Prepared by

Robin Crocker & Associates

Biosis Research Pty Ltd

For

Department of Sustainability and Environment

Yarra Ranges Shire Council

February 2004

Prepared by

• Robin Crocker & Associates
  Crocker-Jones Consulting Pty Ltd:

• Biosis Research Pty Ltd
  Tim Wills, Aaron Organ, Sally McCormick

For

Department of Sustainability and Environment

Yarra Ranges Shire Council

February 2004

1. Priority action program 25

This management plan was commissioned to enable future directions to be identified, and a vision, goals, actions and responsibilities determined. The plan included a review of priorities for conservation and recreation and the development of strategies to guide future planning and management.

The overall planning approach taken is as follows.

The plan was prepared by consultants under the direction of a steering committee with representatives from DSE, Yarra Ranges Shire Council and the Friends group.

A range of documents was reviewed to assist in developing the management plan. These included relevant State Government strategies, the Yarra Ranges Shire Planning Scheme and Open Space Strategy, a management plan for Gilmour Park (adjacent to the study area) and a waterway activity plan covering Ferny Creek.

The most relevant policies, strategies and plans are outlined in appendix 2.

Some of the important trends likely to be relevant to the reserve are listed here. These are based on the outcomes of recent municipal park and open space studies undertaken in Victoria. See for example open space strategies for Knox, Frankston, Wellington and Macedon Ranges shires prepared by Robin Crocker and Associates.

• Increasing popularity of informal recreation eg walking, socialising and family recreation in pleasant, well-treed settings
• Increased demand for linked and loop trails for walking/cycling.
• Expectations of better quality facilities, settings and maintenance
• Greater emphasis on fair/equal access
• Recognised benefit of healthy lifestyles including increased use of open space
• An ageing population with needs for pleasant areas for walking and relaxing
• The need for a diversity of open space settings from ‘wilderness’ to developed
• Recognition that safety and security are important to many people, particularly women

• Increased interest in natural and cultural values and commitment to ecologically sustainable development and water conservation
• Recognition of the importance of protecting existing indigenous vegetation, and improved habitat
• Increased emphasis on effective control of invasive weeds in bushland areas

• Recognition of the need for:

• Clear management responsibility and monitoring of management activities
• An appropriate level of maintenance and surveillance
• Adequate land management skills
• Adequate recurrent funding following capital works developments

• Limits to State government and Council resources
• Recognition of the important contribution of volunteers
• The importance of external funding opportunities, eg grants and sponsorship

Existing recreational uses of the reserve include casual walking, dog walking, nature observation and sightseeing. No recreational facilities are provided except for walking tracks, many of which are poorly aligned and suffer from inadequate drainage and soil erosion.

The Sherbrooke Archers Club uses a large grassed area in the Melbourne Water retarding basin and substantial bushland areas above the basin and along Ferny Creek. These areas extend outside the Melbourne Water land into the reserve.

Illegal uses include 4WD and trail bike riding on and off existing tracks, and rubbish dumping. These activities have had significant impacts on the reserve.

The Friends group has recently been actively involved in assessing natural values and in weed control activities.

The reserve supports at least seven fauna habitat types including Ferny Creek, Riparian Forest, Grassy Woodland, ephemeral wetland, planted native and exotic vegetation, weed thickets and predominantly introduced vegetation. The diversity of habitats, which vary in vegetation structure and composition, plays an important role in providing habitat for numerous native fauna species.

Four EVC’s (ecological vegetation classes) occur in the reserve (see appendix 3 for details):

• Valley Grassy Forest
• Herb-rich Foothill Forest
• Riparian Forest
• Wetland Formation

The area has a high diversity of native species that occur in a range of habitats. There have been at least 111 documented fauna species (103 indigenous) recorded in or immediately adjacent to the reserve. These include at least 13 mammals (11 native), 88 bird species (82 native), seven native reptiles and three frog species.

Based on existing ecological information, Glenfern Valley Bushlands is at least regionally significant for biodiversity conservation. This implies that the site is significant on a regional scale, i.e. within the Highlands – Southern Fall Bioregion.

Pest plants and animals adversely affect the area’s natural values.

The reserve has moderate landscape values, providing an interesting contrast with rural landscapes in the adjacent Lysterfield Valley. There are no known sites of cultural significance in the reserve.

Natural and cultural values are discussed in detail in section 5.

