Mount Buangor State Park Management Plan - Parks …parkweb.vic.gov.au/.../Mount-Buangor-State-Park-Plan.pdfMount Buangor State Park iii FOREWORD Mount Buangor State Park protects

MOUNT BUANGOR STATE PARK

MANAGEMENT PLAN

National Parks Service

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCESAND ENVIRONMENT

VICTORIA

DECEMBER 1996

This Management Plan for Mount Buangor State Park is approved for implementation. Its purpose isto direct management of the Park until the Plan is reviewed. A Draft Management Plan was publishedin May 1996. A total of 23 submissions were received.

Copies of the Plan can be obtained from:

NRE Ballarat OfficeDepartment of Natural Resources and EnvironmentCnr Mair and Doveton StreetsBALLARAT VIC 3350

Outdoors Information CentreDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment240 Victoria ParadeEAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002.

For further information on this Plan, please contact:

Chief Ranger - Central Park Management AreaDepartment of Natural Resources and EnvironmentCnr Mair and Doveton StreetsBALLARAT VIC 3350Phone (053) 336 782

or

Ranger in ChargeMount Buangor State Park6 Laurence StreetBEAUFORT VIC 3373Phone (053) 492 404

ii Mount Buangor State Park

Crown (State of Victoria) 1996A Victorian Government Publication. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced byany process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1986.

Published in December 1996 by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment240 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002.

National Library of AustraliaCataloguing-in-Publication entry

Victoria. National Parks Service.Mount Buangor State Park Management Plan.

Bibliography.ISBN 0 7306 6608 5.

1. National parks and reserves - Victoria - Management.2. Mount Buangor State Park (Vic.). I. Victoria.Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment. II. Title.

333.783099457

Cover: View from Wallaby Caves Road (Photograph G Niewand).

Printed on 100% recycled paper to help save our natural environment

Mount Buangor State Park iii

FOREWORD

Mount Buangor State Park protects significantnatural areas which complement those in thestatewide system of National and State parks.The Park has seen less disturbance than manyother reserved areas in the region and offersgood opportunities for recreation in a semi-remote setting.

Managed primarily for nature conservationpurposes, the Park provides many opportunitiesfor visitors to enjoy the natural environment.The Waterfalls on the upper section of MiddleCreek have been a popular destination for manygenerations of visitors.

This Approved Plan establishes the long-termmanagement framework to protect theimportant conservation and recreation values ofthe Park while ensuring it plays an importantrole in nature-based tourism in the region.

I thank those individuals and organisations whomade submissions on the Draft Plan. The 23submissions received were carefully consideredin preparing this Approved Plan.

As a result of the plan’s implementation, I amconfident the Park’s special features will beprotected while visitors’ enjoyment is enhanced.

I look forward to the community’s support forthe management of this important state park,which is a significant part of Victoria’s parkssystem.

Hon Marie Tehan MPMINISTER FOR CONSERVATIONand LAND MANAGEMENT

iv Mount Buangor State Park

APPROVED MANAGEMENT PLAN

This Approved Management Plan has beenprepared under section 17 of the NationalParks Act 1975 (Vic.) and is approved forimplementation.

Mark StoneDirector, National Parks Service

The Plan provides the basis for the futuremanagement of Mt Buangor State Park. It wasfinalised following consideration of the 23submissions received on the Draft Plan.

Paul MaineyRegional Manager, South West

Mount Buangor State Park v

SUMMARY

Mount Buangor State Park (2400 ha)encompasses Mount Buangor and the southernface of the Mount Cole Range. The BuangorReference Area and part of a proclaimed watercatchment servicing the Rural City of Araratare also within the Park.

The Park contains a variety of vegetationcommunities typical of the area, and also somesignificant species which require specialprotection. Management will concentrate onthe conservation of the natural and scenicfeatures of the Park while also providing for arange of recreational activities.

The Park is relatively free of pest plants andanimals, although regular monitoring ofpopulations will be required. Control programswill be undertaken in co-operation withadjoining landholders.

The Park provides a natural setting for a rangeof recreational pursuits which augment andcomplement activities in the rest of the region,including the adjoining Mount Cole StateForest. The Park currently receives 25 000visitors annually, most of whom picnic or campnear Middle Creek. The enhancement of low-key facilities while maintaining the secludedfeel of the Park will be a priority.

Major management directions are summarisedbelow.

• Most of the Park will be maintained in itsnatural condition and special protectionwill be given to water catchments and sitesof natural significance. The main visitorfacilities will be confined to the south-eastportion of the Park.

• Significant flora, fauna and other naturaland cultural features will be protected.

• An ecologically-based fire managementstrategy will be developed throughformalised monitoring and appraisal of allfires within the Park. Fire protectionworks will continue to be carried out, andwill form a component of the MidlandsFire Protection Plan.

• Pest plants and animals will be controlledor eradicated where practicable.

• Roads and tracks may be seasonally closeddue to weather conditions, or formaintenance. Some tracks will bepermanently closed where they are notrequired for access and where they aresources of environmental problems.

• Visitor access and information will beimproved. Visitor facilities will beupgraded and will include facilities forvisitors with limited mobility. Campingwill be improved by relocating the Ferntreecamp sites to the Bailes Picnic Area.

• NPS market surveys will be used to betterdetermine visitor needs and expectations.

vi Mount Buangor State Park

Mount Buangor State Park vii

CONTENTS

FOREWORD iii

SUMMARY v

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Location and planning area 11.2 Regional context 11.3 Significance of the Park 11.4 Creation of the Park 21.5 Legislation, LCC recommendations and guidelines 21.6 Park management aims 2

2 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 3

2.1 Park vision 32.2 Management directions 32.3 Zoning 3

3 RESOURCE CONSERVATION 6

3.1 Geological and landform features 63.2 Rivers and streams 63.3 Vegetation 63.4 Fauna 73.5 Landscape 83.6 Cultural heritage 8

4 PARK PROTECTION 10

4.1 Fire management 104.2 Pest plants and animals, and diseases 114.3 Soil conservation 11

5 THE PARK VISIT 13

5.1 The Park visitor 135.2 Visitor recreation activities and facilities 14

5.2.1 Vehicle access 145.2.2 Picnicking 155.2.3 Camping 155.2.4 Walking 205.2.5 Horse riding and camping 205.2.6 Hang gliding 215.2.7 Rock climbing and abseiling 215.2.8 Dogs 21

viii Mount Buangor State Park

5.3 Visitor information and interpretation 225.4 Commercial tourism operations 225.5 Public safety 22

6 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT 24

6.1 Friends and volunteers 246.2 Community awareness and Park neighbours 246.3 Schools education 24

7 OTHER ISSUES 26

7.1 Authorised uses 267.2 Boundaries and adjacent uses 27

8 IMPLEMENTATION 28

REFERENCES 29

TABLES

1 Park management zones 52 Summary of recreation activities 143 Management of vehicle roads and tracks 164 Management of walking tracks 195 Priority management strategies 28

APPENDICES 30

I Significant plant species 30II Species of biogeographical significance 30III Sites of botanical significance 30

FIGURES

1 Regional locality plan End of Plan2 Locations, facilities and authorised uses End of Plan3 Management zones End of Plan

Introduction

Mount Buangor State Park 1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Location and planning area

Mount Buangor State Park (2400 ha) issituated on the lower reaches of the GreatDividing Range 175 kilometres north-west ofMelbourne (figure 1). The Park is on thesouth-western slopes of the Mount Cole Rangeand adjoins the Mount Cole State Forest.

This management plan covers Mount BuangorState Park and includes:

• the Mount Buangor Reference Area(70 ha);

• the area around Jenny Clayton Trackrecommended by the LCC (1982) as aneducation area.

The plan does not include the Ararat Reservoirwhich is excluded from the Park (figure 2).

1.2 Regional context

Mount Buangor State Park lies on the MidlandPlains 60 kilometres west of Ballarat, close tothe population centres of Ararat, Elmhurst andBeaufort. The close proximity to the WesternHighway attracts visitors en route betweenMelbourne and Adelaide, and the Park receivesapproximately 25 000 visitors annually. It isestimated that one sixth of these camp in thePark (Tange 1994).

Mount Buangor State Park is an importantnative bushland area which contributes to thebiodiversity of the Mount Cole Range.Recreational opportunities in the State Park arecomplemented by those in the adjoining MountCole State Forest.

Within the region there are a number of otherparks, reserves and State Forests whichcomplement Mount Buangor State Park andpresent a range of visitor experiences (figure 1).The activities provided for at Mount Buangorcomplement those of the following areas ofpublic land:

• Mount Cole State Forest allows for a widerange of recreational pursuits, includingbush walking, pleasure driving and horseriding. It has a number of picnic and

camping areas of varying sizes in a naturalsetting;

• Langi Ghiran State Park contains semi-remote recreational settings, as well aspicnic and camping opportunities;

• Ararat Hills Regional Park accommodatespicnickers and walkers;

• Enfield State Park provides opportunitiesfor bushwalking and nature study in arelatively natural setting close to Ballarat;

• Lake Goldsmith Wildlife Reserve attractsbird observers, and duck hunters during theopen season.

1.3 Significance of the Park

Mount Buangor State Park makes a valuablecontribution to Victoria’s parks system, whichaims to protect viable, representative samplesof the State’s natural environments occurringon public land. Parks also provideopportunities for visitors to enjoy andappreciate natural and cultural values, andmany make an important contribution totourism.

The Park is assigned to the IUCN Category II(National Parks) of the United Nations’ List ofNational Parks and Protected Areas. CategoryII areas are managed primarily for ecosystemconservation and appropriate recreation.

Mount Buangor has been popular with touristsand nature lovers since the 19th century. Highgranite rock faces and a dramatic rockoverhang at Cave Hill give spectacular views.Because of the rugged terrain, most of thePark’s tall stands of eucalypts, with relativelyundisturbed understorey, have not been used fortimber production. As a result a wide range ofplant communities is represented in the Park,giving it high conservation value.

