The Biolinks Map is a key action within the Biodiversity Protection Plan. It is a voluntary planning aid that shows where habitat connections could be strengthened, so that limited effort and funding can go where they’ll do the most good.
Project summary
James Garden of Ecology Systems, supported by Yasmin Kelsall of Confluence Ecology and Community, were engaged for this process.
Similar biolink plans have been developed for a number of municipalities across the state, including nearby in the Cardinia Shire region, using the General Approach to Planning Connectivity from Local Scales to Regional (GAPCLoSR) method.
The GAPCLoSR method is also used for the South Gippsland Biolinks Map. It combines a connectivity modelling approach with feedback from key regional stakeholders, including local Landcare representatives and landholders. It also takes into account existing data on vegetation, land mapping and fauna records. Representative groups of fauna with similar ecological and dispersal requirements are used to model and understand connectivity in the landscape, and to identify where on-ground action will have the most impact.
We can then, as a community, focus our resources on the most effective actions to address those gaps, so native species can maintain or increase their numbers. This is an opt-in approach: the map will help Landcare work with the farmers who wish to undertake works on their land.
Consultation
In 2025 we invited stakeholders and local community members with on-ground knowledge of the landscape to share details about the habitat they know well. Their insights have helped strengthen our understanding and refine the modelling process. We received valuable feedback from across the South Gippsland community, and we sincerely appreciate all the information contributed, particularly observations about vegetation, habitat and wildlife at specific locations.
A progress meeting was held on 10 June 2026, with James Garden demonstrating the progress made on preliminary mapping. A second feedback period for community members and landholders closed on 14 July 2026. We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to review the map and share their local knowledge.
Community information session
To introduce the project to our members and the broader community, we held an online information session on Wednesday 7 May 2025. In the recording below, James introduces the Biolinks Mapping concept, how it would be created and what it would look like. To skip the introduction, go to the second chapter, which starts at 5 minutes. James’s 30-minute presentation is followed by questions.
More information
For more information about the Biolinks Mapping project, contact Cassie: cassie@sgln.net.au, 0448 739 559. You can also contact Jillian Staton: jillian@board.sgln.net.au.