Program highlights

Western Grassland Reserve update

Land acquisition

Seasonal Herbaceous Wetland So far, we've purchased more than 20% of the Western Grassland Reserve. This means 3,205 hectares of threatened grasslands and wetlands are permanently protected. This land is currently being restored and managed by Parks Victoria. As we continue to raise revenue from the MSA Levy, we will purchase more land.

Managing weeds and other threats

Weeds are one of the most serious threats to fragile grassland ecosystems. Serrated tussock are found in many parts of the reserve and are considered to be one of the most damaging weeds in Australia because of their ability to quickly spread and invade pastures and grasslands.

Controlling and managing weeds is a complex task, with each area requiring different methods of removal. To do this, we work with various organisations, local councils, and other government agencies to manage threats to native plants, animals, and ecosystems.

Our delivery partner, Wyndham City Council, has supported landowners to control weeds on more than 6,000 hectares of private land. A range of actions to prevent biodiversity decline of 1,000 hectares of private land have been undertaken, supported by our research partner, the Arthur Rylah Institute.

Creating new conservation areas

The growling grass frog, golden sun moth, and striped legless lizard are some of the threatened species that will be permanently protected in 36 conservation areas across 4,000 hectares around Melbourne. So far, we have secured land in 16 conservation areas. This includes Banda Bail, in Melbourne’s north, which is managed by Hume City Council and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

Protecting rare woodland

Through our partnership with Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, and Trust for Nature, we are creating the 1,200-hectare Grassy Eucalypt Woodland Protected Area in Melbourne’s north west.

Trust for Nature leads the landowner engagement and Wurundjeri is surveying properties to identify priorities.

Growling grass frog program

Habitat loss, a deadly fungus and predatory fish are some of the reasons growling grass frog numbers have dropped by around 50%, according to our recent monitoring study of nearly 150 sites in Merri Creek and Darebin Creek.

Through this program, we've secured land in growling grass frog conservation areas 34 (Merri Creek) and 36 (Clyde Creek). We've also completed a purpose-built growling grass frog wetland near Rockbank where these frogs are now thriving.

Planning is progressing for a cluster of 10 wetlands in the Merri Creek conservation area near Donnybrook, which will be delivered by Melbourne Water.

Getting on the Bandi-wagon

Southern brown bandicott We’re proud to partner with Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne (RBGC) to support and encourage local councils, developers and communities to create bandicoot-friendly suburbs in the south-east.

The southern brown bandicoot program helps wildlife live side-by-side with us and residents to connect with and value nature. Work has begun establishing habitat corridors to help bandicoots safely navigate residential areas.

We are also helping to improve scientific understanding of the bandicoot by contributing to the development of a state-wide genetic rescue strategy to help address the problems associated with the fragmented distribution of Victoria’s populations. In addition, a Population Viability Analysis model is under development to identify knowledge gaps for future research.

Investment in conservation

A blue circle with a dollar sign in the middel We’ve spent more than $154.529 million on land acquisition. This includes $132.448 million on land purchases and $22.081 million on land compensation payments. We've also spent $68.465 million on land management, monitoring, research and other conservation actions (as of April 2024).

Page last updated: 24/04/24