The Buangor Reference Area on the southernslopes of Mount Buangor, reserved to protect arelatively undisturbed Messmate and Blue Gumforest type (LCC 1982), is a reference point forthe rest of the Park, and for the timberproduction areas of the Mount Cole range.

Introduction

2 Mount Buangor State Park

1.4 Creation of the Park

The Park is included on Schedule Two B of theNational Parks Act. It was proclaimed on 27October 1989 as a result of the National Parks(Amendment) Act 1989 (Vic). Before itsproclamation as a State Park it was declaredunder Section 50 of the Forests Act 1958 (Vic.)as the Mount Buangor Forest Park.

1.5 Legislation, LCCrecommendations andguidelines

Mount Buangor State Park is reserved andmanaged under Schedule 2B of the NationalParks Act. The Act requires the Director topreserve and protect the natural condition of thePark and its natural and other features, andsubject to this to provide for the use of the Parkby the public for enjoyment, recreation andeducation. The Act also provides forappropriate research.

Mount Buangor State Park was recommendedby the Land Conservation Council (LCC)Ballarat Study Area Final Recommendations(1982). The LCC recommended that the Parkprovide for public enjoyment, education andinspiration while including conservation ofnative flora and fauna as an essential feature ofmanagement. In addition, visitor facilitiesshould be limited to a small portion of the Parkand any activities should be largely passive,consisting of camping, sightseeing andobservation of natural features.

A special investigation of historic places (LCC1996) identified historic places for protection;these are indicative of the cultural heritage ofthe Park (section 3.6).

The Mount Buangor Reference Area,surrounded by the Park has been proclaimedunder the Reference Areas Act 1978 (Vic.), andis managed in accordance with the relevantNRE guideline.

The Park is managed in accordance withDepartment of Natural Resources andEnvironment (NRE) guidelines for themanagement of Parks (NPS 1995), with LCCrecommendations and other Departmentalguidelines and procedures and in conjunctionwith the Ballarat Regional Fire Protection Plan

(under revision) and the Code of Practice forFire Management on Public Land (CNR1995a).

1.6 Park management aims

Section 4 (Objects) and Section 17 of theNational Parks Act provide the main basis formanagement of the Park. The followingmanagement aims are derived from thosesections and, as such, broadly govern allaspects of Park management.

Resource conservation

• Preserve and protect the naturalenvironment.

• Allow natural environmental processes tocontinue with a minimum of interference andmaintain biodiversity.

• Conserve features of archaeological,historical and cultural significance.

Park protection

• Protect water catchments and streams.

• Protect human life, the Park and adjacentlands from injury by fire.

• Eradicate, or otherwise control, introducedplants, animals and diseases.

The Park visit

• Provide opportunities for appropriaterecreation and tourism.

• Promote and encourage an appreciation,understanding and enjoyment of the Park’snatural and cultural values, and its recreationopportunities.

• Encourage appropriate park use and visitorbehaviour, and foster a conservation ethic invisitors.

• Take reasonable steps to ensure the safety ofvisitors.

Other

• Provide for and encourage scientificresearch, surveys and monitoring that willcontribute to a better understanding andmanagement of the Park.

• Co-operate with local, State and interstategovernment authorities, the community andother interested organisations to assist in themanagement of the Park.

Strategic directions


2 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

2.1 Park vision

A future visitor to Mount Buangor State Parkfinds a Park which is an important componentof the recreation and conservation opportunitiesprovided by the public land of the region.Visitors come to enjoy the granite rock faces,the tall forests, fern glades and sparklingwaterfalls. These provide a diverse range ofexperiences which are based on low impactrecreation and family activities. Visitordevelopments are sensitively located andmanaged to retain the distinctive landscapecharacter of the Park, and information andinterpretation of the Park’s value give visitorsan enhanced experience.

An ecologically-based fire management strategyenhances the wide variety of vegetation whichvaries from sub-alpine Snow Gum communitiesto fern gullies. The conservation of theindigenous flora and fauna, and the control ofpest plant and animals, ensures that the Parkwill continue as an important conservationreserve for future generations.

2.2 Management directions

The major management directions for the Parkare outlined below.


• Areas of high conservation significance, inparticular sites with significant flora,fauna and cultural features, will be givenspecial protection.

• The native vegetation and thecharacteristic landscape of MountBuangor will be maintained.

• Flora and fauna will be surveyed andmonitored, particularly in relation tomanagement actions such as fuel reductionburning and the control of pest species.

Park protection

• Pest plant and animal control will beundertaken. Emphasis will be placed onthe eradication of pests that threaten park

values and on co-operative controlprograms with adjacent land holders.

• Fire protection will be undertaken inaccordance with the Midlands FireProtection Plan. Emphasis will be placedon expanding knowledge of the ecologicalimpacts of fire on the flora and fauna.

The Park visit

• Existing visitor facilities will be improved.

• The existing walking track network will beimproved and extended to create additionalwalking opportunities.

• The range of recreational opportunitieswill be maintained.

• A conservation ethic for visitors will befostered and appropriate park use andvisitor behaviour will be encouraged.

• Vehicle roads and tracks will bemaintained to provide for appropriatepublic access and for pleasure drivingexcept where there are unacceptableenvironmental impacts or conflicts. Roadsmay be closed seasonally or temporarilydue to adverse weather conditions, or formaintenance purposes.

• An interpretation plan will be developed toimprove visitor appreciation.

Community awareness and involvement

• Co-operation with local government andother public authorities, communitygroups and land owners in conservingflora, fauna and habitat within andadjoining the Park will be fostered.

2.3 Zoning

A Park management zoning scheme has beendeveloped to:

• provide a geographic framework in which tomanage the Park;

• indicate which management directions havepriority in different areas of the Park;



• indicate the types and levels of useappropriate throughout the Park;

• assist in minimising existing and potentialconflicts between uses and activities, orbetween these and the protection of parkvalues;

• provide a basis for assessing the suitabilityof future activities and developmentproposals.

Four management zones apply to the Park -Reference Area, Conservation, Conservationand Recreation, and Education.

Table 1 specifies park management zonecharacteristics, and the location of these zonesis shown on figure 3.



TABLE 1 PARK MANAGEMENT ZONES

ZONES

REFERENCE AREA CONSERVATION CONSERVATION & RECREATION EDUCATION

AREA/LOCATION

70 ha, 3% of Park. ComprisesBuangor Reference Area.

107 ha, 4% of Park. Includesareas of high conservationvalue.

2053 ha, 86% of Park. Includesthe majority of the natural areas ofthe Park as well as the picnic andcamping areas and the hang glider’slaunching ramp at Mt Buangor.

170 ha, 7% of Park.Comprises the area bounded bythe Jenny Clayton Track.

VALUES Relatively undisturbed land typesand associated vegetation.

Sensitive natural areas unableto sustain impacts fromdispersed recreation.

Important natural values with scopefor low impact recreation and lowkey facility development.

Area for education purposes.

GENERAL

MANAGEMENT

AIM

Protect viable samples of one ormore land types that are relativelyundisturbed for comparative studywith similar land types elsewhere,by keeping all human interferenceto the minimum essential andensuring as far as practicable thatthe only long-term change resultsfrom natural processes.

Protect sensitive naturalenvironments and provide forminimal impact recreationactivities and simple visitorfacilities subject to ensuringminimal interference to naturalprocesses.

Protect less sensitive naturalenvironments and provide forsustainable dispersed recreationactivities and small-scale recreationfacilities without significant impacton natural processes.

Provide primarily forenvironmental education in arelatively undisturbed area.



3 RESOURCE CONSERVATION

3.1 Geological and landformfeatures

Mount Buangor is on the southern edge of alarge granitic plateau. Volcanic activityassociated with faulting several million yearsago spilled lava over Victoria, formingextensive basaltic plains. The lava flowreached the foot of the Mount Cole Range,which had persisted after the erosion ofoverlying Ordovician sediments.

Mount Buangor (989 m) is the highest peak onthe region’s section of the Great DividingRange. The Park also includes the graniticpeaks of Mount Sugarloaf and Cave Hill. Theancient erosion processes which led to theprotrusion of this range continue today, thesurrounding slopes being built up fromoutwashed granitic sand. The low lying south-western portion of the Park is sometimeswaterlogged.

Aim

• Minimise impacts from visitors on sensitivegeological features, including FerntreeWaterfalls.

Management strategy

• Monitor the impact of visitors on sensitivegeological features, especially those closeto high use areas, and implementmanagement as required to protect thesefeatures.

3.2 Rivers and streams

The vegetation and landform associated withthe watercourses of Mount Buangor are majorattractions for visitors to the Park. The fernsand waterfalls of Middle Creek, running fromthe steep north-eastern section of the Parkthrough to the Middle Creek Camping Area,give much visitor enjoyment. Campers and dayvisitors use the water from Middle Creek fordrinking.

McLeod Creek, the basis of Buangor’sdomestic water supply, also rises in the Park

with its headwaters principally within theReference Area.

Spring Creek and Baranga Creek feed theArarat Reservoir; the majority of the length ofthese creeks occurs within the Mount ColeState Forest. The proclaimed catchment for thereservoir falls partially within the Park and willbe protected (sections 4.3, 7.1.3).

Aims

• Conserve the aesthetic and water quality ofthe creeks within the Park.

• Protect the water quality within the Araratand Buangor catchments.

Management strategies

• Provide a 40 m buffer between MiddleCreek and the Bailes and Middle CreekCamping Areas.

• Prohibit any development or activity withinthe proclaimed catchments that mayadversely affect water quality.

• Maintain walking tracks along creeks andthrough catchments to a high standard, toreduce any negative impacts on catchmentvalues.

