City of Darebin Heritage Study Volume 1 Draft Thematic

DAREBIN HERITAGE STUDY STAGE 2HeritageSome examples of places relating to Darebin’s natural heritage are:Sites with ecosystem and biodiversity valuesThe Standard Criteria for Sites of Biological Significance in Victoria (Amos 2004), indicatethat a place’s significance should be assessed in a number of criteria under 5 headings:• Ecological integrity and viability• Richness and diversity (high biodiversity)• Rarity/conservation status of assets• Representative of type.• Scientific and educational valueAccording to Amos 2004, all areas should be considered to have biodiversity significance untilthey have been assessed and shown to have no significance. This embeds the precautionaryapproach to significance assessment. The inference that sites that have not been assessed (andtherefore not ranked as a site of significance) are ‘insignificant’ and do not have biodiversityconservation value must be avoided. The designation ‘not significant’ should be used for sitesthat are genuinely devoid of conservation value to reverse the inference.It is worth noting that the Natural Heritage Charter includes a number of qualities of sites (e.g.aesthetic and life-support values) which are not included in Amos (2004).In 2004, O’Malley and Kern summarised what was known about ecosystem and biodiversitysites within the City of Darebin. Their report, the City of Darebin Biodiversity Review Part 1Final Report, lists 74 sites ranging in significance from national to local. The sites are listed inAppendix 3. They are mapped on Council’s internal computerised geographic informationsystem.Since O’Malley and Kern’s report was published a revised listing of Biosites across Melbournehas been published, as well as a final version of the Port Phillip and Western Port NativeVegetation Plan, which includes revised tables of significance for Ecological Vegetation Classes.Furthermore the native vegetation controls in the planning scheme have been changed statewide,and rely on a different measure of significance.In some areas (notably the wetlands north of Edwardes Lake on Edgars Creek) major newrehabilitation works have been carried out since the fieldwork O'Malley and Kern's report isbased on. These sites deserve investigation and a separate or additional listing from those givenbelow.Some of O’Malley and Kern’s sites have not been reassessed on the ground for over 10 years,during which time significant changes may have occurred ranging from complete destructionto significant rehabilitation. Systematic on-ground re-assessment of these sites and updating ofsignificance levels based on the newer methods is needed to ensure appropriate prioritizationand management.The study area is mostly within the Victorian Volcanic Plain Bioregion, but the northeastcorner, including the higher elevation parts of Bundoora Park, La Trobe University, GreswellHill and Bundoora are part of the Highlands Southern Fall Bioregions. This is important asthe same ecological community sometimes have different levels of significance in eachbioregion.Key biodiversity sites in Darebin include:• Bundoora Park and Public Golf Course• Bundoora Park Grasslands Conservation Area138