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

Flinders University Land Management Plan Flinders University
2004 - 2050 South Australia
6. Future Management Direction
From the site investigations it is clear there are a number of priority areas which require action, in order for the
University to not only meet its legislative requirements but to build the framework for best-practice land management.
With commitment from the administration and partner agencies, the campus can become a showcase example of
how semi-urban environments can be managed for maximum biodiversity value, whilst also allowing complementary
uses, such as recreation and education, to take place.
Vision
To re-establish the indigenous biodiversity of the site whilst allowing for the recreation and education of students,
staff and the wider community.
Objectives
• Enhance the area’s natural biodiversity as part of the Adelaide Hills Face Zone;
• Minimise the risk for fire to impact on the University and neighbouring properties;
• Allow for safe access within the site and to property boundaries;
• Provide for appropriate recreational activities, and
• Encourage participation from the University and community in management activities.
6.1 Precinct Priorities
Within the framework of the overall management actions, specific actions have been developed for each precinct,
with corresponding plan to highlight the areas for action. The first plan is for the next 6 years - until 2009 / 10, whilst
the second is a long term plan 2011 – 2050.
In addition to the detailed actions, recommendations as to when these should be undertaken during the year have
also been made. Estimates of time and cost have also been provided, to assist the University in forward planning and
also in applying for funding assistance to undertake particular projects. The cost estimates have been prepared using
a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, which is provided as Appendix D for reference.
In preparing the management actions, due regard has been given to the time required for each task, and the
budgetary constraints of the University. Given the size of the study area, and the extent of pest plant infestation, it is
considered most effective to concentrate initially on the areas of high and moderate quality indigenous vegetation.
The control of pest plants is a long-term process; therefore the heavily infested areas will be left until last, which in
some cases may not be for 20 years or more.
In addition to these overarching objectives for the study area, a series of specific objectives have been developed for
each precinct.
Management Actions
In order to achieve the Vision and Objectives, a number of management actions have been developed for the entire
study area (shown in Table 5, overleaf), which generally involve annual or regular maintenance work. These are
strengthened by specific actions for each Precinct that are prioritised and have accompanying preliminary cost
estimates 8 . Costs for all work undertaken, such as removal of pest plants and revegetation, has been calculated on
the basis of contractor rates. Revegetation has been calculated based on pre-planting preparatory work of a 1 metre
square being sprayed for weeds, tubestock being purchased and a tree guard with stakes being placed around each
seedling at time of planting. This has been estimated at $3 per plant, which is higher than typically budgeted for in
other revegetation projects, however it is considered this will ensure a high rate of seedling survival. If seedlings can
be grown and planted by staff or volunteers, significant cost savings may be able to be realised.
Agencies that may be able to provide assistance with implementation, either through funding or in-kind assistance,
have been identified (under the ‘Partners’ column) for specific actions. These partners are further discussed in
Section 7.
The residential interface at the southern boundary and along the eastern
and western boundaries is a key area for management actions in the initial
years of the LMP implementation, to minimise fire risk and weed
infestation.
8 Cost estimates have been calculated on the assumption that work undertaken by staff, students and Green Corps includes
allowances for fuel, equipment and materials but not wages, whereas work undertaken by Contractors is inclusive of all the
above. The prices have been calculated at 2004 rates, with no allowance for inflation.
⏐ AUGUST 2004 ⏐ PAGE 15