The Ordinary Nature of Ecological Corridors by Fan Wang

FAN WANG

REHABILITATING An ecological corridor for the swift parrot that corresponds to city priorities

The Ordinary Nature of

REHABILITATING

by Fan Wang Habitats need rehabilitation when they fall in to deficiency and collapsion.

However, the an urban habitat we would like to recreate should fit with human needs.

ABSTRACT The aim of the research project is to rehabilitate the habitats of the Swift Parrot within the City of Melbourne. The main concept of the research is to 1) analyze the common needs of humans and Swift Parrots for tree planting in the City of Melbourne; and 2) based on the above analysis identify potential spaces for an eco-corridor which provide public spaces and habitats for Swift Parrots.

Based on the data collected from open sources on the government websites, research papers and online geographical data, this research has conducted analysis around distribution of swift parrots, eucalypts, canopy covers, vehicle traffic and location of flood events, hot temperature streets, higher pedestrian volume and useful life expectation of trees, and etc. Considering all the above factors, the research has mapped the livable hotspots for swift parrots and provided a potential eco-network for them.

Even though the long-term rehabilitating may include a range of design interventions and plans, this research focuses on the proposal of a potential corridor of the highest priority in the short-term. By leveraging Point Cloud Model for spatial analysis, the research has developed three modes that deal with different situations, which are 'With Cars', 'Car Free' and 'High-rise development' along the corridor. At the same time, people live in the City of Melbourne can really enjoy a more comfortable outdoor urban spaces.

FIGURE 1 Swift Parrot standing on eucalypts' branch https://www. abc.net.au/ news/2016-10-13/ swiftparrot/ 7929592

PHENOMENA OBSERVATION

Phenomenon 1 Swift Parrot in City: Threats and Survival

The Swift Parrot is a kind of migratory bird that only occurs in southeastern Australia. The amount of Swift Parrots has been declining over the past 20 years. They may be extinct within 12 years if no actions are taken now.

(Conservation Volunteers Australia, 2015) A range of recovery plans and campaigns have been carried by local governments, environment-related communities, foundations, and etc.

(Saunders & Tzaros, 2011) However, further improvements should be made to ensure the survival of swift parrots.

FIGURE 2 Red List Assessment (Conservation Volunteers Australia, 2015)

FIGURE 3 Conservation campaign supported by Bob Brown Foundation Bob Brown Foundation, https:// www.savebrunyisland. org/swift-parrots

Food sources and habitat distribution

FIGURE 4 Conservation campaign supported

by Bob Brown Foundation https:// theconversation. com/lets-stoptasmanias-swiftparrots-goingthe-way-of-thedodo-39570

The main food source for swift parrots is nectar from the flowers of the eucalyptus trees. They also feed on other food resources such as psyllids, lerps, seeds, flowers and etc. The Swift parrot only breed in tasmania that has blue gum which has more flowerings and nectar. These provide significant nutrients and food in the breeding season.

Urban landscapes contain flowering eucalypts, making cities part of their foraging habitats.

Migration route The Swift Parrot breeds in Tasmania during summer and migrates north to mainland Australia in winter. During autumn and winter (March to August), Swift Parrots are mainly found in southern and central Victoria, as well as eastern New South Wales. Small numbers of them are also found in ACT and southeastern Queensland. (Saunders & Tzaros, 2011; State of Tasmania, 2010)

FIGURE 5 Distribution and Migration route of the Swift Parrot in Australia FIGURE 6 Distribution of Swift Parrot in Victoria (National Recovery Plan for the Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor)

Victoria Melbourne

Threats There are three main threats to the survival of the Swift Parrot. 1) Natural enemy. Owing to nest predation by the introduced Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps in the Tasmanian breeding range, swift parrots experienced an extreme decline(Stojanovic, 2015). 2) Urban and agricultural development.

Land clearing for residential, commercial development and non-timber agriculture caused the loss of habitats and food sources for swift parrots.

Hence, they increasingly come to the city for food. 3) Collisions. However, foraging in cities brings the problem of collisions with glass windows of buildings and cars.

