Afton Street Conservation Reserve

The Afton Street Conservation Reserve is located along the middle reaches of the Maribyrnong river in West Essendon, Melbourne. It is within the City of Moonee Valley and is 17 hectares (42 Acres).

History

The Conservation park was purchased by the city council in October 2003 for a price of $900,000 (AUD). [ [http://www.defence.gov.au/minister/2003/031031.doc Media Release: Community secures public open space] , "Department of Defence", October 31 2003] The site was formally part of the Department of Defence ammunitions site. [ [http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/dse/nrenpl.nsf/93a98744f6ec41bd4a256c8e00013aa9/d10116f9388347f5ca256fb0000cdc77/$FILE/Moonee%20Valley%20C54.pdf Moonee Valley Planning Scheme Amendment] , "Minister For Planning", November 18 2004]

Planning

A master landscape plan was issued for the site and won a number of design awards. [ [http://www.hassell.com.au/sitePdfStore/NAWIC_Award_Media%20release_230806.pdf Press Release: Annette Warner Wins Award For Outstanding Achievement In Design] , "Hassell", August 25 2006] The plan emphasises conservation and recreational use of the park.

Flora and fauna

*Two areas of Western Basalt Plains Grassland
*25 regionally significant species of indigenous plants
*potential habitat and occurrence of the nationally significant Striped Legless Lizard
*areas of valuable native fauna habitat including five ‘birds of prey’ using open grassland areas, small passerine birds including thornbills and silvereyes using the shrub layer and waterbirds using the riparian fringe

References