Guidelines for Use

Prepared by the Native Vegetation Marker Scheme Steering Committee

October 2009

The Native Vegetation Marker Scheme has been developed with the support of the Local Government Biodiversity Officers Network and

the Local Government Association of South Australia.

INTRODUCTION

The Native Vegetation Marker Scheme (NVMS) was developed in 2009 to highlight local native plants in urban Adelaide.

The presence of a standard blue marker with leaf symbol prompts contractors, council staff, community members and utility workers to call the relevant council and speak to the Biodiversity Offi cer about site access or maintenance requirements (if any). This is not intended to be an additional burden for staff or contractors; rather it is to be used as an indication that the site contains environmental assets that require highly specialised management. More often than not the course of action will be to leave the patch of vegetation as it is - no spraying, cutting, digging or dumping.

For the scheme to have maximum effectiveness across the city and nearby regions, a consistent approach to the use of markers is recommended. This document provides guidelines for using the markers as well as associated graphic design fi les.

For more details about NVMS please contact:

Biodiversity Project Offi cerCity of Tea Tree GullyPO Box 571 Modbury SA 5092 Telephone: (08) 8397 7444 Fax: (08) 8397 7400

Local Government Biodiversity NetworkC/- Urban Biodiversity Unit218 Shepherds Hills RoadBlackwood SA 5051Telephone: (08) 8278 0600Fax: (08) 8278 0619

Brochures can be downloaded from:www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/environment

MARKER USE

Before installation be sure to check any relevant policy and/or approval process in regard to sign installation and placement for your council area. In all cases use discretion to maintain safety and aesthetics.

There are several ways in which the standard gum leaf site marker can be placed at a signifi cant site.

These are:• Stencil onto a kerb and path, or existing concrete post or pole using blue spray paint.• Bolt onto a star dropper (with safety cap attached) • Fix or bond onto existing wooden or recycled plastic posts and bollards.• Fix or bond onto posts placed for the purpose.• Incorporate into a larger interpretive sign.

Locations may include:• Whole or parts of reserves• Verges• Revegetation site• Individual plants

In all cases use discretion to maintain safety and aesthetics.

Whole of a reserve• Incorporate the standard gum leaf marker into the main interpretive signs for the reserve.• Place a site identifi cation marker at all main approaches and vehicular entrances to the reserve• Place smaller markers on posts or kerbs at approximately 10m intervals around the perimeter of the site. Use existing posts if possible, otherwise install appropriately spaced posts or droppers.

Part of a reserve• Determine the extent of native vegetation to be protected• Determine main approaches to the site• Place the site identifi cation markers at all main approaches• Place smaller markers on posts or kerbs at approximately 10m intervals around the perimeter of the site. Use existing posts if possible, otherwise install appropriately

MARKER USE cont.

Verge• Place stencils on the kerb and path at approximately 10m intervals• Place a site identifi cation marker if appropriate – if a site number can not reasonably be incorporated due to safety or aesthetics, this is not a problem because the adjoining house number provides adequate location information.

Some sites will already be covered by the existing Roadside Marker Scheme (RMS). This marker is intended to compliment the RMS by highlighting individual plants or smaller patches that may fall outside of the RMS criteria.

A site identifi cation marker is placed at the start and fi nish of the site as is done with the existing RMS.

Intermediates can be placed as appropriate

Single plantA single valuable plant will have a marker placed on each side of the plant at an appropriate distance.

MARKER AND STENCIL PRODUCTION

MarkersElectronic fi les of the marker design can be sourced from Adam Gray at the Local Government Association (Ph: 08 8224 2055 or email adam.gray@lga.sa.gov.au) or viawww.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/environment. Files can then be provided to your council’s signmakers. If you are having trouble sourcing a manufacturer, please contact one of the organisations listed in the Introduction.

StencilsThere may be other stencil manufacturers in South Australia however one company that has been used by the City of Tea Tree Gully for the purposes of the NVMS is:

Laser World TechnologiesMr Malcolm Bell9 Armiger CourtHolden Hill SA 5088Telephone: (08) 8395 2851Email: mbell@laserworld.com.au

DATA STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT

After placement – assign a number and apply this number to the numbered marker using an indelible marker, paint or numbered stencils as appropriate.

Record:• the site number

• the location, address and GPS

• the type of site - remnant bushland - degraded relict vegetation - individual plant - indigenous plantation or revegetation

• management guidelines. The rule for all sites is “no spray, no dig and no dumping” with additional specifi cations as necessary, eg:

- intensive management by fi eld team and/ or volunteers - do not mow in October, November and December (or other as specifi ed) - cut no lower than 100mm - spray broadleaf and bulb specifi c herbicides only - target major weeds using injection, stump treatment or hand pulling.

Maintain a database with this data. It will be the responsibility of individual Councils to maintain and enter data as required.

GRAPHIC DESIGN FILES

Promotional and information material for the Native Vegetation Marker Scheme has been developed. These include a logo, brochure for Contractors & Field Workers and a brochure for the general community, Bumper Sticker and A4 Poster. Your council can adapt documents to increase relevance to your geographic area however it is requested you maintain the integrity of the designs by ensuring the NVMS logo is retained in its current form. Logos can be deleted from jpg files and replaced with your council or organisation’s.

Electronic files of the marker design can be sourced from Adam Gray at the Local Government Association (Ph: 08 8224 2055 or email adam.gray@lga.sa.gov.au) or viawww.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/environment. Your graphic design department or chosen printer should be able to use the files provided however assistance can be sought from the designer at a possible fee.

Please contact: Catherine Leo Telephone: (08) 7220 3652Mobile: 0420 281 929email: catherine@cathleo.com.au

No Digging No Spraying No Dumping Call to check first!

NATIVE VEGETATION MARKER SCHEME