Introduction

Southern brown bandicoots are small marsupials (around the size of a rabbit) that were once one of the most common and widespread native mammals in southern Australia. Unfortunately, in recent years the population has continued to decline, and they are now listed as nationally endangered.

The Sub-regional species strategy for the southern brown bandicoot and Habitat supplement were prepared to outline the Victorian Government's commitments to mitigate the impacts of urban development on the southern brown bandicoot.

In accordance with these commitments, anyone who develops land that contains southern brown bandicoot connectivity under Plan 5 of the Botanic Ridge precinct structure plan (PSP) must meet mandatory planning permit requirements detailed below.

Meeting the conditions: southern brown bandicoot conservation

The 'Meeting the conditions: southern brown bandicoot conservation' document outlines the requirements that planners, developers and landowners need to meet related to 'Southern brown bandicoot connectivity landscape plans and designs for under-road transit infrastructure'.

Who is this information for?

There are strict planning requirements for any landowners who subdivide land containing southern brown bandicoot connectivity in the relevant south-east growth corridor precinct structure plans.

This is for landowners, developers or other consultants responsible for delivering conservation work under planning permit conditions:

  • Southern brown bandicoot conservation – habitat creation and/or
  • Southern brown bandicoot conservation – safe passage under roads.

Planning requirements for landowners and developers

If you are subdividing or developing land that contains southern brown bandicoot connectivity you must meet these mandatory conditions:

  1. Develop a Southern brown bandicoot connectivity landscape plan
    • A detailed Southern brown bandicoot connectivity landscape plan (SBBCLP) must be prepared and submitted to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The SBBCLP must meet the standards set out in the Meeting the conditions: southern brown bandicoot conservation document. SBBCLPs must be approved by the Secretary to DEECA before work can commence.
    • Under the condition, works and landscaping on the approved SBBCLP must be carried out to the satisfaction of the Secretary to DEECA.
  2. Develop detailed design drawings for southern brown bandicoot under-road transit infrastructure
    • Where roads cross southern brown bandicoot connectivity corridors, including those shown on Plan 7 of the Botanic ridge precinct structure plan, detailed design drawings must be prepared and submitted to DEECA.
    • The drawings must meet the standards set out in the 'Meeting the conditions: southern brown bandicoot conservation' document. The drawings must be approved by the Secretary to DEECA prior to commencing construction.

Note: Southern brown bandicoot connectivity landscape plans described above are in addition to the approval of any other relevant public land manager, including the anticipated land manager, for the relevant reserve. Refer to Table 9 in the PSP for guidance on the lead agency and funding of additional works for southern brown bandicoot habitat.

Page last updated: 18/11/25