NATURAL HERITAGE STRATEGY - Hume City Council

HUME CITY COUNCIL 

NATURAL 

HERITAGE 

STRATEGY 

ACTION PLAN 

2011 – 2015 

www.hume.vic.gov.au

HUME CITY COUNCIL NATURAL HERITAGE STRATEGY ACTION PLAN 2011 - 2015

table of contents 

1. INTRODUCTION 3 

2. NATURAL HERITAGE GENERAL 4 

3. GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY 6 

4. NATIVE VEGETATION 8 

5. NATIVE FAUNA 16 

6. WATERWAYS 20 

7. MEASURING SUCCESS 24 

8. MEASUREMENT ACTIONS 28 

9. IMPLEMENTATION BUDGET 30 

MAPS 32 

MAP1: 

Current Environmental Significance and 

Vegetation Protection Overlays 

MAP 2: Degraded waterway stretches – 

Moonee Ponds and Yuroke Creeks, Westmeadows 


Lower Aitken Creek, Craigieburn 


Upper Blind Creek, Sunbury 

MAP 5: 

Flagship Areas, Biosites and Overlays 



1. INTRODUCTION 

Council has a strong commitment to the protection and enhancement of 

natural heritage assets in Hume. This commitment is embodied in the objectives 

of the Hume Plan 2030, the Hume Council Plan, Pathways to Sustainability: 

An Environmental Framework and the Natural Heritage Strategy 2011 – 2015 

(NHS 2011 - 2015). 

A four-year Action Plan has been developed to guide Council in achieving the 

goals and objectives of the NHS 2011 - 2015 under the following key themes: 

1. Natural Heritage General 

2. Geology & Geomorphology 

3. Native Vegetation 

4. Native Fauna 

5. Waterways 

The goals for each key theme reflect the roles and ability of Council to: 

• Demonstrate Excellence in Stewardship: achieving positive natural 

heritage outcomes through Council’s own actions. 

• Foster Community Learning & Action: the community becoming more 

aware of natural heritage assets and taking positive action to care for and 

maintain natural heritage sites. 

• Influence & Advocate: influencing the actions of other organisations 

and advocating to improve the policy and regulatory environment that 

supports natural heritage. 

The objectives and actions aim to address the key threats to Natural Heritage 

assets in Hume and the challenges facing Council in managing them. 

The Action Plan identifies the Council outputs and outcomes that will be 

measured to determine the success of the NHS 2011 - 2015. It also identifies the 

lead and supporting roles that Council departments will play in implementing 

the actions, and the financial investment required by Council to effectively 

implement the Action Plan and achieve positive change. 

HUME CITY COUNCIL NATURAL HERITAGE STRATEGY ACTION PLAN 2011 - 2015 3

NATURAL HERITAGE GENERAL 

GOAL: To Foster Community Learning and Action 

Objectives 

Action / Activity 

Key Performance Indicators 

(KPI’s) and Targets: 

KPI 1: Positive change in 

community awareness of natural 

heritage. 

Target 1: 40% increase in 

community awareness by 2015. 


participation in the Greening 

Program. 


community capacity to manage 

natural heritage. 

Target: 40% increase in 


natural heritage by 2015. 

NH1 - Increase 

community knowledge 

and appreciation of 

natural heritage assets 

by: 

NH1.2 

Developing an Interpretation Strategy for 

natural heritage assets on Council-managed 

land. 

Note: Actions arising from the interpretation 

strategy, including signage, will require 

additional future capital investment. 

NH1.2 

Upgrading the Evans Street Grassland 

community meeting room to a natural heritage 

education centre and meeting space with 

educational and interpretive materials and 

displays. Promote the facility to local schools 

and community groups. 

NH1.3 

Encouraging participation by Hume residents, 

local schools, community groups, rural 

landowners, CaLD communities and businesses 

in natural heritage activities, including: 

• Environmental restoration projects through 

the Greening Program. 

• Live Green Workshops 

• Wildlife surveying and monitoring. 

NH1.4 

Developing a Natural Heritage Tourism Guide 

for the community. 

NH2 - Build the capacity 

of rural landowners, 

Landcare groups and 

Friends groups to protect 

and enhance natural 

heritage assets by: 

NH2.1 

Developing a Conservation and Land 

Management Guide. 

NH3 - Foster community 

leadership in natural 

heritage stewardship 

by: 

NH3.1 

Encouraging involvement of members of local 

Landcare and Friends groups and natural 

heritage / conservation students in the 

Champions Program. 

NH3.2 

Supporting one local school per year to 

undertake the Biodiversity Module of the 

Resource Smart Australian Sustainable Schools 

Initiative Victoria (RSS AuSSI Vic). 

4 HUME CITY COUNCIL NATURAL HERITAGE STRATEGY ACTION PLAN 2011 - 2015

Outcomes & Outputs 

Responsibility 

Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• Natural Heritage Interpretation Strategy complete 

and ready to be implemented (output). 

• Increased community knowledge and appreciation 

of natural heritage (outcome). 

LEAD: Sustainable 

Environment 

SUPPORT: Parks & Open 

Spaces, Leisure, Subdivisions, 

Marketing & Communications, 

Research 

Jun 2013 $30,000 

• Evans Street Grassland meeting room upgraded 

(output). 

• Increased use of the facility by community groups 

and schools (outcome). 


Environment 

SUPPORT: Services 

Jun 2015 $40,000 

• More community members visiting natural heritage 

sites (outcome). 

• Increased community appreciation of natural 

heritage sites (outcome). 

Sustainable Environment Annually N/A 

• Natural Heritage Tourism Guide developed 

(output). 

