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Management Plan

Organ Pipes National Park

February 1998

This Management Plan for Organ Pipes National Park is approved for implementation. Its purpose isto direct management of the Park until the Plan is reviewed. A Draft Management Plan was publishedin August 1996. A total of 8 submissions were received.

Copies of the Plan can be obtained from:

Parks Victoria378 Cotham RdKEW VIC 3101

Organ Pipes National ParkOrgan Pipes RoadDIGGERS REST VIC 3427

NRE Information Centre8 Nicholson StreetEAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002

Parks Victoria Information CentreVault 11Banana AlleyFlinders StreetMELBOURNE VIC 3000∋ 13 1963

For further information on this Plan please contact:

Jim O’May - Chief Ranger, Brimbank ∋ 03 9336 3911

ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL PARK

FEBRUARY 1998

MANAGEMENT PLAN

ii Organ Pipes National Park

Published in February 1998 by Parks Victoria378 Cotham Road KEW 3101

National Library of AustraliaCataloguing-in-Publication entry

Parks Victoria.Organ Pipes National Park management plan.

Bibliography.ISBN 0 7306 6703 0

1. National parks and reserves - Victoria - Management.2. Organ Pipes National Park (Vic.). - Management. I. Title.

333.78309945

Cover: The Organ Pipes (Photo: N. Ryan).

Printed on recycled paper to help save our natural environment

Organ Pipes National Park iii

FOREWORD

Organ Pipes National Park is an important areafor the conservation of native flora and fauna,on the north-western fringe of metropolitanMelbourne. The Park also protects significantgeological features, particularly the OrganPipes formation. A highly successful nativevegetation restoration program has led to thereturn of much of the indigenous faunapreviously abundant to Melbourne’s west.Volunteers have provided much of the impetusand labour for this restoration program.

Managed primarily for nature conservationpurposes, the Park also offers manyopportunities for visitors to enjoy the naturalenvironment. In particular, the Park givesmany urban visitors their first introduction tothe natural and cultural heritage values ofnational parks.

This Approved Plan establishes themanagement framework to protect theimportant conservation and recreation values ofthe Park for the metropolitan community, whileensuring that it plays an important role innature-based tourism on the western side ofMelbourne.

I am confident that implementation of the Planwill ensure protection of the Park’s specialfeatures and also enhance visitors’ enjoyment ofit.

I look forward to the community’s support forthe management of this important national park,which is a significant part of Victoria’s parkssystem.

Hon Marie Tehan MPMINISTER FOR CONSERVATIONand LAND MANAGEMENT

iv Organ Pipes National Park

APPROVED MANAGEMENT PLAN

This Approved Management Plan has beenprepared under section 17 of the NationalParks Act 1975 (Vic.) and is approved forimplementation.

Mark StoneDirectorNational Parks

The Plan provides the basis for the futuremanagement of Organ Pipes National Park. Itwas finalised following consideration of theeight submissions received on the Draft Plan.

Jeff FloydChief ExecutiveParks Victoria

Organ Pipes National Park v

SUMMARY

Organ Pipes National Park was established inrecognition of the State significance of theexposed basalt columns known as the OrganPipes. The Park covers 121 ha of gorge countryalong Jacksons Creek in the Maribyrnongvalley. Walking tracks and viewing areas giveaccess to significant geological features. Withthe continued urban expansion in the north andwest of Melbourne, more and more visitors willcome to the Park.

The main focus of park management has beenrehabilitation of a landscape with depleted nativeplant communities dominated by weeds. Muchof the impetus and labour for the restorationwork came from volunteers interested inconserving indigenous vegetation, who formedthe State’s first ‘Friends’ group, the Friends ofOrgan Pipes (FOOPS).

The success of restoration work is evident in thereturn of a woodland landscape dominated bynative species and many indigenous fauna suchas platypuses, kangaroos and wallabies. SugarGliders have been successfully re-introduced tothe Park.

The plan establishes clear conservation aims forthe Park while providing for increasedrecreational use.

The restoration will continue and is emphasisedin the Park’s theme:

• restoration and conservation of theindigenous, pre-European landscape as anexample of the former Keilor Plainslandscape.

Management directions for the Park aresummarised below.

• The Park landscape will be restored toresemble the conditions that existed prior toEuropean settlement, using material fromremnant vegetation within the Park wherepossible. Control of pest plants andenvironmental weeds will be part of therevegetation program.

• Consideration will be given to appropriateenhancement of existing habitat to enablere-introductions of indigenous fauna.

• Significant geological, archaeological andhistorical features will be protected.

• Control of pest animals, in particularrabbits, cats, foxes and dogs, will continue.

• Control of erosion sites and repairs to flooddamage will continue.

• High quality interpretation services will bemaintained and developed as a feature ofthe Park. The philosophy and technologyof restoration and conservation of naturallandscapes, particularly those of the KeilorPlains, will be a key feature of the Park’sinformation, interpretation and educationmaterial.

• The system of walking tracks in the Parkwill be expanded within the constraints ofland capability.

• The Park will be promoted as a model ofcommunity participation in public landmanagement.

vi Organ Pipes National Park

Organ Pipes National Park vii

CONTENTS

FOREWORD iii

SUMMARY v

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Location and planning area 11.2 Regional context 11.3 Significance of the Park 11.4 Creation of the Park 21.5 Legislation and guidelines 21.6 Park management aims 3

2 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 4

2.1 Park vision 42.2 Management directions 42.3 Zoning 5

3 RESOURCE CONSERVATION 7

3.1 Geological and landform features 73.2 Streams 73.3 Vegetation 83.4 Fauna 93.5 Landscape 103.6 Cultural heritage 11

4 PARK PROTECTION 12

4.1 Fire management 124.2 Pest plants and animals 124.3 Soil conservation 13

5 THE PARK VISIT 14

5.1 The Park visitor 145.2 Visitor recreation activities and facilities 14

5.2.1 Access and day visits 145.2.2 Walking 165.2.3 Fishing 175.2.4 Rubbish control 17

5.3 Visitor information, education and interpretation 175.4 Public safety 18

viii Organ Pipes National Park

6 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT 19

6.1 Friends and volunteers 196.2 Community awareness and Park neighbours 19

7 OTHER ISSUES 20

7.1 Authorised uses 207.2 Boundaries and adjacent uses 20

8 IMPLEMENTATION 22

REFERENCES 23

TABLES

1 Management zones and overlay 62 Summary of recreation activities 153 Priority management strategies 22

APPENDICES

1 Significant flora 252 Significant fauna 26

FIGURES

1 Regional setting End of plan2 Land tenure "3 Park zoning "4 Recreation facilities "

Introduction

Organ Pipes National Park 1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Location and planning area

Organ Pipes National Park is situated 20 kmnorth-west of Melbourne off the CalderHighway (figure 1). The Park falls along theboundaries of the City of Hume, to the north ofJacksons Creek, and the City of Brimbank, tothe south of Jacksons Creek.

The planning area comprises the Organ PipesNational Park (121 ha).

1.2 Regional context

Apart from the Park and limited nearby areasalong Jacksons Creek and Deep Creek, fewpatches of remnant vegetation remain on theKeilor Plains west of Melbourne.

Complementary areas also managed by ParksVictoria with remnant native flora and fauna ofthe Keilor Plains, include Holden Flora Reserve(65 ha), Holden School Site (25 ha), DerrimutGrassland Reserve (154 ha) and LavertonNorth Grassland Reserve (52 ha).

The Park is important to the whole Region as acentre for education about the geology, floraand fauna of the Keilor Plains, and therestoration of degraded land.

In the open space network in the west ofMelbourne (figure 1), most areas offercomplementary recreational opportunities tothose provided in the Park.

The City of Brimbank manages areas east ofthe Park, including Keilor public golf courseand the proposed Sydenham Park, and owns theland with frontage to Jacksons Creek almostenclosed by the eastern block of the Park(figure 2).

Land use to the north and west of the Park isrural residential blocks and grazing. TheCalder Highway abuts sections of the southernboundary of the Park and Calder Racewayabuts the southern boundary of the Highway,close to the main entry to the Park (figure 1).Residential development is expanding towardsthe Park from the direction of Taylors Lakes,along the south side of the Calder Highway.

