Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The future we want
- Where are we now and what do we have?
- Key Ecosystem Services and Community Benefits
- Threats
- Stakeholders
- Priorities
- Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Key Considerations
- Resources
Note: This is an incomplete working draft.
Introduction
Allen Noble Sanctuary is part of the natural drainage system in Aireys Inlet and helps to maintain water quality, reduce flooding and erosion, provides food and habitat for wildlife and provides open spaces and natural landscapes that many residents and visitors enjoy. Therefore, it is an important physical, educational, ecological, aesthetic, recreational and economic resource and place.
Interactive map
In addition, Allen Noble Sanctuary needs to be considered in the broader ecological landscape context which includes the Aireys Inlet clifftops, Allen Noble Sanctuary, the dunes, Painkalac Estuary and along the creek, past the floodplains and revegetated areas, through the farmlands and into the National Park.
Topographical map showing contour lines: 50 m elevation at Eagles Nest Fine Arts Gallery down to 10 m along Inlet Cr and the Sanctuary below 10 m elevation.
View of the Sanctuary from the boardwalk
This landscape needs to be managed holistically especially from the perspective of the small mammals who are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, drought and bushfires. Allen Noble Sanctuary can be an important refuge for small mammals and rodents due its rich complex habitats (especially in the 0-1.5 vertical metre range) and as a water resource. It should be considered as a climate refuge that can help species survive during heatwaves and droughts, and needs to be an important part of mitigating climate change. It is vital for species and climate resilience that we ensure connections between the various elements in the landscape so that if one area suffers from flood, drought or fire it can be repopulated from animals in the other areas as well as to ensure genetic diversity. To build climate resilience we must ensure connections between habitats along the Painkalac Valley so wildlife can move to new areas as the climate changes (e.g. sea level rises, increased temperatures and consequent flora changes, and extreme weather events).
A working group has been established to consider the future of the Allen Noble Sanctuary. The group comprises expertise from various community groups including Friends of the Allen Noble Sanctuary (FANS); Aireys Inlet and District Association (AIDA); Anglesea, Aireys Inlet Society for the Protection of Flora and Fauna (Angair); Painkalac Valley Network (PVN) and Estuary Watch.
The first activity of the working group was to conduct a community survey about their views relating to the Sanctuary as it stands now and their suggestions to consider for the future. The results of the survey can be found here.
The working group members include Roger Ganly, Barry Whelan, Ian Laging, Rod Brooks and Anne Davies (facilitator).
Planning context
Allen Noble Sanctuary is owned and managed by the Surf Coast Shire with the support of the Friends of the Allen Noble Sanctuary.
Photos of Allen Noble Sanctuary 1894-2024
The future we want
Purpose of the plan
The future for the Allen Noble Sanctuary is one in which the Sanctuary’s natural assets are protected and sustained through strong environmental, economic and social values.
This plan provides a framework to work towards that future. It must be noted that at this stage, this document is a community planning exercise without any committment or budget from any agency.
Initial objectives
- Review Aims of 2000 Landscape Concept Plan
- Protect and build a rich and thriving biodiversity
- Work towards resilient, supportive habitats
- Build strong community relationships that support this work and draw on specific expertise as the need arises
- Work closely with and support the activities of the Surf Coast Shire in relation to the Allen Noble Sanctuary
- Engage with and investigate Wadawurrung priorities, respectfully integrating them into planning and implementation
Where are we now and what do we have?
This section details the various factors that describe the character of the Allen Noble Sanctuary. This data will be the basis for making decisions about how to achieve the objectives of this plan and be a baseline for monitoring the impact of management activities.
Ecological evaluation/factors
Vegetation
Hydrology, watercourses, inflows and outflows
- The sediment basin is managed as a Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) asset and this function is important in managing water quality especially given the unsealed roads. As a drainage authority, Council has a General Environment Duty under the EP Act 2017 and this is a consideration in our sediment management decisions.
- ‘Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven Drainage Study’ (which is being considered by Surf Coast Shire and expected to be available later in 2025), together with the Painkalac Creek Estuary Flood Mitigation and Adaptation Study will enable a more complete understanding of the hydrology of the Allen Noble Sanctuary
- E.g., Are all the inflows basically storm water drainage and how will any changes to drainage impact on the water in the Sanctuary?
