Planning Alerts has just listed a version of KP-2018/431 for removal of native vegetation, yet the Kingston Planning Register shows previous applications and a recent one for construction of warehouses with no permit issued yet:
KP-2018/431 28-38 Canterbury Rd BRAESIDE Subdivide the land into twenty two (22) lots and remove native vegetation Permit Issued 4/06/2018
KP-2018/431/A 28-38 Canterbury Rd BRAESIDE Subdivide the land into sixteen (16) lots and remove native vegetation Permit Refused 1/10/2019
KP-2018/431/B 28-38 Canterbury Rd BRAESIDE Subdivide the land into sixteen (16) lots and remove native vegetation Permit Issued 17/09/2021
KP-2018/431/C 28-38 Canterbury Rd BRAESIDE Subdivide the land into sixteen (16) lots and remove native vegetation Amended Plans Approved and Endorsed 6/07/2022
KP-2018/431/D 28-38 Canterbury Rd BRAESIDE Subdivide the land into sixteen (16) lots and remove native vegetation Initial Assessment by Planner 26/07/2023
KP-2022/290 28-38 Canterbury Rd BRAESIDE The construction of thirty-two (32) warehouses with ancillary office and a reduction in car parking requirements
1) My understanding is that an ecological assessment would be done on a site of this size in an area where remnant native vegetation occurs. Please would Council's ecologist survey this site, if that hasn't yet been done, prior to any further works.
2) The proposal could allow for retention of the native vegetation to be cared for by the Kingston Bushland crew and volunteers, depending upon species and distribution, which would support the Plains biodiversity.
3) Plains Grassy Wetland and associated plant communities occur along the Mordialloc Creek reserve:
https://iwc.vic.gov.au/docs/DSE-EVCphotoguideRevised-web.pdf Defining characteristics: Grassy-herbaceous shallow seasonal wetlands of fertile lowland plains, characteristically species-rich (at least on verges) when relatively intact. Zones interpreted as representing complexes between Plains Grassy Wetland and several other wetland EVCs are frequently present. Formerly widespread in lowland plains areas.
Bioregional Conservation Status for each BioEVC (current): Gippsland Plain EVC 125 Plains Grassy Wetland Endangered.
The Flora of Melb list Plains Grassy Wetland EVC 125 as one of associated EVCs under Seasonal grassy/sedgy wetlands on plains: EVC 125 Plains Grassy Wetland, 291 Cane Grass Wetland, 647 Plains Sedgy Wetland, Sedge Wetland 136. EVC 125:
Pre-1750 Scattered widely throughout lowlands, particularly basalt plains and around Carrum and Lyndhurst.
Current Scattered sites remain across the basalt plains, as well as in Dandenong, Roweville, Oakleigh Sth, Clarinda and Cranbourne.
Kingston Biodiversity Strategy lists EVC 125 only at Mordialloc Creek. Kingston Bushland crew manage Mordi Crk reserve on behalf of M.Wtr. EVC 125 was listed for Yammerbook, but Biosis 2021 review listed only Plains Grassy Woodland (EVC 55) and Swamp Scrub (EVC 53) due to modified site. Melb.Wtr new wetland includes Plains Grassy Wetland.
The former Carrum Carrum Swamp would have had much more EVC 125 in patches within and around the swamp area, it's been disappearing since settlement with associated EVCs.
4) Perhaps there is a case for a dedicated Reserve of 'Seasonal grassy/sedgy wetlands on plains' along the Mordi Creek environs for whatever existing or potential EVCs remain.
NE Mordialloc