1.3 Significance of the Park

Organ Pipes National Park makes a valuablecontribution to Victoria’s parks system, whichaims to protect viable representative samples ofthe State’s natural environments occurring onpublic land. Parks also provide opportunitiesfor visitors to enjoy and appreciate natural andcultural values, and many make importantcontributions to tourism.

The Park is assigned to the IUCN Category III(Natural Monuments) of the United Nations’list of National Parks and Protected Areas.Category III areas are managed primarily toprotect or preserve outstanding natural features.

Organ Pipes National Park protects the basaltcolumns known as the Organ Pipes, which areof State geological significance. It also protectsa small example of a basalt plain land systemlocated on the extensive lava plains extendingfrom Melbourne to Mt Gambier in SouthAustralia. The Park includes part of the largestand least modified area of volcanic plainsgrassland and shrubland west of Melbourne – aland type poorly represented on public land.

The Park’s proximity to Melbourne makes it anexcellent destination for day visitors forwalking and picnicking, and also allows forcommunity involvement in management.

Community involvement in the re-establishmentof native vegetation led to the formation in1971 of the first Friends group in the State.

The Park presents an excellent opportunity todemonstrate the effects and problems of landrehabilitation.

Significant features of the Park are summarisedas below.

Natural values

• Geological sites of State significance.

• Remnant native grasslands and grassywoodlands.

• Plants listed as rare in the Melbourne area.

• Re-established plants once common in thePark and surrounding areas.

Introduction

2 Organ Pipes National Park

• Diversity of habitats supporting over 20plants of conservation significance andrecolonising indigenous fauna followingre-establishment of native vegetation.

• An important link in the wildlife corridoralong Jacksons and Deep creeks.

Cultural values

• Aboriginal sites, mainly campsites andisolated surface scatters.

• Evidence of past land use by Europeans.

Tourism and recreational values

• Closest national park to Melbourne,allowing easy access for coach and short-stay visitors.

• Opportunities for walking, natureobservation and other passive recreationalactivities in a natural setting.

Community educational values

• Proximity to Melbourne encouragescommunity involvement in parkmanagement.

• Opportunities for education andinterpretation of geology, flora and fauna.

• Demonstration of the potential for re-establishing Keilor Plains native vegetationand fauna, and land restoration.

1.4 Creation of the Park

Organ Pipes National Park originated as aresult of a donation of 65 ha of land to theCrown from the trustees of the E. A. GreenCharitable Foundation. Following transfer ofthe land to the Crown, and as a result of theNational Parks Act 1971 (Vic.), the area wasincluded in Schedule 2 of the Act, andproclaimed on 12 March 1972.

The interim policy of the National ParksService (NPS) for the Park at that time was:

• to restore the highly modified environmentof the Organ Pipes National Park to acondition as similar as possible to that atthe time of first European settlement (NPS1972).

A further 20 ha of land was added to the Parkas a result of the National Parks (Amendment)Act 1978 (Vic.).

A further 36 ha of Crown land, including someland previously compulsorily acquired for thePark, was added to the Park on 4 June 1997, asa result of the National Parks (Amendment)Act 1997 (Vic.).

1.5 Legislation and guidelines

The Park is reserved and managed under theprovisions of the National Parks Act. The Actrequires the Director to preserve and protect thenatural environment of the Park, and its naturaland other features and, subject to this, toprovide for the use of the Park by the public forenjoyment, recreation and education. The Actalso provides for appropriate research. Visitoractivities are regulated in accordance with thePark Regulations 1992.

In 1977, the former Land Conservation Council(LCC) in the Final Recommendations for theMelbourne Study Area (LCC 1977)recommended that the Park be reserved as a‘Geological Monument’ to ‘provideopportunities for education and recreationassociated with understanding and enjoyingnatural features’.

The Final Recommendations for the MelbourneArea District 1 Review (LCC 1987)recommended that the Park continue to bereserved as a National Park under the NationalParks Act for the purposes identified by theformer LCC in 1977.

The Park is managed in accordance with ParksVictoria guidelines for the management ofparks, with LCC recommendations and withother guidelines and procedures, including:

• Fire Protection Plan, Port Phillip Area(former Melbourne Region) (CNR 1996);

• Draft Conservation Program for NativeGrasslands and Grassy Woodlands inVictoria (CNR 1992);

• Code of Practice for Fire Management onPublic Land (CNR 1995).

1.6 Park management aims

Introduction


Section 4 (Objects) and section 17 of theNational Parks Act provide the main basis formanagement of the Park. The followingmanagement aims are derived from thosesections and as such broadly govern all aspectsof park management.

Resource conservation

• Preserve and protect the naturalenvironment.

• Allow natural environmental processes tocontinue with the minimum of interference.

• Maintain biodiversity.

• Conserve features of archaeological,historical and cultural significance.

Park protection

• Protect water catchments and streams.

• Protect human life, the Park, and adjacentlands from injury by fire.

• Eradicate, or otherwise control, introducedplants, animals and diseases.

The Park visit

• Provide opportunities for appropriaterecreation and tourism.

• Promote and encourage an appreciation,understanding and enjoyment of the Park’snatural and cultural values and itsrecreational opportunities.

• Encourage appropriate park use andbehaviour, and foster a conservation ethicin visitors and an understanding ofminimal impact behaviour.

• Take reasonable steps to ensure the safetyof visitors.

Other

• Provide for, and encourage, scientificresearch, surveys and monitoring that willcontribute to a better understanding andmanagement of the Park.

• Co-operate with local, State and interstategovernment authorities, the communityand other interested organisations to assistin the management of the Park.

Strategic directions


2 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

2.1 Park vision

A future visitor to Organ Pipes National Parkfinds a landscape resembling that which existedbefore European settlement. Fauna oncewidespread across the western Melbourneplains are established in the Park, and it formsan important link in the wildlife corridor alongJacksons and Deep creeks. A successful pestcontrol program minimises the threat to thePark’s flora and fauna.

With increasing urban sprawl, the Park isimportant for Melbourne residents seeking anatural area close to the city for picnicking,nature study, quiet walks and other passiverecreation activities. Visitors reach it byvehicle, and on foot or by bicycle from theoutskirts of Melbourne through the surroundingopen space. Visitors take advantage of thenetwork of tracks to explore different parts ofthe Park.

High quality interpretation services enrichvisitors’ experience and appreciation of thenatural environment of the Keilor Plains. Manyvisitors learn about successful landrehabilitation methods as part of their parkexperience.

A highly organised Friends and volunteerprogram contributes significantly to themanagement of the Park and is a highlyregarded model for community involvement inpark management elsewhere.

2.2 Management directions

Major management directions for the Park areoutlined below.


• The park landscape will be restored toresemble the conditions that existed beforeEuropean settlement.

• Indigenous vegetation will continue to berestored, using seed or stock from localprovenance where possible.

• Significant geological features will beprotected.

• Enhancing existing habitats to enable re-introductions of indigenous fauna will beconsidered as appropriate.

• Significant archaeological and historicalfeatures will be protected.

Park protection

• The environments of Jacksons Creek willbe managed to protect riparian vegetationand water quality.

• Pest plants and environmental weeds willcontinue to be controlled as part of therevegetation program.

• Pest animals, in particular rabbits, cats,foxes and dogs will be controlled asnecessary to protect natural values.

• Fire protection works will be undertaken inaccordance with the Port Phillip RegionalFire Protection Plan.

• Erosion will be controlled and flooddamage repaired as necessary to protectnatural values and the naturalenvironment.

The Park visit

• High quality interpretation services will bedeveloped and maintained as a feature ofthe Park.

• The philosophy and technology ofrestoration and conservation of naturallandscapes, particularly those of the KeilorPlains, will be key features of the Park’sinformation, interpretation and educationmaterial.

• Recreation activities that enhance visitors’enjoyment, appreciation and understandingof the natural environment will beencouraged.

• The system of walking tracks in the Parkwill be expanded, within the constraints ofland capability.



Community awareness and involvement

• The highest possible land managementstandards will be maintained and promotedas a model for the community.