• Natural Heritage Tourism Guide uploaded onto the 

Hume website and distributed (output). 


Environment 

SUPPORT: Economic 

Development, Organisational 

Planning and Improvement, 

Marketing & Communications 

Jun 2013 $5,000 

• Conservation and Land Management Guide 

developed (output). 

• Landowner knowledge and skills in natural 

heritage management improved (outcome). 

Sustainable Environment Dec 2012 $3,000 

(grant funded) 

• More natural heritage leadership within the Hume 

community (outcome). 

Sustainable Environment Annually $29,725 over 

four years 

(Live Green 

Strategy) 

• Schools taking action to improve local biodiversity 

(outcome). 

Sustainable Environment Jun 2012, 2013, 

2014 and 2015 

$8,000 

($2,000 per 

year) 


GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY 

GOAL: To Demonstrate Excellence in Stewardship 

Objective 




KPI 3: Strengthened statutory 

protection for significant 

geological sites and features. 

Target: All sites protected 

by relevant planning 

scheme controls. 

GG1 - Protect Sites 

of Geological and 

Geomorphological 

Significance, Scenic 

Hilltops and Major 

Ridgelines in Hume 

by: 

GG1.1 

Undertaking a pre-feasibility study of all Scenic 

Hilltops and Major Ridgelines in Hume to 

determine: 

• which are priorities for protection. 

• whether or not the current 30m vertical 

buffer for hilltops and ridgelines and 

the 30m setback from escarpments in 

developments are appropriate to ensure 

their protection. 

GG1.2 

Undertaking a study to determine what sites 

Council considers significant from a geological 

and geomorphological basis, the features that 

contribute to this significance and the measures 

required to achieve this. 

GG1.3 

Subject to Actions GG1.1 & 1.2, investigating 

the use of planning scheme controls, such 

as a Significant Landscape Overlay, to 

enhance protection of Sites of Geological & 

Geomorphological Significance, Scenic Hilltops 

and Major Ridgelines. 




Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• Pre-feasibility study conducted (output). LEAD: Strategic Planning 

SUPPORT: Central Activities 

District and Urban Design, 

Sustainable Environment 

Jun 2013 

N/A 

• Study conducted (output). 

• Significant sites determined (output). 


Environment 

Jun 2013 

N/A 

SUPPORT: Strategic Planning 

• Appropriate planning scheme controls identified 

(output). 

• Increased protection for Sites of Geological and 

Geomorphological Significance, Scenic Hilltops and 

Major Ridgelines (outcome). 

LEAD: Strategic Planning 

SUPPORT: Sustainable 

Environment, Statutory 

Planning 

Dec 2013 

N/A 


NATIVE VEGETATION 


Objective 




KPI 4: Increase in the quantity of 

remnant native vegetation within 

conservation areas on Councilmanaged 

and private land 

Target: Mean 5% increase 

in native vegetation cover 

across all conservation areas. 

KPI 5: Increase in the extent 

of threatened flora species on 

Council-managed land. 

Target: 5% increase in the 

extent of threatened flora 

species. 

KPI 6: Council-managed 

conservation sites are strategically 

monitored and managed through 

Conservation Management Plans. 


the number of Conservation 

Management Plans (CMP’s) and 

review 6% of existing CMP’s. 

NV1 - Increase the 

quality and quantity 

of native vegetation 

on private rural land 

by: 

NV2 - Increase the 

quality and quantity 

of native vegetation 

on Council-managed 

land by: 

NV1.1 

Fencing at least 20 hectares of private rural land 

to encourage natural regeneration of grassland 

and grassy woodland species through the 

Caring for our Plains grants project. 

NV1.2 

Continuing to donate indigenous plants 

through the Rural Areas Plant Donation 

Scheme (RAPDS) toward projects that facilitate 

vegetation corridors and stepping stones. 

NV2.1 

Continuing to revegetate Council-managed land 

through the Greening Program. 

NV2.2 

Continuing to manage all conservation sites on 

Council-managed land through activities such as 

control of environmental and declared noxious 

weeds and rabbits, revegetation and ecological 

burning. 

NV3.1 

Protecting and enhancing at least 225 hectares 

of native vegetation on private rural land by 

undertaking weed control through the Caring 

for our Plains project. 

KPI 7: Increase in the number of 

hectares of Council-owned land 

under permanent protection. 

Target: An additional 12 

hectares of Council-owned land 

permanently protected. 

NV3 – Protect 

remnant, native 

vegetation on 

private and Councilmanaged 

land by: 

NV3.2 

Continuing proactive environmental compliance 

to prevent fill dumping and illegal vegetation 

removal on private land. 

NV3.3 

Encouraging and supporting landowners to 

permanently protect conservation areas on their 

land through the application of conservation 

covenants or Council Section 173 agreements. 




Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• 20 hectares of private rural land fenced (output). 

• Increase in the quality and quantity of native 

vegetation (outcome). 


Environment 

SUPPORT: Rural Landowners 

Dec 2013 

$90,000 (grant 

funded) 

• RAPDS implemented (output). 

• Increase in the quantity of native vegetation on 

private rural land (outcome). 

• Increased vegetation connectivity within the rural 

landscape (outcome). 

Sustainable Environment Annually $106,162 (over 

four years) 

• Greening Program implemented (output). 

• Increase in quantity of native vegetation on 

Council-managed land (outcome). 

Sustainable Environment Annually $318,240 (over 

four years) 

• Environmental and declared noxious weeds 

controlled at all conservation sites (output). 

• Rabbits controlled at priority sites (output). 

• Increase in the quality and extent of native 

vegetation on Council-managed land (outcome). 