FIGURE 7 Wounded Swift Parrot https://www. australiangeographic. com.au/ topics/scienceenvironment/2019/ 01/striking-outwindows-collisionsa-growing-threat-toour-birds/

Exisitng Conservation Actions and important conservation role of cities The conservation actions have been taken a lot on species research, existing sources protection and education. However, there’s a lack of focus on reintroducing them back with new food sources and habitats. (BirdLife International, 2018) In-place research and monitoring

In-place land/water protection

In-place species management

In-place education

Action Recovery Plan : Yes

Conservation sites identified : Yes, over entire range

Successfully reintroduced or introduced benignly : No

Subject to recent education and awareness programmes : Yes

Systematic monitoring scheme : Yes

Occurs in at least one protected area : Yes

Subject to ex-situ conservation : Yes

Included in international legislation : Yes

Invasive species control or prevention : No

TABLE 1 Conservation Actions In Place

Subject to any international management / trade controls : Yes

Research has shown that there's a greater richness of threatened species in cities compared with equivalent non-urban areas. 30% of Australia’s threatened species occur or are likely to occur in cities. However, cities cover merely 0.23% of the total land area. (Christopher et al. 2016) Some migrant species like the swift parrot move across large areas since food resources (e.g. nectar, fruit or blossoms) are seasonally available. (Swift Parrot Recovery Team, 2001) Usually, these food resources are found in non-remnant, human-modified habitats. Cities may be especially valuable to these kinds of species, as they can provide more stable resources throughout the year as a result of human planting selection and supplementary watering. (Parris & Hazell, 2005; Williams et al., 2006). Therefore, taking conservation actions such as recovery planning or spatial planning in city areas is of great importance.

(Bekessy et al., 2012) Instead of keeping the city areas outside of the conservation plans, we should start thinking about how cities can play a significant role in rehabilitating their habitats.

Phenomenon 2 Cities have their priorities of trees planting

Melbourne is going to be a megacity in 2050 with an approximate population of 10 million.(ABC NEWS, 2016) It will be a big challenge to provide even better quality of outdoor environment with enough tree canopies covered. Another challenge is how to rehabilitate the urban environment to a suitable ecological environment for endangered animals such as swift parrots.

FIGURE 8 Melbourne yarra riverside FIGURE 9 Hangzhou west lakeside

My hometown, Hangzhou, is a big city with a population of 9.8 million.

The amount is the same as Melbourne will be by 2050. The government is now recreating 3000-kilometer greenways along the rivers, which largely increases the ecological performance and living conditions of the city.

However, the walking trails along the rivers in Melbourne don’t always provide sufficient canopies. People may get sunburn in some public spaces.

Cities have their own different priorities considering how many trees to plant, where to plant, and whom to plant for. Melbourne has published its URBAN FOREST PLAN and NATURE IN THE CITY PLAN, revealing its principles and priorities of tree planting.

Parrots prefer the urban environment more than national parks as there have more vegetations for food. So, open spaces that people live in, will also become suitable for birds to inhabit. There is a change to replace cleared species back to city that benefit both humans and Swift Parrots.

FIGURE 8 Melbourne yarra riverside FIGURE 9 Hangzhou west lakeside

NATURE IN THE CITY

THRIVING BIODIVERSITY AND HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS

CENTRAL CITY URbAN FOREsT PRECINCT PLAN 2013-2023

Central City Urban Precinct Plan 2013 - 2023 City of Melbourne 1

LINEAGE MAP

The evolution of policies relating to birds’ habitat rehabilitation and urban environment as illustrated on the next page. From 1901 to 2008, it shows that policies in the U.S. and Canada started to focus on creating small artificial interventions in existing urban environments while Australia focused on bird obser vation and protection in nature without guidelines. During the same period, the North America had published several guidelines encouraging small artificial habitats and stepovers for birds. From 2009 to 2011, Australia had published several guidelines about creating habitats in both natural and urban environment due to the expansion of cities and loss of habitats. In 2012, Birdlife Australia was formed. Then from 2012 to 2015, it released some policies concerning eco environment with mutual benefits for humans and birds without specific guidelines.

