18/07/2023
Project Status Updates
Project Status Updates – July 2023
Since our last update in November 2022, we have:
- Finalised background reports which helped inform the Threshold Assessment
- Analysed information provided by government agencies for the Threshold Assessment, and
- Finalised input from government agencies on the draft Threshold Assessment.
In the coming months we will be completing the draft Threshold Assessment and seeking approval to share the report and consult with landowners with a view to finalising the Threshold Assessment process in early 2024.
Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon
The Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon (VGED) was recently found at a location west of Melbourne. It is the first time the species has been sighted in over 50 years, and it had been considered likely to be extinct.
Since its discovery, the VGED has been listed as critically endangered under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, as well as the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments are working to develop a plan to ensure the species’ ongoing conservation. This will include developing new survey techniques to allow the VGED to be more accurately identified, and confirming habitat likely to support the species.
The VPA has been advised that at this stage the Werribee Junction and Mambourin East PSPs have been identified as likely having habitat that would support the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon.
Mambourin East PSP* is covered by the Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA), which sets out conservation requirements to protect threatened flora and fauna under the EPBC Act. The VPA is currently seeking advice as to whether the MSA sufficiently sets out conservation requirements in response to the VGED, or whether additional Commonwealth approval would be required. We will advise further as we receive clarity in relation to this.
In the case of Werribee Junction, the MSA does not apply and will be subject to the investigation process. The timing of this is to be confirmed however finalisation of the project due diligence and determining the project commencement will have regard to further actions led by DEECA regarding the VGED.
At this stage, the VPA does not anticipate an impact on the progress of the Threshold Assessment. However, if the conservation requirements within the precinct are not able to be confirmed before the agency validation phase we may need to review project timing. We will keep stakeholders advised around this.
Given that VGED is Australia’s most endangered animal, DEECA will conduct constant monitoring in all areas where there are potential populations, including this PSP area, to ensure that no illegal land clearing is taking place.
The VPA will continue to engage with developers and landowners on conservation efforts for the VGED in PSPs and review project timing and keep stakeholders updated as required.
The VPA is currently pursuing a contact at DEECA for our stakeholders and will advise when that becomes available.
General information about the VGED be found at the Zoos Victoria website here.
For more information on VPA’s planning for Werribee Junction and Mambourin East, please get in contact with our project team.
*Please note that in our original July Project Status Update, we made an error. Mambourin East PSP is covered by the Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA). Werribee Junction PSP is not.