Native Birds Mammals
Australian Black Duck Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Wood Duck Common Ringtail Possum
White-faced Heron Koala
Straw-necked Ibis *Brown Hare
Black-shouldered Kite *Rabbit
Brown Goshawk *Red Fox
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Little Eagle Reptiles and Frogs
Brown Falcon Tree Goanna
Australian Hobby Marbled Gecko
Peregrine Falcon Common Froglet
Nankeen Kestrel Plains Froglet
Stubble Quail Spotted Grass-frog
Painted Button-quail Spur-winged Plover Bush Stone-curlew Galah
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Little Corella
Eastern Rosella Red-rumped Parrot
Little Lorikeet
Purple-crowned Lorikeet Musk Lorikeet
Laughing Kookaburra Australian Owlet-nightjar
Tawny Frogmouth
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Welcome Swallow
Tree Martin Richard’s Pipit
Willie Wagtail
Singing Bushlark Brown Songlark
Grey-crowned Babbler Golden Whistler
Noisy Miner
White-winged Chough Mudlark
Striated Pardalote Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Grey Butcherbird Pied Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Pied Currawong Australian Raven Little Raven
*Common Starling
* = Introduced species.
APPENDIX 3: VEGETATION COMMUNITIES OF BALMATTUM RESERVE (BERWICK IN PREP)
Plains Grassy Woodland EVC
Habitat, Geology and Soils: Plains Grassy Woodland (PGW) occurs on a variety of (largely alluvial) geology and landsystem types. In the south west of the study area PGW occurs on basalt plateaus at
an annual rainfall of ~700mm or less. At the southern end of the Box Ironbark ecosystem PGW occurs
on the terrace immediately above the flood plain and/or on the next alluvial terrace. PGW occurs on various alluvial soil types of the Northern plains. PGW occurs in valleys in the southern region of the study area, on sandy loam to clay loam soils where the rainfall is greater than ~ 600mm. PGW also occurs on some tertiary alluviums.
The PGW EVC was mapped at sites of higher effective rainfall. The floristic community Riverina Plains Grassy Woodland occurs on the Northern plains at an annual rainfall less than ~550mm. RPGW is distinguished by the presence of chenopods (e.g. Einadia, Chenopodium, Maireana genera) and grasses typical of the Northern Plains (particularly C4) such as Windmill Grass Chloris truncata, Spider Grass Enteropogon acicularis, Red Leg Grass Bothriochloa macra.
PGW occurs below the hill Grassy Woodland EVC (Low Rises, Shrubby Granitic-outwash or Slopes Box communities), Box Ironbark Forest and abuts Creekline Grassy Woodland and the riverine EVCs. Wetlands are often scattered throughout.
Structure: PGW is an open woodland with an understorey of scattered shrubs (inferred from the few relatively intact sites)and a high species diversity of grasses, sedges, lilies, orchids and herbs.
Floristics: There are several floristic entities of this EVC including:
-
Southern entity : the overstorey is predominantly River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis and often Grey Box E. microcarpa. The shrub layer includes: Gold-Dust Wattle Acacia acinacea, Hedge Wattle A. paradoxa, Dwarf Bush-pea Pultenaea humilis, Guinea-flower Hibbertia spp. , Sweet Bursaria Bursaria spinosa and occasionally Whirrakee Wattle near creeks around Broadford. Black Wattle may also occur in the south west of the study area. A Wattle A. leprosa/ausfeldii (to be confirmed) occurs at a site south of Heathcote. The groundlayer species which typify this vegetation include: a dense layer of Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra, with grasses such as Spear grasses Stipa spp., and Common Wheat-grass Elymus scabrus. Typical forbs include Blue Devils Eryngium ovinum, Common Everlasting Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Lemon Beauty-heads Calocephalus citreus, Sundew Drosera peltata, Pink Bindweed Convolvulus erubescens, Scaly Buttons Leptorhynchos squamatus, Chocolate Lily Arthropodium strictum, Early Nancy Wurmbea dioeca, Yellow Rush-lily Tricoryne elatior, Bulbine Lily Bulbine bulbosa, Common Onion-orchid Microtis unifolia and Milkmaids Burchardia umbellata. Sedges and rushes include: Schoenus apogon, Isolepis spp., Carex spp., Juncus spp.
-
Northern entity : e.g. Dookie Extension Rd, Euroa: the overstorey includes Yellow Box E. melliodora, White Box E. albens, Grey Box E. microcarpa, Yellow Gum E. leucoxylon and Buloke Allocasuarina leuhmannii (with or without River Red Gum E. camaldulensis). Mallee Wattle A. montana, Gold-dust Wattle A. acinacea, Hedge Wattle A. paradoxa, Spreading Wattle Acacia genistifolia, Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha, Dwarf Bush-pea Pultenaea humilis, Showy Parrot-pea Dillwynia sericea and Sweet Bursaria Bursaria spinosa can be found in the shrublayer. The dense grass layer includes Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra, Spear Grass Stipa spp. Tall Wheat Grass Elymus scabrus and Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia spp. Forbs include Blue Devils Eryngium ovinum, Chrysocephalum apiculatum and Flax-lily Dianella revoluta.
Significant Species: Buloke Allocasuarina leuhmannii is depleted in Victoria. Spreading Eutaxia Eutaxia diffusa is rare in Victoria
Distribution: Formerly an extensive distribution across the northern alluvial plain which extends across the upper half of the study area. PGW also once occurred on the Mansfield plain; valley floors around Merton, Yea and Seymour; and on the low Basaltic plateaus south west of Seymour and north of Kilmore.
Plains Grassy Woodland / Gilgai Wetland Mosaic (Gilgai Plains Woodland/ Wetland Mosaic) Habitat, Geology and Soils: Gilgai Plains Woodland/ Wetland mosaic occurs in a particular part of the landscape: typically a shallow basin with a large wetland at the lowest point, surrounded by low hills and plains. Soils are heavy self-mulching clays which develop a gilgai profile, resulting in a small scale mosaic of “micro wetlands” within Plains Grassy Woodland (Frood 1999). Annual rainfall ranges from 600mm down to 400mm.
Adjacent EVC’s commonly include Plains Grassy Woodland, Low Rises Grassy Woodland, wetland communities and riparian communities such as Creekline Grassy Woodland.
Structure: An open woodland, with a scattered medium shrub layer, is interspersed regularly with scattered small wetlands. The Gilgai Plains Woodland component of this mosaic has scattered grasses amongst the hummocks of the gilgai soils, which support a variety of forbs (perennial and annual) and notably geophytes. The wetland component comprises small, shallow “microwetlands” with a rich diversity of wet plants including herbs, rushes and sedges.
Floristics: The dominant tree species is typically River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis which may be co-dominant with Blakeleys Red Gum E. blakelyi or White Box E. albens and Grey Box E. microcarpa. Few shrub species have been recorded from remnants where they grow, scattered, on the higher soil: Hedge Wattle Acacia paradoxa and Golden Wattle A. pycnantha. Ground layer species include: Chocolate Lilies Arthropodium sp., Daisies Brachyscome sp., Cut-leaf Burr-daisy Calotis anthemoides, Cyperus spp, Isolepis spp., Carex spp., Blown Grass Agrostis avenacea.
Significant Species: Plains Leek Orchid Prasophyllum campestre is rare in Australia and endangered in Victoria.
Distribution: Greytown; Waranga Basin area (extinct); north west to south west of Benalla; Winton and Glenrowan West; Tungamah; south of Echuca; footslopes of Mt Camel and on the heavy soil around the wetlands in the Lake Cooper and Timmering area.
APPENDIX 4: HABITAT REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNIFICANT WOODLAND FAUNA.
SPECIES
|
RESERVE STATUS
|
REQUIREMENTS
|
MANAGEMENT IN RESERVE
|
Area
|
Connectivity
|
Food
|
Nest Sites
|
Habitat
|
|
Wedge-tailed Eagle
|
Breeding resident
|
> 1000 ha
|
Tolerant
|
Live animals, carrion
|
Large live trees
|
Open woodland, short grass cover
|
No disturbance in breeding season.
|
Painted Button-quail
|
Occasional visitor
|
> 10 ha
|
?
|
Seeds & insects on ground
|
Sheltered sites on the ground
|
Dense overstorey or middle-storey, sparse ground cover with well- developed litter & grass tussocks
|
Open ground between grass tussocks for foraging & visibility; fox & cat control.
|
Swift Parrot
|
Not recorded. Regular visitor to district.
|
Tolerant
|
Tolerant.
|
Nectar, lerps
|
Not relevant
|
Box woodland with abundance of winter-flowering eucalypts; dense overstorey cover
|
White Box; mature trees because of more reliable nectar-flow
|
Little Lorikeet
|
Regular visitor to White Box in Reserve
|
Tolerant
|
Moderately sensitive:
< 2 km gaps
|
Nectar, lerps
|
Hollows in large, live eucalypts.
|
Box woodland with diversity of eucalypts to provide food in all seasons; dense overstorey cover
|
White Box; mature trees for foraging & nesting.
|
Australian Owlet-nightjar
|
Probably resident. Seen during only spotlighting session.
|
> 30 ha
|
Sensitive:
< 1 km gaps
|
Ground- dwelling invertebrates
|
Small hollows in live trees, stags or stumps
|
Multiple hollows; abundant fallen timber, short grass-cover for prey visibility & capture; moderate canopy cover; perches close to
ground.
|
Cat & fox control.
