Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the draft Biodiversity Strategy

Nillumbik's draft Biodiversity Strategy 2024 - 2034 will help guide the protection and enhancement of biodiversity across the Shire.

In previous consultation we sought views from the community about Nillumbik’s biodiversity, threats and ideas for how it can be protected and enhanced. Thank you to everyone who participated. The consultation findings can be read here.

The Strategy has two overarching goals, four focus areas and numerous supporting objectives.

Feedback on the draft Biodiversity Strategy closed 11.59pm Sunday 3 March.

Next steps

Council will review the feedback and also consider submissions at the Tuesday 14 May 2023 Planning and Consultation Committee meeting, where submitters will also be able to make verbal statements.

To register to speak at the Planning and Consultation Committee meeting click here.

In recent community consultations on a range of projects, we have already heard a lot of feedback about the local environment and topics that relate to biodiversity. From these projects we have heard that people in Nillumbik:

• Value the natural environment – trees, wildlife, biodiversity, open space, agricultural land.
• Support action to protect the natural environment – reduce environmental degradation and tree loss, decrease invasive species and support Indigenous species, protect biodiversity and support ESD in development.
• Prioritise Nillumbik as the Green Wedge Shire and preserve the character of the Shire.
• Supported Council declaring a Climate Emergency - climate action leadership, zero emissions energy use, climate resilient natural environment and community, zero waste and circular economy.
• Support investment in sustainable transport and renewable energy systems.

This feedback has helped to inform the development of the new draft Biodiversity Strategy.

More detail is available in the report 'What Council has heard so far'

In mid-2023 we sought views from the community about Nillumbik’s biodiversity, threats and ideas for how it can be protected and enhanced.

We received feedback from 350 people; including 180 survey respondents, of whom 98% said Nillumbik’s biodiversity is important or very important.

Detail is available in the report ‘Stage 1 Consultation Findings’