The Lakes National Park and

Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park

November 1998

Management Plan

ThisManagementPlanforTheLakesNationalParkandGippslandLakesCoastalParkisapprovedfor implementation. Its purpose is to direct all aspects of management in the Parks until the Plan is reviewed. A Draft Management Plan for the Park was released for public comment in December 1996. Onehundredandforty-sevensubmissionswerereceivedandhavebeenconsideredindevelopingthis Approved Plan.

Copies of the Plan can be obtained from: ParksVictoria

378CothamRoad

KEW VIC 3101

Parks Victoria Information Centre 35 Whitehorse Rd

DEEPDENE VIC 3103

131963

NRE Information Centre 8 Nicholson Street

EASTMELBOURNE VIC 3002

For further information on this Plan please contact: Dennis Matthews

Chief Ranger

EastGippslandDistrict Victoria East Region ParksVictoria

7 Service Street

BAIRNSDALE VIC 3875

0351520400

THELAKESNATIONALPARK AND

GIPPSLANDLAKESCOASTALPARK MANAGEMENTPLAN

NOVEMBER1998

Published in November 1998 by Parks Victoria 378CothamRoad,Kew,Victoria,3101.

NationalLibraryofAustralia Cataloguing-in-Publicationentry

ParksVictoria

TheLakesNationalParkandGippslandLakesCoastalPark managementplan.

Bibliography.

ISBN0730662896

1.Nationalparksandreserves-Victoria-Gippsland- Management. 2.TheLakesNationalPark(Vic.).3.Gippsland LakesPark(Vic.).I.Title.

333.783099456

Cover: NewHollandMouse(Pseudomysnovaehollandiae)-foundinGippslandLakesCoastalPark, endangered in Victoria. Illustration by Lyn Turner.

Printedonrecycledpapertohelpsaveournaturalenvironment

TheLakesNationalParkandGippslandLakes CoastalParkprotectbothmarineandterrestrial environments,andare important forconserving native flora and fauna. Internationally significantwetlands,whichincludeLakeReeve, provide refuges for migratory waders and are a specialfeatureoftheParks. TheParksalso support significant populations of the endangeredNewHollandMouse,andcontaina number of important archaeological sites.

Managed primarily for nature conservation, these two Parks are a vital component of the GippslandLakestouristarea,offeringlocal residents and visitors a range of recreational opportunitiesinanaturalsetting.

ThisApproved Plan establishesthe long-term management framework forprotectingthe great natural and recreational values of the two Parks, and ensures that they will continue to play an important role in nature-based tourism.

Ithank the individualpeopleand organisationswho made submissions on the Draft Plan, and I look forwardto continuingcommunitysupport in managing these special Parks.

MarieTehanMP Minister for Conservation andLandManagement

APPROVEDMANAGEMENTPLAN

ThisApprovedManagement Planhasbeen prepared under the provisions of Sections 17 and 18 of theNationalParksAct1975 (Vic.), and is approved forimplementation.

Rod GowansActing Director of NationalParks

ThePlan provides thebasis for future management of The Lakes National Park and GippslandLakesCoastalPark. Itwasfinalisedfollowingconsiderationofthe147submissions received on the draft plan.

MarkStone

ChiefExecutive ParksVictoria

TheLakesNationalPark(2390ha)and GippslandLakesCoastalPark(17584ha)are a unique combination of lakes, wetlands, and marine and terrestrial environments. The diversityofvegetationcommunitiesisa reflectionofthecomplexinterplaybetween theseenvironments. Protectingthehigh conservation values of these Parks, and generally allowing natural processes to take place, will be a key focus of park management.

GippslandLakesCoastalParkattractsalarge number of visitors each year and offers a wide variety of activities such as camping, hunting, picnicking, and beach and water-based activities. This Park includes a large section of themagnificentNinetyMileBeachandthe internationally significant Lake Reeve. The LakesNationalParkcatersmainlyforday visitors. TherichfloraandfaunaofthisPark are important for both conservation and visitor enjoyment. ThesetwoParkscombinetoforma major component of the attractions of the GippslandLakes tourism region.

The proximity of the Parks to population centresat Loch Sport and Golden Beach and to the waters of the GippslandLakes presents an opportunity to promote nature-based tourism to the many visitors to the area. Sensitive and limiteddevelopment,togetherwithhighquality information about the values and features of the Parks, will create tourism opportunities in conjunctionwithconservationofthe environment.

Significant management directions for the Parks are summarisedbelow.

Protection of a number of significant flora and fauna species, such as the New Holland Mouse and the Metallic Sun- orchid.

Protection of the internationally significant LakeReeve.

Development of a pest plant and animal controlprogram.

Improving visitor facilities, including camping areas, lookouts, parking and coachaccess,atseverallocations.

DevelopingnewwalkingtracksfromEmu BighttoDolomitePicnicAreaandfrom Red Bluff to Point Wilson.

Increasing public awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the Parks.

FOREWORDiii

SUMMARYv

1INTRODUCTION1

1.1Location and planning area1

1.2Regionalcontext1

1.3Significance of the Parks1

1.4CreationoftheParks2

1.5Legislationandguidelines3

1.6Park management aims3

2STRATEGICDIRECTIONS5

2.1Park vision5

2.2Managementdirections5

2.3Zoning6

3RESOURCECONSERVATION9

3.1Geological and landform features9

3.2Hydrology9

3.3Flora10

3.4Fauna11

3.5Landscape12

3.6Culturalheritage12

4PARKPROTECTION14

4.1Firemanagement14

4.2Pestplantsandanimals, and diseases15

4.3Soil conservation16

4.4Pollution17

5THEPARKVISIT18

5.1TheParkvisitor18

5.2Visitor recreation activities and facilities19

5.2.1Access19

5.2.2Dayvisitors20

5.2.3Camping20

5.2.4Rubbish collection and disposal26

5.2.5Bushwalking26

5.2.6Dogs27

5.2.7Boating and sailing27

5.2.8Horse riding28

5.2.9Recreational fishing29

5.2.10Hunting29

5.3Visitor information, interpretation and education31

5.4Commercial tourism operations31

5.5Publicsafety32

6COMMUNITYAWARENESSANDINVOLVEMENT34

6.1Friends andvolunteers34

6.2Community awareness and Park neighbours34

7OTHERISSUES35

7.1Authoriseduses35

7.2Boundaries and adjacent uses37

8IMPLEMENTATION39

REFERENCES40

TABLES

1Parkmanagementzonesandoverlays7

2Summary of recreation activities19

3Management of vehicle roads and tracks21

4Existing and proposed recreation facilities24

5Priority management strategies39

APPENDICES

1Significant flora42

2Significantfauna43

FIGURES

1 / Locality map / End of Plan
2 / Managementzones / "
3 / Access and recreation facilities / "
4 / Proposedspecialuseareas / "
5 / Dogs / "

1INTRODUCTION

1.1Location and planning area

TheLakesNationalParkandGippslandLakes CoastalParkareatthesouthernendofthe GippslandLakes, along Ninety Mile Beach and about 300 km east of Melbourne (figure1).

This Management Plan covers both The Lakes NationalParkandGippslandLakesCoastal Park. The uses and management of the two areas are closely related, and they have similar naturalvalues.

TheLakesNationalParkcovers2390ha boundedbyLakeVictoria,LakeReeveandthe township of Loch Sport. GippslandLakes CoastalParkisanarrowcoastalreserve covering 17 584 ha along approximately 90 km of Ninety Mile Beach from Seasprayto Lakes Entrance (figure1).

1.2Regionalcontext

TheGippslandLakesareagroupoflarge coastallagoonsineasternVictoria,separated fromtheseabysanddunesandfringedonthe seaward side by Ninety Mile Beach. They are animportantfocusfortourisminGippsland.

Otherpubliclandintheregionincludes:

Holey Plains State Park: containing relatively large areas of Shining Peppermint

- Saw BanksiaWoodland which has very limited occurrence outside this area;

Mitchell River National Park: with spectacular rock formations, deep gorges and rainforest in many of the gullies;

Nooramungaand Corner Inlet Marine and Coastal Parks: major fish breeding grounds, habitatformigratorywadingbirdsandrare andendangeredspecies;

Lake TyersPark: containing much forest in largely undisturbed condition, popular with day visitors and campers and protecting the watersofLakeTyers;

NyerimilangPark: with an historic homestead,expansivegardensforpicnicking and the East GippslandBotanic Garden (being established);

Stateforestandsoftwoodproductionareas.

1.3Significance of the Parks

TheLakesNationalParkandGippslandLakes CoastalParkmakeavaluablecontributionto Victoria’s parks system, which aims to protect viable, representative samples of the State’s natural environments occurring on public land. Parksalsoprovideopportunitiesforvisitorsto enjoyandappreciatenaturalandcultural values, and many make important contributions totourism.

The Lakes National Park is assigned the IUCN Category II (National Parks) of the United Nations’ListofNationalParksandProtected Areas, the worldwide list of such reserves. CategoryIIareasaremanagedprimarilyfor ecosystem conservation and appropriate recreation.

GippslandLakesCoastalParkisassignedthe IUCN Category VI of the United Nations’ List. Category VI areas are predominantly unmodifiednaturalsystemsmanagedtoensure long-termprotectionandmaintenanceof biologicaldiversity,whileprovidingatthesame timeasustainableflowofnaturalproductsand servicestomeetcommunityneeds.

TheLakesNationalParkcontainslargeareas ofdiverse and relatively undisturbedflora and faunacommunitiesrepresentativeoftheinner barrieroftheGippslandLakessystem. This, and the spectacular views and easy access to the Lakes, give the Park National significance.

GippslandLakesCoastalParktakes in extensive coastal dune systems, woodlands and heathlands, as well as waterbodiessuch as Lake ReeveandBungaArm.

TheLakesNationalPark,andalargepartof theGippslandLakesCoastalPark,arelistedon the Register of the National Estate in recognition of their significant natural values.

MuchofNinetyMileBeachandtheadjacent dunesystemisusedintensivelyforrecreation. OtherareasofthePark,suchaslakeshorelines, are also sought by visitors to the region. Large areas of woodland and heathland, andLake

Reeve, are of particular conservation significance.

TheParkshavealonghistoryasaresource- richrefugefortheAboriginalcommunityand asaretreatforEuropeansettlers. Homestead sites and features associated with construction of the entrance to the lakes reflect pastoral and recreational activity,and the opening up of the lake system and its hinterland to fairly intensive settlement and exploitation.

SignificantfeaturesoftheParksare summarisedbelow.

Natural values

BothParkssupportvaluableremnantsof vegetationcommunitiesthathavebeen disturbed throughout much of their range, including Coast BanksiaWoodland, Heath Tea-tree Heathland and Hairy SpinifexGrassland.

LakeReeveisofinternationalsignificance and is a site of special scientific interest. This long, shallow lagoon is fringed by salt marsh with a number of plant species ‘relativelyuncommoninVictoriaeastof Seaspray’(BarsonCalder1976).

Six significant flora and over 20 significant fauna species have been recorded within the Parks.

LakeReeveprovidesimportantbreeding habitat for a number of waterfowl species andisoneofVictoria’sfivemost importantareasforwaders.

Wetlands within the Parks areimportant nursery areas for many fish species.

TheParkscontainsitesofNational,State andregionalgeologicaland geomorphologicalsignificancemainly associated with the evolution of the barrier system that formed the GippslandLakes (McRae-Williamsetal.1981).

The GippslandLakes area, which includes theParks,isrecordedasasignificant regional landscape by the National Trust ofAustralia.

Cultural values

Aboriginal Affairs Victoria has recorded 88 Aboriginal sites within or close to the Parks.

Historic places in the Parks include the remains of previous occupations, the blowhole sites on the outer barrier adjacent to BungaArm, and the site of construction of the artificial entrance to the sea.

Tourism and recreational values

The Parksare the only large, relatively naturalareasofpubliclandonthe GippslandLakes, and are significant attractionsfor thisimportanttourist destination.

Both Parks have a large number of low- cost campsites with basic facilities and a natural settingclose to beach and lake shores.

Fishing is popular throughout the Lakes andintheParks.

Speciesofproclaimedgamemaybehunted in season in part of GippslandLakes CoastalPark.

RotamahIslandisafocusfor environmentaleducation.

1.4Creation of the Parks

SpermWhaleHeadNationalPark(1451ha) was reserved under the LandAct1958(Vic.) in 1927anddeclaredafaunasanctuaryunderthe GameAct1936(Vic.). It was subsequently reserved under the National Parks Act in 1956 as‘TheLakesNationalPark’. TheParkwas enlarged by 668 hectares in 1958. Rotamahand Little RotamahIslands were added in 1978 tomakeatotalof2390hectares.

TheGovernmentproclaimedGippslandLakes Coastal Park on 26 April 1979 following Land Conservation Council recommendations (LCC 1973). A number of areas of freehold land have sincebeenaddedand384hawasaddedin 1997.

The Lakes National Park is reserved under Schedule2,andGippslandLakesCoastalPark is reserved under Schedule 3, of the National ParksAct.

1.5Legislationandguidelines

TheLakesNationalParkandGippslandLakes Coastal Park are reserved and managed under the National Parks Act. The Act requires the Directortopreserveandprotectthenatural condition of the Parks and their natural and other features, and to provide for the use of the Parks by the public for enjoyment, recreation and education, and for research. Sections 17 and 18 provide the legislative basis for management of the Parks.

The Parks are managed in accordance with the recommendationsoftheLandConservation Council (LCC 1973), accepted by the Government in May 1977.

ThewatersoftheGippslandLakesCoastal ParkandTheLakesNationalParkformpartof the 43 000 haGippslandLakes Site of International Significance, listed under the ConventiononWetlandsofInternational Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (known as the RamsarConvention). The Convention requires contracting parties to designate wetlands ofinternational importance andmanagethemtoprotecttheecological characteristics for which sites were nominated.

TheVictorianGovernmentiscommittedto conserving habitats of birds listed in the Japan- Australia Migratory Birds Agreement 1974 (JAMBA)andtheChina-AustraliaMigratory Birds Agreement 1987 (CAMBA). Several listed species regularly use Lake Reeve.

The Parks are managed in accordance with Parks Victoria guidelines for the management of parks and with other strategies and plans including:

GippslandLakes Strategy (Government of Victoria1990);

GippslandLakes Management Plan (DCE 1991);

DraftGippslandLakesFisheries ManagementPlan(CNR1995a);

BairnsdaleRegion Fire Protection Plan (DCE1990a);

Central GippslandRegion Fire Protection Plan(DCE1990b);

Lakes and Wilderness, and Phillip Island and GippslandDiscovery Regional Tourism Development Plans (TV 1997a, 1997b);

VictorianCoastalStrategy(Victorian CoastalCouncil1997).

1.6Park management aims

Section 4 and Sections 17 and 18 of the National Parks Act provide the main basis for managementoftheParks. Thefollowing managementaimsarederivedfromthese sections and as such broadly govern all aspects of park management.

Resourceconservation

Protect and conserve the natural environment.

Allow natural environmental processes to continuewithaminimumofinterference.

Maintain biodiversity.

Conserve features of archaeological, historic and cultural significance.

Parkprotection

Eradicate, or otherwisecontrol, introduced plants,animalsanddiseases.

Protectwatercatchmentsandstreams.

Protect human life, the Parks and adjacent land from injury by fire.

TheParkvisit

Provideopportunitiesforappropriate recreation and tourism.

Promote and encourage an appreciation, understandingandenjoymentoftheParks’ naturalandculturalvaluesandtheir recreationalopportunities.

