2.4.2 Passive Recreation

The specific values to be protected by a conservation approach to land use and management include:

• Mapped Sensitive Aboriginal Cultural Landscape areas, known sites and cultural values and connection.

• Native vegetation and the key ecological corridors providing connectivity to adjacent remnants.

• The vegetated ridgeline extending from Munibung Road in the north through to the lake in the south; and the east and west ridgelines have significant visual, landscape and connectivity values.

• Lowland Rainforest Threatened Ecological Community.

• Threatened species habitat particularly associated with the critically endangered scrub turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens), the powerful owl (Ninox strenua) and micro-bat roosting habitat.

• Mapped biodiversity values land associated with riparian habitat values of Hawkins Creek.

• Ecological connectivity to surrounding bushland corridors and land parcels.

Management will focus on protection and enhancement of natural values and will include passive and active vegetation rehabilitation, weed management and soil conservation works to halt further erosion impacts.

Informal recreational activities are popular for all ages. Passive recreational activities include walking for exercise or to explore and enjoy the natural environment, walking the dog, jogging, picnicking/BBQs and playgrounds.

These passive recreation activities may be undertaken by individuals or by small groups. Passive recreation is usually independent recreation, although it may be organised by clubs or groups of friends.

The main opportunities for passive recreation on Munibung Hill are focused on walking along existing tracks. It is not proposed to include playgrounds on Munibung Hill.

The pedestrian tracks are unsealed gravel paths which vary in width and length. They have steep sections, with loose surface gravel and are often highly eroded with deep rills on and adjacent to the track (refer to Photo 1.1). The tracks are not compliant with the Australian Standards and guidelines for pedestrian tracks in natural areas or parks nor LMCC engineering guidelines.

Some existing pedestrian tracks are also likely to traverse private land with access largely uncontrolled and land boundaries not clear to users.

Mountain bike cycling is not included in passive recreation. Council does not propose to enable mountain bike riding on Munibung Hill. Construction of tracks suitable for mountain biking would involve:

• An expansion of ground surface disturbance to construct tracks that are resilient to intensive use by bikes.

• Increased risks to Aboriginal cultural values.

• Increased risks to recovering vegetation. • Management of potential conflicts between walkers and bike riders, on steep slopes and/or narrow tracks.