The Sustainability of Land Uses in the Strzelecki Ranges in Victoria, Australia Daniel M. Mainville MIEAust., P. Eng. Department of Sustainability and Environment Associate Professor John C. Brumley School of Civil and Chemical Engineering / RMIT University.

Outline Introduction Methodology Results Discussions Summary Acknowledgments

Introduction Location of Study Area

Introduction Policy and Legislation –Catchment and Land Protection Act 1984 –Environment Protection Act 1970 State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria), 2003 State Environment Protection Policy (Groundwaters of Victoria), 2002 –Code of Practice Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production, 1996 –Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 –Planning and Environment Act 1987

Introduction Policy and Legislation –Commonwealth of Australia Department of the Environment and Heritage (2003), Default Target Values for Upland Rivers: NTU for turbidity, and µS/cm for EC (at 25°Celsius) Land Uses –Reserved / Protected Forests –Forestry –Agriculture

Land Use - Control Catchment Features –steep slopes –Mountain Ash plantation, established in 1972 and 1973 –riparian vegetation - Wet Forest, EVC 30 –natural surface track, 1850 meters –fire access track, 2650 meters –extensive recreational use –healthy stream

Land Use - Plantation Forestry Features –steep slopes –Mountain Ash plantation –riparian vegetation, Central Highlands Cool Temperate Rainforest EVC –3550 meters of unsealed roads and tracks –healthy stream with bioturbation

Land Use - Agriculture Features –steep slopes –gravel surfaced road, 3900 meters –natural surface tracks –8 homes with outbuildings –continuous grazing –unrestricted livestock access to the steam –visible damage to the streambanks –limited riparian vegetation –in-stream farm dams

Methodology Paired Catchment approach Water Quality Indicators –Turbidity –Stream Flow –Electrical Conductivity –Temperature Experimental Site Set Up –Fixed Horizontal Bank –Electrical Conductivity –Turbidity Probe

Fixed Horizontal Bank

Methodology Visual Survey –the extent of leaf litter and presence of bare earth along the stream channel and embankments –areas exhibiting clear indications of lateral corrasion –tree fall –bioturbation such as the evidence of foraging and crayfish burrows –newly incised drainage channels –landslips

Results

Timber Harvesting General Harvesting AreaBuffer

Agriculture Stream Crossing / Track Livestock Crossing

Bioturbation Control CatchmentForestry Control Catchment

Bioturbation Bank DisturbanceCrawfish Burrows

Recreation Wet AreaSlope

Discussion Forestry –Harvesting Operations –Riparian Vegetation Agriculture –Grazing –Riparian Vegetation Recreational Use General –Roads and Tracks –Policy –Community Engagement

Summary Research Methodology Agriculture Forestry Recreational Use

Acknowledgments Special Thanks To: