Herb-rich Grassy Woodland
Lemon orchid
Spotted Pardelote
Westerfield Property
The Westerfield property contains the largest and most pristine remnant of Grassy Woodland remaining on the Mornington Peninsula.
Grassy Woodland is an ecosystem class that is listed as endangered in Victoria, and is notable for it's wildflower diversity. The Westerfield property is a blaze of colour in Spring due to a profusion of orchids, native peas, xanthorea grass trees, wattles, lilies etc.
The woodlands support a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals such as sugar gliders and antichinus. Rare Pygmy Perch and a number of frog species including the endangered growling grass frog inhabit the wetlands.
The property is Heritage Victoria Listed, and the owners vigorously oppose the destruction of the bush and wetlands for the freeway.
The SEITA freeway authority itself recognises that the bushland is unique and irreplaceable, as the following excerpt from an addendum to the Environmental effects statement makes clear:
"The Panel also enquired as to the likelihood of finding an offset, in particular for Herb-rich Plains Grassy Wetland and Grassy Woodland (Westerfield property patch 46a).
DSE has undertaken a reasonably thorough exploration of potential offset sites. Neither DSE mapping, the DSE BushBroker system nor consultation with ecological consultants has identified any new sites of Herb-rich Plains Grassy Wetland. There is one known site, however the area is subject to an approved development plan (including ail required offsets) by the relevant Council and DSE. The site is within the Urban Growth Boundary and may be prohibitively expensive to purchase.
There are two smaller areas of Herb-rich Plains Grassy Wetland that occur on private property. Neither have been assessed for their quality and it is unlikely that they are large enough to meet the offset requirements for the proposed Frankston Bypass."
A summary of the flora and Fauna of the property
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144 native plant species.
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72 regionally significant plant species.
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4 Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) - Lowland Forrest (listed as vulnerable in Victoria), Grassy Woodland (endangered), Aquatic Herbland (endangered), Swampy Woodland (endangered) - however, the vegetation is unique and does not fit the EVC definitions neatly.
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89 native fauna species, 3 of state significance, 15 of regional significance, 5 of high local significance.
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5 Frog species
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1 tortoise species and 7 lizard species.
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10 native mammal species.
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At least 65 bird species (observed in a recent survey - certainly the number is certainly much higher).
For full details see the expert witness statement on the ecological value of the property which is a summary of a survey of the ecological values of the site.
More information on the heritage significance of the property
- "The planned Frankston bypass will cut a swathe through one of Frankston's most culturally, architecturally and environmentally significant properties, Westerfield in Robinsons Road."
Expert witness statement on the ecological value of the property
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