Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L00219:body:0:p23
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L00219
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 65901–69073

soils are nutrient rich, friable and porous. They do not hold moisture well, so native vegetation is susceptible to stress during long dry periods. Large amounts of soil have been lost from Phillip Island through erosion. Stabilisation of the soil is slowly increasing as vegetation recovers. Difficulties in accessing Phillip Island and the scale of the work necessary to manage recovering vegetation and control woody weeds provide ongoing challenges.

Water

         Precipitation on Norfolk Island occurs mainly through rainfall with some fog-drip. The park and botanic garden are thought to be major recharge areas for Norfolk Island's aquifers and hence for the community's water supplies. The park and botanic garden are also catchments for surface run-off.

         Issues
           •      Maintaining landscape values while providing safe visitor access.
           •      Managing erosion.
           •      Maintaining water quality in aquifer recharge and surface run-off areas.

         Prescriptions
2.8.1          Actions taken under this plan must be taken in a manner that will minimise impact on park and botanic garden values including minimising soil erosion, controlling sediment and reducing the impact on aquifer recharge and surface water run-off.

2.8.2          Persistent chemicals which may adversely affect the quality of surface water and/or water in aquifer recharge areas will not be used.

2.8.3           Mining operations are prohibited in the park and botanic garden.

             .8                      2.8.4 Excavation and relocation of soil, gravel and other earth materials may be undertaken within the park and botanic garden for management purposes.

         Actions
2.8.5          Manage vegetation, including limited clearing, to maintain significant views.

2.8.6          Maintain water collection and management works in the park and botanic garden to provide water for plant propagation and other management purposes.
2.8.7          Monitor areas of the park and botanic garden that are susceptible to erosion, implement measures to minimise the occurrence of the soil loss and take action to rectify disturbed areas to ensure public safety, particularly during and following wet weather events. See also Section 4.2 – Roads and tracks.
             2.9              Landscape rehabilitation

         Our aims
           •      Areas of the park and botanic garden revegetated with appropriate native plants to enhance biodiversity health.
           •      The Mount Pitt section of the park is managed to return, as close as possible, to its condition prior to the arrival of Europeans on Norfolk Island.
           •      The Phillip Island section of the park is managed to return its condition, in parts, to that prior to the arrival of Europeans on Norfolk Island. Parts of the island will need to be managed to ensure suitable habitat for seabirds that have come to depend on bare areas of Phillip Island.

         Background
         The park and botanic garden have been subject to a long history of disturbance which has caused disruption to ecological processes, species extinctions and major reductions