Merri Creek Parklands Plan 2013-34535353234234errw

7/29/2019 Merri Creek Parklands Plan 2013-34535353234234errw

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MerriCreek

MarranBaba

Parklands

StrategicManagementPlan

May2013


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ThisStrategicManagementPlanfor

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsis

approvedforimplementation.Its

purposeistodirectallaspectsof

managementoftheParksVictoria

reserveuntiltheplanisreviewed.

PublishedinMay2013byParks

Victoria,10/535BourkeStreet,

Melbourne,Victoria,

3000

NationalLibraryofAustralia

CataloguinginPublicationentry

ParksVictoria.

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands/

ParksVictoria.

ISBN:9780731183883(paperback)

NationalparksandreservesVictoria

MerriCreekValleyManagement.

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands

(Vic.)Management.

333.783099451

Disclaimer

Everyefforthasbeenmadetoensure

thattheinformationinthisplanis

accurate.ParksVictoriadoesnot

guaranteethatthepublicationis

withoutflawofanykindandtherefore

disclaimsallliabilityforanyerror,loss

orotherconsequencethatmayarise

fromyourelyingonanyinformationin

thepublication.

Forfurtherinformationonthisplan,

pleasecontact:

ParksVictoriaInformationCentre

Phone:131963

Copies

Thisplanmaybedownloadedfromthe

ParksVictoriawebsite.

ParksVictoriawishestoacknowledge

thecontributionmadetothis

managementplanbyParksVictoria

plannerDavidSimondsonwhosadly

passedaway

in

2011.


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MerriCreekMarranBaba Parklands


i

TheMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsStrategicManagementPlanoutlinesthe

keydirectionsforthefutureuseandmanagementoftheparklandsoverthenext15

years.Itwillprovideabroadstrategicplanformanagingandprotectingthisspecial

area.

TheMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsaremanagedcollaborativelybyParks

Victoria,CityofHume,CityofWhittleseaandMelbourneWater.Theseagencies

worktogetherwiththecommunityandotherauthoritiestoprotecttheparklands

valuesandproviderecreationopportunitiesforthecommunity.

ParksVictoriarecognisestheimportantcontributionsthecommunitycanmaketoparkmanagementandencouragespeopletobecomeinvolvedwiththeareaby

supportingmanagementwiththeirknowledge,skillsandenthusiasm.Spendingtime

inparksisgoodforpeopleswellbeing.ParksVictoriaiscommittedtoproviding

placesforpeopletoenjoytimeinnature,tobeactiveandtointeractwithothersin

theircommunity.

Thisplanbuildsuponpreviousplanningexercisesfortheparklandsincludingthe

MerriCreekDraftConceptPlanandfurtherinvestigationsundertakenduringthe

developmentoftheGaladaTambooreMasterPlan.

Icommendthisplantoyouandextendthankstoalltheorganisationsand

individualsinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheplanfortheirvaluablecontribution.

Iencouragethecommunitytocontinuetobeinvolvedintheongoingmanagement

oftheseparklands,andIlookforwardtoacontinuinghighlevelofcommunity

interestandsupportfortheseparklands.

BillJackson

CHIEFEXECUTIVE

PARKSVICTORIA

Foreword


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ii Executivesummary

Involvingthediversecommunity,visitorsandgovernmentagenciesintheplanning,developmentandoperationoftheparkisakeycomponentof

park

management

to

ensuresuccessfulimplementationof

The

Victorian

Government,

City

of

Whittlesea,

Hume

City

Council

and

Melbourne

WaterareplanningforthegrowingpopulationofMelbournebyprovidingopen

spaceforahealthycommunityandliveablecity.

MarranBabameans,BodyofmotherintheWurundjerilanguage.TheMerriCreek

MarranBabaParklandswilljointogetherlandalongtheMerriCreekmanagedbya

varietyofgovernmentbodiesintoacoordinatedhabitatandrecreationcorridor.

Theparklandswillbemanagedtobalancetheprotectionofsignificantecological

valuesandtheopportunityforthecommunitiesofthenorthernsuburbsof

Melbournetorecreateandhavecontactwithnatureinanurbansetting.

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsarelocatedalongtheMerriCreekcorridoron

thevolcanicplain,beginningapproximately15kmnorthofMelbournesCentral

BusinessDistrict(CBD)coveringanareaofapproximately650hectaresextendinga

further15

km

north

(Map

1).

MerriCreekwasanimportantresourceinthepastforIndigenousgroupsofthe

Kulinnation,providingfood,waterandshelter,andcontinuestoholdcultural

significancefortheTraditionalOwners.Numerousartefactsandsiteshavebeen

recordedwithinthepark.Grazingandcroppingwerethemajorpostsettlement

uses.TheprotectionandconservationofIndigenousandpostsettlementcultural

heritageisakeymanagementobjectiveofthepark.

TheMerriCreekcorridorprovidesimportanthabitatandconnectivityforarangeof

floraandfaunaspecies.RemnantvegetationtypesincludePlainsGrassland,

EscarpmentShrublandandStonyKnollShrubland.Severalthreatenedfloraand

faunaspecieshavealsobeenrecordedthroughouttheparklands.Protectionand

enhancementof

these

species

and

communities

are

priorities

for

management.

Lowimpactrecreationalopportunitieswillbeprovidedandactivitiesmanagedto

ensuretheyaresafe,enjoyableandenvironmentallysustainable.

This15yearstrategicmanagementplanisanintegralstepinthedevelopmentof

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsintothefuture.

Executivesummary

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsStrategicManagementPlanMay2013


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iii

ThisplanhasbeendevelopedbyParksVictoriainconsultationwithCitiesofHume

andWhittlesea,MelbourneWaterandDepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimary

Industries.Theplanisprimarilyamanagementplanforthestateownedareasof

landwithintheparklands,andprovidesguidanceanddirectionforintegrationand

complementarymanagementoflandmanagedbylocalgovernmentandother

agencies.

Thisplan:

Outlinesthevisionfortheparklands

Outlines

the

process

for

ongoing

establishment

of

the

parklands

Describesthemanagementarrangementsfortheparklands

Describesthevaluesoftheparklandsanditsregionalrole

Providesaframeworkfordecisionmakingtoguidemanagement

Determinesthebroadmanagementzonesoftheparklands

Providesstrategicdirectionsandpriorityactionstomanagethevaluesofthe

parklandsandachievethevision

Describestheprocessofmonitoringandreportingonthemanagementofthe

parklands.

Implementationand

monitoring

Implementationoftheplanwillbedependentonavailableresources,partnerships

withotheragencies,andchangesinvisitordemand.Actionsintheplanwillbe

progressivelyincorporatedintoParksVictoriasannualworksprogramfortheareas

ofMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsmanagedbyParksVictoria.

Regularmonitoringwillbeundertakentoensurethattheplanisprogressively

implementedandcontinuestobeusedastheongoingguidetomanagementofthe

park.


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iv Executivesummary


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v

Foreword i

Executivesummary ii

1 Overview 1

1.1Aboutthemanagementplan 1

1.2Theparklandsandregionalcontext 1

1.3Planningapproachandlegislation 5

1.4

Historyof

the

parklands

and

development

of

the

plan

9

2 Vision,principlesandzoning 13

2.1Vision 13

2.2GuidingprinciplesforMerriCreekMarranBabaParklands 13

2.3Managementzones 14

3 Keyvalues 17

3.1Landscapeandwaterwayvalues 17

3.2Floravalues 17

3.3Faunavalues 18

3.4Culturalheritage 19

3.5Visitorexperienceandrecreationopportunities 21

3.6Socialvalues 22

3.7Risksandsafety 23

4 Parklandsdevelopmentandmanagement 24

4.1Managementoftheparklands 24

4.2Adjoiningdevelopment 25

5 Strategicdirectionsandkeyactions 27

5.1Protectingthenaturalenvironment 27

5.2Communityconnections 30

5.3

Peoplein

the

park

31

5.4Managementpartnerships 33

Bibliography 37

Maps

Map1LocationofMerriCreekMarranBabaParklands 2

Map2MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands LandManagement 10

Map3MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsManagementZones 15

Contents


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vi Executivesummary


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1

1.1 Aboutthemanagementplan

TheMerriCreekMarranBabaManagementPlanguidesthemanagementofthe

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands.

Themanagementplanaddressestheintentoffuturemanagementofpublicopen

space.Theplanacknowledgesthebroadercontextofadjacentpublicandprivate

land.Thisapproachisfundamentaltoachievingthevisionfortheparklands.

ThisplanproposestorenameseveralsitesalongtheMerriCreektonamesselected

bytheWurundjeriTribeLandandCompensationCulturalHeritageCouncil.Itis

proposedthattheparklandsbenamedMarranBabaParklands,CooperStreet

GrasslandNatureConservationReservewillbenamedBababimarningand

CraigieburnGrasslandNatureConservationReservenamedasGalgingarkk.The

proposednamesandmeaningsofthenamesareoutlinedinsection3.4ofthis

plan.

1.2 Theparklandsandregionalcontext

LocationThe39000hectareMerriCreekcatchmentislocatedtothenorthofMelbourne.

ThecreekbeginsinthefoothillsoftheGreatDividingRangeandflowsfor60

kilometrestoitsconfluencewiththeYarraRiveratDightsFallsinAbbotsford.

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsextendalonga15kilometrestretchofMerri

CreeksouthfromCraigieburn,approximately 30kilometresnorthofMelbournes

CBD,throughCampbellfieldtoLalor(Map1).Thetotalareaoftheparklandsis

approximately650hectaresofpubliclandmanagedbyvariouslandmanagers.The

parklandsfallwithintwolocalgovernmentareas:CityofWhittleseaandCityof

Hume.

Theparklands

will

harmonise

the

management

of

existing

public

land

along

Merri

CreekunderthemanagementofMelbourneWater,CityofWhittlesea,Parks

VictoriaandHumeCityCouncil(Map2).

1 OverviewMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsarearesultofapartnershipbetweenParksVictoria,MelbourneWater,theCityofWhittleseaandtheCityofHume.ForseveraldecadesthecommunityhasadvocatedfortheprotectionofthenaturalandculturalvaluesoftheMerriCreekthroughtheMerriCreekManagementCommitteeandFriendsofMerriCreek.Severalyearsofplanninghaveoccurred,includinginvestigationsintothehistoryand

ecology

of

the

site.

