Nature conservation
Mount Alexander Shire is home to a beautiful and diverse natural environment that spans uplands, goldfields and volcanic and riverine plains.
Notable natural features include Mount Alexander and Tarrengower, and rivers Loddon and Coliban.
While the shire retains a relatively high level of vegetation cover, much of the natural environment bears marks from past human activity, most significantly from the gold rush era.
The shire community is very active in restoring the condition of the natural environment, and in improving its extent and connectivity.
Grow Towards Zero program
Grow Towards Zero – Cultivating community carbon in Central Victoria
Are you a landholder with 5+ hectares you would like to revegetate?
Council is participating in Grow Towards Zero. This project supports the restoration of valuable habitats across the region, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Neighbours can also work together to create corridors of native vegetation across their adjoining properties, provided the total area covers five hectares or more.
The Grow Towards Zero project supports habitat restoration across Central Victoria, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience while addressing the carbon offset needs of partner organisations.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority, together with the City of Greater Bendigo and the shire councils of Macedon Ranges, Hepburn, and Mount Alexander, are seeking local landholders looking to enjoy the benefits of large-scale revegetation works on their properties. Landholders can benefit from attracting wildlife, improving the appearance of their property, reducing soil erosion, enhancing soil health, and boosting water quality.
We are looking for individual sites where the combined planting area is five hectares or more, or neighbours can work together to create corridors of native vegetation across their adjoining properties, provided the total area covers five hectares or more.
Expressions of interest are now open.
Visit www.nccma.vic.gov.au to find out more.
This program is contributing to our goal of zero-net operations from 2025. Find out more on our page: A zero-emissions shire.
Castlemaine Urban Waterways Management Plan
Council has an Urban Waterways Management Plan(PDF, 6MB) for the 70 hectares of Creekside public land currently under public license to Council.
The plan has been developed by Council in collaboration with the Friends of Campbells Creek and the Castlemaine Landcare Group to further improve the amenity of the 70 hectares of creeks and adjoining public land located in the urban parts of Chewton, Castlemaine and Campbells Creek.
Honeycomb Bushland Reserve
Mount Alexander Shire Council has committed to working closely with two local Landcare groups with the adoption of the Honeybomb Bushland Reserve(PDF, 5MB) , a 17-hectare reserve at Campbells Creek.
Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare and McKenzies Hill Action and Landcare Group assisted to develop the five-year plan, which aims to protect and preserve the natural, cultural and recreational values of the reserve and provide a space for the community.
The management plan includes actions that will restore the site’s ecological values and improve visitor access and facilities. Council consulted with the CFA and an independent fire ecologist to address the risk of fire within the reserve.
The reserve forms an important link to other bushland in the area and provides a direct walking and cycling link to the Campbells Creek walking and cycling trail.
Trust for Nature Rebate
Council values native vegetation on private land. To support landholders to protect and enhance remnant vegetation, Council offers rate relief for land permanently protected under covenant.