Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve contains a variety of habitats that support local and migratory wildlife, making it a valuable environmental resource on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Conservation areas also protect cultural, historic and community values. With a no-dogs policy and low-key visitor infrastructure, the flora and fauna reserve provides a quiet space for passive recreation through the extensive trail network.

A passionate volunteer group, the Friends of Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve, was established more than 20 years ago and meets regularly to support Bellarine Bayside conservation staff with management activities.

Concern is increasing about the impacts of existing threats (weeds and pest animals) and emerging threats (climate change, surrounding development and social change) on the range of values within Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve.

The Management Plan reinforces the important role of Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve as a place for conservation, visitor use and community involvement. It celebrates and articulates the unique values, establishes a long-term vision and provides considered and integrated management directives to ensure the Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve is protected now and into the future.

The scope of the Management Plan includes:

• Recognition of cultural values in line with Wadawurrung aspirations.
• Practical actions to be implemented that will protect and enhance the natural values.
• Consideration of low-impact and low-key facilities that enhance the visitor experience, including scoped options to provide an accessible experience (e.g. additional walking trails, bird hides, interpretive signage, another picnic area).

The scope of the Management Plan does not include:

• Additional significant visitor infrastructure (e.g. a toilet block).
• Changes to the existing dog, or other, regulations.

The Management Plan consists of a strategic Management Plan and priority Operational Plans.

The overarching strategic Management Plan guides the vision and high-level aims and objectives for Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve with a 20-year outlook.

The supporting Operational Plans, for internal use by our conservation staff, assist with achieving the outcomes of the strategic Management Plan. They guide management approaches, including actions, timing, resourcing, monitoring, for identified priority values and threats within Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve. These values and threats include vegetation and biodiversity, threatened species, pest animals, weeds, and visitor experience and engagement.

We will work with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to manage vegetation and add value to visitor experience and engagement.