2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report · 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery...

a2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report

2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program

Final Report

Published by the Victorian Government of Sustainability and Environment & Parks Victoria Melbourne, February 2010

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment & Parks Victoria 2010

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Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

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iii2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report

ENDORSEMENTS

The Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program is a final Report for the Flood/Storm event of June/July 2007 that followed devastating fires across the Victorian Alps and Gippsland during the Summer of 2006/07. The aim of the Report is to give a final summary of integrated assistance received and achievements completed.

Recovery after the event is about measures that have been taken to achieve desired outcomes by staff, ecosystems and community rebuilding.

The report details

● Visitor Services

● Natural Values, including catchment and River Health

● Indigenous and Post-settlement Heritage, and

● Community and Tourism

The engagement of the community in the plan is seen as paramount to the successful recovery of the affected areas.

The plan recognises that the flood affected area is the ‘Country’ of Gunai-Kurnai, Bidawul, Monero-Nigarigu, Jaimathmathang and Wurundjeri peoples. The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria (PV) acknowledge the above indigenous communities as the traditional owners of the affected ‘Country’.

The recovery actions and priorities in the plan are approved for implementation

Approved by:

Tony Edgar Chris RoseDirector Acting General Manager Land & Fire Services Sustainable Infrastructure DivisionDepartment of Sustainability & Environment Parks Victoria

iv 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In the last week of June 2007, Gippsland received record rainfall associated with an intense low pressure system. The storm followed one of the state’s worst fire seasons, the 2006/07 Great Divide Bushfires, when 1.2 million hectares were burnt and vast areas of soil were exposed. Further compounded by other minor floods in March and November 2007, the storm in June 2007 resulted in major flooding and widespread damage to community and public assets in Gippsland.

In response, the State Government quickly established a Flood Recovery Ministerial Taskforce, which visited Gippsland to assess the flood’s impact and plan the recovery program. From this, the Taskforce outlined a $60 million Flood Recovery Initiative.

This report describes the achievements of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria (PV) in delivering $10 million of this funding, which was the public land component of the program. Another $10 million of the program was allocated to the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority for works focused on stream and water quality, which will be reported separately by these authorities.

Five basins in Gippsland (Latrobe, Thomson, Mitchell, Tambo and Snowy) were affected by the June 2007 flood. All five major rivers within these basins recorded major flood peaks. The flood peaks recorded along the Macalister River, which was the most severely impacted watercourse, were the largest on record.

The major flood event was characterised by the high volume of sediment, woody debris and other material in the flood waters. As this material reached in-stream assets such as stream gauging stations, town water off-takes and bridges, they too were damaged or washed away. More than 40 truck loads of floating debris, including caravans and fridges, were removed from the Glenmaggie Reservoir. Cowwarr Weir also collected a vast amount of material during the event.

Following the floods, community recovery was the highest priority, with efforts directed to restoring normal community functioning as quickly as possible. This was achieved by opening roads and tracks in public land to provide access for local residents, allow through traffic for ongoing commerce and assist the re-establishment of recreation and tourism activities. In addition, community recovery focussed on restoration of Crown Land assets such as public halls, rail trails, camping grounds and public access facilities which are mostly managed by Committees of Management (COMs) on behalf of DSE.

v2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report

The key outcomes of the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program were:

● Road and track network re-opened by December, 2008.

● Beaches, jetties and piers repaired, re-established and opened for summer, 2008.

● The re-opening of 80 walking tracks and 108 visitor sites by December, 2008.

● Community halls, rail trails and 33 community projects supported.

● Iconic platypus located and breeding confirmed in four major catchments.

● Gunai/Kurnai participation in cultural heritage surveys.

● The performance of an Indigenous Archaeological Survey on public land.

● Tourism recovery accelerated through rapid public access to public land.

● Local economies supported through restoration of access and short-term employment for Licensed Tourism Officers.

vi 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report

CONTENTS

ENDORSEMENTS iii

EXECUTiVE SUMMARY iV

1. iNTRODUCTiON 11.1 Strategies, Objectives and Scope of the Plan 3

2. PROJECT MANAGEMENT 42.1 Governance 42.2 Integrated at Place 42.3 Progress Reports 52.4 Integrated with Bushfire Recovery 5

3. iNSURANCE 7

4. ViSiTOR SERViCES – Outcomes and achievements 84.1 Tamboritha Road 104.2 Mason Bay Boardwalk (Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park) 124.3 Ninety Mile Beach walkovers (Ninety Mile Beach Foreshore Reserve and Gippsland Lakes

Coastal Park) 134.4. Sale Common Boardwalk (Sale Common State Game Reserve) 144.5 Costin’s Bridge 154.6 Cheynes Bridge Recreation Area 164.7 Licola Multi-Purpose Community Facility 17

5. NATURAL VALUES – OUTCOMES AND AChiEVEMENTS 185.1 Platypus Surveys 195.2 Ecological Vegetation Class Studies 205.3 Smarter Weed Control 215.4. Discovery of a new and emerging weed – The Mexican Poppy 225.5 Blackberry Leaf Rust Fungus 23

6. iNDiGENOUS hERiTAGE: OUTCOMES AND AChiEVEMENTS 246.1 Reconciliation Week Bus Tours 256.2 Archaeological Flood Survey 26

7. COMMUNiTY AND TOURiSM RECOVERY 287.1 Community Infrastructure on Crown Land 297.2 Community Engagement 307.3 Tourism 31

8. REPORTiNG AND REViEw 328.1 Learnings 32

REFERENCES 33

APPENDiCES APPENDiX 1: FiNANCE 34 APPENDiX 2: OPERATiONS 36 APPENDiX 3: Table 1: Flood-damaged roads, bridges and crossings yet to be re-opended 47 APPENDiX 4: Bridges repaired, replaced and assessed 48

12007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report

1. INTRODUCTION

The Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program concluded on the 30 June, 2008 after more than 400 roads and 80 walking tracks spanning hundreds of kilometres were re-opened, as well as 108 recreation visitor sites on public land affected by the fires and/or flood.

The focus is now on finalising arrangements with Committees of Management, ongoing weed control, and the completion of larger engineering works which were covered by DSE and PV’s insurance policies.

An Access Re-opening Strategy was developed on public land which focussed on restoring public access to near pre-flood conditions. Access to all private land has been restored and access to public land has mostly been restored, with most bridges and crossings now re-opened. The exceptions to this are listed in Appendix 3, with completion of works on these roads, bridges and crossings awaiting the processing of insurance claims.

Visitor access to fire and flood-affected public land for recreation and tourism has progressed well. Beachgoers had unrestricted access to Ninety Mile Beach from summer 2007, and removal of destroyed structures, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and the rapid treatment of inundated toilet blocks has resulted in the rehabilitation of public campsites.

The bare soil exposed by the 2006/07 fires and 2007 floods in Gippsland created ideal conditions for the establishment of weeds. By partnering with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Parks Victoria (PV), Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and Landcare groups, opportunities to locate, identify and treat new and existing weeds was maximised. In the process, a Landcare officer identified a new weed, the Mexican Poppy, in the Wonnangatta Valley (Section 5.4), which the DSE then eradicated.

2 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report

Threatened animal and plant species and communities in the flood-affected area were surveyed to assess the degree of damage incurred during the flood event. On-ground survey and monitoring focused on those species considered most at risk. With assistance from the local community, a study on the effect of floods in the Macalister River on platypus was completed. This project provided benchmark data on the platypus population in the Macalister catchment and also an understanding of the capacity of this high level predator to survive flood events.

Indigenous archaeological surveys were completed in areas impacted by the 2006/07 bushfires and subsequent flood events. Due to the difficulty in sourcing suitable contractors to undertake archaeological surveys, the archaeoligical surveys in flood and fire-affected areas were implemented concurrently. The delayed commencement of the field work impacted on the surveys as the vegetation in the fire and flood-affected areas had time to regenerate in the interim, reducing ground surface visibility. Final reports are being compiled and are expected to be completed in June, 2010.

Community engagement focused on raising awareness of the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program. Bus tours of flood-affected areas held during reconciliation week (September, 2008) were well-attended, talks were given to various community groups including the Maffra Apex Club and the Ben Cruachan walking club. Engagement continues with local tourism operators and four wheel drive clubs and anecdotal advice from the Gippsland tourism industry suggests tourism revenue has returned to pre-fire and flood levels. A brochure to recognise our achievements in the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program has been published for stakeholders and staff.

Collaboration between DSE, PV, CMAs, DPI, Landcare and local government was critical in the successful delivery of this Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program.

Ongoing project management support was provided post 30 June, 2008, to Committees of Management, to facilitate final project completion.


1.1 STRATEGiES, OBJECTiVES AND SCOPE OF ThE PLAN

The scale and intensity of the Gippsland floods had significant implications for biodiversity, water resources, regional communities, Indigenous and post-settlement cultural values, industry and public infrastructure within the flood-affected areas. The recovery of these values through the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program supported the recovery of the region as a whole.

The Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program used four themes to reflect the areas of focus:

● Visitor and recreation facilities;

● Natural values, including catchment and river health;

● Indigenous and post-settlement heritage; and

● Supporting the community and tourism on public pand.

The key objectives of the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program were:

● to ensure staff and visitor safety, conserve natural and cultural values, and protect water quality;

● to plan and implement all flood recovery activities within approved management directions for public land, as set out in various park/forest management plans;

● to recognise the rights and aspirations of traditional owners and their primacy to speak for ‘Country’;

● to restore emergency access and where possible enhance risk-mitigation and capacity for future;

● to minimise disruption to public access and the full range of commercial operations and authorised users that depend on the park/forest;

● to ensure efficient allocation and use of resources invested in the flood recovery effort; and

● to promote awareness within the wider community of the recovery program, its objectives and outcomes.


2. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The Flood/Storm Recovery Program was managed through a Project Control Board and Implementation Team, which reported to the Executive Director of Land and Fire. The Project Control Board comprised the DSE Regional Directors for Gippsland and North East, and the PV Regional Manager East; with DSE Recovery Manager as Executive Officer. The Implementation team included both project staff and line managers whose responsibility included the affected geographic areas. Team business was focussed around the key themes and supported by policy and technical expertise.

2.1 GOVERNANCE

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is the lead agency for recovery across state and local Government. There are four subcommittees in the DHS’s recovery program: social, economic, built and natural environments. The DSE Recovery Manager led the natural environment subcommittee, which collated data relating to the natural environment, water and agriculture. Data from all subcommittees was collated by DHS and provided the basis for decision making by the Ministerial Taskforce. The DHS established a Gippsland Regional Recovery Committee to coordinate the whole-of-government response; DSE was and continues to be an active participant in this committee. The DHS, DSE and DPI recently provided a joint presentation on the lessons learned from this flood recovery program to the State Emergency Recovery Planning Committee.

In comparison to previous recovery projects, the Flood/Storm Recovery Program provided significantly more support to other DSE portfolio agencies and organisations, particularly Committees of Management. Through a change in funding arrangements, the DSE was able to provide more direct support to these parties, some of whom previously relied on a grants program administered through DHS. The aim of this more streamlined funding arrangement was to deliver more cost-effective outcomes and to integrate programs across the public land estate.

2.2 iNTEGRATED AT PLACE

The flood impacted on several communities across Gippsland. A number of recovery agencies worked actively to support community recovery in the areas most severely affected by the flood events. It was essential for these agencies to work cooperatively to make sure consistent advice and assistance was provided to those affected. In the past, recovery agencies have been criticised for their disparate response, with each agency contacting and visiting individuals independently, often asking similar questions. Affected individuals became frustrated by this process, which led them to disengage with the agencies, slowing the recovery process. To avoid this situation in the Flood/Storm Recovery Program, a concerted effort was made to form collaborative relationships between Recovery Officers from the various agencies; to facilitate the sharing of information and to gain an understanding of the range of assistance provided by the various agencies.


