MerriCreek MarranBaba Parklands

StrategicManagementPlan May2013

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 passedawayin2011.

Foreword

TheMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsStrategicManagementPlanoutlinesthe keydirectionsforthefutureuseandmanagementoftheparklandsoverthenext15 years.Itwillprovideabroadstrategicplanformanagingandprotectingthisspecial area. TheMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsaremanagedcollaborativelybyParks Victoria,CityofHume,CityofWhittleseaandMelbourneWater.Theseagencies worktogetherwiththecommunityandotherauthoritiestoprotecttheparklands valuesandproviderecreationopportunitiesforthecommunity. ParksVictoriarecognisestheimportantcontributionsthecommunitycanmaketo parkmanagementandencouragespeopletobecomeinvolvedwiththeareaby supportingmanagementwiththeirknowledge,skillsandenthusiasm.Spendingtime inparksisgoodforpeopleswellbeing.ParksVictoriaiscommittedtoproviding placesforpeopletoenjoytimeinnature,tobeactiveandtointeractwithothersin theircommunity. Thisplanbuildsuponpreviousplanningexercisesfortheparklandsincludingthe MerriCreekDraftConceptPlanandfurtherinvestigationsundertakenduringthe developmentoftheGaladaTambooreMasterPlan. Icommendthisplantoyouandextendthankstoalltheorganisationsand individualsinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheplanfortheirvaluablecontribution. Iencouragethecommunitytocontinuetobeinvolvedintheongoingmanagement oftheseparklands,andIlookforwardtoacontinuinghighlevelofcommunity interestandsupportfortheseparklands. BillJackson CHIEFEXECUTIVE PARKSVICTORIA

MerriCreekMarranBaba Parklands StrategicManagementPlan

Executivesummary
MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands StrategicManagementPlan May2013

TheVictorianGovernment,CityofWhittlesea,HumeCityCouncilandMelbourne WaterareplanningforthegrowingpopulationofMelbournebyprovidingopen spaceforahealthycommunityandliveablecity.

Involvingthediverse community,visitors andgovernment agenciesinthe planning, developmentand operationofthepark isakeycomponentof parkmanagementto ensuresuccessful implementationof

MarranBabameans,BodyofmotherintheWurundjerilanguage.TheMerriCreek MarranBabaParklandswilljointogetherlandalongtheMerriCreekmanagedbya varietyofgovernmentbodiesintoacoordinatedhabitatandrecreationcorridor. Theparklandswillbemanagedtobalancetheprotectionofsignificantecological valuesandtheopportunityforthecommunitiesofthenorthernsuburbsof Melbournetorecreateandhavecontactwithnatureinanurbansetting. MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsarelocatedalongtheMerriCreekcorridoron thevolcanicplain,beginningapproximately15kmnorthofMelbournesCentral BusinessDistrict(CBD)coveringanareaofapproximately650hectaresextendinga further15kmnorth(Map1). MerriCreekwasanimportantresourceinthepastforIndigenousgroupsofthe Kulinnation,providingfood,waterandshelter,andcontinuestoholdcultural significancefortheTraditionalOwners.Numerousartefactsandsiteshavebeen recordedwithinthepark.Grazingandcroppingwerethemajorpostsettlement uses.TheprotectionandconservationofIndigenousandpostsettlementcultural heritageisakeymanagementobjectiveofthepark. TheMerriCreekcorridorprovidesimportanthabitatandconnectivityforarangeof floraandfaunaspecies.RemnantvegetationtypesincludePlainsGrassland, EscarpmentShrublandandStonyKnollShrubland.Severalthreatenedfloraand faunaspecieshavealsobeenrecordedthroughouttheparklands.Protectionand enhancementofthesespeciesandcommunitiesareprioritiesformanagement. Lowimpactrecreationalopportunitieswillbeprovidedandactivitiesmanagedto ensuretheyaresafe,enjoyableandenvironmentallysustainable. This15yearstrategicmanagementplanisanintegralstepinthedevelopmentof MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsintothefuture.

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Executivesummary

ThisplanhasbeendevelopedbyParksVictoriainconsultationwithCitiesofHume andWhittlesea,MelbourneWaterandDepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimary Industries.Theplanisprimarilyamanagementplanforthestateownedareasof landwithintheparklands,andprovidesguidanceanddirectionforintegrationand complementarymanagementoflandmanagedbylocalgovernmentandother agencies. Thisplan: Outlinesthevisionfortheparklands Outlinestheprocessforongoingestablishmentoftheparklands Describesthemanagementarrangementsfortheparklands Describesthevaluesoftheparklandsanditsregionalrole Providesaframeworkfordecisionmakingtoguidemanagement Determinesthebroadmanagementzonesoftheparklands Providesstrategicdirectionsandpriorityactionstomanagethevaluesofthe parklandsandachievethevision Describestheprocessofmonitoringandreportingonthemanagementofthe parklands.

Implementationandmonitoring
Implementationoftheplanwillbedependentonavailableresources,partnerships withotheragencies,andchangesinvisitordemand.Actionsintheplanwillbe progressivelyincorporatedintoParksVictoriasannualworksprogramfortheareas ofMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsmanagedbyParksVictoria. Regularmonitoringwillbeundertakentoensurethattheplanisprogressively implementedandcontinuestobeusedastheongoingguidetomanagementofthe park.

MerriCreekMarranBaba Parklands StrategicManagementPlan

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Executivesummary

Contents

Foreword Executivesummary 1 Overview

1.1 Aboutthemanagementplan 1.2 Theparklandsandregionalcontext 1.3 Planningapproachandlegislation 1.4 Historyoftheparklandsanddevelopmentoftheplan

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1 1 5 9

Vision,principlesandzoning
2.1 Vision 2.2 GuidingprinciplesforMerriCreekMarranBabaParklands 2.3 Managementzones

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13 13 14

Keyvalues
3.1 Landscapeandwaterwayvalues 3.2 Floravalues 3.3 Faunavalues 3.4 Culturalheritage 3.5 Visitorexperienceandrecreationopportunities 3.6 Socialvalues 3.7 Risksandsafety

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17 17 18 19 21 22 23

Parklandsdevelopmentandmanagement
4.1 Managementoftheparklands 4.2 Adjoiningdevelopment

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Strategicdirectionsandkeyactions
5.1 Protectingthenaturalenvironment 5.2 Communityconnections 5.3 Peopleinthepark 5.4 Managementpartnerships

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Bibliography Maps
Map1LocationofMerriCreekMarranBabaParklands Map2MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsLandManagement Map3MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsManagementZones

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MerriCreekMarranBaba Parklands StrategicManagementPlan

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Executivesummary

1 Overview
MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsarearesultofapartnership betweenParksVictoria,MelbourneWater,theCityofWhittlesea andtheCityofHume.Forseveraldecadesthecommunityhas advocatedfortheprotectionofthenaturalandculturalvaluesof theMerriCreekthroughtheMerriCreekManagement CommitteeandFriendsofMerriCreek.Severalyearsofplanning haveoccurred,includinginvestigationsintothehistoryand ecologyofthesite.Thisplanwillguidemanagementofthe parklandsforthenext15years.

1.1 Aboutthemanagementplan
TheMerriCreekMarranBabaManagementPlanguidesthemanagementofthe MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands. Themanagementplanaddressestheintentoffuturemanagementofpublicopen space.Theplanacknowledgesthebroadercontextofadjacentpublicandprivate land.Thisapproachisfundamentaltoachievingthevisionfortheparklands. ThisplanproposestorenameseveralsitesalongtheMerriCreektonamesselected bytheWurundjeriTribeLandandCompensationCulturalHeritageCouncil.Itis proposedthattheparklandsbenamedMarranBabaParklands,CooperStreet GrasslandNatureConservationReservewillbenamedBababimarningand CraigieburnGrasslandNatureConservationReservenamedasGalgingarkk.The proposednamesandmeaningsofthenamesareoutlinedinsection3.4ofthis plan.

