Castlemaine-Diggings-National-Heritage-Park-Management-Plan

Strategies for natural values conservation
the park that provide insight into the
geology of the park (section 6.1).
• Maintain adequate walking access to
significant geological and
geomorphological sites for educational
purposes, consistent with the protection of
these values.
5.2 Rivers and catchments
The park lies within the Loddon River
Catchment that is within the North Central
Catchment Management Authority’s
(NCCMA) area of responsibility.
The Loddon River Catchment covers an area
of 1.5 million hectares extending from the
Victorian central highlands to the River
Murray in north central Victoria. The
catchment has a population of approximately
150 000, with 70% of residents located in the
urban centres of Bendigo, Swan Hill, Kerang,
Daylesford, Castlemaine and Maryborough
(NCCMA 2000). Only 15% of the catchment
is covered in remnant vegetation, most of
which is on public land set aside for nature
conservation, recreation and timber
production. The remaining 85% of the
catchment has been cleared for agriculture and
urban development (NCCMA 2000).
The Loddon River is the major waterway in
the catchment and flows through the park from
Glenluce to downstream of Vaughan Mineral
Springs. This section of the Loddon River
(Loddon Reach 10) is one of only a few in the
North Central Region rated as being in good
condition. It is therefore recognised as a
priority for protection and enhancement in the
North Central River Health Strategy (NCCMA
2006). Natural values of this reach of the
Loddon include aquatic fauna, riparian
vegetation and a passage for fish migration (J.
Alexander pers. comm. 2005).
A number of creeks flow through the park that
eventually enter the Loddon River. These
include Forest, Nuggetty, Porcupine, Sailors
and Tarilta. Other waterways that either flow
in part through the park or receive flows from
gullies draining the park include Salters Creek,
Moonlight Creek, Wattle Gully, Mopoke
Creek, Kennedys Gully and Spring Gully
Creek.
The major threats to remnant vegetation and
waterways in the catchment include pest plant
invasion, agricultural and urban runoff,
damage by domestic stock, instream barriers,
pest animals, soil erosion and altered water
regimes (NCCMA 2003; J. Alexander pers.
comm. 2005).
Aim
• Protect, maintain and improve the
ecological condition of streams and stream
catchments in the park.
Management strategies
• Ensure appropriate erosion control
measures are undertaken during all
relevant park works.
• Ensure that fire management activities do
not adversely affect the ecological
condition of streams and stream
catchments in the park (section 5.5).
• Support NCCMA strategies and projects
that aim to improve and protect the park’s
natural values and implement the park’s
vision and direction.
• Work with the NCCMA to implement key,
activities of the North Central River
Health Strategy along Loddon River and
other waterways, including Fryers Creek
and Kangaroo Creek within the park.
• Consistent with the protection and
retention of cultural landscapes and sites,
progressively restore indigenous
vegetation to cleared areas along Forest
Creek, the Loddon River and other
waterways in the park (sections 4.2 and
5.3).
• Liaise and coordinate pest plant and
animal control efforts with neighbouring
land managers, the Department of Primary
Industries and the NCCMA (section 5.6).
5.3 Vegetation
Vegetation communities
Heathy Dry Forest, Box Ironbark Forest,
Valley Grassy Forest, Grassy Dry Forest,
Streambank Shrubland and Alluvial Terraces
Herb-rich Woodland are the primary
Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs)
identified within Castlemaine Diggings
National Heritage Park. All of these vegetation
communities are depleted, vulnerable or
20 Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park