ࡱ > 0 ] ^ _ ` a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~ bjbjWW X. 5 5 k , 4 8 z 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 $ &; = @ 5 5 u0 5 5 5 5 Y f8 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 x62 5 5 5 |8 0 8 5 > 5 > 5 > 5 $ 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 8 5 5 5 5 > 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 : H A N G I N G R O C K RECREATION RESERVE M A N A G E M E N T P L A N A Report to the Committee of Management by the LODER & BAYLY Consulting Group September 1993 CONTENTS Page Table of Contents List of Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. INTRODUCTION LOCATION & CONTEXT PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION HISTORY SITE ANALYSIS OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS VISITOR SURVEY LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT UNITS ISSUES IDENTIFICATION SITE ACCESS & CIRCULATION REVENUE COLLECTION AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS STAGING OF WORKS/PRIORITY OF ACTIONS STANDARD DETAILS 3 5 10 12 15 20 25 31 34 41 43 61 63 i ii APPENDIX FLORA AND FAUNA REVENUE COLLECTION AND ACCESS WEED CONTROL IN NATURAL BUSHLAND AREAS CURRENT RESERVE REGULATIONS CURRENT RESERVE FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN POSSIBLE RECREATIONAL/OPPORTUNITIES VISITOR SURVEY FORM REFERENCES i LIST OF FIGURES Page SITE LOCATION REGIONAL CONTEXT VEGETATION VISUAL ANALYSIS SITE OPPORTUNITIES SITE ISSUES AND CONSTRAINTS LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT UNITS EXISTING CIRCULATION AND PARKING MAJOR EVENTS CARPARKING ACCESS AND CIRCULATION ROAD CLOSURE BEHIND RACE ENCLOSURE SW. PICNIC AREA EASTERN PICNIC AREA RACE DAY VIEWING ACCESS TO ROCK MASTERPLAN STANDARD DETAILS 2 4 8 14 18 19 29 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 44 from 63 onwards ii 1. INTRODUCTION The Loder & Bayly Consulting Group were commissioned by the Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve Committee of Management to prepare a Landscape Management Plan for the Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve. The timing of this study is opportune, as it co-incides with the realization of a long term goal of the Committee of Management to purchase the adjacent property of 22 hectares to the east of the Reserve and incorporate this land into the existing Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve. The new land acquisition is a real asset, as it facilitates the easier implementation of the main study goal as recommended by the Land Conservation Council in its review of District 1 of the Melbourne Area:- " That the area continue to be used for the purposes approved by Government following publication of the final recommendation for the Melbourne area in 1977. Notes: 1. The existing recreation reserve, Parish of Newham, encompasses Hanging Rock. The significant geological, scenic, historical and floristic values of Hanging Rock should be protected. " It does this by allowing greater scopes for the dispersal of activities which are currently concentrated close to the base of the rock, exerting pressure on the values requiring protection. In addition to the protection of natural values, major historical values to be preserved are the bi-annual picnic race meetings which have been run for over 100 years on the site and are of significant tourism and cultural value. The study brief aims to achieve a balance between natural and cultural values so that both are enhanced by implementation of the final management plan which will be developed following a public review phase. 1 2. LOCATION AND CONTEXT Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve is located in a rural farmland setting approximately 80km N.N.W of Melbourne, generally one hour drive. It is 7km E.N.E. of Woodend, accessed by the Calder Highway and roughly half way between Melbourne and Bendigo. To the south of the Rock, the Macedon Ranges run East to West, with their most prominent points, the Camel's Hump and Mt. Macedon easily seen from the Rock Reserve. To the north-east the Cobaw Range runs parallel with the Macedon Ranges, providing a forested background to the rural areas surrounding the Rock. The surrounding area is mainly cleared, undulating grazing land with some cropping. Being reasonably close to Melbourne, the area has seen an increase in commuter residents and the resultant growth in hobby farming and small rural residential properties. The Victorian Tourism Commission and the local tourist authorities heavily promote the area for day tourists, in conjunction with Mt. Macedon, (although this has been far less of an emphasis after the Ash Wednesday bushfires) Gisborne, Woodend, Kyneton etc. The growth of a high quality wine industry is likely to attract many more tourists to the district. 