Few pilots or passengers flying in and out of Orbost aerodrome, just east of Marlo, would realise they have a bird’s eye view of a significant orchid site.

“There are over 40 individual orchid species identified here, including bonnet orchid (Cryptostylis erecta), purple diuris (Diuris punctata), and leafless tongue-orchid (Cryptostylis hunteriana),” Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) natural environment officer, Marc Perri, said.

“Many of these orchids are listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (FFG) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) as endangered or threatened.

“Our team has worked with the East Gippsland Shire Council’s aerodrome coordinator, the Australian Native Orchid Society, Bairnsdale Field Naturalists Club and the shire’s consultant to develop the Orbost Aerodrome Orchid Management Plan, which was released in March this year.

“The shire council now has a plan to manage the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) safety requirements for the aerodrome alongside the needs of the threatened orchids that grow there. This plan includes the timing and standards for works at significant orchid habitat adjacent to the runway as well as management of orchid habitat outside the immediate runway safety zones.

“Trial slashing of a small area in winter 2017 enabled the re-emergence of more than 90 leafless tongue-orchids that hadn’t been seen for over six years. This was a great result for this EPBC listed endangered species.

“In late August 2019, our natural environment program team delivered a mulching program using a local contractor with a low impact rubber tracked machine.

“The areas identified by community environment groups in the Orchid Management Plan were prioritised for mulching, so now we’ll wait and see if we have similar success this spring and summer as in the trial.

“The success of this project was working with the East Gippsland Shire Council and learning from passionate community observers to plan for the future management of this very important orchid site.”

East Gippsland Shire Council’s aerodrome coordinator, Jason Connelly, said it was a fantastic joint project helping to protect these threatened species while ensuring the future safe operation of the aerodrome.

“For safety reasons, and in conjunction with CASA regulations, it’s important that people wishing to access the aerodrome’s restricted areas to look at orchids be authorised and escorted by the Airport authority,” Mr Connelly said.

PICTURED: Orchid specie Diuris punctate, is among those being protected at Orbost Aerodrome. (Photo: Kerry Seaton)