At the same time, councils in the North America started to working on collision in modern cities since there were more conflicts happened in high-density urban spaces. As a result of Melbourne BioBlitz events in 2014 and 2016, Melbourne has published Nature in the City in 2017. It included a corridor plan in central Melbourne area, which indicate the era that birds and humans are making effort to live together.

This research is promoting the movement through an experimental test on corridors for Swift Parrots and humans in the City of Melbourne. Through integrating spaces that city council would like to redesign and eucalypts are going to meet their useful life expectancy, further policies are predicted to published, for instance, Revitalization of Urban Old Native Trees in 2025, Rooftop Connection Master Plan 2026 will be triggers of a new Urban Birds' Eco-Network Master Plan and Urban Ecocorridor Design Guideline in 2040.

AMERICA CANADA

CREATING SMALL ARTIFICIAL HABITATS AND STEPOVERS

AUSTRALIA

BIRD OBSERVATION AND PROTECTION IN NATURE WITHOUT GUIDELINES

A Habitat Guide For Chicago Land Owners: Enhancing Your Property For Birds

Richard M. Daley

Urban Songbird Habitat: Landscape Design Guidelines

Holland Barrs Planning Group Inc.

Managing Habitats For Migrating Land Birds In The Western Lake Erie Basin A Guide To Landscaping And Land Management Guidelines for Creating Bird Habitats

CREATING HABITATS WITH LIVING SOURCES IN LOW DENSITY AREAS

CREATING HABITATS IN NATURAL AND URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Paul G. Rodewald, The Ohio State University & Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative And David Ewert Holly Parsons Dr Monica Awasthy, Dr Holly Parsons

Connectivity Policy

Birds Australia

Guidelines for the Development of Bird Habitat in school

Birds Australia

Bird-Friendly Urban Design Guidelines

AVOIDING COLLISION IN MODERN CITIEST

RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT ECOFRIENDLY CITY FOR BOTH HUMANS AND BIRDS

Land Use Planning & Policy

National Wildlife Corridors Plan

National Wildlife Corridors Plan Advisory Group

Native Vegetation Conservation Policy

National Wildlife Corridors Plan Advisory Group

Carbon Offsets (Maximising Biodiversity Conservation Outcomes) Policy

Birdlife Australia

Disturbance to Birds and their Habitats due to Recreational Activities Policy

Birdlife Australia

(WITHOUT SPECIFIC GUIDELINES)

Bird-Friendly Landscape Design Guidelines City Of Vancouver

Michele Campbell Experts and Members of the Community

Citizens' Greener Evanston

City Of Evanston Environmental Department

Bird-Friendly Building Design

American Bird Conservancy

City of Melbourne Community

Elizabeth Catchment Plan

Urban Ecology and Biodiversity Strategy

Lord Mayor, Cr Arron Wood

An ecological corridor for the swift parrot that corresponds to city priorities Nature in the City

Robert Doyle, Cathy Oke

Ecological Corridor Design Strategy for the Swift Parrot that Corresponds to Cty Priorities

Fan Wang

Speculative Line

REHABILITATING BIRD HABITATS AND HUMAN PUBLIC SPACES IN URBAN SETTING

Elizabeth Street Strategic Opportunities Plan

City of Melbourne Community

Revitalization of Urban Old Native Trees

City of Melbourne Environmental department

Rooftop Connection Master Plan

City of Melbourne Development department

Urban Birds' Eco-network Master Plan

City of Melbourne Community

Urban Eco-corridor Design Guideline

City of Melbourne Community

1901

Birds Australia was hatched

Establishment of Bird Observers Club

1905

Bird Observers Club changed its name and mission to Bird Observation & Conservation Australia

2007

City Of Chicago, U.S.

Dimming Decorative Lights At Night For Five Months Of The Year

Parklane Homes Ltd., Wes Group Income Properties, Canada

East Fraserlands Neighbourhood Development. Mill Bay Wharf, Plaza, And Foreshore

The Nature Conservancy, U.S.