- Water Quality monitoring:
- Consideration is to be given as to how to monitor water depth throughout the Sanctuary
Fauna/wildlife
Map of native mammals and vegetation types
- eDNA survey of vertebrates was undertaken with two samples collected in June. The vertebrate species detected are detailed in the table below:
-
Actinopteri Anguilla australis (Short-finned eel) Cyprinodontiformes Galaxias maculatus (Common galaxias) Notolabrus gymnogenis (Crimsonband wrasse) Amphibia Crinia signifera (Common Eastern froglet) Litoria (Australasian tree frogs) Litoria ewingii (Brown tree frog) Aves Anatidae (Ducks, geese and swans) Chenonetta jubata (Australian wood duck) Gallinula tenebrosa (Dusky moorhen) Porphyrio (Purple swamphen) Rallidae (Common moorhen) Trichoglossus moluccanus (Rainbow lorikeet) Corvus (Ravens and crows) Eolophus roseicapilla (Galah) Phasianidae (Chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail) Mammalia Canis lupus (Dog or dingo) Felis catus (Cat) Mus musculus (House mouse) Vulpes vulpes (Fox) Antechinus minimus (Swamp antechinus) Bos taurus (Cow) Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit) Pseudocheirus peregrinus (Common ringtail possum) Rattus (Rats) Rattus lutreolus (Swamp rat) Vespadelus darlingtoni (Large forest bat) - Legislative context/constraints: With the site having several federally and state listed fauna species, there are fixed processes for considering and deciding on actions that may cause disturbance such as removing vegetation/habitat, digging/sediment removal outside of the sediment basin. The primary pieces of legislation are the EPBC act federally and FFG act in Victoria. Consideration will need to be given to the constraints/conditions these place on any major changes to the site. Any earthworks that remove or damage vegetation would also likely require a permit under the Surf Coast Planning scheme- native vegetation regulations and the site has an environmental significance overlay. Much of the vegetation in the inundated areas spread naturally and was not planted (this impacts approvals).
Pest plants and animals
- Cats, Black Rat and Rabbits detected in the Camera survey of Allen Noble Sanctuary (see report above)
- Plant weeds – see plant list above
Soil
- Victorian Geological Survey data investigated but found not to be specific enough to provide information particular to the Sanctuary
- Consideration is being given to the possibly of undertaking core sample analysis
Key Ecosystem Services and Community Benefits
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that perform numerous critical roles, providing essential services to both the environment and human societies including:
Habitat Provision: They provide essential breeding grounds, nurseries and refuge for a vast array of plant and animal species, including fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and invertebrates. Many of these species are wetland-dependent and found nowhere else. Urban wetlands containing permanent water can provide important refuges for many species during dry periods and droughts.
Regulation of Water Flow: Their ability to absorb and store excess water makes them crucial for flood control, reducing the impact of storms and heavy rainfall
Aesthetic amenity: Urban wetlands offer significant aesthetic amenity, providing visually appealing natural spaces within urban environments. They contribute to landscape diversity, offer opportunities for relaxation and connection with nature and can enhance the beauty of a township. These green spaces are often valued for their calming presence. Research showed that people’s perceptions of the aesthetics of the wetland strongly depended on visual criteria with the preference of the wetland improving with increasing amounts of water and ‘treed wetlands’ were the most preferred. People used the clarity and movement of water and the existence of water vegetation as indicators for wetland health.
Water Filtration – Wetlands act as natural filters, trapping pollutants, sediments and excess nutrients, improving water quality before it reaches groundwater and the Painkalac Creek.
Carbon Sequestration – Wetlands, especially peatlands, capture and store significant amounts of carbon in their soils and vegetation, helping mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels.
Nutrient Cycling: Wetlands play a vital role in the global cycling of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, preventing excessive build-up in aquatic systems.
Primary Productivity: They are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, comparable to rainforests and coral reefs, forming the base of complex food webs.
Recreation and Tourism: Beyond their beauty, urban wetlands serve as important recreational spaces. They offer opportunities for activities like birdwatching, walking and photography, providing local residents and tourists with valuable access to nature and outdoor recreation. These spaces can improve physical and psychological health, foster community connection and social cohesion and provide educational resources about local ecosystems.
Education and Research: They serve as valuable sites for scientific research and environmental education.
Cultural Significance: Wetlands often hold deep cultural, spiritual and historical significance for local communities, including Aboriginal people, serving as important sites, part of cultural practices, traditions, heritage conservation and sources of identity. For example, the Willow Trees and Norfolk Island Pine trees have a strong historical connection with the original Angahook homestead.
In essence, wetlands are incredibly valuable ecosystems that provide a wide range of benefits, contributing to environmental biodiversity and health, climate resilience, economic prosperity and human well-being. Their protection and sustainable management are crucial for a healthy planet.
Threats
There are several threats to the Allen Noble Sanctuary including:
Sedimentation: Runoff from surrounding areas, including stormwater pipes, can carry silt and gravel into the sanctuary, reducing water depth and impacting habitat quality.