3 3. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION 3.1 THE SITE The Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve is now comprised of two distinct areas. The first area, the original reserve, is 66 hectares in area and is comprised of the Rock, racecourse and picnic areas. The second area of 22ha is the newly acquired property to the east which is almost entirely treeless, having been used for grazing purposes. The Rock and its surrounding bushland is located near the north-western boundaries of the reserve, the rock itself covering approx. 9 hectares and its summit of 711 m A.H.D. jutting 100 metres above the surrounding plain. Five mile creek, a tributary of the Campaspe River, flows from east to west through the southern portion of the site, filling 3 dams in the process. Little more than an open channel drain in its central stretch, the creek stops flowing in the drier months. A water reserve at the point where the creek enters the property from the east has more of an overgrown/semi-natural feel. The racetrack, located in the north-eastern corner close to and parallel to the eastern boundary, takes up a very large proportion of the reserve. Detail about specific site characteristics follows. 3.2 SOILS AND GEOLOGY Hanging Rock is a 100 metre high volcanic mamelon lying on the time boundary between the older volcanics and a newer series. It is part of an area with affinities with other volcanic provinces in N.S.W. and Queensland and it has resulted from a process of Lava differentiation that is restricted to two small areas of Victoria, those two being Gisboume/Woodend and Daylesford. On eruption approximately 6 million years ago, small volumes of silica rich soda-trachyte lava were produced. Hanging Rock is the only recorded location of this rock in Australia. The Lava was of a higher viscosity than most, and the greater resistance to flow caused a dome to form around the point of eruption, on cooling producing a steep 5 sided, fractured mass which has been exaggerated by weathering to produce the rock as we know it today. During the initial weathering process, a solution rose to the surface to form an erosion resistant crust. Where the crust has been disturbed, the erosion process has been accelerated. As a generalisation sods are deepest where the vegetation is most substantial, these areas being the central area forest and around the base of the Rock. The local soils are moderately fertile with those derived from the soda-trachyte being less so with lower levels of Phosphorus and Calcium. 3.3 CLIMATE The climate is fairly typical of inland cool temperate areas with cool wet winters and warm/hot dry summers. Climate data for Kyneton, 14 kms to the north-west follows: RAINFALL Mean monthly - Highest Lowest - - Jun 90mm Jan 38mm TEMPERATURE Mean max Mean min 3.4 - - - - Lowest Highest Lowest Highest - - - - Jul 10C Jan 26C Jul 20C Feb 10.5C VEGETATION The vegetation of the Hanging Rock Reserve constitutes one of the few remnant pockets on the plain between the Macedon and Cobaw Ranges and it is of great importance as it forms part of a movement corridor for indigenous fauna. The least disturbed parts of the site are the foot slopes to the Rock, and the native grasslands inside the racecourse. The grassland is in good condition and is floristically the most important plant community in the reserve. The next least disturbed area are the boundaries to the north-east and south-west. The remainder of the site is heavily disturbed, particularly the area each side of the entry drive and the 6 racecourse. The newly acquired property is an almost completely treeless field of long pasture grass. The Rock vegetation is typified by scattered and slightly stunted trees and shrubs growing between the boulders, with the central forest area with its deeper soils and protected aspect being an exception to this. The upper slopes of the Rock are highly exposed, dry and the soils shallow. Species found here include Eucalyptus pauciflora, and Eucalyptus rubida, Exocarpus cuppressiformis and Acacia dealbata. The mid slopes and central forest area with their deeper sods and increased run-off retention are able to promote a greater variety and density of vegetation. Species found here include Eucalyptus rubida, E. Radiata, Acacia dealbata, A. melanoxylon, Exocarpus