THE mood was buoyant as key partners in the South Gippsland Biodiversity Protection Plan (BPP) gathered last week to review its first-year outcomes.
Representatives from South Gippsland Shire Council, Parks Victoria, HVP Plantations, Greenfleet, South Gippsland Water, Prom Coast Ecolink, and the Gippsland Threatened Species Action Group met at a Greenfleet reforestation site in the Strzelecki Ranges.
The meeting was chaired by South Gippsland Landcare Network (SGLN) Projects and Education Coordinator Cassie Wright. SGLN initiated the development of the BPP, which was launched in October 2024 following extensive consultation with major land managers and the broader Landcare community.
Participants highlighted the increased collaboration and coordination that the BPP has inspired across the region, resulting in “better projects and outcomes” and stronger connections between land managers.
Key achievements over the past year include the development of a South Gippsland Biolinks Map, an integrated management plan for the Tarwin River, extensive revegetation, pest and weed control projects on both public and private land, and comprehensive flora and fauna surveys.
Participants also noted the large number of successful Victorian Landcare Grant applications linked to the BPP, which will be delivered over the next 12 months.
The day concluded with a walk around the Wurneet Laang Laang property led by Greenfleet CEO Wayne Wescott and Deputy CEO Annabel O’Neill. Participants viewed the extensive plantings and heard about Greenfleet’s plans to incorporate regenerative farming into its Gippsland operations.
“The Biodiversity Protection Plan has really brought people together,” said Cassie Wright, SGLN Project Officer. “It’s a ten-year plan, so seeing more coordinated action and real on-ground results for biodiversity in South Gippsland after just twelve months is incredibly encouraging.”
The first year of the Biodiversity Protection Plan demonstrates the power of collaboration to protect and restore South Gippsland’s unique natural landscapes.
More information about the BPP is available at www.sgln.net.au.
