A crowd of more than 60 people were in attendance to hear about the work the Strathbogies Responsible Renewables Community Group (SRRCG) has undertaken on behalf of the community during 2024 as well as other biodiversity projects within the region.
The Group believes the impact on biodiversity, as well as the on the cultural heritage, landscape and waterways, means that the industrial scale Windfarm and Transmission lines proposed by Fera are not suitable for the region. It has invested in activities such as a Southern Greater Glider Survey as well as promoting the use of iNaturalist as a means of recording the biodiversity in the Strathbogies. The Group plans to working constructively with Fera to ensure these findings are included in any Environment Effects Statement.
The attendees were particularly interested in the outcomes of 2023 Southern Greater Glider Study that highlighted the fragility of the glider population and its habitat. The need to preserve large, old trees as well as the road and riparian wildlife corridors linking remnant forest areas was evident and is essential to prevent any habitat fragmentation. The Hughes Creek Catchment Collective also gave an overview of the bird surveys that have been conducted annually since 2019.
A presentation on iNaturalist illustrated the diversity of wildlife in the region, and it was particularly pleasing to see the recent growth in Koala sightings. There were some great photos of Wedge Tail Eagles, Gang Gang Cockatoos, Brush-tailed Phascogales, Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos and Boobook Owls to name a few. The Group has uploaded observations from the Strathbogie Nature atlas Project (SNAP) to the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas to ensure ready access for consultants conducting the Wind Farm Project’s ecology survey work. The community is encouraged to upload any fauna and flora observations into iNaturalist.
The Community was given an overview of the issues with both renewable developer and site selection that appear to be widespread within the industry as highlighted by the Dyer Community Engagement Review Report commissioned by the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy.
Presentations given at the community meeting:
Dyer Community Engagement Review Report