lyrebird.

ThereisahighdiversityofnativefishspecieswithatleasteightspeciesknowntooccurintheParks andthepossibilityofafurtherfivespeciesbeingpresent. RiverBlackfishintheMoondarraState Parkareofspecialvaluebecauseoftheirabundanceandlargesize. ThevulnerableAustralian GraylingoccursintheLatrobeRiversystemandmayspawnintheTyersRiver. Thereisa significantpopulationofGippslandSpinyCrayfish.

Insectsofallmajorordersarerecordedinthevicinity(Loynetal.1980). Ararebutterflyisfoundin MoondarraStateParkandinonlytwootherareasintheState. Itshabitatischaracterisedbylow- lyingandpoorlydrainedsedgeland. AnotherspeciesrecordedinMoondarraStateParkis considereduncommon(D.Crosbypers.comm.). Toprotectthesespeciesconcernedfurther informationhasnotbeenmadeavailableinthisPlan.

AnareanearAndersonsTrackandtheoldWalhallaRailwayinMoondarraStateParkisasiteof localandscientificinterest(ManserghNorris1982;AppendixIfordefinitionofterms). Over50 birdspecieshavebeenobservedatthissite.ThemostnotablespeciesincludetheWhite-throated Gerygone,DiamondFiretailandBlue-wingedParrot. SouthernEmuWrenshavealsobeenrecorded bytheLatrobeValleyFieldNaturalistsClubinMoondarraStateParknearAndersonsTracknorthof EarlyRoad.

Atotalof19speciesofanimalswhichoccurinorneartheParkshavebeenclassifiedasrareor threatenedinVictoria (Table3). ThemostsignificantoftheseistheRegentHoneyeaterwhichis endangeredinVictoriaandtheTigerQuollandAustralianGraylingwhicharebothconsidered vulnerabletoextinctioninVictoria. Theecologicalrequirementsofthese, andtheothersignificant speciesarepoorlyknown. Furtherresearchmayindicatethatactivemanagementisrequiredto ensuretheirsurvival.

GenerallyfaunaismanagedandmaintainedbymaintainingtheoverallqualityoftheParkasfauna habitat. Frequentlythisrequiresnospecificactionsotherthantheprotectionofadiversityofnatural vegetationcommunitiesandthecontinuationofecologicalprocesses. Effectivemanagementalso requiresdetailedinformationonthebreeding, refuge, anddietaryrequirementanddistributionof thespecies. Thereisaneedforfurtherinvestigationofthebiologyandhabitatrequirementsof faunaintheParks, particularlyofthesignificantspecies, toprovideabasisforeffective management.

Resourceconservation

Theconservationofcreeksandriversandadjacentriparianvegetationisimportantfortheprotection oftheGiantBurrowingFrogandtheaquaticfaunaoftheParksgenerally. Forotherspecies,active restorationoftheoriginalcompositionoftreespecies(seeSection4.1)andtheremovalofnoxious weedshavebeenproposedasimportantmanagementstrategies(ManserghNorris1982).

ThePeregrineFalconnestsinTyersPark(LatrobeValleyFieldNaturalistsClub;DCErecords). Thelong-termsurvivalofthisspeciesworldwideisuncertain. AlthoughnotthreatenedinVictoria specialprotectionofbreedingsitesisrequiredduringthenestingseasontoensuresuccessful breeding. SeveraloffspringeachyearhaveregularlybeenrecordedinTyersPark, makingitof statewidesignificance. Managementwillbedirectedtominimisedisturbanceofbirds, particularlyinthenestingseason. Humanpresence, particularlybyclimbers, candisruptbreeding.

Aimsandactions

Toprotectandmaintainthediverseassemblageofnativefaunabymaintainingsuitablehabitat.Toactivelymanagethreatenedorsignificantspecies.

Toundertakecontinuingresearchandresourcesurveysofnativewildlife.

OngoingImplementaconservationandmonitoringprogramfortherarebutterfly(see separatereportheldbytheCentralGippslandRegionandNPPL). Particular carewillbetakenwiththelocationoffuelreductionburningandslashing operationstoexcludebutterflyhabitat, unlesstheyformpartofa conservationprogramforthespecies. Herbacideswillnotbeusedinthese areas.

OngoingImplementaconservationandmonitoringprogramforthePeregrineFalcon intheTyersGorgearea. Topreventdisturbance, thelocationofnestingsites willnotbemadepublicandpublicaccessintotheTyersGorgeareasouthof W3(Fig.15)andeastoftheTyersRiverwillbeclosedbetween1Julyand15 Decembereachyear.

-Erectappropriatesignsonroadsandtracks. TrackW2willbeclosedto publicaccessatthistimeattheTyers-EricaRd.

-Accessformanagementpurposeswillbekepttoaminimumduringthis period(seeSection6.2).

-Rockclimbingandabseilingwillnotbepermittedinthisareaduringthe periodofclosure(seeSection6.3.4).

-Periodandtimingoftheclosuremaybevariedwiththeapprovalofthe DirectorofNationalParksandPublicLandDivisiontosuitnesting behaviour.

HighTrainParkstafftoundertakemonitoringandfaunasurveys.

HighInvestigatetheconservationrequirementsoftherareorthreatenedfauna listedinTable3.

HighEncouragefurtherresearchintothestatusanddistributionofnativeanimals, withemphasisplacedontheknownspeciesofspecialsignificance.

HighMonitorregularlytheknownhabitatsofspeciesofspecialsignificance.

