MORNINGTON PENINSULA BIODIVERSITY: SURVEY AND RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Design and editing: Linda Bester, Universal Ecology Services.

General review: Sarah Caulton.

Project manager: Garrique Pergl, Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Photographs: Matthew Dell, Linda Bester, Malcolm Legg, Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), Mornington Peninsula Shire, Russell Mawson, Bruce Fuhrer, Save Tootgarook Swamp, and Celine Yap.

Maps: Mornington Peninsula Shire, Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), and Practical Ecology.

Further acknowledgements: This report was produced with the assistance and input of a number of ecological consultants, state agencies and Mornington Peninsula Shire community groups. The Shire is grateful to the many people that participated in the consultations and surveys informing this report.

Acknowledgement of Country: The Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first Australians and recognises that they have a unique relationship with the land and water. The Shire also recognises the Mornington Peninsula is home to the Boonwurrung / Bunurong, members of the Kulin Nation, who have lived here for thousands of years and who have traditional connections and responsibilities to the land on which Council meets.

Data sources - This booklet summarises the results of various biodiversity reports conducted for the Mornington Peninsula Shire:

• Costen, A. and South, M. (2014) Tootgarook Wetland Ecological Character Description. Mornington Peninsula Shire. • Cook, D. (2013) Flora Survey and Weed Mapping at Tootgarook Swamp Bushland Reserve. Mornington Peninsula Shire. • Dell, M.D. and Bester L.R. (2006) Management and status of Leafy Greenhood ( cucullata) populations within Mornington Peninsula Shire. Universal Ecology Services, . • Legg, M. (2014) Vertebrate fauna assessments of seven Mornington Peninsula Shire reserves located within Tootgarook Wetland. Consultant report to Mornington Peninsula Shire by Mal’s Environmental & Ecological Services, Victoria.. • Legg, M., McCaffrey, N., Henry, J. and Ewing, A. (2012) Mornington Peninsula fauna atlas 2007–2012. Consultant report to Mornington Peninsula Shire by Practical Ecology Pty Ltd and Mal’s Environmental & Ecological Services, Victoria.

© Mornington Peninsula Shire, Victoria. 2015

Disclaimer While this publication may assist you, Universal Ecology Services and Mornington Peninsula Shire (inclusive of its employees) do not guarantee that this publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes. As such, the aforementioned parties disclaim all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information within this publication. This document should not be used for statutory planning purposes or the preparation of associated technical reports.

Accessibility This publication is available both electronically and in print form. Please call Customer Service if you require additional printed copies, or visit the Shire’s website for an electronic copy: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au

For more information please contact Mornington Peninsula Shire 1 Customer Service on: 1300 850 600 (24 hours) or 03 5950 1000

MORNINGTON PENINSULA BIODIVERSITY: SURVEY AND RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

This report outlines key results of scientific reports conducted over several years. Some nomenclature and information in this publication may have been revised, or may be in the process of revision.

2 P CONTENTS

4 Flora and fauna surveys: Overview

5 Fauna surveys on the Mornington Peninsula

5 Survey sites; Survey methods and types; and Survey aims 6 Results 8 New Peninsula fauna records; and Road-kill: Random survey results 11 on the Peninsula 12 Migratory species survey records

14 A snapshot of significant fauna

13 ; and Powerful Owl 14 Agile ; and Growling Grass (or Southern Bell) Frog

15 A snapshot of Tootgarook Wetland

16 Location; Background; Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC); and Wetland Ecosystems Services 17 Targeted vertebrate fauna study 2013—2014; and Australasian Bittern

19 Native vegetation mapping on the Mornington Peninsula

21 A snapshot of Ecological Vegetation Classes

21 Plains Grassland; Tall Marsh; and Coastal Dune Scrub 22 Grassy Woodland 23 Coastal Alkaline Scrub; and Damp Heathland

24 Significant flora on the Mornington Peninsula

24 Rare or threatened species; and Threats to significant species

25 A snapshot of significant flora

25 Leafy Greenhood; and Frankston -orchid 26 Purple Eyebright; and Mt Martha Bundy

27 Other organisms

28 Council policy and current projects

28 Recent, current and ongoing Council priority projects; and Community initiatives

29 Glossary

29 Further information and additional references

30 Wildlife emergency contacts CONTENTS

3 and fauna surv Flora eys Overview

The Mornington Peninsula Shire is located to the south‐east of and occupies a peninsula which separates and Bay. It consists of 720 km2 of highly variable vegetaon communies within the Plain bioregion.

Mornington Peninsula Biodiversity: Survey and Research Highlights aligns with the Shire’s Strategic Plan 2013—2017; in parcular Goal 1: Liveable peninsula and Goal 4: Leading change on climate change.

The Mornington Peninsula has a complex paern of nave vegetaon, reflected in over forty‐three vegetaon types (Ecological Vegetaon Classes) and associated complex habitats. Since European selement in the early 19th Century, 82% of natural vegetaon cover has disappeared along with the associated decline in ecosystems upon which fauna are dependant. Today, nave vegetaon removal occurs at a slower rate, although retained nave vegetaon is increasingly subject to fragmentaon Photo: Linda Bester and numerous degrading processes.

Mornington Peninsula Shire is required to make day‐to‐day planning and management decisions, many of which have the potenal to impact on the Peninsula’s biodiversity. Unl now, the Shire’s flora and fauna records focussed on public land, and were largely out of date. Furthermore, exisng databases were not able to be provide informaon at the individual property level. Council recognised the need to move towards a more evidence‐based decision‐making process and allocated priority funding towards municipal‐scale natural resource mapping. The first step involved the Shire‐wide mapping of remnant nave vegetaon at a scale of 1:10,000. This was completed in 2006, at which point Stage Two commenced; resource mapping of nave fauna.

The growing need for more current, detailed and accessible mapped fauna data to improve decision‐ making is perhaps beer understood in the light of exisng and proposed development projects, including , Westernport highway duplicaon and the associated development of the Port of Hasngs, alongside other developments, the associated increased density of selement, and the emerging challenge of migang effects of climate change on flora and fauna.

The Natural Resource Mapping project was a major undertaking for the Shire, parcularly in relaon to the study of private land and roadsides. An integral part of the study involved surveying biodiversity on private land, which was a first for the Shire.

Ongoing research involving biodiversity values across the Peninsula landscape by the Shire, state agencies and the community is crical for helping to inform strategic planning, natural systems and infrastructure asset management. OVERVIEW 4 Fauna surveys Peninsula Mornington on the

The study area focused primarily on terrestrial environments. A buffer of approximately 1 km wide was applied to the boundaries of terrestrial zones in order to capture adjacent coastal and marine environments and associated fauna.

Crimson Rosella — Platycercus elegans Photo: Linda Bester species. Modificaons were oen necessary based on site characteriscs such as size, topography, Ecological Vegetaon Classes (EVCs) and vegetaon condion/structure.

