Ecological Attributes of Strategic Land Acquisitions for Addition to Victoria's Public Protected Area Estate: 2004-2005

2006·3.1 MB·English

Contributions
Ecological attributes ofstrategic land acquisitions for addition
to Victoria’s public protected area estate: 2004-2005
James A Fitzsimons'-', Cameron Williams1 Paul FitzSimons'
,
ParksandProtectedAreasSection,DepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment
Level3,8NicholsonStreet,EastMelbourne3002
:SchoolofLifeandEnvironmentalSciences,DeakinUniversity
221 BurwoodHighway,BurwoodVictoria3125
3Currentaddress:VictorianEnvironmentalAssessmentCouncil,Level 1,8NicholsonStreet
EastMelbourne3002,Emailjames.lltzsimons(«!dse.vie.gov.au
Abstract
Thedevelopment ofacomprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system isthe keyobjec-
tive ofthe National Reserve System, and is supported by all Australian States and Territories. In
Victoria, thepurchaseofprivate land forincorporation into the parksand reserves system assists in
theprotection ofsomeofthe State’smostendangered ecosystems. Thisarticle outlines the ecologi-
cal attributes ofprivate land purchased for addition to the Victorian public protected area system
between2004and2005.(TheVictorianNaturalist123(3)2006, 134-145)
Introduction
This article documents some ofthe more Nature Conservation Reserve, which will
significant land purchases made by the bemanaged bytheShireofMelton.
Department of Sustainability and Theconservationstatusofall species list-
Environment for addition to the public ed in this paper is outlined in Appendix I,
conservation estate from early 2004 until while Appendix 2 lists communities listed
late 2005, and provides a briefdescription underthe Floret andFauna GuaranteeAct
oftheir ecological attributes. It serves as 1988 represented in the new reserves. Fig.
an extension to previous descriptions of 1 indicates the location ofrecentpurchases
the operation of the Department's within Victoria.
Conservation Land Purchase Program in Mumbannar Wetlands and
Victoria (see Fitzsimons and Ashe 2003, 1.
Woodlands
tFoitszyssitmeomnastiectalail.y2i0m0p4)r.ovTehetheprcoogmrparmehaeinm-s weTshtis V1i5c5tohraiab,locpkrointeMcutmsbahningahr-,qusaoluitthy-
siveness, adequacy, and representativeness Freshwater Meadows and Damp Sands
of the reserve system, with particular Herb-rich Woodland/Damp Heathland/
emphasis on high-quality examples of
Damp Heathy Woodland Mosaic Ecological
threatened and under-reserved ecosystems
Vegetation Classes (EVCs). Both ecosys-
such asnativegrasslands andgrassywood- tems are endangered in the Naracoorte
lands. All acquisitions are on a completely Coastal Plain (a national biodiversity
voluntarybasis.
Purchase priorities are derived from hotspot)andverypoorlyreserved.
The wetlands and woodlands represented
inventories of the most significant sites
on the property, which have been substan-
containing threatened ecosystems through-
tially cleared and modified throughout
out the State andassessed in relation to the
south-western Victoria,arepriorityecosys-
comprehensiveness, adequacy and repre-
tems foraddition to the protected area sys-
sentativeness of the existing reserve sys- tem. The vegetation is characterised by a
tem. The Department also purchases pri- Brown Stringybark Eucalyptus baxteri
vate landto link parkand reserve areasand woodland occurring on the higher areas of
treecmtoevdehaibniltiaetrsainndoarldleervitaotecopnostoelnitdiaaltemparno-- tihneclpurdoipnegrtXya,ntwihtohrrahnoeiantaacntdunEdxeorcsatropruesy
agement problems. All purchases described
species. This grades into a Prickly Tea-tree
in this paperare managed fortheconserva- Leptospcrmum continentalc and Scrub
teixocnepotffboirodMiveelrtsointyGbiylgaPiarkWsooVdilctaonrdisa Sheoak Allocasuarinapaludosa shrubland
134 The Victorian Naturalist
Contributions
Fig. 1. Location ofrecent land purchases (numbered) for addition to the reserve system (existing
reservesystemshaded).
