So the Federal Defence Force plans to sell HMAS Cerberus? Make no mistake, most of this land is a big, valuable piece of bushland. HMAS bushland is easily in the top four, most important pieces of biodiversity on The Mornington Peninsula. It is both Federal and State policy to protect assets such as this. Only a fraction of HMAS Cerberus would be suitable to develop, and may have national security implications if sold. To comply with both Federal and State policies, biodiversity needs to be protected. It makes no sense for huge bits of valuable bushland to be managed by private owners. If transferred to The State, it needs to be transferred with money to manage The flora, fauna, pests, weeds, public interface, unexploded ordinances etc. What makes the most sense, is for it to be kept; protected by The Federal Government. Lincoln Kern, ecologist, calls the proposed sale " A bullshit proposition".
There is an agreement between the State and Federal Government that rezoning to State zonings: like rural- conservation, has to occur before any sale of commonwealth land. This is done, we believe, by planning panels of the federal and then state governments, so the new owner would know that they are not allowed to clear, or build.
We do not have a huge amount of information about the ecology of it. We have two documents from recent times, when WPPC proposed that it become a National Park, and information from a 1975 study. See excerpts below.
There is an agreement between the State and Federal Government that rezoning to State zonings: like rural- conservation, has to occur before any sale of commonwealth land. This is done, we believe, by planning panels of the federal and then state governments, so the new owner would know that they are not allowed to clear, or build.
We do not have a huge amount of information about the ecology of it. We have two documents from recent times, when WPPC proposed that it become a National Park, and information from a 1975 study. See excerpts below.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:ap:424b6e2e-a681-44da-adf1-cdfde550ea5e
Government to sell over 1000 hectares of HMAS Cerberus’ vacant land and golf course
With reference to The Pakenham Gazette Facebook page
HMAS Cerberus will be “partially divested” as part of a massive sale of 35,000 hectares of defence real estate Minister Richard Marles on Wednesday 4 February.
The government has acknowledged the sale of defence facilities has been a challenging issue, with the expectation of push-back from veterans and local communities to the sale of some of the country’s most iconic defence facilities.
The Cerberus’ divestment will include vacant land, and the golf course licenced to the Cerberus Golf Club.
Functions such as Defence Housing Australia homes, service residences, childcare centre and the military cemetery, training range and facilities, and access roads will be retained. Childcare centre services will be retained within the base.
HMAS Cerberus consists of over 1500 hectares of land, with 1164 hectares marked for divestment.
Known as the “cradle of the navy”, the 15 square kilometre base at Crib Point faces Hanns Inlet, between Sandy Point and Stony Point in Western Port, was bought in 1911 and formally commissioned as Flinders Naval Base on 1 September 1920.
Cerberus provides training for recruits from all three branches of the Australian Defence Force. About 1800 people are at the base at any time, with about 6000 Navy, Army and Air Force personnel undergoing training annually.
The Defence force has said it will engage with existing tenants as part of the divestment process, but has said that no Cerberus defence personnel will be relocated as part of the divestment.
Government to sell over 1000 hectares of HMAS Cerberus’ vacant land and golf course
With reference to The Pakenham Gazette Facebook page
HMAS Cerberus will be “partially divested” as part of a massive sale of 35,000 hectares of defence real estate Minister Richard Marles on Wednesday 4 February.
The government has acknowledged the sale of defence facilities has been a challenging issue, with the expectation of push-back from veterans and local communities to the sale of some of the country’s most iconic defence facilities.
The Cerberus’ divestment will include vacant land, and the golf course licenced to the Cerberus Golf Club.
Functions such as Defence Housing Australia homes, service residences, childcare centre and the military cemetery, training range and facilities, and access roads will be retained. Childcare centre services will be retained within the base.
HMAS Cerberus consists of over 1500 hectares of land, with 1164 hectares marked for divestment.
Known as the “cradle of the navy”, the 15 square kilometre base at Crib Point faces Hanns Inlet, between Sandy Point and Stony Point in Western Port, was bought in 1911 and formally commissioned as Flinders Naval Base on 1 September 1920.
Cerberus provides training for recruits from all three branches of the Australian Defence Force. About 1800 people are at the base at any time, with about 6000 Navy, Army and Air Force personnel undergoing training annually.
The Defence force has said it will engage with existing tenants as part of the divestment process, but has said that no Cerberus defence personnel will be relocated as part of the divestment.
