The purpose of this information sheet is to provide an overview of the future management directions for the Buchan Caves Reserve, as part of the Gunaikurnai and Victorian Government Joint Management Plan

(Part 2a – Buchan Caves Reserve).

Part 2a - Buchan Caves Reserve

GUNAIKURNAI AND VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT JOINT MANAGEMENT PLAN 2018 –

SUMMARY INFORMATION SHEET

Information about the joint management partnership and broader strategic joint management initiatives is available in the Summary (Part 1 – Strategic plan) information sheet, or in the full Joint Management Plan.

The full Joint Management Plan can be accessed either online at www.gunaikurnai.com.au or in hard copy at Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation; Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning; Parks Victoria or Gunaikurnai Traditional Owner Land Management Board offices throughout Gippsland.

If you are unable to access the plan online or in hard copy at one of the above locations, call us on (03) 5150 3573 to arrange a copy.

Future directions for Buchan Caves Reserve

The Buchan Caves Reserve is located on the country of the Krauatungalung clan. It is a long-established, major tourism attraction in East Gippsland which draws interstate and international visitors.

The Buchan area, ‘Buchan Munji’ was used by the Gunaikurnai as a place to camp and meet during seasonal migrations to and from the high country. Caves near the reserve have a record of occupation stretching over 30,000 years and are an important place in the cultural heritage of the Gunaikurnai.

The Buchan-Murrindal caves system, which extends beyond the reserve, is one of the most extensive and best decorated cave systems in Victoria. The reserve is an important Victorian heritage site, registered for its aesthetic, scientific and historical significance, and geological formations.

The Fairy-Royal-Federal show cave system in the reserve has a total length of over one kilometre.

The Gunaikurnai and Victorian Government Joint Management Plan includes the following future directions for Buchan Caves Reserve:

The commercial and tourism services provided for visitors at Buchan Caves are the most substantial operations of this type within the ten jointly managed parks, and include tour and accommodation booking systems and cave guiding services, as well as food and merchandise sales.

The plan explains that Buchan Caves will function as a primary location for the training and development of Gunaikurnai people in park tourism, hospitality and business. The skills acquired and built by Gunaikurnai at Buchan Caves will then be used to establish and expand business and employment opportunities across the other jointly managed parks, one of the central goals of the Joint Management Plan.

“The main changes that will take place as part of joint management of the reserve will be: • The establishment of Buchan Caves as a

primary training and development location for Gunaikurnai people to acquire and build skills in tourism, hospitality, and commercial business operations; and

• The development of new programs and activities for visitors built on Gunaikurnai cultural heritage themes, as part of ongoing improvements to the visitor services and experiences.”

About the Buchan Caves Reserve

GUNAIKURNAITraditional Owner Land Management Board

Culture and country

People in the reserve

Working together

MANAGEMENT ZONES

The plan provides for greater presentation of cultural heritage themes to visitors, to complement the current focus on the geology of the spectacular cave systems.

This will include new and expanded interpretive and educational activities and events, and development of a cultural hub/keeping place for Gunaikurnai cultural interpretation and artefacts.

Ageing cabins and other facilities for overnight and day visitors will be progressively renewed and improved to a standard appropriate for a major tourism attraction.

These improvements will be made within the existing developed area and in keeping with the reserve’s architectural heritage and horticultural character.

Services and facilities in the reserve will continue to be planned and operated in cooperation with those in the nearby Buchan township.

More systematic monitoring and protection of the caves’ condition and values will be introduced with documented protocols and training processes for reserve staff and guides in managing visitors and protecting the cave environments.

This is one of ten summary information sheets developed to provide an overview of key principles and initiatives contained in the Gunaikurnai and Victorian Government Joint Management Plan.

Separate information sheets are available for each of the other nine parks and reserves covered by the Joint Management Plan. See page one for details about where to get copies of the information sheets and/or the complete Joint Management Plan.

Find out more

CONTACT

Gunaikurnai Traditional Owner Land Management Board574 Main Street (PO Box 1012) Bairnsdale 3875

(03) 5150 3573 info@gunaikurnai.com.auwww.gunaikurnai.com.au

@gunaikurnaitolmb@gktolmb

Zone Description and purpose

Conservation and Recreation Zone

Areas where the management emphasis is on protection of land, water, ecological and cultural values while encouraging dispersed recreation and nature-based tourism.

Low-impact recreation activities are allowed; dispersed, small-scale facilities are provided, without significant impact on natural processes and landscape character.

Recreation Development Zone

Small areas with a high-level of visitor facility development catering for a high number of visitors.

Cultural Values Overlay (future)

Areas where the extent, nature or significance of Aboriginal cultural heritage and /or historic heritage is high.

Specific protections and restrictions on use and activities may be applied.