and heathland, ultimately fringing a The remainder of the property contains
Ghania and sedge-margined wetland. the endangered Swamp Scrub/Plains
Significant flora recorded on-site includes Sedgy Wetland/Aquatic Herbfield Mosaic
the Small Spotted Sun-orchid Thelymitra EVC. This ecosystem occurs on the
aff. ixioides(Western Victoria). drainedseasonal wetland at theedge ofthe
The property provides known habitat for lava flow. The EVC once covered 8700 ha
nationally endangered species such as the ofthe bioregion,buthas nowbeen reduced
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calypto- to less than 0.4% ofthis former range and
rhynchus banks'llgrapfogyne and Southern isalmost unreserved.
Brown Bandicoot Isoodonobesulus obesu- The Stony Rises Woodland provides
lus, and acts as an important ecological potential habitat for the Spot-tailed Quoll
stepping stone between larger protected Dasyunts maculatus which occurs in the
forests. Other significant fauna recorded adjoining National Park. The Stony Rises
on the property include Brolga Grus rubi- Woodland sections ofthe property are in
cunda, Swamp Skink Egernia coventryi excellent condition, with hollow-bearing
and Swamp Antechinus Antechinus min- veteran trees providing habitat for species
imusmaritimus. such as the Yellow'-belliedGliderPetuarus
The new reserve is known as the australis. The shrub and ground layers are
MumbannarNatureConservation Reserve. intact w'ith no woody w-eeds and very few
grassy weeds present. The nationally vul-
2. Bessiebellc Stony Rises Woodland,
nerableCloverGlycine Glycinelatrobeana
MountEccles
This 162 ha addition to the Mount Eccles has alsobeen recordedfromthesite.
In addition to the ecological values, the
National Park contains very high quality
stands of Stony Rises Woodland EVC purchase ofthe Bessiebelle property also
protects the significant Indigenous cultural
which is considered vulnerable and under- heritagevalues, includingstone huts.
reserved in the Victorian Volcanic Plain.
Stony Rises Woodland occurs on 138 haof
theproperty.
Vol. 123 (3) 2006 135
Contributions
3. YambukWetlands Remnants of the Damp Sands Herb-rich
This 79 ha ofShallow Freshwater Marsh Woodland EVC occur on the higher
and Swamp Scrub at Yambuk represents ground.
one ofthe highest qualityexamples ofpro- The property provides drought refuge for
tected estuarine wetlands in Victoria. waterbirds, while24 fish specieshavebeen
These nationally significant wetlands and recorded in Yambuk Lakeand wetlands.
Swamp Scrub provide important breeding Thewetlandsprovide known habitat fora
habitat fornumerous bird and fish species, number of significant species, including
a number of which are nationally threat- Dwarf Galaxias Galaxiella pusiila, Yarra
ened. Such wetlandshavebeen substantial- Pigmy Perch Nannopcrca obscurer
ly drained and modified throughout south- Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chryso-
ern Victoria and are priority ecosystems gaster Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis
, ,
for addition to the protected area system. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Freckled
,
The purchased land adjoins the 453 ha Duck Stictonetla naevosa Great Egret
,
Deen Maar Indigenous Protected Area, Ardea alba Lewin’s Rail Railus
,
which contains contiguous wetland vegeta- pectoralis Australasian Shoveller Anas
,
tion linked by the Eumeralla River, rhynchotis Australasian Bittern Botaurus
,
enhancingthe long-term ecological integri- poiciloptilus Musk Duck Biziura lobata
, ,
tyofthesite. Hardhead Aythya australis, Magpie Goose
Both Shallow Freshwater Marshes and Anseranas semipalmata Royal Spoonbill
,
Swamp Scrub have been substantially Platalearegia. WhiskeredTern Chlic/onias
reduced in the Warmambool Plain and are hybridus Nankeen Night Heron
,
poorly-reserved. The Shallow Freshwater Nycdcoraxcaledonicusand PacificGolden
Marshes represented on the Yambuk Plover Pluvialis fulva. The wetlands are a
Wetlands contrast with the semi-perma- breedingsite fora numberofthesespecies.
