A biolink between the Campaspe and Maribyrnong headwaters
The Cobaw Biolink (also known as the Campaspe-Maribyrnong Headwaters Biolink) includes the upper reaches of Deep Creek and Monument Creek. The biolink contains high quality areas of remnant vegetation on both public and private land. In the heart of the biolink is Hanging Rock which has high environmental and cultural significance. The biolink provides connectivity for species between Mount Macedon and the Cobaw Ranges. Much work has already been undertaken by the local Landcare group. This includes extensive mapping and monitoring of roadsides, recruitment of 30 landholders to participate in funded enhancement projects, and the provision of information, training and assistance, plus subsidized revegetation materials to more than 50 other landholders.
The goal of this biolink project is to establish a network of native vegetation linking Macedon Regional Park with the Cobaw Forest and improve water quality in the Maribyrnong and Campaspe River catchments.
Actions include:
- Implementing on ground actions including protection of existing vegetation, revegetation to increase connectivity between remnants, control of high threat weeds, and rabbit/fox control
- Ensuring property management plans developed in the biolink area strive to enhance biodiversity
- Promoting Trust for Nature covenants and offset opportunities to landholders
- Collaborating on roadside management with Newham and District Landcare, including prioritised weed control and engagement with landholders
- Promoting Melbourne Water’s Stream Frontage and Rural Land funding programs to landholders and encourage active take-up.
Themes and Local Areas
| Primary Theme: | Native vegetation |
| Other Themes: | Native animals |
| Primary Local Area: | Macedon Ranges, Hume, Mitchell & Whittlesea |
| Other Local Areas: | – |
| Project location: | Newham, Hesket, Rochford district between Mount Macedon Regional Park and Cobaw Forest |
| Scale of the project: | Landscape |
| New or continuing work: | Continuing/building on previous work |
Project partners
| Lead organisation: | Newham and District Landcare Group |
| Key partners: | Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Upper Campaspe Landcare Network, Parks Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network, Central Victorian Biolinks Alliance, Melbourne Water, Wurundjeri, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network |
| Registered Aboriginal Party/s relevant to the project or its area: | Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation |
Investment opportunities
| Opportunities for investors within this project start from: | $$ (Tens of thousands of dollars) |
| Estimated scale of investment for full project implementation: | $$$$ (Millions of dollars) |
| Estimated timeframe for full project implementation: | 10+ years |
Contribution toward targets
| Primary Regional Catchment Strategy target and contribution to its achievement: | Major new biolinks – Significant, sustained revegetation programs have been undertaken from 2021 to 2050 and have created numerous major biolinks in priority locations across the region |
| Relevant Biodiversity 2037 goal: | Revegetation of priority areas for connectivity between habitats |
| Relevant National Landcare Program priority: | Soil, biodiversity and vegetation – Projects that will protect and enhance on-farm remnant native vegetation |
