By Corey Everitt
Concerns have emerged over Cardinia’s native habitat and endangered species after an audit revealed almost 20 percent of designated local conservation area has been reduced.
A recent audit from the Victorian National Parks Association revealed that designated habitat promised to be conserved by the State Government has been reduced by 425 hectares over the last decade.
The areas within Cardinia and Casey are included. Named Conservation Area (CA) 36, it is dedicated to preserving wetlands for the endangered growling grass frog around Lower Gum Scrub, Toomuc, Cardinia and Clyde Creeks.
Author of the audit Adrian Marshall from the Grassy Plains Network said the numerous wetland projects across the State have seem little action.
“It’s a poor outcome for the environment and good for developers,” he said.
“They have promised 80 to 90 of these specific wetland areas and I think they have done about two.
“That gives you the idea of the overall deal, it’s all promises.”
CA 36 was designated 329.8 hectares for conservation, 60.3 hectares or 18 percent have been reduced by lack of maintenance, in-filling, invasive species or development – the audit says.
Overall the audit pertains to the 36 CAs identified by Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA) in 2013, all within Urban Growth Areas – only 35 and 36 are within the South East – proposed to retain endangered flora and fauna.
By levying developers, the State Government is meant to purchase these areas and for efforts to retain or restore habitat.
“Aside areas 35 and 36, a lot of that money from developers goes to the west of Melbourne, the east doesn’t do well in this deal,” Marshall said.
“If you think about where they actually are, they are incredibly important areas of connectivity to the Ramsar wetlands of Western Port Bay.
“It’s offensive, after this deal they say you don’t need 20 or 18 percent of it anymore and they won’t be buying anymore land to compensate for it.”
The audit says 20 out of the 36 areas have not been fully preserved since first being identified.
The Cardinia Environment Coalition said the news was ‘disturbing’, committee member Ian Chisholm said work for local endangered species needs expansion not reduction.
“It is disturbing that most of the 36 Conservation Areas have decreased in size without community groups knowing when or why the boundaries were changed,” he said,
“The overall impression is that the Cardinia community has gained little, so far, from the MSA initiative. From the outset, it seemed to focus on problems experienced in Melbourne’s northern and western municipalities, as shown by the 12 species identified as worthy of protection.”
Chishlom said a lot of species and conservation efforts are not acknowledged by the initiative.
The CEC says Deep Creek catchment – which is habitat for the growling grass frog – should be included in the MSA initiative as Pakenham further develops.
The endangered southern brown bandicoot is acknowledged by the MSA, yet Chishlom says ‘vague references’ are given for their protection with ‘scant recognition’ given to the strong efforts of the CEC at Bandicoot Corner in Bayles.
“It appears there are no plans to identify additional threatened species, or to create new, or enlarged, conservation areas which would reflect the additional conservation challenges that have emerged in this municipality since the MSA was launched,” he said.
The audit said Melbourne Water is ‘likely’ to take over CA 36, but nothing is ‘confirmed’ according to Marshall – emphasising the need for clarity.
A spokesperson for the State Government said work is progressing to secure the areas.
“To date we’ve secured 16 of the conservation areas – to protect native grassland habitats and species in Melbourne’s growth corridors,“ they said.
“We’re actively combating the decline of Victoria’s native flora and fauna through our landmark 20-year Biodiversity plan, backed by a record $609 million investment in the health and resilience of our precious natural environment.
“The Melbourne Strategic Assessment program is securing 36 conservation areas across 4000 hectares, establishing the 15,000 hectare Western Grassland Reserve, and securing the 1200 hectare Grassy Eucalypt Woodland Protected Area.”
Cardinia Shire Council’s manager environment and heritage, Simon King said work is done to ensure and preserve the State Government’s designated areas.
“While the MSA Program is managed by the State and Federal governments, Cardinia Shire is committed to making sure new developments protect and enhance the natural environment. This includes ensuring subdivisions are approved in-line with the objectives of the MSA program and the Precinct Structure Plan,“ King said.
“We are working closely with Melbourne Water and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to ensure the implementation of growling grass frog conservation areas in the Shire. While the growling grass frog can be found in surrounding areas, such as Kooweerup and Nar Nar Goon, Council would like to see it thrive more widely in Cardinia and is committed to preserving its habitat.“
