Caring for Country — The Otways and You - Parks Victoria

Strategies for natural values conservationHowever, these factors are not expected tohave as large an impact on catchment waterbalances as would changes in the basic climateparameters (i.e. rainfall and evaporation)(Jones & Durack 2005).Sea level rise, increased storm events andstorm surges will impact on the Victoriancoastline, resulting in damaging wind, wavesand flooding, erosion and damage to coastaland marine ecosystems (DSE 2008a). Toolsare being developed to assess the vulnerabilityof the Otway coastline (see DSE website,www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/ Future Coast).Climate change is likely to exacerbate existingthreats on biodiversity values such as habitatloss and pest species, making their impactssignificantly worse.Parks and reserves will become moreimportant as core areas for ecosystems andhabitats, and are the reservoirs for geneticresources required for the long-term adaptationof the natural environment to drier and warmerconditions. Large parks provide areas of intactvegetation that allow critical opportunities forspecies to migrate within shifting climateenvelopes (Parks Victoria 2008).Management strategies• Adopt adaptive strategies consistent withpolicy and research that assist ecosystemsand species to survive and continueevolutionary development.• In cooperation with relevant agencies andadjacent land managers, and inaccordance with a landscape-scaleprioritised risk based planning, lead onparkor support off-park, sustainableprojects that protect, enhance quality andrestore or connect remnant vegetationacross the landscape (sections 4.5 and8.10).• Work with partners and key stakeholdersto keep communities informed on potentialand actual climate change implications,strategies for management and actions.• Include climate change considerationswhen determining research and adaptivemanagement priorities.4.2 LandscapeAims• Protect, enhance and restore landscapevalues in the parks and minimise impactsof management or visitor activities onlandscape values.• Encourage neighbouring developmentsand activities to have minimal adverseimpact on landscape values.BasisFrom quiet streams to awe-inspiring coastalviews, the Otway landscape is diverse andbreathtakingly beautiful. The natural Otwaylandscape is the keystone of a vibrant tourismindustry and the heart and soul of many Otwaycommunities.In accordance with tradition, Aboriginalperspectives encompass physical and spiritualaspects of landscape. Stories of Country havebeen passed on over countless generations. Theconcentration of archaeological sites along thecoast, coastal rivers and reefs highlights therelationship between Aboriginal communitiesand the landscape (AAV 1998).Visitors can also view Otway landscapes fromlookouts, beaches, roads, four wheel drivetracks and walking tracks, including the GreatOcean Walk. The appeal of many of theseexperiences is the absence of humandevelopment. Intact landscapes contribute to asense of remoteness and are an importantretreat for many visitors.Weaving along a spectacular coastline, throughtall forests and rolling hills, the Great OceanRoad is an internationally recognised scenicdrive. Many of the outstanding landscapefeatures along the road are in the parks.The Great Ocean Road Region — LandscapeAssessment Study (DSE 2004a) was preparedas a component of the Great Ocean RoadRegion — Land Use and Transport Strategy(DSE 2004b). The study identified broadlandscape character types. The majority of theparks are classified as Otway Forests andCoasts. This landscape character type istypified by tall forests and hilly terrainextending to the sea, with cliffs and beaches. Itencompasses four precincts:• Otway Ranges Forest and Coasts18 Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park Management Plan