title: Beveridge Spring Street Swamp Biodiversity and Hydrogeology Constraints council: mitchell state: vic category: constraint classification: MAJOR status: approved last_compiled: 2026-05-31 source_docs:
- Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf
- Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf
- Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf
Beveridge Spring Street Swamp Biodiversity and Hydrogeology Constraints
Spring Street Swamp is the point where the biodiversity and groundwater systems around Beveridge Central become linked: the PSP treats the swamp as an adjacent biosite, while the salinity assessment treats Beveridge Spring as a groundwater discharge feature with shallow groundwater risk near Spring Street. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.25) (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.3, 9-10) The planning implication is that biodiversity protection, stormwater design, drainage staging, salinity management and species prescriptions cannot be read as separate constraints; changes to drainage, culverts, wetland removal or water quality controls may affect habitat values downstream and around the spring-fed system. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.37, 39, 44) (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.56, 66-68)
Background
The Beveridge Central PSP was prepared by the Victorian Planning Authority with Mitchell Shire Council, government agencies, service authorities and stakeholders, and it applies to approximately 292 hectares around Beveridge Central. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.5, 13) The PSP states that it is informed by the Northern Growth Corridor Plan, Plan Melbourne 2017-2050, the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Sub-Regional Species Strategies for Melbourne’s Growth Areas, the Beveridge Central Background Report and the Beveridge Central Infrastructure Contributions Plan. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.5)
The PSP establishes a gross developable area of 292 hectares, a net developable area of 227 hectares, and an expected residential yield of approximately 3,389 dwellings for more than 9,489 residents at an average of 15 dwellings per net developable hectare. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.13) Within that urban framework, Spring Street Swamp is not presented as a large retained conservation reserve inside the precinct; it is identified as a significant biosite east of the precinct with past records of Growling Grass Frog and Brown Quail. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.25)
The hydrogeology evidence comes from Golder’s preliminary salinity assessment for the Beveridge Central Precinct, which assessed salinity risk across approximately 290 hectares bounded by Camerons Lane, Hume Freeway, Spring Street, Kelly Street, Stewart Street, Rankin Street and Patterson Road. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, p.1) The biodiversity evidence comes from Ecology and Heritage Partners’ assessment of Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098, covering Beveridge Central and Lockerbie North, based on DSE time-stamped native vegetation data, database review, field surveys and targeted flora surveys where access was approved. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.7-8)
Analysis
Constraint Mechanism: Spring-Fed Swamp, Shallow Groundwater and Salinity
The hydrogeological mechanism is straightforward: dryland salinity occurs where saline groundwater is close to, or discharges at, the ground surface, and evaporation concentrates salts in soil and shallow groundwater. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.1-2) Golder notes that this can affect urban land through corrosion or instability risks for foundations and infrastructure in contact with saline soil or groundwater. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, p.2)
Beveridge Spring is the key local indicator of groundwater discharge because Golder identifies a perennial spring-fed swamp approximately 250 metres east of the eastern edge of the study area. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, p.3) Golder states that the presence of the spring-fed swamp indicates groundwater discharge at that location and that depth to groundwater is likely to be shallow in the surrounding area. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, p.3)
The field inspection found that the Spring Street mapped groundwater-dependent ecosystem was marshland with tall reeds related to Beveridge Spring, and Golder considered it likely to be an actual groundwater-dependent ecosystem. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, p.9) Spring Street itself has a built-up roadway and a concrete culvert that allows water to pass to a channel west of Spring Street, but Golder observed that the road has a partial damming effect, with more extensive marshy areas east of Spring Street. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, p.9) Water was flowing through the culvert at the time of inspection at a low audible trickle, which means the spring system was active during the December 2015 inspection rather than only visible as a dry mapped feature. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, p.9)
The salinity constraint is localised rather than precinct-wide. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.14-16) Golder’s surface soil tests found non-saline results at S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S8, but moderately saline soil at S6 on marshy ground east of Spring Street and S7 in a shallow drain east of Lewis Street. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, p.14) The measured EC 1:5 values were 582 microSiemens per centimetre at S6 and 741 microSiemens per centimetre at S7, both classified as moderately saline for their soil types. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, p.14)
