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The grassy plains that once covered a third of Victoria were home to Bettongs, Eastern Quolls and Pig-footed Bandicoots.
They shared these native prairies with White-footed Rabbit-rats and Eastern Barred Bandicoots.
Now only one per cent of our wildflower meadows remain. It only took 200 years to almost destroy what was cared for by traditional custodians for over millennia.
Only 16 individuals of the most threatened reptile in the world, Victorian Grassland Earless Dragons, remain. Plains Wanderers are the bird of greatest conservation significance worldwide.
And yet destruction of grassland habitat continues.
Despite promises and plans from both state and federal governments, these habitats and wildlife still don’t have the protection they deserve.
What needs to be done?
- Strengthened nature laws that have real teeth and actually deter further destruction.
- The Australian Labor Government reviews the deal made to protect our grasslands – the Melbourne Strategic Assessment.
- The Victorian Labor Government protects important urban grasslands: Solomon Heights, Ajax Road and Burns Road Grasslands and the Broadcast Australia site in Sydenham among others.
- More upfront protection of the remaining patches of our grassy ecosystems (less offsetting).
- A significant increase in the maximum penalty for clearing native vegetation.
- Restore surviving grassy meadows with a strong native seed industry.
- Stop destroying grasslands! Grasslands are cleared for gas pipelines, batteries, rail upgrades, jails, freight hubs, major roads, train station car parks, housing projects and urban sprawl.
- Commit one per cent of federal spending to nature protection.
- Inspire landowners to look after grasslands with better protections and stronger incentives.