1.2 Theparklandsandregionalcontext
Location
The39000hectareMerriCreekcatchmentislocatedtothenorthofMelbourne. ThecreekbeginsinthefoothillsoftheGreatDividingRangeandflowsfor60 kilometrestoitsconfluencewiththeYarraRiveratDightsFallsinAbbotsford. MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsextendalonga15kilometrestretchofMerri CreeksouthfromCraigieburn,approximately30kilometresnorthofMelbournes CBD,throughCampbellfieldtoLalor(Map1).Thetotalareaoftheparklandsis approximately650hectaresofpubliclandmanagedbyvariouslandmanagers.The parklandsfallwithintwolocalgovernmentareas:CityofWhittleseaandCityof Hume. TheparklandswillharmonisethemanagementofexistingpubliclandalongMerri CreekunderthemanagementofMelbourneWater,CityofWhittlesea,Parks VictoriaandHumeCityCouncil(Map2).

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands StrategicManagementPlan

Overview

Theparklandsconsistofthefollowingsignificantareasofland: CraigieburnGrasslandNatureConservationReserve(ParksVictoria) CooperStreetGrasslandNatureConservationReserve(ParksVictoria) MerriCreekPark(BarryRoadGrasslands)(ParksVictoria) GaladaTamboore(MelbourneWater) WhittleseaPublicGardens(CityofWhittlesea) Whittlesealandfillrehabilitationsite(CityofWhittlesea) BolindaRoadlandfillrehabilitationarea(CityofHume) AreasofMerriCreekfrontage(CityofHume). Theboundarycreatesanextensionofthelinearparklandsalreadyinexistence alongtheMerriCreekfromAbbotsfordtotheMetropolitanRingRoadat CampbellfieldandThomastown.TheparklandsalongtheMerriCreeksouthofthe RingRoad,havebeentransformedintovaluableandpopularcommunityopen spaceovermanyyears,withsignificantcommunityinvolvement,guidedbythe MerriCreekManagementCommittee(MCMC)andarangeofagencies.Connecting thesouthernparklandswiththeMerriCreekMarranBabaParklandstothenorth willextendtherecreationopportunitiesandprotectionofconservationvalues northtoCraigieburn.

Theparklandsandsurroundingareas
MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandsareborderedinthesouthbytheMetropolitan RingRoadatCampbellfieldandThomastownandextendnorthtoCraigieburn. SouthoftheMetropolitanRingRoad,landuseadjacenttotheMerriCreekopen spacecorridorisprimarilyresidentialincharacter.Openspaceextendsalongthe creekcorridorwithsettingsvaryingfromnaturaltohighlymodifiedlandscapesand sportingfacilities. AsharedusetrailalongMerriCreeksouthofMahoneysRoadisalmostcontinuous totheMainYarraTrailatYarraBendPark.TheMetropolitanRingRoadTrail connectswiththeMerriCreekTrailatMahoneysRoad. Regionalopenspace(Map1)withintheareaincludes: BrimbankPark(ParksVictoria) BroadmeadowsValleyPark(CityofHume) GreenvaleReservoirPark(ParksVictoria) PlentyGorgeParklands(ParksVictoria) QuarryHillsPark(CityofWhittlesea). WoodlandsHistoricPark(ParksVictoria). NorthoftheMetropolitanRingRoad,thelandscapechangessignificantly.The corridorisnarrowandborderedbyindustrialdevelopmentandhighlydegraded escarpments.ItthenwidensintoanaturalamphitheatreknownasGalada

Bluedevil

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands StrategicManagementPlan

Tamboore,creatingasenseofspace.GaladaTambooreisderivedfromthe Wurundjeriwordsmeaningcreekwaterholeandisreservedforafuture MelbourneWaterretardingbasin.Thenaturalenvironmentislessdisturbedinthis area,withremnantstonyknollsandplainsgrasslandspresentandRiverRedGums alongthecreek.MerriCreekisalsodeeplyincisedwithsignificantescarpment areas.Lookingsouthfromhigherpointsontheescarpments,viewstothecity acrossthesiteandthroughthefarreachingindustrialandresidentiallandscapecan bespectacular,whilemoreintimateexperiencesofisolationarealsopossible withinthevalley.

MarranBabameans BodyofMotherin theWurundjeri language.The parklandsrepresenta cooperativeapproach toparkmanagement.

GaladaTamboore,whichmeanscreekwaterhole,isborderedtothewestbysome residentialdevelopmentandindustrialdevelopmentinCampbellfieldandtothe eastbytheHumeFreeway.ApedestrianbridgeovertheHumeFreewayprovides connectiontotheWhittleseaPublicGardensmanagedbyWhittleseaCityCouncilin Lalor.AsharedtraillinkstheWhittleseaPublicGardenstoGaladaTambooreand Campbellfield. Headingnorth,publiclandcontinuesalongthewestsideofthecreektotheCooper StreetGrasslandNatureConservationReserve(NCR)(Bababimarning).Privateland ontheeastsideofthecreekconsistsofformerquarriesanddegradedlandscapes. CooperStreetisamajoreastwestarterialroadthatpresentsabarriertothe movementoffaunaalongtheMerriCreekcorridor. UpstreamofCooperStreet,themajorityoftheeasternsideofthecreekisinpublic ownership.TheCityofWhittleseamanageslandthatincorporatesareasofnatural valueanddisturbedandrehabilitatedland.ThenationallysignificantCraigieburn GrasslandNCR(Galgingarrk)islocatedontheeasternsideofthecreekfromnorth ofOHernsRoadtotheboundaryoftheparklandsatCraigieburnRoad.The westernsideofthecreekisborderedbyindustrialdevelopment,withmany propertiesowninglandtothecreek. TheeasternsideofMerriCreekbetweenBarryRoadandCooperStreetandthe westernsidenorthofCooperStreetarethemostsuitablelocationsforafuture MerriCreeksharedusetrail.ThedevelopmentofprivatepropertiesalongMerri Creekcancreateopportunitiesforadditionalpubliclandintheparkthroughpublic openspacecontributionsorprotectionofenvironmentalorculturalvalues.Hume CityCouncilhasnegotiatedthetransferofseveralareasofcreekfrontageforopen space(HumeCityCouncil2010a). LandimmediatelynorthofCraigieburnEastRoadalongMerriCreek,oppositethe CraigieburnGrasslandNCRisproposedasapotentialurbandevelopmentareain theStateGovernmentsGrowthCorridorPlans(GAA2011).

Regionalcommunitycontext
Overthenext20years,theregionalpopulationisexpectedtoincrease substantiallyasgrowthcontinuesinthenortherncorridorinthemunicipalitiesof WhittleseaandHumeandtheurbangrowthextendsnorthintotheShireof Mitchell.WhittleseaandHumeareamongstthefastestgrowinglocalgovernment areasinMelbourne.WithinWhittlesea,theAuroraEstateinEppingNorth,eastof CraigieburnGrasslandNCR,willalonehouseanestimated25000newresidentsin thearea.The2011GrowthCorridorPlansproposesignificantresidential developmenttothenortheastandfurthernorthalongMerriCreek(GAA2011).