TABLE3RAREORTHREATENEDFAUNAINTHEVICINITYOFMOONDARRA STATEPARKORTYERSPARK(SEEAPPENDICESIVTOVII.)

Resourceconservation

EndangeredinVictoria

RegentHoneyeaterXanthomyzaphrygia

VulnerableinVictoria

TigerQuollDasyurusmaculatus

AustralianGraylingPrototroctesmaraena

RareinVictoria

Brush-tailedPhascogalePhascogaletapoatafa

Broad-toothedRatMastacomysfuscus

White-belliedSea-eagleHaliaeetusleucogaster

Powerful OwlNinoxstrenua

SootyOwlTytotenebricosa

SwampSkinkEgerniacoventryi

DwarfGalaxiasGalaxiellapusilla

Broad-finnedGalaxiasGalaxiasbrevipinnis

Indeterminate(knowntoberare,vulnerableorendangered)inVictoria

GiantBurrowingFrogHeleioporusaustraliacus

River(Freshwater)BlackfishGadopsismarmoratus

MountainGalaxiasGalaxiasolidus

Insufficientlyknown(suspectedtoberare,vulnerableorendangered)inVictoria

MountainDragonAmphibolurusdiemensis

TreeGoannaVaranusvarius

RestrictedtocolonialbreedingorroostingsitesinVictoria

AustralianPelicanPelecanusconspicillatus

RoyalSpoonbillPlatalearegia

GreatEgretEgrettaalba

4.3LANDSCAPE

LandscapevaluesinbothParkscangenerallybedescribedasmoderate. BothParksarewell vegetatedwithrelativelylittleevidenceofdisturbancebysuchactivitiesastimberharvestingor grazing. Theimpressionof'naturalness'isrelativelystrong, andwhereotherfeaturescontributeto thelandscape, suchasalongtheTyersRiver, landscapevaluesarehigh. TheTyersGorgeareais notedforitssceneryandviewsintotheLatrobeValley,particularlyfromPetersonsLookout.

TheDepartment'sVisualResourceInventory(WilliamsonCalder1979)classifiesareasalongthe TyersRiverinbothParksashavinghighscenicquality. Alsotherearesignificantareaswith moderatetohighvisualsensitivity(Fig.8).

Someactivitiesandworkshavehadadeleteriouseffectonthelandscape. Mostnotableisthe clearingofvegetationforpipelinesandpowerlinesandinparticularclearingunderthepowerlines alongtheMoe-EricaRoad. Thevisualimpactmadebytheclearingofvegetationandroadworks, particularlyintheTyersGorgearea,thetimberdumpadjacenttotheTanjilBrenRoadanddumped carsinthesouthernsectionsofbothParks,alldetractfromthelandscape.

Resourceconservation

LandscapeprotectionintheParkinvolvestheappropriatesitinganddesignofalldevelopments, suchaswalkingtracks,recreationsitesandstructures,andthesensitivedesignofessentialfield operationssuchasprescribedburning.

Aimsandactions

Toprotectand,wherenecessary,restorethenaturalcharacterofthelandscapeandareasof highscenicquality.

Tominimisethevisualimpactsofmanagementactivities.

ToensurethatallworksareinaccordancewiththeVisualManagementGuidelines.Toreducethevisualimpactofexistingworksandstructures.

Tofacilitatepublicaccesstoareasofhighscenicvaluewhereconsistentwithotherobjectives.

OngoingExcludefutureworkswithsignificantlong-termvisualimpactsfromareas classifiedashavingmoderatetohighvisualsensitivityandscenicvalue(Fig. 8).

OngoingEncouragerevegetationandrehabilitationofroadsidesandalongpowerlines andpipelines.

OngoingMaintainaccessto,andviewingfacilitiesat,PetersonsLookoutinTyersPark (seecontrolsonaccessforfaunaprotection,Section4.2).

OngoingPlantimber-harvestingoperationsinadjoiningStateForesttominimisevisual impactsoneachPark.

OngoingRemovecarbodiesandotherrubbishfromthesouthernsectionofMoondarra StateParkanddiscouragefurtherdumpingofrubbishthroughsignageand educationprograms.

HighReducethevisualimpactofthepipelineeasementthroughthesouthern sectionofTyersPark,inconsultationwiththeLVWSB.

HighLiaisewiththeSECandRoadsCorporation(RC)toreducetheimpacton landscapeofworksalongtheMoe-EricaRoad.

HighRehabilitatetheclearedandexcavatedareasalongtheMoe-EricaRoadin conjunctionwiththeSEC,RCandLVWSB.

MediumPrepareandimplementasiteplanforthegravelquarryadjacenttoTyersPark (seeSection8.2)toreducevisualimpactsonthePark.

Visualmanagementguidelines

-Siteanddesignfacilitiesinsympathywiththevisualenvironment, borrowingforms, lines, coloursandtexturesfromthenaturalsurroundings.

-GenerallyadopttheRecreationFacilitiesManual (CFL1987) asastandardfordesign work.

-Minimisethevisualintrusionofalldevelopments, primarilybyappropriatesiting.

-ConsultDCElandscapedesignpersonnelduringthedesignofallParkdevelopments.

-Preparedetailedsiteplanswellinadvanceofconstruction.

Resourceconservation

-Designandprogramprescribedburningoperations, particularlythoseabuttingpublic roads, tominimiseimpactsonscenicqualitywherepracticable.

