THE Eastern Shore community is being urged to take advantage of opportunities to give their feedback on the future use of Clarence council-owned land.
Clarence City Council is releasing a number of proposed land use plans for the management of the City’s natural areas during the consultation period of the draft strategies.
An aerial view of Rosny Hill and surrounding area. Photo courtesy of David Bellamy.
Eighty per cent of Clarence Council’s owned or managed land is natural bushland and foreshore. These natural assets are valued by the community and are the focus of considerable efforts to retain and enhance them.
Many community groups, particularly land and coastcare groups and service groups have already taken up the challenge by voluntarily supporting the council in protecting and managing the natural assets.
Currently there is a diversity of land management approaches and a variety of views about which is the best approach to respond to land management issues such as weeds, land degradation, fire and illegal access.
It is hoped an over-arching strategy will identify key bushland and coastal management issues and engage stakeholders and the community in choosing practical actions.
The plan will then present prioritised, strategic actions to address issues in the short, medium and long-term that will assist Council and stakeholders to prioritise management investment.
In the longer term the plan will provide the foundation for new and stronger partnerships that secure better resources for the care of the City’s natural areas.
A community based stakeholder reference group worked with the Council to develop the Strategy and identified a number of key management topics including biodiversity, recreation, land steward partnerships, social, cultural and community values, weed management, natural regeneration, fire management, and soil health.
Key examples of proposed strategic actions are to promote and implement relevant coastal management activities in accord with the new Tasmanian Coastal Manual and revise the Clarence Volunteer Policy to better reflect Land and Coast care volunteer activities.
This strategy will also be complemented by a five-year implementation plan that will describe in greater detail the sequence of tasks to be undertaken, budgetary requirements, milestones anticipated and the measures for evaluating successful achievement. A monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement framework will be applied to ensure cost effective delivery.
The Rosny Hill Nature Reserve is an ‘island’ or remnant vegetation entirely surrounded by residential subdivision. It incorporates the Rosny Hill Lookout – a well-known scenic vantage point providing expansive views to the north and south along the Derwent River and its estuary, to the western shore, and to the Meehan Range in the east, and the South Arm Peninsula in the south-east.
The Rosny Lookout is considered to be one of the best scenic lookouts in Hobart and is frequented daily by tourist coaches and residents, and is particularly popular during events on the River such as the Regatta.
Clarence City Council has been responsible for the management of the Rosny Hill recreation area since it was transformed from the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service in September 2009.
The management strategy is still in its draft stage and the Council would like the community to give feedback on the future development and maintenance of this unique site.
The new management strategy will consider the continued popularity of the Rosny Hill Lookout as an attraction for visitors in its aim to improve the management and maintenance of the reserve. The Strategy will also address concern from surrounding residents about bushfire risk and the presence of significant natural values, such as the issue of threatened plants.
Ultimately it will provide a strategic direction for the use, management, development, and promotion of the reserve, based on sound sustainability principles. In addition, it will provide a practical and prioritised plan of action, with realistic timelines to maximise available funding and resources.
The Tranmere Coastal Reserve encompasses an area of coastal reserve adjacent to residences along Tranmere road. Tranmere is valued for its scenic views, natural environment, recreational values and cultural heritage.
The objectives of the Tranmere Coastal reserve activity plan are to ensure the Reserve is sustainably managed to preserve and enhance its natural, cultural and social values.
The Plan also seeks to encourage community care of the area through raising awareness of the Reserve’s value.
A reserve activity plan was developed for the Reserve by the Council in 2005, and is now being reviewed to include an implementation plan listing immediate and ongoing management priorities such as weed control, revegetation activities and track maintenance during the period of 2011 to 2016.
The recommendations contained within the Tranmere Coastal Reserve Activity Plan are intended to provide guidance for on-ground activities. While it may not be possible to undertake all recommended activities due to resource constraints, the intent of the Plan is to provide a guide to management concepts and outcomes that could be implanted by the Council, local organisations and community volunteers if sufficient funding can be obtained.
All three draft strategies are available via the Council’s website www.ccc.tas.gov.au. For further information contact Ian Preece on 6245 8714 or email ipreece@ccc.tas.gov.au.
Consultation on the draft closes Friday June 17.
