Native Vegetation
Native vegetation includes trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses that are local to Victoria and Australia. This includes areas of
bushland with trees, scattered paddock trees and treeless areas of scrub or grassland. In fact, some of the most rare or
threatened vegetation types do not include trees at all, such as native grasslands, many wetlands and alpine regions.
Macedon Ranges has a diverse range of vegetation communities within two bioregions. The bioregions are the Victorian
Volcanic Plains and the Central Victorian Uplands. Each of these bioregions consists of a number of Ecological Vegetation
Classes which make up the diverse forests, woodlands, wetlands and grassland communities that support rare and
threatened species, flora and fauna.
There are many places to go bushwalking and enjoy the natural bushland of Macedon Ranges. Macedon Ranges is also the
top of three Catchment areas including Port Phillip and Western Port, Goulburn Broken and North Central. It is important to
retain and protect these areas for water quality for the environment and the communities that are further downstream.
Revegetation
Revegetation can enhance a property by providing protection for livestock, vineyards or native fauna. Revegetation improves
water quality, reduces erosion and maintains soil moisture. Revegetation provides an environment for natural predators that
assist in controlling weeds, pests and reduces the need to use herbicides, pesticides or any other chemicals on a property.
This is called ecosystem services. Revegetation is a common practice for linking fragmented native vegetation patches called
biolinks. Revegetation provides shelter, nesting sites, foraging areas and pathways for fauna to link to other populations.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council can provide native vegetation species list and advice for all local areas across the shire.
There may also be opportunities to join Landcare or contact Catchment Management Authorities or water authorities for
advice or grants when considering revegetation. Our Natural Resources Officer can help you determine if you need a permit,
what to include on your application and if we need to visit your property. Contact us on (03) 5422 0333.
Permits may be required
In Victoria, native vegetation removal is regulated through the planning system. Macedon Ranges Shire Council has many
Vegetation Protection Overlays and Environmental Significance Overlays aimed at protecting the Shire’s biodiversity and
potable water catchments. In many cases a planning permit is required to remove native and non-native vegetation.
If you are proposing to remove vegetation, it is best to contact Council to discuss the permit requirements. This includes
creating a new access driveway, fence replacement on roadside boundaries or any proposed works in a road reserve. There
are some exemptions that may apply, but it is best to contact Council to avoid any unauthorized vegetation removal which can
carry fines under the Planning and Environment Act, 1999.
Where vegetation removal cannot be avoided or minimised, clearance may be permitted on the condition that the removed
vegetation is offset through enhancement to vegetation elsewhere. There is now a market based offset system to assist land
owners secure native vegetation offsets when required. Our Natural Resources Officer can help you determine if you need a
permit, what to include on your application and if we need to visit your property, contact us on (03) 5422 0333.
Sourced: 9 September 2015