Overview
| Overall Area | |
| Population | |
| Climate | |
| Main Towns | Torquay Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Point Lonsdale, Portarlington Drysdale Queenscliff Indented Head St Leonards |
| Land Use | Viticulture Horticulture Sheep and Cattle Grazing |
| Main Industries | Tourism Hospitality Agriculture |
| Main Natural Features | Coast Swan Bay Lake Connewarre Reidy Lake Lake Victoria Barwon River Edwards Point National Park |
The Bellarine and Surf Coast is one of the smaller landscape systems, and is located in the south eastern corner of the Corangamite region. It is bounded by the bass strait to the south, and around into Port Phillip Bay. Geelong City and its surrounding urban areas is situated to the north, with the Barwon Plains and Otway coast wrapping around the western edge.
This area contains the area south of the city of Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsular that is primarily for habitation and recreation, it does not include the urban area of Geelong. It is an area of very productive broadacre agriculture, intense horticulture and lucrative viticulture as well as a variety of other industries. Much of this landscape is also used for habitation and lifestyle purposes. The townships of Torquay, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale, Portarlington, Drysdale, Queenscliff, Indented Head and St Leonards are in this area. It also contains parts of the City of Greater Geelong, all of the Borough of Queenscliffe, parts of Surf Coast Shire and Golden Plains Shire local government areas. The traditional owners are the Wadawurrung.
The area has high visitation rates, given its proximity to Melbourne and Geelong, with an extensive, readily accessible coastline. Many of the residents within this area either work in the area or commute to Geelong and Melbourne for employment. The area has a history of industrialisation, but this has changed substantially within recent years to a more service based and commercial focus.
Other natural values include significant native fish, such as Yarra pygmy perch, amphibians including the growling grass frog and bird a range of species including the Hooded Plover and the Orange Bellied Parrot. The Bellarine Peninsular Ramsar sites are also highly significant.
Very little remnant vegetation remains within this area, with most of it occurring along linear reserves such as roads and waterways. There are areas of high value intensive agriculture including vineyards, market gardens, orchards and groves.
The Bellarine and Surf Coast is also known for its stunning coastline and beautiful beaches and attracting large numbers of tourists annually, with the population more than doubling in the warmer months. It is known for its attractive rural hinterland, boutique wineries and artisan producers. With historic towns such as Queenscliff, Drysdale and Portarlington and popular holiday destinations such as Torquay, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads all with excellent beaches, it is a tourism and recreation destination.
The Bellarine and Surf Coast is coming under increasing pressure from development, visitation and climate change impacts (such as flooding and erosion), increasing the threat of degradation to its landscape, environment and heritage values. There is a need to manage residential and visitation growth and their associated challenges sustainably and safely. The distinct landscapes of Point Addis, Bells Beach, the surrounding coastline and hinterlands are treasured and protected landscapes, enhanced by the natural backdrop of the Otway Ranges. The open rural areas between settlements provide important views across the landscape and a sense of openness.
Assessment of current condition and trends
Water
High value natural assets within this landscape system include Ramsar wetlands, the Barwon River and other waterways, estuaries, coasts and beaches. The Karaaf wetlands are also of particular importance as they contain coastal saltmarsh, a nationally vulnerable ecological community.
The waterways in the Bellarine and Surf Coast Landscape System are largely valued for their environmental condition, with internationally significant wetlands scattered throughout the landscape.
Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve (which includes Lake Connewarre) is the largest area of native vegetation remaining on the Bellarine Peninsula and includes extensive areas of saltmarsh on the surrounding salt flats, and White Mangroves, which line the shores of the Barwon River Estuary and extend up into Lake Connewarre.
The waterways of the Bellarine and Surf Coast fall within the Otway Basin to the west and Barwon River Basin to the east. Major waterways include the lower Barwon River, flowing into the Lake Connewarre Complex, part of the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site. Major waterways in the area from the Otway Basin include Spring Creek and Thompson Creek and its tributaries (including Merrijig Creek), both flowing into the Bass Strait.
The Victorian Index of Stream Condition (ISC), assessed in 2010, found the Bellarine and Surf Coast to be in mixed condition, ranging from very poor to moderate. Spring Creek’s reaches were the healthiest of the area, in moderate condition, with most of Thompson Creek and tributaries in poor condition, and the lower Barwon River around the Lake Connewarre complex in very poor condition. The reaches of Spring Creek and Thompson Creek exhibit elevated levels of phosphorus.
