Natural environment and biodiversity

Common Fringe Lily - Twin Bridges small.jpg

The Council Plan 2025–2029 commits to 'Preserve the unique character of our towns and communities, plan for future growth and protect our productive rural landscape.'

Strategies to accomplish this include; 'Protect and enhance productive agricultural land, significant landscapes, biodiversity, natural environment, cultural landscapes, waterways, mineral water and Mineral Springs.'

Supporting actions to achieve this are: 

  • Implement the Natural environment and biodiversity action plan within Sustainable Hepburn 2022-2026
  • Implement actions to increase Council’s control and management of noxious weeds on reserves and roadsides under Council management. 

See below some of the work that Council is leading in this area. For more information visit our Healthy Landscapes pages.

Indigenous plant guide

Indigenous plants are not only native to Australia, but they are plants that occur naturally in your local area. These plants are an important source of food and shelter for local fauna. They have co-evolved with the local environment so they can survive local rainfall patterns and soils.

Using indigenous plants also:

  • Helps preserve the local plant populations

  • Can save water and money

  • Enhance wildlife corridors and provide links between fragmented bushland areas

  • Contribute to the distinctive local character of the Hepburn Shire

And they look great too!

Read a list of species suitable for gardens: Indigenous plant guide(PDF, 961KB) Indigenous plant guide(DOCX, 578KB)

Managing gorse and rabbits - the Virtual Extension Officer

The Virtual Extension officer tool has been developed to help people identify options for controlling gorse, rabbits and Serrated Tussock.

Gorse and rabbits are among the most important agricultural and environmental pests in the Shire. Serrated Tussock is an emerging weed in the Shire.

The Virtual Extension Officer website includes videos, downloads and links. 

Threatened species in Hepburn Shire

Over 130 plants and animals in Hepburn Shire are classified as threatened in Australia or Victoria.

View the list(PDF, 251KB)

Great Aussie Birdwatch Results

The Birdlife Australia Aussie Bird count is held in October each year.

The following are the final reports compiled by Birdlife Australia for Hepburn Shire for 2020, 2021 and 2022. These document high levels of participation and important ecological data resulting from this annual week-long citizen science event. 

 What are the most commonly recorded birds in Hepburn Shire? What are the rarest? Where are our Shire's most active birdwatchers? Read these to find out!

2022 Aussie Bird Count - Shire of Hepburn(PDF, 37MB)

2021 Aussie Bird Count - Shire of Hepburn(PDF, 6MB)

2020 Aussie Bird Count - Shire of Hepburn(PDF, 29MB)

Native Screening shrubs & trees

Read the Native Screening shrubs & trees(PDF, 23MB).

This booklet encourages the re-establishment of native vegetation which enhances ecological health and was funded by a Hepburn Shire Council biodiversity grant.
Back to top