Action Statement Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 No. 182
Central Gippsland Plains Grassland
Forest Red Gum Grassy Woodland Northern Plains Grassland South Gippsland Plains Grassland
Preamble This Action Statement addresses five lowland grassland or The Statewide Actions are primarily of a policy or strategic grassy woodland communities, each of which is listed as nature, and it will largely be the responsibility of the threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), The preparation of Action Statements is a requirement of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and other state and Act. local government agencies and authorities to carry out these actions. It includes a general discussion of the communities, their broad description and distribution, conservation status, and issues The Local Actions also consist of general actions, in some related to their management. It proposes major conservation cases accompanied by more specific actions that relate to objectives and approaches that are applicable to all five each of the five communities. Although the communities communities. occur in different parts of Victoria, the local management requirements are common to all. These actions are largely This Action Statement also includes, as an appendix, sections the responsibility of land managers, local planning that focus specifically on each listed community, providing authorities and regional staff of DSE and DPI. more detail on their description, distribution, ecology and specific threats, and outlines management actions taken to The Local Actions include the development of brief ‘Site date. Management Statements’ for all known sites, with the cooperation of the landholder or land manager. This process This Action Statement has not attempted to identify specific will identify the details of site-by-site management, actions for every site. The geographic range of the five responsibilities for management and resourcing needs. communities, the variety of land tenures and numbers of stakeholders would make this an enormous task.
The intended management actions are divided into two groups – Statewide Actions and Local Actions. all remnants, regardless of tenure, condition or current use. Lowland grasslands and grassy However, given the cost of the active management required to woodlands – a special case maintain or enhance the biodiversity values and condition of 1 Temperate grasslands are one of the world’s major remnants, it is necessary to focus on significant remnants (i.e. ecosystems, occurring widely on all continents except those that have high species diversity, are in good condition, Antarctica. They occur in mild climates, are generally fertile or that support rare sub-communities or populations of rare or and easy to exploit and as such have been replaced faster than threatened species. However, consistent with Victoria’s most other ecosystems. The native grassland communities of Biodiversity Strategy the Native Vegetation Management the North American prairies, South American pampas, Framework and Regional Native Vegetation Plans, the target European chalk grasslands, Asian steppes and south-eastern for conserving lowland grasslands and grassy woodlands in Australian plains are threatened worldwide (IFFA 1992). Victoria will be to achieve a net gain in area and condition.
There are compelling reasons why our approach to conserving The degree to which the five listed communities have been lowland grasslands and grassy woodlands should be different fragmented means that the biodiversity values of each from those for other ecological communities. community cannot be captured and protected in a single reserve. To address this problem, concepts such as Lowland grasslands and grassy woodlands are more Conservation Management Networks (CMNs) will be severely depleted than any other ecological communities proposed. A Conservation Management Network is a network in Victoria; of community remnants comprising priority sites on all land Despite a few recent acquisitions, lowland tenures, managed wholly or in part for conservation purposes, grasslands and grassy woodlands are extremely poorly and encompassing formal conservation reserves, unreserved reserved; public land subject to conservation management agreement, Few remnants of lowland grasslands and grassy and private land, preferably protected under some form of woodlands occur on public land and where they do, the voluntary management agreement and/or covenant. Without parcels of land tend to be small and/or linear (e.g. road the latter, private land components cannot realistically be and rail reserves), they are used for purposes other than included in any sense as a meaningful conservation reserve. conservation and in some cases are managed by committees or agencies with little conservation Description and distribution management expertise; The grasslands and grassy woodlands addressed in this Action Remnants of lowland grasslands and grassy Statement once occurred over most of the lowland plains of woodlands on private land are mostly larger than those on Victoria in low-medium rainfall areas, on varying types of soil public land and generally non-linear, but are also likely to fertility. Small, fragmented remnants of these communities be more degraded; occur across the plains, on paddocks of privately owned Remnants of lowland grasslands and grassy farmland that have remained unploughed, unfertilised and woodlands are often modified by past management and only lightly grazed; and on mostly ungrazed public land with a many are in a degraded condition; history of burning for fuel reduction e.g. ‘town commons’, Because of their small size, remnants of lowland cemeteries, roadsides and rail reserves (Lunt 1991). grasslands and grassy woodlands may not provide habitat With the exception of the Forest Red Gum Grassy Woodland for the full range of species which formerly occurred in community, trees are absent or sparse or occur as isolated them. The small size and isolation of remnants can also copses of woodland. This is due to a combination of soil type lead to small, isolated populations of plants and animals (e.g. cracking clays), rainfall and past management history. with limited genetic diversity, in turn leading to reduced Plants flower in spring and early summer, early in the north, ability to reproduce and adapt to changing conditions, and later in the south. Variation in seasonal climatic conditions, in the longer term, vulnerability to extinction; most notably rainfall and temperature, also influences Over the past 15-20 years, in spite of increasing flowering. Flora species are mostly perennials with few knowledge and concern about lowland grasslands and annuals. grassy woodlands, the rate of loss and degradation has Some existing grassland remnants, particularly on the continued if not accelerated, largely as a result of urban Gippsland Plains and the eastern part of the Northern Plains, development, changed agricultural practices on private may have lost their original woodland overstorey as a result of land, increasing mechanisation, including larger changed management practices following European agricultural and earth-moving machinery, infrastructure settlement. These grasslands are sometimes referred to as maintenance and development on public land, and ‘secondary’ or ‘derived’ grasslands. This does not reduce their ongoing fragmentation and degradation, and value for conservation. Little is known of their management Grasslands are often perceived as uninteresting and history in pre-European times, and the degree to which tree unattractive, as ‘vacant’ land, because of their lack of trees. Their conservation importance, and legally 1 i.e. those that have high species diversity, are in good protected status as native vegetation are often ignored. condition, or that support rare sub-communities or populations of For these reasons, it would be reasonable to adopt an rare or threatened species. Refer to the Native Vegetation approach to conservation based on protecting and enhancing Management Framework for assessment of significance of native grasslands and the appropriate outcomes (Table 1, p. 27).).
2 cover fluctuated in response to management events. It is Northern Plains Grassland Community possible that what we now call “grasslands” consisted of a criteria 2.1 and 2.2 (SAC 1992). mosaic of open grassland, sparse tree cover and denser Central Gippsland Plains Grassland Community woodland, that varied with time. All grasslands and grassy criteria 2.2 and 2.2.1 (SAC 1993a) woodlands are highly threatened and contain many threatened Forest Red Gum Grassy Woodland Community species, some of which occur on only a single site or handful criteria 2.2 and 2.2.1.(SAC 1993b of sites. All remnants of these communities must be protected South Gippsland Plains Grassland and managed to conserve the values that exist within them criteria 2.2 and 2.2.1 (SAC 1994). today, regardless of past history.
More information on the description and distribution of these Ecology communities is provided in Table 1 on Page 19. All these communities require regular biomass reduction, through fire, suitable managed grazing, or some other form of Conservation status natural perturbation to maintain the structure and species diversity of a grassland or grassy woodland. In the absence of Current status suitable disturbance, the dominant perennial tussock grasses Each community has been listed under the Victorian Flora tend to out-compete and suppress the less competitive smaller and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. forbs. In the grassland communities south of the Divide, 5-10 years without disturbance results in loss of many herb species Natural Temperate Grassland ecological communities in and senescence and death of Kangaroo Grass tussocks (Lunt south-eastern Australia are being considered for listing under & Morgan 1999). Open spaces are then colonised, by native the Commonwealth Environment Protection and species in an intact grassy ecosystem, but more often by Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. These grassland opportunistic weed species. North of the Divide, lower communities will be considered in a staged approach, on the rainfalls generally mean reduced fertility, and biomass basis of their conservation need and the availability of reduction may not be so frequently required. information. The ‘Western (Basalt) Plains Natural Temperate Grasslands’ community is presently under consideration for In pre-European times, disturbance resulted from grazing by listing and public comments were sought until 30 June 2003. macropods, digging and scratching by smaller macropods and bandicoots, digging for food plants by aboriginal people, and The listed grasslands and grassy woodlands occupy plains fires lit by aborigines or caused by lightning strikes. These habitats on reasonably fertile soils that have been cleared over disturbances created open spaces among the tussocks, large parts of their range for agricultural production. Once a providing habitat for fauna and small flowering herbs. Soil third of Victoria was covered by these grasslands and grassy types and patterns of fire and grazing disturbance would have woodlands (DCE 1992), but today, grasslands of the Western created mosaics within the grassy ecosystem, ranging from Basalt Plains have declined to about 0.15% of their original sparse woodlands through to herblands, open grassland, distribution. Those of the Northern Plains have declined to closed tussock grassland and ephemeral wetlands and about 0.5%, and those of the Central Gippsland Plains drainage lines. Today, biomass reduction is maintained by Grasslands and South Gippsland Plains Grassland to much burning, slashing or grazing by introduced stock. However less than 1%. Forest Red Gum Grassy Woodland has declined timing, intensity and type of biomass reduction is not to between 2% and 4%. Remnants of these communities are evidence-based and is generally inadequate, resulting in a distributed so widely across the State and are subject to such a general decline in species richness. Disturbances such as variety of land uses that they are also subject to a very wide overgrazing, cultivation, irrigation or development will range of threatening processes, including ongoing clearing, quickly result in the replacement of much of the indigenous habitat destruction and fragmentation, weed invasion and flora with exotic species from which recovery is either very inappropriate management. slow or non-existent. The Scientific Advisory Committee requires certain criteria to The general approach of grassy ecosystem managers is a be satisfied for a community to be eligible for listing: conservative one. If a good quality remnant of a community 2.1 the community is in a demonstrable state of decline has survived under a certain management regime, e.g. which is likely to result in extinction; frequent fuel reduction burning, or light grazing by stock, then it is best to continue that regime with only minor 2.2 the community is significantly prone to future threats modifications, although changes may be made after suitable which are likely to result in extinction trials and monitoring. ‘Locking up’ a native grassy ecosystem 2.2.1 the community is very rare in terms of the total area it remnant and removing appropriate disturbance will quickly covers or it has a very restricted distribution or it has been result in the loss of conservation values. recorded from only a few localities.
In its final recommendations for listing, the Scientific Past Management History Advisory Committee determined that the nominations for Prior to 1970 communities satisfied at least one of these criteria. Moormurng woodland, near Bairnsdale, declared a Western (Basalt) Plains Grassland Community Forest Reserve in 1958 criteria 2.1 and 2.2 (SAC 1991)
3 Several authors publish reports of the vegetation of Plains Grassland and Forest Red Gum Grassy Woodland the Western Basalt Plains, noting the impacts of European in 1993 and South Gippsland Plains Grassland in 1994. land use changes and decline in native flora and fauna The FFG Action Statement for Western Basalt) Plains (Patton 1930; Sutton 1916; Willis 1964) Grassland was released in 1995 (Muir 1995).
1970s Draft Conservation Program for Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in Victoria published by Stuwe & Parsons (1977) publish a study on the Department of Conservation and Environment in 1992. floristics and management of Western Plains grasslands. In the same year A.H. Arnold researches the effects of !n 1992 the Australian National Parks and Wildlife grazing natural ecosystems. Service published the national Recovery Plan for Western Basalt Plains Grassland (Muir 1992). The following year La Trobe University staff and students carry out AN&WPS provided two years of half-time funding for further detailed studies on the native grasslands of the five Grassland Planning and Extension positions, to cover western plains, focusing on areas on the western edge of the Northern Plains, Western Plains, Melbourne and Melbourne, and emphasising the rarity of these Gippsland regions. grasslands. Detailed submission to Western Region Commission. Sheep and cattle grazing became less profitable, prompting a move towards more intensive agricultural Incremental losses continue due to land use change practices e.g. pasture improvement, new crops, raised-bed (e.g. railway realignments, development of public land cropping, laser grading, pig farming. Native grasslands -RMIT develops part of Laverton North grassland). that had persisted under low level grazing regimes were Moormurng’s status changed to Flora and Fauna cleared and destroyed. Reserve in 1977. Public Authority Management Agreements were 1980s entered into for several cemeteries containing grassland and grassy woodland remnants. Laverton North Grassland Reserve (40ha) is created as a temporary reserve for "preservation of native Moormurng declared a Flora and Fauna Reserve in grasslands" and Derrimut Grasslands Reserve (150 ha) is 1993 and grazing ceased. permanently reserved. These are the only reserves in Between 1995 and 1998 the then Australian Nature Victoria specifically created and managed for Conservation Agency (ANCA) provided $160,000 p.a. for conservation of native grassland. three years to fund grassy ecosystem conservation, Conley & Dennis (1984) publish The Western management and research. Funds were allocated on the Plains - A Natural and Social History which includes recommendations of the multi-disciplinary Grassy documented changes to and decline of native flora and Ecosystem Reference Group (Craigie & Ross 1995) and fauna of the Western Plains grasslands. Research Advisory Group (Wellington 1996). ANCA also funded a project investigating the Economic Benefits of Stuwe (1986) publishes an assessment of the Native Grasslands, for which farmers on the Basalt Plain conservation status of native grasslands on the Western and Riverine Plain were interviewed (Crosthwaite (1997). Plains, stating that about 0.16% remains of their original distribution. Management guidelines for the relatively unknown Northern Plains Grasslands are developed (Diez & CFL undertakes a survey of the relic vegetation of Foreman 1996). all Victorian railway reserves in 1985. In 1989 CFL and VLine sign a licence agreement for implementation of a Surveys and identification of roadsides with high Railway Reserve Vegetation Management Plan, requiring conservation values were undertaken for most local CFL to pay an annual fee to carry out management works government areas. Many roadsides were signposted, but on significant rail reserves. This agreement is not fully many signs later stolen or destroyed. Roadside implemented and is dissolved in the early 1990s. management plans were developed but not all implemented. From the mid 1980s through to the 1990s railways managers replaced regular burning as a fuel control Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy was released method with the use of herbicides and ploughed (Crown [State of Victoria] 1997), identifying the highly firebreaks, thus destroying perhaps 50% of the high endangered status of lowland grasslands and grassy quality grassland remnants on rail reserves. woodlands and recommending no further loss of native vegetation. 1990s Numerous extension materials (brochures, posters, The then Department of Conservation and management kits) on grasslands and their management Environment publishes a report on remnant native were produced by the then Department of Conservation, grasslands and grassy woodlands of the Melbourne area Forests and Lands, Land for Wildlife, Trust for Nature, (DCE (1990) with management recommendations. WWF and VNPA. Western (Basalt) Plains Grassland community is listed as a threatened community under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act in 1991, followed by Northern Plains Grassland Community in 1992, Central Gippsland
4 Late 1990s - early 2000s Extension materials about biodiversity, including A conference at Victoria University was held on the native grasslands, was produced (much of it incorporated management of native grasslands and proceedings in the Living Systems Resource Kit (Straker & Platt published (Craigie & Hocking 1999) 2002)). The national Sustainable Grazing Systems project has incorporated the most recent research and A conference in Clare, SA was held on balancing management recommendations into extension materials conservation and production on native grasslands and received by all meat producers in Victoria, namely the pastures, and proceedings published (Barlow & Thorburn special issue of Prograzier and Tips and Tools on 2000). biodiversity. Several private land sites were purchased for BushTender, a market-like policy tool, is being conservation (e.g. Terrick Terrick, Craigieburn), public trialed in several regions of Victoria, including parts of land reserves were gazetted as grassland conservation the Gippsland Plain bioregion containing the Forest Red reserves, conservation covenants and management Gum Grassy Woodland vegetation community. The agreements were entered into on private land and Public approach pays landholders to provide habitat services that Authority Management Agreements begun with some improve the quality and quantity of native vegetation on local governments. their land beyond current obligations. Landholders From 1999-2001, the Federal Government establish their own price for the services they are prepared established a devolved grants program to fund grassy to offer and successful bids are those that offer the best ecosystem conservation and management projects. The biodiversity value for money. Landholders may choose WWF/NHT Grassy Ecosystem Grants Program disbursed from a range of shorter and longer-term agreements $500,000 p.a over three years, a significant proportion including permanent protection options. going to Victoria. The Victorian government undertook a program of NHT funding was sought and received for many strategic identification, assessment and voluntary projects involving conservation and management of purchasing of key sites for conservation, often with grasslands and grassy woodlands financial assistance from the Commonwealth Government Nature conservation on private land became a focus as part of the National Reserve System Program of research, extension and policy at state and national (Fitzsimons & Ashe 2003). level (this had been evolving since at least the late 1970s). Despite the many positive actions that are listed above, Under the Ecologically Sustainable Agriculture threatening processes have continued to operate and the Initiative of the then Department of Natural Resources conservation status of the listed grasslands and grassy and Environment (NRE), now Departments of Primary woodland has not improved. The rate of loss has proceeded, Industries and of Sustainability and Environment, a particularly in areas subject to subdivision around Melbourne, project was established to specifically investigate the where it has greatly increased since the 1970s. Economic management requirements of native grasslands on the pressures within the agricultural sector have led to changes in Basalt Plain and Riverine Plain (Dorrough et al. 2002, agricultural practices that have accelerated losses on private Dorrough & Carter in press, ESAI booklet (State of land. Victoria 2002)). This ongoing project has also surveyed producers and extension officers in these areas to Decline and Threats determine appropriate extension approaches. The following major threats apply across all land tenures and An environmental management system has been uses: trialed on cropping properties in the Barwon basin, some of which have native grasslands (Western Ecological Clearing and habitat destruction Consultants 2002). Related projects included biodiversity Clearing and habitat destruction is associated with assessments on the properties (Newton & Hastings 2003) urbanisation (intensive residential, industrial, infrastructure and mapping the potential for raised bed cropping against development), rural and farming infrastructure and biodiversity assets across south-west Victoria (MacEwan development, installation and management of public utilities, 2003). Further EMS work on properties with native herbicide use, dumping of material, inappropriate fire grasslands is being led by the North-Central Catchment prevention works, ploughing, cropping, and overgrazing by Management Authority. Best Management Practice introduced and native herbivores. Guidelines were tested with producers across south-west Victoria, many of whom manage native grasslands Fragmentation of grasslands into small isolated remnants (McFarlane & Trewick 2002); an extension program has within largely agricultural and urbanised landscapes, and the recently finished. associated site degradation arising from it, may now represent the greatest threat to the long-term conservation of these Native grasslands in the context of farm businesses communities. are a focus for research in a project under the national Land, Water and Wool program (Moll et al. 2003); this Pest plants and animals extends earlier research investigating opportunities to improve conservation of native grasslands by taking a Even very small remnants of native grasslands will generally whole-farm perspective (Crosthwaite & Malcolm 2000). maintain their integrity if properly managed. However soil
5 disturbance, including overgrazing, fertilising, stock Business (developers, manufacturers, transport movements, machinery movements, promote the growth of operators, construction companies, environmental more fast growing exotic weeds, including otherwise desirable consultants, planning and engineering consultants) pasture species. Once significant invasion has occurred, Trust for Nature immediate control is necessary or the grassland will Country Fire Authority eventually become degraded and destroyed. Pest animals such as foxes and rabbits can cause considerable damage to flora Melbourne Fire Brigade and fauna. National conservation groups (e.g. World Wide Fund for Nature) Biomass management State-wide conservation groups (e.g. Victorian In the absence of suitable burning or grazing, dominant grass National Parks Association) species will generally out-compete and smother smaller Local community and conservation groups, Field flowering herbs, and in turn senesce and become smothered Naturalists themselves. In such cases species diversity will decline, fauna habitat will be lost and the grassland will eventually degraded Educational institutions beyond repair. Policy framework
Legal and planning protection There are a number of policy and legislative mechanisms that identify actions and processes and provide guidance for The native flora and fauna of these listed communities are decision-making. Some of the most important are described legally protected, but this is not widely understood. Poor below. understanding of, and compliance with, legislation and planning controls allows deliberate and accidental removal to Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 continue. This Action Statement forms a part of the implementation of Loss of key component species the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Among the objectives of the FFG Act is “…to conserve communities of These can include species of flora, vertebrate fauna and flora and fauna.” invertebrates, with roles as pollinators, providing nutrient recycling, creating suitable vegetation disturbance and other The communities that are the subject of this Action Statement essential elements of structural habitat. There has been an are listed as threatened under the Act. As a result of listing, almost complete loss of mammalian fauna on the plains south the flora of these communities is protected flora under of the Divide, with a number of species becoming extinct or sections 46-51 of the FFG Act, and must not be taken without endangered at a statewide or regional level (Seebeck 1984). authorisation wherever they occur on public land, including reserves, parks, roadsides, rail reserves and cemeteries. Land uses and tenures Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy Grasslands and grassy woodlands occur on a wide variety of public land reservations and on private land. They are poorly Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy states that the goals for represented in the conservation reserve system. Land tenures biodiversity management are to ensure that within Victoria: and uses are summarised in Table 2 on Page 20 there is a reversal, across the entire landscape, of the long- term decline in the extent and quality of native vegetation, Stakeholders and interest groups leading to a net gain with the first target being no net loss Department of Sustainability and Environment by the year 2000; Department of Primary Industries the ecological processes and the biodiversity dependent Parks Victoria upon terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments are Department of Infrastructure maintained and, where necessary, restored; the present diversity of species and ecological communities and their Department of State and Regional Development viability is maintained or improved across each bioregion; Traditional (Aboriginal) owners there is no further preventable decline in the viability of Utilities providers (power, gas, any rare species or of any rare ecological community; telecommunications) there is an increase in the viability of threatened species Commonwealth agencies, especially Department of and in the extent and quality of threatened ecological Defence and Environment Australia communities. Local government authorities Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management – A Victorian Catchment Management Council and Framework for Action Catchment Management Authorities The Framework’s primary goal for native vegetation Victorian Farmers Federation management in Victoria is to achieve: Landholders
6 “ A reversal, across the entire landscape, of the long-term assess the nature, causes, extent and severity of land decline in the extent and quality of native vegetation, leading degradation of the catchments in the region and identify to a Net Gain.” areas for priority attention;
‘Net Gain’ is where, over a specified area and period of time, identify objectives for the quality of the land and water losses of native vegetation and habitat, as measured by a resources of the catchments in the region; combined quality-quantity measure (habitat-hectare), are set a program of measures to promote improved use of reduced, minimised and more than offset by commensurate land and water resources and to treat land degradation; gains. state the action necessary to implement the strategy and The Framework provides a basis for determining the who should take it; conservation significance of areas of native vegetation, and specify procedures for monitoring the implementation of the habitat hectares approach provides a method for assessing the strategy, achieving the land and water resource quality the condition/quality of native vegetation. The Framework objectives and assessing the effectiveness of the program. prioritises rare vegetation types such as grasslands. The Catchment Management Authorities have included consideration of biodiversity assets and threats within the Planning Framework scope of their Regional Catchment Strategies.
Statutory Planning Regional Vegetation Plans The Planning and Environment Act 1987 sets the legal Each Catchment Management Authority has commenced framework for planning in Victoria. The Act allows for the preparation of a Regional Vegetation Plan. The Regional creation of municipal planning schemes by a responsible Vegetation Plans contain information on the extent and authority, which is usually a local council. The planning condition of native vegetation within each catchment and scheme provides the responsible authority with the means to identify rare, depleted or threatened vegetation types. The make decisions on land use and development. Regional Vegetation Plans are consistent with “Victoria’s The Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) are best considered Native Vegetation Management – A Framework for Action”. as a statewide reference document or template from which Biodiversity Action Planning planning schemes are sourced and constructed. It is a statutory device to ensure the consistent provisions for various Biodiversity Action Planning is a structured approach to matters are maintained across Victoria. The VPP includes identifying priorities and mapping significant areas for native the State Planning Policy Framework (SPPF) that provides biodiversity conservation at the landscape and bioregional responsible authorities with the State policy outcomes and the scales. This will assist Regional Catchment Strategies, local relevant policy documents that should be referred to and government, public and private landowners and land managers implemented in decision making, where relevant. The Flora to deal with the complexity of Victoria’s native biodiversity and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and Victoria's Biodiversity and strategically direct their efforts. It supports the notion of a Strategy are referenced in this way. The forthcoming update “net gain” in vegetation quality and quantity. of the VPP, due in July 2003, will include Victoria's Native Vegetation Management - A Framework for Action within the Major Conservation Objectives and SPPF . The SPPF also suggests that responsible authorities Strategic Approaches should take into account any regional catchment strategies or regional vegetation plans in decision making. Conservation Reserves
A municipal planning scheme is constructed by taking the Context VPP as the basic template and inserting the local vision and The listed grasslands and grassy woodland are gravely under- policy framework (the Municipal Strategic Statement and represented in the conservation reserve system. With the local policies), selecting the zones and overlays needed to exception of a few bushland and game reserves that implement these and writing the appropriate local provisions incidentally contained native grasslands, there were no to support the zones and overlays (the schedules). reserves set aside specifically for grassland conservation until the early 1980s. This situation has improved slightly over the Regional Planning last twenty years with the purchase and reservation of several blocks of private land, especially on the Western and Northern Regional Catchment Strategies Plains, but there are still threatened grassland and woodland The Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 requires that species and sub-communities that are completely unprotected. Regional Catchment Strategies be prepared and periodically revised by the Catchment Management Authorities. The Long-term goal Regional Catchment Strategy must: A major long-term conservation goal is to establish a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system assess the land and water resources of the catchments in for these communities and to ensure that they are managed to the region and how they are used; recover and retain their biodiversity values.
