Flora & fauna threatened by the bypass
The Bypass if constructed has the potential to wipe out whole Ecological Vegetation Communities as well as protected species from Carrum to Tuerong Creek.
The Carrum Downs Herb Rich Grassy Plains Wetland
One of the rarest ecological vegetation classes (EVC's) is the Herb Rich Grassy Plains Wetland that occurs in Carrum. There are only two other places this type of vegetation occurs in the Gippsland Region and are listed on the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act and being assessed under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) act.
The Pines Flora Fauna Conservation Reserve
The vegetation in the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve is of State significance and fourteen Regionally significant fauna species occur in the Reserve. This reserve is home to the closest population to Melbourne of Southern Brown Bandicoot, which are also on the EPBC list. There are 36 species of orchids in the Pines, six of which are significant. The colony of Leporella fimbriata in the Pines is the only colony of this species left on the Mornington Peninsula. There is another colony in the Grampians, but we are unsure where else it occurs. The Reserve contains the only example of heathland on an extensive dunefield left in the Melbourne area and it also contains the only example of a complete water catchment naturally vegetated in the south-eastern metropolitan area.
The Pines - Wittenburg habitat corridor
The stretch of bushland and grassland with scattered trees between the Pines and Witternburg reserve is significant in its own right even though it is not part of a declared reserve. The area is an important thoroughfare for species migrating between other bushland areas. The vegetation belongs to the Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodlands and the Swampy Woodland vegetation classes, which support a diverse array of plants and animals.
The Willow Road/Pobblebonk Reserve
Willow Road/Pobblebonk Reserve has a fairly intact perched wetland and although not listed as endangered, there are not many natural wetlands left in Frankston. It is a delightful place with abundant woodland and water birds, and supports a number of frog species such as Growling Grass Frogs and Pobblebonk frogs. The woodlands are rich with wildflowers especially in spring and summer, and numerous species of water plants flourish, including the exquisite running marsh flower (Villasia reniformis) a species with water-lilly like floating leaves and bright yellow flowers.
Wittenberg Reserve
The reserve has a number of ancient Manna Gum eucalypts with hollows that support hollow dependant birds like Eastern Rosellas & Sulphur Crested Cockatoos to marsupials like Sugar Gliders. Koalas are found in the Manna Gums & kangaroos & wallabies graze on grasses & plants in the understorey. Small birds are plentiful. Eastern Yellow Robins, New Holland & White-plumed Honeyeaters, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Fantails & the endangered Hooded Robin can be seen amongst many. On the ground Blotched Blue-tongue Lizards, Jacky lizards & Southern Grass Skinks sun themselves on a fallen tree branchs.
The Wittenberg Reserves Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodlands are beautifully diverse with larger Coastal Manna Gums, Black Wattles & Coastal Banksias. The woodland understorey includes stands of native grasses, Pink Heath (Victoria's floral emblem) & a ground layer rich with native lillies & orchids.
The Westerfield property
The Westerfield property has approximately 72 Bioregionally significant plant species, one of these, the Bronze Bird Orchid is of State significance. There are hundreds of Grass Trees on the property that are protected by the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. 61 species of birds occur on the property, with two species being listed as international migratory species and protected under the EPBC Act. Of course all 5 species of frogs that occur on the property are protected.
Tuerong Creek
The most southern intersection of the proposed Bypass is at Tuerong Creek where there is a healthy population (despite the years of drought) of Galaxias pusilla - a small colourful fish listed on the EPBC Act.
Important vegetation and habitats throughout
There are many areas of bushland, heathland and wetlands that belong to ecological vegetation classes (EVCs) that are listed as critically endangered or of concern. Throughout the length of the Bypass there are also areas of bush that do not belong to listed EVC, but which are none the less beautiful, in good condition and support flora & fauna species that are either listed on the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act or the EPBC Act.
All Correas, Grass Trees and Orchids are listed under at least one of these Acts and need permits to remove. Many other plants and animals are listed as either Regionally or State significant. Given the degree to which flora and fauna are mismanaged in Victoria, many species that are not yet listed will in future inevitably be recognised as such.
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