We believe this land should be either (1) left ‘as is’, or (2) transferred to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water of Australia, as a National Park under the umbrella of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
We are aware that the proposed sale of this land is a Federal government decision made by the Ministers for Finance and Defence. Should the sale proceed, rezoning of that land will need to occur and we expect that would arrive at your desk for oversight and approval.
We believe that under Commonwealth Land Disposal policy, internal transfer of land for public purposes is possible where the protection of land values (such as for national parks) would make it unsuitable for divestment Sec 9 (d) and are calling on Victorian and Federal governments to use that, or other relevant clauses to support the transfer and retention of this land.
As you will be aware, Western Port is increasingly widely recognised as one of Victoria’s ecological treasures. It contains the only wetland in Victoria that is recognised by the United Nations as a Biosphere Reserve and the International Ramsar Convention for wetland conservation. For decades, local community and environment groups have continued to fight to protect Western Port. Campaigns have not only focussed on Western Port Bay, but a healthy complete Biosphere. This includes the critical and diverse coastal and saltmarsh, wetlands, grassland, heath and hinterlands that interact with and protect the bay.
The land proposed for sale embodies a critical and unique area of the Western Port Biosphere, in that:
Sandy Point on the North Eastern tip of Cerberus sustains important remnants of vegetation communities that have been extensively cleared on the Mornington Peninsula and within the Westernport Catchment. These include
Coastal Grassy Forest, and Coastal Dune Scrub in the region. Continuing shoreline progradation here allows the seral stages in sand dune succession to be observed.
Stands of Coast Tea-tree (leptospermum laevigatum) and Coast Banksia (Integrifolia) adjacent to H.M.A.S. Cerberus appear to have remained unburnt for 100-120 years. This unusually long absence from fire provides rare insights into the long-term dynamics of coastal vegetation.
As proven in the 2021 ‘No AGL’ campaign, the passion for environmental protection of Western Port extends beyond the local community to Victorians in many electorates who use Western Port for recreational and rehabilitative purposes, many having done so for generations.
Day tripper activity to the Mornington alone generates an estimated economic value of 1.75 to 1.8 billion dollars in direct visitor spend[6]; and contributes to increasing interest in the ecology of the area.
Early community feedback indicates that many people are opposed to the proposed land sale due to the above concerns and other reasons including the increased danger of wildlife movement (kangaroos, wallabies and koalas) on local roads, particularly Frankston-Flinders and South Beach Roads, and lack of a buffer zone for Cerberus activities, such as firearms training.
Further discussion must occur with the Bunurong community through the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation in regard to this proposed sale, due to the locality’s past and continuing significance to the Bunurong, and in line with Victorian Treaty expectations.
We are encouraged that the Victorian government has shown commitment to the Western Port Biosphere through working with Victorian environmental organisations to develop a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Western Port. The MSP is one of the recommendations within a community-driven proposal for a strategic framework for Western Port as a tool to coordinate its local planning and management, support future prosperity of the area and recognise its natural values.
You would be aware of the serious concern amongst environmental groups regarding the environmental impacts to Western Port of the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal.
Advocating for the preservation of this Cerberus land will be an opportunity to show the Victorian community Commonwealth and State Government’s goodwill to act in the best interest of the Western Port biosphere.
We ask that you give serious consideration to our request, in the interest of protecting the Western Port biosphere, supporting local tourism and working collaboratively with not just the local community, but Victorians who treasure and engage with this locality.
We would be pleased to discuss this matter further. Please contact XXXX ( Julia??) for further discussion and/or correspondence.
For your information, we are also writing to the following Ministers to advocate for this parcel of Cerberus land to either be left ‘as is’, or be transferred to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s National Parks portfolio.
Cc to:
Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Australian Federal Minister for the Environment and Water of Australia
The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence
The Hon Peter Khalil MP, Assistant Minister for Defence
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, and
The Hon Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for the Victorian Environment, Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation.
[1] Ecology Australia, 2019, ‘Biodiversity Conservation Plan, Mornington Peninsula’, commissioned by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
[2] Ecology Australia, 2019, ‘Biodiversity Conservation Plan, Mornington Peninsula’, commissioned by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
[3] As above.
[4] Ecology Australia, 2018, ‘Mornington Peninsula State of Diversity’, commissioned by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
[5] Dr Jackie Myers, 2025, “Exploring Unseen Threats: Contaminant Trends and Impacts in Port Phillip Bay”, RMIT. This document contains the toxicology results of the first round of sampling of 34 estuary sites; 18 in Port Phillip Bay and 16 in
Western Port.
