Macedon Ranges council is seeking feedback on its draft Biodiversity Strategy.
Council said it has made significant progress towards implementing the actions of the original strategy adopted in 2018.
So far through the policy, council has established a private land conservation officer role and the roll out of the ‘Healthy Landscapes’ regenerative agriculture program, a high-threat weed control program, and a Roadside Conservation Management Plan.
The draft policy retains the original guiding principles and vision that were developed in the adopted policy, and will bring the draft policy in line with new scientific knowledge, legislative obligations and emerging issues, according to council.
The strategy first went out for feedback in August, with about 90 submitters helping form the new draft policy, council said.
Included in the draft strategy, there is an updated threatened species list for the shire, a great focus on climate change, updating its obligations.
Cr Jennifer Anderson said it’s important for the community to have their say.
“We got a lot of feedback which is fantastic and therefore there have been some modifications and I think it is really important when you’re making changes and you’ve got that much feedback that you do go out … and make the modifications to the response that we have heard,” she said.
The community is invited to have their say on the draft strategy now before 15 February, before the draft strategy will be adopted at a future council meeting.
Details: yoursay.mrsc.vic.gov.au/biodiversity-strategy-refresh
