Victoria’s volcanic plain has lost much of its grasslands, and an upcoming tour will show attendees one of the remaining patches in the Melton municipality.
Hosted by the Grassy Plains Network on Saturday 8 November, participants will get an up-close look at the Mccorkells Road Grassland in Toolern Vale, which sits inconspicuously on the roadside.
Grassy Plains Network facilitator Adrian Marshall said with only about 0.58 of the volcanic plain’s grasslands left – a figure that is likely an overestimate – grasslands such as this one are “super important”.
“They’ve survived pretty much by chance, protected by accident when the CFA has burnt those roadsides as a firebreak to protect nearby townships,” Mr Marshall said.
“Fire is very helpful to make grasslands thrive basically, and to keep out the pasture grasses that will creep in from neighbouring grazing.
“Grasslands need fire because they’re dead leaves, they’re thatch built up and up and up, and if there’s too much of it, it basically smothers the [biodiversity].”
He said this grassland is currently blooming with flowers, including the chocolate lily.
Mr Marshall said roadside grasslands are incredibly vulnerable and are often damaged by cars pulling over, roadworks, or utility maintenance activities – with the Grassy Plains Network calling for increased regulation, oversight, signage and physical protection of these sites.
