Liam McNally
The rediscovery of a thought to be extinct lizard has stalled plans for three major development areas in Bacchus Marsh.
Once commonly found in native grasslands west of Melbourne, Victorian grassland earless dragon numbers declined as a result of habitat loss and predators like foxes and feral cats.
The discovery of the earless dragon last year was the first time it had been seen in half a century.
The state and federal governments and Zoos Victoria began establishing a plan to ensure the species’ recovery, including a conservation breeding program.
At the time, state environment minister Ingrid Stitt called it an amazing discovery and an “opportunity to recover a species once thought lost to our state and the world”.
“With the help of our partners we will continue to fight the extinction of this critically endangered species – ensuring future generations can see and learn about this incredibly unique lizard,” she said.
While the exact location the lizard was found was not revealed, three major development areas in Bacchus Marsh – which the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) was in the process of creating Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs) for – have all been paused.
Bacchus Marsh’s population is set to almost double by 2041 and early plans for these three development areas – Merrimu Precinct, Parwan Precinct and Parwan Employment Precinct – were planned to accommodate 33,000 new residents and 7,300 jobs.
The VPA said on its website the three areas have been identified as likely having habitat that would support the earless dragon, and the creation of PSPs cannot continue until more information on the species and its habitat is collected and a clear conservation response has been determined.
A state government spokesperson said the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is working with the VPA and the federal government to guide planning decisions and support species recovery.
“We’re continuing our conservation efforts following the rediscovery of the endangered Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon last year – this includes the ongoing assessment of population distribution, habitat modelling and delivery of a National Recovery Plan in partnership with the Commonwealth,” they said.
Moorabool council chief executive Derek Madden also said council is working with the VPA and relevant departments to see what this means in terms of precinct structure planning around Bacchus Marsh.
