Park Management Issues
The VPO policy document can be found on the Monash City Council website. The VPO does not include dead trees or trees dangerous to life or property, nor does it include tree weed species. To view the current VPO policy document go to:

Monash City Council Planning Guidelines:
www.monash.vic.gov.au/planning/otherguidelines and locate:
"Tree removal or tree works within the Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO) area" - 19 kB (PDF document)

The City of Monash - Indigenous Reserves Corridors Conservation & Management Plan (Ecology Australia - October 2000) identifies the following threats and management issues within Damper Creek Reserve.

Damper Creek Management Plan  (5Mbit)  - by Practical Ecology  (June 2021)

The City of Monash  -  Monash Open Space Strategy  ( MOSS ) - Council Meeting of 27.2.18
                       Draft Monash Open Space Strategy   (12 page pdf)
                       Submission Responses   (9 page pdf)

Threats & Management Issues (Urgent Priorities)
  • Habitat degradation due to weed invasion (particularly invertebrate habitat) - common weed species, old native plantings & escapees from gardens
  • Loss of trees and canopy associated with Eucalypt Dieback (vertebrate habitat) - caused by many factors including fungal pathogens, insect attack and possum browsing. Probably exacerbated by internal run-off and inappropriate drainage from adjoining properties causing eutrophication and water-logging.
  • Nutrient rich run-off results in eutrophication of wetlands and promotes weed invasion
  • Uncontrolled run-off causing erosion & silting of wetlands
  • Reduced water quality due to dog faeces, pollutants, sedimentation, fertilisers and rubbish entering creeks via storm water
  • Disturbance and Predation by Domestic Cats, Dogs and Foxes
  • Soil compaction, trampling of vegetation and erosion due to uncontrolled public access
  • Loss of indigenous vegetation and continuous habitat links from surrounding area / adjoining properties
  • Reduced supply of hollows and nesting boxes due to competition with the Honey Bee
  • Reduced supply of nectar due to competition for nectar resources with the Honey Bee
  • Predation of invertebrates by the European Wasp
  • Introduced mosquitofish which competes with native fish species
  • Fish barriers in Gardiners Creek preventing fish access to Damper Creek
  • Lack of fallen timber for habitat
  • Feeding ducks which creates over-population
  • Low species richness of aquatic plantings and ground layer plants in revegetated areas
  • Some plant species require ecological burning
Other Recommendations:

Compatible uses : passive recreation (walking, running, bicycle riding) in designated areas; nature based and educational activities and walking of leashed dogs.

Objectives include maintaining, conserving and enhancing the existing flora and fauna values and preventing further alteration to the semi-natural ecological processes. Management should focus on preventing degradation and loss of biodiversity by reducing existing threats; and enhancing existing values through revegetation, provision of other habitat components and improved water quality.

First priority should be the protection and enhancement of indigenous remnants with revegetation as a second priority.

Weed invasion - Weed invasion from gardens is a major problem in Damper Creek Reserve. Common garden weeks include Ivy, Wandering Jew, Agapanthus, Arum Lilies, Cotoneaster, Morning Glory, Sweet Pittosporum and Bridal Creeper.