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Environment
Wetland | Grasslands | Management | Master Plan
| As with all Cedar Woods developments, caring for the environment is a priority in the creation of the new suburb of Williams Landing. Three conservation reserves have been set aside to protect native grasslands and a wetland environment, in the development. These areas are good examples of the native vegetation that is indigenous to theregion and feature numerous species of flora and fauna that are of national and state significance. The protected areas also represent some of Australia’s most threatened ecological communities. |
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The major wetland at Williams Landing provides significant habitat for many bird, reptile and frog species. The water level fluctuates greatly over the seasons and the fauna responds accordingly. Species such as the Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) and migratory species such as Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) that fly in from Japan prefer shallower water when wet grassy verges are available, whereas the Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) and Australasian Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis) prefer deeper water and are more likely to be seen when water levels are high. Frogs and reptiles bury themselves in drier times and wait for rain to fill the wetland. This rain is often marked by many bird species joining together to form a chorus of appreciation. |
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The two grasslands at Williams Landing are examples of the original vegetation that have been present on the Western Plains of Melbourne for thousands of years. If you look carefully you will see patches of red that stand out amongst the straw coloured grasses; these are either Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) or Red-leg Grass (Bothriochloa macra). In spring, the landscape unexpectedly explodes into colour when many small herbaceous grassland species spring up to flower between the grass tussocks. These include Common Everlastings (Chrysocephalum apiculatum s.l.), New Holland (Daisy Vittadinia sp.), Blue Devils (Eryngium ovinum), Lemon Beauty-heads (Calocephalus citreus) and Spur Velleia (Velleia paradoxa). This site is also home to many important threatened species such as Spiny Rice-flower (Pimelea Spinescens), Large Fruit Fireweed (Senecio macrocarpus), and Basalt Podolepis (Podolepis sp.1). |
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The reserves are managed in accordance with a Conservation Management Plan which sees the reserves fenced, weeds controlled and important species monitored. As some of the species are endangered, public access to the reserves is not permitted with only qualified biologists gaining access to undertake works when required. The reserves form an important educational function in the preservation of our natural environment. |
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About Williams Landing
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