Explore opportunities for research into causes of eucalypt dieback, especially Red Ironbark. Conduct soil tests for Cinnamon Fungus in any affected areas to eliminate as a cause of vegetation decline. Habitat and Fauna Conservation Protect vegetation and wildlife corridors within surrounding land as part of encouraging a greater habitat network. Design any fencing around and within the reserve system to allow faunal movement both underneath and over fences. Undertake a fauna survey of the reserves. Design and implement a monitoring methodology after the fauna survey has been completed and issues are known. Take measures, including community education, to prevent straying of domestic cats and dogs into the reserves. Pest Plants Prioritise weed control to: keep biodiversity hot spots weed free; maintain the existing condition of reference areas; and to rehabilitate degraded areas. Ensure contractors have sufficient specialist bush regenerators suitably qualified and skilled in management of sensitive areas to undertake weed control, particularly in biodiversity hot spots and core areas. Establish a monitoring and record-keeping system for weed infestations. Liaise with adjoining private and public landowners with a view to negotiating an integrated approach to pest issues (see also 11 below). Explore opportunities for information provision, education and resource assistance for owners of nearby properties to better manage potentially threatening weeds. Pest Animals Prioritise rabbit control in all reserves as indicated in individual reserve reports. Facilitate co-ordinated rabbit control with neighbouring landholders. Take all necessary measures to preclude domestic from the reserves.
Undertake research, assessment and monitoring of the Bell Miner population. Low Habitat & Fauna Conservation Undertake a formal survey. Medium Design and implement a monitoring methodology after the fauna survey has been completed when species and specific issues have been identified. Medium Pest Plants Keep the biodiversity hot spot weed free. High Undertake weed control as indicated In Appendix 1 (Section 2). High Monitor Burgan stands for the development of monoculture and the inhibiting of regeneration. Ongoing Pest Animals Assess rabbit numbers and distribution. Survey and map warrens throughout the reserve. High Undertake a rabbit control program. High Monitor Bell Miner populations and their impacts. Low Fire Risk Management Maintain slashed area in north western corner of the reserve from . High Ensure that vehicles and fire control techniques do not damage the soil of the cultural heritage site. Inform the CFA about the location of the cultural heritage site and discuss protection. High Formalise strategic fire control access points. High Develop and implement rehabilitation programs for post fire effects. Medium Services Develop and install appropriate drainage culverts in and Long Gully Road Medium Develop appropriate entrance points to Wimbi Reserve. Medium Coordinated Management
Recommendations for Yanggai Reserve Cultural Heritage Protection Priority Where possible, adopt non ground disturbing techniques of rabbit control throughout the reserve. High If trees need to be removed for weed control purposes, then the least ground disturbing method should be adopted, rather than physical removal of the tree trunk and roots. High The Heritage Overlay of the Nillumbik Planning Scheme shows this site (listed as HO 12) as covering the southern portion of the ‘arm’ of the reserve. However, this study has demonstrated that the site extends across the entirety of this portion of the reserve; it is recommended that the Heritage Overlay therefore be amended accordingly. Medium Soil Conservation & Hydrography Monitor for erosion problems and undertake erosion control where necessary and possible. High Halt active gully erosion midway along south side of Long Gully Creek. Encourage and facilitate the private landholder to revegetate bare ground and divert the water flow away from the bare area and gully head with a shallow swale constructed along the contour. High part-buried logs across slopes to slow run-off occurring from within this area. High Stabilise and rehabilitate trail and monitor and manage any recreational activities through improved trail definition, fencing or other measures. High Undertake works to hill-slope tracks to slow water flow and divert it from vegetation. High Implement rabbit control programs to assist vegetation cover and mitigate loss of topsoil. High Ensure drainage culverts are constructed and maintained with minimal disturbance. Medium
Undertake measures for the conservation of individual species as outlined by (2003), including habitat restoration of the Red Ironbark area. High Undertake further assessment of tree dieback and vegetation health decline and take any necessary action. High Set up and implement a system for regular monitoring of populations of significant species. Medium Undertake flora and habitat surveys of biological hot spots every 5 years. Medium Undertake revegetation in the highly degraded areas. Medium Create vegetation buffers between degraded and core area. Medium Conduct ecological in the central section of the reserve to promote regeneration. Low Habitat & Fauna Conservation Undertake a formal fauna survey. High Design and implement a monitoring methodology after the fauna survey has been completed when species and specific issues have been identified. Medium Pest Plants Undertake weed control in where dieback is occurring. High Undertake weed control in the biodiversity ‘hot spot’ to keep weed free. High Undertake weed control in core and rehabilitation areas. High Reduce Burgan were it is forming large stands, particularly in the southern section) and revegetate with species reflecting the EVC of the area. Low Pest Animals Assess rabbit numbers and distribution via survey and mapping of warrens. High Undertake a planned rabbit control program and monitor effectiveness. High
required, strategically locate structural barriers such as gates, fences, corrals and logs to limit deviation from designated trails. High required, install erosion mitigation, trail hardening structures or steps in unavoidable low-lying areas or areas of steep slope. High Continue to maintain (and restore as needed) the Felix Borsari Walk and prevent it increasing in width. High Close and consolidate the superfluous track system as required and direct visitors along remaining tracks. High Where required, strategically locate structural barriers such as gates, fences, corrals and bollards to allow only permitted recreational activities and users entering at formal entrances. High Retain and formalise recreational entrances at Koos Road, Couties Road and Kings Road. High Ensure that along western boundary are locked to control access. High Ensure Provide recreational activity restrictions on information boards at reserve entrances. High Establish and maintain a route into the reserve for emergency and management vehicles. High Monitor recreational use impacts on trails and refer unacceptable impacts for review acording to the Code of Conduct. Ongoing Community Education & Involvement Liaise with the Friends of the Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System with a view to establishing a Friends Group specifically for Yirrip Reserve. Low Devise a strategy for recruiting members of the local community to such a Friends Group. Low Establish the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System User Group to assist with developing recreational education strategies developing a Code of Conduct, design and trail development, trail maintenance and monitoring use. High