Attachment 1 to Item 53 - Roadside Vegetation Management Plan

H AW K E S B U R Y C IT Y C O U N C IL R O AD S ID E V E G E T AT IO N M AN AG E M E N T P L AN
minimum. In addition, earthmoving machinery should be properly maintained to minimise the spread of
weeds or plant pathogens (e.g. Phytophthora). It is recommended that utilities are made aware of this
RVMP and that they follow actions identified in the RVMP to prevent the spread of weeds and plant
pathogens along roadsides.
3.14 LANDUSE (AGRICULTURAL USE – TRAVELLING STOCK ROUTES)
The use of rural roadside environments as travelling stock routes are allowable under the RLP Act, and
stock permits can be issued by HCC to facilitate this. Permits allow stock to walk or graze within rural
roadside environments, and, within low conservation value roadsides, where rare, threatened or
significant vegetation are less likely to occur, grazing by stock can be an effective means of reducing
fuel loads. However, care must be taken to ensure that roadside environments are protected from
damage by grazing stock. Stock may directly damage rare, threatened or significant plants and
ringbark trees, which decreases biodiversity. They may also contribute to changes in the nutrient status
of soil, leaving roadside environments more vulnerable to weed invasion, contribute to erosion, and
change local hydrology.
3.15 EDUCATION / COMMUNITY AWARENESS, TRAINING
Central to the protection and maintenance of native vegetation on roadsides, is the education of road
users and workers of the need to preserve, protect and enhance the roadside vegetation. Road users
and workers include Council staff, contractors operating within the road reserves, utility agencies
operating within the road reserves, emergency service personal, planners, people who are planning
works within road reserves, and adjacent property owners.
Education and community awareness initiatives, as well as training for road users should be considered
by the HCC. An important component of this Roadside Management Plan is the information brochure
and signage strategy. These aim to make road users aware of sensitive areas and the importance of
roadsides in biodiversity conservation.
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