- Mitigation:
- Implement best management practices in the surrounding catchment to reduce erosion and runoff including water sensitive urban design. This could include promoting vegetation cover and controlling soil disturbance.
Weed Invasion: Invasive aquatic and terrestrial plant species can outcompete native vegetation, reducing biodiversity and altering the ecosystem structure and function of the wetland.
- Mitigation:
- Regular monitoring of the sanctuary for weed infestations.
- Implement targeted weed control programs, prioritising the removal of high-threat species. This may involve manual removal, herbicide application (used cautiously and appropriately), or biological control methods.
- Revegetation with locally native plant species to restore habitat and increase resilience to weed invasion.
- Ongoing follow-up treatment to prevent re-establishment of weeds.
Pest Animals: Introduced animals like rabbits, foxes and feral cats can negatively impact wetland ecosystems through predation on native fauna (birds, reptiles, amphibians), damage to vegetation through grazing and disturbance of habitats.
- Mitigation:
- Implement pest animal control programs, such as trapping, baiting, den fumigation (where appropriate and safe for native species).
- Regular monitoring of pest animal populations (including invasive aquatic fauna) to assess the effectiveness of control measures.
- Community education and engagement in pest animal monitoring and control efforts.
Water Quality Degradation: Pollutants from urban runoff, including nutrients, pesticides, herbicides and litter, can enter the sanctuary and degrade water quality, harming aquatic life and overall ecosystem health.
- Mitigation:
- Implement stormwater management strategies in the surrounding area to reduce pollutant loads entering the sanctuary. This could include gross pollutant traps, biofiltration systems and constructed wetlands.
- Promote responsible use of chemicals in residential and commercial areas near the sanctuary.
- Regular water quality monitoring to identify potential pollution sources and trends.
- Community education programs to raise awareness about the impacts of pollution on wetlands and encourage responsible behaviour.
Altered Hydrology: Changes to the natural water flow patterns and levels, potentially from urban development, drainage, or climate change, can negatively impact wetland vegetation and fauna that are adapted to specific hydrological conditions. This can include altered size of wetland area and altered wetland form and surrounding habitat.
- Mitigation:
- Maintain natural water flow patterns into and out of the sanctuary as much as possible. This is likely to include managing stormwater drainage and managing land use to control runoff. Potentially, it could include providing environmental water to maintain water levels.
- Consider the potential impacts of future development including higher density housing on the sanctuary’s hydrology.
- Monitor water levels and flow patterns to understand any changes and their impacts.
Climate Change: Long-term changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can alter wetland ecosystems, potentially leading to changes in species composition, water availability and increased stress on native flora and fauna.
- Mitigation:
- Enhance the resilience of the sanctuary to climate change by maintaining healthy vegetation, controlling invasive species, ensuring good water quality and preserving wildlife corridors.
- Protect and restore surrounding native vegetation to provide buffer zones and connectivity.
- Monitor for climate change impacts and adopt flexible management strategies that can be adjusted in response to changing climatic conditions
- Ensure connections between habitats to allow species to migrate in response to environmental changes.
- Participate in broader climate change mitigation efforts.
Human Disturbance: Activities such as excessive foot traffic off designated paths, littering and disturbance of wildlife can negatively impact the sanctuary’s environment.
- Mitigation:
- Maintain and clearly mark designated walking tracks and boardwalks.
- Provide adequate signage to educate visitors about the sensitivity of the wetland environment and encourage responsible behaviour.
- Raise awareness about the sanctuary’s importance and promote community stewardship and involvement in the sanctuary’s care.
Fire: As Aireys Inlet is a high bushfire risk area, fires are a potential threat in summer.
- Mitigation:
- In conjunction with the Surf Coast Shire and local CFA, ensure the Allen Noble Sanctuary is part of the Aireys Inlet Fire Management Plan with clear procedures for fire prevention, detection and response.
- Work with the local community to raise awareness about fire safety and the importance of protecting the sanctuary.
Overall Considerations for Mitigation:
- Integrated Approach: Mitigation strategies should be integrated and address multiple threats simultaneously where possible.
- Long-Term Commitment: Effective wetland management requires a long-term commitment to monitoring, maintenance and adaptive management.
- Community Involvement: Engaging the local community, including groups like the Friends of Allen Noble Sanctuary (FANS) and the Painkalac Valley Network, is crucial for the success of management efforts. Their local knowledge and volunteer efforts are invaluable.
- Collaboration: Collaboration with Surf Coast Shire, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Barwon Water and other relevant organisations is essential for effective management.
