Mount Macedon’s future is looking a lot greener, with a reforestation project underway.
The large-scale forest regeneration project will contribute to a healthier environment for future generations.
The project received $1.13 million in funding through the state government’s BushBank program, and aims to restore native forests to former pine plantation sites in Mount Macedon.
About 22,500 native tree saplings were planted in winter across the 94-hectare site on the south-east side of Mount Macedon.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas visited Mount Macedon with Outdoor Recreation Parliamentary Secretary Luba Grigorovitch, and said she welcomed the project.
“The Mount Macedon Plantation Restoration Project is a huge win for our region and its communities,” she said.
“The Bushbank program is restoring natural environments across Victoria and right here in Macedon helping to stop the decline of our native plants and animals and improve our natural environment.”
Ms Grigorovith said that once established, the forest will provide more green space for the community.
“The forest will significantly increase habitat for native wildlife, improve soil health and water quality,” she said.
Seeds from native local trees were collected from the Macedon Regional Park in July 2023 to ensure the new forest is created from species with local progeny.
The seeds were carefully collected, cared for and grown into healthy saplings by a local nursery ready for planting.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos praised the project.
“The restoration of this forest will create even more green space for the community to enjoy,” he said.
“Not only will the renewed forest be a place for people to come and enjoy, but it will also provide more habitat for native species and contribute to climate change resilience.”
Monitoring sites were created across the project area to monitor the impacts of browsing
animals. Protective fencing was installed in March 2025. Drone-based weed mapping and
spraying took place in spring to prepare the ground for planting.
Once established, the forest will provide even more green spaces for the community to
enjoy. The forest will significantly increase habitat for native wildlife, improve soil health
and water quality.
The $77 million BushBank program funds projects across Victoria that assist revegetation of
land to reduce carbon emissions and create habitat for some of Victoria’s most iconic
species.