[6] Mornington Peninsula Shire, 2016, ‘Mornington Peninsula Economic Development Strategy’.
We are aware that the proposed sale of this land is a Federal government decision made by the Ministers for Finance and Defence. Should the sale proceed, rezoning of that land will need to occur and we expect that would arrive at your desk for oversight and approval.
We believe that under Commonwealth Land Disposal policy, internal transfer of land for public purposes is possible where the protection of land values (such as for national parks) would make it unsuitable for divestment Sec 9 (d) and are calling on Victorian and Federal governments to use that, or other relevant clauses to support the transfer and retention of this land.
As you will be aware, Western Port is increasingly widely recognised as one of Victoria’s ecological treasures. It contains the only wetland in Victoria that is recognised by the United Nations as a Biosphere Reserve and the International Ramsar Convention for wetland conservation. For decades, local community and environment groups have continued to fight to protect Western Port. Campaigns have not only focussed on Western Port Bay, but a healthy complete Biosphere. This includes the critical and diverse coastal and saltmarsh, wetlands, grassland, heath and hinterlands that interact with and protect the bay.
The land proposed for sale embodies a critical and unique area of the Western Port Biosphere, in that:
- Less than one third of the original extent of native vegetation cover on the Mornington Peninsula remains, of which 27 per cent occurs within parks and reserves, and 5 per cent is on private land, the remainder being on other land types.[1] Much of this vegetation is fragmented, poor quality and under increasing pressure from development, farm use, inappropriate management, and climate change.[2]
- Approximately eighteen percent of land across the Peninsula is under the management of Commonwealth State and local parks and reserves.[3]
- Threatened flora species recorded for the Mornington Peninsula Shire include:
- One species considered locally extinct
- Six species listed under the EPBC Act 1999
- Nine species listed under the FFG Act 1988
- Forty-four species classified as rare or threatened in Victoria
- Fauna species recorded for the Mornington Peninsula Shire include:
- Ten species considered locally extinct
- Twenty-one species listed as threatened under the EPBC Act 1999
- Twenty-one species listed as threatened under the FFG Act 1988, and
- Thirty-nine species classified as rare or threatened in Victoria. [4]
- The complete parcel of land at Cerberus is significant, comprising around two percent of the Peninsula land mass. Much of the “empty land” proposed for sale at Cerberus has been untouched since the establishment of Cerberus in 1920, having deliberately been left as a buffer zone from surrounding farming and residential land and to protect the privacy and operations of the training facility. As a result, this land contains unique flora and fauna and offers an increasingly rare opportunity for preservation, research and community education.
Sandy Point on the North Eastern tip of Cerberus sustains important remnants of vegetation communities that have been extensively cleared on the Mornington Peninsula and within the Westernport Catchment. These include
Coastal Grassy Forest, and Coastal Dune Scrub in the region. Continuing shoreline progradation here allows the seral stages in sand dune succession to be observed.
Stands of Coast Tea-tree (leptospermum laevigatum) and Coast Banksia (Integrifolia) adjacent to H.M.A.S. Cerberus appear to have remained unburnt for 100-120 years. This unusually long absence from fire provides rare insights into the long-term dynamics of coastal vegetation.
- Opportunities for this kind of research are critical to help us understand and better deal with the impacts of climate change on our local ecology.
- The land abuts Hanns Creek Inlet, an environmentally sensitive area that flows directly to Western Port Bay. The impact of development inland from the inlet will result in sediment, herbicide and other chemicals being released to the bay, as recently verified by RMIT research (2025) [5] into chemicals in creeks and waterways throughout the Peninsula.
As proven in the 2021 ‘No AGL’ campaign, the passion for environmental protection of Western Port extends beyond the local community to Victorians in many electorates who use Western Port for recreational and rehabilitative purposes, many having done so for generations.
Day tripper activity to the Mornington alone generates an estimated economic value of 1.75 to 1.8 billion dollars in direct visitor spend[6]; and contributes to increasing interest in the ecology of the area.
- Preservation of this land provides a significant opportunity for ecologically safe passive recreation and educational activities within Western Port, whereas its sale will contribute to further urbanisation in a green zone that is not currently zoned for development.
Early community feedback indicates that many people are opposed to the proposed land sale due to the above concerns and other reasons including the increased danger of wildlife movement (kangaroos, wallabies and koalas) on local roads, particularly Frankston-Flinders and South Beach Roads, and lack of a buffer zone for Cerberus activities, such as firearms training.
