3. MANAGEMENT RESOURCES AND REQUIREMENTS
This section briefly outlines the resources required to manage Herring Island, and the responsibilities of the Committee of Management. Major management resource requirements include rehabilitation works, control of pest plants and animals, maintenance of visitor facilities, security, visitor supervision, rubbish removal and other maintenance.
Management Resources
Funds to manage and carry out works on Herring Island are presently obtained through grants from government departments and the Cities of Richmond and Prahran. The Committee of Management may expend any revenue or. other monies for any of the purposes related to the management, improvement, maintenance and control of the land, and may employ staff and purchase equipment as required to implement this Management Plan.
The initial establishment phase will involve removal of pest plants, unwanted structures, track works, construction works and revegetation planting. Access facilities will need to be sufficiently upgraded to provide safe access for workers and equipment, and to facilitate cartage of materials to and from the site. Appropriate landing stages should be built on Herring Island and the Richmond bank of the Yarra. Approval for use of the BOW's Burnley Depot facilities should be sought as an interim arrangement to enable transport of materials and equipment. Staff will be required for all construction, tree removal, pest plant control and landscaping; volunteer input will be encouraged for revegetation works. One or two staff with horticultural expertise will be required to supervise the latter. The Board of Works and Soroptimists International (Victoria) are presently investigating the purchase of a boat to transport workers/volunteers during this stage.
Once Herring Island is capable of sustaining significant recreational use, access facilities will require upgrading to cater for users. A Ranger should be provided at weekends to ensure compliance with Herring Island Regulations, for interpretation work and general assistance to visitors.
Security will be another major resource requirement, to protect natural resources and the interpretation shelters from vandalism. Part-time staffing should alleviate this to some extent. It would also be advisable to examine the possibility of connecting Herring Island to the BOW Burnley Depot security system. Regular maintenance (rubbish removal, mowing, tree maintenance, weed control etc.) will continue as a co-operative responsibility of Richmond and Prahran councils.
Committee of Management
Currently the management body responsible for Herring Island is the Herring Island Committee of Management appointed by the Minister for Conservation and Environment in pursuance of Section 14 of the Crown Lands (Reserves) Act, 1978. The appointment was made for a period of 7 years ending 14 September, 1991, subject to the condition that a Management Plan for the Island be prepared. This plan is based on the Lower Yarra River Concept Plan (MPE 1986), and the Landscape Concept Plan for Herring Island (BOW 1987). The Management Plan must then be submitted for Ministerial approval.
The Herring Island Committee of Management presently consists of.