Agenda of Policy and Services Committee Meeting - 12 March 2013

Policy and Services Committeeto be held at the Civic Centre, Civic Drive, Greensboroughon Tuesday 12 March 2013 commencing at 7pm.AgendaStuart BurdackChief Executive OfficerWednesday 6 March 2013Distribution:PublicCivic Drive GreensboroughPO Box 476 Greensborough 3088Telephone 9433 3111Facsimile 9433 3777Website www.nillumbik.vic.gov.auEmail nillumbik@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Policy and Services Committee seating planCr Michael YoungEDENDALE WARDCr Peter PerkinsELLIS WARDCr Anika Van HulsenBUNJIL WARDCr Bronnie HattamSUGARLOAF WARDCr Meralyn KleinBLUE LAKE WARDCr Ken KingSWIPERS GULLY WARDStuart BurdackChief ExecutiveOfficerCr Helen Coleman(Chairperson)WINGROVE WARDVisitors in the gallery at Committee meetings are:• Welcome to copies of the various reports which will be considered by this Committee at the meeting.These are on the table in the foyer.• Welcome to tea, coffee and water. These are on the table in the foyer near the Council Chamber entry.• Requested to observe Council deliberations quietly in order for Council meetings to run smoothly.

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 2013Nillumbik Shire CouncilContents1. Welcome and apologies 12. Disclosure of conflicts of interest 13. Confirmation of minutes 14. Policy and Services reports 2PS.005/13 Eltham Copper Butterfly Recovery 2PS.006/13 Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management Plan 85. Supplementary and urgent business 176. Confidential reports 17

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 2013Nillumbik Shire CouncilAgenda of the Policy and Services Committee Meeting to be heldTuesday 12 March 2013 commencing at 7pm.1. Welcome and apologiesMotionThat the apologies be accepted.2. Disclosure of conflicts of interestCommittee members should note that any disclosure of conflict of interest must bedisclosed immediately before the item in which they have an interest.3. Confirmation of minutesConfirmation of minutes of the Policy and Services Committee Meeting held onTuesday 12 February 2013.MotionThat the minutes of the Policy and Services Committee Meeting held onTuesday 12 February 2013 be confirmed.1

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.005/13File: 20/35/086Distribution:Manager:Author:SummaryEltham Copper Butterfly RecoveryPublicConal Creedon, General Manager Infrastructure ServicesCorinne Mays, Coordinator Environmental WorksThe area around Eltham supports some of the last remaining populations of the threatenedEltham Copper Butterfly. Following the rediscovery of the butterfly in Eltham in 1987 thelocal community successfully lobbied and fundraised for the reservation of land to supportbutterfly colonies and the species was listed as threatened under the Flora and FaunaGuarantee Act in May 1991.For the past 25 years there has been considerable investment of time and money tomaintain and conserve the butterfly populations through the efforts of land managers,friends groups and the Eltham Copper Butterfly Working Group.The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of past and present efforts by thecommunity to protect and enhance the habitat of the Eltham Copper Butterfly as well asdiscussing opportunities for future community engagement and action.Background1. The area around Eltham supports the largest of the few remaining populations of thethreatened Eltham Copper Butterfly (ECB) in Victoria.2. Following the rediscovery of the ECB in the Eltham area in 1987, the ECB was listedas threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 in May 1991.3. In the face of the then proposed urban development on Diosma Road in Eltham, thelocal community successfully lobbied and fundraised for the reservation of theWestern and Eastern ECB colonies and for the reservation of the Pauline TonerReserve, now owned by Parks Victoria.4. The early work undertaken by the local community to ensure the protection of theECB and its habitat is a remarkable story now very much embedded in the social,cultural and natural heritage and identity of the Eltham community.5. Over the past twenty-five years there have been sustained investments of time andmoney to maintain and conserve ECB populations and the supporting eco-system.This has been a cooperative effort of land managers, Friends Groups, and the ECBWorking Group.6. Recent monitoring of ECB larvae suggests that populations of the butterfly haveplummeted to dangerously low levels.7. In 2012, the Friends of the ECB in partnership with Nillumbik Shire Council, ParksVictoria, the Friends of Diosma Road, the Friends of Woodridge Linear Reserve andEltham East Primary School were successful in obtaining a grant from theDepartment of Sustainability and Environment of $459,000 over a four year period toundertake a range of works to protect and enhance the habitat of this significantspecies.2

