Native Vegetation & Wildlife
Native Vegetation
The term ‘native vegetation’ refers to trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses that have grown naturally in Victoria prior to European arrival. It does not include plants that originate from other parts of Australia or from other countries. Victoria has a wide range of vegetation types, including alpine meadows, mallee, grasslands, grassy woodlands, forests, heathlands, wetlands and coastal scrub. Some of Victoria’s plants are endemic to the state, which means they are found nowhere else in the world.
Why is native vegetation important?
- Provides habitat for plants and animals
- Prevents land degradation, such as salinity and erosion
- Minimises impacts of climate change
- Maintains long-term productive capacity of land
- Provides shade and shelter on farms, improving crop and stock productivity
- Protects water quality
- Provides opportunities for future use of genetic resources
- Maintains our distinctive Australian landscape
Native vegetation planning and management
Historically, a vast amount of native vegetation has been cleared in the Goulburn Broken Catchment for the agricultural and timber industries. Today, only 30% of the pre-European coverage remains. The Victorian Government has developed a Native Vegetation Management Framework to conserve, enhance and revegetate Victoria's native vegetation.
The framework has three guiding principles:
- Retention and management of remnant native vegetation is the best way to conserve biodiversity
- Conservation of native vegetation and habitat depends on the maintenance of catchment processes
- Costs should be shared equitably based on benefits to the landholder, community and region
A landscape approach to planning native vegetation management is required and priorities should be based on bioregions within Catchment Management Authority regions.
Biogeographic regions (or Bioregions) depict the patterns of ecological characteristics in the landscape and are the basis for planning and managing biodiversity in Victoria. Bioregions are the basis from which the conservation status of Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and priorities for managing threatened species are determined. EVCs are units that describe and map the local patterns of vegetation diversity. EVCs represent one or more plant communities that occur in a similar environmental niche (e.g. geology, soil, aspect, rainfall). The conservation status of remaining patches of EVCs is determined for each bioregion.
When you're planning a garden or landscape, consider the CFA's information on how to prepare your property with landscaping. This is a valuable resource for architects, developers, nursery owners and home gardeners while planning to minimise risk to the defendable space around a house.
If you are required to provide a Landscape Plan as a part of a permit application, you can find example templates and a minimum requirement document on our planning page.
Removing native vegetation
Landowners must contact Council before removing native vegetation (including trees, grasses and shrubs) to determine if a planning permit is required. The need for a planning permit is determined by the Native Vegetation Management Framework and the local Planning Scheme.
In applying the Framework, there are three key steps for land managers and owners to address when considering vegetation removal:
- Avoid adverse impacts, particularly through vegetation clearance;
- If impacts cannot be avoided, minimise impacts by careful planning, design and management; and;
- If clearing must occur, the clearing must be offset
If a planning permit is required this three-step approach is an integral part of the decision making process relating to the permit. Offsets are determined by the conservation status of the Ecological Vegetation Class the vegetation proposed for removal represents.
For further information please contact Council's Environment Officer on 03 5775 8555.
Planting native vegetation
Broad-scale clearing that has historically occurred for economic development has caused environmental problems such as stressed ecosystems, salinity, poor water quality in streams and rivers and reduced populations of native animals, many to the point of extinction. To help combat this, individuals, organisations and regulatory authorities can revegetate areas of cleared land with native vegetation.
When planning for landscaping consider native species that naturally grow in your area; they will thrive with less maintenance and provide a habitat for native animals. The next best option may be to consider vegetation native to Victoria in general.
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority has developed a Revegetation Guide that lists native vegetation specific to the Mansfield Shire. It is a useful resource that assists with what species to plant and how to most successfully revegetate land.
For more specific localised knowledge of native vegetation contact your local Landcare group.
Native vegetation contacts
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
North East Regional Office
86 Sydney Road
Benalla Vic 3672
(03) 5761 1611
delwp.vic.gov.au
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority
Head Office
168 Welsford Street
PO Box 1752
Shepparton Vic 3632
(03) 5820 1100
gbcma.vic.gov.au
Native Wildlife
‘Native wildlife’ or ‘fauna’ are animals that have thrived naturally in Victoria prior to European arrival. The Mansfield Shire is home to wildlife that are native and some are even endemic to the Mansfield Shire. Species such as the Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) living amongst the rocks of Mt Battery and the Barred Galaxias (Galaxias fuscus), a fish found in the headwaters of our Shire’s rivers, are genetically unique to our region and currently listed as threatened species.
Other native animals may include wombats, echidnas, red-tail black cockatoos, pygmy possums, the eastern grey kangaroo and so many more. Due to competition with pest animals, urban development and climate change, some of our native animals are in rapid decline.
Why is native wildlife important?
- Integral to healthy ecosystems
- Increased biodiversity
- Maintain and manage biodiversity
- Unique and iconic to Australia
For more information on the threatened native fauna species in the Mansfield Shire, visit the Statewide Integrated Flora and Fauna Teams (SWIFFT) website.
Heat stressed wildlife
During summer, wildlife may suffer from heat stress due to extreme temperatures. We can help animals suffering from heat stress by:
- Offering shade. Plant native species and shade trees.
- Leave bowls of water around the garden or use the hose to spray mist into trees and shrubs to create cooler niches that they can use to escape the heat.
If it is a larger animal such as a kangaroo, koala or wombat, it is not recommended that you touch or handle it for your own safety. Under no circumstances should you touch or handle a flying-fox as they can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans.
For more information, read the Wildlife and Heat Stress Fact Sheet.
Swooping birds
The spring months are the beginning of the breeding season for many native birds. Swooping is a protective behavioural adaptation consistent with species such as Magpies and Plovers during this time. Both are native, protected species and it’s important we don’t misunderstand this behaviour, as the birds are simply protecting their young.
