Mount Alexander Shire Council supports landholders and the wider community in protecting our unique natural environment.
Below are resources and advice for sustainable land management and engagement.
Council's Environmental team
The Environmental team can offer advice on pest and weed management, revegetation, erosion control, threatened species and understanding environmental overlays. Call us on 03 5471 1700.
Healthy Landscapes Regenerative Agriculture program
Delivered in partnership with the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) and other councils, this program supports land managers in Mount Alexander Shire.
It offers:
- Free on-farm advice – Advice to improve grazing, soil health, biodiversity and waterway health. For properties over two hectares.
- Webinars, workshops, and field days – Educational opportunities for sustainable land management.
- Holistic Grazing Management short course – To enhance skills and knowledge for livestock management.
Learn more about the Healthy Landscapes Regenerative Agriculture program.
VicPlan
Visit VicPlan to to find out about what zones and overlays you have associated with your property.
Download a Planning Property Report on the VicPlan website.
Your property may have overlays beyond simply being in the General Residential Zone.
If this is the case, you can speak to one of Council’s Planners to gain an understanding of what this means for your property and how you can utilise it in the future.
Mount Alexander Planning Scheme
Understand how the scheme's environmental overlays affect your property's land use and understand your obligations towards native vegetation.
Find out more and read the scheme on our Mount Alexander Planning Scheme page.
Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation
Connecting Country
Established in 2007, Connecting Country is a not-for-profit organisiation that works to increase, enhance and restore biodiversity across the Mount Alexander Shire region of central Victoria. They are a valuable resource to local landowners.
Pest and weed guides
Identify common weeds and pests with resources from Agriculture Victoria and Pest Animals.
Local plant lists
There are a number of great resources to help identify the best plants for your planting site and to learn about the full flora diversity of your local area.
In addition to identifying what you can see growing on similar local sites (which really is the best way to get a feel for your local environment) there may well be a number of species missing from your local patch of bush and these great resources can help identify some of these and gain a greater understanding of your local vegetation:
- Plant Selector will help you select indigenous plants that will thrive in your garden and create habitat for local wildlife, by putting local plant knowledge at your fingertips for 100 species found in the shire.
- Castlemaine Flora is an incredible local resource and the result of a lifetime’s passion and knowledge. Regularly maintained and kept up to date, it’s the go to for understanding vegetation across the shire.
Workshops and events
Stay updated on environmental workshops, events and field days by connecting with Council's communications channels:
Join a group and volunteer
Connect with a local Landcare or friends groups for hands-on conservation work and learning.
Find a group or get involved, by finding a community group on our Community Directory.
Many groups welcome new volunteers for on-ground works, administration or event support.
No prior experience is usually required, just a willingness to learn and contribute.