nent saline wetlands of Deen Maar and The Yambuk Wetlandsare listed underthe
saline wetlands of Lake Yambuk. Swamp Directory of Important Wetlands in
Scrub is considered endangered in the Australia (Environment Australia 2001),
bioregion and is almost unreserved. and the owners ofDeen Maarare currently
Fig.2. DreeiteStonyKnollShrublandsandwetlands. PhotographbyJFitzsimons
136 TheVictorian Naturalist
Contributions
investigating the possibility oflisting them Tree Goanna Varamis varius. A numberof
underthe Ramsarconvention(DEH 2004). threatened flora species are known to
The new reserve is known as the occur in Grampians National Park adjoin-
Yambuk Wetlands Nature Conservation ing these woodlands and it is likely that
Reserve. many ofthese will also be present on the
4. Laharum LateriticWoodlands purchased land.
This 173 ha woodland property on the This property occurs between two areas
northern boundary of the Grampians ofrecognised flora and fauna significance
in the Grampians National Park (Parks
National Park protects significant vegeta-
Victoria 2003), adjoins a Trust for Nature
tion types, habitat for threatened species
and important landscape linkages. Some covenantedproperty to the north and vege-
6Wo0o%dlofanthdeEprVoCp,eratyviesgectoavteiroendtbyypeLaatlermiotsitc ttoattehdepGrrivaamtpeialnansdNtaotitohnealwePsatr.kIwtislladednistuiroen
thelong-term integrityoftheecosystems.
unrepresented in the protected area estate
in the Wimmera bioregion. Lateritic 5. LedcourtWoodlands
Woodland is a low grassywoodland domi- This 19 ha addition to the Grampians
nated by Grey Box Eucalyptus National Park complements land previous-
microcarpa. Yellow Box E. melliodora ly purchased to the north (see Fitzsimons
and Yellow Gum E. leucoxyIon with a et al. 2004). It contains areas ofendan-
herb-rich and grassy understorey. The gered Plains Grassy Woodland dominated
community is considered vulnerable and by River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldu-
this is the second largest remnant of this lensis and Yellow Gums along Mount
vegetation typeremainingin the bioregion. William Creek, as well as Heathy
The property also contains areas of Woodland, Shrubby Woodland and Sand
Shallow Sands Woodland, Seasonally Heathland. The block contains excellent
Inundated Shrubland and Heathy assemblages ofheathland providing poten-
Woodland EVCs. tial habitat for Long-nosed Potoroo
The Laharum Woodlands provide known Potorous tridactylus. Heath Mouse
habitat for threatened species such as the Pseudomys shorfridge and Southern
Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius Brown Bandicoot. i,
,
Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis and
Fig.3. MelbourneYellowGumandGreyBoxWoodland,Melton.Gilgai WoodlandsNature
ConservationReserve. PhotographbyJFitzsimons
Vol. 123 (3) 2006 137
Contributions
6. Winlaton Chenopod Shrubland property, include a large population ofthe
This 80 ha of chenopod shrubland at endangered Samphire SkinkMorethiaade-
Winlaton near the Kerang Lakes protects laidensis, Grey-crowned Babbler
not only significant vegetation communi- Pomatostomus temporalis, Eastern
ties but also a range ofthreatened species. Bearded Dragon Pogona barbatus, Fat-
The newly-protected woodland/shrubland, tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis crassicaudata.
together with an adjoining 130 ha Chariot Wheels Maireana cheelii,
covenanted property to the south, repre- Umbrella Wattle Acacia Oswaldii, Dwarl
sents one of the largest and the highest Amaranth Amaranthus macrocarpus var.
quality examples ofthis vegetation known macrocarpus, Desert Sneezeweed
from the Riverina. Such woodlands have Centipeda thespidioides s.l. and Mallee
been substantially cleared and modified Cucumber Mukia micran/ha. The initial
throughout northern Victoriaand are prior- discovery of the endangered Common
ityecosystems foraddition to the protected White SunrayRhodantheftoribunda on the
area system. The presence ofa number of covenanted propertywas the firstrecord of
rare, threatened and unreserved species this species in Victoria (Ogle and Foreman
highlights the significance ofthe property. 1999). The covenanted property is consid-
The area around Winlaton is a zone ofgra- ered likely to provide suitable habitat for
dation between the true semi-arid Mallee Hooded Scaly-foot Pygopus schraderi,
and the Riverine Plains (Frood 2000). Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus
Whilst derived from the Riverine and Tessellated Gecko Diplodactylus tes-
Chenopod Woodland EVC, the vegetation sellatus.