The high country township of Licola was severely impacted by the Great Divide Fires and the subsequent flood events. Support to the Licola community was initially facilitated through the Shire of Wellington, which assisted local residents in the establishment of the Licola Recovery and Development Committee. This committee was then used as a key point of contact by recovery agencies when seeking information on recovery issues and priorities. The recovery agencies were also able to use this committee to facilitate information on the recovery process into the Licola community.

A multi-agency collaboration developed between the CMA, Landcare, PV, DSE (Forest), DSE (Crown Land) and DPI allowed the pooling of resources, to mount an effective attack on the weed populations that developed after the flood events. Through local Landcare networks, priority weed species and locations were determined, and works involving the other agencies were initiated under a single supervisory and coordination structure. It was through this network that the new ‘weed’ Mexican poppy was located, identified and rapid control actions implemented.

2.3 PROGRESS REPORTS

Progress Reports, for the Project Control Board and Agency Executives, were prepared on a quarterly basis to monitor progress of works and finance, and to report achievements. These reports were also distributed widely to staff and interested stakeholders. Copies of these reports are available on FireWeb.

2.4 iNTEGRATED wiTh BUShFiRE RECOVERY

Several areas impacted on by the 2006/07 bushfires were again damaged by the subsequent Gippsland flood events. Perversely, the loss of vegetation that occurred as a result of the bushfires rendered vast areas vulnerable to erosion in large rainfall events. The resultant flood damage within the burnt areas was noticeably greater than that in surrounding areas, due to the degree of exposed soil.

Recovery agencies had already implemented a number of recovery measures following the bushfires, including establishment of teams to implement bushfire recovery actions, and the engagement and deployment of external resources and contractors. Unfortunately, the floods destroyed some of the bushfire recovery works that had been completed. In bushfire-affected areas that had not yet been recovered, the flooding exacerbated the extent of damage already incurred. For example, the bridge in Figure 1 was damaged in the bushfires when its decking was burnt, but was totally destroyed by the flood when the bridge bearers (stringers) were washed away. In situations like this, assigning loss or proportion of loss to the fire or the flood event was not particularly meaningful. Furthermore, as many sites had not been fully assessed after the fire and before the flood, the assignment of damage to fire or flood was difficult.


With bushfire recovery staff already in place and experienced in the recovery process, it was determined that the most efficient means of resourcing the flood recovery effort was to operate both the fire and flood/storm recovery programs concurrently, using largely the same team. Additional resources were engaged to service those areas unaffected by the bushfires, but impacted by the floods.

Fig. 1: An example of a bridge that suffered

both fire and flood damage.


3. INSURANCE

The DSE and PV each carry separate insurance policies with the State Government’s Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA). Both organisations had a substantial range of assets damaged by the storm and flood events (see Figure 2); the repair and replacement of which were claimed under their respective policies.

Largely similar, the policies cover the repair or replacement of built assets damaged or destroyed by the storm or flood. The repair of roads, tracks and bridges form the major component of both claims. Damaged assets were assessed by DSE, PV and VMIA staff. Most of the damaged assets have been repaired, however, significant works are still required to re-open several roads and bridges (see Appendix 3). These projects are expected to be completed in the 2009/2010 financial year as the insurance claim concludes.

Fig. 2: The status of DSE and PV assets and infrastructure affected by the 2006/07 Great Divide Fire and the 2007 Gippsland Floods, as at July, 2008

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Fire and Flood Recovery Insured Assets & Infrastructure ~ July 2008

DSE/DPI Use Only

Developed by GIS UnitDSE Gippsland

Disclaimer: This map may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence

which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Map Grid of Australia 1994 (MGA94) Zone 55

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Projection

Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA)

Imagery Information:Please refer to electronic version of this map for more information about any imagery.

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4. VISITOR AND RECREATION SERVICES: Outcomes and achievements

ALLOCATiON $7.3M

Objectives and Strategies

● Restore visitor access

● Repair or replace visitor facilities, recreational and tourist built assets

Achievements

● The restoration of the road network for accessing public sites e.g. the re-opening of Tamboritha Road, which provides access to the Alpine National Park, occurred within six months of the major flood event.

● The provision of public access to major visitor sites within months of the major flood event e.g. public access to Ninety Mile beach was restored by summer 2007.

● Restoration of the walking track network e.g. Blue Pool, Little Cabbage Tree Creek Falls and Youngs Creek Loop Track were opened within six months of the major flood event.

● Re-opening of public recreation sites e.g. Chenynes Bridge Recreation Area was re-opened by December, 2008.

The Gippsland flood/storm events rendered a great deal of the public land inaccessible to the public. Tree fall, landslips and erosion severely damaged several roads, walking tracks and camping areas within parks, reserves and State forests in Gippsland. Immediately post-flood, the highest priorities in the recovery process were damage-assessment and the facilitation of local access to private land. Damage assessment was undertaken as soon as it was safe and practical to access impacted areas of public land. The completed asset assessments formed the basis for the identification of insurable works, the re-opening strategy and the prioritisation of recovery works.

The second priority, to facilitate access to private land, concerned the high-country townships of Licola and Glencairn, which were effectively cut-off after the flood washed away and damaged parts of Licola Road, including Cheynes Bridge. VicRoads installed a temporary bridge within six weeks of the June flood event, however, this was washed away in a subsequent flood in November, 2007. The temporary bridge was repaired within four days. A permanent flood-proof bridge was opened in September, 2008, securing access for locals into the future. Springs Road, which provides access to Licola from Seaton, was re-opened by DSE within five months of the major flood event.


Once flood damage assessments were completed and access to private land restored, the focus of the recovery program progressed to the re-opening of roads on public land, which was essential to support the social and economic needs of local communities. A public land Access Re-opening Strategy was developed and released for public comment. Comments received at public sessions at Traralgon and Bairnsdale and through direct contact with individuals and interest groups were used to direct road re-opening priorities. The Access Re-opening Strategy, which was published and updated regularly on the Parks Victoria website, informed the sequence of the works programs. Works on the road network in the lower country began soon after the flood waters receded, with roads re-opened in quick succession. Work on the roads and tracks in the alpine areas did not start until after the seasonal road closures were lifted in early November, 2007. Most public land was accessible by December, 2007, however some routes remain restricted due to the need for major repairs (see Appendix 3).

Flood and storm damage to visitor and recreation infrastructure on public land included damage to board walks and pedestrian bridges in recreation sites along the Gippsland Lakes, and the devastation of riverside-camping areas. The first priority of the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program was to assess the flood damage and identify risks to public safety. After debris and damaged structures were removed and flooded toilets pumped out, plans were made to begin repair works to facilitate public usage of the recreation sites as soon as possible. Much of the damage to visitor infrastructure was covered by insurance, however some works such as debris cleanup, were not. Much of these latter works were performed by seasonal workforce or other temporary staff.

Some of the major tasks and achievements in the visitor services theme are discussed on the following pages.


4.1 TAMBORiThA ROAD

The major flood in June 2007 significantly damaged 22km of the southern-most end of Tamboritha Road (see Figures 3 and 5). Tamboritha Road is the main access route into the Alpine National Park (Wonnangatta – Moroka High Country) and other public land from the west (via Licola), and provides two-wheel drive access to popular campsites along the Wellington River. The first 6km section of Tamboritha Road was constructed by the former Forest Commission, and the authority responsible for the management of this section is currently under review by VicRoads. In the interim, the DSE undertook recovery of this stretch of road. Earlier recovery works as a result of a previous flood were also undertaken by DSE prior to the June 2007 flood. These works costing $200,000, were destroyed in the June flood event.

The remaining 16km of Tamboritha Road is managed by Parks Victoria. Both the 6km section and the 16km section were extensively damaged in the June flood and repair work included the repair of two bridges, the building of a number of substantial retaining walls to prevent the river washing away the road and the reconstruction of several culverts (see Figures 4 and 6).

There was considerable public interest in the re-opening of Tamboritha Road, particularly from Licola residents and business owners. The restoration of the road was a high-priority, however works were hampered by the extent of the damage (see Figures 3 and 5) and the instability of the surrounding countryside. Indeed, two days before Christmas, 2007, a small rain event resulted in the blocking of the repaired track due to rock fall. The road was re-opened for public use in the first week of January 2008 and was only closed temporarily following this to accommodate major repairs.

The partnership between DSE, PV, VicRoads and the VMIA meant that the enormous engineering challenge associated with opening this road could be managed as a single project. The final repair bill for the re-opening of the road was in excess of $6 million.


Fig. 3: The massive rainfall in the Macalister River catchment overwhelmed and destroyed many culverts on the Tamboritha Road.

Fig. 4: The same culvert, near completion.

Fig. 5: Large sections of the Tamboritha Road were washed away completely posing a significant challenge to repair.

Fig. 6: The same section of road repaired using a substantial retaining wall.


4.2 MASON BAY BOARDwALk (GiPPSLAND LAkES COASTAL PARk)

Mason Bay is located on the Banksia Peninsula on the Gippsland Lakes. The peninsula is a low-lying, sandy remnant of an ancient shoreline, surrounded by coastal dunes. The original steps over the dunes were replaced with a boardwalk spanning the water’s edge in May, 2007. The significant wave action and extra water from the flood and storm event in June, 2007, ripped the boardwalk decking off its footings and eroded the adjoining bank (see Figure 7). Parks Victoria installed a retaining wall and repaired the damaged boardwalk with an upgraded design (see Figure 8). The new boardwalk has been secured on to a concrete base, effectively rendering it flood-proof.

Fig. 7: The Mason bay boardwalk was severely damaged by the June flood event

Fig. 8: A new flood-proof boardwalk has been erected at Mason Bay


4.3 NiNETY MiLE BEACh wALkOVERS (NiNETY MiLE BEACh FOREShORE RESERVE AND GiPPSLAND LAkES COASTAL PARk)

The June storm-surge eroded large sections of the Ninety Mile Beach, destroying many beach access points and effectively preventing public access (see Figure 9). To provide secure access to the most popular sections of the beach, three timber walkovers were constructed. These were located at The Honeysuckles and Paradise Beach (see Figure 10) near Seaspray, and at McLoughlins Beach near Yarram. The timber ‘step and platform’ structures were designed to:

● Minimise the impact on the dune system.

● Withstand harsh storms and extreme king tides.

● Provide safe access to the beach following storm events.

The structures were built with sensitivity to the existing coastal vegetation. The walkovers located at The Honeysuckles, Paradise Beach and McLoughlins Beach, provide the public with easy access to the beach. Community feedback has been very positive; indeed, there have been many requests for the installation of more walkovers along the Ninety Mile coastline.

Fig. 9: The storm-surge caused extensive damage to the dune system at Paradise Beach

Fig 10: The completed dune system at Paradise Beach


4.4 SALE COMMON BOARDwALk (SALE COMMON STATE GAME RESERVE)

Sale Common State Game Reserve is located approximately three kilometres south-east of the Sale township and falls within the Gippsland Plains Bioregion. The reserve is 300 hectares, seventy percent of which is freshwater marsh. The remaining areas are occupied by Red Gum woodland and grasslands. The wetlands at the Common flooded several times during 2007, the last flood event occurring in November. These floods and an algal bloom over late spring 2007, and early summer 2008, delayed the repairs to the Common boardwalk which was severely damaged by the flood (see Figure 11). The boardwalk was repaired with re-enforced footings to prevent damage in future flood events (see Figure 12). Repairs were completed and the boardwalk re-opened by May, 2008.

