-West of the Grampians, Iluka Resources are proposing a mineral sand mine that runs through Jilpanger Flora and Flora Reserve , Youngs' State Forest, and private land.

This would threaten one of Victorias richest wetland and woodland systems and a critical feeding and nesting habitat of the nationally endangered Red Tailed Black Cockatoo.

Stage 1 of the mine has been approved allowing the mine - a series of 'strandlines', to go through private property.

 As can be seen from the map above, Stage 1 of the mine is very close to important reserves but it will also affect remnant vegetation of some significance on private land . Because it is a mine it can remove this vegetation under State Law whether the owner agrees or not .

Ecologically this is a very diverse part of Victoria. There is a series of drainage lines running Nth - Sth for over 70 km that consist of a range of wetlands from brackish to hyper saline, and from huge freshwater swamps, (that have been dry for a few years) to grassy meadows. Amongst this amazing array of wetlands are a diverse mosaic of woodland / grassland systems.

Yellow Box/ Grey Box Woodlands of the finest quality- some Yellow Boxes have a girth of 5 metres,- orchids and other wildflowers abound in the grassland beneath,- many listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. The area is also home to the threatened Temperate Woodland bird community which includes the Hooded Robin

Buloke Woodlands (Listed on the Ecological Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, run through the area along with Brown Stringybark woodlands that provide food for the nationally endangered Red - tailed Black Cockatoo. This area has been recognised as critical habitat for this bird.

Ancient River Red Gums line the perimeter of intricate wetland systems . Within these systems, some wetlands consist primarily of grasses but in others, more wildflowers abound and paddocks that looked like marginal farming land in late summer, come to life in the aftermath of spring rains as a wetland providing habitat for Brolgas and tortoises.

Regardless of the scale of these mines the ecological mosaic of woodlands and wetlands would be affected . "Even under the smallest alteration, the hydrological ramifications would be far reaching, resulting in irreplaceable loss of what is arguably, one of Victoria's ecologically richest woodland and wetland systems " -(Jilpanger awareness leaflet)