1 June 2015
An investigation by the federal Department of the Environment found that Powercor Australia Ltd and Vemco Pty Ltd cleared 0.54 hectares of the critically endangered ecological community Natural Temperate Grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain.
The cleared area was part of a key roadside remnant, was one of the best remaining examples of the ecological community and is recognised under the Victorian Planning Scheme as containing important flora and fauna attributes.
Powercor will undertake an external review of its vegetation management plan, extend its audit program for contractors and investigate the feasibility of mapping significant environmental sites.
Vemco will implement a rehabilitation plan at a cost of no less than $200,000, improve training processes and review its vegetation management system.
While the grasslands once occurred across much of the volcanic plain, they have contracted to less than five per cent of what they once were, very little now remains in original condition.