LEAD: Parks and Open Spaces 


Environment 

Annually $5,945,050 

(Parks and 

Open Spaces 

recurrent 

budget over 

four years) 

• 225 hectares of private rural land protected from 

the threat of weeds (output). 

• Increase in the quality and extent of native 

vegetation on private rural land (outcome). 


(grant funded) 

• Remnant native vegetation on private land 

protected from fill and removal (outcome). 


Environment 

Annually 

N/A 

SUPPORT: Statutory Planning 

• Increase in the amount of vegetated land in Hume 

permanently protected (outcome). 



NATIVE VEGETATION CONTINUED 

Objective 


NV3.4 

Entering into on-title agreements to protect 

the following five key conservation sites likely 

to support offsets: 

1. Albert Rd Nature Reserve 

2. Rushwood Drive Reserve 

3. Stewarts Lane Nature Reserve 

4. Blind Creek Parklands 

5. Maygar Grey Box 

NV3.5 

Reviewing Council’s existing Vegetation 

Protection Overlays (VPO) and Environmental 

Significance Overlays (ESO) to ensure 

coverage of Flagship Areas and Biosites (Map 

5) and to identify other opportunities for 

improvements. 

NV3.6 

Subject to Action NV3.5, undertaking 

planning scheme amendments to ratify 

changes to VPO and ESO overlays. 

NV3 – Protect 

remnant, native 

vegetation on 


land by: 

NV3.7 

Developing a Native Vegetation Protection 

Policy to guide decisions in relation to native 

vegetation retention. It should include the 

following prescriptions: 

1. The protection of trees and patches of 

native vegetation in development areas, 

including protection and management 

regimes and identification of specific 

activities that are allowed to encroach 

within the area protected. 

2. A buffer requirement between developed 

areas and native vegetation. 

3. A requirement for an arborist report 

when development may pose a risk to 

native vegetation. 

NV3.8 

Developing guidelines to accompany the 

Native Vegetation Protection Policy that 

give direction to developers, contractors 

and Council works crews on how to ensure 

compliance with the Hume Planning Scheme 

and legislation when proposing on-ground 

works within or adjacent to native vegetation. 

Facilitate training in conjunction with the 

release of the guidelines. 




Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• On-title agreements developed and in place 

(output). 

• Native vegetation protected in perpetuity 

(outcome). 

• Development offsets secured for these sites 

(outcome). 


Environment 

SUPPORT: Parks and Open 

Spaces 

Jun 2013 

(sites 1 & 2) 

Jun 2014 

(sites 3 & 4) 

Jun 2015 (site 5) 

$75,000 

($15,000 per 

site) 

• Existing ESO and VPO reviewed (output). LEAD: Sustainable 

Environment 

Jun 2013 

N/A 

SUPPORT: Strategic Planning, 

Statutory Planning 

• Planning Scheme amendments undertaken 

(output). 

• Increased protection of native vegetation through 

the Planning Scheme (outcome). 

LEAD: Strategic Planning 


Environment, Statutory 

Planning 

Jun 2014 

N/A 

• Policy reviewed and updated (output). 

• Increased protection of native vegetation through 

the planning scheme (outcome). 


Environment 

SUPPORT: Strategic Planning 

Jun 2013 

N/A 

• Guidelines to accompany the Native Vegetation 

Protection Policy developed (output). 

• Training on the guidelines facilitated (output). 

• Developers, contractors and Council works crews 

working in accordance with the policy (outcome). 




Objective 

NV4 - Protect and 

enhance threatened 

flora species and 

communities by: 


NV4.1 

Developing an Action Plan for the reintroduction 

of rare or threatened species to high quality 

Council-managed conservation sites in Hume. 

NV5.1 

Developing Conservation Management Plans for 

the following very high and high priority sites: 

NV5 - Strategically 

manage conservation 

sites on Councilmanaged 

land by: 

1. Evans Street Grassland 

2. Frog Court & Rushwood Drive 

3. Arcadia Way 

4. Greenvale Recreation Reserve 

5. Emu Valley Reserve 

6. Roadside Conservation Areas 

7. Mt Ridley 

8. Correa 

9. Sunbury Pop Festival Site 

10. Bulla Gold Tree Hill Reserve & Bulla School Hill. 

NV5.2 

Ranking the significance of all Council-managed 

conservation assets to assist in prioritising 

Council’s weed control, pest control, ecological 

burning, fencing and revegetation programs. 

NV6 - Strategically 

monitor conservation 

assets on Councilmanaged 

land by: 

NV6.1 

Developing a suitable basic site monitoring 

approach that will enable the quality and 

quantity of native vegetation within Councilmanaged 

conservation sites to be monitored. 

NV6.2 

Expand the Matted Flax-lily monitoring program 

to include all Council-managed sites that support 

this species. 

NV7 - Ensure the 

management of all 

Council-managed 

offset sites meet 

the legislative 

requirements of 

their Environmental 

Management Plans 

(EMP’s) by: 

NV7.1 

Auditing all Council-managed offset sites. 




Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• Reintroduction of Threatened Species Action Plan 


• Conservation sites and threatened species and 

communities enhanced (outcome). 



Environment 

Dec 2012 

N/A 

• Conservation Management Plans developed 

(output). 

• Conservation sites managed more strategically 

(outcome). 



Environment 

Jun 2012 - 

sites 1-3 

Jun 2013 - 

sites 4-6 

$10,000 

(2011 – 12) 

$10,000 

(2012 – 13) 

Jun 2014 - 

sites 7-8 

$10,000 

(2013 – 14) 

Jun 2015 - 

sites 9-10 

$10,000 

(2014 – 15) 

• Ranking tool developed and applied to sites 

(output). 

