wellington park management trust · chemicals (to reduce ... the wellington park management trust...

Wellington Park Management TrustAnnual Report 2009 – 2010

www.wellingtonpark.tas.gov.au

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

The Year at a Glance

Planning Achievements

• EndorsementofaSustainableTransportSystem

forpublicaccesstoMountWellington.Thesystem

identifiesPrimaryandSecondarytransportmodes,and

providesfortheconsiderationoffuturemodessubject

tointernationallyacceptedcriteriaandthenaturaland

culturalconstraintsthatexistwithinWellingtonPark.

• ContinuationoftheHistoricTracksandHuts

AssessmentProject.Theaimoftheprojectisto

achievebetterheritageconservationoutcomesfor

thehistoricwalkingtracksandhutswithinWellington

Park.Theprojectincludesacomparativelistingof

allknownhistorictrackswithidentifiedrecreational

tracks;identificationofthosetrackswhichcouldbe

considered‘Historictracks’orrouteswhichshould

havepriorityforheritagesensitivemanagement;and

theheritageassessmentofhighvaluehutsites.

• FinalisationofadraftHistoricalLandscape

Assessment,aspartofthebroaderLandscapeValues

AssessmentProject.Thisstudyincludedanextensive

searchforhistoricalimagesandreferencestothe

historicallandscapeappreciationofMountWellington

(to1950),andproducedimagesthatarenewtothe

Trustandarichresourceforfutureinterpretation,

aswellasimportantinsightsandunderstandingsfor

managingimportantlandscapevaluesandcultural

characteristicsofthePark.

• IntroductionofaBushfireSafetyPolicyand

StandardOperatingProcedureinresponsetothe

recommendationsoftheRoyalCommissionintothe

2009VictorianBushfires.Thisincludesclosureofthe

ParkondaysofExtremeorCatastrophicfiredanger.

• RevisionoftheWellingtonParkRecreationMap

(publishedbyTasmap)whichincludedamajorrevision

andupdateoftheTrust’sGISdatabase.

• AssistanceinthepreparationofanAssetManagement

PlanforTransendassetswithinWellingtonPark.The

planprovidesagreedproceduresandenvironmental

protectionmeasuresforworksrequiredtomaintain

TransendassetsinthePark,andwillavoidtheneedto

issueapprovalsforworksonacasebycasebasis.

• Completionofresearchintotheimpactofanti-icing

chemicals(toreduceaccumulationoficeonPinnacle

Road)onhighaltitudeflorawithinthePark.The

research,conductedbytheUniversityofTasmania,

concludedthattheintroductionofsuchchemicals

wouldcauselastingandextremedamagetoroadside

vegetation.

• RevampoftheTrust’swebsitetopresentan

informativeandusefulapplicationforParkvisitors,

andtoprovideinformationonParkmanagement

policiesandstrategies.

Operations

• CompletionofrepairstoJefferysTrackfundedfromthe

AustralianGovernmentBushfireMitigationProgramme.

TheaimofthisprojectistoensurethatJefferysTrack

canbeusedsafelybyemergencyservicevehicles,

particularlyduringabushfire.

• Completionoftherefurbishmentofwaterholes

anddamsintheParkusedasasourceofwaterfor

firefighting.Worksincludedcleaningoutexisting

waterholesanddamstoimprovetheircapacity,

improvingaccessforfirebrigadevehicles,and

constructingnewwaterholeswhererequired.This

projectwasalsofundedthroughtheAustralian

GovernmentBushfireMitigationProgramme.

• CompletionofStage3(Springs-ShoobridgeBend)of

themultiple-useNorth-SouthTracklinkingtheeastern

foothillsofMountWellingtonwiththeGlenorchyarea,

andtheGlenorchyMountainBikePark.

W e l l i n g t o n p a r k M a n a g e M e n t t r u s t

�

Community Involvement

• OngoingcommunityinvolvementintheRegulations

AwarenessProgrammeandeducationalactivities,

includingpromotionaleventsandinterpretationwalks.

• ContinuationofWellington park Wildlife,afauna

monitoringnetworktofacilitatethecollectionand

reportingofwildlifeinformationforinputintothe

NaturalValuesAtlas.

• ContinuedsupportfortheHobartCityCouncilBush

AdventuresProgramme,withinterpretationbeing

developedandrunforchildren,teensandadults

throughoutthePark.

• InvolvementofcommunityvolunteersintheHistoric

TrackRecordingProject

• FacilitationoftheWellingtonParkMaintenance

CoordinatingCommittee.Thecommitteemeetsatthe

startandendofthebushfireseasontocoordinate

bushfiremanagementandotherworksinthePark.It

includesrepresentativesofthemanagementagencies,

Transend,SouthernWater,theWellingtonPark

BushcareGroupandtheTasmaniaFireService.

Key Acronyms

DPIPWE DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries,Parks,

WaterandEnvironment

GCC GlenorchyCityCouncil

HCC HobartCityCouncil

PWS ParksandWildlifeService

WPA WellingtonParkAct1993

WPMP WellingtonParkManagementPlan2005

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

Introduction

�

A Complex Reserve

TheWellingtonParkManagementTrust(theTrust)isan

independentManagementAuthorityforWellingtonPark,

establishedpursuanttotheWellington park act 1993

(WPA).IthasfunctionedinthiscapacitysinceNovember

1993.Itsprimaryroleistoprovideaco-operativeand

effectivemanagementandplanningstructureforthis

uniqueanddiverseperi-urbanreserve.

WellingtonPark,at18250hectares,isoneofthelargest

areasofreservedlandoutsideoftheTasmanianWorld

HeritageAreaandofferscertainchallengestoitsland

managersduetoitsexistenceintheurbanandsemi-rural

environment.TheParkhasuniquenaturalandcultural

qualities,andincludestheiconsofMountWellington,

formingthebackdroptoTasmania’scapitalcity,and

SleepingBeauty,visiblefromtheHuonValley.

TheParkwasoriginallyproclaimedunderpurpose-made

legislationduetointernalcomplexitiesinlandtenure

andmixedownership.Thesemattershavehistorically

presentedmajorhurdlesinattemptinganyformofbroad

or‘wholeofPark’management,anditistestimonytothe

roleoftheTrustandthecommitmentandgoodwillof

thevariouslandholdersandTrustmemberagenciesthat

significantprogresshasbeenmade.

WellingtonParkcomprisestwelveseparateparcelsofland

withclassificationsandownershipincludingCrownland

(managedbytheParksandWildlifeService),freeholdland

(heldbythetwocitycouncilsofHobartandGlenorchy)

andlandvestedinthecouncilsforwatersupplypurposes.

SouthernWater1hasastatutoryresponsibilityforbulk

watersupplytothegreatermetropolitanareaand,whilst

continuingtomaintaininfrastructurewithinthePark,

contributessignificantlyasalandmanagertoensure

thesustainabilityofthedrinkingwatercatchments.The

ParksandWildlifeServiceofferssubstantialconservation

knowledgeandexperience,andadministrativesupport,

whilstTourismTasmaniarepresentsthesignificantrolethe

Parkhasasamajortouristdestinationanditspotential

forfuturesustainabledevelopment.TheTrustalsoreceives

substantialoperationalandadministrativesupportfrom

theDepartmentofPrimaryIndustries,Parks,Waterand

Environment.2

Vision and Mission

TheTrustendorseditsfirstCorporateStrategicPlanin

December2006,enablingaconsistentandvalues-based

approachtothemanagementoftheWellingtonPark

Office.ThePlanwasreviewedinJuly2008.

KeyaspectsoftheplanaretheTrust’sVisionandMission.

Thesehigh-levelstatementssettheframe-workforthe

achievementoftheStrategies,Goalsandworkpracticesof

theWellingtonParkOffice.

Vision

For Wellington park to be a special place enjoyed by

all for its prominent landscape, natural and cultural

diversity, and community value.

Mission

to preserve the natural, cultural, recreational, tourism

and drinking water qualities of Wellington park for their

own value and for the safe enjoyment of all people.

this will be achieved through outstanding management,

sympathetic development and a co-operative

relationship with our communities.

1as a result of the tasmanian Water and sewerage reform, implemented in accordance with the Water and sewerage Corporations act 2008 on 1 July 2009, Hobart Water’s management role in the park was transferred to southern Water.

2as of 1 July 2009, the Department for primary industries, parks, Water and the environment was created through the merger of the Department of primary industries and Water and the Department of environment, parks, Heritage and the arts.


�

Membership

ThemembershipoftheTrustisoutlinedintheWPA.The

ChairpersonfortheTrustisanindependentappointment

madebytheresponsibleMinisterinaccordancewith

theAct.Dr.ChristineMucha,ChiefExecutiveOfficer

(Onstream),continuedintheposition,havingbeen

reappointedtoatwo-yeartermfrom1June2009.

AldermanDr.PeterSexton(HCC)wasalsoreappointedas

DeputyChairpersonwiththetenurebeingforthesame

periodasthatoftheChairperson.

ThemembershipoftheTrustover2009-10wasconsistent,

withnomajorchangestothepreviousmembership.One

newmember,MrRussellFox,wasappointedduringthe

yeargiventhechangeofresponsibilitiesfromHobart

WatertoSouthernWater.

Over2009-10,theTrustconsistedof:

Dr. Christine Mucha Chairperson

Dr. John Whittington nominee of Director-general

of lands

Alderman Peter Ridler representative of glenorchy

City Council

Alderman Bill Harvey representative of Hobart City

Council

Alderman Peter Sexton representative of Hobart City

Council; Deputy Chairperson

Mr. Russell Fox representative of southern

Water (appointed 1 May 2010)

Mr. Ashley Rushton nominee of Director parks and

Wildlife service

Dr. Claire Ellis nominee of Director tourism

tasmania

ThefullmembershipandattendancescheduleofTrust

membersthroughouttheyearislistedinAppendix2&3.

Wellington Park Office

TheTrustissupportedbytheWellingtonParkOffice.

TheOfficeplaysanimportantroleinco-ordinating

themanagementactionscarriedoutbyTrustmember

agencies,andensuresaregionalandco-operative

approachtolandmanagementwithinWellingtonPark.

StaffintheOfficeconsistof:

Mr. Michael Easton Manager

Ms. Lydia Marino ranger

Ms. Anne McConnell Cultural Heritage Co-ordinator

Mr. Axel von Krusenstierna Fire Management Co-ordinator

TheTrustalsoemploysvariousconsultants,project-based

staffandresearchassistantsasrequired.

Generaladministrativeandtechnicalsupport,andoffice

spaceisprovidedtotheTrust’sManager,FireManagement

Co-ordinatorandCulturalHeritageCo-ordinatorbythe

HCC,whilsttheRangerissupportedbythePWS,resulting

insignificantcostsavingsfortheTrust.Technicalsupport

fortheTrust’sgeographicalinformationsystemisprovided

bytheGCCandDPIPWE.TheOfficealsoisassistedbythe

OfficeoftheSecretary(DPIPWE)formattersrelatingto

theDepartmentandMinisterialliaison.TheTrustremains

extremelygratefulforthislevelofsupport.

Technicalandspecialistadviceandinputisprovidedby

stafffromthemembershipbodiesontheTrustandvia

theTrust’sManagementAdvisoryCommittee,astatutory

committeeformedviaSection12oftheAct.

TheTrusthasestablishedMemorandaofUnderstanding

(MoUs)withrelevantTrustmemberagenciesformalising

administrative,strategicandfinancialcontributionsto

theTrusttoassistintheco-ordinationofmanagement

throughoutthePark.TheFireManagementCo-ordinator,

CulturalHeritageCo-ordinatorandRangerpositionsare

fundedviatheseagreements.TheMoUsdemonstrate

thestrongcommitmentofmemberagenciestothe

implementationoftheManagementPlan.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

�

Major Initiatives �009 – �010

Sustainable Transport System

Followingextensivecommunityconsultation,theTrust

endorsedaSustainableTransportSystem(STS)foraccess

toMountWellington.TheMountainisoneofthefour

most-visitedlocationsinTasmania,andsustainableyear-

roundaccessisakeyissueintheavailabilityofthearea

forgeneraltourismandrecreationuse.

TheSTSreliesuponnationallyandinternationally

acceptedcriteriaemanatingfromCanada,whichdefines

sustainabletransporttobeasystemthat:

• Allowsthebasicaccessneedsofindividualsand

societiestobemetsafelyandinamannerconsistent

withhumanandecosystemhealth,andwithequity

withinandbetweengeneration.

• Isaffordable,operatesefficiently,offerschoiceof

transportmode,andsupportsavibranteconomy.

• Limitsemissionsandwastewithintheplanet’sability

toabsorbthem.

• Minimizesconsumptionofnon-renewableresources,

limitsconsumptionofrenewableresourcestothe

sustainableyieldlevel.

• Reusesandrecyclesitscomponents.

• Minimizestheuseoflandandtheproductionofnoise.

Followingareviewofthenumeroussubmissions,theTrust

endorsedanSTSconsistingofthefollowing:

Primary Modes

• Individualaccessbyprivatecar.

• Ashuttle-busserviceprovidedbylicensedprivate

operators.

• Walking.

Secondary Modes

• Bikeriding.

• Otherprivateoperatorsandservicese.g.taxiservices

operatingfromoutsideofthePark.

Potential Modes

• Modesthatbuildupontheabovetoenhancethe

overallsustainabletransportsystem,andthatmeet:

– Theneedsofthecommunityandvisitorstothe

Park;

– Thesustainabletransportcriteria;

– Themanagementpoliciesandobjectivesofthe

WellingtonParkplanningframework;and

– ThevisionoftheTrustfortheongoing

managementofthePark.

Overview

Thesystemismadeupoftheindividualtransportmodes,

andprovides:

• Thebestuseofexistinginfrastructuretomeetthe

desiresofthecommunity,therebyreducingthe

relianceonconstructionofnewfacilitiesanduseof

land.

• Fornonet-increaseinemissionsbeyondexisting

levels,especiallynoise,andminimisesanyaesthetic

impacts.

• Aprimarymodethatisgenerallysafeandreadily

availabletoawidecross-sectionofthelocaland

touristcommunities.

• Aprimarymodethatprovidesanoptionforthosenot

abletoobtainprivatevehicleaccess.

• Achoiceofsecondarymodesthatprovideforlow

impact,lowcostoptionsforthephysicallycapable.

• Aprimarymode(buses)thatmaycreateopportunities

toenhancethelocaleconomy.

TheTrustnowaimstoworkwiththeHCCtodetailthe

transportoptionsoutlinedintheSTS.


�

Historical Recreational Tracks Heritage Conservation, Presentation & Interpretation Project

InMarch2010,theTrustreceivedfundingfromtheState

GovernmentundertheUrbanRenewalandHeritageFund

(URHF)toundertakeheritageplanningtounderstandand

promotekeyhistoricalrecreationaltracksinWellington

Parkforrecreationaluse.Thiswillassistindeliveringan

authenticanduniqueexperienceforvisitorstoWellington

Parkwhilstrespectingtheculturalsignificanceofthe

tracks.

TheprojectwillassisttheTrusttomeetitsobligations

undertheWPMPto‘retaintheessentialcultural

characteristics’ofWellingtonPark,andto‘providefor

community,tourismandrecreationaluseandenjoyment’

consistentwiththeconservationgoalsforthePark.

Benefitsfromtheprojectinclude:

• Improvedconservationofhighlysignificanthistoric

heritage.

• Improvedunderstandingof,andaccessto,thisheritage.

• Improvedrecreationalaccesstokeyrecreationalassets

withinWellingtonPark.

Theprojectfocusesontwomajorhistoricalrecreational

trackcomplexes:thePipelineTrack,whichrunsthelength

oftheMountainWaterSupplySystem;andthebroader

historictrackandhutnetworkontheeasternfaceofthe

Mountain,andwhichformsaheritagelandscape.The

trackcomplexesdatefromthemid-1800-early-1900sand

areconsideredtobeofstate,andsomenational,level

culturalsignificance.ThesignificanceoftheMountain

WaterSupplySystemisacknowledgedbyitslistingonthe

TasmanianHeritageRegister.

Heritageinvestigationswillinclude:

• Preparationofconservationmanagementpolicyand

adviceforthetrack&hutnetwork.

• Developmentofaninterpretationplanforthenetwork.

TheURHFgrantalsoallowsforthefollowing:

• Developmentof‘DesignGuidelines’forsensitive

recreationalandinterpretiveinfrastructurealongthe

PipelineTrack.

• ReplacementoftheexistingTwinBridgesalongthe

PipelineTrack.

• Identificationofurgentworkstohistorichuts.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

�

Strategic Planning

Corporate Strategic Plan 2008-2011

TheStrategicPlanprovidesforaconsistentandvalues-

basedapproachtothemanagementoftheWellington

ParkOffice.TheOfficeisthe‘actionarm’oftheTrustand

workstoimplementthestrategicdirectionsprovidedby

theTrustthroughtheWPMP,andotherplanningstrategies

andpolicies

TheGoalsoftheOfficearetobe:

• Effectiveinco-ordinatingthemanagementand

developmentofWellingtonPark.

• EfficientinoursupportoftheWellingtonPark

ManagementTrust.

• Workingactivelyinpartnershipwithourcommunities.

• Aleaderinnaturalandculturalresourcemanagement.

• Financiallysecureandwell-resourced.

• Transparentandprofessionalinallourdealingswith

thepublicandourmanagementagencies.

• Ahighlyskilledworkforcethatispro-active,

innovative,fulfilledandresponsivetochange.

• Promoting,andexpandingourknowledgeof,

WellingtonPark.

TheStrategiesthenprovideaframeworkforachievingthe

aboveGoals.

Strategy 1:Provideaworkingenvironmentthatwill

enabletheOfficetoachieveitsOrganisationalGoals

andtomaintainourvalues

Strategy 2:Co-ordinatethemanagementofWellington

Parkforthemaintenanceofitsvaluesandinresponse

totheneedsandaspirationsoftheTrust,our

communitiesandotherstatutoryresponsibilities

Strategy 3:Developandimplementapositiveand

proactiveapproachtoobtainingfinancialandstrategic

resources

Strategy 4:StrengthentheprofileoftheOfficeand

WellingtonParkamongourcommunities

Strategy 5:Establishandmaintaincloseand

co-operativerelationshipswithagencieswith

managementresponsibilitieswithinthePark

Strategy 6:Promotesustainablevisitoruseand

involvementthrougheducation,awarenessand

complianceinitiatives.

Strategy 7:ImproveourknowledgeofthePark,

includingitsvaluesandcondition.

ThePlanformsthecentre-pieceofastrategicframework

thatguidestheoperationsoftheOfficeandtheongoing

implementationoftheWPMP.


�

Partnership Agreements

TheTrusthasestablishedpartnershipagreementswithkey

memberagenciestoensuretheongoingmanagementof

theParkandtheWellingtonParkOffice.Theagreements

taketheformoffive-yearMemorandaofUnderstanding

(MoUs),andaredesignedtocoveradministrative,

strategicandfundingsupportfortheTrust.

TheTrusthasrenewedMoUswithSouthernWater,Hobart

CityCouncilandtheParksandWildlifeService.The

MoUsspecificallyprovidefortheemploymentofproject-

basedofficerstodevelopplanningpolicyandtoinitiate

implementationofrelatedactions.OvertimetheMoUs

haveprovidedfortheemploymentofaFireManagement

Co-ordinator,Ranger,andCulturalHeritageCo-ordinator.

In-kindcontributionsincludetechnicalandstrategic

supportfrommemberagencies.

Administrativecontributionsfromtheagenciesrelateto

thedevelopmentandmaintenanceofamarketingand

promotionalframework,incorporatingtheTrust’swebsite,

informationsheets,andvariouspublicactivities.

Commercial Visitor Services

TheTrusthascontinuedtoimplementguidelinesforthe

assessmentandmanagementofcommercialoperationsin

thePark,originallyendorsedin2007.Theguidelineswere

preparedinaccordancewiths.6.3.19oftheWPMP,which

requiredapolicythataddressed:administration;feesand

pricing;monitoringprocedures;training;andadvertising

withinthePark.

CommercialoperationswithintheParkarefacilitated

viathePWS,providinga‘one-stop’CommercialVisitor

Service(CVS)forthelicensingofcommercialactivitieson

landsmanagedbytheTrust,PWSandForestryTasmania.

TheTrust’sguidelinesensurehoweverthattheTrustcan

applyitsownassessmentcriteriaandprocedureswhilst

remainingpartofthebroaderarrangement.

InconsultationwiththePWS,theCVSwasamendedto

provideforthreedistinctlicenceclasses:ClassA(general

commercialactivitiesthatinvolvetransportandlimited

guideddaywalkingtoursonly);ClassB(activities

requiringadditionalconditionsormorespecificland

accessthanthosespecifiedinclassAe.g.mountain

biketours);andTransportLicences(baseleveltransit

operations).TheTransportlicenceclasswasfurther

dividedintotwosub-classes:TourismTransportServices

(wheretheoperatoroffersaninterpretiveexperience

andisaimedatthetourismmarket);andBaseTransport

Services(wheretransportonlyisprovidede.g.charter

groups).

Further,theTrustendorsedapolicyofrequiringall

commercialoperatorstohaveappropriatetourismindustry

accreditationwhenofferingtourismservices;thisdoes

notapplytotheBaseTransportService.Theintentis

toensureahighqualityandmanagementanddelivery

oftourismserviceswithinthePark,andtheapproachis

supportedbytheTourismIndustryCouncil,Tasmania.

Asat30June2010,therewere57businessesconducting

commercialoperationsinthePark.

Fire Management

TheTrustcontinuedtoco-ordinatetheimplementationof

theWellingtonParkFireManagementStrategy(rev.2005)

(FMS).TheTrustemploysapart-timeFireManagement

Co-ordinatortoworkwithrespectivelandmanagement

agenciestoensuretimelyandappropriatemanagementof

vegetationandfireinfrastructure,inaccordancewiththe

objectivesoftheFMS.

TheCo-ordinatorconvenesbi-annualmeetingsofthe

MaintenanceCo-ordinatingCommittee(MCC),attended

byrepresentativesoftheTasmanianFireService(TFS),

landmanagementagenciesandtheWellingtonPark

BushcareGroup.TheMCCprovidesaforumforinformation

sharing,andallowsagenciestoplanco-operativelyforfire

managementandoperationalissues.

The2009-10fireseasonwasquietwithnomajorfires

occurringinthePark.TheonlyknownfireintheParkwas

asmallfireonprivatepropertynearCollinsCapwhich

spottedintothePark,andwaseasilyextinguishedbythe

TFS.Amajorfireoccurred(outsidethePark)onJefferys

TracknearLachlanonadayoftotalfirebanandrapidly

spreadtowardsthePark.Thisfirehadthepotentialto

burnmuchofthewesternportionoftheParkbutwas

quicklycontrolledbeforeitreachedtheParkbythevery

promptactionoflocalbrigadeswithhelicopterassistance.

Flare-upsoccurredoverthefollowingweekbutwere

quicklyextinguished.

TheTrust,inconjunctionwithPWS,hasnowlargely

completedarefurbishmentofwaterholesanddams

(waterpoints)inthePark,viaagrantfromtheAustralian

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

9

GovernmentBushfireMitigationProgramme.On-ground

improvementsinclude:

• Constructionofninenewwaterholes.