4.4GEOLOGICALSITES

MuchofTyersParkandthenorthernpartofMoondarraStateParkcontainsCretaceousandLower Devoniansedimentsofsandstone,siltstone,mudstoneandshale(LCC1973;1980). Thesouthand centralpartsofMoondarraStateParkandsouth-westernpartsofTyersParkincludetertiarygravels, sandsandsilt. AreasoflimestoneandconglomerateoccurinTyersPark.

Friablereddishandyellowishgradationalsoilspredominatewithshallowstonysoilsonsteepslopes, andacidicduplexsoilsonridges. SoilerosionhazardvariesfromlowtohighwithinbothParks, dependingupontheslopesandsoilsataparticularlocality(Sibley1975).

Thisisageologicallycomplexareaandthereareanumberofsitesofgeologicaland geomorphologicalsignificanceintheParks, particularlyinTyersPark. Someofthesearepopular destinationsforvisitors.

TyersParkincludesanumberofsites(Fig.7)oflocal,regionalandstategeologicaland geomorphologicalsignificance(Rosengrenetal.1981; AppendixIfordefinitionofterms). These sitesincludeexposuresoftheWalhallaGroupofsediments,CoopersCreekLimestoneandimportant sectionsofLowerDevonianandCretaceoussediments. Theareaispopularforgeologicalstudy, withfossilsinthelimestoneofparticularinterest.

MoondarraStateParkcontainsasiteofregionalsignificance(Fig.7)whereWhitelawSiltstoneand SinclairValleySandstoneareexposedbyaroadcutting(Rosengrenetal.1981),nearwherethe Moe-EricaroadcrossestheTyersRiver.

Noparticularmanagementproblemsareevidentalthoughthereis potentialfordamagetoexposures bycollectors,andparticularlycollectorsoffossils. Managementrecommendationsforthesesites (Rosengrenetal.1981)aretomaintainaccesstocuttingfacesbygradingthebasewherenecessary, andtokeepcuttingfacesclearofvegetation

OneoftheSitesofGeologicalSignificance, alimestonequarryinTyersPark, isnolongerworked. Shaleextractioniscontinuingforbrick-makingmaterialatanotherquarryinTyersPark(seeSection 7.1).

Aimsandactions

Toprotectidentifiedsitesofsignificance.

Tomanagesitestoallowpublicaccessandappreciation.

OngoingDevelopaprogramforregularlyclearingvegetationfromsignificant manmadegeologicalexposures.

OngoingGradethebaseofroadcuttingsasnecessarytomaintainaccess. OngoingMonitortheimpactofvisitorsongeologicalsitesofsignificance.

MediumErectinformationandregulationsignsatpopularsitesandcontrolaccess.

Resourceconservation

4.5ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANDHISTORICSITES

LittleisknownaboutAboriginaluseofthearea. Nosystematicassessmenthasbeenmadeof AboriginalandarchaeologicalvalueswithineitherPark,andnositesofsignificancehavebeen recordedbytheVictoriaArchaeologicalSurvey(VAS).

TheMoondarragrazingrunwastakenupintheearly1850s(Adams1978),andscatteredgrazing andlogginghasoccurredinbothParkssincethattime. Littleobviousevidenceofactivityremains, althoughtherearesomeoldovergrowncattlemusteringpenstobeseeninMoondarraStatePark.

Thenarrow-gaugerailwaytoWalhalla,whichranthroughthesouthernsectionofMoondarraState Park,wasopenedin1910. TheEricatoMoesectionofthislinewasclosedin1954anddismantled in1963(S.Watson, pers.comm.)butevidenceofthelineisstillvisible. Untilthe1940stherailway wasimportanttothetimberindustryintheareaofMoondarraStatePark(McCarthy1983)andthe ashforestssurroundingtheBawBaws. Itprovidedalinktomanysmalltramwaysusedtohaul timberoutoftheforestandtheremainsofsomeofthesetramwaysarethoughttobestillevidentin MoondarraStatePark. Theremainsofthesetramlinesmaybethreatenedbyfires, including prescribedburning, intheParks.

AlthoughgoldmineswerebeingworkedinWalhallaandontheTanjilfieldsinthelatenineteenth century,nominingisknowntohaveoccurredineitherPark. Roadlinksbetweenthesetwofields mayhaverunthroughtheParksandthereisthoughttobesomeremainingevidenceofthese. ScatteredquarryingoflimestoneandshalehasoccurredinandnearTyersParkandtheremainsofa quarryandlimekilnarelocatedontrackW.3.(Fig.15). Theremainsofawire-boundtimber pipelineusedintheearlywatersupplysystemremaininTyersParkalongtheriver. Thisisof Regionalhistoricinterest(Suppleetal.1990). OtherremainsoccuralongtheTyersRiverbuthave notbeeninvestigated.

Publicaccesstositescanresultindamagetothesiteifadequateprotectionmeasuresarenottaken. Thisisparticularlyafactortobeconsideredwhenthenature, valueandmanagementneedsof historicsiteshavenotbeenadequatelyinvestigated, whichisthecaseintheseParks.

Aimsandactions

Toidentifyandprotectarchaeologicalandhistoricalvalues.

OngoingDiscouragepublicaccesstositesuntiladequateprotectionmeasuresareestablished.

HighSurveyandevaluatetheremainsofthenarrow-gaugerailwayandthetimber tramlines. Reviewfiremanagementplansasappropriate.

HighSurveyandevaluatetheremainsofthelimekilninTyersPark. Preparea detailedplanofmanagementinconsultationwiththe HistoricPlacesbranch ofDCE.

