Reports

Recommendation

DEECA should review the MSA Program's ecological monitoring and reporting framework. This should include redesigning existing methods and measures where required to achieve landscape-scale conservation outcomes. DEECA should address knowledge gaps through a research strategy.

Response

We are:

• Reviewing and updating the monitoring and reporting framework.
• Developing a strategy to address knowledge gaps (to inform decision-making and management).

Recommendation

DEECA should produce a strategy to embed Traditional Owner rights and knowledge into the MSA Program. This includes their values, cultural heritage, and participation in its design and implementation.

Response

We are:

• Creating a strategy to include Traditional Owners' rights, knowledge, values, and participation in the program. Additionally, we are funding activities to build capacity in Registered Aboriginal Parties.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Redesign the MSA program logic. Consult Traditional Owners, scientists, land managers, and other stakeholders.
• Create a governance framework to improve program decision-making and risk management.

Response

We are:

• Updating the program logic and consulting with key stakeholders.
• Reviewing and updating the governance arrangements for the program, including all decision-making processes.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Adopt a risk-based land acquisition strategy. It should prioritise conservation and include interim management.

Response

We have:

• Prepared a risk-based land acquisition strategy for the Western Grassland Reserve.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Modify the Natural Temperate Grassland monitoring methods. Organise by management unit and state. Include 'time since acquisition' as a parameter.
• Add a 'grassland quality' metric to the reports to improve interpretation of results
• Address areas where measures show that grassland condition is deteriorating.

Response

We are:

• Reviewing and updating the monitoring and reporting framework.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Deliver the Grassy Eucalypt Woodland baseline by 2026, as planned. Adopt interim measures now to prevent deterioration in at-risk areas.
• Change the monitoring methods for the Grassy Eucalypt Woodland. Organise them by management unit and by state. Also, measure 'time since acquisition.'
• Add an overarching ’grassland quality’ metric to the key performance indicator reporting suite.

Response

We are:

• Reviewing and updating the monitoring and reporting framework.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Increase weed control and funding for land managers to protect seasonal herbaceous wetland.
• Do more research into grazing effects, hydrological changes, and planting other native species.
• Broaden the KPI suite for future monitoring and reporting on wetland conditions.

Response

We are:

• Improving weed management in the Western Grassland Reserve with our partners.
• Reviewing key performance indicators.
• Identifying information needs and priorities by developing a knowledge strategy.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Consider changes to how the golden sun moth is monitored.
• Undertake research into the impacts of biomass control.

Response

We are:

• Changing the existing occupancy measure to an abundance measure.
• Looking into relationships between golden sun moth and grassland biomass and composition.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Periodically sample the genetics of future matted flax-lily populations. This will ensure their viability. It will also help develop a biomass control plan for the species.

Response

We are:

• Using a population viability analysis to make a decision tree. This should address when and how to control biomass.
• We accept the critical importance of genetic sampling for all larger populations.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Clarify the monitoring design.
• Assess the adequacy of the current 10-year monitoring and reporting threshold.
• Develop a biomass control plan for the spiny rice-flower.

Response

We are:

• Incorporating the updated monitoring design into the new monitoring and reporting framework.
• Reviewing the 10-year monitoring and reporting thresholds.
• Using existing Population Viability Analyses to create a decision tree. This should address when and how to control biomass.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Research the southern brown bandicoot's habitat preferences. Study its responses to pressures and management.
• Design a protocol for using citizen science. Empower partners to contribute to reporting on KPIs.

Response

We will:

• Review compatible data from other organizations on population trends. We will supplement this with a literature review.
• Work with the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne to boost community engagement and citizen science.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Monitor new corridors for the Growling Grass Frog. Assess threats and management responses.
• Encourage citizen science to supplement conventional monitoring.

Response

We are:

• Monitoring corridors under a 5-year rolling program. This includes the Merri, Darebin, and Moonee Ponds Creek catchments, and the Emu and Jacksons Creek catchments.
• Working with GGF land managers to support community engagement and citizen science.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Urgently assess the impacts of biomass and pests on the small golden moths orchid.

Response

We are:

• Reviewing and prioritising this knowledge gap and looking at establishing a monitoring regime.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Redesign the KPI and monitoring protocol for the striped legless lizard. The measure for persistence should be a randomly sampled occupancy measure across all sites. It should also account for new locations.
• Undertake research to assess habitat preferences and population dynamics for the striped legless lizard.

Response

We are:

• Reviewing and updating the monitoring and reporting framework.
• We will assess habitat preferences using existing (and future) data.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Assess the causes of recruitment failure for the button wrinklewort population, including research into germination.
• Develop a management plan for the species based on the findings.

Response

We are:

• Working on this recommendation with La Trobe University.

• Future work will be refined through the new knowledge strategy and a review of the monitoring and reporting framework.

Recommendation

DEECA should:

• Investigate the benefits of boosting populations of large-fruit groundsel by planting tube stock.

Response

We are:

• Reviewing, refining, prioritising, and implementing by preparing the knowledge strategy.