Strategic alignment – Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2021, Play Plan 2021

Bushland asset management

The protection of the Shire’s biodiversity depends on the careful management of our bushland assets. Our bushland is under pressure from land-use development, invasive species, diseases, climate change, altered bushfire regimes and other human activities. Of the 213 bushland reserves either owned or under the care and control of Council, Council actively manages approximately 80 reserves on an annual basis.

Additional funding from an SRV will enable Council to protect our bushland and undertake ongoing ecological restoration works including: primary, secondary and maintenance weeding, target weeding, post-fire weeding, weed biocontrol monitoring, exotic vine control, revegetation, removal of rubbish/dumped materials, managing vegetation along tracks/reserve boundaries, soil erosion control, installation of exclusion fencing/edging, soft natural landscaping and habitat creation.

Playground upgrades

Play is essential for a child’s healthy development and is recognised in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a universally accepted right. Contemporary play spaces are inclusive for people of all ages, capabilities and backgrounds. Council’s Play Plan 2021 sets the direction and priorities for play space development. The Plan also establishes a four-tier hierarchy of provision, including Regional, District, Local and Pocket.

To meet the demand of a growing population, changing demographics, the impacts of climate change on play and the increasing focus on technology and decreasing time spent outdoors, additional funding through an SRV will enable Council to delivery current shortfalls in play spaces in some districts across the local government area.