FRIENDS
OF THE MARIBYRNONG VALLEY INC.
Reg No. A10136
"Hotspots"
| Home | Newsletters | Hotspots | Achievements | Committee |
:: Harpers Creek, Sunbury ::
Harpers Creek flows to the south of Sunbury township, through the historic rail viaduct and into Jacksons Creek at the Holden Flora and Fauna Reserve. There is considerable development occurring in the catchment, including the Jacksons Hill Estate, which is mostly completed, and approximately 150 hectares of land between the Calder Freeway and Vineyard Road, which is still in the planning stage.
Some flora and fauna studies have been conducted for the land yet to be developed, and have found four distinct Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs): Plains Grassland, Plains Grassy Woodland, Plains Woodland and Plains Grassy Wetland. Some important features in the area include basalt outcrops, logs, organic litter and a steep escarpment through which some drainage lines flow. The habitats are considered to be appropriate for several species of reptiles, small mammals, insects and birds, including the Golden Sun Moth in the Plains Grassland EVC. The area has been modified by grazing and is subject to weed inundation. There are also some sites of archaeological significance along the creek, including the historic rail viaduct.
The land to be developed is inside the urban growth boundary and is zoned for residential purposes. Some development has been approved and the remainder is subject to conditions by referral authorities such as the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Melbourne Water.
Residential development increases the quantity of runoff during rain events, as well as the sediment loads of the runoff. Developers are required to mitigate these effects with infrastructure such as retarding basins and Water Sensitive Urban Design features. Harpers Creek needs to be protected from excess flows and sediments, and the flow through the rail viaduct needs to be maintained at current levels. Both the lower reaches of Harpers Creek and Jacksons Creek cut through steep gorges and are subject to erosion.
Further studies are currently underway to improve the identification of significant flora and fauna, to ascertain the impact of the development on drainage and to design appropriate drainage infrastructure to offset the impacts.
~ Article submitted by Linda Forbes ~
:: Eynesbury Township, Melton Shire ::
A major development is underway along the western side of the Werribee River at Eynesbury. The proposal includes a golf course, which is under construction, several stages of residential development, a town centre and recreational facilities.
The 1200 hectare development site was rezoned from Rural and Environmental Rural to Mixed Use Zone in 2001. Aspects of the development that facilitated the rezoning include the use of recycled water from the Surbiton Treatment Plant and conservation of four significant areas within the property: the Grey Box Forest, the Werribee River Gorge, Green Hill and the Native Grasslands. Approval has been granted for 2900 lots over 10 to 15 years. The number of lots may be extended after this time to 4000.
This area has high environmental significance, and contains species such as the White-bellied Sea Eagle, Great Egret, Masked Owl, Barking Owl, Fat-tailed Dunnart, Growling Grass Frog and Buloke, as well as significant EVCs including Plains Grassy Woodland. The development was recently referred to the Federal Environment following the discovery of the Golden Sun Moth.
A VCAT tribunal will be held in June 2006 (15th, 16th & 19th June) regarding the two proposed roads into the township. The proposals include Haul Rd, which is a new road through an area of native grassland, and the widening and sealing of the existing Eynesbury Rd. Eynesbury Rd runs through the Grey Box Forest and is currently a narrow dirt road.
The Werribee Waterways Management Committee has presented information outlining their concerns to both Melbourne Water and Department of Sustainability & Environment. The WWMC are planning to provide expert witnesses for the upcoming VCAT tribunal, and hope to present a case outlining risks to environmental assets.
~ Article submitted by Linda Forbes ~