Draft Tugun Hill Conservation Area Plan of Management

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• To meet the obligations of weed control under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. Management Strategies S4.1 Implement the Tugun Hill Conservation Area Restoration Plan for the control of pest plants as part of an integrated ecological restoration program (see also Section 5.1.2 Native Plants). S4.2 The Natural Areas Management Unit will manage all weed control programs, including management of scheduled species, to ensure an integrated and controlled program of pest plant control is undertaken. S4.3 Avoid rapid, broad acre control of pest plants to ensure that there are no abrupt changes in the availability of fauna habitat across the conservation area (Section 3.1.3 Native Animals). S4.4 Maintain a database of all known weed species and populations. This will include abundance and distribution information, treatment histories for all species and mapping of weed distribution. S4.5 As a priority, maintain the integrity and prevent the spread of all pest plants within the sub-tropical rainforest patch. S4.6 As a priority, restrict the invasion of pest plants into the mature Blackbutt open forest by removing weeds, particularly molasses grass and lantana, and allow favourable conditions for natural regeneration. S4.7 Establish an evaluation program to determine the effectiveness of weed control efforts, particularly in relation to conservation outcomes. S4.8 Prepare a recommended planting list of locally occurring plant species to be used in revegetation projects. S4.9 Develop and distribute appropriate pest plant information to residents of the local area, seeking their cooperation in reducing the presence of these species in local gardens and reducing dumping of garden waste in the reserve. Consider a free plants replacement program to encourage replacement of undesirable species. S4.10 Discourage and police the dumping of garden waste within the conservation area as part of a regular patrol program. S4.11 Remove, as a priority, any newly established weed outbreaks within the conservation area. S4.12 Where possible use plant species of local provenance for revegetation work. S4.13 Promote weed control strategies and efforts undertaken. 3.2.2 Pest Animals Introduced animals are those species not native to the planning area. They have an unacceptable impact on the area by predation, displacement or competition with native animals. Preliminary pest animal surveying has identified the fox, brown hare, black rat and house mouse as being present in the planning area. Domestic dogs have historically been walked and it is also likely that domestic cats commonly enter the conservation area. Tugun Hill Conservation Area – Draft Plan of Management
Small fauna populations in remnant ecosystems such as Tugun Hill may be particularly vulnerable to predation by or competition from pest animals. This is because remnants frequently support lower numbers of fauna, and these populations are less resilient to chance events and external pressures in the same way that populations that are naturally isolated, such as those on islands, are prone to extinction. Foxes, domestic dogs and cats contribute the major potential threat to the native fauna of the conservation area, endangering ground-nesting or dwelling birds, such as Lewin’s rail, and small to medium-sized mammals, including swamp wallaby, koala and common planigale. Foxes are likely to be present in low to medium densities throughout the conservation area and adjoining properties, including neighbouring urban areas. Foxes readily survive and prosper in urban areas, and bushland areas such as Tugun Hill provide ideal shelters. Research into the ecological effects of feral and domestic animals on the native plants and animals, and monitoring of population sizes are essential to establish the criteria for nonnative animal management. Thorough wildlife surveys are required to determine the distribution and abundance of foxes (and other identified pest animals) within the planning area. Surveys could also be conducted with the co-operation of enthusiastic local residents, neighbours and walkers, collecting data on pest animal sightings, tracks and scats. This information, combined with any gathered by Council, may provide an insight into the extent of pest animal populations. Built-up areas represent a special set of problems in the management of pest animals. Urban density may restrict the use of broad scale pest-management approaches routinely employed in rural areas due to proven or perceived hazards to people, animals that are not being targeted or the environment. Generally, control of foxes will be restricted to the use of traps (such as Soft-Catch® traps and cage traps) due to the restriction on poisoning and shooting. Pest control methods currently under development that may be useful in built-up areas include the use of immuno-contraception, which may offer longer-term solutions to fox problems throughout the area. It is also important to address the human dimension of pest animal problems, as there may be conflicting opinions in the local community regarding pest animal control. Successful pest management projects in Queensland’s urban areas have been run in an open manner that stressed community awareness and encouraged public enquiry. For example, work in Noosa National Park that used a community consultation and involvement program led to reduced predation by foxes on a variety of vulnerable fauna and has resulted in increased numbers of swamp wallaby. A variety of native animals within Tugun Hill such as possums, gliders, koalas, wallabies, lizards, small mammals and many birds, maybe also be at risk from domestic animals. If unchecked, domestic dogs and cats harass and even kill native wildlife. Even though their human owners carefully meet their pet's requirements for food and shelter, dogs and cats have an instinctive hunting and chasing behaviour. Domestic pets also occur in high numbers in urban areas, where native animal numbers are fewer. So even though each individual animal may only kill or injure a small number of native animals, it has a bigger effect on the already reduced population. To protect the significant fauna populations within Tugun Hill, domestic animals will be prohibited. An education program will be developed focusing on the relationship between domestic animals and conservation, and alternative areas for dog exercise. Desired Outcomes • The adverse impacts of introduced animals on native flora and fauna are prevented or minimised. Tugun Hill Conservation Area – Draft Plan of Management
Page 1 and 2: Draft Plan of Management Tugun Hill
Page 3 and 4: INVITATION TO COMMENT Gold Coast Ci
Page 5 and 6: TABLE OF CONTENTS TUGUN HILL CONSER
Page 7 and 8: Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.1 Locati
Page 9 and 10: 1.3 Significance of the Conservatio
Page 11 and 12: Chapter 2 - Management Purposes and
Page 13 and 14: • Maintain a good working relatio
Page 15 and 16: 3.1.2 Native Plants Tugun Hill reta
Page 17 and 18: S2.11 Develop a program of seed col
Page 19 and 20: • The diversity of native animals
Page 21: 3.2 Managing for Protection 3.2.1 P
Page 25 and 26: By establishing the protection zone
Page 27 and 28: S6.12 The Natural Area’s Manageme
Page 29 and 30: 3.3 Managing Cultural Heritage Ther
Page 31 and 32: 3.4 Managing Recreation Tugun Hill
Page 33 and 34: 3.5 Community Involvement, Interpre
Page 35 and 36: 3.5 Managing Access The history of
Page 37 and 38: 3.7 Research and Monitoring The pur
Page 39 and 40: 3.8 Naming of the Conservation Area
Page 41 and 42: Chapter 5 - Summary of Management S
Page 43 and 44: REF MANAGEMENT STRATEGY development
Page 45 and 46: REF MANAGEMENT STRATEGY PRIORITY DU
Page 47 and 48: REF MANAGEMENT STRATEGY conservatio
Page 49 and 50: REF MANAGEMENT STRATEGY shared desi
Page 51 and 52: Chapter 6 - References Cogger, H.G.
Page 53 and 54: Key Currumbin Creek Nicolls Scrub N
Page 55 and 56: Chapter 9 - Appendices Appendix 1:
Page 57 and 58: Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea transversa
Page 59 and 60: Appendix 2: Weed species of Tugun H
Page 61: Key contacts Mailing address Gold C

Draft Tugun Hill Conservation Area Plan of Management

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