Environment
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Platypus project begins!
About 130 people gathered on the banks of the Campaspe River in Kyneton on Friday for the launch of the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network’s Platypus Project. With the sound of poddlebonk frogs calling from the river, they learnt from senior wildlife ecologist and platypus expert Josh Griffiths of EnviroDNA how they could be part of…
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Mine bid withdrawn
People power has halted controversial plans for a mining exploration licence in Macedon Ranges’ east. Comedian Tom Gleeson made clear the plans were no laughing matter in leading a petition to stop Perth-based mining company Macedon Resources from beginning rock chip sampling, mapping and low-impact drilling. The initial proposal was for a 234km2 exploration area…
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Taking care of the Coliban River
The long-term protection of one of the region’s most important waterways is at the centre of an innovative 20-year plan bringing together government agencies, councils and local communities. A Healthy Coliban Catchment focuses on the health of the Coliban River and its tributaries upstream of Malmsbury Reservoir. For the first time, Coliban Water, the North…
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CFA exercise in the Cobaws
In recent years, there have been several major fires in the Cobaw Ranges resulting in some serious losses, especially to land and property. On Sunday October 21, the CFA will be conducting their first large exercise for the fire season when they undertake a test of the revised Cobaws Pre-Plan for the initial brigades to…
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Abuzz for new microscope
Honeybees will be put under the microscope to give diseases like nosema and American foulbrood the buzz-off in the Macedon Ranges. Woodend Bee-Friendly Society has acquired a new compound microscope that will be key in early disease detection to minimise impacts to local hives and agricultural ventures. WBFS bio-security officer Paul Green said nosema had…
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The buzz on honey
Buying honey from local beekeepers and reading the label are both good ways to ensure you’ll get pure honey, local beekeeper Peter McDonald says ahead of this Sunday’s beekeeping field day at Harcourt. The adulteration of honey has made national news headlines in recent days following a study by Macquarie University researchers that found a…
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Don’t panic, call a beekeeper!
Spring is a busy time for beekeepers as this is the time of year when honeybees swarm. Castlemaine beekeeper Daniel BeeShepherd from the Castlemaine Bee Sanctuary recommends that if people see a swarm of bees that they stay calm and contact a beekeeper. “Seeing so many bees in once place can be very intimidating but…
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Balloons no party for wildlife
Balloons may be an international symbol for celebration but that is the last thing on the minds of livestock owners when the litter lands in grazing paddocks. Drummond North’s Nina Dougall is calling for more responsible use after having to wrestle to save cattle that chewed up balloon litter. She said she knew of others…
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Platypus plans
What uses electroreception to find its prey, is venomous, and is a semi aquatic mammal that lays eggs? One of Australia’s iconic species, the platypus. The word ‘platypus’ comes from the Greek for ‘flat-footed’ as they walk on their knuckles when travelling on land to protect their webbed feet. If you’d like to learn more…
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New kid on the kerbside
Recycling education will be a significant feature as Veolia Environmental begins its new contract providing kerbside recycling and waste collection services in Mount Alexander Shire. Executives with the multinational waste services provider made themselves known in person at last Thursday’s public event hosted by the council in Castlemaine to mark the beginning of the new…
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Protection promise that rocks
A re-elected Labor state government plans to purchase Hanging Rock’s East Paddock. Long championed by the community, the move is expected to give greater protection to the precinct, and its views, which was threatened by a development proposal five years ago. Planning Minister Richard Wynne last week pledged $3 million to purchase the land and…
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Higher status for forests
Greater conservation protection for the Cobaw and Wombat State Forests has been proposed following the completion of an investigation into significant areas of native forest in Victoria by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council. Requested by the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change in March 2017, the purpose of the investigation was to identify and…