Biodiversity

Stonnington recognises that it is a highly urbanised municipality containing only minor pockets of low quality indigenous vegetation and habitat. It aims to enhance existing open space and natural corridors such as Gardiners Creek and Scotchmans Creek and reverse any long-term decline in the quality of native vegetation.

The City of Stonnington's Sustainable Environment Plan provides a framework to progress the municipality to a sustainable future. It sets out a clear objective to reverse the long-term decline in the extent and quality of native vegetation, leading to a Net Gain.

Council recently commissioned Practical Ecology Pty Ltd to complete a review of the biodiversity in Stonnington to establish a biodiversity value for the area and highlight specific locations that would be worthwhile preserving and enhancing. As an extension of this review, Council is developing a Biodiversity Strategy to provide a framework for the enhancement and management of Stonnington's flora and fauna and as a result improve the municipality's ecological value.

Getting Involved

Get involved by supporting the local biodiversity group Friends of Gardiners Creek Valley Inc, who work towards re-establishing indigenous flora and fauna around Gardiners Creek, Glen Iris. The group holds planting days that the general public and school groups can become involved in.

Support the group by becoming a member, attending working bees or making a donation. Visit the Friends of Gardiners Creek Valley website for more information.

Biodiversity Links

All levels of Australian Government have expressed committment to maintain and develop biodiversity through policies, strategies and programs. Visit the following links to view the strategies and Acts in place at a national and state level. 

National

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The National Framework for the Management and Monitoring of Australia's Native Vegetation (1999)

State

Flora and Fauna Act 1988