• Refurbishmentof30existingwaterholes(sixwaterholes

werelinedtoimprovewaterholdingcapacity).

• Clearingtwohelicopterlandingareas.

• Providingvehicleturningandback-inareasateach

waterhole.

• UpgradingPriestandTolosafiretrails.

• SurfaceandaccessimprovementstoEast-West,

Montrose,East-West,BigBend,CollinsCapand

Ringwoodfiretrails.

Workstobecompletedinspring2010include:

• Signpostingofallwaterholes.

• RefurbishmentofsomesmallwaterholesintheHCC

managementarea.

• FurtherrepairstoBigBendfiretrail.

Aselectionofthewaterholesincludedintheprojectwere

sampledforthepresenceofChytridfungus(arecently

introducedfrogdiseaseresponsibleforasubstantial

decreaseinnativefrogpopulations)toprovidebaseline

dataofitspresenceinthePark.Theresultsshowedthat

ofthe15waterholessampled:nineshowednosignof

thedisease;fiveshowedlowlevelsofinfection;and

onlyoneshowedhighlevelsofinfection.Thepresence

ofthefungusintheParkreinforcestheneedforstrict

applicationoftheWellingtonParkHygieneProtocolto

protectareasthatarenotinfected.

TheTrustalsocontinuedtoimplementanotherBushfire

MitigationProgrammegranttoimproveemergencyaccess

toJefferysTrack.ThistrailismostlyoutsidetheParkbut

isacruciallinktotrailswithintheParkandisimportant

forfiremanagementinthewesternportionofthePark.

TheaimoftheworksistoensurethatJefferysTrack

canbesafelyandefficientlyusedasanaccessroutefor

emergencyservicesvehiclesintheeventofafireorother

emergency.

AProjectReferenceGroupofkeystakeholdersassistedin

guidingtheproject.ThegroupischairedbytheTrust’s

FireManagementCoordinatorandincludes:DerwentValley

andHuonValleyCouncils;PWS;NorskeSkog;TFS;Forestry

Tasmania;andrepresentativesof4WDTasmaniaandthe

TasmanianTrailAssociation.

Completedworkscompletedincluded:

• Bypassingboggysectionsofthetrack.

• Improvingdrainageandrepairingbadlyeroded

sectionsofthetrack.

• Clearingvegetationtoassistemergencyaccess.

Thetrailrepairs,andconstructionandrefurbishmentof

thewaterholes,wasexpertlycarriedoutbycontractors

HazellBros,supervisedandassistedbythePWS.

NoplannedburnswerecarriedoutintheParkin2009-

10,howeverWP11(outsideofthePark)wasburntbythe

WellingtonFireBrigadeinaccordancewiththeTrust’sFire

Managementstrategy.Refuseburnswerealsocompleted

atLowerMertontoremovepineslashleftasaresultof

earlierpineremovalworks.

Fiveburnsareplannedfor2010-11,subjecttoweather

conditions.Theseinclude:alargeburnintheGoatHills

area;anareatothesouthoftheKnightsCreekReservoir;

andburningtheremainingslashpilesleftafterthepine

removalatUpperMerton.Theslashpileburnsarepartof

thelongtermgoalofrehabilitatingthenativebushlandin

thearea.

TheTrusthasfinalisedadatasharingagreementwith

DPIPWE.UnderthisagreementtheTrusthasaccessto

GeographicInformationSystem(GIS)datafromtheLIST

andprovidestheDepartmentwithsomeofitsGISdata

whichisthenavailableforusebytheTFSandother

emergencyservices.SensitivedatarelatingtoWellington

Parkisheldinaspecialemergencyservicessectionof

theLISTandisaccessiblebythegeneralpublic.Thedata

transfertakesplaceannuallyinOctober.

TheTrusthascontinuedtobeamemberoftheHobart

SpecialFireAreaCommittee.Theareacoveredbythe

committeeisdefinedundertheFireServiceAct1979,

andincludesmostofWellingtonPark.TheCommitteeis

requiredtomeettwiceayear.TheTrusthaswrittento

theChiefOfficernotingitssupportforareviewoftherole

andfunctionoftheCommittee,andthebroaderreviewof

FireAreaCommitteesbeingundertakenbytheStateFire

ManagementCouncil.

InresponsetothefindingsoftheRoyalCommissioninto

the2009VictorianBushfires,theTrustendorsedpolicyto

closetheParkduringperiodsofExtremeorCatastrophic

firedangerintheHobartarea;thisextendstheexisting

policyofclosingtheParkifthereisafireburninginthe

ParkorlikelytospreadintothePark.Implementation


10

ofthepolicywillinvolvetheclosureofPinnacleRoad

atBrackenLaneusingthesameprocedureasforsnow

closures,andtheplacementofsignsatotherentrypoints

warningwalkersnottoentertheParkondayswithan

ExtremeorCatastrophicfiredanger.Thenewpolicyhas

beenincludedontheneweditionoftheWellingtonPark

RecreationMapandotherhandouts,andissupportedby

landmanagementagencies.

Regulations Awareness Programme

TheRegulationsAwarenessProgramme(RAP),nowin

itseighthyearengagesagencystaff,otherauthorities

andthecommunityintheprotectionandpromotionof

thePark’svalues.TheTrusthascontinuedtoencourage

communityinvolvementinmanagementofthePark,and

hasmaintainedstrongconnectionstovariouscommunity

groupsandParkusers.OngoingsupportfromTrustmember

agencies,TasmaniaPoliceandthecommunity,hasbeen

integralinraisingcommunityawarenessofParkvalues

andtheWellington park regulations 2009.

TheRanger’sactivitiesareguidedbyasteering

committeeconsistingofrepresentativesfromland

managementagencieswithresponsibilitiesinthePark,

andinaccordancewiththedirectionsandpriorities

oftheRAPCommunicationsPlan.Ongoingawareness

componentsinclude:on-groundeducation;maintenance

oftheWellingtonParkwebsiteandotherinformation;

distributingregulatoryinformation;preparingmedia

articlesandradiointerviews;organisingParkpromotional

andeducationalopportunities;AuthorisedOfficer(AO)

trainingandco-ordination;andrespondingtopublic

enquiries.

Informationsheetswereregularlydistributedinthefield

anddistributeduponrequestorinresponsetoreported

offences.Subsequentwrittencautionswerealsoutlilised,

mainlyinresponsetoreportedtrailbikeandmountain

bikeoffences.Regularcontacthasalsobeenmaintained

withlocalParkneighboursandvariouscommercial

operators,suchastrail-bikeclubsandshops,bikeshops,

localshopsanddogtrainingschools.

Educationinitiativesincludedstallsattargetedevents,

includingtheTreadlightlyFestival(RoyalTasmanian

BotanicalGardens).Thisdisplayhighlightedrecreation

opportunitiesintheParkwhilstprovidinginformation

onpossibleresultantthreatstothePark’senvironment,

particularlyinrelationtodogexercising.

TheTrustcontinueditssupportoftheHCCBushland

AdventuresProgramme,withseveralinterpretiveevents

beingtailoredforchildren,teensandadults.Activities

includedtalksonMountWellington’shistoryandflora,and

interpretivebikeridesandbushwalksforyoungpeople.

Enforcementactivitiesconsistedofon-groundpatrols,

someassistedbyTrustagencystaff.Itispromisingto

noteamarkedreductioninillegaltrailbikeaccessin

theGCCmanagementareawhencomparedtoprevious

years;thismaybeattributedtotheincreasedon-ground

enforcementpresenceoverthelastfewyears.Connections

weremaintainedwithTasmaniaPoliceandtheDPIPWE

WildlifeRangers,andtheTrustisgratefulfortheir

ongoingsupportinoffenderinvestigationsandgeneral

advice.

Ariseintheincidenceofoff-leaddog-walkingandillegal

mountainbiking,mainlytheHCCmanagementareaofthe

Park,hasrequiredincreasedenforcementactivityinthis

area.TheRangerhasutilisedportableregulatorysigns

andmediacommunicationtotargetsuchoffencesinthese

problemareasandtohelpraisepublicawarenessofthe

impactoftheseoffences.

Additionalenforcementactivitieshaveincluded:regular

on-groundpatrols;maintenanceoftheRAPoffence

database;monitoringtheParkboundary;andthe

investigationofreportedoffences.Encouragementand

supportofagencyfieldstaffcontinued,withpresentations

giventofieldstafftoincreasetheregulatoryinvolvement

ofallstaffworkinginandaroundthePark.Regular

contactwasalsomaintainedwithkeyParkneighboursto

assistinobtainingregulatoryandotherParkinformation.

Tosummariseoffences,incidentsintheHCCmanagement

areamostlyrelatedtodogsoff-lead(particularlyon

andaroundBrackenLanefiretrailandMainfiretrail),

andillegalmountainbikeridingonprohibitedtracks

(particularlyLowerSawmill,Breakneck,Fingerpostand

Woodstracks).Trail-bikeoffences,althoughlessthan

inpreviousyears,continuetooccurintheGCCarea,

particularlyonChapel,ZigZag,andQuarryfiretrails,

andwithintheKnightsCreekandLimekilncatchments.

OffencesoccurringinthePWSareaoftheParkmostly

relatetoillegaltrail-bikingontheEastWestfiretrailand

intheCollinsvalearea,withillegalfour-wheeldriving

continuingtooccuronJefferysTrack.Incidentsoftree

removal,woodhookingandvegetationdamagealso

occurredinsomePWSareasofthePark.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

11

Throughouttheyear,theRangerspent325hoursinthe

field,withatotalof83offencesbeingdetectedand

recorded.Regulatoryactionsincluded:

• 41InformalCautionsand15VerbalCautions

• 20offenceswherecommunicationwiththeoffender

wasnotpossible

• 4PrescribedInfringementNotices

• 2Lettersofwarning,sentoutasaresultofreported

offences

• 1FormalCautionlettersentoutbytheTrustManager

Cultural Heritage Management

Aboriginal Heritage

TheTrusthascontinuedtoworkcloselywiththe

TasmanianAboriginalCentreandtheTasmanianAboriginal

LandandSeaCouncilwhereopportunitiesarise.Nonew

initiativeshavebeenundertakenwiththeAboriginal

communitythisfinancialyear.

Historic Heritage

TheTrustcontinuedtoemployapart-timeCultural

HeritageCoordinator(CHC)onatwo-dayperweekbasis

fromJuly-December2009,withsomeadditionalwork

beingundertakeninJanuary–June2010toprogress

currenthistoricheritageprojects.

TheroleoftheCHCisto:provideadviceandassistance

totheManageroftheTrustandotheragencystaffin

relationtoculturalheritagematters;todevelopthe

co-ordinatingroleoftheTrustinrelationtohistoric

heritagemanagement;andtoprogresstheimplementation

ofmanagementframeworkrecommendationsfromthe

HistoricHeritageAudit(2005).

Akeyfocusof2009-10wasimprovingtheknowledge

baseforhistoricheritage,andprovidingadviceonthe

managementofthesevalues.Inthisperiodthedraft

PinnacleAreaConservationPolicy,basedonextensive

backgroundresearchintothehistoricandarchaeological

valuesofthishighlyvisitedlocation,wascompleted.The

reporthighlightstheculturalsignificanceofthePinnacle

area,however,giventheproximityofthereviewofall

suchpoliciesintheWPMP,theTrusthasnotformally

endorsedthereport.

Thedetailed,multi-layerWellingtonParklandscape

assessmentprojectwasalsosubstantiallyprogressed,

withthecompletion(todraftstage)ofthehistorical

landscapeassessment.Thisstudy,whichincludedan

extensivesearchforhistoricalimagesandreferencesto

thehistoricallandscapeappreciationofMountWellington

(to1950),hasproducedimagesthatarenewtotheTrust

andarichresourceforfutureinterpretation,aswellas

importantinsightsandunderstandingsformanaging

importantlandscapevaluesandculturalcharacteristicsof

thePark.

