Protecting our natural splendour

WHETHER I’m coming over the crest into Lara from Melbourne, or heading out of Geelong on Forest Road South, nothing beats the postcard views of the You Yangs.

The granite Flinders Peak overlooks the park’s rich variety of plant species with eucalypts like the manna gum, yellow gum and river red gum towering over our landscape.

The park also provides a range of habitats for wildlife and is home to more than 200 species of birds, as well as native animals like koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, brush-tail possums, echidnas and lizards.

This stunning natural environment is just one example of the incredible biodiversity we cherish across Greater Geelong. And as our population continues to grow, it’s vital that we protect and preserve what makes our region so special.

That’s why I’m encouraged that the City is leading a strategic approach to how biodiversity in the Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas can be protected.

The Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas Strategic Assessment is currently open for public exhibition. It aims to balance improved environmental and development outcomes in areas anticipating significant urban growth.

Crucially, it includes a conservation framework to address how environmental impacts will be avoided, minimised, mitigated and offset.

The Northern Growth Area, which is close to the You Yangs, encompasses agricultural land north of the Geelong Ring Road. This includes the proposed Northern Conservation Area’s high-quality plain grasslands and habitat for threatened species.

At the City, we recognise the need to build significant new housing in our growth areas to accommodate the more than 100,000 additional residents who will call our region home by 2041.

This assessment aims to balance growth needs with environmental preservation.

The project was last exhibited in 2023 but was put on hold after the rediscovery of the Victorian grassland earless dragon elsewhere in Victoria.

Since our growth areas fall within its potential habitat range, the land was extensively re-surveyed in 2024.

Although the dragon wasn’t found here, the revised documents now include additional conservation land with suitable habitat, alongside responses to public consultation from the 2023 exhibition.

The revised documents are now available to view, and we are seeking your feedback. We need your input to ensure this assessment clearly outlines all the outcomes required for protecting our local environment.

While much of the land in the growth areas has been developed for agricultural use, these regions still support a range of plants and animals that require protection.

Our growth areas are home to threatened animals, including three Commonwealth listed species: the golden sun moth, striped legless lizard and growling grass frog.

Three state significant species – the fat-tailed dunnart, tussock skink and hardhead – also live near the Moorabool River alongside an active platypus burrow.

The growth areas are home to important native flora, including the Commonwealth listed Adamson’s blown grass and the state significant leafless bluebush.

I am incredibly grateful to live in such a beautiful part of the world and I want to ensure that its natural splendour will be protected for future generations.

Our growing population deserves to experience all the fantastic natural surrounds that live just on the outskirts of our city.

Public re-exhibition of the Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas Strategic Assessment closes on December 8. Your insight is valuable, so please share your thoughts at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/strategicassessment

Cr Chris Burson

You Yangs Ward,

City of Greater Geelong