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.005/13Eltham Copper Butterfly RecoveryEltham Copper Butterfly biology and distribution8. The ECB is a small and attractive butterfly with bright copper colouring on the tops ofits wings which is visible during summer.9. It is an unusual species due to its close association with a group of ants from thegenus Notoncus and the shrub Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa).10. Adult butterflies lay their eggs on the roots and stems of Sweet Bursaria. Once theeggs hatch, the ants guard the caterpillars (providing protection from predators)ushering the larvae to and from the ant nest at the base of the shrub, to feed on theSweet Bursaria leaves at night. In return the ants feed on the sugar secretionsexuded from the body of the caterpillar.11. It is generally considered that the butterfly has a preference for open flight paths andreceiving direct sunlight; namely vegetation with an open middle and under storey.12. The ECB is known only to occur in Victoria and has only been recorded at a fewlocations. These sites are in geographically separate areas and include:• Ten sites in the Eltham-Greensborough area including Pauline Toner Reserveand the Diosma Road reserves (Attachment 1).• Three separate small populations in the Kiata-Salisbury area in the Wimmera.• Three sites in the Bendigo region in rural Victoria.• Small populations at two sites at Castlemaine in rural Victoria13. In the Eltham area, Nillumbik Shire Council owns and manages six bushlandreserves for the conservation of the ECB. These reserves include:• Western Eltham Copper Butterfly Reserve• Eastern Eltham Copper Butterfly Reserve• Diosma Road Reserve• Woodridge Linear Reserve (Laleham Court)• Pitt Street Environmental Reserve• Hohnes Hill Environmental Reserve14. Parks Victoria owns and manages the Pauline Toner ECB Reserve in Eltham, andpopulations of the ECB occur on at least two known private properties in the Elthamarea.Decline of the ECB15. The ECB was listed as a threatened taxon in Schedule 2 of the Flora and FaunaGuarantee Act 1988 in 1991. The ECB is now classified as Endangered under theDSE Advisory List of Threatened Invertebrate Fauna in Victoria 2009.16. The major cause of decline of the butterfly across the State is the destruction andloss of habitat, the consequence largely of urbanisation and agricultural production.3

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.005/13Eltham Copper Butterfly Recovery17. The species has been eliminated over much of its former range and the remainingpopulations in the Eltham area are disparate and occur in small reserves across ahighly fragmented urban landscape.18. Other factors relating to the urban environment and associated human activity whichfurther threaten the Eltham populations include weed invasion, rubbish dumping,trampling, slashing and clearing of vegetation and wildfires.19. Over the past seventeen years the Friends of the ECB in partnership with NillumbikShire Council and the ECB Working Group have been undertaking annual caterpillarand adult butterfly counts.20. The numbers fluctuate each year, but the 2011 and 2012 counts indicate the largestdrop in numbers yet recorded. Table 1 below outlines ECB larvae survey data from2010.Colony 2009 2010 2011 2012Eastern ECB Reserve 150 87 17 17Western ECB Reserve 204 25 25 8Diosma Road Reserve 23 107 0 1421. It is suspected that increased rainfall over the last two years, and a prescribed burnundertaken in 1998, resulted in increased growth of both exotic and indigenousvegetation which have been at a detriment to the butterfly.22. However, in 2012 a previously thought extinct population of ECB was rediscovered atWoodridge Linear Reserve at the Laleham Court entrance to the reserve. Monitoringof this site in 2012 identified a total of 25 larvae.Policy context23. This report directly supports the achievement of Council Plan 2009-2013 strategy: 2.1.11Support volunteer and community organisations to undertake environmentalprograms.Budget implications24. Much of the work that has been done to preserve the habitat for the Eltham CopperButterfly has been through the efforts of local community groups, in particular Friendsof Diosma Road, Friends of Woodridge Linear Reserve and Friends of the ElthamCopper Butterfly.25. In 2012 Friends of the Eltham Copper Butterfly in partnership with Council, ParksVictoria, Friends of Diosma Road, Friends of Woodridge Linear Reserve and theEltham East Primary School were successful in obtaining a Communities for NatureGrant from the Department of Sustainability and Environment of $459,000 to protectand enhance the habitat of the Eltham Copper Butterfly.4

