Attachment 1: Macedon Ranges Draft Biodiversity Strategy · Environment and Horticulture in the Macedon Ranges Meeting: 18 Community Environment Group members - Figure 33: Make connecting

Attachment 1: Macedon Ranges Draft Biodiversity Strategy Summary of community consultation and officer response Promotion - Press and Social Media

Newspapers

Article in Midland Express

Article in Council environment eNews

Article in Upper Campaspe Landcare Network, Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network, Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group newsletters.

Facebook:

21/9 post: 795 reach and 12 engagements (clicks, likes, comments)

3/10 post: reached 969 people and had 12 engagements

19/10 post: reached 884 people and had 18 engagements

The Facebook ad that was running until 20 Oct reached 2,188 people and had 50 engagements.

Twitter:

3/10 tweet reached 607 and had 3 engagements

21/9 tweet reached 780 and had 11 engagements

Website:

The have your say page had 371 page views. Average time spent on page was 2 minutes.

Consultation Meetings:

# Stakeholder Key Points

A Agency Stakeholder Workshop: 19 participants

- Parks Victoria: Support promotion of key recreational activities and concern around biosecurity issues (Phytophera). - Aboriginal Victoria: Support development of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land Management Agreements (ACHLMA) for bushland

reserves. - Coliban Water: Like landscape approach, good data, support link with Upper Coliban Biolink.

PE.4 ATTACHMENT 1

- Department of Environment Land Water Planning (DELWP): Support update to Vegetation protection Overlays (VPOs), alignment with 2017 guidelines, and Environmental Significance Overlays (ESOs) along riparian vegetation. Question how to translate policy into the planning scheme and why include medium value roadsides into VPO.

- Bush Heritage: Would like to see more details around traditional owners, consider a “biocultural” approach. - Melbourne Water: Like links to Healthy Waterways Strategy and focus on private land conservation. Support extension role.

Review of ESO will be a long project. - Upper Campaspe Landcare Network (UCLN): Support the Coliban Biolink. Suggest more detail role of citizen scientists, support

and inclusion of data in Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA). - North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA): Like that strategy aligns with the Regional Catchment Strategy. - Deep Creek Landcare Network (DCLN): Questions how will stewardship role work with Landcare. Biolink descriptions will enable

the network to be funding ready.

B Agribusiness Forum: 12 participants

- Concerned about impact of absentee landholders on land management. - Specific issues raised include weed control and kangaroos.

C Alice Miller Focus Group: 8 students

- Support intrepid Landcare, training to community groups about involving young people, youth focused nature walks, school holiday program events, hanging rock camp out and partnerships with schools.

- Not supportive of Councils youth ambassadors program or Junior Landcare Group. - Suggest link with mental health programs and more outdoor experiences with social element.

D Farmers Markets: Lancefield - 59 visitors Woodend - 55 visitors

- Check out Hume City Council Enviro Champs program which includes green tour, projects, and a graduation.

E Federation of Environment and Horticulture in the Macedon Ranges Meeting: 18 Community Environment Group members

- Figure 33: Make ‘connecting vegetation’ a bolder colour. - Insert the VPO summary map into strategy. - Introduce an activity log for council bushland reserves volunteer groups (number of volunteer hours, number of volunteers). - Include Mt Macedon Emergency Management Centre and Romsey Army Land in public land considerations. - Need to think strategically within the biolinks. - Need to engage with real estate agencies – develop a training program. - Concerned about impact of land banking and absentee landowners on land management. - Support internal staff training and liaison. - Roadside strategy inform VPO review. - Include Rivers of the West project.

F Upper Campaspe Landcare Meeting 18 Landcare members

- Strategy is supported by groups

G Wurundjeri meetings (x2) – 4 participants including Auntie Alice.

- Rename Mt William Biolink: Wil-im-ee Moor-ing Biolink. The area of quarry extends out beyond area of Wurundjeri land ownership to whole of range and creekline. Support further land purchase around the quarry.

- Happy with the way Hanging Rock is going.

- Would like to see Wurundjeri work on council land and undertake more cultural heritage assessment (eg. Mt Aitken, Mt Gisborne, Marshlands). Scoria cone woodland is especially highly significant to the Wurundjeri.

- Create opportunities for community members to get out onto country – requires a self-determined budget and a focus on council owned land initially.

- Remove cultural sensitivity layer in map. - Support community awareness raising - the Wurundjeri Cultural heritage team have a strong process for events. - Support use of ACHLMAs. They focus on; 1. Cultural heritage, 2. Natural values, 3. Land management activities. Native

vegetation is a cultural asset. In the first instance, trial at one site – eg. Mt Gisborne. - Cultural values reporting – values are strong in Macedon Ranges especially the valley around Mt William. Council can be a

facilitator for this.

H Biolinks Alliance AGM – 12 participants

- Glideways project involves Jackson Creek EcoNetwork (JCEN), Upper Campaspe Landcare Network (UCLN), Deep Creek Landcare Network (DCLN) in project development. Gilders population is known to be dropping 8% per year.

- Include new approaches and techniques to maintain moisture holding potential and enhance natural regeneration, eg. ecological thinning, contour ripping and direct seeding, understorey revegetation, natural barriers in eroding gullies.

- Focus works on micro-catchment (eg. Barrm Birrm, Mt William Range, Mt Gisborne).

Summary of feedback and officer response

# Submitter Comment Response

1 Resident from Woodend

Permanent protection on private land - Ensure promotion of Trust for Nature (TfN) covenants and council rate rebate as a means of encouraging conservation on private land which has valuable natural assets.

There is a section on the permanent protection of biodiversity on private land which addresses this important opportunity.

Pest plant control - Council needs to undertake vigorous consultation with other authorities such as VicRoads, VicTrack and Powercor who “manage” large tracts of weed infested land in the shire. The proliferation of weeds on these sites can often work against efforts by local community groups and Council to control weeds.

This is an important advocacy role for council. Addressed under Action 1.17: Advocate and work with public authorities to improve conservation values on their land. Recommendation Reinforce this advocacy role in the pest plant and animals section.

Pest plant control - Recommend the creation of a small number of voluntary positions in each town to enable residents who have some environmental knowledge to pass on information to MRSC regarding emerging weed problems or other environmental threats.

Council sees this as a role of all community members and community environment groups. This role does not require a formal system. Action 2.12 is to support community environment groups to continue to play an advocacy and awareness raising role for roadsides in their area. Recommendation In action 2.12, reinforce that all community members are encouraged to report environmental issues to MRSC.

Map of Community Environmental Groups - incorrectly labels Woodend Landcare Group.

Recommendation Amend map accordingly.


Other Important Public Land - Is there any merit in getting all the public land along both sides of the creek from Romsey Rd. to the racecourse included in the list of council reserves?

Recommendation Ensure Five Mile Creek Reserve is included in table 15.

Map of TfN and Land for Wildlife properties - does not show additional site in Ladye Place.

Recommendation Amend map accordingly.

2 Resident, Ashbourne Landcare

Connectivity Plan - Ashbourne Biolink is not included in Biolink Plan. The group have recently received a grant to expand this biolink and land owners between Harpers Road and Walshs Road are participating (see map).

The Campaspe River through the Ashbourne area is highlighted as the Campaspe River Biolink (p99). This could be broadened at the headwaters to incorporate the areas that Ashbourne Landcare are working, providing a useful buffer to the Wombat Forest and important linkages across private land. Recommendation Broaden the Campaspe River biolink to include headwaters.

Woodend Grassland Reserve – Provided the botanical survey for the management plan. The grasslands environmental importance needs to be better known.

In 2018, Council undertook an updated flora survey and management recommendation of a grassland ecologist. An Autumn ecological burn was undertaken with future managed planned. The Woodend Grasslands reserved is addressed in the VPO and bushland reserves section. All on-going management is guided by the implementation of the EMP.

3 Taungurung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (TCAC)

General – The strategy is great work and enormous effort. TCAC fully approves or shares the proposed goals. TCAC are keen to be directly involved in education programs (attending or as part of the programs), environmental events, in the implementation of the proposed assessments and monitoring programs.

Noted with thanks. No action required

4 Resident from Gisborne

General – The key objectives are all important and will guide activities in the right direction.

Noted with thanks. No action required

Pest plant control – Concerned about use of glyphosate in order to control weed species.

Council does not currently use Glysophate in the roadside weed control program. However, Action 2.1 recommends council investigates options for minimal chemical use in weed control practices.

Monitoring – Supportive of the establishment of a Field Naturalists group for the Macedon Ranges and interested in a Junior Field Naturalists group.

Noted. No action required


General - Commend the comprehensive draft strategy and acknowledge the collective long-term commitment of many local individuals and organisations who have contributed to positive outcomes and a better understanding of biodiversity throughout our town.

Noted with thanks. No action required.


Urban biodiversity – Proposal for new urban development “Glen Junor” in Gisborne to be a leader of world class standard in Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design and connecting residents with nature.

Consideration currently underway as part of the Gisborne Town Structure Plan Process.

6 Parks Victoria

General – Appreciate detailed, local input to be provided directly into the Strategy. Congratulates Council on its work to date on the production of the draft strategy, believing it to be comprehensive, inclusive and strong in its intended direction to enhance the shire's opportunities to build stronger ecological connectivity and potential resilience.

Noted with thanks. No action required.

Planning provisions - Parks Victoria supports the principle of using the most current and accurate biodiversity mapping data, to inform future planning controls.

Noted. No action required

Planning provisions - Should any planning controls be proposed over Parks Victoria Estate, as part of this Strategy in the future, then Parks Victoria would request additional consultation.

No planning changes are recommended over Parks Victoria Land. If this was to occur Parks Victoria would be consulted.

Community connecting to nature - To increase the connections to Health and Wellbeing outcomes while being in nature, Parks Victoria encourages greater references to the Macedon Ranges Health and Wellbeing in the Council Plan 2017-2027.

Noted. Will be recommended as part of council plan development in 2019-20.

Current Biodiversity Program - talks about HVP Plantations land parcels transferring to Parks Victoria. While there may be discussions about this occurring, nothing formal has occurred and is still yet to be determined.

Recommendation Change wording to 'may' transfer to Parks Victoria.

Threats - p38, Listed recreation activities to include mountain biking illegal trail making

Recommendation Include mountain biking illegal trail making in threats on public land section.

Fire and biodiversity - p40, expand into what the shire would do to rehabilitate the landscape post fire to allow swift recovery and fight weed invasion.

Council only has direct influence for fire recovery and post fire restoration activities on Council managed land. Following a fire, Council works with other agencies through relevant Fire Recovery Committees to coordinate fire recovery activities more broadly. Fire prevention initiatives such as planned burns are coordinated with other agencies through the Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee. Recommendation New action under Fire and biodiversity: Continue to work with other agencies through relevant fire recovery committees to assist the community restore their land post-fire.


Insert an action around partnering with local laws on fire prevention and a focus on the topic of living with fire and biodiversity in community education section. Insert table to show link between threats and proposed actions.

Bushland Reserves - P83, point 2.4, need to include a biosecurity plan which would look to abate the threat of Phytophthora.

Recommendation Include description and threat of phytophthora. New action under Council Bushland Reserves: Council to investigate preparation of a biosecurity plan for reserves where phytophthora is known to occur.

State managed reserves - conversations with HVP have revealed that they have waterways and remnant flora on their parcels which can also form good continuous links or connections where needed. Has Council looked to them for partnership work to ensure these area can be made more of since they provide connections between other large public land masses?

Recommendation Include HVP as a partner in biolink plans as appropriate.

Terminology: - Macedon Regional Park is referred to Mount Macedon Regional Park -

Table 5, 14 and page 123. - Parks Victoria should be referenced rather than Parks Vic. - Where the Parks Victoria reserves are referenced as Bushland or Flora

Reserves, they are to be now attributed as Nature Conservation Reserves (NCRs), P 123.

- P20 - Figure 6, it is the Macedon Regional Park Friends

Recommendation All changes to be made in final document

7 Deep Creek Landcare

General – pleased to see the development of this strategy and appreciates the work that has gone into it.

Noted with thanks.

Fire and biodiversity - support comments on the role of fire. Noted. No action required.

State managed reserves – Support the reclassification of areas of public land by the Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC) Central West Investigation.

Noted. No action required.

Community group support - Support recommendations about engagement between traditional owners and community groups. Would like to see expansion of enhancement of capacity of community groups.

Recommendation Review community engagement section. Provide more detail on how Council will actually support groups – key contacts, events, annual funding, links to networks etc.

Biolinks – support the Deep Creek and Mt William Range biolink corridors which are an important strategic development area to our group.



Planning Provisions – support the adoption of further Vegetation Protection Overlays within the Shire, particularly in the Mt William and Deep Creek Biolink areas.


Private Land Conservation – Support for a council extension officer to work on private land conservation. Would like to see a system such as rates rebates for protection and enhancement of vegetation within these and other identified biolinks in the shire.

Rate rebate programs at neighbouring shire were investigated. They are shown to have mixed success without resources to ensure follow-up with landholders. Instead the Strategy recommends implementing a private land conservation program that would include coordinating land management workshops and events, providing assistance to land owners to access external funding as well as ensuring land management plans endorsed as a part of planning permits are being implemented appropriately. Recommendation New action under Private Land Conservation: Include an action to review Council’s private land conservation program within 3 years of its implementation to ensure it is achieving improved private land conservation outcomes.

Pest plants and animals - provide expansion on this topic Council’s weed and pest animal strategy provides more details on councils approach to this topic. New changes in government policy in terms of cats and deer should influence this review. Recommendation New action under Pest Plant and Animals: Review of the Weed and Pest Animal Strategy in 2021.

Native Vegetation Offset program – concerned that creating offset program utilising existing council owned conservation reserves would not lead to net gain in vegetation protection.

The goal of any offset program should result in net gain in vegetation. Any potential offset program by council should either work with private landholders or see the purchase and creation of new reserves. Recommendation Remove offset action.

General - Disappointed with the short deadline provided for feedback. Noted. Four and a half full weeks were provided for feedback which is in line with Council processes.

8 Taradale Landcare

Landcare - Taradale Landcare Group was incorrectly named in the Landcare Groups map.

Recommendation Landcare Map to be amended accordingly.

9 Resident General - appreciate that we want to protect the regions natural flora and fauna.

Noted with thanks.


Pest Plants – concerned about invasive weed species that grows on neighbouring unmanaged private land that is subject to land banking. Weed species include gorse, serrated tussock, scotch thistle and artichoke thistle. Suggest Council includes a weed control story in the quarterly newsletters with pictures identifying priority weeds and how they can be controlled or eradicated.

Weed control on private land is not within council jurisdiction. However the private land conservation role could tackle this issue of absentee landholders. This would require partnership with DELWP and Local Laws. Recommendation Amend pest plant and animals section to acknowledge this issue including regular weed articles in the environment eNews and Shire Life.

10 Clarkefield and District Landcare

General - Clarkefield & District Farm/Landcare is very pleased to support this Strategy and thank you for the amazing work that has gone into its creation.

Noted with thanks.

General - We feel that the language used needs to be robust and state what will occur not what should occur.

Recommendation Review actions to ensure proactive language use where possible.

Grassland protection - No mention of how Grassland communities will be protected or monitored. Nor how council employees and other Council departments will respond and use this strategy to inform their own decisions and prevent further loss or degradation.

Actions to protect grasslands are covered in Section 7.1 under an expanded VPO3 covering grasslands and in threatened species actions (action 1.29). Educating private landholders about grassland conservation is also a focus for action 2.17. Monitoring of grassland communities is outlined in the monitoring program.

Link with other council departments - There needs to be a directive that clearly outlines how other Council departments will comply and meet to Strategies targets and how this will be mandated so that all comply. The Strategy currently does not have a way of evaluating Council’s various departments and their compliance.

Action 4.7 proposes to deliver environmental training for relevant Council staff. The environment team will continue to work with all department in program delivery and to ensure that environmental considerations are incorporated into all council strategies.

Threatening processes – Strategy needs to identify how ‘human activity’ will be mandated and regulated. There are currently large areas being purchased by overseas ‘Land bankers’ in the Newlands area and around the growth corridors within the Shire. Absentee owners are another threat as are ignorance and lack of compliance with regulations. The Strategy needs to strongly address these issues.

Links between threatening processes and actions need to be better articulated. Weed control on private land is not within council jurisdiction. However the private land conservation role could tackle this issue of absentee landholders. This would require partnership with DELWP. Recommendation Amend pest plant and animals section to acknowledge the land banking and absentee landholders. Insert a table at end of threats section links threats to actions.

Biolinks - their protection and enhancement is vital for the strategy to meets its vision.

Noted – no action required.

Pest plant and animals - There needs to be a process for all contractors working within the Shire to comply and align so that the Strategy’s vision can be achieved. Who will be responsible for compliance? Identifying conflicting and threatening activities?

Council is required to comply with a range of Commonwealth, State and local environmental legislation. The Strategy includes actions aimed at enhancing knowledge and capacity within Council to ensure all


departments are aware of their legal obligations and are able to direct internal and contractor works accordingly.

Monitoring - It is pleasing to see that NatureShare is recognised as an important source of data.

Noted – no action required.

Monitoring - Further assistance is needed to use the best technology available to record and maintain accurate data record for flora and fauna throughout the entire Shire.

Recommendation New action under monitoring program: continue to provide training to residents and community groups to record and share their biodiversity data.

Barrm Birrm - Pleased that Barrm Birrm is identified but wonder what processes the Strategy could identify to protect the blocks in private ownership, particularly those currently for sale.

Opportunities with Bush Heritage and Trust for Nature were investigated as part of development of the strategy, however due to the complex ownership of the site they are unable to assist at this stage. Council buy back of blocks was deemed unfeasible. In 2016, Council wrote to the State Government to encourage state purchase of the private blocks. State Government replied that this was unlikely to occur. Council is committed to seeing Barrm Birrm as a nature conservation reserve and, upon completion of the strategy, will reinforce this with current owners and remind them of the free gift back process on offer. Recommendation Insert map of current ownership of Barrm Birrm into strategy.

Private land conservation - The Strategy identifies that much of the assets that need to be protected and enhanced are in private ownership. There is no mention of ways in which Council could reward best practise or enforce compliance with the Strategy.

Rate rebate programs at neighbouring shire were investigated. They are shown to have mixed success without resources to ensure follow-up with landholders. Instead the Strategy recommends implementing a private land conservation program that would include coordinating land management workshops and events, providing assistance to land owners to access external funding as well as ensuring land management plans endorsed as a part of planning permits are being implemented appropriately. Recommendation New action under private land conservation: Include an action to review Council’s private land conservation program within 3 years of its implementation to ensure it is achieving improved private land conservation outcomes.

11 Resident General - Congratulations on the document and what it is trying to achieve.

Noted with thanks.


