During the process of preparing of a Flora and Fauna Assessment and Site Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) for a subdivision in Langwarrin, it was recognised that a number of species listed under the Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 could potentially use the site as habitat or be affected by the works proposed. Of particular concern was potential impacts on the Dwarf Galaxia Galaxiella pusilla that occurs in the adjacent Boggy Creek.

To ensure that a timely and efficient referral process ensued, Practical Ecology prepared a concise, yet comprehensive EPBC referral on which the assessment process could be based. It included details of the mitigation measure to be implemented as part of the development that aimed to avoid and minimise impacts on ecological values. The provision of such a detailed referral ensured that the project was not deemed to be a in the referral, were undertaken during the course of the development.

Urban Biodiversity Strategy for Whitehorse City Council, Victoria: 2013-14
Practical Ecology was commissioned to prepare a Biodiversity Strategy for Council Managed Open Space within the City of Whitehorse in 2013/14. Council owns or manages the largest area of public land within Whitehorse (approximately 10% of the municipal area), hence biodiversity actions within this land potentially provides the largest scope for biodiversity conservation, protection and enhancement within the municipality.

The Biodiversity Strategy initially provided background information on defining what Whitehorse biodiversity is,and what the Whitehorse biodiversity assets are. It also provided a statutory context, information on the Whitehorse landscape and its remaining biodiversity, and the current Whitehorse biodiversity management actions. The Biodiversity Strategy then proposed a series of Biodiversity Actions revolving around current biodiversity management actions that could be enhanced, new biodiversity actions (one-off commitments) and on-going biodiversity actions that would require on-going funding and commitment. The Strategy will be reviewed in ten years (2025), and monitoring, evaluation and reporting was built into each of the proposed Biodiversity Actions.

Practical Ecology prepared the draft working document, undertook three consultation workshops (with Council open space management workers, with internal Council departments and with external stakeholders such as members of Bushland Advisory Committees and Friends Groups), and prepared the final Strategy in conjunction with the Council Steering Committee.
ees and Friends Groups), and prepared the final Strategy in conjunction with the Council Steering Committee.