Native Wildlife and Vegetation

In This Section: 

What is biodiversity and why is it important?

Ballarat's unique wildlife and vegetation

How residents can help conserve native wildlife and vegetation

How business can help conserve native wildlife and vegetation

How Council is helping to conserve native wildlife and vegetation

Koala Management Plan

Community environmental groups

Related pages

What is biodiversity and why is it important?

Conserving native wildlife and vegetation is important because it help to preserve the diversity of living things, all of which depend in one and other in some large or small way.  The wide variety of living things is called "biodiversity".  It includes the vast array of different plants from our mosses and ferns to giant, towering trees, the tiniest insect to birds, fish and mammals as well as the microscopic forms of life such as bacteria and fungi.  The term also includes the genetic material and habitats of living organisms.

Diverse natural systems are healthy, self-sustaining ecosystems in which all living things play a part.

We rely on this interplay between all living things to give us clean air, fresh drinking water and healthy soils in which to grow our crops.  Urban development interferes with this natural balance and may destroy the habitat of many of the organisms in the chain.

While the exact nature of human impact on an ecosystem may take some years to become evident, it is prudent for all of us to consider the conservation of natural systems and local biodiversity in our home and work activities.

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Ballarat's unique wildlife and vegetation

Some significant flora and fauna can be found in Ballarat.  Miners Rest Wetland contains a population of the endangered, Stiff Groundsel (Senecio behrianus, pictured below), of which there are only five known sites where it is found growing in the wilds.  It is also an important site for Lathams Snipe bird (pictured above right), a migratory species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Victoria Park on the wast side of the CBD contains significant remnant indigenous grasslands.  Botanical surveys have indicated over 50 indigenous plant varieties across two major sites.  The grasslands have been recognised as significant and worthy of protection since 1990.

Ballarat's flora and fauna, including koalas, are natural assets that are important to retain.  The City has a number of strategies and planning provisions to protect Ballarat's biodiversity.

There are a range of native plants that have adapted to grow readily in Ballarat's climate conditions.  Click here for a list of plants that are native to the Ballarat area.

Some non-indigenous plants can grow too vigorously in Ballarat and becomeweeds.  If these escape into bushland they may compete aggressively and reduce native plant numbers.  Blackberry is a common example of an exotic plant that becomes invasive and Fairy Grass is an example of a native plant that can become a nuisance in times of drought and has caused a problem in recent years on Ballarat's dry lake beds.

Similarly, some local native animals are threatened by the destruction of habitat and also by the hunting behaviour of domestic cats and dogs.

Some threatened local species are pictured here: (clockwise from top left), Brolgas, Azure Kingfisher, Growling Grass Frog, Brush-tailed Phascogale, the Golden Cowslips Orchid and the Blue Billed Duck.  Click here for information on these and more.

Click here for a list of threatened birds and animals in the Ballarat area.

Click here for a list of threatened plants in the Ballarat area.

Click here for a fact sheet on Fairy Grass.

Click here for a weedmap of Victoria including pictures of many weeds common in Ballarat.

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How residents can help conserve native wildlife and vegetation

As more Victorians take the tree change and live outside the metropolitan areas, there is a pressing need to be more aware of and care for our native wildlife such as koalas, and their habitat. The City of Ballarat has produced a series of booklets for residents highlighting:

