Great Southern Landscapes

Victorian Volcanic Plains

To reverse the decline of the critically endangered grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains, we are working with landholders and partners to restore this unique and diverse landscape.

Key Facts

2.3 Million ha

Covered

2

EPBC listed ecological communities

8

Nationally listed threatened animals

To reverse the decline of the critically endangered grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains, we are working with landholders and partners to restore this unique and diverse landscape. The Victorian Volcanic Plains (VVP) is a widespread area of natural temperate grasslands which stretch from Melbourne to the South Australian border and cover an area of 22,000 square kilometres. The plains are home to eight nationally threatened animal species and serves as a significant area for Aboriginal people.

The Challenge

Due to widespread sheep grazing and farming of crops, less than 1% of the original vegetation of the Victorian Volcanic Plains survives. With so little remnant vegetation remaining, seed production is particularly critical to the success of the project.

The Solution

We are working in partnership with landholders and stakeholders across the Victorian Volcanic Plains to reintroduce complex native grasslands back into the highly fertile landscape through a range of innovative techniques. Seed production, which provides the valuable native grass and wildflower seed needed to restore the landscape, plays a core role. Together with our partners we are growing a broad range of species to harness seed from, including many threatened species such as the Button Wrinklewort (Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides) and Hoary Sunray (Leucochrysum albicans var. tricolour).

We have also worked with a wide range of stakeholders including government, Catchment Management Authorities, partners, farmers and landholders to develop a Conservation Action Plan for the Victorian Volcanic Plains to guide on-ground work and maximise our impact.

Projects

Pinkerton Link

In 2010, we were commissioned by Western Water and the Pinkerton Link Environment Group (PLEG) to produce a Revegetation Management Plan for Pinkerton Link, an area which lies between two remnant patches of threatened Grey Box Woodland near Mount Cottrell in Victoria. We are working to relink these woodlands to create a continuous habitat for local wildlife by planting native grasslands.

Between 2011 to 2014, we planted approximately 5.5 hectares of new grassland in the link. Our work has been complemented by the planting of trees and shrubs by members of PLEG to create the beginnings of a Grey Box Grassy Woodland.

Tiverton

Our project at Tiverton, in the central region of the Victorian Volcanic Plains, is an ambitious trial to restore approximately 6 hectares of highly degraded Stoney Rise Grassy Shrubland. We are currently two years into the four-year project which is working to re-establish the area’s high quality grassland and locally rare tree and shrub species, such as the Plains form of Banksia Marginata.

VicRoads

VicRoads, who manage some of the best remaining patches of grasslands on the Victorian Volcanic Plains, have been involved in our Grassy Groundcover Recovery Project from the beginning. Since 2007, we have helped the corporation restore significant patches of roadside vegetation as well as increase populations of a number of nationally threatened plant species, including the Hoary Sunray and the Button Wrinklewort.

Resources

Project Officers

Candice Parker

Senior Program Officer

Jess Gardner