The Corangamite WaterWatch program, a citizen science volunteer program, regularly monitors water quality parameters at many sites across the catchment. As the Barwon River enters the estuary at the lower breakwater the water quality is relatively healthy. During winter flooding flows in the catchment completely flush the estuary of saltwater and becomes freshwater dominated, high turbidity occurs at this time however is only short lived and the tidal salt wedge pushes back up the estuary. Occasionally over summer as river flow declines and saltwater dominates. The effect of evaporation increases the salinity above that of seawater (hypersaline) in the upper reaches of the estuary in Lake Connewarre. Also over summer there can be an increase in algal growth in the surface waters and on the bottom substrate particularly as the river flows into the shallow Lake Connewarre this effect is increased, at times the bottom waters become super saturated with dissolved oxygen likely due to benthic algal mats photosynthesising. As the river exits Lake Connewarre there is evidence of salt wedge development with salinity stratification at times. Water quality is generally good, though potential algal growth may increase dissolved oxygen levels over summer and autumn. Turbidity levels are likely influenced by tidal movement out of Lake Connewarre particularly over summer.
As the river nears the estuary mouth to Bass Strait the water quality is very good. During seasonal high river flows the water represents that of freshwater for a brief period, most of the time the water representing that of seawater due to the strong tidal influence.
The salinity of the waters of the Spring Creek estuary indicate it to be mostly brackish, there is a seasonal trend of lower electrical conductivity mostly in winter and spring, resulting from increased freshwater river flows. Depending on the river flow not all salt water is flushed from the estuary at these times. As river flows decline tidal sea water re-enters the estuary and stratification is evident. In the closed estuary stratification is greatly reduced. At times when the estuary is stratified the oxygen levels in the bottom waters become lower than that observed in the top waters, the further up the estuary the lower the oxygen levels in the bottom waters, on several occasions high oxygen levels were observed, indicating potential algal growth in the water column. Whilst oxygen levels fluctuated they were mostly in the healthy range. The pH levels were mostly in the healthy range, and turbidity levels were mostly low with higher levels occurring in the bottom waters than the top on many occasions, indicating possible tidal related disturbance of the bottom substrate.
In the freshwater reaches of Thompson Creek the water quality was marginal to poor, displaying relatively healthy pH and low turbidity, marginally low oxygen levels, high salinity and phosphorus levels reduce the water quality. High salinity at times of low or no river flow indicates potential intrusion of saline groundwater.
Water quality monitoring in the estuarine reaches of Thompsons creek indicate the estuary is mostly tidal dominated and occasionally closes to the ocean. The water level within the estuary fluctuates depending on tidal influences and river flow, at times of estuary closure and no river flow over summer the water level lowers due to evaporation. This results in an increase in salinity in the estuary and a hypersaline environment. The large spread of the estuary wetland system and shallow depth of the estuary also contribute to this. Outside of these times the estuary is mostly brackish with a short period of near freshwater at times of increased river flows during winter and spring. Nearer the estuary mouth the salinity commonly represented that of sea water due to good tidal exchange. Mild stratification was only evident during times of increased freshwater flows in winter.
Biodiversity
Key values identified within the area include known rare and threatened species, significant Ecological Vegetation Classes, significant bird species and important bird habitat, significant amphibian species, significant fish species and areas of drought refuge. The highest biodiversity values are in the public land blocks, the thin shoreline strip and the wetlands.
The lower Barwon River, north of the Lake Connewarre Complex displays some of the worst condition vegetation of the entire Barwon River Basin. The lower reach and estuarine area of Thompson Creek both rate poorly in terms of vegetation condition.
The Barwon River Environmental Entitlement is actively managed through Reedy Lake and Hospital Swamps, part of the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site. These wetlands consist of a diverse range of aquatic vegetation communities and provide important feeding and breeding habitat for native fish and a number of wetland dependent bird species, including the nationally vulnerable Australian Painted Snipe and the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. In addition, these wetlands have high recreational value to the communities surrounding Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.
Swan Bay contains a variety of ecosystems that make it environmentally important for waterbirds and migratory waders. These include salt marsh, intertidal mudflats and vast seagrass beds on which almost everything living in the bay relies on for food. Although much of the surrounding land is farmland, some remnant woodland survives in the adjoining Edwards Point Nature Reserve and Swan Bay itself. The bay has been recognised as having international importance and the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park almost entirely occupies the bay.