Site inspections and discussion were undertaken to identify existing conditions and the main issues facing the reserve (figure 1). Seven main management units were identified:

The management areas and associated issues are described in detail in appendix 4. Issues for many units related to weed invasion and the impacts of unregulated use and access.

There are several general issues that relate to more than one unit:

• The reserve boundaries (and boundaries near New Road) are not secure, resulting in unauthorised access, damage and rubbish dumping.
• Many existing vehicle and walking tracks are poorly aligned, suffer erosion, and are surplus to management and visitor requirements.
• Access for fire suppression has not been planned in the past.
• Mesh fencing erected at the time the quarry operated is unattractive and in poor condition.
• There are virtually no visitor facilities in the reserve.
• Ongoing recording of flora and fauna is desirable
• Priorities need to be determined for land management and provision of visitor facilities

Glenfern Valley Bushlands is notionally managed by the Crown Land Management section of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) with support from the Friends of the Glenfern Valley Bushlands (the ‘Friends group’). The Shire of Yarra Ranges has also had some recent involvement, and is likely to assume management responsibility.

• Melbourne Water owns the retarding basin land in the north-west part of the study area. Cooperative management of this area and the Bushlands reserve is highly desirable.
• South East Water is responsible for the area around the sewer access point (former treatment plant site) in the south-east corner. A lease is needed to formalise this use.

There is no annual budget allocation for the reserve, and no DSE staff member is currently responsible for day to day operations. No revenue is currently collected from users of the reserve.

The reserve does not have any significant equipment or other management assets.

The Friends group has recently been successful in obtaining some local sponsorship for their activities.

A SWOT analysis by the steering committee and subsequent analysis by the consultants identified the following strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the study area.

Important issues identified in the SWOT analysis, community forum and field assessments include:

• Damage and rubbish dumping resulting from unauthorised vehicle access.
• Excessive number of tracks and poor track alignments
• Ongoing problem of invasive weeds and pest animals
• Need for improved protection and enhancement of natural values
• Lack of visitor facilities
• Opportunity for increased use for passive recreation and community education
• Need to regulate dog use
• Opportunities for links to other areas along Ferny Creek
• Opportunity for ongoing community involvement in development, management and activities
• Future management responsibility and sources of funds
• Opportunities for lease fees, grants and sponsorship to fund initiatives
• Risk management and safety issues

These and other issues are discussed in detail in section 4.

The following vision was developed for the study area.

The following principles provide guidance for the future planning, design, development and management of the reserve. They have been developed from government strategies and other park and conservation studies and emphasise conservation and enhancement of flora and fauna, provision for compatible recreation and effective management and maintenance.

• Protect biodiversity, ensuring that all indigenous species flourish.
• Allow natural ecological processes to operate as far as practicable.
• Protect natural areas (soils and vegetation) from damage by recreational and management activities.

• Provide good access, where practicable, for the whole community including people with disabilities.
• Provide a range of opportunities for walking and nature observation.
• Regulate vehicle movement to protect vegetation and soils.
• Promote sustainable use of the area and the benefits of recreation.

• Build on the local character and values of the area.
• Provide a range of attractive settings for informal recreation.
• Provide high quality layout, design, and facilities for safe and enjoyable use.

• Use the approved management plan to guide all future management.
• Assess risks and take action to provide for the safety of all people using the reserve.
• Ensure clear accountability and responsibility for management, development and maintenance of the reserve.
• Provide adequate management and technical resources to meet community needs.
• Seek external funding and sponsorship to adequately resource management of the reserve.
• Provide quality maintenance to meet community and conservation objectives, within budget constraints.
• Actively involve the community in development and care of the area.
• Periodically review the plan to ensure that it remains relevant to the community’s requirements and interests. The proposed timeline for this is every 3 – 5 years.

These principles and strategies have been followed in developing goals and actions in this plan.

The key general goals identified for the study area are to:

The achievement of these goals is discussed in detail in section 5.

This section discusses issues in more detail and sets out the actions required to achieve the key goals. An overall action program is shown in section 6.

Glenfern Valley Bushlands has important natural values requiring protection and enhancement.

