Click on a map marker pin for more information about the grassland.
The vegetation is Plains Woodland dominated by Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa and large areas of native grassland. Two types of Plains Grassland occur within Bush’s Paddock, one is dominated by Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra; the other is dominated by Spear-grass Austrostipa spp. and Wallaby-grasses Rytidosperma spp.
This 45 ha reserve has had a long history of stock grazing, however plantings and weed/pest animal control has recently been undertaken to restore the site.
The Ridge Paddock grasslands (130.05 ha) were purchased in 2002 as part of the Department of Sustainability and Environment's conservation land purchase program. The Ridge Paddock and adjoining Cobra Killuc Wildlife Reserve form the largest Plains Grassland/Grassy Woodland reserve (662 ha) in the Dundas Tablelands.
The main Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) present in Ridge Paddock is Plains Grassland. Cobra Killuc Wildlife Reserve has one of the largest and most species-rich examples of Plains Grassy Woodland remaining in Victoria, and includes approximately 150 ha of native grasslands. Creekline Grassy Woodland EVC also occurs at Cobra Killuc Wildlife Reserve.
Narrow rows of native trees border Ridge Paddock on the southern, northern and eastern sides of the reserve.
The DSE Management Statement for these reserves includes a flora and fauna species list for the reserves.
DSE Management Statement (2005) for the reserve http://nrmonline.nrm.gov.au/catalog/mql:2117
This reserve of 52.6 ha contains large areas of Plains Grassland and patches of Red Gum Plains Grassy Woodland.
Cooper Street Grassland, together with the Craigieburn Grasslands Flora and Fauna Reserve and the link between, is listed on the Register of the National Estate (Australian Heritage Commission 1998).
Merri Creek Management Committee
http://www.mcmc.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=246&Itemid=331
Mainly open plain native grassland, including some stony ridges (Stony Knoll Grassland) and a seasonal wetland within 340 ha. The Merri Creek and its escarpment form the western boundary.
The State Government purchased this site in 1999 with the assistance of the National Heritage Trust. The Craigieburn Grasslands Flora and Fauna Reserve is listed on the Register of the National Estate and is one of the most significant and largest remaining examples of Western Plains Basalt Grassland.
Merri Creek Management Committee
http://www.mcmc.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=244&Itemid=332
More detail
http://www.mcmc.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=247&Itemid=3
Interim Management Plan (1998)
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/40380590/CRAIGIEBURN-GRASSLAND-Interim-Management-Statement
This site, consisting of approximately 250 ha of unimproved Western Plains grassland was purchased with funds from the Commonwealth and State. This reserve provides quality habitat for Plains-wanderers, Striped Legless Lizards and many regionally significant plants.
This site is a ‘dog off leash’ area.
Adjoins Denton Grassland Wildflower Garden and Denton Hills Parkland.
This is one of the largest grassland reserves within the Western Volcanic Plains (134 ha). Even though it is close to Melbourne, it provides habitat for many species including bandicoots, Fat-tailed Dunnarts, native rodents and various reptiles and frogs.
This site contains Themeda triandra grassland and Amphibromus nervosus/Agrostis avenacea grassland.
Nearby are the Gilbertson’s Grasslands (Melway Reference 39 E6), William Angliss Native Grassland Reserve (Melway Reference 39 F10), Mt Derrimut Grasslands (Melway Reference 25 C12) and Laverton North Grasslands (Melway Reference 54 A3).
A 4 ha reserve in Sunbury. The site is protected by a Trust for Nature conservation covenant.
A 4 ha reserve.
This 288 ha forest site is bordered by 64 ha of native grassland reserve. These two sites are home to kangaroos, emus and many other bird species. The Grey Box Forest is registered with the National Estate and has a Melton Shire Natural Heritage Overlay. The area was formerly part of the Eynesbury Station pastoral run.
This 221 ha community parkland is a recreation and conservation area known as the bandicoot enclosure.
Hamilton Community Parklands Bandicoot Enclosure Management Plan 2002.
Natural values include remnant native grasslands and grassy woodlands adjoining Jacksons Creek.
This 38 ha site may provide suitable habitat for the Grassland Earless Dragon.
Hume City Council
http://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Leisure_Tourism/Tourism/Visit_Sunbury_Surrounds/Flora_Fauna
Friends of Holden Flora Reserve
http://www.holdenflorareserve.org.au/
Parks Victoria
This 8 ha Recreation Reserve was used as the local football ground for many years but still has a surprising range of native grassland species. Across the road is the 11 ha Grassland Reserve which conserves some excellent native grassland with a diverse range of species represented.
Approximately 40 ha of Western Volcanic Plains grassland, adjacent to Jones Creek.
Species present may include the Striped Legless Lizard and the Spiny Rice-flower (Pimelea spinescens ssp. spinescens).
A large tree lined reserve. There is a conservation area of native grassland at the southern end of the reserve.
Moonee Valley City Council
The main vegetation type upstream of Kororoit Creek Road, for the length of Kororoit Creek, is a combination of Western Plains grassland, escarpment vegetation and riparian scrub along the watercourses. Western Plains grasslands were dominated in the past by Kangaroo Grass. The escarpment vegetation included Sweet Bursaria, Tree Violet and Blackwood. The Riparian woodlands were dominated by Red Gum, with scattered shrubs and a range of grassy wetland plants on the alluvial flats. Remnants of these vegetation communities along Kororoit Creek have been highlighted for protection.