Further discussion must occur with the Bunurong community through the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation in regard to this proposed sale, due to the locality’s past and continuing significance to the Bunurong, and in line with Victorian Treaty expectations.
We are encouraged that the Victorian government has shown commitment to the Western Port Biosphere through working with Victorian environmental organisations to develop a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Western Port. The MSP is one of the recommendations within a community-driven proposal for a strategic framework for Western Port as a tool to coordinate its local planning and management, support future prosperity of the area and recognise its natural values.
You would be aware of the serious concern amongst environmental groups regarding the environmental impacts to Western Port of the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal.
Advocating for the preservation of this Cerberus land will be an opportunity to show the Victorian community Commonwealth and State Government’s goodwill to act in the best interest of the Western Port biosphere.
We ask that you give serious consideration to our request, in the interest of protecting the Western Port biosphere, supporting local tourism and working collaboratively with not just the local community, but Victorians who treasure and engage with this locality.
We would be pleased to discuss this matter further. Please contact XXXX ( Julia??) for further discussion and/or correspondence.
For your information, we are also writing to the following Ministers to advocate for this parcel of Cerberus land to either be left ‘as is’, or be transferred to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s National Parks portfolio.
Cc to:
Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Australian Federal Minister for the Environment and Water of Australia
The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence
The Hon Peter Khalil MP, Assistant Minister for Defence
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, and
The Hon Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for the Victorian Environment, Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation.
[1] Ecology Australia, 2019, ‘Biodiversity Conservation Plan, Mornington Peninsula’, commissioned by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
[2] Ecology Australia, 2019, ‘Biodiversity Conservation Plan, Mornington Peninsula’, commissioned by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
[3] As above.
[4] Ecology Australia, 2018, ‘Mornington Peninsula State of Diversity’, commissioned by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
[5] Dr Jackie Myers, 2025, “Exploring Unseen Threats: Contaminant Trends and Impacts in Port Phillip Bay”, RMIT. This document contains the toxicology results of the first round of sampling of 34 estuary sites; 18 in Port Phillip Bay and 16 in
Western Port.
[6] Mornington Peninsula Shire, 2016, ‘Mornington Peninsula Economic Development Strategy’.
An old WPPC Letter
30th July 2013
To Hon Greg Hunt
I am writing to support the idea of Sandy Point as a National Park. Sandy Point is one of the largest and most dynamic spit systems on the Victorian coast.
Sandy Point sustains important remnants of vegetation communities that have been extensively cleared on the Mornington Peninsula and within the Westernport Catchment. Sandy Point supports some of the best remaining examples of Coastal Banksia Woodland, Coastal Grassy Forest, and Coastal Dune Scrub in the region. Continuing shoreline progradation here allows the seral stages in sand dune succession to be observed. Stands of Coast Tea-tree LEPTOSPERMUM LAEVIGATUM and Coast Banksia BANKSIA INTEGRIFOLIA adjacent to H.M.A.S. Cerberus appear to have remained unburnt for 100-120 years. This unusually long absence from fire provides insights into the long-term dynamics of coastal vegetation.
According to information from Cr David Garnock (former commander of HMAS Cerberus) the Defense land at Sandy Point-Stony Point is approx.1500 Ha (3500 acres), of which the Navy uses about 14 Ha (35 acres), including the rifle range.
Cr Garnock was interested in the suggestion that Sandy Point could become an iconic National Park for Western Port, subject to restrictions on access, similar to Point Nepean, and for similar reasons;
SANDY POINT – A SIGNIFICANT VEGETATION REMNANT
Sandy Point, part of HMAS Cerberus is the largest remaining intact vegetation on the western side of Western Port. It includes substantial areas of the EVCs Coast Banksia Woodland, Heathy Woodland (Manna Gum), Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland, Swamp Scrub, etc. There are many rare orchid species.
It contains the largest population of White-footed Dunnart in the Western Port catchment. New Holland Mouse is also likely to be present.
The Manna Gum woodlands at Sandy Point supported the largest population of Koalas on the Mornington Peninsula (about 1500) before the population crashed in 1988, with widespread death of mature Manna Gums (Roger Martin, Monash University.)
Sandy Point supports a large and varied bird population, including many woodland species, which have become rare on the Mornington Peninsula.
The area includes several kilometres of pristine beaches.