cuppressiformis and Pomaderris aspera. The upper limit of bracken, Pteridium esculentum is found here. The footslopes and flats around the rock are more fertile, have a greater depth of soil and higher and more consistent moisture levels. The density of vegetation is greater on the south-side of the rock than the north side due to it being shaded and therefore moister, although the vegetation variety is greater on the north side where more annual species are encountered especially in spring and summer. Typical species include: Eucalyptus radiata, E. rubida, E. ovata, E. obliqua, E. viminalis, Acacia dealbata, A. melanoxylon, A. mearnsii, Pomaderris aspera, and Cassinia s.p. Bracken is at its densest around the base of the rock and on the lower slopes. The grassland to the north of the centre of the race track is an example of remnant native grassland that would have existed in the area prior to European settlement. Major species present include Themeda triandra and Danthonia sp. This grassland is worthy of protection due to its relative scarcity and is considered to be of national significance. The main southern entry drive is lined by an avenue of exotic tree species Cupressus macrocarpa "lambertiana" aurea and Populus canescens. The main carpark has a variety of Eualyptus species planted in rows between the bays, some of these being: Eucalyptus globulus, E. cinerea, Acacia bailyana. Recent plantings in the area of the creek flat have tended to include a greater use of indigenous species. A list of flora is included in the appendix. 7 3.5 FAUNA For such a relatively small area, and one that is subject to such visitor pressure, the Reserve is a well endowed with wildlife. The most notable, and the one most sought by tourists, is the Koala, a dozen of which live in the more heavily vegetated and undisturbed areas. Released Wallabys used to live within the reserve but these were attacked and killed by dogs prior to the current protective fence being erected. The reserve is valuable as a wildlife corridor, as it forms part of a link between the Macedon and Cobaw Ranges and is a refuge for species such as the Black Wallaby. It is also important as a transit area for migratory birds. The dam in the centre of the racecourse and the nearby mature and dead trees form an important bird habitat area. A list of fauna present in the reserve is included in the appendix. 9 4. HISTORY ABORIGINAL Hanging Rock is located on what was the north western boundary of the Wurundjeri tribal area. It does not appear to have had any spiritual significance other than it being a "special" place for the Wurundjeri, but any future development should be undertaken in consultation with the Victorian Archaeological Survey. Archaeological surveys, particularly the discovery of Keilor Man, date an established human presence in the approximate area 36,000 years ago. EUROPEAN In 1836 Major Thomas Livingston Mitchell on a journey that would lead to the opening up of the Port Phillip District gave the Rock its official name, Mount Diogenes, in keeping with historical Greek names he gave other areas in the district. In 1837, settler Edward Dryden established a squatters run in the area and for a while "the rock" was named Dryden's Rock after him. 1857 saw a high demand for land in the area with the larger squatter's runs being sub-divided into smaller farms. William Adams purchased the farm surrounding the Rock and, realizing its potential as a tourist attraction, set about developing it as a resort. A dam across Five Mile Creek created a lake of about a hectare in area which was stocked with swans and other waterbirds. Exotic plants were introduced to give the area a European flavour. A carriage track was constructed running to the flat area above the Southern line of pinnacles and in 1877 a racecourse was laid out on the western side of the rock. In 1884 the property was purchased by the Victorian Government, added to an existing water reserve to the east of the Rock and named Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve. The Reserve was then placed under the control of the local Council as Committee of Management appointed by the Minister for Lands. In 1885 the Hanging Rock race club was formed and the racecourse laid out in its current location in 1909. 