The Moolapio project is a partnership initiative between Greening Australia and Alcoa of Australia, at Point Henry, Geelong. One component of the project is broad-scale restoration (300 ha over 15 years) of a grassland ecosystem.
Grassland Field Days have been held for the public at four established areas of grassland (14 ha) located on Alcoa land off Clifton Avenue.
The grassland supports a number of regionally threatened or endangered grass and wildflower species.
Greening Australia’s work, supported by Alcoa Point Henry, is helping to bring this ecosystem back from the brink.
Approximately 160 ha of open Western Plains Grassland and wetland.
A 400 ha conservation site enclosed by an 11 kilometre electrified predator proof fence, making it the largest predator free ecosystem in Victoria. The site contains native plains grassland, herb rich grassy woodland, granitic hills habitat and old growth woodland. The remnant grasslands contain many critically endangered flora species.
The property is managed to conserve and breed some of Australia’s most threatened fauna, including native grassland species such as the Eastern Barred Bandicoot.
Management and research is carried out in consultation with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Zoos Victoria and various universities.
The Mount Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre website has extensive information about the site and species.
Contains remnant Plains Woodland dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus melliodora, and has an Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO1). The Napier Family bequeathed Napier Park to the City of Essendon in the 1920s when the suburb of Strathmore was developed. The family highly valued this 10-ha site of remnant Plains Woodland and wished to see it preserved. Today this is highly valued by the community and is the only large remnant woodland within Moonee Valley representing the original Plains Woodland landscape and environmental character of the area.
The 33 ha Newport Lakes Reserve was created from a former bluestone quarry and rubbish tip site. The lakes area of the park has been extensively revegetated with over 200 species of plants and 85 species of birds recorded at the site.
A self-guided two-kilometre nature trail around the lake takes approximately 40 minutes at a leisurely pace. A trail brochure is available from the on-site nursery.
Website: Hobsons Bay City Council
Friends of Newport Lakes, for map, species lists etc.
This historical cemetery site supports one of the best remaining examples of original Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra. The Button Wrinklewort Rutidosis leptorrhyncoides may still exist here. The central section of the cemetery has been reserved for the preservation of these species. The area is burnt once in three years during winter when the Button Wrinklewort is dormant.
85 ha of Keilor plains landscape adjoining Jacksons Creek. In 1972 this area was covered with weeds including thistles and boxthorn. Weeds have been progressively removed and native trees and shrubs have established. The task of re-establishing native grasses and herbs has been more difficult, but there is now a substantial field of Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra on the north side of the track.
Spiny-rice Flower may occur on this site.
35 ha of mature mostly Plains Woodland dominated by Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa, with a sparse understorey dominated by indigenous grasses.
PLEG is helping to restore native grasslands and grassy grey-box woodlands, including the grassy woodland of Pinkerton Forest and the nearby native grassland in Bush's Paddock (Mulla Mulla Grasslands).
The Victorian Government will reserve 15,000 ha of land to protect native grasslands in Melbourne’s west. The reserves will offset the loss of native grassland in areas designated by the state government for urban growth in Melbourne’s north and west. The government plans to purchase all of the designated land required by 2020.
The reserves will contain native grassland, open grassy woodland, rocky knolls, waterways and ephemeral wetlands. These grassland reserves will provide habitat for species including the Golden Sun Moth, Striped Legless Lizard, Growling Grass Frog, Button Wrinklewort and Spiny Rice-flower.
The cemetery was set up in the 1870s on approximately 5 ha.
Rokewood Cemetery contains a good example of Plains Grassland. The cemetery site contains a number of grassland species including Feather-heads, Billy Buttons and Sundews. The grassland area is regularly burnt for biomass removal every second summer to provide suitable conditions for the Button Wrinklewort, Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides.
The Rokewood Cemetery is of historical, social, architectural and scientific (botanical) significance to the Golden Plains Shire.
The Friends of Taylors Creek have created a wildflower garden at Rutherglen Way to showcase the indigenous grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees that were once widespread across the Western Volcanic Plains area. The Friends of Taylors Creek are a small group of residents that revegetate and help to preserve the natural beauty of this area, extend the pathways and the plantings, and promote it within the community so that more residents can discover it.
This 250 ha sanctuary enables visitors to interact with wetland and open grassy woodland habitats of the Western Volcanic Plains, and view native wildlife.
This 74 ha site is primarily native grassland, close to Mt Emu Creek, also the site of Corangamite Shire’s Transfer Station.
Contains remnant Western Volcanic Plains Grassland and is protected with an Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO2). The adjoining Moonee Ponds Creek also provides some natural environmental values and habitat corridor values.
Werribee Open Range Zoo manages a restored native grassland site in which Eastern Barred Bandicoots have been released.
This park allows visitors to experience the landscape and wildlife seen by European settlers in the 1840s. The park has remnant grassy woodland and native grassland. Kangaroos, birds and other wildlife may be viewed in the fenced 400 ha ‘Back Paddock’, which is a recovery site for Eastern Barred Bandicoots. The 'Back Paddock' was fenced in 1987, as a nature reserve to protect native wildlife from dogs, cats and foxes. The Eastern Barred Bandicoot was re-established there the following year.