Thesecondmaincomponentoftheproject-toassess

anddocumentthepresentdaylandscapecharacter,visual

qualityandscenicvaluesofthePark-wascommenced

in2009-10.Thethirdcomponent,beingundertakenin-

house,isacommunityvaluesassessmentofthePark.This

componentwassubstantiallydevelopedin2009-10and

willincludeaweb-basedquestionnaire.

Akeyprojectcontinuingfrom2008-09istheHistoric

TracksandHutsProject,fundedbytheUrbanRenewal

andHeritageFund.Theprojectaimstoprovideagood

understandingofthehistoricheritagevaluesofthemid-

1800stomid-1900swalkingtrackswhichtodayformthe

coreoftherecreationaltracknetwork.Thefundingwill

allowthefullhistorictrackandhutnetworkwithinthe

‘MountainPark’sectionofWellingtonParktobeassessed,

andprovidesforthedevelopmentofpresentationand

interpretationopportunities.

TheCHChasalsocontinuedtodeveloptheinformation

baseforthehistoricheritageofWellingtonParkviafield

inspectionsandnewinformationprovidedbymanagement

agencystaffandmembersofthepublic.Consultationwith

thepublicisseenasanextremelyimportantandongoing

aspectofmanagement.TothisendtheCHChascontinued

tomaintaincontactwithgroupsandindividualswitha

knowninterestinthehistoricheritageofWellingtonPark.

In2009-10theCHCalsoassistedwithpublicrequestsfor

heritageinformation,gaveapresentationtotheRosny

SchoolforSeniorsonWellingtonParkanditsgeneraland

heritagemanagement,andwasinterviewedbyABCradio

onthehistoryofMountWellington.Theacquisitionof

apieceofhistoricequipmentfromWellingtonParkfor

heritagerestorationwasalsofacilitatedbytheCHCwho

assessedtheheritageimpactsassociatedwiththeremoval

andliaisedwithinterestedparties.


1�

TheCHCalsocontinuedtoprovidedadviceandsupportto

themanagementagenciesinrelationtohistoricheritage

managementinWellingtonPark.Thistooktheformof

discussions,assessmentsandfieldinspections,particularly

inrelationto:therevisedSpringsVisitorCentreproposal;

refurbishmentofthePinnacleobservationshelter;track

constructionproposals;theJeffreysTrackupgrade;and

theMountainWaterSupplySystemintakesbetweenNeika

andNWBayRiver.Thewalkingtrackassessmentsledto

thelocationofpreviouslyunknownhighlysignificant

tracksontheflanksofMountWellingtonwhichare

amongsttheearliestknowntracksinthePark.

TheCHCalsocoordinatedtheresponsetorehabilitation

oftheMuskHutsitefollowingtreecollapseonthehut

chimney,andinitiatedinvestigationofdamagetothe

HutchinsonsTharkCampchimneyandtherepairofthe

chimneyatLakinsLair.

TheTrusthascontinuedtofacilitatetheMountainWater

SupplyHeritageWorkingGrouptoensureaco-ordinated

andstrategicapproachtothemanagementofthehighly

significanthistoricMountainWaterSupplySystem.

Membershipofthegroupincludesrepresentativesfrom

theTrust,HCC,SouthernWater,theTasmanianHeritage

Council,andCulturalHeritagePractitionersTasmania.

ThegrouphasfinalisedadraftConservationManagement

PlanfortheSystem,however,asat30June2010,the

documentwasawaitingreleasebytheHCCforpublicconsultation.

Water Quality and Catchments

ManagementofthePark’svitaldrinkingwatercatchments

remainedapriorityfortheTrustinthe2009-10

period.Managementofthedrinkingwatercatchments

transitionedfromHobartWatertoSouthernWateratthe

startofthereportingperiod,andwiththischangecame

theamalgamationofthegreaterHobartdrinkingwater

catchmentswiththosepreviouslymanagedbymunicipal

councils.Themunicipalcatchmentsinclude:

• IllaBrook(ContributestoNewNorfolk’sdrinking

water)

• RockyCreek(SuppliesCrabtree)

• StevensonsCreek(SuppliesMountainRiver)

TheParksuppliesapproximately20%ofthegreater

Hobart’sdrinkingwater,contributestothewatersupplied

toNewNorfolk,andprovidesallofthewatersupplied

toCrabtreeandMountainRiver.TheTrusthasworked

closelywithSouthernWatertostrategicallymanagethe

catchmentsforthelongtermbenefitofthecommunity.

TheWellingtonParkDrinkingWaterCatchment

ManagementStrategy,endorsedbytheTrustin2003,

continuestoguidestrategicandon-groundactions

undertakenbySouthernWaterandotherrelevant

agencies.Thestrategyprovidesstrategicandon-ground

recommendationstoensurethefuturebestpractice

managementofthedrinkingwatercatchments,and

toensurethatsuppliesofhighqualitydrinkingwater

harvestedfromWellingtonParkcanbesustainedforthe

long-termbenefitofthecommunity.

A5-yearreviewoftheStrategyhasbeencompleted,with

adraftrevisedStrategydueforpublicreleasein2010-11.

Priorityissuesarenowbeinginvestigated,including:

• Readyaccesstodrinkingwatercatchments,human

activities,andtheproximityofintakestoaccess

points,

• Lackofstorageanddetentiontimebeforewater

consumption,

• Domestic,feralandnativefauna,

• Ongoingagencycoordination,

• Environmentalflows,and

• Landslipsandothernaturalsourcesofsediment.

On-groundactionsundertakenbySouthernWater

throughouttheyearincluded:waterintakeaccess

trackimprovements;continueddeliveryofeducation

programmes;catchmentconditioninspections;andwater

qualitymonitoring.

TheRegulatoryAwarenessProgrammehascontinued

toplayavitalroleineducatingthepublicandother

WellingtonParkusersaboutwhichactivitiesare

permissibleinthevariousdrinkingwatercatchmentareas.

TheProgrammeisstronglysupportedbySouthernWater.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

1�

Wellington Park Wildlife

TheWellingtonParkWildlifewasestablishedin

conjunctionwithConservationVolunteersAustraliato

recordwildlifesightingsandotherdatathroughout

thePark.Thisinformationisthenmadeavailableto

theNaturalvaluesAtlas,administeredbytheState

Government.

AmammalsurveyoftheeasternportionoftheParkwas

carriedoutbyMsBillieLazenbyaspartofaPhDproject.

Thesurveyusedremotecameras,triggeredbyheatand

disruptionofaninfra-redbeam.Nativeanimalsdetected

included:TasmanianDevil(apparentlyunaffectedbythe

facialtumordisease);Spotted-TailedQuoll;Tasmanian

Bettong;andnumerousEasternQuoll,BennettsWallaby,

TasmanianPaddymelon,Brush-tailedPossum,Long-tailed

Mouse,SwampRat,andAntechinus.Blackandbrown

ratswerealsodetectedaswellassixindividualferalcats

(feralcatsareaconcernhoweverthenumberofcatsis

similartothenumberrecordedinotherareasofsouthern

Tasmaniainsimilarvegetationtypesandgeography).


1�

Development Planning

Springs Site Development

TheTrustcontinuedtoworkwiththeHCC(astheland

owneroftheSpringssite)todeveloptheSpringssite.

Asnotedinthe2008-09AnnualReport,SultanHoldings,

theholdersoftheexistingpermittodevelopthesite,

appliedforanewpermittoprovideforabuildingand

associatedinfrastructurethataccordedwiththeSprings

ZoneMasterPlan,endorsedbytheTrustinMarch2008.

TheMasterPlanrecommendedtherelocationofthe

developmenttothesouthernsideofthemiddleSprings

picnicarea,therebymaximisingitsnortherlyaspect;this

approachwasfullysupportedbySultanHoldings.

SultanHoldingsobtainedanewpermitpursuanttothe

land use planning and approvals act 1993inMay2010,

followingasuccessfulmediationofanappealagainstthe

permit.TheTrustsubsequentlyprovidedapermitpursuant

totheWellington park regulations 2009inJune2010.

Asat30June2010,SultanHoldingshadyettosubmit

detailedplansrequiredbythetwopermits.

Project Approvals

Followingpreviousamendmentstotheprovisionsofthe

WPA,andthemakingofthenewManagementPlanin

2005,theTrusthassimplifiedthedevelopmentapproval

processforuseanddevelopmentwithinthePark.The

ManagementPlanprovidesforalistofExemptuses

anddevelopments(thosethatdonotrequireapproval

fromtherelevantplanningauthority),andthenapplies

aperformance-basedapproachtodeterminingthe

suitabilityofproposalsthatmustmeettherequirements

andstandardscontainedintheManagementPlan.Apart

fromroutine,generalmaintenanceoremergencyworks,all

proposalsforuseanddevelopment,includingthoselisted

inthePlanasExempt,requirethesubmissionofaProject

ProposalFormtotheTrusttoensurethatanyassociated

issuesareaddressed.

TheTrusthasapprovednineprojectproposalswithinthe

Parkthroughouttheyear.Projectsincluded:construction

ofstagesoftheNorth-SouthTrack;placementofbike

hoopsandabenchattheWellingtonFallsTrack;andthe

approvaloftheSpringsday-usefacilityasoutlinedabove.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

1�

Other Activities

Recreation

Bush Walking

Theuse,developmentandpromotionofthewalkingtrack

networkwithintheParkareamongthefundamental

managementprioritiesfortheTrust.TheTrust,in

conjunctionwithitslandmanagementagenciesand

community-basedwalkingtrackworkinggroup(WTWG),

hascontinuedtheimplementationoftheWalkingTrack

Strategy,endorsedbytheTrustinJune2003.

TheStrategyprovidesabasisforthefuturemanagement

ofallknowntracksandrouteswithinthePark,and

containsadetailedactionplanoutlining28keyactions

forimplementationbytheTrustandmemberagencies.

TheadoptionoftheAustralianStandardswalkingtrack

classificationsystemhassetinplaceaconsistent

approachtothemanagementandmaintenanceofwalking

tracks,andofkeysafetyandriskmanagementissues.Key

walkingtrackachievementsareoutlinedinOn-Ground

Managementbelow.

Asnotedearlier,theTrusthascommencedanassessment

ofhistoricwalkingtracks,tobetterunderstandthe

heritagevaluesoftrackswhicharestillusedtoday.The

projectfocusesontheHCCmanagementareagiventhe

locationofthemostsignificanthistorictracks.

TheTrustcontributedtothereviewoftheWellingtonPark

RecreationMap,producedbyTasMap.Thisincludedan

extensiverevisionoftheTrust’swalkingtrackdatabaseto

bringituptodateandcorrecterrors.Thereviseddatabase

hasbeendistributedtothemanagementagencies.

Bike Riding

TheTrusthascontinuedtheimplementationofthe

WellingtonParkBikeStrategy(2000,revised2005).The

StrategyprovidesthebasisfortheTrusttomanagethe

multipleformsofbikeridingavailablewithinthePark.The

Strategyincorporatestheopportunitiesprovidedbythe

GlenorchyMountainBikePark,including:downhill;cross-

country;jumps;northshore;andothertechnicalstyles.

Theconstantimprovementinbiketechnologyprovidesa

challengefortheTrusttoexplorenewopportunitiesfor

ridingwithinthePark.