3.3 Vegetation

The Park contains a variety of vegetationcommunities, ranging from sub-alpine SnowGum communities on the high peaks to ferngullies along Middle Creek. The majorvegetation communities, Messmate Stringybarkand Blue Gum forests, create the overallcharacter of the Park.

Out of a total of 324 recorded vascular plantspecies, there are 119 species that are ofnational, State, regional or biogeographicalsignificance within the Park (Rankin &Cameron 1995). Four species are of nationalor State significance (appendix I) At least 16species reach the geographic limits of theirknown distribution, in some cases by strikinglydisjunct populations (appendix II). Another 60



species are near their geographical limits. Arecently completed vegetation survey of MountBuangor State Park (Rankin & Cameron 1995)identified seven significant vegetation types andsix sites of botanical significance (appendixIII). An undescribed species of grass, withaffinities to Slender Tussock Grass, wasrecorded in sedge-dominated communities withYarra Gum.

These significant species and their communitieswill be protected in the Conservation Zone(section 2.3).

The Reference Area, situated on the steepslopes below Mount Buangor Lookout,contains Messmate Stringybark and Blue Gumopen forest in a relatively undisturbedcondition.

The area around the Jenny Clayton Track in thesouthern neck of the Park has been heavilygrazed and frequently burnt in the past.However, the recent vegetation survey foundareas of senescing Messmate Stringybark openforest, indicating that at least some areas havebeen left unburnt for extended periods. Theseforests contrast with other areas of the Parkwhere most of the over-mature age class forestshave been eliminated.

The study of the ecological effects of plannedand unplanned fires on the vegetation of thePark will be a major initiative of this plan(section 4.1).

Aims

• Protect the vegetation of the Park, withspecial protection given to rare or threatenedspecies and communities.

• Increase knowledge of the effect of fire onthe Park’s vegetation.


• Conduct vegetation surveys prior to anydevelopment works (e.g. section 5.2.2).

• Monitor the distribution and condition ofsignificant species and protect asnecessary.

• Determine the appropriate fire regimes forthe conservation of the Park’s flora(section 4.1).

• Rehabilitate and revegetate any degradedareas (sections 4.2, 5.2.2, 5.2.3) with localprovenance indigenous species only.

• Manage all species listed under the Floraand Fauna Guarantee in accordance withapproved action statements.

3.4 Fauna

There is little data relating to the fauna of thePark. The Wildlife Atlas (NRE database 1997)holds records for only 20 mammals, 45 birds,15 reptiles and two amphibian species at MountBuangor. Species commonly encounteredduring daylight in the Park are Eastern GreyKangaroos and Black-tailed and Red-neckedWallabies, and at night Common Brushtail andCommon Ringtail Possums. The variety ofbirds likely to be seen is also a feature of a visitto the Park.

Koalas were first released at Middle Creekfrom French Island in 1958 and weresupplemented by a release of 34 animals fromSandy Point in Westernport Bay in 1989.Koalas are occasionally sighted in the Park.

One significant species, the Peregrine Falcon,and two threatened species, Powerful Owl andthe Brush-tailed Phascogale, have beenrecorded in the Park (CNR 1995b). It is alsolikely that the Mountain Brushtail Possum andSquare-tailed Kite occur within the Park.

The ecological impacts of planned andunplanned fires on the fauna are poorlyunderstood.

There is a large mob of Eastern GreyKangaroos in the southern portion of the Park.Their impact on the native vegetation, and thesurrounding farmland, is uncertain at this stage,and will be monitored. Controls within thePark are currently not warranted.

The Mt Cole Sanctuary was declared in 1923,primarily to protect deer. The Sanctuaryincludes all the nearby forested areas includingthe area that is now Park. Sambar Deer arepresent in the Park, and although an introduced



species, are declared wildlife under the WildlifeAct. While the deer are currently present inlow numbers the population needs to bemonitored. If erosion or vegetation damage dueto their presence is recorded, control programsmay be required.

Aims

• Increase knowledge of faunal populationsand in particular their response to fire.

• Protect native fauna from adversemanagement and visitor activities.

• Maintain faunal populations at a sustainablelevel.


• Survey the fauna of the Park to identifyspecies present and their distribution.

• Monitor the distribution and condition ofsignificant species and protect asnecessary.

• Survey specific sites prior to anydevelopment works to identify the presenceof species that may be threatened.

• Determine appropriate fire regimes for theconservation of fauna species (section 4.1).

• Monitor the impact of grazing by EasternGrey Kangaroos.

• Monitor the Sambar Deer population todetermine impacts on the natural values ofthe Park as the basis for determining futuremanagement.

• Manage all species listed under the Floraand Fauna Guarantee Act in accordancewith approved action statements.

3.5 Landscape

The steep vegetated hillsides of the Parkcontrast with the predominantly clearedsurrounding grazing land. This contrastenhances the visual quality of the landscape forboth travellers along the Western Highway andvisitors to the Park. Lookout points within thePark give viewing and photographic

opportunities over the surrounding countryside.Potential impacts on the landscape include fuelreduction burning, logging and other adjacentland use activities.

Aims

• Maintain the essential landscape characterof the Mount Buangor range.

• Minimise conflicts between Park values andsurrounding land uses.


• Maintain view points within the Park.

• Ensure that any developments within thePark are in keeping with the character ofthe range, and do not conflict with orencroach on the internal and external viewsof the Park.

• Liaise with the Rural City of Ararat and theShire of Pyrenees regarding any planningpermits on land adjacent to the Park whichmay affect the Park. The conditions of anypermits should take into account the needto protect the landscape values of the Park.

• Liaise with the Forests Service on theirneed to protect and maintain internal andexternal views from the Park and itsapproach from the effects of logging andother management actions in the adjoiningState Forest.

3.6 Cultural heritage

Historically, the local Aboriginal people werethe Beeripmo balug clan of the Djab wurrungtribe. They occupied an area around the MtCole ranges to the Fiery Creek (Clark 1993).There are many registered Aboriginalarchaeological sites on the nearby plains, but asthe Park has not been systematically surveyed,only two sites are known within the Park. Astone axe was found in 1978 near the Parkboundary and there is evidence of tool-makingactivities consisting of surface scatter nearCave Hill. The sites do not lend themselves toon-site interpretation.



Historic places identified in the LCC’s HistoricPlaces Special Investigation (LCC 1996) are asfollows:

• log chute• Emery Sawmill, Macleod Creek• cairn at the summit of Mt Buangor• Ararat Reservoir• a former logging area (bounded by the main

Mt Cole Road; Cave Hill Track and theupper level walking track).

The first known European to sight MountBuangor was Major Thomas Mitchell,returning from an expedition to trace the courseof the Darling River in 1836. Within ten yearsthe first European settlers arrived. TheCampbell brothers, Colin and Alexander,claimed a large proportion of the vacantcountry around Mount Cole for pastoralpurposes.

The timbered slopes, unsuitable for farming,were a source of fence posts and housingmaterials for setting up the early pastoral runs.Saw milling began in the 1840s with pit millsand hand saws. The first-steam operated mill,which was run by James Magee, was set up atHickman Creek in 1856. Up to thirty sawmillswere operating by the turn of the century, sodepleting the timber supply that in 1904 theforest was closed to utilisation (Leonard &Holmes 1987). The sawmills are now onlymarked by relic pits or depressions in the forestfloor. There is a pit remnant of Emery’ssawmill along Saddle Track in Mount BuangorState Park.

The chutes used for sliding logs downhillshowed at the time as a depression on the sideof a hill. They are difficult to discern 100 yearslater but may be found amongst theundergrowth on the Mount Cole range.Kominsky’s chute is near the top of the saddleand another log chute exists in the Park on aslope south of Cave Hill (Jacobs Lewis Vines1980).

Alluvial gold deposits were discovered in creeksflowing out of the Mount Cole range in the1850s. This sparked an influx of goldprospectors to the area, and Middle Creek wasworked for a time during that period along with

some of Mount Cole’s other watercourses(GFNC 1972). No remnants of this era remain.

In 1947 the forest was reopened for timbercutting but the timber was milled in thesurrounding towns rather than at locations inthe forest.

Aims

• Protect Aboriginal and European culturalsites.

• Continue to identify and record culturalsites.


• Continue to liaise with the BallaratAboriginal Co-operative and AboriginalAffairs Victoria in relation to all mattersaffecting the Aboriginal heritage within thePark.

• Encourage Aboriginal Affairs Victoria toundertake a systematic survey of the Park.

• Interpret Aboriginal occupation and use ina general sense, and avoid direct siteinterpretation.

• Determine the extent of the saw millingrelics and include in general Parkinformation.

• Identify and record cultural sites on theNRE Register of Historic Sites.

• Seek advice on conservation actions fromHistoric Places Section, NPS, particularlyin relation to recommendations for placeslisted in the LCC’s special investigation.

Park protection


4 PARK PROTECTION

4.1 Fire management

The National Parks Act requires the Director ofNational Parks to ensure that appropriate andsufficient measures are taken to protect parksfrom injury by fire.

Fuel reduction burns have been carried outwithin the Park over the last 20 years as part ofthe Ballarat Regional Fire Protection Plan.Most of this burning has been undertaken in thestrategic corridor along the western boundaryof the Park. Fire protection measures in thismanagement plan will form a component of thewider-reaching Midlands Fire Protection Plan,currently under review.

The last major fire within Mount Buangor StatePark was in 1959, when about 200 ha wasburnt. A number of lightning strikes have beenrecorded over the last few years, most of themburning only a very small area of the Park.

There is a statutory requirement to protect lifeand property from wildfire. Fire protectionmeasures will be undertaken at strategiclocations within the Park, principally in andaround picnic and camping areas. No fuelreduction burning will be undertaken in theReference Area Zone (section 2.3) or thesteeper southern slopes of Mount Buangor untilmore is known about the ecological impacts offire.