This

plan

will

guide

management

of

the

parklandsforthenext15years.


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2 Overview


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3

Theparklandsconsistofthefollowingsignificantareasofland:

CraigieburnGrasslandNatureConservationReserve(ParksVictoria)

CooperStreetGrasslandNatureConservationReserve(ParksVictoria)

MerriCreekPark(BarryRoadGrasslands)(ParksVictoria)

GaladaTamboore(MelbourneWater)

WhittleseaPublicGardens(CityofWhittlesea)

Whittlesealandfillrehabilitation site(CityofWhittlesea)

BolindaRoad

landfill

rehabilitation

area

(City

of

Hume)

AreasofMerriCreekfrontage(CityofHume).

Theboundarycreatesanextensionofthelinearparklandsalreadyinexistence

alongtheMerriCreekfromAbbotsfordtotheMetropolitanRingRoadat

CampbellfieldandThomastown.TheparklandsalongtheMerriCreeksouthofthe

RingRoad,havebeentransformedintovaluableandpopularcommunityopen

spaceovermanyyears,withsignificantcommunityinvolvement, guidedbythe

MerriCreekManagementCommittee(MCMC)andarangeofagencies.Connecting

thesouthernparklandswiththeMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandstothenorth

willextendtherecreationopportunitiesandprotectionofconservationvalues

northto

Craigieburn.

TheparklandsandsurroundingareasMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsareborderedinthesouthbytheMetropolitan

RingRoadatCampbellfieldandThomastownandextendnorthtoCraigieburn.

SouthoftheMetropolitanRingRoad,landuseadjacenttotheMerriCreekopen

spacecorridorisprimarilyresidentialincharacter.Openspaceextendsalongthe

creekcorridorwithsettingsvaryingfromnaturaltohighlymodifiedlandscapesand

sportingfacilities.

AsharedusetrailalongMerriCreeksouthofMahoneysRoadisalmostcontinuous

totheMainYarraTrailatYarraBendPark.TheMetropolitanRingRoadTrail

connects

with

the

Merri

Creek

Trail

at

Mahoneys

Road.

Regionalopenspace(Map1)withintheareaincludes:

BrimbankPark(ParksVictoria)

BroadmeadowsValleyPark(CityofHume)

GreenvaleReservoirPark(ParksVictoria)

PlentyGorgeParklands(ParksVictoria)

QuarryHillsPark(CityofWhittlesea).

WoodlandsHistoricPark(ParksVictoria).

NorthoftheMetropolitanRingRoad,thelandscapechangessignificantly.The

corridoris

narrow

and

bordered

by

industrial

development

and

highly

degraded

escarpments.ItthenwidensintoanaturalamphitheatreknownasGalada

Bluedevil


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4 Overview

MarranBabameansBodyofMotherintheWurundjerilanguage.Theparklandsrepresentacooperativeapproachtoparkmanagement.

Tamboore,creatingasenseofspace.GaladaTambooreisderivedfromthe

Wurundjeriwordsmeaningcreekwaterholeandisreservedforafuture

MelbourneWaterretardingbasin.Thenaturalenvironmentislessdisturbedinthis

area,withremnantstonyknollsandplainsgrasslandspresentandRiverRedGums

alongthecreek.MerriCreekisalsodeeplyincisedwithsignificantescarpment

areas.Lookingsouthfromhigherpointsontheescarpments, viewstothecity

acrossthesiteandthroughthefarreachingindustrialandresidentiallandscapecan

bespectacular,whilemoreintimateexperiencesofisolationarealsopossible

withinthevalley.

GaladaTamboore,whichmeanscreekwaterhole,isborderedtothewestbysome

residentialdevelopment

and

industrial

development

in

Campbellfield

and

to

the

eastbytheHumeFreeway.ApedestrianbridgeovertheHumeFreewayprovides

connectiontotheWhittleseaPublicGardensmanagedbyWhittleseaCityCouncilin

Lalor.AsharedtraillinkstheWhittleseaPublicGardenstoGaladaTambooreand

Campbellfield.

Headingnorth,publiclandcontinuesalongthewestsideofthecreektotheCooper

StreetGrasslandNatureConservationReserve(NCR)(Bababimarning).Privateland

ontheeastsideofthecreekconsistsofformerquarriesanddegradedlandscapes.

CooperStreetisamajoreastwestarterialroadthatpresentsabarriertothe

movementoffaunaalongtheMerriCreekcorridor.

UpstreamofCooperStreet,themajorityoftheeasternsideofthecreekisinpublic

ownership.

The

City

of

Whittlesea

manages

land

that

incorporates

areas

of

natural

valueanddisturbedandrehabilitatedland.ThenationallysignificantCraigieburn

GrasslandNCR(Galgingarrk)islocatedontheeasternsideofthecreekfromnorth

ofOHernsRoadtotheboundaryoftheparklandsatCraigieburnRoad.The

westernsideofthecreekisborderedbyindustrialdevelopment,withmany

propertiesowninglandtothecreek.

TheeasternsideofMerriCreekbetweenBarryRoadandCooperStreetandthe

westernsidenorthofCooperStreetarethemostsuitablelocationsforafuture

MerriCreeksharedusetrail.ThedevelopmentofprivatepropertiesalongMerri

Creekcancreateopportunitiesforadditionalpubliclandintheparkthroughpublic

openspacecontributionsorprotectionofenvironmentalorculturalvalues.Hume

CityCouncilhasnegotiatedthetransferofseveralareasofcreekfrontageforopen

space(Hume

City

Council

2010a).

LandimmediatelynorthofCraigieburnEastRoadalongMerriCreek,oppositethe

CraigieburnGrasslandNCRisproposedasapotentialurbandevelopmentareain

theStateGovernmentsGrowthCorridorPlans(GAA2011).

RegionalcommunitycontextOverthenext20years,theregionalpopulationisexpectedtoincrease

substantiallyasgrowthcontinuesinthenortherncorridorinthemunicipalitiesof

WhittleseaandHumeandtheurbangrowthextendsnorthintotheShireof

Mitchell.WhittleseaandHumeareamongstthefastestgrowinglocalgovernment

areasinMelbourne.WithinWhittlesea,theAuroraEstateinEppingNorth,eastof

CraigieburnGrasslandNCR,willalonehouseanestimated25000newresidentsin

thearea.

The

2011

Growth

Corridor

Plans

propose

significant

residential

developmenttothenortheastandfurthernorthalongMerriCreek(GAA2011).


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5

Theethnicdiversityoftheregionisalsooneofthesignificantcharacteristicsofthis

growthcorridor.Ananalysisofpopulationdatain2006showsthemunicipalities

adjacenttoMerriCreekMarranBabahavehighproportionsofresidentsfromnon

Englishspeakingbackgrounds,thesebeingtheCityofWhittlesea29.6%andthe

CityofHume25%.ThiscontrastswithMelbournesaverageof22%.The

predominantcountriesoforiginforoverseasbornresidentsincludeItaly,Greece,

Iraq,TurkeyandtheFormerYugoslavRepublicofMacedonia(.id2012a,.id2012b).

Thisculturalrichnessemphasisestheneedforparkplanningandmanagementto

caterforadiversecommunitytoensureresponsivenesstolocalandregional

needs.

1.3 Planningapproachandlegislation

Melbournespopulationisforecasttogrowto5millionby2026.Itisexpectedthat

another284000dwellingswillbeconstructedinMelbournesurbangrowth

corridors,includingmorethan80000intheCitiesofHumeandWhittlesea.Open

spaceisvitalforliveablecommunities,andincreasingpopulationswillincrease

demandonexistingandnewopenspace.Existingopenspacewillneedtobe

maintainedandenhanced,andnewopenspacedevelopedtomeettheneedsof

thegrowingcity.

Increasedpopulationwillleadtochangesinlanduse.Aswellasincreaseddwellings

ingrowthcorridors,infilldevelopmentandhigherdensitieswillbeencouragedin

existingsuburbs.

Six

Central

Activities

Districts

(CADs)

have

been

identified

as

areas

forintensiveresidentialandcommercialdevelopment,includingBroadmeadows

whichisfourkilometrestothewestofthepark.Increasedurbandensityislikelyto

intensifyusageofexistingopenspacethroughoutthegreaterMelbournearea.

Lifestylesandvaluesofthecommunityhavechangedoverrecentdecadesandwill

continuetochangeinthefuture.Technologicalchangesleadingtoanincreased

sedentarylifestylearelinkedtohealthissuessuchasobesityanddepression.The

linkbetweenahealthyenvironmentandhealthypeoplehasbeendemonstrated,

andopenspaceprovidesopportunitiestoexperiencenature.

HealthyParksHealthyPeopleseekstoreinforceandencouragetheconnections

betweenahealthyenvironmentandahealthysociety.ParksVictoriacreatedthe

HealthyParks

Healthy

People

brand

in

2000.

Healthy

Parks

Healthy

People

is

supportedbyinternational researchfromfieldsasdiverseasecology,biology,

environmentalpsychologyandpsychiatry,whichshowsthataccesstonatureplays

avitalroleinhumanhealth,wellbeinganddevelopment(DeakinUniversity2008).

Theuseofopenspacewillalsovaryowingtotheculturaldiversityofthe

populationandpeoplesexperiencesofnaturepriortomigration.Agreater

understandingofAboriginalcultureisalsoinfluencingParksVictoriasmanagement

oftheland.


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6 Overview

ClimatepredictionsforVictoriaincludewarmeranddrierseasons,increased

frequencyandintensityofstormsandrisingsealevels.Climatechangeislikelyto

impactonopenspacesuchasMerriCreekMarranBabathroughthedeclining

healthoflandscapes,changingthreatstobiodiversity,floods,andassociated

aestheticimpacts.

1.3.1 LegislationandguidelinesTheareasoflandincludedintheparklandsareguidedbyarangeoflegislation,

strategiesandguidelines.

Parks

Victoria

VictoriasparksandreservesaremanagedwithinthecontextofStateand

Commonwealthlegislation,internationaltreaties,governmentpolicies,best

practiceprinciples,strategiesandguidelines.

Tofacilitateeffectiveandefficientmanagementofparksandreserves,Parks

Victoriahasdevelopedarangeofdecisionmakingtools.Thesetoolshavebeen

developedtobeconsistentwithoverarchinglegislationandpolicy.Thesedecision

makingtoolsinformandguideparkmanagementandplanningandresource

allocationwithinthecontextofthebroaderstatutoryandpolicyframework.