AkeyactionresultingfromtheStrategyisthe

constructionofanewmultiple-usetracktolinkthe

easternfoothillsofMountWellingtonwiththeGlenorchy

area,andtheGlenorchyMountainBikePark.Construction

ofStage3(HCCmanagementarea:Springs-Shoobridge

Bend)wascompletedinearly2010.Stage4(Junction

Cabin–Glenorchy)isscheduledtocommenceinlate

2010,andwillprovideaconnectiontotheexistingtrack

inGlenorchy,providingaworld-classbikingexperience.

TheTrustparticipatedinthedevelopmentofthe

TasmanianMountainBikePlan,facilitatedbySportand

RecreationTasmania.FollowingadoptionoftheTasmanian

Plan,theTrustsuccessfullyfacilitatedagrant(toCycling

South)forthepreparationofaregionalmountainbike

masterplanfortheGreaterHobartarea.Themasterplan

willencompassallofWellingtonParkandHCC,GCCand

Clarencemunicipalities,andsectionsofKingborough

andBrightonmunicipalities,andwillprovidearegional

approachtothedevelopmentandmaintenanceof

mountainbikefacilitiesandinfrastructure.

TheTrustcontinuedtodistributecopiesoftherevised

Wellington park Bike Map.Thissecondeditionhasnow

soldover1500copies,followingthesalesof2000copies

ofthefirstedition.

TheTrusthascontinuedtobeanactivememberof

theGlenorchyMountainBikeParkAssociationInc.The

ConstitutionoftheAssociationprovidesforaManagement

Committeeconsistingofrepresentativesfromthelocal

bikingcommunity,theTrust,theGCCandCyclingSouth.


1�

Horse Riding

TheTrustcontinuestoprovideopportunitiesforhorse

ridingwithinthePark,howeveraccessisbypermitonly.

Thisapproachresolvestheneedforspecialisedhorse

accessgates,whichmayprovideopeningsforother

unwantedaccesse.g.trailbikes.TheTrusthasdelegated

themanagementofthepermitsystemtothePWS,asper

therecreationalvehiclepermitsystem.Shorttermpermits

areavailableforone-offuse,whilstlongtermpermits

maybeobtainedforregularusers.Ridingopportunities

andacodeofconductarecontainedintheHorseRiding

InformationSheet,endorsedbytheAustralianTrailHorse

RidersAssociation

Thisyearsawtheintroductionofa‘RideLog’forallpermit

holderstocomplete,inanefforttobettermonitorthe

impactofhorsesoncertaintrails.Additionally,a$50

depositwasintroducedonallissuedkeysforvehicleand

horsepermits.Fiveexistinglong-termhorsepermitswere

renewed,andonenewlong-termandoneshort-termhorse

permitswereissued.

Four Wheel Driving

TheParkofferssubstantialopportunitiesforfourwheel

drivingaccessbypermit.Theall-dayjourneyalongthe

EastWestTrailoffersauniqueexperienceinawildarea,

withspectacularviewsandtechnicalchallenges,and

isadvertisedonmanylocalandinterstaterecreation

brochures.

Apartfromthepermittedtrailsidentifiedassuitablefor

accessbytheManagementPlan,theTrustalsoseeksto

minimiseimpactsfromillegaltrailuse.Followingthe

successfulclosureofsectionsoftheUnnamedtrailwithin

WellingtonPark,theTrusthassoughttocontrolillegal

accessfromJefferysTrackintohighconservationButton

Grasspopulations.Useofthistrailisbeingmonitored,

andtemporarysecuritymeasureshavebeenputinplace.

TheTrusthascontinuedtoberepresentedonthe

RecreationalVehicleWorkingGroup,anagencyand

communitygroupconvenedbythePWS,toseeka

regionalapproachtotrailmanagementandtoensure

thattheproceduresoutlinedinthepolicy for the use of

recreational Vehicles on state-owned lands in tasmaniaare

followedinclosingillegaltrails.

ThePark’sfourwheeldrivepermitsystemismanaged

underdelegatedauthoritybythePWS,andtrailsare

closedduringwetperiodsandwintermonthstoensure

theongoingsustainabilityofthetrailsurface.Over

theyear,48permitswereissuedforuseoftrailsfor

recreationalfourwheeldriving(comparedto30in2008-

09),foratotalof105vehicles(64in2008-09).Seven

permitswereforinterstatevehiclegroups,comprising

of7vehicles,whilst41permits(98vehicles)werefor

Tasmania-basedusers.PermitswerenotissuedfromJune

toearlyNovember2009butthetrailremainedopen

fromNovember2009untilearlyAugust2010,duetoa

relativelydrywinterreducingthepotentialfordamageto

thetrailsurface.

Tenvehiclepermitswereissuedtopeoplewithspecial

needsrequiringaccesstotheMyrtleForestpicnicareas

shelter.

Rock Climbing

Rockclimbingcontinuedtooccurinmanylocations

withinthePark,mostnotablyontheOrganPipeson

theasternfaceofMountainWellington.Climbingis

usuallyundertakenonanindividualbasis,howeverloose

affiliationsremainfromtheClimber’sClubofTasmania.

Asaresultofconcernsraisedbytheclimbingcommunity,

theTrustfacilitatedanupgradeoftheClimbersCarpark

onPinnacleRoad.Thenewlayoutprovidesforamore

efficientandsaferparkingareaforclimbers.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

1�

Interpretation

Bush Adventures Programme

ThisyearsawtheincreasedinvolvementoftheTrust

withtheHCCBushAdventures,afoundationtobebuilt

onincomingyears.TheTrustprovidedfinancialand

activesupportforthedevelopmentandrunningofvaried

interpretiveeventsthroughouttheHobartandGlenorchy

areasofthePark.

Theprogrammeprovidedopportunitiesforallagesto

beinvolvedineducativeandrecreationalactivities,

including:interpretivewalksandbikerides;andareptile

awarenesspresentationattheSprings.

Marketing and Promotion

TheTrusthascontinuedtomaintainitsprofileinthe

localandtouristcommunitiesviathedistributionofPark

informationsheets,availablefromlocalCouncils,Visitor

InformationCentres,ServiceTasmaniaandtheFernTree

Store.

AkeyinitiativewastheupgradeoftheTrust’swebsite

toprovidecomprehensivetourism,recreationand

managementinformationforParkvisitors.Theupgrade

includeda‘refresh’oftheTrust’slogobyWorkhorse

Design.Thewebsitecontainsallavailablevisitor

information,includingmaps,informationsheetsandother

detailedParkinformation.

TheTrustcontinuedimplementationofitspromotional

strategy,whichoutlineseventsfromwhichtopromotethe

Park.Asapartofthisstrategy,aninformationstandwas

heldattheTreadlightlyFestivalinJunewithotherstands

plannedforthefutureevents.Theproductionofseveral

newtypesofpromotionalmaterials,suchasfauna,flora

andgeologicalhandouts,stickersandpostersarealso

currentlybeingprepared.

TheTrusthascontinuedtomaintaintwocustomised

informationdisplaystands,locatedattheHobart

ServiceTasmaniashopandFernTreeStore.Thesestands

aredesignedtoreflecttheiconicvaluesofthePark,

andarerecognisablyassociatedwiththeexistingPark

signs.Thestandsareavailableforuseatotherrelevant

interpretationactivities.

Community Consultation and Education

TheTrusthasworkedhardtomaintainitsprofileasan

activeandefficientmanagementagencyforWellington

Park.Itiscrucialthatthecommunityunderstandthe

Trust’sroleasthestrategicplanningandapprovalbody,

anditsrelationshiptoitsmemberandlandowning

agencies.

TheTrusthasestablishedandfacilitatesanumberof

internalreferencecommitteesandworkinggroups,and

alsoisrepresentedonnumerousexternalcommunity

committees.Mostnotablethisyearwasconsultation

undertakeninrelationtothedevelopmentofa

SustainableTransportSystemforthePark.

TheTrust’sRangerhasalsocontinuededucatingthe

communityofParkvaluesthroughbothliaisingwith

Parkuserson-groundandviaradioandprintmedia.

Communityeducationhasalsobeeninitiatedthroughthe

ongoingcommunityinvolvementintheRAPandthrough

theWellingtonParkWildlifeprogramme,whichenlists

membersofthecommunitytosubmitdataonwildlife

sightingsinthePark.


1�

On-Ground Management

On-groundworkswithintheParkarelargelythe

responsibilityofthelandowningagencies,whilstvarious

otheragenciesownandmaintainassetsrelevanttotheir

functionse.g.SouthernWaterownandmaintainwater

supplyinfrastructure.Section27(1)oftheWellingtonPark

Act1993stipulates:

it is the duty of all owners or occupiers of land in

Wellington park to exercise their functions and powers

and to use and manage the land in a manner that is

consistent with the purposes for which it is set aside

and with any management plan.

TheWellingtonParkManagementPlan2005dividesthe

Parkintothreeon-groundmanagementzones(refer

Appendix1).TheTrust,viatheManagementPlan,provides

ameansforensuringthatallworksundertakenwithinthe

ParkareconsistentwiththepurposesforwhichtheParkis

setaside.

Operational Procedures

TheTrusthascontinuedtoimplementvariousoperational

proceduresforagenciesundertakingworkswithinthePark.

TheseincludetheVehicleHygieneProtocol(tominimise

theintroductionandspreadofweedsandplantpathogens

throughoutthePark)andtheagencyandcontractors

InductionKit(aimedattheManager/Supervisorlevel,and

thosepeoplewithprojectmanagementresponsibilities).

Theseproceduresareincludedinmanagementagency

standardoperatingproceduresandProjectBriefsfor

externalcontractors.

Signs

TheTrustandmemberagencieshavecontinuedto

implementtheWellingtonParkSignManual,originating

from2001.TheManualensuresaconsistentcorporate

imagethroughouttheParkandenablesParkusersto

identifyParkboundariesandinternallinkswithease.The

Manualundergoesconstantrefinement.

ImplementationoftheManualislargelytheresponsibility

oftherespectivelandmanagementagencies,withlarge

sectionsoftheParknowhavingthenewsigns.Thisyear

theHCChascontinuedtoinstallsignswithinallwalking

tracks,whilstthePWSandtheGCCerectedsignsalong

firetrailsandentrancepointswithintheirrespective

managementareas.

Recreation Tracks

Walkingtrackdevelopmentandmaintenanceiscarriedout

bymemberagenciesinaccordancewiththeWellington

ParkWalkingTrackStrategy(2003),andotherrelevant

planningstrategies.

ThegreatmajorityoftrackworkoccursintheHCC

managementareaofthePark,givenitsdevelopednetwork

andproximitytoHobart.Completedworksincluded:

Stage3oftheNorthSouthTrack,linkingtheSpringsto

ShoobridgeBend.

Replacementofhand-railsalongsectionsoftheZigZag

Track.

Replacementofoldtelecommunicationpitsalongthe

PinnacleandZigZagTracks.

Installationofastonebenchatthestartofthe

WellingtonFallsTrack.

TheCouncilalsofacilitatedtheremovalofover40treesat

twoimportantlookoutsattheSprings,MountWellington.

Theselookoutsprovideexcellentopportunitiesforregional

views,andhadnotbeenproperlymaintainedforviewsfor

manyyears.

Fire Management

Firemanagementactivitiesarecarriedoutbymember

agenciesinaccordancewiththeWellingtonParkFire

ManagementStrategy(2005)(FMS).TheFMSaimsto

protectlifeandproperty,andensurethesustainabilityof

naturalsystemsandthePark’snaturalandculturalvalues.

Memberagencieshavecarriedoutsignificant

improvementstofiretrailsandboomgatesin

accordancewiththeFMS.GCChascarriedoutminortrail

improvementsandrepairorreplacementofdamaged

gates.ThePWScarriedoutroutinemaintenanceand

inspectionsonfiretrailsaspertheFMS,andhasoverseen

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

19

substantialimprovementstothefiretrailsintheir

sectionoftheParkinconjunctionwiththewaterhole

refurbishmentproject(seeabove).

