Gathered near the base of a foggy Hanging Rock on a wintry Monday morning, a group of Macedon Ranges locals stood in their gloves and beanies ready to dig some native plants into the soil.
Guided by Macedon Ranges council conservation workers, the community planting attendees kicked off platypus month by getting involved in improving the region’s local habitat – it is hoped platypus will return to the area one day.
In attendance was Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson who said everything council did, it did best with the community.
“We do have a fantastic strategy to improve the environment in our gorgeous Macedon Ranges, and the staff work really, really hard,” Cr Anderson said.
“But we can’t do it all alone, the efforts of the community helps… with their assistance it makes it so much easier.
“You may think that you’re effort is only small, maybe you can only turn up to a working bee once every couple of months, but every single time you turn up you’re making a difference.”
Community member Eleni Smith said she went along to the tree planting day because it was a great initiative to help with biodiversity.
“It’s a super special place here, it’s so good that they’re doing stuff and hopefully it extends to other special places in the Macedon Ranges,” she said.
Elsie Lange