MediumRequesttheVAStosurveytheParks.

MediumSurveyandevaluatetheremainsofearlywatersupplysystemslocatedin TyersPark,inconsultationwiththeLVWSB.

AsneededNotifyVASofanyAboriginalsitesdiscoveredintheParks.

Parkprotection

5MANAGEMENTFORPARK PROTECTION

Thischaptersetsoutaimsandactionsforthoseaspectsofmanagementrelatingtotheprotectionof conservationvaluesintheParks fromtheimpactoffire, andofintroducedplantandanimal species. TheimpactofrecreationandotherusesisdiscussedinChapters6and7.

5.1FIREMANAGEMENT

Firemanagementincludesthesuppressionofwildfire, protectionfromwildfirebymaintainingpre- suppressionfacilities (suchasaccesstracks, firebreaksandwatersupplies), andtheplanneduseof prescribedburningforvegetationorhabitatmanagementandfuelreduction.

TheDepartmenthasstatutorydutiesto 'carryoutproperandsufficientworkforthepreventionand suppressionoffireineveryPark,andonallprotectedpublicland' (Section62, ForestsAct), and, asagentoftheDirectorofNationalParksandPublicLandDivision, 'toensurethatproper (appropriate)andsufficientmeasuresaretakentoprotectthe(National)Park frominjurybyfire' (Sections1718, NationalParksAct).

5.1.1Fireprotection

Thelastmajorwildfire,in1967,burntmostofbothParks.Between1973and1989,16smallfires occurredinMoondarraStateParkandtwoinTyersPark. Althoughtheincidenceoffirehasbeen lowinrecenttimes,itstillposesamajorthreattoParkvisitorsandvalues,thecommunitiesofthe LatrobeValleyandtheassetsoftheLVWSB,SEC,APMForestsPtyLtdandDCESoftwood plantations. TheSEC'sopen-cutcoalmines,whichareofvitaleconomicimportancetotheState,are particularlyvulnerabletospottingfromwildfiressomedistanceaway(SECV1986).

TheCentralGippslandRegion'sFireProtectionPlan (DCE1990) definesthefireprotection strategieswhichareappropriateforallthepubliclandwithintheRegion. Theplanwasapprovedin December1990andwillbereviewedinthreeyears. TheobjectivesofthePlanemphasisethe protectionoflifeandpublicandprivateassets. Itprovidesfor:

-fuelreductionburningandotherfuelmodificationtreatmentsinareasidentifiedasbeing strategicallyimportant

-access,includingroads

-waterstoragesorsupplies

-firebreakestablishmentandmaintenance

-anefficientdetectionsystembasedonlookoutsandaerialreconnaissance

-arapidfirst-attackcapability

-awell-organised,equipped,andtrainedfire-fightingandsupervisoryforce

-anefficientcommunicationssystem

-liaisonandco-operationwithotheragenciesinplanningandfire-controlactivities.

Aimsandactions

Toprotectlife, propertyandParkfacilitiesfromfire.

ToprotectthenaturalandculturalfeaturesoftheParksfromtheadverseeffectsoffire.

Parkprotection

Toprotectwatercatchments.

ToprotectneighbouringlandfromfiresoriginatingintheParks, particularlytownships, LVWSBandSECassetsand,APMandDCEplantations, inaccordancewiththeRegionalFire ProtectionPlan.

Toliaisewithrelevantorganisationsforthecommonpurposeoffiremanagementwithinthe Parksandadjacentland.

OngoingConferwithandseektheco-operationoftheCountryFireAuthority(CFA) MunicipalFirePreventionCommittees,SEC,LVWSB,andAPMForestsPty Ltd.

OngoingEstablishandmaintainamonitoringprogramtorecord:

-areasburntbyprescribedorwildfire

-impactsoffiresonplantandanimalvalues

-finefuelaccumulation(seeSection5.1.4forprescriptions).

OngoingEnsureParkvaluescontinuetoberecognisedinfurtherreviewsand developmentoftheRegionalFireProtectionPlan.

OngoingPrepareandmaintainaFireEmergencyPlantoprovideformanagingvisitor safetyifthreatenedbyfires.

OngoingEnsurethattheaimsandactionsofthisPlanareincludedinAnnualFire ProtectionWorksPlansrelevanttotheParks.

OngoingSlashflammablematerialalongstrategicroadsidesinspring(grass)or autumn(heath/shrubs).

OngoingUseexistingtracksorothernaturalbarriers,ascontrolsforprescribedfires, wheneverpossible. Ifthesearenotavailable, newcontrollineswhichhave leastimpactonvegetationandsoilerosionmaybeconstructed. Newcontrol linesaretoberehabilitatedafteruse,whereriskoferosionisapparent.

OngoingCarryoutprotectionworkswithinandadjacenttoSeninisVisitorAreaand TyersBridgeVisitorArea, includingslashingoffuelswithinand immediatelyadjacenttotheseareasandjudiciousfuelreductionburningin surroundingareas.

OngoingMaintainqualityandquantityofwatersuppliesorstoragesforfirecontroland maintainaccesstothesesupplieswithminimalenvironmentalimpact.

OngoingMaintainessentialfire-protectionmeasuresincludinglookouts,fireaccess tracks,firefightingtools,equipmentandcommunicationnetwork.

OngoingProvideappropriatemeasures(tracks,firebreaks,fuelmodifiedareasetc.)in adjacentpubliclandtoreducethechanceoffireenteringorleavingtheParks.

