Mapping our native grasslands

What is native grassland?

Native Grasslands is a general reference to the critically endangered ecological vegetation class (EVC) 'Plains Grasslands'. This ecosystem is characterised by grasses with very little shrubs and trees and are extremely diverse, providing habitat for many threatened species. Hobsons Bay grassland areas are home to 13 plants and 26 animals threatened within Victoria and protected under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act), including the golden sun moth (Synemon plana), striped legless lizard (Delma impar) and spiny rice-flower (Pimelea spinescens).

The Plains Grasslands is a critically endangered ecological community listed under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The grasslands are so ecologically significant that Victorian Government approval is required for applications which seek to remove listed native grassland species.

Why are we mapping native grassland?

With less than 1 per cent remaining in Victoria, the ‘Mapping our Native Grasslands’ project provided up to date information on the location and value of the remaining native grassland areas within Hobsons Bay, with a particular focus on industrial areas.

The Plains Grassland ecology system is one of Victoria's most endangered vegetation types. Decades of development, land clearing, changes in fire regimes and weed invasion has seen over 99.5 per cent of the Plains Grassland vegetation destroyed or significantly modified in Victoria. Historical modelling had previously identified our Industrial areas as having the right conditions (soil, climate etc) for the Plains Grasslands.

In order to continue protecting this endangered bioregion and ensure any habitat links are protected into the future, updated data and mapping was required.

By mapping our native grasslands, the project provided Council officers with accurate data on the location of native grassland supporting Council's work towards a key objective in our Biodiversity Strategy 2024-34 and Draft Industrial Land Management Strategy 2023-38 - Protecting and enhancing native grasslands within industrial areas.

Grasslands image 1

Why do we need updated mapping?

With less than 1 per cent remaining in Victoria, the Plains Grasslands faces significant pressure.

In order to allow Council to continue protecting the grasslands, accurate and up to date information was required. Prior to the project, Council had relied on outdated Victorian Government mapping of native grassland areas from 2005 to meet its objectives.

This project provided a more accurate understanding of the location and condition of native grasslands and is now being utilised to inform the ongoing management of grasslands and future planning controls for these areas.

How did you know which areas to investigate?

Previously the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DECCA - Victorian Government) had conducted modelling based on 2005 data to outline locations of Plains Grassland in Victoria.

DECCA's mapping identified areas of Hobsons Bay's industrial areas as having the right conditions (soil, climate etc.) for the Plains Grasslands (and relevant significant fauna). Council officers compared the 2005 modelling to recent aerial photography, identify remaining vacant sites that were likely to include native grassland for further investigation.

From this review, 35 sites were identified as having potential grassland. These sites were located in industrial areas in the western part of Altona, generally around Kororoit Creek Road and the Laverton railway line.

What was the process for mapping the grasslands?

Council engaged an independent environmental consultant to inspect areas where native grassland has previously been identified.

Landowners were contacted to request access for assessing the condition and value of native grasslands.

With consent: Inspections were carried out either on-site or via aerial photography using drone footage.
Without consent: Inspections were conducted a visual assessment from the roadside or property boundary.

The consultant mapped the locations, conditions and habitat value of the native grassland within the identified industrial sites in Hobsons Bay, providing Council with up to date information.

Next steps

The Mapping our Native Grasslands project has now been completed.

We are pleased to share that the work undertaken in the 'Mapping Our Native Grassland' project in 2023-24 has significantly advanced our understanding of local native grasslands.

The comprehensive study has resulted in updating of Council’s internal mapping and now provides an important evidence base that will inform future planning controls and support the ongoing protection of these vital ecosystems.

As of 2025, Council has commenced background work into pursuing an amendment to the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme to ensure the ongoing protection of native grasslands.