The lizard, with camouflage stripes and a long thin body to move between cracks in the soil, emits a charismatic high-pitched squeak when disturbed or excited (see player below).

The area was surveyed for lizards in 2013 but only a small population was found, which meant development could proceed. But Dr O’Shea believes another, thorough survey would be likely to turn up greater numbers.

Victoria has failed to protect its critically endangered grasslands despite an agreement with the Commonwealth that was supposed to ensure their survival in Melbourne’s urban growth area, according to a report last year from the state’s Auditor-General.

A decade ago, the state government promised to establish new reserves to offset the clearing of habitat for new suburbs. But Victoria has acquired just 10 per cent of the land needed for the Western Grasslands Reserve, the audit found. The Burnside grassland is not in this reserve.

Victorian National Parks Association spokesperson Jordan Crook called for an independent survey of remaining high-value grasslands and threatened-species habitat in outer Melbourne.

“Our goal should be protecting threatened species where they are currently living,” he said.

With no obligation on developers to remove endangered animals from a site when it is cleared, animal welfare is also an issue, Dr O’Shea said. “You’ll get a bulldozer come in and squash lizards in half.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Dennis Family Corporation (DFC) said that prior to any work commencing at the Burnside site, an environmental impact study was conducted.

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Environmental management plans had also been approved in accordance with the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Along with environmental works being undertaken in the Kororoit Creek, a grassland conservation reserve was set aside within the development.

“DFC has complied with all requirements of all regulatory authorities,” the spokesperson said.

The Dennis Family Corporation is suing the Andrews government for $240 million in compensation after claiming the value of farmland it owned plummeted when the state earmarked the area for inclusion in the Western Grassland Reserve. This legal action does not relate to the Burnside grassland.