Parkprotection

5.1.2Wildfirecontrol

'Wildfirecontrol' referstothecontroloffiresastheyactuallyoccur,i.e.firefighting. Therapid detectionandcontrolofallwildfiresintheParksremainsaparamountfire-managementobjective.

Aimsandactions

Torestrictallwildfirestotheminimumpossibleareausingcontroltechniqueswhichcauseleast damagetonaturalandculturalresources.

AsneededControlallwildfireswithinnaturalorartificialcontrollinesappropriateto minimisingimpactonParkvalues, torestrictwildfirestominimumarea practicable, asrapidlyaspossiblefollowingdetection.

HighRehabilitateareasoftheParkdisturbedbycontrollinesandotherfire-control activities. Inparticularpreventvehicularuseofnewcontrollines, and restorethenaturalsurfaceconfigurationanddrainage, bytechniqueswhich donotcauseadditionallong-termdamage.

5.1.3Prescribedburning

Prescribedburningistheplanneduseoffiretoachievespecificmanagementobjectives, suchasthe reductionoffuelforprotectionpurposes, andthemaintenanceofparticularwildlifehabitator successionalstagesofvegetation. Itisaneffectivetechniqueifplannedandappliedcautiouslyusing adequatescientificandtechnicalknowledge.

Frequentfires,particularlyifunseasonal,cansignificantlyaffectplantandanimalcommunities. Prescribedburningshouldbeplannedtoavoidorminimiseadverseeffects.

Since1974regularfuelreductionburninghastakenplaceinbothParks, inaccordancewiththe existingRegionalFireProtectionPlanextendingovermorethanhalfoftheMoondarraStatePark andaboutathirdofTyersPark. ThisPlanprovidesforfuelreductionburningintheParkinfuture years. Itprovidesforhighpriorityfuelmodifiedareasextendingalongthesouthernboundariesof theParks, andtheeasternboundaryoftheMoondarraStateParkadjacenttothepineplantation(see Section5.1.4). Prescribedburningandfiremanagementshallbeinaccordancewiththeapproved planforCentralGippsland.

Aimsandactions

Touseprescribedburningtoachieveecologicalandfire-protectionobjectives.

Tomaintainfireregimesappropriatefortheperpetuationofthefullrangeofindigenousflora andfaunaoftheParks, particularlyspeciesofidentifiedsignificance.

TomaintainadiversityofagesofvegetationintheParks, includingsomeunburntareas.

OngoingIdentifyvalueswhichneedprotectionorfiresofspecifictiminginprescribed burningprograms. ThesewillbeidentifiedontheParkFireManagement Maps(Figs13and14)andtheappropriateprescriptionsformanagement addedtothisplan.

OngoingWhenprescribedburningisundertakenspecialprovisionswillbemadeto protect:

-thesedgeareaswhicharethehabitatoftherarebutterfly(seeSection4.2)

-theremainsoftimbertramwaysandtheMoe-Walhallarailwayline

-othersignificantsites,includingsitesofsignificantspeciesastheyare identified(seeSection4.1and4.2).

-apiarysitesinconsultationwithapiarists

-streamsidesandwaterquality.

-BoggyCreekEducationArea(ZoneIIa).

Parkprotection

HighDeterminethefireregimewhichisappropriatetomaintainthesedgelandsashabitatfortherarebutterflyandtheproportionofhabitatthatmaybeaffected byfireataparticulartime.

HighUndertakeamonitoringprograminvolvingtheestablishmentofpermanent vegetationmonitoringplotsandencourageresearchtowardsestablishingthe ecologicalrequirementsofdifferentcommunitiesandtheenvironmental impactofprescribedburningparticularlyinPriority1burningZones(Figs13 and14).

OngoingPrepareaprogramofprescribedburning(seeSection5.1.4forprescriptions) which,togetherwithareasburntbywildfire,willmaintainthediversityof 'age-since-burning'ofthevegetationcommunitiesintheParksandprovidefor partsofeachParktobeexcludedfromprescribedburning.

5.1.4Firemanagementzones

TheCentralGippslandRegion'sFireProtectionPlanreferstoaschemeofprescribedburning priorityzoneswhichdescribefuelmanagementinareasofdifferingstrategicimportanceforfire protectionacrosstheRegion(seeFigs13and14).

Actions

OngoingMonitorfuelaccumulationratesandschedulefuelreductionburningaccording totheCentralGippslandRegion'sFireProtectionPlan.

HighUndertakespecialprotectionmeasuresdescribedinSection5.1.3.andonFigs 13and14.

5.2WEEDS, INTRODUCEDPLANTSANDPLANTDISEASES

TheDepartmenthasobligationsundertheVerminandNoxiousWeedsAct1958(Vic.)andthe NationalParksActtoeradicateorcontrolintroducedplantsinthePark.

TheoccurrenceofblackberriesalongwatercoursesandtheWirildaWalkingTracksisamajor probleminbothParks. Wind-blownseedsfromadjacentpineplantationsarecausingaproblemand leadingtoinfestationsofpineseedlingsintheParks.

NoinvestigationhasbeenmadeofthepresenceofCinnamonFungus(Phytophthoracinnamomi)in eitherPark. Thereissomevegetationdiebackthatmaybecausedbythispathogen. Thishasthe potentialtocauseseriousdamagetovegetationifitbecomesestablished.

