Project objective
The three-hectare Highett Grassy Woodland in the south of the former CSIRO site on Graham Road is an important site for conserving and regenerating habitat for rare or threatened flora and fauna species in Bayside.
The Highett Grassy Woodland contains indigenous species and natural habitats, including Yellow Box eucalypts (Eucalyptus melliodora) that are considered rare in the Bayside region.
The land was transferred into Council’s ownership in April 2023 and will now be protected and enhanced as a conservation reserve. This transfer was the culmination of over two decades' advocacy by Council and a team of dedicated community members, including the Friends of Highett Grassy Woodland group.
Conserving the Highett Grassy Woodland reserve will ensure the future protection of an endangered community of trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants
The Highett Grassy Woodland Masterplan aligns with:
- Bayside 2050 Community Vision
- Council Plan 2021 - 25
- Annual
Action Plan (2023-2024
- Bayside Open Space Strategy
- Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-27
Project impacts
We have worked closely with specialist ecological consultants and the Friends of Highett Grassy Woodland community group to develop a Masterplan to guide the works required to return the former CSIRO site into an area of grassy woodland.
The Highett Plains 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 draft 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.
The next step is an important process to understand community feedback and understand if the proposed site layout has the right balance between protecting the natural environment of the area and enhancing visitor enjoyment of this conservation reserve.
What information do we need from the community?
We’re seeking feedback on the Highett Grassy Woodland Draft Masterplan from Friends of Highett Grassy Woodland and the broader community.What can the community influence?
- Locations of seats, tables and shelter - subject to Abzeco recommendations following vegetation assessments
- Preferences for types of, seating and/or tables, possible picnic shelters- subject to Abzeco recommendations following vegetation assessments
- New planting of indigenous vegetation (friends of Highett Grassy Woodland only)
- Interpretative Signs (friends of Highett Grassy Woodland only)
- Getting involved – joining the Friends of Highett Grassy Woodland
What can’t the community influence?
- Areas fenced to mitigate areas of contamination
- Areas fenced to protect remnant vegetation or revegetated areas
- Weed control
- Selection of species for revegetation planting
- Adherence to endorsed Environmental Management Plan requirements
- Retention of existing indigenous trees
- Additional built infrastructure (no BBQ’s, public toilets, bins)
- As this is a conservation area, dogs will be prohibited from within all fenced areas. No gate access into HGW from abutting residential properties.
Stakeholders and community
This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.
Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter
Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated
Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum
| Stakeholder/ community | Interest | Impact | Influence |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | M | M | Involve |
| Friends of Highett Grassy Woodland | H | H | Collaborate |
| Highett Progress Association | H | M | Involve |
| Surrounding Residents | H | H | Inform |
| Surrounding Businesses | H | H | Inform |
| Friends of Native Wildlife | H | H | Inform |
| Sunkin Developer for adjacent site | H | H | Involve |
| Bayside Dog Alliance | H | H | Consult |
| Bayside advisory and representative committees: DAIAC, Reconciliation Advisory Group, Youth Ambassador Committee, Bayside Healthy Ageing Reference Group | H | H | Involve |
| Local environmental groups | L | H | Consult |
| General Bayside residents | L | L | Inform |
Selected tools and techniques
The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.
Key tools for communicating the project
- Project page on Have Your Say engagement platform
- Direct email to relevant Have Your Say members
- Direct email to relevant groups, committees, business operators
- Email
notification to Highett Grassy Woodland project
subscribers.
- Highett Progress Association email and onsite
meeting
- Postcard - residents within 900m of site (3,800)
- Letter/meetings – regarding weed control along
boundary fences with adjacent neighbours
- Digital advertising
Key methods for gathering feedback
- Online
engagement through Have Your Say, including opportunities to ask questions
and provide feedback through our own Survey
- Survey (can
be printed upon request)
- Meetings
on site with adjacent neighbours and Friends of Grassy Woodland and
Highett Progress Association.
Project timelines
| Flora and fauna assessments | 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. |
| Highett Grassy Woodland
transferred to Council ownership | April 2023 The handover was the culmination of two decades' advocacy by
Council and a team of dedicated community members, the Friends of Highett
Grassy Woodland group. |
| Proposed Planning Scheme zone
change | From October 2023 (ongoing) Process commenced to rezone Highett Grassy Woodland from
Residential Growth Zone, Schedule 3 (RGZ3) to Public Conservation and Resource
Zone (PCRZ). This will help ensure the future protection of the site as a
conservation area. Read the outcome of the 19 March
2024 Council Meeting on the rezoning process. |
| Key stakeholder consultation | 2024 - ongoing |
| Drafting a Conservation Management Plan and Masterplan | From November 2023 Specialist ecologists Abzeco (Applied Botany, Zoology and
Ecological Consulting) have been appointed to help develop the long-term
Conservation Management Plan and Masterplan. Site survey work commenced in late 2023. |
| Community consultation The draft Highett Grassy Woodland Masterplan will be available
for community review and feedback | 15 April - 19 May 2024 The draft Highett Grassy Woodland Masterplan will be available
for community review and feedback |
Conservation Management Plan and
Masterplan adopted | June 2024 Council will consider community feedback and adopt a Conservation
Management Plan and Masterplan to ensure the future protection of this site. |
Decision-making process
Council will consider community feedback and adopt a Conservation Management Plan and Masterplan to ensure the future protection of this site.
It is expected Council will consider community feedback and the proposed plan for adoption at its 18 June 2024 meeting.
The agenda for this meeting will be published a week before the meeting date. Interested community members can make a submission or request to speak in relation to this project at the meeting.
Please select the +Subscribe button at the top of the page to receive updates about this project, including when it will be considered by Council and any further opportunities to participate in this project.
More information
Amy Weir
Biodiversity & Conservation Planning Officer
Open Space & Recreation
Phone: 9599 4339
Email: aweir@bayside.vic.gov.au