Based on existing ecological information, Glenfern Valley Bushlands is at least regionally significant for biodiversity conservation. This implies that the site is significant on a regional scale, i.e. within the Highlands – Southern Fall Bioregion. Significant ecological features of the reserve include the presence of:

• One state significant EVC (Valley Grassy Forest), which is vulnerable in the Bioregion and Victoria.
• At least one fauna species of state conservation significance (Powerful Owl).
• At least 15 regionally significant flora species and suitable habitat for a number of regionally significant fauna species, particularly birds.
• Relatively intact example of Riparian Forest, which connects to other areas of vegetation within the local area (fauna corridor).
• A diversity of habitats including Riparian Forest which contains large, hollow-bearing Manna Gums (Ferny Creek). Tree hollows provide habitat for a range of species that are dependent or partially dependent on hollows during their life cycle.
• Areas supporting relatively intact understorey which provide suitable habitat for various ground dwelling fauna species such as small mammals, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates.

DSE classifies native vegetation in Victoria based on ‘ecological vegetation classes’ (EVCs). The reserve supports four EVC’s:

• Valley Grassy Forest
• Herb-rich Foothill Forest
• Riparian Forest
• Wetland Formation

Descriptions of the EVCs at Glenfern Valley are given in appendix 3.

The location of the EVC’s is shown on figure 2 and the quality of existing vegetation in figure 3.

The original (pre-1750) vegetation of the reserve is classified as Valley Grassy Forest, Herb-rich Foothill Forest and Riparian Forest in the mapping of Oates and Taranto (2001). This corresponds largely to the vegetation that is currently present on site. However, an area of Wetland Formation is also present on the alluvial flats associated with Ferny Creek. This wetland is likely to have been derived following clearing of trees and shrubs from this poorly-drained area.

The vegetation of the reserve has been surveyed by Biosis Research Pty. Ltd. and local naturalists from the Friends group, with the total number of recorded flora species currently standing at 241 (137 indigenous species, 104 introduced species). This number is likely to increase as further surveys are conducted within the reserve.

The quality of the vegetation is variable, ranging from relatively intact (low weed cover, all structural layers intact, close to natural species diversity) to highly modified (high weed cover, structurally modified, low species diversity). The Riparian Forest is generally in good to very good condition, while the Valley Grassy Forest on the slopes ranges from poor to very good condition (where weed control works have been undertaken). The Herb-rich Foothill Forest is highly degraded by dense infestations of Sweet Pittosporum and Boneseed and is generally in poor to moderate condition, with few eucalypts remaining. The Wetland Formation is of poor to moderate condition. The quality of the vegetation can be improved in most areas, as has already been demonstrated through the successful Boneseed eradication program undertaken by the Friends group in selected areas.

None of the recorded plant species are rare or threatened in Victoria (DSE Flora Information System). At least 15 species are rare within the Highlands – Southern Fall Bioregion and accordingly have regional significance (see appendix 1).

The reserve currently supports large areas dominated by introduced species. Current management aims to control the spread of weed species, which will help protect native flora and fauna species throughout the reserve, and facilitate the natural regeneration of locally indigenous species.

A large number of introduced species are present. The major woody weeds include species such as Boneseed Chrysanthemoides monolifera, Sweet Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum, Sallow Wattle Acacia longifolia ssp. longifolia and Blackberry Rubus fruticosus spp. agg., while the dominant herbaceous weeds include Three-corner Garlic Allium triquetrum, Cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata, Cape Ivy Delairea odorata, Panic Veldt Grass Ehrharta erecta, English Ivy Hedera helix, Soursob Oxalis pes-caprae and Tradescantia Tradescantia fluminensis.

Weed control is now essential for protection of biodiversity. It should focus on:

• relatively intact areas of strategic importance for conservation
• strategic highly invasive weeds wherever they occur

A variety of control techniques including manual removal, selective herbicide application away from sensitive areas, and smothering, burning or scorching weed species should be considered during any weed control program.

Native vegetation within Glenfern Valley Bushlands forms part of an isolated remnant of native vegetation bounded by residential subdivision and pasture, approximately 1 kilometre south of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Based on DSE vegetation mapping, the proposed reserve includes about one-third of this remnant vegetation, with most of the remainder occurring on private land to the north of Ferny Creek, where it receives little or no conservation management.

