Caring for your land

Waterways are vital for the health of the environment and community. They provide water for agriculture, recreation and wildlife. You can improve the waterways on your property by: 

• Fencing off waterways from livestock and vehicles to prevent erosion, pollution, and damage to banks and vegetation 

• Planting native trees and shrubs along waterways to provide shade, habitat, and stability 

• Managing run-off from roofs, roads, paddocks, or drains to reduce sediment, nutrients, chemicals, and litter from entering waterways 

• Installing erosion control structures such as rocks, logs/coir logs to slow down water flow and trap sediments 

• Restoring natural features such as pools, riffles, bends, or wetlands to enhance habitat diversity and water quality  

Moorabool Shire is home to a rich diversity of native animals. You can help them thrive on your property by: 

• Providing water sources such as bird baths, ponds or dams 

• Creating shelter or nesting sites such as hollow logs, rocks, or nesting boxes 

• Avoiding the use of herbicides and pesticides that can harm wildlife  

• Keeping your pets indoors or on a leash when near wildlife 

Pest animals are animals that are classified as pests under the Catchment and Land Protection Act (CaLP Act). They can cause damage to crops, livestock, pets, native vegetation, and wildlife, whilst also spreading disease and posing a threat to human safety. You can control pest animals on your property by: 

• Identifying the pest animals on your property and learning about their behaviour, habitat, diets, and impacts 

• Using an integrated approach that combines exclusion, trapping, shooting, baiting, and biological control methods 

• Following the legal and ethical requirements for pest animal control such as obtaining permits, using approved methods, and disposing of carcasses properly  

• Working with your neighbours, Landcare groups, Council, and other local authorities to coordinate pest animal control efforts across the landscape 

The native vegetation of Moorabool Shire is valuable. It provides habitat, prevents soil erosion, filters water, and stores carbon. You can protect the existing native plants on your property by: 

• Fencing off areas of native vegetation from livestock and vehicles 

• Removing any invasive plants that can outcompete or damage native vegetation 

• Spreading mulch around native plants to retain moisture and supress weeds 

• Seeking advice from a local nursery or Landcare group on how to care your native plants

Revegetation is the process of re-stablishing vegetation on your property, which can improve the appearance, productivity, and biodiversity of your land. You can revegetate your property by: 

• Planting seedlings of native trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses that are suited to your soil type, climate, and landscape 

• Directly sowing seeds of native species 

• Using techniques to assist in natural regeneration such as fencing off areas from grazing, removing weeds, or applying smoke or heat treatment to stimulate germination 

• Planning and preparing the site before planting/seeding 

• Continuously watering, weeding, mulching and protecting the plants until they are established  

• See our Revegetation page for more info

• Installing solar panels or a solar water heater  

• Using energy efficient appliances and lighting  

• Insulating your walls, ceilings and floors 

• Planting native trees and shrubs to provide habitat for wildlife 

• Composting your organic waste and using it as fertiliser  

• Collecting rainwater and using it for irrigation 

• Identifying the weeds on your property and learning about their life cycle, dispersal methods, and impacts 

• Preventing weed introduction or spread by cleaning equipment, vehicles, clothing and footwear before entering or leaving your property 

• Using an integrated approach that combines physical, chemical, biological, and cultural methods of weed control  

• Targeting weeds when they are young, vulnerable or flowering before they set seed 

• Seeking advice from Council’s Natural Resource Management Officer, your local Landcare group, or Agriculture Victoria on how to control specific weeds 

• See our Weeds of Moorabool Shire page for more info

• Maintaining a mosaic of varying grass heights, densities and species 

• Reducing grazing pressure and allowing grasses to flower and set seed 

• Conducting controlled burns or slashing at appropriate times and frequencies to reduce fuel load and promote regeneration 

• Sowing or planting locally sourced native grasses and wildflowers 

• Taking part in citizen science projects by monitoring and recording the presence and abundance of species in your area 

• Signing up to Gardens for Wildlife, a community and volunteer run initiative to promote and enhance biodiversity on your property