• Improved planning and prioritisation of weed 

control, pest control, ecological burning, fencing 

and revegetation works on Council-managed 

conservation sites (outcome). 


Environment 


Spaces 

Dec 2012 

N/A 

• Monitoring methodology investigated and 


• All Council-managed assets monitored more 

strategically (outcome). 



Environment 

Dec 2012 

N/A 

• Monitoring undertaken at all Council-managed 

sites supporting Matted Flax-lily (output). 

• Enhanced knowledge (within Council) of the 

distribution of Matted Flax-lily populations across 

Hume (outcome). 

Parks and Open Spaces Jun 2013 N/A 

• Annual audit of each offset site (output). 

• Compliance with legislative requirements of EMP’s 

determined (outcome). 


Environment 


Spaces 

Annually 

N/A 




Objective 





community awareness of the value 

of native vegetation. 


community awareness by 2015. 

NV8 - Raise 

community 

awareness about 

the value of native 

vegetation in Hume 

by: 

NV8.1 

Developing and undertaking a community 

awareness campaign for grasslands in Hume, 

including the production of: 

• Educational materials (fact sheets and 

posters) 

• Media articles. 

NV8.2 

Publicising all prosecutions of illegal native 

vegetation removed in Hume. 



native vegetation. 



native vegetation by 2015. 

NV9 - Build the 

capacity of rural 

landowners to 

manage native 

vegetation on their 

land by: 

NV9.1 

Facilitating an annual training course / field day 

on native vegetation management through 

the Live Green Program. Priority topics should 

include: 

• Grazing management 

• Weed and pest animal control 

• Regeneration and revegetation 

• Plant identification 

GOAL: To Influence and Advocate 



KPI 10: Increase in weed 

compliance in Hume by the State 

government. 

Objective 

NV10 - Protect 

native vegetation 

from the threat of 

weeds by: 


NV10.1 

Advocating to the DPI for more weed 

compliance and extension in Hume. 

Target: 20 annual DPI 

compliance inspections in 

Hume by 2015. 




Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• Awareness campaign materials developed and 

campaign undertaken (output). 

• Community more aware of the value of grasslands 

(outcome). 


Environment 


Spaces, Marketing and 

Communications, Research 

Jun 2014 $10,000 

• All prosecutions publicised through local media 

and Council newsletters (output). 

• Increased community awareness about the 

consequences of native vegetation removal and 

the importance of its retention (outcome). 


Environment 

SUPPORT: Statutory 

Planning, Marketing and 

Communications 

Annually 

N/A 

• Annual training course / field day facilitated 

(output). 

• Increased knowledge of effective methodology 

for native vegetation management amongst rural 

landowners (outcome). 

Sustainable Environment Annually $8,000 

($2,000 per 

year) 



Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• Submissions and meeting requests with DPI made 

(output). 

• Increased weed extension and compliance in Hume 

(outcome). 



NATIVE FAUNA 


Objective 




KPI 11: Increase in knowledge 

of the distribution of local fauna 

populations. 

Target: 10 Council-managed 

conservation sites thoroughly 

surveyed. 

F1 - Improve 

Council’s knowledge 

of the distribution 

of local fauna 

populations by: 

F1.1 

Undertaking fauna surveying at the following 

key Council-managed conservation sites: 

1. Mt Holden Reserve 

2. Emu Bottom Wetlands and Emu Valley 

Reserves 

3. Albert Road Nature Reserve 

4. Mt Ridley Nature Reserve 

5. Sunbury Pop Festival Site 

6. Frog Crt & Rushwood Drive 

7. Martin Dillon Reserve 

8. Konagaderra Reserve 

Surveying to include: 

• Microbat trapping 

• Spotlight surveys 

• Reptile surveys 

• Diurnal bird surveys and owl call-playback 

• Small mammal trapping 

• Sensory camera 

F1.2 

Investigating mechanisms to undertake fauna 

surveying on private rural land and promoting 

them to rural landowners. 

F1.3 

Encouraging the community to record and 

submit all local fauna sightings to Council. 

Record all sightings on Council’s GIS. 

F2 - Improve 

Council’s response 

to incidences of 

negative humanwildlife 

interaction 

by: 

F2.1 

Developing a Living with Wildlife Policy. 

F3 - Seek to minimise 

the threat to native 

fauna in Hume 

posed by foxes and 

domestic and feral 

cats by: 

F3.1 

Including information on responsible pet 

ownership (and associated domestic animal 

information) on Council’s website and in the 

Conservation and Land Management Guide. 

F3.2 

Investigating the viability of integrating fox and 

feral cat control in rural areas with the existing 

rabbit control program on Council-managed 

land. Implement fox and feral cat control if 

viable. 




Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• Fauna surveys undertaken (output). 

• Improved knowledge of the distribution of 

local fauna populations on Council-managed 

conservation sites (outcome). 


Environment 


Spaces 

Sites 1-4 – 

Jun 2012 

Sites 5-8 – 

Jun 2014 

$40,000 

(2011 – 12) 

$30,000 

(2013 – 14) 

• Mechanisms to undertake fauna surveying on 

private land identified (output). 

• Mechanisms promoted to landowners and 

incentives offered, where practicable. 

Sustainable Environment Jun 2013 N/A 

• Promote community input via the website, Live 

Green workshops and newsletter articles (output). 

• Fauna sightings recorded on GIS (output). 

• Improved knowledge of the distribution of local 

fauna populations in Hume (outcome). 


• Policy developed (output). 

• Improved response to incidences of negative 

human-wildlife interaction (outcome). 


