RE: Important Sites for Conservation within Melbourne s Growth Areas.

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1 Tom Holden Senior Policy Officer - Biodiversity Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Department of Sustainability and Environment Level 2, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, VIC th August 2011 Our ref: 3131 Dear Tom, RE: Important Sites for Conservation within Melbourne s Growth Areas. This letter report is written with regard to the identification and provision of information relating to a number of important sites for conservation within four urban growth areas of Melbourne, Victoria. The information provided is intended to assist the Department of Sustainability and Environment to continue the implementation of the Delivering Melbourne s newest sustainable communities program report. The four growth areas include, Melbourne West, Melbourne North-west, Melbourne North and Melbourne South (Figures 1a d). Ecology and Heritage Partners Pty Ltd (EHP) have identified several sites of conservation significance within two of the four growth areas. Individual sites were selected as they were either known to support threatened species or ecological communities, or the sites were considered as likely to support important populations of threatened species or important areas of ecological communities. A brief description of information relating to each of these sites is outlined below. MELBOURNE WEST Ravenhall Known conservation values o Plains Grassland (PG)/Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (NTGVVP) and Plains Grassy Wetland/ Lowland Seasonal Wetlands of South-eastern Australia; o Presence of Arching Flax-lily (AFL), Rye Beetle Grass and Paleflowered Cranes-bill; o Potential Striped Legless Lizard (SLL), Golden Sun Moth (GSM) and Spiny Rice-flower (SRF) habitat; 1

2 o Adjacent to BioSite: Boral Quarry Deer Park (Grass PPME006), which is of state significance and contains SRF and high quality grassland; o Adjacent to BioSite: Deer Park Rail Reserve (#4566), which is of national significance and has previous records for Large-fruited Groundsel (LFG) and Austral Trefoil (AT), though is now reported to be in poor condition. likely to Ravenhall Grasslands Predicted conservation values o Likely to support NTGVVP; o SRF Translocation Site. This site is considered important as it is predicted to contain a nationally significant ecological vegetation community and may provide a suitable translocation for the nationally significant SRF. Clarkes Road/Western Highway Known conservation values o Known population of GSM, Small Golden Moths orchid (largest known population), Fat-tailed Dunnart (FTD), SLL, Growling Grass Frog (GGF) and SRF; o Intersects BioSites 4205, 4566, 4609, 3563 and likely to The close association of the site to adjacent BioSites also enables greater habitat connectivity throughout the greater landscape. Rockbank Rail Reserve Both predicted and known conservation values o NTGVVP and Plains Grassland; o Populations of SLL, SRF and Arching Flax-lily (AFL). likely to Area adjacent to the Werribee Rail Corridor Potential values o Site adjacent to large population of SRF (over 2500 individual records), which is one of the largest populations detected in the state. o Known occurrence of Large-fruited Groundsel and records of Button Wrinklewort within BioSite

3 Although species diversity is limited, this site is considered as important as it is immediately adjacent to one of the largest and most significant populations of SRF in terms of the genetic diversity for the species. Additional information was also requested in relation to the working draft of Melbourne s West Planning Zones for: Wetland Sites 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9: o Wetland Site 5 is known to regularly support migratory shorebirds, such as Latham s Snipe and Growling Grass Frog was heard by EHP zoologists during the last breeding season. This site was also identified as a priority one site in the sub-regional strategy for the area. o No additional information from EHP is available for Wetland Sites 6, 7, 8 and 9. threatened species and any proposed disturbance to its habitat values is likely to Area diagonally adjacent to Site 2 Taylors Road Known conservation values o This site is known to contain Plains Grassland/NTGVVP (see additional Figure Taylors Road). Although species diversity may be limited, this site is considered as important as it contains a nationally significant ecological vegetation community. Site 12 and adjacent land Known conservation values o See information relating to Ravenhall above and also refer to additional Figures for Ravenhall. MELBOURNE NORTH Merri Creek Corridor Known conservation values o Grassland Earless Dragon (GED), GSM, GGF and SLL have all been recorded along the Merri Creek Corridor; o Intersects BioSites 3610, 5052 and

4 Craigieburn Grasslands Known conservation values o Known populations of GSM, GGF, FTD, Plains Wanderer (PW), Matted Flax-lily (MFL) and River Swamp Wallaby-grass (RSWG); o Intersects with BioSite Edgars Creek Headwaters Known conservation values o Adjacent to Craigieburn Grasslands; o Listed as a proposed conservation reserve; o Known populations of GSM, FTD, SLL and MFL; o Intersects with BioSite North of Mount Ridley Nature Conservation Reserve Predicted values o Potential MFL, Pale Swamp Everlasting, Southern Toadlet (ST) and GSM; o Known area of Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (GEWVVP); o Proposed ESO Area. This site is likely to be considered as important as it may support significant populations of multiple threatened species and any proposed disturbance to its habitat value is likely to Kalkallo Creek between Donnybrook and Gunns Gully Road Known conservation values o Known populations of GSM, GGF and MFL. Additional information was also requested in relation to the working draft of Melbourne s North Planning Zones for: 4

5 Areas south of Site 15 (BioSite 3610) Predicted conservation values o This site is likely to contain GSM, GGF, MFL, NTGVVP, GEWVVP (EVCs Creekline Grassy Woodland, Stony Knoll Shrubland, Plains Grassy Woodland), Lowland Seasonal Wetlands of South-eastern Australia, numerous flora VROT s and many Very Large Old River Red Gum and Manna Gum habitat trees. This site is likely to be considered as important as it may support significant populations of multiple threatened species and any proposed disturbance to its habitat value is likely to Area north of Beveridge Road, Melbourne Sydney railway line Known conservation values o BioSite 5130 This site is known to contain good condition NTGVVP and a MFL population and may contain a population of either Golden Sun Moths or Small Golden Moths orchids though the orchid population requires confirmation on presence/absence and also determination of species; o O Hearns swamp (BioSite 4854) is known to contain Lowland Seasonal Wetlands of South-eastern Australia, with EPBC Act listed Swamp Fireweed and Swamp Everlasting, along with GGF, SLL and variety of VROT flora. multiple threatened species and any proposed disturbance to its habitat value is likely to No areas of interest were flagged in the North West or the South East areas of the extension. We hope this information is of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact Ecology and Heritage Partners Pty Ltd if you have any questions or require additional information. Yours sincerely, Matt Hatton Consultant Botanist Ecology and Heritage Partners Pty Ltd 5