Morwell National Park is an area of natural beauty, suitable for passive recreational activities, that is particularly valued by the people of the LaTrobe Valley. The Park has regional significance as one of the few of remnant natural vegetation in the Strzelecki Ranges. This vegetation, predominantly Damp Sclerophyll Forest dominated by Blue Gums and marginal Warm Temperate Rainforest with narrow strips of Fern Gully, will be protected. Rehabilitation of the Creek Valley, much of which has been cleared and used for grazing, will be undertaken as a priority. Re-establishment of the native forests and understorey on heavily modified sites will be continued, as will efforts to control the extensive infestations of introduced species. Future developments in the Park will provide day visitor for picnicking and barbecues, and improved opportunities for bushwalking in more remote areas of the Park. Major management directions for the Park are summarised below. Significant natural features, and fauna will be given special protection. Biological surveys to identify significant fauna will be encouraged. Co-operative efforts with adjoining landholders to control pest plants and animals will be undertaken. The revegetation program for degraded will be continued. Visitor enjoyment of the Park will be enhanced by developing Billy’s Creek Valley for day visitor use, extending bushwalking opportunities and improving interpretation.
Table 1 specifies the management zones and overlay characteristics, and figure 2 shows their location. 1 MANAGEMENT ZONES AND OVERLAY ZONE OVERLAY CONSERVATION CONSERVATION AND RECREATION REVEGETATION AREA/ 288 ha, 55 % of the planning area. Includes the western section of the Park, which is of high conservation value. 236 ha, 45 % of the planning area; comprises the total Billy’s Creek Valley. 95 ha, 18% of the planning area – 92 ha in the eastern section of the planning area and 3 ha in the western section. VALUES Essentially undisturbed vegetation and areas of high conservation significance. Important natural values and scope for facilities development in a natural setting. Largely disturbed sites including some areas with soil erosion problems. GENERAL AIM Protect sensitive natural environments and provide for minimal impact recreation activities and simple visitor facilities subject to ensuring minimal interference to natural processes. Protect less sensitive natural environments and provide for sustainable dispersed recreation activities and small-scale recreation facilities without significant impact on natural processes. Managed primarily for revegetation with high, medium and low priority areas.
5 THE PARK VISIT The Park visitor Morwell National Park has been a popular visitor destination for people from the LaTrobe Valley for many Major activities undertaken by visitors to the Park are picnicking, bushwalking, nature study and appreciation, and bird watching. The Park attracts almost 35 000 visitors annually. Visitor numbers are fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, although slightly higher in the summer. Trends over the last few years indicate that the visitor numbers will continue to increase. The Park is part of Tourism Victoria’s Gippsland Natural Discovery product region, which also includes Wilsons Promontory National Park, Tarra-Bulga National Park, Holey Plains State Park and various State forests. Providing for the visitor Morwell National Park will continue to provide visitors with an opportunity to relax in a natural setting. Park management will work to facilitate good quality visitor experiences while at the same time conserving and protecting the Park’s natural environment. Future development of recreational and visitor facilities within the planning area will be concentrated in the Creek area (section 5.2.2). Significant strategies include: development of a day visitor area within the Creek Valley, incorporating a car park, picnic area and toilets; creation of new walking tracks accompanied by trail interpretation or walking information; ongoing monitoring of visitor numbers and uses; preparation of high quality information on the Park’s natural values. Aim Provide for visitors in accordance with the above overview of future management for visitors. Management strategies Permit recreational activities in accordance with table 2. Provide and maintain facilities and services which highlight, but are in keeping with, the area’s distinctive character (sections 5.2 and 5.3, and tables 3 and 4). Apply current market survey findings on visitor profiles, patterns of behaviour, expectations and preferences to assist in park management. Establish a program to determine appropriate levels of recreational activity consistent with protecting visitor experiences and park values. Encourage all visitors to minimal impact techniques and to adhere to codes of conduct appropriate to their activity. Monitor visitor numbers and use to ensure adequate provision of facilities consistent with appropriate types and levels of use. Visitor recreation activities and facilities Access Parks Victoria aims to provide a range of access conditions to ensure that people (including those with limited mobility) are given the opportunity to use existing and new recreation facilities, participate in a wide variety of programs and have access to a range of natural environments. Existing vehicle access to Morwell National Park is via Jumbuk Road and Kerry Road to the Kerry Road picnic area at Fosters Gully. self-