Environment 

Jun 2012 

N/A 


Spaces, Marketing and 


• Website content and information developed 

(output). 

• Hume residents more aware of the risk that their 

cats pose to native fauna (outcome). 

• More Hume residents managing their cats to 

protect native fauna (outcome). 


Environment 

SUPPORT: Services, 

Organisational Planning and 

Improvement, Marketing and 


Jun 2014 

N/A 

• Viability of fox and feral cat control investigated 

(output). 

• Fox and feral cat control program established 

(output). 

Sustainable Environment Jun 2014 N/A 


NATIVE FAUNA CONTINUED 


Objective 





community awareness of native 

fauna. 


community awareness by 

2015. 


fauna sightings reported by the 

community by 2015. 

F4 - Raise community 

awareness about 

native fauna in 

Hume by: 

F4.1 

Facilitating ‘Wildlife Experiences’ workshops 

through the Live Green Program each year. 

F4.2 

Encouraging community participation in native 

fauna surveying and monitoring programs 

facilitated by Council, Melbourne Water, Merri 

Creek Management Committee, Parks Victoria 

and other organisations. 



native fauna habitat. 



native fauna by 2015. 

F5 - Build the 


landowners to 

manage pest 

animals on their 

land by: 

F5.1 

Providing targeted information, training and 

incentives to landowners in accordance with the 

Hume Rabbit Action Plan. 




Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• At least two wildlife experiences workshop 

facilitated each year (output). 

• Increased community/participant awareness about 

native fauna (outcome). 

Sustainable Environment Biannually $12,000 

($3,000 per 

year) 

• Fauna activities promoted through community 

networks (output). 

• Increased community/participant awareness about 

native fauna (outcome). 


• Information, training and incentives provided to 

landowners (output). 

• Landowners more capable of undertaking pest 

animal control on their land (outcome). 



WATERWAYS 


Objective 




KPI 14: Increase in the extent 

of native vegetation on Councilmanaged 

land adjacent to 

waterways. 

Target: 10,000 indigenous 

plants recruited annually along 

waterways on Councilmanaged 

land. 

KPI 15: Increase in the extent of 

native vegetation along waterways 

on private rural land. 

Target: 12,000 indigenous 

plants recruited annually along 

waterways on private land 

through the Rural Areas Plant 

Donation Scheme. 

W1 - Restore native 

vegetation along 

waterways on 


land by: 

W2 - Seek to mitigate 

soil erosion and 

sediment dispersal 

along waterways 

on Council-managed 

land by: 

W3 - Undertake 

catchment 

management in 

collaboration with 

other councils and 

organisations by: 

W1.1 

Undertaking restoration projects in the 

following degraded Council-managed sites 

through the Greening Program and capital 

works (Appendix 4): 

1. Yuroke and Moonee Ponds Creeks in 

Westmeadows 

2. Lower Aitken Creek 

3. Upper Blind Creek. 

W1.2 

Increasing resource allocation through the 

RAPDS to waterway restoration projects. 

W2.1 

Implementing priority actions from Council’s 

Erosion Mitigation Action Plan for Albert Road 

Nature Reserve and The Parkway Reserve, and 

applying these principles to other sites subject 

to erosion (including Mt Holden Reserve and 

Sunbury Landfill) where resources permit. 

W3.1 

Supporting the implementation of the Merri 

Creek and Environs Strategy 2009-2014 (MCES) 

and the Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Plan 

2011 (MPCSP). 

W3.2 

Seeking a coordinated approach with Melbourne 

Water to restore degraded stretches of waterway 

adjacent to Council-managed land. 

W4 - Strengthen 

Council guidelines to 

enhance protection 

of waterways in 

Hume by: 

W4.1 

Developing the following prescriptions for 

inclusion in Council’s Guidelines for the Planning, 

Design and Construction of Open Space 

(GPDCOP): 

• buffer requirement between developed 

areas and areas of waterway environmental 

significance. 

• road frontage incorporated into the design 

of all new open space contributions along 

waterways. 

W4.2 

Ensuring that, when assessing planning permit 

applications, no development is allowed to occur 

within 35 metres of a creek or within the 100 

year flood level, whichever is greater. 




Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• Restoration projects undertaken (output). 

• Increase in the extent of native vegetation along 

waterways (outcome). 


Environment 


Spaces 

Jun 2013 – 

sites 1 and 2 

Jun 2014 – 

site 2 

$20,000 

(2011 – 12) 

$40,000 

(2012 – 13) 

June 2015 – 

sites 2 and 3 

$40,000 

(2013 – 14) 

• Increased number of waterway restoration projects 

being undertaken (outcome). 

• Increased plant allocation to waterway projects 

(outcome). 

Sustainable Environment Annually Relates to 

NV1.2 budget 

• Priority actions identified and implemented 

(output). 

• Increased sediment retention at the sites 

(outcome). 


Environment 


Spaces, Traffic and Civil Design 

Jun 2012 and 

Annually 

$40,000 

(2011 – 12) 

• Councils and organisations working collaboratively 

to implement priority catchment management 

actions (outcome). 


Environment 


Spaces, Leisure, Strategic 

Planning 

Annually $414,030 

(MCES) over 4 

years 

• Request an annual meeting with Melbourne Water 

to coordinate works programs along waterways 

(output). 

• Strong collaboration with Melbourne Water 

(outcome). 


Environment 


Spaces 

Annually 

N/A 

• Prescriptions developed and included in the 

GPDCOP (output). 


Environment 

Jun 2013 

N/A 

SUPPORT: Subdivisions, 

Leisure 

• No developments occurring within 35 metres of a 

creek or within the 100 year flood level (output). 