7 Objectives of this Action Statement Objective of this Action Statement There are three key objectives of this Action Statement which, The objective of this Action Statement for remnants occurring if met, would contribute substantially to achieving this goal: on other public land, is to protect and enhance all significant remnants of the five listed communities. 1. To protect all significant remnants of the five listed communities currently within the conservation reserve Strategic approaches system This will be achieved by pursing the following strategic 2. To enhance and restore priority degraded remnants of the approaches: five listed communities currently within the conservation survey, mapping, documentation and fencing (if reserve system appropriate) of all significant remnants 3. to incorporate into the reserve system additional preparation of management guidelines and protocols to significant remnants of the five listed communities to ensure that conservation objectives are met and legal achieve a comprehensive, adequate and representative compliance is achieved system preparation and implementation of site management Strategic approaches statements which will specify the active management required to maintain and enhance the biodiversity values In pursuit of these objectives, this Action Statement adopts the of the site following strategic approaches: regular monitoring of biodiversity values preparation and implementation of site management statements which will specify the active management Private agricultural land required to maintain, enhance and/or restore the biodiversity values of the site. Context application of adaptive management approaches to refine Remnants of the grasslands and grassy woodland occur on management and restoration techniques private land throughout Victoria. Only a small proportion of regular monitoring of sites and constituent biodiversity these remnants have been identified and assessed. Based on values those that are known, the remnants are of variable size and condition, and have a range of management histories. voluntary acquisition of significant remnants from private or corporate landholders; Some are quite degraded and would be difficult to restore. In transfer to the Crown of significant remnants as a result of some cases, these might continue to provide habitat for planning decisions (e.g. open space contributions); threatened fauna species, or continue to support populations of threatened plants. In other cases, the remnants may be so transfer to the Crown of land formerly used for other degraded that the investment required to restore and manage purposes (eg. Defence Department land); them may outweigh the benefits to be gained. changes to use of existing Crown land (eg. Victorian Environment Assessment Council recommendations). Other remnants will be in much better condition, retaining most if not all of their biodiversity values. Areas of Other public land (including publicly-owned agricultural land that have not been cropped or undergone freehold) intensive pasture improvement can support high quality remnants, especially on the Northern and Western Plains. If Context the grasslands and grassy woodland are to be conserved on Remnants occur on public land used for purposes other than private land, the cooperation and involvement of the farmer is nature conservation, including rail reserves, roadsides, essential. cemeteries, and on land reserved for purposes other than conservation. These sites retain high quality grassland and Landholders have commented that many farmers are woodland remnants as a result of accidentally benign struggling with the complexities and fluctuations of management, such as burning or light sporadic grazing. international markets for wool and grain, and are faced with financial pressures to implement different farming systems. Long-term goal Adding to this complexity has, at times, been the conflicting messages to farmers from government agencies, on the one The long-term goal for remnants occurring on other public hand encouraging land use changes without considering the land is to work with the relevant management agencies to impact on biodiversity, while on the other hand advocating ensure that the values of the remnants are recognised, that conservation without addressing farmers’ financial viability. responsibilities for biodiversity conservation are accepted within the organisational culture, and the remnants are Ultimately, the best long-term arrangement for conservation managed to maintain and enhance their conservation values. of grasslands on private agricultural land is for farmers to This goal is to be achieved without unduly constraining the derive sufficient income from their properties to allow them to existing land use. work co-operatively with Government agencies and community groups to conserve the relatively small area of significant remnants.
8 Long-term goal and the advice of the previous manager would be sought. The long term goal for private land remnants is to maintain In some cases the landholder could continue to graze the and enhance as many of the significant remnants as possible, reserve under a license agreement, and stocking rates and without necessarily acquiring them. It is important to note timing varied to reflect conservation targets for threatened that, due to the relatively poor representation of the grasslands flora and fauna. and grassy woodland in conservation reserves or other public DSE will also focus on improving the information land, the long-term conservation of these communities relies about remnant grasslands and grassy woodlands on heavily on retaining remnants on private agricultural land. private agricultural land, by undertaking survey and mapping of all significant remnants, subject to owners’ Objectives of this Action Statement agreement.
For private agricultural land, the objectives of Finally, the Victorian Government, through DPI this Action Statement are: and DSE, will engage landholders and farm advisers in developing solutions to grassland and grassy woodland 1. To protect and enhance significant remnants of the listed conservation and management within the farm business grasslands and grassy woodland on private land, and context. 2. To recognise and address the economic and social issues confronting farmers and farming communities in Private land on urban fringes managing native grasslands and grassy woodlands. Context Strategic approaches Grasslands and grassy woodlands on the urban fringes are These objectives will be achieved by consistently generally old grazing properties that are no longer farmed. applying the Victorian Planning Provisions and Victorian Many of these areas are on the northern and western fringes of Government policies relating to native vegetation, in Melbourne, but they also occur to the south-east of particular ‘Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management – A Melbourne, near Geelong and around other provincial cities Framework for Action’. It is intended that these controls and towns. be used to conserve the most endangered communities, As cities and towns grow, demand for industrial, commercial such as the listed grasslands and grassy woodland. and residential land results in pressure to re-zone and A key element of Government policy is the goal of subdivide these properties. Such developments can generate ‘Net Gain’. However, in some cases landholders have large financial windfalls for the owners. already managed and improved for conservation, and it would be very difficult to obtain net gain at a future point Long-term goal in time, by either improving existing remnants or The long-term goal for remnants on private land on the urban purchasing others. The ‘Net Gain’ concept recognises fringe is to ensure that all significant remnants of grasslands vegetation management and enhancement works and grassy woodlands are securely protected and managed for previously undertaken by landholders, as these are their biodiversity values and that, where appropriate, automatically built into the way ‘Net Gain' is structured. restoration and enhancement of degraded remnants is Vegetation that is of higher quality is potentially more undertaken to improve the viability of the remnants. valuable as a conservation ‘offset’ as it is eligible for a higher potential gain with less effort. Vegetation remnants of higher conservation significance are also more Objectives of this Action Statement valuable, particularly as offsets for permitted clearing in The objectives of this Action Statement for grasslands and lower conservation significance patches. grassy woodlands remnants on private land on the urban The regulatory approach will be complemented by fringe are: the continuing development and use of voluntary 1. to prevent further loss of significant remnants of conservation programs, including Land for Wildlife, grasslands and grassy woodlands. conservation covenants and incentives programs such as BushTender. Farmers with significant remnants would be 2. to improve our knowledge of the type, distribution, encouraged to undertake whole farm planning, including condition and biodiversity values of remnants and options for continuing to derive income from the 3. to improve our understanding of the management remnants. In many cases, maintaining existing practices required to maintain, enhance and restore the management regimes will be the preferred option. biodiversity values Some areas of very high quality grasslands or grassy woodland on private land may be identified for Strategic approaches voluntary land purchase or exchange. In general terms, such grasslands remain because they have been managed Where new industrial, commercial and residential in such a way as to retain native biodiversity, generally by developments are proposed, DSE will pursue, in co- light grazing. If purchased for inclusion in the operation with local government authorities and conservation reserve system, management would tend to developers, sophisticated planning outcomes which meet copy that of the previous owner, at least in the short term, fully the requirements of the Victorian Planning
9 Provisions and Victorian Government policies relating to Integrating production and conservation native vegetation, in particular ‘Victoria’s Native S4 Identify the institutional, organisational and on- Vegetation Management – A Framework for Action’. farm barriers to the conservation and retention of Such planning outcomes will include mechanisms to grasslands and grassy woodland and their component provide permanent protection to retained remnants, such species on private land. as conservation covenants and s173 agreements, and ongoing provision for active management and monitoring Responsibility: DSE/DPI of the retained remnants. S5 Identify a range of ecologically sustainable farm DSE will also pursue, in co-operation with local management operations that can provide for the retention government authorities and developers, planning controls of native grasslands and grassy woodlands within a viable on the use of the remainder of the area being developed to farm business. ensure that future use is not incompatible with the long- Responsibility: DSE/DPI term conservation requirements of the retained remnants. S6 Identify the strategic options open to private DSE will assist prospective developers in landholders to allow them to retain grassland and grassy understanding the information requirements and approval woodland communities and species on land subject to processes as they relate to biodiversity, land and water development plans eg offset arrangements. management. Responsibility: DSE/DPI Intended Management Actions S7 Provide landholders with the latest information The intended management actions listed below will be further about on-site management requirements, and encourage elaborated in DSE’s Actions for Biodiversity Conservation preparation of site management statements, incorporating database. Detailed information about the actions and adaptive management principles that facilitate landholder locations, including priorities, is held in this system and will input and feedback into management decisions. be provided annually to land managers. This system identifies Responsibility: DSE, DPI, CMAs responsibilities for implementation, timelines and progress of implementation. S9 Include information on appropriate management techniques and standards for native pastures and native Site Management Statements will be prepared in conjunction grasslands into relevant agricultural and land management with landholders and managers (see Local Action L4) to programs and into guidelines such as EMS, whole farm or identify management aims, actions, responsibilities, timing property management planning, best management practice and resourcing. These will give clear future directions, and and codes of practice. identify opportunities for advice, assistance and incentives. Responsibility: DSE, DPI
Statewide Actions Planning and regulation
Developing the policy and institutional S10 Publicise and enforce the provisions of the Flora framework and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the native vegetation controls in planning schemes in regard to S1 Develop a policy statement in regard to the conservation lowland grassland and grassy woodlands, including of lowland grasslands and grassy woodlands consistent providing encouragement and support to landholders, with Growing Victoria Together, Victoria’s Biodiversity land managers and local planning authorities to achieve Strategy and Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management: improved compliance. A Framework for Action. Responsibility: DSE, local governments Responsibility: DSE/DPI S11 Ensure that landholders and local planning Information and identification authorities are aware of the range of activities that may S2 Compile and maintain information on all grassland disturb, damage or destroy native grassland, such as and grassy woodland remnants, including assessment of rock removal, ploughing, fertilising, draining and laser- their biological assets, conservation significance, levels of grading. risk and priorities for action. Responsibility: DSE Responsibility: DSE S12 Analyse and assess the impact and trends of S3 Develop a research and monitoring program to planning approvals on endangered vegetation classes on maintain, enhance and restore the condition of lowland private land and determine the outcomes for ‘net gain’, grasslands and grassy woodlands, including research and using information contained in the DSE/DPI case development into management techniques for native management tracking system. grasslands within farming systems. Responsibility: DSE Responsibility: DSE/DPI
10 Moving towards appropriate management Engaging with the community S13 Discourage the use of inappropriate techniques for S22 Explore improved options to incorporate grassland fuel reduction and weed management in lowland and grassy woodland biodiversity values into farm grassland and grassy woodlands. extension programs and activity , especially through commercial farmer cropping groups at the subregional Responsibility: DSE, DPI, CFA , local government level. Extension programs to engage include: authorities S14 Encourage ecological burning as a management DPI wool, meat and grains as well as national tool on appropriate sites, especially those with a history equivalents sponsored by Australian Wool Innovations, of burning, in partnership with CFA management and Meat & Livestock Australia and the Grains Research and brigades. Development Corporation, and Land & Water Australia, FarmBiz Responsibility: DSE, DPI, CFA , local government authorities farmer-led programs eg. Bestwool 2010, Southern Farming Systems, Birchip Cropping Group, S15 Promote ecologically sustainable weed control practices, such as cell grazing and burning, with Landcare, emphasis on minimising soil disturbance, reducing soil Conservation programs such as Land for Wildlife nutrient levels and replacing weeds with suitable native and those run by Trust for Nature and Greening Australia. species. Responsibility: DSE, DPI Responsibility: DSE, DPI, CFA , local government S23 Prepare informational material on the conservation authorities significance of native grasslands and grassy woodlands S16 Endeavour to resolve impediments to ecological and their practical, ecological and financial values, for burning and pest plant and animal control activities in distribution by local government planning offices and significant sites on rail and other linear reserves. Issues officers to private landholders contemplating include public safety, occupational health and safety and development applications. public liability. Responsibility: DSE, DPI, Catchment Management Responsibility: DSE, DPI, Vicroads, local Authorities, local government authorities government authorities, rail managers S17 Develop Environmental Standards and Procedures Local Actions for works and maintenance operations on Crown land Planning and incorporate them into contracts where appropriate. L1 Incorporate targets and actions to protect, enhance Responsibility: DSE, DPI, DoI, VicTrack, and restore lowland grassland and grassy woodlands into VicRoads Regional Catchment Strategies and subordinate strategies, Reserve system development including Regional Vegetation Plans . S18 Further develop Comprehensive, Adequate and Responsibility: Catchment Management Representative reserve system design models and apply Authorities to lowland grasslands and grassy woodlands at a L2 Provide information (including maps and bioregional level to identify key gaps. supporting data) and advice to assist local government authorities to conserve lowland grassland and grassy Responsibility: DSE woodlands through the implementation of native S19 Pursue the voluntary acquisition of significant sites vegetation controls and application of local planning in private ownership. Where appropriate, equivalent schemes. public land may be exchanged for private land supporting significant grassland and grassy woodland Responsibility: DSE Regions remnants. L3 Ensure that all relevant municipal planning schemes include the objective of conserving and restoring native Responsibility: DSE, DPI grasslands and grassy woodlands, and achieve this S20 Encourage non-government organisations (e.g. objective through the optimal use of environmental zones, Trust for Nature, Australian Bush Heritage Fund), environmental overlays, local policy and non-statutory philanthropic trusts and other organisations to sponsor programs (see Biodiversity Planning Practice Note (DOI conservation management activity, including land 2002)). purchase. Responsibility: DSE, local government authorities Responsibility: DSE L4 Develop bioregional Conservation Management S21 Undertake permanent reservation for conservation Networks for lowland grasslands and grassy woodlands. purposes of significant remnants on public land. Responsibility: DSE Regions Responsibility: DSE (Parks, Flora and Fauna Division, Regions)
11 Agreements and incentives Responsibility: DSE Regions L5 Negotiate management agreements, in their various L12 Undertake urgent management at priority sites prior forms, as a means of increasing certainty about to preparation of Site Management Statements, conservation outcomes, especially for sites of high and including actions specified below. very high conservation significance. On private land these Responsibility: land managers agreements will include covenants, Land for Wildlife voluntary agreements, and agreements reached via Central Gippsland Plains Grassland planning schemes or incentives schemes such as Continue ecological burning at Munro, Marriage BushTender. On public land these will include Public Lane , Hillside Lindenow South, Fernbank rail reserves, Authority Management Agreements under the FFG Act. Briagolong cemetery and Golden Beach.