• “Threatened species of Central Victoria”. A booklet for young readers that journeys through the various habitats of Central Victoria, from the forested highlands down on to the plains and introduces threatened species such as White Goshawks and Brush-tailed Phascogales
• “Meet the locals”. A booklet which explains how to make sure your fire protection, fencing, pets and general bush block living enhances rather than harms “the locals”.
• “Before you buy or build: a guide to native vegetation and planning”. A booklet for landowners that explains what native vegetation is, why we need to conserve our native vegetation, the legislation that protects native vegetation, and the process they may need to go through with Council/DSE when applying for a permit
• Take care with what goes into the gutter.  Chemicals, phosphates and organic waste in stormwater can be detrimental to biodiversity in creeks and rivers.
• Consider planting a native garden or having an indigenous section in your garden featuring plants that occur naturally in Ballarat.  These indigenous plants are a good choice for Ballarat gardens because they are easy to grow and don't require special treatment such as fertilizers and pesticides,  while non indigenous plants, both native and exotic, can and do grow very nicely in Ballarat's climate, come of these may require extra care and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Balance your need for fire preparation witht he needs of local flora and fauna - instead if removing large old trees, remove leaf-litter and shrubs that are the greater fire risk.
• Minimise the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in gardens as these can upset the natural balance between organisms.
• Control cats and dogs so that they do not hunt or harm other birds and animals.  Observe the cat curfew, and keep your dog in an appropriate enclosure - especially if you live in a koala habitat area.
• Take care when driving; drive slower at dusk and dawn as this is when most wildlife such as koalas and kangaroos cross roads.
• Be aware of and don;t plant exotic plants that can become invasive weeds. Click here to view pictures of weeds common to the central and west regions of Victoria.
• Dispose of garden waste responsibly so that weed plants don't become invasive.  Don't dump them on roadsides or in bushland.
• Consult with Council's Statutory Planning Department if you plan to undertake works to subdivide, build a fence, remove natural vegetation, build or renovate a dwelling.  Only collect fire wood from designated areas to limit the removal of dead wood that provides habitat for small animals and insects.
• Join a local conservation group, participate in tree planting or a clean up event.
• Reduce waste materials, water and energy in your household and workplace.

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How business can help conserve native wildlife and vegetation

Depending on the type of business, there may be specific or general actions you can take to protect biodiversity.

Generally, all efforts to work more sustainably by reducing waste of materials, water and energy will represent a contribution to a healthier environment and thereby conservation of biodiversity.

Specifically, particular industries can have a greater effect on the environment.  For example;

• Building activities
• Horticulture activities
• Manufacturing
• Agriculture

Largely, impacts from these sectors relate to the use of chemicals, land and soil disturbance and waste management.  The EPA and you Industry Association are useful sources of information relating to the best environmental practice relevant to your business.  An online library of sustainable industry resources can be found at the Swinburne University Resource Bank.

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How Council is helping to conserve native wildlife and vegetation

Council is taking a number of measures to protect biodiversity through its own operations, as well as developing guidelines and regulations to ensure biodiversity protection as the the municipality develops and population increases.  Council has developed a number of strategies and plans which are being implemented to protect the biodiversity.  For example:

• Ballarat Tree Management Plan
• Ballarat Koala Management Plan Part 1 and Part 2
• Yarrowee Sub Catchment Plan
• Regional Conservation Strategy
• Roadside Vegetation Plan (draft)
• Cat Curfew
• Relevant planning regulations to support sustainable development
• Support for community environmental groups

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Koala Management Plan

The City of Ballarat is the first Council in Victoria to work together with the Australian Koala Foundation to produce a Koala Plan of Management (KPoM) for the municipality.  The Plan aims to ensure the Koalas of Ballarat can still find food, travel around in their home ranges and produce young even as the population of Ballarat increases.  One of the ways this can be done is by introducing new policies in the planning scheme.

The planning policy (or overlay) that relates to the KPoM is called the "Schedule 5 to the Environmental Significance overlay or ES05".  For more information contactCouncil Customer Service.  The most important koala feed trees in the Ballarat area are the Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalia) and the Messmate Stringybark (E. obliqua).  The preservation of these species will support the maintenance of koalas in Ballarat.

Manna Gum - Koala Food         Stringybark Messmate - Koala Food

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Community environmental groups

A list of various local and neighbouring environmental conservation organisations and their contact details can be found here.

A broader list of conservation groups and relevant government agencies can be found here.

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