The subdivision for Oceana Drive Link has been undertaken with consideration of the impacts on the conservation significance of the Rokeby Hills to the east of Oceana Rise. The Hills are of national and state level conservation significance.
Key communities and species are found on, or visit, the Hills:
- There are areas of silvery leafed Risdon Peppermint, a tree that currently occurs primarily on the Meehan Range - Rokeby Hills system in the Clarence municipality;
- In late winter and early Spring wildflowers emerge on the Hills including areas of Chocolate Lily;
- Delicate herb fields occur on rock plates;
- Swift parrots forage on the blossom of Blue Gums along the Hills.
Council’s long term planning for the Rokeby Hills anticipates a Skyline Walk along the Rokeby Hills from Rokeby Road down to Droughty Point. Negotiations are continuing to further this plan.
The Oceana Rise subdivision
The Oceana Road subdivision is being constructed in accordance with a framework for protection of environmental values on the Rokeby Hills agreed with the Tasmanian Government under the Threatened Species Protection Act and approved in accordance with the Federal Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
The framework provides for:
- minimising losses of trees associated with the subdivision;
- offsetting losses that do occur during subdivision by protecting the woodland along the Rokeby Hills by a Conservation Covenant and a Vegetation Management Agreement.
Trees retained on lots
The trees retained on residential lots contribute to the landscape and wildlife value of Howrah and the Rokeby Hills. They provide some habitat value and ‘feather’ the edge between housing and retained bushland.
The subdivider Malwood Pty Ltd has retained trees on lots where practical, including the trees of conservation signficance (see plan) and other trees.
The Oceana Rise subdivision proposal has been formulated to maximise potential for practical retention of trees after subdivision and residential development:
- Lot boundaries and service routes were located to maximize retention of significant trees
- After an arboricultural assessment trees with evident structural deficencies or centrally located were removed from lots
It is anticipated that in most cases remaining trees will be retained as shown on the plan.
All trees in the Clarence City Council area are protected by the Clarence Planning Scheme, and so removal of trees retained on lots requires approval from Council.
Owners are advised to seek their own arboricultural advice regarding the safety of trees as this can change over time.
Rokeby Hills conservation management
As part of the subdivision, process a Vegetation Management Agreement for conservation-oriented property management is being drawn up for the adjacent area of Rokeby Hills bushland. It is anticipated that the Agreement will be finalised by late 2009. This is subject to ongoing negotiation.
The operation of the Agreement will result in:
- requirements regarding the manner of development, subdivision, location and design of houses, driveways etc;
- over 50 ha of the Rokeby Hills being placed under a Conservation Covenant in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act;
- securing the land in perpetuity as a Private Forest Reserve;
- protection of populations of four threatened plant species including the Risdon peppermint and the chocolate lily;
- securing important stands of blue gum, foraging habitat for the endangered swift parrot;
- preparation of a Management Plan to guide future land use, addressing: weed management and tree planting, fire management, unauthorized vehicular and public access
It is anticipated that there may be some public openspace walkways in addition to private lots.
Oceana Drive nature strip
Council required that the nature strips along this section of Oceana Drive were reshaped and finished
as bushland gardens. Where it was practical bushland plants were retained. Disturbed areas were covered with hydromulch containing wild seeds for the establishment of the bushland nature strip. It is anticipated that private owners will take responsibility for their nature strip and it is hoped that many will incorporate the bushland theme.
Innovative conservation presentation of lots
To retain soil on site, and soil moisture around trees, lots have been presented with a loose mulch of large size wood chippings covering.
Oceana Drive parks
Two parks are in the process of being established. These have been selected to provide for retention of additional trees and to link to Council’s linear parkway down to the Derwent foreshore.