Overview

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.SixCentralActivitiesDistricts(CADs)havebeenidentifiedasareas forintensiveresidentialandcommercialdevelopment,includingBroadmeadows whichisfourkilometrestothewestofthepark.Increasedurbandensityislikelyto intensifyusageofexistingopenspacethroughoutthegreaterMelbournearea. Lifestylesandvaluesofthecommunityhavechangedoverrecentdecadesandwill continuetochangeinthefuture.Technologicalchangesleadingtoanincreased sedentarylifestylearelinkedtohealthissuessuchasobesityanddepression.The linkbetweenahealthyenvironmentandhealthypeoplehasbeendemonstrated, andopenspaceprovidesopportunitiestoexperiencenature. HealthyParksHealthyPeopleseekstoreinforceandencouragetheconnections betweenahealthyenvironmentandahealthysociety.ParksVictoriacreatedthe HealthyParksHealthyPeoplebrandin2000.HealthyParksHealthyPeopleis supportedbyinternationalresearchfromfieldsasdiverseasecology,biology, environmentalpsychologyandpsychiatry,whichshowsthataccesstonatureplays avitalroleinhumanhealth,wellbeinganddevelopment(DeakinUniversity2008). Theuseofopenspacewillalsovaryowingtotheculturaldiversityofthe populationandpeoplesexperiencesofnaturepriortomigration.Agreater understandingofAboriginalcultureisalsoinfluencingParksVictoriasmanagement oftheland.

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands StrategicManagementPlan

ClimatepredictionsforVictoriaincludewarmeranddrierseasons,increased frequencyandintensityofstormsandrisingsealevels.Climatechangeislikelyto impactonopenspacesuchasMerriCreekMarranBabathroughthedeclining healthoflandscapes,changingthreatstobiodiversity,floods,andassociated aestheticimpacts.

1.3.1

Legislationandguidelines

Theareasoflandincludedintheparklandsareguidedbyarangeoflegislation, strategiesandguidelines. ParksVictoria 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 GrasslandNCRandtheCrownLand(Reserves)(MetropolitanParks)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 BiodiversityConservationAct1999(Cwlth)(theEPBCAct)asNaturalTemperate GrasslandoftheVictorianVolcanicPlain.Therearealsoseveralfloraandfauna speciespresentintheparkprotectedbythislegislation.Thislegislationmustbe appliedinthefutureplanning,managementanddevelopmentofthepark. TheEPBCActappliestothewholeoftheparkwithrespecttoactionsthathave,will have,orarelikelytohave,asignificantimpactonmattersofnational environmentalorculturalsignificance,includinglistedthreatenedspeciesand communitiesandlistedmigratoryspeciesinthepark. TheUrbanGrowthBoundarywasextendedinAugust2010,andnowincludes CraigieburnGrasslandsNCRandotherlandalongtheMerriCreek.TheStateand CommonwealthGovernmentsarenowconsideringthefinalstrategieswhichwill havemanagementandlandownerEPBCActimplicationsforthissectionofthe parklands.

KangarooGrass

Overview

TheCommonwealthandStateGovernmentwillimplementtheEPBCAct requirementsingrowthcorridorsthroughaBiodiversityConservationStrategy (BCS)andspecificspeciesstrategies.AdraftBiodiversityConservationStrategyand draftGrowlingGrassFrogsubregionalSpeciesStrategywerereleasedfor commentinNovember2011(DSE2011a,DSE2011b). TheAboriginalHeritageAct2006(Vic.)appliestotheparkandprotectsall Aboriginalplaces,objectsandAboriginalhumanremains(section5.4).TheNative TitleAct1993(Cwlth)appliestothemanagementoftheparklands. Theremainderoflandwithintheparklandsisfreeholdtitleandmanagedby variousagenciesincludingHumeCityCouncil,WhittleseaCityCounciland MelbourneWater.Theseareasareguidedbyarangeofstrategiesandpolicies: HumeCityCouncil HumeCityCouncilsroleintheplanningandmanagementofHumesreservesin theparklandsisguidedandsupportedbythefollowingdocuments: MunicipalStrategicStatement HumeOpenSpaceStrategy20102015 HumeWalkingandCyclingStrategy20102015 NaturalHeritageStrategy20112015 SustainableLandManagementStrategy20102013 HumePathwaystoSustainability:AnEnvironmentalFramework20092013 HumeNativeVegetationOffsetPolicy2010 MunicipalPublicHealthAndWellbeingPlan20092013. WhittleseaCityCouncil WhittleseaCityCouncilsroleintheplanningandmanagementofWhittleseas reservesintheparklandsisguidedandsupportedbythefollowingdocuments: LocalConservationStrategy2000 EnvironmentalSustainabilityStrategy EmergencyManagementPlan CommunityPlanShapingOurFutureWhittlesea2025 FirePreventionStrategy MunicipalFirePreventionRiskStrategy20112014 RiverRedGumTreeProtectionPolicy(PlanningScheme) LocalPolicyFramework WhittleseaWalkingStrategy2008 WhittleseaOpenSpaceStrategy CityofWhittleseaStrategicBicyclePlanandBikeandNetworkPathPlan PublicHealthandWellbeingPlan20092013.

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands StrategicManagementPlan

MelbourneWater MelbourneWaterisresponsibleforthebed,banksanddrainagefunctionofthe MerriCreekaswellaslandownerresponsibilitiesforGaladaTamboore.Melbourne WatersOperatingCharterforwaterwaymanagementinthePortPhillipand Westernportregion2008/09to2012/13,ascaretakerofriverhealth,istostriveto: Manageourrivers,creeksanddrainagesystemstoimprovewaterwayhealthand thewellbeingofthecommunity Provideasafeleveloffloodprotectionforcommunities Showleadershipandworkcollaborativelywithstakeholdersandthecommunity Provideopportunitiesforcommunityinvolvementtostrengthenconnections withwaterwaysandencouragecontributiontoriverandcreekhealth Makelongtermdecisionsbasedonthebestavailablesciencebyundertakingor supportingcollaborativeresearchandanextensivemonitoringandinvestigations program Takeanintegratedandsustainableapproachtoourworkbybalancingsocial, economicandenvironmentaloutcomes Evaluateourperformanceinatransparentmannerthatpromotesour achievementsandidentifiesareasforimprovement. MelbourneWatersroleascaretakerofriverhealthwillcontinuetochangeand evolvetoreflectincreasedknowledgeofwaterwaysanddrainageinfrastructure, changingcommunityexpectations,thecapacityofourstakeholdersand environmentalissuessuchasclimatechangeanddrought. Keydocumentswhichguidewaterwaymanagementinclude: PortPhillipandWesternportRegionalRiverHealthStrategy(MelbourneWater 2007) DraftHealthyWaterwaysStrategyMay2012(MelbourneWater2012).

Overview

1.4 Historyoftheparklandsanddevelopmentoftheplan
Melbournesnetworkofopenspacecontributessignificantlytotheliveabilityof thecity,bringingrecreational,environmental,economic,andhealthbenefitstoour community. TheconceptofformalisinganewparkalongtheMerriCreeknorthofMahoneys RoadinThomastownwasproposedinthe1929MelbourneMetropolitanTown PlanningCommissionReport.Atthetime,theCommissionrecommendedthata continuousparklandprogressingnorthfromtheMerriCreeksconfluencewiththe YarraRiverbeimplemented,endinginalargereservationofapproximately850 acresnorthofMahoneysRoad.ThisisthesiteoftheMelbourneWaterproposed retardingbasin,nowknownasGaladaTamboore. Throughthe1990s,theimportanceoftheremnantgrasslandswithinthe CraigieburnGrasslandsandCooperStreetGrasslandsbecameknown,andthe Governmenttookactiontoacquirethesesignificantparcelsofland.Community interestin,andstewardshipof,theMerriCreekcorridorisasignificantfeatureof theareasrecenthistory. TheproposedF2HumeFreewayreservationwasrealignedfurthereastawayfrom MerriCreekfortheCraigieburnBypassin2001.TheHumeFreewayrealignment createdopportunitiestofurtherpreserveremnantvegetationonVicRoadsowned landthroughthearea.IncombinationwiththeMelbourneWaterownedGalada Tamboore,thismeantthatlargeareasofpubliclandexistedalongtheMerriCreek Corridor,fromtheMetropolitanRingRoadtoCraigieburnRoadEast. LinkingPeopleandSpaces(PV2002)providedthevisionformanagingand extendingtheexistingnetworkofMelbournesopenspace,withacentral commitmenttoensuringequitableaccesstoopenspaceacrossMelbourne.Linking PeopleandSpacesidentifiedtheneedforparklandsinthegrowthcorridorofthe CitiesofHumeandWhittleseatothenorthofMelbourne.
MelbourneMetropolitanTownPlanning CommissionReport,1929

1.4.1

Developmentoftheplan

InvestigationsintothecreationofparklandsalongtheMerriCreekcorridorbegan in2002.In2006,ParksVictoriareleasedTheproposednewMerriCreekParkDraft ConceptPlan(PV2006).Theplanoutlinedthevisionfortheparklandsand proposedaboundaryincorporatingthepubliclandbetweentheWesternRing RoadandCraigieburnRoadEast.Over100submissionstothedraftConceptPlan werereceivedandweregenerallyinfavouroftheparklandconcept.Following releaseoftheDraftConceptPlan,79hectaresofsurplusVicRoadslandwas transferredtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustriesforinclusion intheparkland.