Fig. 11: The boardwalk at Sale Common was ripped from its footings in the major flood event

Fig. 12: The new boardwalk at Sale Common has re-enforced footings to prevent damage in future events.


4.5 COSTiN’S BRiDGE

Costin’s Road forms part of an alternative route to access the alpine village, Tanjil Bren. It is also a key timber haulage route and used regularly by the local community. In previous years, Costin’s bridge, which facilitates the traverse of Costin’s Road over the Tanjil River, has undergone a number of repairs to extend its life including: re-decking, restoration of abutments and construction of two props under the bridge surface. Costin’s Bridge was damaged in the June 2007 floods (see Figure 13).

Due to the instability of the bridge following the flood event, Costin’s Road was closed to the public until repair works could be undertaken. A tender was developed for the bridge’s repair and the successful contractor re-constructed the bridge between 1 February and 19 March 2008 (see Figure 14).

Fig. 13: Costin’s Bridge was damaged during the June flood event, causing the closure of Costin’s Road.

Fig. 14: Costin’s Bridge, repaired and open to traffic.


4.6 ChEYNES BRiDGE RECREATiON AREA

Cheynes Bridge Recreation Area, which is a popular camping and picnic area, is adjacent to Licola Road, 35 kilometres north of Heyfield. The area sustained significant damage during the 2006/2007 Great Divide Fires and the subsequent Gippsland flood and storm events (see Figure 15). After the flood in November, 2007, the site was closed to the public for two months to allow re-vegetation and re-development works to be undertaken. The DSE worked in partnership with local Landcare and Lions groups, the Sale-Maffra Motorcycle Club, the Fulham Correctional Centre and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) to re-develop the recreation site (see Figure 16). Works undertaken at the site included fencing and planting of the river bank to promote re-vegetation, installation of toilets, signage, picnic tables, fire pits and a new trail bike unloading area.

Fig. 15: Cheynes Bridge was completely washed away by the flood events.

Fig. 16: The re-reopening of the Cheynes Bridge Recreation Area was a combined effort between community groups and government agencies.

4.7 LiCOLA MULTi-PURPOSE COMMUNiTY FACiLiTY

A new tourist and community facility was opened in Licola on 27 November, 2009 (see Figure 17). The Licola Multi-Purpose Community Facility includes undercover picnic and barbecue facilities, a community meeting room, a new CFA station, information panels and refurbished public toilets. The interpretive panels,provided by Parks Victoria present information on local flora and fauna, Indigenous practices

and history. This facility was jointly funded by the Victorian Government through the Flood/Storm Recovery Program, the Wellington Shire Council, and the CFA.

Fig. 17: The opening of the Licola Multi-Purpose Community Facility.


5. NATURAL VALUES: Outcomes and achievements

ALLOCATiON $1.1M


● Protect high value biodiversity (flora and fauna) assets from high to extreme risks

● Improve the understanding of the impact of the flood and storm event on biodiversity

● Minimise the risk associated with established and new emerging weeds

● Minimise the risk associated with predators and introduced grazers on high value fauna and flora

● Minimise pest plants and animals along the public/private land interface

Achievements

● Reduction of immediate negative impacts on high value ecosystems through fencing repairs, debris removal, weed spraying and erosion control.

● An improved understanding of the impact of the flood and storm event on platypus populations and Ecological Vegetation Classes.

● An extensive fox baiting program to minimise risk to fauna.

● The use of a biological control to mitigate the post-flood spread of blackberry.

● Support for the Good Neighbour Program, which involves a combined effort between the DSE and landholders to control weeds at the private/public land boundary.

● Extensive weed spraying along riparian areas affected by the flood.

The Flood Recovery Plan detailed five objectives specifically targeting the impact of the flood on rare or threatened species and communities, and minimising the development and establishment of invasive plants and animals. Risk-based assessments determined there were 110 species of threatened mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates and fish as well as Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) within the affected area. From this, the species and EVCs decreed the most affected were targeted for survey and assessment.

The same risk based assessment process was used to target specific areas such as the river corridors for weed survey and control; and to identify specific weeds that posed the greatest risk of spread in areas affected by the flood.

Some of the major tasks and achievements in the natural values theme are discussed below.


5.1 PLATYPUS SURVEYS

Being a top-level predator, the presence of the iconic platypus in waterways is an excellent measure of river-health. Despite this, to date, no surveys have been carried out to investigate the effects of flooding on platypus populations (Serena & Williams, 2008). In response to this and to concerns that the platypus population in the Macalister catchment upstream of Lake Glenmaggie had been adversely affected by the flood with the possibility of local extinction due to the inundation (Glenmaggie Weir), DSE partnered with the Australian Platypus Conservancy (APC) and PV to conduct live-trapping surveys from the 12th of March to the 12th of May 2008 to assess platypus numbers. In addition, community members took part in a platypus sighting program. The surveys were carried out in State forest along four Gippsland stream or river systems that suffered the major impact of fire and flood events in 2007 (for an example the damage incurred along river banks, see Figure 18).

Platypus were trapped in each of the four survey areas (for example, see Figure 19), which were:

● Wentworth River/Pheasant Creek (Mitchell River Catchment)

● Valencia Creek (Avon River Catchment)

● Mount Skene Creek/Barkly River (Macalister River Catchment)

● Aberfeldy River/Donnelly Creek (Thomson River Catchment)

Approximately double the number of animals were found inhabiting the Wentworth River and Mount Skene Creek (1.2 adults per kilometre of waterway), compared to the Aberfeldy River and Valencia Creek (0.6-0.7 adults per kilometre of waterway). There was also a correlation between the areas displaying the most severe riverbank erosion and sediment deposition, and the areas with the lowest platypus numbers. It was concluded that the severe flooding in mid-2007 had an adverse effect on platypus numbers. The report, which is now available, concluded that major floods can cause platypus fatalities directly, as a result of stress and exhaustion and indirectly, through degradation of habitat and shelter (Serena & Williams, 2008). On a positive note, juvenile platypus were recorded in three of the four study areas, providing evidence that populations are re-recruiting.

Fig. 18: Silt and debris (up to 4m high) left behind following the flood event.

Fig. 19: A platypus at the Valencia creek study site.


5.2 ECOLOGiCAL VEGETATiON CLASS STUDiES

Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) Studies were performed by the consultancy firm, Practical Ecology, to assess the impact of the flood events on various EVCs. The study areas were located on public land within the catchments of central and east Gippsland, including the Thompson, Avon, Perry, Mitchell and Tambo Rivers and one wetland adjacent to the Latrobe River. In total, EVC assessments were performed at twelve study sites.

The aims of the studies were to:

● Identify threatened Ecological Vegetation Classes which have been significantly affected by the June 2007 floods.

● Present the results of an on-ground survey and assessment of the condition and recovery of threatened EVCs at twelve sites.

● Document the occurrence of significant flora and or fauna species.

● Assess data and information from relevant literature and databases.

The results of the studies were presented in a report titled ‘Condition assessment of threatened EVCs following the June 2007 floods of Gippsland, Victoria,’ (30th of June, 2008, Practical Ecology). In summary, it was reported that of the 382 flora taxa recorded within the study areas, 286 were indigenous and 96 were introduced. Several species listed as Victorian Rare or Threatened Species (VROTS) were identified, including Long-flower Beard-heath Leucopogon juniperinus, Yellow-wood Acronychia oblongifolia and Eastern Bitter-bush Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa. The post-flood impacts varied from study site to study site, with some areas displaying extreme erosion and debris deposition, while other areas appeared to be un-impacted. As expected, threatened EVCs flanking waterways were most severely impacted with damage including debris deposition, vegetation removal, erosion, post flood cohorts, exotic species invasion and siltation. Threatened EVCs situated higher in the riparian zone profile were, as expected, less impacted by the flood event. Exotic species invasion was evident at all study sites, however, the degree to which the flood event was responsible for the extent of exotic species colonisation could not be determined. Native species were also re-generating at several of the sites. Such species are colloquially known as ‘flood mud regenerators’ and, as their name suggests, they are species that colonise quickly after flood conditions. These species include Cassinia trinerva, Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum, Tristaniopsis laurina and Lomandra longifolia. The colonisation of such native species reduces the risk of weeds spreading over flood-disturbed locations.


5.3 SMARTER wEED CONTROL

Following the 2007 floods, riparian zones flanking the flood-affected rivers were inundated with weeds. These areas are notoriously difficult to access for effective weed-control. Previously, bulldozers were used to create tracks for ground crews, who then hand-sprayed the weeds. Innovative DSE staff developed a method to tackle the issues of access and weed control in parallel. An excavator was modified (see Figure 20) to mulch a pathway to the weed-infested area and subsequently spray the weeds. The excavator can treat up to ninety percent of the weed infested areas along rivers; whereas the previous method of using bulldozers and ground crews only treated forty to sixty percent. The new method is also more cost-effective, reportedly providing a cost-saving of thirty percent. Furthermore, the new method also provides safety benefits, with the plant operator remaining a good distance from the weed spraying chemicals at all times.

Fig. 20: Using an excavator as a weed spraying platform was an innovation that has allowed

more effective and efficient blackberry control along riverbeds and streams.


5.4. DiSCOVERY OF A NEw AND EMERGiNG wEED – ThE MEXiCAN POPPY

Following the flood events of 2007, a new weed was identified in the Wonnangatta Valley. The Mexican Poppy (Argemone Mexicana) (see Figure 21), is toxic to stock, but is not readily eaten. The weed establishes best without competition, and inhabits bare, gravel pits (see Figure 22), which were abundant following the flood events. The DSE and the West and East Gippsland Landcare networks continue to work in partnership to prevent the spread of this weed to downstream environments. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the re-establishment of native vegetation post-flood has limited the colonisation of this noxious weed. The weed is currently controlled by hand removal; as herbicide spraying has proved ineffectual. As Mexican Poppy seeds can remain dormant for several years, the DSE and local Landcare groups will remain vigilant in monitoring riparian areas for this weed.

Fig. 21: The Mexican Poppy Fig. 22: A typical habitat for the Mexican Poppy


5.5 BLACkBERRY LEAF RUST FUNGUS

The major focus for the DSE’s weed management activities under the Flood/Storm Recovery Program was blackberry management. River frontages and campsites denuded of vegetation were targeted for weed management works post-flood. The denuding of vegetation acted to facilitate access to previously inaccessible areas with well-established weed populations. Excellent results were achieved in blackberry management via parallel spraying and biological control programs. The latter program involved the release of the blackberry rust, Phragmidium violaceum (see Figure 23), at more than twenty sites across Gippsland, within the Thomson, Aberfeldy, Macalister, Avon and Mitchell river catchments. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the rust release resulted in heavy defoliation of blackberry plants and a marked reduction in the production of daughter plants.

