Fauna surveys critical part of our Inland Rail works
Ecologists have been out in the field across the Beveridge to Albury section of Inland Rail, monitoring and recording the presence of different species to help minimise our impacts during works.
July 29, 2024
To provide sufficient clearance for double-stacked freight trains in Victoria, our construction partner McConnell Dowell is completing overhead powerline works along the North East rail line.
Increasing the height of 33 overhead line structures will involve upgrading cables, replacing cross arms and stay wires and replacing power poles with taller structures.
Environmental assessments surrounding work sites have been undertaken to ensure potential impacts on flora and fauna are minimised.
At one site north of Glenrowan, a potential habitat for the Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) was identified. The Striped Legless Lizard is listed as Vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Threatened under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act).
Before works started, environmental consultants Habitat Management Services, surveyed the area and determined the presence of the Striped Legless Lizard.
Ecologists laid 100 roof tiles to attract animals for six months, regularly monitoring and recording details of what was found under or around the tiles.
Although the Striped Legless Lizard was not found, seven different fauna species were recorded including four reptile and three frog species, the most common found being the Eastern Large Striped Skink and Eastern Brown snake.
These surveys informed work planning with ‘no-go’ zones set up to protect flora and fauna habitats surrounding the area and ground protection implemented where required.
McConnell Dowell is committed to ensuring environmental impacts during construction are well managed and protecting threatened species is just one way we are doing just that.
More than 60 per cent of overhead powerlines have now been upgraded with works continue to progress.
Explore: Beverage to Albury Section of Inland Rail
Ecologists undertaking early morning checks of flora and fauna near Glenrowan.