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Overview

Followingreleaseofthedraftconceptplan,aStrategicDirectionsStatement(PV 2008)wasdevelopedtoprovideadetailedsummaryofthekeydirectionsforMerri CreekParklandsoveraperiodofthreetofiveyears.TheStrategicDirections StatementbuiltonpreviousplanningworkundertakenfortheMerriCreek ParklandsincludingtheDraftConceptPlan,andwasusedtoguidethe developmentofamasterplanforGaladaTamboore. Duetothesensitivityofculturalandenvironmentalvaluesthroughmuchofthe parklands,particularlyCooperStreetGrasslandsandCraigieburnGrasslands,and giventheproximitytotheCampbellfieldandThomastowncommunities,Galada Tamboorewasselectedasthemainlocationforvisitorfacilities.Amasterplanwas developedforthissiteandcompletedin2009.ThemasterplanisavailableonPark Web:www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. Themasterplanwasdevelopedwithsignificantcommunityandlandmanager input.Asteeringcommitteeofrelevantagencieswascreated,communityopen dayswereheld,informationwasdistributedthroughthemedia,community bulletinsweredistributed,andtherewasfeedbackviatheinternet. Themasterplanestablishedadesignandlayoutofparkinfrastructuretoenable visitoraccessanduse.Ittookintoaccounttheparklandscape,environmentaland culturalheritagevaluesandopportunitiesforconnectingpeopletotheparkand opportunitiesforconnectingcommunities.Theimplementationofthemasterplan anddevelopmentoffacilitieswillbestagedovertime.Stage1ofdevelopmentwas completedin2011andincludedconstructingthefirstsectionofsharedtrailalong 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 offurthervisitorinfrastructureasoutlinedinthemasterplanwillcontinueoverthe mediumtolongtermasresourcesbecomeavailable.

ThisStrategic ManagementPlan describeshowthe parklandswillbe managedtoachieve thecoordinated management objectivesin accordancewiththe vision.

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Overview

2 Vision,principlesandzoning
MarranBabaisaboutconnection.Connectingpeoplewith nature,connectinghabitat,connectingdiversecommunitiesand connectingtoCountry.

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.

Theguidingprinciples forthemanagement ofMerriCreek MarranBaba Parklandswere determinedbythe agenciesinvolvedin themanagementof theparklands.

2.2 GuidingprinciplesforMerriCreekMarranBaba Parklands

TheVisionwillbeachievedthroughthefollowingguidingprinciples,developedby theagenciesinvolvedinthemanagementoftheparklands.Thevision,guiding principlesandstrategicdirectionsprovidetheframeworkforthemanagementof theparklands.

Partnerships
Effectiveandsustainablepartnershipsarefundamentaltothemanagementof MerriCreekMarranBaba.Publiclandmanagerswillworkcollaborativelywitheach other,thecommunity,includingMerriCreekManagementCommitteeandFriends ofMerriCreek,andadjoininglandmanagerstoachievethevisionoftheparklands.

Milkmaids,GaladaTamboore

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Community
Thecommunitywillbeencouragedtoactivelyparticipateintheplanning, developmentandmanagementoftheparklands.Educationwillbefocussedon enhancingtheunderstandingofparkvaluesandtheneedfortheirprotection.

Naturalandculturalvalues
Theparklandswillbeplannedandmanagedtoprotecthighconservationvalues includingecological,archaeological,geological,landscapeandculturalvalues.

Recreationalaccessanddiversity
Adiversityofopportunitiesforpassiverecreationandsocialactivitywillbe providedinbalancewithothervalues.Theplanninganddesignoftheparklands willprovideaccessible,highqualitylinkedspacesforcommunityuse,social connectednessandwellbeing.

Effectivemanagement
Theparklandswillbeplannedandmanagedusinginnovation,creativity,flexibility andresponsiveness.Managementwillbefinanciallyandenvironmentally sustainablewithregularmonitoringandreviewofperformance.

2.3 Managementzones
Akeyobjectiveofthemanagementplanistodefinethemanagementzonesforthe parkandthekeystrategicmanagementdirectionstoguidethedevelopmentand managementoftheparkforthenext15years. Theplanningareahasbeenmappedintotwozoneswheredifferentmanagement directionsandprioritiesapply,theConservationZoneandtheConservationand RecreationZone.ASpecialManagementOverlayhasalsobeendevelopedto provideadditionalmanagementdirectionsfortheproposedGaladaTamboore retardingbasin(Map3).

ConservationZone
Areasofhighnaturalvaluewheretheemphasisisonprotectionofthe environment. Managementactionswithinthiszoneincludeprotectionandenhancementof environmentalandculturalvaluesthroughpestplantandanimalmanagement, managementofbiomass,minimisinghumanactivityandmonitoringoutcomes.

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Vision,principlesandzoning

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ConservationandRecreationZone
Areaswherethemanagementemphasisisonprotectionofenvironmentaland culturalvalueswhileallowingforrecreation. Dispersedrecreationalactivitiesareencouraged.Thelevelofactivitiesandsmall scalerecreationactivitiesareprovidedwithoutsignificantimpactonnatural processes. Passiverecreationfacilitieswillbelocatedwithinanaturalsettinginthiszone, includinganyfutureMerriCreektrail,andvisitorentrypoints.Ongoingcontrolof pestplantsandanimalsandrevegetationofselectedareaswilloccur.

SpecialManagementOverlayproposedretardingbasin
Areaswherespecifiedactivitiesorvaluesrequirespecialmanagement. ThisoverlayhasbeenappliedtoGaladaTambooreMelbourneWaterlandwhich mayberequiredforuseasaretardingbasininthefuture.

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Vision,principlesandzoning

3 Keyvalues
MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandscontainsomeofthelargest remainingexamplesofgrasslandsthatoncecoveredtheplainsto thenorthandwestofMelbourne.

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 vistasacrossthelandscape.Theparklandsprovideasignificantopportunityto sensitivelymanagethelandscapeinamannerthatshowsanappreciationforthe landanditshistory. Protectionandenhancementofstreamwaterqualitythroughtheparklandsis particularlyimportant.TheMerriCreekisamajortributaryoftheYarraRiver, whichflowsintoPortPhillip.Reducingsedimentationandcontaminantsfromthe creekisofbenefittotheaquaticenvironment.WhileflowswithintheMerriCreek varyaccordingtoseasonalrainfall,floodingoccursperiodically. GaladaTamboore,managedbyMelbourneWater,isreservedforfutureretarding basinpurposesinordertomanagemajorfloodevents.Whileitsprimarypurposeis forfuturefloodretardationfunctions,MelbourneWaterhasbeenactively managingtheenvironmentalvaluesofthesiteandisalsoresponsibleforthe managementofthecreekbedandbanksalongtheentireMerriCreek. TheparklandsarewithinthePortPhillipandWesternportCatchment,the responsibilityofthePortPhillipandWesternportCatchmentManagement Authority.

3.2 Floravalues
MerriCreekMarranBabaParklandscontainsomeofthebestandlargestremaining examplesofgrasslandsthatoncecoveredtheplainstothenorthofMelbourne. ThisvegetationcommunityisprotectedundertheFloraandFaunaGuaranteeAct (FFGAct)asWestern(Basalt)PlainsGrasslandandtheEnvironmentProtectionand BiodiversityConservationAct(EPBCAct)asNaturalTemperateGrasslandofthe VictorianVolcanicPlains.

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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. ChileanNeedleGrass(Nassellaneesiana)andotherNassellaspp.aremajorweed 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.
BlueDevil

Illegalvehicleaccessintotheparklandsdamagesvegetation,addstoerosion, reduceswaterqualityandimpactsonparkassets.Aholisticapproachneedstobe takenwithparticipationfromallagenciestoensurethisactivityisreduced.

3.3 Faunavalues
Thevegetation,geologyandaquaticvaluesoftheparklandprovideadiversityof habitatsfornumerousfaunaspecies,rangingfromcommonspeciestocritically endangeredspecies.ThewideexpansesofgrasslandsupportEasternGrey Kangaroos.Currentlytheyarefreetoroamthroughoutthelengthoftheparklands; however,asthesurroundingareaisdeveloped,theyarelikelytorequire managementduetoroadsafety,animalwelfareandimpactstovegetationfrom grazingpressure. TheMerriCreekandnearbywetlandssupportanimportantpopulationofthe 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 preferredhabitatisgrasslandsdominatedbythegenusAustrodanthonia,although

GrowlingGrassFrog(Litoriaraniformis).

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Keyvalues

ithasalsobeenrecordedingrasslandsdominatedbytheweedChileanNeedle grass(Nassellaneesiana). ItisimportanttomanagethefireregimeinareaswheretheGoldenSunMothhas beenrecordedtoensurethepersistenceofAustrodanthoniaspp.Managingthe spreadandreplacementofChileanNeedleGrassneedstobebalancedwiththe preservationoftheGoldenSunMoth.ThedraftGoldenSunMothsubregional SpeciesStrategy(DSE2011c)identifiesspecificprotectionrequiredinthenorthern growthcorridor.Thisstrategyappliestosomelandwithintheparklandseastof MerriCreek,northofCooperStreet,includingCraigieburnGrasslandNCR. ThegrasslandsoftheMerriCreekcorridorarealsopotentialhabitatfortheStriped LeglessLizard(Delmaimpar).TheStripedLeglessLizardislistedasvulnerableunder theEPBCAct,consideredendangeredinVictoriaandislistedundertheFFGAct. TheStripedLeglessLizardwasrecordedintheparklandsinthe1990s;however, recentsurveyshavenotrecordedthisspecies.Thepreferredhabitatforthespecies isnativegrasslandswithrocksandcrackingclaysthatprovidecoverforthespecies. Thishabitatexiststhroughouttheparklandsandthespeciesmaypersistinsome areas.Itisimportantthatfire,whenusedtomanagegrasslands,isconductedat theappropriatetimeoftheyear. AdjacentlanduseandfragmentationareathreattothevaluesofCraigieburnNCR astheyareknowntohaveanegativeeffectonthediversityoffloraspeciesinthe reserveaswellasonthethreatenedspecies.Thereserveissurroundedby industrialareas,farmsandtheHumeFreewayandHumeHighwaytransport corridors. LandoppositetheparkalongMerriCreekimmediatelynorthofCraigieburnEast RoadisproposedaspotentialurbandevelopmentintheGrowthCorridorPlans (GAA2011). Theseadjacentlandusescanimpactnegativelyonthevaluesofthereserveasthey alternutrientlevels,hydrology,moisturecontent,soildisturbanceandweed introduction.ThehabitatsuitabilityforStripedLeglessLizardisdependentonlack ofdisturbanceandgoodtussockcover(DCE1992).Adjacentlanduseand fragmentationaremajorthreatstothisspecies(PV2005). Numerousothernativefaunaspecieshavebeenrecordedintheparklandsdueto thevarietyofhabitatspresent.Managementofallareasneedstotakeaccountof speciesusingthesehabitatsandfactortheirpresenceintodecisionmaking.

Milkmaids

3.4 Culturalheritage
TheareaoftheparkiswithinthetraditionalCountryoftheWurundjeriwillam clan,partoftheWoiwurunglanguagegroup.TheWurundjeriTribeLandand CompensationCulturalHeritageCouncilhasbeendeclaredbytheVictorian AboriginalCounciltobetheRegisteredAboriginalPartyforthearea. Thisconnectionofplace,spiritandhistorycontinuesfortheWurundjeri communitytodayeventhoughaspectsoflanguageandculturehavebeenlost.The parklandshavebeensurveyedandanumberofculturalheritageplaceshavebeen registeredwiththeOfficeofAboriginalAffairsVictoria(OAAV)includingscartrees, stoneartefactsandfragmentsordebriswhichareevidenceoftoolmaking processes.ThesitesareconcentratedalongtheMerriCreekthroughoutthestudy

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area,andCurlySedgeCreek.Thepredominanceofregisteredsitesadjacenttothe creekislikelytoreflectareasofleastdisturbancefrommodernlanduserather thanthebroaderextentofuseby,andsignificanceto,theAboriginalcommunity. CulturalHeritageManagementPlanswereproducedtodeveloptheMerriCreek trailatseveralsitesincludingGaladaTambooreandwillbeusedtoguide managementdecisionsinrelationtoparkdevelopmentandAboriginalcultural heritagesiteswithinthisarea. ThereiscommunityinterestandsupportforacknowledgingtheAboriginalheritage oftheareathroughtherenamingofsiteswithintheparklandswithAboriginal names.ThefollowingnameshavebeenproposedbytheWurundjeriandhavethe supportofkeyinterestgroupsincludingtheMerriCreekManagementCommittee. Figure3.1:ProposedParklandNames ExistingName

Proposed Name

Pronunciation Meaning

CooperStreetGrasslands NatureConservationReserve

Bababimarning

Barbabeemah ning

Mothershand

CraigieburnGrasslands MerriCreekParklands

Galgingarrk

Galginyark

Backbone

MarranBaba

Marranbarba

Bodyofmother

In1835JohnBatmanledanexplorationpartytoacquirecheapgrazinglandinthe PortPhillipregion.InJuneofthesameyear,Batmanmetupwithsenior WoiwurungmenonthebanksofthelowerreachesoftheMerriCreekand accordingtohisunderstandingnegotiatedwhatheregardedasaformaltreatyfor approximately243000hectares.However,theBritishCrownheldthatBatmanand hisassociateshadnoauthoritytoacquirelandinthecolony.UponBatmans return,SirRichardBourke,GovernorofthecolonyofNewSouthWales,refusedto recognisethetreatyandissuedaformalproclamationdeclaringitinvalid. InadditiontoBatmansassociationwiththebroaderMerriCreekcorridorhehada connectionwiththeparklandsthroughhispersonalbusinessactivitiesasa pastoralist.WhilehispermanentresidencewasinMelbourne,thescarcityoffeed arisingfromthedrysummerof183637promptedBatmantomovemanyofhis sheep,consideredtobethelargestflockduringthisearlysettlementperiodof Melbourne,totheMerriCreekareawheretwooutstationswereerectedat Craigieburn(southofCraigieburnEastRoad)neartheparklandsandKinlochewe (northofSummerhillRoad). OthersitesofculturalsignificanceincludetheruinsoftheBarber&SonFlourMill (c1849),locatednearMerriCreekjustnorthofMahoneysRoad,andtheremainsof acobbledroadandpipecrossingattheterminationofBarryRoadonthecreek.Dry stonewallsoccurwithintheparklandsboundaryatBarryRoadandwithinthe CraigieburnGrasslands.

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Keyvalues

3.5 Visitorexperienceandrecreationopportunities
ParksVictoriasVisitorMarketSegmentationhasbeendesignedtoimprove understandingofwhoparkvisitorsareandwhatinfluencestheirsatisfaction. UrbanSocialsarethedominantsegmentvisitingParksVictoriasurbanparks.This groupisrepresentedbypeopleattendingparksforsocialgatherings.Tocaterfor thisgroup,priorityforparkmanagementistoprovidefacilitiestoenablegroup socialising(tables,shelter,barbecues,toilets,etc)andplayspacesforchildren. TheWhittleseaPublicGardens,managedbyCityofWhittlesea,isasignificant existingdistrictparkwithintheparklandsprovidingvisitorfacilitiesincludingpicnic sheltersandplayfacilitiesinalandscapedsetting.Thesharedusetrailoverpasson theHumeFreewayconnectstheGardenstoGaladaTamboore,providingan opportunityforpromotingtheGardensasavitalentrypointandrecreationnode withintheparklands. VisitorfacilitiesdevelopedaspartoftheGaladaTambooreMasterPlaninclude2.5 kmofsharedusetrailfromSomersetRoadtoWhittleseaGardens,anew footbridgeoverMerriCreek,ramps,handrails,signageandbenchseats. TheGaladaTambooreMasterPlanidentifiesarecreationareatobedeveloped adjacenttoSomersetRoad,whichwillincludeacarpark,toilets,barbecues,picnic sheltersandtables,andaplayspace.Aninformaltrailwillbedevelopedaround GaladaTambooretoaddtothevisitorexperienceandincorporateinterpretationof significantnatural,culturalandgeologicalfeatures.Thesefacilitieswillbeprovided asfundsbecomeavailable. Toproviderecreationopportunitiestothegrowingresidentialareastothenorthof theparklands,afuturevisitorareawillbeinvestigatedatCraigieburnEastRoad adjacenttotheMerriCreek.ImprovedvehicleaccessfromCraigieburnEastRoad wouldberequiredandthesitelinkedtothesharedtrailalongtheHumeFreeway intoCraigieburn. TrailUsersarethenextdominantsegmentinurbanparkswiththisgroupvisiting theparktowalkorcycleontrails.Itisimportanttoprovideanetworkofquality recreationalandcommutingtrailsandtolinkthemtoexistingtrails. TheexistingGaladaTambooretrailrunsalongtheeasternsideoftheHume FreewayfromtheMetropolitanRingRoadatThomastowntoMalcolmCreekin Craigieburn.Itservesasacommuterandrecreationtrailandconnectstotheeast westMetropolitanRingRoadtrail,withnearbylinkstotheMerriCreekTrailsouth oftheRingRoad(Map2). AnewtraillinksWhittleseaPublicGardenstoMerriCreekandCampbellfieldat BarryRoadandSomersetRoadwithintheparklands.Itisproposedthatthistrail willcontinuesouthfromSomersetRoadtotheexistingMerriCreektrailunderthe MetropolitanRingRoadintheshorttermandnorthalongtheMerriCreekto Craigieburnoverthelongterm,extendingtheMetropolitanTrailNetwork(LPS 2002,GCP2011)(Map2). ActiverecreationfacilitiesadjacenttotheparklandsincludetheBroadmeadows MotorcycleParkandMotocrosstrack,theSomertonGoKartraceway,and basketballandtennisfacilitiesinCampbellfield.Inaddition,surroundingsuburbs

Schoolvisit

WhittleseaPublicGardens

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includesportingreservesandinformalopenspaceservinglocalanddistrict catchments. Dumpingofrubbishandcontaminatedmaterialsareathreattoparkvisitorsafety andadverselyaffectamenityoftheparklands.Contaminatedsitesneedtobe identifiedandrehabilitatedorsecurelyfencedfromvisitors.Aholisticapproach needstobetakenwithparticipationfromallagenciestoensurerubbishdumpingis reduced.

3.6

Socialvalues

TheimportanceofthelinkbetweenpeopleandlandisevidentinAboriginal culture.TheWurundjerihavestronglinkstotheMerriCreekcorridor.Indigenous participationinthemanagementoftheparkisimportantandprovidesan opportunityfortheWurundjeritointerprettheirrelationshipwithCountrytothe widercommunity. Encouragingtheparticipationofthewidercommunityinthemanagementofthe parkthroughafriendsgroupandothersimilarvolunteeropportunitiescan strengthencommunityengagement.Thediversenatureoflocalcommunities bringschallengesinengagementandinvolvement.Itwillbeessentialtoworkwith existingorganisationsandcommunitynetworkssuchasschools,community centresandfaithgroups.TheFriendsofMerriCreekandtheirassociatedgroups arestrongadvocatesfortheprotectionandenhancementoftheMerriCreek catchment.Thereareopportunitiesforinvolvingmembersofthecommunityfrom aculturallydiversebackgroundintheparklands,forexamplethroughParks VictoriasBilingualGuidesprogram. TheMerriCreekManagementCommitteeisanincorporatedassociationformedto protectandenhancethenaturalandculturalvaluesoftheMerriCreekandits tributaries.Itisfundedjointlybythelocalgovernmentslocatedadjacenttothe MerriCreekandreserves.TheMCMChasalonghistoryinadvocacyandonground worksfortheprotectionandenhancementoftheMerriCreekcatchment.Muchof therevegetationworkscarriedoutalongthecreekoverthelast25yearshasbeen undertakenbytheMCMC,andtheMCMCisamajoradvocateforthecreeks protectionthrougharangeofplanningprocesses.TheMerriCreekandEnvirons Strategy20092014(MCMC2009)aimstoprovidestrategicdirectionformanagers ofwaterwaycorridorsoftheMerricatchment. Thereareopportunitiesforinvolvementofeducationalinstitutionsinresearchand monitoringactivitiesintheparklandswhichhelptoimproveknowledgeand understandingoftheareasvaluesandthreatstothosevalues.Involvementmay includestudiesoffloraandfauna,estuarinesystemsandwaterqualitytomonitor managementdecisions.Thiswillincreasethevalueoftheparktothecommunity, communicatethediversityofvaluesintheparkandprovideinformationtoassistin decisionmaking.

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Keyvalues

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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4 Parklandsdevelopmentand management
Thedevelopmentandmanagementoftheparklandswillrequire ongoingdialoguebetweenlandmanagers,thecommunityand developersofadjacentsites.Thisplansetsoutavisionandpark managementprinciplestoguidethefuturemanagementofthe parklands.

4.1 Managementoftheparklands
Eachlandmanagermanagesitslandinaccordancewithitsowncharterand relevantlegislation,strategiesandguidelines.However,allagreetoworkin partnershiptoachieveacommonvisionfortheoutcomesintheplan. Theparklandsconsistofthefollowingsignificantareasofland,managedbyvarious landmanagers: CraigieburnGrasslandNatureConservationReserve(ParksVictoria) CooperStreetGrasslandNatureConservationReserve(ParksVictoria) MerriCreekPark(BarryRoadGrasslands)(ParksVictoria) GaladaTamboore(MelbourneWater) WhittleseaPublicGardens(CityofWhittlesea) WhittleseaLandfillRehabilitationSite(CityofWhittlesea) BolindaRoadland(CityofHume) Areasofcreekfrontage(CityofHume). Themanagementresponsibilitiesforeachagencyarealignedwiththeprimary rolesoftherespectiveagencies.ParksVictoriawillmanagelandassignedtoit, includingCraigieburnGrassland(Galgingarrk)andCooperStreetGrassland(Bababi marning)NatureConservationReservesandlandparcelswithinGaladaTamboore. Theseareaswillbeprimarilymanagedforconservationwithopportunitiesfor passiverecreation. TheCouncilswillretainmanagementoflocalanddistrictparks,andtheriparian corridorsandrecreationtrailsalongthecreekwithintheirrespectivelocalcouncil areas.TheStateGovernmentsCyclingStrategy(inpreparation)willclarifyroles andprocessesforongoingdevelopmentofMelbournescyclingnetwork. MelbourneWaterwillcontinuetomanageGaladaTambooreasafutureretarding basinwhileprotectingtheconservationandculturalvaluesofthesite.Wheretrails areproposed(orconstructed),licenceagreementswillbepursuedbetween MelbourneWaterandParksVictoriaortherelevantcouncil.MelbourneWateris responsibleforwaterwayhealthofMerriCreekandthemanagementofthebed andbanks.Itwillcontinuetoworkinpartnershipwithlandmanagementagencies tofundandimplementprogramsalongthecreek.

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Parklandsdevelopmentandmanagement

AgencieswillcontinuetoworkwithMCMCthroughouttheparklands. OpportunitiesexisttosupportFriendsgroup,providecommunityeducationand interpretationevents,revegetationandvegetationmanagementactivitiesand advocacyonissuesimpactingupontheparklands.

4.2 Adjoiningdevelopment
Itisimportanttomaintaintheopenlandscapesandvistasoftheparklandsthrough appropriatedevelopmentonprivatelandadjacenttothepark.Themajorityofthe privatelandalongthecorridoriszonedforindustrialuse.Theinterfacetothe parklandsshouldbedesignedtoenhancetherecreationexperience,vistasand personalandpropertysafety.Inparticularfiremanagementandemergencyvehicle accessshouldbefacilitated.Boulevardstyletreatmentsarerecommendedalong interfaces,whereparklandextendstothestreetedgeononesideandhousesface theparklandontheotherside. Thewidthoftheopenspacefromthecreektotheedgeofdevelopmentshould enablethesafepassageoffaunaspecies,enablefireprotectionmeasurestooccur andpermittheconstructionofasharedtrailandmanagementvehicleaccess. Theopenspacerequirementsfromadjoiningdevelopmentinclude: MaintainthehabitatcorridoralongMerriCreek Avoidimpactstoculturalheritagesites Avoidtheremovalofnativevegetation Minimisetheneedforlargeengineeredstructures Provideatenmetrewidezone(whereappropriate)toallowfortheconstruction ofathreemetrewidesharedtrailormanagementtrackandbuffersoneither sideoftrailasrequiredbytherelevantAustRoadsstandards Locatethetrailalignmentabovethe1in10yearARIfloodlevel EnsurealltrailgradientsarecompliantwiththeDisabilityDiscriminationAct1992 (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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Parklandsdevelopmentandmanagement

5 Strategicdirectionsandkey actions
ThisStrategicManagementPlanidentifiestheprotection, enhancementandinterpretationoftheparklandsnatural, culturalandrecreationalvalues.Theseareachievedthrough managementzoning,strategicdirectionsandkeyactions.

Thestrategicdirectionswillguidethedevelopmentofdetailedactionplansbyeach partnerorganisation.Implementationoftheplanwillbedependentonavailable resources,partnershipswithotheragencies,andchangesinvisitordemand. ParksVictoriawillbetheleadagencyonprojectswhicharelocatedonParks Victoriamanagedland.Otheragenciesandorganisiationswillbeinvolvedinthe actionsasrequired. DEPI DepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustries HCC HumeCityCouncil

MCMC MerriCreekManagementCommitee MW PV WCC MelbourneWater ParksVictoria WhittleseaCityCouncil

5.1 Protectingthenaturalenvironment
5.1.1 Naturalvalues
Objective:Naturalvalueswillbemaintainedandenhancedtoconserve biodiversity.

Strategicdirections
ProtectandenhancenationallysignificantgrasslandswithintheConservation Zone. Protectandenhanceallindigenousspeciesandecologicalcommunitieswithin theparklands.

Keyactions
Developasustainableburningregimeinthegrasslandsbaseduponathreeyear rotationandimplementthroughtheFireOperationsPlan.(PV) ControlNassellaspp.weedsaftertheimplementationofecologicalburning.(PV)

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CraigieburnGrasslandNCR
Maintainthegoodconditionofthereservewhileallowingnaturalprocessesof regeneration,disturbanceandsuccessiontooccurandactivelyinitiatingthese processeswhererequired.(PV) Limitbiomassaccumulationbyconductingmosaicburnsofareasofgrassland whereaccumulationisoccurring,every35yearsinautumnwhilethesoilis crackedandtheyoungStripedLeglessLizardsDelmaimpararemobile(DCE 1992).Avoidcoolseasonburnswhensoilmoistureishighandcracksinthesoil areclosedmakingitdifficultforStripedLeglessLizardDelmaimpartofindrefuge fromfire.EnsurethatSmallMilkwortComespermapolygaloides(andother threatenedfloraspecies)sitesarenotburntpriorto,orduring,flowering,seed setanddispersal(fromspringtosummerinmostyears).(PV) Implementweedcontrolprogramstoreducewoodypestplantstolessthan1% ofcoverandstopherbaceousweedsfromincreasingincoverandreduceover timewithstrategicburningandotherweedcontrol.(PV)

Chocolatelily

CooperStreetGrasslandNCR
Maintainthemoderateconditionofthereservewhileallowingnaturalprocesses ofregeneration,disturbanceandsuccessiontooccurandactivelyinitiatingthese processeswhererequired.(PV) Limitbiomassaccumulationbyconductingmosaicburnsofgrasslandevery35 years(notduringseedsetfromlatespringtosummerinmostyears).(PV) Undertakeweedcontrolwiththeaimtoreducewoodypestplantstolessthan 1%ofcoverandstopherbaceousweedsfromincreasingincoverandreduceover timewithstrategicburningandotherweedcontrol.(PV)

Strategicdirections
Investigateopportunitiesforlinkingthereserveswithotherappropriatehabitat toreducetheriskoffragmentationofhabitat. Minimiseimpactsofadjacentlandusebyreducingaccesspointstothereserve, preservingnaturaldrainagewherepossible.Minimiseotherimpactsincludingsoil disturbance,dumpingofpestplants,nonnativeanimalsanddomesticanimalsin thereserve. ProtectandmanageimportantlandscapeandriparianvaluesalongtheMerri Creek.

Keyactions
Monitortheconditionofsignificantvegetationandimplementprotectionand enhancementprogramsinconjunctionwithmanagersofadjacentareasandthe community.(PV,MW,HCC,WCC) Monitorimpactsofgrazingongrasslandsandimplementcontrolprogramsas necessary.Grazingimpactsmaybecausedbyrabbits,kangaroosorotheranimals suchasstock.(PV)

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Strategicdirectionsandkeyactions

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) Developandimplementarrangementsformonitoringenvironmentalcondition andtheimpactsofclimatechangeandifnecessarymakechangesinmanagement practicestoimprovetheenvironmentalqualityofthepark.(PV,MW,HCC,WCC)

5.1.2

Landscapeandgeologicalfeatures
WattleatGaladaTamboore

Objective:Managethelandscapetoretainvistasandfeatures.

Strategicdirections
Maintainthesemiruralandexpansivegrasslandecosystemcharacterofthearea, enablingvisitorstoexperiencepanoramicviews. Providealandscapebufferbetweenurbaninfrastructureandtheparklandswith largerbuffersadjacenttoareasofhighenvironmentalvalue.

Keyactions
Workwithlocalgovernmenttoincorporatethismanagementplanintothe relevantplanningschemes.(PV,HCC,WCC) Coordinatetheconnectionandintegrationofpubliclandmanagementanduse alongtheMerriCreekcorridor.(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)
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)

Schoolvisit

5.2 Communityconnections
5.2.1 Culturalheritageandlivingconnections
Objective: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

WorkingwiththeTraditionalOwners

Objective:TraditionalOwnerscultureandknowledgearereflectedinpark management.