Yours faithfully,
Karri Giles
President
30th July 2013
To Hon Greg Hunt
I am writing to support the idea of Sandy Point as a National Park. Sandy Point is one of the largest and most dynamic spit systems on the Victorian coast.
Sandy Point sustains important remnants of vegetation communities that have been extensively cleared on the Mornington Peninsula and within the Westernport Catchment. Sandy Point supports some of the best remaining examples of Coastal Banksia Woodland, Coastal Grassy Forest, and Coastal Dune Scrub in the region. Continuing shoreline progradation here allows the seral stages in sand dune succession to be observed. Stands of Coast Tea-tree LEPTOSPERMUM LAEVIGATUM and Coast Banksia BANKSIA INTEGRIFOLIA adjacent to H.M.A.S. Cerberus appear to have remained unburnt for 100-120 years. This unusually long absence from fire provides insights into the long-term dynamics of coastal vegetation.
According to information from Cr David Garnock (former commander of HMAS Cerberus) the Defense land at Sandy Point-Stony Point is approx.1500 Ha (3500 acres), of which the Navy uses about 14 Ha (35 acres), including the rifle range.
Cr Garnock was interested in the suggestion that Sandy Point could become an iconic National Park for Western Port, subject to restrictions on access, similar to Point Nepean, and for similar reasons;
- the presence of UXO (un-exploded ordinance) in some parts of the bush.
- the Navy Rifle Range – which would require adequate buffer zones, with security fencing, etc, to prevent anyone inadvertently entering the danger zone.
SANDY POINT – A SIGNIFICANT VEGETATION REMNANT
Sandy Point, part of HMAS Cerberus is the largest remaining intact vegetation on the western side of Western Port. It includes substantial areas of the EVCs Coast Banksia Woodland, Heathy Woodland (Manna Gum), Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland, Swamp Scrub, etc. There are many rare orchid species.
It contains the largest population of White-footed Dunnart in the Western Port catchment. New Holland Mouse is also likely to be present.
The Manna Gum woodlands at Sandy Point supported the largest population of Koalas on the Mornington Peninsula (about 1500) before the population crashed in 1988, with widespread death of mature Manna Gums (Roger Martin, Monash University.)
Sandy Point supports a large and varied bird population, including many woodland species, which have become rare on the Mornington Peninsula.
The area includes several kilometres of pristine beaches.
Yours faithfully,
Karri Giles
President
SANDY POINT – A STATE PARK FOR THE WESTERNPORT COASTLINE?
Sandy Point (HMAS Cerberus) is the largest remaining area of native vegetation remaining on the western side of Westernport Bay. It has wonderful vegetation, rare species and several kilometres of pristine beaches – the southern beaches facing Bass Strait and eastern beaches inside the bay. Wildlife includes about 200 bird species and the largest populations of Koalas and White-footed Dunnarts remaining on the Mornington Peninsula. Southern Brown Bandicoots could still survive there. The bush includes important areas of threatened vegetation types, such as the largest surviving area of Coast Banksia woodland on the Mornington Peninsula. Further inland, remnants of Manna Gum woodland remain, although many trees were killed by Koala overbrowsing in 1987-90. In 1980s, Sandy Point had an estimated population of 1500 Koalas but sadly their numbers grew beyond the capacity of the area to support them and hundreds died of starvation… Most of the Manna Gum woodland was killed and has never recovered. Today there are probably less than 200 Koalas at Sandy Point. While there are many rare birds (White-throated Treecreepers remain, but are Diamond Firetails still there?) and orchids, the area needs better management. There are problems with Foxes and feral cats, invasion by pines, Pittosporum and other weeds. There is a need for a program of ecological burning to revive lost Manna Gum woodland and heaths.
Cr David Garnock is the former commander of HMAS Cerberus. He says that the whole of Sandy Point/HMAS Cerberus is approx.1500 Ha (3300 acres), of which the Navy uses less than 10%. Cr Garnock believes that Sandy Point could become an iconic State Park for Westernport, subject to restrictions on access, similar to Point Nepean, and for similar reasons;
However, even with the above restrictions, a large area of native bush could be protected and endangered species better managed. Pristine coastlines could be made available to the public, which is at present closed and unknown to Westernport residents and visitors.
Greg Hunt (MHR) has offered his support for a Park at Sandy Point, provided we can show that there is community support for the idea. This is where you get involved, could you please write a letter to Greg Hunt supporting the vision of a State Park at Sandy Point?
