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Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan
July 2008
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan i
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section
Management Plan
Gold Coast City Council
Natural Areas Management Unit
July 2008
© Gold Coast City Council, 2008. Copyright protects this publication. Except for purposes permitted by the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of the Gold Coast City Council.
ISBN 1 74057 041 3
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan ii
AcknowledgementsThis plan has been developed with the support and assistance of staff in Council’s Natural Areas Management Unit. Council officers from the following departments also provided help: Environmental Planning and Conservation Unit, Parks and Recreational Services, Catchment Management, Pest Management, Animal Management, the Office of City Architect and Heritage, and Legal Services. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has also provided valuable input.
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan iii
Table of contents Executive summary...............................................................................................................vi
Acronyms used in this management plan .........................................................................viii
1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................1
1.1 Management vision ..........................................................................................................1
1.2 Plan development and implementation..........................................................................11.2.1 Methodology and overview ......................................................................................11.2.2 Implementation.........................................................................................................1
1.3 Location and planning area.............................................................................................2
1.4 Regional context ..............................................................................................................2
1.5 Significance of the reserve..............................................................................................4
2 Management purposes and principles..............................................................................6
2.1 Legislative and policy framework...................................................................................62.1.1 Gold Coast Open Space Preservation Levy Acquisition Program ...........................62.1.2 Gold Coast Planning Scheme and other GCCC policies and guidelines .................62.1.3 Strategies for South East Queensland.....................................................................62.1.4 Other relevant legislation .........................................................................................7
2.2 Management directions ...................................................................................................8
2.3 Specific management objectives for Freemans Lookout.............................................9
3 Management strategies for Freemans Lookout .............................................................11
3.1 Geology, landform, hydrology and soils......................................................................113.1.1 Background ............................................................................................................113.1.2 Desired outcomes ..................................................................................................123.1.3 Management strategies..........................................................................................12
3.1.3.1 Guidelines.......................................................................................................123.1.3.2 Actions............................................................................................................12
3.2 Native plants ...................................................................................................................123.2.1 Background ............................................................................................................123.2.2 Desired outcomes ..................................................................................................143.2.3 Management strategies..........................................................................................14
3.2.3.1 Guidelines.......................................................................................................143.2.3.2 Actions............................................................................................................15
3.3 Native fauna ....................................................................................................................163.3.1 Background ............................................................................................................163.3.2 Desired outcomes ..................................................................................................173.3.3 Management strategies..........................................................................................18
3.3.3.1 Guidelines.......................................................................................................183.3.3.2 Actions............................................................................................................18
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan iv
3.4 Pest plants ......................................................................................................................193.4.1 Background ............................................................................................................193.4.2 Desired outcomes ..................................................................................................203.4.3 Management strategies..........................................................................................21
3.4.3.1 Guidelines.......................................................................................................213.4.3.2 Actions............................................................................................................21
3.5 Pest animals ...................................................................................................................223.5.1 Background ............................................................................................................223.5.2 Desired outcomes ..................................................................................................243.5.3 Management strategies..........................................................................................24
3.5.3.1 Guidelines.......................................................................................................243.5.3.2 Actions............................................................................................................25
3.6 Fire management............................................................................................................253.6.1 Background ............................................................................................................253.6.2 Desired outcomes ..................................................................................................273.6.3 Management strategies..........................................................................................28
3.6.3.1 Guidelines.......................................................................................................283.6.3.2 Actions............................................................................................................29
3.7 Aboriginal cultural heritage...........................................................................................303.7.1 Background ............................................................................................................303.7.2 Desired outcomes ..................................................................................................303.7.3 Management strategies..........................................................................................31
3.7.3.1 Guidelines.......................................................................................................313.7.3.2 Actions............................................................................................................31
