Council's Biodiversity Strategy is due for a refresh, with feedback invited from environmental groups and the broader community on the native plants and animals important to them.
In a recent review of the 97 actions listed in the current strategy, which was adopted in 2018, almost all actions have been completed, reflecting Council's strong commitment to biodiversity action. Achievements of note from the current strategy have included:
- the establishment of a Private Land Conservation Officer role and the roll-out of the 'Healthy Landscapes' regenerative agriculture program
- the shire-wide annual high-threat weed control program
- the writing and implementation of a Roadside Conservation Management Plan
- a busy year-round environment events calendar engaging with residents and community groups
- an annual biodiversity monitoring program.
Director Planning and Environment Rebecca Stockfeld said refreshing the strategy provided an ideal opportunity to better reflect policy and classification changes in the biodiversity space, to improve strategy outcomes, and to gauge any current preferences from the community.
"We're so fortunate to have such an abundance and diversity of biodiversity within our shire - from unique animal species to our high-value conservation areas, our environment is what makes the Macedon Ranges a really special place to live, work and visit," she said.
"A new strategy will ensure that our biodiversity information and approach is up-to-date, actions are evidence-based and informed through consultation with the community, and that the current progress of Council works is accurately reflected."
Across the shire's close-to-1,750 square kilometres, public land covers 10% and includes 517 hectares of Council-managed bushland reserves, plus various smaller conservation and waterway reserves.
The Macedon Ranges is also home to many threatened fauna species - such as the Brush-tailed Phascogale and Powerful Owl - and since 2018, an additional 60 species that are likely to occur in the shire have been uplisted to a threatened species, under either state or federal legislation.
Feedback is invited via a short survey until Saturday 20 September 2025. Visit the Biodiversity Strategy Your Say page to find out more and have your say online.