Some tips in dealing with swooping birds in your area:
- Do not harass the birds; this will give them added reason to see humans as a threat and may increase swooping behaviour.
- Magpies can live for up to 20 years in the same area. So spend some time allowing your local magpies to get used to you as a non-threat outside of their breeding season
- Magpies defend their nests for 6-8 weeks – from when their chicks hatch, to when they fledge. Make a note on your calendar if you notice a swooping bird.
- We do not capture or remove swooping birds, however, we encourage reporting known locations where birds are swooping on both public and private land through the Victorian Swooping Bird Map or by phoning the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on 136 186.
- A swooping bird map of Victoria shows locations where people have been swooped so you can take extra precautions or warn others to avoid the area while birds are protecting their nests and young.
- If you know of a swooping bird, avoid the area if possible.
- Move quickly (but don’t run or dismount from bikes) through the area if you must pass.
- Cover your head, carry a stick or umbrella.
- Fix a pair of ‘eyes’ to the back of hats and helmets.
- Do not destroy nests. This may prompt birds to rebuild their nests, prolonging the swooping behaviour.
- Don’t feed swooping birds. This may encourage swooping behaviour.
- Travel with others, if possible.
- Erect signage to notify others of swooping magpies, or ask us to do so.
- It is illegal to intentionally harm, shoot, trap or kill native wildlife under the Wildlife Act 1975.
For more information about living with wildlife, visit Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning.
Snakes
If you see a snake, remain calm and try to safely move away from the snake. Most snakes in Victoria are venomous and bites occur when people try to catch or kill them.
Snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 and it is illegal to capture, kill or harm them.
Snakes are attracted to shelter, such as piles of rocks and timber, sheets of metal, or building materials. Ensure you clean up around your property and cut lawns regularly to prevent favourable snake habitats around your house.
Our Shire has qualified commercial snake catchers who will safely remove and relocate snakes from your property:
Native fauna protection
What you can do for our native wildlife:
Land for Wildlife
Land for Wildlifeis a voluntary wildlife conservation program. If you wish to create or protect wildlife habitats on your property, then the Land for Wildlife scheme can offer you advice and assistance no matter whether you manage a farm, a bush block, a council park or school ground. For more information, visit the Regional Land for Wildlife Coordinator website.
Trust for Nature Covenant
There is no greater gesture an individual can make to the conservation of Victoria’s biodiversity than placing a Trust for Nature covenant on a property to protect habitat forever.
A conservation covenant is a voluntary agreement between Trust for Nature and the landowners. It is placed on the title of the land to ensure that the natural bushland is permanently protected.
Mansfield Shire Council offers a rate rebate to landowners who register a Trust for Nature conservation covenant on their property.
The rebate acknowledges the long-term commitment of these landowners to conserving the biodiversity on their land. Landowners will receive a rebate of up to $25 per hectare of land placed under covenant. The total rebate will depend on the rated value of the covenanted area, with a minimum rebate of $50 and a maximum rebate of $500.
For further information on conservation covenants, visit the Trust for Nature website.
Native Wildlife Rescue Services
If you come across any sick or injured Wildlife call one of the following services for advice:
Mansfield Wildlife Shelter
PO Box 616, Mansfield, Vic 3722
Rescue Hotline: 0418 563166
Phone (Admin): 03 5776 9688
Website: www.mansfieldwildlifeshelter.com
Wildlife Victoria
Phone: 03 8400 7300
Website: www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/
Snakes
If you see a snake, remain calm and try to safely move away from the snake. Most snakes in Victoria are venomous and bites occur when people try to catch or kill them.
Snakes are protected under the
Wildlife Act 1975 and it is illegal to capture, kill or harm them. Snakes are attracted to shelter, such as piles of rocks and timber, sheets of metal, or building materials. Ensure you clean up around your property and cut lawns regularly to prevent favourable snake habitats around your house.
These qualified commercial snake catchers can safely remove and relocate snakes from your property:
The Reptile Wrangler
thereptilewrangler.com.au
Trev McDonald
Phone: 0459 55 55 34
Snake Smart
Dave Wilkinson
Phone: 0477 427 246
dave@snakesmart.com.au
Native Fauna Protection
Land for Wildlife
Land for Wildlife is a voluntary wildlife conservation program. If you wish to create or protect wildlife habitats on your property, then the Land for Wildlife scheme can offer you advice and assistance no matter whether you manage a farm, a bush block, a council park or school ground. For more information, visit t the Regional Land for Wildlife Coordinator website.
Trust for Nature Covenant
There is no greater gesture an individual can make to the conservation of Victoria’s biodiversity than placing a Trust for Nature covenant on a property to protect habitat forever.
A conservation covenant is a voluntary agreement between Trust for Nature and the landowners. It is placed on the title of the land to ensure that the natural bushland is permanently protected.
Mansfield Shire Council offers a rate rebate to landowners who register a Trust for Nature conservation covenant on their property.
The rebate acknowledges the long-term commitment of these landowners to conserving the biodiversity on their land. Landowners will receive a rebate of up to $25 per hectare of land placed under covenant. The total rebate will depend on the rated value of the covenanted area, with a minimum rebate of $50 and a maximum rebate of $500.
For further information on conservation covenants, visit the Trust for Nature website.
Native Wildlife Rescue
If you come across any sick or injured wildlife call one of the following services for advice:
Mansfield Wildlife Shelter
PO Box 616, Mansfield, Vic 3722
Rescue Hotline: 0418 563166
Phone (Admin): 03 5776 9688
Website: mansfieldwildlifeshelter.com
Wildlife Victoria
Phone: 03 8400 7300
Website: wildlifevictoria.org.au