DELWP’s Habitat Distribution Models identify 27 species with more than 5% of their Victorian range in this landscape area. This includes 17 plants with more than 5% of their Victorian range in the area. Notably, Bellarine Yellow-gum (endangered, 67%), Eel-grass (poorly known, 61%), Australian Grass-wrack (rare, 24%), Tasman Grass-wrack (rare, 22%), Coast Wirilda (rare, 20%). There are also 9 bird species with more than 5% of their Victorian range in the area. Notably, Orange-bellied Parrot (critically endangered, 39%), Whimbrel (vulnerable, 6%), Sanderling (near threatened, 6%), Black-faced Cormorant (near threatened, 6%).
Endangered Ecological Vegetation Classes in the Landscape Area are: Plains Grassy Woodland, Plains Grassland, Coastal Saltmarsh/Mangrove Shrubland Mosaic, Damp Sands Herb rich Woodland, Wetland Formation, Grassy Woodland, Plains Sedgy Wetland, Estuarine Wetland, Swampy Riparian Woodland, Grassy Forest, Floodplain Riparian Woodland.
Land
Relative soil productivity on private agricultural land on the Bellarine and Surf Coast is highly variable. The lowest relative productivity is located near coastal areas and around the Lake Connewarre Complex wetlands, and is moderate to higher towards the west.
DELWP’s Victorian Land Cover Time Series provide a snapshot of the changes in land cover types in seven five-year increments between 1985-2019.
The most common land cover class in the Bellarine & Surf Coast landscape system is non-native pasture. Urban, native trees, irrigated horticulture and seasonal wetlands also constitute moderate proportions of the total land cover.
In the last 30-year period, non-native pasture decreased moderately, but still dominates the area, dropping from 60% to around 55%. Native trees, originally the second most common land cover, increased slightly from 6% to 7% of the total area, and urban areas increased significantly from around 4.5% to almost 8%, becoming the second most prevalent land cover type. Dryland cropping and exotic woody vegetation increased from 1% to over 3%, and exotic woody vegetation from over 1% to 3.5%. Irrigated horticulture decreased from around 7% to 5% of the total landscape system. Native grass herb and seasonal wetlands also decreased slightly, while saltmarsh increased in coverage a small amount.
Coast and Marine
Visitation to the Surf Coast increased at a rate of 7.5 per cent per annum over the period of 2011-12 to 2015-16 (Source: Surf Coast Shire Visitor Insights, Australian Bureau of Statistics), thus similar patterns could be expected for the rest of the Corangamite region’s coastline. Coupled with extensive housing development and an increasing population in the region, coastal habitats are under sustained and increasing pressures.
Community
The Bellarine & Surf Coast has a population of just under 80,000; almost 20% of the total region population. This landscape system is the second most populated area of the Corangamite region after Geelong City. This is the third smallest landscape system by area, with numerous towns throughout the area. The most densely populated areas are around the coastal townships of Torquay, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale/Queenscliff and Portarlington, as well as Drysdale and Leopold further inland.
Recreation, including swimming, fishing, game hunting, picnicking, sightseeing, walking tracks and motor and non-motor boating are key pursuits in this area.
The main Landcare groups in this area are Torquay, Bellarine, and Connewarre Landcare Groups. They are supported by the Surf Coast and Inland Plains Network and the Bellarine Catchment Network.
The Geelong Environment Council (GEC) was formed in 1972 to assist in the protection of the environment in and around Geelong.
Geelong Sustainability are community group focused on sharing information, building community resilience, advocating for the environment and supporting effective action.
Other environmental groups:
- Barwon Estuary Project
- Barwon Heads Association
- Bellarine Bayside Foreshore COM
- Bellarine Landcare Rabbit Action Group
- Birdlife Australia – Bellarine Peninsula
- Breamlea Coast Action
- Caring For Our Bays
- Clifton Springs Curlewis Coastcare
- Drysdale/Clifton Springs Community Association- Foreshore
- Festival of the Sea
- Friends of Begola Wetlands
- Friends of Buckley Park
- Friends of Edwards Point Nature Reserve
- Friends of Manerim Memorial Indigenous Garden
- Friends of Mud Island
- Friends of Ocean Grove Nature Reserve
- Friends of Point Addis Marine National Park
- Friends of Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve
- Friends of Taylor Park
- Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail
- Friends of the Bluff
- Friends of the Hooded Plover – Bellarine
- Friends of the Hooded Plover – Breamlea
- Friends of The Lobster Pot
- Friends of Yellow Gums Ocean Grove
- Geelong Field Naturalists’ Club
- Jan Juc Coast Action
- Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre
- Ocean Grove Coastcare Group
- Ocean Grove Park Inc
- Point Lonsdale Sand Monitoring Program
- Queenscliffe Community Plant Nursery
- Surf Coast Rabbit Action Network
- Surfers Appreciating Natural Environment
- Surfrider Foundation – Surf Coast Branch
- Swan Bay Environment Association
- Torquay Coast Action
Major threats and drivers of change
The population of the Bellarine – Surf Coast is expanding fast with residential developments occurring in most towns in this system, principally along the lower Barwon River corridor at Armstrong Creek. Urban growth has placed pressure on existing infrastructure and land use, with the potential for associated impacts to adversely affect the values of the area. Threats linked to urban development and increased recreational use includes storm water run-off and degraded water quality, soil disturbance, bank erosion and degradation of native riparian and estuarine vegetation.
Emerging issues include lack of connectivity and access for community along the length of the Barwon river and the wetlands, and potential conflict with hunting activities in the Connewarre game reserve. A lack of integrated landscape scale planning across the Bellarine -Surf Coast has been identified as an issue by community in the past (Barwon MAC 2019). There are also a number of waterways, including Yarram and Frederick Mason creeks, that flow into and have the potential to impact the Ramsar listed Swan Bay. Water quality and flows within the Thompsons Creek have an effect on the salt marsh at Breamlea and the functioning of the estuary.
The proximity of the Bellarine – Surf Coast Landscape System coast to both Geelong and Melbourne places high levels of stress on the natural resources of this area, especially over summer. There is also a high level of demand for land within this area especially by developers.
Parts of the lower Barwon River and associated tributaries and wetlands have been subjected to grazing pressures. Livestock access to waterways can erode banks, damage riparian vegetation and reduce water quality through sedimentation and effluent contamination.
Threats identified in addition were rising sea levels, littering, inappropriate land use, invasive species, coastal erosion, dogs, fire timing, wildfires, illegal tracks, increased visitation, mining of shell grit.
Water
The population of the Bellarine and Surf Coast is expanding fast with residential developments occurring in most towns within this system.
Urban growth has placed pressure on existing infrastructure and land use, with the potential for associated impacts to adversely affect the water values of the area. Threats linked to urban development and increased recreational use includes storm-water run-off and degraded water quality, soil disturbance, bank erosion and degradation of native riparian and estuarine vegetation.
Parts of the lower Barwon River and associated tributaries and wetlands have been subjected to grazing pressures. Livestock access to waterways can erode banks, damage riparian vegetation and reduce water quality through sedimentation and effluent contamination.
Spartina (Spartina spp.) has been identified as a threat in a number of wetlands in this landscape.
Some of the estuaries in this landscape system intermittently open or close depending on the prevailing conditions, e.g. freshwater flows, weather
vagaries, tidal movements. Estuary closure can result in social and economic impacts through flooding of adjacent land. However, inundation is a natural
process and has an important role in the life cycle of many species and the cycling of nutrients. Artificially opening the estuary under certain conditions can result in adverse impacts to the surrounding environment and species that live there. To address these impacts, a careful risk based approach needs to be taken to manage the intermittently opening estuaries.
Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) is known to adversely impact waterways through outcompeting other species and reducing aquatic and riparian biodiversity.