Nest Box Program

2007

2007

2008

2009

Birds Australia

Native Havens Program

Birds Australia

Establishment of Bird In The Backyard

2009

Birds Australia

2010

Birds Australia

2010

The City Of Calgary, Canada

the Centre City Plan of Calgary

Birds Australia and BOCA merged

2011

2012

Birdlife Australia

Submission in response to the Draft National Wildlife Corridors Plan

Birdlife Australia

Botanic gardens and herbaria

2012

2012

2012

Birdlife Australia

2013

Birdlife Australia

Vancouver City Council, Canada City of Melbourne, Australia

Callister Park Melbourne BioBlitz

2013

2014

City Of Evanston, U.S.

Backyard Bird Habitat, Enhancing Your Garden For Birds

Adubon New York City, U.S.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Visitors Center Glass renovation. Canada “Lights Out” Programs

2015

2015

City of Melbourne, Australia

2015

City of Melbourne, Australia

2016

City of Melbourne, Australia

Southern Reaches of Moonee Ponds Creek Revitalisation Plan

2017 Speculative Line

City of Melbourne, Australia

Elizabeth St and Leicester St Retrofit Strategy

2019

City of Melbourne, Australia

Elizabeth street Retrofit

2020

City of Melbourne, Australia

Transplant Eucalupts(close to useful life expectancy) to Elizabeth Street

2025

Roof Garden revolution City of Melbourne, Australia

Elizabeth St skybridges and deck plazas

City of Melbourne, Australia

Spencer street Retrofit

City of Melbourne, Australia

Urban streets Retrofit

2026 2030

2040 2040

CONCEPT

The aim of the research project is to rehabilitate eucalyptus habitat in the urban setting.

The research will identify the spaces where humans and Swift parrots both need for tree planting. This space will become a shared eco-corridor in the city of Melbourne.

The new corridor can provide food sources and safe habitats for swift parrots while providing shades, lowering temperature and enhancing flood resistance for residents.

In this research, swift parrots and citizens are considered to be equally important. Therefore, understanding both of their habitat preferences should be a premise of further design intervention.

TEST IN THE CITY OF MELBOURNE Eco-corridor for both swift parrot and humans in the city of melbourne

Seasonal habitat preferences of the swift parrot and humans

Weather analysis during March to August Swift parrots stay in Melbourne and the surrounding areas from March to August, covering three seasons. During this period, they will keep looking for food sources and habitats in this area.

Between March and April, Melbourne experiences higher temperature and stronger UV. What’s more, research statistics shows that there are more pedestrian volumes on the street.

Hence, during this time period, people need more tree canopies for shading and coolness.

From June to August, there will be stronger wind from northwest and more flood events. Hence, the city will need wind shelter and permeable surfaces to absorb flash flood.

18

30

16

25

14 12

20

10

15

8 6

10

4

5

2 0

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

Pedestrian volume

Swift parrot counts

Average daily maximum UV levels

Daylight temperature (highs)

0

Flood

Drawn by the author.Data sources temperature: NOAA uv: https://wiki.cancer.org.au/skincancerstats/UV_radiation pedestrian: city of melbourne, open data wind: http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/cvg/av?p_stn_num=086071&p_ prim_element_index=0&p_comp_element_index=0&redraw=null&p_ display_type=full_statistics_table&normals_years=19812010&tablesizebutt=normal flood: City of Melbourne Flood Management Plan

FIGURE 10 Stastics on pedestrian volume, Swift Parrot, UV levels, temperature and flood during March to August

Preferences of the Swift Parrot Food sources of swift parrot The productions of lerp and nectar food resources in these habitats are considered as the main limiting factors to the species' survival in the mainland. Their targets basically are on eucalyptus trees.

Key tree species – common name Key tree species – scientific name

Yellow Gum

Red Ironbark

Mugga Ironbark

Eucalyptus leucoxylon

Eucalyptus tricarpa

Eucalyptus sideroxylon

Key tree species – common name Key tree species – scientific name

Grey Box

White Box

Yellow Box

Eucalyptus microcarpa

Eucalyptus albens

Eucalyptus melliodora

e species – on name e species – c name

Yellow Gum

Red Ironbark

Mugga Ironbark

Eucalyptus leucoxylon

Eucalyptus tricarpa

Eucalyptus sideroxylon

e species – on name e species – c name

Grey Box

White Box

Yellow Box

Eucalyptus microcarpa

Eucalyptus albens

Eucalyptus melliodora

Red Ironbark

Mugga Ironbark

Eucalyptus tricarpa

Eucalyptus sideroxylon

White Box

Yellow Box

Eucalyptus albens

Eucalyptus melliodora

oxylon

ocarpa

FIGURE 11 Eucalypts for Swift Parrots in Melbourne

species – n name species – c name

Yellow Gum

Red Ironbark

Mugga Ironbark

Eucalyptus leucoxylon

Eucalyptus tricarpa

Eucalyptus sideroxylon

species – n name species – c name

Grey Box

White Box

Yellow Box

Eucalyptus microcarpa

Eucalyptus albens

Eucalyptus melliodora

Red Ironbark

Mugga Ironbark

Eucalyptus tricarpa

Eucalyptus sideroxylon

White Box

Yellow Box

Eucalyptus albens

Eucalyptus melliodora

oxylon

ocarpa

pa

ns

Mugga Ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylon Yellow Box Eucalyptus melliodora

FIGURE 11 Eucalypts for Swift Parrots in Melbourne

Distribution of eucalyptus trees

FIGURE 12

The eucalyptus are mostly located in Royal park, Royal Botanic Garden, Flemington Racecourse area, Footscray Park, Queen Victoria Gardens, Fawkner Park, Carlton Gardens. Some other small patches are scattered in pocket gardens and along the Yarra River bank. However, all of the native trees in the high density CBD area had been replaced.

The map below shows a disconnection of swift parrots' food sources in the CBD area.

Eucalypts Density high (existing) low (potential)

Distribution of Swift Parrots The records of swift parrots were based on scientific observations by humans. 75 out of 80 were seen during March to August, the other 5 were found on September and October.

Most of the swift parrots were reported to have been observed in Royal park, Others were found at the South of the University of Melbourne and around the Botanic Gardens. Many of them are not found exactly on the eucalyptus trees, but in urban areas around them.

FIGURE 13 Density of recorded Swift Parrot high (existing) low (potential)

https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org. au:afd.taxon:3f12e573-a7b7-45e7-a6e4-aeae9bc3a9ed

Threats of collision in the urban area It was estimated that around 1.5%–2% of the entire swift parrot breeding population is killed every year as a result of collisions. Collision with windows is the main type of collisions because transparent glass provides an unobstructed view of habitat or sky on the other side of a window or building.

It is not recognised as a solid barrier by swift parrots. (Holland, 2008)

FIGURE 14 Density of onstreet carpark

In the City of Melbourne, areas with glass windows, parked vehicles and cars that drive in a slow speed have higher risk of collisions. Glass windows are basically everywhere in the city, typically in the CBD area with more highrise buildings. However, there are less on-street car parks in the CBD area, especially on Swanston Street. high (existing) low (potential)

google traffic, friday 6:00pm

Threats of collision in the urban area In terms of the slow traveling cars, cars on the Flinders Street, Elliot Ave, Hannah Street, William Street/Queen Bridge Street, Spencer Street, northen part of collins Street and Elizabeth Street, central segement of Lonsdale Street and La Trobe Streets and Little Lonsdale Street have higher risks.

FIGURE 15 Slow traveling roads

high (existing) low (potential)

Needs of the humans Pedestrian volume Most of the pedestrian traffic is concentrated in the central commercial area and its surrounding areas. Those areas have higher demands of tree caponies on March and April for cooling the temperature. They also need wind shelter and exposed natural surface from June to August to block the wind and absorb flash flood.

FIGURE 16 Density of pedestrian Volume high (existing) low (potential)

Surface Temperature Temperature is largely related to the material of land cover. Indutrial freight yard, car park and streets with less canopy covering rate usually have higher temperature.

Local communities in the City of Melbourne had identified these areas should get the priority to plant trees.

(Urban forest strategy) FIGURE 17 Temperature map

high (existing) low (potential)

Existing tree canopies Melbourne CBD area especially Elizabeth Street and Flinders Street has less tree canopies and thus more potentials of planting new eucalyptus trees in those vacant spaces. It will not only create new food sources for swift parrots but also provide more shades for people.

