Healesville to Phillip Island Nature Link

A biolink of national significance connecting three of Victoria’s iconic ecotourism attractions

The goal of the Healesville to Phillip Island Nature Link (HPLN) is to create a biolink of national significance connecting three of Victoria’s iconic ecotourism attractions (Healesville Sanctuary, Puffing Billy and Phillip Island Nature Parks) via natural corridors on public and private land.

The HPNL is designed to mitigate threats to our natural and cultural assets including some of our most loved and iconic plants, animals and places.

Continuous links from the internationally-recognised Western Port Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar-listed coastline and wetlands right up to the montane Ash forests of the Yarra Ranges will provide refuge and allow species to migrate through different elevations as habitats transform over time.

The rapid pace of urban expansion in the area is a major threat to the preservation of remnant vegetation and wildlife but also provides an opportunity to ensure a better future for the environment and humans alike. Environmental offsets from developments, including the possible new airport at Monomeith, are one of a number of potential funding sources which could facilitate necessary investment and ensure success.

Themes and Local Areas

Primary Theme:Native vegetation
Other Themes:Native animals, Waterways, Communities
Primary Local Area:Casey, Cardinia & Baw Baw
Other Local Areas:Yarra Ranges & Nillumbik, Bass Coast, South Gippsland & islands
Project location:Healesville to Phillip Island
Scale of the project:Landscape
New or continuing work:New project/work

Project partners

Lead organisation:Healesville to Phillip Island Nature Link Inc.
Key partners:Western Port Biosphere, Cardinia Environment Coalition, Melbourne Water, Tooradin Business Association
Registered Aboriginal Party/s relevant to the project or its area:Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation

Investment opportunities

Opportunities for investors within this project start from:TBD
Estimated scale of investment for full project implementation:TBD
Estimated timeframe for full project implementation:10+ years

Contribution toward targets

Primary Regional Catchment Strategy target:Major new biolinks – Significant, sustained revegetation programs have been undertaken from 2021 to 2050 and have created numerous major biolinks in priority locations across the region
Relevant Biodiversity 2037 goal:Revegetation of priority areas for connectivity between habitats
Relevant National Landcare Program priority:Soil, biodiversity and vegetation – Projects that will protect and enhance on-farm remnant native vegetation

More information

Healesville Phillip Island Nature Link website