The following survey methods were used: • Spotlighng • Elliot and cage traps • Piall traps • Sheet‐iron placement

• Scats, diggings and other traces

Survey sites • Call recordings and playbacks • Hair tubes Fauna surveys were conducted and data was collected at a variety of sites across the • Remote camera traps Mornington Peninsula and Quail Island in • Incidental surveys e.g. road‐kill Western Port (Map 1, Page 5), including selected: • Skeletal remains, including in scats

• private freehold properes; Survey aims • road reserves; The aims of these fauna surveys were to: • private and public wetlands; • • areas of known mortality based on road Establish the presence all targeted species occurring within designated networks; areas, using the survey techniques • Council‐managed bushland reserves; (listed further below). • Establish the presence or absence of • private and public land where exoc predator all threatened and/or conservaon control has occurred; and significant fauna, to ascertain their relave distribuons within the • Parks Victoria‐managed land, bushland and survey sites. foreshore reserves. • Idenfy any habitat associaons / dependencies (e.g. whether parcular Survey methods and types vegetaon communies support parcular faunal assemblages).

Surveys took place throughout all months in an FAUNA annual cycle from 2007 unl late September These aims were achieved by developing a 2011, with sampling methods modified as detailed survey design aer the background 5 required to maximise the detecon of target analysis and inial site inspecons were done. Results In summary The surveys idenfied birds (64.9%) and (16.8%) as the largest fauna lifeform groups within the study area.

Birds (213) Mammals (55) Amphibians (11) Reptiles (24) Fish (22) (3)

Agile Antechinus — Antechinus agilis Photo: Malcolm Legg

Total number of species recorded within the study area Cage traps Photo: Linda Bester (328, including 30 introduced species)

In total 29,172 observaons were made of fauna, either incidentally or in targeted sites across the Mornington Peninsula.

Road site 7,854

Public land site 5,537

Private land site 10,965

Road‐kill record 783

Incidental record 4,033

136

Out of the 328 fauna species 49 recorded, 144 species (or 12 44 %) are considered to have some level of Species of National significance above 'local' Significance Species of State FAUNA significance (see Glossary). Significance Species of Regional Significance 6 7 FAUNA Map 1: Fauna records

Stage 1 (1991-2005)

Stage 2 (2007-2011) New Peninsula fauna records • Common Galaxias, Galaxias maculatus • Eastern Dwarf Galaxias, Galaxiella pusilla During the surveys, several species of fauna • Eastern Gambusia, *Gambusia holbrooki were recorded that were not already listed in • Estuary Caish, Cnidoglanis macrocephalus the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife (DSE 2011) ‐ now • Flatheaded Gudgeon, Philypnodon grandiceps referred to as the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas. • Goldfish, *Carassius auratus One of the most important findings involved the • Greenback, Flounder Rhombosolea tapirina discovery of a healthy populaon of the EPBC • Long‐finned Goby, Favonigobius lateralis listed Southern Brown Bandicoot on Quail Island • Redfin Perch, *Perca fluvialis in 2008 (refer to page 11). Other records are • Short‐finned Eel, Anguilla australis outlined in the following tables. • Small‐mouthed Hardyhead, Atherinosoma microstoma • Smooth Toadfish, Tetractenos glaber • Tench, *Tinca nca Amphibians (1) • Tommy Rough, Arripis georgianus • Striped Marsh Frog, Limnodynastes peronii • Yelloweye Mullet, Aldrichea forsteri Birds (6) Invertebrates (4) • Black‐tailed Nave‐hen, Gallinula ventralis • Common Yabby, Cherax destructor • Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indisncta • Burrowing Crayfish, Engaeus sp. • Diamond Firetail, Stagonopleura guata • Freshwater Crayfish, Geocharax gracilis • Osprey, Pandion cristatus • Granular Burrowing Crayfish, Engaeus cunicularius • Purple‐crowned Lorikeet, Glossopsia porphyrocephala • Rainbow Bee‐eater, Merops ornatus Mammals (14)

Fish (19) • Blue Whale, Balaenoptera musculus • Bolenose Dolphin (Port Phillip), Tursiops sp. • Black Bream, Acanthopagrus butcheri • Blue‐spot Goby, Pseudogobius olorum (cf. aduncus) • Bridled Goby, Arenigobius bifrenatus • Eastern Broad‐nosed Bat Scotorepens orion • Brown Trout, *Salmo trua • Eastern False Pipistrelle, Falsistrellus tasmaniensis • Ferret, *Mustela furo Common Galaxias — Galaxias maculatus Photo: Malcolm Legg • Freetail Bat (eastern form), Mormopterus sp. EG • Gould's Long‐eared Bat, Nyctophilus gouldi • Lile Broad‐nosed Bat, Scotorepens greyii • Long‐finned Pilot Whale, Globicephala melas • Pig, *Sus scrofa • Pygmy Blue Whale, Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda • Red‐necked Wallaby, Macropus rufogriseus • Sambar, *Cervus unicolor • Southern Free‐tail Bat, Mormopterus sp. 1

Road-kill: Random *introduced species survey results 2007—2011

Fauna, deceased as a result of vehicle impact (known as road‐ Fauna group No. of species No. of road‐kill kill), was recorded incidentally within proximity of roads and road‐sides. The Birds 32 172 outcome was limited by the presence of foxes Reples 7 95 and other scavengers which quickly remove road ‐kill, however the data indicate where it mostly Mammals 17 516 occurs, which species are adff ecte and how oen (Page 9). TOTAL 56 783

88 A total of 783 incidences were recorded from 2007 to 2011 (Map 2, Page 7).

695 The data suggests that wildlife mortality is high Introduced as a result of vehicle impact on the Mornington Native Peninsula, with 89% of all recorded road‐kill FAUNA deaths being nave . Number of road‐kill animals recorded 8 Map 2: Road-kill records

Birds

Mammals

Reptiles

Major roads

Study area

Map 3: Migratory species records

Major roads

Study area FAUNA

9 survey records A number of species were recorded on the Peninsula between the mid‐1800s and the Fiy‐five mammal species were found during the mid‐1970s that were not seen during the survey study, including fourteen introduced species. period (1991–2005 and 2007–2011) including The graph below includes the numbers of each Dingo, , Eastern , mammal species recorded, with the excepon of Long‐nosed Potoroo, New Holland Mouse, introduced species (14), whales (6), seals (1) Spot‐tailed Quoll, Tasmanian Beong and and dolphins (2). Tasmanian Pademelon, False Killer Whale, Gray's Beaked Whale, Minke Whale, The marine mammals recorded were Common Pygmy Sperm Whale and Sperm Dolphin, Bolenose Dolphin (Port Phillip), Whale. Australian Fur Seal, Blue Whale, Pygmy Blue Whale, Southern Right Whale, Long‐finned Pilot Whale, Humpback Whale and Killer Whale.