CraigieburnGrasslandandCooperStreetGrasslandNatureConservationReserves

(NCR)arereservedundertheCrownLand(Reserves)Act1978(Vic.).TheCrown

Land(Reserves)NatureConservationReserveRegulations2004applytoCraigieburn

GrasslandNCR

and

the

Crown

Land

(Reserves)

(Metropolitan

Parks)

Regulations

2011applytopartofCooperStreetGrasslandNCR.NatureConservationReserves

aresetasideprimarilytoconserveandprotectspecies,communitiesandhabitats

ofindigenousplantsandanimals.

MerriCreekPark,adjacenttoGaladaTamboore(alsoreferredtoasBarryRoad

Grasslands),isreservedundertheCrownLand(Reserves)Actforthepurposesof

conservation,recreation,leisureandtourism.TheCrownLand(Reserves)

(MetropolitanParks)Regulations2011applytoMerriCreekPark.

ThePlainsGrasslandEcologicalVegetationCommunity(EVC)locatedthroughout

theparklandsisprotectedundertheFloraandFaunaGuaranteeAct1988(Vic.)as

Western(Basalt)PlainsGrasslandandundertheEnvironmentProtectionand

BiodiversityConservation

Act

1999

(Cwlth)

(the

EPBC

Act)

as

Natural

Temperate

GrasslandoftheVictorianVolcanicPlain.Therearealsoseveralfloraandfauna

speciespresentintheparkprotectedbythislegislation.Thislegislationmustbe

appliedinthefutureplanning,managementanddevelopmentofthepark.

TheEPBCActappliestothewholeoftheparkwithrespecttoactionsthathave,will

have,orarelikelytohave,asignificantimpactonmattersofnational

environmentalorculturalsignificance,includinglistedthreatenedspeciesand

communitiesandlistedmigratoryspeciesinthepark.

TheUrbanGrowthBoundarywasextendedinAugust2010,andnowincludes

CraigieburnGrasslandsNCRandotherlandalongtheMerriCreek.TheStateand

CommonwealthGovernmentsarenowconsideringthefinalstrategieswhichwill

havemanagement

and

landowner

EPBC

Act

implications

for

this

section

of

the

parklands.

KangarooGrass


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7

TheCommonwealthandStateGovernmentwillimplementtheEPBCAct

requirementsingrowthcorridorsthroughaBiodiversityConservationStrategy

(BCS)andspecificspeciesstrategies.AdraftBiodiversityConservationStrategyand

draftGrowlingGrassFrogsubregionalSpeciesStrategywerereleasedfor

commentinNovember2011(DSE2011a,DSE2011b).

TheAboriginalHeritageAct2006(Vic.)appliestotheparkandprotectsall

Aboriginalplaces,objectsandAboriginalhumanremains(section5.4).TheNative

TitleAct1993(Cwlth)appliestothemanagementoftheparklands.

Theremainderoflandwithintheparklandsisfreeholdtitleandmanagedby

variousagenciesincludingHumeCityCouncil,WhittleseaCityCounciland

MelbourneWater.

These

areas

are

guided

by

arange

of

strategies

and

policies:

HumeCityCouncil

HumeCityCouncilsroleintheplanningandmanagementofHumesreservesin

theparklandsisguidedandsupportedbythefollowingdocuments:

MunicipalStrategicStatement

HumeOpenSpaceStrategy20102015

HumeWalkingandCyclingStrategy20102015

NaturalHeritageStrategy2011 2015

Sustainable

Land

Management

Strategy

2010

2013

HumePathwaystoSustainability:AnEnvironmentalFramework2009 2013

HumeNativeVegetationOffsetPolicy2010

MunicipalPublicHealthAndWellbeingPlan20092013.

WhittleseaCityCouncil

WhittleseaCityCouncilsroleintheplanningandmanagementofWhittleseas

reservesintheparklandsisguidedandsupportedbythefollowingdocuments:

LocalConservationStrategy2000

EnvironmentalSustainability Strategy

EmergencyManagementPlan

CommunityPlanShapingOurFutureWhittlesea2025

FirePreventionStrategy

MunicipalFirePreventionRiskStrategy20112014

RiverRedGumTreeProtectionPolicy(PlanningScheme)

LocalPolicyFramework

WhittleseaWalkingStrategy2008

WhittleseaOpenSpaceStrategy

Cityof

Whittlesea

Strategic

Bicycle

Plan

and

Bike

and

Network

Path

Plan

PublicHealthandWellbeingPlan20092013.


16/48

8 Overview

MelbourneWater

MelbourneWaterisresponsibleforthebed,banksanddrainagefunctionofthe

MerriCreekaswellaslandownerresponsibilities forGaladaTamboore.Melbourne

WatersOperatingCharterforwaterwaymanagementinthePortPhillipand

Westernportregion2008/09to2012/13,ascaretakerofriverhealth,istostriveto:

Manageourrivers,creeksanddrainagesystemstoimprovewaterwayhealthand

thewellbeingofthecommunity

Provideasafe

level

of

flood

protection

for

communities

Showleadershipandworkcollaborativelywithstakeholdersandthecommunity

Provideopportunitiesforcommunityinvolvementtostrengthenconnections

withwaterwaysandencouragecontributiontoriverandcreekhealth

Makelongtermdecisionsbasedonthebestavailablesciencebyundertakingor

supportingcollaborativeresearchandanextensivemonitoringandinvestigations

program

Takeanintegratedandsustainableapproachtoourworkbybalancingsocial,

economicandenvironmentaloutcomes

Evaluate

our

performance

in

a

transparent

manner

that

promotes

our

achievementsandidentifiesareasforimprovement.

MelbourneWatersroleascaretakerofriverhealthwillcontinuetochangeand

evolvetoreflectincreasedknowledgeofwaterwaysanddrainageinfrastructure,

changingcommunityexpectations,thecapacityofourstakeholdersand

environmentalissuessuchasclimatechangeanddrought.

Keydocumentswhichguidewaterwaymanagementinclude:

PortPhillipandWesternportRegionalRiverHealthStrategy(MelbourneWater

2007)

DraftHealthyWaterwaysStrategyMay2012(MelbourneWater2012).


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9

1.4 Historyoftheparklandsanddevelopmentoftheplan

Melbournesnetworkofopenspacecontributessignificantlytotheliveabilityof

thecity,bringingrecreational,environmental, economic,andhealthbenefitstoour

community.

TheconceptofformalisinganewparkalongtheMerriCreeknorthofMahoneys

RoadinThomastownwasproposedinthe1929MelbourneMetropolitanTown

PlanningCommissionReport.Atthetime,theCommissionrecommendedthata

continuousparklandprogressingnorthfromtheMerriCreeksconfluencewiththe

YarraRiverbeimplemented,endinginalargereservationofapproximately 850

acres

north

of

Mahoneys

Road.

This

is

the

site

of

the

Melbourne

Water

proposed

retardingbasin,nowknownasGaladaTamboore.

Throughthe1990s,theimportanceoftheremnantgrasslandswithinthe

CraigieburnGrasslandsandCooperStreetGrasslandsbecameknown,andthe

Governmenttookactiontoacquirethesesignificantparcelsofland.Community

interestin,andstewardshipof,theMerriCreekcorridorisasignificantfeatureof

theareasrecenthistory.

TheproposedF2HumeFreewayreservationwasrealignedfurthereastawayfrom

MerriCreekfortheCraigieburnBypassin2001.TheHumeFreewayrealignment

createdopportunitiestofurtherpreserveremnantvegetationonVicRoadsowned

landthroughthearea.IncombinationwiththeMelbourneWaterownedGalada

Tamboore,thismeantthatlargeareasofpubliclandexistedalongtheMerriCreek

Corridor,from

the

Metropolitan

Ring

Road

to

Craigieburn

Road

East.

LinkingPeopleandSpaces(PV2002)providedthevisionformanagingand

extendingtheexistingnetworkofMelbournesopenspace,withacentral

commitmenttoensuringequitableaccesstoopenspaceacrossMelbourne.Linking

PeopleandSpacesidentifiedtheneedforparklandsinthegrowthcorridorofthe

CitiesofHumeandWhittleseatothenorthofMelbourne.

1.4.1 DevelopmentoftheplanInvestigationsintothecreationofparklandsalongtheMerriCreekcorridorbegan

in2002.In2006,ParksVictoriareleasedTheproposednewMerriCreekParkDraft

ConceptPlan(PV2006).Theplanoutlinedthevisionfortheparklandsand

proposedaboundary

incorporating

the

public

land

between

the

Western

Ring

RoadandCraigieburnRoadEast.Over100submissionstothedraftConceptPlan

werereceivedandweregenerallyinfavouroftheparklandconcept.Following

releaseoftheDraftConceptPlan,79hectaresofsurplusVicRoadslandwas

transferredtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustriesforinclusion

intheparkland.

MelbourneMetropolitanTownPlanning

CommissionReport,1929


18/48

10 Overview


19/48



11

ThisStrategic

ManagementPlan

describeshowthe

parklandswillbe

managedtoachieve

thecoordinated

management

objectivesin

accordancewiththe

vision.

Followingreleaseofthedraftconceptplan,aStrategicDirectionsStatement(PV

2008)wasdevelopedtoprovideadetailedsummaryofthekeydirectionsforMerri

CreekParklandsoveraperiodofthreetofiveyears.TheStrategicDirections

StatementbuiltonpreviousplanningworkundertakenfortheMerriCreek

ParklandsincludingtheDraftConceptPlan,andwasusedtoguidethe

developmentofamasterplanforGaladaTamboore.

Duetothesensitivityofculturalandenvironmentalvaluesthroughmuchofthe

parklands,particularlyCooperStreetGrasslandsandCraigieburnGrasslands,and

giventheproximitytotheCampbellfieldandThomastowncommunities,Galada

Tamboorewasselectedasthemainlocationforvisitorfacilities.Amasterplanwas

developedfor

this

site

and

completed

in

2009.

The

master

plan

is

available

on

Park

Web:www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.

Themasterplanwasdevelopedwithsignificantcommunityandlandmanager

input.Asteeringcommitteeofrelevantagencieswascreated,communityopen

dayswereheld,informationwasdistributedthroughthemedia,community

bulletinsweredistributed,andtherewasfeedbackviatheinternet.