Fig. 23: The blackberry rust, Phragmidium violaceum


6. INDIGENOUS HERITAGE: Outcomes and achievements

ALLOCATiON $300 k


● Recognise traditional owners and their elders

● Foster relationships and knowledge exchange

● Prevent damage to indigenous sites and places during recovery work

● Protect Indigenous sites and places

● Develop a more complete picture of archaeological record of indigenous sites

● Assess the impact of flood on known post-settlement sites

● Protect priority post-settlement sites

Achievements:

● The involvement of the Victorian Alps Indigenous Reference Group (VAIRG) in the steering of the flood and storm recovery program

● The performance of several cultural heritage inspections to ensure proposed recovery-works conformed with the Aboriginal Heritage Act of 2006

● A post-flood Indigenous archaeological survey

● Reconciliation Week bus tours


6.1 RECONCiLiATiON wEEk BUS TOURS

As part of Gippsland Regional Reconciliation Week celebrations, several PV and DSE staff and members of local Indigenous groups participated in two bus tours (to Blue Pool and Dermody’s Campsite). Blue Pool, north of Briagolong, is reputed as a traditional women’s site. Dermody’s Campsite, in the Avon-Mt Hendrick Scenic Reserve, north of Boisdale, is a signficant cultural heritage site, with large artefact scatters. Both areas are very popular with locals and tourists as they are equipped with camping and barbeque facilities and display spectacular scenery. The Great Divide Fire in 2006/07 destroyed walking tracks, signage, seating and other infrastructure at both sites. These were rehabilitated shortly after the fire, however, the amenities at Blue Pool were destroyed again in the flood events, which also exposed artefact scatters (Figure 24).

The bus tours were organised by the Recovery Community Engagement Team to promote the Flood/Storm Recovery Program and explain what was being done to respect cultural heritage values in damaged areas. There was also an oppurtunity for participants to learn about the Indigenous history of the affected regions. A smoking ceremony was held at one of the sites to cleanse the area and the people (see Figure 25). The tours presented an opportunity for staff working outside the recovery program to witness the devastating effects the fires and floods had on the natural environment in parts of Gippsland. All participants bore witness to the tremendous effort that has gone into the recovery of the affected areas and were given the chance to appreciate the Indigenous history of the region.

Fig. 24: Many indigenous artefacts were uncovered by the flood and fire events.

Fig. 25: A smoking ceremony was held to cleanse the site and the people.


6.2 ARChAEOLOGiCAL FLOOD SURVEY

After the fires and floods in 2006/07, there was concern that cultural heritage sites may have been damaged. Conversely, the fires and floods provided the opportunity to identify new sites by facilitating access to previously inaccessible areas and by uncovering artefact scatters. To assess the condition of known sites and to identify new sites, a tender was prepared for an Archaeological Flood Survey. Survey locations were developed in consultation with Gunai/Kurnai representatives and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (see Figure 26). Following an unsuccessful tendering process (no bids were received), Ironbark Heritage and Environment were contracted to undertake the survey.

Field assessments were delayed by the extended tendering process and the seasonal closure of roads into the survey sites. The delayed start impinged on the quality of the data as understorey regrowth had occurred, obscuring sites of interest. The field assessments involved Gunai/Kurnai community representatives. Some areas still await survey and it is hoped that the survey process will be completed by January, 2010.

Some of the outcomes of the survey were:

● A number of cultural heritage sites were identified and recorded across the surveyed areas.

● Heavy sedimentation has covered some previously known sites.

● In one location erosion of the stream bank exposed artefacts in the bank cross section.

● Surface flow appeared to have washed artefact-bearing top soil down onto the bed of the Wellington River.

● Severe erosion has removed streamside banks and flats that probably had artefacts present in the Aberfeldy and Wellington catchments.

The results of findings have not yet been released. A final report is expected in January, 2010.


Fig. 26: Locations of post-flood Archaeological surveys.


7. COMMUNITY AND TOURISM RECOVERY

ALLOCATiON $1M


● Promote the local tourist industry

● Support flood-affected communities to undertake local events

Achievements

● The involvement of the community in the Public Land Re-opening Strategy.

● The employment of Licensed Tourism Operators through the Licensed Tourist Operator Employment Scheme.

● Media releases for the re-opening of roads, tracks, camping sites promptly released following the completion of repair works to encourage the return of tourists to damaged areas.

● The publication of a news article in Track Watch (4WD Victoria).

● The production of a flood recovery media insert for distribution to the community through Gippsland regional newsletters, tourist information centres and other strategic locations.

● The funding of 33 committees of management for various works on Crown Land.

● The re-opening of the Gippsland Plains and East Gippsland Rail Trails within 14 and six months, respectively of the June flood event.


7.1 COMMUNiTY iNFRASTRUCTURE ON CROwN LAND

Committees of Management (COMs) for Crown Land manage a significant area of land and associated community assets such as Community Halls, Recreation Reserves, Racecourses, Mechanics Institutes and Surf Life Saving clubs. In total, 33 COMs received funding for works which included structural repairs to buildings, electrical repairs and debris removal. Examples of the types of projects funded are described below. In previous disaster events, COMs have not received support directly through DSE; rather they were required to apply for Community Grants administered by the Department of Human Services. The new funding agreement arranged within the Flood/Storm Recovery Program allowed DSE to directly support these projects, thus streamlining the process.

The COM for the Old Gippstown ‘Gippsland Heritage Park’ in Moe received funding through the Flood/Storm Recovery Program to repair damage to building exteriors and artefacts. Old Gippstown is a not for profit community-based program operating a heritage park on Crown Land. Over eighty percent of the buildings at the heritage park are original, dating back to the 1840s. The village was created by relocating buildings from around the Gippsland region to the site in Moe. The funding received from the Flood/Storm Recovery program was used to replace roofs on a number of the buildings; repaint walls; steam clean carpets; repair flashings and gutters, resurface the main access through the park and install drainage systems.

Funding was also allocated to the COMs for the East Gippsland and Gippsland Plains Rail Trails. The East Gippsland Rail Trail (EGRT) runs between Bairnsdale and Newmerella (near Orbost) over a total of 94 km. The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail (GPRT) extends 65 km from Stratford to Traralgon in Central Gippsland. The trails pass through varied landscapes of farmland, State forest and townships. Both Rail Trails, which are managed by COMs with assistance from DSE, suffered extensive damage in the 2007 floods. On the EGRT, two sections of the cutting near Lees Road collapsed as a result of a drain washout and the subsequent extreme runoff (see Figure 27). Approximately 720 cubic metres of old rail ballast was used to reinstate the damaged embankments (see Figure 28). On the GPRT, several crossings were damaged as well as the Rainbow Creek Bridge. The rehabilitation of both rail trails received strong community support. The Gippsland Plains and East Gippsland Rail Trails were re-opened within fourteen and six months respectively of the June flood event.

Fig. 27: Damage sustained to the East Gippsland Rail Trail during the flood events.

Fig. 28: Old rail ballast was used to reinstate an embankment on the East Gippsland Rail Trail.


7.2 COMMUNiTY ENGAGEMENT

The objectives for the community engagement program with respect to the Flood/Storm Recovery Program were to:

● Maintain and foster relationships with the local communities

● Promote the role of the community in the flood recovery process

● Engage stakeholders in recovery processes, achievements and activities

● Assist communities in the adaptation to the new landscape

A number of community engagement activities have been undertaken to inform the community about the extent of the flood damage, gain the community’s perspective on the prioritisation and implementation of recovery works, and to support the community in its recovery process. Some of community engagement activities that were organised are listed below:

● Community input invited for the development of the Access Re-opening Strategy

● The employment of Local Tourism Operators (LTOs) in recovery works

● Support for the Licola Recovery and Development Committee

● Support for volunteers from the Victorian Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs for their involvement in track clearing

● A talk on the recovery process was given to school groups in Cowwarr (September, 2007)

● The facilitation of tree planting days in Cowwarr (September, 2007) and Heyfield (November, 2007)

● Community bus tours of flood affected areas (September, 2008).


7.3 TOURiSM

The tourism industry in Gippsland was seriously impacted by the 2006/07 Great Divide Fires and the subsequent floods. The DSE and PV supported the tourism industry in Gippsland by prioritising recovery works in areas that experience high visitor numbers including the 90 mile beach coastline, recreation sites at the Gippsland Lakes, and prominent parks. For example, access to 90 mile beach was restored and jetties and piers servicing the Gippsland Lakes rehabilitated prior to the peak summer period.

The tourism industry was also supported by the restoration of visitor access to National Parks and State Forest. Where possible, the re-opening of roads was fast-tracked to facilitate access for residents and tourists. For example, the severely damaged Tamboritha road, which provides access to the Alpine National Park from Licola, was inspected by a contracted safety expert to determine what public safety actions were needed to allow a partial opening of the road whilst reconstruction continued. This process allowed public access to this road within three months of the flood event, rather than having the road remain closed for fifteen months until the works were completed. The DSE and PV produced a single public document (Access Re-opening Strategy – available on the PV website) which detailed all of the roads closed due to fire/flood damage and their likely date of re-opening. Works were scheduled to facilitate the re-opening of groups of roads to coincide with peak visitor periods such as long weekend or Easter.

Some commercial businesses are heavily or wholly dependant on public land for their business continuity; in particular Licensed Tour Operators. To support their recovery and that of the local economy and tourism industry, DSE and PV utilised these professionals where possible, capitalising on their skills and knowledge to assist works on public land.


8. REPORTING AND REVIEW

The DSE and PV reported on the implementation of the actions of the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program, undertaken to recover damage incurred on public land in the flood events in 2007. Four progress reports were prepared for the quarters to September, 2007; December, 2007; March, 2008 and June, 2008. These reports were prepared for the Project Control Board and the Executive Directors of DSE and PV. The progress reports were made available to the public via FireWeb. The reports were used to identify ongoing issues or emerging threats (e.g. weed invasion) that may need to be addressed by follow-up programs. The reports were also used to gauge the progress of the various recovery programs and their expenditure. This report forms the final report for the Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program.

8.1 LEARNiNGS

Two facilitated workshops were held with staff involved in the recovery program to capture their views on the successes and failures of the Flood/Storm Recovery Program. The workshops were held in winter, 2008, in order to capture the views of recovery staff before they were re-deployed to other duties.

Most views of staff at the workshops were positive. They were particularly impressed with:

● The coordination of DSE and PV recovery efforts

● Access Re-opening strategy, led by Parks Victoria

● The receipt of the $10M advance for recovery works

● The coordination and engagement of external contractors

● The ability to capitalise on the fire recovery process already in place

● The delegation of authority from a central point

Improvements identified included:

● Keeping personnel lists up to date

● The development of a shared drive for DSE and PV recovery documents

● Recognition of transition from event response to recovery

● The development of a panel contract for recovery/casual staff

● Managing the people we have better (identifying those that will need to continue with recovery process, release them for a period of time, fill with people from elsewhere)


REFERENCES

DSE and PV (2008) Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Plan. Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria.

Practical Ecology (2008) Condition assessment of threatened EVCs following the June 2007 floods of Gippsland, Victoria. A report prepared for Parks Victoria.

Serena, M. and G.A. Williams (2008) The status of Platypus in flood and fire affected catchments in Gippsland, 2008. A report to Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria. Australian Platypus Conservancy.


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proc

essi

ng o

f in

sura

nce

clai

ms

Repa

ir an

d re

-ope

n G

ipps

land

Pla

ins

and

East

G

ipps

land

Rai

l Tra

ils

Rem

ove

debr

is a

nd r

epai

r

trai

l sur

face

. Rep

air

or

repl

ace

brid

ges

and

othe

r st

ruct

ures

to

ensu

re s

afet

y an

d co

mpl

ianc

e w

ith

engi

neer

ing

stan

dard

s.

$600

,000

Co

mp

lete

• Ea

st G

ipps

land

Rai

l Tra

il re

-ope

ned

with

in s

ix m

onth

s of

the

maj

or fl

ood

even

t

• G

ipps

land

Pla

ins

Rail

Trai

l re-

open

ed w

ithin

fou

rtee

n m

onth

s of

the

maj

or fl

ood

even

t

• Po

tent

ial f

utur

e co

st o

f $1

M t

o co

nstr

uct

foot

/ cy

cle

brid

ges

over

m

ajor

riv

ers

Dev

elop

a r

e-op

enin

g st

rate

gy f

or G

ipps

land

’s Pu

blic

Lan

d in

con

sulta

tion

with

the

com

mun

ity, k

ey

stak

ehol

ders

and

LTO

s by

30

Jun

e 20

08

Enga

ge w

ith s

take

hold

ers

to id

entif

y pr

iorit

y w

orks

, up

date

Par

kWeb

to

info

rm

publ

ic o

f ro

ad r

e-op

enin

gs.