Earthworksandvegetationdisturbancemayprovidesuitableconditionsfortheestablishmentof introducedspeciesintheParks, orforthespreadofintroducedspeciesalreadypresent. Inaddition, plantsandtheirseedscanbeingravelandsoil,oronmachinerybroughtintoortraversingtheParks.

Aimsandactions

Tomonitor, controlandasfaraspossibleeradicateweeds, introducedplantsandplant diseases, unlesstheyperformusefulfunctionsorareofhistoricalsignificance.

Tominimisefurtherestablishmentofintroducedplantsandplantdiseases.

Parkprotection

TominimisethespreadofweedsandintroducedplantsintoandthroughtheParks.TolocateandisolateanyCinnamonFungusoccurrenceintheParks.

OngoingMonitorandrecordtheoccurrenceofweedspecies. Rangerswillmaintaina recordofobservedoccurrences.

OngoingCo-operatewithadjacentlandholdersincontrollingthespreadofweeds.

OngoingDisinfectmachinerybroughtintotheParkstopreventCinnamonFungus infection.

HighInvestigatethelocationandextentofdiebackandoccurrenceofCinnamon Fungus.

HighRegularlytestforCinnamonFungusallgravelpitsusedpriortothesupplyof road-makingmaterialstotheParks.

MediumImplementaweed-controlprogramforblackberriesinconsultationwiththe LBWSBandforotherpestplantsasrequired.

MediumMaptheextentofinvasionofpineseedlingsandimplementacontrol program.

MediumRevegetateareasdisturbedduringweed-controlworkwithspeciesfound naturallyinthePark, establishedfromlocalstockofthesamegenetic makeup(provenance).

5.3VERMINANDINTRODUCED ANIMALS

Introducedanimalsthreatenthepopulationsandhabitatofsmallnativemammals. TheDepartment hasobligationsundertheVerminandNoxiousWeedsActandtheNationalParksActtoexterminate orcontrolintroducedanimalsintheParks.

SeveralpestanimalspeciesoccurintheParksandrequireappropriatecontrolmeasures. TheFoxis themostcommonintroducedspeciesandferaldogsarepresentinthesouthernsectionofTyersPark. RabbitsandferalCatsarerelativelyuncommon. FeralPigsarecausingconsiderabledamageinthe southernpartoftheMoondarraStatePark. TheCommonBlackbird(Turdusmerula), CommonSkylark(Alaudaarvensis)andEuropeanGoldfinch(Cardueliscarduelis)arealsotobefoundinthe area.

Dogs, horsesandhoneybeesareonlypermittedintheParksunderstrictlimitationsandatspecific sites.

Aimsandactions

Tomonitor, eradicateorestablisheffectivecontrolofintroducedanimals, especiallythose declaredasvermin.

Toco-operatewithadjoininglandownersinthecontrolofverminandotherintroduced animals.

TocontroldomesticpetsinthePark.

OngoingControlFoxes, feralDogsandferalCats, especiallyinareaswithsignificant wildlife, usingmethodssuchasshootingandcagetrappingandtheBait Stationtechnique.

Parkprotection

OngoingControlrabbits, usingmethodssuchasmyxomatosis, warrendestructionand fumigation.

Parkprotection

OngoingAvoidtheuseof1080poisonforrabbitcontrol; userequiresapprovalofthe DirectorofNationalParksandPublicLandDivision.

OngoingDestroyferalbeecoloniesbymeanswhichdonotaffectotheranimals subsequentlyusingthesites.

OngoingControlPigpopulationsusingmethodssuchasshootingandtrapping. Liaise withadjacentlandholderstoreducePigescapesfromfreeholdland.

OngoingProhibitDogsandotherdomesticpetsintheParksexceptforguidedogs accompanyingblindpersonsandthoseconfinedinvehiclestravellingthrough theParksonTanjilBrenRd, Moe-EricaRd, MoondarraDamRdandwhere gainingaccesstofreeholdlandwithintheParksonSeninisRdandthetrack offtheMoe-Erica(SECline)RdunderthetermsoftheagreementwithDCE.

OngoingAllowhorseridingintheParks,onlyonpublicroadsshownonFigs2and3.(seeSection6.3.5).

OngoingPermitapiariesatdesignatedsites (seeSection7.4).

Visitoruse

6MANAGEMENTOFVISITORUSE

Thischaptersetsoutaimsandactionsformanyaspectsofmanagementrelatingtotheactivitiesof visitorsthroughouttheParks. Thebroadquestionoftouristandvisitoraccessaretreatedfirst, thenspecific recreationactivitiesandfacilities, followedbyinformation, andeducation.

6.1TOURISM

IntheVictorianGovernment'sEconomicStrategy(GovtofVic.1987d)seven'touristzones'are nominatedforproductenhancement. NeitherParkfallswithinanyofthezones. Thenearestisthe GippslandLakesZone. TheLatrobeRegionalCommissioninitsStrategyPlan'StepsAhead' releasedin1988identifiedanumberofstrategicareaswhichshouldbepromotedanddevelopedas themainfocusforlaunchingatourismindustryintheLatrobeRegion.

UnderthisPlantheLatrobeRegionalCommissionwillleadtheestablishmentofaseriesofproduct groupstodeveloptourismplanningunitsinspecificareas. TheMountainRiversareahasbeen identifiedasonesucharea. ItincorporatesbothParksandisscheduledforproductdevelopmentin thefuture. ResponsibilityforpromotionrestswiththeVictorianTourismCommissionassistedby SouthEastCoastTourism,theShiresofNarracanandTraralgon,localtouristauthoritiesandDCE.

TheLatrobeValleyTouristCommitteeisactivelypromotingtheLatrobeValleyinconjunctionwith surroundingareassuchastheseParks. TheWestGippslandTourismAuthorityispromotingthe AlpineArea(synonymouswithMountainRivers),whichincludesthetwoParksaswellasBawBaw NationalPark,WalhallaandtheErica-Rawsonarea.

Amarketresearchstudy (Ogunmoken1988) preparedfortheLatrobeValleyTourismCommittee determinedthatonly23.7percentofrespondentstothesurveywereawareofTyersParkandonly

6.4percentofrespondentshadvisitedtheParkduringthepasttwoyears. Keyrecreational attractionsintheareaarelocatedoutsidetheseParksandneitheraresignificanttouristdestinations intheirownright. Visitationisfrequentlyinassociationwithvisitstoanumberofotherattractions inthevicinity. ItseemsunlikelythatthissituationwillchangeduringthelifeofthisPlan.

Thereexiststheopportunityhowevertoimprovevisitorsexperienceofthelocalitybyprovisionofco- ordinatedinformationonthefeaturesofthearea,bothwithinandoutsidetheParks. Atouristroute couldbepromotedbasedonsuchfeaturesasPetersonsLookout,theMoondarraReservoirandthe unusualwoodlandvegetationinMoondarraStatePark.

Aimsandactions

ContinuetoprovidearangeofopportunitiesfortouristswithintheParks.

PromoteuseoftheParks, throughtouristoutletsandinformationcentresoutsidetheParks, whereconsistentwithmanagementobjectives.

ProvideinputtoTourismplansandstrategiespreparedbyresponsibleagencies.

OngoingLiaisewithbodiesresponsiblefortourismpromotionanddevelopment. MediumInvestigatetherequirementforadditionalinformationoutlets(seeSection

6.5).

MediumDevelopaRegionalTourismStrategywhichisconsistentwithPark managementobjectives.

OngoingSurveyvisitorrequirementsintheParks.

MediumInconsultationwiththeVictorianTourismCommissionandLRCdevelopa self-guidednaturedrivewithintheParksandinadjacentareasofpublicland

Visitoruse

providingvisitorswithaccesstoandinformationaboutthevarietyof environmentsinthedistrict.

6.2VEHICULAR ACCESS

AccesstoMoondarraStateParkisrelativelyeasywiththesealedMoe-EricaRoadprovidingalink withthePrincesHighwayatMoeandthemanytracksleadingintothePark(Figs1and2).

MostofTyersParkisalsoreadilyaccessible,althoughtherearesomerestrictions,particularlythat imposedbytheTyersRiver. GoodaccessisavailablefromtheMoe-EricaRoadviaMOONDARRA RoadandfromtheTyers-WalhallaRoad(Figs1and3). Accessfromthesouth,fromtheTyers- YallournNorthRoad,maybegainedthroughtheWirildaEnvironmentParkduringdaylighthours andalongtheLVWSBpipelineorgaspipelineaccessroads,withpermissionfromthemanaging authorities.

PrivatevehiclescanonlygainaccesstotheTyersRiveratonepointinTyersPark,viatheBoola RoadorviatrackW12leadingfromtheTyers-WalhallaRoad Thereisafordsuitableatmosttimes onlyforfourwheeldrivevehiclesatthispoint.

RoadsprovidingaccessalongtheLVWSBpipelineinTyersParkareclosedtothepublicatanumber ofpoints(Fig.3)toprotectLVWSBfacilities. TheroadalongtheTyersRiverwasconstructedfor pipelineinstallationandoperationsandmaintenancepurposes. Itisasinglelaneroadwithmany potentiallydangerous'blind'bendsandrisesandistraverseddailybyLVWSBvehicles. Inthepast theLVWSBhasallowed,byspecialarrangement,vehicularaccessbyvariousgroupsandindividuals alongtheseroads. AgateonthetrackinTyersParkprovidingaccesstothegaspipelineandnorth toBlairsRoadisalsolockedatpresent.

TheDepartmentmaintainsallroadswithintheParksexceptfortheMoe-EricaRoad,whichisunder thecontroloftheRC,andaccessroadsmaintainedbytheLVWSB,SECandGasandFuel Corporation. Theroadmaintenanceresponsibilitiesoftheselastthreeauthoritiesarenotclearly defined.

SomeroadsandtracksinbothParksarenottrafficablebytwowheeldrivevehiclesinwetweather. Thereisnocleardistinctionatthisstagebetweenroadsandtracksforpublicuseandthosewhich willbemaintainedformanagementandfire-fightingpurposesonly. Thereisaneedtoreviewroad accessinbothParks,butinTyersParkinparticular. Thisreviewshouldincludeidentificationof tracksthatdonotneedtobemaintainedforotherthanmanagementpurposesandanassessmentof accesstopublicutilities, Parkfacilitiesandotherareasofinterest.

Thereislittleillegaluseofvehiclesoff-roadoccurringintheParks. Thissituationisnotexpectedtochange; howeverthisactivityisaconsiderablethreattothevaluesoftheParksandcontrolswillbe maintained.

TheTyersRiverandtheGorgeareprimeattractionsforvisitors. Thereareopportunitiestoimprove accesstotheTyersRiverwithoutthreateningParkvalues. AccesstotheTyersGorgewillhowever berestrictedtoprotectthePeregrineFalcon(seeSection4.2).