|
Bush Stone-curlew
|
Previously resident
- not recorded in last 5 years.
|
> 100 ha
|
Sensitive:
< 1 km gaps
|
Ground- dwelling
invertebrates
|
Open site on the ground
|
Open woodland with abundant fallen timber & short grass cover
|
Fox control; fallen timber; grass cover <20 cm high.
|
Southern Whiteface
|
Not recorded. Known along
railway line east of Reserve.
|
Tolerant
|
Moderately sensitive:
< 2 km gaps
|
Seeds & invertebrates
on the ground
|
Small hollows in live trees, stags,
stumps or logs
|
Open woodland with clumps of understorey or Buloke; fallen
timber; very short grass or bare ground
|
Clumps of understorey & access to almost bare ground;
overstorey not critical; Noisy Miner control
|
Fuscous Honeyeater
|
Not recorded. Recorded 5km east in Yellow Gum
|
> 10 ha
|
Moderately sensitive:
< 2 km gaps
|
Invertebrates, nectar & lerps from canopy & understorey
|
Canopy foliage
|
Dense canopy cover; understorey; nectar supply
|
White Box; patches of dense canopy cover; Noisy Miner control
|
Black-chinned Honeyeater
|
Not recorded. Resident on Riggs Creek, < 2 km west.
|
> 10 ha
|
Moderately sensitive:
< 2 km gaps
|
Invertebrates, nectar & lerps from canopy &
understorey
|
Canopy foliage
|
Dense canopy cover; understorey; nectar supply; often along River Red Gum creeklines
|
White Box; patches of dense canopy cover; Noisy Miner control; broad vegetated links to
nearby creeks
|
Brown-headed Honeyeater
|
Not recorded. Recorded to south
on Old Euroa Road
& on Riggs Ck.
|
Tolerant
|
Moderately sensitive:
< 2 km gaps
|
Invertebrates, nectar & lerps
from canopy & understorey
|
Canopy foliage
|
Dense canopy cover; understorey; nectar supply
|
patches of dense canopy cover; Noisy Miner control; broad
vegetated links to nearby creeks
|
Jacky Winter
|
Not recorded. Occasional winter visitor along Riggs
Creek.
|
> 10 ha
|
Moderately sensitive:
< 2 km gaps
|
Invertebrates from ground, foliage, air
|
Canopy branches
|
Edge species requiring patches of dense treecover & open ground; understorey; perches close to
ground; fallen timber; ground cover
<10cm.
|
Short ground cover; Noisy Miner control; fox & cat control
|
Grey-crowned Babbler
|
One group currently using Reserve along Maher’s Rd. Previous records in
two other sections of Reserve.
|
> 4 ha
|
Sensitive:
< 1 km gaps
|
Invertebrates from ground & from bark of mature box
|
Understorey
|
Edge species preferring mosaic of patches of trees, open ground & clumps of understorey; mature trees; short ground cover; abundant
litter & fallen timber.
|
Patches with > 40 mature trees; short (< 10 cm) ground cover; understorey & patches of Buloke; Noisy Miner control; fox
& cat control
|
Varied Sittella
|
Not recorded. Recorded to south
on Old Euroa Road. Likely to use site.
|
> 10 ha
|
Moderately sensitive:
< 2 km gaps
|
Invertebrates from bark
|
Dead branches, canopy branches
|
Box woodland; dense tree cover; mature trees; understorey.
|
Noisy Miner control; dense patches of tree cover
|
Crested Shrike-tit
|
Not recorded. Resident along Riggs Creek.
|
> 10 ha
|
Moderately sensitive:
< 2 km gaps
|
Invertebrates from peeling bark & foliage
|
Canopy branches
|
Box woodland & red gum creeklines; dense tree cover; many mature trees; understorey of eucalypts & wattles
|
Noisy Miner control; dense patches of tree & understorey cover
|
Restless Flycatcher
|
Not recorded. Recorded at various sites within two
kilometres.
|
> 10 ha
|
Moderately sensitive:
< 2 km gaps
|
Invertebrates from ground, foliage, air
|
Canopy branches
|
Edge species requiring patches of dense tree cover & open ground; understorey; perches close to
ground; ground cover <20 cm.
|
Dense patches of tree & understorey cover
|
Dusky Woodswallow
|
Not recorded. Regular summer
visitor to nearby creeks
|
> 2 ha
|
Tolerant
|
Invertebrates from air,
ground.
|
Cavities in stumps or bark crevices
|
Edge species preferring patches of dense treecover & open ground;
perches close to ground, abundant stumps & other fallen timber; short ground cover.
|
Noisy Miner control; dense patches of treecover
|
Brown Treecreeper
|
Not recorded. Resident along nearby creeks.
|
> 20 ha
|
< 2 km
|
Invertebrates from bark, fallen timber,
ground
|
Small hollows in live or dead trees, stumps, logs
|
Box woodland & red gum wetlands or creeklines; mature trees; abundant fallen timber; patches of
very short ground cover
|
Dense patches of tree cover; short ground cover; broad vegetated links to nearby creeks.
|
APPENDIX 5: GRAZING MANAGEMENT
Grazing will be implemented under an agreement tied to this Interim Management Statement and terminating with the development of a full management plan for the grassland. The licence should include the following aspects.