• The participation of community groups inpark management will be promoted as amodel for participation in the managementof other public land.

• Co-operation will be fostered with localgovernment and other public authorities,community groups and adjoining landowners in conserving native vegetation andhabitats.

2.3 Zoning

A park management zoning scheme has beendeveloped to:

• provide a geographic framework in whichto manage the Park;

• indicate which management directionshave priority in different parts of the Park;

• indicate the types and levels of useappropriate throughout the Park;

• assist in minimising existing and potentialconflicts between uses and activities, orbetween those and the protection of parkvalues;

• provide a basis for assessing the suitabilityof future activities and developmentproposals.

Three management zones apply to the Park:Conservation, Conservation and Recreation andRecreation Development.

Special management area overlays summariserequirements additional to those of theunderlying zone.

Figure 3 shows their location and table 1describes zone and overlay characteristics.



TABLE 1 MANAGEMENT ZONES AND OVERLAY

ZONES OVERLAY

CONSERVATION CONSERVATION AND

RECREATION

RECREATION DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS

AREA/LOCATION 107.3 ha, 88.6 % of Park.Comprises most of the Park.

13.0 ha, 10.8 % of Park.Comprises central riparianstrip and two picnic areas nearthe Organ Pipes.

0.7 ha, 0.6 % of Park.Comprises Visitor Centre site.

2.0 ha, 1.6 % of Park. Compriseswork centre, unused carriagewayand water supply easement andGeelong to Melbourne powerline.

VALUES Area of high conservationvalue with established or re-established Keilor Plains floracommunities. Protects habitatcorridor for establishingindigenous fauna.

Areas of reasonably highnatural values; easy access;high visitor use; opportunitiesfor passive recreation.

Node including educational andinterpretative facilities for largenumbers of people.

Essential park operation facilitiesand essential public utilities.

GENERAL

MANAGEMENT

AIM

Protect sensitive naturalenvironments and provide forminimal impact recreationactivities with simple visitorfacilities, subject to ensuringminimal interference to naturalprocesses.

Protect less sensitive naturalenvironments and provide forsustainable dispersed recreationactivities with small-scalerecreation facilities, withoutsignificant impact on naturalprocesses.

Provide for educational andinterpretative activities forlarge numbers of people withminimal impact on thesurrounding naturalenvironment.

Highlight areas or sites wherespecial management provisions areneeded to provide for a particularnon-standard use or activity.



3 RESOURCE CONSERVATION

3.1 Geological and landformfeatures

The Park is on the Keilor Plains, which are partof the greater Western Volcanic Plains. Theseplains stretch from Melbourne to Mt Gambierin South Australia and are the third largest lavaplains in the world. The geomorphological andgeological features in the Park are of Statesignificance (Rosengren 1986).

The Plains were built up by successive lavaflows, more than one million years ago (UpperTertiary), overlying steeply dipping Ordovicianto Silurian sedimentary rocks. The Park clearlyshows the process of valley incision byJacksons Creek, the major tributary of theMaribyrnong River (Rosengren 1986).Structural features, such as bedding in theSilurian mudstones and jointing in the basalt,outcrop at several locations. The narrow andsteep valley has basalt cliffs, boulder screes andsedimentary escarpments (Beardsell, in prep.).

The four main geological features in the Parkare all of volcanic origin and are major visitorattractions.

The Organ Pipes – a spectacular example ofbasalt columns rising to 20 m. Regarded as thebest example of columnar jointing in Victoria.

Tessellated Pavement – a mosaic of basaltcolumns eroded by Jacksons Creek to formpavements.

Rosette Rock – a radial array of basaltcolumns.

Scoria cone – the remains of a weatheredscoria cone at the car park.

In addition, there is the Sandstone layer – alayer of sandstone visible along JacksonsCreek, dating back to around 400 million yearsago.

Continued uncontrolled access over theTessellated Pavement is likely to lead todeterioration in the long-term.

Aim

• Protect and interpret the four maingeological features.

Management strategies

• Provide on-site interpretation signs at thefollowing geological features:

• The Organ Pipes• Rosette Rock• Sandstone layer• Tessellated Pavement• Scoria cone.

• Protect the Tessellated Pavement andassociated flora and make provision forviewing of the pavement.

• Control pest plants, especially AfricanBox-thorn, at geological sites (section 4.2).

3.2 Streams

Jacksons Creek, Deep Creek and Emu Creekare the major tributaries of the MaribyrnongRiver, which has a catchment area of1300 km2. The Maribyrnong Valley is the onlynatural corridor link from the City ofMelbourne to the forested foothills of MtMacedon to the north-west.

Jacksons Creek rises in the Wombat Forest andflows east to the Roslynn Reservoir. Fromthere it flows through Gisborne, Sunbury andOrgan Pipes National Park to its confluencewith Deep Creek near Sydenham Park.

Records of rainfall have been kept at the Parksince 1972. The area is in a rain shadow,receiving an average of 580 mm of rain peryear, which creates a relatively dry and harshenvironment. However, high rainfall duringwinter and spring can cause flooding alongJacksons Creek and bring problems for theresidents on the flood plain downstream atMaribyrnong. Flooding in September 1993washed out vegetation and viewing platforms,and scoured creek banks.

In the past, walkers and anglers have causedextensive trampling along Jacksons Creek



banks. Efforts to protect banks have includedsetting walking tracks back from the creek,controlling access to the creek, and revegetation(section 3.3).

Aim

• Protect and enhance Jacksons Creek and itsbanks.


• Carry out repairs to the flood-damagedbanks of Jacksons Creek.

• Continue revegetation along the creek(section 3.3).

• Monitor the impacts of angling, andconsider restricting or excluding access ifrequired.

• Monitor the water quality of JacksonsCreek.

3.3 Vegetation

Before the Park’s declaration, the area had beenused for grazing and other agriculturalactivities for 140 years, and most of theindigenous vegetation had been replaced by awide variety of weeds. Nevertheless, the Park,together with the nearby proposed SydenhamPark (City of Brimbank) and Deep Creek,forms part of the largest remaining area ofvolcanic plains grassland and shrubland in theMaribyrnong River system (Beardsell, inprep.).

Jacksons Creek valley immediately downstreamof the Park contains scattered remnants ofindigenous plant communities including RiverRed Gum riparian woodland, Reedbed andSedgeland communities, shrubland andgrasslands. One of only two recorded naturaloccurrences of White Cypress-pine nearMelbourne is in this valley.

The section of National Park abuttingSydenham Park has significant stands ofindigenous grasses and is noted for Silky BlueGrass and Red-leg Grass. This area is beingactively restored and managed by the Park inline with this Plan’s Conservation zone.

The Park protects over 20 species of floraclassified as rare or threatened or significant inthe Melbourne area (Beauglehole 1983)(appendix 1). A total of 124 indigenous plantspecies has been recorded in the Park since itwas proclaimed. DCE (1990c) recognised theState significance of the Park’s remnant nativegrasslands and grassy woodlands.

Revegetation

A key focus of the Park has been the re-establishment of six vegetation communitytypes believed to be the original vegetationcommunities. These communities fall withinthree landform zones – plains, escarpment andriparian – and their distribution reflects thesoils, which are derived from the underlyinggeology.

The most significant vegetation community isthe native grasslands, which consist of largestands of indigenous grasses on the slopesabove and between the steep rocky sections ofJacksons Creek. In addition to some naturalrecruitment, the restoration of these stands hasbeen assisted since the early 1980s by Parkstaff and FOOPS (McDougall 1987). Thegrasslands areas are part of the Keilor Plainsgrasslands, which have developed on basaltsoils and are dominated by Kangaroo Grasswith a diverse mixture of herbs and othergrasses.

The upper sections of the escarpment supportSheoke and Lightwood communities on basaltsoils. The Sheoke community type, dominatedby Drooping Sheoke, is associated with thegentle slopes in the transition from the plains tothe valley. The Lightwood community,dominated by a mixture of wattles includingLightwood and Golden Wattle, occurs on thesteep slopes of the escarpment.