HCCareplanningtoslashthefirebreaksintheirsection

oftheParkandhavealreadycarriedoutweedcontrol

withinthefirebreaks.Normalmaintenancewasconducted

onfiretrailsandweedcontrolworkswereundertaken

alongfiretrailverges.

TransendhascarriedoutsurfacingoftheZigZagTrail,

partsofMontroseandChapelTrailsandvegetation

clearingalongthelowerportionofMontroseTrail.

Transendareplanningfurtherworksonthesteeper

sectionsofChapelTrailtoensureitistrafficablewhen

wet.Theyhavealsoslashedalargesectionoftheir

easementadjoiningChapelTrailtoassistwithcontrolof

theplannedburninthisarea.

Weed Management

Allmanagementagencieshavecontinuedintheirefforts

toreducetheincursionandspreadofweedsthroughthe

Park.LargescaleweedingworksareapprovedbytheTrust

viatheProjectProposalFormprocedure,whichincludesa

requirementfortheapprovalofherbicideuse,particularly

withintheDrinkingWaterCatchmentZone.

Themainfocusforweedcontrolcontinuestobethe

GCCmanagementarea,withsubstantialimprovements

beingmadeinthelastyear.TheGCChascontinuedto

implementtheapprovaltoremovetheinvasiveRadiata

Pine(pinus radiata)intheoldMertonarea,fundedby

apreviousgrantreceivedfromtheFederalGovernment

undertheNaturalDisasterMitigationProgramme.

Weedsites,bothtreatedanduntreated,arebeingentered

ontheTrust’sGIStoslowlybuildupapictureoftheweed

situationinthePark.

WeedcontrolwascarriedalongsidefiretrailsbythePWS,

GCCandHCC,withtheintentofpreventingtheirfurther

spreadthroughtheParkandensuringsafeaccessduring

fireevents.

TheTrustcontinuedtoimplementtheactionscontained

intheVehicleHygieneProtocol,aimedatreducingthe

spreadofweedsandotherplantpathogensthroughout

thePark.Theprotocolprovidespracticalguidanceand

proceduresformanagementagenciesandotherParkusers.

Weedcontrolisalsoundertakenbyanumberof

communityLandcaregroups,includinggroupslocated

atFernTreeandKangarooValley,andaPark-widegroup

focusingonremoteweedpopulations.TheWellington

ParkBushcareGroupcompletedanAustralianGovernment

EnvirofundprojectaimedatprotectingthreatenedEpacris

virgatapopulationsintheGlenorchymanagementarea.

Pinnacle Road Snow Management

ThemanagementofPinnacleRoadduringsnowperiods

continuestoprovideachallengefortheTrustandthe

HCC.Bothagencieshavecontinuedtoimplementthe

PinnacleRoadSnowManagementStrategy,originally

adoptedin2002andreviewedannually.Thestrategy

aimstoprovideaworkablecompromisebetweenthe

needsofmanagementagenciestohavetheRoadopenas

quicklyandassafelyaspossible,andthedesiresofthe

communitytoaccesssnowplayareas.

Akeyfocusistheimprovementofavailableinformation

regardingroadconditionsandthereasoningbehind

managementdecisions,andtheneedtoensurevisitors

canplanaheadandbepreparedforextremeconditions.

TheroadismanagedandmaintainedbytheHCC.The

Councilprovidesoutstandingsupportforroadandtraffic

managementissuesduringroadclosures,andisitself

supportedbyTasmaniaPolice.Fortheyear1July2009

-30June2010,therewere25days(41in2008-09)

whentheroadwasclosedforatleastapartoftheday,

including7(11in2008-09)occasionswhenitwasclosed

foranentireday.Closuresamountedtoatotalof124

daylighthours(8am–5pm)(177in2008-09)or341

hours(453in2008-09)includingovernightperiods.

Avegetationsensitivitytrialanumberofanti-icing

chemicalsthatcouldbeusedonPinnacleRoadhasbeen

completed.Anti-icingtreatmentwouldallowPinnacle

Roadtobekeptopenforlongerperiodsinwinter,and

improvesafetyforvisitorsandHCCstaff.Theplant

sensitivitytrialwasconductedbyDrMarkHovenden

(UniversityofTasmania)todeterminewhetherplant

speciesgrowingalongPinnacleRoadaresensitivetoany

ofthechemicalscurrentlyusedasanti-icingtreatments

bothinAustraliaandinternationally.

Thetrialfoundthatall12testedspeciestestedwere

highlysensitivetothefourchemicals(calciumacetate,

magnesiumacetate,calciumchloride,magnesium


�0

chloride)testedatconcentrationslikelytobepresentin

runofffromanti-icingtreatmentonPinnacleRoad.The

reportfoundthat

‘[t]he probability of lasting damage to the native

vegetation along the roadside is extreme and we

recommend that any management practices to reduce

ice-formation not include any chemically active de-icing

agent’.

Permits

Commercial Licences

TheTrusthascontinueditsrelationshipwiththe

CommercialVisitorServicesystem(CVS),enabling

commercialoperatorstohaveonelicencetocoverall

landsmanagedbytheTrust,PWSandForestryTasmania.

Asat30June2010,therewere57commercialoperators

providingtourismandrecreationalserviceswithinthe

Park,anincreaseof15operatorssince30June2009.

Thisfigurehasbeenliftedbytheincreasingnumberof

transportoperatorsprovidingaliftandshortstayservice

tothePinnacleapplyingforacommerciallicenceasa

resultofmanagementoftheCVSbythePWS.

Regulatory

TheTrustmayauthorisepermitsforactivitiesunderthe

Wellington park regulations 2009.Permitscoverthetaking

offloraandfaunaforscientificresearch,forthetakingof

waterforprivateuse,andforrecreationalaccessprovided

forundertheManagementPlan.

InaccordancewiththeManagementPlan,theTrust

hasdelegatedtheissueofpermitsforfourwheeldrive

vehiclesandhorseridingonpermittedtrailswithinthe

ParktothePWS.

Overtheyear,theTrustissued:12permitsforscientific

research(4forfaunaresearch,5forfloraresearch,and

3forresearchusingtheTrust’sGISdatabase);3permits

formiscellaneousactivitiese.g.Parkaccess;4permits

forcommercialfilmingactivities;and54permitsfor

recreationalactivities(including48forfourwheeldrive

access).

TheTrusthasdevelopedstandard“conditionsofuse”to

controluseoftheTrust’sGISdatabasebythirdparties.

Thereareseparate“conditionsofuse”formsforacademic

researchandcommercialuse.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

�1

Administration

Duringtheperiod,theWellington park act 1993was

administeredbytheHonourableMichelleO’Byrne,Minister

forEnvironment,ParksandHeritageuntil21April2010,

followingwhichtheHonourableDavidO’Byrneassumed

thatportfolio,andislocatedwithintheDPIPWE.

TheChairpersonfortheTrustisanindependent

appointmentmadebytheresponsibleMinisterin

accordancewiththeAct.Dr.ChristineMucha,Chief

ExecutiveOfficer(Onstream),continuedintheposition,

havingbeenappointedforafurthertwo-yeartermfrom

1June2009.AldermanDrPeterSexton(HCC)wasalsore-

appointedasDeputyChairpersonwiththetenurebeingfor

thesameperiodasthatoftheChairperson.

ThemembershipoftheTrustwasconsistent,withno

retirementsoragencynomineechanges.Themembership

andattendancescheduleofTrustmembersthroughout

theyearislistedinAppendix2&3.WiththeState

GovernmentWaterandSewerageReformtakingeffect

from1July2009,SouthernWaternominatedamemberto

replacethepreviousmemberrepresentingHobartWater.

Generaladministrativeandtechnicalsupport,andoffice

spacehasbeenprovidedtotheTrust’sManager,Fire

ManagementCo-ordinator,CulturalHeritageCo-ordinator

andvariousprojectofficersbytheHCC,whilstthe

RangerishousedandsupportedbythePWS,resultingin

significantcostsavingsfortheTrust.Technicalsupport

fortheTrust’sgeographicalinformationsystemwasalso

providedbytheGCCandDPIPWE.

Committee Membership

TheTrust,viatheManagerorprojectofficers,wasa

memberofthefollowingexternalcommittees:Hobart

SpecialFireAreaCommittee;NorthWestBayRiver

CatchmentManagementCommittee(inabeyance);

CommercialVisitorServicessteeringcommittee;Glenorchy

MountainBikeParkAssociationInc.;andtheRecreational

VehicleWorkingGroup.TheManagerwasalsoamemberof

thesteeringcommitteefortheTasmanianMountainBike

Plan.

TheManageralsofacilitatedvariousinternalreference

groupsincluding:WalkingTrackWorkingGroup;

RegulationsAwarenessProgrammesteeringcommittee;

ManagementAdvisoryCommittee;MaintenanceCo-

ordinatingCommittee;andtheMountainWaterSupply

HeritageWorkingGroup.


��

Wellington Park Act 1993

TheWellingtonParkActispurpose-madetodealwith

thecomplexitiesoflandtenurewithinthePark.TheAct

allowsfortheestablishmentandconstitutionoftheTrust,

andforthepreparationofastatutorymanagementplan.

Wellington Park Regulations 2009

TheWellingtonParkRegulationsareprovidedforunder

Section79oftheAct,tosupporteffectiveimplementation

ofthemanagementplanandtogovernon-ground

activitieswithinthePark.TheRegulationswerereviewed

andsubsequentlymadeinJune2009.

TheRegulationstakeprecedenceoverthenumerous

by-lawsandregulationsthatcurrentlyapplyoverthe

landtenuresinthePark.TheTrustemploysaRangerto

overseetheRegulationsAwarenessProgrammethroughout

thePark.TheRangerworkswithAuthorisedOfficers

(appointedundertheAct)andotherfieldstafffromTrust

memberagenciestopromotetheco-operativerelationship

betweentheTrustanditson-groundmanagers.

Wellington Park Management Plan 2005

ThemakingoftherevisedWellingtonParkManagement

PlaninOctober2005continuedtoensureastrong

unifiedvisionforstakeholders,andasetofrealisticand

achievableobjectivesforthelongtermmanagementof

thePark.TheManagementPlanistheguidingdocument

inthedaytodayactivitiesoftheTrust.TheTrusthashad

considerablesuccessinworkingwithmemberagencies,

andcommunityandstakeholdergroupstoachievea

regionalandco-operativeapproachtolandmanagement

withinthePark.

TheManagementPlanisscheduledformajorreviewinlate

2010.

Legislative Controls

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

��

The Wellington Park Management Trust

Section10oftheWellington park act 1993dictatesthe

compositionoftheTrust,comprisinganindependent

ChairpersontogetherwiththeDirector-GeneralofLands

(orhisnominee),theDirectorsofboththePWSand

TourismTasmania(ortheirnominees),tworepresentatives

drawnfromtheHCC,andonerepresentativeeachfromthe

GCCandSouthernWater.

IdentificationofTrustmembersandtheirpositionsheldas

at30June2010isincludedasAppendix2.AnAttendance

RecordforTrustmemberstomeetingsoftheTrustis

includedinAppendix3.

Statutory Function and Objectives

ThosepurposesforwhichtheParkissetasideare

indicatedinPart2,section5oftheActasfollows:

5(a)theprovisionofrecreationalandtourismusesand

opportunitiesconsistentwiththepurposesspecified

inparagraphs(b)to(e);

(b) thepreservationorprotectionofthefloraandfauna

containedinorontheland;

(c) thepreservationorprotectionofthenaturalbeauty

ofthelandorofanyfeaturesofthelandofnatural

beautyorscenicinterest;

(d) thepreservationorprotectionofanyfeaturesof

thelandbeingfeaturesofhistorical,Aboriginal,

archaeological,scientific,architectural,or

geomorphologicalinterest;

(e) theprotectionofthewatercatchmentvaluesofthe

land.

