The adopted purposes of the Malmsbury District Landcare Group Incorporated are
1) Community Participation in Landcare
We exist to build strong community participation in Landcare activities throughout our district. We are an inclusive and welcoming organisation that provides a range of opportunities for different demographics and interests to work and learn together and share knowledge to improve our natural environment.
2) Improved Environmental Outcomes
Our work will support the improvement of environmental outcomes across
Private and public land holdings including road reserves,
Waterways and riparian zones,
Productive agricultural and bushland areas and
Public recreational land and reserves.
3) Effective Partnerships
We engage with other organisations and work for mutual benefit to achieve our aims. These include government and statutory bodies, public and private landholders, community and educational organisations, private businesses and contractors, indigenous and cultural organisations and other Landcare and environmental groups.
Background
The Malmsbury District Landcare Group is centred on the town of Malmsbury, 10 km north-west of Kyneton on the Calder Highway. The area covered by the Group is astride the Coliban River, south to the localities of Denver, Drummond and Lauriston and north towards Taradale and Metcalfe. The Landcare Group covers land in the Hepburn, Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander Shires.
The Malmsbury District Landcare Group has been active since 1996. The central focus of group work to date has been in the control of gorse in target areas with the assistance of the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA). The group also owns and hires to members two spray units for weed control. The group has also supported landholders in rabbit control through the purchase and loaning of items like rabbit fumigators. Field days and excursions to see projects or items of educational or environmental interest have been popular.
A number of trees have been planted in the group area, including significant plantings in the vicinity of Malmsbury - Metcalfe Road. There has been some revegetation work in conjunction with weed projects, plantings for greenhouse gass reduction in the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shires, and the supply of native plants to the Drummond School.
In 2009/10 the group sought to grow and plant 4000 indigenous trees and shrubs. Local seed was collected by the members and grown by Tree Project. These plants are currently being planted on members properties and plans are underway to plant a further 4000 each year.
The North Central CMA has undertaken a waterways project on the Coliban River with input and assistance from the Group. This has involved survey work for vegetation, fish species, weeds and mammals, plus a program of weed removal.
The group rurns an active meeting schedule of speakers and events to encourage and educate the community, plus distributing a bi-monthly newsletter to 52 members, adjoining groups and agencies with an interest in the area.