Rare species found in Smythesdale

ENDANGERED native creatures have been discovered in the heart of Smythesdale.

During surveying of a grassland and weed site with seasonal pools near the Woady Yaloak River, ahead of a planned burn, environmental consultant Ray Draper found two frog species, the Bibron’s toadlet and southern toadlet, and the Yarra pygmy perch fish were present.

The burn was planned by Golden Plains Shire officers and Smythesdale CFA, and backed by the Friends of the Woady, to reduce fire risk to neighbouring homes and boost native vegetation growth.

Mr Draper said the site still needs to be burnt for ecological purposes but the threatened species will not be in harm’s way.

“It will tidy up the weeds and give the native species a boost,” he said. “It just needs to be done in a way that the endangered species are protected.”

Work by Friends of the Woady to manage the river’s vegetation has been auspiced by Landcare Victoria.

Volunteers have been removing the gorse and weeds along the waterway in partnership with the Leigh Catchment Landcare Group and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Adaptation.

Friend of the Woady Bill MacNeill said the group was thrilled the frogs and fish have been identified.

“It’s a great story of the community working together to create the best outcome for our native plants and animals,” he said. “I know there’s more work to be done to do the burn in a way that will protect the endangered species, and I thank the Smythesdale Brigade enormously for their patience on this, but thankfully we have assistance offered from the Golden Plains Shire, the CFA and DEECA to get the job done.”

Smythesdale CFA captain Alwyn Parker and CFA vegetation management coordinator, Cath Matthews have been planning the burn together.

“It’s terrific to work in a community where this sort of collaboration can happen,” Ms Matthews said. “This will not stop the burn from being undertaken, however we will need to ensure we comply with the relevant biodiversity legislation and make sure we have mitigation measures in place to protect these species.

“This will include protecting the seasonal ponds from burning, even when they have dried out, as this is where the endangered species live.”

Golden Plains Shire natural resources officer, Dale Smithyman, congratulated everyone involved.

“It’s important to recognise community safety and environmental diversity and this will be one of those projects that is able to address both,” he said. “It’s a really good story.”