Pest animals – Concerned about impact on cats and foxes on wildlife. Calls for a large scale control program.

Council’s pest plant and animal strategy provide more details on councils approach to pest animals. While council can only operate pest control on council managed land, an integrated pest animal approach has are suggested for priority areas in Action 2.3. With new changes in government policy with cats being declared a pest species and the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy, an earlier review of the pest plant and animals strategy would be beneficial. The introduction of a cat curfew is currently being investigated by the local laws unit (Action 1.9). Recommendation New action under Weeds and Pest Animals: Review the weed and pest animal strategy in 2021.

Problem wildlife - Concerned about increase in kangaroo numbers with more land under conservation. The Council needs a strategy to deal with increased kangaroo numbers.

Problem wildlife are identified as a threat in section 6.2. Kangaroo culls could be considered in Council managed bushland reserves. Recommendation New action under Council bushland reserves: Kangaroos numbers need to be monitored and impacts addressed, sustainable and humane control options considered if deemed appropriate.

Private land conservation - Concerned about small lifestyle blocks or farms where animals such as horses cause enormous localised damage to the flora and fauna and water quality emanated from these properties.

Owners of rural properties and farms is addressed as an audience for the targeting education and engagement events. Recommendation Update and promote the new farmers kit as a tool for landholders in partnership with Economic Development.

Private land conservation – Concerned that resources will be doubled up along waterways that are already receiving generous funding from Melbourne Water or Coliban Water.

Council is not planning on providing funding to landholders at this stage. Rather, these opportunities provided by agencies will be supported as addressed in Action 2.17.

Farming Zone - clarify that existing farmers in a Rural Living Zone will not be required to apply for a Permit to Farm if they are established farms.

Strategy has not proposed any changes to the Rural Living Zone.

12 Coliban Water General - Very supportive of the direction of Council’s Draft Biodiversity Strategy and the landscape scale approach that it advocates. Pleased at the proposed approach of community, traditional owners, and other interested stakeholders, working together to achieve positive outcomes for Biodiversity and other natural assets. Coliban Water would welcome opportunities to work collaboratively with Council.

Noted with thanks.

Waterways - The use and management of riparian areas along waterways, and across the public land within the catchment areas of Coliban Water’s

Recommendation Update text in section 5.5 to highlight value of riparian areas.


three Coliban River storages, is critical to protecting raw water quality; both for reducing the amount of treatment that is required to produce water of a drinking water standard, but also to ensure high quality raw water for domestic and stock, and commercial purposes.

Landscape Connectivity - support establishing waterway corridors and Biolinks, in particularly the Upper Coliban Biolink. The creation of the Upper Coliban Biolink also aligns well with the SMART Goals of the now-funded Upper Coliban Integrated Catchment Management Plan.

Noted.

ESOs - Coliban Water plans to propose amendments to Environmental Significance Overlays 4 and 5 that would support the implementation of the UCIMP and support inclusion in the strategy.

Noted.

Property Management Plan - Supportive of revision and would like to work with council to ensure efficient use of resources.

Noted.

Private Land Conservation - Supportive of the extension officer. The UCICMP has the opportunity to explore the co-funding of an extension officer in the area of on-site domestic wastewater management with Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Hepburn Council. Open to exploring opportunities to seek external funding for this position.

Recommendation Environment and Environment Health Teams to follow up on this co-funding opportunity with Coliban Water.

13 Dja Dja Wurrung

General - ‘The State recognises that the Dja Dja Wurrung People are the Traditional Owner Group for the Country covered by the Recognition and Settlement Agreement’ in which the Macedon Range shire is located.

Noted with thanks.

General - It appears as though there is a lack in Djaara voices in this document. Comments have been provided in the document that show where our input would be expected and appropriate to include.

Recommendation Text in strategy to be amended according to the suggestions made by Dja Dja Wurrung. Add Dhelkunya Dja - Dja Dja Wurrung’s Country Plan to Regional Policy and Legislation Section.

14 Gisborne Landcare

General - The biodiversity strategy is looking good and is a step in the right direction for the environment.

Noted with thanks.

General - The strategy needs to change from recommending things to saying that they are going to happen.

Recommendation Review actions to ensure proactive language use.

Zone changes - The rezoning needs to happen as soon as possible to ensure the protection of our bushland reserves.

Noted.

15 Resident from Woodend

General - Thank you and the Environment team for the detail included in this draft strategy, report and plan. The inclusion of photos and maps

Noted with thanks.


makes it a great document for anyone to use in conversations with the community.

Community engagement - With over 1000 visitors to each Library each week, the Libraries are a great way to connect way to with the community. Pleased to see that libraries are included and I see you have included the Libraries the targeted education program.

Recommendation Add libraries as a partner for engaging older residents.

State managed reserves – Concern about management of public land, especially Mt Macedon.

Shire will continue to collaborate with Parks Victoria and advocate for improved management of the Regional Park (Actions 1.15 and 1.16).

Domestic animals – Support Local Laws to enforce pet management including cat curfew and dogs on leads in forest areas.

The introduction of a cat curfew and dogs on leads is currently being investigated by the local laws unit (Action 1.9).

16 Greening of Riddell

General - Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft MRSC Biodiversity Strategy 2018. I am impressed by its breadth and agree with most conclusions and strategies.

Noted with thanks.

Grassy woodlands (page 68) – Concerned about last of information about where remnant of grassy woodlands occur.

Council has an environmental planner that works to ensure native vegetation protection at the pre-approval stage. Council is committed to avoiding native vegetation loss. Recommendation New Action under Grassy Woodland Protection: re-enforce that detailed flora assessments are required, particularly in areas likely to support grasslands or grassy woodlands, as a part of the preparation of development plans.

Regulation – Suggests there is disconnect between the strategy intent and what actually happens on the ground. Site management needs to be more explicit and the council officers role as an educator and enforcer needs to be more thorough.

Council’s current resources only enable investigation into illegal removal or non-compliance with permit conditions in response to internal and external reports. Additional resources are required to take a more proactive approach to the enforcement of permit conditions (Action 1.11).

Planning scheme changes – Support for rezoning high values areas in farming zone, bushland reserves to PCRZ and use of Section 173 Agreements.

Noted.

Planning scheme changes – Support the idea of a Rural Sustainable Living Zone which could create a new concept of enclosure, fence domestic activities in, and leave a habitat zone of 75% of the property. Roadside vegetation could be expanded and the increase in native vegetation could be safely enabled by mandating safe fire shelters, roof sprinkler systems and fire setback areas.

Council can only administer zones as legislated under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.


Waterways – Strategy should mandate the transfer of waterway corridors and appropriate buffer areas to public ownership and management as a part of new subdivisions.

This is identified as a recommendation in local planning policies section in draft strategy. Recommendation New action under Urban Biodiversity: Ensure new developments seek opportunities to transfer waterways and appropriate buffers to public ownership.

Domestic animals management – Concern about impact of domestic animals on wildlife.

The introduction of a cat curfew and dogs on leads is currently being investigated by the local laws unit (Action 1.9).

Barrm Birrm – Suggests Council send a newsletter/communication from Riddells Creek Landcare to current owners to indicate to them the extensive and ongoing environmental work done by volunteers to keep the biodiversity intact. It may encourage them to get involved or sign their property over to Council.

Noted. This is addressed in Action 1.25. Recommendation Amend Action 1.25 to include partnership with Riddells Creek Landcare.

Bushland reserves – Support new Bushland Reserves Officer role but recommends needing a bush crew to support groups.

This was considered in development of draft strategy. Current council uses a panel of local contractors to undertake work on roadsides and in bushland reserves. These contractors have grown to know the area well. The use of contractors enables council to undertake extensive weed control across the shire at the same time of year.

Roadside management - Add to the important roadside list Kilmore-Gisborne Road/Hamilton Rd south west corner near old road bridge - monitoring of rare geranium species and weed eradication.

Recommendation Kilmore-Gisborne Road / Hamilton Rd to be added to roadside list.

Wildlife crossing program - A kangaroos crossing sign needs to be erected on the Kilmore-Gisborne Road near Smiths Nursery, and the speed limit sign needs to go further west from Riddell.

Recommendation This site will be added to the wildlife crossing list.

Climate change responses - Riddells Creek has deep pools that act as drought refugia. Green of Riddell have undertaken extensive weed control work along the creek which will become public land as part of adjoining development.

Riddells Creek has been included in the Deep Creek Biolink, but it is not obvious in the draft Strategy. Recommendation Include a separate biolink description covering Jackson’s and Riddells Creek. Actions to include council support to formalise the walking track, further weed control and revegetation along Riddells Creek in partnership with Melbourne Water.

17 Resident / Stanley Park CoM

Bushland Reserves Rezoning – Recommends that all bushland reserves to be rezoned PCRZ at the same time.

It is anticipated the rezoning of all the bushland reserves can be included as part of the Errors and Anomalies project.

Bushland Reserves - Encourage the natural seed bank to replenish existing EVC's. Remove weed burden prohibiting natural regeneration and do not

Recommendation Include ‘natural regeneration’ under Action 3.1.


engage in planting an area if it can restore naturally.

Native Vegetation Offsets - Bushland Reserves should not to be used as a Native Vegetation offset.

Recommendation Remove action 1.22 – native vegetation offset scheme.

Domestic animals – Would like to see dogs on leads and excluded from waterways as a minimum.

The introduction of a cat curfew and dogs on leads is currently in the process of being investigated by the local laws unit (Action 1.9).

