Road construction and maintenance has been identified as a key factor influencing biodiversity risk management of roadsides, particularly roadside reserves.
Research undertaken by Victoria’s Moira Shire and the Goulburn-Broken Management Catchment Authority focused on the levels of potential risk to biodiversity assets associated with roads managed by local government.
The council and the catchment authority prepared a broad-scale roadside biodiversity risk assessment to identify risks. They then developed roadside biodiversity risk management protocols as a tool to increase awareness of potential threats and to guide risk mitigation.
The risk assessment document found road reserves made a critical contribution to biodiversity conservation in the Goulburn-Broken catchment area. It said they contained much of the remnant vegetation and habitats in many areas, which could include higher quality remnants, wildlife corridors and habitats for a range of threatened flora and fauna species.
The risk assessment found roadsides also often augmented remnants on private and public land and provided a framework for landscape restoration. It said managing the risks or chances of potential impacts on biodiversity from activities associated with local government programs would make a major contribution to biodiversity conservation.
Road construction and maintenance topped the list of seven key local government programs identified as potential risks. The other programs are fire prevention works; livestock movement and grazing; slashing and spraying; road reserve boundary fencing and property access; roadside rehabilitation and firewood collection.
The risk assessment said typical activities associated with road construction and maintenance were:
• grading and reforming the road surface, shoulders and drains;
• importing and compacting of road filling material;
• operating vehicles and machinery, including turning and parking;
• ground disturbance;
• management of spoil and stock piling materials;
• tree lopping/removal/fallen timber management;
• road widening/re-alignment and new road and drainage works; and
• bridge and culvert works and installation of other infrastructure.
The assessment found the risk levels and significance of potential impact were high for road construction and maintenance. “This program involves a very diverse range of activities and projects which are implemented frequently and extensively. While roadside vegetation and habitats may not be targeted directly by some projects; for example during routine road maintenance, the chance of accidental impacts is high.”
The assessment found local government had the complex task of managing roads for traditional uses as well as biodiversity. “Managing this successfully requires a good understanding of the subject and the extent of the tasks.”
Moira Shire and the Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority developed the risk management protocols to preserve biodiversity related with roadsides by improving the capacity of local government to manage associated activities and risks.
The premise of the protocols was that biodiversity conservation and environmental management could be integrated into all management actions and activities associated with road reserves. “Adopting and implementing measures to avoid and minimise the chances of adverse environmental effects should be standard practice and everyone’s responsibility.”
The protocols document said a variety of agencies and government departments including VicRoads, the Country Fire Authority, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and the Department of Primary Industries had responsibility for biodiversity conservation in addition to local government.
It said a key to improving biodiversity conservation was the willingness of stakeholders to gain a better understanding of factors influencing the functions of roads and to take action where necessary.
The protocols identified training as a key element of biodiversity risk management and they included a range of training programs. An accredited one-day Certificate 111 course is being planned for September 24 at Nagambie.
Enquiries can be made to Gary Deayton at Moira Shire via gdeayton@moira.vic. gov.au
The risk management assessment report and the risk management protocols can be found at www.moira.vic.gov.au. Click on Environmental Publications and then Plans/Studies.
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