today would best be described as a Low The new reserve is known as the
Chenopod Shrubland dominated by a range WinlatonNatureConservation Reserve.
ofAtriplex species (mainly Small Saltbush 7. Toniara Grasslands and Gilgais,
A. eardleyae and Slender-fruit Saltbush A. Patho Plains
leptocarpa) with a range of spring and This large 332 ha Northern Plains
summer tussock grasses and scattered
Grassland at Terrick Terrick East forms
aLningunalumanSdwpaemrepnyniaWlohoedrblsa.nSdmaElVlCareoacscuorf part ofa network ofnew native grassland
reserves on the Patho Plains (see
alongthedepressions. Fitzsimons and Ashe 2003; Fitzsimons et
Combined with the covenanted habitat to
al 2004).
the south, the site is considered ofnational The property consists ofmostly Northern
significance for its botanical values (Ogle Plains Grassland, a Flora and Fauna
and Foreman 1999; Frood 2000) and high- Guarantee rtc/-listed community, with two
ly significant at the state level for reptiles identified finer scale sub-communities. An
and mammals(Robertson2000). Annual Grasslandoccurringonthehardred
reTchoerdpoufrcthheasseadltlbaunshd Actornitpalienxsttuhrebifniartsat lgroaasmssAisusdtormoidnaatnetdhobnyiaCoccmimeospnitWoasallwaibtyh-
forVictoria,which isa significant souther- varying amounts of Rough Spear-grass
ly range extension from the nearest known Austrostipa scabra. Plump Spear-grass
cloocmalmi.ty2a0t04B;roPkeFnoHrielmla(nNpWerasl.shcopmerms.. AWuhsatlrloestyiapapraorliusttaiglduommiisnaantde sRimgaildl Paarneiacs
2004). Other significant flora species containing gilgais in this sub-community.
recorded on the purchased land include A Wet Grassland sub-community is found
Winged Newr Holland Daisy Vittadinia on the grey soils in the drainage lines and
pterochaeta, Leafless Bluebush Maireana depressions and is dominated by Windmill
aphylla, Yakka Grass Sporobolus cctroli, Grass Chloris truncata and Enteropogon
Mealy Saltbush Atriplexpseudocampanu- spp. Both sub-communities are significant
mlaatcar,oBclyasdtdierdiSoaltabunsdh AtSrpiipnlyex vLesiigcnaruima in that they are largely intact and contain
only small areas where introduced species
Muehlenbeckiahorridahorrida.
arepresent(Webster2000).
Additional significant species recorded Almost 60 species of indigenous plants
from the covenanted property to the south, have been recorded on the site, including
which may also occur on the purchased
The Victorian Naturalist
138
Contributions
the vulnerable Long Eryngium Eryngium recent population declines and extinctions.
paludosum, Pin Sida Sidafibulifera, The wetlands on the property are also
Umbrella Wattle and the rare Spiny utilised bya numberofbirdspecies thatare
Lignum and YakkaGrass. threatenedin Victoria (e.g. Brolga, Lewin’s
Previous studies onthe propertyhave indi- Rail, Freckled Duck, Australasian Shoveler
cated thatthegrasslands are ofconservation Anas rhynchotis Latham's Snipe Gallinago
,
significance forthe Plains-wanderer (Maher hardwickiiand WhiskeredTern).
and Baker-Gabb 1993) which is nationally Thepropertycontainsanumberofsignif-
vulnerable and endangered in Victoria. icantIndigenouscultural heritage values.