Bird survey records medium‐sized <1,000 ha patches may play an important role in providing Birds were noted as the largest refuges for forest‐dependent birds fauna group on the peninsula, (Antos and White 2004). with 213 bird species being

recorded over the survey The retenon of dead trees is period (64.9% of all also important; parcularly peninsula fauna species). those with hollows that are This number included: used by cavity‐dependent birds and other animals. It • 26 migratory species; oen takes more than a hundred years for a tree to • 6 nave species not form suitable hollows. previously recorded;

• 59 species that are Water availability has been considered close to shown to cause a collapse in exncon; and bird numbers and breeding • 32 species that were events (DSE 2009). recorded as road‐kill. At least 38 bird species have

There is a clear gradient of become exnct on the Peninsula change in bird communies on the since European selement, and an

Peninsula, from forest interiors to overall exncon phase is currently FAUNA roadsides, suggesng that interiors of occurring. 10 ROAD‐KILL SPECIES ON THE PENINSULA that several bird, mammal, fish and reple species have either become exnct or been reduced to crically low numbers on the peninsula and Birds • Yellow‐tailed Black‐ Cockatoo, 1 possibly further afield. The table below assumes

• Australasian Grebe, 2 exncon based on 20 or more years of absence • Australian Magpie, 36 Mammals on the peninsula, despite surveys of suitable

• Australian Raven, 5 • Agile Antechinus, 1 habitat. • Australian White Ibis, 1 • Black Wallaby, 58 • Australian Wood Duck, 13 • (feral), 9 KNOWN FAUNAL • • Barn Owl, 1 Common Brushtail on the Peninsula since European selement Possum, 38 • Black Swan, 1 • Common Ringtail Possum,

• Black‐shouldered Kite, 3 216 Birds • Intermediate Egret • Brown Goshawk, 4 • Dusky Antechinus, 1 • Arcc Tern • Lesser Sand Plover • Chicken (domesc), 1 • Eastern Grey Kangaroo, 72 • Australian Bustard • Long‐tailed Jaeger • Common Blackbird, 4 • European Rabbit, 19 • Azure Kingfisher • Musk Duck • Common Bronzewing, 6 • Ferret (feral), 1 • Brolga • Orange‐bellied Parrot • Crimson Rosella, 3 • Grey‐headed Flying‐fox, 1 • • Barking Owl Pacific Golden Plover • Eastern Great Egret, 1 • Koala, 25 • Bar‐tailed Godwit • Plains Wanderer • Eastern Rosella, 2 • Long‐nosed Bandicoot, 3 • Black‐tailed Godwit • Pomarine Jaeger • Galah, 1 • , 54 • Bush Stone‐curlew • Regent Honeyeater • Grey Butcherbird, 5 • Red‐necked Wallaby, 1 • Curlew Sandpiper • Royal Albatross

• Grey Shrike‐thrush, 1 • Short‐beaked Echidna, 12 • Diamond Dove • Ruff • Laughing Kookaburra, 7 • Swamp Rat, 4 • Flesh‐footed Shearwater • Southern Giant‐Petrel • Lile Walebird, 1 • • Water Rat, 1 • Glossy Black Cockatoo Spoed Quail‐thrush • Magpie‐lark, 5 • Glossy Ibis • Terek Sandpiper

• Noisy Miner, 9 Reples • Greater Sand Plover • Turquoise Parrot • Pacific Black Duck, 1 • Blotched Blue‐tongued • Great Knot • Whimbrel • Purple Swamphen, 11 Lizard, 43 • Grey‐crowned Babbler • Whiskered Tern

• Rainbow Lorikeet, 2 • Common Blue‐tongued • Grey‐headed Albatross • White‐faced Storm‐Petrel Lizard, 20 • Red Walebird, 8 • Grey Plover • Yellow‐nosed Albatross • Common Long‐necked • • Sacred Kingfisher, 1 Tortoise, 7 • Gull‐billed Tern Yellow Walebird • Silver Gull, 2 • Lowland Copperhead, 15

• Southern Boobook, 4 • Tiger Snake, 6 Eastern Quoll— Dasyurus viverrinus Photo: Ma Dell • Superb Fairy‐wren, 2 • Tree Dragon, 2 • Tawny Frogmouth, 26 • White‐lipped Snake, 2

Extinction on the Peninsula Fauna throughout have had to adapt to a changing landscape, altered over me by extreme environmental events such as fire, droughts and floods. In recent mes human acvies, amongst other things, have caused significant impacts; some

that are contribung to climate change. Mammals

A change in temperature of just 1 to 2°C will be • Eastern Pygmy‐possum enough to trigger mass exncons (DSE 2010) and • Eastern Quoll Invertebrates rising sea‐levels will be an issue for populaons in • Long‐nosed Potoroo • Chiton 5254 low lying and coastal areas. • New Holland Mouse • Sperm Whale • Caddisfly

Other threats include (but are not limited to) • Spot‐tailed Quoll Fish

FAUNA predaon, vehicular impact, recreaonal acvies, • Tasmanian Beong habitat removal and fragmentaon, and diseases. • Tasmanian Pademelon • River Blackfish Results from this, and previous, surveys indicate 11 SPECIES OF CONSERVATION AND MIGRATORY SIGNIFICANCE ON THE PENINSULA

Mammals • Black‐winged Slt, 1/12 • Hardhead, 6/10 • Shy Albatross, 4/5 • Common Dolphin 3/15 • Blue‐billed Duck, 2/10 • Hooded Plover, 2/7 • Sooty Oystercatcher, 11/7 • Grey‐headed Flying‐fox, 1/26 • Blue Petrel, 0/15 • Latham's Snipe, 18/10 • Sooty Shearwater, 1/27 • Humpback Whale, 3/16 • Brown Quail, 8/12 • Lewin's Rail, 29/13 • Spoed Harrier, 1/28 • Killer Whale, 1/6 • Cape Barren Goose, 19/14 • Lile Egret, 1/9 • Swi Parrot, 4/25 • Southern Brown • Caspian Tern, 3/12 • Lile Tern, 0/15 • Wandering Albatross, 1/24 Bandicoot, 38/26 • Cale Egret, 7/12 • Magpie Goose, 2/19 • White‐bellied Sea‐Eagle, 19/5 • Southern Elephant Seal, 0/11 • Chestnut‐rumped Heathwren, 0/6 • Marsh Sandpiper, 2/21 • White‐fronted Tern, 2/19 • Southern Right Whale, 3/15 • Common Diving‐Petrel, 0/14 • Nankeen Night Heron, 12/12 • Wood Sandpiper, 0/10

• White‐footed , 10/25 • Common Greenshank,1/20 • Northern Giant‐Petrel, 2/27

• Bolenose Dolphin, 0/8 • Common Sandpiper, 4/14 • Pacific Gull, 49/10 Reples

• Common Tern, 0/18 • Peregrine Falcon, 44/10 • Glossy Grass , 49/10 Birds • Eastern Curlew, 3/14 • Pied Cormorant, 25/8 • Green Turtle, 0/6 • Arcc Jaeger, 2/15 • Eastern Great Egret, 24/5 • Powerful Owl, 34/4 • Lace Monitor, 2/26 • Australasian Biern, 3/10 • Fairy Prion, 0/15 • Red Knot, 2/22 • Leathery Turtle, 0/19 • Australasian Shoveler, 3/10 • Fairy Tern, 1/22 • Red‐necked Snt, 1/18 • Loggerhead Turtle, 0/17 • Baillon's Crake, 1/12 • Fork‐tailed Swi, 0/7 • Royal Spoonbill, 34/10 • Swamp Skink, 57/10

• Black‐browed Albatross, 7/5 • Freckled Duck, 1/10 • Ruddy Turnstone, 2/18

• Black‐eared Cuckoo, 1/15 • Grey‐crowned Babbler, 0/13 • Sanderling, 1/26 Amphibians

• Black‐faced Cormorant, 4/5 • Grey Goshawk, 10/4 • Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper, 2/20 • Growling Grass Frog, 7/11

• Black Falcon, 6/15 • Grey‐tailed Taler, 1/21 • Short‐tailed Shearwater, 5/5 • Southern Toadlet, 55/11

(Numbers quoted = No. of records during this study / Years since last Atlas of Victorian Wildlife record). Excludes species extinct from the peninsula.