TABLE 4 MANAGEMENT OF ROADS AND TRACKS CLASS SITE STATUS COMMENTS/USES Kerry Road 1 From Junction Road to Kerry Road picnic area. O Access to car park and day visitor facilities. road (section 7.2.1). Billy’s Creek Entrance Road 1 From Braniffs Road to the proposed car park. O/P Develop all vehicle-all weather access to main car park and day visitor facilities. Fosters Gully Nature Walk B/C Begins and ends at Kerry Road picnic area (2.3 km, 60 mins walking time). W Suitable for people with limited mobility as far as Lyndons Clearing. Good surface, moderate grades and some steps. nature walk. Notes provided. Stringybark Ridge Track 3 Begins 250 m along Fosters Gully and traverses ridge to west of Fosters Gully (3.8 km, 90 mins walking time). MVO Not suitable for people with limited mobility. Good surface, moderate grades, steep steps. Opportunities to view wildflowers and orchids in season. Billy’s Creek Track 3 From Junction Road to proposed car park along Billy’s Creek (1.6 km, 30 mins walking time). MVO/ Cyc/P To be developed in conjunction with visitor facilities in recreation areas. Potential for highlighting current revegetation program along the creek flats and streamside interpretation trail. Weir Track 3 From proposed car park to old weir (1 km, 20 mins walking time). MVO/ Cyc Minimal grades. To be developed in conjunction with visitor facilities. Potential for streamside interpretation trail and interpretation at historic and other interesting sites. Unnamed 2 Stringybark Track to Brewsters Rd (2 km). MVO Fire access. Clematis Track C From Billy’s Creek along ridges and gullies above recreation areas (2.3 km - return to weir via Lodge track). W Very some rocky surface. Cleared formed track, 1 km. Excellent views and vegetation (no signs). Potential for interpretation or self-guided walk.
6 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT Friends and volunteers Friends groups, volunteers and other interested groups and individuals make valuable contributions towards the protection, conservation, maintenance and development of parks, assisting in projects for which resources may be not available and which would not otherwise be achieved. Their assistance will be encouraged and supported. Since 1986, the Morwell National Park Friends group has assisted with revegetation programs, weed removal, and flora and fauna surveys. The Friends group has been an invaluable source of knowledge and assistance for Park staff, for the Park and in the preparation of this Plan. Aim Continue to encourage the Morwell National Park Friends group and encourage other volunteers to assist with park management activities. Management strategies Develop and evaluate a long-term volunteer strategy incorporates the skills and interests of volunteer groups in park management activities. Continue to support the Friends group and support any other volunteers in undertaking relevant park management activities. Community awareness and the Park neighbours Many of the adjacent residents were attracted by the area’s natural environment, and the Park. Encouraging sound management actions by Park neighbours will benefit the Park, as will increasing their awareness of their role as Park neighbours (section 7.2.2). There are major opportunities for the community to become involved in management- related activities, particularly in the control of environmental weeds (section 4.2). Local schools could assist in collecting data, e.g. on water quality. There are also excellent opportunities for promotion of community awareness of the Park, its values, and management practices. Aims Increase community awareness of park management activities. Encourage conservation and sound land management practices on private land adjoining the Park. Management strategies Encourage community awareness of park management activities, in particular pest and animal control, fire and threatened species management, Koala management and other conservation practices. Liaise with local community groups and adjacent land owners, and as appropriate involve them in relevant aspects of planning and managing the Park. Promote responsible pet ownership. and encourage the application of, the Good Neighbour Policy to management issues on or near the boundary of the Park (section 4.2). Where possible, co-ordinate pest plant and animal control efforts.
REFERENCES CNR 1994, Yarram Region Fire Protection Plan, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Victoria. Griffiths, R. 1989, The vegetation of Morwell National Park and the Billy’s Creek extension, Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria. Gullan, P.K., Cheal, D.C. & Walsh, N.G. 1990, Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria, Flora Survey Group, Department of Conservation and Environment, Victoria. Harris, K. 1997, Flowers and Ferns of Morwell National Park, Friends of Morwell National Park, Morwell. LCC 1982, Final Recommendations South Gippsland Area District 2, Land Conservation Council, Victoria. NPS 1995, National Parks Service, National Parks and Conservation Reserves, Guidelines and Procedures Manual, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Victoria. NRE 1998, Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 1998, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria. NRE database 1998, Flora Information System, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria.