Roadside conservation significance

Roadside conservation significance surveys are currently underway

From late September until mid-November 2025, surveys are being carried out across 1,200km of Nillumbik roadsides to assess their conservation significance. This includes all rural roadsides and some township roadsides.

Specialist consultants, Trec Land Services, have been engaged to undertake the surveys.

Residents may notice teams in vehicles and walking along sections of roadside. Vehicles will display flashing lights, with road safety signage and other measures in place in line with Trec’s traffic management procedures.

Survey teams of two people will be working from vehicles, driving slowly (windscreen surveys), stopping regularly to record notes, and occasionally exiting vehicles to take a closer look.

Background

  • Council undertakes periodic mapping of roadside conservation values to help determine priorities in managing habitat along roadsides.
  • The last assessment was undertaken in 2010 and can be found in Council’s Roadside Management Plan 2012 – Part 1: Building, roads, drains, paths and infrastructure - Nillumbik Shire Council
  • Ecologists from Trec Land Services are carrying out this round of rapid assessments of 1,200km of Nillumbik roadsides.
  • Roadside habitat will be assessed as either High, Medium or Low conservation significance. Scoring takes into account factors such as the prevalence of native and indigenous plants, weed levels and the presence of large trees.
  • Notes will also be made on the presence of threatened species or types of weeds.
  • The assessment covers the area from the edge of road to the boundary fence. It does not include private land.
  • The team may stop where safe and occasionally exit the vehicle for finer-scale checks.
  • Fieldwork is expected to be completed by mid-November, with final mapping due by mid-2026.
  • Results will be used by Council teams to help inform planning for roadside works and to inform the application of Local Law Clause 63(1)(d).
  • The maps will be placed on our website.
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