Brolgas have been recorded using the wet- The new reserve is known as the Dreeite
landarea. While little furtherdetail isknown NatureConservation Reserve.
ofthe fauna values ofthesite, thesize, con-
dition and proximityto nearby reservessug- 9. Melton Gilgai Woodlands
gests there is considerable potential to sup- Almost 34 ha of endangered Plains
port other important grassland fauna values Woodland at Harkness Road, Melton, was
(e.g. seeMichaeletat.2003). purchased in 2005 for nature conservation
The purchase complements efforts to (Fig. 3). Although the site is located in the
protect native grasslands across public and Victorian Volcanic Plains bioregion, it lies
private land on the Patho Plains via the close to the southern slopes ofuplands to
Northern PlainsConservation Management itsnorth.Asaresultthebasalt oftheplains
Network(see Bain 2005). is overlain with Quaternary colluvial out-
The new reserve is known as the Tomara wash ofthe eroding uplands forming a
GilgaisNatureConservation Reserve. swale/gilgai landform with gravels and
soils derived from a mixture ofbasaltic,
8. Dreeite Stony Knoll Shrublands and calcareous and siliceous sources (Webster
wetlands 2001 WaltersandFrood 2004).
;
This 48 ha acquisition protects Stony The property is a site ofbotanical signifi-
Knoll Shrublands and permanent and cance in western Melbourne (McDougall
ephemeral wetland communities at 1987). Grey Box Melbourne Yellow Gum
Dreeite, to the east of Lake Corangamite Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. connata
(Fig. 2). Stony Knoll Shrublands have grassy woodlands (part of the Plains
been severely depleted throughout the Woodland EVC) are considered endan-
Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion and gered and are almost unrepresented in the
were previously unrepresented in protected reserve system in the bioregion. The new
areas. The shrublands are dominated by reserve represents a distinct fioristic com-
Tree Violet Melicytus dentatus, with scat- munity ofPlains Woodland EVC (Walters
tered Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon and and Frood 2004). The diverse groundlayer
Black WattleA. mearnsii. Thenew reserve is open, grassy and herbaceous, with low
forms part ofa much larger area ofStony saltbush and a component ofsucculents. A
Rises inthe Dreeiteregion. soil crust oflichens and bryophytes is con-
The site provides critical habitat for the spicuousovermuchofthesite.
nationally endangered Corangamite Water Over 80 indigenous plant species have
Skink Eulamprus tympanum marnieae been recorded from the property. A num-
,
which is endemic to the Victorian berofsignificant floraspeciesoccuronthe
Volcanic Plain and which occurs mostly site, including the rare Cane Spear-grass
outsideexistingprotected areas(Robertson Austrostipa breviglumis. Heath Spear-
1998, Peterson 1999). The property sup- grass Austrostipa exitis. Fragrant Saltbush
ports large and stable populations ofthis Rhagodiaparabolica and the vulnerable
and another significant species, the nation- Melbourne Yellow Gum. A significant
ally vulnerable Growling Grass Frog understorey population of the regionally
Litoria raniformis, possibly due to the depleted Turkey Bush Eremophila deserti
spring fed permanent wetland (G. Peterson alsooccurs inthe understorey.
pers. comm. 2003). These populations The purchased land represents one ofthe
could act as an important source for last remnants of once more extensive
recolonisation ofadjacent sites following woodlands that covered the Melton/
Vol. 123 (3) 2006 139
Contributions
Fig.4.GreyBoxandBulokegrassywoodland,Goomalibee. PhotographbyJFitzsimons
140 The Victorian Naturalist
Contributions
Toolern Vale area (Robinson 1993). The 11. Dave’s Hill,ChesneyVale Hills
property contains a predominance of key The 99 ha addition ofDave’s Hill to the
foraging trees for the nationally endan- Mount Meg Nature Conservation Reserve
gered Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor a (NCR) enhances the protection ofendan-
,
species recently recorded from similar gered vegetation communities and species
roadside habitat in the area. A number of habitat in the Chesney Vale Hills. The
decliningwoodland birdscan still be found property is characterised by Granitic Hills
on the site, including Diamond Firetail Woodland EVC and nationally endangered
Stagonopleura guttata and Brown Grassy White Box Eucalyptus albens
Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus. It is Woodlands on the lower slopes. Grassy
also anticipated that a range ofamphibian White Box Woodlands have been substan-
species would occur in the swale/gilgai tially cleared and modified throughout
depressions that become inundated after northern Victoria and the wheat-sheep belt
prolongedand/orheavyrain episodes. ofNSW (Prober and Thiele 1993) and are
The new reserve is known as the Melton priority ecosystems foraddition tothe pro-
Gilgai Woodlands Nature Conservation tectedareasystem.