The Yellow Box community is found on thelower section of the escarpment. Eucalyptsincluding Yellow Gum and Yellow Box form acanopy above wattles and other shrubs.

The River Red Gum community grows alongthe banks of Jacksons Creek and is dominatedby River Red Gum, Manna Gum andBlackwood.



The Grey Box community, dominated by GreyBox woodland, occurs in scattered areas onbasalt soils including the north-eastern part ofthe Park, where it extends to the nearbyMelbourne Airport (Armand, Kemp & Taylor1987; Kemp 1994; Taylor pers. comm.).

Seed collection, propagation and planting outhave been a collaborative effort between Parkstaff and FOOPS. Local indigenous specieshave been introduced into the Park from theclosest known site, which for some species wasup to 20 km distance (Kemp & Irvine 1993).Many indigenous species, propagated fromlocal material, have been successfully re-established (Kemp and Irvine 1993; Taylorpers. comm.).

A review of the Park’s revegetation program(Carr & Muir 1994) resulted in sevenrecommendations covering vegetation zones,weed control and significant species.

Aim

• Re-establish and protect indigenous floracommunities.


• Continue to implement the revegetationprogram, and monitor progress (section4.3).

• Finalise a comprehensive list of floraspecies considered indigenous to the Parkto form the basis for revegetation planning.Base the list on historic evidence anddevelop in consultation with FOOPS andbotanical experts.

• Review the long-term revegetation programin consultation with interestedstakeholders, incorporating relevantrecommendations from Carr & Muir(1994).

• Complete planting along the self-guidednature trail as a priority.

• Update the seed collection program in linewith the comprehensive flora list andcontinue to use the closest suitable seed

sources for revegetation work (from withinthe Park wherever possible).

• Ensure that the introduction of new speciesis in accordance with Parks Victoriaguidelines.

• Liaise with relevant land owners andagencies to maintain access to seed sourcesites.

• Maintain the Park’s field nursery to meetthe Park’s revegetation needs.

• Protect significant flora species (appendix1) in accordance with Parks Victoriaguidelines and approved Flora and FaunaGuarantee (FFG) action statements.

• Burn grasslands in accordance withMcDougall (1989) (section 4.1) andencourage investigation of ecologicalburning to facilitate regeneration ofwoodland communities and control of pestplants. Record burns and monitor impactson vegetation.

• Exclude rabbits and use direct-seeding as ameans of broad-scale low-cost restoration,giving priority to the restoration ofvegetation on the flood damaged sitesalong the creek (section 4.2). Monitorsuccess of plantings and regeneration inthe revegetation program.

3.4 Fauna

The close proximity of riparian, escarpmentand grassland environments in the Park createsa wide range of habitats that can supportdiverse fauna.

Beardsell (in prep.) identified the Park as anarea having State faunal significance. Thestudy found that the Jacksons and Deep creeksvalley system, which runs through the Park, hasa high diversity of reptiles, amphibians andmammals, and many significant fauna.

The long-term revegetation program hasenabled native fauna to recolonise sections ofthe Park naturally. FOOPS, Park staff andfield naturalists have recorded 15 native



mammal species, 88 bird species, 13 reptilespecies and 6 amphibian species in the Park. Anumber of these are considered to be regionallythreatened, rare or restricted (appendix 2;Beardsell (in prep.)). Sugar Gliders were re-introduced to the Park in 1989 and havesuccessfully colonised the creek area.

Four significant reptile species have beenrecorded in the Park (appendix 2). Itsgrassland areas may be suitable for the re-introduction of the threatened Striped LeglessLizard.

The banks and ponds of the creek providehabitat for the Growling Grass Frog, a speciesthat has suffered a major decline throughout itsrange (Webster pers. comm.). A number ofindigenous fish species have been recorded inthe creek (Tunbridge & Glenane 1982),including one threatened species (appendix 2).Other threatened indigenous fish species havebeen recorded in the Maribyrnong River systemoutside the Park, and may move through thecreek in the Park. Introduced fish species havealso been recorded in the Park, including BrownTrout, a predator of native fish. The introducedfish populations appear to be self-sustaining, asfish stocking into the Maribyrnong system hasbeen minimal in the last decade (Baxter pers.comm.).

The creek and escarpment form a wildlifecorridor that includes the least modified habitatin the Park landscape and links to Holden FloraReserve upstream, and Radar Hill, Deep Creekand Emu Creek to the east.

Aim

• Protect and conserve native fauna.


• Monitor fauna species and habitat ofsignificant species listed in appendix 2, andmaintain the Park logbook of faunasightings.

• In conjunction with FOOPS, investigate therole of nest boxes and monitor their success.

• Consider habitat requirements whenplanning ecological burning, and monitorimpact of burns on habitat.

• Develop a long-term strategy for fauna re-introductions which states the speciesconsidered to be indigenous to the Park,and includes investigating the feasibility ofintroducing:

• the Striped Legless Lizard into therecent additions to the Park inaccordance with the Striped LeglessLizard Action Statement (Webster, Fallu& Preece 1992);

• smaller mammal species such as theFat-tailed Dunnart;

• indigenous fish.

• Protect in-stream habitat for aquatic fauna,and ensure that the upstream anddownstream movement of indigenous fishwithin the Park is not restricted.

• Liaise with NRE to ensure that aquaticfauna in the Park are considered beforeany further exotic fish are released intoJacksons Creek or Deep Creek.

3.5 Landscape

The landscape forms part of the Western Plainscharacter type—typically flat grassy plains(Leonard & Hammond 1984). The plains occuras a plateau around the steep valley meandersformed by the incised Jacksons Creek. Thegorge is also a distinctive feature of theWestern Plains character type (Leonard &Hammond 1984). The valley sides range fromsandstone escarpment gorges with basalt wallsto steep slopes with basalt soils.

The valley floor varies from river flats tonarrow rocky stretches through gorges. Thegorge environment gives experiences ofremoteness in contrast to the exposedescarpment and plateau with their views tosurrounding urban and rural settings. Thevalley rim includes views to the City ofMelbourne to the south-east.

The major viewsheds from the main track are tothe north and west over degraded weed-coveredfarmland outside the Park. Other visualintrusions include farmland to the north ofseveral eroding gullies; the large earthembankments and advertising signs of theCalder Park Raceway opposite the Park



entrance; and the large power transmission linesat the western end of the Park (section 7.1).

Aims

• Preserve the viewscapes within and intoJacksons Creek valley.

• Enhance the viewscapes across the KeilorPlains.


• Exercise opportunities presented byplanning scheme referrals to minimise thevisual impacts of adjacent developments onthe Park (section 7.2).

• Ensure that landscape and scenic valuesare considered when planning any works.

• Encourage revegetation of roadsides andsurrounding land to minimise visualimpacts from adjacent properties, includingthe Calder Park Raceway (section 7.2).

• Undertake landscape works to help reducevisual intrusion from power lines.

3.6 Cultural heritage

Organ Pipes National Park is of significance toAboriginal people. The Woiworung tribe andthe Kulin nation are said to have inhabited theYarra and Maribyrnong River systems.Jacksons Creek formed part of the boundarybetween two clan estates, Marin-Bulluk andWurundjeri-Willam (Barwick 1984).

Archaeological surveys undertaken in the 1980sand 1991 by the former Victoria ArchaeologicalSurvey located Aboriginal campsites andisolated artefacts within the Park (Xiberras1991). The environment along Jacksons Creekoffered shelter, water and plentiful food.

All Aboriginal sites and material is protectedunder the Archaeological and AboriginalRelics Preservation Act 1972 (Vic.) and theAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HeritageProtection Act 1984 (Cwlth).

The open grassy nature of the Keilor Plains andtheir proximity to Melbourne meant that theseareas were among the first settled by Europeans

(Sutton 1916). The area of the Park wasalienated from the Crown in 1851 (Xiberras1991). The land around the Organ Pipes wasused for dairying, an orchard and cropping, andgrazed until the late 1960s.

A preliminary archaeological survey wasundertaken in October 1993.

The remains of an 1850s stone European housecan be seen beside Lightwood Gully Track.This significant European settler homesteadruin includes the remains of two stone shedsand a well, and traces of an orchard (Xiberras1991).