3.8 European cultural heritage............................................................................................313.8.1 Background ............................................................................................................313.8.2 Desired outcomes ..................................................................................................323.8.3 Management strategies..........................................................................................32
3.8.3.1 Guidelines.......................................................................................................323.8.3.2 Actions............................................................................................................32
3.9 Managing landscape ......................................................................................................323.9.1 Background ............................................................................................................323.9.2 Desired outcomes ..................................................................................................343.9.3 Management strategies..........................................................................................34
3.9.3.1 Guidelines.......................................................................................................343.9.3.2 Actions............................................................................................................34
3.10 Recreation opportunities.............................................................................................343.10.1 Background ..........................................................................................................343.10.2 Desired outcomes ................................................................................................363.10.3 Management strategies........................................................................................36
3.10.3.1 Guidelines.....................................................................................................363.10.3.2 Actions..........................................................................................................38
3.11 Infrastructure and access............................................................................................393.11.1 Background ..........................................................................................................393.11.2 Desired outcomes ................................................................................................393.11.3 Management strategies........................................................................................40
3.11.3.1 Guidelines.....................................................................................................403.11.3.2 Actions..........................................................................................................40
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan v
3.12 Community involvement, interpretation and education ...........................................413.12.1 Background ..........................................................................................................413.12.2 Desired outcomes ................................................................................................423.12.3 Management strategies........................................................................................42
3.12.3.1 Guidelines.....................................................................................................423.12.3.2 Actions..........................................................................................................42
3.13 Research and monitoring ............................................................................................433.13.1 Background ..........................................................................................................433.13.2 Desired outcomes ................................................................................................443.13.3 Management strategies........................................................................................44
3.13.3.1 Guidelines.....................................................................................................443.13.3.2 Actions..........................................................................................................45
4 Summary of management actions...................................................................................47
5 References .........................................................................................................................55
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan vi
Executive summary This management plan provides the strategic framework that governs the development and delivery of all management programs and actions affecting the Freemans Lookout Section of Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. It will be effective from the date of adoption by Council and will remain in force until replaced by a management plan for the whole Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan management cluster.
Freemans Lookout is a prominent scenic feature of the Gold Coast hinterland landscape. The reserve reaches an elevation of over 540 metres above sea level and forms part of the upper catchment of Clagiraba Creek and the Coomera River. It is located at the central-western boundary of the Gold Coast Local Government Area and forms part of the broader Lower Beechmont Conservation Area.
Freemans Lookout is situated within the Canungra to Coombabah habitat corridor, and also links Mount Tamborine and Springbrook. The planning area contributes to preserving the native biodiversity of the region – it protects important vegetation associations and plant species, provides habitat for a range of resident and migratory fauna, and is important for local species requiring large expanses of continuous, intact habitat.
Flora surveys have identified five Regional Ecosystems on-site, and one threatened species – the Rare Richmond Birdwing Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa). Fauna surveys within the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area have identified around 200 terrestrial species, with 42 of these recorded within Freemans Lookout – including the Vulnerable Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) and the Rare Grey Goshawk (Accipiter novaehollandiae).
The reserve’s position in the landscape makes an important contribution to the green backdrop of the City. Similarly, views from the reserve across the Gold Coast are extensive. Recreational facilities will be designed to optimise these viewing opportunities, with picnic areas, a short walk and a lookout to be provided.
Facilities to interpret the reserve’s natural and cultural values will be developed to enhance visitor experiences and foster a greater appreciation of its intrinsic values and role in the broader context of conservation.
Freemans Lookout will be managed to conserve its natural landscape integrity and scenic, environmental and cultural heritage values, while providing opportunities for sustainable nature-based public use. Management will aim to preserve the remarkable natural values of the reserve and will be based upon sound scientific information and monitoring of ecosystem condition.
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan vii
Acronyms used in this management plan
CAMBA: China and Australia Migratory Bird Agreement
DNRW: Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water
EPA: Queensland Environmental Protection Agency
EPBC Act: Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999
GCCC: Gold Coast City Council
JAMBA: Japan and Australia Migratory Bird Agreement
NAMU: Natural Areas Management Unit (Gold Coast City Council)
NC Act: Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992
NCWR: Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006
NPWS: New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service
OSPL: Open Space Preservation Levy
QPW: Queensland Parks and Wildlife
RAMSAR: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
RE: Regional Ecosystem
Note: all names of organisations listed are current at the date of adoption of this plan.
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan 1
1 Introduction 1.1 Management vision
Council’s vision is for a reserve in which environmental, cultural, and landscape values are protected and enhanced, whilst providing high-quality nature-based recreational opportunities that optimise scenic values and vistas.
1.2 Plan development and implementation
1.2.1 Methodology and overview
This management plan provides the strategic framework that governs the development and delivery of all management programs and actions affecting the planning area.
