In early 2023, there were major concerns after the critically endangered species of Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon (VGED) was rediscovered after 50 years with a habitat in Melbourne’s west. This was holding back the Precinct Structure Plan for the Parwan Employment Precinct for a year, which meant further delay of he planned 1.500 new employments and formation of a major industrial hub with access to modern agriculture and quadraphonic cultivation centre, warehousing, storage and logistics, as well as aviation maintenance as future industries. A major breakthrough was made after the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) carried out and completed the biodiversity assessment and issued clear guidelines for survey and upcoming developmental works.
Major Takeaways
- Biodiversity Assessment conducted by the Victorian government to preserve endangered species.
- Refined Habitat Distribution Model (HDM) map published to guide landowners and developers to mitigate any potential environmental impact
- Clear and guided delivery structure for all VPA projects within the potential VGED ecosystem.
- Streamlined survey methods to comply with Victorian and Commonwealth environmental guidelines.
- Parwan Employment Precinct now revamped under VPA planning project for 2025, PSP process recommences.
The Vicorian government wasted no time in taking initiative, firstly, for their commitment to preserve all endangered species, and secondly, to ensure the continuity of planning and development in the Parwan Employment Precinct for fast-tracked PSP approvals.
What followed was a highly-coordinated Biodiversity Assessment initiative by the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to model a habitat distribution of the dragon species with follow up surveys. A VGED Recovery Team had been deployed, comprising herpetologist experts and representatives from Zoos Victoria, the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, Museums Victoria, and Wildlife Profiles Pty Ltd. The team had gathered data from the sites where a species has been spotted, and assessed the ecosystem elements such as climate, soil and topography and applied statistical and mathematical estimations to map the distribution of the endangered dragon species.
The updated VGED Habitat Distribution Model (HDM) now provides new and refined methods for surveying with minimal negative environmental footprints. This resulted in the Victorian Planning Authority receiving a set of clear guidelines for recommencing and fast-tracking their PSP and developmental works.
Following the assessment, in November 2024, The VPA has announced a list of current projects, including Parwan Employment Precinct, to pose absolutely no threat to the endangered species and have provided further confidence to investors about a structured delivery framework that aligns with the Victorian and Commonwealth regulations for protecting all species.
For investors, landowners and developers associated with the Parwan Employment Precinct, we now have superior clarity over compliance, regulations and requirements and greater confidence on a new streamlined process.
This marks a significant developmental breakthrough in our Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) process for the Parwan Employment Precinct that may have potentially stagnated if not for a well coordinated initiative by the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to lay out clear guidelines for survey and developmental works.
In addition, following the biodiversity assessment, the VPA announced the 2024-25 Business Plan for developing 800,000 new homes across Victoria, with projects like the Braybrook Regeneration (10,000 homes) and developments in Ballarat, Shepparton, and Bannockburn. It also aims to create 60,000 jobs by zoning industrial land, including key precincts like Greater Avalon, Officer South, and Parwan. Additionally, the plan supports increasing housing density near transport hubs and addresses environmental concerns, with a budget of $36.6 million.