The basalt footings of a cable swing foot bridgeover Jacksons Creek remain from the 1880s.They are west of the Organ Pipes, about 50 meast of the existing management vehicle ford.

Aim

• Protect and preserve sites of historic andarchaeological significance.


• Protect Aboriginal sites by recording theirlocation (not by on-site marking) and anyassociated management activity that isundertaken.

• Consult with the Aboriginal community andAboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV)regarding the identification, recording andprotection of Aboriginal sites prior to newdevelopment works.

• Survey, assess, and prepare managementand (where appropriate) interpretationguidelines for:

• the early European homestead ruinsituated along Lightwood Gully track;

• the footings of the 1880s cable swingfoot bridge.

Park protection


4 PARK PROTECTION

4.1 Fire management

The National Parks Act requires the Director ofNational Parks to ensure that appropriate andsufficient measures are taken to protect parksfrom injury by fire. Wildfire is a major threatto the Park, which because of its small size is indanger of being totally burnt. Only one smallwildfire has occurred in the Park since itsreservation in 1972. The absence of wildfirehas been a major factor in the success of therevegetation works.

The Park has a high fire hazard rating becauseof the combination of low rainfall, exposure towinds, steep slopes, grassy vegetation and tall-growing weeds, together with the adjoininggrazing land and proximity to the CalderHighway.

The major risks of wildfire occurring in thePark are through visitor activities or fire fromadjoining land. Hazard reduction is undertakenin visitor picnic areas to minimise visitor risk.

Fire protection works are planned in accordancewith the Fire Protection Plan, Port Phillip Area(CNR 1996).

Fire breaks are slashed and fuel reduction burnsalong Park boundaries carried out annually toreduce the ability of fire to enter or leave thePark. Rangers liaise with adjoining landowners and the Country Fire Authority (CFA)on the maintenance of fire breaks. Firemanagement tracks form a network for firesuppression access to most of the Park.

Management of the grasslands areas includesecological burning at approximately three-yearcycles as recommended by NRE research(McDougall 1989). Fire may also be used on atrial basis to stimulate regeneration, and forweed management in other vegetationcommunities in the Park (section 3.3).

Aim

• Protect human life, the Park flora and faunaand adjoining land from injury by fire.


• Undertake fire protection works inaccordance with the Port Phillip FireProtection Plan (CNR 1996).

• Maintain management tracks (figure 3) forfire protection purposes.

• Where feasible, integrate fuel reductionburns required by the Fire Protection Planwith ecological burning.

• Liaise with the CFA, Melbourne FireBrigade, VicRoads and other relevantagencies and land owners as appropriate.

• Monitor the incidence and effects of fires inthe Park.

• Continue the practice of prohibiting solidfuel fires in the Park.

4.2 Pest plants and animals

The abundance of pest plants, environmentalweeds and pest animals in the Park andadjacent land is the result of the long history ofgrazing and other human disturbances. Pestplant species include the following noxiousweeds: African Box-thorn, Artichoke Thistle,Horehound, Patersons Curse, Common Prickly-pear, Common Bindweed, Variegated Thistleand Serrated Tussock. Environmental weedsinclude Canary-grass, Bridal Creeper andChilean Spear-grass.

Pest animal species in the Park includeEuropean Rabbit, Fox, feral Cat, Black Rat,Brown Rat and House Mouse. Rabbits areinhibiting natural regeneration of vegetation andare the priority for control (section 3.3).Wandering domestic and feral cats and dogswill increasingly threaten native fauna ashousing extends closer to the Park. Foxpopulations will need to be further reduced ifnative animal populations are to thrive.

A Pest Plant and Animal Management Plan hasbeen prepared (Mueck & Walters 1996).

Park protection


Aim

• Control pest plants and animals to protectnative plants and animals.


• Continue control of pest plants andintegrate with the revegetation programincorporating relevant proposals fromMueck and Walters (1996) (sections 3.1and 3.3).

• Develop and implement pest animal controlprograms, in particular for rabbits, cats,dogs, foxes, and Black Rats.

• Focus rabbit control in the rabbit exclusionblocks and along the creek (section 3.3),and maintain rabbit-proof fencing.

• Monitor pest plants and animals using thePest Management Information System(PMIS) (DCE 1990b).

• Control new occurrences of pest plantsbefore they have an opportunity toestablish.

4.3 Soil conservation

Most of the Park’s soils have been altered anddegraded by erosion resulting from humanactivity. However, some zonal soils havedeveloped complete soil profiles. These are theheavy red-brown clays that develop on thebasalt plains and are common in the Park.These clays have a thin loamy topsoil andcontain basalt floaters. The clay becomeswaterlogged in wet weather but

dries quickly in hot weather, shrinks, hardensand cracks (Van de Graaff 1979). Thisresponse to wet and dry conditions restricts theflora to those species (mainly grassland species)that can tolerate these conditions.

The other main soil group, the azonal soils,comprises alluvial soils along Jacksons Creekflats, lithosols on steeper slopes and colluvialsoils at the base of steep slopes.

The effects of vegetation clearing and weed andrabbit invasion were soil exposure andincreased erosion. Increased rain runoffresulted in sheetwash erosion across the slopes,and gullying along drainage lines. Slumpingoccurs on steeper slopes where rabbitburrowing has channelled water into the soilprofile. Cracking of the soil has contributed tothe development of erosion on the slopes.

Previous agricultural land use altered soils,promoted erosion and increased the risk ofsalinity. Some erosion sites remain alongJacksons Creek and in the gullies.

Aim

• Control active erosion sites.


• Identify and monitor, and undertake worksto control, erosion sites.

• Co-ordinate erosion control works with therevegetation program.

The Park visit


5 THE PARK VISIT

5.1 The Park visitor

The Park’s proximity to Melbourne enables itto attract a wide range of visitors, includinglocal residents, school and community groups,picnickers, and tourists and others who mightnot often visit parks.

Visitor numbers have fluctuated over the pastdecade. In 1996-97, 50 116 visitors wererecorded for the Park.

The busiest seasons during these years were inautumn and spring. Recent visitor surveysindicate repeat visitation from across themetropolitan area and a high frequency of localvisitors.

The Park is also popular with school and othergroups—a total of 212 groups were booked in1996-97—and by people who enjoy working onconservation projects as weekend volunteers.The Park is also a regular destination forcommercial bus tour operators.

Other increases in visitor numbers are likely tocome from major developments being plannednear the Park. These include the City ofBrimbank development of Sydenham Park,expansion of the Taylors Lakes area, andhousing subdivisions up to the Calder Raceway.

Recreation in Organ Pipes National Park islimited to passive activities because of thePark’s small size and rugged terrain, and theerodability of the soils. The main activities arewalking, picnicking, sight-seeing, nature studyand education.

The Park’s recreational setting has elements ofthe ‘Roaded Natural’ and ‘Semi Developed’categories of the Recreation OpportunitySpectrum (DCE 1990a). This follows from thePark’s proximity to the Calder Highway andother roads, as well as to nearby residentialareas and aircraft flight paths.

Providing for the visitor

Organ Pipes National Park will continue toallow visitors to escape from the city to arelatively natural woodland and grasslandsetting and participate in nature-basedrecreation. Park management will work to

facilitate high-quality visitor experiences andsimultaneously conserve and protect theenvironment. With this aim in mind, existingfacilities and services will be improved, andmore will be provided.

Aim

• Provide opportunities and quality servicesand facilities for use and enjoyment of thePark.


• Permit recreational activities inaccordance with table 2.

• Provide facilities and services thathighlight, but are in keeping with, thearea’s distinctive character (section 5.2).

• Apply current market survey findings toassess visitor profiles, expectations,preferences and patterns of behaviour, toassist in park management.

• Establish a program to determineappropriate levels of recreational activityconsistent with protecting visitorexperiences and park values.

• Encourage all visitors to adopt minimalimpact techniques and to adhere to codesof conduct appropriate to their activity.

• Monitor visitor numbers and use to ensureadequate provision of facilities consistentwith appropriate types and levels of use.

