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Groundswell of support for Anglesea coastal habitat
A multitude of wildlife surrounding the popular Victorian beachside town of Anglesea is today better protected following a community push to rehabilitate the area's heathland.
There's a reason why the Anglesea Heath, located about 113 kilometres southwest of Melbourne at the start of the Great Ocean Road, is on the Register of the National Estate. It's home to about a quarter of Victoria's plants, including over 80 orchid species. There are also 29 different mammals such as the rare Swamp Antechinus and 100 types of native birds, including the spectacular but endangered Powerful Owl.
While a haven for naturalists and recreational users, past land practices have fragmented parts of the heath, encouraged weeds and resulted in damage to the Anglesea River and its tributaries.
Funding
In 2004 the Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Society for the Preservation of Native Flora and Fauna received nearly $24,000 from the Australian Government for a project to restore the nationally-important site.
Aluminium manufacturer Alcoa, which has a long-term lease to extract brown coal in the southeast corner of the area, also came on board with about $65,000. Parks Victoria has supported the initiative with almost $57,000, while the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) pitched in with technical advice.
Activities
Society Member Margaret MacDonald said about five kilometres of hardy post and cable fencing was put up to protect locally-occurring native plants, including the threatened Anglesea Grevillea.
"As a result the plant is now protected at quite a number of sites from damage by 4WDs, horses and walkers and appears to be recovering well," Margaret said.
About 10,000 native species were replanted in the heathland, including on disused tracks and gravel pits. An exhausting but successful community day was held on an old pit on Gum Flat Road, where 3,000 shrubs and trees were planted by an eclectic mix including children from the Anglesea Primary School, members of the society, and Green Corps and staff from Parks Victoria and Alcoa.
Weeds were destroyed across about 16 hectares, while foxes and feral cats were targeted across 336 hectares. Precautions were taken to prevent the spread of the cinnamon fungus, which is toxic to native plants.
Achievements
Margaret said the works carried out over the past decade had turned around many problems resulting from inappropriate land practices.
"Unfortunately the plants are struggling due to the drought, but hopefully when the rains come we will see that quite a number have survived," Margaret said.
More information
- Margaret MacDonald, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Society for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna: (03) 5289 6326 or margmac@iprimus.com.au
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