Peri-urban Weed Management Partnerships

The Building on Biodiversity – Coast to Country project is a partnership between the Mornington Peninsula Shire, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Parks Victoria and Local Community Groups, delivering on-ground Environmental Weed control at high biodiversity value sites. This project will enhance the remnant bushland of Arthurs Seat State Park, Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, Mornington Peninsula National Park and Point Nepean National Park. Works focus on environmental weed control to restore threatened vegetation communities and habitat for listed species such as the Swamp Skink, Southern Toadlet, White-footed Dunnart, and Powerful Owl.

Bush to Bay: Linking Landscapes on Bunurong Country is a collaborative project between Kingston City Council, City of Greater Dandenong and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.  Management efforts will focus on weed suppression along our sensitive coastal sand dune ecosystems, as well as at culturally significant sites. The project will provide local community groups and volunteers an opportunity to work alongside the Bunurong Strong Country Rangers and Council Conservation Officers to undertake weed control, revegetation, and cultural education activities. The foreshore hosts several unique species and threatened habitat’s, including remnant Coastal Dune Grassland, Coastal Dune Scrub, Coastal Headland Scrub, Sand Heathland and Coast Banksia Woodlands. The collaborative project aims to protect and enhance biodiversity by combining targeted weed reduction, promotion of indigenous species, and conservation with cultural knowledge.

The Cardinia Shire Council in partnership with Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, and the Friends of Cardinia Creek and Lysterfield Park community groups will enhance and restore native habitat by reducing high threat weeds along Cardinia Creek and the adjacent reserves. This work will help support the Critically Endangered Helmeted Honeyeater that was recently reintroduced into the Cardinia Creek Project Area.

Hobsons Bay is home to some incredibly important areas for biodiversity, including coastal vegetation and mudflats, which provide feeding, roosting and nesting areas for critically endangered migratory wading birds and local shorebirds. The Coastal Corridor Partnership project aims to reduce habitat-altering woody weeds (e.g. Boxthorn) and invasive grasses (e.g. Serrated Tussock), continuing the strong partnership between the Hobsons Bay City Council, Parks Victoria, the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, and local Friends of Groups.

French Island National Park, surrounded by the internationally significant Western Port Ramsar Site, is Victoria's largest island, hosting rich and diverse fauna and flora. The project focuses on two significant areas, Bluegums and Bullock Swamp. It aims to protect conservation assets, including threatened species like Eastern Barred Bandicoots and Long-nosed Potoroos, while enhancing habitats and native flora in Heathland, Dry Forest, Woodland, and Coastal ecosystems. Parks Victoria works with partner organisations to plan and deliver the work, including Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Friends of French Island, French Island Landcare, Zoos Victoria, Melbourne Water and DEECA.

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation is leading a project to restore habitat at Barak Creek – adjoining Healesville Sanctuary – for the critically endangered Broad-Toothed Rat that was discovered in 2024. As well as being a site of environmental significance, Nangenala is a site of cultural significance to the Wurundjeri people. Wurundjeri’s Narrap unit in collaboration with Zoo's Victoria will reduce Burgan infestations to restore critical habitat for the Broad-toothed Rat.

The Dandenong Ranges is home to a diverse range of vegetation communities, such as towering Mountain Ash trees and beautiful fern gullies. The area provides critical habitats for endangered species like Powerful Owls, Tree Goannas, and Southern Greater Gliders. This project targets weed species that have emerged following the 2021 storms event that reduced tree canopy cover and created significant ground disturbance. Weeds of greatest concern include Sweet Pittosporum, Sycamore Maple, Holly, English Ivy, and Blackberry. The project continues the strong partnership between the Yarra Ranges Council, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, Knox City Council and local environmental community groups.

The Watsons Creek Conservation Partnership is protecting over 1,000 hectares of Melbourne’s most intact remnant native vegetation. The areas included have high biodiversity values and are home to rare and threatened flora and fauna including various endangered native orchid species, Brush-tailed Phascogale, Slender-tailed Dunnart, Powerful Owl and Swift Parrot. The project continues the strong partnership between the Nillumbik Shire Council, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and local environmental community groups.

Located on the boundary of the Western Port Ramsar Site, with critical habitat supporting a host of national and state-listed flora and fauna species, this project is focusing on the protection of our sensitive mangrove ecosystems and bushland habitats. The project is mitigating the impact of invasive weeds within the Warneet Natural Features Reserve, Blind Bight Bushland Reserve, Quail Island and Chinaman Island. The City of Casey, in close collaboration with Parks Victoria and the Friends of Warneet, aim to enhance native species, and foster community engagement and education to promote the appreciation and protection of the reserves.