5.2 Visitor recreation activities andfacilities

5.2.1 Access and day visits

Public access to the Park is via a sealed roadfrom the Calder Highway leading to the carpark, Visitor Centre and other visitor facilities(figure 4). The road and visitor facilities areopen to the public from 8 am to 4.30 pm everyday (excluding Christmas Day), and to 6.00 pmat weekends during daylight saving.

The Park visit


TABLE 2 SUMMARY OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY ZONE* MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

CONSERVATION CONSERVATION

/RECREATION

Walking Yes Yes On designated tracks only (figure 4).

Picnicking No Yes Permitted in designated picnic areas andfacilities (figure 4).

Barbecues No Yes BYO non-solid fuel barbecues arepermitted in designated picnic areas andfacilities.

Canoeing Yes Yes Opportunities limited; inform inquirersof alternative sites.

Nature study Yes Yes Collection of material requires a permit.

Swimming Yes Yes Do not promote and include this activityin ongoing risk assessment audits.

Organised group activities Yes Yes Booking required; promote use ofVisitor Centre, car park and picnicareas.

Fishing Yes Yes Do not promote; inform inquirers ofalternative sites. Restrict to locationson the creek with track access shown onfigure 4.

Camping No No Inform inquirers of alternative sites.

Orienteering/rogaining No No Inform inquirers of alternative sites.

Cycling No No Permitted on entrance road and car parkonly. Inform inquirers of alternativesites.

Pleasure driving 2WD/4WD No No Permitted on entrance road and car parkonly. Inform inquirers of alternativesites.

Trail bikes No No Registered bikes permitted on entranceroad and car park. Inform inquirers ofalternative sites.

Rock climbing/abseiling No No Inform inquirers of alternative sites.

Horse riding No No Inform inquirers of alternative sites.

Dogs No No Inform inquirers of alternative sites.

* The Recreation Development Zone encompassing the Visitor Centre provides for intensive education andinterpretation activities.

The Park visit


The steep terrain, and limited area and extent oftracks, make the Park unsuitable for publicvehicles, including bicycles, and they arerestricted to the entrance road and car park.Vehicle access beyond the car park to theOrgan Pipes rock formation may be providedby the Ranger for visitors with limited mobility.

The conservation values of the Park,particularly the fauna reintroduction program,and the expectations of visitors seekingrecreation in a relatively natural setting, makethe presence of dogs undesirable. They areexcluded from the Park.

Three management vehicle creek crossings givePark staff access to management tracks in thenorth of the Park. These tracks are ofparticular importance for summer firemanagement access. There are several accesspoints to the Park used for managementpurposes only, off Loemans and ThompsonsRoads. Access from Loemans Road is acrossprivate land.

Aims

• Improve public access opportunities that donot impinge on the conservation role of thePark.

• Maintain passive nature recreationopportunities for visitors.

• Control the impact of visitors on the Parkenvironment.


• For the security of facilities, continue toclose the Park at night to public vehicles,except for special events.

• Provide minibus access to the Organ Pipesduring open hours for visitors with limitedmobility, by prior arrangement with Parkstaff.

• Continue to provide for informal parking atthe Park entrance, and after-hourspedestrian access into the Park. Considera more formal car park for after-hoursvisitors if demand increases.

• Provide bicycle stands in the vicinity of theVisitor Centre.

• Continue to exclude dogs from the Park.

• Maintain visitor booking and trafficcounter records.

• Monitor the impacts of recreationalactivities on the Park, particularly in picnicand creek areas.

5.2.2 Walking

Park walking tracks are limited because of thesteepness and small area of the Park, and totalless than 3 km in length. The walking tracksare generally shared with management vehiclesand are confined to the southern half of thePark, as there is no pedestrian crossing over thecreek. The main track is a partly sealed trackleading from the car park down to the OrganPipes, which branches west to Rosette Rockand Tessellated Pavement, and east alongJacksons Creek.

A nature study trail loops from the VisitorCentre to a viewing platform and back to thepicnic area and car park. This trail givesaccess for people with limited mobility and hasviews to the Organ Pipes and across the valley.It is proposed that the trail should featuredisplays of Keilor Plains flora.

The Park is a potential link for several pathnetworks in the north of Melbourne in the eventof a crossing being built over the creek.

Aims

• Improve public access opportunities that donot impinge on the conservation role of thePark.

• Seek to expand walking opportunities.


• Investigate the feasibility of expandingwalking opportunities by constructing trackloops and creek crossings at the TessellatedPavement and the south-east end of thePark and utilising City of Brimbank landand existing management tracks (figure 4).

The Park visit


• Maintain existing visitor walking tracks toClass B standard (NPS 1995).

• Liaise with the Cities of Brimbank andHume on any proposed regional trail.Ensure that any entry into or trail throughthe Park takes into account:

• impacts on rocky escarpment slopes• fragility of grassland and restoration

areas• suitability of any creek crossings• location of Park facilities• Park closure hours• Park restrictions on bicycle access• Park restrictions on dogs.

5.2.3 Fishing

Amateur anglers use the Park as there are fewareas of public access to the MaribyrnongRiver system. Anglers have trampled reed bedsalong sections of the creek, as well as breakingthrough vegetation. Angling may affectindigenous fish populations in the creek,(section 3.4) and Platypus have been recordedin the creek. A fishing permit system wastrialed in the early 1980s to control angling, butit was not successful as most fishing occurs outof hours.

Aim

• Reduce the effects of angling on creekhabitats and indigenous fish and platypuspopulations.


• Restrict angling to locations on the creekwith track access (figure 4).

• Inform anglers of more suitable publicaccess areas for fishing in the MaribyrnongRiver system.

• Monitor and review the impacts of angling,and consider restricting or excludingaccess if necessary.

5.2.4 Rubbish control

Litter in the Park has been an ongoing problem,particularly in the Scoria Cone picnic area.

Bins have recently been phased out and theproblem has been reduced.

Aim

• Minimise littering and litter in the Park.

Management strategy

• Implement a ‘Take your rubbish home’strategy.

• Inform Park visitors of the strategy, andmonitor its effectiveness.

• Arrange removal of heavy rubbish fromrecent additions to the Park.

5.3 Visitor information, educationand interpretation

The Park’s geological features, variedvegetation and landforms, ongoing revegetationprograms and other resources and facilities,including the Visitor Centre, present excellentopportunities for education about the naturalenvironment.

Rangers currently provide a free half-hourintroduction to the Park for booked groups;further Ranger time is charged on a fee forservice basis. A guide for teachers and visitorswas published in 1992 (DCE 1992).

The Visitor Centre is the focus for informationabout the Park. The display area givesinformation on the features of the Park and itshistory. The Visitor Centre office has furtherinformation and occasional indoor displays.The facility is popular but greater use can bemade of it with improved resourcing tofacilitate delivery of services to visitors.

FOOPS volunteers have assisted with publicinformation by staffing the Centre on Sundays,the busiest day at the Park.

Some temporary on-site interpretative signswere installed in the Park in 1994. Thesefeature photographs of the Park in the 1970sthat contrast with the current landscape, andexplain the formation of the Organ Pipes.

The Park visit


Aims

• Enhance visitors’ enjoyment andunderstanding of the Park’s natural andcultural values.

• Orientate visitors to the Park and itsfeatures.


• Prepare an Interpretation Plan for the Parktaking into consideration:

• profiles of visitors and other interestgroups

• geology and geological history• restoration of the natural environment

contrasted with the former degradedenvironment

• the Aboriginal environment• early European use of the land• the role of volunteers.

• Encourage the private sector to provideschool holiday interpretation programs inthe Park.

• Seek ways to enhance services to schoolsand to expand educational opportunitiesbased on nature conservation andrestoration of the Park.

• Provide booked groups with introductorytalks, where feasible.

• Liaise with land managers of other Parksin the area to ensure that there arecomplementary interpretation themes.

• Provide adequate visitor orientationinformation and safety messages at keyvisitor nodes.

• Establish and implement monitoring andmaintenance schedules for allinterpretative facilities.

• Undertake regular evaluation ofinformation and interpretation programsrelated to the Park, including costeffectiveness.

