The Highett Grassy Woodland supports remnants of the Plains Grassy Woodland Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC). This EVC has a conservation status of Endangered within the Gippsland Plain Bioregion.

No Plains Grassy Woodland is modelled or mapped within the Bayside municipality, and the remnants at Highett are likely to be the last remaining in the area.

In 2016, prior to demolition of the old CSIRO buildings, Council engaged consultants to undertake flora and fauna values assessments, and arboricultural assessments, and to prepare a management plan for the southern portion of the CSIRO site. An assessment of remaining trees was also undertaken.

Two reports were subsequently received: the Highett Grassy Woodland: Flora and Fauna Values 2018 and the Highett Plains Grassy Woodland Conservation Management Plan 2018.

These reports both identify that the primary objective is to manage the Highett Grassy Woodland so that biodiversity values are protected and enhanced.

Highett Grassy Woodland was officially handed over to Council on 20 April 2023 as a public conservation land-use area. During the formal handover process and decommissioning of the CSIRO buildings and site, soil testing identified asbestos fragments within the soil. As Council is now the land manager of this future public space, a clean-up of the site is currently underway.

Council has been working with specialist ecological consultants and the Friends of Highett Grassy Woodland community group to develop a Conservation Management Plan which has guided the development of a high-level draft Masterplan for Highett Grassy Woodland.

We sought broader community feedback on the draft Masterplan. The consultation took place between 24 April and 19 May 2024 to ensure it will meet community needs while prioritising protection and restoration of indigenous vegetation in line with Council’s commitment to rezoning Highett Plains Grassy Woodland as a Conservation Reserve.

Council officers will also met with representatives of the Highett Progress Association to discuss the draft Masterplan.

In June 2024, Council adopted a plan to conserve, manage and protect the Highett Grassy Woodland.

The Highett Grassy Woodland is currently inaccessible to the public due to construction of the residential development in the northern section of the former CSIRO site.

The reserve will also remain fenced to protect the natural space while priority weed management recommendations within the Conservation Management Plan are undertaken

It is envisioned that, when open, community members will be able to explore the reserve via pathways, and seating provided at select locations. Interpretive signage along natural paths will enable visitors to learn more about the reserve’s unique vegetation and habitat.

As it is an environmentally sensitive area, Council has decided to prohibit dogs when the reserve is ready for community use to protect sensitive indigenous and remnant vegetation. This order will be carried out from the Domestic Animal Act, Order No. 5 made under Section 26.

As part of the ‘Highett Common’ residential development, a one-hectare park will be provided that will contain a nature-inspired playground and open grassy spaces for recreational activities.

Yes, following vegetation assessments it is anticipated that all healthy indigenous large trees will be retained. The Highett Grassy Woodland Conservation Management Plan proposes the removal of non-indigenous saplings throughout the site as part of weed control and vegetation management. Staged removal of non-indigenous trees, woody weeds and other environmental weeds along boundary fence lines will take place in the coming months as part of implementing priority weed control recommendations.

Over the next two years there will be extensive weed control across the site, following that, new indigenous vegetation areas will be planted. Revegetation will not take place until the results of weed control are known and assessed for effectiveness.

We met with residents with abutting properties to Highett Grassy Woodland over the engagement period to discuss weed control along residential fences and to address any concerns with the Masterplan.

The Highett Grassy Woodland Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is a comprehensive and ecologically detailed document that outlines long-term management recommendations for the future restoration of the woodland environment.

The recommendations within the CMP have guided the layout of a Masterplan for Highett Grassy Woodland. The Masterplan contains the high level and conceptual design for the site as site conditions may change over time pending the success or otherwise of intensive weed control and revegetation/restoration outcomes as specified in the CMP.

The management of HGW needs to be adaptive and respond appropriately to ecological changes and/or conditions over time. The Masterplan proposes a high-level layout of what the site could look like.

Key features:

• Fencing will initially be extensive to ensure weed management and vegetation protection can take place
• Fencing and future path networks may change and respond to developing site conditions as they emerge.
• Proposed infrastructure will be similar to existing bushland reserves in Bayside to complement the natural environment.
• Water will be required to assist with revegetation works and the establishment of new plantings. There is currently no water available onsite. The intention is to install access to water during the first year of implementing the recommended site establishment works

You can view the site layout and plan on the main project page.

While the site contains a number of significant large remnant indigenous trees in good condition, the Grassy Woodland is currently degraded and weedy. There is also a range of scattered rubble, rubbish and building material across the site, leftover from demolition and previous site access management. In the coming months, these materials will be removed and the site cleaned up in conjunction with extensive weed control and woody weed removal across the entire site.

The vision for the reconstructed site will be an open woodland dominated by River Red-gum and Yellow Box with a scattered understorey of small trees, low shrubs and a moderately dense grassy field layer.

The timeframe to achieve this conservation management goal will be ongoing and long-term (10+ years).

Weed control at the Highett Grassy Woodland will be the most important and technically difficult management issue now and into the future.

This will involve:

• An integrated weed management control program will be required for a minimum of 2 years before any revegetation is attempted.
• Weeds have been categorised into Priority 1,2 or 3.
• The CMP proposes to effectively eliminate Priority 1 and 2 weeds within the first 5 years.
• Revegetation will rely on a range of techniques including planting tube stock, planting direct divisions (mostly grasses) and direct seeding.
• 157 indigenous species have been identified in the CMP for revegetation.

You certainly can! Head to their Facebook page for more information about the group www.facebook.com/people/Highett-Grassy-Woodland or send an email to highettgrassywoodland@gmail.com

As part of the CSIRO sale agreement by the Federal Government, Council was given approximately four hectares of the total 9.28 hectare site to use for open space purposes.

One hectare will be developed into a passive recreation park for community use, as part of the “Highett Common” housing development. The developer will deliver this park, which Council will maintain.

The other three hectares containing the Highett Grassy Woodland will be a conservation area.