Reserve. The Granitic Hills Woodland is dominat-
ed by Blakely’s Red Gum Eucalyptus
10. Goomalibee Gilgai Plain Woodlands, blakelyi with a mix of Drooping Sheoak
Benalla ,
Allocasuarina verticillata and Lightwood
This 179 ha remnant of Gilgai Plain
Acacia implexa amongst complex granitic
Woodland/Wetland Mosaic falls within the outcrops. Small areas of endangered
eastern Victorian Riverina bioregion,
Springsoak Herblands also occur on
which is considered a high priority forfur- adjoining public land which will be added
ther reservation. Such woodlands have
tothereserve.
been substantially cleared and modified The Chesney Vale Hills are considered
throughout their range and blocks ofthis one of the most important habitats in
sizeareveryrare. Victoria for the endangered Inland Carpet
The property comprises an open wood-
Python Morelia spilota metcalfei (Allen et
landwith anoverstoreyofRiverRed Gum,
Grey Box and Buloke Allocasuarina ah 2003; Heard and Black 2003; Heard et
al. 2004). The pythons move between
luehmanmi and a groundlayer ofwallaby- Dave's Hill and Mount Meg (see Fig. 5).
grass, tussock-grass, sedges and herbs
Dave’s Hill provides important habitat for
(representing acomponent ofthe FFG-list-
a range ofother reptile species (Heard and
ed Grey Box-Buloke Grassy Woodland
Black 2003), including Tree Goanna and
community) (Fig. 4). The significance of Eastern Bearded Dragon.
the property is highlighted by the presence The Chesney Vale Hills are considered
obfynauvmaerrieotuysogfilhgearibss, swuhcihchasarSewsaumrproBuinldleyd- aabnleimNpaorrtraonwtGsiotoedfeonritaheGnoaotdieonnailalymavuclbnaerr--
buttons Craspediapaludicola and Slender
ronii (Berwick 1996), and is one ofonly
GoodeniaGoodeniagracilis. seven Northern Sandalwood Santalum
knThoewnGohaobmiatlaitbfeoer tWwooodtlharneadtsenperdovbiidred lanceolatum populations known in the
State(Johnson 1996).
species- the BushStone-curlew and Grey- The Dave’s Hill purchase is linked to
crowned Babbler. This part of north-east other components ofthe Mount Meg NCR
Victoria isrecognised as the stronghold for through the acquisition ofadjoining land
these species in the State. The nationally by the Trust for Nature for covenanting
tehnedaandgjeoriendinSgwirfotadPsairdreost. iTshkenosiwgnnitfoicuasnet and onsale through its "Revolving Fund’
(see Fitzsimons and Davies 2005). This
roadside vegetation links the property to land contains a number of additional sig-
other patches ofvegetation, providing cor- nificant species including the Turquoise
ridors forthemovementofotherthreatened Parrot Neophemapulchella Bush Stone-
species suchastheTreeGoanna. curlew and Flat-leaf Bush-p,ea Pultenaea
The new reserve is known as the platyphylla.
GoomalibeeNatureConservation Reserve.
Vol. 123 (3) 2006 141
Contributions
12. River Point East, French Island The new reserve is known as the
This small (1 ha) addition to French Kangaroo Swamp Nature Conservation
Island National Park forms part ofa larger Reserve.
block of vegetation which was ‘Rated A'
Otherpurchases
for botanical significance in the Western
Other purchases include a small area of
Port district (i.e. Site ofSignificance No. Gilgai Plain Woodland at Drumanure for
25 ‘River Point East* in Opie etat. 1984). addition to the Broken-Boosey State Park
TheCoast Road blockcontainsendangered
Swamp Scrub as well as Heathy Wood- and land at Kalinina Park for addition to
the Castlemaine Diggings National
land, and protects significant orchid popu-
Heritage Park.
