Green Wedge Environment Fact Sheet

Introduction The Greater Dandenong Green Wedge is The biodiversity values contained within the located between industrial and residential Greater Dandenong Green Wedge that areas in the suburbs of south-east . provide significant local habitat for wildlife include: Its location adjacent to an urban environment • the – as a and the extent of its modification, over time, major waterbody complex allowing means that existing environmental and habitat for waterbirds biodiversity values are limited. • the major watercourses of the Eumemmering Creek, , However, there are important remnant Patterson River, Mordialloc Main Drain vegetation and landscape features with some (Creek) and the Eastern Contour Drain native fauna species present in the area since • remnant woodland vegetation and European settlement. scattered trees including River Red Gums Consultation with the community in 2013 • wetlands (both man-made and natural) and 2014 identified local biodiversity as • low lying swampy areas. being important and for it to be protected and enhanced. The key issues in the Green Wedge include: Due to this, the Greater Dandenong Green • poor water quality in the Dandenong Wedge Management Plan (December 2014) Creek catchment included the ‘natural environment’ as one of • loss of natural habitat and corridors • five themes for the area. loss of significant vegetation, in particular River Red Gums The vision for the natural environment of the • the spread of significant weed species Greater Dandenong Green Wedge is that: including Gorse and Blackberry • impacts from pest animal species Indigenous vegetation provides a rich and including the European Rabbit and Red connected habitat for fauna, that supports the Fox • Coastal Acid Sulfate Soils (CASS) which biodiversity of the broader metropolitan area can result in the acidification of with priority given to the protection and waterways, corrosion of building management of ecological areas of highest foundations and infrastructure value. • the extensive catchment area upstream of the Green Wedge’s waterways • the low elevation makes the area prone to flooding.

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Regulatory roles and controls in public land but generally not required for the Greater Dandenong removal of protected flora from private land. There is a range of government legislation and Catchment and Land Protection Act policy covering environmental issues that (CaLP Act), 1994 affect the Greater Dandenong Green Wedge This is the main piece of legislation covering that may need to be considered when looking noxious weed and pest animal management to carry out development or works. This in . includes: Under the Act all land owners have legal Commonwealth Legislation obligations regarding the management of declared noxious weeds and pest animals on Environment Protection and their land. Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act), 1999 Specifically, land owners must take all The EPBC Act applies to developments and reasonable steps to eradicate regionally other activities that have the potential to prohibited weeds, prevent the growth and significantly impact threatened species and spread of regionally controlled weeds, and ecological communities, migratory species prevent the spread of - and as far as possible and wetlands of international importance eradicate - established pest animals on their land. protected under the Act. These are known as ‘Matters of Natural Environmental Planning & Environment Act, 1987 Significance’. This controls the planning and development of land in Victoria. Within the Green Wedge there are identified potential triggers for the EPBC Act, therefore Should removal of native vegetation be development and works should be evaluated proposed within the Greater Dandenong against the criteria outlined in the relevant Green Wedge, then controls and permit Significant Impact Guidelines so as to requirements contained within the City of determine whether it will have a significant Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme may impact on a ‘Matter’ such as those described become relevant. above. Municipal Amenity Local Law, City of State Legislation Greater Dandenong The relevant Greater Dandenong Local Law is Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (FFG Act), the ‘Municipal Amenity Local Law’ which is 1988 intended to, amongst other things: The FFG Act is the key piece of Victorian legislation for the conservation and • prevent the presence of vermin and management of threatened species and noxious weeds on land communities. Under the Act a permit is • prevent land from becoming unsightly, required from the Department of overgrown, dilapidated or dangerous Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP) to ‘take’ protected flora species from

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This is achieved by requiring that: A local weed identification guide has been produced and is a quick and easy reference to • an owner and occupier of land must not 90 weeds, information on the weed and how allow or permit any vermin, noxious weed to control it. If you would like a copy contact to be present or grow on that land Council. • an owner and occupier must not allow land or any buildings, structure or item on that Council also runs regular tree planting days land to become unsightly, overgrown, where you can meet the bushland crew and dilapidated or a danger to life or property. get some advice regarding appropriate planting on your property. If you believe that any of the above is occurring, or have any queries regarding the Council’s bushland crew also regularly above, please contact Council’s Local Laws conduct wildlife walks in local parks where Team on 8571 1000. you can learn more about the natural environment and vegetation in the area. What can residents and landowners do to protect and Further advice and information enhance the environmental If you wish to learn more about weed management, types of planting or other values of the Green Wedge? activities run by Council throughout the year, Council strongly encourages residents to plant please contact Council on 8571 1000. local native (indigenous) plant species to further enhance the environmental values of the area. Council has a list of local indigenous nurseries and a Native Plants of Greater Dandenong booklet for further information.

Council also strongly advises land owners and occupiers to adhere to the local law requirements regarding weeds and vermin and report those who are not compliant.

Council does have information regarding weed management on properties and can provide advice on appropriate revegetation options for landowners and residents.

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