A Macedon Ranges conservation project received a grant for its restoration and invasive species control work to protect endangered eucalyptus in Woodend.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced that the Threatened Species Conservancy received $48,875 towards its strategy for gorse and willow management on private land along Five Mile Creek.
Conservancy chief executive Abi Smith said the project is focused on threatened species Eucalyptus Aggregata – or Black Gum – which is federally listed as vulnerable and endangered in Victoria.
“Eucalyptus Aggregata or Black Gum which … in Victoria, is only found in this one location on Five Mile Creek,” Ms Smith said.
“We’ve been working in that location for about the last eight years … as has Woodend Landcare and Macedon Ranges Shire. This project has come about [through] … a real need to … bring everybody together and have a shared strategic direction with all of these different agencies that are working in this area.”
She said that the eucalyptus species is located in a four-kilometre radius around Woodend
The project will also involve creating and sharing educational material to landowners in the area, hosting field days with invasive species management demonstrations, developing long-term plans with landowners, mapping invasive species, and hosting other community information events.
The grant was provided to the group under a state program that provides funding to community groups for projects that manage invasive weeds and pest animals at a local level.
Oscar Parry
