Chapter Nine – Environment and Biodiversity Situated in far east Gippsland, Croajingolong National Park is one of the most pristine and untouched areas of wilderness left in Victoria with extremely high biodiversity and conservation values. The park, which covers an area of 87,500 ha and extends for 100 km along the coast, contains two wilderness zones, four reference areas and two natural catchment areas. Adjacent to the Croajingolong National Park is the Cape Howe Marine National Park, a protected marine national park. The 4,050 hectare marine park extends from just east of Gabo Island to Cape How and the New South Wales border. In this chapter we look at sustaining our diverse bioregion while also protecting our communities from disasters and natural hazards. We approach this from a number of perspectives: ● Understanding our environmental values (natural resources, flora and fauna values) ● Priorities for remedial work and ongoing protection of natural and built assets including: o establishing a pre-2019-20 bushfires baseline, o on ground works, o fuel management, and o lake and estuary health. ● Human resources – the land management industry. ● Environmental education. Our Environmental Values The following sections are an amalgamation of information from the Mallacoota Urban Design Framework published in March 2007 together with updates provided by local resident Bryce Watts-Parker (Bachelor of Biological Science) and other sources as referenced in footnotes. Natural Resources Mallacoota and District (MAD) is located within the East Gippsland Lowlands Bioregion which includes the Croagjingolong National Park. Vegetation communities are diverse and are mostly untouched since pre-European settlement. These communities support rich biological assemblages and include vegetation types such as: Wet and dry eucalypt forest, Banksia woodlands, wet clay heathlands, warm- temperate rainforest, and many others The vegetation which is largely in a highly natural state, little influenced by settlement and agriculture, is dominated by forests, but Banksia woodland and heathy woodlands, heathlands, rainforest and riparian scrub vegetation are common around the coastal areas. Very valuable landscape character is conveyed by the indigenous vegetation and landforms. The diversity of plant and animal species in the coastal areas of the far east of the State is partly due to the extensive retention of native vegetation when compared with other regions of Victoria, as well as biogeographic considerations as the easternmost part of coastal Victoria with strong affinities with the vegetation and fauna of New South Wales. Also, its remote nature played a critical role in its current biodiversity values and the foresight of early naturalist such as Ken Morrison and Peter Allard who connected originally two parks into what we know now as Croajingolong National Park Flora Values Significant high-quality vegetation occurs in and around MAD. There are over 1000 native plant species found in the park, with 87 of those species being classed as rare or threatened in Victoria and eight classed as rare or threatened in Australia. There are also many good examples of hollow-bearing trees, pre-European vegetation communities and many individual trees which have been aged over 300-400 years of age. Appendix B of the 2007 Mallacoota Urban Design Framework outlines the extant Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) in MAD, as well as the rare or threatened flora species present (according to State and/or National listings). This list is by no means exhaustive but serves to emphasise the high significance of the flora of the Mallacoota area and its biogeographic uniqueness. The dominant vegetation around Mallacoota is the EVC Lowland Forest, an extremely broad category embracing much floristic variation. 1 The conservation status of Lowland Forest is ‘Least Concern’ in the bioregion however this in no way accounts for the highly distinctive local versions (subcommunities) of Lowland Forest which are dominated or co-dominated by a suite of tree species of very restricted distribution in Victoria, notably Red Bloodwood, Maiden’s Gum, Mallacoota Gum, Blue- leaved Stringybark and Rough-barked Apple. These are all rated as ‘rare’ in Victoria. Labelling the Lowland Forest as of ‘Least Concern’ also potentially devalues our floral species, many of which are only found in MAD including, but not limited to: ● Gippsland Banksia (Banksia croajingolensis) ● Betka Bottle Brush (Callistemon Kenmorrisonii) ● Genoa correa (Correa lawrenceana var. genoensis) Vegetation classification will be a factor in driving revegetation programs and future urban development and ensuring that MAD biodiversity and natural values are preserved and appreciated for locals, visitors and future generations. Fauna Values Biodiversity levels around MAD are high. Fauna wise, the Park supports over 52 mammalian species, a significant percentage of Australia’s bird species and contains some of the richest amphibian and reptile habitat in Victoria. 1 EVCs are based on topography and soil type to assume vegetation communities. While often helpful on a landscape scale analysis, on a smaller scale undertaking assessment on the ground is more appropriate. The East Gippsland coast is considered to be a site of International importance for the Hooded Plover, the Eastern Bristle Bird, Diamond Pythons, Eastern Ground Parrot and potentially Death Adders and Mallacoota Burrowing crayfish among other species. Gipsy Point and Mallacoota are included within the Mallacoota Inlet Site of Zoological Significance. There are regular records around Mallacoota/Gipsy Point of Eastern Curlew, Sanderling, and Eastern Bristlebird. Mallacoota Inlet has breeding colonies of three species of tern, Caspian Tern, Little Tern and Crested Tern. The forests around Mallacoota Inlet, particularly on the northern shore contain a large variety of terrestrial fauna including the Long-nosed Potoroo, Long-nosed Bandicoot and Southern Emu-wren in the wet heath near the Inlet. A large population of Ground Parrots lives near Howe Flat but are more common in coastal scrub and wet clay heathlands. Mallacoota Inlet is a very important breeding area for the White-bellied Sea Eagle. The only Victorian population of the Eastern Bristlebird resides in Howe Flat and is an endangered species with an estimated 120-160 remaining in the wild.2 There were similar numbers in NSW and a smaller population in Queensland3, however, the 2020 bushfires had a significant effect on the NSW Eastern Bristlebirds.4 Diamond pythons (Morelia spilota spilota) are restricted to the wild and remote areas of far east Gippsland. Diamond pythons can grow up to 3 meters in length, yet anecdotally there have been recounts of diamond pythons exceeding this length. Being only one of two python species found in Vic, Diamond pythons are threatened by increased fire regimes/ Climate change and predation by feral species. Diamond python have been sighted after the fires which is promising. There are also records of Powerful Owl from Double Creek (6km north west of Mallacoota), and from the Shady Creek Bushland Reserve, as well as in the Mallacoota township. In Croajingolong National Park, 306 bird species, 52 mammal species, and 26 reptile species have been recorded. This high level of avian diversity represents about half of Victoria’s and a third of Australia’s total bird species. Six owl species live in the forests of Croajingolong National Park. The Park is significant for some faunal species whose distribution reaches its most southerly extent, such as the Green and Golden Bell Frog and the Diamond Python. Threatened species found in the park include the Ground Parrot, Eastern Bristlebird, Smoky Mouse, and Grey- headed Flying Fox. Not surprisingly, this park is one of the most important conservation reserves in Victoria. There is potential for inappropriate development and garden weed invasion to threaten the fauna values following the bushfires. This builds on problems already created by habitat destruction. There is also potential that inappropriate fire regimes, climate change, prolonged drought and inappropriate land use will negatively impact fauna in MAD. 2https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/after-the-fires-rare-bird-s-appearance-surprises- scientists-20210130-p56y1g.html 3 https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10206 4 https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/after-the-fires-rare-bird-s-appearance-surprises- scientists-20210130-p56y1g.html Our Natural Environment Priorities Our natural environment is our district’s biggest asset. We must not only preserve it but promote and protect it. Our focus is on the protection of biodiversity based on scientific principles. This involves liaising with Parks Victoria and DELWP on issues relating to vegetation management and clearing, and protection of endangered species and their habitat together with collaborations with universities, environmental organisations and agencies. Longer term aims include supporting and promoting sustainable tourism that will retain our natural and community values, encouraging sustainable and renewable energy projects and scientifically backed, viable and well-resourced fuel management programs. Establishing a Pre-bushfires Baseline… The extent of the damage caused by the bushfires to the natural environment has yet to be fully examined. Determining a pre bushfires baseline is a necessary first step for developing goals and plans to conserve