Draft Plan of Management for Tyalgum Public Recreation and ... - Land

Tyalgum Public Recreation and Preservation of Native Flora and Fauna ReserveAt over 20 million years old, the Caldera is one of the best preserved for its age in the world,and also one of the largest. It is remarkable for its size, prominent, central mountain mass,and the fact the Caldera floor has been eroded down to basement by the Tweed River. TheOxley River which borders the Reserve, together with its tributaries, forms the middle arm ofthe Tweed.The ranges and steep escarpments of the Caldera that create the borders of the District arepart of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. They includeWollumbin, Mebbin and the Border Ranges National parks, and the Limpinwood NatureReserve. These protected areas contain areas of subtropical, warm temperate and cooltemperate rainforests that are home to numerous rare and threatened species. Althoughrainforests are the main vegetation types, there are also important stands of open forests,woodlands and shrub lands.The District community places a high value on the importance of recognising and preservingthe biodiversity and visual amenity of the World Heritage-listed ranges that form the scenicrim of the Tyalgum District.3.5 RESERVE VALUESEnvironmental ValuesTyalgum falls within the Tweed Volcano Caldera physiographic region of Tweed Shire, anarea of mixed geology forming a “subdued landscape” of low hills within the eroded calderaof the Tweed Volcano. The narrow alluvial plains of the Oxley as well as the Tweed andRous Rivers are also features. The soils of the Reserve are deep, moderately well drainedRed Podzolic Soils and Krasnozems and deep, well-drained Kraznosems and Red Earths(Kingston et al 2004, Tweed Shire Council 2005). Vegetation within the Reserve is primarilycontained within a riparian zone.A 2005 study (Aspect North 2005) classified the existing vegetation as Camphor Laureldominantclosed-open forest, freshwater wetland across a drainage line running from theVillage to the river, and disturbed riparian rainforest. Several vulnerable species wereidentified in the riparian zone: an individual Red-fruited Ebony (Diospyros mabacea) listed asendangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TS Act) and theCommonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1998; aMacadamia (Macadamia tetraphylla) listed as vulnerable under both acts; and severalindividual Fine Leaved Tuckeroos (Lepiderema pulchella) listed as vulnerable under the TSAct. Common environmental weed species present included Camphor Laurel, Small LeavedPrivet, Lantana, Cats Claw and Climbing Asparagus Fern (Aspect North 2005).Since the vegetation survey was carried out, the Trust has worked in partnership with TweedShire Council to ensure the protection of the endangered and vulnerable species andcommenced a riparian zone weed eradication and revegetation program. This will worktowards rehabilitating the area, improving river health, supporting and creating habitat fornative fauna, and contribute towards building a wildlife corridor along the River. The localcommunity strongly support the extension of the Reserve’s revegetation program andinitiatives that enhance biodiversity outcomes.TYALGUM RESERVE PLAN OF MANAGEMENT: EXHIBITION DRAFT 14