Themasterplanestablishedadesignandlayoutofparkinfrastructuretoenable

visitoraccessanduse.Ittookintoaccounttheparklandscape,environmentaland

culturalheritagevaluesandopportunitiesforconnectingpeopletotheparkand

opportunitiesforconnectingcommunities.Theimplementation ofthemasterplan

anddevelopmentoffacilitieswillbestagedovertime.Stage1ofdevelopmentwas

completed

in

2011

and

included

constructing

the

first

section

of

shared

trail

along

MerriCreekfromSomersetRoadinCampbellfieldtoWhittleseaPublicGardensin

Lalor(Map2).

ThisStrategicManagementPlanhasbeendevelopedbyParksVictoriaonthebasis

ofexistinginformation,reportsandresearchfindingsthatrelatetotheparklands.

Theplanisinformedandsupportedbyarangeofbestpracticemanagement

systems.

ThisStrategicManagementPlandescribeshowtheparklandswillbemanagedto

achievethecoordinatedmanagementobjectivesinaccordancewiththevisionand

toimplementtheGaladaTambooreMasterPlan.TheStrategicManagementPlan

hasatimeframeof15years.Objectives,strategicdirectionsandkeyactions

(section6)havebeenidentifiedtooutlinewhatactionswilloccuroverthelifeof

theplan.

Oncefinalised,theStrategicManagementPlanwillreplacetheMerriCreek

ParklandsStrategicDirectionsStatement(PV2008)andtheDraftConceptPlan(PV

2006),andwillcomplementtheMerriCreekParklandsMarranBabaGalada

TambooreMasterPlan(PV2009).

ThedevelopmentofMerriCreekMarranBabaParklands,includingimplementation

offurthervisitorinfrastructure asoutlinedinthemasterplanwillcontinueoverthe

mediumtolongtermasresourcesbecomeavailable.


20/48

12 Overview


21/48



13

Theguidingprinciples

forthemanagement

ofMerriCreek

MarranBabaParklandswere

determinedbythe

agenciesinvolved

in

themanagementof

theparklands.

2.1 Vision

MarranBabaisaboutconnection:connectingpeoplewithnature,

connectinghabitat,connectingdiversecommunitiesandconnecting

toCountry.Naturalvalues,includingMerriCreekandthenationally

significantremnantgrasslands,willbeprotectedandenhancedto

conservebiodiversity.TheassociationoftheWurundjeripeoplewith

thislandscapewillberecognisedandrespected.Recreational

experienceswillbefocussedoninteractionwiththenatural

environment.MerriCreekMarranBabawillbealeadingexampleof

cooperativelymanagedopenspacebygovernmentandagencies,in

partnershipwiththecommunity.

ThevisionforMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsisaclearlyarticulatedaspiration

fortheparklandsandwillguidetheirfuturedevelopment.

Thevisionwasdevelopedthroughconsultationwiththecommunityand

stakeholdersthroughouttheplanningphaseoftheparklands.Thisincluded

engagementthroughthedevelopmentoftheStrategicManagementStatementfor

theparklandsandthemasterplanforGaladaTamboore,akeyrecreationnodefor

theparklands.

2.2 GuidingprinciplesforMerriCreekMarranBaba

Parklands

TheVisionwillbeachievedthroughthefollowingguidingprinciples,developedby

theagenciesinvolvedinthemanagementoftheparklands.Thevision,guiding

principlesandstrategicdirectionsprovidetheframeworkforthemanagementof

theparklands.

PartnershipsEffectiveandsustainablepartnershipsarefundamentaltothemanagementof

MerriCreekMarranBaba.Publiclandmanagerswillworkcollaborativelywitheach

other,thecommunity,includingMerriCreekManagementCommitteeandFriends

ofMerriCreek,andadjoininglandmanagerstoachievethevisionoftheparklands.

2 Vision,principlesandzoningMarranBabaisaboutconnection.Connectingpeoplewithnature,connectinghabitat,connectingdiversecommunitiesandconnectingtoCountry.

Milkmaids,GaladaTamboore


22/48

14 Vision,principlesandzoning

CommunityThecommunitywillbeencouragedtoactivelyparticipateintheplanning,

developmentandmanagementoftheparklands.Educationwillbefocussedon

enhancingtheunderstandingofparkvaluesandtheneedfortheirprotection.

NaturalandculturalvaluesTheparklandswillbeplannedandmanagedtoprotecthighconservationvalues

includingecological,archaeological,geological,landscapeandculturalvalues.

Recreationalaccessanddiversity

Adiversity

of

opportunities

for

passive

recreation

and

social

activity

will

be

providedinbalancewithothervalues.Theplanninganddesignoftheparklands

willprovideaccessible,highqualitylinkedspacesforcommunityuse,social

connectednessandwellbeing.

EffectivemanagementTheparklandswillbeplannedandmanagedusinginnovation,creativity,flexibility

andresponsiveness.Managementwillbefinanciallyandenvironmentally

sustainablewithregularmonitoringandreviewofperformance.

2.3 Managementzones

Akey

objective

of

the

management

plan

is

to

define

the

management

zones

for

the

parkandthekeystrategicmanagementdirectionstoguidethedevelopmentand

managementoftheparkforthenext15years.

Theplanningareahasbeenmappedintotwozoneswheredifferentmanagement

directionsandprioritiesapply,theConservationZoneandtheConservationand

RecreationZone.ASpecialManagementOverlayhasalsobeendevelopedto

provideadditionalmanagementdirectionsfortheproposedGaladaTamboore

retardingbasin(Map3).

ConservationZone

Areasofhighnaturalvaluewheretheemphasisisonprotectionofthe

environment.

Managementactionswithinthiszoneincludeprotectionandenhancementof

environmentalandculturalvaluesthroughpestplantandanimalmanagement,

managementofbiomass,minimisinghumanactivityandmonitoringoutcomes.


23/48



15


24/48

16 Vision,principlesandzoning

ConservationandRecreationZone

Areaswherethemanagementemphasisisonprotectionofenvironmentaland

culturalvalueswhileallowingforrecreation.

Dispersedrecreationalactivitiesareencouraged.Thelevelofactivitiesandsmall

scalerecreationactivitiesareprovidedwithoutsignificantimpactonnatural

processes.

Passiverecreationfacilitieswillbelocatedwithinanaturalsettinginthiszone,

includinganyfutureMerriCreektrail,andvisitorentrypoints.Ongoingcontrolof

pestplantsandanimalsandrevegetationofselectedareaswilloccur.

SpecialManagementOverlayproposedretardingbasin

Areaswherespecifiedactivitiesorvaluesrequirespecialmanagement.

ThisoverlayhasbeenappliedtoGaladaTambooreMelbourneWaterlandwhich

mayberequiredforuseasaretardingbasininthefuture.


25/48



17

3.1 Landscapeandwaterwayvalues

TheGaladaTambooreGorgeisregardedasoneofthemostdistinctive

topographicalfeaturesoftheMerriCreekcatchmentandamajorlandscape

featurewithinnorthernMelbourne.ItisasiteofStatesignificanceforitsgeology

andgeomorphology.Itisanexampleofexposedunconformitybetweenbasaltand

Silurianbedrock.Othergeologicalfeaturesevidentinthelandscapearethestony

rises(ruggedsurfaceoutcropsimpactedbyweathering)andgilgai(soilswithhigh

claycontentwhichswellwhenwet).

Humanoccupationandlandusehasdramaticallyimpactedontheformofthis

ancientlandscapethroughpastoraluse,extractiveindustries,landfill,flood

protectionanddrainage,agricultureandurbandevelopment.Theseuseshave

inevitablyinfluencedwaterflowandquality,soilstructure,floraandfauna,and

vistasacross

the

landscape.

The

parklands

provide

asignificant

opportunity

to

sensitivelymanagethelandscapeinamannerthatshowsanappreciationforthe

landanditshistory.

Protectionandenhancementofstreamwaterqualitythroughtheparklandsis

particularlyimportant.TheMerriCreekisamajortributaryoftheYarraRiver,

whichflowsintoPortPhillip.Reducingsedimentationandcontaminantsfromthe

creekisofbenefittotheaquaticenvironment.WhileflowswithintheMerriCreek

varyaccordingtoseasonalrainfall,floodingoccursperiodically.

GaladaTamboore,managedbyMelbourneWater,isreservedforfutureretarding

basinpurposesinordertomanagemajorfloodevents.Whileitsprimarypurposeis

forfuturefloodretardationfunctions,MelbourneWaterhasbeenactively

managingthe

environmental

values

of

the

site

and

is

also

responsible

for

the

managementofthecreekbedandbanksalongtheentireMerriCreek.

TheparklandsarewithinthePortPhillipandWesternportCatchment,the

responsibility ofthePortPhillipandWesternportCatchmentManagement

Authority.

3.2 Floravalues

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandscontainsomeofthebestandlargestremaining

examplesofgrasslandsthatoncecoveredtheplainstothenorthofMelbourne.

ThisvegetationcommunityisprotectedundertheFloraandFaunaGuaranteeAct

(FFGAct)asWestern(Basalt)PlainsGrasslandandtheEnvironmentProtectionand

BiodiversityConservation

Act

(EPBC

Act)

as

Natural

Temperate

Grassland

of

the

VictorianVolcanicPlains.

3 KeyvaluesMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandscontainsomeofthelargestremainingexamplesofgrasslandsthatoncecoveredtheplainstothenorthandwestofMelbourne.


26/48

18 Keyvalues

CraigieburnGrasslandNCR(Galgingarrk),theCooperStreetGrasslandNCR(Bababi

marning)andtheMerriCreekParkarethemajorareasofremnantvegetationin

theparkland.Remnantvegetationalsoexistsalongthecreekbanksand

escarpments.EcologicalVegetationClassesrecordedintheparklandincludePlains

Grassland,EscarpmentShrubland,StonyKnollShrubland,GrassyWetlandand

RiparianWoodland.

Severalthreatenedspecieshavebeenrecordedwithintheparklands.MattedFlax

lily(Dianellaamoena),CurlySedge(Carextasmanica)andRiverSwampwallaby

Grass(Amphibromusfluitans)arealllistedundertheEPBCAct.Thesehavebeen

recordedonlandmanagedbyParksVictoria.