In accordance with the Code of Practice forFire Management on Public Land (CNR 1995a)all opportunities will be taken to develop abetter understanding of the responses of theflora and fauna of the Park to fire, and to thenuse that information in the formulation of anecologically-based fire management plan. Atthis stage little is known about those ecologicalresponses. The recently completed vegetationsurvey of the Park will form the base line formonitoring. Ecological burning or burnsprescribed specifically for the investigation ofecological requirements may be undertaken,except in the Reference Area.

The shape of the Park and its location meanthat Country Fire Authority brigades aroundthe Park are likely to be involved in fire

suppression and NRE officers and equipmentare likely to be involved in fire suppression onprivate land.

Aims

• Protect the Park and visitors from unplannedfire.

• Develop and maintain fire regimesappropriate to the conservation of nativeflora and fauna.

• Improve knowledge of the ecological effectsof fire in the Park.


• Ensure that the Park’s values andboundary protection measures areconsidered in the review of the MidlandsFire Management Plan which will replacethe Ballarat Region Fire Protection Plan.

• Maintain a network of MVO’s, roads andtracks, as shown in figure 2, in a conditionsuitable for fire suppression vehicles.

• Continue to liaise with the Country FireAuthority in relation to fire managementissues in and adjacent to the Park.

• Use earth moving equipment in thesuppression of wild fires in accordancewith the provisions of Section 2.4 of theCode of Practice for Fire Management onPublic Land. Rehabilitate any areasdisturbed by control lines or othersuppression activities as soon aspracticable.

• Develop a formal monitoring and appraisalsystem for the ecological assessment of allfires within the Park, with the aim ofestablishing an ecologically-based firemanagement strategy for the Park. Includein monitoring:

• surveys of key flora and fauna attributesprior to burning;

• quantitative assessment of fuel loads;• records of fire behaviour and weather

conditions during the burn;

Park protection


• maps of the area burnt and recording ofconditions immediately post burn;

• repeat flora and fauna surveys for fiveyears following the burn.

• Incorporate the results andrecommendations of the fire monitoringprogram into the Midlands Fire ProtectionPlan. Carry out burns prescribed for theinvestigation of ecological requirementsand implement an ecological burningprogram (to be implemented only onceadequate information is gathered). Noplanned burning will be carried out in theReference Area.

4.2 Pest plants and animals, anddiseases

The Park is reasonably free of pest plantspecies. The main threat is posed by EarlyBlack Wattle, which was planted there earlythis century for the tanning industry. It iscommon in and around Middle Creek CampingArea. Early attempts to control this species byburning were unsuccessful, largely because ofthe mass germination of soil-stored seedfollowing the fire and the inability to perform afollow-up burn because of the lack of fuel.

There are a number of other exotic species inthe Park. Furze, Blackberry species, Willow,Poplar and Cootamundra Wattle have a limiteddistribution, and their growth form means thatthey could be eliminated from the Park. CatsEar, Thistle species, and various introducedgrasses are more widespread and their growthform means that they are virtually impossible toeradicate. All these exotic species invadedisturbed sites, so it is important to limit anysoil or vegetation disturbance.

There are a number of pest animal species inthe Park, including rabbits, foxes, hares, cats,feral bee colonies and feral goats.

Rabbit and fox numbers are generally low inthe Park area, but monitoring and controlmeasures will continue to be undertaken inconjunction with adjacent landholders.Minimising adverse effects on native flora andfauna from the control programs will be apriority.

None of the other species poses a major threatto the integrity of the Park or to the surroundingland; however, populations need to bemonitored and control programs implementedas required.

Honey fungus, a tree pathogen, is present in theadjacent Mount Cole State Forest whereresearch work has been undertaken. The statusof this fungus is unknown, although it issuspected to be present in the Park. Furtherinvestigation is required.

Aims

• Eradicate or control pest plants and animals.

• Monitor the effectiveness of controlprograms and modify as required

• Co-operate with adjoining landowners in thecontrol of pest plants and animals.

• Prevent the spread of soil pathogens such asHoney fungus.

• Minimise the effect of control programs onnative flora and fauna.


• Prepare a pest plant and animal strategyfor the Park which will detail priorityspecies and areas for pest control andmethods to be used.

• Work with adjoining landholders inimplementing the pest plant or animalstrategy using prescribed methods.

• Undertake fox and cat control programs asa priority if rabbit populations decline.

• Destroy feral bee colonies.

• Identify and map all areas infected withHoney fungus.

4.3 Soil conservation

The Park is on the steep southern aspect ofMount Buangor, and has mainly granitic soils.The combination of the steep topography andthe granitic soils makes the Park susceptible toerosion. It is essential to maintain vegetationcover on the steep slopes, and to site visitor

Park protection


facilities on flatter areas only. Themaintenance of road surfaces and drains isessential to minimise erosion. Temporaryclosures of roads and tracks may be necessaryto protect them from damage during periods ofadverse weather, or for maintenance.

Aim

• Prevent and control soil erosion caused byvisitor and management activities.


• Prohibit or control any activities whichcause ground disturbance.

• Protect roads by temporary closure duringwet weather conditions, and close formaintenance as necessary.

• Ensure adequate drainage of roads andtracks to reduce the potential for soilerosion.

The Park visit


5 THE PARK VISIT

5.1 The Park visitor

Mount Buangor State Park is a natural settingfor nature study and a range of recreationalactivities. The Park receives about 20 000visitors per year. The majority of these visitorsare concentrated in the eastern portion of thePark where the facilities and main attractionsare situated.

A visitor survey conducted over Easter 1995concluded that visitors come predominantlyfrom the local and Ballarat catchments, but asignificant number were also attracted fromother areas such as Geelong, Warrnambool andSouth Australia. Most of the visitors set outspecifically to come to the Park, although anumber of casual visitors were attracted by thesigns on the Western Highway. The Surveyfound that most visitors were attracted to thePark by the camping and picnic facilities set innatural and relatively undisturbed bushland.

Visitors engage in a range of recreationalactivities but most use the Park for walking,relaxing and pleasure driving during their stay.Horse and trail bike riding and 4WD touringare also popular.

The topography of the Park naturally confinesfacilities and visitor concentrations to thesouthern and eastern portions of the Park. Themain picnic and camping areas are heavily usedand are degraded to some extent through soilcompaction and vegetation trampling.

Mount Buangor State Park is part theGrampians tourism product region which has avariety of natural and cultural features rangingfrom goldfield and other settlement features tothe rugged natural grandeur of GrampiansNational Park. The Park is adjacent to theMount Cole State Forest. With an area ofabout 11000 ha, the Forest offers a wide rangeof complementary recreational opportunities.

Providing for the visitor

Within the context of the region, the Park willprovide for the more low impact recreationalopportunities, with some scope for adventure-type activities in defined areas. To facilitate

this, visitor facilities will be upgraded andinformation about the Park and the surroundingareas will be available. Emphasis will beplaced on the provision of high quality low-keyfacilities at existing or relocated sites whichmaintain the secluded feel of the Park. Existingand proposed visitor facilities are shown infigure 2.

Out and About Seniors, Natural Adventurersand Escape to Nature are the segments mostlikely to have an interest in the Park.

NPS market survey findings will be used toestablish a profile of Park visitors and ensurethat their needs and expectations are met.

Aims

• Provide a range of opportunities and qualityservices in accordance with the aboveoverview which complement theopportunities available at other locationswithin the region.

• Develop an understanding of visitor profiles,attitudes, expectations and needs.


• Permit recreational activities inaccordance with table 2.

• Provide and maintain facilities and serviceswhich highlight, but are in keeping with,the area’s distinctive character (section 5.3and tables 3 and 4).

• Apply NPS market survey findings onvisitor profiles, patterns of behaviour,expectations and preferences to assist inpark management.

• Establish a program to determineappropriate levels of recreational activityconsistent with protecting visitorexperiences and park values.

• Encourage all visitors to adopt minimalimpact techniques and to adhere to codesof conduct appropriate to their activity.

The Park visit


TABLE 2 SUMMARY OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES

MANAGEMENT ZONES

ACTIVITY 1 2 3 4

Picnicking No Yes Yes YesCamping No No YC NoWalking No YC YC YCCycling No YC YC YCPleasure driving No YC YC NoTrail bike riding No YC YC NoHorse riding No YC YC NoHorse camping No No No NoOrienteering/Rogaining No No No NoFishing No No No NoFirewood collecting No No YC NoFirewood removal No No No NoHunting No No No NoDogs No No No NoHang gliding No No YC NoRock climbing/abseiling No No YC No

1 Reference Area 2 Conservation 3 Conservation and Recreation4 Education

Yes Appropriate YC conditional refer to relevant section for detailsNo Not appropriate N/A Not applicable

• Monitor visitor numbers and use to ensureadequate provision of facilities consistentwith appropriate types and levels of use.

5.2 Visitor recreation activities andfacilities

5.2.1 Vehicle access

Access to the Park from the Western Highwayis via the formed gravel Ferntree Gully Road.A VicRoads sign indicates the way to the Parkfrom the highway, but gives no otherinformation.

There are a number of access roads and trackswithin the Park, ranging from formed gravelall-weather roads to low-use unformed tracks.Through access can be gained from FerntreeGully Road to Bayindeen School Road viaSaddle Road.

The Park’s roads and tracks are used bycyclists, trail bike riders and pleasure drivers.

The topography of the Park means that thereare few north-south tracks, and that those thatdo exist are steep and often unsuitable for two-wheel-drive cars, particularly in wetter months.The cost of maintaining these steeper roads is aconsideration. Those tracks not required foraccess or which are causing environmentaldamage will be closed to the public or to allvehicles, and revegetated.

Dead-end tracks can pose a public risk during awildfire.