The planning consequence is that Spring Street and the Lewis Street drainage corridor are not broad development exclusion areas on salinity grounds, but they are the places where design must avoid unintentionally changing groundwater expression, waterlogging, drainage concentration or salt mobilisation. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.14-16) Golder concludes that groundwater-related salinity risk is generally low, but recommends further assessment before detailed development design, including systematic inspection, shallow piezometers near groundwater discharge areas and drainage channels, and soil salinity testing through the soil profile. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.15-16)
Biodiversity Values and Species Risk
The PSP characterises biodiversity significance inside the precinct as low overall because the area has been highly modified, but it separately identifies Spring Street Swamp as a significant biosite east of the precinct with past records of Growling Grass Frog and Brown Quail. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.25) The PSP also identifies Merri Creek and Kalkallo Creek as nearby biodiversity sites with documented Growling Grass Frog populations. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.25)
The biodiversity assessment records a more granular constraint picture than the PSP summary. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.9-10, 44-48) Ecology and Heritage Partners recorded 273 flora species during site assessments, including 112 indigenous species and 161 exotic species. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, p.9) The assessment found five native vegetation types in the precincts: Plains Grassland, Plains Grassy Wetland, Stony Knoll Shrubland, Swamp Scrub and Creekline Tussock Grassland. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, p.9)
The assessment identifies approximately 7.29 habitat hectares of remnant vegetation across the study area, including 1.32 habitat hectares of high conservation significance Plains Grassland, 0.01 habitat hectares of very high conservation significance Plains Grassland, 1.24 habitat hectares of high conservation significance Plains Grassy Wetland, 0.64 habitat hectares of very high conservation significance Plains Grassy Wetland, 3.51 habitat hectares of high conservation significance Stony Knoll Shrubland, 0.02 habitat hectares of high conservation significance Creekline Tussock Grassland and 0.55 habitat hectares of high conservation significance Swamp Scrub. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.45, 48, 69)
The native vegetation offset exposure is materially larger than the habitat-hectare area because the preliminary Net Gain requirement is 9.96 habitat hectares for high conservation significance vegetation and 1.3 habitat hectares for very high conservation significance vegetation. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, p.48) The assessment also recorded 16 scattered indigenous trees outside remnant vegetation patches, comprising one very large old tree, seven large old trees, one large stag, five medium old trees and two small trees. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.46-48)
The species constraint is strongest for Matted Flax-lily, Growling Grass Frog, Golden Sun Moth and Striped Legless Lizard. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.56-60, 67-68) Matted Flax-lily, listed as endangered under the EPBC Act, was recorded during targeted flora surveys. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, p.57) No EPBC-listed fauna were recorded during the biodiversity assessment, but targeted surveys were not conducted for Growling Grass Frog, Striped Legless Lizard and Golden Sun Moth. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, p.57) The assessment gives Growling Grass Frog a moderate to high likelihood of occurrence within the PSP and gives Striped Legless Lizard and Golden Sun Moth a low to moderate likelihood of occurrence. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, p.57)
Artificial waterbodies and modified wetlands are important because Ecology and Heritage Partners found them to have moderate fauna habitat value and noted that one good-quality dam had habitat characteristics consistent with suitable Growling Grass Frog habitat. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, p.51) The assessment also states that there is a moderate to high likelihood that artificial waterbodies and modified wetlands provide habitat for Growling Grass Frog. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.51-52)
Drainage, Stormwater and Habitat Interaction
The PSP makes drainage a staged infrastructure dependency rather than an optional design matter. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.37, 39, 44) Development must meet best-practice stormwater quality treatment before discharge to receiving waterways unless Melbourne Water and the responsible authority approve otherwise. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.37) Subdivision applications must show how overland flow paths and pipes in road reserves connect across parcel boundaries and how Melbourne Water freeboard requirements for overland flow paths are contained within road reserves. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.37)
Drainage infrastructure is outside the Beveridge Central Infrastructure Contributions Plan because Melbourne Water is the relevant authority for main outfall drainage. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.39) Melbourne Water prepared a Development Services Scheme for the precinct, and developers are required to pay a levy for each developable hectare included in a planning permit application. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.39) The PSP also states that local drainage is to be constructed by developers in addition to the Development Services Scheme drainage works. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.39)
The Precinct Infrastructure Plan lists Spring Street drainage pipeline infrastructure, Lewis Street drainage pipeline infrastructure, Lithgow Street drainage pipeline infrastructure and Whiteside Street-Hume Freeway-Spring Street pipeline infrastructure as Melbourne Water drainage items that are not included in the ICP and are timed for the short term. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.44) This matters because Golder traced the Beveridge Spring drain under the Hume Freeway and along the north side of Whiteside Street, with marshy reeds in the drain channel until it reaches Whiteside Street. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.10-11)
The cause-and-effect chain is therefore direct: the spring-fed system drains through Spring Street, under the Hume Freeway and towards Whiteside Street, while the PSP requires short-term drainage pipelines along Spring Street and the Whiteside Street-Hume Freeway interface. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.9-11) (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.44) If detailed drainage design reduces baseflow, concentrates flow, lowers water levels, changes culvert hydraulics or removes wetland-like farm dam habitat without replacement, it may affect the same wetland and amphibian values identified in the biodiversity report. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.51-52, 66-68)
Statutory Approval Pathway
The PSP states that the Commonwealth EPBC Act approval for urban development in Melbourne’s expanded 2010 Urban Growth Boundary was issued on 5 December 2013 and has effect until 31 December 2060, subject to conditions. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.5) The PSP states that, if those EPBC approval conditions are satisfied, individual EPBC Act assessment and approval is not required. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.5)
The PSP implements this through Requirement R30, which allows native vegetation and scattered trees shown on Plan 7 to be removed if the removal, destruction or lopping occurs in accordance with the 5 December 2013 final approval under section 146B of the EPBC Act. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.25) This converts biodiversity constraint management from a site-by-site Commonwealth referral pathway into a strategic-assessment compliance pathway. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.5, 25)
The biodiversity assessment explains the earlier SIAR mechanism: prescriptions were prepared for Matted Flax-lily, Golden Sun Moth, Striped Legless Lizard, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Growling Grass Frog, migratory species, Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain and Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.58-59) For Growling Grass Frog, the SIAR prescription requires a Conservation Management Plan to address long-term habitat creation and maintenance, monitoring, threat management and sequencing to ensure no net loss of habitat and local population. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, p.60)
The planning mechanism is therefore not only avoidance. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.58-60, 67-68) It is a combination of mapped removal permissions, offsets, translocation planning, conservation management planning, salvage planning and staged sequencing where listed species or suitable habitat are present. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.58-60, 67-68)
Practical Constraint Severity
The constraint should be classified as moderate to high in design sensitivity, but not as a precinct-wide prohibition on urban development. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.13, 25, 37, 39, 44) The PSP allocates 227 hectares of net developable area and expects urban development at 15 dwellings per net developable hectare, which shows the statutory plan did not treat biodiversity or salinity as preventing precinct urbanisation. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.13)
The most sensitive locations are Spring Street, the eastern side of Spring Street near Beveridge Spring, the Whiteside Street-Hume Freeway drainage path, the Lewis Street drain, artificial waterbodies and modified wetlands, patches of Plains Grassy Wetland and Swamp Scrub, and any locations supporting Matted Flax-lily or suitable habitat for Growling Grass Frog, Golden Sun Moth or Striped Legless Lizard. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.9-15) (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.45-52, 56-60, 66-68)
The design test is whether subdivision, drainage and service placement can maintain waterway values, avoid disturbance to native vegetation and significant landform features, manage stormwater quality before discharge, and sequence works so drainage and habitat obligations are met before urban works affect the spring-fed and wetland-linked system. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.37) (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.66-68)
Current Status
The relevant statutory planning framework is the Beveridge Central PSP dated May 2018. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, cover) The PSP includes biodiversity requirements, stormwater requirements and a precinct infrastructure plan that identifies short-term Melbourne Water drainage pipelines at Spring Street, Lewis Street, Lithgow Street and the Whiteside Street-Hume Freeway-Spring Street interface. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.25, 37, 44)
