The Community is the shire's greatest asset in protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
An important part of the Mitchell Shire land management scheme is the dissemination of informatio to landholders. The option to request further information was an initiative of the Mitchell Shire Environment Committee and has been part of the rebate scheme since 2004.
There are several environmental community groups in Mitchell Shire committed to protecting and enhancing environmental resources:
Landcare
- A community-based program involving groups of local landholders, collectively working towards improving land management in their catchments
- Currently, 12 dedicated Landcare Groups are organised in Mitchell Shire
- Many local landcare Groups have been successful in attracting funds for activities such as gorse control, revegetation and rabbit control
- Groups have equipment for hire such as spray units, direct seeding machines and seed collection tools
- Mitchell Shire Council is a formal representative on the South West Goulburn Landcare Steering Committee
- Councils representation is an important avenue for networking, information exchange and identifying regional partnership projects
For further information, view the Landcare in Mitchell link below.
Environmental Groups
Other community groups committed to protecting and enhancing the environmental values of a particular area:
- Friends of Mount Piper
- Wallan Environment Group
- BEAM-Mitchell Environment Group (incorporating the Friends of Monument Hill, Kilmore)
- Broadford Land Management Group
- Bushland Park Committee of Management
- Transition Towns Initiative - Mitchell
Mitchell Shire Environment Advisory Committee
The Mitchell Shire Environment Committee provides advice and makes formal recommendations to Council in matters concerning the management of the natural environment.
The Committee consists of representatives from government authorities and community groups and independent representatives. These positions are advertised every three years.
National Tree Day
Mitchell Shire Council has supported National Tree Day Activities in the shire since 2001 by providing native plants, guards and stakes to the community and schools for planting on public land. The results of these planting days can be seen within the townships of the Mitchell Shire. National Tree Day is held each year during late July/early August.
Clean Up Australia Day
Mitchell Shire Council has supported Clean Up Australia Day for many years providing support to registered groups, including extra bags, rubbish pick up, the loan of safety vests and some light refreshments. Local businesses and schools are also encouraged to get involved. Clean Up Australia Day is held annually in early March.
Workshops and Field Days
The Environmental programs Unit runs several workshops and field days each year, including through the highly popular Sustainable Communities Program. Other field days are dependent on funding and are often run in partnership with landcare. Examples include the ‘courses of horses' workshops and bus and Grass identification field day.