10 The Rock is said to have been used as a look-out by at least two Bushrangers, McDonald and the more infamous Dan "Mad Dog" Morgan. "Hanging Rock" was a name given to a formation over the path at the top of the stairway where a large boulder is wedged between two vertical columns. The Reserve was managed by the Council of Newham and Woodend until 1959 when three members of the Hanging Rock Race Club were added to the Committee of Management. The management of the reserve reverted to council in 1990. Joan Lindsay's book "Picnic at Hanging Rock" published in 1967 and the film based on the book, first screened in 1975 both heavily publicized the Rock and led to increased visitation. 11 5. SITE ANALYSIS 5.1 VIEWS TO THE ROCK The first glimpses the tourist gains of "the Rock" are from the distance on the approach roads from Woodend, Newham and Macedon. The closer one gets to the entry off South Rock Road, less of "the Rock" is visible as it is hidden by the concentration of vegetation in the immediate vicinity. Once within the boundaries of the reserve, the best views are from the small hill to the east, located on the recently purchased property, where the Rock can be seen rising above its skirting vegetation. There are also excellent views from this hill down the valley toward Woodend. 5.2 VIEWS FROM THE ROCK Given its elevation of some 100 metres above the surrounding plain, the views are, as could be expected, quite superb, being spoilt only by the short distance views to the west of the rural residential subdivision at the foot of "the Rock". To the south is the Camel's Hump and the Macedon Ranges, to the North, the Jim Jim and Cobaw Range. From the eastern edge of the summit, the views over the reserve and racecourse are breath taking, with the racecourse buildings almost entirely hidden from view at the foot of "the Rock". 5.3 INTERNAL VIEWS The semi-vegetated riverflats form a pleasant backdrop to views from the entry road, particularly where they form a partial visual enclosure to the play meadows. The actual creek is unattractive, drain-like and weed infested, particularly in the section to the south of the racetrack. Carparking areas to the south of the rock are bare, eroded and visually intrusive. The access road to these carparks and the connection to the northern picnic areas crowd the bottom of the rock intruding on the natural resources. 12 Many structures over the site, particularly the toilet blocks and corrugated fences and iron sheds of the racecourse, detract from the visitor experience and should be removed or renovated. 13 6. OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS The preceding analysis of the sites content, history and natural, physical and perceptual components reveals the various opportunities and constraints pertaining to the site in terms of its future use and management. The following tables outline the sites opportunities and constraints: 15 OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS CONSTRAINTS P a s t z o n i n g h a s a l l o w e d d e v e l o p m e n t a t a n u n d e s i r a b l e d e n s i t y t o e n c r o a c h o n s i t e - m i n i m a l o r n o b u f f e r . C o n t e x t u a l H i s t o r i c a l H i s t o r i c a l u s e o f t h e s i t e b y t h e r a c e c l u b h a s m e a n t t h a t m u c h o f t h e s i t e h a s b e e n a l i e n a t e d . P h y s i c a l C u r r e n t r o c k a c c e s s s y s t e m i s c o n g e s t e d o n b u s y d a y s . C r e e k f l a t a r e a i s f l o o d p r o n e w i t h a l o w c a r r y i n g c a p a c i t y i n w i n t e r . R a c e t r a c k b u i l d i n g s e n c l o s u r e a n d t r a c k f e n c e a l i e n a t e l a r g e a r e a s o f l a n d f r o m p u b l i c . P h y s i c a l c o n t i n u e d O P P O R T U N I T I E S A r e s o u r c e o f n a t i o n a l g e o l o g i c a l s i g n i f i c a n c e i n s u c h c l o s e p r o x i m i t y t o M e l b o u r n e . W i t h i n a s h o r t d i s t a n c e t o o t h e r t o u r i s m f e a t u r e s i n t h e a r e a e . g . M t . M a c e d o n . C u r r e n t z o n i n g w i l l e n s u r e r u r a l s e t t i n g r e m a i n s i n t a c t . O p p o r t u n i t y t o p r o m o t e t o t o u r i s t s b a s e d o n p a s t c u l t u r a l e v e n t s s u c h a s p i c n i c r a c e m e e t i n g a n d t h e b o o k a n d f i l m " P i c n i c a t H a n g i n g R o c k " . O p p o r t u n i t y t o p r o v i d e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n b a s e d o n g e o l o g i c a l a n d c u l t u r a l h i s t o r y . P u r c h a s e o f " 2 2 h a " a l l o w s s i g n i f i c a n t r e s t r u c t u r i n g t o t a k e a w a y p i c n i c k i n g p r e s s u r e f r o m c l o s e t o r o c k a n d m o r e n a t u r a l e n v i r o n m e n t s . S u r r o u n d i n g r o a d s