Abigroup has strived to ensure that the roadway design enhances The Pines conservation values and provide appropriate visitor facilities, whilst minimising the overall impact on the park. Parks Victoria has prepared a Master Plan for the Pines to help guide its future management.  It recommends that the main goal for ‘The Pines’ should be ecological conservation, balanced with visitor access and recreation. 

The design of Peninsula Link and the project’s Environmental Management Plan have carefully considered these recommendations.  The following measures will be undertaken to protect flora and fauna in The Pines.

• Erection of ‘no-go’ fencing for protected areas with breaks at appropriate intervals to allow for fauna movement.
• Salvage and translocation of significant flora species to areas with the same conditions.
• Creation of temporary habitat connections during construction.
• Maintenance of existing drainage and water flows in retained vegetation areas.
• Use of retaining walls in critical areas to reduce the construction footprint.
• Use of noise and light walls to limit the amount of light spilling into the reserve at night whilst native nocturnal animals are active.

Ecological and biological importance

The Pines is considered to be an important ecological and biological site due to the diversity of species and vegetation communities that it contains. The wetland habitat in ‘the Pines’ is home to native fauna, including Swamp Skink and Dwarf Galaxias.  

Seven categories of native vegetation areas of high ecological value are contained in The Pines.  The original Peninsula Link alignment was changed in order to ensure the protection of these areas of higher quality vegetation. 

One flora species of national significance, River Swamp Wallaby Grass, has been identified in the alignment area, growing around Tamarisk Creek wetland.  It is expected that 0.04 hectares of this species is likely to be lost during construction, however seeds will be collected from existing plants prior to construction.  These seeds will be used for future revegetation of River Swamp Wallaby Grass. 

Protection of Flora and Fauna

The design of the alignment has incorporated a range of measures to reduce impacts to vegetation and fauna habitats.  All works associated with the Peninsula Link project will not disturb more than 11 hectares of native vegetation within the reserve. 

Two 30 metre wide fauna underpass and several smaller crossings will be constructed to allow animals to continue to move between the areas on either side of the roadway.

Water Ways

Tamarisk Creek has been channelised in the past, which has reduced surface water flows.  The project will realign the creek to ensure that there is a more natural flow of water into the area.  This will potentially create new habitats for indigenous flora, particularly Dwarf Galaxias.  The crossing over the creek has been designed to allow for the passage of fish during a range of water flows.

Information

The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve