Land Management Plan 2004 - 2050 Flinders University South ...

Flinders University Land Management Plan Flinders University
2004 - 2050 South Australia
4.2.1 Trails Strategy
In addition to the recommended trail extensions and monitoring / maintenance, the value of trails for
recreational users can be further developed.
The Flinders University site, with its prominent location on the Adelaide Hills face and uninterrupted views
over metropolitan Adelaide, is an excellent site for recreation. Currently, the trails are used casually by both
students, staff and the general public as well as organised events, such as the mountain bike summer series.
It is noted that an ‘exercise loop’ is established within the Aleppo Precinct, however the general awareness of
this is unlikely to be high, due to a lack of signage.
The potential for an interpretative trail, winding the length of the Main Valley (Precincts 1, 2 and 7), to enhance
the visitor awareness of the site’s attributes is considered worthy of implementation. This could be developed
over time, with signage initially explaining the intent and program of pest plant removal and subsequent
revegetation. This would also provide opportunity for partner agencies to demonstrate their involvement and
elicit interested persons to assist in the implementation – through weed removal, vegetation etc. Later signage
should include information about the likely Aboriginal use of the area (Southern Mt Lofty Region), indigenous
vegetation associations, fauna, geology and catchment awareness. The signage design and content could be
developed as part of a student project for the design school within the University.
As previously noted, the lack of adequate access trails to all areas within the study area has made
maintenance difficult. To address this problem, and provide improved recreational opportunities, the following
key recommendations are made:
• Precinct 4 – whilst access to this precinct is probably the constraining factor for management work being
undertaken, it is not recommended that additional access trails be constructed in the short to medium
term. The steepness of the northern slope (of South Valley) is particularly problematic for trail
construction, and it is likely that a recreational trail would be the only achievable option on this slope.
Given that a recreational access trail has been recommended on the southern side of this valley through
Precincts 5 and 6, a trail in this precinct would duplicate that facility.
The weed control techniques recommended for this precinct are cognisant of the accessibility constraints
and therefore require no physical removal but rather in-situ treatments such as ringbarking and stem
injection. This precinct has been given the equal lowest priority of the study area, as it is acknowledged it
has a high weed density in conjunction with significant accessibility constraints.
• Precinct 5 and 6 – as previously noted, the access track from the shared-use path has recently been
extended into Precinct 5. Whilst this allows maintenance vehicle access to the upper slope there is
currently no means of accessing the lower area by vehicle. To rectify this it is proposed that the track be
extended, via a series of switchbacks, to eventually reach the creek, which will be followed to the western
boundary.
Where the track reaches the creek, it is proposed that a recreational trail should continue east, following
the creek alignment along the southern side, until rejoining the vehicle track in Precinct 6. This trail is
proposed to provide a more interesting route for recreational users, and also to allow foot access for
management work along the riparian zone and surrounding high and moderate quality Eucalyptus
microcarpa Woodland.
• Precinct 7 – starting from the existing track in Precinct 2, aligned north-south and adjacent the electricity
easement, this trail should follow the contours as closely as possible on the southern slopes of the valley.
There is a gain of approximately 60 metres over the approximately 750 metres from the boundary of
Precinct 2 to Offler Avenue. This would result in a grade average of 8 percent. Due to the topography of
the valley, in that it gains approximately 40 metres from the confluence of the two creeks before reaching
the eastern boundary (a straight line distance of approximately 250 metres), it is anticipated at least three
switchbacks will be required over this section to achieve a sustainable gradient.
This design approach will increase the length of the trail, to approximately 400 metres, but should
substantially reduce the risk of erosion. The indicative alignment has been selected to make use of
already cleared areas, however the route will need to be confirmed on site by an ecologist to ensure any
loss or damage to native vegetation (including grasses) is minimised. Whilst the loss of some native
vegetation is regrettable, it is considered that without adequate access it is likely that the area will
become further degraded through weed infestation.
It is noted that this option does not provide the double benefit of creating a fuel reduction zone along the
northern property boundary however the steepness of this alignment is too steep for a sustainable trail to
be constructed. Access to the northern boundary (for fuel reduction purposes) will still need to be
undertaken on foot, however it is considered the proposed trail will make this task somewhat easier.
The recently constructed mountain bike trail in the western end of this precinct has been completed to the
standards of the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) which are world’s best practice for
recreational trail construction. These standards include an average grade of 10 percent, grade reversals
and a full bench tread, all of which are integral to ensuring a sustainable trail (refer to www.imba.com for
further information). This standard should be applied to future trail construction for recreation purposes
whilst the general principles relating to gradient, drainage and construction should also be incorporated
into design for vehicular tracks.
• Sturt Creek Linear Park – Sturt Gorge Recreation Reserve linkage it has been mooted by a number
of agencies that the potential to provide a continuous trail along the Sturt Creek corridor could soon be
realised. The major impediment, till now, has been the private ownership of a short section of the river
adjacent to Flinders University. The possibility of utilising a section of existing track in Precinct 4, to
complete the connection, has the in-principle support of the University.
At present, this track terminates at a private driveway, with no continuation through to the Gorge. If further
access at this point is unable to be negotiated, it is proposed that the trail could be aligned with the
property boundary adjacent the private driveway and residence where it would join the track from Precinct
5 before continuing through to Sturt Gorge.
The creation of a linear trail linking Sturt Creek Linear Park and Sturt Gorge further emphasises the need
for adequate weed control and Phytophthera hygiene measures within Flinders University land.
4.2.2 Trail Monitoring and Maintenance
The majority of formal tracks used for vehicle access have been used over many decades and consequently
these show few signs of degradation. However, there are a few sections where grades exceed 10 percent,
and they follow the fall line, and erosion is evident. The placement of imported fill material may temporarily
alleviate the problem but in some cases an alternative solution, engineered or otherwise, is required. A few of
the observed problems, and recommended solutions are noted below:
• Gully erosion (Precinct 2, section of north-south track adjacent electricity easement);
⏐ AUGUST 2004 ⏐ PAGE 10