TheobjectivesandfunctionoftheTrustassetoutinPart

3,section11are:

(a) toprovideforthemanagementandmaintenanceof

WellingtonParkinamannerthatisconsistentwith

thepurposesforwhichitissetaside;

(b) togiveeffecttoanymanagementplaninforcefor

WellingtonPark;

(c) toprepareplanswithaviewtotheirsubmission

totheGovernorforapprovalasmanagementplans

forWellingtonParkandtokeepunderreviewthe

provisionsofmanagementplans;

(d) toensurethatanydevelopmentundertakenin

WellingtonParkisconsistentwiththepurposesfor

whichitissetasideandwithanymanagementplan;

(e) whenrequiredtodosobytheMinister,toadviseon

anydevelopmentproposedforWellingtonPark;

(f) tocarryout,orarrangeforthecarryingoutof,

researchandotheractivitiesthatappeartoittobe

desirableinconnectionwiththeadministrationof

theAct;

(g) tobethemanagingauthorityforWellingtonPark;

(h) toperformsuchotherfunctionsasareimposedonit

underthisoranyotherAct.


��

Assisting Bodies

TheTrustmay,unders12oftheAct,establishcommittees

forthepurposeofadvisingitonthemanagementand

planningofWellingtonPark,oronothersuchmatters

affectingtheperformanceofitsfunctions.

TheTrustreliesuponaManagementAdvisoryCommittee

toconsidermattersaffectingpolicyandcooperative

managementinthePark,andtootherwiseactasa

workinggroupoverseeingthepreparationofstrategies

resultingfromtheWellingtonParkManagementPlan.The

committeeconsistsoftechnicalofficersandplannersfrom

memberagencies,andisaninvaluableconduitforthe

viewsandaspirationsofthevariousParklandholders.

Otherissue-specificworkinggroupsandsteering

committeesareformedonaneedsbasisbytheManager.

Theseincludethe:MaintenanceCo-ordinatingCommittee;

WalkingTrackWorkingGroup;GlenorchyMountainBike

ParkAssociationInc.;RegulationsAwarenessProgramme

SteeringCommittee;MountainWaterSupplyHeritage

WorkingGroup;andtheHorseRidingReferenceGroup.

Trust Resources

TheTrustisservedbyonefulltimestaffmemberinits

Manager,basedatHCCoffices.TheTrustalsoemploys

part-timeFireManagementandCulturalHeritageCo-

ordinators(bothbasedattheHCC)andaRanger(based

atthePWS),andotherconsultancystaffonaproject

specificbasistooverseetheimplementationofplanning

strategies.

Technicalandspecialistadviceandinputisprovidedby

stafffromthemembershipbodiesontheTrustandvia

theTrust’sManagementAdvisoryCommittee,astatutory

committeeformedvias12oftheAct.

TheStateGovernment’sfinancialcontributiontothe

Trustissuppliedviatheadministeringdepartment

however,despiteadditionalprojectfundingandaone-off

contributionfromthePWSinthe2008-09financialyear,

therecurrentcontributionhasremainedatthesame

levelsincethe1998-99financialyear.Thisisofgreat

concerntotheTrustgiventhepotentialimpactuponthe

Trust’sabilitytocarryoutitsstrategicplanningandco-

ordinationroles.

TheTrustalsohasthecapacitytoreceivefeesand

incomefromthesaleofpublications,andmanage

financialcontributionsfrommemberbodiesviadeposits

intoaspecialinterestbearingtrustaccount.Various

managementplanningstrategieshavebeenfundedinthis

jointmanner,whilstothercontributionsfrommember

agenciesaremadeonanissue-specificbasis.

TheTrusthasrenewedMemorandaofUnderstandingwith

HCC,PWSandSouthernWaterformalisingadministrative,

strategicandfinancialcontributionstotheTrustto

assistintheco-ordinationofmanagementthroughout

thePark.TheFireManagementCo-ordinator,Cultural

HeritageCo-ordinatorandRangerpositionsarefunded

viatheseagreements.TheMoUsdemonstratethestrong

commitmentofmemberagenciestotheimplementationof

theManagementPlan.

TheHCCsuppliesconsiderableadministrative,technical

andoperationalsupport,withthebulkofOfficestaff

beingbasedonitspremises,whilstthePWSprovides

similarsupporttotheRanger.TheGCCsuppliestechnical

supportfortheTrust’sgeographicalinformationsystem,

andtheDPIPWEprovidesspatialinformationforuseby

theTrust.TheTrustremainsextremelygratefulforthis

levelofsupport,andisincreasinglyreliantuponthe

deliveryofsuchassistancefrommemberagencies.

Financial Information

DetailsoftheTrust’sfinancialoperationsareattached

asAppendix4heretointheformofanAuditReportas

requiredbypursuanttotheaudit act 2008.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

��

Appendix 1

Wellington Park – On Ground Management Areas


��

Appendix �

Membership of the Wellington Park Management Trust

1 July 2009 – 30 June 2010

M e M b e r D e p u t y

Chairperson

Dr.ChristineMucha AldermanDr.PeterSexton

Director-General of LandsDr.JohnWhittington Ms.PennyWells

DeputySecretary GeneralManagerResourceManagementandConservation

(nominee of Director-general of lands)

Glenorchy City CouncilAldermanPeterRidler Mr.GregFrench

Manager,EnvironmentandDevelopmentServices

Hobart City Council

AldermanBillHarvey AldermanRonChristie(until 30 april 2010)

AldermanPeterSexton AldermanPhillipCocker(appointed 1 May 2010)

Southern WaterMr.RussellFox Mr.IanDunbabin

ExecutiveManagerAssetandServiceStrategy ExecutiveManagerServiceDelivery

(Appointed1May2010) (appointed 1 May 2010)

Director Parks and Wildlife Service

Mr.AshleyRushton Mr.GrantHall

RegionalManagerSouth SeniorRanger

(nominee of Director parks and Wildlife service) (until 30 april 2010)

Mr.MarkPharaoh

ParksandReservesManager

(appointed 1 May 2010)

Director Tourism TasmaniaDr.ClaireEllis Ms.DebLewis

DirectorDestinationDevelopment HeadofInsightsandDestinationDevelopment

(nominee of Director tourism tasmania)

note: terms of members are for three years, and are configured to ensure that appointments are carried out in blocks every 18 months.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

��

Appendix �

Attendance Record

1 July 2009 – 30 June 2010

M e M b e r Meetings attended Scheduled Meetings During Membership

Chairperson

Dr.ChristineMucha* 3 4

Director-General of LandsDr.JohnWhittington 2 4

Ms.PennyWells

(Deputy) 1

Glenorchy City CouncilAldermanPeterRidler# 4 4

Hobart City Council

AldermanBillHarvey# 4 4

AldermanPeterSexton# 4 4

Southern WaterMr.RussellFox 2 2

Director Parks and Wildlife Service

Mr.AshleyRushton 2 4

Mr.MarkPharaoh 1

(Deputy)

Director Tourism TasmaniaDr.ClaireEllis 4 4

standing l–r: PeterRidler,PeterSexton,BillHarvey,AshleyRushton,MichaelEaston

seated l–r:IanDunbabin(Deputy),ChristineMucha,JohnWhittington,ClaireEllis

absent:RussellFox


��

Appendix �

Financial Statements 2009 – 2010

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

�9


�0

Statement of Comprehensive Income For Year Ended 30th June 2010

Note 2009/10 2008/09 $ $

revenue Grants-StateGovernment 6 356,000 168,000Grants-Other 6 137,915 166,655Publications 436 703Interest 16,178 16,788Fines 295 953Other 46,966 3,564TotalRevenue 557,790 356,663

expenSeS park Administration Advertising 564 3,376AuditFees 3,600 3,460ChairmanHonorarium 8,000 8,000Depreciation 232 222EmployeeCosts 106,096 94,490Miscellaneous 7,912 6,352SittingFees 1,300 1,000Stationery 3,528 3,448VehicleExpenses 4,243 4,014 135,475 124,362

Management Strategies CulturalHeritageOfficer 23,016 19,512FireManagement 19,743 12,909LandscapeAssessment 11,484 -Miscellaneous 5,744 3,500OccasionalPaper - 368RegulationsAwareness 51,893 50,770SpringsDevelopment - 5,550SpringsLegalFees - 1,180VisitorResearch 7,280 -WebsiteDevelopment 6,541 2,121WellingtonParkWildlife 2,830 - 128,531 95,910

park Management BMPJefferysTrack 52,576 -BMPWaterHoles 56,297 11,049EnviroFund62357 6,118 555Interpretation 350 1,640MountWellingtonBook 560 (140)NDMPPineRemoval - 30,337 115,901 43,441

TotalExpenses 379,907 263,713

Surplus/(Deficit) for year 177,883 92,950

Other Comprehensive Income - -

Comprehensive Result 177,883 92,950

this statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

�1

Statement of Changes In Equity As At 30th June 2010

Note 2009/10 2008/09 $ $Balanceatbeginningofperiod 267,977 175,027ComprehensiveResult 177,883 92,950Balanceatendofperiod 445,860 267,977


Statement of Financial Position As At 30th June 2010

Note 2009/10 2008/09 $ $ASSetS Current Cash 459,868 311,095StockonHand 7,980 8,540Receivables 27,236 15,542 495,084 335,177

non-Current OfficeEquipmentatCost 1,284 1,284LessAccumulatedDepreciation 1,147 915 137 369

tOtAL ASSetS 495,221 335,546 LIAbILItIeS Current EmployeeBenefits 15,572 7,354Payables 5,542 26,979 21,114 34,333

non-Current EmployeeBenefits 28,247 33,236 28,247 33,236 tOtAL LIAbILItIeS 49,361 67,569 net ASSetS 445,860 267,977 eQuIty RetainedEarnings 445,860 267,977tOtAL eQuIty 445,860 267,977 this statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.


��

Statement of Cash Flows For Year Ended 30th June 2010

Note 2009/10 2008/09 $ $CASh FLOwS FrOM OperAtIng ACtIvItIeS receipts Grants-StateGovernment 380,600 173,800Grants-Other 136,604 162,608Interest 15,069 16,012Other 57,767 20,392 590,040 372,812

payments EmployeeCosts 192,624 142,272ConsultancyFees 154,356 67,642Other 94,287 75,972 441,267 285,886net CASh FLOw FrOM OperAtIng ACtIvItIeS 4 148,773 86,926

CASh FLOwS FrOM InveStIng ACtIvItIeSpayments for: Equipmentpurchases - 340 - 340net CASh FLOw FrOM InveStIng ACtIvItIeS - (340) net InCreASe / (DeCreASe) In CASh heLD 148,773 86,586OpeningCashBalance 311,095 224,509Closing Cash balance 459,868 311,095


a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

��

1. ObjeCtIve

TheobjectiveoftheWellingtonParkManagementTrust(theTrust)istodelivercoordinatedandeffectivemanagementforWellingtonParktopreservethearea’suniqueconservationandwatercatchmentvalueswhilepromotingappropriatetourismandrecreationopportunities.

2. LegISLAtIve FrAMewOrk

TheTrustwasestablishedbytheWellingtonParkAct1993asaStatutoryAuthoritytofacilitateandprovideacooperativelandmanagementstructureforWellingtonPark,oneoftheState’slargestdistinctareasofReservedLandandaprimaryiconintermsoftourism.