- Adaptive Management: Management plans should be flexible and adaptable, allowing for adjustments based on monitoring results and new information.
In conclusion, urban wetlands should be managed sustainably by involving individuals and all relevant stakeholders as well as increasing public awareness about the importance of wetlands and their ecosystem services and benefits. In addition, policies, urban planning and management should consider wetlands as blue infrastructures and integrate wetlands into the urban environment as they offer tangible benefits for the economy, biodiversity and local communities. In short, policies should support and improve urban wetlands since they play an essential role in achieving sustainability in our township.
Stakeholders
- Surf Coast Shire
- Local community
- Wadawurrung People
- Visitors
- ‘State Government’ planning policies and regulations
Priorities
Focus 1: Nature/Habitat conservation
Objectives: To enhance the extent and quality of native vegetation and habitat for flora and fauna conservation, in balance with other natural asset values.
Vision: The vision is that ecological communities should be self-sustaining, with the ability for the genetic content of fauna and flora to move between habitat areas, thus ensuring a healthy and diverse gene pool. Within the mixed-use Sanctuary, we also need to balance nature conservation needs with those of land use, water quality and the condition of waterways. We also need to protect and enhance more general Sanctuary amenity including landscape and heritage values.
- Protection: Prioritise the protection of threatened or endangered species and their habitats but also consider the naturalness of the Sanctuary and any special features such as drought refuges and important fauna habitats.
- Restoration: Aim to restore degraded wetland and surrounding areas to their natural condition.
- Maintenance: Implement measures to maintain the ecological integrity and sustainability of the wetland and surrounding ecosystems over the long term.
It is presumed that Surf Coast Shire will be involved in all aspects of the project.
Strategies
- Identify priority species and habitats
- Consider mammals, birds, plants, reptiles, amphibians, insects and fish?
- Develop plan to develop, protect, restore and maintain these habitats, including pest plant and animal control, also considering climate resilience
- Involve and educate community about these priorities
Actions
- To be developed
- Ask bird group re priority species and habitat requirements
- Ask plant group re priority species in relation to habitat
- Focus on threatened species e.g. Swamp Antechinus, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Broad-toothed Rat, Rufous Bristlebird
- Consider possibility of increasing complexity of habitat under Willows in Location 3?
Focus 2: Water quality
Objectives: To maintain and enhance the water quality in the Sanctuary to protect and enhance biodiversity and social amenity.
Strategies
- Consider strategies to maintain appropriate water levels and quality including stormwater management, siltation, pollution and erosion control, including water sensitive urban design
- Manage the water quality reaching Painkalac Creek
Actions
- To be developed following release of Aireys Inlet stormwater drainange study and Painkalac Creek Estuary Flood Mitigation and Adaptation Study
Focus 3: Social/community amenity
Objective: To maintain and enhance the Sanctuary as a beautiful place to visit and maintain/increase its value to local residents and visitors, enhancing Aireys Inlet/Fairhaven as a pleasant place to live.
Strategies
Public Access and Recreation:
- Maintain trails and boardwalks for public access.
- Establish guidelines for recreational and educational activities to minimise disturbance to wildlife.
- Provide educational opportunities for the public about the importance of the Sanctuary – wetlands and all other habitats
- Develop a communication strategy to keep local communities and key stakeholders informed and involved (e.g. progress reports etc.)
Actions
- To be developed
- Consider community support for open water
- seek expert advice re requirements for swans etc.?
- Provide update at Community Estuary Day in October
- Consider community support for open water
Focus 4: Wadawurrung Gobata Dja – Caring for Country
We are very keen to support the Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation’s Paleert Tjaara Dja Let’s make Country good together 2020-2030 Wadawurrung Country Plan and play our part in “All people working together to make Wadawurrung Country and Culture strong – Wurrgurrwilwa gupma bengadak Wadawurrung wurring-wurring baap dja“, as appropriate.
A meeting has been held with Ash Skinner and Paul Marriott from WTOAC and a site visit and cultural awareness session is planned for April 2026.
While waiting for specific guidance from the Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) in relation to Allen Noble Sanctuary, we can consider information detailed in the The VEWH annual seasonal watering plan 2024-25:
“Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC)’s 2020 Paleert Tjaara Dja Let’s make Country good together 2020-2030 Wadawurrung Country Plan identifies important cultural values and recommendations for the lower Barwon wetlands, including:
• culturally significant wetland species (such as brolga, black duck, black swan, short-finned eel, common reed and bull rush)
• recognition of wetlands as meeting, ceremony and trade places
• maintaining water holes and refuge pools
• maintaining access to culturally important story places and ceremonial places
• protection of artefact sites
• use of appropriate Wadawurrung language for places of cultural importance
• increased opportunities for the Wadawurrung to be involved in monitoring and evaluation activities
• inclusion of the Wadawurrung in all communications about releases of water for the environment and other wetland-related activities.”