The available source set does not include a later Melbourne Water detailed drainage design, a final Development Services Scheme schedule, a final Native Vegetation Precinct Plan, post-2018 species survey results, a Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan, or a post-PSP salinity verification report with piezometer data. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.37, 39, 44) (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.15-16) (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.57-60, 67-68)
Dependencies
- Blocks: Detailed subdivision and drainage works near Spring Street, Whiteside Street, Lewis Street, wetlands, dams and mapped native vegetation should not proceed without resolving stormwater quality treatment, drainage connectivity, native vegetation removal permissions and species management obligations. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.25, 37, 39, 44) (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.58-60, 66-68)
- Blocked by: The key unresolved technical dependencies are final salinity verification near groundwater discharge areas, detailed drainage design, confirmation of listed-species survey outcomes and any required Conservation Management Plans, salvage plans, translocation plans or offsets. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.15-16) (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.58-60, 67-68)
- Informed by: The constraint analysis is informed by the Beveridge Central PSP, Golder’s preliminary salinity assessment and Ecology and Heritage Partners’ biodiversity assessment for Beveridge Central and Lockerbie North. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.5, 25, 37) (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, p.1) (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.7-11)
- Implements: The PSP implements the Melbourne growth-area strategic biodiversity approval pathway under the EPBC Act and the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy framework for Melbourne’s growth corridors. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.5)
- Conflicts with: The main planning tension is between urban drainage simplification and the ecological function of groundwater-fed, wetland and drainage-line habitat around Spring Street and Whiteside Street. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.9-11) (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.51-52, 66-68)
Cross-Jurisdictional Links
The Spring Street Swamp constraint links Mitchell Shire planning decisions to Melbourne Water drainage approvals because main outfall drainage is managed through Melbourne Water’s Development Services Scheme rather than the Beveridge Central ICP. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.39) It also links local subdivision design to Commonwealth biodiversity approval conditions because native vegetation removal relies on compliance with the 5 December 2013 EPBC strategic assessment approval. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.5, 25)
The biodiversity evidence also links Beveridge Central to the broader Merri Creek and Kalkallo Creek ecological network, because the PSP identifies those nearby creek systems as having documented Growling Grass Frog populations. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, p.25) The biodiversity assessment notes that the study area is adjacent to Merri Creek, which flows to Port Phillip Bay, and recommends best-practice sedimentation and pollution controls to avoid downstream waterway impacts. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, p.56)
Gaps in This Analysis
The source set is sufficient to identify the constraint mechanism, but it is not sufficient to confirm how the constraint has been resolved through detailed design or later approvals. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.15-16) The most important missing document is the follow-up salinity assessment recommended by Golder, because the available report did not install piezometers and did not confirm groundwater depth or quality through the soil profile near groundwater discharge areas. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.15-16)
The source set also lacks the final detailed drainage design or Melbourne Water Development Services Scheme material for the Spring Street, Lewis Street, Lithgow Street and Whiteside Street-Hume Freeway drainage pipelines. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.39, 44) Without those documents, the analysis cannot confirm whether the final drainage solution maintains Beveridge Spring baseflow, preserves wetland habitat function, or changes groundwater expression around Spring Street. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.9-11) (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.37, 44)
The source set does not include final targeted survey reports for Golden Sun Moth, Growling Grass Frog or Striped Legless Lizard, although the biodiversity assessment identifies those species as requiring targeted survey or management consideration. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.57-60, 67-68) The source set also does not include a final Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan, Matted Flax-lily translocation plan, Striped Legless Lizard salvage plan or final offset-security documentation. (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.58-60, 67-68)
This page should therefore be read as a constraints mechanism page rather than a construction-ready compliance audit. (Source: Beveridge Central Precinct Structure Plan.pdf, pp.25, 37, 39, 44) The required gap follow-up is to obtain the post-PSP drainage, salinity verification and species-management documents and connect them to beveridge-central-drainage, mitchell-native-vegetation, beveridge-central-psp and growling-grass-frog. (Source: Beveridge Central Preliminary Salinity Assessment.pdf, pp.15-16) (Source: Biodiversity Assessment for Precinct Areas 1062 and 1098 Beveridge Victoria.pdf, pp.67-68)