ChileanNeedle

Grass

(Nassella

neesiana)

and

other

Nassella

spp.

are

major

weed

threatstofloravaluesandaredistributedthroughouttheparklands.Woodyweeds

includingSweetBriar(Rosarubiginosa),Hawthorn(Crataegusmonogyna),

Boxthorn(Lyciumferocissimum)andGorse(Ulexeuropaeus)alsodegradeflora

valuesandprovidehabitatforrabbits.SpinyRush(Juncusacutus)andToowoomba

CanaryGrass(Phalarisaquatica)arethreatstoriparianvalues.

Fireisanimportantgrasslandsmanagementtool.Periodicfirereducesthecoverof

KangarooGrass(Themedatriandra)andcreatesintertussockspacesforother

plantspecies.Firewillbeincorporatedintothemanagementregimeofremnant

grasslands.

Illegalvehicleaccessintotheparklandsdamagesvegetation,addstoerosion,

reduceswater

quality

and

impacts

on

park

assets.

A

holistic

approach

needs

to

be

takenwithparticipationfromallagenciestoensurethisactivityisreduced.

3.3 Faunavalues

Thevegetation,geologyandaquaticvaluesoftheparklandprovideadiversityof

habitatsfornumerousfaunaspecies,rangingfromcommonspeciestocritically

endangeredspecies.ThewideexpansesofgrasslandsupportEasternGrey

Kangaroos.Currentlytheyarefreetoroamthroughoutthelengthoftheparklands;

however,asthesurroundingareaisdeveloped,theyarelikelytorequire

managementduetoroadsafety,animalwelfareandimpactstovegetationfrom

grazingpressure.

TheMerri

Creek

and

nearby

wetlands

support

an

important

population

of

the

GrowlingGrassFrog(Litoriaraniformis).TheGrowlingGrassFrogislistedas

vulnerableundertheEPBCAct,andisconsideredendangeredinVictoriawhereitis

listedundertheFFGAct.Thespeciesoccursindensefringingvegetationand

prefersrocksandlogsforhabitat,andstillwaterforbreeding.Providinghabitat

linksbetweenthecreekandwetlandsisimportantforthesurvivalofthisspecies.

ThedraftGrowlingGrassFrogsubregionalSpeciesStrategy(DSE2011b)identifies

specificprotectionrequiredalongMerriCreek.Thisstrategyappliestosomeland

withintheparklands,eastofMerriCreek,northofCooperStreet.

TheGoldenSunMoth(Synemonplana)hasbeenrecordedwithintheparklands.

TheGoldenSunMothislistedascriticallyendangeredundertheEPBCAct,is

consideredcriticallyendangeredinVictoriaandislistedundertheFFGAct.Its

preferredhabitat

is

grasslands

dominated

by

the

genus

Austrodanthonia,

although

BlueDevil

GrowlingGrassFrog(Litoriaraniformis).


27/48

MerriCreekMarran BabaParklands


19

ithasalsobeenrecordedingrasslandsdominatedbytheweedChileanNeedle

grass(Nassellaneesiana).

ItisimportanttomanagethefireregimeinareaswheretheGoldenSunMothhas

beenrecordedtoensurethepersistenceofAustrodanthoniaspp.Managingthe

spreadandreplacementofChileanNeedleGrassneedstobebalancedwiththe

preservationoftheGoldenSunMoth.ThedraftGoldenSunMothsubregional

SpeciesStrategy(DSE2011c)identifiesspecificprotectionrequiredinthenorthern

growthcorridor.Thisstrategyappliestosomelandwithintheparklandseastof

MerriCreek,northofCooperStreet,includingCraigieburnGrasslandNCR.

ThegrasslandsoftheMerriCreekcorridorarealsopotentialhabitatfortheStriped

LeglessLizard

(Delma

impar).

The

Striped

Legless

Lizard

is

listed

as

vulnerable

under

theEPBCAct,consideredendangeredinVictoriaandislistedundertheFFGAct.

TheStripedLeglessLizardwasrecordedintheparklandsinthe1990s;however,

recentsurveyshavenotrecordedthisspecies.Thepreferredhabitatforthespecies

isnativegrasslandswithrocksandcrackingclaysthatprovidecoverforthespecies.

Thishabitatexiststhroughouttheparklandsandthespeciesmaypersistinsome

areas.Itisimportantthatfire,whenusedtomanagegrasslands,isconductedat

theappropriatetimeoftheyear.

AdjacentlanduseandfragmentationareathreattothevaluesofCraigieburnNCR

astheyareknowntohaveanegativeeffectonthediversityoffloraspeciesinthe

reserveaswellasonthethreatenedspecies.Thereserveissurroundedby

industrial

areas,

farms

and

the

Hume

Freeway

and

Hume

Highway

transport

corridors.

LandoppositetheparkalongMerriCreekimmediatelynorthofCraigieburnEast

RoadisproposedaspotentialurbandevelopmentintheGrowthCorridorPlans

(GAA2011).

Theseadjacentlandusescanimpactnegativelyonthevaluesofthereserveasthey

alternutrientlevels,hydrology,moisturecontent,soildisturbanceandweed

introduction.ThehabitatsuitabilityforStripedLeglessLizardisdependentonlack

ofdisturbanceandgoodtussockcover(DCE1992).Adjacentlanduseand

fragmentationaremajorthreatstothisspecies(PV2005).

Numerousothernativefaunaspecieshavebeenrecordedintheparklandsdueto

thevariety

of

habitats

present.

Management

of

all

areas

needs

to

take

account

of

speciesusingthesehabitatsandfactortheirpresenceintodecisionmaking.

3.4 Culturalheritage

TheareaoftheparkiswithinthetraditionalCountryoftheWurundjeriwillam

clan,partoftheWoiwurunglanguagegroup.TheWurundjeriTribeLandand

CompensationCulturalHeritageCouncilhasbeendeclaredbytheVictorian

AboriginalCounciltobetheRegisteredAboriginalPartyforthearea.

Thisconnectionofplace,spiritandhistorycontinuesfortheWurundjeri

communitytodayeventhoughaspectsoflanguageandculturehavebeenlost.The

parklandshavebeensurveyedandanumberofculturalheritageplaceshavebeen

registeredwith

the

Office

of

Aboriginal

Affairs

Victoria

(OAAV)

including

scar

trees,

stoneartefactsandfragmentsordebriswhichareevidenceoftoolmaking

processes.ThesitesareconcentratedalongtheMerriCreekthroughoutthestudy

Milkmaids


28/48

20 Keyvalues

area,andCurlySedgeCreek.Thepredominanceofregisteredsitesadjacenttothe

creekislikelytoreflectareasofleastdisturbancefrommodernlanduserather

thanthebroaderextentofuseby,andsignificanceto,theAboriginalcommunity.

CulturalHeritageManagementPlanswereproducedtodeveloptheMerriCreek

trailatseveralsitesincludingGaladaTambooreandwillbeusedtoguide

managementdecisionsinrelationtoparkdevelopmentandAboriginalcultural

heritagesiteswithinthisarea.

ThereiscommunityinterestandsupportforacknowledgingtheAboriginalheritage

oftheareathroughtherenamingofsiteswithintheparklandswithAboriginal

names.ThefollowingnameshavebeenproposedbytheWurundjeriandhavethe

supportof

key

interest

groups

including

the

Merri

Creek

Management

Committee.

Figure3.1:ProposedParklandNames

ExistingName ProposedName

Pronunciation Meaning

CooperStreetGrasslands

NatureConservationReserve

Bababimarning Barbabeemahning

Mothershand

CraigieburnGrasslands Galgingarrk Galginyark Backbone

MerriCreekParklands MarranBaba Marranbarba Bodyofmother

In1835JohnBatmanledanexplorationpartytoacquirecheapgrazinglandinthe

PortPhillipregion.InJuneofthesameyear,Batmanmetupwithsenior

WoiwurungmenonthebanksofthelowerreachesoftheMerriCreekand

accordingtohisunderstandingnegotiatedwhatheregardedasaformaltreatyfor

approximately243000hectares.However,theBritishCrownheldthatBatmanand

hisassociateshadnoauthoritytoacquirelandinthecolony.UponBatmans

return,SirRichardBourke,GovernorofthecolonyofNewSouthWales,refusedto

recognisethetreatyandissuedaformalproclamationdeclaringitinvalid.

InadditiontoBatmansassociationwiththebroaderMerriCreekcorridorhehadaconnectionwiththeparklandsthroughhispersonalbusinessactivitiesasa

pastoralist.WhilehispermanentresidencewasinMelbourne,thescarcityoffeed

arisingfromthedrysummerof183637promptedBatmantomovemanyofhis

sheep,consideredtobethelargestflockduringthisearlysettlementperiodof

Melbourne,totheMerriCreekareawheretwooutstationswereerectedat

Craigieburn(southofCraigieburnEastRoad)neartheparklandsandKinlochewe

(northofSummerhillRoad).

OthersitesofculturalsignificanceincludetheruinsoftheBarber&SonFlourMill

(c1849),locatednearMerriCreekjustnorthofMahoneysRoad,andtheremainsof

acobbledroadandpipecrossingattheterminationofBarryRoadonthecreek.Dry

stonewalls

occur

within

the

parklands

boundary

at

Barry

Road

and

within

the

CraigieburnGrasslands.


29/48



21

3.5 Visitorexperienceandrecreationopportunities

ParksVictoriasVisitorMarketSegmentationhasbeendesignedtoimprove

understandingofwhoparkvisitorsareandwhatinfluencestheirsatisfaction.

UrbanSocialsarethedominantsegmentvisitingParksVictoriasurbanparks.This

groupisrepresentedbypeopleattendingparksforsocialgatherings.Tocaterfor

thisgroup,priorityforparkmanagementistoprovidefacilitiestoenablegroup

socialising(tables,shelter,barbecues,toilets,etc)andplayspacesforchildren.

TheWhittleseaPublicGardens,managedbyCityofWhittlesea,isasignificant

existingdistrictparkwithintheparklandsprovidingvisitorfacilitiesincludingpicnic

sheltersand

play

facilities

in

alandscaped

setting.

The

shared

use

trail

overpass

on

theHumeFreewayconnectstheGardenstoGaladaTamboore,providingan

opportunityforpromotingtheGardensasavitalentrypointandrecreationnode

withintheparklands.

VisitorfacilitiesdevelopedaspartoftheGaladaTambooreMasterPlaninclude2.5

kmofsharedusetrailfromSomersetRoadtoWhittleseaGardens,anew

footbridgeoverMerriCreek,ramps,handrails,signageandbenchseats.