“In 2019, WTOAC partnered with the Corangamite CMA to complete an environmental flows study for the upper Barwon, Yarrowee and Leigh rivers. The 2019 flows study also identified cultural values in all waterways within Wadawurrung Country, including the Moorabool River, including:
• significant aquatic species such as platypus, short-finned eel, native trout galaxias spp, tupong, river blackfish, common reed and cumbungi/typha latifolia, which are traditional sources of food, materials and medicines
• waterway confluences and deep pools, which are places for meeting, ceremonies, trade and marking clan boundaries.”
| Objectives & opportunities | Values & uses | What environmental watering aims to do |
|---|---|---|
| Maintain or improve the abundance, breeding and recruitment of platypus | Meat and pelt | Provide pool habitat and connectivity between reaches |
| Maintain or improve the abundance of eels | Meat, an important food source sometimes smoked
Large gatherings during the eel run at Buckley’s Falls |
Provide water for pools, habitat and food sources, and water over riffles to allow eels to migrate |
| Maintain or improve the abundance of native trout galaxias spp and river blackfish | Meat | Provide water for pools, habitat and food sources, and water over riffles to allow fish to move between pools and breed, feed and find new habitat |
| Maintain or improve the abundance of water ribbons (Triglochin procera) | Plant food: finger-shaped tubers are crisp and sweet and cooked in a ground oven | Maintain an adequate depth of water in channels |
| Maintain or improve the condition, extent and abundance of common reed (Phragmites australis), pale rush (Juncus pallidus) and cumbungi (Typha latifolia) | Common reed (Phragmites australis). Weapon-stems used for spear shafts for fishing. Reed cut while still green to make necklaces, weaving bags and baskets. Also, a food plant. • Weaving baskets • Fluff is used to pack wounds under a paperbark bandage |
Maintain an adequate depth of water to limit terrestrial encroachment into aquatic habitats.
This will also support growth on terraces, channel edges and |
| Deep pools | Deep pools have cultural significance | Help fill and ensure connectivity to pools where possible |
(Taken from The VEWH annual seasonal watering plan 2024-25)
The Arthur Rylah Institute’s Moorabool Yaluk flow monitoring study: “We identified several species that are culturally significant for Wadawurrung People including buniya (Short-finned Eels) and polango/warngare (water ribbons) which are traditional food sources, toolim (pale rush) which is used for weaving and healing, and yarrabil/we-in-kalk (swamp gum) which is used as a food source and for making tools.”
Strategies
- Enquire about possible guidance, priorities and recommendations from the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Actions
- A booking has been made for the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to review this document.
- Other actions to be developed following feedback on this document
- Feedback from the Gobata Dja/Caring for Country team’s visit in January was to keep doing the work we are doing throughout the Valley.
- Other actions to be developed following feedback on this document
Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Develop a detailed implementation plan, including timelines, budgets and responsibilities.
- Establish a system for monitoring the effectiveness of management actions and evaluating the overall health of the wetland.
- Maintain detailed records of activities, outcomes and lessons learned including regular photos of the Sanctuary
- Annually review and update the management plan based on monitoring results and changing conditions.
Key Considerations:
- Adaptive Management: Wetland management is an ongoing process that requires flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. Adaptive strategies for climate change such rising water levels or changing temperatures will need to be considered.
- Collaboration: Successful wetland management requires collaboration among government agencies, non-profit organisations and local communities. Ensure the local community is involved in decision-making, as appropriate.
- Funding: Secure adequate funding for the implementation and long-term maintenance of the management plan.
Resources
2024 Community Survey responses
2021 Urban Wetlands: A Review on Ecological and Cultural Values
2017 History of Allen Noble Sanctuary (from AIDA September Newsletter)
2013 The importance of urban wetlands
2013 Workbook for Managing Urban Wetlands in Australia
2013 Public aesthetic preferences to inform sustainable wetland management in Victoria, Australia
2012 Flora, Weed and Bird Lists from Allen Noble Sanctuary
2004 Sediment and Water Investigation at Allen Noble Sanctuary for Surf Coast Shire
2000 Landscape Concept Plan Allen Noble Sanctuary
2000 Allen Noble drawing from landscape concept plan including species list
1999 Landscape design brief for Allen Noble Swamp
1999 Vegetation survey Allen Noble Sanctuary