Growling Grass Frog Reserves

The Masterplan consists of a package of the following components:

Investment priorities for habitat creation
Areas of Strategic Importance mapping
Growling Grass Frog Habitat Design Standards
Growling Grass Frog Crossing Design Standards

Priorities for investment in Growling Grass Frog wetlands

The Masterplan identifies ten high-priority creek sections across Melbourne's growth areas where clusters of breeding wetlands are being created to support populations of Growling Grass Frogs.

Most investment is occurring in the two waterways with the most important populations of Growling Grass Frogs: Merri Creek and Kororoit Creek.

Wetlands are also being established in the conservation areas along the Werribee River, Jacksons Creek and Cardinia Creek. The prioritisation ensures the most effective way of investing funds to mitigate habitat loss caused by urban development.

Areas of Strategic Importance

The primary purpose of Areas of Strategic Importance mapping is to protect existing and potential habitat within Growling Grass Frog conservation areas from incompatible uses. The Areas of Strategic Importance maps help partners and those developing land to avoid and minimise impacts on the most critical parts of the Growling Grass Frog conservation areas.

Areas of Strategic Importance spatial files

Areas of Strategic Importance mapping can also be viewed online in DELWP's Native Vegetation Information System (NVIM).

NVIM

Habitat Design Standards

The Growling Grass Frog Habitat Design Standards focus on creating effective breeding wetlands and reducing the impact of chytrid fungus . The standards also cover adjacent terrestrial habitat important for foraging, sheltering and migrating between populations.

Habitat Design Standards

Crossing Design Standards

All roads and crossings within the conservation areas must meet the Growling Grass Frog Crossing Design Standards. The standards ensure new and widened roads, railway lines and other infrastructure crossing through conservation areas are designed to provide easy passage for Growling Grass Frogs moving along waterways and between off-stream wetlands. Connectivity between populations is critical to the long-term viability of the Growling Grass Frog as it supports sustainable populations and genetic diversity.

Crossing Design Standards

Implementation of the Masterplan package

DELWP are applying the design standards and Areas of Strategic Importance requirements to:

the preparation of Conservation Area Concept Plans and Precinct Structure Plans
the design, construction and management of Growling Grass Frog wetlands funded under the Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program
the assessment of infrastructure proposals within conservation areas

the design and construction of roads, rail or other infrastructure permitted in Growling Grass Frog conservation areas