Encourageappropriateparkuseandvisitor behaviour, and foster a conservation ethic in visitors and an understanding of minimalimpact behaviour.

Take reasonable steps to ensure the safety ofvisitors.

Other

Provide for and encourage scientific research, surveys and monitoring that will contribute to a better understanding and management of the Parks.

Co-operatewithlocal,Stateandinterstate governmentauthorities,thecommunityand other interested organisationsto assist in the management of the Parks.

2STRATEGICDIRECTIONS

2.1Park vision

AfuturevisitortoTheLakesNationalParkand GippslandLakesCoastalParkfindsaunique combination of lakes, wetlands, marine and terrestrial environments, protecting rich flora andfaunacommunitiesandsensitiveland systems.

Throughimprovedlandandwatermanagement practices, impacts on the water quality of Lake Reevehavebeenminimised. Thefutureofthe Lakeasanimportanthabitatforwadersand breeding area for waterfowl is assured. Knowledgeofthedistributionandecologyof plant and animal communities has significantly increased through detailed surveys and ecologicalresearchandisensuringthelong- term conservation and diversity of species. Careful management of access has reduced erosionofthedunesystemsandimpactsonthe bedandshorelineofLakeReeve.

A pest plant and animal control program has eradicatedsomepestspeciesandeffective liaisonwithneighboursandmonitoringhas reduced the impact of others.

Though visitor numbers to the Parks have increased, assessment of visitor needs, careful monitoringofimpactsanddevelopmentof appropriatefacilitieshaveensuredthatvisitors are able to enjoy the Parks. This has been achieved through a range of recreation opportunitieswhichhaveminimalimpact, assisted by high quality interpretation facilities and services.

Effectivecommunityliaisonhasledtomore sensitive use of both Parks, and volunteer groups make a major contributionto their management.

2.2Management directions

Significant management directions for the Parks areoutlinedbelow:

Resourceconservation

Significantfloraandfaunaspecies,such as the New Holland Mouse and Metallic

Sun-orchid,will be protected as a high priority.

WetlandvaluesofLakeReevewillbe optimisedby assessing factors affecting thewaterregimeanddeveloping appropriatestrategies.

Theenvironmentalconditionofthekey values of the Parks will be monitored.

Parkprotection

Anecologicalburningprogramwillbe developedtakingintoaccountecosystem requirements and the protection of assets.

A pest plant and animal control program includingcommunityeducationwillbe developed.

The fragile coastal dunes and wetlands will beprotectedbymanagingvehicle,horse andpedestrianaccess.

Adverse effects of activities on private land on the landscape values of the Parks willbeminimisedthroughliaisonwiththe local municipality.

TheParkvisit

Visitor facilities at several key locations willbeimproved.

Camping between Paradise Beach and The Honeysuckleswillberationalisedbutthe numberofsiteswillbemaintained. Improvedfacilitieswillbeprovidedinthis area and a camping permit system introduced.

A walking track from Red Bluff to Point Wilsonwillbedeveloped,incorporatinga routefromDolomitePicnicAreatoEmu Bight.

A beach access plan for GippslandLakes Coastal Park will be developed.

PublicawarenessoftheCoastalParkwill beincreasedthroughthedevelopmentofan interpretation strategy, including new informationboardsatLochSport Causeway and Golden Beach.

Therewillbeliaisonwithrelevanthunting organisationsto review public safety and reduceimpacts of activities associated with hunting.

Community awareness and involvement

Co-operationwithlocalgovernmentand other public authorities, community groups, lessees and landholders will be encouragedinwetlandandfisheries management,conservingnativevegetation andparkprotection.

2.3Zoning

Amanagementzoningschemehasbeen developedto:

provideageographicframeworkinwhichto manage the Parks;

indicatewhichmanagementaimshave priorityindifferentpartsoftheParks;

indicatethetypesandlevelsofuse appropriatethroughouttheParks;

assistinminimisingexistingandpotential conflicts between uses and activities, or betweenthoseandtheprotectionofpark values;

provideabasisforassessingthesuitability offutureactivitiesanddevelopment proposals.