Co

mp

lete

• Fl

ood

and

fire

re-o

peni

ng s

trat

egie

s am

alga

mat

ed

and

upda

ted

on P

arkW

eb

• Pu

blic

ses

sion

to

faci

litat

e pu

blic

inpu

t in

to t

he r

e-op

enin

g st

rate

gy h

eld

in B

airn

sdal

e an

d Tr

aral

gon

• C

ontin

ue t

o up

date

sta

tus

of r

oads

on

Par

kWeb


Ob

ject

ives

Stra

teg

yPr

oje

ctB

ud

get

fo

r 07

/08

Stat

us

(s

ee k

ey)

Ach

ieve

men

tsC

om

men

t &

issu

es

1.V

iSiT

OR

SER

ViC

ES c

on

tin

ued

Rep

air

or

rep

lace

re

crea

tio

nal

an

d

tou

rist

bu

ilt a

sset

s

Rest

ore

beac

h ac

cess

al

ong

90 M

ile B

each

, in

clud

ing

asse

ssm

ent

of

shor

elin

e ha

zard

s by

30

June

200

8

Ass

ess

and

repa

ir of

se

awal

ls a

nd b

reak

wat

ers.

A

sses

s sh

orel

ine

at f

our

maj

or e

rosi

on s

ites

and

min

imis

e ha

zard

s to

sw

imm

ers

and

boat

use

rs.

$1,0

00,0

00C

om

ple

te•

Abo

rigin

al s

ite a

t Ro

undh

ead

prot

ecte

d

• M

arly

Poi

nt s

ea w

all r

epla

ced

• A

cces

s to

Nin

ety

Mile

Bea

ch c

oast

line

rest

ored

(M

cLou

ghlin

s Be

ach,

The

Hon

eysu

ckle

s an

d Pa

radi

se

Beac

h (P

V))

• Er

osio

n pr

otec

tion

and

trac

k re

pair

perf

orm

ed a

long

th

e Lo

ch S

port

For

esho

re

• M

ason

s Ba

y bo

ardw

alk

and

recr

eatio

n fa

cilit

ies

rest

ored

(PV

).

Rest

ore

func

tioni

ng o

f bo

atin

g ca

pabi

lity

with

in

Gip

psla

nd L

akes

by

30

June

200

8

Supp

ort

Gip

psla

nd P

orts

to

re-

esta

blis

h th

eir

full

capa

city

by

30 S

epte

mbe

r 20

07.

$200

,000

C

om

ple

te•

Floo

d da

mag

e th

e Pa

ynes

ville

Boa

t Ya

rd a

nd W

ork

Cen

tre

repa

ired

• Je

ttie

s, s

ea w

alls

, wha

rfs

and

navi

gatio

n ai

des

insp

ecte

d fo

r da

mag

e

• Fl

oatin

g de

bris

rem

oved

• M

itche

ll Ri

ver

Silt

Jett

ies

repa

ired

and

stab

ilise

d

• G

ipps

land

Por

ts (G

P) in

sura

nce

clai

m c

ompl

ete

• G

P St

aff

supp

orte

d Ea

st G

ipps

land

Po

rts

with

insp

ectio

ns a

nd

mon

itorin

g of

boa

ts o

n m

oorin

gs.

All

wor

ks c

ompl

ete.

Supp

ort

flood

aff

ecte

d co

mm

unity

res

erve

s in

fras

truc

ture

Rem

ove

flood

deb

ris

and

faci

litat

e re

pair/

repl

acem

ent

of d

amag

ed

infr

astr

uctu

re o

n C

row

n La

nd m

anag

ed b

y lo

cal C

omm

ittee

s of

M

anag

emen

t (C

OM

s).

$1,5

00,0

00C

om

ple

ted

• Fo

rmal

arr

ange

men

ts m

ade

with

CO

Ms

for

the

reco

very

pro

cess

• 33

Com

mun

ity P

roje

cts

supp

orte

d fin

anci

ally

and

ad

min

istr

ativ

ely

e.g.

Wah

alla

Lon

g Tu

nnel

Min

e ($

245,

101)

, Wah

alla

Tou

rism

Rai

lway

Brid

ges

($75

,000

), G

ipps

land

Her

itage

Par

k ($

112,

370)

, La

kes

Entr

ance

Res

cue

Squa

d ($

60,0

00)

• Po

sitiv

e fe

edba

ck r

ecei

ved

from

C

OM

s re

gard

ing

DSE

rec

over

y su

ppor

t

• 35

age

ncie

s di

rect

ly in

volv

ed

in r

ecov

ery

proj

ect,

5 n

ew

man

agem

ent

arra

ngem

ents

Rest

ore

the

wal

king

tra

ck

netw

ork

by 3

0 Ju

ne 2

008

Rest

ore

seve

rely

dam

aged

w

alki

ng t

rack

s an

d as

soci

ated

infr

astr

uctu

re

incl

udin

g th

e Sa

le

Com

mon

and

Mitc

hell

Rive

r w

alki

ng t

rack

s.

$800

,000

$25,

000

Co

mp

lete

• Bl

ue P

ools

and

Avo

n (C

hann

els

– H

ugge

ts) w

alki

ng

trac

ks r

e op

ened

• Sa

le C

omm

on B

oard

wal

k re

-ope

ned

• Bo

ardw

alk

at E

win

gs M

oras

s at

Pet

tman

s Be

ach

com

plet

e

Ass

ets

repl

aced

fit

for

purp

ose,

con

sist

ent

with

su

stai

nabl

e pr

inci

ples

an

d fu

lly c

ompl

iant

with

re

leva

nt s

tand

ards

by

30

June

200

8

Com

pile

list

of

dam

aged

as

sets

on

publ

ic la

nd.

Trea

t si

tes

to p

rote

ct

publ

ic s

afet

y an

d re

mov

e da

mag

ed o

r de

stro

yed

stru

ctur

es.

Und

erta

ke p

lann

ing

and

desi

gn t

o re

plac

e as

sets

in

acco

rdan

ce w

ith p

riorit

ies.

C

ompl

ete

repa

ir an

d re

plac

emen

t pr

ogra

m.

$400

,000

Co

mp

lete

• Li

st o

f da

mag

ed a

sset

s in

Eric

a/H

eyfie

ld c

ompl

eted

an

d lo

dged

with

insu

rers

.

• Re

pairs

to

all C

ann

Rive

r re

crea

tion

site

s co

mpl

eted

.

• Bl

ue P

ool w

orks

com

plet

ed a

head

of

sche

dule

.

• C

ampg

roun

d gr

avel

ling

in E

rica

dist

rict

com

plet

ed.

• G

ipps

land

Lak

es D

isco

very

Tra

il re

pairs

and

reg

rade

co

mpl

eted

for

sch

ool h

olid

ay u

se.

• M

ount

Tay

lor

Boys

Cam

p re

pairs

com

plet

ed w

ith

reve

geta

tion

area

s fe

nced

off

.

• D

eptf

ord

cam

pgro

und

acce

ss r

epai

red.

• Re

plac

emen

t of

fac

ilitie

s w

as

in a

ccor

danc

e w

ith A

ustr

alia

n St

anda

rds

and

DSE

Fac

ilitie

s D

esig

n C

omm

ittee

.


Ob

ject

ives

Stra

teg

yPr

oje

ctB

ud

get

fo

r 07

/08

Stat

us

(s

ee k

ey)

Ach

ieve

men

tsC

om

men

t &

issu

es

2. N

ATU

RA

L V

ALU

ES

Pro

tect

hig

h

valu

e b

iod

iver

sity

as

sets

fro

m h

igh

to

ext

rem

e ri

sks

(mit

igat

e ri

sk)

Ass

ess

high

prio

rity

terr

estr

ial a

nd a

quat

ic

faun

a po

pula

tions

at

risk

of lo

cal e

xtin

ctio

n fr

om

thre

aten

ed h

abita

t by

30

June

200

8 an

d im

plem

ent

rem

edia

l wor

k.

Det

erm

ine

the

impa

ct o

f th

e flo

od o

n si

gnifi

cant

aq

uatic

inve

rteb

rate

s (#

2.1)

; ver

tebr

ates

in

clud

ing

Dw

arf

and

Mou

ntai

n G

alax

ids

and

Aus

tral

ian

Gra

ylin

g (#

2.2)

; am

phib

ians

(#2.

3) a

nd

impl

emen

t re

cove

ry

prog

ram

s as

req

uire

d.

$200

,000

$50,

000

Co

mp

lete

• Po

pula

tions

of

fish

wer

e fo

und

and

are

bein

g he

ld a

t A

RI u

ntil

suita

ble

rein

trod

uctio

n co

nditi

ons

occu

r.

• C

ontin

ue n

orm

al p

reda

tor

cont

rol a

nd a

sses

smen

t of

w

ild p

opul

atio

n st

atus

.

$10,

000

• Pr

ojec

t no

t ac

tione

d th

roug

h flo

od

reco

very

pro

gram

.

Redu

ce im

med

iate

ne

gativ

e im

pact

s on

hig

h va

lue

ecos

yste

ms

by 3

0 Ju

ne 2

008.

Det

erm

ine

impa

ct o

f flo

ods

on A

lpin

e M

ossb

eds

acro

ss a

ll te

nure

s (#

2.4)

an

d im

plem

ent

stru

ctur

al

rest

orat

ion

actio

ns w

ith

area

s fir

e an

d flo

od

affe

cted

as

a pr

iorit

y (#

2.5)

.

Co

mp

lete

• St

ruct

ural

res

tora

tion

impl

emen

ted

to m

inim

ise

eros

ion

and

impr

ove

wat

er q

ualit

y

• To

tal 1

23 m

oss

beds

vis

ited;

all

had

will

ows

$135

,000

• W

illow

s ar

e co

nsid

ered

of

mos

t co

ncer

n in

Bog

ong

Hig

h Pl

ains

, fo

llow

ed b

y M

t Bu

ffal

o an

d W

onna

ngat

ta –

Mor

oka

Reha

bilit

ate

and

redu

ce

imm

edia

te r

isks

to

thre

aten

ed E

VC

s in

clud

ing

Dry

Val

ley

Fore

st,

Rive

rine

Esca

rpm

ent

Scru

b, C

TR, (

#2.6

) an

d D

eep

Fres

hwat

er

Mar

sh in

clud

ing

prot

ectio

n of

sig

nific

ant

geom

orph

olog

ical

fea

ture

s (#

2.7)

.

Co

mp

lete

• 12

site

s re

pres

entin

g va

rious

thr

eate

ned

EVC

s w

ere

surv

eyed

for

floo

d-da

mag

e by

con

sulta

nts

from

Pr

actic

al E

colo

gy

• Th

e fin

ding

s w

ere

publ

ishe

d in

a r

epor

t re

leas

ed in

A

ugus

t, 2

008:

’Con

ditio

n as

sess

men

t of

thr

eate

ned

EVC

s fo

llow

ing

June

200

7 flo

ods

of G

ipps

land

, V

icto

ria.’