The adjoining Mt Cole State Forest providesextensive opportunities for trail bike riding andpleasure driving. The State Forest has morethan 250 km of public roads and tracks.

Aims

• Provide quality public access to picnic andcamping areas.

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• Maintain a road network suitable for publicaccess, pleasure driving and managementrequirements.

• Minimise the impact of vehicles on thePark’s natural values and the cost of roadmaintenance.


• Manage and permit the use of roads andtracks in accordance with figure 2 andtable 3.

• Liaise with VicRoads to place moreinformative directional signs on theWestern Highway.

• Apply temporary road closures if requiredto minimise environmental damage andensure public safety (section 4.3).

• Liaise with the Rural City of Ararat and theShire of Pyrenees on the maintenance ofroads leading to the Park.

• Upgrade and maintain road and tracksigns in accordance with the NPS SignsManual. Indicate on road signs if ‘Nothrough Road’ or ‘Suitable for 4WDs only’etc.

• Permit cycling on all roads, tracks andMVO tracks in accordance with table 3 andfigure 2, but not on walking tracks.

• Permit trail bike riding (vehicle must beroad-registered with a licensed rider) onroads and tracks, excluding MVOs andwalking tracks as shown in table 2 andfigure 2.

5.2.2 Picnicking

Picnicking is the most popular use of the Park,particularly during weekends and holidayperiods. The main picnic facilities are atFerntree and Middle Creek (figure 2); Baileshas been used as a minor picnic site but will beimproved (5.2.3). All these sites have toilets,barbecue fireplaces, tables and rubbish bins.There are single and group fire pits at all thepicnic areas but firewood is not provided. Thecollection of firewood within the Park isdepleting supplies and also degrading Park

values through the removal of ground cover andhabitat.

The Ferntree Picnic Area is on a slope and iseroding despite the construction of terraces andlow retaining walls. The picnic area is setunder an attractive stand of mature messmatestringybarks, but its slope means thatredevelopment of the site is necessary. TheWaterfalls Nature Walk also starts there.

Sugarloaf Picnic Area is little used and poorlysited as it is too close to the busy and dustymain Mt Cole Road.

Aim

• Provide facilities for picnicking in the Park.


• Upgrade and maintain facilities at MiddleCreek around the existing shelter.

• Provide facilities in the picnic and campingareas at Middle Creek suitable for peoplewith limited mobility (section 5.2.3).

• Remove fire pits at all picnic areas.

• Allow fires only in existing fireplaces inpicnic and camping areas.

• Limit firewood collection to designatedareas only and provide information in thepicnic and camping areas about where tocollect and how to minimise use offirewood.

• Remove all rubbish bins from the Park andpromote a philosophy of minimal impactuse.

• Retain Ferntree Picnic Area, upgrade thefacilities and remove the erosion risk.

• Close and revegetate Sugarloaf PicnicArea.

5.2.3 Camping

Camping is a popular activity in the Park,particularly during holiday periods. Facilities areprovided at Ferntree, Bailes and Middle Creek(figure 2). The Ferntree Camping Area has five

TABLE 3 MANAGEMENT OF VEHICLE ROADS AND TRACKS

• ROAD OR TRACK • CLA

SS

• COMMENTS/USES • STATUS • FUTURE MANAGEMENT

• • • • CURRE

NT

• PROPO

SED

•

• Ferntree WaterfallsRoad

• 1 • Main access to Park from Western Highway • O • O • Maintain to high standard suitable for2WD vehicles.

• Un-named track northfrom Ferntree WaterfallsRoad to Bee site PK9

• 2 • FPM - Dead end track to former gravel pit • O • MVO • Maintain access to relocated apiary site.

• Un-named track fromFerntree Waterfalls Road

• 3 • West of Bee site PK9, dead-end tracks, unusedand overgrown

• O • C • Not required, close and revegetate.

• Dairymaid Road • 2 • Shortest access to Mt Cole SF and Main Mt ColeRd. Not always suitable for 2WD.

• O • O • Upgrade to all-weather 2WD access.

• *Jimmy Smith Road • 1, 3 • Access to Middle Creek Camping Area. *RoadReserve along CA’s 47, 47A and 48A

• O • O • Unchanged

• Saddle Road • 1, 2 • Access from western sections of Park. Sectionfrom Ferntree Waterfalls Rd to saddle is steep andthe road surface is loose. Not always suitable for2WD

• O • O • Upgrade to all-weather 2WD access.

• Buangor CommonTrack

• 1 • Access to western section of park fromAnderson’s Rd, linking with Saddle Road,

• O • O •

• Boundary Track • 2, 3 • Follows south-western boundary of Park. Linkswith Blackwood Track in north and Jenny ClaytonTrack in south

• O • O/MVO

• Access for landholders to be retained.Track may be seasonally or temporarilyclosed. MVO east of Buangor CommonTrack.

• Wallaby Caves Road • 2 • Access to north-western section of Park and toMt Cole SF.


• Un-named trackrunning east fromWallaby Caves Road toMcleod Creek

• 2 • FPM - Dead-end track, little used. Does notcross McLeod Ck. Formerly used as burn boundary,protecting Reference Area to north.

• O • MVO • Retain for fire protection purposes.

• Blackwood Track • 1 • Links Wallaby Caves Rd and Rocky Rd • O • O • Unchanged

Table 3 (cont.)


SS


• • • • CURREN

T

• PROPOS

ED

•

• Rocky Road • 2 • Access to north-western section of Park and MtCole SF


• Reservoir Road • 1, 2 • Forms boundary of Park and State Forest • O • O • Unchanged

• Dutchman Road • 2, 3 • Forms boundary of Park and State Forest • O • O • Unchanged

• Un-named Road fromReservoir Road to northside of Reservoir

• 2 • Access to north side of Ararat Reservoir wall formaintenance purposes by Grampians Water andRural City of Ararat. Has locked gate on track -FPM

• O • O/MVO

• Retain for maintenance of water supplyfacilities.

• Baranga Creek Track • 2 • Forms boundary of Park and State Forest • O • O • Unchanged.

• Mt Buangor Track • 1, 3 • Access to hang-gliding launch site and sceniclookout.

• O • O/MVO

• MVO from Car Park to summit of MtBuangor and beyond.

• Un-named tracklinking Mt Buangor Trackand Mugwamp Track

• 3 • Steep, eroding track adjacent to Reference Areaboundary. Forms boundary of Park and State Forest.

• O • C • Negotiate closure under Forests Act toprotect Reference Area.

• Freemans Track • 2 • Forms boundary of Park and State Forest.Section south of Mugwamp Track is dead end trackleading to disused apiary site.

• O • O/MVO

• Close track south of Mugwamp track,apiary site to be closed. Section of track is inConservation Zone.

• Firebreak Track • 3 • Forms boundary of Park and State Forest • O • O • Unchanged. May be seasonally closed.

• Un-named trackrunning south fromFirebreak Tk

• 3 • Dead-end disused former logging track.Informally closed in past.

• MVO • C • Not required for park managementpurposes.

• Un-named cross -trackfrom Boundary Track toWallaby Caves Road

• 3 • FPM - Located on north side of McLeod Creek • O • MVO • Originally a burn boundary track. Trackwaterlogs in winter. Maintain for fireprotection.

• Cave Hill Track • 3 • Access to Cave Hill; no through road. Requiresmaintenance to minimise impacts on significantflora, see section 3.3 and appendix 3.

• O • O • May be seasonally closed.

Table 3 (cont.)


SS


• • • • CURREN

T

• PROPOS

ED

•

• Un-named trackrunning north fromSaddle Road

• 2 • FPM - To V-notch weir on Macleod’s Creek • O • MVO • Maintain access for Grampians RegionWater Board.

• Jenny Clayton Track • 3 • FPM - Loop track in education zone. Little usedtrack, waterlogs in winter. Access from road reserveimpassable in winter.

• O • MVO • Forms walking track in education zone.

• • • • • •

• Un-named trackrunning south fromSaddle Road to top ofsaddle

• 2 • Track is steep, badly eroded and not required formanagement purposes

• O • C • Close and revegetate.

• Un-named trackrunning north fromFerntree Waterfalls Road,adjacent to Park boundary

• 3 • FPM - Old, little used boundary track • O • MVO • Access required for environmental weedcontrol and fire protection purposes.

• Un-named trackrunning east fromBuangor Common waterbasin

• 3 • Little used dead-end track • O • C • Not required for park managementpurposes. Close and revegetate.

• Un-named trackrunning south fromBaranga Creek Track

• 3 • Disused former logging track, informally closed • C • C • Not required for park managementpurposes. Close and revegetate.

• Un-named trackrunning west fromDairymaid Road

• 2 • Leads to car park, links with Cave Hill WalkingTrack

• O • O •

• KEY:

• Class

• 1: All vehicle - all weather • FPM - for park management • Status:

• O - Open to public

• • 2 All vehicle - dry weather only • *Public road not part of Park • • MVO - Management vehicles only• • 3 4WD - dry weather only • • • C - Close and revegetate

The Park visit


TABLE 4 MANAGEMENT OF WALKING TRACKS

TRACK CATEGORY DISTANCE

KM

COMMENTS

Waterfalls Nature Walk A2 1.5 Brochure availableMiddle Creek Walking Track B, A2 3.3 Links Middle Creek, Bailes

and Ferntree Picnic AreasThe Cave Walking Track C, D 3.5Cave Hill Walking Track C, D 0.5 Continues in Mount Cole SFUpper Level Walking Track C, D 1.5 Scenic views at Grevillea

LookoutLower Level Walking Track C, D 1.5Two-Mile Walking Track B, C 1.7Freeman’s Link Walking Track C 2.5Sugarloaf Walking Track C, D 3.3 Scenic LookoutsGreat Divide Walking Track D 6.0 Continues in Mount Cole SFJenny Clayton Walking Track B 6.0 Proposed loop walking track

from Middle Creek CampArea.