The Corangamite Waterway Strategy 2014-2022 outlines priority management activities to address water quality threats in the Lower-Barwon and Thompson Creek landscapes. These include:
- Establish terrestrial pest animal control – rabbit control (Thompson Creek, Duneed Creek Merrijig Creek)
- Establish terrestrial pest animal control – fox control (as part of a large scale coordinated program) (Barwon River, Hospital Swamp, Reedy Lake, Lake Connewarre, Lake Murtnaghurt, Thompson Creek)
- Establish native indigenous vegetation
- Install riparian/wetland fencing
- Establish stewardship/management agreement
- Implement best management practice on grazing properties (Reedy Lake)
- Ensure acid sulfate soils are considered in land use planning, works on waterways and water management decisions (Hospital Swamp, Reedy Lake, Lake Connewarre)
- Undertake non-woody weed control – spartina (Lake Connewarre, Salt Lagoon, Barwon River)
- Deliver water to wetlands as per current entitlement (in consultation with the community and informed by the best available information) and develop long-term planning for environmental watering of the lower Barwon wetlands (EWMP) (Barwon River, Reedy Lake, Hospital Swamp)
- Continue to adopt a risk-based approach to estuary mouth opening (Thompson Creek)
- Investigate freshwater flows from adjoining land use (Lake Murtnaghurt)
- Establish estuarine vegetation management plan (Barwon River)
- Undertake an assessment of instream habitat (large wood) density (Barwon River)
- Establish non-woody weed control (Thompson Creek, Spring Creek)
- Establish woody weed control – gorse (Duneed Creek)
- Undertake an assessment and management of fish barriers (Thompson Creek)
- Investigate and manage tidal barrage structural integrity (Barwon River)
- Implement the Barwon River Parklands Strategy for management of the lower Barwon River corridor
- Adopt ‘whole of water cycle management’ principles for new and existing developments (Barwon River)
- Fill knowledge gaps relating to impacts of water management at Reedy Lake and Hospital Swamp
- Investigate and manage urban stormwater/water quality impacts (Barwon River, Hospital Swamp, Reedy Lake, Lake Connewarre)
- Maintain EstuaryWatch groups collecting baseline data on estuary condition
- Maintain Waterwatch groups collecting baseline data on waterway condition
Biodiversity
Spartina (Spartina spp.) has been identified as a threat in a number of wetlands in this landscape. Spartina invades and alters plant communities, notably saltmarsh vegetation communities, with both species in Victoria known to be a very serious threat. Serrated tussock and Chilean Needle Grass have been identified as a threat in a number of locations in this landscape system.
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and cats (both feral and roaming domestic) are a threat to significant native fauna species. Rabbits also present a major threat to native vegetation.
DELWP’s 2019/2020 Biodiversity Response Planning identifies the most cost-effective threat control actions for significant biodiversity improvement in the region. The most beneficial actions are control of rabbits, weeds, foxes and cats.
The diversity and abundance of fauna in Reedy Lake, particularly waterbirds, is threatened by poor diversity of vegetation due to the historic lack of variation in water levels. Due to the continually high-water levels that were in place for many years until 2016-17, several vegetation communities that rely on low water levels or periodic inundation, including the nationally vulnerable coastal saltmarsh, may have been outcompeted by the tall reeds, however further assessment is required to confirm this. Wetting and drying cycles support a diversity of habitats and species. Periods of both higher and lower of water levels will ensure the variety of species dependent on the seasonally fluctuating range of water levels within the wetlands can be protected for future generations.
Land
Acid sulphate soils, gully/tunnel erosion, sheet/rill erosion, wind erosion, soil structure decline, nutrient decline, water logging, secondary salinity and soil soil acidification are the major threats to soil and land use in this landscape (see Static Maps section for mapped soil threats).
Infrastructure and coastal assets are threatened by landslides along the northern coast of the Bellarine Peninsula especially at Clifton Springs they also occur along the coastline south of Jan Juc.
There is a high potential acid sulphate soils mostly in coastal and estuarine wetlands of the lower Barwon River and estuary, the Breamlea wetlands and lower Thompson Creek.
Wind erosion is a threat, mostly in the Wallington, Drysdale, Bellarine, Indented Head and St Leonards areas. Coastal dune movement is prevalent in the Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads areas.
Grazing land and cropping land with sandy soils (developed on the marine sands of Pliocene age) on the Bellarine Peninsula are highly susceptible to nutrient decline under agricultural production and are also susceptible to soil acidification.
Nearly all of the land used for agriculture in this landscape system is highly susceptible to soil structure decline.
The vast majority of grazing lands in the low elevation landscapes of the Moolap Sunkland, along the lower Barwon River estuary are susceptible to water logging. Alluvial soils in the low-lying poorly-drained landscape positions are also very highly susceptible to waterlogging.
Land that is susceptible to soil erosion by water occurs on agricultural land, almost all of which are on the grazing land on the edges of elevated parts.
Coast and Marine
The Victorian Marine and Coastal Policy identifies that the health of the marine and coastal environment is under threat from multiple sources, including climate change and growth in towns, cities and industries that interact with their local marine and coastal ecosystems.
Victoria has experienced record population growth over the past decade (DELWP 2018), with suburbs and towns around Port Phillip Bay, and within two hours’ drive of Melbourne including the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast, recording big increases in both population size and density.
These threats can lead to negative impacts on water quality and quantity, pollution and debris, invasive species, marine pests and diseases, disturbance and loss of plants and animals, and loss of access to beaches from the effects of sea walls, infrastructure and erosion. Degradation occurs over time and space, and the impacts in marine and coastal areas are varied and complex.