Environment 

Ongoing 

N/A 

SUPPORT: Statutory Planning 


WATERWAYS CONTINUED 






waterways. 



waterways by 2015. 

Objective 

W5 - Build the 


landowners to 

manage waterways 

on their land by: 


W5.1 

Facilitating a biennial workshop / field day on 

waterway management for rural landowners in 

Hume through the Live Green program. 

GOAL: To Influence and Advocate 



KPI 17: Increase in the number of 

collaborative rabbit management 

projects between Council and 

Melbourne Water. 

Target: 20% of Council’s 

annual rabbit control works 

supported by complementary 

Melbourne Water rabbit 

management works by 2015. 

Objective 

W6 - Seek greater 

collaboration 

between Council 

and government 

agencies in the 

management of 

rabbits: 


W6.1 

Advocating to Melbourne Water to better align 

rabbit harbour reduction works with Council 

investment along waterways in Hume. 




Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• Biennial workshop / field day facilitated (output). 

• Rural landowners more capable of managing 

waterways effectively (outcome). 

Sustainable Environment Biannually $12,000 

($3,000 per 

year) 



Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

• Submissions and meeting requests with Melbourne 

Water made (output). 

Sustainable Environment 

Jun 2012 and 

Ongoing 

N/A 

• Increased resource allocation to rabbit control in 

Hume (outcome). 


MEASURING SUCCESS 

To determine the success of this Action Plan, the Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) will be measured using the following 

methodology. Complete baseline data is available for 6 of the 17 KPI’s. Where baseline results are not available, they will be 

collected in year one of the implementation of this strategy. Targets for each KPI have also been established to drive positive 

change. 

Objective 

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) 

Positive change in community awareness of 

natural heritage. 

KPI 1 

KPI 2 

Positive change in community capacity to 

manage natural heritage. 

KPI 3 

Strengthened statutory protection for significant 

geological sites and features. 

KPI 4 

Increase in the quantity of remnant native 

vegetation within conservation areas on 

Council-managed and private land. 

KPI 5 

Increase in the extent of threatened flora 

species. 

KPI 6 

Council-managed conservation sites are 

strategically monitored and managed through 

Conservation Management Plans. 

KPI 7 

Increase in the number of hectares of Councilowned 

land under permanent protection. 

KPI 8 

Positive change in community awareness of the 

value of native vegetation. 

* Denotes baseline data collection requiring additional resources 

(see Measurement Actions) 


KPI Measure KPI Baseline Result KPI Target 

Surveys (pre and post event and 

program). 

Number of community members 

participating in annual natural heritage 

events. 

Baseline data on awareness to be 

collected as part of the implementation 

of this strategy. 

Number of participants in the Community 

Greening Program in 2010-11 was 309. 

40% increase in community awareness by 

2015. 

150% increase in participation in the 

Greening Program. 


program). 

Baseline data on community capacity 

to be collected as part of the 

implementation of this strategy. 

40% increase in community capacity to 

manage natural heritage by 2015. 

Number of sites protected by relevant 

planning scheme controls. 

‘Guidelines for Development of Scenic 

Hilltops and Major Ridgelines Policy’ 

currently in place. 

All sites protected by relevant planning 

scheme controls. 

Percentage cover of native vegetation 

within conservation areas. 

Baseline data on percentage cover of 

native vegetation to be collected as part 

of the implementation of this strategy. * 

Mean 5% increase in native vegetation 

cover across all conservation areas. 

Extent of threatened flora species on 

Council-managed conservation sites. 

Baseline data on current extent of 

threatened species to be collected as part 

of the implementation of this strategy. * 

5% increase in the extent of threatened 

flora species on Council-managed land. 

Percentage of Conservation 

Management Plans developed and 

reviewed. 

As of January 2011, a Conservation 

Management Plan had been developed 

for 60% of Council-managed 

conservation sites. 

7% increase in the number of 

Conservation Management Plans (CMP’s). 

Review 6% of existing CMP’s. 

Number of hectares of Council-owned 

land under permanent protection ontitle. 


program). 

Number of community members 

participating in annual native 

vegetation training events. 

Four hectares of Council-owned land 

is currently protected under a Trust 

for Nature covenant at Evans Street 

Grassland. 




An additional 12 hectares of Councilowned 

land permanently protected. 


2015. 


MEASURING SUCCESS CONTINUED 

Objective 

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) 

KPI 9 


manage native vegetation. 

KPI 10 

Increase in weed compliance in Hume by the 

State government. 

KPI 11 

Increase in knowledge of the distribution of 

local fauna populations. 

Positive change in community awareness of 

native fauna. 

KPI 12 

KPI 13 


manage native fauna habitat. 

KPI 14 

Increase in the extent of native vegetation on 

Council-managed land adjacent to waterways. 

Increase in the extent of native vegetation along 

waterways on private rural land. 

KPI 15 

KPI 16 


manage waterways. 

KPI 17 

Increase in the number of collaborative rabbit 

management projects between Council and 

Melbourne Water. 


KPI Measure KPI Baseline Result KPI Target 


program). 





manage native vegetation by 2015. 

Number of weed compliance 

inspections undertaken on private land 

in Hume by the Department of Primary 

Industries (DPI). 

Fauna surveying. 

In 2010-11, DPI did not undertake any 

compliance in Hume. 

Baseline data to be collected as part of 

the implementation of this strategy. 

20 annual DPI compliance inspections in 

Hume by 2015. 

10 Council-managed conservation sites 

thoroughly surveyed. 


program). 

Number of fauna sightings reported by 

the community annually. 