TheGaladaTambooreMasterPlanidentifiesarecreationareatobedeveloped

adjacenttoSomersetRoad,whichwillincludeacarpark,toilets,barbecues,picnic

sheltersandtables,andaplayspace.Aninformaltrailwillbedevelopedaround

GaladaTambooretoaddtothevisitorexperienceandincorporateinterpretationof

significantnatural,

cultural

and

geological

features.

These

facilities

will

be

provided

asfundsbecomeavailable.

Toproviderecreationopportunitiestothegrowingresidentialareastothenorthof

theparklands,afuturevisitorareawillbeinvestigatedatCraigieburnEastRoad

adjacenttotheMerriCreek.ImprovedvehicleaccessfromCraigieburnEastRoad

wouldberequiredandthesitelinkedtothesharedtrailalongtheHumeFreeway

intoCraigieburn.

TrailUsersarethenextdominantsegmentinurbanparkswiththisgroupvisiting

theparktowalkorcycleontrails.Itisimportanttoprovideanetworkofquality

recreationalandcommutingtrailsandtolinkthemtoexistingtrails.

TheexistingGaladaTambooretrailrunsalongtheeasternsideoftheHume

Freewayfrom

the

Metropolitan

Ring

Road

at

Thomastown

to

Malcolm

Creek

in

Craigieburn.Itservesasacommuterandrecreationtrailandconnectstotheeast

westMetropolitanRingRoadtrail,withnearbylinkstotheMerriCreekTrailsouth

oftheRingRoad(Map2).

AnewtraillinksWhittleseaPublicGardenstoMerriCreekandCampbellfieldat

BarryRoadandSomersetRoadwithintheparklands.Itisproposedthatthistrail

willcontinuesouthfromSomersetRoadtotheexistingMerriCreektrailunderthe

MetropolitanRingRoadintheshorttermandnorthalongtheMerriCreekto

Craigieburnoverthelongterm,extendingtheMetropolitanTrailNetwork(LPS

2002,GCP2011)(Map2).

ActiverecreationfacilitiesadjacenttotheparklandsincludetheBroadmeadows

MotorcyclePark

and

Motocross

track,

the

Somerton

Go

Kart

raceway,

and

basketballandtennisfacilitiesinCampbellfield.Inaddition,surroundingsuburbs

WhittleseaPublicGardens

Schoolvisit


30/48

22 Keyvalues

includesportingreservesandinformalopenspaceservinglocalanddistrict

catchments.

Dumpingofrubbishandcontaminatedmaterialsareathreattoparkvisitorsafety

andadverselyaffectamenityoftheparklands.Contaminatedsitesneedtobe

identifiedandrehabilitatedorsecurelyfencedfromvisitors.Aholisticapproach

needstobetakenwithparticipationfromallagenciestoensurerubbishdumpingis

reduced.

3.6 Socialvalues

The

importance

of

the

link

between

people

and

land

is

evident

in

Aboriginal

culture.TheWurundjerihavestronglinkstotheMerriCreekcorridor.Indigenous

participationinthemanagementoftheparkisimportantandprovidesan

opportunityfortheWurundjeritointerprettheirrelationshipwithCountrytothe

widercommunity.

Encouragingtheparticipationofthewidercommunityinthemanagementofthe

parkthroughafriendsgroupandothersimilarvolunteeropportunitiescan

strengthencommunityengagement.Thediversenatureoflocalcommunities

bringschallengesinengagementandinvolvement.Itwillbeessentialtoworkwith

existingorganisationsandcommunitynetworkssuchasschools,community

centresandfaithgroups.TheFriendsofMerriCreekandtheirassociatedgroups

arestrongadvocatesfortheprotectionandenhancementoftheMerriCreek

catchment.There

are

opportunities

for

involving

members

of

the

community

from

aculturallydiversebackgroundintheparklands,forexamplethroughParks

VictoriasBilingualGuidesprogram.

TheMerriCreekManagementCommitteeisanincorporatedassociationformedto

protectandenhancethenaturalandculturalvaluesoftheMerriCreekandits

tributaries.Itisfundedjointlybythelocalgovernmentslocatedadjacenttothe

MerriCreekandreserves.TheMCMChasalonghistoryinadvocacyandonground

worksfortheprotectionandenhancementoftheMerriCreekcatchment.Muchof

therevegetationworkscarriedoutalongthecreekoverthelast25yearshasbeen

undertakenbytheMCMC,andtheMCMCisamajoradvocateforthecreeks

protectionthrougharangeofplanningprocesses.TheMerriCreekandEnvirons

Strategy20092014(MCMC2009)aimstoprovidestrategicdirectionformanagers

ofwaterway

corridors

of

the

Merri

catchment.

Thereareopportunitiesforinvolvementofeducationalinstitutionsinresearchand

monitoringactivitiesintheparklandswhichhelptoimproveknowledgeand

understandingoftheareasvaluesandthreatstothosevalues.Involvementmay

includestudiesoffloraandfauna,estuarinesystemsandwaterqualitytomonitor

managementdecisions.Thiswillincreasethevalueoftheparktothecommunity,

communicatethediversityofvaluesintheparkandprovideinformationtoassistin

decisionmaking.


31/48



23

3.7 Risksandsafety

ParksVictoriaundertakesriskmitigationworksthroughouttheparksestate,

ensuringbuildingsandfacilitiesaremaintainedattherequiredstandards.Elements

ofrisk,however,willalwaysbepresentintheoutdoorsandwithrecreation

activitiesandvisitorsneedtobeawareofrisksandberesponsiblefortheirown

actions.

ParksVictoriaisasupportagencyforbushfire,searchandrescueandroad

incidentsandacontrolagencyforwaterwaypollution.ParksVictoriaisresponsible

forresponsetoemergencyflood,andrehabilitation, clearingandrestorationof

roadsandotherassetsinparks.ParksVictoriapreparesEmergencyManagement

PlansforallparksacrosstheState.EmergencyManagementPlansarepreparedin

consultationwithlocalgovernmentagencies.


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24 Parklandsdevelopmentandmanagement

4.1 Managementoftheparklands

Eachlandmanagermanagesitslandinaccordancewithitsowncharterand

relevantlegislation,strategiesandguidelines.However,allagreetoworkin

partnershiptoachieveacommonvisionfortheoutcomesintheplan.

Theparklandsconsistofthefollowingsignificantareasofland,managedbyvarious

landmanagers:

CraigieburnGrasslandNatureConservationReserve(ParksVictoria)

CooperStreetGrasslandNatureConservationReserve(ParksVictoria)

MerriCreek

Park

(Barry

Road

Grasslands)

(Parks

Victoria)

GaladaTamboore(MelbourneWater)

WhittleseaPublicGardens(CityofWhittlesea)

WhittleseaLandfillRehabilitationSite(CityofWhittlesea)

BolindaRoadland(CityofHume)

Areasofcreekfrontage(CityofHume).

Themanagementresponsibilities foreachagencyarealignedwiththeprimary

rolesoftherespectiveagencies.ParksVictoriawillmanagelandassignedtoit,

includingCraigieburnGrassland(Galgingarrk)andCooperStreetGrassland(Bababi

marning)Nature

Conservation

Reserves

and

land

parcels

within

Galada

Tamboore.

Theseareaswillbeprimarilymanagedforconservationwithopportunitiesfor

passiverecreation.

TheCouncilswillretainmanagementoflocalanddistrictparks,andtheriparian

corridorsandrecreationtrailsalongthecreekwithintheirrespectivelocalcouncil

areas.TheStateGovernmentsCyclingStrategy(inpreparation)willclarifyroles

andprocessesforongoingdevelopmentofMelbournescyclingnetwork.

MelbourneWaterwillcontinuetomanageGaladaTambooreasafutureretarding

basinwhileprotectingtheconservationandculturalvaluesofthesite.Wheretrails

areproposed(orconstructed),licenceagreementswillbepursuedbetween

MelbourneWaterandParksVictoriaortherelevantcouncil.MelbourneWateris

responsiblefor

waterway

health

of

Merri

Creek

and

the

management

of

the

bed

andbanks.Itwillcontinuetoworkinpartnershipwithlandmanagementagencies

tofundandimplementprogramsalongthecreek.


Thedevelopmentandmanagementoftheparklandswillrequireongoingdialoguebetweenlandmanagers,thecommunityanddevelopersofadjacentsites.Thisplansetsoutavisionandparkmanagementprinciplestoguidethefuturemanagementoftheparklands.


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25

AgencieswillcontinuetoworkwithMCMCthroughouttheparklands.

OpportunitiesexisttosupportFriendsgroup,providecommunityeducationand

interpretation events,revegetationandvegetationmanagementactivitiesand

advocacyonissuesimpactingupontheparklands.

4.2 Adjoiningdevelopment

Itisimportanttomaintaintheopenlandscapesandvistasoftheparklandsthrough

appropriatedevelopmentonprivatelandadjacenttothepark.Themajorityofthe

privateland

along

the

corridor

is

zoned

for

industrial

use.

The

interface

to

the

parklandsshouldbedesignedtoenhancetherecreationexperience,vistasand

personalandpropertysafety.Inparticularfiremanagementandemergencyvehicle

accessshouldbefacilitated.Boulevardstyletreatmentsarerecommendedalong

interfaces,whereparklandextendstothestreetedgeononesideandhousesface

theparklandontheotherside.

Thewidthoftheopenspacefromthecreektotheedgeofdevelopmentshould

enablethesafepassageoffaunaspecies,enablefireprotectionmeasurestooccur

andpermittheconstructionofasharedtrailandmanagementvehicleaccess.

Theopenspacerequirementsfromadjoiningdevelopmentinclude:

MaintainthehabitatcorridoralongMerriCreek

Avoidimpactstoculturalheritagesites

Avoidtheremovalofnativevegetation

Minimisetheneedforlargeengineeredstructures

Provideatenmetrewidezone(whereappropriate) toallowfortheconstruction

ofathreemetrewidesharedtrailormanagementtrackandbuffersoneither

sideoftrailasrequiredbytherelevantAustRoadsstandards

Locatethetrailalignmentabovethe1in10yearARIfloodlevel

EnsurealltrailgradientsarecompliantwiththeDisabilityDiscrimination Act1992

(Cwlth).