Bushland reserves - recommends the following management actions - Installation of Wildlife Friendly Fencing - Liaison with community groups over signage - Carparks outside of reserves

These actions can be considered on a case by case basis as part of EMP reviews. Signage must follow the Bushland Reserves Signage Strategy and Style Guidelines 2015. Recommendation Add installation of wildlife friendly fencing where possible as part of Action 2.4

Biolinks - Create a biolink between The Emergency Management Institute of Victoria, The Mount Macedon Golf Club and Stanley Park.

A biolink of this scale could be actioned at a local scale in partnership with land managers. Fits under Action 2.26 – Support for community groups undertaking biodiversity projects in township areas and assist with community planning.

General – Recommend a Bushland Reserves Committee with representatives from all the reserves to liaise with Council, support big funding opportunities for the maintenance of these places.

This a key role of Landcare Networks. Council would support any funding applications as outlined in Action 5.1.

Mount William Range Biolink – Numerous suggestions made to amend Mt William Range biolink description.

Recommendation Amend details in Mount William Range Biolink accordingly.

Private Land Conservation – Concerned about landholders willingness to take part due to suspicion, recourses or lack of interest.

To be addressed as part of Private Land Conservation. For all the landholders not wanting to be involved in conservation activities, there are many who do.

Waterways - Not all farmers have completely fenced off their property from Deep Creek and allow stock access for drinking causing erosion.

Deep creek is a high priority waterway for Melbourne water and will continue to be targeting as part of its streamside management program.

Paddock trees - Concerned about loss of remnant isolated Eucalypts in paddocks.

Paddock trees have been highlighted for their importance in the strategy. Recommendation Include ‘protecting paddock trees’ in action 2.21.

Roadside management – Highlight importance of wildlife crossings with increased population.

Extending the safe wildlife crossing program is identified as an action under Roadside Management (Action 2.11)

Council communications – Calls for better communication and education of other departments regarding environment management principles.

Delivery of training for relevant Council staff is identified in the strategy (Action 4.7).

VPO5 Narrow-leaved Peppermint - supports further investigation of VPO and if it is retaining suspected old trees, suggests the overlay should not be lifted because of their habitat significance.

A detailed field assessment of the VPO5 area is recommended prior to considering removal of the VPO.


18 Resident from Lancefield

State managed land – Believes the VEAC recommendations will do very little in achieving its objective. Does not want to see Cobaw status change nor uses limited.

Noted.

Roadside management – Believes the shire does very little in eradicating pests and invasive weeds on roadways and reserves.

Council’s Roadside Management Plan is currently under review and a review of Pest Plant and Animals Strategy will be recommended in the Biodiversity Strategy.

19 MRRA General - The Association is very pleasantly surprised at the high quality of this document, and congratulates Macedon Ranges Shire Council, and Krista Patterson-Majoor, on its production. In principle, the Association strongly supports the draft Strategy’s direction, objectives and actions, particularly rezoning and expanded application of overlays to protect biodiversity. However, removal of existing overlays is not supported.

Noted with thanks.

VPO 2 and VPO 6 amendments - The Association does not support removal of current VPO2 or VPO6 overlays from any roadsides.

No removal of existing vegetation protection is proposed. Rather the removal of duplication of provisions and the consolidation protection into enlarged biolink or forest VPOs is recommended. This will equate to more of the vegetation in the shire under protection. Roadside conservation significance in figure 16 may have been incorrectly represented. Recommendation Update figure 16 with latest roadside conservation significance mapping.

Biolinks - The strong focus upon establishing new and strengthening specific biolinks is supported. However, this focus is at times quite intense, excluding recognition and protection for existing known wildlife corridors, for example, major and minor wildlife corridors identified in VicRoads’ Calder Freeway studies at Woodend and Black Forest.

The larger biolinks identified in the strategy has purposely been chosen because they occur on private land and are less protected. The minor biolinks mentioned occur predominately across public land.

VPO 8 and 9 Overlap - Care is needed with the word “overlap”.

Recommendation Review wording in strategy and ensure VPO review intentions are clear.

Planning Scheme Mapping Inconsistencies and Gaps - several inconsistencies and gaps in current vegetation protection overlays were identified in the submission.

Noted. These inconsistencies and gaps can be investigated as part of the more detailed VPO review.

Narrow-leafed peppermint gums (Existing VPO5) - The Association does not support removal of VPO5.

Noted. A detailed field assessment of the VPO5 area is recommended prior to considering removal of the VPO.


Narrowing requirements for permit triggers - The suggestion to introduce exemptions of require vegetation removal permits for environmental weeds is broadly not supported.

Proposed actions to amend components of the ESO and VPOs relating to vegetation removal are suggested through focussing on the retention of native vegetation and facilitating easier management of exotic vegetation that pose an environment weed risk. This will provide efficiencies for landowners, Council and public land managers.

Bushland reserves rezoning - The Association fully supports rezoning bushland reserves to PCRZ. However, questions why East Paddock is the only bushland reserve not intended to become PCRZ.

The Hanging Rock Strategic Plan recognises the state and national significance of the precinct and sets out future objectives. Recommendations in regard to zoning of the east paddock have not been made due to potential changes that will be occurring in the future through the implementation of this plan.

Other Bushland Reserve proposals – recommendation to have VPOs over council bushland reserves.

Rezoning of these reserves will increase their level of protection and the review of VPOs aims to cover many Councils bushland reserves. Recommendation Review and update Table 10 – to read VPO8 for Hanging Rock, assess VPOs for other bushland reserves.

Roadside Management Plan – Question if it is possible to engage with VLine/VicTrack to prepare management plans for rail reserves.

Action 1.17 advices council to advocate and work with public authorities to improve conservation values on their land.

Roles and Responsibilities - Equine Strategy - The Macedon Ranges Equine Strategy 2012 – 2016 has expired

Recommendation Delete Equine Strategy in table 4.

Waterways, Wetlands and Reservoirs – A number of small revisions suggestions made to improve content.

Recommendation Include minor catchments in discussion. Delete reference to Eppalock Improve labelling of Figure 14 to include Kangaroo Creek Include Jackson Creek along border of Shire in Jackson Creek Biolink.

VPO 7 Yarra Gums - These trees are of National conservation significance. Yarra Gum (Eucalyptus yarraensis) is endemic to Victoria. Its conservation status is rare in Victoria with few known populations. It is not listed under the EPBC Act.

Planning Permit Requirements – Table 9 requires updating to reflect changes to planning scheme.

Recommendation Adjust Table 9 to reflect changes to planning scheme.

Local Planning Policies – Recommend avoid use of work ‘encourage’ to be more directive.

Recommendation Review wording under Local Planning Policies to avoid use of word ‘encourage’.

Clause 52.17 Native Vegetation - There appears to be a strong reliance upon the provisions of Clause 52.17 to protect native vegetation.

Noted. VPOs are recommended to be increased on the account that Clause 52.17 may change.

Appendix 2 Threatened Flora and Fauna Species Page 125 Recommendation


a) Explain abbreviations “NT” and “*” b) Can the full header be included on each page of the tables?

Update appendix accordingly.

Communication Materials Page 103 - There would be benefit in including new educational material in Newcomer Kits provided to new residents.

Recommendation Include updating new farmers information kit in landholder information section and in the targeted approach for landholder audience.

Threatened Flora and Fauna Page 30 a) In the third paragraph, it says “Golden Sun Moth (last recorded 1951)”. At page 12, the draft Strategy says this moth was last sighted in 1953. Can this be clarified? b) At the last sentence of the paragraph addressing the Brush-tailed Phascogale, the draft Strategy says “and listing on the FFG Act as endangered.” This is correct, but the phascogale is not listed in the table at page 12. Can this be corrected?

a) On the VBA, the last sighting is listed as 1953. b) The Brush-tailed Phascogale is listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the FFG Act, table 3 only highlights ‘endangered’ species. Recommendation Update text on p30 with 1953. Replace ‘endangered’ on page 30 with ‘vulnerable’.

Recording and Utilisation of Vegetation Reports - The draft Strategy does not seem to reference the findings of the February 2016 Practical Ecology report “Flora and Fauna Report of areas covered by proposed Development Plan Overlays 18, 19 and 20” (Gisborne and Riddells Creek)’

Recommendation Include February 2016 Practical Ecology report “Flora and Fauna Report of areas covered by proposed Development Plan Overlays 18, 19 and 20” (Gisborne and Riddells Creek) in references list.

Snow Gums (E. pauciflora – low land variety) - These trees were identified as significant (regional) and recommended for protection in a report titled “An Assessment of Conservation Values in the Shire of Newham & Woodend, M J Allen, 1985”.

Snow Gums are listed as a significant plant species to monitor. This refers to the plants found both on Mt Macedon and in the low land areas.

Bushland reserves rezoning - Black Gums at Woodend Where these occur on public land, has thought been given to rezoning the land to PCRZ (e.g. from PPRZ along Five Mile Creek to PCRZ)?

This will be considered.

Protecting Hollow-Bearing Trees - Can the draft Strategy give more emphasis to the importance of protecting and retaining hollow-bearing trees, regardless of their location or species.

Paddock trees have been highlighted for their importance in the strategy. Recommendation Include ‘protecting paddock trees’ in action 2.21.

20 Melbourne Water

Biolinks - Melbourne Water’s Draft Healthy Waterways’ Strategy for 2018-2028 supports the 4 Biolinks proposed and the major waterways within these Biolinks have been identified as either Vegetation buffers to establish, or high quality vegetation to retain.

Recommendation Update reference to Healthy Waterways Strategy now it is complete.

Waterways - Performance objectives from Melbourne Water’s Draft Strategy that would complement this draft strategy include;

Recommendation Include these objectives in policy and legislative context section (4.1).


- Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer and maintain existing vegetation along priority reaches which include Jacksons Creek, Riddells Creek, Deep Creek, Emu Creek and tributaries.

- Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation along Deep Creek and tributaries through effective monitoring and management of threats including protection of endangered EVCs.

ESOs - Melbourne Water welcomes the support for applications of ESOs along the major waterways within Macedon Ranges

Noted.

Waterways - Melbourne Water would be interested in supporting Council, through ongoing management and financial assistance through our grants program should the recommendation of amending the Macedon Planning Scheme be adopted. In particular, including a provision encouraging the transfer of waterway corridors and appropriate buffer areas to public ownership and management as a part of new subdivisions.

This provision is identified as a recommendation in local planning policies section in draft strategy. Recommendation New action under urban biodiversity: Ensure new developments seek opportunities to transfer waterways and appropriate buffers to public ownership.

Urban biodiversity - The recommendation to ensure all new subdivisions seek to improve native vegetation condition and implement water sensitive urban design to reduce nutrient run-off into urban waterways, is consistent with Melbourne Water’s draft Healthy Waterways strategy which identifies the townships of Gisborne, Romsey, Riddells Creek and Lancefield, Macedon and Mount Macedon as stormwater priority towns.

Recommendation Include these objectives in policy and legislative context section (4.

Conservation on private land - Melbourne Water would welcome Council’s continued support for Melbourne Water’s Stream Frontage Management and Rural Land Programs.

Noted.

Conservation on private land – The proposal for an extension officer role and education program with private landholders is critical and can provide co-benefits to Melbourne Waters incentive schemes.

Noted.

Appendix - Should read “currently reviewing Healthy Waterways Strategy” and include “the Rural Land Program which works with landholders to improve land management practices to reduce sediment and nutrient loss from farms to waterways”

Recommendation Update appendix accordingly.

21 Newham & District Landcare Group

General – The group supports and commends the draft strategy report as an excellent document. It evidences much careful thought and research and incorporates outcomes of consultations we were pleased to be part of. The draft Strategy gives the best and most complete overview of the biodiversity situation specific to the Macedon Ranges there has ever been.

Noted with thanks.


General – Suggest the strategy highlights the importance of soil management.

Recommendation Update the Private Land Conservation section to include reference to soil management as part of education approach.

Threats facing biodiversity - p38 Under 6.1 Human uses and activities add a heading Public land management practices. Management protocols need monitoring and improvement, as in many instances, roadsides and railway verges for example, have and are being degraded by poor practices of Shire/State and other service providers.

Recommendation Update the threats page accordingly. Insert table to show link between threats and proposed actions.

6.3 Fire and biodiversity, p41 This important and controversial issue and is well discussed here. The rationale for fire prevention strategies on roadsides and public land needs to be included somewhere as an action.

Recommendation Insert an action around partnering with local laws on fire prevention and a focus on the topic of living with fire and biodiversity in community education section. Insert table to show link between threats and proposed actions.

Planning provisions - Newham Landcare Group supports the proposed increased planning provisions to protect biodiversity.

Noted.

Rural Conservation Zones – Concerns were raised about existing activities in this zone that are damaging native vegetation and impacting on waterways.

While Council has limited jurisdiction on private land use, the private land conservation role could target this biolink area to follow up on land management plans, promote Melbourne Water stream frontage program, and source funding to protect remnant vegetation.

Land Management Plan Requirements - NDLG supports the use of Section 173 Agreements and the increase of penalties for non-compliance.

Noted.

VPO2 Roadside Vegetation - NDLG supports the recommendations but does not support applying the permit trigger for removal of native vegetation only. Also query the inclusion of large old trees in designating a roadside of Low conservation value, whereas Medium says large old trees are generally absent. Large old trees have biodiversity and connectivity value.

A planning permit is required for the removal of all native vegetation on roadsides across the shire, including large old trees, unless a specific exemption applies in the planning scheme. This is the case regardless of the roadside conservation value classification or the presence of a VPO. The intent of VPO2 is to alert land owners, land managers and decision makers to the presence of roadside conservation values which, for the most part, relate to the presence of native vegetation. Requiring planning permits for removal of non-native trees such as pines, cypresses and other exotic vegetation would not add value and is not considered a good use of Council resources. The classification of roadsides into “high”, “medium” and “low” is the outcome of detailed roadside assessments that take into account a range of factors such as native understorey, weed cover and ground disturbance. The scoring system used to assess roadsides is consistent


with the methodology used in 2006 by the NCCMA. Some roadside sections with large old trees may have a low score due to the degraded vegetation in the vicinity. Similarly, some roadside sections without large old trees may score well due to the presence of relatively intact ground and mid storeys. Recommendation Under VPO2, clarify the purpose of the VPO (to raise awareness about conservation values) and state that a permit is required for removal of all native vegetation anyway, regardless of the presence of the VPO. Update Roadside Conservation Significance Mapping in the strategy.

VPO3 Native Grassland – NDLG supports the recommendations with exception of the permit trigger for the reasons noted above under VPO2

See comment above.

VPO6 Wildlife Corridors – NDLG supports the recommendations but questions total removal of VPO6 Wildlife corridors. Concern raised about lack of data in Council around past revegetation programs.

Action 5.5 addresses the issue around lack of data of past Landcare revegetation works. The current VPO6 is intended to be replaced with an expanded VPO2.

ESO4 and 5 Potable Water Catchments – NDLG does not support the recommendation to narrow the definition. It is preferable that when contemplating vegetation removal that the landowner contacts the relevant authority who will determine if removal can go ahead.

Removal of small quantities of non-indigenous vegetation does not affect the quality or supply of water in the catchment and, therefore, assessment of these planning permit applications is not considered a good use of Council resources. Any change to ESO4 or 5 will need to be undertake in collaboration with relevant water authorities.

Roadside management - Urges that a high priority be given to integrate outcomes into council work practices. Add Sheltons Rd to the list on p84. (Edit – Hennebergs Rd). Would like to see the use of Cypress hedges clearly discouraged (p70).

“Encourage use of indigenous vegetation where possible for shelter belts and farm landscaping” is highlighted under Local Planning Policies section. Recommendation Amend roadside list accordingly.

Firewood collection - Do not support permit exemption to allow collection of fallen timber. Suggest all large timbers remain, and that no collection be permitted.

The recommendation for VPO9 involves reducing the existing permit exemption to allow collection of fallen timber associated with an approved fire management plan. This is considered an appropriate compromise that enables property owners to manage fire risk at their property while still ensuring the majority of log and leaf litter is maintained for biodiversity.

Landscape connectivity plan - The map on p90 is a highlight and deserves to be widely distributed (with stronger farm zone outline, and labels as on the community summary). We that connected habitat patches of native vegetation (green) in NDLG’s area are scattered and highly vulnerable to

MRSC, NDLG and Melbourne Water has taken steps to establish this connectivity – eg the Cobaw biolink overlay, incentives for landowners and extensive gains over the past 14 years. Agree more is needed. Cobaw Biolink will remain a high priority for council.


climate change. There is great potential, indeed an imperative, for further actions to strengthen connectivity here.

Cobaw Biolink (p92) - Para 1, last sentence, does not accurately reflect the amount of on-ground works undertaken. Suggest: “Much work has already been undertaken by the local Landcare group. This includes extensive mapping and monitoring of roadsides, recruitment of over 30 landholders to participate in funded enhancement projects, and the provision of information, training and physical assistance, plus subsidized revegetation materials (thousands of plants at a cheap price, free recycled hardware) to more than 50 other landholders.”

Recommendation Amend biolink description accordingly.

Compliance, weed and pest control - As noted in second last para on p80 “responsibility for controlling weeds and pest animals rests with the land manager”. However confusion reigns among landholders about this and how Council (and its Council’s Local Law No. 10) interacts with the CaLP Act administered by DELWP in relation to who monitors and orders compliance with this responsibility.

Recommendation Clarify these roles better in the strategy.

Cats and dogs - NDLG is adamant that Council should adopt a cat curfew and support clear designation of ‘off-lead’ areas as alluded to in the Strategy, otherwise dogs on leads. Better co-ordination with Parks Victoria rangers is needed to allay confusion and better monitor regulations.

The introduction of a cat curfew and dogs on leads policy is currently in the process of being investigated by the local laws unit (Action 1.9).

Rabbits - Landowners doing biodiversity conservation work need urgent help with rabbit control if regeneration efforts are to be worthwhile. Help is needed direct from MRSC, as well as via Landcare. Using Land Management Plans (LMPs) for biodiversity conscious landowners could be the mechanism; this would need for several MRSC outreach officers.

Noted.

Deer and goats - could be included on p 92 Cobaw Biolink, and p93 where they are hunted near Tylden (Upper Coliban Biolink). As they are a growing threat we urge strong advocacy for eradication.

Recommendation Add these threats to relevant biolink descriptions.

Private Land Conservation - When new ‘tree-changers’ come to the Macedon Ranges some requirement to make people realise that there are responsibilities about living in the country is needed. A comprehensive new resident’s kit is a good way to start.

Owners of rural properties and farms is addressed as an audience for the targeting education and engagement events. Recommendation Update and promote the new farmers kit as a tool for landholders in partnership with Eco Dev.


