Projects
Recent Projects
Recent projects by the Centre include:
Regional Fast Train Biodiversity Impact Assessment
Client : Department of Infrastructure
Project Outline: Database review and site inspection of new deviations to the Fast Train route between Ballarat and Melbourne. Preparation of a report for inclusion in the published Site and Environmental Management Plan.
Biodiversity Audits
Clients : Barwon Water and Central Highlands Water
Project Outline: Review of biodiversity values in the areas managed by the two water authorities. Development of a database linked to a GIS and internal website.
Regional Fast Train Communication Infrastructure Environmental Impact Assessment
Client : Visionstream, Theiss ALSTOM Joint Venture
Project Outline: Assessment of impact on flora and fauna values of communication cables and other works between Melbourne and Traralgon, Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat associated with the Regional Fast Rail project. The project included State biodiversity database investigation, site inspection and report on impacts and mitigation opportunities.
Delley's Bridge Environmental Impact Assessment
Client : VicRoads
Project Outline: Assessment of the impact on flora and fauna values of the proposed Delley's Bridge replacement works near Halls Gap in the Grampians. The project included State biodiversity database investigation, site inspection (including aquatic survey) and report.
Port Phillip Region Conservation Reserve Gap Analysis
Client : Department of Sustainability and Environment
Project Outline : An analysis of the reservation status of biodiversity values within the Port Phillip CMA area. The project used GIS modeling to determine priority sites for land acquisition and management.
Mallee Biodiversity Action Plans
Client : Mallee Catchment Management Authority
Project Outline: The preparation of seven Biodiversity Action Plans at the landscape scale for the Mallee CMA and Department of Sustainability and Environment. Biodiversity Action Planning is a structured approach to identifying priorities and mapping significant areas for native biodiversity conservation at the catchment, bioregional, landscape and local scales.
Corangamite Wetland Inventory
Client : Corangamite Catchment Management Authority
Project Outline : The project involved the development of a comprehensive rapid assessment survey protocol and a user-friendly database (Access format) to store and analyse the data. Surveys were undertaken of wetlands across the CCMA area. The inventory method used a strategic approach to collect information and utilised technological advances in mapping, data storage and dissemination to provide the CCMA with a useful and easily updateable wetland information storage system.
Six Peaks Walking Track Environmental Risk Assessment
Client: Department of Natural Resources and Environment
Project Outline: Assessment and report on the environmental values and development impact risks associated with the Six Peaks Walking Track through Mount Cole State Forest and Mount Buangor State Park.
Nextgen Communications Cable Environmental Impact Assessment
Client : Sinclair Knight Merz
Project Outline : The project involved a desktop values assessment, mapping and site inspections, flora and fauna impact assessment, consultation and reporting on mitigation of sections of cable between Albury and Woomera, as part of environmental impact assessment of proposed underground communication cable between Brisbane and Perth.
Assessment of Alpine Woodland in Australia
Client : Environment Australia
Project Outline: A national assessment of alpine woodland in Australia for Environment Australia. The project involves collating data from Victoria, Tasmania, NSW and the ACT and developing a consistent definition of all communities.
Barwon River Flora and Fauna Survey
Client : Corangamite Catchment Management Authority
Project Outline : A riparian flora and fauna survey between Geelong and Forrest as part of the Barwon River Health Strategy. The flora survey involved quadrats at 31 sites and the fauna survey included a range of survey methods, including small mammal trapping, spotlighting, bat trapping, ultrasonic bat detection and intensive searching. A feature of the project was the community involvement in a number of trap checking and flora survey sessions during the day, and spotlighting/bat trapping sessions at night.
Central Gippsland Forest Management Plan
Client: Department of Natural Resources and Environment
Project Outline : Database search, stakeholder consultation and survey and mapping of flora and fauna values and management issues, and the development of management prescriptions.
ETSA/Transgrid and Riverlink/SNI Transmission Interconnection SA/NSW Environmental Impact Assessment
Client: Sinclair Knight Merz
Project Outline : Flora and fauna survey and mapping in south west NSW and north west Victoria, as part of environmental impact assessment of proposed transmission lines between SA and NSW.
Northern Mallee Pipeline Environmental Impact Assessment
Client: Wimmera Mallee Water
Project Outline : Six environmental impact assessment projects involving survey and mapping of vegetation and habitat and preparation of management prescriptions for the Northern Mallee Pipeline Project.
Roadside Vegetation Survey and Management Prescriptions
Client: VicRoads
Project Outline : Survey and mapping of roadside vegetation and the development of management prescriptions for the Pyrenees, Sunraysia, Mallee, Borung, Calder, Loddon Valley and Murray Valley Highways and main roads in the Mitchell Shire, and Mount Macedon tourist roads.
Parks Victoria
In recent years the Centre has undertaken many projects as a member of the Parks Victoria Research Partners Panel, mostly involving vegetation survey, condition assessment and mapping. These include:
• Baseline flora condition assessment and report for Beeac Swamp, Lake Mumblin, Lake Ayrey, Lake Dubban and Cobra Killuc and Mortlake Common Reserves
• Assessment and report on the environmental values and development impact risks associated with the Great Ocean Walk in Port Campbell and Otway National Parks.
• Development of methods to assess and map the condition of trees on Snake Island, French Island & Otway NP affected by Koala browsing.
• Vegetation condition assessments of Reef Hills Park, Murray Sunset and Hattah-Kulkyne National Parks, Lake Boort and Barmah State Park. Each project involved site surveys based on stratified random sampling of selected EVCs using a condition assessment protocol. Results of the assessments were modelled, using spatial interpolation, to create a condition map for each study area.
• Review of the actual and potential distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi dieback in Parks and Reserves. Identification of relevant indicators, development of a risk model using existing datasets and mapping actual and potential distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi dieback in Parks and Reserves across Victoria.
• Mount Buffalo and Kinglake National Park vegetation mapping . Mapping EVCs in part of the park based on API and survey, working with Doug Frood.
• Development risk assessment for roadworks, walking tracks, carparks and facilities in the Grampians National Park.
• Weed mapping and management planning in Lake Eildon NP, You Yangs Regional Park and Inverleigh FFR