Around Middle Creek A1 - Proposed track for peoplewith limited mobility onflatter areas around MiddleCreek.

A1 Fully sealed surface or board walk, 1.5 to 2 m wide.A2 Well drained, well defined track to 1.5 m wide.B Well defined track, benched and drained, to 1 m wide.C Track defined through use; may be benched and drained in sections.D Track defined through use; no basic construction.

individual sites immediately to the south of thepicnic area and can only cater for tents. Thesites are dispersed along the slope and accessby vehicles can be difficult. They are somedistance from water and toilet facilities. It isintended to close and rehabilitate these sites andestablish new sites at Bailes. Middle Creek is arelatively large flat site which caters for alltypes of camping, including schools and othergroups (section 6.3). Bailes is suitable forfamily and small group camping. Camping feesdo not apply at present and the number of sitesat Middle Creek is unrestricted. This has led tothe expansion of the Middle Creek CampingArea through campers pushing back into thesurrounding woodland, and the degradation ofthe site through accelerated, compaction andvegetation trampling.

A wide variety of camping experiences whichcomplement the lower impact camping within

the Park is available in the adjacent Mount ColeState Forest.

Camping with horses is covered in section5.2.5. Fires and firewood collection arecovered in section 5.2.2 as is provision offacilities for people with limited mobility andrubbish.

Aim

• Provide a range of camping experiences inthe Park.


• Provide ten designated individual sites andone group site at Middle Creek CampingArea. Establish suitable screeningvegetation to improve site amenity.

• Establish and promote a booking systemfor Middle Creek group camping site.

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• Provide five designated sites at BailesCamping Areas to replace camping atFerntree. Design as discrete sites suitablyscreened and separated by vegetation.

• Close, rehabilitate and revegetate five sitesat Ferntree.

• Investigate the introduction of a fee forcamping to assist park maintenance anddevelopment.

• Remove all fire pits, except at the groupcamping site at Middle Creek CampingArea.

• Permit camping at designated sites only.

5.2.4 Walking

There is an extensive walking track system(figure 2, table 4) within the Park which alsolinks to tracks in the adjacent Mount Cole StateForest. Most of the tracks are in the east andnorth of the Park and present a range ofwalking opportunities from flat and easy tovery steep and difficult.

There are opportunities to extend the tracknetwork to create additional loop walks ofvarious lengths and difficulties from the picnicand camping areas. The Waterfalls NatureWalk, a self-guided walk that starts at theFerntree Picnic Area, is well used andappreciated.

The area around Jenny Clayton Track containsa wide range of vegetation types. The locationof the site lends itself to the development of anextended walking track accessed from theMiddle Creek and Bailes Picnic and CampingAreas.

Aim

• Provide for a range of walking experienceswithin the Park.


• Maintain the walking track network inaccordance with table 4.

• Increase the range of walking facilities andexperiences to include:

• a track for people with limited mobilityin the flatter areas around MiddleCreek;

• a medium length loop track along JennyClayton Track.

5.2.5 Horse riding and camping

Horse riding, both casual and competitive, is acurrent recreational activity carried out in thePark and the adjoining Mt Cole State Forest.Organised endurance rides in the Mount ColeState Forest include some roads in the Park aspart of the course. As riding is only carried outon roads and tracks, environmental damage isminimal, although the potential introduction ofweed species through feed and droppings is amajor concern. Manure can contaminate picnicand camping sites and its presence detractsfrom the experiences of other visitors to thePark.

Middle Creek Camping Area has been regularlyused by horse riders for camping. Corralling,trampling, feeding methods, feed constituents,and manure adversely affect Park values andhave led to the degradation of the site.

Chinaman’s and Smith’s Bridge Picnic andCamping Areas in the adjacent Mount ColeState Forest are suitable venues for limitedovernight camping. Vehicular access withhorse floats is reasonable and the areas providesuitable bases for horse riding in the Forest.

Aims

• Provide for horse riding within the Park,while minimising the impacts on Park valuesand other users.

• Protect the Park from the impact of campingof horses.


• Provide for horse riding on roads open topublic vehicles within the Park, excludingMVO’s and walking tracks.

• Encourage recreational horse riders tokeep to small groups.

• Encourage horse riders to adopt minimalimpact practises in accordance with the

The Park visit


Horse Riding Code adopted for horseriding in the Australian Alps NationalParks.

• Require groups organising endurance ridesor other organised events to obtain apermit before the event.

• Prohibit camping, grazing, or feeding, ofhorses in the Park

• Direct visitors wishing to camp with horsesto Chinaman’s and Smiths Bridge, in theadjoining Mt Cole State Forest.

5.2.6 Hang gliding

Hang gliding is a current use of the Park, andthere is a launching ramp at the lookout belowthe road to the summit of Mount Buangor.There are four other launch sites located in theMount Cole and Mount Lonarch State Forestsand Ben More. The use of a site depends on thewind direction and strength on any particularday.

Aim

• Provide for hang gliding from the Park.


• Allow hang gliding from the launch site onMount Buangor. No other launch sites willbe permitted in the Park.

• Ensure that the Victorian Hang GlidingAssociation maintains the launch ramp onMount Buangor to a safe standard and inaccordance with the licence conditions.

• Continue to liaise with the Victorian HangGliding Association in relation to theoperation of the launching ramp and theconduct of the sport within the Park.

• Ensure that the Victorian Hang GlidingAssociation supplies and erects a sign atthe site warning pilots of potential dangersand conflicts, and promoting environmentalawareness.

• Require that, for all organised events, anappropriate permit is obtained. The supply

of portable toilets at the site may beconsidered as a condition of the permit.

5.2.7 Rock climbing and abseiling

Rock climbing and abseiling are currentlyminor uses of the Park. The main site is atCave Hill in the east of the Park.

The sport has a low impact on Park valuesprovided that non-technical climbing practicesare employed, and that other Park Regulationsare followed.

Aim

• Provide for rock climbing and abseilingwithin the Park.


• Allow rock climbing and abseiling only atthe currently used site at Cave Hill.

• Liaise with climbing groups, in particularthe Western Victorian Climbing Club andpromote a policy of minimal impactclimbing for rock climbers and abseilersusing the Park.

• Seasonally close climbing and abseilingsites in the vicinity of any identifiedPeregrine Falcon breeding sites to preventdisruption of breeding.

5.2.8 Dogs

The Park is managed for conservation andrecreation. Dogs are not compatible with theseuses and are not currently permitted in the Park.Dogs, under control, are permitted within theadjacent Mount Cole State Forest.

Aim

• Protect the natural values and visitorexperiences in the Park by prohibiting dogs.


• Continue to prohibit dogs from entering orremaining in the Park.

• Provide information on alternative areasfor recreational activities involving dogs.

The Park visit


5.3 Visitor information andinterpretation

Visitor information and interpretation is anessential component of effective Parkmanagement. Information orientates visitors tothe features and facilities of the Park, andinterpretation gives them an insight into thecomplexity and functioning of natural andcultural features. Contact with a Ranger is alsoan important aspect of a Park visit for manypeople.

To facilitate the best possible experience forPark visitors, information and interpretationneeds to be presented in a co-ordinated andcohesive manner. This will be accomplishedthrough the production of a Park InterpretationPlan.

Aim

• Provide a high standard of visitorinformation and interpretation in acoordinated and cohesive manner.


• Develop a Park Interpretation Plan whichconsiders information and interpretationneeds, publications, school education andthe interpretation role of the Park withinthe regional context.

• Provide adequate visitor orientationinformation and safety messages only atkey visitor nodes.

• Ensure that all interpretive facilities arewell maintained.

• Update site information and publicationsproduced for the Park as required.

• Maintain the existing interpretive walk onthe Waterfalls Nature Walk (table 4).

• Provide quality customer service throughRanger contact during peak visitor periodsand other times as appropriate.

• Upgrade and maintain Park signs inaccordance with NPS Signs Manual.

• Regularly evaluate Park information andinterpretive programs.

5.4 Commercial tourismoperations

There are currently no commercial tourismoperators using the Park on a regular basis.There are opportunities for the development oftours that relate to the Park’s natural valuesand recreational activities such as hang gliding.The Park could be developed as a nature-basedtourism destination either on its own or within awider regional itinerary.

Aim

• Provide for commercial tourism operationswhich are consistent with the conservationand private tourism uses of the Park.


• Liaise with any commercial tourismoperations using the Park to ensure thatthey are appropriately licensed and complywith permit conditions.

• Ensure Rangers liaise with any commercialtour operators to promote a low impactmanner of operation that is consistent withthe natural values of the Park and ensurethat appropriate park messages aredelivered.

5.5 Public safety

The safety of visitors to the Park is aconsideration in all aspects of management.There are always some risks involved withentering bushland areas, but they will beminimised through specific management actionsincluding the maintenance of facilities to a highstandard, continued fire protection measures,and continuation of an ongoing riskmanagement program that removes identifiedhazards in areas where visitors congregate.Emergency contact information will be includedin relevant Park information.

The Park visit


Aim

• Provide a safe and enjoyable venue for Parkvisitors.


• Undertake fire protection measures asspecified in section 4.1.

• Maintain facilities, including roads open topublic vehicles, to a high standard.

• Erect a public safety sign at the hanggliding site on Mount Buangor inaccordance with section 5.2.6.

• Identify and remove hazards within picnicand camping areas.

• Include emergency contacts on theinformation boards at the main Parkentrances.

• Maintain an ongoing risk managementprogram.

• Contribute to Displan planning for searchand rescue within the Park.