-
Stock Stock will principally be sheep and be wethers of any breed. Cattle will be used for initial grazing only.
-
Quarantine New stock from outside the region should be newly shorn and cleaned out before being introduced to the reserve.
-
Stocking Rate Stocking rates for all areas available for grazing (ie. excluding areas fenced for revegetation or other purposes) shall not exceed 5 dse per hectare. The maximum stocking rate and total stock numbers shall be reviewed each year.
-
Timing Grazing will generally be maintained from January to August this will be at the discretion of the manager. The manager may exclude stock from a part or all of the Reserve during periods of abnormal climatic conditions or for specific management purposes.
-
Records Accurate records of stock numbers, types and movements will be kept by the licensee and made available to the manager on request and at the end of each licence period.
-
Feed Hay and other feed may be provided only in VMZ3 areas. Source of hay to be determined in consultation with managers. Stock supplements must not be given except with the prior permission of the manager.
-
Fertilisers and Pasture There will be no fertiliser use or sowing of pasture seed on any part of the grassland.
-
Cultivation There will be no cultivation, tillage or other mechanical soil disturbance.
-
Irrigation There will be no irrigation development except to provide off-dam watering for stock.
-
Vehicles All normal vehicle movements shall be confined to existing tracks. Vehicles may leave tracks when engaged in fire management but should aim to minimise soil disturbance at all times.
-
Access Vehicle access to the grassland is restricted to management vehicles only (including vehicles for the necessary management of stock). All access gates will be padlocked to prevent unauthorised entry).
-
Costs All water, fuel, electricity, veterinary and other costs related to stock management will be borne by the licensee.
-
Resource Use The licensee must not remove or allow to be removed any hay, seeds, native animals, plants, wood, stone, soil or gravel from the Reserve.
-
Pest Plants and Animals Control of pest plants and animals will be the responsibility of Parks Victoria.
-
Fire The licensee will not undertake any burning on the property nor allow any fire to burn unchecked. All fire precautions are the responsibility of Parks Victoria. The licensee recognises that fire as a technique for the management of the Reserve will be under trial during the period of the licence.
-
Research The licensee recognises that the management of the Reserve for nature conservation will require the establishment and maintenance of infrastructure and the conduct of surveys and trials. The licensee will cooperate with all reasonable requests in relation to such research including the provision of stock for assessing grazing impacts.
-
Visitation The licensee accepts that the reserve is public property and that visitation from the general public is allowed and to be expected.
-
Liaison The manager will designate a single contact person for the administration of the licence.
The licensee will maintain regular contact with this person and will not take any new or unusual management action without first consulting with that person.
-
Review The licence will be reviewed on an annual basis including stock numbers and areas available for grazing. The licence as a whole will be reviewed in the development of a management plan for the grassland.
APPENDIX 6: REPORT ON HERITAGE FEATURES
Shearing shed
The shearing shed is a corrugated iron clad building, 6.4m x 9.8m, with standard sawn timber stud framed construction. The general appearance of the construction and roof pitch is consistent with a c
1930's or 40's building. Some parts of the building however are much older than this suggesting that
they have been recycled from an earlier 19th c building. These parts include two 6 pane window sashes and the ledged and battened doors. The walls also have been clad in secondhand corrugated iron. The condition of the iron on the roof is very good and has possibly been replaced at some stage. At the north end of the building there are two posts in the ground adjacent to a set of double doors and these may be all that remains of a small landing or loading platform. Internally the timber framed shearing pens and gates are intact. There is no machinery or furniture remaining but there are several old empty branding fluid and oil cans on shelving in the building.
The condition of the building is generally very good. Although there are some inactive termite galleries on one stump in the southwest corner there does not appear to have been any significant damage apart from the end of one bearer under the west wall. The timbers beneath the door at the south end of the west wall have been damaged by water possibly from the overflow of the roof gutter above. The roof gutter on the east side is missing and the west side is rusted out.
Shearing shed site
Features around the shearing shed include a brick and concrete sheep dip and the remains of yards. Some parts of the yards are fenced with closely spaced hardwood timber staves and twisted wire (an
older style of fencing also found at Day's Mill). There are termite galleries on many of the
staves and active termites were found on one. Termite damage to date however appears to have been only minor. The more recent yards are to the south west of the shed and are constructed
of hardwood timber and steel mesh.
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