Flora & fauna

At 880 hectares, the Holden Proving ground is one of the largest privately owned patches of remnant vegetation in south-west Gippsland region.
 
Bass Coast Landcare Network worked with Holden Proving Ground staff for many years to monitor and manage the site, which contains eight ecological vegetation classes: wet heathland, lowland forest, heathy woodland, swampy riparian woodland, grassy woodland, riparian scrub and swampy woodland.
 
The site is especially valuable because it’s surrounded by a high fence designed to keep out snooping journalists but which also kept out feral animals.
 
The BCLN study group identified habitat suitable for 27 threatened or endangered species:

• 6 mammals: spot-tailed quoll, southern brown bandicoot, long-nosed potoroo, smoky mouse, new Holland mouse, grey-headed flying fox)
• 17 birds: regent honeyeater, Australasian bittern, swift parrot, mallee fowl, orange bellied parrot, Australian painted snipe, fairy tern, white bellied sea eagle, white-throated needletail, rainbow bee-eater, black-faced monarch, satin flycatcher, rufous fantail, great egret, cattle egret, Latham’s snipe, painted snipe)
• 2 fishes: dwarf galaxias, Australian greyling
• 1 frog (growling grass frog)
• 1 other: giant Gippsland earthworm

Members of Save the Holden Bushlands group at the Holden site.

Our aims

1. Preserve the Holden bushlands.
2. Protect the Holden bushlands intact as a vital biolink between the Adams Creek and The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserves. 
3. Protect the ecological, educational and cultural heritage values of the site.
4. Establish public ownership of the site for the benefit and enjoyment of all Victorians and visitors with the Holden bushlands becoming the iconic entrance to Bass Coast.
5. Foster community discussion on future compatible uses of the Holden bushlands that align with ecological, educational and cultural heritage objectives.
6. Advocate for a Western Port nature link incorporating all conservation reserves and remnant bushland.
7. Advocate for a review and strengthening of planning policy and statutory controls to ensure preservation of this nature link.
8. Advocate for a Western Port/Bass Coast national park, with the Holden bushlands as a key part.

A 2002 survey of the Holden Proving Ground found evidence of the southern brown bandicoot, which is listed as nationally endangered. Photo: John O’Neill, Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne.

How can I help?

​Our alliance

These groups support the campaign to save the Holden bushlands.

• Bass Coast Climate Action
• Bass Coast Landcare
• Bass Coast Shire Council
• Cardinia Environment Coalition
• Healesville to Phillip Island Nature Link 
• Leadbeater Lifters
• National Trust Bass Coast Branch
• Peregrine Walkers
• Phillip Island Conservation Society
• South Gippsland Conservation Society
• Tenby Point Ratepayers & Residents Assoc
• Victorian National Parks Association
• Westernport Biosphere
• Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council 
• Westernport Swamp Landcare Group