Determiningthewidthofopenspacemayneedtobenegotiatedbylocal

governmentandDepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustriesinsome


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instances.Thiswilldependonthestyleandtypeofdevelopmentfrontingthepark

andtopographyoftheareathatmayrestricttrailconstructionormanagementand

emergencyvehicleaccess.

WaterqualityoftheMerriCreekshouldbeprotectedandenhancedwhenlandis

developed.AnyWaterSensitiveUrbanDesign(WSUD)treatmentsshouldbe

locatedoutsideoftheparkboundary,unlessnegotiatedandagreedwithpublic

landmanagersthroughtheplanningphase.Waterqualitytreatmentsshould

achieveobjectivessetbyMelbourneWaterandEPArequirements.Stormwater

outletsintotheMerriCreekshouldbedesignedtominimiseerosion,dissipate

energyandincluderevegetationworks.


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27

Thestrategicdirectionswillguidethedevelopmentofdetailedactionplansbyeach

partnerorganisation.

Implementation

of

the

plan

will

be

dependent

on

available

resources,partnershipswithotheragencies,andchangesinvisitordemand.

ParksVictoriawillbetheleadagencyonprojectswhicharelocatedonParks

Victoriamanagedland.Otheragenciesandorganisiationswillbeinvolvedinthe

actionsasrequired.

DEPI DepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustries

HCC HumeCityCouncil

MCMC MerriCreekManagementCommitee

MW

MelbourneWater

PV ParksVictoria

WCC WhittleseaCityCouncil

5.1 Protectingthenaturalenvironment

5.1.1 NaturalvaluesObjective:Naturalvalueswillbemaintainedandenhancedtoconserve

biodiversity.

Strategicdirections

ProtectandenhancenationallysignificantgrasslandswithintheConservation

Zone.

Protectandenhanceallindigenousspeciesandecologicalcommunitieswithin

theparklands.

Keyactions

Developasustainableburningregimeinthegrasslandsbaseduponathreeyear

rotationandimplementthroughtheFireOperationsPlan.(PV)

ControlNassellaspp.weedsaftertheimplementation ofecologicalburning.(PV)

5 Strategicdirectionsandkeyactions

ThisStrategicManagementPlanidentifiestheprotection,enhancementandinterpretationoftheparklandsnatural,culturalandrecreationalvalues.Theseareachievedthroughmanagementzoning,strategicdirectionsandkeyactions.


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CraigieburnGrasslandNCR

Maintainthegoodconditionofthereservewhileallowingnaturalprocessesof

regeneration,disturbanceandsuccessiontooccurandactivelyinitiatingthese

processeswhererequired.(PV)

Limitbiomassaccumulationbyconductingmosaicburnsofareasofgrassland

whereaccumulationisoccurring,every35yearsinautumnwhilethesoilis

crackedandtheyoungStripedLeglessLizardsDelmaimpararemobile(DCE

1992).Avoidcoolseasonburnswhensoilmoistureishighandcracksinthesoil

areclosedmakingitdifficultforStripedLeglessLizardDelmaimpartofindrefuge

fromfire.EnsurethatSmallMilkwortComespermapolygaloides(andother

threatenedflora

species)

sites

are

not

burnt

prior

to,

or

during,

flowering,

seed

setanddispersal(fromspringtosummerinmostyears).(PV)

Implementweedcontrolprogramstoreducewoodypestplantstolessthan1%

ofcoverandstopherbaceousweedsfromincreasingincoverandreduceover

timewithstrategicburningandotherweedcontrol.(PV)

CooperStreetGrasslandNCR

Maintainthemoderateconditionofthereservewhileallowingnaturalprocesses

ofregeneration,disturbanceandsuccessiontooccurandactivelyinitiatingthese

processeswhererequired.(PV)

Limitbiomassaccumulationbyconductingmosaicburnsofgrasslandevery35

years(notduringseedset fromlatespringtosummerinmostyears).(PV)

Undertakeweedcontrolwiththeaimtoreducewoodypestplantstolessthan

1%ofcoverandstopherbaceousweedsfromincreasingincoverandreduceover

timewithstrategicburningandotherweedcontrol.(PV)

Strategicdirections

Investigateopportunitiesforlinkingthereserveswithotherappropriatehabitat

toreducetheriskoffragmentationofhabitat.

Minimiseimpactsofadjacentlandusebyreducingaccesspointstothereserve,

preservingnaturaldrainagewherepossible.Minimiseotherimpactsincludingsoil

disturbance,dumping

of

pest

plants,

non

native

animals

and

domestic

animals

in

thereserve.

ProtectandmanageimportantlandscapeandriparianvaluesalongtheMerri

Creek.

Keyactions

Monitortheconditionofsignificantvegetationandimplementprotectionand

enhancementprogramsinconjunctionwithmanagersofadjacentareasandthe

community.(PV,MW,HCC,WCC)

Monitorimpactsofgrazingongrasslandsandimplementcontrolprogramsas

necessary.Grazingimpactsmaybecausedbyrabbits,kangaroosorotheranimals

suchas

stock.

(PV)

Chocolatelily


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29

Inconjunctionwithresearchpartners,developongoingmonitoringforkey

indicatorfloraandfaunaspeciesatCraigieburnandCooperStNCRs.(PV)

CollaboratewithMelbourneWaterinenvironmentalimprovementworksalong

MerriCreekincludingintegratedwatermanagement,pestplantandanimal

control,revegetationandmanagementofillegalvehicleaccess.(PV,MW)

Enhanceandextendremnantvegetationcommunitiesandfaunahabitatalong

MerriCreek,providingahabitatlinkthroughouttheregion.(PV,MW,HCC,WCC)

Adoptadaptivemanagementstrategiesforspeciesandecosystemsinresponse

totheimpactsofclimatechange.(PV)

UpdateCrownLand(Reserves)Actregulationsforreservesintheparklands.

(DEPI)

Conductpostburnmonitoringtoensureobjectivesofburnhavebeenachieved.

(PV)

Developandimplementarrangementsformonitoringenvironmental condition

andtheimpactsofclimatechangeandifnecessarymakechangesinmanagement

practicestoimprovetheenvironmentalqualityofthepark.(PV,MW,HCC,WCC)

5.1.2 LandscapeandgeologicalfeaturesObjective:Managethelandscapetoretainvistasandfeatures.

Strategicdirections

Maintainthesemiruralandexpansivegrasslandecosystemcharacterofthearea,

enablingvisitorstoexperiencepanoramicviews.

Providealandscapebufferbetweenurbaninfrastructureandtheparklandswith

largerbuffersadjacenttoareasofhighenvironmentalvalue.

Keyactions

Workwithlocalgovernmenttoincorporatethismanagementplanintothe

relevantplanningschemes.(PV,HCC,WCC)

Coordinatetheconnectionandintegrationofpubliclandmanagementanduse

alongthe

Merri

Creek

corridor.

(PV,

HCC,

WCC,

MW)

Negotiatewithcouncils,theimplementationofabufferrequirementinlocal

PlanningSchemestoensuretheintegrityoftheparklandsismaintained.Buffer

shouldbeintheformofaboulevardapproachwheredevelopmentwillabutpark

boundary.(PV)

Providelandforfutureretardingbasinfunctions.(MW)

Protecttheintegrityofgeologicalfeaturesandlandscapevaluesfromerosion

causedbyhumanandanimalimpacts.(PV,HCC,WCC,MW)

Monitorimpactsongeologicalfeatures,andimplementnecessaryerosioncontrol

measures,rehabilitationandexclusionfencingwherenecessary.(PV,HCC,WCC,

MW)

WattleatGaladaTamboore

Stonyrise


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Advocate/negotiateforadequateopenspaceprovisionalongtheMerriCreekto

allowforrecreationandconservationuses.(PV,HCC,WCC,MW)

Advocate/negotiateforintegratedpestplantanimalmanagementwithadjacent

privatelandowners.(PV,HCC,WCC,MW)

Advocate/negotiateforappropriatelanduseandurbandesignalongboundary

ofparklands.(PV,HCC,WCC,MW)

5.2 Communityconnections

5.2.1 CulturalheritageandlivingconnectionsObjective:Culturalheritagevaluesareprotectedandinterpreted.

Strategicdirections

Investigateandrecordculturalheritagevaluesoftheparklands.

Recogniseandprotectarchaeologicallysensitiveareasinaccordancewithrelative

legislation.

Protectpostsettlementheritagevaluesandinterpretasappropriate.

Keyactions

Implementaprocesstorenameareasoftheparklandstothenamesproposedby

theWurundjeriTribeLand&CompensationCulturalHeritageCouncil.Ensurethe

processincludesacomprehensivepublicconsultationtoseekcommunityinput

intotheproposednames.(PV,DEPI)

Obtaindetailedmapsandinformationonknownculturalheritageplacestoassist

withstrategicplanningandwhererequired,engageTraditionalOwnersto

undertakesurveyworkandbeinvolvedinCHMPpreparation.(PV,HCC,WCC,

MW)

Investigatetheextentofpostsettlementheritagesitesandvaluesintheparkland

area.(PV)

5.2.2 WorkingwiththeTraditionalOwnersObjective:TraditionalOwnerscultureandknowledgearereflectedinpark

management.

Strategicdirection

DevelopstrongcollaborativepartnershipswiththeWurundjeriTribeLandand

CompensationCulturalHeritageCounciltofacilitatereflectingtheTraditional

Ownersknowledgeandaspirationsintheparklandsmanagement.

Keyactions

Provide

opportunities

for

Traditional

Owners

and

park

staff

to

share

knowledge

andbuildstrongworkingrelationships. (PV)

Schoolvisit


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31

WorkcollaborativelywiththeTraditionalOwnersininterpretingIndigenous

culturalheritagevalues.(PV)

5.2.3 WorkingwiththecommunityObjective:Thelocalcommunityisactivelyinvolved.

Strategicdirections

Encourage,supportandguidecommunityinvolvementforthebenefitofthe

parklandsandcommunities.

Continue

to

work

with

the

MCMC

and

the

Friends

of

Merri

Creek

in

the

planning,

developmentandmanagementoftheparklands.

Advocate/negotiateforlinkedhabitat,managementtrackandtrailconnectivity

alongMerriCreek.

Keyactions

Liaisewithlocalresidentstoimproveawarenessandappreciationofparkvalues,

healthbenefitsofusingparks,andmanagementactionsincludingweed

management,managementofareasadjoiningresidences,rubbishdumpingand

dogwalking.(PV)

Liaisewithusergroupstoimproveawarenessandappreciationofparkvaluesand

managementactions.

