Werribee Plains Biodiversity Connectivity Report - Australian ...

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2.5 Resource Condition Targets 2.5.1 Introduction The resource condition targets (RCTs) are essentially an assessment of whether there is a change in resource condition as a result of specific NRM program investment. This is sometimes referred to as ‘point of investment’ monitoring. The resource condition target for biodiversity connectivity in the Werribee Plains over the next 20 years will be to achieve a linked, consolidated and biodiverse environment. This means that the existing patches of remnant grassland, riparian and coastal landscapes which form the core of the region will be linked via contiguous vegetation or other appropriate function connectivity landscape elements with the key outcome being biodiversity connectivity through landscape consolidation. The Resource Condition Targets in this report are general rather than specific because this is a research and scoping report. The finer details of exact hectare revegetation, protection, extension and other aspects should be developed on a project by project basis using this document as a guide. There are example methodologies for this process such as Catchment Action Planning (CAP) process (Figure 7) or the INFFER process (Investment Framework for Environmental Resources). 2.5.2 Waterways The regions waterways across the volcanic plains provide riparian connections from the hills right down to the coastal and estuarine zones. Riparian zones provide significant natural connectivity through a landscape. The recommendation in the Vision for the Werribee Plains (Melbourne Water 2008?) identifies a need to focus revegetation and rehabilitation efforts on the riparian environments and maintain appropriate water regimes for freshwater wetlands. There are 8 major waterways addressed in this report each and each has its own unique values Werribee River The Werribee River is a significant waterway which runs through the centre of the Werribee Plains Region. The Werribee River provides a connection from the Lerderderg State Park in the north of the project area to the estuarine coastal environment near Werribee South. It intersects the grassland environment through the basalt plain. The long term vision for the Werribee River as developed by the Werribee River Association is: • Maintain, improve and develop the Werribee River catchment for the purposes of passive recreation and sport while conserving the native flora and fauna. • Promote the wider appreciation and use of the river in accordance with the first objective by the residents of, and visitors, to the region. • Achieve a balance between the quality and quantity of water within the Werribee River catchment necessary to fulfil the above objectives, and the use of the river water for irrigation purposes. In addition the vision for the Werribee River Regional Park is that it will be recognized as a beautiful natural area valued by the local and broader community for its biodiversity and opportunities for sustainable recreation and education that enable quiet enjoyment and understanding of its land and water environments by this and future generations. Revegetation and protection of assets is occurring along the river and it will be an important regional target to link each of those project areas. Maribyrnong River The Maribyrnong River provides much of the Eastern boundary for the project area. It is a significant waterway providing habitat for rare and threatened species as well as significant cultural values. The lower reaches are highly urbanised and the upper section in the project area is becoming a focal area for conservation and restoration. The vision for the Maribyrnong River is that local connectivity along the river is achieved, connecting Organ pipes National Park to Brimbank Park and possibly beyond. This is a long term goal and will require high level involvement from the local councils, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, land owners and other partners. The first goal has been to identify high priority areas and from there develop
connections which can be achieved by revegetation, rehabilitation. An annual works plan is being developed for at least part of the area (Brimbank City Council) Taylors Creek The Taylors Creek area incorporates riparian vegetation, supporting a large number of mature river red gums as well as areas with trees of a wide age range, grassland, and escarpment shrubland (one of the best examples on shrubland on the Maribyrnong River), all of which are considered to be regionally significant for botanical values and at least locally significant for zoological values. Extensive woody weed and serrated tussock control over the past 13 years since removal of sheep and horse grazing pressure has resulted in a continuous biodiversity corridor. Enhancement of the existing values of Taylors Creek is a primary goal for the Council and Friends Group. Brimbank City Council is also exploring options for increasing local connectivity with remnant areas of ecological values and Taylors Creek is one of the key assets in this process. Skeleton Creek One of the smaller waterways in the Werribee Plains and has significant environmental values. There are numerous rare and threatened species recorded along the waterway but even with this the creek is often overlooked in environmental and planning developments. There is an Environmental Protection Overlay along Skeleton Creek. The longer term goal for Skeleton Creek is the protection of existing remnant vegetation, the connection of remnants and the protection of the creek environs from urban expansion and development. Skeleton Creek flows into a Ramsar Wetland making it an important source of local water. A highly recommended target will be to maintain or improve the water quality. This can be done by establishing water quality monitoring along the creek and into the wetland. Lollipop Creek Lollipop creek is one of the smaller creeks in the study area. It is located between the Werribee River and Little River in a generally flat landscape. The Creek flows into the Werribee Treatment Plant and the lower reaches have been channelized. Protection and improvement of existing values such as the riparian native vegetation and halting further degradation of water quality and water flow are the primary goals for this waterway. Kororoit Creek Kororoit Creek is a major waterway in Melbourne’s north-west region, and is approximately 80km in length. Its upper reaches begin near the township of Sunbury (outside the study area). It travels south through Caroline Springs, Deer Park, Sunshine, Altona and finally out into Port Phillip Bay. The last ten years has seen significant improvement in the environment surrounding the creek and the retention of many of the environmental values but there is a lack of native fauna along the creek which will be unlikely to return. A 30 year vision plan has been developed of the Creek outlining the future for the creek which includes the requirement for it to be a focus for landscape connectivity. Protection and extension of the significant geophysical, cultural and environmental values found along the creek in conjunction with the urban development and passive recreation opportunities are the key targets for this waterway. The targets for Kororoit Creek are located in this document. Stony Creek Stony Creek runs through highly urbanised and modified environs and in the past it has been treated as a drain for the various industries found adjacent to it. There are few remnant vegetation patches left along the creek with most being found near the confluence with the Yarra. Little River This river is a significant waterway and the boundary between the PPWCMA and the CCMA. It is also the traditional boundary between the Wurundjeri and Wauthurong and as such there are significant cultural locations including the stone rings at Wurdi Youang. It flows from the Brisbane Ranges to the Western Treatment Plant and one of the Ramsar areas. Growling Grass Frog and other threatened 21
Page 1 and 2: WERRIBEE PLAINS Biodiversity Connec
Page 3 and 4: Document Control Version # Descript
Page 5 and 6: • Identify intermediate and long
Page 7 and 8: the world’s environmental “Hot
Page 9 and 10: Figure 1 - Werribee Plains Biodiver
Page 11 and 12: 2.3 Vision (50 years) The proposed
Page 13 and 14: Treatment complex and Murticaim Wil
Page 15 and 16: Figure 2 - Bioregional distribution
Page 17 and 18: Figure 4 - Werribee Plains Grasslan
Page 19: Figure 6 - Werribee Plains Regional
Page 23 and 24: • Address adverse processes and a
Page 25 and 26: 3 Projects Stakeholder liaison has
Page 27 and 28: Projects Partner Groups Project Des
Page 33 and 34: • Increase habitat for migratory
Page 35 and 36: 4.2 Project Outputs As identified i
Page 37: Formal protection of Grassland and

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