BIRDS AGREEMENTS Migratory species survey records Arcc Jaeger J R Migratory species are those that migrate to Australia Black‐browed Albatross B and its external territories, or pass though or over Black‐winged Slt B Australian waters during their annual migraons e.g. Caspian Tern C J albatrosses, petrels, whales and dolphins. Cale Egret C J Common Greenshank C J R B Twenty‐nine fauna species (25 bird species and four marine mammals species; 9% of all peninsula fauna Common Sandpiper C J R B recorded) are considered to have significance due to Eastern Curlew C J R B their classificaon as 'migratory' under the Australian Eastern Great Egret C J Environment Protecon and Biodiversity Act 1999 Grey‐tailed Taler C J R B within one or more internaonal migratory species Latham's Snipe C J R B agreements referred to as: Marsh Sandpiper C J R B Northern Giant‐Petrel B CAMBA: China‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement 1986. Rainbow Bee‐eater J

JAMBA: Japan‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement 1974. Red Knot C J R B

ROKAMBA: Republic of Korea‐Australia Migratory Bird Red‐necked Snt C J R B Agreement 2006. Ruddy Turnstone C J R B Bonn: Convenon on the Conservaon of Migratory Sanderling C J R B Species of Wild Animals ‐ also known as CMS or Bonn Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper C J R B Convenon, 1979; this includes birds listed under the Short‐tailed Shearwater J R Agreement on the Conservaon of Albatrosses and Shy Albatross B Petrels. Sooty Shearwater C J

Their distribuon can Wandering Albatross J B be seen on Map 3, White‐throated Needletail C J R Page 7. White‐bellied Sea‐Eagle C MAMMALS Blue Whale B Humpback Whale B Killer Whale B

Southern Right Whale B FAUNA

No. of spp. under each agreement 17 20 14 20 12 A snapshot of - on the S I G N I F I C A N T FAU

Southern Brown Bandicoot (Mornington Peninsula nand Wester Port Isoodon obesulus obesulus Biosphere Reserve) Recovery Plan exists for this

species. While this was a common species in 1837, it is now scarce on the peninsula and is listed as It was only recorded 38 mes during this study, threatened under the Commonwealth EPBC Act, and the majority of these records were the result Victorian FFG Act and near threatened under the of discovering a healthy populaon on Quail Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Island in 2008.

Victoria (DSE 2013). Both a Federal and Regional The persistence of this populaon is likely due to

its key threats being less common on the island Photo: Ma Dell than on the mainland i.e. predators, vehicles, lack of habitat linkages, habitat loss, weed invasion and fire. The species is acve both day and night, consuming fungi, tubers and arthropods.

Habitat: Southern Brown Bandicoots prefer grassy and heathy woodlands that include dense understorey vegetaon for cover.

Juvenile Powerful Owl Photo: Linda Bester Vegetaon clearance, including the loss of hollow ‐bearing trees, is a key threat to this species.

A total of 34 individuals were recorded during this study. Their abundance is linked to the abundance of Ringtail Possums and other prey found in this area.

While Powerful Owls are not listed under the Commonwealth EPBC Act, they are listed as threatened under Victoria’s FFG Act and the Powerful Owl Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Ninox strenua Victoria (DSE 2013). They are also considered to be regionally significant within the Gippsland This is Australia’s largest owl species, with a head Plain. An Acon Plan exists for this species, and a to tail length of 45–65 cm. Recovery Plan has been produced for New South

Wales populaons. On the peninsula this species appear to be

FAUNA SNAPSHOTS thriving predominantly at the southern end Habitat: Powerful Owls prefer forest, woodland where there are larger areas of remnant and scrub with hollow bearing trees for breeding. 13 vegetaon containing suitable habitat.

Mornington Peninsula Photo: Malcolm Legg

Agile Antechinus

Antechinus agilis

As recently as 20 years ago, this small floor for

was recorded as abundant in the Moorooduc Quarry Reserve area, and was likely to have been foraging and nesng. An abundant elsewhere on the peninsula. Acon Statement exists tled Loss of hollow‐ bearing trees from Victorian nave forests and Their numbers have since declined significantly woodland (DSE 2003), which discusses the and only 154 records of this species were problem with respect to this and other species. made over the study period. The Mt Martha populaon appears to be the last remaining for While this species is not listed as threatened at Port Phillip Bay, probably due to the retenon state or naonal level, it is considered significant of large areas of good quality vegetaon. Its key within the Gippsland Plain and has a reduced threats on the peninsula are land clearance distribuon on the peninsula. (including the loss of mature trees), firewood collecon and predators such as and foxes. Habitat: Agile Antechinus prefers forest, woodland and scrub with tree hollows and logs. It depends on hollow trees and logs on the forest

Photo: Malcolm Legg Growling Grass (or Southern Bell) Frog

Litoria raniformis

Not so long ago this species was so common that it was used for dissecons at universies and to feed snakes at the Melbourne Zoo, however only seven individuals were recorded during this study.

The paucity of recent records across the Peninsula indicates that there has been a introduced species significant decline in this species, which may (in parcular Eastern reflect on the fate of other frog species. Gambusia — *Gambusia holbrooki), reduced

rainfall and the introduced Chytrid Fungus. It is listed for protecon under the

Commonwealth EPBC Act, Victoria’s FFG Act, Habitat: Growling Grass Frogs prefer to live and the Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate amongst sedges, rushes and reeds growing in Fauna in Victoria (DSE 2013). A Recovery Plan slow moving streams and waterbodies where exists for this species. dense vegetaon helps to protect their eggs and

tadpoles. Further research is required with

On the Peninsula they are considered to be FAUNA SNAPSHOTS regards to the status of this species on the regionally significant. Their key threats here are Mornington Peninsula. habitat loss and fragmentaon, predaon by 14 A snapshot of E T L A N D TO O TG A R O O K W

Tootgarook Wetland (also known as Boneo Wetland) is one of the largest examples of a Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem and Shallow Fresh‐water Marsh le in the South‐east Melbourne region.