Although the Glenfern Valley isolate is surrounded by residential areas and cleared farmland, it should be viewed in the context of a local patchwork of fragmented native vegetation, with only the Dandenong Ranges National Park to the north and Lysterfield Lake Park to the south being relatively extensive. Glenfern Valley Bushlands contributes to local and regional biodiversity by providing habitat for the flora and fauna it currently supports, and by providing potential or temporary habitat for species capable of dispersing across the largely cleared surrounding landscape. It is likely to act as a ‘stepping stone’ between remnants, especially between the Dandenong Ranges NP to the north and Lysterfield Lake Park to the south. Its role as a ‘stepping stone’ would be particularly important for highly mobile species such as birds and bats. In addition, Ferny Creek not only provides important fauna habitat, but it facilitates the movement (dispersal corridor) of a diversity of terrestrial and aquatic fauna species.

The poor condition of many of the eucalypts within the lower and mid slopes is of concern, as many of the trees are dead or in decline. Possible reasons for the dieback include drought stress, possum browsing, Bellbird damage, infection with Cinnamon fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi, or a combination of any of the these factors. A forest pathologist would need to assess the site in order to determine the specific cause(s) of tree decline within the reserve.

Drought stress is known to have already had a negative impact on tree populations in the Dandenong Ranges following the serious drought experienced over the past number of years. This is likely to have been a contributing factor to eucalypt dieback across the site. Unfortunately, there is no known method of ameliorating the effects of drought stress on large trees such as eucalypts, particularly on such a large site.

Possum browsing may also be a contributing factor to the dieback. Young foliage is preferentially eaten, so that mature leaves are not replaced when they are shed or eaten. Death from repeated defoliation may take a few years. A possum need only spend one night per fortnight in an affected tree to eat the new leaves that have been produced and the tree eventually dies, usually with a small amount of foliage still attached (Jeff Yugovic pers. comm.).

Much of the reserve is heavily infested with Sweet Pittosporum. In Victoria, Ringtail Possum densities (animals/ha) can be several times higher where there is a dense shrub stratum (such as Sweet Pittosporum) which provides nest sites and allows possums to move between feed trees and avoid ground predators (Henry 1995). Possums are likely to travel from their nest sites within the Sweet Pittosporum area to their feeding area (dieback zone). The possum habitat will decline as the eucalypt feed trees are eventually killed.

The loss of eucalypts is preventable with appropriate management. This includes removal, or ecological burning, to control Sweet Pittosporum and reduce possum numbers, and isolating and guarding individual trees of particular value, such as very large or attractive trees.

Cinnamon fungus is a major cause of dieback in forests in Victoria. It is a soil-borne fungal pathogen that has probably been introduced to Australia since European settlement, and is readily spread by infected soil adhering to vehicles. Many native plant species are susceptible including a large number of tree species (Marks and Smith 1991).

Vegetation management actions are set out below for the seven management units (figures 1 and 4).

Fire management in the reserve is a complex issue, owing to a number of factors, including: (a) the need to protect life and property from catastrophic fire, through fuel reduction burning and fire suppression activities; (b) the desire to maintain species diversity; and (c) the need to manipulate habitat for particular animal species. Within the reserve, each of these factors needs to be considered prior to establishing a fire management plan or conducting a prescribed burn.

Most of the reserve was burnt in 1962 and 1980 (Peter Marke pers. comm.).

The reserve has been largely untouched by fire for over 20 years, which has led to the development of a fairly dense understorey in some areas. An ecological burn would therefore be beneficial, to promote the regeneration of indigenous species, eliminate mature woody weeds, reduce fuel levels (and subsequently the overall fire hazard) and provide an opportunity for the Friends group to study and monitor plant regeneration following fire.

Ideally, landscapes should be burnt in a mosaic fashion, with the season, intensity, frequency and extent of fires being variable across the landscape. Owing to practical limitations and the size of the reserve, this would not be feasible. However, with the cooperation of the local CFA, an ecological burn in the reserve is likely to provide worthwhile benefits.

Some guidelines for an ecological burn within the reserve include:

• Conducting the burn within the Valley Grassy Forest, preferably near the centre of the study area, across the boundary between the high quality and medium quality vegetation. This would enable the response of both indigenous and introduced species in two different environments to be monitored post-fire by the Friends group.
• Conducting the burn in late summer/early autumn when most species have finished flowering and set seed (a spring burn may kill some plants before seed-set).
• Conducting rigorous post-fire weed control, whereby seedlings of introduced species with large soil seed banks (e.g. Boneseed) are removed prior to the onset of seed-set.

Issues related to fire and public safety are discussed in section 5.2.4.