Aimsandactions

Toprovide,maintainandimprovevehicleaccesstorecreationfacilities,viewingsitesand naturalandculturalfeatureswhereitiscompatiblewiththeoverallobjectivesofmanagement.

Toeliminateoff-roaduseofvehicles.

Torationaliseroadsandtracksinareaswherethereisduplication, wherethesystemmaybe confusingtovisitorsortheroadsunnecessary.

Toprovideopportunitiesforpleasuredrivingwherecompatiblewithotherobjectives.

Visitoruse

OngoingMaintaintheroadsystemshownonFigs2and3forpublicuse. Maintain otherexistingroadsformanagementvehiclesonly. Thiswillbesubjecttoa reviewofroadaccessthroughouttheregionbeingundertakenbytheCentral GippslandRegioninconsultationwithusergroups.

OngoingMaintainexistingcontrolsonroadaccessalongtheTyersRiver, inTyers Park(Fig.3)inconsultationwiththeLVWSB. LiaisewiththeLVWSBon accesstotheTyersGorgeduringthePeregrineFalconclosureperiod(see Section4.2).

OngoingRestrictuseofTi-TreeCreekTracktomanagementvehiclesonly (see Section6.3)

HighInvestigatewiththeGasandFuelCorporationandWirildaProject Associationremovalofagatealongthegaspipelineaccesstrackinthe southernsectionofTyersPark. Acattlegridmayneedtobeinstalledto controlstockontheWirildaEnvironmentPark.

HighImprovethetracktoPetersonsLookoutinTyersPark.

MediumReachagreementwiththeSECandLVWSBonpublicaccessandthe maintenanceofaccessroadstoandalongtheireasementsandfacilities.

MediumInvestigatetheimprovementofaccessfortwowheeldrivevehiclestoand acrosstheTyersRiverinTyersParkinconsultationwiththeLVWSB. This willincludeareviewofthelocationofgatesandthepossibilitiesofperiodic liftingofroadclosures. TheconditionofthefordacrosstheTyersRiverat W12willbeimprovedandcarparkingwillbeprovidedattheendofBoola Road. ControlofaccessintotheTyersGorgewillbecontinuedtoprotectthe PeregrineFalcon.

MediumReachagreementwiththeWirildaProjectAssociationonaccesstoandfrom TyersParkthroughWirildaEnvironmentPark.

6.3RECREATIONALUSEANDDEVELOPMENT

Theforestsinthisgeneralarea,includingtheParks,areimportantforrecreationforpeoplefrom MelbourneandtheLatrobeValley.Activitiesincludecamping,picnicking,fishing,bushwalking, horseriding,canoeing,andpleasuredriving.

TherecreationsettingoftheParksispredominantlynaturallookingwithmoderateevidenceofthe sightsandsoundsofhumans. Generallytherearefewopportunitiesforrisk-takingorchallenges. Interactionbetweenusersislow. Opportunitiesexistforbothmotorisedandnon-motorisedforms andrecreationwithahighdegreeofinteractionwiththenaturalenvironment.

BothParksare'RoadedNatural'inthetermsoftheDCErecreationopportunitysetting(CFL1985). VehicularuseofTi-TreeCreekTrackhasbeenrestrictedtomanagementvehiclesonlyinthisPlan, toimprove'Semi-Remote'recreationalopportunitiesinthenorthernpartofMoondarraStatePark (seeSection6.2).

IntheDepartment'sCentralGippslandRegionandothernearbyareasoftheLatrobeValleythereare 16otherparksorareasofpublicland(includingStateForestsandProposedParks)whichoffer 'RoadedNatural'recreationopportunitysettingssimilartoTyersandMoondarraParks. These includeMorwellNationalPark, HoleyPlainsStateParkandMountWorthStatePark. Thenearby BawBawNationalParkandsurroundingforestsofferaconsiderablygreatervarietyofopportunities with'Semi-Remote','Roaded-Natural'and'Semi-Developed'settings(CFL1985).

Visitoruse

VisitorfacilitieshavebeendevelopedatasmallnumberofsitesintheParksandalsoinnearbyareas (Figs15and16). TherearefewrecordsofvisitornumbersintheParksorofthelevelorlocationof particularactivities,otherthantheevidentconcentrationattheexistingfacilities. Visitorlevelsare observedtobegenerallylowthroughoutbothParks.

TheParksareeasilyaccessiblefromtheLatrobeValleyandMelbourne. Recreationaluseislikelyto increasebutthisisnotexpectedtobesignificantduringthelifeofthisPlan.

TheTyersRiverandTyersGorgeprovidethemostimportantdestinationsforvisitors,andfuture managementwillrecognisethedemandforaccesstotheseareas. TheLCCrecommendedthat provisionbemadeinTyersParkfor'opportunitiesforinformalrecreationforlargenumbersof people'anddevelopment'toencouragehigh-intensityuseofsuitablelocalitiesawayfromTyers Gorgearea'. TyersGorgeisanimportantscenicareaanddevelopmentwillbestrictlycontrolledto protectthesevalues. Itisunlikelythatdemandinthenearfuturewillwarrantprovisionsforlarge numbersofpeopleinTyersPark.

Furtherinformationisneededbeforesignificant developmentworkisconsideredintheParks. MonitoringandinvestigationsduringtheperiodofthisPlanwillprovidethebasisforfuture developmentforrecreation.

Aimsandactions

TomanagerecreationusetopreventconflictsbetweenusesandusersandtoprotectthePark environment.