Rezoning - Create a “Biolink Custodial Zone” (BCZ), to attract people committed to biodiversity to buy land and live in BCZ biolinks and serve as “Biolink Custodians”.

Council can only administer zones as legislated under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Monitoring - Encouraging public data collection will require some training in use of apps, mapping, and recording.

Recommendation New action under Monitoring Program: provide training to residents and community groups to record and share their biodiversity data.

Private Land Conservation – Supports allocation of increased resources to the private land extension officer role, education program, land management courses, and updating information resources.

Noted.

22 North Central CMA

General - Commends the Shire on the completion of the Draft Macedon Ranges Biodiversity Strategy. The strategy provides important direction and actions which will work to protect and enhance the catchment, waterways and diversity of environments within the Macedon Ranges Shire.

Noted with thanks.

Policy context - The strategy aligns strongly with the landscape scale approach and priority biodiversity assets identified through the North Central Regional Catchment Strategy. This will pave the way for ongoing partnerships between our organizations.

Noted.

Planning scheme provisions - The North Central CMA strongly supports the planning scheme recommendations for biodiversity assets. In particular, the support for a new ESO for waterways in the North Central CMA region. Through the implementation of the Upper Coliban Integrated Catchment Plan the North Central CMA and Coliban Water would like to work and discuss with MRSC any changes to planning scheme and Local Planning Policies to ensure alignment and consistency.

Noted.

Private land conservation - Strongly support for the recommendation to prioritise permanent protection and extension officers to work with private landholders.

Noted.

Landcare - The CMA acknowledge the strong relationship and support MRSC provide to local community and Landcare groups. The future capacity for Landcare and Community based NRM groups in an aging population is a significant challenge facing the landcare movement. The MRSC region has the opportunity to shape the future of Landcare through extension and support of new landholders and the ‘tree change’

Noted. Recommendation Amend section 7.5 to take into account these demographic changes.


community whom are moving into the Shire. The CMA undertakes health checks with Landcare groups and are willing to share this data.

Climate change - The CMA welcome the reference to the North Central Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan and recommend that this document is used as a resource for the MRSC and the community.

Noted.

Biolinks - Strongly support the biolinks and waterway links, in particular the Campaspe River, Kyneton Woodlands and Upper Coliban which are all within the North Central region. The CMA welcome the opportunity to partner and collaborate on programs into the future.

Noted.


General – The strategy recognition of the wonderful remnant vegetation of the Macedon Ranges and the desperate need for protection on both public and private land.

Noted with thanks.

Planning Provisions – Support the rezoning of areas where there is significant native vegetation. This will only be beneficial if enforced. Rezoning bushland reserves to appropriate rezoning to ensure protection is fundamental especially given the increasing pressure from tourism and climate change. Hanging Rock should also be given more protection.

Noted.

Waterways - All waterways within the Shire should be viewed as wildlife corridors.

Noted

Monitoring Program - Investigating ways to protect the Shire’s plants and animals is long overdue. Educating and engaging the community will be fundamental in ensuring success.

Noted.

Urban biodiversity – The existing townships are important in providing connectivity. As a result of “in fill” lots of old large trees and vegetation have been removed which results in both loss of habitat for native wildlife and restriction to wildlife movement.

Noted.


General - The Study is very thorough and long overdue for protection and enhancement of Macedon Ranges environment

Noted with thanks.

Biolinks - a) it appears that the proposed Biolinks are very large. Will the size hinder the thorough management of these areas? b) will the Biolinks be managed by MRSC Officers – if so at what cost? bi) will it be necessary to increase the size of Council’s Environment Department?

The Biolinks identified in the Strategy identify locations where Council and the community have agreed to prioritise conservation efforts. Achieving these biolinks will rely on collaboration between Council, Landcare, relevant State Government agencies and individual land owners. Council only has direct influence over Council managed land, however Council can work with other stakeholders to achieve conservation outcomes on private land by supporting grant applications and providing advice to land


bii) will any increases in staff, comprise fully qualified environmental persons? biii) will any or all of the Biolinks be managed by Landcare/Friends groups? c) will the Biolinks be introduced at one time, or incrementally?

owners. Additional staff resourcing is proposed to implement Council’s private land conservation program. Any new environment staff would have appropriate skills and experience according to the needs of the role.

Waterway biolink - Disappointed that Bunjil Creek in Gisborne is not included. A comparatively small biolink, which is of manageable size. An achievement of pride in a local community.

Recommendation Include Bunjil Creek in new Jackson-Riddells Creek Biolink

25 Stanely Park CoM

General - The Stanley Park Committee of Management welcomes the Draft Biodiversity Strategy – 2018. We hope that this strategy will provide sustainable environmental practices and protection for the flora, fauna and biodiversity of the Macedon Ranges.

Noted with thanks.

Waterways – Expressed huge concern at the extraction of water from Turitable Creek resulting in the creek stopping flowing during dryer months.

These concerns need to be reported to Southern Rural Water, Melbourne Water and to the office of the Minister for Water.

Weed and Pest Animal Strategy 2014-2024 - A concentrated program is needed to manage invasive weeds on Council owned land, road reserves, private land, Vic Roads road reserves, Vic Rail and Parks Vic. There needs to be a complete overhaul of these practices including improved vehicle hygiene practices accompanying the grass slashing program.

Council’s weed and pest animal strategy provides more details on councils approach to this topic, however this strategy requires review. Recommendation New action under Pest Plant and Animals: Review of the weed and pest animal strategy in 2021.

Community Environment Groups - The term “Environmental Groups” is preferred instead of “Friends Groups” and “Landcare Groups”. On Figure 20: FEHMR is Federation of Environment and Horticulture In the Macedon Ranges, and it’s Stanley Park Committee of Management.

Recommendation Amend text accordingly on Figure 20, and use ‘Community Environment Groups’ throughout strategy.

Reservoirs - Rosslyn Reservoir does not supply Melbourne with water. Recommendation Amend text on page 34 to include local towns.

Other important sites & Public Land - Vic Track do have important intact natural vegetation, however, the amount of WON noxious weeds next to railway lines is appalling – Vic Track must be made responsible for noxious weeds on their rail reserves

Noted.

Cemeteries - Macedon Cemetery is known for its wildflower display in spring, that is it used to be known for wild flower displays. In recent years, the mowing regimes that are now in place no longer allow the wildflowers to bloom. Can the management of the cemetery be convinced to allow the wildflowers to bloom?

Macedon Cemetery needs to be assessed for potential inclusion into the amended Grasslands VPO. As part of this process discussions will be held with the relevant land managers.


Roadside Conservation - Council needs to increase the management of WON weeds in the shire and on council road reserves.

The Roadside Management Plan intends to address these issues.

Public land management – Concerned about dramatic increases in walkers, horses on trails, dogs being allowed off-lead.

This can be built into the advocacy role of Council outlined in Action 1.18.

Problem Wildlife – Has not had any problems with wildlife within the reserve. We usually see more kangaroos in Autumn when food in the forest gets very low. Once the forest grasses are replenished, they go back into the forest. Many kangaroos are also trapped in small islands surrounded by housing developments. Residents have to learn how to live with wild life.

Throughout the Biodiversity Strategy consultation, many community members have raised the issue of large kangaroo populations. Recommendation New action: In Council bushland reserves, Kangaroos numbers need to be monitored and impacts addressed, sustainable and humane control options considered if deemed necessary.

VPO1 Black gums (Page 49) - Agree to extend VPO1 to other known populations of Black Gum along Slatey Creek at Hanging Rock

Noted.

VPO3 Native Grassland - Support assessment of the conservation value of remanet grasslands across the Macedon Ranges. Suggest inclusion of Stanley Park grasslands.

Noted.

Planning Scheme Actions – Supports rezoning the Council managed bushland reserves to PCRZ and suggests this must include the east paddock at Hanging Rock.

Site specific changes for Hanging Rock will be considered as a part of implementation of the new strategic plan.

Dogs and cats - Highly recommend that all bushland and conservation reserves ban dogs and support restrictions on cats.


Compliance - Support need for increased compliance and suggests permits to remove or lop native vegetation should be attached to a front fence/gate.

Noted.

Native Vegetation Offsets - does not support Noted.

Bushland Reserves - Supports increased resources, links with indigenous groups, and phytophthora control. Does not support increased tourism in bushland reserves. Questions need for signage, parking areas and walking paths. The Stanley Park Management Plan needs reviewing and hopes for better consultation in its review.

Noted.

Roadside Management Actions - Better signage is needed at known wildlife crossings.

Noted.

Community engagement – Do not support promotion of bushland reserves, or establishment of bush playgroups and bush kinder.

Noted.

What is missing in this report – A number of additional issues were raised including the need for an Environmental Advisory Committee, rope

Recommendations Address issues where possible in appropriate places in strategy.


bridges across roads for wildlife to cross, launching poles for gliders, wildlife friendly fencing, additional VBA training or assistance when needed, bushfires and bushland reserve closures on high risk fire days.

26 Woodend Landcare

General - Woodend Landcare is very pleased to see a biodiversity strategy for the shire which places high value on environmental protection and enhancement. The group commends the strategy on its five objectives and supports the proposed actions.

Noted with thanks.

Public land management - Would like to see the strategy acknowledge the need for vigorous and close consultation with other land managers (VicRoads, VicTrack, Powercor)—and action it— as the hard work of council, private landowners and community groups like Landcare are often undone by insufficient or totally absent weed control on their sites.

Noted. This is addressed in Action 1.17.

27 FEHMR General - FEHMR will continue to be a keen supporter of this Strategy as it deems it a necessary step in the care of our Environments future. We thank you for the work undertaken and we look forward to achieving much needed results.

Noted with thanks.

Roles and Responsibilities – Raised issue of the impact and delivery of the biodiversity strategy across council departments. Questions the Environment Teams roles and responsibilities. Enquires how other council departments will be engaged and monitored for their compliance with the strategy. The Strategy must include mandatory compliance of Councils’ Departments with its outcomes and values to ensure threats are not ‘home grown’ to update practice in the adaptive nature of the Strategy.

The Environment Team already works closely with many other departments in Council including operations, parks and gardens, local laws, planning and community services. The strategy recommends more training of council staff in the environmental matters to ensure protection of the shire’s environmental assets.

Roles and responsibilities - Recommends introduction of a Bushcrew to be the operational arm for on-ground works in council assets.

This was considered in development of draft strategy. Current council uses a panel of local contractors to undertake work on roadsides and in bushland reserves. These contractors have grown to know the area well. The use of contractors enables council to undertake extensive weed control across the shire at the same time of year.

Executive Summary – Made recommendations for the strategy objectives. Objective 4: Educate, motivate and support the local community to comply with biodiversity strategy on their properties and in the local area. Objective 5: Develop a shire wide biodiversity monitoring and compliance program that assess and protects the health of the broader ecosystems. Objective 6: Ensure priority funding.

5. Compliance is addressed under objective 1. 6. Ensuring funding is not an objective of the strategy but rather part of council budgeting processes. 7. New roles has been recommended to see the implementation of the strategy. 9. Assessing group health is addressed under community engagement. Recommendation


Objective 7: Ensure appropriate officer to ensure strategy implementation and qualified review are maintained throughout duration of Strategy. Objective 8: As a ‘Declared Significant Area’ the Strategy Governs all Departments to comply and align values with the Biodiversity Strategy. Objective 9: Evaluate from community volunteers the level of responsibility they wish to carry on behalf of Council.

Amend objective 4 with word ‘educate’. Add the state government Declared Significant Area Act details in Legislative and Policy Context Section. Suggest that Council confirm the level of responsibility community environment groups wish to have for works on council managed land.

Strategic principles – For point 5, suggest ‘Be agile and responsive....adapt and evolve.’

Recommendation Amend text accordingly

Monitoring – The monitoring program is focused on environment gains, not on assessment of threats.

Monitoring of Council managed roadsides and bushland reserves primary focuses on threat abatement. The overall monitoring program is designed with assessing landscape health as a focus.

Revenue – FEHMR offers two suggestions to raise revenue to implement environment actions. Firstly through enforcement and compliance. Secondly through a user pays system (such as paying for parking in Bushland reserves).

A compliance policy is proposed under the compliance section in the strategy. However fines and fees would not cover the costs to putting such systems in place, let alone their ongoing management.

Community Environmental Groups - Amendments to flowchart: Federation of Environment and Horticulture Macedon Ranges. Amendments to map: Delegated Committee of Management Stanley Park Reserve.

Recommendation Amend text accordingly on Figure 20, and use ‘Community Environment Groups’ throughout strategy.

Current Biodiversity Programs in the Shire - Include projects by Friends groups and Delegated Committee of Management's.

All major projects being led by community environment groups known to council have been included.

Macedon Range Biodiversity at a glance - Include Gisborne in the volcanic eruption points.

Recommendation Amend text accordingly

Native Vegetation - List the 33 EVC’s and Strategic actions required to protect and manage them.

Recommendation If time allows, provide a list of all EVCs found in the shire, their conservation significance and percentage found on public / private land as an appendix.

Threatened Flora and Fauna - Needs list of actions and address to threats. Recommendation Insert a table link threats to proposed management actions.

“Problem” wildlife - Strategy should identify over grazing (not the grazer) as threat.

Problem wildlife are identified as a threat in section 6.2. Recommendation New action: In Council bushland reserves, Kangaroos numbers need to be monitored and impacts addressed, sustainable and humane control options considered if deemed appropriate.

Fire and Biodiversity - Revise: many animals… Recommendation


Revise text to explain how some (not all) vegetation types in the Shire require fire for management.

Land management plan requirements - Recommend more details on the ‘pest animal management plan’ and including role of property in landscape connectivity.

Recommendation Revise text in land management plan section accordingly.

VPO Scoria Cone Woodland - Develop new VPO, then remove VPO4. It is proposed that the VPO amendment will take place all together, so new VPOs are development before removal.

VPO5 Narrow leaved peppermint - Must take into consideration the value of the individual in its role as habitat and connection. Would removal be the best outcome for the environment?

A detailed field assessment of the VPO5 area is recommended prior to considering removal of the VPO.

VPO6 Wildlife Corridors - Does not suggest or recommend to identify Wildlife corridors, given the length of the Strategy are non to be identified and applied in the next fifty years?

The strategy takes a landscape scale approach and, therefore, does not identify all wildlife crossings and movement routes in the shire. The Biolink areas establish landscape scale wildlife and biodiversity corridors.

Local planning policies – provided a number of suggested wording changes.

Recommendation Amend text where possible.

Cats – Call for council to forgo further investigations and implement a curfew


Local laws – Amend text to read “Environment in conjunction with Local laws unit will public awareness address the impact…”

Recommendation Amend text accordingly.

Permanent protection of Barrm Birrm - strongly support! Noted.

Pest plant and animals – need to ensure action align with asset and operation department to ensure they are also focusing on the use of indigenous species and appropriate mowing regimes in bushland areas.

The strategy recommends more training of council staff in the environmental matters to ensure protection of the shire’s environmental assets.

Bushland Reserves – Recommend cameras to be installed on entry to all Bushland Reserves as a monitoring tool.

This has been recently undertaken. Visit usage numbers would be useful for prioritising works and assisting with funding applications. Recommendation Insert an action under bushland reserves that includes systematic recording of visitor use and visitor surveys as opportunities arise.

Community education - Ensure include friend and management groups as partners.

The inclusion of all community groups was assumed under ‘Landcare’. Recommendation Clarify partners include all community environment groups where appropriate.

28 Facilitator, UCLN

General – The UCLN supports the MRSC Draft Biodiversity Strategy – 2018. The vision the draft Biodiversity Strategy presents for the protection of

Noted with thanks.


biodiversity reflects that which is presented in the UCLN Strategic Plan 2015.

Objectives - The UCLN fully supports Objectives 1 – 5 as outlined in the draft Strategy as they closely align to the objectives in our Strategic Plan.

Noted.

Planning provisions - The protection of existing biodiversity and native vegetation, through the rezoning to Public Conservation and Resource Zones from Farming Zones is an important step towards protecting the threatened species and the communities in which they live.

Noted

Landscape connectivity - We recognise that the draft Strategy supports the two main priority biolinks for the UCLN. We believe that support from council with the implementation of our plans for these biolinks will enable us to be more effective in our goals towards creating landscape connectivity in these areas.

Noted

Community engagement – Support ongoing partnerships with environment groups to help with educational events and materials to improve community awareness of native flora and fauna.

Noted

Support for community groups - By continuing to support our Network will us more effective in achieving our common vision of protecting biodiversity in the region.

Noted.

Monitoring program – Support the Shire-Wide Biodiversity monitoring program which aligns closely with the Networks goals of monitoring and recording threatened species.

Noted

29 PPWPCMA General - The PPWCMA would like to commend MRSC on your draft biodiversity strategy. It’s comprehensive, well-structured and with a raft of specific actions for implementation. The landscape scale approach with the strong emphasis on biolinks, landscape connectivity and climate adaption is welcomed as is the intention to better monitor and report on landscape change. We are also strong supporters of community education and actions that enable action by and build capacity within community groups. The PPWCMA is keen to enhance our working relationship with MRSC and collaborate wherever and whenever possible to jointly deliver the initiatives documented in your draft Biodiversity Strategy 2018 that dovetail with the Regional Catchment Strategy.

Noted with thanks.

30 Overall the biodiversity has an open accessible feel, easy to navigate and nice use of imagery and graphics help a lot.

Noted with thanks.


Facilitator, JCEN and UDLN

EVC photos/list - it would be good to see conservation status here. Recommendation Include conservation status of EVC (either in the current list or appendix)

Threats facing biodiversity - Ensure the impact of inappropriate grazing regimes on terrestrial ecosystems is mentioned.


Climate change - Mention the IPCC report just released, it is suggesting we have much less time than was previously thought to transition - with regards to biodiversity native vegetation protection and restoration.

Recommendation Review the IPCC report and include relevant information in strategy.

Threatened species and community projection measures - Resourcing is required to ensure the mapping of the unknown populations and communities.

Noted.

Biolinks – amend all descriptions as follows: a) Include inappropriate grazing of native vegetation as a key threat. b) 'remove threatening processes from public land which are affecting

recruitment of native plants' applied to all. c) 'protect existing remnant vegetation and increase the extent and

condition of native vegetation so that it provides viable habitat for threatened species and ecological communities' applied to all.

d) 'in strategic locations' applied to all.

Recommendation Objectives to be amended in biolink descriptions.

Monitoring landscape change - Conservation on private land 'extension officer' position could include the establishment of a habitat condition monitoring system including photo points and rapid habitat quality assessment, allowing the shire to report more effectively on the effectiveness of 'stewardship' programs in achieving its objectives.

Noted.

31 Resident from Malmsbury

General – Thank you Krista for all your hard work with this Strategy. It’s really important and significant for the Macedon Ranges and the State of Victoria. It’s great to see Councils taking the initiative with Climate Change and biodiversity.