A process of site assessment, stakeholder consultation and literature review has been used to evaluate existing issues, values and infrastructure within the planning area (summarised in Section 1) and guide the development of management principles, goals and objectives (Section 2). Underpinning these objectives is a legislative and policy framework (Section 2) that draws upon relevant State and Federal legislation and guidelines, in addition to relevant Council strategies, policies and corporate objectives.
Values and issues are aggregated into 13 broad themes (Section 3) and the management needs, opportunities, constraints and conflicts identified for each theme are used as a basis for the development of specific desired outcomes and strategies (guidelines and actions) that provide for the long-term protection and enhancement of the natural, cultural, amenity and economic values of the planning area. Section 4 provides a table outlining the prioritisation of management actions identified within Section 3.
Management guidelines and actions have been formulated to be sufficiently robust to facilitate sustainable natural resource management over the long term, whilst incorporating enough flexibility to adapt management to meet changing operational demands and advances in scientific understanding as required.
Freemans Lookout Section of Lower Beechmont Conservation Area. NAMU
1.2.2 Implementation
Council’s Natural Areas Management Unit (NAMU) will undertake day-to-day management of Freemans Lookout and will coordinate the implementation of this management plan. Management actions detailed in this plan will be undertaken within the annual works program of NAMU, subject to the availability of funding, staff and regional priorities.
Lower Beechmont Conservation Area – Freemans Lookout Section Management Plan 2
The effective maintenance and management of Freemans Lookout depends on a regular and reliable input of resources for ongoing management requirements and to fund new capital works programs. As these projects are developed in more detail and the exact resource requirements are identified, these projects can be resourced accordingly.
As required NAMU will utilise other Council staff and contractors for the implementation of management actions. It is important that all staff working within the planning area are familiar with the parts of this plan that dictate their responsibilities in regards to working within sensitive natural areas.
For effective delivery of this management plan, it is important that consultation between NAMU, Councillors and relevant Council staff is undertaken to ensure consistency with management objectives. Community endorsement is also seen as critical in the effective implementation of this plan and public stakeholder input has been and continues to be an important part of plan development. In addition to responding to existing public concerns, the plan provides guidelines to facilitate future public involvement and support.
The provisions of this plan will be incorporated into the Lower-Beechmont-Mount Nathan Cluster Management Plan which will address management planning for GCCC managed natural areas in a regional context.
1.3 Location and planning area
The Freemans Lookout Section of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area is located at the northern end of the Beechmont Range which is a prominent spur of the McPherson Range and a dominant scenic feature of the Gold Coast hinterland skyline.
The Freemans Lookout Section (referred to as Freemans Lookout in this plan) is located at the northern end of the Beechmont plateau, approximately 4 kilometres north of the Lower Beechmont township and 7km west of Nerang (Figure 1). The reserve is accessible from the end of Freemans Road, off Beechmont Road in the Gold Coast suburb of Lower Beechmont. With an area of 95.16 hectares, Freemans Lookout is a significant conservation reserve that forms part of a cluster of GCCC managed reserves known as the Lower Beechmont-Mount Nathan management cluster. Other major sections within this cluster include Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Mount Nathan Reserve, Freeman Family Park, Clagiraba Reserve and Clagiraba Forest Reserve.
The reserve borders the eastern boundary of Beaudesert Shire. It is surrounded to the north, south and east by the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area (approximately 618ha), and to the west by Canungra Military Area (5300ha). Part of the southern boundary is also bordered by private property (approximately 0.9ha).
Freemans Lookout reaches an elevation of 545m and is visually prominent from many parts of the city and coastal lowlands. Several locations within the reserve offer expansive views towards the Pacific Ocean, north to Mount Tamborine and west to Canungra.
The reserve is characterised by steep rocky slopes extending into wet gully lines. A prominent ridgeline extends north to the end of the plateau. The reserve is dominated by open eucalypt and rainforest vegetation communities.
1.4 Regional context
Freemans Lookout (Lot 4 on RP119768) was purchased with the Open Space Preservation Levy in February 2001 and forms part of the Lower Beechmont Conservation Area which was acquired under the OSPL between 2001 and 2003 (Figure 1). Prior to this, the property was part of private freehold land and subject to a number of development proposals, including a tourist resort.