In 2010-11, 28 fauna sightings were 

reported to Council by the community. 


2015. 

20% increase in fauna sightings reported 

by the community. 


program). 





manage native fauna by 2015. 

Number of indigenous plants recruited 

annually along waterways on Councilmanaged 

land. 

In 2010-11, 5,833 plants were planted 

along waterways on Council-managed 

land through the Greening Program. 

10,000 indigenous plants recruited 

annually along waterways on Councilmanaged 

land. 

Number of indigenous plants recruited 

annually along waterways on private 

rural land. 

In 2010-11, 11,762 plants were donated 

to rural landowners with land adjacent to 

waterways through Council’s Rural Areas 

Plant Donation Scheme. 

Baseline data on rural landowner 

revegetation of waterways through other 

sources to be collected as part of the 


12,000 indigenous plants recruited 

annually along waterways on private land 

through the Rural Areas Plant Donation 

Scheme. 


program). 





manage waterways by 2015. 

Percentage of Melbourne Water rabbit 

management works aligned with 

Council rabbit control works. 

In 2010-11, no Melbourne Water rabbit 

management works were aligned with 

Council rabbit control works. 

20% of Council’s annual rabbit control 

works supported by complementary 

Melbourne Water rabbit management 

works by 2015. 


MEASUREMENT ACTIONS 

The following measurement actions have been developed to establish baseline data for Key Performance Objectives KPI4 

and KPI5. Once collected, these baseline data sources will complete the measurement framework for the NHS 2011-2015 

to ensure that benchmarking against future results is possible. 

To enable this baseline data to be collected, additional funding will be required by Council from year two of this Action 

Plan. To effectively monitor our performance over time, additional recurrent funding will be required by the Parks and 

Open Spaces Department. 

Objective 

Key Performance indicator (KPI) 

KPI 4 

Increase in the quantity of remnant native 

vegetation within conservation areas on 

Council-managed and private land. 

Increase in the extent of threatened flora 

species. 

KPI 5 




Complete 

Action by 

Budget 

MA1 

Survey the percentage of native vegetation cover 

across all Council-managed conservation sites to 

establish baseline data. 

LEAD: Parks and Open 

Spaces 


Environment 

Jun 2013 $25,000 

(2012-13) 

MA2 

Undertake annual surveying of native vegetation 

percentage cover to monitor performance 

ongoing. 

Parks and Open Spaces Ongoing Recurrent 

funding 

from 2013- 

14 onward, 

including: 

$26,000 

(2013-14) 

$27,040 

(2014-15) 

MA3 

Survey the extent of threatened species 

populations on Council-managed conservation 

sites to establish baseline data. 

LEAD: Parks and Open 

Spaces 


Environment 

Jun 2013 $8,000 

(2012-13) 

MA4 

Undertake annual surveying of threatened species 

extent to monitor performance ongoing. 

Parks and Open Spaces Ongoing Recurrent 

funding 

from 2013- 

14 onward, 

including: 

$8,320 

(2013-14) 

$8,653 

(2014-15) 


IMPLEMENTATION BUDGET 

The Action Plan will be funded through the Sustainable Environment Department recurrent budget with support from 

the Parks and Open Spaces Department recurrent budget and grant funding. The following table outlines the funding 

required to implement the Action Plan, the funding source required for each action and the implementation timeframe. 

A projected CPI increase has been included for actions being funded through recurrent budgets over the four years. 