• Fl

ood-

impa

cts

on t

hrea

tene

d EV

Cs

incl

uded

exo

tic s

peci

es

colo

nisa

tion,

slu

mpi

ng, e

rosi

on a

nd

falle

n tr

ees

Hyd

rolo

gy r

egul

atio

n st

ruct

ures

at

McL

eods

M

oras

s

Co

mp

lete

• M

cLeo

ds M

oras

s W

etla

nd e

ngin

eerin

g w

orks

co

mpl

eted

in D

ecem

ber

2007


Ob

ject

ives

Stra

teg

yPr

oje

ctB

ud

get

fo

r 07

/08

Stat

us

(s

ee k

ey)

Ach

ieve

men

tsC

om

men

t &

issu

es

2. N

ATU

RA

L V

ALU

ES c

on

tin

ued

imp

rove

u

nd

erst

and

ing

of

the

imp

act

of

Flo

od

an

d S

torm

eve

nt

on

bio

div

ersi

ty

(mo

nit

or

risk

)

Impa

cts

of fl

oods

and

st

orm

s on

key

pop

ulat

ions

an

d/or

hab

itat

of fl

ora

and

aqua

tic o

rgan

ism

s,

amph

ibia

ns, m

amm

als

and

rept

iles

asse

ssed

by

30

June

200

8.

Sync

hron

ise

flood

pro

gram

w

ith fi

re p

rogr

am a

lread

y in

pla

ce a

nd p

rovi

de e

xtra

re

sour

ces

whe

re r

equi

red.

Perf

orm

sur

veys

to

confi

rm

pres

ence

/per

sist

ence

of

prio

rity

thre

aten

ed p

lant

po

pula

tions

(#2.

8).

Co

mp

lete

• Fl

ood

reco

very

pro

gram

inco

rpor

ated

into

the

fire

re

cove

ry p

rogr

am a

lread

y in

pla

ce

• Su

rvey

s w

ere

perf

orm

ed t

o co

nfirm

the

pre

senc

e or

pe

rsis

tenc

e of

prio

rity

thre

aten

ed p

lant

pop

ulat

ions

.

• Su

rvey

find

ings

wer

e pu

blis

hed

in a

rep

ort

rele

ased

in

Aug

ust,

200

8: ’C

ondi

tion

asse

ssm

ent

of t

hrea

tene

d EV

Cs

follo

win

g Ju

ne 2

007

flood

s of

Gip

psla

nd,

Vic

toria

.’

• Th

e se

verit

y of

the

fire

was

the

m

ain

cont

ribut

ing

fact

or t

o im

pact

ed b

iodi

vers

ity

• W

eed

mon

itorin

g is

ong

oing

Und

erta

ke s

urve

ys o

f th

reat

ened

fau

na in

clud

ing

Smok

y M

ouse

(#2.

9) [c

ross

te

nure

pro

ject

DSE

lead

]

Co

mp

lete

• Pr

elim

inar

y re

view

of

docu

men

ted

rese

arch

com

pile

d

• Pr

ojec

t su

rvey

s un

dert

aken

in t

he G

oulb

urn

Cat

chm

ent

• Pr

ogre

ss r

epor

ts p

rovi

ded

to t

he R

ecov

ery

Man

agem

ent

Boar

d

• A

fina

l rep

ort

com

pile

d fo

r th

e A

rthu

r R

ylah

Inst

itute

• Pr

ojec

t su

pple

men

ted

with

fed

eral

fu

ndin

g (N

atio

nal H

erita

ge T

rust

).

Mon

itorin

g to

det

erm

ine

the

stat

us o

f pl

atyp

us in

flo

od a

nd fi

re a

ffec

ted

catc

hmen

ts in

Gip

psla

nd.

$33,

000

Co

mp

lete

• Fi

eldw

ork

com

plet

ed a

nd d

raft

rep

ort

subm

itted

to

DSE

.

Min

imis

e th

e ri

sk

asso

ciat

ed w

ith

es

tab

lish

ed a

nd

n

ew a

nd

em

erg

ing

w

eed

s (r

edu

ce r

isk)

Iden

tify

key

prio

ritie

s fo

r de

alin

g w

ith w

eeds

, an

d pr

iorit

ise

high

val

ue

habi

tats

and

veg

etat

ion

com

mun

ities

for

wee

d co

ntro

l by

30 J

une

2008

.

Erad

icat

e ne

w a

nd

emer

ging

wee

ds f

rom

pr

iorit

y ar

eas

in t

he

Mitc

hell,

Tho

mps

on

and

Avo

n C

atch

men

ts

incl

udin

g tr

ibut

arie

s an

d al

pine

bog

s in

the

ir he

adw

ater

s (#

2.10

).

Redu

ce t

he t

hrea

t of

es

tabl

ishe

d w

eeds

im

pact

ing

on k

ey v

alue

s in

prio

rity

area

s in

the

M

itche

ll, T

hom

pson

an

d A

von

Cat

chm

ents

in

clud

ing

trib

utar

ies

and

lake

s th

at r

each

ed m

ajor

flo

ods

leve

ls. (

#2.1

1) –

id

entifi

ed t

hrea

ts in

clud

e bl

ackb

erry

, brid

al c

reep

er,

periw

inkl

e an

d w

illow

s in

rip

aria

n ar

eas;

and

Pa

tter

son’

s C

urse

, gor

se

and

Oxe

ye d

aisy

in u

pper

ca

tchm

ent

area

s.

$600

,000

Co

mp

lete

• M

exic

an P

oppy

, Arg

emon

e or

chro

leuc

a, d

etec

ted

in

the

Won

anga

tta

Valle

y. C

ontr

ol p

rogr

am d

evel

oped

th

roug

h a

part

ners

hip

betw

een

DSE

and

Lan

dcar

e.

• M

exic

an P

oppy

con

trol

pro

gram

impl

emen

ted

in

Sprin

g 20

08.


Ob

ject

ives

Stra

teg

yPr

oje

ctB

ud

get

fo

r 07

/08

Stat

us

(s

ee k

ey)

Ach

ieve

men

tsC

om

men

t &

issu

es

2. N

ATU

RA

L V

ALU

ES c

on

tin

ued

Min

imis

e th

e ri

sk

asso

ciat

ed w

ith

p

red

ato

rs a

nd

g

raze

rs o

n h

igh

va

lue

fau

na

and

fl

ora

(re

du

ce r

isk)

Redu

ce im

med

iate

ne

gativ

e im

pact

s on

hig

h va

lue

faun

a an

d flo

ra

thro

ugh

pest

ani

mal

co

ntro

l by

30 J

une

2008

.

Dec

reas

e th

e im

pact

s of

pe

st a

nim

als

incl

udin

g gr

azin

g by

exo

tic

herb

ivor

es (r

abbi

ts, d

eer,

pigs

, goa

ts a

nd f

eral

ho

rses

) on

sign

ifica

nt

valu

es w

ithin

the

maj

or

flood

eff

ecte

d ar

ea

(#2.

12).

Und

erta

ke m

onito

ring

of

the

impa

cts

of b

y ex

otic

he

rbiv

ores

on

rege

nera

ting

thre

aten

ed fl

ora

and

EVC

s fo

llow

ing

the

flood

eve

nt

(#2.

13).

Redu

ce t

he in

crea

sed

thre

at o

f pr

edat

ion

by f

oxes

and

cat

s to

si

gnifi

cant

fau

na w

ithin

th

e flo

od e

ffec

ted

area

s.

Co

mp

lete

• A

n ex

tens

ive

fox-

baiti

ng p

rogr

am w

as u

nder

take

n.

Min

imis

e p

est

pla

nts

an

d a

nim

als

alo

ng

th

e p

ub

lic/

pri

vate

lan

d

inte

rfac

e (r

edu

ce

risk

)

Wor

k in

par

tner

ship

with

ad

jace

nt la

ndho

lder

s to

un

dert

ake

pred

ator

con

trol

an

d to

iden

tify

and

cont

rol

wee

d so

urce

s on

pub

lic

land

by

30 J

une

2008

.

Dec

reas

e th

e co

ver

of

wee

ds d

ispe

rsed

by

the

flood

eve

nt in

inte

rfac

e ar

eas

incl

udin

g w

illow

and

ot

her

pest

pla

nts.

Und

erta

ke s

urve

illan

ce a

nd

trea

t ne

w a

nd e

mer

ging

w

eeds

alo

ng in

terf

ace

area

s.

Man

age

rabb

it, h

are

and

fox

popu

latio

ns a

nd o

ther

pe

st a

nim

als

alon

g th

e in

terf

ace.

Co

mp

lete

• Th

e de

velo

pmen

t of

an

inte

grat

ed p

est,

pla

nts

and

anim

als

prog

ram

in t

he M

itche

ll Ri

ver

Cat

chm

ent

betw

een

EGC

MA

, PV

and

DSE

.

• Su

ppor

t fo

r th

e G

ood

Nei

ghbo

ur P

rogr

am, w

hich

in

volv

es a

com

bine

d ef

fort

bet

wee

n th

e D

SE a

nd

land

hold

ers

to c

ontr

ol w

eeds

at

the

publ

ic/p

rivat

e la

nd in

terf

ace.

imp

rove

pro

tect

ion

o

f ri

par

ian

ve

get

atio

n a

lon

g

stre

ams

and

w

ater

cou

rses

Repa

ir or

rep

lace

bou

ndar

y fe

ncin

g al

ong

stra

tegi

c w

ater

way

s by

30

June

20

08.

Build

str

ong

part

ners

hips

w

ith t

he E

ast

Gip

psla

nd

Cat

chm

ent

Man

agem

ent

Aut

horit

y to

iden

tify

affe

cted

land

hold

ers.

$475

00C

om

ple

ted

• 16

aff

ecte

d la

ndho

lder

s id

entifi

ed

• 11

.1 k

m o

f fe

ncin

g re

paire

d

• 10

.3 k

m o

f rip

aria

n ar

eas

man

aged

for

bla

ckbe

rry,

bl

ue p

eriw

inkl

e an

d w

illow

• 39

.7 h

a of

rip

aria

n zo

ne f

ence

d to

pre

vent

gra

zing

• Th

e 39

.7 h

a of

rip

aria

n zo

ne is

now

un

der

the

Rive

rban

k Re

habi

litat

ion

and

Land

Man

agem

ent

Agr

eem

ent

for

perp

etui

ty.


Ob

ject

ives

Stra

teg

yPr

oje

ctB

ud

get

fo

r 07

/08

Stat

us

(s

ee k

ey)

Ach

ieve

men

tsC

om

men

t &

issu

es

2. N

ATU

RA

L V

ALU

ES c

on

tin

ued

Rep

air

or

rep

lace

C

MA

ass

ets

Ass

ess

and

rebu

ild a

sset

s by

30

June

200

8.

n/a

n/a

CM

A fl

oo

d r

eco

very

fu

nd

ing

an

d r

epo

rtin

g a

rran

gem

ents

alt

ered

an

d a

re n

ow

m

anag

ed d

irec

tly

by

the

Dep

artm

ent

of

Trea

sury

an

d F

inan

ce.

inve

stig

ate

and

A

sses

s R

iver

hea

lth

is

sues

Iden

tify

and

impl

emen

t pr

iorit

y w

orks

by

30 J

une

08

Pro

tect

riv

er h

ealt

h

fro

m s

edim

ent

Ass

ess

and

prio

ritis

e w

orks

by

30

June

200

8.