y s t e m c o u l d d o u b l e a s t h e r e s e r v e s c i r c u l a t i o n s y s t e m . O p p o r t u n i t y f o r i n c r e a s e d u s e o f e x i s t i n g r a c e c o u r s e f a c i l i t i e s b y p u b l i c . K i o s k l o c a t e d i n p r i m e p o s i t i o n f o r u p - g r a d i n g . T o i l e t b l o c k s a r e s t r u c t u r a l l y s o u n d a n d c o u l d b e r e t a i n e d a n d r e n o v a t e d . D a m i n c e n t r e o f r a c e t r a c k c o u l d b e d e v e l o p e d w i t h b o a r d w a l k s a n d j e t t i e s . S h a p e o f r a c e t r a c k b l o c k s m o v e m e n t i n t o n e w p r o p e r t y f r o m w e s t t o east.Race track location squeezes movement north-southbetween itself and base of rock.New property virtually treeless and won't be suitable forrelocating picnic activities for a considerable time.Current access fee collection system means Ranger isinhibited from undertaking other tasks.Roads outside kiosk make it a user "unfriendly" location. Natural OPPORTUNITIES O p p o r t u n i t y t o i n c r e a s e h a b i t a t v a l u e o f r e s e r v e b y l i n k i n g b u s h l a n d f r o m R o c k t o s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a , m a k i n g i t m o r e i n v i t i n g t o r o o s t i n g b i r d s e t c . T h e r a c e t r a c k h a s p r o t e c t e d a n a t u r a l g r a s s l a n d a r e a i n t h e c e n t r e f r o m t r a m p l i n g . T h e c r e e k h a s t h e p o t e n t i a l t o b e r e - s h a p e d w i t h p o n d s a n d w e t l a n d s a l o n g i t . L e s s d i s t u r b e d p a r t s o f t h e r e s e r v e s v e g e t a t i o n m a y b e s u i t a b l y r e s t o r e d a s q u a l i t y b u s h l a n d . R e g u l a r b u r n i n g h a s a i d e d T h e m e d a g r a s s l a n d r e g e n e r a t i o n P e r c e p t u a l H i l l o n n e w p r o p e r t y h a s e x c e l l e n t v i e w s o f r o c k a n d h a s t h e p o t e n t i a l t o b e d e v e l o p e d a s a n a c t i v i t y n o d e . C O N S T R A I N T S C u r r e n t r o c k c l i m b i n g a c c e s s t o t h e b a s e o f r o c k i s c a u s i n g d a m a g e t o v e g e t a t i o n . R o c k c l i m b i n g m a y d i s t u r b n e s t i n g b i r d s e . g . W e d g e - T a i l E a g l e R i v e r f l a t a r e a p o o r l y d r a i n e d . D a m i n m i d d l e o f r a c e t r a c k u s e d f o r i r r i g a t i n g t r a c k - n o t a s o u r c e o f p e r m a n e n t w a t e r f o r f a u n a . H i g h n u m b e r s o f t o u r i s t s c a n c r e a t e e r o s i o n o n h i g h l y e r o d i b l e r o c k s u m m i t a n d s i d e s l o p e s . Q u a l i t y o f w a t e r i n c r e e k i s u n c e r t a i n d u e t o p o s s i b l e e f f l u e n t r u n - o f f f r o m s e p t i c t a n k s o n s i t e . W e e d s a r e a p r o b l e m a l o n g c r e e k . C r e e k i s m o d e r a t e l y e r o d e d L a c k o f c r e e k f l o w o v e r s u m m e r . R i g o r o u s f i r e p r e v e n t i o n m e a s u r e s s u c h a s b u r n i n g - o f f a n d f i r e t r a c k s i m p a c t o n h a b i t a t a n d f l o r a r e g e n e r a t i o n . B o u n d a r y r o a d s t o n o r t h - e a s t , e a s t a n d s o u t h a r e v i s u a l l y i n t r u s i v e . L a r g e n u m b e r s o f v i s i t o r s u s i n g R o c k a c c e s s s t a i r s c a u s e c o n g e s t i o n a n d t h e r e f o r e l o s s o f e x p e r i e n c e . 7 . V I S I T O R S U R V E Y 7 . 1 I N T R O D U C T I O N T h e survey was conducted for 7 days, commencing on Saturday 18th January 1992 and finishing on Friday 24th January 1992 (just before the Australia Day Races). Questionnaires were handed to drivers of vehicles by the park ranger, as the vehicles entered the park. One questionnaire was handed to drivers of buses to fill out on behalf of the passengers. Visitors were asked to complete the questionnaire and place it in one of the boxes provided before they left the park that day. Posters at strategic locations in the park reminded visitors to complete the questionnaire. Several hundred questionnaires were handed out and a total of 238 usable questionnaires were returned. A copy of the questionnaire is included in the Appendix. As it was entirely at the discretion of the visitor whether or not they returned the questionnaire, the responses obtained cannot be regarded as statistically representative of the total visitor population. They provide instead an indicative picture of the type of visitor, why they come to the p a r k w h a t t h e y d o t h e r e a n d i m p r o v e m e n t s t h e y w o u l d l i k e t o s e e . 7 . 2 A N A L Y S I S O F R E S U L T S T h e w e e k e n d i s t h e m o s t p o p u l a r t i m e t o v i s i t t h e p a r k ( d e s p i t e t h e f a c t t h a t t h e s u r v e y t o o k p l a c e i n s c h o o l h o l i d a y s ) . M o n d a y T u e s d a y W e d n e s d a y T h u r s d a y F r i d a y S a t u r d a y S u n d a y ( N o r e p l y b y 1 6 ) 1 4 1 6 1 3 1 8 4 5 5 5 6 1 r e p l i e s " " " " " " 2 0 C a r s r e p r e s e n t e d t h e m o s t f r e q u e n t f o r m o f t r a v e l t o t h e p a r k , a l t h o u g h 1 0 b u s e s w e r e r e c o r d e d i n t h e s a m p l e . C a r B u s B i c y c l e O t h e r / N o a n s w e r 2 2 4 1 0 2 2 ( 9 4 % ) ( 4 % ) T h e c a r s a c c o u n t e d f o r 1 , 0 2 7 v i s i t o r s t h i s r e p r e s e n t s a n a v e r a g e c a r o c c u p a n c y r a t e o f 4 . 5 p e o p l e . T h e 1 0 b u s e s a c c o u n t e d f o r 1 6 4 p e o p l e , a n a v e r a g e o f 1 6 p e r b u s , a l t h o u g h a c t u a l n u m b e r s r a n g e d f r o m l e s s t h a n 1 0 t o 3 0 p e o p l e p e r b u s . A l a r g e s p r e a d o f ages was contained in the sample, as follows: 0-4years 5-17" 18-24" 25-45" 46-60" Over 60" 48 320 165 403 154 118 (4%) (26%) (14%) (33%) (13%) (10%) Visitors by bus tended to be older, on average, with a significant number being over 60. 0- 4years 5-17" 18-25" 26-45" 46-60" Over 60" 1 3 0 1 5 1 8 3 6 6 4 ( 1 % ) ( 1 8 % ) ( 9 % ) ( 1 1 % ) ( 2 2 % ) ( 3 9 % ) A l a r g e n u m b e r o f v i s i t o r s b y c a r a n d b y b u s c a m e f r o m b o t h o v e r s e a s a n d o t h e r p a r t s o f A u s t r a l i a . C a m e b y c a r / b i c y c l e f r o m : L o c a l a r e a M e l b o u r n e M e t r o a r e a U n i t e d K i n g d o m O t h e r o v e r s e a s S y d n e y O t h e r N S W Brisbane Other Qld. Tasmania 34 104 20 3 5 6 5 5 6 (15%) (46%) (9%) ( 1%) (2%) (2%) (2%) (2%) (2%) 21 Adelaide Other S. A. Perth/Western Australia Bendigo/Ballarat Other Victorian Other Australian 7 4 9 7 11 2 (3%) (2%) (4%) (3%) (5%) ( 1%) Note: Some interstate/overseas visitors were brought by Melbourne residents. Came by bus from: Europe/America/Australia Darwin/England Australia Wide Adelaide Perth Melbourne Metro area 2 1 2 1 1 3 Most people (other than those living locally) were visiting the area as part of a day trip or passing through the area as part of an extended trip. On a day trip Staying in local area Passing through as part of an extended trip 152 38 48 (64%) (16%) (20%) About half the sample were spending less than half a day at the reserve the same was true for bus visitors. Spending all/most of day at reserve Spending half a day at reserve Spending less than half a day at reserve 35 83 119 (15%) (35%) (50%) Many different activities were undertaken during the visit to the Reserve - with a large percentage of the sample going up the rock. Climbing/going up Rock Walking around Sightseeing Picnicking/BBQ Relaxing Social- with family/friends Nature study Informal games/ball games Formal sport 198 152 147 125 112 69 34 22 2 (83%) (63%) (62%) (53%) (47%) (29%) (14%) (9%) 1%) 22 Note: Multiple answers. C l e a r l y t h e d e s i r e t o c l i m b a n d / o r s e e t h e r o c k a n d v i s i t t h e a r e a m a d e f a m o u s b y t h e b o o k a n d t h e f i l m a r e t h e m a i n r e a s o n s f o r c o m i n g t o H a n g i n g R o c k R e s e r v e ( r a t h e r t h a n s o m e o t h e r p l a c e ) . M a i n r e a s o n s a r e s h o w n i n d e t a i l b e l o w : M a i n R e a s o n s f o r C o m i n g To-day To see/Climb rock/Hanging Rock38 The film/the movie/to find Miranda,32 "A Picnic at Hanging Rock"/The Book Recreational activity/something to do/ 29 For enjoyment/Sightseeing Never been before21 To bring overseas visitor/interstate20 visitor/tourists Natural bush setting/beautiful spot12 On route back to Melbourne/on tour/11 on way home Read/heard a lot about it/famous place 10 Place for Picnic/BBQ9 A place to walk and climb/exercise7 Family outing/group outing/nice setting 7 for family o u t i n g L i v e l o c a l l y / n o t f a r f r o m h o m e 6 A d a y s o u t i n g 8 C l o s e t o M e l b o u r n e 6 R e c o m m e n d e d b y a f r i e n d 5 B e e n b e f o r e a n d l i k e d i t 5 H i s t o r i c a l a r e a / p a r t o f A u s t r a l i a n h i s t o r y 4 M y s t e r y / A d v e n t u r e 3 O t h e r c o m m e n t s 1 7 N o a n s w e r 2 9 N o t e : M u l t i p l e a n s w e r s O n w a y s t o i mprove the area, nearly half the sample had either no opinion, or felt that the area was good as it is. The entry fee was mentioned as a problem by a small number of people. Improvements to the walking trails, the map/pamphlet and naming of significant areas on the rock were among some of the constructive suggestions made. Others were keen to see the area kept natural and revegetated with native plants, or native animals and birds encouraged back to the area. The table below shows details. 