Three management zones apply to the Parks - Conservation, Conservation and Recreation, andRecreationDevelopment.

In addition, two Special Management Areas (CoastalProtectionandPublicUtility)anda Land Use Designation (Hunting) are used to summariserequirements additional to those of theunderlyingprimarymanagementzones.

Table1specifiesmanagementzoneandoverlay characteristics,andfigures2and4showtheir location.

TABLE1 PARKMANAGEMENTZONESANDOVERLAYS

Strategicdirections

CONSERVATION ZONECONSERVATIONANDRECREATIONZONE

RECREATIONDEVELOPMENTZONE

AREA/LOCATION5674ha;28.7%ofParks.

Comprises most of The Lakes NP, a sectionofLakeReeve,andNinety Mile Beach.

14200ha;71.1%ofParks.Comprises most of GippslandLakes CoastalParkwestofLochSport, andBoolePoolePeninsula.

50ha;<0.01%ofParks. Small areasatGoldenBeach,Paradise Beach,LochSportCauseway,Lake ReeveLookout,EmuBight,Point Wilson, RotamahIsland and BungaArm.

VALUESAreas of high conservation value and relatively undisturbed vegetation.

Large area containing high conservation value with scope for recreation opportunities.

Siteswithfacilitydevelopmentina naturalsetting.

GENERALMANAGEMENTAIM

Protectsensitivenatural environmentsandprovidefor minimal impact recreation activities and simple visitor facilities, subject toensuringminimalinterferenceto naturalprocesses.

Protectlesssensitivenatural environmentsandprovidefor sustainable dispersed recreation activities and small-scale recreation facilities without significant impact onnaturalprocesses.

Provide primarily for high use visitor nodes with a concentration of recreation and/or interpretation facilities.

TheLakesNationalParkandGippslandLakesCoastalPark7

Strategicdirections

Table1(cont.)

OVERLAYS

SPECIAL MANAGEMENTAREALANDUSEDESIGNATION

COASTAL PROTECTIONPUBLICUTILITYHUNTING

AREA/LOCATIONNinetyMileBeachanddunes betweenSeasprayandParadise Beach and BungaArm as shown in figure 2.

VALUESNarrowstripofeasilyaccessed beach and dunes. Dune areas highlysusceptibleto destabilisationand erosion. Access is carefully managed to provide for visitor use and protect sensitive dune areas.

GENERALMANAGEMENTAIMHighlight areas or sites where

specialmanagement provisions are needed to provide for a particular non-standarduseoractivity.

Power transmission line, gas pipelineandtrigonometricsurvey points as shown in figure 4.

Strip of cleared land carrying transmission and pipelines. Trigonometric survey points.

Highlight areas or sites where special management provisions are needed to provide for a particular non-standarduseoractivity.

Areas shown in figure 4.

AreasinGippslandLakesCoastal Park in which duck, deer and quail hunting are provided for.

Provideforspecificlegislative requirements.

3RESOURCECONSERVATION

3.1Geologicalandlandform features

TheParkscontainsitesofNational,Stateand regionalgeologicalandgeomorphological significancemainlyassociatedwiththe evolutionofthesandybarriersystemwhich formedthecoastallagoonscomprisingthe GippslandLakes. These formations include LakeReeve,SpermWhaleHead,BoolePoole Peninsula,BungaArm,theOuterBarrierand Ninety Mile Beach (McRae-Williams et al. 1981).

Sitesofgeologicalandgeomorphological significancehave been disturbed by activities such as excavation, loss of vegetation, erosion, roadandtrackconstruction,residential development and alteration to natural water regimes.

Aim

Manage and protect sites of geological and geomorphologicalsignificancetoallow publicaccessandappreciation.

Managementstrategies

Encouragefurtherresearchintoand studiesofthegeomorphologyofthe GippslandLakes,particularlytheentrance dynamicsandmanagementofduneblow- outspitsinBungaArm.

