Mount Alexander Shire Council Biodiversity Strategy development – Connecting Country joint submission
Posted on 14 July, 2026 by Lori
In May 2025, a number of local conservation organisations collaborated in advocating to Mount Alexander Shire Council for the development of a dedicated Shire wide Biodiversity Strategy to acknowledge the significance of our natural environment and identify goals and methodologies to protect and enhance our flora and fauna. Mount Alexander Shire Council agreed and included funding in its 2025-26 budget for strategy development. Bendigo based consultants RMCG were engaged by Council earlier this year to help deliver on this commitment and initiated some early stage community consultation activities in May/June 2026. Following participation in these activities, representatives from Connecting Country were concerned about potential limitations in the project scope, concerns that were shared with fellow local organisations, Friends of Box Ironbark Forests and the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club. The three organisations joined together to prepare a submission to Council raising some concerns about the process to date.
We made this submission now because we are concerned about the potentially limited scope of the strategy, as it was explained by representatives of RMCG. The framing communicated to participants at the consultation sessions was that the strategy would use a framework of “control, influence, advocate”, modelled on the Yarra Ranges Shire Council’s Nature Plan. Within this framework, we took the understanding that the MASC strategy would focus primarily on land controlled directly by Council. Set out below are the key points we believe need to be incorporated in a Biodiversity Strategy for Mount Alexander. It is essential to address these points now while the strategy is in development so the draft version released for public consultation in September/October is credible, ambitious and aligned with community expectations.
Key points for consideration
Set a bold and inspiring vision – Frame biodiversity conservation as fundamental to the health, identity and future resilience of Mount Alexander Shire, rather than simply an environmental issue.
Tell the story of the Shire’s biodiversity – Explain what we have and what is unique; describe how and why it has declined since the arrival of Europeans; Explain current and emerging threat.
Clearly communicate the consequences of inaction – Explain what continued biodiversity decline means for species, ecosystems, climate resilience and community wellbeing.
Organise the strategy around a small number of memorable themes – A simple framework such as Protect, Enhance, Connect, Advocate and Engage provides clarity and focus.
Embed biodiversity across all council functions – Ensure biodiversity is considered in planning, engineering, roadsides, parks, climate action, asset management and infrastructure decisions. Avoid the creation of silos. Let the strategy guide action.
Prioritise protection of existing habitat – Preventing the loss of remnant vegetation, mature trees and ecological processes should be the highest priority.
Identify and map strategic habitat corridors – Use landscape-scale connectivity planning to guide investment and restoration efforts over coming decades.
Commit to long-term monitoring and reporting – Include measurable indicators and regular evaluation to track progress and adapt management.
Place Traditional Owner partnerships at the centre – Support genuine shared stewardship, cultural knowledge and caring for Country outcomes.
Build community stewardship and ecological literacy – Invest in education, participation and citizen science so conservation becomes a shared responsibility.
Include institutional and policy reform – Commit to stronger planning controls, dedicated biodiversity expertise, improved governance and secure long-term resourcing.
Critical observations
The strategy must extend beyond land that is directly managed by council. For example, council can influence:
a. the management of other land e.g. weed and pest animal control
b. retention of native vegetation
c. what areas are available for development or retention of native vegetation
d. control of domestic animals
e. encroachment into waterways, wetlands etc.
f. responsible use of natural areas
2. There needs to be strong governance around delivery of the strategy. We suggest:
a. Formation of a Community Advisory Panel to guide implementation of the strategy and hold Council accountable for its delivery
b. There should be measurable goals/targets with milestones at 3, 5 and 10 year timeframes.
c. The strategy should be reviewed at 3-year intervals, measured against the milestones and milestones updated at each review. It must be a living strategy.
We have received notification that these concerns have been acknowledged by Council and RCMG and that they will be considered in the development of a strategy draft for future community consultation. We will share future opportunities for community engagement with the strategy development when they are provided by Council but encourage interested community members to follow the dedicated project page on the Shape Mount Alexander website for more information.
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