5.4 Public safety

The small size of the Park and steep terrainmake locating tracks difficult, and also presentsome safety considerations for walkers in thePark. The use of current walking/managementtracks by cyclists poses risks for both walkersand riders.

Aim

• Provide a safe environment for all visitorsand staff.


• Provide for visitor activities and visitorfacilities in accordance with risk mitigationrequirements.

• Liaise with emergency services aboutappropriate emergency access andprocedures.

• Ensure that staff are adequately trained toassist in emergency situations.

Community awareness and involvement


6 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT

6.1 Friends and volunteers

Community involvement has played a majorrole in the development of the Park. TheFriends of Organ Pipes (FOOPS) have madeimportant contributions by helping to research,design and implement the revegetation program,and by providing the resources to support thisprogram, especially the nursery.

In addition, the first Volunteers in ParksProgram was successfully piloted in the Park in1994. Other community groups and programssuch as The Greening of Corrections Program,run with the Department of Justice (formerlyOffice of Corrections - OOC 1990), also givevaluable assistance with a range of parkmanagement activities.

Aim

• Encourage community involvement in parkmanagement activities and projects.


• Involve FOOPS in Park planning andmanagement, particularly revegetation,management of the nursery, landprotection, fauna monitoring andinterpretation and education.

• Support FOOPS and other Friends groupsby:

• promoting their activities• facilitating training courses• providing for joint activities• encouraging membership.

• Develop and evaluate a long-termvolunteer strategy which incorporates theskills and interests of volunteer groups inPark management activities, including:

• increasing involvement of Scouts andother groups in Park restoration

• investigating ways to resource anAdopt-a-Park program with schools

• publicising opportunities• liaising with the Department of Justice

to involve people undertakingcommunity service orders.

6.2 Community awareness andPark neighbours

Private land surrounding the Park includesresidential development, grazing, the CalderRaceway and Tullamarine Airport. There isincreasing interest from neighbours inappropriate land management adjacent to thePark.

Aim

• Increase public awareness of managementactivities in the Park.


• Liaise with local community groups andland owners, and as appropriate involvethem in relevant aspects of planning andmanaging the Park (section 7.2).

• Liaise with Landcare groups to fostersound land management and restoration

• Apply, and encourage the application of,the Good Neighbour Policy to managementissues on or near the boundary of the Park.

• Encourage the formation of Landcare andLand for Wildlife programs in adjoiningland.

Other issues


7 OTHER ISSUES

7.1 Authorised uses

An easement for the South Morang to Keilorsection of the Melbourne to Geelong Solarispower line traverses the western section of thePark from north to south (figure 2). The powerline was constructed in the early 1980s. Theformer SEC funded the planting of vegetationscreenings along tracks in the Park in 1985 tominimise the visual impact of the power lineson park visitors.

A carriageway and water supply easement,located near Column Gully (figure 2), has notbeen used.

Aim

• Seek co-operative management of easementsconsistent with park objectives.


• Formalise a section 27 consent with Solaris(formerly SEC) for the power linetraversing the western section of the Park.

• Liaise with Solaris to minimise thepotential impact of weed infestation alongthe power line.

• Continue to screen areas to minimise visualimpact of pylons (section 3.5).

• Investigate removal of the carriageway andwater supply easement and liaise withMelbourne Water before any works areundertaken by Parks Victoria on theeasement.

7.2 Boundaries and adjacent uses

Surrounding land uses and practices are animportant influence on park management.Certain land use activities and landmanagement practices, on neighbouring land,especially those allowing uncontrolled pestplant and animal infestations, are a threat to thePark.

The City of Brimbank owns the land (part ofLot 1, Part of CA A Section 27 and part of

Crown Portion 29) which is almost surroundedby the south-eastern block of Park (figure 2).FOOPS has carried out restoration works onthis land in recent years in keeping with theobjectives of the Plan’s Conservation Zone. Anexisting track has the potential to be developedas part of the Park walking track system toform a loop trail if a creek crossing at theeastern boundary with the Park can be provided(figure 4 and section 5.2.2).

Several other areas have been identified asimportant to improving Park access, recreationopportunities and landscape setting. Theseinclude land with riparian frontage, and land onthe northern rim of the valley in the viewshed ofthe Visitor Centre lookout and walking tracksto the Organ Pipes.

Sydenham Park, which is being developed bythe City of Brimbank, abuts the Park along itssouth-east boundary.

The Holden School Site and Holden FloraReserve, both managed by Parks Victoria, areupstream of and near the Park (figure 1).Holden Flora Reserve contains remnant flora ofKeilor Plains and fauna including the Platypus,Water-rat (LCC 1977) and the endangeredSouthern Lined Earless Dragon. Revegetationexpertise developed at the Park could beapplied to these two sites.

Certain activities detract from the landscape,for example the high embankments of CalderPark Raceway. FOOPS have volunteered tohelp vegetate the slopes of the Raceway.VicRoads has used seedlings from the Park torevegetate along the Calder Highway frontage.Development of housing estates in the area alsohas the potential to be visually intrusive on thePark.

The nearby Tullamarine Airport and CalderPark Raceway generate high noise levels whichdetract from visitor experiences. The FederalAirports Corporation proposal to duplicaterunways will increase the frequency and levelsof aircraft noise experienced in the Park. ThePark entrance and eastern block of the Park arein the direct flight path of the preferred east-west runway duplication along Barbiston Road.

Other issues


The City of Hume planning scheme retains theareas north and west of the Park as a ‘greenwedge’ of rural residential and agricultural landseparating Sunbury from Melbourne. The Citymay consider cycle links to the north of thePark as part of cycle strategy for the whole Citywhich extends east to Roxburgh Park.

The City of Brimbank is developing conceptplans for recreational facilities to be built on theundeveloped Sydenham Park area to the south-east of the Park. The City has also approvedcontinued subdivision of land west fromTaylors Lakes along the Calder Highway towithin half a kilometre of the Park.

Aims

• Encourage conservation and sound landmanagement practices on surrounding land.

• Consolidate Park boundaries.


• Liaise with the City of Brimbank to haverelevant adjoining land (currently under itsownership) managed under the NationalParks Act.

• Liaise with the Cities of Brimbank andHume to ensure that planning schemesinclude appropriate controls over landadjacent to the Park.

• Seek to become a statutory referralauthority for land adjacent to the Park.

• Liaise with surrounding land managers toencourage the re-establishment andprotection of indigenous species usingtechniques compatible with parkmanagement objectives, particularly withthe City of Brimbank on management ofcreek and grassland environments ofSydenham Park.

• Liaise with VicRoads and Calder ParkRaceway regarding the proposed overpassto the raceway to ensure that it is notvisually intrusive and does not hinder parkaccess (section 3.5).

• Promote and investigate improving wildlifecorridor links between the Park andMaribyrnong River system and associatedreserves (section 6.2).

• Co-ordinate the management of HoldenFlora Reserve and Holden School Site withmanagement of the Park.

• Liaise with the Federal AirportsCorporation and Calder Park Racewaymanagement to encourage managementpractices that take into consideration parkmanagement objectives, including liaisingwith Calder Park Raceway management tominimise landscape impacts of the raceway.

Implementation


8 IMPLEMENTATION

Plan implementation will be assisted by the preparation of a three-year rolling implementation programbased on the following priority management strategies. The program will provide the basis for annualworks programs and budget development.

TABLE 3 PRIORITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY SECTION IN PLAN


Continue revegetation program. 3.3

Protect the Tessellated Pavement. 3.1

Park protection

Continue pest plant control program. 3.1, 4.2

Develop and implement pest animal control programs. 4.2

Undertake fire protection in accordance with the Port Phillip FireProtection Plan.

4.1

Control active erosion sites. 3.2, 4.3

Seek to bring management of City of Brimbank inlier under theNational Parks Act.

7.2

Preserve landscape values. 3.5

The Park visit

Extend walking opportunities. 5.2.2

Prepare interpretation plan for the Park. 5.3

Liaise with the Cities of Brimbank and Hume about links withadjacent public land.

