When Western Water officials discovered 30 critically endangered plants at a worksite in Rockbank, the organisation swiftly acted to preserve them.
WW joined forces with Melton council to ensure the spiny rice-flowers – small herbaceous shrubs which develop pale yellow flowers in autumn and winter – can be relocated to a conservation reserve.
There are only 120 known populations of this plant across the west and north-west of Victoria, according to Western Water capital program delivery manager Robert Murphy.
“Each plant is slow-growing and may live as long as 100 years,” Mr Murphy said. “The species is federally listed as critically endangered.
“We’ve worked with Melton council to ensure these plants are not destroyed by earthworks and can be relocated to a conservation reserve.”
Melton mayor Sophie Ramsey said the council was committed to preserving the rare plants and animals that call Melton home.
The spiny rice-flowers will be relocated to Mt Cottrell Reserve.