FIGURE 18 Density of tree canopy high (existing) low (potential)

Flood events Many of the flood hot spots that Melbourne City Council identified are lakes and rivers before land modification. Natural surface with soil and vegetation for aborbing water is crucial in those areas.

FIGURE 19 Flooding area

former lakes and rivers

Source: Melbourne City Council Storm and Flood Emergency Plan high (existing) low (potential)

Long Term Habitat Potentials Useful life expectation of eucalptus trees

FIGURE 20 Useful life expectancy of eucalypts

Most of eucalyptus trees are going to reach their life span in five years, especially those in Royal Park. This means swift parrots will loss their last food sources and habitats in the City of Melbourne if we replace those trees with other species. Therefore, ensuring the replaced trees are eucalyptus are of crutial importance. However, leaving some of the old or dead eucalyptus trees that have hollows on site are also useful for nesting of swift parrots.

high (existing) low (potential)

Useful life expectation of all the trees in City of Melbourne In five years, those trees in Melbourne's parks and main streets are going to be replaced. Those are important patches for maintaining the biodiversity and survial of threatend species. Through the map below, we can see an opportunity for the City of Melbourne to select eucalyptus trees as replacement.

FIGURE 21 Useful life expectancy high (existing) low (potential)

Existing Hotspots of Swift parrot Habitats The existing hotspots for swift parrots are places that have more eucalypts, more recorded swift parrots, less car parks and slow vehicle traffics. These hotspots are dispersively distributed on the north and south side of CBD and Dockland areas.

FIGURE 22 Existing hotspots for Swift parrot

potential spaces

A

Potential Corridors The white lines in the map below are the identified potential corridors where swift parrots and people have shared needs of planting trees. The criteria for identifying the potential sites are as follows: 1) Places that have higher temperature, higer pedestrian volume but less canopy covers. 2) Places that have higher frequency of flood events but less impermeable surfaces. 3) Places that have less eucalypts for swift parrots while less risks of collision with cars.

In the long term, they are actually the places where have the higher potential or probability to replace the old trees with eucalyptus trees in five years.

Corridor A links the Royal Park and the Botanic Garden. It also connects the exisitng recorded spots of swift parrot. So, Corridor A could be of the highest priority to get started first. It could be undertaken in the short-term rehabilitating plan. Trees in Corridor B, C, D, E are going to be replaced in the near future, so they could be long term corridors at the later stages.

FIGURE 23 Potential corridors potential of rehabilitating new habitats high low

C D1

B

A

D2

SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF CORRIDOR A

Strategy Selected Nodes In this corridor, there are three differnet types of conditions, which are 'with cars', 'car free' and 'future high-rise development'. This research selects three nodes includes all the conditions for detailed testing.

FIGURE 24 Future development density FIGURE 25 Elizabeth Street Strategic Opportunities Plan

C Key benefits

Key benefits

La Trobe St

B

La Trobe St Melbourne central station

Tram stop block

Lt Lonsdale St

Character • An enhanced streetscape appearance with less services/signage clutter, additional trees, new bluestone paving, street furniture and well integrated public art.

• St. Francis Church

Lonsdale St

City block

Note: Between Lonsdale and Little Bourke Streets will remain open to vehicles but the east-side may be considered for future closure.

Mitchell House

Tram stop block

Lt Lonsdale St

GPO

Galleria

•

•

Bourke St Mall

Bourke St

Safety • Increased space around tram stop to significantly improve passenger safety, provide conditions under which it will be easier and safer to board and alight trams and more direct intermodal connectivity.

London stores

Royal Arcade

•

Note: Between Lonsdale and Little Bourke Streets will remain open to vehicles but the east-side may be considered for future closure.

Mitchell House

Galleria

London stores

•

Royal Arcade

•

Proposed cycling lanes

Tram platform

Existing footpath

Tram platform

Existing footpath

Proposed new trees

Distinctive character areas (potential area for unique plant species)

Proposed new trees

Distinctive character areas (potential area for unique plant species)

Existing trees

Continuity of the onparking supply and e access.

Mitigation of overflow through the Elizabet Management Plan to during heavy rainfall

Economic benefits • Improved reputation

Lt Collins St

Increased footfall, longers stays and more retail expenditure.

Safe and well-illumin street lighting and co furniture and outdoo

Environmental Benefits • Further planting to in and species variety i resilience of the urba •

City block

Proposed footpath extension (no vehicle access)

Proposed cycling lanes

Safety • Increased space arou improve passenger s under which it will be and alight trams and connectivity.

•

GPO

Mitigation of overflow impacts upstream through the Elizabeth Street Integrated Water Management Plan to minimise flooding risk during heavy rainfall events.

Widened footpaths t of the retail core, acc increased pedestrian clearer views of key b

Accessibility • Dedicated bicycle lan connectivity and attr bikes.

Bourke St Mall

Bourke St

Economic benefits • Improved reputation and image of the area.

Lt Collins St

•

Tram stop block

Continuity of the on-street disabled/loading parking supply and emergency service vehicle access.

Environmental Benefits • Further planting to increase water infiltration and species variety in key locations to improve resilience of the urban ecosystem.

•

City block

City block

Lt Bourke St

Character • An enhanced streets less services/signage new bluestone pavin integrated public art

St. Francis Church

Lonsdale St

Safe and well-illuminated zones through new street lighting and considered placement of street furniture and outdoor café seating.

The opportunities outlin the following key benefi

Amenity • Additional places to and an increased cap

City block

Widened footpaths that expand pedestrian areas of the retail core, accommodate substantially increased pedestrian volumes and allow for clearer views of key buildings.

Accessibility • Dedicated bicycle lanes that support local cyclist connectivity and attract more people to ride bikes.

Tram stop block

A

Melbourne central station

Amenity • Additional places to sit and appreciate landmarks and an increased capacity for street activation.

City block

Lt Bourke St

The opportunities outlined in this Plan would deliver the following key benefits:

Increased footfall, lo expenditure.

Proposed footpath extension (no vehicle access)

Existing trees

Elizabeth Street Strategic Opportunities Plan

11

Elizabeth Street St

Selected Nodes

A

Swift Parrot

Cars

Swift Parrot

B

A

Swift Parrot

Cars

Node A 'With Cars' & "High-rise Development' Strategy: 1. do not plant eucalypts to avoid bird stop and collision with buildings 2. linking roofs and future high-rise buildings with decks on top of the street to create a barriar between cars and birds 3. linking decks with pedestrian paths and trams stations

Strategy in 'with car' & "High-rise Development' area

80M

Background: A high-rise office building with 52 floors is going to replace a four-level hotel on 480-488 Elizabeth Street. With many tall buildings in this area, the spaces that Swift Parrot can fly is limited while collision threats are increased.

FIGURE 25

Apartment Restaurant

3.5 3.5 3.5

6.5

3.5 3.5 4.5

36M

8.5

Node B 'Cars Free' Strategy: 1. plant eucalypts as Swift Parrot habitats 2. linking streets with shopping malls 3. providing roof gardens Background: Vehicles on Elizabeth street between Bourke street and Little Bourke street are going to be forbiddened. This provides opportunities for eucalypts growing.

FIGURE 26

Retail

4.5 3.5

6.5 22.5M

3.5 4.5

Retail

David Jones

80M

Myer

Strategy in 'Car Free ' area

Node C 'Half Car Free' & "High-rise Development' Strategy: 1. plant eucalypts as Swift Parrot habitats 2. linking pedestrian path with a deck with holes(for trees) on top of the street to create a barriar between cars and birds. As eucalypts is a kind of tall fast-growing tree, it is not suitable to plant on deck or rooftop.

3. connecting buildings, pedestrian paths and trams stations Background: Vehicles on eastern Elizabeth street between Flinder street and Collins street are going to be forbiddened. This provides opportunities for eucalypts growing.