Monitorandaddressthreatstothe geomorphologicalvaluesofsignificant sites.

3.2Hydrology

AtthetimeofEuropeansettlementthe GippslandLakes were linked to the sea by an intermittent entrance. Sand deposition closed theentranceduringlowriverflowuntilhigh riverflowraisedtheleveloftheLakesand breachedthesandbarrier. Anartificial entrance was opened in 1889 to improve boat access into and out of the Lakes system. This resulted in reduced fluctuations and a general loweringoftheLakes’levels,therebychanging thefloodingregimeoftheborderingswamps.

The salinity of the Lakes’ water also increased, causingextensivediebackofCommonReed bedsalongtheshorelines. Withoutthe protectionofthereedbeds,shorelineerosion becameextensiveandwidespread.

Lake Reeve, as part of the GippslandLakes system, has been declared under the Ramsar Conventiontobeofinternationalsignificance.

MerrimanCreektothewesternendofLake Reeve can naturally breach the sandbar on NinetyMileBeachthroughtotheocean. In order to breach the sandbar, however, the creek has to bank up. This increase in height can result in flooding of the nearby Seaspraytownship.

To prevent this flooding in Seaspraythe SeasprayFlood Mitigation Scheme was installedin1987. Thishasalteredthenatural operation of the sandbar at the mouth of the creek, and has largely prevented the natural inflowofwaterfromthecreektoLakeReeve.

The Scheme has had an impact on the input of water to Lake Reeve from Merriman Creek, although a proportion of Merriman Creek floodwaterscanbedivertedtoLakeReeve under special circumstances. Lack of water in Lake Reeve appears to be reducing wetland habitatvalues. However,Seaspraymust continue to be protectedfrom floodwaters.

The effect of present water extraction from MerrimanCreekoncreekflowsisunknown.

Aim

IdentifytheoptimumwaterregimeforLake Reeve and improve habitat for migratory waders.

Managementstrategies

Encourageandassisteducationand researchinstitutionsandvolunteersto assessthehealthofLakeReeveusingkey indicatorssuchasthenumberofmigratory waders.

Encouragedevelopmentofawater managementstrategyforthewesternendof

LakeReeve,inconjunctionwithSouthern RuralWater,ShireofWellington,NREand theWestGippslandCatchment ManagementAuthoritytoapproximatethe system’snaturalhydrology.

Encourageinvestigationofsedimentinput anddepositioninLakeReeve,todetermine effectsonwaterlevels.

3.3Flora

BothParkssupportvaluableremnantsof vegetationcommunities. TheseincludeCoast BanksiaWoodland,CoastalSaltmarsh, EstuarineWetland,CoastalDuneScrub Complex and Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland.Themostwidespreadvegetation association in the Parks is HeathyWoodland/Sand Heathland.

Six significant plant species occur in the Parks (appendix 1). Knowledge of the distribution andecologyofmanyplantspeciesislimited, although recent work has provided distribution dataonvegetationcommunities.

It is possible that changes to fire regimes may have resulted in the spread of Coast Tea-tree scrub into former woodland areas in locations such as along Ninety Mile Beach around GoldenBeach, and at Pelican Point and Loch Sport. Tomaintainorre-establishtheirvitality, someofthevegetationcommunitiesintheParks require a suitable burning regime. The long- term absence of fire on Sperm Whale Head has made the vegetation of the area unusual in Victoria.

Native flora and fauna communities on RotamahIslandhavebeendegradedthrough clearing, burning and grazing. Grazing by kangaroosmaybemodifyingregenerationon the island (section 3.4). Monitoring indicates a declineinkangaroonumbersandanincreasein Black Wallaby numbers in recent years.

Vegetationcommunitiesareunderthreatfrom introduced fauna and flora, and from uncontrolled recreational use. The saltmarsh communities on Lake Reeve are particularly sensitive,andintroducedmammalshavean impactonsanddunevegetation,including Coast Wattle, Beach Spinifexandthe