Min

imis

e w

eed

re

esta

blis

hm

ent

and

in

vasi

on

of

new

w

eed

s in

hig

h v

alu

e w

ater

way

s

Und

erta

ke w

eed

man

agem

ent

activ

ities

in

conj

unct

ion

with

adj

oini

ng

land

hold

ers

by 3

0 Ju

ne

2008

.

imp

rove

C

om

mu

nit

y kn

ow

led

ge

and

u

nd

erst

and

ing

of

the

reg

ion

s fl

oo

ds

in r

egar

d t

o r

iver

h

ealt

h

Enga

ge lo

cal c

omm

unity

an

d pr

ovid

e in

form

atio

n an

d ad

vice

reg

ardi

ng r

iver

he

alth

issu

es r

elat

ed t

o flo

od. I

nfor

m a

nd c

onsu

lt co

mm

unity

thr

ough

the

flo

od r

espo

nse

prog

ram

3. i

ND

iGEN

OU

S A

ND

PO

ST –

SET

TLEM

ENT

hER

iTA

GE

Rec

og

nit

ion

of

trad

itio

nal

ow

ner

s an

d t

hei

r el

der

s

Build

on

part

ners

hips

es

tabl

ishe

d be

twee

n tr

aditi

onal

ow

ners

, the

ir el

ders

and

man

agem

ent

agen

cies

in t

he G

reat

D

ivid

e Fi

re R

ecov

ery

Proj

ect.

Wor

k in

par

tner

ship

with

th

e Ta

unge

rung

, Gun

ai

Kur

nai,

Kur

nai,

Dhu

droa

, W

urun

djer

i, M

oner

o-N

garig

u, J

aim

athm

atha

ng

and

Mita

mbu

ta p

eopl

es

and

thei

r el

ders

En

sure

invo

lvem

ent

of

trad

ition

al o

wne

rs a

nd

elde

rs in

the

rec

over

y pr

ogra

m t

hrou

gh t

he

Vic

toria

n A

lps

Indi

geno

us

Refe

renc

e G

roup

(VA

IRG

).

Co

mp

lete

• Tr

aditi

onal

ow

ners

and

the

ir el

ders

ass

iste

d in

the

se

lect

ion

of a

rcha

eolo

gica

l sur

vey

site

s.

• Tr

aditi

onal

ow

ners

and

eld

ers

perf

orm

ed p

re-s

urve

y fie

ld in

spec

tions

at

the

prop

osed

sur

vey

loca

tions

.

An

exte

nded

ten

derin

g pr

oces

s an

d ac

cess

issu

es d

elay

ed t

he c

ompl

etio

n of

Indi

geno

us a

rcha

eolo

gica

l sur

veys

. Th

eref

ore,

the

sur

veys

cou

ld n

ot b

e co

mpl

eted

by

the

agre

ed e

nd d

ate

(30

June

200

8)...

Fost

er r

elat

ion

ship

s an

d k

no

wle

dg

e ex

chan

ge

Prom

ote

good

co

mm

unic

atio

n an

d ex

chan

ge o

f id

eas

and

valu

es b

etw

een

trad

ition

al

owne

rs, P

V, D

SE, A

AV

an

d ot

her

indi

geno

us

com

mun

ities

on

the

impl

emen

tatio

n of

the

fir

e, fl

ood

and

stor

m

indi

geno

us r

ecov

ery

prog

ram

by

30 J

une

2008

.

The

Vic

toria

n A

lpin

e A

borig

inal

Ref

eren

ce

Gro

up (V

AA

RG) t

o pr

ovid

e co

llabo

ratio

n an

d st

eerin

g of

fire

, floo

d an

d st

orm

in

dige

nous

rec

over

y pr

ogra

m.

Co

mp

lete

• VA

ARG

ack

now

ledg

emen

t of

floo

d ar

chae

olog

ical

su

rvey

loca

tions

in G

unna

i/Kur

nai c

ount

ry.

• A

AV

invo

lved

in d

evel

opm

ent

of t

he a

rcha

eolo

gica

l su

rvey

pro

gram

fro

m c

once

ptio

n to

impl

emen

tatio

n.


Ob

ject

ives

Stra

teg

yPr

oje

ctB

ud

get

fo

r 07

/08

Stat

us

(s

ee k

ey)

Ach

ieve

men

tsC

om

men

t &

issu

es

3. i

ND

iGEN

OU

S A

ND

PO

ST –

SET

TLEM

ENT

hER

iTA

GE

con

tin

ued

Prev

ent

dam

age

to in

dig

eno

us

site

s an

d p

lace

s

Inst

igat

e th

e im

pact

of

rec

over

y w

orks

on

indi

geno

us s

ites

and

plac

es

by 3

0 Ju

ne 2

008.

Dev

elop

a c

onsi

sten

t pr

oces

s fo

r sc

reen

ing

wor

ks p

ropo

sals

to

ensu

re

cultu

ral s

ites

are

prot

ecte

d in

acc

orda

nce

with

the

A

borig

inal

Her

itage

Act

20

06.

$200

,000

Co

mp

lete

• Su

rvey

s to

ass

ess

dam

age

to in

dige

nous

site

s an

d pl

aces

alm

ost

com

plet

ed a

nd s

ite c

ards

hav

e be

en

subm

itted

to

AA

V.

An

exte

nded

ten

derin

g pr

oces

s an

d ac

cess

issu

es d

elay

ed t

he c

ondu

ctio

n of

Indi

geno

us a

rcha

eolo

gica

l sur

veys

. Th

eref

ore,

the

sur

veys

cou

ld n

ot b

e co

mpl

eted

by

the

agre

ed e

nd d

ate

(30

June

200

8)...

Pro

tect

kn

ow

n

ind

igen

ou

s si

tes

and

pla

ces

Con

firm

pre

senc

e of

site

s an

d es

tabl

ish

prot

ectio

n an

d m

anag

emen

t m

easu

res

by 3

0 Ju

ne

2008

.

Und

erta

ke in

tegr

ated

fir

e, fl

ood

and

stor

m

Indi

geno

us a

rcha

eolo

gica

l su

rvey

s ut

ilisi

ng t

radi

tiona

l ow

ners

.

Impl

emen

t a

prog

ram

of

wor

ks t

o pr

otec

t, m

aint

ain

and

(whe

re a

ppro

pria

te)

inte

rpre

t in

dige

nous

cu

ltura

l val

ues

with

tr

aditi

onal

ow

ners

and

sc

hedu

led

com

mun

ities

/RA

Ps.

Indi

geno

us r

epre

sent

ativ

es

invo

lved

in p

lann

ing

and

impl

emen

tatio

n of

all

site

w

orks

.

Co

mp

lete

• A

rcha

eolo

gica

l fiel

d su

rvey

s co

nduc

ted

in 5

ca

tchm

ents

acr

oss

the

flood

aff

ecte

d ar

ea a

nd a

cros

s a

rang

e of

ter

rain

fro

m c

oast

al m

arsh

to

high

cou

ntry

(t

his

incl

uded

are

as b

urnt

in 2

006/

07 G

reat

Div

ide

Fire

s).

• G

unna

i/Kur

nai r

epre

sent

ativ

es w

ere

invo

lved

in a

ll fie

ldw

ork.

Dev

elo

p a

mo

re

com

ple

te p

ictu

re

of

arch

aeo

log

ical

re

cord

of

ind

igen

ou

s si

tes

Iden

tify

indi

geno

us

arch

aeol

ogic

al s

ites

and

plac

es n

ot y

et r

ecor

ded

by

30 J

une

2008

.

Und

erta

ke p

ost-

flood

in

dige

nous

arc

haeo

logi

cal

surv

eys

utili

sing

tra

ditio

nal

owne

rs.

Co

mp

lete

Pro

tect

po

st

Euro

pea

n

sett

lem

ent

her

itag

e

Ass

ess

and

prot

ect

post

se

ttle

men

t he

ritag

e by

30

June

200

8.

Ass

ess

post

-set

tlem

ent

herit

age

for

evid

ence

of

eros

ion,

exp

osur

e an

d in

stab

ility

.

Prot

ect

site

s or

rem

ove

vuln

erab

le m

ater

ials

.

$100

,000

Co

mp

lete


Ob

ject

ives

Stra

teg

yPr

oje

ctB

ud

get

fo

r 07

/08

Stat

us

(s

ee k

ey)

Ach

ieve

men

tsC

om

men

t &

issu

es

4. C

OM

MU

NiC

ATi

ON

AN

D C

OM

MU

NiT

Y E

NG

AG

EMEN

T

Mai

nta

in a

nd

Fo

ster

R

elat

ion

ship

sC

omm

unic

ate

the

reop

enin

g st

rate

gy t

o ge

nera

l com

mun

ity, k

ey

stak

ehol

ders

and

rel

evan

t G

over

nmen

t au

thor

ities

by

30 J

une

2008

.

Enga

ge s

take

hold

ers

rega

rdin

g pr

iorit

ies

for

publ

ic a

cces

s an

d in

corp

orat

e in

to P

ublic

La

nd R

eope

ning

Str

ateg

y by

1 D

ecem

ber

2007

.

Dev

elop

and

pub

licis

e Pu

blic

Lan

d Re

open

ing

Stra

tegy

on

Park

Web

with

m

onth

ly u

pdat

es.

Con

tinue

to

upda

te a

nd

publ

icis

e Pu

blic

Lan

d Re

open

ing

Stra

tegy

–

resp

ondi

ng t

o ne

w a

nd

chan

ging

sta

keho

lder

ex

pect

atio

ns.

$200

,000

Com

plet

e•

The

floo

d an

d fir

e re

cove

ry r

e-op

enin

g st

rate

gies

w

ere

inte

grat

ed a

nd u

pdat

es o

n th

e pr

ogre

ss o

f ro

ad-r

e-op

enin

gs w

ere

post

ed o

n th

e Pa

rks

Vic

toria

W

ebsi

te (w

ww

.par

kweb

.com

.au)

.

The

Stra

tegy

wor

ked

very

wel

l to

info

rm s

taff

and

ext

erna

l par

ties

on a

pa

rk, r

oad,

or

trac

ks o

peni

ng s

tatu

s.

Ther

e ar

e 3

PV s

ites

liste

d as

clo

sed

(on

park

web

) due

to

curr

ent

wor

ks.

Web

site

info

was

diffi

cult

to fi

nd f

or

som

e pa

rtie

s, a

dire

ct li

nk s

houl

d be

cr

eate

d fo

r em

erge

ncy

situ

atio

ns.

Mai

ntai

n an

d fo

ster

re

latio

nshi

ps b

etw

een

PV

and

DSE

sta

ff a

nd lo

cal

com

mun

ities

by

30 J

une

2008

.

DSE

and

PV

sta

ff t

o at

tend

an

d su

ppor

t co

mm

unity

re

cove

ry a

nd r

ehab

ilita

tion

even

ts.

DSE

and

PV

sta

ff t

o w

ork

with

the

com

mun

ity

to b

uild

and

mai

ntai

n pa

rtne

rshi

ps t

hat

supp

ort

broa

der

com

mun

ity

reco

very

.

Com

plet

e•

DSE

and

PV

sta

ff h

ave

been

invo

lved

in s

ever

al C

OM

s to

ass

ist

in t

he p

rogr

essi

on o

f co

mm

unity

pro

ject

s


Ob

ject

ives

Stra

teg

yPr

oje

ctB

ud

get

fo

r 07

/08

Stat

us

(s

ee k

ey)

Ach

ieve

men

tsC

om

men

t &

issu

es

4. C

OM

MU

NiC

ATi

ON

AN

D C

OM

MU

NiT

Y E

NG

AG

EMEN

T co

nti

nu

ed

Eng

age

stak

eho

lder

s in

re

cove

ry p

roce

sses

, ac

hie

vem

ents

an

d

acti

viti

es

Prom

ote

the

role

of

the

com

mun

ity in

fire

, floo

d an

d st

orm

rec

over

y by

30

June

200

8.