Responsibility: DSE Regions Undertake weed control for African love-grass and St John’s Wort, and tree and shrub removal (e.g. burgan, L6 Continue to implement mechanisms and programs casuarinas, eucalypts, black wattles) from significant sites to facilitate voluntary conservation action on private land that suffered a cessation of burning from 1980 – 1990, (including whole farm planning, conservation covenants, especially Munro and The Knob. management agreements and financial incentives such as rate reductions, tax incentives and payments of services Undertake a Rabbit control program on Briagolong through approaches such as BushTender) and seek to cemetery, and rail reserves from Munro to Lindenow ensure that native grasslands and grassy woodlands are South given high priority in funding programs such as the Repair and maintain fences at all fenced sites to Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for prevent accidental damage Water Quality and Salinity. Forest Red Gum Grassy Woodland Responsibility: DSE Regions, Catchment Prepare and implement a management plan for The Management Authorities, Trust for Nature, local government authorities Knob Recreation Reserve, Moormung and Providence Ponds Flora and Fauna Reserves. Community involvement Undertake control of priority weeds such as Sweet L7 Promote and support participation by community Vernal Grass, Yorkshire Fog, Phalaris and Bridal creeper, groups, landholders and managers and education at Moormurng Flora and Fauna Reserve, Providence institutions in management, research and monitoring of Ponds FFR, Stratford Highway Park, The Knob lowland grasslands and grassy woodlands. Assist such Recreation Reserve, The Billabong FFR groups to obtain funding for suitable projects. Plains Grassland (South Gippsland) Responsibility: DSE Regions Undertake control of introduced pasture grasses Science-based decisions and management (Phalaris, Paspalum, Yorkshire Fog and Sweet Vernal Grass), Blue Periwinkle, Watsonia and native shrubs such L8 Conduct targeted flora and fauna survey mapping as Swamp Paperbark and Prickly Teatree at all sites and site documentation to fill key information gaps. Northern Plains Grassland Responsibility: DSE Regions Undertake ecological burning of priority rail and L9 Develop and implement management trials road reserves e.g. Hunter, Mitiamo-Pyramid Hill, (adaptive experimental management) at priority sites. Glenrowan, Boorhaman rail reserves; Mitiamo, Lalbert- Responsibility: DSE Regions, land managers Kerang, Bael Bael-Quambatook, Suttie, Adamthwaite, and Tungamah roads. On-ground management responsibility and action Undertake control of priority weeds such as African L10 Clarify responsibilities for various site management Box-thorn, Bathurst Burr, Wheel Cactus, Horehound, actions with managers and lessees of Crown land, Paterson’s Curse, Annual Rye-grass, Wild Oats at Terrick including road and rail managers, and formalise (where Terrick National Park. Undertake weed control at Hunter necessary) in agreements (eg. Public Authority Flora Reserve and Thunder Swamp (Spear thistles, Management Agreements) Paterson’s Curse and Artichoke thistles). Responsibility: DSE Regions Phase out commercial wildflower harvesting from L11 Prepare, implement and review Site Management grassland remnants on roadsides. Statements for all priority sites in each listed Undertake appropriate grazing management at community, in consultation with landholders and land Terrick Terrick National Park and Terrick Terrick East, managers, to maintain or improve existing biodiversity, incorporating ecological research findings. including provision for biomass management, weed control, signposting and fencing, adaptive management Western (Basalt) Plains Grassland methodology and baseline and ongoing monitoring, by Undertake ecological burning at Yalla- y-poora 2008. Recreation Reserve, priority roadsides e.g. Chatsworth, Dundonnell, Woorndoo, Carngham - Streatham,
12 Chepstowe-Mt Emu; priority cemeteries e.g. Truganina Cook, D. & Yugovic, J. (2003) Clyde-Tooradin grassland and Bannockburn; and priority rail reserves e.g. rediscovered. Victorian Naturalist 120 (4): 140-146 Bannockburn, Middle Creek, Dobie, Wingeel, Little River Craigie, V. & Ross, J. (1995) Grassy Ecosystem and Manor Implementation Schedule. A report of the Grassy Ecosystem Reference Group, prepared by the GERG Undertake control of priority weeds such as Project Officers. Phalaris, African Love-grass, Furze, Nassella spp. and Craigie, V. & Hocking, C. (eds.) (1999) Down to Grass Roots. Paterson’s Curse at key sites - Yalla- y-poora Recreation Proceedings of a conference on management of grassy Reserve, Middle Creek and Werribee-Geelong rail ecosystems, 9 & 10 July 1998. Victoria University, St reserves, Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail. Albans. Discourage weed control practices that involve Crosthwaite, J. (1997) Economic benefits of native grasslands broadscale herbicide application, especially on paddocks on farms. A report to Environment Australia, Grassland Ecology Program Project Number GEP 017. Department containing remnant native grasslands and minor Serrated of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria. tussock infestations. Crosthwaite, J. & Malcolm, B. (2000). Looking to the farm Control access along railway reserves in rapidly business: Approaches to managing native grassland in urbanising areas to stop destruction of sites by 4WD and south-eastern Australia, National Research and trail bikes, rubbish dumpers etc. Development Program on Rehabilitation, Management and Conservation of Remnant Vegetation Research Phase out commercial wildflower harvesting from Report 5/2000, Land and Water Resources Research and grassland remnants on roadsides. Development Corporation, Canberra. Crown (State of Victoria) (1997) Victoria’s Biodiversity References Strategy. I. 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Department of Conservation and Environment. Barlow, T. (1997b) Grassy Guidelines: A Landowners Guide Diez, S. & Foreman, P. W. (1996) The management of natural to Managing Victorian Native Grasslands and Grassy grasslands on the Riverine Plain of south-eastern Woodlands. Trust for Nature. Australia. Produced by Conservation and Natural Resources for the Australian Nature Conservation Barlow, T. J. & Ross, J. R. (2002). Vegetation of the Agency. (Unpublished Report, Bendigo). Victorian Volcanic Plain. in Mount Elephant and the Basalt Plains: a natural and social history seminar. Proc Dorrough, J. & Carter, (in press) Herbivore grazing and plant Roy Soc Vic 113(2) pp. xxv-xxviii conservation. Threatened Plant Conservation Manual, ANPC Barlow, T. & Thorburn, R. (eds.) (2000) Balancing Conservation and Production in Grassy Landscapes. Dorrough, J., Turner, V., Yen, A., Clark, S., Crosthwaite, J. & Proceedings of the Bushcare Grassy Landscapes Hirth, J. (2002) Managing for biodiversity conservation in Conference, 19-21 August 1999, Clare SA. Environment native grasslands on farms, Wool Technology and Sheep Australia, Canberra. Breeding, 50 (4): 760-765. Benson, J. (1996) Conserving native lowland grassland Emison W.B., Porter J.W., Norris K.C. & Apps G.J. (1975) remnants in south-eastern Australia. Paper presented at Ecological Distribution of the Vertebrate Animals of the the conference Conservation Outside Volcanic Plains - Otway Range Areas of Victoria. Fisheries and Wildlife Paper No. 6. Fisheries & Wildlife Brereton, R. & Backhouse, G. (1993) Southern Lined Earless Division. Dragon Tympanocryptis lineata pinguicolla. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statement No. 35. Department Fitzsimons, J.A. & Ashe, C. (2003) Some recent strategic of Conservation and Natural Resources. additions to Victoria’s protected area system 1997-2002. Victorian Naturalist 120 (3): 98-108. 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The Western Plains - A Natural and Social History. Aust. Morgan, J. W. (1998d) Importance of canopy gaps for Inst. Ag. Sci., Melbourne. recruitment of some forbs in Themeda triandra dominated grasslands in south-eastern Australia. Aust J Botany 46(5- State of Victoria (1997) Victoria’s Biodiversity: Directions in 6): 609-627 Management. Dept of Natural Resources and Environment. Morgan J.W. (1999) Defining grassland fire events and the response of perennial plants to annual fire in temperate State of Victoria (2002) New Approaches, Better Future. grasslands of south-eastern Australia. Plant Ecology 144, Ecologically Sustainable Agriculture Initiative. Dept of 127-144. Natural Resources and Environment. See http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au Morgan, J. W. and Lunt, I. D. (1999). Effects of time-since- fire on the tussock dynamics of a dominant grass Straker, A., and Platt, S., (2002). Living Systems Resource Kit (Themeda triandra) in a temperate Australian grassland. – Biodiversity in Property Management Planning. Biological Conservation 88::379-386 Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne. see http://www.dse.gov.au Muir, A. (1991) Small Psoralea Psoralea parva. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statement No. 31. Department Stuwe, J. (1986) An assessment of the conservation status of of Conservation and Environment. native grasslands on the Western Plains, Victoria and sites Compiled by Vanessa Craigie and Adrian Moorrees, of botanical significance. Arthur Rylah Institute for Biodiversity & Natural Resources Division, Department Muir, A. (1992) Recovery Plan for Western Plains Grassland Environmental Research Technical Report Ser. No 48. of Sustainability and Environment (Victoria). ANPWS Endangered Species Program. Dept. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria. of Conservation and Environment. Stuwe, J.Further & Parsons, information R.F. can (1977) be obtained Themeda from australis Department of Muir, A. (1995) Western (Basalt) Plains Grassland grasslandsSustainability on the Basalt and Environment Plains, Victoria: Customer floristics Service and Community. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action managementCentre oneffects. 136 186.Aust. J. Ecol. 2: 467-76. Statement No. 53. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Sutton, C. S. (1916) A sketch of the Keilor Plains flora. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statements are Vict. Nat. 33: 112-43 Newton, P. & Hastings, M. (2003) Barwon Basin availableCompiled from by theVanessa Department Craigie of and Sustainability Adrian Moorrees, and Environmental Management System. Rutherglen Research Wellington,EnvironmentBiodiversity A.B. (1996) website: and VictorianNatural http://www.dse.vic.gov.au Resource Grassy Ecosystems:Division, Institute, Department of Primary Industries. StrategicDepartment Priorities of for Sustainability Research. and Workshop Environment. report preparedThis Action for the Statement Research has Advisory been prepared Group ofunder the section Oates, A. & Taranto, M. (2001) Vegetation Mapping of the Victorian19 of Grassy the Flora Ecosystem and Fauna Reference Guarantee Group. Act 1988 under Port Phillip & Westernport Region. Arthur Rylah delegationFurther information from Professor can beLyndsay obtained Neilson, from Secretary, Institute for Environmental Research, Department of WesternDepartment EcologicalDepartment of Consultants of Sustainability Sustainability (2002) and and Environment, Environmental Environment Natural Resources and Environment ManagementSeptemberCustomer Systems: 2003. Service BiodiversityCentre on 136 in 186. Agriculture. Biodiversity assessments in Barwon catchment. Patton, R.T. (1936) Ecological Studies in Victoria. Part IV - Unpublished report to Parks, Flora and Fauna Division, Basalt Plains Association Proc. R. Soc. Vic. 48: 172-191 © FloraThe andState Fauna of Victoria, Guarantee Department Action Statements of Sustainability are Departmentavailableand of Environment, Sustainability from the Department and2003 Environment. of Sustainability and Phillips, A. (1998) Establishing a Themeda triandra Wijesuriya,Environment S. & Hocking, website: C. (1999) http://www.dse.vic.gov.au Why do weeds grow (Kangaroo Grass) sward: one act in the theatre of whenPublished you dig by up the native Department grasslands? of Sustainability The effects ofand grassland management. pp. 64-68 in Craigie, V. & Environment, Victoria. 8 Nicholson Street, East physicalThis disturbance Action Statementon available has nutrients, been prepared mineralisation under Hocking, C. (eds.) (1999) Down to Grass Roots. and weedMelbourne, invasion Victoria in grassland. 3002 Australiapp. 31-37 in Craigie, V. Proceedings of a conference on management of grassy section 19 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act & Hocking,1988 under C. (eds.) delegation (1999) from Down Professor to Grass Lyndsay Roots. ecosystems, 9 & 10 July 1998. Victoria University, St ProceedingsThisNeilson, publication of aSecretary, conference may Departmentbe on of managementassistance of Sustainability toof you grassy but the and Albans ecosystems,StateEnvironment, of 9 Victoria & 10 JulySeptember and 1998.its employees Victoria 2003. University, do not guarantee St Albansthat the publication is without flaw of any kind or is SAC (1991) Western (Basalt) Plains Grassland Community. wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and FFG Scientific Advisory Committee: Recommendations Williams,therefore O.B.© The (1955) disclaimsState Studies of Victoria, allin liabilitythe ecologyDepartment for anyof the error, of riverine loss or for Listing Vol 1. Department of Conservation and plain.other I. the Sustainabilityconsequence gilgai microrelief whichand Environment, may and arise associated from 2003 you flora. relying on Environment, Melbourne. Australianany information Journal of Agricultural in this publication. research 3, 99-112. SAC (1992) Northern Plains Grassland Community. FFG Published by the Department of Sustainability and Williams,O.B.ISSN 1448-9902(1969) Studies in the ecology of the Riverine Scientific Advisory Committee Recommendations for Plain. Environment, V. Plant density Victoria. response 8 Nicholson of species Street, in East a listing Department of Conservation and Natural DanthoniaMelbourne, caespitosa Victoria grassland 3002 to Australia16 years of grazing by Resources, Melbourne. Merino sheep. Australian Journal of Botany 17, 255-268. SAC (1993a) Central Gippsland Plains Grassland Willis, J.H.This (1964) publication Vegetation may of thebe ofbasalt assistance plains in towestern you but the Community. FFG Scientific Advisory Committee Victoria.State Proc. of R.Victoria Soc. Vic. and 77 its: 397-418. employees do not guarantee Recommendations for listing Department of Conservation that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is and Natural Resources, Melbourne. Yen, A.L.,wholly Hinkley, appropriate S.D., Horne, for your P.A., particular Milledge, purposes G.A. & and New, T.R.therefore 1996. disclaimsDevelopment all liabilityof invertebrate for any indicators error, loss or SAC (1993b) Forest Red Gum Grassy Woodland Community. of remnantother grassy-woodland consequence which ecosystems. may arise Report from to you the FFG Scientific Advisory Committee Recommendations Australianrelying Nature on anyConservation information Agency in this Save publication. the Bush for listing Department of Conservation and Natural Program. Resources, Melbourne. ISSN 1448-9902
15 Yen, A.L., Horne, P.A., Kay, R. & Kobelt, A.J. 1994. The Use of Terrestrial Invertebrates to Rank Sites of the Remnant Western Victorian Basalt Plains Grasslands. Table 1: Description and distribution of Report to the Endangered Species Unit, Australian Nature the listed communities Conservation Agency. 155 pp.