FIGURE 27

80M

Strategy in 'Half Car Free' & "High-rise Development' area

Retail

Retail 3 2.5 6.5

3.5 3

25M

5.5

Year 2020-2025 1. Street pedestrianized (Elizabeth Street Strategic Plan, end by 2026) 2. roof top garden (Elizabeth Catchment Plan, end by 2030) 3. Transplanting old eucalypts that close to their useful life expectancy and planting new eucalypts

FIGURE 28 Stage One

Year 2026-2030 1. Rooftop gardens (Elizabeth Catchment Plan, end by 2030) 2. Deck plaza which link the roof and pedestrian path 3. Planting new eucalypts

FIGURE 29 Stage Two

Year 2030-2040 1. eucalypts have completed 60% of their growth, attract stable swift parrots 2. Connecting roof top and decks enable to create a barriar between swift parrot and cars

FIGURE 30 Stage Three

Return of interests

FIGURE 31 Value proposal

Local species enhance ecosystem

Reduce CO2 Unsealed soil emissions Encourage abosorb flood public transportation

Pedestrian Friendly

More pedestrian volum increase retails' income

CONCLUSION

Though studying of policy evolution relating to birds’ habitat rehabilitation and urban environment, it is recognized that we are in the time when birds and humans need to share living environment in cities.

In order to promote this movement, this research analyzed the common needs of humans and Swift Parrots for tree planting in the City of Melbourne. For birds, they need sufficient food sources, less collision rate with cars and glasses, corridors that link patches. For people, they are places where have higher pedestrian volume, lower temperature, less flood risk and more tree canopies. Considering all the above factors, the research has mapped the livable hotspots for swift parrots and provided a potential eco-network for them.

By precedents review, this research develop three modes that deal with three different situations. they are with cars', 'car free' and 'future high-rise development'. This is a strategy that worth testing for reaching Swift Parrot rehabilitation in the City of Melbourne.

Reference ABC news, 2016, Melbourne's population tipped to double as Victoria grows to 10million, new projections show, viewed 4 May 2019, <https:// www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-15/melbourne-double-in-size-as-victoriaspopulation-10million/7632700> Bekessy, S.A., White, M., Gordon, A., Moilanen, A., Mccarthy, M.A. & Wintle, B.A. 2012, ‘Transparent planning for biodiversity and development in the urban fringe Landscape and Urban Planning’, 108, 140–149.

BirdLife International 2018. Lathamus discolor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018, viewed 3 May 2019, <http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/ IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22685219A130886700.en>.

Christopher et al. 2016, 'Cities are hotspots for threatend species', Global Ecology and Biogeography, vol. 25, pp 117-126.

Conservation Volunteers Australia 2015, Swift Parrot, viewed 4 May 2019, <https://conservationvolunteers.com.au/what-we-do/threatened-species/ swift-parrot/>.

Holland, N. 2008, Swift Parrot Collision- Prevention Project, WWFAustralia, Tasmanian Government, viewed 3 May 2019, <https://dpipwe.tas. gov.au/Documents/swifts_across_the_strait_2008.pdf>.

Parris, K.M. & Hazell, D.L. 2005, 'Biotic effects of climate change in urban environments: the case of the grey-headed flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) in Melbourne', Australia, Biological Conservation, 124, 267– 276.

Saunders, D.L. and Tzaros, C.L. 2011, National Recovery Plan for the Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor, Birds Australia, Melbourne, viewed 2 May 2019, <http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/c3e20a20-81224a9c-bd06-455ea7620380/files/lathamus-discolor-swift-parrot.pdf>.

Stojanovic, D 2015, Let’s stop Tasmania’s swift parrots going the way of the dodo, The Conversation, viewed 3 May, 2019, <https://theconversation.com/ lets-stop-tasmanias-swift-parrots-going-the-way-of-the-dodo-39570>.

Swift Parrot Recovery Team 2001, Swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) recovery plan 2001–2005, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Hobart, viewed 29 April 2019, <http://www.environment.gov. au/resource/swiftparrot-lathamus-discolor-recovery-plan-2001-2005 >.

Williams, N.S.G., Mcdonnell, M.J., Phelan, G.K., Keim, L.D. & Van Der Ree, R. 2006, 'Range expansion due to urbanization: increased food resources attract grey-headed flying-foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) to Melbourne'.

Austral Ecology, 31, 190–198.

The Ordinary Nature of Rehabilitating