Reco

very

Offi

cers

will

ac

tivel

y co

llabo

rate

with

Sh

ire R

ecov

ery

offic

ers

to id

entif

y co

mm

unity

re

cove

ry o

ppor

tuni

ties.

The

com

mun

ity w

ill b

e en

cour

aged

to

shar

e th

eir

expe

rienc

es t

hrou

gh

part

icip

atio

n in

com

mun

ity

even

ts.

Iden

tify

and

enco

urag

e pa

rtic

ipat

ion

from

the

G

ipps

land

com

mun

ity

and

key

user

gro

ups

in

reco

very

and

mon

itorin

g ac

tiviti

es s

uch

as w

ildlif

e su

rvey

s an

d tr

ee p

lant

ing

field

day

s.

Wor

k w

ith t

he c

omm

unity

to

bui

ld t

heir

capa

city

to

enga

ge w

ith fl

ood,

sto

rm

man

agem

ent

on p

ublic

la

nd.

Co

mp

lete

• C

ontin

uatio

n of

wee

d st

rate

gy p

rogr

ams

acro

ss C

MA

an

d D

SE m

anag

ed a

reas

and

liai

son

with

land

hold

ers

alon

g pr

ivat

e/pu

blic

land

inte

rfac

e.

• Lo

cals

livi

ng w

ithin

the

cat

chm

ents

are

as w

ere

prov

ided

with

impo

rtan

t in

form

atio

n ab

out

plat

ypus

si

ghtin

gs a

nd o

ther

wild

life

in t

he fi

re/fl

ood

zone

.

• Tw

o bu

s to

urs

wer

e he

ld t

o sh

ow t

he c

omm

unity

w

hat

was

bei

ng d

one

to r

ecov

er fl

ood

dam

age.

Supp

ort

reco

very

tea

ms

to m

anag

e co

mm

unity

re

latio

nshi

ps a

nd

enga

gem

ent

activ

ities

.

Prod

uce

and

diss

emin

ate

info

rmat

ive

reco

very

st

orie

s th

roug

h Re

gion

al

Reco

very

New

slet

ters

, IN

FORM

, Gip

psla

nd N

ews

and

Vie

ws,

med

ia o

utle

ts,

Bush

y Ta

les,

New

sflas

h an

d Fi

reW

eb.

Prod

uce

FAQ

s an

d fa

ct

shee

ts t

hat

supp

ort

appr

opria

te f

ores

t us

e du

ring

fore

st a

nd

park

reh

abili

tatio

n an

d re

gene

ratio

n ph

ases

in

the

com

bine

d fir

e, fl

ood

and

stor

m a

ffec

ted

area

s St

ate-

wid

e.

Dev

elop

and

impl

emen

t a

com

mun

icat

ions

pla

n fo

r th

e Fl

ood

Reco

very

Pr

ogra

m t

hat

addr

esse

s ea

ch t

hem

e.

Co

mp

lete

• Se

vera

l PV

and

DSE

med

ia r

elea

ses

wer

e pu

blis

hed,

in

form

ing

the

publ

ic o

n th

e pr

ogre

ss o

f re

cove

ry

wor

ks, r

ecov

ery

activ

ities

and

the

re-

open

ing

of

trac

ks, r

oads

and

vis

itor

site

s.

• A

new

s ar

ticle

on

the

re-o

peni

ng o

f ro

ads

was

pu

blis

hed

in T

rack

Wat

ch (4

WD

Vic

).

• Se

vera

l art

icle

s de

taili

ng t

he p

rogr

ess

of t

he fl

ood

reco

very

eff

ort

wer

e pu

blis

hed

on t

he D

SE in

tern

al

web

site

, Inf

orm

.

• A

med

ia in

sert

on

the

Floo

d Re

cove

ry P

rogr

am w

as

dist

ribut

ed t

o th

e co

mm

unity

thr

ough

Gip

psla

nd

regi

onal

new

spap

ers,

tou

rist

info

rmat

ion

cent

res

and

stra

tegi

c lo

catio

ns (i

.e. D

SE/P

V o

ffice

s).

• Th

e Fl

ood/

Stor

m R

ecov

ery

Plan

and

qua

rter

ly u

pdat

es

on t

he F

lood

Rec

over

y Pr

ogra

m w

ere

publ

ishe

d on

Fi

reW

eb.


Ob

ject

ives

Stra

teg

yPr

oje

ctB

ud

get

fo

r 07

/08

Stat

us

(s

ee k

ey)

Ach

ieve

men

tsC

om

men

t &

issu

es

4. C

OM

MU

NiC

ATi

ON

AN

D C

OM

MU

NiT

Y E

NG

AG

EMEN

T co

nti

nu

ed

Co

mm

un

itie

s ad

just

to

th

e n

ew

lan

dsc

ape

Supp

ort

reco

very

tea

ms

to m

anag

e st

akeh

olde

r re

latio

nshi

ps a

nd

enga

gem

ent

activ

ities

.

DSE

and

PV

rep

rese

ntat

ives

w

ill p

artic

ipat

e an

d re

port

on

rec

over

y ac

tiviti

es

at r

egio

nal a

nd lo

cal

stak

ehol

der

foru

ms

and

regi

onal

Rec

over

y W

orki

ng

Gro

ups.

Pres

enta

tions

pro

duce

d to

sup

port

eng

agem

ent

with

key

sta

keho

lder

s an

d co

mm

unity

gro

ups

and

upda

ted

and

circ

ulat

ed

to k

ey p

erso

nnel

in b

oth

regi

ons

(Gip

psla

nd a

nd N

E)

regu

larly

.

Del

iver

com

bine

d fir

e,

flood

and

sto

rm r

ecov

ery

info

rmat

ion

sess

ions

to

key

stak

ehol

ders

.

Dev

elop

and

impl

emen

t an

app

ropr

iate

co

mm

unic

atio

ns p

lan

for

each

the

me.

Co

mp

lete

• D

SE a

nd P

V s

taff

att

ende

d se

vera

l com

mun

ity

reco

very

eve

nts,

whe

re t

hey

prov

ided

info

rmat

ion

on

the

Floo

d Re

cove

ry P

rogr

am a

nd it

s pr

ogre

ss (

e.g.

Li

cola

Rec

over

y Fe

stiv

al a

nd V

icto

rian

4WD

sho

w).

• Se

vera

l tal

ks o

n th

e Fl

ood

Reco

very

Pro

gram

wer

e gi

ven

to s

choo

l and

com

mun

ity g

roup

s (e

.g. F

ield

N

atur

alis

ts, A

pex

Clu

b an

d W

alki

ng C

lubs

).

Mea

sure

com

mun

ity

attit

ude

to fi

re, fl

ood,

st

orm

and

pub

lic la

nd

man

agem

ent

by 3

0 Ju

ne

2008

.

Surv

ey lo

cal r

esid

ents

and

fo

rest

and

par

k us

ers.

Co

mp

lete

Inte

grat

ed in

to K

PIs

for

flood

rec

over

y m

edia

inse

rt.


Ob

ject

ives

Stra

teg

yPr

oje

ctB

ud

get

fo

r 07

/08

Stat

us

(s

ee k

ey)

Ach

ieve

men

tsC

om

men

t &

issu

es

5. C

OM

MU

NiT

Y A

ND

TO

UR

iSM

REC

OV

ERY

Pro

mo

te t

he

loca

l to

uri

st in

du

stry

Wor

k w

ith s

tate

-wid

e an

d lo

cal t

ouris

m b

odie

s to

pr

omot

e pa

rk a

nd f

ores

t re

-ope

ning

s th

roug

h ad

vert

isin

g an

d m

edia

th

roug

hout

com

bine

d fir

e,

flood

and

sto

rm r

ecov

ery.

Mai

ntai

n lo

cal t

ouris

m

capa

city

thr

ough

Li

cens

ed T

ouris

t O

pera

tor

Empl

oym

ent

Sche

me

(PV

pr

ojec

t)

Fund

ed

thro

ugh

Fire

Re

cove

ry

Co

mp

lete

• LT

Os

fam

iliar

with

the

Alp

ine

Nat

iona

l Par

k w

ere

empl

oyed

to

asse

ss d

amag

e to

tra

cks

follo

win

g th

e fir

e an

d flo

od e

vent

s.

Col

labo

rate

with

D

estin

atio

n G

ipps

land

Inc,

To

uris

m V

icto

ria, G

reat

A

lpin

e Ro

ad M

arke

ting

and

loca

l tou

rism

bod

ies

in

thei

r re

cove

ry s

trat

egie

s.

Fund

ed

thro

ugh

norm

al

busi

ness

ac

tiviti

es

Co

mp

lete

Prom

ote

loca

l des

tinat

ions

at

key

eve

nts

thro

ugh

PV/D

SE a

tten

danc

e th

roug

hout

fire

, floo

d an

d st

orm

rec

over

y (2

007

2008

).

Fund

ed

thro

ugh

norm

al

busi

ness

ac

tiviti

es

Co

mp

lete

• D

SE/P

V s

tand

at

the

Vic

toria

n 4W

D s

how

Sup

po

rt fl

oo

d

affe

cted

co

mm

un

itie

s to

u

nd

erta

ke lo

cal

even

ts

Supp

ort

loca

l com

mun

ity

even

ts b

y pr

ovid

ing

disp

lay

mat

eria

ls, s

tand

s an

d in

-ki

nd m

arke

ting

supp

ort.

Fund

ed

thro

ugh

norm

al

busi

ness

ac

tiviti

es

Co

mp

lete

• Jo

int

PV, D

SE, D

PI s

tand

at

Man

sfiel

d C

onne

cted

C

omm

uniti

es f

estiv

al (1

0/05

/08)

to

prom

ote

fire

and

flood

rec

over

y.

• Fl

ood/

fire

reco

very

pre

sent

atio

n at

Mus

ic in

the

M

ount

ains

Wee

kend

(DSE

E/H

).

Ass

ist

tour

ism

mar

ketin

g bo

dies

to

iden

tify

even

ts

and

activ

ities

(egg

D

estin

atio

n G

ipps

land

) th

at c

an b

e su

ppor

ted

thro

ugh

flood

, sto

rm

reco

very

fun

ding

.

Prod

uce

com

bine

d re

cove

ry b

roch

ures

and

si

gnag

e (in

clud

ing

self

driv

e br

ochu

res)

for

prio

rity

area

s th

at in

clud

e th

e im

pact

of

the

fire,

floo

d an

d st

orm

on

site

s an

d ke

y m

essa

ges

abou

t na

tura

l di

sast

ers.

Fund

ed

thro

ugh

Fire

Re

cove

ry

Co

mp

lete

• Se

lf-dr

ive

broc

hure

s pr

epar

ed.

• Si

gnag

e de

taili

ng d

amag

e in

curr

ed a

nd p

oten

tial

risks

to

the

publ

ic p

oste

d at

floo

d-da

mag

ed s

ites.


APPENDIX 3:

Table 1: Flood-damaged roads, bridges and crossings yet to be re-opened in the heyfield, Bairnsdale and Swifts Creek districts.

District heyfield Bairnsdale Swifts Creek

Roads Middle Ridge Road Boundary Track

Glenee

Parts of Yahoo Track

Shady Creek Rd

Thomas Track

Melwood Boundary Track

Deptford Rd

Mount Tambo Track

Nunniong Road

Bindi Break

Mt. Stawell Track

Dahlstroms Break

Bridges/crossings Five Mile track at Five Mile Creek

Store Creek Bridge at Store Bridge

Deptford Crossing at Nicholson River

Endacott Highway at Scrubby Creek

Jones Road at Wentworth River


NOTES

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2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report · 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery...

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Transcript of 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery Program Final Report · 2007 Gippsland Flood/Storm Recovery...