More than 400 hectares of remnant vegetation to the east and south east of Bendigo is now protected thanks to landholder support for the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) Campaspe Woodlands project.

Mr Daniel Arnold, North Central CMA project officer, has managed the project for the last two years with impressive results.  “Works delivered by the project have resulted in vulnerable native vegetation being protected through fencing, pest plant and animal control and revegetation.”

“More importantly, 33 landholders have signed environmental works agreements to ensure that the maintenance of works and subsequent protection of vegetation continues for five to ten years beyond the project’s life.   This great result is the culmination of over two years work.

”Another satisfying outcome of the project has been working with local Traditional Owner groups and Aboriginal Co-operatives to deliver a range of activities.  These activities provided opportunities for local Indigenous people to share their knowledge and for all involved to gain a better understanding about traditional ecological history. 

“The project has also created guidelines for grazing grassy woodlands. The guidelines provide landholders with information to assist them to make informed decisions when grazing in and around grassy woodlands.  These areas support some of our most vulnerable ecological communities,” said Mr Arnold.   

To celebrate the achievements of the project the North Central CMA hosted an informal evening on Friday 31 May bringing together stakeholders and all those who have participated in the project.  

Mr Arnold and the North Central CMA would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all those who participated in the project.  “Your involvement and personal commitment to the protection and enhancement of some of the region’s most vulnerable ecological communities has, in many cases, exceeded our expectations.”

“The two-year Caring for our Country and Natural Resources Investment Program funded project finishes on 30 June.  The May celebratory event highlighted the wider protection and enhancement of threatened grassy woodland ecological communities in the area which may not have happened without this project,” concluded Mr Arnold.

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551

t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au