Noted with thanks.

Describing biodiversity – Biodiversity is maintaining the survival of all lifeforms as they support and are interconnected with each other. Clearer description is needed at 3 levels:

Species Diversity -The different plants, animals and micro-organisms

Genetic diversity – the genes they contain

Ecosystem diversity – the ecosystems that they are a part of

Recommendation Review current description of biodiversity.


Public land management – A strong statement about logging and mining should be made. Statement 1: Deforestation in old growth forests creates land and soil degradation, habitat loss, dead and dying animals, and ecosystems lost and should be ceased Statement 2: Mining for gold and other minerals creates land and soil degradation, and habitat and ecosystem loss.

Recommendation Review current description of impacts of logging and mining.

Planning provisions Excellent detail about legal definitions such as VPOs. Noted.

Public land management – Would like more trained rangers in the national parks especially trained, indigenous rangers would be great to be implemented into caring for the National Parks.

National Park management is not a role for council.

Fire management - Another thing about reducing biodiversity is the practice of burning of bushland to reduce fuel for fires that might occur.

Recommendation Review response to control burning on public land in strategy.

Animals on roadsides – This issue of animals on roads is not mentioned. Reducing the speed limit, more crossovers, wildlife tunnels under the road could be built and more support for wildlife carers is needed.

Addressed under roadside conservation management.

32 DELWP General – a number of small grammatical edits were suggested throughout the document. Request to clarify that ‘Macedon Ranges’ refers to entire shire.


Consultation - Which agencies were consulted during stage 2? I.e. DELWP, CMAs or water authorities etc.? Are there key issues the same as those identified in the community consultation?

A range of agencies were consulted during preparation of the Strategy and on the draft document including water authorities and the CMAs. A summary of the consultation process and outcomes is provided in the Community Consultation – Summary of Key Themes document and is summarized in the Strategy.

Objectives - The objectives are very broad. Once the MSS is translated into the Planning Policy Framework, local objectives will need to be relevant to the municipality and should only be included if there is a need to expand on a state or regional objective with a particular local emphasis or distinction.

Noted.

State planning and policy framework - Mention the relevant objective in the P&E Act – “To provide for the protection of natural and man-made resources and the maintenance of ecological processes and genetic diversity.” Also mention Clause 12.01-1S Protection of biodiversity and Clause 12.01-2S Native vegetation management from the Planning Policy Framework. The PPF sets out state and regional planning policy, including

Recommendation Include relevant P&E Act and PPF objectives accordingly.


objectives relating to biodiversity native vegetation removal and includes strategies to achieve these objectives. Local policies and strategies in the planning scheme need to align with these clauses. The CALP Act also establishes the CMAs and regional catchment strategies.

Local policy - Suggest that you nest the MRPS under the P&E Act given that the MRPS is a statutory document which sets out objectives, policies and provisions relating to the use, development, protection and conservation of land within the Shire of Macedon Ranges.

The overview of relevant MRPS policies provided under Section 4.1 Local Policy is considered sufficient.

Roles and responsibilities- Include some recognition that biodiversity objectives can be implemented through the planning scheme and decision making to effect change in the natural environment (statutory planning).

Recommendation Update Roles and Responsibilities section accordingly.

Biodiversity values - Other biodiversity values include the link between a healthy environment and a healthy community as recognised in Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037.

Recommendation Update the overview of Biodiversity 2037 provided under Section 4.1 State Policy and Legislation.

Macedon ranges at a glance - What is the source of the current population figure and the data in table 6?

Council’s website suggests that “The Macedon Ranges Shire population forecast for 2018 is 48,953, and is forecast to grow to 65,405 by 2036.”

EVCs - Mapping of 2005 EVCs seems dated. Is there anything more recent? This is the latest EVC mapping available from DELWP.

Threatened flora and fauna - If four threatened fauna species and one critically endangered vegetation community have been investigated in depth for this strategy, can any of this data be used to map any important habitat areas for these species?

This was done as part of the VPO review and connectivity analysis.

Threats – human uses - Development can result in a loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat. I note that the MR Protection Advisory Committee report identified the key threat to the shire’s significant values related to urban and township growth, expanding settlement boundaries and encroachment onto rural land. Maybe the biodiversity strategy needs to consider protecting the biodiversity values near settlements..

Noted.

Threats - Salinity and erosion as well as pollution and effluent disposal can also be key threats to biodiversity as recognised in Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037.

Recommendation Review the threats to ensure these threats are noted.

Objective 1 - Suggest that you consider what changes are required to the MSS in the first instance in order to justify changes to zones, overlays etc. Suggest that you consider what changes are required to the MSS in the first instance in order to justify changes to zones, overlays etc.

Noted.


VPO 8 - Need to ensure that the proposed VPO8 to be applied to Hanging Rock does not conflict with the Hanging Rock Strategic Plan endorsed on 27 September 2018 and the masterplan to be prepared. It is suggested that the masterplan should be completed first before changes to the planning controls for the site are considered.

Noted.

Land management plans - There is already policy in the planning scheme suggesting that ongoing management plans may be tied to the property through a section 173 agreement. Whilst the council can negotiate an agreement with an owner of land to implement the land management agreement it cannot mandated that this occur.

Noted.

VPO2 - Native vegetation classified as having ‘medium’ conservation value would not be considered significant remnant vegetation. Consider whether the VPO2 mapping should reviewed to remove these areas. I agree the permit trigger should be limited to native vegetation only. Also consider amending the objective to refer to ‘native’ not ‘remnant’ to be consistent with the general terms in the planning scheme (Clause 73.01).

In a highly degraded landscape, ‘medium’ conservation value is considered to be significant remnant vegetation. Recommendation Review the objective wording to refer to ‘native’

VPO3 - Care will need to be taken to ensure that the primary function of areas (e.g. cemeteries) can continue without onerous planning requirements (e.g. requiring permits to remove native vegetation for burials). Some negotiation regarding the extent of the VPO3 may be required. Also consider whether the permit trigger should say ‘This does not apply to a native tree.’

Noted.

VPO6 - Reconsider whether VPO2 should be applied to native vegetation having ‘medium’ conservation significance.

Noted.

VPO7 - The permit trigger needs to be reworded to ‘native vegetation’ given this is the general term used in the planning scheme.

Recommendation Reword the planning trigger to ‘native vegetation’

VPO 8 - The council will need to consider the impact of extending VPO8 in the context of the revised Clause 13.02-1 Bushfire planning. Strengthening the connectivity between the Macedon and Cobaw Ranges may exacerbate the bushfire risk to several settlements like Lancefield.

Noted.

VPO9 - Similar comment to the one above. The council will need to consider the impact of extending VPO9 in the context of bushfire risk to Gisborne and Woodend.

Noted.

VPO for grasslands - Re: subdivision or land management plan, you could also consider using a property vegetation plan.

Noted.


ESO sedgy wetlands - Is applying a new ESO to the Gisborne Marshland Reserve a duplication of planning provisions given that the land is zoned Public Conservation and Resource Zone.

Given the high level conservation significance of the Gisborne Marshlands and the development pressure surrounding it, an ESO would be valuable to increase protection of the environmental values of the site.

ESO waterways - How are high value waterways determined? This is part of the process being undertaken by Melbourne Water.

Local planning policies - This section should appear before the discussion on new VPOs and ESOs given that the policy provides the justification for these tools. Further detail about how the MRPS will be reviewed and revised would be useful to demonstrate how the biodiversity strategy will be implemented, i.e. do Clauses 21.03 and 21.05 need to be revised? What about these clauses needs to change?

Recommendation Consider moving the local planning policies section.

Local laws and compliance - It is not clear why planning enforcement is being discussed under the heading of Local Laws and Compliance Programs. Enforcement of the planning scheme, permits and their conditions and agreements under section 173 is a planning function not a local laws function. The main emphasis of enforcement should be on obtaining compliance rather than prosecuting offenders.

Recommendation Separate local laws and planning compliance section.

Objective 3 - The scale of the maps on P89 and P90 makes it difficult to tell how close the proposed biolinks are to settlements. As previously mentioned, care will need to be taken to ensure that any revegetation works do not exacerbate the bushfire risk to settlements, particularly at the interface between urban-rural/forest areas.

Noted.

Monitoring - I note the reference to sites with council nest boxes for monitoring. There is evidence now which suggests that nest boxes are not ideal and that reusing exiting hollows (if trees are removed with hollows) and man-made tree hollows (hollows cut into trees using a chainsaw) are more effective. Has the council considered these alternatives and the possibility of replacing nest boxes with more natural forms?

Council is currently working in partnership with Southern Cross University and other organisations across central Victoria to compare nest boxes with chainsaw hollows for the conservation of arboreal mammals. Our research team indicates that there are still many unanswered questions about chainsaw hollows such as the long-term impacts to tree health, liability and safety issues in recreation areas. Our advice from zoological researchers is that nest boxes are still very effective tools for surveys and there is a large body of scientific evidence to support this. Council already has a significant nest box project which has been very successful as both a survey tool and for supporting threatened species. We will aim to re-evaluate this program if significant research indicates otherwise.

References - Include DELWP’s Planning for biodiversity guidance, December 2017

Recommendation Include DELWP’s Planning for biodiversity guidance, December 2017

Documents

Attachment 1: Macedon Ranges Draft Biodiversity Strategy · Environment and Horticulture in the Macedon Ranges Meeting: 18 Community Environment Group members - Figure 33: Make connecting