DSE has very little land management capability and the area has been largely unmanaged until the Friends group became involved recently. Future management by the Shire, as Committee of Management under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, is proposed as an outcome of the management planning process.

Experience in park and reserve management indicates that clear responsibility within Council for management of the reserve is essential for effective implementation of this plan and sound ongoing management. A close working relationship with the Friends group will also be important.

Several issues were identified (see DSE Plan NW/02.09.2003)

• Use of the fenced compound in the south east part of the reserve by South East Water, for sewerage deposition, needs to be formalised with a lease. A recent DSE survey has defined the lease area. The visual amenity of the area needs to be improved and an access gate in the north east corner is desirable to provide access for CFA and management vehicles (figure 4).
• A lease is required with the archery club (section 5.2.5).
• An old road alignment off Glenfern Road is vested in Council. Surrender to the Crown would enable the land to be included in the reserve
• An adjoining owner has encroached on 780 sq m of land along the south east boundary. Action is needed to have the fence realigned.

Very few resources have been available for management of the reserve in the past. There is no plant and equipment or other assets available for management, and no operating budget.

The State Government and Council have each committed $50,000 for the preparation and implementation of this management plan. This will need to be supplemented by grants, lease payments, commercial sponsorship, employment programs and a modest ongoing budget for vegetation management and maintenance of the reserve.

Technical input is also important to ensure that management and volunteer activities are based on environmentally sound principles.

Sustainable management principles should be applied to facilities and services in parks and reserves. These include minimising use of energy and non-renewable resources, recycling, providing effective waste treatment, having no adverse impact on ecological processes and maintaining compatible recreational and educational opportunities.

Energy use in the reserve is low and there are few opportunities to reduce this further. Encouraging visitors to take their rubbish home and recycle it will minimise resources needed to handle rubbish.

Effective management involves the monitoring of relevant performance criteria and ongoing review of plan implementation, future strategies and actions. Simple indicators should be monitored to assess financial performance and changes in environmental values and visitor use and satisfaction.

Suggested broad indicators are:

• Implementation of actions in management plan

• Achievement of budget targets.
• Grants and sponsorship received

• Prevention of illegal vehicle entry and associated damage to soils and vegetation
• Improvements in indigenous vegetation
• Reductions in invasive weeds

• Increase in compatible recreational use
• Improvement in visitor facilities

1. Arrange temporary reservation of Glenfern Valley Bushlands ‘for the conservation of an area of natural interest and recreation’, under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act, and appoint the Yarra Ranges Shire Council as committee of management.
2. Arrange for reservation for ‘Public Purposes’, and a suitable lease with South East Water, for ongoing use and maintenance of the sewerage deposition compound and access road.
3. Arrange for surrender of the old Glenfern Road alignment to the Crown for inclusion in the reserve.
4. Request the adjoining landowner to re-align the fence on the south east boundary.
5. Actively seek grants, sponsorship and other resources to ensure adequate ongoing management of the reserve.
6. Undertake annual monitoring of implementation of this plan and management performance in the reserve.
7. Review this plan and update as required by 2010.

Major actions, responsibilities and priorities are set out in table 1. Note that additional details for some actions are provided in section 5. Management policies are not listed in the table.

The priorities listed are to be used to guide the development of annual programs.

* SYR: Shire of Yarra Ranges, DSE: Dept of Sustainability and Environment, SEW: South East Water

** $ = < $2500, $$ = $2500-10,000, $$$ = > $10,000.
Assumes volunteer labour available (Friends, Archery Club etc) to assist with tasks including weed control, revegetation and rubbish removal. Does not include agency staff costs or ongoing (recurrent) tasks such as maintenance of visitor facilities.

*** ***: High (within 1-2 yrs), **: Medium (within 2 – 5 yrs), *: Low (3 – 10 yrs).

Henry, S. 1995. Common Ringtail Possum, in ‘Mammals of Victoria: distribution, ecology and conservation’ (ed. P.W. Menkhorst). Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Knox City Council (Allaway, M.N. ed) 1997. A management plan for Gilmour Park at the Ferny Creek Retarding Basin, Upper Ferntree Gully. Knox City Council and Melbourne Water, Victoria.

Marks, G.C. & Smith, I.W. 1991. The Cinnamon fungus in Victorian forests: history, distribution, management and control, in Lands and forests bulletin 31. Department of Conservation and Environment, Victoria.

