Rationalising the Local Network

~ a Sustainable Approach

Ray James

Local Trails Responsibility

Managing lands for trails contingent on …

Demonstrable demand

Measurable & reviewable risk assessment

Sustainable containment of risk

Resource supply longevity

Community support for the ‘long haul’

Sensitive Setting

Environmentally & Culturally

Clean drinking water for Plains dwellers

A Region worth visiting ~ Tourism

Great place to bring up the kids

Let’s enjoy …

And be sensible how we do all this …

Risky Spaghetti

Sustainable = rational risk managementTrails & informal tracks (routes) in the Hills Myriad of high profile (Mawson, Heysen, Tom Roberts, Mt Lofty, Women’s Pioneer, Yurrebilla) trails Interconnecting plethora of local routes that

need rationalizing in a responsible manner within an atmosphere of …

clinical assessment & cool negotiation

Adelaide Hills Council ~ Strategic Direction

Trail management … fits Council’s strategic direction

Socially responsible Environmentally sustainableEconomically sound

and the Mission that …

encourages Leadershipempowers Community spiritwithin responsible Service provision

Adelaide Hills Council

Spaghetti of Existing

Trails & Road Reserves

The Long Paddock

Council’s 700 km2 …Interconnects with 1/3 State Nature Reserves1/3 Primary Production1/3 Residential and Commercial development

Council manages …450 land parcels (Reserves) (350 ha)Some 1500 km x 20m Road Reserves of …

Made (maintained) roadways incl. road vergesUnmade (no roadway) open linear corridor

Passive Use

Within such an Environmentally sensitive watershed

Legislation & regulation directs …

Passive recreational trail possible PROVIDED … Catchment not compromisedProvision of sustainable wildlife corridorsRetention / enhancement of native vegetationDreaming trail prescription site protection Public safety is not jeopardised

Paradigms are often inclusive

Compatible ~ Recreation & Ecosystem demands

Considerable effort … but both land uses possiblewithin triple bottom line philosophy

Sometimes environmental / cultural /social paradigms are so outstanding … NO contest!

Trail Determinations

Council policy dictates … Trails may either be …EstablishedRefurbished orClosed (redirected resource allocation)

In the regional context Council seeks to …Enhance value to the community of its holdings ...

by utilising compatible multiple purposes

The Balancing Act

Council’s challenge is to …

maintain safe trail facilities

within a balanced paradigm that is …

environmentally sensitive

culturally appropriate

socially acceptable

resource friendly

be accountable to its community

Measured Accountability

Risks addressed … Aboriginal site / dreaming trail sensitivity Native plant associations & species diversityHabitat sustainabilityGround cover stability and soil friabilityWater quality retention and ecological flowsEcological structural integrityInterested party support

… within an atmosphere of frugal business acuity

The Environment & Trails too …

everyone … take on a responsibility! Council seeks to enhance our living environment, long term (300 years?) …

all (good and reasonable) parcels and road reserve stands to remain contiguous

all stable and sensitive sites to be retained in current stance to exclusion of other needs

lesser quality corridors retained for trail enhancement &/or development

To date …

Council linear corridors assessed for …

Recreational trail potential

Farming & access leasehold demand

Traditional owner cultural significance

Conservation value incl. soil & water

So we can enhance … Aesthetic appealCultural value, and

sheer Exhilaration of being there

But how …

Sustainability Rating …

Recreation Risk Rating

Counterbalanced against

Conservation Rating

The Recreation Risk Rating

Categories & type of user assessed …Level of interconnectivity (National, regional or local trail demand)Risk ratings: AUS standard and Corridor width

Pathogens (eg Phytophthora)Livestock access and soil stabilityBushfire threat (fuel load) Waterway impactNatural Landscape valueCulturally significant?

Conservation Rating

Natural stands of native vegetation, fauna habitat and associated ecological features assessed …

Threatened speciesCanopy coverUnderstorey statusHabitat integrityWeed invasionMechanical damageManagement strategy

Sustainability Measured …

Ratings …

A Extreme Risk – No trail; No leasingB High Risk – No leasing; local walking only

(unless Phytophthora risk high = no trail)C High Risk – Short term leasing; Local &

Regional (walk & ride) trails onlyD Moderate Risk – Leasing; all trails and trail uses

permitted; opportunity to rehabilitate site

E Low risk – Leasing; not suitable to resource as a trail nor for rehabilitation

Implications …

Uses and impacts may clash with priority on sensitivity in the local community of …

FloraFaunaSoil and waterCulture andHuman settlement and visitation

Now & into the future is paramount target!

Reality Check

Of all routes assessed …

considerable number unacceptable for trails usejustified through holistic yet objective criteriaAcceptable routes well reasoned optionsSuitable alternatives for projected demands‘human’ community reasonableness sounded out

Local Trails Guaranteed

Because threatening processes evaluated …

Many local trails will now be retainedSome routes will be extendedUnsustainable ones to be decommissioned or not contemplatedAlternative uses (eg conservation, social adjuncts, economic return) under consideration

Logic reigns

Method of determining a Sustainability Rating …

Appears to be equitable across all routesIncorporates the precautionary principle (of environmental & cultural protection)Accounts for resource allocation process in addressing …Potential status of trail - National, Regional, LocalType of trail (walk &/or ride) Level of longterm support to maintain the route at

AUS standard

Strategic Trails Management

~ is workable,

provided

it addresses essentials of responsible

land stewardship