Action Total Budget Source 

NH1.1 $30,000 Sustainable Environment recurrent budget 


NH1.3 

N/A 


NH2.1 $3,000 Caring for our Country grant 



GG1.1 

N/A 

GG1.2 

N/A 

GG1.3 

N/A 

NV1.1 $90,000 Caring for our Country grant 

NV1.2 $106,162 Sustainable Environment recurrent budget 


NV2.2 $5,945,050 Parks and Open Spaces recurrent budget 

NV3.1 $105,000 Caring for our Country grant 

NV3.2 

N/A 

NV3.3 

N/A 

NV3.4 $75,000 Additional funding requested from 2012-13 

NV3.5 

N/A 

NV3.6 

N/A 

NV3.7 

N/A 

NV3.8 $5,000 

NV4.1 

N/A 

NV5.1 $40,000 Parks and Open Spaces recurrent budget 

NV5.2 

N/A 

NV6.1 

N/A 

NV6.2 

N/A 

NV7.1 

N/A 


NV8.2 

N/A 


NV10.1 

N/A 

NV11.1 

N/A 

F1.1 $70,000 Sustainable Environment recurrent budget 

F1.2 N/A 

F1.3 N/A 

F2.1 N/A 

F3.1 N/A 

F3.2 N/A 

F4.1 $12,000 Sustainable Environment recurrent budget 

F4.2 N/A 

F5.1 N/A 

W1.1 $100,000 Melbourne Water Corridors of Green 

W1.2 N/A 

W2.1 $40,000 Capital Works Program 2011 - 2012 

W3.1 $414,030 Sustainable Environment recurrent budget 

W3.2 N/A 

W4.1 N/A 

W4.2 N/A 

W5.1 $4,000 Sustainable Environment recurrent budget 

W6.1 N/A 

MA1 $25,000 Additional funding requested for 2012-13 

MA2 $53,040 Additional recurrent funding requested from 2013-14 

MA3 $8,000 Additional funding requested for 2012-13 

MA4 $16,973 Additional recurrent funding requested from 2013-14 


2011 – 2012 2012 – 2013 2013 – 2014 2014 - 2015 

Dec June Dec June Dec June Dec June 

$7,000 $7,280 $7,571 $7,874 

$2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 

$25,000 $26,000 $27,040 $28,122 

$78,000 $78,000 $81,120 $81,120 

$1,400,000 $1,456,000 $1,514,240 $1,574,810 

$30,000 $30,000 $15,000 

$10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 

$2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 

$40,000 $30,000 

$3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 

$20,000 $40,000 $40,000 

$97,500 $101,400 $105,456 $109,674 

$2,000 $2,000 

$26,000 $27,040 

$8,320 $8,653 


9 

72 

19 

16 71 

3 

11 

21 

10 

12 

25 

24 

Urban Growth Boundary 

Crown Vegetation Owned Protection Overlay 

20 

18 

5 

14 

13 

2 

17 

4 

27 

Environmental Significance Overlay 

22 

26 

8 

1 

28 

15 

7 

6 

29 

23 

30 

Map 1 Environmental Significance and Vegetation Protection Overlays 

Land Ownership 

Council Owned 

48 

50 

47 

49 

53 

55 

51 

MAP 1: ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE AND 

VEGETATION PROTECTION OVERLAYS 

38 

31 

32 

33 

34 

35 

68 

36 

52 

37 

69 

44 

70 

46 

42 

43 

45 

40 

39 

54 

67 

60 

58 

66 

65 

57 

64 

_ 

1:150,000 

_ 

1:150,00 


PASCOE VALE ROAD 

JOHNSTONE STREET 

MICKLEHAM ROAD 

9 

72 

19 

16 71 

3 

11 

Moonee Ponds Creek 

22 

25 

26 

Waterway 

Crown Degraded Owned Riparian Zone 

10 

20 

21 

18 

5 

12 

14 

13 

24 2 

17 

4 

27 

8 

1 

28 

15 

7 

6 

29 

23 

47 

30 

48 

49 

50 

Map 2 Waterway Restoration Priority Areas - Moonee Ponds and Yuroke Creek 


MAP 2: WATERWAY RESTORATION PRIORITY AREAS – 

MOONEE PONDS AND YUROKE CREEK 

38 

31 

32 

33 

Yuroke Creek 

35 

53 

68 

36 

52 

37 

69 

70 

44 

34 

46 

42 

51 

43 

45 

40 

39 

55 

54 

67 

58 

66 

57 

_ 

1:150,000 

_ 

1:15,000 


HARPER CLOSE 

CRAIGIEBURN-HUME RAMP ON 

HUME HIGHWAY 

HUME HIGHWAY 

POTTER STREET 

ALDBROUGH ROAD 

STOCKTON STREET 

EASTGATE ROAD 

9 

72 

19 

16 71 

3 

11 

22 

26 

21 

10 

12 

25 

24 

20 

18 

13 

2 

4 

1 

28 

5 

14 

15 

17 

7 

27 

Waterway 

Crown Owned 

Degraded Riparian Zone 

8 

23 

MITFORD CRESCENT 

Map 3 Waterway Restoration Priority Areas - Aitken Creek 



6 

30 

29 

48 

50 


AITKEN CREEK 

38 

31 

32 

33 

34 

53 

Aitken Creek 

35 

68 

36 

52 

37 

69 

51 

47 

70 

46 

44 

42 

43 

45 

40 

39 

49 

55 

54 

67 

60 

58 

66 

65 

57 

64 

_ 

1:150,000 

_ 

1:2,500 


RIDDELL ROAD 

OLD RIDDELL ROAD 

RETREAT CRESCENT 

BANNON AVENUE 

LEWIS PLACE 

BECKVIEW CRESCENT 

COURTNEY DRIVE 

JAMES CLOSE 

MEARE STREET 

PHILLIP DRIVE 

Upper Blind Creek 

9 

72 

19 

16 71 

3 

11 

Waterway 

Crown Degraded Owned Riparian Zone 

22 

26 

21 

10 

12 

25 

24 

20 

18 

5 

14 

13 

2 

17 

4 

27 

8 

1 

28 

15 

7 

6 

23 

30 

Map 4 Waterway Restoration Priority Areas - Upper Blind Creek 


29 

48 

50 

47 

49 


UPPER BLIND CREEK 

38 

53 

52 

36 

68 

69 

44 

35 

70 

37 

31 

34 

46 

32 

33 

42 

43 

45 

51 

55 

54 

40 

39 

67 

58 

66 

57 

_ 

1:150,000 

_ 

1:5,000 


9 

19 

16 

3 

11 

Flagship Area 

Flagship 

Habitat Corridor 

Biosites and Significance Level 

Yet to be determined 

Crown Owned 

Local 

Regional 

State 

National 

Current Overlays 

21 

10 

12 

25 

24 

Vegetation Protection Overlay 

West Sunbury 

20 

18 

5 

13 

Environmental Significance Overlay 

22 

26 

2 

17 

4 

Map 5 - Flagship Areas, Biosites and Overlays 



14 

27 

8 

72 

15 

71 

1 

23 

28 

7 

6 

30 

29 

48 

50 

47 

49 

MAP 5: FLAGSHIP AREAS, BIOSITES AND OVERLAYS 

38 

31 

32 

33 

34 

35 

53 

68 

36 

52 

37 

69 

44 

70 

46 

42 

51 

43 

45 

40 

39 

55 

54 

67 

60 

58 

66 

65 

57 

64 

_ 

1:150,000 

_ 

1:150,000 


Hume City Council 

1079 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows 

PO Box 119, Dallas, Victoria 3047 

Telephone 9205 2200 Facsimile 9309 0109 

contactus@hume.vic.gov.au 

www.hume.vic.gov.au

NATURAL HERITAGE STRATEGY - Hume City Council

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