(PV)

Provideinformationaboutlocationsofdifferentvisitoractivitiesandamenities,

toencourageexploration,enjoymentandappreciationoftheparklands.(PV)

5.3 Peopleinthepark

5.3.1 VisitorexperienceandfacilitiesObjective:Sustainablenaturebasedrecreationopportunitiesareprovided.

Strategicdirections

Provideforsustainablenaturebasedrecreationwithinanaturallandscapesetting.

IdentifyanddevelopGaladaTambooreastheprimaryvisitornodewithinthe

parklands.

Keyactions

ContinuetoimplementthemasterplanforGaladaTambooreasfundingbecomes

available,withthefollowingpriorities:(PV)

Stage2works(mediumterm):

Sealthetraillinkbetweenthenewpedestrian/cycle bridgeandthe

pedestrian/cyclebridge

over

the

Hume

Freeway

to

complete

the

connection

betweenCampbellfieldandThomastown.

Communityplantingday


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CompletethesharedtraillinkbetweenStage1works(HorneSt)andtheexisting

MerriCreekTrail(WesternRingRoad),tocompletethelinktothecity.

CompleteasharedtrailconnectionfromSomersetRoadtoHorneSt.

ConstructtheprimaryvisitornodeatGaladaTambooreincludingsealedaccess

roadandcarpark,utilities,shelters,toilets,barbecues,picnicfacilitiesand

landscapeworks.

Constructanewspaceforactiveplay(naturebasedplayspace)inproximityto

theprimaryvisitornode.

Constructsecondarygraveltrailsthroughtheeasternbankconservationzoneand

newlowerbridgecrossingproviding6kmloopcircuitwithinthepark.

Stage3works(longterm):

Implementabroadscalerevegetationandregenerationprogramincollaboration

withMCMCandMelbourneWatertoprotectandenhancebiodiversity and

habitatforEPBClistedspecies,in10+years.(PV,MW,MCMC)

PromotetheWhittleseaPublicGardensasasignificantdestinationnodeand

entrypointforthebroaderparklands.(WCC,PV)

Investigatethedevelopmentofasmallerrecreationnodeimmediatelysouthof

CraigieburnRoadEastontheeastsideofthecreek.

5.3.2 Information,interpretation

and

education

Objective:Accurateinformationisprovidedtoassistvisitorstoenjoytheparklands

andlearnabouttheparklandsvalues.

Keyactions

Provideinformationandeducationforthelocalcommunityandvisitorsonthe

parklandsvaluesandfacilities.Providewebbasedinformation,andonsite

interpretation asnecessary.(PV,HCC,WCC)

Developanintegratedapproachtotrailsignageandmanagementwithother

agencies.(PV,HCC,WCC)

5.3.3 Trailaccess

and

use

Objective:Suitablepublicaccesstoensureprotectionofenvironmental and

culturalvaluesisprovided.

Keyactions

Ensuretheparklandsareintegratedintothefuturecommunitiessurroundingit

throughtraillinkagesandappropriateurbanform.(PV,HCC,WCC)

Advocate/negotiatefortheprovisionofopenspacefrontagetoMerriCreek

throughouttheparklands.(PV,HCC,WCC)

Undertakeatrailfeasibilitystudytodetermineappropriatetraillocationtoassist

withlanduseplanning.(PV,HCC,WCC)

BridgeoverMerriCreek


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33

Progressively implementarecreationfocusedsharedusetrailsystemalongMerri

Creekwithconnectionstoneighbouringcommunitiesandtrailnetworks.(PV,

HCC,WCC)

5.3.4 RisksandsafetyObjective:Safetyincidentsandimpactsonvisitorsandstaffareminimised.

Keyactions

Maintainfacilitiesinaconditionthatallowsforsafeuse.

Increase

visitor

awareness

of

potential

risks

associated

with

key

sites

and

activities.

MaintainrelevantEmergencyManagementPlans.

5.4 Managementpartnerships

Objective:Maintainstrongpartnershipswithotherlandmanagers,agenciesand

authoritiesthatenhancetheparklandsandpromotesurroundingfeatures.

PlananddeveloptheparklandsinpartnershipwithMelbourneWater,Cityof

Whittlesea,ParksVictoriaandHumeCityCouncil.

Keyactions

CreateaparklandscoordinationgroupconsistingofParksVictoria,Melbourne

Water,CityofHume,CityofWhittlesea,andVicRoadstocoordinateongoing

management.(PV,MW,HCC,WCC,)

DevelopcooperativearrangementsbetweenParksVictoriaandHumeCity

Councilforfurtherimplementation oftheGaladaTambooreMasterPlan

specificallydevelopmentsonHumeCityCouncilreserves.(PV,HCC)

DevelopanagreementbetweenParksVictoriaandMelbourneWatertoensure

thatmanagementandmaintenanceofthesharedtrailandvisitorinfrastructure

atGaladaTambooreiscompatiblewithparkvaluesandvisitorexperience

objectives.(PV,

MW)

ContinuemanagementbyParksVictoriaofthehighconservationvaluesitessuch

asCraigieburn,CooperStreetandtheMerriCreekPark(BarryRoad)Grasslands.

(PV)

RetainmanagementbyCouncilsoflocalanddistrictparks,andtheriparian

corridorsandrecreationtrailsalongthecreekwithintheirrespectivelocalcouncil

areas(HCC,WCC).

Seekfundingforimplementation oftheMerriCreekTrail,coordinatingplanning

andbidswithotherlandmanagers.(PV)

ContinuemanagementofGaladaTamboorebyMelbourneWaterasafuture

retarding

basin.

Where

trails

and

visitor

facilities

are

proposed,

management

agreementswillbeformalisedbetweenMelbourneWaterandParksVictoriaor

therelevantcouncil.(MW,PV)


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Investigatelinkswitheducationalandresearchinstitutionsandcommunity

groupstoassistinenvironmentalmonitoringandresearchwithinthepark.(PV)

ImplementationThismanagementplanprovidestheframeworkforthemanagementofthe

parklandsoverthenext10to15years.Theimplementation oftheactionsinthis

planwilldependonfunding,visitordemand,andagreementwithotheragencies.

PrioritiesandstagingTheparkwideandsitespecificactionsincludedinthisplanforareasmanagedby

ParksVictoria

will

guide

and

be

progressively

incorporated

into

Parks

Victorias

annualworksprogram.

Theimplementation oftheplanwillbeconsistentwithParksVictorias

commitmenttosustainablepractices,whichinvolvesthedeliveryofoperations,

services,andfacilitiesinanecologicallyandsociallyresponsiblemannerwith

minimaluseofexpendableresourcesandminimalgenerationofwaste.

Inimplementingtheplan,managementwillrespondtomonitoringandresearch

informationasitemerges.Overtime,thesuccessofactionswillbereviewed

againstsetobjectivestoensureongoinglearningandrefinementofmanagement

(adaptivemanagement).Theselectionofactionsandtreatmentsofthreatswillbe

guidedbytheprecautionaryprinciple.Managementoptionsareevaluatedbased

on

least

negative

impact

on

the

environment.

ParksVictoriawilluseavarietyofmeanstoreporttothecommunityaboutthe

progressandimplementation oftheplan.FutureStateoftheParksreports,which

willbeavailableonParksVictoriaswebsite,willincludeinformationon

managementperformanceinrelationtothepark.

Theresultsofmonitoringandresearchworkwillcontinuetobeavailabletothe

communityastechnicalreports,alsoavailableonParksVictoriaswebsite.

ManagementresourcesTheresourcingandimplementation ofactionsinthisplanrequirecollaboration

withothermanagementagencies,adjoininglandowners,andcommunityanduser

groups.

Arangeoffundingsourcesmaybeavailabletoachievetheactionsinthisplanin

additiontoParksVictoriasrecurrentfundingforparkmanagement.

Billybuttons


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35

PlanamendmentDuringthe10to15yearlifeoftheplan,amendmentsmayonlybemadeby

followinganauthorisedprocesswhichincludescommunityconsultationas

appropriate.

Circumstancesthatmightleadtoamendmentoftheplaninclude:

Theresultsofmonitoringorresearch,managementexperienceornew

information(suchasgreaterunderstandingofnewthreateningprocesses)which

indicatetheneedforachangeinmanagementdirection.

Significantchangesinvisitationoruse.

Newlegislationorregulations,orchangesinParksVictoriapolicies.

EvaluationandreviewAnannualreviewwillbeundertakenintheparktoassessanddocumentprogress

ontheimplementation ofactionsintheplan.

Emergingissueswillalsobedocumentedandconsideredifandwhentheplanis

amendedorrevised.


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BogongMothsareaculturallysignificant

speciesforTraditionalOwners.


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37

CHMArchaeologistsandHeritageAdvisors2009,MerriCreekParklandsStage1,GaladaTamboore:Section1WestsideofMerriCreek,HorneStreettoSarahStreet,CampbellfieldCulturalHeritageManagementPlan.

CHMArchaeologistsandHeritageAdvisors2009,MerriCreekParklandsStage1,GaladaTamboore:Section2CampbellfieldandThomastownCulturalHeritageManagementPlan.

CityofWhittlesea 2000,LocalConservationStrategy

Cityof

Whittlesea

2008

Whittlesea

Walking

Strategy

CityofWhittlesea 2012EmergencyManagementPlan

CityofWhittlesea CityofWhittleseaStrategicBicyclePlanandBikeandNetworkPathPlan

CityofWhittlesea2006RiverRedGumTreeProtectionPolicy(PlanningScheme)

CityofWhittlesea2009PublicHealthandWellbeingPlan20092013.

CityofWhittlesea2011MunicipalFirePreventionStrategy2011to2014

CityofWhittlesea2012 EnvironmentalSustainabilityStrategy20122022

CityofWhittlesea2013DraftCommunityPlanShapingOurFutureWhittlesea2025

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Statement

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Striped

Legless

Lizard,

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nd

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Environment,

East

Melbourne.

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DSE2011a,BiodiversityConservationStrategyforMelbournesGrowthAreas,DraftforPublicConsultation,TheStateofVictoriaDepartmentofSustainability andEnvironment,EastMelbourne.

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Merri Creek Parklands Plan 2013-34535353234234errw

Documents

Transcript of Merri Creek Parklands Plan 2013-34535353234234errw