Beaconsfield Nature Conservation Reserve (BNCR) |
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The Cardinia Environment Coalition (CEC) was appointed the Committee of Management under sections 14(2) & 14(3) of the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 on December 20 2005. While the CEC is the appointed Committee of Management for the BNCR, the DSE has an overarching responsibility to ensure that all areas within the protected area are managed appropriately. Consequently, the CEC are bound by regulations stipulated in the Crown Land (Reserves) (Nature Conservation Reserve) Regulations 2004 to ensure that the site’s values, heritage, habitats, ecosystems and species are preserved.
Legislative changes made in late 2005 permanently reserved the Beaconsfield Reservoir as a Nature Conservation Reserve under Section 13 of the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 for the purpose of ‘nature conservation’. Further legislation was proclaimed under the Otways and Other Amendments Act to create the Beaconsfield Nature Conservation Reserve. As a Reserve, the BNCR is considered equivalent in status to that of a National Park therefore acknowledging its significant environmental contribution not only to the local Cardinia area, but to the State of Victoria.
As the Committee of Management, the CEC is required to develop and submit a Management Plan to the Department of Sustainability & Environment within 2 years of their appointment. The development of this Draft Management Plan occurred over a period of time involving the expertise of a range of specialists in the fields of flora, fauna, archaeology, limnology, pest and weed management, fire ecology, community engagement and risk management.
The increasing urbanisation of the Berwick – Pakenham Growth Corridor will continue to place pressure on the Reserve with Cardinia’s population projected to reach 75,500 in 2011 and 122,500 in 2021 (Shire of Cardinia 2006 census data predictions) and over 255,000 in 2011 for the City of Casey (City of Casey 2006 census data predictions).
A site of this significance comes with a range of issues such as risk management, access and amenities for visitors. Perhaps the most significant issues arise from the conflict between protecting the flora and fauna and managing animal and plant pests such as weeds. For example, management techniques best suited for weeds may not be the preferred techniques to ensure the protection of the wildlife habitat. Add to this the close proximity of the BNCR to local residential areas and the perceived need to conduct burns to reduce the risk of wildfire impacting on those residential properties. Other considerations involve the impact on the site’s values, heritage, habitats, ecosystems and species during research and survey work. Community awareness of Reserve management issues and participation by volunteers and the local community will assist in the conservation and protection of the BNCR. The BNCR Supporters Group was recently re-established with a series of agreed actions to be taken over the following 12 months and into the future. Members have noted their interest in assisting with weed management, maintenance projects and raising awareness in the local community about the impact of pet and plant pests on the BNCR.
There are a number of stakeholders involved in the conservation, protection, enhancement and maintenance of the BNCR, including DSE, CFA, Melbourne Water, Cardinia Shire Council, BNCR Supporters Group and the Bunourong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation Inc. The CEC will consult and work with each stakeholder on a regular basis to ensure the needs of each party is met and resolutions are secured.
As with any public land it is imperative that all risks and potential risks are identified, managed and mitigated to ensure the safety of stakeholder workers, CEC staff, volunteers and the flora and fauna habitat. Prior to the CEC’s appointment as Committee of Management for the BNCR, DSE commissioned Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) to conduct a Due Diligence Health and Safety Assessment. A site visit was conducted to assess health and safety for future public access and to provide recommendations for any remedial measures which will allow safe access to the parklands surrounding the Reservoir. To date a number of issues have been rectified. |
Nature Conservation Reserves “are set aside primarily to conserve species of plants and animals that may be rare or endangered, critical habitat, or other plant associations and animals that have particular conservation significance” (Parks Victoria, 2003).
The BNCR is located approximately 45kms south east of Melbourne’s CBD in the Berwick – Pakenham growth corridor in the urban fringe municipality Cardinia. It is a large Reserve covering an area of approximately 172ha situated between the township areas of Beaconsfield and Upper Beaconsfield and is predominantly bordered by private property (17 individual allotments). Hughendon Road and O’Neil Road form the western boundary, Payne Road forms the southern boundary and Dickie Road forms part of the eastern boundary.
The Reserve boasts a significant industrial heritage, with the construction of the Reservoir and aqueduct which includes a range of structures. Add to this the significant gold mining history and Indigenous cultural heritage values and you have a remarkable location of both local and regional cultural and historical significance.