EVCs:

(653)

(656)

(2)

(858)

(968)

(132)

(136)

(53) HABITAT SNAPSHOT

(821) 15

Swamp Tootgarook

Save Photo:

nearby farms. Extracon of Location natural resources, along with extensive drainage and landfill associated with Tootgarook Wetland is located on the housing development, industry and agriculture, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. It can be has led to a highly fragmented wetland. accessed via several roads, including Browns Road, Truemans Road and Hiscock Road. The wetland is now approximately 400 ha in size, and a large proporon of it is privately owned. Background Nevertheless it retains biodiversity values of Tootgarook Wetland falls within the tradional naonal, state and regional significance. lands of the Aboriginal territory of the Boon Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC) Wurrung clans of the Kulin Naon. Many indigenous archaeological sites are present as There are numerous exisng and evolving EVCs the lower‐lying flood plains would have present. Due to the severity of wetland depleon provided ample plant foods. across the Gippsland Plains bioregion, at least nine of these are listed as Endangered and two as The wetland is fed by groundwater and to a Crically Endangered. Some of the lesser EVCs lesser extent Drum Drum Alloc Creek, which have been omied from the map (le) as the flows from the Rosebud Sands to the east and scale does not allow enough detail to include drains into Port Phillip via Chinaman’s Creek. It them. These include: Brackish Grassland (934), acts as a retarding basin, protecng low‐lying Brackish Sedgeland (13), South Gippsland Plains residenal land between it and Port Phillip Bay. Grassland (132), and Sedge Wetland/Calcareous In the 1870’s the wetland was the largest Wet Herbland Complex (883). landmark on the southern end of the peninsula, spanning up to 700 hectares between Boneo and Wetland Ecosystems Services West Rosebud. Unl more recent mes, In summary, these include: flood control; water animals such as Southern Brown Bandicoots, purificaon; groundwater replenishment; climate Eastern and Long‐nosed Potoroos could change migaon and adaptaon; sediment and sll be found ulising its habitats. Past land nutrient retenon; protecon of Port Phillip Bay; management pracces supported the extracon Enhancement of cultural and social values; and a of peat from the wetland for use as ferliser on haven for a diversity of habitats, flora and fauna. HABITAT SNAPSHOT

Source: Costen and South, 2014 16

Tootgarook Wetland: Targeted Endangered under the Environment Protecon and Biodiversity Conservaon Act 1999. vertebrate fauna study 2013—2014

* fauna data was collected from October 2013—May 2014 across seven sites within Tootgarook Wetland:

• 3 Duon St • 66 Henry Wilson Dve (MW retarding basin) • Hiscock Rd Reserve • 40 Colchester Rd • Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve • Eastern side of Truman’s Rd former landfill site • Tern Avenue Bushland Reserve

One hundred and fiy‐two species were idenfied, with only thirteen of these being introduced. Twenty‐one of these were found to be listed under the State’s Advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna, and 10 of the 21 were noted as species listed under Victoria’s *Note: Since this study, a number of addional bird species have been idenfied. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. One bird The final count will need to be confirmed once the study is complete species, the Australasian Biern, is listed as (Tootgarook Wetland Monitoring, Birdlife Australia 2014‐2016).

Australasian Biern Photo: Cameron Brown Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloplus

The Tootgarook Wetland is home to a parally nocturnal, heavy‐set heron known as the Australasian, Australian or Brown Biern. A bird which is listed as Endangered under both the Federal EPBC Act and Victorian FFG Act. Its distribuon includes coastal and sub‐coastal areas of south‐eastern and south‐western mainland Australia, as well as the eastern marshes of . This species tends to be sedentary in permanent habitats, and is generally solitary. It forages Individuals grow to a length of up to 76 cm, with mainly at night, usually in dense cover. Its diet a wingspan of up to 1180 cm. While the sexes are includes a wide range of small animals including similar in appearance, males generally weigh up birds, fish, mammals, frogs, snails, yabbies, to 1400 g, while the females are smaller and and insects. weigh considerably less (up to 900 g). Their upper HABITAT SNAPSHOT bodies are brown, dark brown to black, with Habitat: Sedges, rushes, lignum and reedbeds complex paerns of moled buff to assist with (e.g. Cumbungi) around wetlands and creeks, and 17 their concealment in wetland vegetaon. occasionally saltmarshes. A selecon of

wetland habitats at Tootgarook Wetland

Above: Swamp Scrub (EVC 53) at edge of wetland, with Coastal Alkaline Scrub (EVC 858) on dunes above.

Le: Aquac Herbland (EVC 653)

Right: Sedge Wetland/ Calcareous Wet Herbland Complex (EVC 883), with areas of Plains Grassland (EVC 132) and Tall Marsh (EVC 821)

Le: Tall Marsh (EVC 821), surrounded by Swamp Scrub (EVC 53) and woodland vegetaon. HABITAT SNAPSHOT

Habitat photographs: Malcolm Legg 18 Extent (ha) of the Native vegetation Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) Peninsula

mapping Coastal Alkaline Scrub (EVC 858) 3014 Lowland Forest (EVC 16) 1397 on the eninsula Mornington P Grassy Woodland (EVC 175) 1371 Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23) 894 Freshwater Swamp Scrub (EVC 53_61) 975 Damp-sands Herb-rich Woodland (EVC 3) 1409 Nave vegetaon comprises communies of Damp Heathy Woodland (EVC 793) 470 different plant species which are locally nave Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83) 416 (indigenous) to an area. Coastal Saltmarsh (EVC 9) 4641 Mangrove Shrubland (EVC 140) 379 Nave vegetaon is mapped in Victoria using Heathy Woodland (EVC 48) 232 units called Ecological Vegetaon Classes Coast Banksia Woodland (EVC 2) 454 (EVCs). Gully Woodland (EVC 902) 220 Coastal Headland Scrub (EVC 161) 5802 In 2006, the Arthur Rylah Instute Damp Forest (EVC 29) 122 (Department of Environment & Primary Riparian Scrub (EVC 191) 133 Industries) undertook a survey of EVCs across Tall Marsh (EVC 821) 91 the Peninsula (map Page 14), with the Swampy Woodland (EVC 937) 83 excepon of some areas containing public Brackish Wetland (EVC 656) 78 conservaon reserves and commonwealth Damp Heathland (EVC 710) 68 land. The Instute is in the process of Estuarine Swamp Scrub ( EVC 53_62) 68 updang this mapping. Coastal Dune Scrub (EVC 160) 1623 Granitic Hills Woodland (EVC 72) 50

Plains Grassland (EVC 132) 43 The survey resulted in documenng 45 Riparian Forest (EVC 18) 45 different EVCs, 12 of which had not previously Coastal Tussock Grassland (EVC 163) 41 been mapped on the Peninsula. Forest Creekline Sedge-Swamp (EVC 728) 39

Swampy Riparian Complex (EVC 126) 33 An assessment of the extent of each EVC Unassigned, Wetland Formation (EVC 74) 29 revealed that nave vegetaon at the me Creekline Herb-rich Woodland (EVC 164) 24 covered 18.5% (13 555 ha) of the Peninsula. Sedge Wetland (EVC 136) 31 Gahnia Sedgeland (EVC 968) 19 The adjacent table provides the area (ha) of Coastal Dune Grassland (EVC 879) 9 the Peninsula covered by each EVC. Sand Heathland (EVC 6) 52.2 Damp-sands Herb-rich Woodland/Swamp 5 This table also shows some other mapping Scrub Mosaic (EVC 878) Brackish Wetland (Estuarine) / Swamp units; mosaics and florisc communies. 25.2 Scrub (Estuarine) Mosaic (EVC 935) Aquatic Herbland (EVC 653) 3 Wet Heathland (EVC 8) 3 Saline Aquatic Meadow (EVC 842) 2 Fern Swamp (EVC 721) 2 Warm Temperate Rainforest (EVC 32) 2 Brackish Sedgeland (EVC 13) 1 Estuarine Wetland (EVC 10) <1 Brackish Herbland (EVC 538) <1 Estuarine Reedbed (EVC 952) <1 Spray-zone Coastal Shrubland (EVC 876) <1 NATIVE VEGETATION Estuarine Flats Grassland (EVC 914) <1

TOTAL 13,555 19 Photo: Linda Bester ogical Vegetation Class ngton Peninsula by Ecol NATIVE VEGETATION The extent of Native vegetation on the Morni The extent of Native vegetation on the Mornington Peninsula, by EVC Source: Sinclair et al., 2006 20 21 NATIVE VEGETATION

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Locaon: Grassy Woodland is distributed in Threats: A significant component of plant patches throughout the central and north diversity and fauna habitat in this EVC is peninsula. It occupied roadsides, private property represented on the ground. As such, clearing of and public reserves. Example locaons occur understorey, removal of logs and introducon along the Moorooduc Hwy at Moorooduc, at Mt of weeds are all major threatening processes. Martha Public Park and The Briars. Grassy weeds in parcular compete with nave species and are difficult to control when Idenficaon: Grassy Woodland has a naturally established amongst nave grasses. opend groun flora which is dominated by grasses, other grass‐like , lilies, orchids and small Plant recruitment relies on periodic fire and shrubs. Larger shrubs and canopy trees are exclusion of fire can lead to long term loss of typically sparse although this varies depending on species. site disturbance history. Coast Manna‐gum and White Sallee are characterisc eucalypts for this Some stock grazing regimes contribute to EVC on the peninsula. negave impacts, as does grazing from pest animals. A selecon of flora species are shown Status: This EVC is represented across a number below. of sites on the Peninsula (1371 ha in total) although it was much greater in extent at Plant Photos: Ma Dell. Le to right: Golden Wale, Sweet European selement. It is endangered within the Bursaria, Chocolate Lily, Nodding Greenhood, Early Nancy, Gippsland Plain bioregion. Coast Manna‐gum ARI. Photo: NATIVE VEGETATION

22 Coastal Alkaline Scrub Apart from clearing, weed invasion is probably the most threatening process to this EVC. There Locaon: Coastal Alkaline Scrub is the dominant are a number of well established weeds in Coastal EVC on the Nepean Peninsula and is largely Alkaline Scrub on the peninsula which require confined to that area. Example locaons include considerable effort to control e.g. Myrtle‐leaf Naonal Park and Mornington Milkwort (*Polygala myr folia). Peninsula Naonal Park.

Shire

Peninsula Plant Photos: Ma Dell. Le to right (above): Leafy Greenhood, Coast Tea‐tree, Drooping Sheoak. Clockwise from top le (below): Cranberry Heath, Silver Banksia, Slender Twine‐rush and Slender Yellow Eye. Mornington

Photo: Damp Heathland Locaon: Mostly on acidic sands around Westernport. Idenficaon: Coastal Alkaline Scrub Idenficaon: Dense, closed shrubland 0.5–2 m occurs on calcarenite. It is a closed woodland or tall and seasonally wet. shrubland and includes examples with taller Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata) over shrubs to Status: Naturally restricted (68 ha). areas of dense, low (3–4 m) scrub. Threats: Weeds, absence of fire, grazing by stock/ The ground may be dominated by grasses, pest animals, clearing. succulent shrubs or have only scaered plants

with abundant leaf lier.

Shire

Status: The peninsula supports significant areas ula (3014 ha) of retained Coastal Alkaline Scrub for Penins the state. Most of its clearing has been undertaken for housing and, to a lesser extent, agriculture. Its calcarenite geology gives it a Mornington naturally restricted distribuon. It is regarded as

vulnerable within the Gippsland Plain. Photo:

A florisc community of this EVC, Coastal Moonah Woodland, is listed as threatened under the state FFG Act. An Acon Statement exists for this.

Threats: This EVC is occasionally cleared to improve views. It is also subject to removal of NATIVE VEGETATION shrubs from the understorey in residenal areas.

23 Significant FLORA on the insula Mornington Pe n

Rare or threatened species 90 Flowering plants 81 Some nave plant species on the peninsula are 80 Ferns

considered significant due to their conservaon . status. Bryophytes

taxa 70

plant Plants are considered naonally significant if they 60

are listed as threatened under the Environment taxa 50 of Protecon and Biodiversity Conservaon Act 1999 threatened (EPBC Act). They are considered state significant 40 or if listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Number rare Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) or listed in the state 30 of Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in 20 11 Victoria (DSE 2005a). 7 Number 10 1 2 1 On the peninsula, the two plant groups with the most number of state rare or threatened species, 0 EPBC FFG Advisory list sub‐species, variees or hybrids are orchids (28) (DEPI) and grasses (10). Within orchids, five are Acts and Regulaons which govern the naonally threatened, 18 are state threatened, rare or threatened plant taxa. five are state rare and four are poorly known although suspected to be threatened. Within threatened species prior to clearing contributes grasses, one is naonally threatened, one is state to such losses. threatened, six are state rare and two are poorly ♦ Inappropriate fire regime ‐ many threatened known although suspected to be threatened. plant species have some requirement for fire to

smulate recruitment. Fire frequency and Threats to significant species intensity are important factors.

♦ Changes to hydrology ‐ threatened wetland There are a large number of threats to significant species in parcular are impacted by changes plant species. Some of the major threats are: to wetland drainage and water supply. Such ♦ Spread of weeds ‐ There are 664 introduced changes alter dispersal and recruitment species, sub‐species or variees of naturalised success. plants on the peninsula. These weeds directly complete for resources with significant plants.

♦ Illegal collecng ‐ Threatened orchids and other significant species are somemes subject to

illegal collecng from the wild. Bester ♦ Vegetaon clearing ‐ The removal of nave Linda

vegetaon which contains threatened species SIGNIFICANT FLORA

results in loss of individuals. Lack of survey for Photo: 24 A snapshot of O R A on the S I G N I F I C A N T F L

Leafy Greenhood listed as vulnerable. FFG Act listed as threatened. State advisory listed as vulnerable (DSE 2005a). Pterostylis cucullata (coastal form) Both an Acon Statement and a Recovery Plan

exists for this threatened species. Descripon: Leafy Greenhood is a colony forming

ground orchid with a reddish‐green flower held Habitat: Coastal Alkaline Scrub or related upright on a short stem. Each plant has a rosee vegetaon under dense tea‐tree or somemes in of several leaves at its base which re‐shoot from more open grassy areas. Plants may be found in an underground tuberoid prior to flower sites with lots of leaf lier or persist amongst development in introduced grasses and other weeds. spring to summer.

Some colonies have Threats: Vegetaon clearing, spread of weeds, several hundred snails, rabbits and collecng. plants while others

only have a very Distribuon: Colonies may be found anywhere in

small number. suitable vegetaon on the peninsula west of

Dell . The range of known populaons

Ma Conservaon includes areas around Rye, Tootgarook, Cape status: EPBC Act

Photo: Schanck and St Andrews Beach.

Frankston Spider-orchid Statement and a Recovery Plan exists for this threatened species. Caladenia robinsonii

Habitat: Typical habitat comprises heathy Descripon: Frankston Spider‐orchid grows to 30 woodland with a canopy of Coast Manna‐gum cm tall and has 1–2 relavely large flowers. Each Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. pryoriana and some flower has a modified central red (labellum) other eucalypt species. A number of narrow‐ which is surrounded by five white and leaved shrub species occur around populaons. . Each plant has a single narrow leaf, and the leaf and flower stems are noceably hairy. Threats: Due to the very small number of known populaons and the ornamental value of this Conservaon species, it is threatened by illegal collecng. status: EPBC Act Spider‐orchids do not survive collecon from the listed as wild. Other threats include grazing by rabbits, endangered. habitat removal and lack of suitable fire regime. FFG Act listed as

threatened. Distribuon: This species occurs in one known State advisory locaon on the peninsula and is known from only

Mawson listed as five other locaons elsewhere. Its global

FLORA SNAPSHOTS endangered distribuon is within Victoria from the peninsula Russell (DSE 2005a). to Frankston North, with a historical collecon 25 Photo: Both an Acon from the Eltham area in Melbourne's northeast. Mornington Peninsula

Shire

Peninsula Purple Eyebright

Euphrasia collina subsp. muelleri Mornington

Photo: Descripon: Purple Eyebright is a herb which grassy and grows to 40 cm tall. Flowers are seen mostly in heathy vegetaon types. spring, are purple to white and arranged in long The natural disturbance regime spikes on an unbranched stem. Its leaves are of sites (e.g. fire history) is important in defining relavely short, toothed and aached directed its habitat. to each stem within the lower half ofe th plant. Each leaf pair alternates at right angles with the Threats: Most sites containing this subspecies pair above or below. are secure in naonal park or other public land with some conservaon management objecve. Conservaon status: EPBC Act listed as Threats elsewhere include vegetaon clearing endangered. FFG Act listed as threatened. State and inadequate fire regime. advisory listed as endangered. Both an Acon Statement and a Recovery Plan exists for this Distribuon: This species occurs mostly around threatened species. Greens Bush (Mornington Peninsula Naonal Park) and Arthurs Seat. Other records occur Habitat: This subspecies is associated with both near Merricks North and St Andrews Beach.

Mt Martha Bundy Manna Gum Eucalyptus Eucalyptus carolaniae (syn. Eucalyptus aff. viminalis and cypellocarpa (Mornington Peninsula)

Swamp Gum

Eucalyptus Descripon: Mt Martha Bundy is a tree to 20 m Shire ovata. tall with rough fibrous bark in the lower half of

the tree and smooth white bark on the upper Peninsula Threats: Most trunk and branches. It has similaries with two trees occur other species that are common within Victoria;

nearby houses Mornington Bundy Eucalyptus goniocalyx and Mountain and, as such, are Grey‐gum Eucalyptus cypellocarpa. This species Photo: threatened by changes to flowers in summer. hydrology, damage to roots and

removal for safety consideraons (e.g. fire). Conservaon status: This species is currently Other threats to eucalypts include dieback from only known from the Mornington Peninsula. It is insect aack and infecon by pathogens such as esmated that there are around 500 individuals the introduced Myrtle Rust. and it is listed under the state advisory list as

endangered. Distribuon: All known individuals occur within

the Mt Martha area, including Northfolk‐ FLORA SNAPSHOTS Habitat: In gully vegetaon and occurring with Hopetoun Reserve. Narrow‐leaf Peppermint Eucalyptus radiata, 26

OTHER ORGANISMS

Studies of biodiversity rounely occur on larger, more visible species, and the focus of Council surveys is no excepon. Nevertheless the role of other less visible organisms is no less important in maintaining ecological funcons of the natural world.

Science tells us that the organisms idenfied below can contribute the most number of species in any given ecosystem, and are crical for its funcon.

M‐

refers to spineless animals of microscopic size e.g. daphnia and mosquito larva.

M‐

refers to spineless animals that are large enough to be seen without the use of a microscope e.g. worms, insects, snails, nymphs, and so on.

B

refers to non‐vascular plants which include mosses, liverworts and hornworts.

A

are single or mul‐cellular organisms that have no roots, stems or leaves and are oen found in water e.g. seaweed.

L

refers to complex organisms that are comprised of a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium. The most common forms are crustose, foliose and frucose.

F

are spore‐producing organisms that are important for the decomposion of organic maer, however some are parasites that aack living things and cause disease. Examples include mildews, mushrooms, molds, smuts, toadstools, and yeasts.

OTHER ORGANISMS Examples of the above categories in idencal order, from Top to boom. Photo credits: Celine Yap, Linda Bester, Ma Dell, Bruce Fuhrer, Ma Dell, Linda Bester 27 Council policy and current projects for the PROTECTION of the NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The Shire’s Strategic Plan 2013‐2017 commits the organisaon to be a leader in advancing knowledge and community engagement, in climate change and the protecon of biodiversity.

Nave Vegetaon Offseng Projects R, C are being implemented in accordance with Town Planning permits to improve the condion and extent of nave vegetaon Targeted Predator Control Program across the Shire. is carried out focusing on some of the Peninsula’s biodiversity flagship areas on Habitat and Biodiversity Monitoring public and private land. is carried out with assistance from the community and external grants. Vegetaon Dieback Invesgaons are carried out to assess the causes, extent Fire Risk Management Program and impacts of nave vegetaon dieback at targeted locaons. is carried out by the Shire on Council managed land and private land. It seeks

to protect built assets and biodiversity in Management of Conservaon Reserves conjuncon with other public land managers. which includes approximately 2000 hectares of Council and Crown land across the Peninsula. M P S C Tootgarook Wetland Bird Monitoring

Project 2014‐2016 Community Natural Systems Awareness seeks to undertake targeted field Acvies monitoring, data collaon, and reporng e.g. through publicaons, interpretaonal by Birdlife Australia of seven sites across signage and the Shire’s website. Peninsula land tenure. Stakeholder Engagement Fox Tracking Project by resourcing and working with those who seeks to plot and quanfy the movement help to look aer the Mornington Peninsula’s paerns of foxes at sites on the urban‐ rural fringe using collars that log GPS data natural values, in associaon with local and transmit via the mobile phone Landcare & Friends Networks and residents. network. The results will inform Shire predator control programs.

Western Port Biosphere Reserve: Growing Connecons Project

(inclusive of Targeted Carbon Planngs and development of a Biosphere Wide Acon Plan with support from the Mornington Peninsula Shire) is supported by a Commonwealth Clean Energy Future Grant 2012‐2017.

Shire Biodiversity Conservaon Plan Bester 2015‐2016

(under development) will be a key policy Linda and acon plan to enhance the resilience RELATED INFORMATION of biodiversity under changing climates. Photo: 28 GLOSSARY For flora it also relates to three categories set by

Mornington Peninsula Shire (2013):

Acon Statements for Threatened Species: 1. Species recorded by DSE (2005b) and are State level reports that set out the reviewed by Praccal Ecology as being management acons to protect threatened present in <5 % of all quadrats, defined species and communies and mange areas and incidental records in a given threatening processes. bioregion.

AVW: 2. Species listed as poorly known by DSE (2005a). Atlas of Victorian Wildlife. 3. Species considered limited in distribuon, EPBC Act: uncommon or on the edge of the natural refers to the Commonwealth range within a given bioregion or area by Environment Protecon and Biodiversity Mornington Peninsula Shire (2013). Conservaon Act 1999. State significance: FFG Act: and related protecon is determined for flora refers to the Victorian Flora and Fauna and fauna by Victoria’s Flora & Fauna Guarantee Guarantee Act 1988. Act 1988 (FFG Act).

Regarding fauna, addional species considered Local significance: exnct, crically endangered, endangered or is applied to many nave species within urban vulnerable by DSE (2007) have been included. areas due to typically high levels of habitat alteraon. For both flora and fauna the category Regarding flora, addional species listed as relates largely to species that are considered exnct, endangered, vulnerable, rare in Victoria rare, threatened or uncommon within the local by DSE (2005a) have been included. area (5km radius from the study area) by Mornington Peninsula Shire (2013). FURTHER INFORMATION & ADDITIONAL REFERENCES Naonal significance:

and related protecon is determined for flora Agriculture Victoria (2010‐2012) Soil Samples and fauna by the Federal Environment prepared from various reserves: Mornington Protecon and Biodiversity Conservaon Act Peninsula. Consultant report for Mornington 1999 (EPBC Act). For flora, addional species Peninsula Shire. Report prepared by Crop Health listed as rare by Mornington Peninsula Shire Services, Agriculture Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, Knoxfield, Victoria. (2013) are included in this definion.

Antos, MJ and White, JG (2004) Birds of Recovery Plans for Threatened Species: remnant vegetaon on the Mornington are Federal and somemes Regional plans that Peninsula, Victoria, Australia: the role of set out conservaon requirements and recovery Interiors, edges and roadsides. Pacific acons for the species, and outline the people Conservaon Biology, 9: 294‐301. and organisaons that will carry out these acons. ARCUE (2013) Developing Effecve Fox Control Strategies in Urbanising Landscapes. The Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, Regional significance: Melbourne. is oen difficult to determine.

For fauna it relates to three categories set by Blake, LBJ (1977) Place names of Victoria. Rigby Ltd, . Mornington Peninsula Shire (2013):

1. Regarding birds, those listed as Regional by Carr, G, Schmidt, B, Quinn, D, Suon, F (2014) Radford & Benne (2005), and those listed Evaluaon of Tree Dieback in Mt Eliza, Morning‐ under migratory bird agreements. ton Peninsula, Victoria. Consultant report to Mornington Peninsula Shire. 2. Species defined as Regional by Mornington Peninsula Shire (2013). Costen, A and Kirby, D (2014) Tootgarook

GLOSSARY 3. Species listed as data deficient or near Wetland Ecological Character Descripon. threatened by DSE (2007). Consultant report, Mornington Peninsula Shire.

29 Dell, M and Bester, L (2006) Management and Radford, J and Benne, A (2005) Terrestrial status of Leafy Greenhood (Pterostylis cucullata) avifauna of the Gippsland Plain and Strzelecki populaons within Mornington Peninsula Shire. Ranges, Victoria, Australia: insights from the Universal Ecology Services, Melbourne. Atlas data. Wildlife Research, 32: 531‐555. Rule K (2012) Five new endemic eucalypts for Department of Sustainability and Environment Victoria. Muellaria, 30(2): 83—105. (DSE) (2003) Loss of hollow‐bearing trees from Victorian nave forests and woodlands. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Acon Statement WILDLIFE EMERGENCY CONTACTS No. 192. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne. Animalia shelter — Portsea to Brighton Carer network and rescue service. Department of Sustainability and Environment www.animaliawildlife.org.au (DSE) (2005a) Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Ph: 0435 822 699 (all hours) Plants in Victoria – 2005. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne. AWARE — Frankston and surrounds (Australian Wildlife Assistance Rescue and Department of Sustainability and Environment Educaon) www.awarewildlife.org.au (DSE) (2005b) Flora Informaon System. Ph: 0412 433 727 (all hours) Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne. Crystal ocean wildlife shelter — Dromana

Department of Sustainability and Environment Ph: 0407 787 770 (DSE) (2009) Securing our Natural Future: A [email protected] white paper for land and biodiversity at a me Help for Wildlife — Victoria of climate change. Department of Sustainability www.helpforwildlife.com and Environment, East Melbourne. Ph: 0417 380 687 (all hours)

Department of Sustainability and Environment Peninsula RSPCA — Mornington Peninsula (DSE) (2010) Biodiversity is Everybody’s Business: 1030 Robinsons Rd Pearcedale, VIC 3912 Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy 2010‐2015. hp://www.rspcavic.org/ Consultaon Dra. Department of Sustainability Ph: 5978 6706 and Environment, East Melbourne. RACV wildlife — Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment Ph: 13 11 11 (all hours) (DSE) (2011) Atlas of Victorian Wildlife (AVW). Department of Sustainability and Environment, The Snake Catcher — Victoria East Melbourne. Caught and relocated ‐ 24 hours (fees may apply) Ph: Barry or Karen ‐ 0408067062 or 0359750481 Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (2013) Advisory List of Threatened WHOMP — Mornington Peninsula Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria – 2013. (Wildlife Help on the Mornington Peninsula) Department of Sustainability and Environment, Ph: 0417 380 687 or 0417 395 883 (all hours) East Melbourne. Wildlife Victoria — State wide Smith, IW, Smith, DI and Clements, PA (2006) www.wildlifevictoria.org.au Survey of Tree Decline on Mornington Peninsula Ph: 13 000 94535 or 13000Wildlife (all hours) Shire, Victoria. University of Melbourne. Report for School of Forestry Science & Ecosystem WRIN — Victoria Science. Melbourne. (Wildlife Rescue and Informaon Network) Volunteers welcome. www.wrin.asn.au Legg, M (2014) Vertebrate Fauna Assessments Ph: 0419 356 433 of Seven Mornington Peninsula Shire reserves located within Tootgarook Wetlands. Consultant Report.

Loyn, R, McNabb, E (2013) A Fauna Protecon Plan for the Mornington Peninsula: Design of surveys to Inform management. Joint consultant report for Mornington Peninsula Shire

Mornington Peninsula Shire (MPS) (2013) REFERENCES Natural Resource Mapping – 2013. Report. Mornington Peninsula Shire, Victoria. 30 www.mornpen.vic.gov.au