23 (16%) (14%) (12%) (9%) (8%) (5%) (5%) (4%) (4%) (3%) (3%) (3%) (3%) (3%) (2%) (2%) (2%) (2%) (7%) 1%) How to Improve the Area Don't change it/Nice as it is No answer Better walking tracks/less difficult walking tracks/better signposted tracks/walking distances and difficulty defined/colour coded walking tracks Reduce/remove entry fee Naming of locations at sites on rock/ naming locations referred to in film/book Better litter control ban bottles on rock/more bins Keep it natural/don't develop More native animals/birds/sanctuary for native animals/birds/ bring back koalas Get rid of flies Childrens play equipment/more for kids Better pamphlets/more information on pamphlets/on map Get rid of ugly sheds/ugly toilets/ ugly wire fences More BBQs/Electric BBQ's Improve toilets Handrails for older/disabled people Lift/chairlift up rock Maintenance of existing paths, handrail, fences/tables Get rid of Racecourse Revegetate with native trees/plants/ plant native trees in picnic area More information about history of the area/ aboriginal history Swimming area Refreshments/water at top Improve area for tourists Rock impressive but surroundings devastated Information leaflets on arrival/map on arrival Modernise/clean-up the shop/better food shop Other comments 30 (13%) 85 (36%) 20 (8%) 18 (8%) 13 (5%) 11 (4%) 11 (5%) 10 (4%) 6 7 7 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 4 10 (3%) (3%) (3%) (3%) (2%) (2%) (2%) (2%) (2%) (2%) (2%) ( 1%) (1%) (1%) (1%) (1%) (1%) (2%) (4%) 24 8. LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT UNITS A site such as the Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve contains a variety of landscape types and settings, each of which are quite individual in the way in which they respond to public use and in the maintenance they require. It is necessary therefore to break the site up into landscape management units. The objectives for management and the proposed management actions for each are set out in the following table as well as a Landuse Strategy/Planning Matrix. 25 OBJECTIVES AND ASSOCIATED ACTIONS FOR LANDSCAPE MA N A G E M E N T U N I T S P R E S C R I B E D A C T I O N S V E G E T A T I O N / R E S T O R A T I O N R e m o v e a l l w e e d s a n d a l l o w n a t u r a l r e g e n e r a t i o n . S u p p l e m e n t w i t h i n d i g e n o u s s p e c i e s w h e r e r e - g e n e r a t i o n w i l l n o t t a k e p l a c e n a t u r a l l y . A d o p t m e a s u r e s t o c o n t r o l f u t u r e w e e d i n v a s i o n . R e t a i n dead trees as habitat value except where of danger to public. Remove dead or dangerous tree limbs. Remove weeds along creekline. Restore indigenous vegetation along creeklines and around boundaries. Revegetate picnic area and carpark on new property. Picnic areas to be predominately of open upperstorey with grassedunderstorey regularly mown to 25-50mm. Adopt weed control measures appropriate to the specific problemspecies. S e a l e d a c c e s s r o a d w i t h t u r n l o o p s a t e n d s . 4 m w i d e f o r 1 w a y . 6 m w i d e f o r 2 w a y r o a d s . S e a l e d o r g r a v e l l e d 9 0 o f f r o a d p a r k i n g b a y s g r o u p e d i n 3 - 4 s . N o m a j o r c o n c e n t r a t e d c a r p a r k s . R e m o v a b l e b o l l a r d s o r b a r r i e r s . A l l o w a c c e s s f o r m a j o r e v e n t o v e r f l o w p a r k i n g . P a r k i n b a y s a n d w a l k t o p i c n i c a r e a s . V e h i c l e s c o n t a i n e d b y m a r k e d b a y s a n d v e h i c l e b a r r i e r s / b o l l a r d s . V I S I T O R M A N A G E M E N T D i s c o u r a g e p e o p l e f r o m u s i n g a r e a e x c e p t w h e r e f o r m e d p a t h s a r e p r e s e n t . I n t e r p r e t i v e t r a i l w i l l a i d i n d i r e c t i n g p e d e s t r i a n f l o w . B R O A D M A N A G E M E N T O B J E C T I V E S 1 N a t u r a l D o m i n a n t E R O S I O N C O N T R O L V E H I C L E A C C E S S A N D C A R P A R K I N G N o n e a l l l o c a t e d o u t s i d e o f p e r i m e t e r , T o m a i n t a i n a n d m a n a g e a s a n a t u r a l b u s h l a n d h a b i t a n d t h r e a t e n e d s p e c i e s h a b i t a t a r e a F e n c i n g i s r e q u i r e d i n s o m e a r e a t o l i m i t a c c e s s a n d c o n t r o l d a m a g e . A l l o w n a t u r a l r e g e n e r a t i o n . C o n s t r u c t i o n o f s t a i r w a y u p r o c k m a y b e r e q u i r e d i n p l a c e s . 