Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Primary Industries

Offsets Protect Native Vegetation

Remnants of threatened vegetation communities will be protected in coming months as offsets to the works being carried out along the Princes Highway by VicRoads

By Department of Primary Industries - 26th March 2003 - Back to News

Remnants of threatened vegetation communities will be protected in coming months as offsets to the works being carried out along the Princes Highway by VicRoads.

The $9m Statewide Blackspot Safety project between Bairnsdale and Stratford involved the loss of approximately seven hectares of vegetation. Areas of Plains Grassy Woodland, dominated by Forest Red Gums, which are listed as threatened under the Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1992, were affected as well as areas of Lowland Forest, another vulnerable vegetation type.

A detailed survey was carried out along the road reserve last year. The location of threatened species, such as the Slender Wire Lily, was noted and disturbance minimised in these areas.

As part of the permit approval process, VicRoads staff worked closely with Department of Primary Industries staff to ensure that there was no net loss of vegetation because of the works. Offsets recommended by DPI included permanent protection of remnant vegetation on private land and revegetation on private land beside the road reserve.

Trish Fox, Native Vegetation Officer with DPI, said that on the Red Gum Plains only about nine per cent of the native vegetation is left.

"The vegetation offsets and other works ensured that damage to the important ecological communities in this area was minimised," Ms Fox said.

"Plantings alongside the road reserve will buffer important areas such as Providence Ponds Flora and Fauna Reserve."

Also as part of the permit conditions, felled hollow logs were moved off the road reserve and into other reserves in the region, including Stratford Highway Park.

Macleods Morass and Moormurng Forest Flora & Fauna Reserve will also receive logs in the future. Hollow logs are an important nesting habitat for many animal species such as echidna, and some local reserves have lost many of their logs through illegal firewood collections. The logs will be placed well within the reserves to minimise fire risk.

To compensate for the loss of hollows for tree-dwellings animals, such as sugar gliders and birds, VicRoads are erecting 70 nestboxes within the road reserve. Nestboxes will also be given to Parks Victoria and the Gippsland Plains Conservation Management Network for use in other local reserves.

Any landholders interested in covenanting remnant vegetation on their property as part of these works can contact Bruce Strong at VicRoads, PO Box 484, Bairnsdale. Tel: 5152 0372.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Nationals introduced Bill to protect Victoria's agricultural land from poorly planned development and improve food security
  The Nationals introduced a Victorian bill to protect agricultural land from poor development, recognising farming's $22 billion contribution and supporting long-term food security.
• Melina Bath calls on Labor to protect locally raised foreshore funds and community priorities across Eastern Victoria
  Nationals MP Melina Bath has urged Labor to guarantee $500,000 raised by San Remo residents remains dedicated to local foreshore projects following committee merger concerns.
• Moondarra Reservoir gains new pathway and native garden beds, enhancing recreation, accessibility and Aboriginal cultural connections
  Gippsland Water has completed a new pathway and native garden beds at Moondarra Reservoir, improving visitor access, enhancing recreation and incorporating local flora, Aboriginal cultural information and community collaboration.
• Gippsland Water installs filter-to-waste system to better protect Maffra drinking water from contamination risks
  Gippsland Water has installed a filter-to-waste system at Maffra treatment plant, improving drinking water protection, reducing supply disruptions, and strengthening resilience against pollution, storms, bushfires and other water quality events.
• East Gippsland Shire Council seeks $4M to upgrade Lakes Entrance drainage, protect communities and unlock 1,500 new housing lots
  East Gippsland Council is seeking $4 million for Lakes Entrance drainage upgrades to reduce flood risk, protect communities and support development of 1,500 housing lots.
• Gippsland Water plants 150 Swamp Everlasting daisies at Dutson Downs to protect critically endangered species from climate change
  Gippsland Water has planted 150 Swamp Everlasting daisies at Dutson Downs with GLaWAC, establishing habitat to protect the threatened species from climate change and population decline.
• Gippsland Water renews 1950s Tyers raw water pump station to improve reliability and protect regional emergency water supply infrastructure
  Gippsland Water has renewed its 1950s Tyers raw water pump station, improving drainage, protecting pipework and testing all four pumps to maintain reliable emergency supplies for Tyers and Traralgon treatment plants.
• Latrobe City Council seeks community feedback on draft 10-year Nature Plan to protect local biodiversity until 31 August 2026
  Latrobe City Council is seeking community feedback on its draft 10-year Nature Plan, outlining priorities to protect biodiversity, restore landscapes and engage residents. Public submissions close on 31 August 2026.
• Darren Chester warns Gippslanders to prepare for potential mass native bird deaths following H5 bird flu detection
  Darren Chester is urging Gippslanders to prepare for potential native bird deaths after H5 bird flu was detected at Lakes Entrance, warning of significant wildlife impacts and calling for coordinated biosecurity measures.
• Coalition urges Labor to block foreign-backed Cobungra Station sale and protect productive farmland from carbon projects
  The Coalition has urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers and FIRB to reject the proposed foreign-backed purchase of Cobungra Station, warning productive farmland should remain dedicated to food production, not carbon projects.
• East Gippsland Council develops financial sustainability strategy to manage costs and protect essential services over the next decade
  East Gippsland Shire Council is developing a financial strategy to address rising costs, improve efficiency, prioritise infrastructure spending and maintain essential services while strengthening long-term financial sustainability.
• Community planting day advances Blue Rock Lake foreshore restoration and native fish habitat
  Students, Landcare volunteers and partner organisations have planted native vegetation at Blue Rock Lake, building on fish habitat projects and erosion-control works to strengthen the shoreline and support wildlife.
• Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
  Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere.
• East Gippsland communities transform emergency water tanks into vibrant murals celebrating resilience, recovery and local stories
  East Gippsland communities have transformed emergency water tanks into vibrant murals celebrating resilience and recovery, with artworks completed at four locations and three more projects planned for Gipsy Point, South Buchan and Benambra.