Achieving biodiversity benefits in priority locations
Reef Island and Bass River Mouth Nature Conservation Reserve supports terrestrial components of the Westernport Bay RAMSAR site and important habitat for many threatened and migratory species. This project will deliver strategic implementation of lethal rabbit and fencing to protect important native vegetation communities including delicate saltmarsh and mangroves.
This project has utilised Strategic Management Prospects (SMP) modelling to consider latest science and cost-benefit effectiveness aiming to maximise and enhance biodiversity benefits of the project within the landscape. Reef Island and Bass River Mouth NCR is a priority location for controlling pest herbivores under Protecting Victoria’s Environment- Biodiversity 2037 (Bio2037), with a cost-benefit ranking in the top 20% for action (rabbit & deer) across the whole state.
This project has been identified as a high priority under the Western Port and South-East Melbourne Conservation Action Plan.
Themes and Local Areas
| Primary Theme: | Native Vegetation |
| Other Themes: | Waterways, Native Animals, Coasts |
| Primary Local Area: | Bass Coast, South Gippsland & islands |
| Other Local Areas: | Western Port |
| Project location: | Priority locations of Reef Island and Bass River Mouth Nature Conservation Reserve |
| Scale of the project: | Local |
| New or continuing work: | Continuing/building on previous work |
Project partners
| Lead organisation: | Parks Victoria |
| Key partners: | Melbourne Water, Bass Coast Landcare Network |
| Registered Aboriginal Party/s relevant to the project or its area: | Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation |
Investment opportunities
| Opportunities for investors within this project start from: | $$ (Tens of thousands of dollars) |
| Estimated scale of investment for full project implementation: | $$ (Tens of thousands of dollars) |
| Estimated timeframe for full project implementation: | 2-10 years |
Contribution toward targets
| Primary Regional Catchment Strategy target: | Reef Island and Bass River Mouth NCR is around 297 hectares and has the ability to contribute to the RCS target for 120,000 hectares of sustained pest herbivore control in priority locations from 2017-2037. |
| Relevant Biodiversity 2037 goal: | Undertake weed or pest herbivore control to maintain and enhance vegetation quality in priority areas |
| Relevant National Landcare Program priority: | Ramsar – Western Port Ramsar site – Ecological character maintained or improved Priority species – Eastern Curlew, Orange-bellied Parrot and/or Hooded Plover – Trajectory improved |
More information
Western Port and South-east Melbourne Conservation Action Plan
https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/biodiversity/working-together-for-biodiversity