2 S e m i - N a t u r a l T o p r o v i d e f o r p a s s i v e r e c r e a t i o n i n a n o p e n w o o d l a n d s e t t i n g a n d t o r e s t o r e a n d r e h a b i l i t a t e c r e e k e d g e a n d s u r r o u n d s . W i l l a l s o a c t a s a b u f f e r t o t h e t h r e a t e n e d s p e c i e s h a b i t a t a r e a . R e - p r o f i l e C r e e k b a n k s a n d s t a b i l i z e w i t h p l a n t i n g a n d l o c a l r o c k w h e r e a p p r o p r i a t e . P R E S C R I B E D A C T I O N S V E G E T A T I O N / R E S T O R A T I O N E n s u r e v e h i c l e s d o n ' t c o m p a c t s o i l a r o u n d e x i s t i n g t r e e s b y e m p l o y i n g a p p r o p r i a t e s u r f a c i n g t e c h n i q u e s . S l o w l y r e p l a c e i n v a s i v e n o n - i n d i g e n o u s t r e e s w i t h i n d i g e n o u s , O n l y c a r p a r k w h e r e b u s e s a r e a l l o w e d t o p a r k V I S I T O R M A N A G E M E N T A l l l a r g e b u s e s ( n o t mini-buses) must park here. Due to formalised nature of area with hardsurfacing, little management will be required. Signage required to direct to rock and picnicking. Formalise and harden landscape treatments tocreek edge for increased pressure of use. BROAD MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES 3 Intensive Use Picnic EROSION CONTROL T o m a i n t a i n a n d m a n a g e a s a h i g h c a p a c i t y c a r p a r k a n d c e n t r a l a c t i v i t y n o d e . I n d i g e n o u s m i d d l e a n d l o w e r s t o r e y p l a n t s s h o u l d b e u s e d w h e r e a p p r o p r i a t e a r o u n d c a r p a r k s a n d b u i l d i n g s . F o r m a l i s e e d g i n g o f c a r p a r k i n g a r e a s a n d s e a l s u r f a c e t o r e d u c e d u s t . V E H I C L E A C C E S S A N D C A R P A R K I N G S e a l e d m a j o r e n t r y r o a d a n d s e a l e d m a j o r c a r p a r k l o c a t e d o p p o s i t e k i o s k . C o n s t r u c t d e f i n e d p a t h s t o h e a v i l y t r a f f i c k e d a r e a s s u c h a s k i o s k a n d s t a r t o f R o c k W a l k . V e h i c l e a c c e s s t o s t a b l e s a n d c o u r s e f a c i l i t i e s a l l o w e d o n l y o n r a c e d a y s . R o a d o p e n t o m a n a g e m e n t v e h i c l e s o n l y a n d w a l k e r s f o r t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e y e a r . M a j o r e v e n t s p a r k i n g a l l o w e d o n o v a l . F o r m a l i s e d r a i n a g e o f c a r p a r k a n d p i c n i c a r e a s t o r e d u c e d a m a g e t o g r a s s s u r f a c e . R e t a i n P o p l a r s , C y p r e s s O a k s a n d N o n - i n d i g e n o u s n a t i v e s . A l l o w s e l e c t i v e r e g e n e r a t i o n o f a p p r o p r i a t e l a r g e t r e e s p e c i e s t h a t w i l l d e v e l o p l a r g e , c l e a n t r u n k s a n d s t i l l a l l o w v i e w s a c r o s s r a c e t r a c k R a c e t r a c k t o h a v e a n e v e n g r a s s c o v e r a i d e d b y s u p p l e m e n t a r y i r r i g a t i o n i n s u m m e r , 4 R a c e c o u r s e P i c n i c a r e a s w i t h i n r a c e e n c l o s u r e a r e t o b e o p e n e d u p t o g e n e r a l p u b l i c u s e - w a l k i n o n l y . T o m a i n t a i n a n d m a n a g e a s a r a c e c o u r s e , f o r p e r i o d i c e v e n t s , c a s u a l p i c n i c k i n g , a n d t h e o v a l f o r y e a r r o u n d s p o r t i n g u s e . 5 T o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e possibility ofregenerating indigenous grasslandspecies. To maintain a cut or grazedheight of 200mm. To reduce cut height in summer to100mm to reduce fire risk. In the short to medium term fencewith electric fencing and allowcattle to graze on a seasonal basis. Open Grassland O v a l l a w n t o b e k e p t c u t s h o r t . T o r e m o v e i n v a s i v e w e e d s p e c i e s . D o n o t h i n g t o e n c o u r a g e u s e , b u t d o n ' t s t o p p u b l i c a c c e s s . T o m a i n t a i n a n d m a n a g e a s i n f o r m a l g r a s s l a n d . P R E S C R I B E D A C T I O N S V E G E T A T I O N / R E S T O R A T I O N R e m o v e a l l w e e d s a n d d e b r i s a n d m a ) * = > E F _ ` t u ԞԌzzzzzzz#h