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.005/13The conservation effortEltham Copper Butterfly Recovery26. In 2010 with support from Nillumbik Shire Council the Friends of the ECB, the Friendsof Diosma Road and the Friends of Woodridge Linear Reserve received a jointcommunity grant from the Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment ManagementAuthority to develop and implement a community engagement program with theprimary aim of renewing local community support for the conservation of the butterflyand its habitat:27. Through this funding an extensive community engagement program was developedand implemented to increase awareness and appreciation of the conservation of theECB within the local Eltham community. The program also included capacity buildingactivities specifically developed to benefit the three friends of groups involved in theproject.28. In addition, weed infestations and garden encroachments into the reserves wereidentified and addressed as a main threat to the habitat of the ECB.29. In 2012, the Friends of the ECB in partnership with Nillumbik Shire Council, ParksVictoria, the Friends of Diosma Road, the Friends of Woodridge Linear Reserve andEltham East Primary School (EEPS) were successful in obtaining a Communities forNature grant from the Department of Sustainability and Environment of $459,000 toprotect and enhance the habitat of the ECB.30. The objectives of this grant• Optimise the habitat requirements and conditions of the ECB across the tensites• Support sustainable populations of other rare and threatened species foundwithin the ECB sites as well the ECB itself• Increase the resilience of the ECB sites to weed invasion and other threats• Protect and enhance the ecosystem services (social, economic, cultural andheritage values) provided by the ECB sites• Coordinate weed control across property boundaries• Increase community participation and involvement in the protection of the ECB.Next steps31. Over the next four years the Communities for Nature grant will be implemented inpartnership with a range of stakeholders.32. A Project Governance Committee has been established to oversee theimplementation of the grant including representatives from the Friends Groups,EPPS, Nillumbik Shire Council, Parks Victoria, La Trobe University, Department ofPrimary Industries and Ecological Heritage Partners.33. The implementation of the grant involves several different aspects including, ongroundconservation works, monitoring of on-ground works and ECB populations,and the education and engagement of the community.5

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.005/13Eltham Copper Butterfly Recovery34. On-ground conservation works will involve weed control, ecological thinning ofindigenous shrub species, revegetation and trials of coppicing Sweet Bursaria toencourage dwarf forms of the species which is the food source for the ECB larvae.35. While ECB populations have been monitored over an extended time frame, theinformation gathered will be collated, interpreted and integrated into the managementof sites.36. Changes to current management practices will also be monitored to determine theimpact on significant species, especially the butterfly.37. In addition, residents directly adjoining the reserves, and the broader Eltham andNillumbik communities will be engaged and encouraged to become involved in theconservation of the ECB.38. This flagship species can be used to engage and inspire people to take action andprotect their local environment. The tools that will be used to increase awareness andengage the community include:• A facilitated network of residents will be established to support the conservationof the ECB.• An annual ECB day/event to be run in partnership with EEPS.• Production of interpretive signage at EEPS.• Production of a range of communication tools and materials such as posters,picture books and websites.Conclusion39. The Eltham Copper Butterfly is a threatened species listed under the Flora andFauna Guarantee Act.40. There are 10 sites in the Eltham/Greensborough area in the Shire of Nillumbik whichsupport colonies of the Eltham Copper Butterfly.41. Management and preservation of the butterfly’s habitat requires ongoing effort andhas recently been boosted by the receipt of a grant to Friends of the Eltham CopperButterfly to support these efforts.RecommendationThat the Committee (acting under delegation from Council):1. Notes the history of Council and community efforts to maintain and conserveEltham Copper Butterfly populations.2. Notes the continuing threats to the butterfly’s habitat and survival and thecurrent steps in place to manage and improve the habitat for the butterflycolonies in Nillumbik.Attachments1. Map of Eltham Copper Butterfly project locations, 1 page6

