Investigation of Harcourt’s plants and animals underway

Published on 31 October 2023

Mount Alexander Shire Council is undertaking field work in Harcourt to identify areas of high biodiversity values.

The project aims to identify as many plants and animals as possible in the township area, across the different seasons of the year.

Information collected will help inform future planning decisions in the town, such as controls on where and what types of development are possible.

It will also ensure that areas of high biodiversity values are appropriately managed and protected.

Council completed the first stage of a strategic biodiversity assessment in Harcourt earlier this year, which recommended further investigation be undertaken.

It is anticipated that stage two of the biodiversity assessment will be complete in October 2024. 

Following that, Council will prepare a report of the findings, which will be presented to Councillors for review and discussion. Council will also make the report available to any affected landowners for review and input.

The biodiversity assessment is part of Plan Harcourt, a long-term project exploring spatial land use planning, town centre design and activation, and local economic development initiatives.

For more information about Plan Harcourt, visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Building-and-Planning/Planning-for-the-future/Strategic-planning-projects/Plan-Harcourt.