Melbourne Water. 1999. Corhanwarrabul Creek waterway management activity plan. Melbourne Water, Victoria.

NRE. 2002. Victoria's Native Vegetation Management: a framework for action. Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Victoria.

Oates, A. & Taranto, M. 2001. Vegetation mapping of the Port Phillip and Westernport region. Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Victoria.

See appendix 2 for additional references.

Peter Marke, CFA, September 11, 2003

Notes prepared to provide an overview of the history of the reserve.
Based on sources provided by DSE and the Friends Group.

Descriptions of the EVCs at Glenfern Valley are given in the following table.

Details of conditions for the seven management units were as follows.

This management unit incorporates Ferny Creek and the tall forest dominated by large, hollow-bearing Manna Gums, which occur along the length of the creek.

• Localised weed invasions, particularly Sweet Pittosporum, Panic Veldt-grass, Tradescantia, Three-corner Garlic, English Ivy, Soursob and Cocksfoot
• Poor water quality in Ferny Creek – potential impacts on aquatic fauna
• Suitable habitat for significant fauna species, e.g. bird species
• Impact of archery club activities on forested areas
• Opportunities for walking track access links, both up and down stream

The alluvial flats associated with Ferny Creek incorporate a retarding basin managed by Melbourne Water, which is used by the Sherbrooke Archers Club. Prior to being cleared of trees, this area would have supported a tall forest dominated by Manna Gums and/or Swamp Gums. An area of Wetland Formation occurs at the eastern end of the creek flats.

• Overstorey and midstorey previously cleared for retarding basin.
• Used by archery club
• Extensive weed invasion (e.g. Creeping Buttercup, Cocksfoot) in Wetland Formation east of the archery club
• Future protection of suitable understorey cover for ground dwelling species such as Swamp Rats

This management unit incorporates remnant Valley Grassy Forest in poor to very good condition.

• Open forest dominated by a range of eucalypts over an understorey of varying quality
• Localised weed invasions, particularly Boneseed, Blackberry, Panic Veldt-grass and Cocksfoot
• Successful Boneseed and Blackberry eradication works have been undertaken, with a predominantly indigenous understorey occurring in these areas
• Significant eucalypt dieback occurring (possible causes: drought stress, overgrazing by possums, Bellbird competition, Cinnamon fungus?)
• Native vegetation has been bulldozed along Glenfern Road (south-east of site) – rehabilitate?
• Investigate feasibility of conducting ecological burns to eliminate mature weeds and promote germination of indigenous species. Need to provide ongoing weed control.
• Archery club uses forested areas outside leased area – degraded vegetation and safety issues.

This management unit incorporates remnant Herb-rich Foothill Forest in poor to moderate condition.

• Highly modified forest, with few eucalypts remaining
• Major weed invasion, particularly Sweet Pittosporum and Boneseed
• No weed control undertaken
• Significant eucalypt dieback occurring (possible causes: drought stress, overgrazing by possums, Bellbird competition and Cinnamon fungus?)
• Possibility of conducting ecological burns to kill the fire-sensitive Sweet Pittosporum and promote germination of indigenous species. Follow-up weed control needed.
• SE Water responsible for sewer area. Needs tidy up (proposed By SEW) and lease.

This management unit predominantly comprises grassland dominated by a mixture of indigenous and exotic species.

• Most shrubs and overstorey species have been removed by past clearing practices
• Slashing regime could be altered to promote growth of native species and discourage seed-set in introduced species
• Little weed control undertaken
• Ground debris such as large logs, rocks and bark should be left on the ground, as they provide suitable protection and foraging opportunities for many fauna species
• Soil and other debris dumped by contractors needs to be moved
• The need for the firebreak along Glenfern Road should be reviewed as the opposite side of road is predominantly pasture

This area is highly modified and devoid of native vegetation.

• Heavy weed invasion
• Removal of cypresses
• Opportunity to revegetate in the future, retaining some views
• Possible future location of parking and visitor facilities

This area is highly modified and devoid of native vegetation.

• Serious weed invasion (e.g. Cape Ivy, Kikuyu, Hemlock) requires action
• Planting likely to be needed where fill has been dumped

Significance of species: R = Regional (Highlands Southern Fall Bioregion)

Note: All other indigenous species have local conservation significance

Significance of species: R = Regional (Highlands Southern Fall Bioregion)

Note: All other indigenous species have local conservation significance