PS.005/13 Eltham Copper Butterfly RecoveryAttachment, 1 page7

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.006/13 Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management PlanFile: 80/38/048Distribution: PublicManager: Conal Creedon, General Manager Infrastructure ServicesAuthor: Corinne Mays, Coordinator Environmental WorksSummaryNillumbik Council owns and manages seven reserves in the Panton Hill, Smiths Gully andWatsons Creek area collectively known as the Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System(PHBRS). The reserves total approximately 140 acres in area and, in conjunction with landmanaged by Parks Victoria and Crown Land, form a corridor of relatively intact remnantbushland from Smiths Gully to Watsons Creek.Council adopted the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management Plan in June2011 as the key document to manage the important conservation, social and recreationvalues of the reserves. Implementation of the plan included the establishment of thePanton Hill Bushland Reserves System User Group.The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the Panton Hill Bushland Reservesmanagement as well as an update on the implementation of the Reserves ManagementPlan.Background1. Nillumbik Shire Council owns and manages seven reserves in the Panton Hill, SmithsGully and Watsons Creek area collectively known as the Panton Hill BushlandReserve System (PHBRS).2. The reserves total approximately 140 hectares in area and as a system of reserves,in association with Parks Victoria Reserves and Crown Land, form a corridor ofrelatively intact remnant bushland that extends from Smiths Gully in the North toWatson’s Creek in the south, primarily adjoining Long Gully Creek.3. The reserves are significant for their diverse array of native plants, animals andvegetation communities, important regional habitat links, the presence of threatenedspecies, the presence of historical and heritage sites, and opportunities forenvironmental education and recreation.4. Following an extensive period of community consultation spanning six years, Counciladopted the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management Plan in June 2011as the key document to manage the important conservation, social and recreationvalues of the reserves.5. In addition to the adoption of the plan, Council’s 2011-2012 budget made provisionsin both the Operational and Capital expenditure budgets for the implementation of theplan.6. Works within the reserves are also partially funded through the State GovernmentUrban Fringe Weed Management Initiative and Melbourne Water Corridors of Greengrants.8

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.006/13Policy contextPanton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management Plan7. This report directly supports the achievement of Council Plan 2009-2013 strategy 2.1.8Implement sustainable maintenance practices for Council assets.Budget implications8. Council has funded the implementation of the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves SystemManagement Plan through its operating and capital works programs. The draft fiveyear capital works program includes continuing allocation towards priority works inthe reserves. This is supported through the efforts of local environmental andrecreational groups who have contributed to planning and carrying out works in thereserve system.9. Council has also been successful in obtaining a grant of $500,000 over four yearsfrom the Urban Fringe Weed Management Initiative, for works which arecomplementary to the Reserve System Management Plan.Consultation/communication10. The PHBRS Management Plan was adopted following extensive communityconsultation.Recreational Trails Capital Works Program11. In January 2012, a panel of suitably qualified contractors was appointed to assist inthe sustainable management of current and future recreational trail uses, and theimpacts on the reserve’s natural values.12. Contractors have been involved in the construction/upgrade of bushland trails to anenvironmentally sustainable standard, erosion rehabilitation works and the installationof appropriate fencing/barriers to encourage users to stay on endorsed trails.13. In 2011-2012, using funding allocated from Council’s capital works program, a rangeof trail upgrades were undertaken on high priority sections of trail. These worksincluded erosion repairs, the creation of water bars and steps on steep sections oftrail to prevent erosion, and the construction of gully crossings and trail hardening onwet sections of trail. Three trails were re-aligned to a more sustainable gradientthrough open paddock areas. These initial works received excellent feedback fromtrail users.14. Following the adoption of the plan temporary informational signage was installed onall trail sections indicating the permitted uses. However, feedback from thecommunity, reserve users and evidence collected on site indicated that reserve userswere not always following the directive signage.15. During 2012-2013, funding was allocated to the installation of pedestrian-only gateson the walking trails at Yirrip and Bunjil Reserves, in order to prevent horses andbikes from using the pedestrian-only trails.16. However, after feedback from local residents, one of the pedestrian only gates atBunjil Reserve will be redesigned to allow for all-abilities access includingwheelchairs and prams. Further potential for all-abilities access to the bush trails willbe investigated.9