Write to; [email protected] , or
P.O. Box ??, HASTINGS.
Sandy Point (HMAS Cerberus) is the largest remaining area of native vegetation remaining on the western side of Westernport Bay. It has wonderful vegetation, rare species and several kilometres of pristine beaches – the southern beaches facing Bass Strait and eastern beaches inside the bay. Wildlife includes about 200 bird species and the largest populations of Koalas and White-footed Dunnarts remaining on the Mornington Peninsula. Southern Brown Bandicoots could still survive there. The bush includes important areas of threatened vegetation types, such as the largest surviving area of Coast Banksia woodland on the Mornington Peninsula. Further inland, remnants of Manna Gum woodland remain, although many trees were killed by Koala overbrowsing in 1987-90. In 1980s, Sandy Point had an estimated population of 1500 Koalas but sadly their numbers grew beyond the capacity of the area to support them and hundreds died of starvation… Most of the Manna Gum woodland was killed and has never recovered. Today there are probably less than 200 Koalas at Sandy Point. While there are many rare birds (White-throated Treecreepers remain, but are Diamond Firetails still there?) and orchids, the area needs better management. There are problems with Foxes and feral cats, invasion by pines, Pittosporum and other weeds. There is a need for a program of ecological burning to revive lost Manna Gum woodland and heaths.
Cr David Garnock is the former commander of HMAS Cerberus. He says that the whole of Sandy Point/HMAS Cerberus is approx.1500 Ha (3300 acres), of which the Navy uses less than 10%. Cr Garnock believes that Sandy Point could become an iconic State Park for Westernport, subject to restrictions on access, similar to Point Nepean, and for similar reasons;
- the presence of UEO (un-exploded ordinance) in some parts of the bush.
- the Navy Rifle Range – which would require adequate buffer zones, with security fencing and signs, etc, to prevent anyone inadvertently entering the danger zone.
However, even with the above restrictions, a large area of native bush could be protected and endangered species better managed. Pristine coastlines could be made available to the public, which is at present closed and unknown to Westernport residents and visitors.
Greg Hunt (MHR) has offered his support for a Park at Sandy Point, provided we can show that there is community support for the idea. This is where you get involved, could you please write a letter to Greg Hunt supporting the vision of a State Park at Sandy Point?
Write to; [email protected] , or
P.O. Box ??, HASTINGS.
HMAS Cerberus received the highest ranking for mammals in a past survey. Dunnarts have pouches and are marsupial carnivores.
White-footed Dunnart is a marsupial carnivore, with a pouch. It is one of the species that got HMAS Cerberus -Sandy Point ranked highest for Mammals Quality by The Conservation Council of Victoria in their 1975 Westernport Region Conservation Survey. For the Westernport Regional Council. Since then it has been found in Cerberus in the eighties, nighties and as recently as 2018.
This 1975 survey said Sandy Point Commonwealth Reserve: " Complex extensive habitat; 8 species recorded Black wallaby, brown antechinus, swamp rat, echidna, ringtail possum, short-nosed bandicoot, also rare pouched mouse, (smithopsis now called dunnart), and sugar gliders (especially large numbers of sugar gliders), koala, brush tail possum and grey kangaroo.
(bats were not surveyed).
This 1975 survey said Sandy Point Commonwealth Reserve: " Complex extensive habitat; 8 species recorded Black wallaby, brown antechinus, swamp rat, echidna, ringtail possum, short-nosed bandicoot, also rare pouched mouse, (smithopsis now called dunnart), and sugar gliders (especially large numbers of sugar gliders), koala, brush tail possum and grey kangaroo.
(bats were not surveyed).
Southern Brown Bandicoot were recorded as present in HMAS Cerberus on The Atlas of Living Australia 2010
The Conservation Council of Victoria in their 1975 Westernport Region Conservation Survey.
Birds in Cerberus
Grey Crowned babbler, Southern Emu Wren, Australian painted snipe, and Beautiful firetail, White breasted sea eagles nested in HMAS Cerberus. There were relatively high numbers of mistletoe birds (only possible because of the size of the bush.) Greens shanks, Eastern Curlew and whimbrels use the mud flats.
Birds in Cerberus
Grey Crowned babbler, Southern Emu Wren, Australian painted snipe, and Beautiful firetail, White breasted sea eagles nested in HMAS Cerberus. There were relatively high numbers of mistletoe birds (only possible because of the size of the bush.) Greens shanks, Eastern Curlew and whimbrels use the mud flats.