Environmental degradation of land and water and loss of native vegetation are common issues in rural landscapes. Natural areas, such as National and State Parks and City managed reserves, support a wealth of biodiversity and ecological processes across Greater Bendigo. However, alongside this rural land also offers many opportunities to improve and connect the natural environment and to enhance the municipality’s biodiversity and valued landscapes.

A number of issues have been identified, including:

• Remnant native vegetation and regrowth of mixed quality hindering agricultural productivity and the ability of the land to be developed from a regulatory perspective.
• Topsoil is lacking across the local government area due to continual planting of shallow rooted plants such as annual grasses, overgrazing, and historical mining activity.
• Large, established native trees exist throughout the local government area and are not currently protected with adequate planning controls or local laws due to a myriad of exemptions that exist under Clause 52.17.
• Industrial agricultural practices are being questioned in terms of their environmental impacts in harming biodiversity and preventing the re-establishment of thriving ecosystems.
• Construction or enlargement of a small dam (under 3 ML) within the Lake Eppalock catchment for farm water supply purposes is subject to the provisions of the Planning Scheme, more specifically to Schedule 3 of Clause 42.01 (Environmental Significance Overlay).
• Heavily vegetated Farming Zone land which is consequently underutilised and it being unclear whether this should remain designated by policy for agricultural land-use, or otherwise potentially be rezoned to a Rural Conservation Zone to better reflect positive environmental and biodiversity outcomes.
• The northern areas of the municipality are predominantly used for broadacre cropping which can be associated with a significant reduction in biodiversity values.

A number of opportunities have been identified, including:

• Large, significant native trees are located throughout the local government area which could be identified and registered to be protected by existing landowners.
• Information about alternate farming methods including the practice of regenerative agriculture which improves overall cropping yield, soil health, allows for alternative grazing rotations, and reduces cost of production could be actively shared to encourage improves agricultural productivity for farmers and the land quality.
• Traditional Owners managed water sources by protecting wetlands, creeks, and rivers, and created and maintained water channels and soaks, ensuring the availability of water during dry periods. This practice supported both the ecosystem and their agricultural activities, where local networks could collaborate with Traditional Owners to improve their land management practices.
• Areas of high strategic biodiversity exist across Greater Bendigo. These identified areas could be reinforced and maintained through encouraging regenerative agriculture and directing intensive agricultural use and rural development away from these locations.
• Collaborate with Traditional Owners to improve land management practices, particularly regarding soil and water management.

A number of potential strategies have been identified, including:

• Encourage regenerative agricultural practices through the Healthy Landscapes project and case studies of successes in regenerative farming.
• Designate high biodiversity areas, water sensitive areas, ecologically and environmentally sensitive areas, wetlands and floodplains to be protected from intensive agriculture and rural development.
• Share best practice regenerative practices through field days and workshops to ensure farmers have access to high quality information.
• Investigate local laws and additional planning controls to protect significant vegetation throughout Greater Bendigo.