WHAT do the grey-crowned babbler, little tern, Dandenong burrowing crayfish and golden sun moth have in common?

They are among 17 threatened species in Victoria and the quartet are on the Department of Sustainability and Environment's list of rare fauna and flora in the Port Phillip region, which covers all greater Melbourne including Port Phillip and Western Port regions as well as Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.

DSE has drawn up action plans to help protect the 17 rare species and is seeking comment from all Victorians.

The babbler, for example, was once common on the Mornington Peninsula, but has not been seen since about 2002.

Sorrento resident Val Ford, a member of the peninsula branch of Bird Observation and Conservation Australia, was probably the last person to see a babbler; just one lonely bird at Devilbend Reservoir.

Grey-crowned babblers were once common in the lowland woodlands and open forests of south-eastern Australia. Like many native plants and animals, the babbler's decline is largely the result of land clearing as well as predation by foxes and cats.

DSE's manager of threatened species Natasha McLean said the plans describe the species, distributions and habitat needs, assess threats and propose actions "we need to take to reduce the risk of extinction".

She said the 17 species include eight plants, two birds, two frogs, two reptiles and three invertebrates plus "an ecological community of butterflies".

“DSE wants to make sure we have taken all possible steps to increase our knowledge of these species and communities and this includes taking into account the views of people who live or work where these species are found," she said.

“Victorians who have an interest in protecting these plants and animals can comment on the draft plans and make submissions on any conservation issues arising from them.”

There are now about 300 action plans.

Deadline for comment is Monday, November 30. For a copy of the draft plan or to make a submission go to www.dse.vic.

gov.au/threateneds pecies