VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN for Bidjigal Reserve - Land

Vegetation Management Plan - Bidjigal ReserveThe problem of domestic pets being allowed to roam unsupervised in bushland is a difficult one tosolve, and one which polarises many members of the community. There is no question thatunsupervised pets can cause a great deal of damage, particularly to ground-dwelling native fauna.The Companion Animals Act (1998) is available to Council should it wish to enforce the requirementsof the Act, but this has negative public relations connotations and would require regular patrollingby a ranger. Possibly community education is the only answer.The control of feral animals should be fully integrated into the Trust’s management program forBidjigal Reserve. At the present time, rabbit control programs are carried out in conjunction withprograms undertaken by BHSC. This co-operative effort should be continued.Contractors carrying out bush regeneration and/or planting programs should also be aware ofpotential herbivory by rabbits, hares and macropods. When undertaking planting projects,protective measures such as perimeter fencing and/or the installation of one (1) metre high, rigidtree guards and sturdy stakes should be costed into the works program. Failure to consider nativeherbivory has in the past resulted in the failure – in whole or in part – of many otherwise wellplanned and executed planting programs.6.11.2 Preservation of Cultural ArtefactsA search of the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (‘AHIMS’) held by the CulturalHeritage Division of the NSW Department of DECC was undertaken (see Appendix 13) has shown anumber of sites of cultural significance in, or in close proximity to, the Reserve. However, in order toprevent vandalism, the locations of such sites are generally not published, but site co-ordinates maygenerally be obtained on application to DECC.In order to provide safeguards for items of Aboriginal Heritage it is recommended that:1. The Trust take note of the location(s) of all items of cultural significance known for theReserve, and ensure that any proposed works do not impact on or otherwise threatened anyculturally significant item. Contractors working in areas known to contain such artefacts tobe made aware of their locations, and instructed to avoid works in the immediate area.2. If any other item of heritage or cultural significance becomes known during the course of theworks, all work is to cease; the contractor is to notify the Project Manager, who will in turninform the Trust and the Cultural Heritage Division DECC (Parramatta Office). Work is not toresume until written permission is provided to the Trust by DECC.Undertaking of the above-listed actions will ensure that impact on any items of Aboriginal culturalheritage value discovered during the project will be avoided.There are no known items of European Heritage known for Bidjigal Reserve – at least no artefactsthat could be inadvertently damaged by any on-ground works. However, should such artefacts bediscovered in the course of bush regeneration or other works, the procedure outlined in #2 (above)should be followed. However, the authors understand that a Cultural Heritage Survey wasundertaken for the Great North Walk some time ago. This documentation was not made availableand consequently its findings were not incorporated into this VMP.UBM Ecological Consultants Pty Ltd 127