6 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT

6.1 Friends and volunteers

There are a number of organised groups whichprovide volunteer workers for the Park. TheWestern Victorian Climbing Club has recentlyhelped with the construction of board walks anda walking track at Cave Hill. The AustralianTrust for Conservation Volunteers has assistedin the past with walking track construction andmaintenance. The Naturalists Club prepared adetailed submission for the reservation of thearea as a Forest Park in 1973 (GFNC 1972).The Park would benefit from the formation of aFriends group. Academic institutions undertakeresearch that contributes to park management.

Aims

• Extend the use of volunteer groups assistingwith management of the Park.

• Encourage relevant research that will assistwith the management of the Park.


• Assist the formation of, and support, aFriends group for the Park.

• Liaise with interest groups and encouragethem to undertake appropriate volunteerwork.

• Liaise with local academic institutions andfoster research which assists withdeveloping knowledge relevant tomanagement of the Park.

• Develop and evaluate a long-termvolunteer strategy which incorporates theskills and interests of volunteer groups inpark management activities.

6.2 Community awareness andPark neighbours

A large proportion of the Park boundary isshared with the Mount Cole State Forest. Therest of the boundary abuts private propertywhich is principally used for grazing. Anumber of issues requiring liaison and co-operation with adjoining landholders are

addressed elsewhere in the plan (sections 4.2,7.2). It is important to involve Park neighboursin issues of mutual concern.

Aims

• Liaise with park neighbours on issuesaffecting the Park and adjoining land.

• Promote greater community awareness ofMount Buangor State Park.


• Involve, and co-operate with adjoininglandholders in joint pest control strategiesunder the Good Neighbour Program(section 4.2), and other issues affectingboth Park and adjacent land.

• Apply and encourage the application of the‘Good Neighbour’ policy to managementissues on or near the boundary of the Park.

• Develop an ongoing community awarenessand education program through localnewspapers, schools and communitygroups.

• Maintain liaison with the Rural City ofArarat and the Pyrenees Shire on mattersof mutual interest.

6.3 Schools education

Local schools and other organised groups makeconsiderable use of the Park’s facilities, inconjunction with the facilities in the MountCole State Forest and visit on a regular basis.

Outdoor education is increasingly becoming animportant part of school curriculum and mayinclude hiking, nature study and otherrecreational activities. Passive learningactivities will be provided for and encouragedin the Park.

The southern neck of the Park around the JennyClayton Track was recommended to be aneducation area by the LCC (1982). Thatrecommendation was never invoked and thearea was incorporated into the State Park whenproclaimed in 1989.



The area around the Jenny Clayton Trackcontains many features that make it suitable foruse by school and other educational groups. Itsproximity to Middle Creek Camping Area, thevariety of vegetation types and mixture oftopography means the area can be used forinterpretation and education purposes.

An Education Zone has been created to providegroups with opportunities for erectingremovable structures such as a rope course ororienteering checkpoints. Education groupsperforming adventure-type activities inparticular will be directed to this zone, and theactivities carried out must be compatible withthe conservation values of the area. TheEducation Zone is bounded by the JennyClayton Track (figure 3).

Aim

• Provide educational opportunities forschools in the Park through interpretationfacilities and activities (section 5.3).


• Provide a group camping area at theMiddle Creek camping site for the use ofschool and other groups.

• Encourage school and other educationalgroups to adopt a philosophy low impactcamping methods.

• Promote regional school use of JennyClayton Education Zone.

• Provide information and interpretation forschool groups by arrangement.

• Implement a booking system for use of theEducation Zone to allow the type of activityand the duration of site occupation to beregulated and coordinated.

• Allow adventure type educational activitiesto be conducted in the Education Zone.

• Establish monitoring techniques to assessthe impacts of adventure type educationalactivities.

Other issues


7 OTHER ISSUES

7.1 Authorised uses

7.1.1 Apiculture

Bee keeping has been a traditional use at MountBuangor State Park and has some economicimportance to members of the community. TheLCC (1982) recommended that honeyproduction continue to be permitted. However,honey bees are not a native species and theirpresence in the Park can conflict with thenature conservation objective of excluding non-indigenous species where practicable (NPS1995).

In consultation with local apiarists, the currentfive sites have been assessed with regard toaccess, overlap, past use and legislativerequirements. Because of poor access andproximity to the Reference Area and the twoformerly permanent sites, the number of siteswill be reduced to two: one at Wallaby CavesRoad and the other at Ferntree Gully Road(figure 2). Both these sites will be managed inaccordance with NPS Guidelines 5.1P and21.5PL.

Aim

• Provide for apiculture in the Park consistentwith NPS Guidelines.


• Continue to provide opportunities forapiculture by permitting two apiary sites:one at Wallaby Caves Road and the otherat Ferntree Waterfalls Road (figure 2).

• Close the Rocky Road and Freemans Trackapiary sites to protect the integrity of theReference Area.

• Close the apiary site at Jenny ClaytonTrack because of its poor access and anoverlap with the Ferntree Waterfalls Rdsite.

• Convert the former Permanent Bee Sites(P7 and P11) to Temporary Apiary Rights(PK14 and PK15).

• Relocate the Ferntree Waterfalls Road sitefurther north to the disused gravel pit.

7.1.2 Military training

Military training exercises have been conductedin the Park in the past. In accordance withLCC recommendations the training has beenphased out and is no longer permitted.

Aim

• Protect the Park from uses that conflict withthe maintenance of Park values and visitorexperiences.

Management strategy

• Continue to prohibit all forms of militarytraining within the Park.

7.1.3 Water production

The north-western portion of the Park is part ofa proclaimed catchment for the Rural City ofArarat’s water supply. A reservoir servicingArarat was built in 1883 in the northernmostcorner of the Park. Following enlargements in1903 and 1926 (Jacobs Lewis Vines 1980), andexpansion of the retaining wall more recently in1990, the reservoir now has a capacity of 88megalitres. The Grampians Region WaterAuthority is the management authority for thereservoir and the land 100 metres above fullsupply level.

A V-notch diversion weir takes water fromMcLeod Creek which is piped to the BuangorCommon Basin. The weir, pipeline and basinare licensed to the Grampians Region WaterAuthority.

A pipeline licensed to an adjoining landholderruns through the south of the Park.

The locations of the pipelines, reservoir andbasin are shown in figure 2.

The protection of the catchments and thequality of the water yielded is of utmostimportance.

Other issues


Aim

• Protect the Park’s water catchment values.


• Liaise with Grampians Region WaterAuthority regarding joint managementissues affecting the water supplycatchments.

• Prohibit any activities or facilities whichmay adversely affect water quality (section3.2). Road maintenance will be permitted.

• Ensure that all licences comply with theprovisions of the National Parks Act.

7.1.4 Gravel extraction

Minor gravel extraction has been carried outnear Ferntree Waterfalls Road in the past forthe construction of roads within the Park but isno longer a permitted use.

Aim

• Protect the Park from uses that conflict withthe maintenance of Park values and visitorexperiences.

Management strategy

• Continue to prohibit gravel extractionwithin the Park.

7.2 Boundaries and adjacent uses

The boundaries of the Park are well defined byprivate land in the south and west, and byMount Cole State Forest to the north and east.

The plains surrounding the range are clearedand used predominantly for livestock grazing.Invasions of pest plants and animals fromcleared land have the potential to impact onPark values.

There is an agreement between the Director,National Parks Service and the owner of theadjacent CA’s 48c and 48b to allow accessalong Saddle Road for farming activities.

There is a boundary anomaly to the north ofRocky Road where a portion of the Park hasbeen fenced into private land. The fenced area

has been cleared and is grazed. Theconservation value of this land is low.

Management and works on adjacent land havethe capacity to impact on Park values. It isnecessary to liaise with adjacent landholdersand other management authorities on issues ofmutual interest. Liaison with the ForestsService will be maintained to ensure a co-ordinated approach to recreation, conservationand landscape management of the contiguouspublic lands.

Aims

• Liaise with Park neighbours on issuesaffecting the Park and adjoining land.

• Protect Park values from deleteriousexternal land use activities.

• Consolidate the Park boundary.


• Continue to honour the Saddle Road accessagreement (File 90/2122, dated 25/9/90)between the owner of CA’s 48c and 48band the Director, NPS.

• Resolve the boundary issue north of RockyRoad.

• Liaise with adjacent land holders toaddress issues that may affect the Park(section 4.2).

• Liaise with the Rural City of Ararat and theShire of Pyrenees about any planningpermits on land adjacent to the Park whichmay affect the Park.

• Assess any land adjacent to the Park thatbecomes available for purchase with theaim of incorporation into the Park toconsolidate the Park boundary andenhance its conservation and recreationvalue.

Implementation


8 IMPLEMENTATION

A three-year rolling implementation program will be prepared for the Park to ensure efficientimplementation of this Plan. Priorities for management are identified in table 5 as an initial step in thisprocess.

TABLE 5 PRIORITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY SECTION IN PLAN


Confirm and protect breeding sites of the Peregrine Falcon

Determine appropriate fire regimes for the conservation of flora and fauna

Protect the water quality of catchments

3.4, 5.2.7

3.3, 3.4, 4.1

3.2, 4.3, 7.1.3

Park protection

Control, and where possible eradicate, identified pest plants and animals

Undertake fire protection works adjacent to visitor areas

Develop an ecologically-based fire management strategy for the Park

Identify and map areas affected by fungal pathogens

4.2

4.1

3.3, 3.4, 4.1

4.2

The Park visit

Develop an Interpretation Plan for the Park

Provide Park information and interpretation

Maintain the current walking track network

Maintain the road network

Prepare site plans for Bailes, Ferntree and Middle Creek visitor areas

Relocate Ferntree Camping Area to the existing Bailes Picnic Area

Close and rehabilitate Ferntree Camping Area

5.3

5.3, 6.3

5.2.4

4.3, 5.2.1, 5.5

5.2.2, 5.2.3

5.2.2, 5.2.3

5.2.3

Monitoring and research

Develop a formal monitoring system for ecological assessment of fire

Monitor distribution and condition of significant plant and animal species

Apply NPS market survey findings to assist in park management

4.1

3.3, 3.4

5.1


Liaise with academic institutions and foster research to assist managementof the Park

6.1

Other issues

Consolidate the Park boundary

Liaise with adjoining landholders in matters of mutual interest

6.2

7.2

References


REFERENCES

Clark, I.D. 1993, A history of the Djabwurrung Aboriginal People of the BuangorDistrict for: the Buangor history project,draft, unpublished.

