findings by bioregion - Victorian Environmental Assessment Council

Distribution of site condition scoresArea (ha)• Public land10,000• Private land7,5005,0002,50000 20 40 60 80Site condition scoresPublic land median score – 50.1Private land median score – 40.3[Statewide median score – 36.8]BIOPHYSICAL BASISThe East Gippsland Lowlands bioregion has gentlyundulating terraces fl anked by coastal plains, dunefi eldsand inlets. The geology is a complex of Palaeozoic andCainozoic deposits predominantly of granite, sands,marine sediments and beach deposits giving rise to yellowtexture contrast soils on the terraces, leached sands ofthe coastal plains and dunes, friable earths and texturecontrast soils along the fl oodplains and valleys.The vegetation is dominated by Lowland Forest withDamp Forest and Shrubby Dry Forest interspersedthroughout the foothills; Banksia Woodland and RiparianScrub Complex are common in coastal areas.Average annual rainfall across the bioregion: 700-1100 mmDaily mean temperature across the bioregion: 15-18˚CDistribution of landscape context scoresArea (ha)30,000• Public land• Private land20,00010,00000 5 10 15 20Landscape context scoresLAND USE HISTORYSettlement by Europeans has been largely confi nedto the coastal plains, fertile alluvial valleys and someparts of the tablelands. Settlement was gradual until thelate 19th Century when the discovery of gold, the landselection acts, and the arrival of the railway accelerateddevelopment. Grazing was the major land-use activityuntil commencement of the timber industry on a largescale in the 1950s. Tourism is a signifi cant industry in thecoastal towns.Public land median score – 16.0Private land median score – 14.6[Statewide median score – 14.9]95