Rural Strategy - Surf Coast Shire

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Surf Coast Shire Rural Strategy Review Final Report The landscape objectives noted in the Landscape Assessment include: To increase the indigenous vegetation in the precinct, particularly along creek and river valleys; To ensure shelter belt planting remains a feature of the area; To minimise the visual impact of development on the landscape; To retain the sense of openness and long distance views in the precinct; and To maintain the dominance of the open, rural landscape from main road corridors outside townships. Environmental Values The precinct is within the Victorian Volcanic Plains bioregion and prior to European settlement in 1750 featured extensive native grasslands with small patches of open woodlands and riparian vegetation along the rivers and shallow lakes. Over 95% of the native vegetation in the bioregion has been cleared primarily for agriculture, making what remains highly significant. The precinct includes a series of lakes, rivers, creeks wetlands and swamps. Lake Murdeduke is an extremely important site for waterbirds and large populations of international migratory species occur here. The lake is listed under the Ramsar Convention and Directory of Important Wetlands. The lake and surrounds has diverse aquatic habitats which contributes to the diversity of waterbirds, and is a breeding site for threatened water birds including the Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa). The wetlands east of Lake Murdeduke provide critical Brolga (Grus rubicunda) habitat in Victoria for one of two core populations. The sites consist of several brackish and freshwater wetlands with extensive shallow water zones providing a diverse range of habitats. Kelly’s Swamp is a semi-saline wetland providing habitat for the Great Egret (Ardea alba) and other threatened water birds. The Barwon River supports endangered riparian vegetation and provides instream habitat for aquatic fauna and includes a series of wetlands that are also significant in the Bioregion. The river and wetlands provide habitat for numerous threatened water birds including Australasian Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis), Lathams Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) and Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia). The precinct also includes scattered paddock trees providing breeding sites and habitat for threatened fauna, and patches of endangered grassland and shrubland with a diverse range of native grasses and herbs species that is potential habitat for the nationally vulnerable Stripped Legless Lizard (Delma impar). Key attributes: A network of significant wetlands supporting endangered flora and fauna. Hollow bearing trees and intact grasslands. Key threats: Pollution of waterways from land use. Grazing by stock and weed invasion. Fragmentation of vegetation with poor linkages. RMCG Consultants for Business, Communities & Environment Page 64
Surf Coast Shire Rural Strategy Review Final Report 10.3.2 Rural Land Use Observations From both an economic analysis and land use analysis, there is a strong future for agriculture in the precinct. The current settlement pattern, allotment and tenement sizes, and agricultural capability are conducive to agriculture, and this is reflected in the continuing use of land for broadacre farming and the growing intensive animal husbandry industry of pig and poultry production. Rural residential development and small lot excisions have not made any significant inroads into this precinct, thus there are minimal urban- rural conflicts impacting on the farming industry. The remaining vacant tenements in the precinct are predominantly greater than 80 hectares, hence their future development with dwellings should not have serious consequences. The majority of the original native vegetation has been removed, and what remains, particularly of the native grasses has high environmental values and needs to be protected. Similarly, the remaining wetlands and riparian vegetation have high ecological value for the habitat they provide to native wildlife and migratory birds. 10.3.3 Objectives The objectives for the Winchelsea Plains Precinct are: 10.3.4 Strategies To foster and encourage agriculture within the precinct; To protect and maintain the open rural landscape, including vistas from main road corridors; and To protect and enhance the environmental values of the remnant vegetation and wetlands of the precinct. Discourage the subdivision of rural land so as to maintain technically viable farming land parcels. Prevent the proliferation of housing on small lots and housing unrelated to farming. Discourage uses not directly related to, or that would introduce conflict with, soil based agriculture and intensive animal agriculture industries. Ensure the maintenance of buffers around intensive animal industries. Encourage the sighting of intensive industries and dwellings such that that they do not distract from, or bisect clear views of, the open rural landscape. Prevent adverse impact on natural resources of the area, including further loss of remnant grasses and loss of environmental and habitat values of wetlands and the Barwon River, resulting from agricultural practices and other activities. RMCG Consultants for Business, Communities & Environment Page 65
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Rural Strategy - Surf Coast Shire

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