Yen, A.L., Horne, P.A., & Kobelt, A.J. 1995. Invertebrates of Community General distribution and landscape the Victorian Basalt Plains Grasslands. Report to the Australian Heritage Commission. 87 pp. Central On the poorly drained, heavy alluvial clays of the Gippsland Plains lowland plains of central Gippsland, Seaspray Grassland west to Westernport, and on parts of the Mornington Peninsula. Rainfall ranges from 570 – 650mm, generally <600mm.
Forest Red Gum On the poorly drained, heavy alluvial clays of the Grassy lowland plains of central Gippsland, from Woodland Traralgon east to Lakes Entrance. Rainfall ranges from 570 – 650mm, generally <600mm.
South Gippsland On the South Gippsland coastal plain between Plains Grassland Seaspray and Welshpool and the head of Westernport Bay, on grey, often seasonally waterlogged soils.
Northern Plains Across the Northern Plain, primarily on alluvial Grassland sediments. Rainfall ranges from 375 - 460 mm in the west to 550mm in the east, on average <430mm.
Western (Basalt) On the heavy, basalt derived soils of the Victorian Plains Grassland Volcanic Plain, ranging from Melbourne west to Hamilton. Rainfall ranges from 400mm in the east to 700mm in the west.
For more detail, refer to the appendices for each of the individual communities.
16 Table 2: Land uses and tenures Grasslands and grassy woodlands are poorly represented in the reserve system. Land tenures and uses include:
Land Use Management
Public land reserved for conservation
Conservation reserves, including National Parks, State Parks, Parks Victoria, Committees of Management, Trust for Nature, Flora and Fauna Reserves, Bushland Reserves, some public local government open space
Other public land
Transport – roads VicRoads, local government
Transport - railways VicTrack, private rail operators. maintenance contractors
Transport - airports airport managers
Licensed unused roads DSE
Utilities corridors – energy, telecommunications, pipelines Telstra, Optus, AGL etc
RailTrails Committees of Management
Commonwealth land (communications, munitions) Dept of Defence, Environment Australia
Other Crown land reserves e.g. water reserves, public purposes Local government, committees of management, DSE reserves, State Game Reserves, water frontages, race tracks, tips, Recreation reserves & Town Commons
State forests DSE
Cemeteries Local government, cemetery trusts, Dept of Community Services
Travelling Stock Routes local government
Private land
Production farms, hobby farms, private conservation reserves, Private landholders, lessees, Trust for Nature quarries, industrial sites
17 Appendix: Further information on each different land use apiculatum), Short-stem community histories. The present Sedge (Carex grassland community of breviculmis), Five-awned the Gippsland Plains Spear-grass (Pentapogon Central Gippsland Plains consists of small quadrifidus), Blue Grass- Grassland remnants derived from lily (Caesia calliantha), the original grassy Golden Weather-glass Description and Distribution woodlands. (Hypoxis hygrometrica ), Central Gippsland Plains covered about 600km2 Pale Sundew (Drosera Forest Red Gum Grassy Grassland and Forest Red (Lunt in McDougall and peltata ssp. peltata), Woodland and Central Gum Grassy Woodland Kirkpatrick 1994) at the Milkmaids (Burchardia Gippsland Plains occur together on the time of European umbellata), Common Grassland have many lowland plains of central settlement, but are now Rice-flower (Pimelea species in common, but Gippsland, in the believed to be extinct. humilis), Yellow Rush- because of this ecological Gippsland Plain The grassy vegetation of lily (Tricoryne elatior), segregation they now Bioregion, in an area the plains has been Common Bog-sedge contain different between Seaspray and severely modified by (Schoenus apogon), threatened species and Welshpool and the head nearly 200 years of Chocolate Lily have different of Westernport Bay, agriculture and (Arthropodium strictum). management bounded to the north by development, and its Threatened species requirements. the Great Dividing Range original condition is not include Purple Diuris and in the south by the known in precise detail. The present areas of (Diuris punctata) and Gippsland Lakes and Composition and open, herb-rich Gaping Leek-orchid Holey Plains sand hills. structure of the original grasslands occur almost (Prasophyllum Despite its name, Central grasslands and open exclusively on small correctum). Gippsland Plains grassy woodlands was areas of public land that Although dominated by Grassland is not restricted maintained by grazing have had a history of Themeda, and containing to central Gippsland. and aboriginal burning. frequent burning for fuel many species common to Remnants have been Cessation of burning led reduction. These are the grasslands further to recorded in West to a decrease in small fragmented patches the west of Victoria, the Gippsland and the grassiness and increase in on the Melbourne- flora of the Central Mornington Peninsula shrub and tree cover. Bairnsdale rail line, Gippsland Plains (Muir pers. comm., Cook Following European disused Heyfield-Maffra Grassland has distinct pers. comm.), and there is settlement, burning in line, and in a few local differences from that of a single patch of grassy woodlands greatly cemeteries and roadsides the Western (Basalt) Themeda triandra - decreased and woodland – comprising at most 60 Plains Grasslands, and Austrodanthonia laevis remnants were grazed by hectares. from that of the heavy grassland on French stock. Small remnants This burning regime has soils of the South Island in Westernport such as railways and created an open, treeless Gippsland grasslands. Bay (Oates & Taranto cemeteries were excluded community with a suite Species that are common 2001). The flat to from grazing but were of tall flowering herbs. It in the Central Gippsland undulating plains are repeatedly burned, as includes species that are Plains Grasslands, but are derived from Upper often as every 2-3 years. tolerant of frequent rare or absent in the Pleistocene alluvium of So over the last 150 burning but intolerant of Western (Basalt) Plains poorly drained, heavy years, grassland and grazing (e.g. orchids). Grasslands, include clays. The average annual woodland remnants have The community is Purple Diuris, Golden rainfall is less than been altered from dominated by Kangaroo Weather-glass and 650mm and elevation is ecosystems subject to Grass (Themeda triandra) Noah’s Ark (Poa relatively low at 20-40m burning and grazing with Wallaby Grasses clelandii). Species that above sea level. The interactions, to either (mostly Austrodanthonia are common in the Gippsland RFA solely grazed or solely laevis and Notodanthonia Western (Basalt) Plains Biodiversity Assessment burned ecosystems. semiannularis) and Grasslands, but do not Report (Commonwealth Lunt (1997a) has Tussock-grass (Poa occur in the otherwise of Australia 2000a) proposed that these labillardierei) and floristically similar equates the community to remnants now form two includes a number of Central Gippsland Plains EVC 132-01 Plains distinct communities - native herbs, mostly Grasslands, include Grassland. Forest Red Gum Grassy perennials. Common Lemon Beauty-heads, The open treeless Woodland and Central species include Common Prickly Woodruff grasslands of the Central Gippsland Plains Everlasting (Asperula scoparia), Pink Gippsland Plains once Grassland - formed by (Chrysocephalum Bindweed and Blue
18 Devil. The uncommon shrubs such as orchid Prasophyllum Conservers (Trust for but still widely Burgan (Kunzea sp. aff. frenchii 2 Nature) distributed Swainsona ericoides), (formerly Community and Ptilotus species that melaleucas, acacias Prasophyllum Involvement occur in other Victorian and casuarinas frenchii) grasslands are also require management. Programs of Reserve system absent. Lack of springtime walks, development talks and tours There are few if any burning for biomass Establishment carried out through fauna species management of the Perry River the last decade, by characteristic of this Overgrazing Protected Area Trust for Nature and community remaining. by stock and pest Network (later NRE staff Some relatively common animals, especially expanded into the and non-specialised may on disused rail lines NRE liaised Gippsland Plains remain, but no grassland and roadsides with landholders to Conservation inform them of specialists. Invertebrate Broadscale and Management management fauna are so far incremental damage Network) activities on adjacent unsurveyed. caused by railway Dawson, sites maintenance works Toongabbie and and road upgrades Interpretation Key sites: Bumberrah rail and maintenance boards erected at the Rail reserves at Clyde, reserves established works Munro, Fulham and Dawson, Munro, as RailTrails under Dawson grasslands Marriage Lane, Hillside Destruction for Committees of Grassland and Toongabbie South cemetery use, by Management digging graves and Interpretation Board Mornington tourist rail “tidying up”. Site management erected at West Sale line Aerodrome Tree planting Burning, weed Terminal Building, Cemeteries at Briagolong in naturally treeless control, fencing and as part of and Maffra areas signposting undertaken at high Wellington Shire’s West Sale aerodrome Increasing quality rail reserves ‘Grassy Ecosystem groundwater salinity Grants Project’ Fulham road reserve. and cemeteries Rabbit control WWF/NHT Previous grassy ecosystem Reservation undertaken at Munro Management grants were awarded status: and Lindenow South Action in 2001 for Grassland Weed control Mostly unreserved Conservers Part 2 – Policy and strategic along rail reserve Trust for Nature planning sites. Links to other Action Knowledge and Action WWF/NHT Statement prepared grassy ecosystem Information Statements for Prasophyllum grants was awarded Surveys of Prasophyllum correctum correctum, Gaping in 2000 for ‘Best sites and Gaping Leek-orchid (No. Leek-orchid (No. 57), Practice Grassland development of 57) Brief Management Project’ management management undertaken by recommendations for Threats statements prepared Wellington Shire, for sites on the Weed for known rail and management and Traralgon-Bairnsdale invasion, by African road sites in the early PAMAs at several rail lines during the love-grass, St John’s 1990s sites including the 1990s, funded by West Sale Wort, exotic pasture Management grants and the then Aerodrome species and cemetery plan developed for Department of Conservation and garden waste. the Traralgon Incentives for Environment Chilean Needle-grass Reservoir conservation on has been recorded in Trust for Conservation private land the area and has the Reserve by the Nature undertook a WWF/NHT potential to be a Friends group survey of grassland grassy ecosystem major weed. On FFG Action sites on private land, long-unburnt sites, grants was awarded on invitation from Statement completed in 2000 for Grassland invasion by native for Maroon Leek-
19 interested landowners in 1997 Known Forest Red Gum Grassy grassland sites were Woodland entered onto the Grasslands Register and later the NRE Description and Distribution Biosites database The community occurs of Australia 2000a) Surveys were on the Gippsland Plain equates the community to undertaken to Bioregion, stretching east EVC 55-03 Plains Grassy identify and map from near Bairnsdale and Woodland. west to Welshpool and grassland remnants The community presently the head of Westernport on rail reserves of consists of woodland with Bay, bounded to the north active lines from a scattered mosaic of by the Great Dividing Warragul to smaller open grassy Range and in the south by Bairnsdale, in 2001 areas. However the the Gippsland Lakes and Ecological composition if this Holey Plains sand hills Assessment community has and localised remnants on completed for West undoubtedly been altered Raymond Island Sale Aerodrome since European (Commonwealth of settlement. Composition Gaping Leek- Australia 2000). and structure of the orchid monitoring Elevation ranges from original grassy program at Munro approximately 5-80 m ecosystems was and Lindenow above sea level and maintained by grazing Grassland average annual rainfall is and aboriginal burning. community 500-700 mm. Halting of burning led to monitoring quadrats The community is a decrease in grass and an at 10 key sites to the estimated to have once increase in shrub and tree east of the bioregion covered about 1200km2 cover. Following Purple Diuris prior to European European settlement, monitoring occurring settlement (Lunt 1994) , burning in grassy at key sites but 99.5% of the original woodlands greatly Gippsland plains decreased and woodland woodlands has been remnants were grazed by converted to farmland stock. Small remnants and few remnants of the such as railways and original flora now cemeteries were excluded survive. This original from grazing but were distribution can be seen repeatedly burned, from large numbers of changing them from an old Forest Red Gum open grassy woodland to (Eucalyptus tereticornis a treeless grassland. Lunt subsp. mediana) trees and (1997b) has proposed that stumps dotted across the these remnants now form plains, but most are two distinct communities surrounded by an - Forest Red Gum Grassy understorey of exotic Woodland and Central grasses and other weeds. Gippsland Plains Perhaps 900 ha of Grassland - due to partially intact grassy different land use woodland remains, in a histories. Division of few reserves, on these communities is roadsides and on blocks problematical due to the of private land with a past small size of remnant history of light grazing. areas. Some open The Gippsland RFA grassland areas occur Biodiversity Assessment within the woodlands, Report (Commonwealth and some of the Central