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.006/13Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management Plan17. The shared trail at Bulwidj Reserve crosses into private property near the Blue HouseRoad entrance. Although the landowners are supportive of the trail a formal licenceagreement for its continued public use has been proposed to the landowners toensure their public indemnity. The licence agreement is yet to be finalised.18. The majority of works on high priority erosion and wet gully sections of trails will becompleted by the end of 2012-2013. Attention will be then focussed on minor worksthroughout all trail sections, permanent signage and fencing/ entrance ways.19. A Draft Trail Assessment and Monitoring Methodology is currently being developed tomonitor the condition of trails over time and to assist with a timely and effective trailmaintenance program.Environmental Works Program20. An integrated environmental works program has been developed and implementedaccording to recommendations in the PHBRS Management Plan. Key issuesaddressed include pest plant and animal control, fire risk management, revegetationand habitat conservation.21. Weed mapping, monitoring and reporting procedures have been developed throughthe Urban Fringe Weed Management Initiative (UFWMI- further details below) toenable a systematic, long-term environmental asset protection approach to weedmanagement throughout the PHBRS.22. Weeds which have been targeted through the PHBRS include Blackberry, Boneseed,Spanish Heath, Broom, Hawthorn, Pine, Pittosporum, Bridal Creeper, Honeysuckle,Sallow Wattle, Early-black Wattle, Cootamundra Wattle, Angled Onion and Watsonia.23. Annual weed control programs have been developed and are being implemented byqualified and skilled environmental contractors for all of the Panton Hill BushlandReserves.24. Partnerships with adjoining public land managers have been established through theUFWMI including Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and Department of Sustainabilityand Environment. These partnerships have enabled an integrated approach to weedcontrol across land ownership boundaries.25. Adjoining property owners with invasive weed problems have been encouraged andsupported to undertake complimentary weed control actions through Nillumbik’sEnvironmental Incentive Program.26. Reserves have been monitored for rabbits and, where numbers were high, they havebeen systematically treated by qualified pest control contractors using netting,ferreting, and warren closure. Rabbit warrens were mapped for follow-up control.27. Neighbouring property owners have been encouraged and supported to undertakecomplimentary rabbit control actions through an informative Rabbit Control field dayand Nillumbik’s Environmental Incentive Program.28. Fire risk management works have been implemented on an annual and ongoingbasis throughout the PHBRS according to the reserve’s fire management plans.These works include the establishment and maintenance of fuel management zonesand fire access tracks whilst considering the ecological integrity of the environment.10

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.006/13Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management Plan29. Through Melbourne Water’s Corridors of Green grants program, funding has beenreceived for revegetation works at Yanggai Reserve ($7,000) and for revegetationand rabbit control at Gawa Reserve ($10,400).30. Steps towards the protection and enhancement of vegetation links and wildlifecorridors within land surrounding the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves have beentaken with the establishment of the Warrandyte to Kinglake habitat corridor throughthe UFWMI.Urban Fringe Weed Management Initiative31. In 2010 Nillumbik Shire Council applied for funding through the Urban Fringe WeedManagement Initiative (UFWMI) program and was allocated $500,000 (ex GST) overfour years to manage environmental weeds on public land in the habitat corridorbetween Warrandyte and Kinglake.32. This funding is largely directed towards weed control works on Parks Victoria andCouncil land, weed monitoring and the employment of a project coordinator (Councilemployed 0.6 EFT).33. The project will run from the 1 July 2010 to the 30 June 2014.34. Nillumbik Shire Council is providing matching funding for weed control within Councilreserves and a third of the cost of the project coordinator as part of the fundingarrangements for this project. One third of this matching funding can be met by inkindstaff time. The remaining two thirds is met by existing operating budget for theimplementation of the Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System Management Plan.35. A Project Working Group (PWG), with members from Nillumbik Shire Council, ParksVictoria, Melbourne Water, Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) andVicRoads, is managing the project in consultation with other stakeholders and thecommunity. Nillumbik Shire Council is the lead agency and is coordinating theimplementation of the project.36. This project is enabling Council and the other project partners to:• reduce the impact of weeds on biodiversity• adopt a strategic and effective response to weed control across the project area• improve coordination between government agencies and other stakeholders formanaging environmental weeds• leverage additional funding for weed management• plan for weed management beyond the project’s timeframe• produce tools and strategies that can be used for other council activities beyondthe project’s scope• develop a standard system for planning, monitoring and mapping weed controlworks• assist other Council community education and incentive programs to improvemanagement of weeds on private land in the area.11