Strategicdirection
DevelopstrongcollaborativepartnershipswiththeWurundjeriTribeLandand CompensationCulturalHeritageCounciltofacilitatereflectingtheTraditional Ownersknowledgeandaspirationsintheparklandsmanagement.

Keyactions
ProvideopportunitiesforTraditionalOwnersandparkstafftoshareknowledge andbuildstrongworkingrelationships.(PV)

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Strategicdirectionsandkeyactions

WorkcollaborativelywiththeTraditionalOwnersininterpretingIndigenous culturalheritagevalues.(PV)

5.2.3

Workingwiththecommunity

Objective:Thelocalcommunityisactivelyinvolved.

Strategicdirections
Encourage,supportandguidecommunityinvolvementforthebenefitofthe parklandsandcommunities. ContinuetoworkwiththeMCMCandtheFriendsofMerriCreekintheplanning, 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 Visitorexperienceandfacilities
Communityplantingday

Objective:Sustainablenaturebasedrecreationopportunitiesareprovided.

Strategicdirections
Provideforsustainablenaturebasedrecreationwithinanaturallandscape setting. IdentifyanddevelopGaladaTambooreastheprimaryvisitornodewithinthe parklands.

Keyactions
ContinuetoimplementthemasterplanforGaladaTambooreasfundingbecomes available,withthefollowingpriorities:(PV) Stage2works(mediumterm): Sealthetraillinkbetweenthenewpedestrian/cyclebridgeandthe pedestrian/cyclebridgeovertheHumeFreewaytocompletetheconnection betweenCampbellfieldandThomastown.

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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 withMCMCandMelbourneWatertoprotectandenhancebiodiversityand habitatforEPBClistedspecies,in10+years.(PV,MW,MCMC) PromotetheWhittleseaPublicGardensasasignificantdestinationnodeand entrypointforthebroaderparklands.(WCC,PV) Investigatethedevelopmentofasmallerrecreationnodeimmediatelysouthof CraigieburnRoadEastontheeastsideofthecreek.

5.3.2

Information,interpretationandeducation

Objective:Accurateinformationisprovidedtoassistvisitorstoenjoytheparklands andlearnabouttheparklandsvalues.

Keyactions
Provideinformationandeducationforthelocalcommunityandvisitorsonthe parklandsvaluesandfacilities.Providewebbasedinformation,andonsite interpretationasnecessary.(PV,HCC,WCC) Developanintegratedapproachtotrailsignageandmanagementwithother agencies.(PV,HCC,WCC)

5.3.3

Trailaccessanduse

Objective:Suitablepublicaccesstoensureprotectionofenvironmentaland culturalvaluesisprovided.
BridgeoverMerriCreek

Keyactions
Ensuretheparklandsareintegratedintothefuturecommunitiessurroundingit throughtraillinkagesandappropriateurbanform.(PV,HCC,WCC) Advocate/negotiatefortheprovisionofopenspacefrontagetoMerriCreek throughouttheparklands.(PV,HCC,WCC) Undertakeatrailfeasibilitystudytodetermineappropriatetraillocationtoassist withlanduseplanning.(PV,HCC,WCC)

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Strategicdirectionsandkeyactions

ProgressivelyimplementarecreationfocusedsharedusetrailsystemalongMerri Creekwithconnectionstoneighbouringcommunitiesandtrailnetworks.(PV, HCC,WCC)

5.3.4

Risksandsafety

Objective:Safetyincidentsandimpactsonvisitorsandstaffareminimised.

Keyactions
Maintainfacilitiesinaconditionthatallowsforsafeuse. Increasevisitorawarenessofpotentialrisksassociatedwithkeysitesand 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 CouncilforfurtherimplementationoftheGaladaTambooreMasterPlan specificallydevelopmentsonHumeCityCouncilreserves.(PV,HCC) DevelopanagreementbetweenParksVictoriaandMelbourneWatertoensure thatmanagementandmaintenanceofthesharedtrailandvisitorinfrastructure atGaladaTambooreiscompatiblewithparkvaluesandvisitorexperience objectives.(PV,MW) ContinuemanagementbyParksVictoriaofthehighconservationvaluesitessuch asCraigieburn,CooperStreetandtheMerriCreekPark(BarryRoad)Grasslands. (PV) RetainmanagementbyCouncilsoflocalanddistrictparks,andtheriparian corridorsandrecreationtrailsalongthecreekwithintheirrespectivelocalcouncil areas(HCC,WCC). SeekfundingforimplementationoftheMerriCreekTrail,coordinatingplanning andbidswithotherlandmanagers.(PV) ContinuemanagementofGaladaTamboorebyMelbourneWaterasafuture retardingbasin.Wheretrailsandvisitorfacilitiesareproposed,management agreementswillbeformalisedbetweenMelbourneWaterandParksVictoriaor therelevantcouncil.(MW,PV)

MerriCreekMarranBabaParklands StrategicManagementPlan

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Investigatelinkswitheducationalandresearchinstitutionsandcommunity groupstoassistinenvironmentalmonitoringandresearchwithinthepark.(PV)

Implementation
Thismanagementplanprovidestheframeworkforthemanagementofthe parklandsoverthenext10to15years.Theimplementationoftheactionsinthis planwilldependonfunding,visitordemand,andagreementwithotheragencies.
Billybuttons

Prioritiesandstaging
Theparkwideandsitespecificactionsincludedinthisplanforareasmanagedby ParksVictoriawillguideandbeprogressivelyincorporatedintoParksVictorias annualworksprogram. TheimplementationoftheplanwillbeconsistentwithParksVictorias commitmenttosustainablepractices,whichinvolvesthedeliveryofoperations, services,andfacilitiesinanecologicallyandsociallyresponsiblemannerwith minimaluseofexpendableresourcesandminimalgenerationofwaste. Inimplementingtheplan,managementwillrespondtomonitoringandresearch informationasitemerges.Overtime,thesuccessofactionswillbereviewed againstsetobjectivestoensureongoinglearningandrefinementofmanagement (adaptivemanagement).Theselectionofactionsandtreatmentsofthreatswillbe guidedbytheprecautionaryprinciple.Managementoptionsareevaluatedbased onleastnegativeimpactontheenvironment. ParksVictoriawilluseavarietyofmeanstoreporttothecommunityaboutthe progressandimplementationoftheplan.FutureStateoftheParksreports,which willbeavailableonParksVictoriaswebsite,willincludeinformationon managementperformanceinrelationtothepark. Theresultsofmonitoringandresearchworkwillcontinuetobeavailabletothe communityastechnicalreports,alsoavailableonParksVictoriaswebsite.

Managementresources
Theresourcingandimplementationofactionsinthisplanrequirecollaboration withothermanagementagencies,adjoininglandowners,andcommunityanduser groups. Arangeoffundingsourcesmaybeavailabletoachievetheactionsinthisplanin additiontoParksVictoriasrecurrentfundingforparkmanagement.

34

Strategicdirectionsandkeyactions

Planamendment
Duringthe10to15yearlifeoftheplan,amendmentsmayonlybemadeby followinganauthorisedprocesswhichincludescommunityconsultationas appropriate. Circumstancesthatmightleadtoamendmentoftheplaninclude: Theresultsofmonitoringorresearch,managementexperienceornew information(suchasgreaterunderstandingofnewthreateningprocesses)which indicatetheneedforachangeinmanagementdirection. Significantchangesinvisitationoruse. Newlegislationorregulations,orchangesinParksVictoriapolicies.

Evaluationandreview
Anannualreviewwillbeundertakenintheparktoassessanddocumentprogress ontheimplementationofactionsintheplan. Emergingissueswillalsobedocumentedandconsideredifandwhentheplanis amendedorrevised.

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36

Strategicdirectionsandkeyactions

BogongMothsareaculturallysignificant speciesforTraditionalOwners.

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