Climate change is increasing the pressure on the marine and coastal environment by exacerbating existing threats and introducing new ones, including:
• rising sea levels, leading to more inundation and erosion
• increased frequency and severity of storms and other extreme weather events
• changes in ocean temperatures, currents and acidification
• changes to waterway flows, levels and regimes
• changes in the range, distribution and abundance of both introduced and native plants and animals, taking advantage of a changed climate.
Growth in resident populations and visitor numbers puts pressure on the health of the marine and coastal environment. Population growth also increases pressure on recreational infrastructure such as walking tracks and visitor facilities. This, in turn, leads to more demand for alterations to beaches, foreshores, wetlands and natural processes through groynes, sea walls and dredging to support use and development.
A key challenge within this Landscape System into the future will be inundation of large areas of low lying areas under sea level rise scenarios driven by climate change. This is especially the case in areas including Portarlington, Indented Head, Saint Leonards, Swan Bay, Point Lonsdale, Queenscliff, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and Breamlea.
Community
This Landscape System is well represented by a range of community organisations, especially the Bellarine Catchment Network and the Surf Coast Inland Plains Network. There are also a number of other community based natural resource management organisations which are playing a key role in engaging with the local community including Coastcare, WaterWatch and others. Maintaining there participation and capacity into the future will be a key issue.
The area is also becoming more and more urbanised and the ability to engage urban communities in caring for their landscape is an emerging issue, especially in a predominantly residential area. Having an informed community is a key to ensuring appropriate consideration is given to the way they access and use the natural assets within their immediate area and within the broader environment overall.
Peri-urban land owners often need appropriate guidance on how to manage their little patch of paradise with a need for a variety of sources of information for this segment of the community becoming more apparent.
Large areas of public land within this Landscape System are managed by committees of management. This public land is within close proximity to the coast and has both natural and built assets. Engaging with these committees, their managers and staff will be a key issue going forward especially with regard to their Marine and Coastal Management Strategies and the way that they interact with the general community in their areas.
Bellarine & Surf Coast outcomes
These are being developed as part of the community engagement process
Water
6 year outcomes identified from the workshop held on the 24th of February:
Target innovation and smart thinking e.g. best practice use of water resources
Consider alternative water use e.g. recycled water
Aim for integrated outcomes e.g. biodiversity gains or urban growth offsets
Prioritise river health
Priority directions
Biodiversity
6 year outcomes identified from the workshop held on the 24th of February:
Shared decision making and organisational capacity help the CCMA and its partners achieve positive outcomes for the landscape, together with strong planning and compliance
Data on the condition of ecosystems informs catchment management, with all outcomes able to be measured/tracked
All parts of the community have an interest in achieving positive, inclusive outcomes, embracing the science and understanding of the local environment
Existing habitat is protected and extended through limits on urban growth, bio-links, tree planting initiatives etc
Interdependencies are recognised e.g. Ramsar wetland and stormwater management are linked, with accountabilities identified
Priority directions
Land
6 year outcomes identified from the workshop held on the 24th of February:
Integration across the RCS themes influences landscape scale change and partnerships, connecting community groups, Traditional Owners, all landholders and agencies
Urban encroachment affords protection to agricultural land, as well as areas for ecological restoration and leisure
Education on the values (e.g. ecosystem services) of land improves peoples understanding of land use and results in land being used more sustainably and productively
Traditional land and water management practices are implemented, with greater focus on pest control and use of indigenous vegetation
Landscape connectivity and soil health are improved through practical measures that are financially supported
Priority directions
Coast & Marine
6 year outcomes identified from the workshop held on the 24th of February:
Increased education efforts across the community drive behaviour change and stewardship
Key threats such as visitation pressures, litter, invasive weeds, estuary health and salinity are mitigated
Baseline measurements are conducted of key values e.g. water quality, seagrass beds, coastal vegetation and bird populations
Strengthened collaboration achieves accountability and shared delivery between responsible agencies
Habitat values are proactively managed through mechanisms such as sustainable fishing practices and extension of protected areas
Priority directions
Community
Traditional Owners are being consulted in conjunction and separately.
6 year outcomes identified from the workshop held on the 24th of February:
Traditional Owner recognition and partnerships are strengthened, benefiting the landscape and its biodiversity
Environmental education (through schools, community forums etc.) creates practice change and keeps people informed
Community members and groups work together productively to mitigate climate change and maintain the health of the landscape
The mental health benefits connecting with nature provides are widely appreciated and enjoyed
The impacts of urban growth and development on ecosystem values are considered by communities
