Bicentennial Park Jill Hickie Bushland Planner, Hobart City Council
Bushland Management 2007-2017 Vision Statement The Council in partnership with the local community will retain, promote and enhance the unique character and values of Hobart s bushland for the long term environmental, social and economic benefit of the community.
Hobart bushland key objectives 1.Protection, enhancement and maintenance of biodiversity, geodiversity and cultural heritage values. 2.Maintenance and protection of watercourses and associated water quality measures contained within bushland areas. 3.Reduction of threatening processes, which are degrading, or which could degrade bushland values. 4.Restoration and rehabilitation of degraded bushland. 5.Encouraging community participation in managing bushland.
Hobart bushland key objectives 6. Improving community awareness of bushland values. 7. Facilitating public use for recreation and enjoyment of bushland compatible with conserving its natural and cultural values. 8. Working co-operatively with other agencies, community groups and individual landholders to manage bushland areas. 9. Recognising the strong link between Tasmania s Aboriginal people and Hobart s bushland values with inclusive management practices.
Bushland in Hobart Area of Hobart = 7790ha The Council has responsibility for managing 4589 hectares (ha) of bushland; 2966 ha within the municipal boundaries of Hobart, and 1623 ha outside of the Hobart City Council area. 173 hectares make up Bicentennial Park and Porter Hill.
Bicentennial Park
Bicentennial Park History #1 Combined area of Bicentennial Park & Porter Hill =173 ha. Bicentennial Park includes: Old Skyline Reserve 68 ha Historic purchases, POS contributions, acquisitions over time Marlborough Street area 13 ha Donation from Catholic Church Nicholas Drive 9.36 ha Historic Council Reserve Enterprise Rd Signal Station 45 ha Acquired by Council for landscape protection with Aust Govt Bicentennial funds in 2003 Lower Porter Hill/FolderSt 7.2 ha Purchased by Council & Aust Govt National Reserve System
Bicentennial Park History #2 Porter Hill area includes: Residence & surrounds 4.3ha Bushland area 26.5.ha Purchased by Council & Aust Govt National Reserve System in 2006.
Bicentennial Park Basic references: HCC Lambert Park Skyline Reserve Management Plan (1998) HCC Lambert Park Skyline Reserve Fire Management Plan (1998) HCC Bicentennial Park Interim Management Guidelines (2005) North & Hird (2000) Porter Hill Proposed Fort Nelson Subdivision Assessment of Biological Values Sainty, R. (2205) A Survey for Aboriginal Heritage of Bicentennial Park
Bicentennial Park Interim BP management objectives: Preserve, protect and maintain the natural and cultural values of the area Provide for recreation opportunities consistent with protecting the natural and cultural values Control exotic flora and fauna in the area Protect persons and property from injury or damage by fire
Environmental values Flora - Plant communities Dry E. pulchella woodland (DPU) Dry grassy E. viminalis woodland (DVG) Allocasuarina verticillata forest (NAV) Dry E. globulus woodland (DGL) Wet E. globulus riparian corridors (DGL) Old improved pastureland A little bit of E. ovata forest (DOV)
Environmental values Threatened flora Lepidium pseudotasmanicum (Shade peppercress) Scleranthus fasciculatus (Spreading knawel) Vittadinia muelleri (Narrow lead New Holland Daisy Rhytidosporum procerum (Tall Wallaby Grass) Gahnia rodwayi (Rodways Saw sedge)
Environmental values Threatened fauna Lathamus discolor (Swift Parrot) Pardalotus quadragintus (40 spotted pardalote) Perameles gunnii (Eastern barred bandicoot) Tyto novaehollandiae (Masked owl)
Landscape values
Recreational values Walking, mountain bike riding Tracks connecting Churchill Avenue to the Signal Station through to Truganini Reserve Fire trails open to mountain bikes
Heritage values Porter Hill- architecturally significant house Porter Hill- military heritage- 1908 gun emplacement, barracks site Aboriginal heritage values AH surveys undertaken of both BP and PH have located no sites, but the landscape in itself may have been valued.
Reserve Neighbours Many residential blocks adjoin the Reserve Mount Nelson Signal Station and Truganini Reserve Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife.
Threats Weeds Wildfire Misuse Stormwater management Animal control Edge effects from surrounding development, including stormwater
Weeds Most of the Hobart area usual suspects Woody weeds- boneseed, hawthorn, brooms, gorse, cotoneaster, mainland grevilleas, Spanish heath, radiata pine, blackberry Herbaceous weeds- banana passionfruit, clematis, pampas grass, thistles, introduced grasses, fennel, montbretia and all sorts of things escaping from people s gardens.
Wildfire risk management Dry vegetation communities are fire-promoting Fire Management Plan developed 1998, covered burning schedule, access and trails, pre- and postburn weed control, location and specs of firebreaks and other fuel reduced areas near susceptible assets Interim fire management measures implemented for land purchased post-1998. Fire Management Plan shortly to enter review phase, will include Bicentennial Park and Porter Hill.
Misuse Illegal clearing- firewood collection, views, extensions to firebreaks Encroachment- illegally fenced areas, gradual bed-by-bed creep of gardens further into bushland, car parking. Inappropriate recreational use - mountain bikes on walking tracks
Animal control Feral and pet cats Roaming dogs Dogs off lead in on-lead areas
Stormwater management Many outlets in steep areas- particularly Lambert Gully Erosion and downstream siltation problems High nutrient laden waters promotes weed invasion Litter and other noxious items washed into reserve
Bicentennial Park Management works undertaken since property purchases and acquisitions: Bicentennial Park New walking track from Enterprise Rd to Mt Nelson Signal Station Upgrading signage the main entry points Upgrading main fire trail from Enterprise Rd to Nelson Rd Maintenance of fire breaks Weed mapping & weed management works Fauna surveying Consultation with reserve neighbours regarding the change in land status and fire hazard issues Aboriginal heritage survey along the new walking track Porter Hill a range of studies investigating future options for the residence Extensive primary and secondary weed control Fire management
Questions?