lations such as the White Caladenia
Caladenia catenata and the nationallyvul- Future directions for land purchase and
nerable French Island Spider-orchid the protected areasystem
Caladeniainsitlaris. Such strategic acquisitions, combined
13. Kangaroo Swamp, Mullungdung with other instruments to protect ecosys-
tems on private land, ultimately aim to
Forest
improve the comprehensiveness, adequacy
This 105 ha purchase in the heart of and representativeness ofVictoria’s pro-
Mullungdung Forest includes Kangaroo
Swamp and surrounding Lowland Forest. tected area system. Negotiations for the
purchase of other poorly represented
Kangaroo Swamp represents the largest
ecosystems are currently in progress.
freshwater sedge wetland in central
Particularemphasis is on native grasslands
Gippsland, and hasbeen identifiedasasite and grassy woodlands. The Department’s
ofzoological (Mansergh and Norris 1982),
efforts are complemented by those ofthe
botanical (Gillian etal. 1984) and geomor- Trust for Nature Victoria) which has and
phological (Rosengren et al. 1981) signifi- (
continues to purchase properties contain-
cance in thatregion. inggrassyand otherthreatenedecosystems
The swamp’s position within the
throughoutthe Stateas partoftheNational
Mullungdung forest (the largest remnant
Reserve System program. Increasingly,
on the GippsTand Plain at -25,000 ha) will creative solutions are being sought
ensure its long-term ecological integrity, between DSE and the Trust to secure
and it is adjoined by Special Protection important conservation lands (see
Zones within the Mullungdung State
Fitzsimonsand Davies2005).
Forest(see DSE2004). Further details, including Management
The size and position ofthe swamp with- Statements for a number of these pur-
finocMusulolfunthgedufonrgestm.akKeasngaitroano iSmwpaormtpanits CchoansseedrvparotpieortnieLs,ancdanPbuercachcaessesePdrvoigartahme
likely to be an important refuge for frogs website: www.dse.vic.gov.au >parks and
and waterbirds during drought (Gilmore
reserves>aboul parks and reserves>conser-
1977). As there are few other perennial
vation land purchaseprogram.
watercourses or waterbodies in the forest,
the Swamp is a significant drinking loca- Acknowledgements
tion forforest fauna and an important nest- Thanks to the following people who originally
ing site for waterbirds and raptors. The provided descriptions ofthe sites in this paper
large, hollow-bearing trees at the site pro- aPnadu/lorBaarssbiesrt,edGienofthfeiBraprurrocwh,aseA,lainn pBarrteincnulaanr,:
vide important nesting opportunities for Debbie Colbourne. Mick Douglas, Philip
species reliant on such conditions. A num- DuGuesclin, Paul Foreman, Andy Govanstone,
ber ofsignificant species has been record- Deanna Marshall, Andrew McDougall, Garry
ed on the property, including Barking Owl Peterson, Rob Price, Hugh Robertson, Doug
Ninox conrtivens Powerful Owl N. Robinson, William Smith, Mike Stevens. Geoll
, U'Ren, Neville Walsh, Alan Webster, Rick
strenua, Great Egret, Hardhead, Latham's Webster and Anne Westwood. Thanks to all
Snipe, Spotted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma other individuals and organizations that have
punctatum. Tree Goanna and Martin’s contributedto the land purchaseprocess in gen-
Toadlet Uperoleiamartini. eral. The sympathetic management practices
employed by previous owners ofthese proper-
142 The Victorian Naturalist
. .
Contributions
tieshaveensuredthe maintenanceofthese rem- Maher P and Baker-Gabb D (1993) Surveys andcon-
nants. Many ofthe past owners still have a servation ofthe P/ains-wanderer in northern
strong connection to the new protected areas. Victoria. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental
The Commonwealth Government, through the Research Technical ReportSeries 131. (Department
ofConservationandEnvironment:Melbourne)
NNaattuiroanlaHlerRiteasgeerTvreustS,ypsrtoevmidePdrofugnrdaimngoffortthhee MaSnisgenirfgihcaInMceainndCNeonrtrriaslKGiCpp(s1l9a8n2d).SViotelsuomfeZo1:olRoegpiocrta.l
purchaseofanumberoftheseproperties. (Environmental Studies Program, Ministry for
Conservation:Melbourne)
References McDougallK(1987)SitesofBotanicalSignificancein
AllenG, BarrowG, HurleyVand Robertson P(2003) the Western Region ofMelbourne. Report prepared
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