20 Gippsland Grassland Grass (Microlaena Blond Bay Wildlife Firewood Community has stipoides), Wallaby Reserve collection undergone some shrub Grasses Gippsland Plains Increasing and tree invasion. These (Austrodanthonia Conservation overgrowth of shrub two communities have racemosa and Management Network and tree vegetation many understorey species Notodanthonia Fragmentation in common, but because geniculata) and Spear The Billabong Flora and of this ecological Grass (Austrostipa spp., Fauna Reserve Increased dairy segregation they now commonly A. rudis). production, potato Swallow Lagoon Nature contain different Dominant herbs include production, tree Conservation Reserve threatened species and Kidney Weed clearing for more have different (Dichondra repens), Billabong, Bush Family, efficient pivot and management Stinking Pennywort and Frair Trust for Nature linear irrigation requirements. (Hydrocotyle laxiflora), Reserves systems Small St John’s Wort Inconsistent Since European Yeerung Bushland (Hypericum gramineum), application of settlement most of the Reserve Chocolate Lily exemptions on Forest Red Gums in (Arthropodium strictum), clearing controls for Moormurng Flora and Common Bog-sedge Reservation landholders Fauna Reserve had been (Schoenus apogon), status: felled for railway Short-stem Sedge (Carex 650-700ha occurs in Previous sleepers, farming timber breviculmis), Cranberry reserves, but not all are and cobbles for Management Heath (Astroloma managed primarily Melbourne streets. Most Action humifusum), Creeping for nature of the timber stands are Bossiaea (Bossiaea conservation. Reservation about 130 years old. prostrata), Yellow Rush- Purchase of Adjacent roadside lily (Tricoryne elatior), Links to other Swallow Lagoon for vegetation which has Thatch Saw-sedge Action reservation as a never been grazed (Gahnia radula), Star Nature Conservation contains about 30 more Statements: Cudweed (Euchiton Reserve. A number understorey species than Dwarf Kerrawang involucratus), Small of other properties exist in Moormurng. (Rulingia prostrata) Poranthera (Poranthera have been purchased Forest Red Gum Grassy microphylla). by the government Woodland occurs on Threats through Trust for Threatened species Lower Pleistocene Lack of Nature. include Bushy Hedgehog- gravels, sands, silts and burning in areas with grass (Echinopogon Strategic planning clays with minor Tertiary a history of caespitosus), Dwarf alluvium. occasional burning Ongoing Milkwort (Polygala (Commonwealth of review of MSSs for japonica), Southern Weed invasion Australia 2000). It is all municipalities Spider-orchid (Caladenia by Bridal Creeper dominated by Forest Red australis), Slender Tick- and exotic pasture Protection and Gum (Eucalyptus trefoil (Desmodium species such as Sweet management teretecornis subsp. varians) and Paddock Vernal Grass, mediana) over a grassy Trust for Love-grass (Eragrostis Yorkshire Fog and understorey that is similar Nature has entered leptostachya). Phalaris to that of Central into conservation Invasion by Gippsland Plains covenants for 12 sites Sweet Pittosporum, Grassland, but without Key sites WWF/NHT caused by changed the dominance of Moormurng Flora and grassy ecosystem fire regimes Kangaroo Grass. Co- Fauna Reserve grants awarded in dominant trees are Red Stock 2000 for Grassland Providence Ponds Flora Box (E. polyanthemos), overgrazing Conservers (Trust for and Fauna Reserve and scattered smaller Forest Red Nature) trees of Lightwood Stratford Highway Park Gum insect-mediated WWF/NHT (Acacia implexa). There dieback The Knob Recreation grassy ecosystem are occasional patches of Reserve Firebreak grants awarded in Black Sheoke ploughing on 2001 for Grassland (Allocasuarina littoralis). Briagolong Forest Red roadsides Conservers Part 2 – Dominant understorey Gum Reserve, Road works Trust for Nature grasses include Weeping
21 Ecological Briagolong burns have been Forest Red Gum undertaken at the Reserve is zoned as a Moormurng Flora Special Protection and Fauna Reserve Zone and is managed and on significant for conservation. roadsides Community Bridal Creeper education and control has been extension undertaken at Moormurng and on Programs of Bumberrah Rd springtime walks, talks and tours The Perry carried out through River Protected Area the last decade, by Network (later the Trust for Nature and Gippsland Plains NRE staff CMN)was established in 2001 On the plains, and a Ranger a quarterly newsletter appointed of the Gippsland Plains Conservation The CMN Management Ranger has carried Network has been out trials on thinning produced. and understorey planting Inventory and Revegetation survey work has been EVC mapping undertaken on the of Gippsland Gippsland Plains, vegetation focussing primarily communities has on trees and shrubs, been undertaken as part of the through Forest Red the Red Gum Plains Gum dieback has Recovery Project and been mapped on the Gippsland Plains eastern part of the Recovery Project, as Gippsland plains a means to reduce fragmentation Biological research The and monitoring BushTender project Research on entered into floristic structure of management understorey agreements to secure conducted by Ian several areas of Lunt in mid 1990s Plains Grassy 24 remnants on Woodland - 30 ha private and public were secured through land surveyed by 6 year management NRE staff as agreements; 2 ha contribution to the through 6 year Red Gum Plains management plus 10 Recovery Project, an year protection NHT funded program agreements and 25 ha through 6 year management agreement plus conservation covenant.
22 (Oxalis perennans), are the diminutive Wingless Blue-bush annuals and woody (Maireana shrubs. The most Northern Plains Grassland enchylaeniodes), Bulbine common annuals are Lily (Bulbine bulbosa), Small-flowered Goodenia Description and Distribution Scaly Buttons (Goodenia pusilliflora), (Leptorhynchos Hairy Stylewort Northern Plains of a lighter texture and squamatus), Paper (Levenhookia dubia), Grassland Community the average particle size Sunray (Rhodanthe Grass cushion (Isoetopsis occurs throughout the distribution decreases corymbiflora), Vanilla graminifolia), Common areas of the Northern further north and west lilies (Arthropodium Sunray (Triptilodiscus Plain (Shepparton (Macumber 1991). spp.), Common pygmaeus), and Woolly Formation) which are not In the lower rainfall parts Everlasting Mantle (Eriochlamys subject to seasonal of the Riverina plains, the (Chrysocephalum behrii). Although many inundation or associated present Northern Plains apiculatum), Pale shrub species have been with prior stream Grassland Community Beauty-heads recorded in grassland channels. It infrequently consists of a plains (Calocephalus sonderi) vegetation throughout the occurs in the southern herbland of no particular and Lambs-tails (Ptilotus region, most are rare, regions of the Northern dominance, or an open to exaltatus). Perennial with only Woolly Buttons Plain because particle closed tussock grassland herbs that are (Leiocarpa panaetioides) size distribution results in dominated by Wallaby- characteristic of the and Common Bluebush better drained soils in the grasses (Austrodanthonia community include Red regularly persisting in south which tend to setacea and A. Swainson Pea infrequently grazed support grassy caespitosa), Spear- (Swainsona plagiotropis), remnants. woodlands. The Pink Bindweed grasses (Austrostipa Exotic species, community occurs on (Convolvulus scabra and A. gibbosa) particularly annual quaternary alluvial erubescens), Rough Burr- and Spider Grass grasses and herbs, are sediments. Soils are daisy (Calotis (Enteropogon acicularis). always present in some calcareous clay loams, or scabiosifolia), Broad-leaf This dominance tends to abundance. Exotic herbs clays on wetter sites. Early Nancy (Wurmbea be the result of past more diverse and latifolia), Narrow-leaf Today this vegetation grazing and disturbance frequent, although grasses Plantain (Plantago extends to the west from events. Prior to intensive can often have a high guadichaudii) and Billy the Patho/Mitiamo Plains livestock grazing and cover at any particular Buttons (Pycnosorus over the Loddon River at cultivation, there would site. The common species globosus). In addition Serpentine on the Powlett probably have been a include Smooth Cat’s-ear there are several Plains. It is also found to greater abundance of (*Hypochoeris glabra), characteristic Bluebushes the north, west of Kerang annual and perennial Cape Weed (*Arctotheca – Slender Bluebush in the Bael Bael area herbs, shrubs and C4 calendula), Onion Weeds (Maireana pentagona), associated with the grasses (Moore 1953, (*Romulea minutiflora Bottle Bluebush (M. Avoca River. To the east Williams 1955, 1969). It and *R. rosea), Clovers excavata), Dwarf this community extends occasionally occurs as an (*Trifolium spp.), Bluebush (M. humillima) to Echuca, into NSW at open (grassy) shrubland Centaury (*Centaurium and Common Bluebush Moama and east of the dominated by a variety of tenuiflorum) and annual (M. decalvans). The only Campaspe River as far as species. A range of grasses such as Annual other common chenopod Kyabram and Corop - perennial herbs occupy Rye-grass (*Lolium in this grassland although this region has the inter-tussock spaces. rigidum), Wild Oats vegetation is Creeping not been extensively Total indigenous vascular (*Avena fatua) and Soft Saltbush (Atriplex searched for remnants flora richness is greater Brome (*Bromus semibaccata). Others (McDougall and than 10 species per 100 hordeaceus). Kirkpatrick 1994). m2, although the most would have been Grasslands of the higher species-rich areas abundant prior to As on all other grassland rainfall areas (up to 550 generally exceed 20 and extensive cultivation and communities, past mm) occur on the far occasionally 30 grazing e.g. Rohrlach’s management history eastern edge of the species/100 m2. Bluebush (M. rohrlachii) influences occurrence of Riverine Plain around and Leafless Bluebush different species. Where Wangaratta, Chiltern and (M. aphylla). there has been little grazing (usually along areas immediately Widespread perennial The other important roadsides and rail adjacent to the Warby herbs include Variable groups of native species reserves) annual species Ranges. The soils of this Sida (Sida corrugata), in Northern Plains are scarce, seasonal region are also generally Grassland Wood-sorrel Grassland Community
23 perennial herbs dominate typically found in wetter (Prasophyllum Threats and a number of often environments. suaveolens), Turnip Over the last 170 years, significant shrubs persist. Bassia (Sclerolaena The eastern higher intensive irrigated and Where grazing has been napiformis), Chariot rainfall grasslands have dryland agriculture and frequent, a slightly Wheels (Maireana many species in common domestic stock grazing different flora persists cheelii), Red Swainson- with the drier western has destroyed an where dominance is pea (Swainsona sub-communities, but estimated 99.75% of the shared between the plagiotropis), Murray tends to be dominated habitat of the Northern grasses, seasonal Swainson-pea (S. more by a variety of Plains Grassland perennial and annual murrayana), Spiny Rice- native perennial grasses. Community, and herbs. flower (Pimelea Common species include significantly altered the spinescens subsp. In the grazed and drier Blown grass remainder (Maher & spinescnes), Striped (<375 mm annual (Lachnagrostis filifolia), Baker-Gabb 1993, Legless Lizard (Delma rainfall) parts of the Swamp Wallaby-grasses Foreman 1995) Most of impar), Plains wanderer Northern Plains there is (Amphibromus nervosus the grassland remnants (Pedionomus torquatus), generally species-poor and A. macrorhinus), are found as small, Hooded Scaly-foot grassland vegetation Rigid Panic (Homopholis isolated patches wherever (Pygopus nigriceps) and supporting a range of proluta), Windmill grass disturbance has been Sun Moth (Synemon sp. characteristic species - (Chloris truncata), Red- minimal, along railway aff. selene). Hard-head Daisy leg Grass (Bothriochloa lines, roadsides, on (Brachyscome macra), Wallaby-grasses miscellaneous crown land lineariloba), Stiff Cup- and some scattered areas Key sites and on private farmland. flower (Pogonolepis of Kangaroo Grass. Terrick Terrick National The largest and most muelleriana), Narrow- There tend to be fewer Park important remnants are leaf Sida (Sida chenopods, fewer native found on private land and Yassom Swamp Flora trichopoda), Yakka Grass annual species, and more are still threatened by and Fauna Reserve (Sporobolus caroli) and perennial weeds such as destruction resulting from Nitre Bush (Nitraria Fog grasses (*Holcus Kinyapanial Grassland agricultural changes. billardierei). This setosus and *H. lanatus), Naringaningalook Threats include: vegetation possibly Paspalum (*Paspalum Grassland represents a northern dilatatum), Canary further clearing grassland form that was grasses (*Phalaris Glasson’s grasslands for agriculture and formerly dominated by a aquatica and *P. cropping Echuca aerodrome range of shrubs paradoxa) and Nut-grass weed invasion (especially chenopods) (*Gastridium phleoides). Terrick Terrick East – African Box-thorn, which has been severely There are also some of Bathurst Burr, Wheel Korrak Korrak Grassland depleted by irrigation and the common species of Cactus, Horehound, Reserve associated groundwater Grassy Woodlands Paterson’s Curse, salinisation. throughout the Riverine Pine Grove and Annual Rye-grass, Plain such as Bulbine Roslynmead Grasslands Wild Oats, in wetter In damper areas, in Lily (Bulbine bulbosa), areas, Phalaris & association with gilgai or Balmattum Nature Wattle Mat-rush Paspalum local depressions where Conservation Bushland (Lomandra filiformis), water regularly pools Reserve overgrazing Bindweeds (Convolvulus during the growing and undergrazing angustissimus and C. Rail reserves e.g. Hunter, season, another form of road and rail wimmerensis), Yellowish Mitiamo-Pyramid Hill, Northern Plains maintenance works Blue-bell (Wahlenbergia Glenrowan, Boorhaman Grassland Community luteola) and Scaly cultivation, persists. This vegetation Roadsides e.g. Mitiamo, Buttons (Leptorhynchos slashing and is characterised by the Lalbert-Kerang, Bael squamatos). inappropriate burning presence of hydrophilic Bael-Quambatook, Suttie for fire breaks grass species (e.g. Rigid A number of state and (Quambatook), tree planting Panic (Whalleya proluta, nationally rare or Adamthwaite within native some Austrostipa spp.), threatened flora and fauna (Budgerum), Three Chain grassland remnants, semi-aquatic herbs such have been recorded from (Tungamah), Tandara especially on as Woolly Heads grasslands of the Old Mysia School roadsides (Myriocephalus Northern Plains. rhizocephalus) and a Nationally significant Numurkah Rifle Range trampling of number of other plants species include Fragrant sites at inappropriate several private land sites Leek Orchid times of the year