CNR 1995a, Code of Practice for FireManagement on Public Land, Departmentof Conservation and Natural Resources,Victoria.

CNR 1995b, Threatened Fauna in Victoria -1995, Department of Conservation andNatural Resources, Victoria.

GFNC 1972, Submission for proposedreservation of Mt Cole Range, GeelongField Naturalists Club, Western VictorianField Naturalist Clubs Association, unpub.

Jacobs Lewis Vines (1980) Historic sitessurvey Ballarat Study Area: Final Report,Land Conservation Council, AustralianHeritage Commission & Ministry forConservation, Melbourne.

LCC 1982, Ballarat Study Area FinalRecommendations, Land ConservationCouncil, Melbourne, Victoria.

LCC 1996, Historic Places SpecialInvestigation South-western VictoriaProposed Recommendations, LandConservation Council, Melbourne, Victoria.

Leonard, M. & Holmes, D. 1987, Recreationmanagement and multi-use resourceplanning for the Mt Cole Forest Victoria.Proceedings of the 1987 Conference of theInstitute of Foresters of Australia. pp. 399-419.

NPS 1995, National Parks Service, NationalParks and Conservation Reserves,Guidelines and Procedures Manual,Department of Conservation and NaturalResources, Victoria.

NRE database 1997, Atlas of VictorianWildlife, Department of Natural Resourcesand Environment, Victoria.

Rankin, D.J.W. & Cameron, D.G. 1995, Floraand vegetation of Mt Buangor State Park,South West Area (draft report), Departmentof Conservation and Natural Resources,Victoria.

Tange, P. 1995, Midlands forest managementplan. Statement of resources, uses andvalues Part 3: Recreation, tourism culturalheritage and landscape, Department ofConservation and Natural Resources,Victoria, unpub.

Appendices


APPENDIX I SIGNIFICANT PLANT SPECIES

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME STATUS*

Eucalyptus yarraensis Yarra Gum Rr

Grevillea montis-cole Mt Cole Grevillea Rr

Helichrysum aff. rutidolepsis Pale Swamp Everlasting v

Hibbertia humifusa Rising Star Guinea-flower Rr

Platylobium alternifolium Victorian Flat-pea Rr

Ranunculus papulentus Large-river Buttercup

*R Rare in Australia r rare in Victoria v vulnerable in Victoria

APPENDIX II SPECIES OF BIOGEOGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME BIOGEOGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Astroloma conostephioides Flame Heath South-eastern limit of range

Calytrix alpestris Snow Myrtle Eastern limit of range

Goodia lotifolia var. pubescens Golden-tip Western limit of range

Helichrysum rutidolepsis s.1 Pale Everlasting Western limit of range

Hibbertia humifusa Rising Star Guinea-flower

South-eastern limit of range

Ixodia achillaeoides Ixodia Eastern limit of range

Melaleuca gibbosa Slender Honey-myrtle Eastern limit of range

Platylobium alternifolium Victorian Flat-pea Eastern limit of range

Poa tenera Slender Tussock-grass Western limit of range

Pterostylis furcata Forked Greenhood Western limit of range

Sambucus gaudichaudiana White Elderberry Western limit of range

Schoenus masculinus Leafy Bog-sedge Western limit of range

Senecio odoratus Scented Groundsel Western limit of range

Stipa rudis Veined Spear-grass Western limit of range

Urtica incisa Scrub Nettle Western limit of range

Xyris operculata Tall Yellow-eye Western limit of range

APPENDIX III SITES OF BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Grevillea Lookout

Cave Hill Track

Middle Creek Camping Ground

Middle Creek

Ferntree Waterfalls

Mount Buangor

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●BUCKINGHA

SA

ND

ERS

ON

TK

TRACK

TK

MT

BUAN

GO

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TKCKBARANG

TRACK

WAMP

G

UM

DA

WS

ON

RD

ROC

K

SAPLING

BRIDGE RD

GREENR

A N GE

MAIDROAD

DAIR

BU

AN

GO

RC

OM

MO

NT

K

Y

WA

LLA

BY

CAVES

RD

SADDLEROAD

SADDLE

ROAD

FERNT

RE

EW

ATE

RFA

LLSR

D

ROCKYROAD

RESERVOIR RD

MA

IN

MOUNT

CO

LER

OA

D

HARVEY

FLAT

RO

AD

CREEKRD

SANDY

PINCH

ROAD

DU

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MAN

RD

RO

AD

MAIN

MO

UNT

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RO

AD

BLACKWOOD

ROAD

BAYINDEENSCHOOL

RD

AN

DE

RS

ON

SR

OA

D

FER

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EE

GU

LLY

RO

AD

POINT

RO

AD

CA

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RD

GLUT ROAD

DIVIDE

ROAD

WATER

RA

CE

RO

AD

FIREBREAK

JIMM

YSM

ITH

ROAD

JENNYCLAYTON TK

BO

UN

DA

RY

TRACK

TK

FREEMANSROAD

FREES

GLUT

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THE

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Victoria Mill

MugwampCamping Ground

The GlutPicnic Area

RichardsCamping Ground

DitchfieldCamping

Area

AraratReservoir

Spring

Creek

McLeod

Creek

MOUNTBUANGOR

MOUNTCOLE

Creek

Middle

Victoria Hill

Creek

Hickm

an

Buckingham Creek

Sandy

Pinch

Creek

Creek

Baranga

Long

GullyCreek

Wimmera River

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Bailes Picnic & Camping Area

Toilets, fire places, water.

Ferntree Picnic Area

Middle Creek Camping and Picnic Area

Toilets, water, fire places, picnic shelter

basin

weir

Toilets, fire places, water.Camping sites to be closed.

WaterfallsNatureWalk

Sugarloaf Picnic AreaClose and revegetate

Stawell

Ararat

Avoca

Beaufort

WESTERN

HWY

0 20 40 60 km

SU

NR

AYS

IA

HWY

Ballarat

Daylesford

FIGURE 2 : LOCATIONS, FACILITIES AND AUTHORISED USES

1.Roads and tracksManagement vehicles only

Close and revegetate

2. Visitor facilities

Camping area - Park

- Forest

Picnic area - Park

- Forest

Waterfalls Nature Walk

3. Authorised uses

Hang Gliding Site

Apiary sites

- Retain

- Remove

Weir

Pipeline

- Grampians Water

- Private

G/6465.2

Minor road

Vehicular track

Walking track

Park boundary

Mt BuangorState ParkMt ColeState Forest

Water Reserve

Gate

PipelineNatural Resources and Environment

Natural ResourceSystems Branch 1996

MT BUANGOR STATE PARK

0 1 2 km

Melbourne●★

★

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●BUCKINGHA

SA

ND

ERS

ON

TK

TRACK

TK

MT

BUAN

GO

R

TKCKBARANG

TRACK

WAMP

G

UM

DA

WS

ON

RD

ROC

K

SAPLING

BRIDGE RD

GREENR

A N GE

MAIDROAD

DAIR

BU

AN

GO

RC

OM

MO

NT

K

Y

WA

LLA

BY

CAVES

RD

SADDLEROAD

SADDLE

ROAD

FERNT

RE

EW

ATE

RFA

LLSR

D

ROCKYROAD

RESERVOIR RD

MA

IN

MOUNT

CO

LER

OA

D

HARVEY

FLAT

RO

AD

CREEKRD

SANDY

PINCH

ROAD

DU

TCH

MAN

RD

RO

AD

MAIN

MO

UNT

COLE

RO

AD

BLACKWOOD

ROAD

BAYINDEENSCHOOL

RD

AN

DE

RS

ON

SR

OA

D

FER

NTR

EE

GU

LLY

RO

AD

POINT

RO

AD

CA

MP

RD

GLUT ROAD

DIVIDE

ROAD

WATER

RA

CE

RO

AD

FIREBREAK

JIMM

YSM

ITH

ROAD

JENNYCLAYTON TK

BO

UN

DA

RY

TRACK

TK

FREEMANSROAD

FREES

GLUT

RD

THE

RE SER VOIR

Victoria Mill

MugwampCamping Ground

The GlutPicnic Area

RichardsCamping Ground

DitchfieldCamping

Area

AraratReservoir

Spring

Creek

McLeod

Creek

MOUNTBUANGOR

MOUNTCOLE

Creek

Middle

Victoria Hill

Creek

Hickm

an

Buckingham Creek

Sandy

Pinch

Creek

Creek

Baranga

Long

GullyCreek

Wimmera River

●

Stawell

Ararat

Avoca

Beaufort

WESTERN

HWY

0 20 40 60 km

SU

NR

AYS

IA

HWY

Ballarat

Daylesford

FIGURE 3 : MANAGEMENT ZONES

Reference Area Zone

Conservation Zone

Conservation and Recreation Zone

Education Zone

G/6465.3

Minor road

Vehicular track

Walking track

Park boundary

Mt BuangorState ParkMt ColeState Forest

Water Reserve

Gate

PipelineNatural Resources and Environment

Natural ResourceSystems Branch 1996

MT BUANGOR STATE PARK

0 1 2 km

Melbourne●★

★

Documents

Mount Buangor State Park Management Plan - Parks …parkweb.vic.gov.au/.../Mount-Buangor-State-Park-Plan.pdfMount Buangor State Park iii FOREWORD Mount Buangor State Park protects