TheParkwasproclaimedunderspecificlegislationduetoitscomplexitiesinlandtenureandownership.Atpresent,WellingtonParkcomprisestwelveseparateparcelsoflandwithclassificationsandownershiprangingfromCrownland,freeholdland(heldbythetwocitycouncilsofHobartandGlenorchy)andlandvestedinthesecouncilsforwatersupplypurposes.TheHobartRegionalWaterAuthorityalsohasastatutoryresponsibilityforbulkwatersupplytotheGreaterHobartareaandmaintainsinfrastructurewithintheParkassociatedwiththisrole.ElectricityandtelecommunicationssuppliersalsomaintaininfrastructurewithintheParkassociatedwiththeirrole.

TheTrusthasresolvedthatitdoesnotcontroleithertheconstructedornaturalassetswithinthePark,andaccordinglyhasnotrecognisedavalueforthoseassetsinitsfinancialstatements.

3. SuMMAry OF SIgnIFICAnt ACCOuntIng pOLICIeS

a) basis of AccountingThefinancialreportisageneralpurposefinancialreportandhasbeenpreparedinaccordancewithAustralianAccountingStandardsissuedbytheAustralianAccountingStandardsBoard.CompliancewiththeAustralianAccountingStandardsmaynotresultincompliancewithInternationalFinancialReportingStandards(IFRS),astheAustralianAccountingStandardsincluderequirementsandoptionsavailabletonot-for-profitorganisationsthatareinconsistentwithIFRS.

TheTrusthasanalyseditspurpose,objectives,andoperatingphilosophyanddeterminedthatitdoesnothaveprofitgenerationasaprimeobjective.Consequently,whereappropriate,theTrusthaselectedtoapplyoptionsandexemptionswithinAccountingStandardsthatareapplicabletonot-for-profitentities.

Inthecurrentyear,theTrusthasadoptedallofthenewandrevisedStandardsandInterpretationsissuedbytheAustralianAccountingStandardsBoardthatarerelevanttoitsoperationsandeffectiveforthecurrentreportingperiod.Theseinclude:-

• AASB101PresentationofFinancialStatements–ThisStandardhasbeenrevisedandintroducesanumberofterminologychangesaswellaschangestothestructureoftheStatementofChangesinEquityandtheStatementofComprehensiveIncome.Itisnowarequirementthatownerchangesinequitybepresentedseparatelyfromnon-ownerchangesinequity.ThereisnofinancialimpactresultingfromtheapplicationofthisrevisedStandard.

• AASB123BorrowingCosts–ThisStandardhasbeenrevisedtomandatethecapitalisationofallborrowingcostsattributabletotheacquisition,constructionorproductionofqualifyingassets.AASB2009-1AmendmentstoAustralianAccountingStandards–BorrowingCostsofNot-for-ProfitPublicSectorEntities[AASB1,AASB111&AASB123]issuedinApril2009allowsnot-for-profitpublicsectorentitiestocontinuetochoosewhethertoexpenseorcapitaliseborrowingcostsrelatingtoqualifyingassets.ThereisnofinancialimpactresultingfromtheapplicationofthisrevisedStandard.

• AASB2009-2AmendmentstoAustralianAccountingStandards:ImprovingDisclosuresaboutFinancialInstruments–ThisStandardintroducesnewdisclosurerequirementsforfairvaluemeasurementandrefinesexistingdisclosuresonliquidityriskforfinancialinstruments.ThereisnofinancialimpactfromtheapplicationofthisStandard.

• AASB2009-10AmendmentstoAustralianAccountingStandards:ReclassificationofFinancialInstrumentspermitsthereclassificationofcertainnon-derivativefinancialassets.TheTrustdoesnotintendtoreclassifyfinancialassetsinthecurrentperiod,andaccordinglytherewillbenofinancialimpact.

CertainnewaccountingstandardsandamendmentswereavailableforearlyadoptionbuthavenotbeenappliedbytheTrustinthecurrentreportingperiod.TheTrustisoftheviewthatthenewaccountingstandardsandamendmentswillhavenomaterialimpactontheamountsrecognisedinthefinancialreport.

Thefinancialreporthasbeenpreparedontheaccrualbasisundertheconventionofhistoricalcostaccountinganddoesnottakeintoaccountchangingmoneyvalues.

ThefinancialreportispresentedinAustraliandollars.

b) revenueRevenueisrecognisedintheStatementofComprehensiveIncometotheextentthatitisprobablethattheeconomicbenefitwillflowtotheTrust,andtherevenuecanbereliablymeasured.Interestiscreditedtorevenueasitaccrues.

Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2010


��

c) ExpensesExpensesarerecognisedintheStatementofComprehensiveIncomewhenadecreaseinfutureeconomicbenefitsrelatedtoeitheradecreaseinanassetoranincreaseinaliabilityhasarisenthatcanbemeasuredreliably.

d) CashCashconsistsoffundsheldinanaccountattheTasmanianPublicFinanceCorporation.

e) StockStockonhandatthereportingdateiscomprisedofanumberofpublicationswhichareheldwithanexpectationofgeneratingfuturesales.Stockisvaluedatcost.

f) Office equipmentOfficeequipmentisvaluedatcostandmainlyconsistsoffurnitureandcomputerequipment.Thisequipmenthasbeenestimatedtohaveausefullifeofsixyears,withnoresidualvalueattheendofthatperiod.Usefullivesarereviewedannually,anddepreciationiscalculatedusingthestraight-linemethod.

g) employee benefitsTheprovisionforemployeebenefitsrepresentstheamountwhichtheTrusthasapresentobligationtopayresultingfromemployees’servicesprovideduptothereportingdateinrespectofsalaries,annualleave,longserviceleaveandsickleave.Theprovisionhasbeencalculatedatnominalamountsbasedoncurrentsalaryrates.

h) Comparative FiguresWherenecessary,comparativeinformationhasbeenreclassifiedtoachieveconsistencyindisclosurewithcurrentfinancialyearamountsandotherdisclosures.

i) taxationTheTrustisexemptfromallformsoftaxationexceptFringeBenefitsTax,PayrollTaxandGoodsandServicesTax(GST).

Revenues,expensesandassetsarerecognisednetoftheamountofGST,exceptwheretheamountofGSTincurredisnotrecoverablefromtheAustralianTaxationOffice.Inthesecircumstances,theGSTisrecognisedaspartofthecostofacquisitionoftheassetoraspartofanitemofexpense.ReceivablesandpayablesinthebalancesheetareshowninclusiveofGST.

CashflowsarepresentedintheStatementofCashFlowsonagrossbasis,exceptfortheGSTcomponentofinvestingandfinancingactivities,whicharedisclosedasoperatingcashflows.

CommitmentsandcontingenciesaredisclosednetoftheamountofGSTrecoverablefrom,orpayableto,thetaxationauthority.

4. reCOnCILIAtIOn OF ‘net CASh FLOw FrOM OperAtIng ACtIvItIeS’ tO ‘OperAtIng reSuLt’

2009/10 2008/09 $ $ Operating result 177,883 92,950AddbackDepreciation 232 222(Increase)/DecreaseinReceivables (11,694) (6,178)(Increase)/DecreaseinStock 560 628Increase/(Decrease)inEmployeeBenefits 3,229 (8,105)Increase/(Decrease)inPayables (21,437) 7,409NetCashFlowfromOperatingActivities 148,773 86,926

5. SuppOrt prOvIDeD by truSt MeMber AgenCIeS

ThefinancialstatementsdonotincludethecostsincurredbyTrustmemberagencies,notablytheHobartCityCouncilandtheParksandWildlifeService,inprovidingadministrativesupporttotheTrust.Suchcostsincludeprovisionofofficespace,landlinephonecosts,computermaintenance,localpostage,photocopying,andgeneraladministrationsuchasaccountingandhumanresourcesupport.

a n n u a l r e p o r t • 2 0 0 9 – 2 0 1 0

��

6. grAntS

2009/10 2008/09 $ $ grants - State government

ParkAdministration 110,000 135,000SustainableTransportSystem 15,000 -URHFProject 231,000 -BMPWaterHoles - 5,000BMPJefferysTrack - 8,000NDMPPineRemoval - 5,000VisitorResearch - 15,000

356,000 168,000

grants - Other FireManagementOfficer 17,493 17,280RegulationsAwarenessOfficer 58,975 58,000WebsiteDevelopment 6,150 6,000CulturalHeritageOfficer 21,901 12,000AssetMaintenance 4,869 4,750BMPWaterHoles 17,027 34,125BMPJefferysTrack 11,500 29,000Other - 5,500

137,915 166,655

7. reStrICteD ASSetS

TheTrusthasreceivedanumberofconditionalgrants.At30June2010,theTrustisrequiredtoexpend$303,200ofitscashbalanceinthemannerspecifiedbythetermsofthesegrants.

8. FInAnCIAL InStruMentS

a) Financial risk Management TheTrust’sfinancialinstrumentsconsistofdepositswithbanks,accountsreceivableandpayable.

Credit Risk CreditriskistheriskoffinanciallosstotheTrustifacustomerorcounterpartytoafinancialinstrumentfailstomeetitscontractualobligations.ThemaximumexposuretocreditriskisthecarryingamountofrecognisedfinancialassetsasdisclosedintheStatementofFinancialPosition.TheTrustdoesnothaveanymaterialcreditriskexposure.

Market RiskMarketriskistheriskthatthefairvalueoffuturecashflowsofafinancialinstrumentwillfluctuatebecauseofchangesinmarketprices.TheprimarymarketriskthattheTrustisexposedtoisinterestraterisk.Allcashissubjecttovariableinterestrates.Remainingfinancialassetsandallfinancialliabilitiesarenon-interestbearing.TheTrust’sexposuretointerestrateriskinrelationtocashheldatbankisconsideredtobeminimal.

Anincreaseinvariableratesof100basispointsatthereportingdatewouldresultinaprofitandanincreasetoequityof$4,599(2009$3,111).Adecreaseinvariableratesof100basispointsatreportingdatewouldresultinalossandadecreasetoequityof$4,599(2009$3,111).Thisanalysisassumesallothervariablesremainconstant.Theanalysiswasperformedonthesamebasisfor2009.

LiquidityRiskLiquidityriskistheriskthattheTrustwillnotbeabletomeetitsfinancialobligationsastheyfalldue.TheTrustmanagesliquidityriskbymonitoringcashflows.Exposuretoliquidityriskisconsideredtobeminimal.

b) net Fair valueTheTrustconsidersthatthecarryingamountofitsfinancialassetsandliabilitiesapproximatetheirfairvalue.

9. eventS SubSeQuent tO bALAnCe DAte

Noeventshaveoccurredsubsequenttobalancedatethatwouldrequireadjustmentto,ordisclosurein,thefinancialreport.

10. COntIngent ASSetS AnD LIAbILItIeS

Therewerenomaterialcontingentassetsorcontingentliabilitiesatyear-end.


��

TheaccompanyingfinancialstatementsoftheWellingtonParkManagementTrustareinagreementwiththerelevant

accounts,andrecordshavebeenpreparedonanaccrualbasisinaccordancewithAustralianAccountingStandardsto

presentfairlythefinancialtransactionsfortheyearended30June2010andthefinancialpositionasattheendoftheyear.

Atthedateofsigning,Iamnotawareofanycircumstanceswhichwouldrendertheparticularsincludedinthefinancial

statementsmisleadingorinaccurate.

Dr Christine MuchaChairperson

Date: 27.8.10

Certification

www.wellingtonpark.tas.gov.au

For Wellington Park to be a special place enjoyed by all for

its prominent landscape, natural and cultural diversity, and

community value.

To preserve the natural, cultural, recreational, tourism and

drinking water qualities of Wellington Park for their own

value and for the safe enjoyment of all people.

This will be achieved through outstanding management,

sympathetic development and a co-operative relationship

with our communities.

Vision

Mission

wellington park management trust · chemicals (to reduce ... the wellington park management trust...

Documents