The Nillumbik Shire Council in the Greater Melbourne Region has received a 3 year Biodiversity Response Plan grant from the Victorian State Government to protect natural biodiversity values. This is being referred to as the Sugarloaf Link Project.
The project will enable community and government agencies to reduce the impact of weeds, fox and deer on private and public land in the south-eastern region of the Shire. The Sugarloaf Link Project will protect natural habitats, native plant populations, agricultural enterprises and waterways from the degradation caused by deer and weeds.
Small native animals should also flourish by reducing fox numbers. Species such as Brush-tailed Phascogales, Slender-tailed Dunnarts and various threatened orchid species will benefit from these works.
Who is involved? Nillumbik Shire Council is working in partnership with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Bend of Islands Conservation Association, Christmas Hills Landcare Group and local landholders.
Where is it happening? The project will centre around Bend of Islands, Watsons Creek and Christmas Hills. This area forms a vital link in the major habitat corridor connecting Kinglake National Park to the Yarra River.