24 salinity may be and added to the guidelines for northern Victoria a future problem Terrick Terrick State remnant grasslands which have helped to Park, to form the throughout the identify a number of Previous Terrick Terrick Riverina of NSW and very important management National Park. Victoria developed grassland remnants in action Purchase by (Diez and Foreman the region. Trust for Nature of 1996). Surveys of Strategic planning the Kinyapanial, Patho Flora grassland remnants A strategic Naringaningalook Reserve fenced in and establishment of plan for nature and Glasson’s 1992, management trials conservation was grasslands Over last ten through La Trobe developed for the 214 ha of years, selected rail University and the Northern Plain private land and road reserves then Department of (Foreman 1996b) for purchased by NRE in sign posted, fenced Conservation and a five year period 2000 to create the and burnt to protect Natural Resources commencing in new Terrick Terrick populations of (Foreman 1995, 1996/97. East Grassland significant species 1996b) Roadside Conservation and high quality Survey management plans Reserve examples of the conducted by Paul developed by many Korrak Korrak vegetation Foreman (MSc thesis, Shires e.g. Grassland Reserve community, e.g La Trobe University) Gannawarra, Buloke, (246 ha) purchased in Hunter, Glenrowan identified significant Moira 2002 by Trust for improved grassland remnants Action Nature as part of the management regimes across the Northern Statements outlining National Reserve of several key Plain (including Pine conservation System, with grassland remnants Grove (near management actions assistance from NHT on private ongoing Mitiamo) and for the following Kinypanial) and and the RE Ross WWF/NHT Northern Plains information stored on Trust. grassy ecosystem grassland species NRE’s Flora Purchase of grants 2001: have been completed Information System Roslynmead, Victorian Riverine and are in (FIS). adjoining Patho and a Plains Protected Area implementation section north of Network Project Vegetation phase: Delma impar surveys in the Shires Patho Management (Striped Legless of Loddon, Patho Flora plan completed and Lizard No. 17), Gannawarra and and Fauna Reserve implemented for Falco hypoleucos Buloke identified added to Roslynmead Wangaratta Common (Grey Falcon No. additional significant Nature Conservation 83), Pedionomus Community grassland remnants Reserve torquatus (Plains- education and particularly on wanderer No. 66), Purchase of extension roadsides and on Synemon plana 89.4 ha Kotta private property WWF/NHT (Golden Sun Moth grasslands, between (Foreman & grassy ecosystem No. 106), Pygopus Mitiamo and Echuca Westerway 1994, grants 2000: nigriceps (Hooded Purchase and Foreman & Garner Grassland Conservers Scaly-foot No. 108). reservation of 1996, Foreman and (Trust for Nature) Balmattum Nature Bailey 1996). A key Reservation Conservation WWF/NHT privately owned site Yassom Reserve grassy ecosystem at Budgerum (North Swamp Flora and grants 2001: Purchase and of Quambatook) was Fauna Reserve and Grassland Conservers reservation of 121 ha identified and Patho Flora and Part 2 – Trust for of grassland near described. Fauna Reserve have Nature Warnup on the Patho World Wide been formally Plains Inventory and Fund for Nature reserved via the Land survey Conservation survey Conservation Protection and for Red Swainson- Council’s public land management Maher & pea and associated use review process. Baker-Gabb (1993) Conservation grassland habitat undertook surveys for The Davies management (McDougall et. al. property purchased Plains-wanderers in
25 1991, McDougall and Development techniques at Terrick Kirkpatrick 1994) Corporation Terrick National Park National Estate (LWRRDC) provided BSc thesis Grants Program additional funding for undertaken, analysing sponsored survey for a further study vegetation data Plains-wanderers and through Melbourne collected from suitable habitat on University expanding Terrick Terrick private property on this project (Jim National Park across Northern Crosthwaite pers between 1992 and Victoria (Maher and comm.). 1999 Baker-Gabb 1993) projects were Review of All known undertaken to explore grazing in Terrick Northern Plains sites the use of incentives Terrick National Park were placed on the and other financial commissioned by Grasslands Register, instruments for Parks Victoria achieving nature an Access database Parks Victoria conservation goals in developed by VNPA commissioned a private and leasehold and administered by preliminary land (Crosthwaite DSE. assessment of 1997) Surveys of vegetation in Terrick private land Biological research Terrick National Park throughout the and monitoring Northern Plain were Research into undertaken to the general ecology identify additional of Northern Plains significant remnants Grassland to be targeted for Community with land acquisition or particular emphasis other conservation on conservation management management was activities. initiated in 1993 by Surveys and La Trobe University identification of and documented as significant grassland an MSc thesis remnants on rail (Foreman 1996). reserves within the Experimental plots Riverina, in 1999, continue to be 2000 and 2001 monitored. In 1997 and A report on 1999 systematic sustainability of monitoring of Plains-wanderers in recorded Swainsona the Terrick Terrick populations was area was produced carried out. All data (Baker-Gabb 1993) has been entered into Research was the VROTPop undertaken into database (DSE) management Economic issues techniques at Terrick Terrick NP to A La Trobe enhance biodiversity University project to outcomes document the economic benefits of A PhD has native grasslands on commenced at farms across south- Charles Sturt eastern Australia was University, undertaken. Land and conducting research Water Resources, into management Research and
26 (Leptorhynchos fluitans) and Prickfoot tenuifolius), Spiny- (Eryngium vesiculosum). headed Mat-lily In damper areas where (Lomandra longifolia), South Gippsland Plains Common Tussock-grass Shady Wood-sorrel is conspicuous in the Grassland (Oxalis exilis), Five- vegetation, most of the awned Spear-grass additional character (Pentapogon species for the drier Description and Distribution quadrifidus), Varied site/lighter soils Despite its name, the equates the community to Raspwort (Haloragis vegetation, including South Gippsland Plains EVC 132-05 Plains heterophylla), Bidgee- Kangaroo Grass, are Grassland is not restricted Grassland. widgee (Aceana novae- sparse to absent. The to South Gippsland. It zelandiae), Reed Bent- Although there are few suite of associated occurs in the Gippsland grass (Deyeuxia remnants in existence, the herbaceous species varies Plain Bioregion, on flats quadriseta) and Yellow original vegetation between non-saline and in the Yarram region to Rush-lily (Tricoryne structure is likely to have brackish sites. The non- the east of Wilsons elatior). Other occasional been an open-woodland saline flora has marked Promontory. The occurrences as Bulbine- which included areas of similarities to plains community begins to lily (Bulbine bulbosa), very sparsely treed grassland sub- appear near Giffard, Scaly Buttons tussock-grassland, and communities from heavy where Forest Red Gum Leptorhynchos shrubby zones associated black volcanic soils starts to be replaced by squamatus, Creeping with drainage lines . It around Merri Creek, Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus Bossiaea (Bossiaea would have covered an north of Melbourne eg. ovata) and Black Sheoak prostrata) and Common ecological range from including species such as (Allocasuarina Rice-flower (Pimelia Themeda-dominated Common Woodruff littoralis) . It probably humilis) (Commonwealth vegetation on non-saline (Asperula conferta), did not occur on the of Australia 2000). plains to ecotonal Poa Brown-back Wallaby- Yanakie Isthmus, but labillardieri dominated There is some variation in grass (Austrodanthonia then re-appears near vegetation on brackish the community reflecting duttoniana), Blown-grass Cranbourne and around near-coastal sites. variation in soil type, soil (Lachnagrostis punicea Westernport. However its moisture and salinity. In subsp. punicea), Milky distribution to the west is The present structure of drier variants or those of Beauty-heads unclear because remnants the community ranges lighter soil types which (Calochephalus lacteus), are so small and surveys from closed tussock may still be seasonally Slender Speedwell closer to Melbourne have grassland to open waterlogged, the (Veronica gracilis) and in been somewhat ad hoc. A woodland. Frood (pers. vegetation is dominated more brackish sites previous occurrence of comm.) identifies the by a dense sward of Australian Salt-grass the community at Jack following character Kangaroo Grass (Distichlis Smith Lake is thought to species for the (Themeda triandra) in distichophylla). More be extinct. Most of the community - Common association with Mat saline sites can include former range of this Blown-grass Grass. Common saltmarsh species such as community has been (Lachnagrostis filifolia), Tussock-grass is typically Sea Rush (Juncus krausii) heavily utilised for Smooth Wallaby-grass only a minor component and Round-leaf Wilsonia agriculture and converted (Austrodanthonia laevis), of the sward in these (Wilsonia rotundifolia). to introduced pastures. Heath Wallaby-grass sites. A range of Wallaby The best estimate for the (Notodanthonia Threatened species Grasses, forbs, geophytes remaining total area of semiannularis), Mat include Maroon Leek- and Spear Grasses are relatively intact remnants Grass (Hemarthria orchid (Prasophyllum also present.. Wetter is less than 15 ha, (Frood uncinata), Finger Rush frenchii) and Matted sites dominated either by pers. comm.) with (Juncus subsecundus), Flax-lily (Dianella Common Tussock Grass perhaps 10 ha of other Common Bog Sedge amoena). The nationally or Kangaroo Grass degraded remnants. no (Schoenus apogon), endangered Southern include species shared more than 0.1% of the Common Tussock-grass Brown Bandicoot with seasonal wetlands, original distribution (Poa labillardieri) and (Isoodon obesulus such as Eleocharis spp., remains (Cook pers. Blown Grass obesulus) has been Soft Twig-sedge comm.). (Lachnagrostis aemula). recorded utilising plains (Baumera rubiginosa), Other common species grassland habitat along The Gippsland RFA Poison Lobelia (Lobelia include Milkmaids the Clyde-Tooradin rail Biodiversity Assessment pratioides), Floating (Burchardia umbellata), line. Report (Commonwealth Club-sedge (Isolepis Wiry Buttons of Australia 2000a)
27 No known remnants Previous Darriman occur on private land. Management Bushland Reserve Five small sites are Action near Giffard received known. The largest ecological burning remnants are Strategic planning and weed control by approximately 10ha and 5 A Public Parks Victoria ha in size. Remnants also Authority Inventory and occur on the South Management survey Gippsland rail line Agreement (PAMA) between Clyde and was entered into Surveys and Tooradin (Cook & between NRE and the identification of Yugovic in press). Cemetery Trust in significant grassland July 1993 to manage remnants on rail Key sites Alberton Cemetery. reserves of active lines from Warragul An updated Alberton cemetery - 8 ha to Bairnsdale, and the draft PAMA for Cranbourne – Darriman Bushland Alberton Cemetery, Leongatha line, were Reserve and a draft PAMA carried out in spring between Wellington Small corner on Parkside 2001. Aerodrome Shire Council and DSE has been Stringybark Lane - 0.5 ha produced for Greens Road Swamp Parkside Aerodrome as part of Wellington Shire’s ‘Grassy Reservation Ecosystem Grants status: Project’ Mostly unreserved Protection and management Threats WWF/NHT Weed grassy ecosystem invasion, particularly grants 2000: from introduced pasture species protection of (Phalaris, Paspalum, Plains Yorkshire Fog and Grasslands Sweet Vernal Grass. (Greens Road Inadequate biomass Swamp control has also led Dandenong) to invasion by native Grassland shrubs such as Conservers Swamp Paperbark (Trust for and Prickly Teatree. Nature) Overgrazing WWF/NHT Inappropriate grassy ecosystem fuel management and grants 2001 - fire prevention Grassland Conservers techniques, such as Part 2 – Trust for slashing, mowing and Nature ploughing Site management Inappropriate and protection road maintenance Weed control (Stringybark Lane) (mostly gorse and Fertiliser periwinkle), rabbit residues in drifting control and soils ecological burns have been undertaken in Alberton Cemetery
28 is the primary means by Wrinklewort (Rutidosis which all species recover leptorrhynchoides), Western (Basalt) Plains from fire and other Large-fruit Groundsel disturbances. (Senecio macrocarpus,), Grassland Spiny Rice-flower Species that are common (Pimelea spinescens), in the Western (Basalt) Distribution and Description Sunshine Diuris (Diuris Plains Grasslands, but do fragrantissima), Small Remnants of the Western (Stuwe 1986, Barlow & not occur in the otherwise Golden Moths (Diuris (Basalt) Plains Grassland Ross 2002) and by floristically similar basaltica), Basalt Community occur in the frequent fires prior to Central Gippsland Plains Greenhood (Pterostylis Victorian Volcanic Plain European settlement Grasslands, include basaltica), Basalt Bioregion, within a (Lunt 1991). Lemon Beauty-heads, 23,000 km2 area of flat to Podolepis (Podolepis sp. The West RFA Prickly Woodruff undulating basalt plains. 