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.006/13Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management PlanCommunity involvement37. In November 2012, Council appointed the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves UserGroup as a broad-interest advisory group for the PHBRS.38. The role of the PHBRS User Group has been to provide opportunities for volunteersto engage in activities that protect the values of the reserves and help to manageuser impacts.39. The objectives of the PHBRS User Group have been to:• assist in planning on-ground activities that promote and protect the values of thePHBRS• assist in the implementation of activities that protect these values• engage users and user groups in the implementation of these activities.40. Since its inception the group has been extremely successful model for engagingusers of the reserves and the broader community in activities to protect and enhancethe reserves.41. Throughout 2012 the User Group Committee met on four occasions and held fivecommunity working bees attracting as many as 30 people to some events. Theseevents ranged from community weeding days to trail repair days.42. The first three working bees focussed on repairing a shared gully crossing at theBakehouse Road entrance to Bunjil reserve closest to the Panton Hill Township. Thework involved wheelbarrowing rocks and toppings to create a stone causeway andwoody weed removal and revegetation to enhance the appearance of this popularentrance.43. The last two working bees involved further hard work by the communitywheelbarrowing rocks and toppings a substantial distance along the shared trail inWimbi Reserve to rock armour a wet trail area and create water bars along the trail.The Wimbi trail is an important link in the PHBRS trail network.44. The hands-on approach of the community working bees has facilitated a sense ofsatisfaction and pride in the trail users and has helped to establish a productiveworking relationship between Council and the community. The face-to-face aspect ofthese community events has been an ideal forum to gain valuable feedback abouttrail design and issues.45. In September 2012 a Night Stalk was held at Bunjil Reserve to spotlight for localwildlife, 18 community members attended this event. In November 2012 a rabbitcontrol field day was held at Yirrip Reserve and 15 community members attended.Interpretation and Communications Plan46. In order to effectively communicate the importance of the PHBRS and to engage andeducate the community, officers from the Environmental Works Unit havecommenced the development of an Interpretation and Communications Plan for thePHBRS.47. This Interpretation and Communication Plan will address:• the goals and objectives of interpretation and communication12

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.006/13 Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management Plan• the content, design and branding of informational and interpretive signagethroughout the reserves• the process of community involvement in the development of interpretivematerial including artwork• the mediums of communication with the community and links to complimentaryprograms.48. A workshop was held with relevant departments of Council to determine links tocomplimentary programs including People and Place, Arts and Culture, Edendale(Environmental Education), Community Services, and Communications.49. The PHBRS User Group was involved in a brainstorming session to begin theprocess of community involvement.50. Dialogue has commenced with representatives of the Aboriginal community and theNillumbik Reconciliation Group to discuss opportunities for inclusion of Indigenouscultural education and interpretation.Next steps51. During 2013 it is expected that the implementation of the PHBRS Management Planwill include:• the installation of informational signage and formal entranceways• sustainable upgrades of additional trail sections• an increase in community education and involvement through on-groundworking bees and field days with the PHBRS User Group• engagement of adjoining landowners in complimentary pest plant and animalcontrol programs• engagement of the local community through the development of theInterpretation and Communication Plan• fauna monitoring.52. Revegetation of degraded areas will be undertaken in Bulwidj, Yanggai, and Yirripreserves with assistance from the PHBRS User Group and community.53. Environmental management capacity building workshops will be held for reserveusers with assistance of the PHBRS User Group focussing on topics such as trailmonitoring and maintenance and indigenous and weed plant identification skills,54. Indigenous cultural education events are planned for Bunjil Reserve duringReconciliation Week in May.55. Community arts programs are planned in association with Arts and Culture to engagelocal artists to focus on interpretation of the Panton Hill Bushland.56. Yirrip Reserve will begin to receive Net Gain offsets to improve its vegetation qualityand to mitigate losses from approved vegetation clearing elsewhere.57. The Urban Fringe Weed Management Initiative funding finishes in June 2014. A largefocus in the next year and a half will be securing further funding beyond this date.13

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20134. Policy and Services reportsPS.006/13ConclusionPanton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management Plan58. Council adopted the Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System Management Plan in2011 and has commenced the development of a priority plan of works in the reservesystem. This is done in conjunction with the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves SystemUser Group. Implementation of the management plan is providing visible benefits andimprovements to the management and use of the reserve system.RecommendationThat the Committee (acting under delegation from Council) notes the progress ofthe implementation of the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves Management Plan and thecontinuing work to improve the environmental and recreational values of thereserve system.Attachments1. Map of the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System, 1 page2. Warrandyte-Kinglake habitat corridor, 1 page14

PS.006/13 Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management PlanAttachment 115

PS.006/13 Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management PlanAttachment 216

Policy and Services Committee agenda 12 March 20135. Supplementary and urgent business6. Confidential reportsNil17