Geelong Region Growling Grass Frog Habitat Restoration
Project Overview
Australian Ecosystems was engaged by Jinding Developments, working with SPIIRE, to restore Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis) habitat ponds in the Geelong region. The project created high-quality breeding and refuge habitat for one of Victoria's most threatened amphibians, while establishing a resilient wetland ecosystem that will support biodiversity for decades.
Successful Growling Grass Frog habitat requires carefully designed vegetation that provides breeding sites, shelter, foraging areas and movement corridors. Australian Ecosystems collected local indigenous seed, with Regen Nurseries propagating specialist wetland species, before approximately 48,000 indigenous plants were installed across the habitat ponds and surrounding wetlands.
Objective
- Restore and enhance Growling Grass Frog breeding and refuge habitat.
- Establish preferred habitat species, including extensive swards of Cycnogeton procerum for egg-laying and shelter.
- Install approximately 48,000 local-provenance indigenous plants across the ponds and wetlands.
- Protect movement corridors and improve wetland water quality.
- Deliver long-term habitat management under the Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan.
Services Delivered
- Habitat-sensitive weed control
- Vegetation, water quality & water level monitoring
- Habitat protection fencing
- Migration corridor protection
- Environmental compliance & reporting
- Habitat enhancement & monitoring
Project Partners
Restoration Results
The project demonstrates how integrated ecological restoration, specialist indigenous plant production and long-term maintenance can successfully create habitat for threatened species within urban growth areas.
Key achievements included the establishment of approximately 48,000 indigenous plants, collection and propagation of local-provenance seed, and extensive planting of preferred habitat species including Cycnogeton procerum. Together, Australian Ecosystems, Regen Nurseries and Regen Enviro delivered a fully integrated project, from seed collection and plant production through to establishment and ongoing habitat management, helping secure the future of the Growling Grass Frog in the Geelong region.
Growling Grass Frog photograph: Damien Cook, Wetland Revival Trust.