1), Small Milkwort Biodiversity Assessment (Asperula scoparia), Pink This area is bounded by (Comesperma Report (Commonwealth Bindweed and Blue the Plenty River polygaloides), Clover of Australia 2000b) Devil. (Melbourne) to the east, Glycine (Glycine equates the community to Hamilton to the west, Ephemeral swamps, latrobeana), Swollen EVC 132 Plains Beaufort to the north and dominated by Swamp Swamp Wallaby-grass Grassland. Colac to the south. Soils Wallaby-grass (Amphibromus are mostly heavy grey or The community is (Amphibromus nervosus), pithogastrus), Tough red cracking clays with structurally composed of and Cane Grass Scurf-pea (Cullen tenax) occasional exposed layers tussock grasses, with a (Eragrostis infecunda), and Adamson’s Blown- of ironstone ‘buckshot’ variety of perennial sometimes sedges in the grass (Lachnagrostis and scattered rocky herbs, particularly wetter areas, once adamsonii). Threatened outcrops. Wetland areas composites, occupying occurred widely as grassland fauna include have black cracking clays the inter-tussock spaces. mosaics among the plains Striped Legless Lizard and may be sub-saline. Species that occur grassland to the west of (Delma impar), Grassland throughout the whole the bioregion. Many of Earless Dragon The community is community include Blue these grassy swamps (Tympanocryptis predominantly open Devil (Eryngium have been drained, weed pinguicolla), Eastern treeless grassland, usually ovinum), Sheep’s Burr invaded or more recently, Barred Bandicoot dominated by Kangaroo (Acaena echinata), Scaly converted to agriculture. (Perameles gunnii), Fat- Grass (Themeda Buttons (Leptorhynchos tailed Dunnart triandra) in the drier The community supports squamatus), Pink (Sminthopsis areas, with Wallaby a rich diversity of reptile Bindweed (Convolvulus crassicaudata) and Grasses species, particularly angustissimus) and Plains-wanderer (Austrodanthonia spp.) skinks and snakes. Birds Common Bog-rush (Pedionomus torquatus). and Spear Grasses of prey are prominent, (Schoenus apogon). In (Austrostipa spp.),. and and there are a number of There are very few intact areas of higher rainfall to Tussock Grasses (Poa ground-dwelling birds remnants of Western the west of the plains spp.) in areas of higher and wetland birds such as (Basalt) Plains Grassland, frequently occurring moisture regimes.. Brolgas. There are very as any soil disturbance species include Common Woody plants are few small native mammal has favoured the ingress Onion Orchid (Microtis generally absent, species (SAC 1991, of introduced species unifolia) and Pale although there are Seebeck 1984, Emison et (Stuwe 1986). The Sundew (Drosera occasional scattered trees al. 1975). Many of the decline of some native peltata). Lower rainfall and shrubs, in areas of vertebrate fauna species plants is not only caused species include Common ephemeral swamps, that rely on this by the influx of Everlasting drainage lines, and deep vegetation are now introduced plants, but (Chrysocephalum river-cut escarpments. severely depleted. The also to competition from apiculatum) and Lemon The natural lack of tree invertebrate fauna is dominant native grasses. Beauty-heads cover on the western poorly known, but Kangaroo Grass can form (Calocephalus citreus). plains is thought to be surveys have indicated a a dense sward which All these species are caused in part by the large number of species suppresses the perennials. Seedling heavy basaltic soils that of beetles, ants and germination and growth recruitment is generally a are poorly drained, grasshoppers (Yen et al. of forbs (Stuwe & rare event as most native becoming water-logged 1994, 1995, 1996) Parsons 1977). Before species form small or European settlement, in winter or extremely Threatened flora species transient soil seed banks. frequent fires and grazing dry and hard in summer include Button Vegetative regeneration by native herbivores
29 reduced the biomass of Mortlake Common Flora Comesperma increasing stocking rates grasses and so maintained Reserve, Skipton polygaloides (Small during drought. Some species richness (Stuwe Common, Rokewood Milkwort No. 96) native grasslands 1986). Common persisted for over 100 Synemon plana (Golden years under low stocking In the absence of soil Blacks Creek Sun Moth No. 106) regimes (Stuwe 1986), disturbance, native Ridge Paddock (added to Amphibromus but in the 1920s grasslands are relatively Cobra Killuc Wildlife pithogastrus (Plump Subterranean Clover and resistant to weed Reserve) Swamp Wallaby-grass superphosphate invasion. Research has No. 109) application began, and in suggested (Hocking Cairnlea Grasslands and the 1940s and early 1950s 2001) that an intact associated grasslands Lepidium aschersonii the practice of pasture native grassland will bind along Kororoit Creek (Spiny Pepper-cress No. improvement based on much of the available soil 111). Roadsides e.g. superphosphate and nutrients within the above Chatsworth, Dundonnell, introduced clover and and below-ground parts Woorndoo, Mt Mercer, Threats grasses became of the plants. Once Glenthompson-Wickliffe, In 1802 the volcanic widespread. This period plants are destroyed and Wickliffe-Ararat, plains of Victoria’s west coincided with the rot, nutrients are released Poorneit, McCorkells were covered with deep, Soldier Settlement and fast colonising, fertile soil, rolling program and a mostly exotic species Cemeteries e.g. grassland and open considerable increase in quickly move in to take Rokewood, Truganina, grassy woodland. stocking rates from 1 to advantage of the open Bannockburn, Dowling Europeans brought in 3-4 sheep per acre. All of spaces and increase in Forest exotic plants and animals, these factors combined to nutrients. Therefore it has Rail reserves e.g. notably large mobs of dramatically reduce the been suggested that, Bannockburn, Middle sheep, which began to distribution and numbers although an intact Creek, Wingeel, Little intensely graze and of native grassland grassland may contain River, Manor trample the plains. The species. Changes to fire weed seed and a few first warnings came in the regimes and the cycle of young plants of weeds Private land sites no more than twenty biomass removal also such as Serrated Tussock, years after European altered vegetation these weeds will remain Links to other Action settlement, with losses of patterns and fauna small and sub-dominant. Statements vegetation cover, habitats. However the practice of Perameles gunnii Eastern reduction in palatable broadscale herbicide Barred Bandicoot (No. 4) It is estimated that there species and increased spraying on these sites, in was once about 800,000 compaction of soil. an effort to control the Delma impar (Striped to 1,000,000 ha of open Native grasses were Serrated Tussock, can Legless Lizard No. 17) plains grassland on the heavily grazed and destroy the very values Rutidosis Victorian Volcanic Plain palatable herbs were that are keeping the leptorrhynchoides (NRE 1997). Barlow & targeted by stock. Serrated Tussock in (Button Wrinklewort No. Ross (2002) suggest that check. 28) In 1862, there were perhaps 5,000-6,000 ha reports that .... remains across the whole Psoralea parva (Small "Kangaroo Grass, the of the Victorian Volcanic Key sites Psoralea No. 31, now most succulent of the Plain. Of this, they Craigieburn Grassland Cullen parvum) Australian Herbage will consider that less than Reserve and Merri Creek Tympanocryptis lineata soon be exterminated . . ." 1,000 ha (0.1%) consists Grasslands lineata (Southern Lined (Lloyd 1862, cited in of high quality, species Derrimut Grassland Earless Dragon No. 35 Conley 1984). Further rich, relatively weed-free Reserve, Laverton North now T. pinguicolla, warnings followed, until grasslands, and the Grassland Reserve Grassland Earless Sutton (1916) was remainder is degraded or Dragon) obliged to record that the simplified native West Point Business Park plains had "been put so grassland, or disclimax (former Laverton RAAF) Diuris fragrantissima thoroughly to pastoral grassy woodland (Sunshine Diuris No. 50) Hamilton Community and agricultural uses that communities. Remnants Parklands Senecio macrocarpus hardly any part remains occur on large blocks of (Large-fruit Groundsel in the virgin state". lightly grazed, Cressy Flora Reserve, Mt No. 68) unploughed, unfertilised Mercer Nature The plains were grazed private land, and on small Conservation Reserve beyond their carrying Carex tasmanica (Curly blocks of public land Sedge No. 88) capacity, including
30 such as roadsides, rail application without cropping, causing Previous reserves and cemeteries. follow-up high nutrient water Management replacement by run-off, and winter The invasion of Action weed-resistant wheats that can be introduced grasses and native species sown in wetter, Reservation other herbs has southern districts. New reserves significantly altered the Broadscale were created at community, replacing a application of Conflicting Mortlake, Cressy, suite of largely perennial herbicides on advice given to Blacks Creek, species with a high paddocks that landholders by Craigieburn proportion of exotic contain remnant conservation and Grassland Reserve, annuals (Stuwe 1986). native grasslands agricultural Banchory Grove, and The floristic composition and scattered weed productivity the Angliss estates at of Western (Basalt) species such as experts Laverton and Deer Plains Grassland is now Serrated Tussock. Inability to Park as much a product of In such cases the carry out ecological management history as entire paddock is burns, especially in Ridge Paddock variation in topography destroyed under grassland remnants added to Cobra and soils (Stuwe & the guide of weed close to and within Killuc Wildlife Parsons 1977). control, leaving an urban areas, as these Reserve open field for are often adjacent to West Point Threats currently greater weed new developments, Business Park operating include: colonisation. which constrain (formerly Laverton Inadequate Infrastructure ongoing RAAF base) and biomass removal - in installation and management. Burns Road less than ten years management Lack of (formerly Slough without appropriate Road works recruitment in the Estate) were sold and biomass removal a including plant and wild of a wide range parts managed as Themeda dominated vehicles driving of native forb grassland reserves grassland can be and parking on species. under agreement with become almost the private landholder roadsides, Tree planting completely degraded dumping of spoil for shelter belts, Purchase and Weed invasion Further landscaping, and reservation of 400 ha by exotic perennial clearing for amenity planting, of grasslands on two grasses, such as agriculture and especially on properties, at Mt Nassella spp. (e.g. cropping, and pasture roadsides Mercer and Chilean Needle- Boonderoo improvements using Rock removal, grass, Serrated fertilisers and exotic for landscape use or Strategic planning Tussock, Texas species as a precursor to Needle-grass, Cane Along the Clearing for cultivation, (thus Needle-grass), Hamilton Highway olive groves and removing habitat Phalaris, African between Cressy and vineyards, leading to for flora and fauna. Love-grass, Wild Darlington, a off site impacts eg. Oats and Gorse Pine and blue strategic management fertilisers, hydrology gum plantations, Poor weed plan has been changes, invasion of associated with control practices, developed for native remnants by cultivation & including protection and wild olives drainage of inappropriate management, Overgrazing freshwater marshes application and including ecological and trampling by and meadows over-use of burning of native stock (particularly in the herbicides, poor grasslands in recent dry years), identification of Illegal grazing conjunction with shading of target species, (“long paddock”, NRE, CFA, grassland removal of rocks stock traffic) and VicRoads, Colac and vegetation, altered and Poa tussocks cropping of rural Corangamite Shires water tables and under the guise of roadside remnants Native pine wildlings (via Serrated Tussock Intensive grasslands on wind-blown seeds) control, and agricultural roadsides within the invading broadscale practices such as Shires of Golden grasslands. herbicide raised bed Plains, Southern
31 Grampians and Botanic Guardians 2 – Trust for along roadsides as Moyne have been grant Nature part of a management included in planning WWF/NHT Community plan schemes grassy ecosystem education and Roadsides Municipal grants were awarded extension assessment work was Strategic Statements in 2000 for: undertaken by Since the early (MSSs) are being Corangamite, Colac Grassland 1990s, walks, talks reviewed between Otway, Moorabool Conservers and tours were 2001 and 2003 and Surf Coast Shires (Trust for undertaken in spring A draft Nature) by NRE Flora and Shires of environmental study Golden Plains, Conservation of Fauna staff, VNPA, was completed for Southern Grampians, Grassy Trust for Nature, the Shire of Golden Moorabool, Melton Ecosystem Friends groups etc. Plains and Moyne have Roadsides in Posters, begun or completed The Shire of Moorabool brochures and biodiversity mapping Moorabool Shire management developed a Biodiversity Protection of guidelines were Roadside mapping for Glenelg National Estate prepared by NRE, Management Plan, a Shire is being Listed Merri Creek Roadside Tour Guide updated and revised Grasslands in Management and is in the process SW Victoria Committee and Trust Several Shires of developing a an for Nature e.g. Melton, Hume, Environmental Bush's Paddock: Handbooks have completed Strategy which will Implementing & were published by reviews of incorporate Demonstrating Society for Growing indigenous vegetation information and Best Practice Australian plants, sites on private and actions for grassland Management VNPA, Trust for public land management. Protection of Nature remnant native Biological research Protection and grassland at Inventory and and monitoring management Truganina survey During the A Public Cemetery Surveys and 1990s NHT funded Authority WWF/NHT identification of projects for the re- Management grassy ecosystem significant grassland introduction and re- Agreement was grants were remnants on rail establishment Cullen signed for Truganina awarded in 2001 reserves within the parvum, cemetery for: Victorian Volcanic Comesperma Burning and polygaloides and Protection of Plain were weed control has Glycine latrobeana at High undertaken in 1999, been undertaken at secure sites. Conservation 2000 and 2001. Derrimut and Propagation and seed Value Native More than 30 Laverton North orchard establishment Grassy native grassland Grassland Reserves, was undertaken for Ecosystems remnants in the Cooper Street, Rutidosis within Melton northern and western Central Creek and leptorrhynchoides Shire suburbs of West Point Business and Discaria Melbourne were Park Protection of pubescens Basalt Plains surveyed by the Exclusion plots Victoria Grasslands in Australian Research at Craigieburn University has Western Centre for Urban Grassland Reserve undertaken research Victoria Ecology (ARCUE) were fenced and on weed management Surveys of received trial burns Protection of and restoration Nassella spp. on the and weed control native techniques e.g. Hamilton Hwy grasslands Hammond & Phalaris between Cressy and within Golden Hocking 1998a, control is being Inverleigh began in Plains Shire 1998b; Henderson undertaken at 2000 and are Grassland 1999, Hocking 2001, Bookaar Lake ongoing. The City of Conservers Part Phillips 1999, Reserve, via a Hume has mapped Wijesuriya & Nassella neesiana
32 Hocking 1999. A PhD is nearing completion on Striped Legless Lizards and a MSc on recruitment of native forbs. LaTrobe Univedrsity has undertaken research into ecological processes within different grassland remnants e.g. Morgan 1996, 1997, 1998a, b, c, d, 1999; Morgan & Lunt 1999.
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