5.2.2, 7.2

Monitoring and research

Monitor fauna species. 3.4

Develop a long-term strategy for fauna re-introduction. 3.4

Monitor progress of revegetation program. 3.3

Monitor visitor use and impacts. 5.1, 5.2

References


REFERENCES

Armand, S.M., Kemp, B. & Taylor, I. (1987)Draft Management Plan for Organ PipesNational Park, Applied Science Students,Environmental Assessment and Land UsePolicy, Victoria College, unpub.

Barwick, D.E. (1984) Mapping the Past: anAtlas of Victorian Clans, AboriginalHistory 8:(2): 100-31.

Beardsell, C. (in prep.) Sites of FaunalSignificance in the Western Region ofMelbourne, Department of NaturalResources & Environment, Victoria.

Beauglehole, A.C. (1983) The distribution andconservation of vascular plants in theMelbourne area, Victoria, WesternVictorian Field Naturalists Club, Portland.

Carr G. W. & Muir A.M. (1994) Review ofRevegetation at Organ Pipes National Park,Sydenham, Victoria, Ecology Australia,unpub.

CNR (1992) Draft Conservation Program forNative Grasslands and Grassy Woodlandsin Victoria, Department of Conservation &Natural Resources, Melbourne.

CNR (1995) Code of Practices for FireManagement of Public Land, Departmentof Conservation & Natural Resources,Victoria.

CNR (1996) Fire Protection Plan, PortPhillip Area (former Melbourne Region),Department of Conservation & NaturalResources, Melbourne.

DCE (1990a) An Inventory of RecreationOpportunity Settings on Major Areas ofPublic Land in Victoria, NPW OccasionalPaper Series, No 4.

DCE (1990b) PMIS, Pest ManagementInformation System, Land ProtectionDivision, Department of Conservation &Environment, Melbourne.

DCE (1990c) Remnant Native Grasslands andGrassy Woodlands of the Melbourne Area:an action plan for conservation based onbiological values, Department ofConservation & Environment, Melbourne.

DCE (1992) Organ Pipes National Park, aGuide for Teachers and Visitors,Department of Conservation &Environment, Melbourne.

Kemp, B. (1994) Organ Pipes National Park– a Natural History.

Kemp, B. & Irvine, R. (1993) Design and Useof Planting Zones at the Organ PipesNational Park, Victorian Naturalist, 110(3): 113-25.

LCC (1977) Final Recommendations,Melbourne Study Area, Land ConservationCouncil, Melbourne.

LCC (1987) Final Recommendations,Melbourne Area District 1 Review, LandConservation Council, Melbourne.

Leonard, M., & Hammond, R. (1984)Landscape Character Types of Victoria,Forests Commission Victoria.

McDougall, K. L. (1987) Sites of BotanicalSignificance in the Western Region ofMelbourne, Department of Geography, TheUniversity of Melbourne, Parkville, Reportfor Department of Conservation, Forestsand Lands.

McDougall, K. L. (1989) The Re-establishment of Themeda triandra(Kangaroo Grass): Implications for theRestoration of Grassland, Arthur RylahInstitute for Environmental ResearchTechnical Report No 89, Department ofConservation, Forests & Lands, Victoria.

Melbourne Water (1991) Draft UpperMaribyrnong River Concept Plan. RailwayTrestle Bridge to Organ Pipes NationalPark, Main report, Melbourne Water,Melbourne.

Mueck, S. G. & Walters, B. (1996) Pest Plantand Animal Management Plan, Organ PipesNational Park & Woodlands HistoricalPark, Biosis Research Pty Ltd., Melbourne,unpub.

NPS (1972) Interim Policy, Re-vegetation ofOrgan Pipes National Park, NationalParks Service, Melbourne.

References


NPS (1995) National Parks and ConservationReserves Guidelines and ProceduresManual, National Parks Service,Department of Conservation & NaturalResources, Melbourne.

NRE (database) 1997a Atlas of VictorianWildlife, Department of Natural Resources& Environment, Melbourne.

NRE (database) 1997b Flora InformationSystem, Department of Natural Resources& Environment, Melbourne.

OOC (1990) The Greening of CorrectionsProgram, Office of Corrections, Melbourne.

Rosengren, N. (1986) Sites of Geological andGeomorphological Significance in theWestern Region of Melbourne, Departmentof Geography, University of Melbourne forCFL, Arthur Rylah Institute.

Sutton, C. S. (1916) A sketch of the KeilorPlains flora, The Victorian Naturalist,33: 112-23 & 128-43.

Tunbridge B.R., & Glenane T. G. (1982)Fisheries Value and Classification of Freshand Estuarine Waters in Victoria, Fisheriesand Wildlife Division of Ministry forConservation, Melbourne, unpub.

Van de Graaff (1979) Soils of Melbourne,Student Resources Bulletin, Land ProtectionService.

Varcoe, T. (n.d.) Jacksons Creek Valley,Importance of acquired lands, Departmentof Conservation & Environment,Melbourne, unpub.

Webster, A., Fallu R. & Preece K. (1992)Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar),Flora and Fauna Guarantee ActionStatement No. 17, Department ofConservation & Environment, Melbourne.

Xiberras, A. (1991) An Archaeological Surveyof the Organ Pipes National Park, VictoriaArchaeological Survey, Melbourne.

Personal communications

A. Baxter, Fisheries Assessment Officer, NRE.

Ian Taylor, Western Plains Flora IndigenousNursery, Gisborne.

Alan Webster, Flora and Fauna GuaranteeOfficer, NRE, Port Phillip Region.

Appendices


APPENDIX 1 SIGNIFICANT FLORA

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME STATUS

Allocasuarina luehmannii Buloke +dBanksia marginata Silver Banksia *Bulbine glauca Bulbine Lily *Callitris glaucophylla White Cypress-pine dCalytrix tetragona Fringe Myrtle *Comesperma polygaloides Small Milkwort +vCorrea glabra Rock CorreaEnneapogon nigricans Nigger-heads *Eremophila deserti Turkey-bush dGlycine tabacina Variable Glycine *Helipterum anthemoides Chamomile Sunray *Nicotiana suaveolens Austral Tobacco *Psoralea tenax Tough Psoralea +ePtilotus macrocephalus Feather-heads *Rhagodia parabolica Fragrant Saltbush r*Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides Button Wrinklewort +eESenecio macrocarpus Large-fruit Groundsel +eVSenna artemisoides Desert Cassia *Stipa setacea Corkscrew Spear-grass rTripogon loliiformis Rye Beetle-grass rViminaria juncea Golden Spray *

Source: NRE database 1997bConservation status:e endangered in Victoriad depleted in Victoriar rare in Victoriav vulnerable in VictoriaE endangered in AustraliaV vulnerable in Australia+ listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act* Regional conservation status (DCE 1990c)

Appendices


APPENDIX 2 SIGNIFICANT FAUNA

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME STATUS

MammalsOrinthoryhncus anatinus Platypus *Petaurus breviceps Sugar Glider *Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna *

BirdsAquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle *Egretta alba Great Egret *Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon *Lichenostomus fuscus Fuscous Honeyeater *Lichenostomus melanops Yellow-tufted Honeyeater *Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater *Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail *

ReptilesChelodina longicollis Long-necked Tortoise *Pogona barbata Eastern Bearded Dragon *Pseudechis porphyriacus Red-bellied Black Snake *Trachydosaurus rugosus Stumpy-tailed Lizard *

FishGalaxias olidus Mountain Galaxias i

AmphibiansLitoria raniformis Growling Grass Frog *

Source: NRE database 1997a* regionally significant (Beardsell in prep.)i insufficiently known

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Cartography byNatural Resource Systems 97

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Park Access Road

Powerline

Figure 3PARK ZONING

G/6320.03

Conservation ZoneConservation and Recreation ZoneRecreation Development ZoneSpecial Management AreaWork CentreUnused Carriageway and Water Supply EasementGeelong to Melbourne Powerline

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Cartography byNatural Resource Systems 97

CarparkHomestead ruinLookoutPicnic areaToiletsVisitor Centre

Figure 4RECREATION FACILITIES

Proposed creek crossingProposed walking trackProposed regional trail

G/6320.04

Park Access Road

Powerline

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