By Parker McKenzie
Two new conservation corridors will be created near Cockatoo and Gembrook with Cardinia Shire Council formally endorsing a new Biolink conservation plan.
The plan covers 2023 to 2033 and aims to increase vegetation for wildlife habitats, improve waterways and set environmental priorities for the Cardinia area.
Pancake Creek in Cockatoo and an area of land located in Bunyip State Park and on private land have been assigned as future Biolink conservation corridors.
Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Cr Jeff Springfield said the adopted plan identified where new wildlife corridors were most needed.
“Cardinia Shire is one of the largest local government areas in metropolitan Melbourne and we’re also a growth area,” he said.
“This change in land-use leads to habitat loss and fragmentation, which affects animal and plant populations and hampers pollination and the movement of animals,
“This means that biodiversity can be limited to small pockets of habitat which are vulnerable to environmental threats such as pests, diseases, fire and climate change, making it difficult to support viable, long-term populations.”
Council opened the draft plan to community consultation where residents were asked how they could support native plants and animal habitats on their properties and identify areas with significant biodiversity value.
Cardinia Shire Council said they used the latest wildlife species computer modelling and aerial vegetation mapping technology to identify key wildlife areas for potential biolinks.
“The creation of new biolinks enables us to connect these areas of fragmented vegetation across the shire to encourage the movement of wildlife and pollination, increase the genetic diversity in breeding populations, and ensure the long-term viability of our native plants and animals,” Mayor Springfield said.
Several priority biolink corridors already exist throughout Cockatoo and Gembrook.
Bunyip State Park was identified as a key area of biodiversity because of a variety of habitat types including swamps and mountain ash forests.
Council have identified 15 “indicator species” as a focal point of future conservation management, planning and monitoring. The identified species include the chocolate wattled bat, southern brown bandicoot, eastern yellow robin and the swamp skink.
More information on the new Biolink plan can be found at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/environment.
