February 15th, 2025Carbon offset project
Landholders across the region can enjoy the benefits of having native vegetation on their property, under a local carbon offset project aimed at helping councils in Central Victoria reach their net-zero emission goals.
Grow Towards Zero is a project managed by the North Central Catchment Management Authority with funding from the City of Greater Bendigo, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council, and Mount Alexander Shire Council.
The project is seeking expressions of interest from landholders across the North Central CMA region or within the areas of participating councils.
“We’re looking for landholders keen to have trees planted on their property to offset local carbon emissions and take on-ground climate change action,” North Central CMA Business Development manager Matthew Dawson said.
“Native trees and shrubs bring all kinds of benefits to a property. As well as looking great, native vegetation means increased habitat for wildlife and can help reduce soil and wind erosion. Increasing native vegetation can also play a big part in helping owners pass on a healthier property to the next generation.”
Grow Towards Zero is looking for individual sites where the combined planting area is five hectares or more, or a group of neighbouring landholders looking to create corridors of native vegetation.
“Undertaking revegetation on private property can be costly. This program addresses this by using carbon offset needs to source and plant the trees and shrubs and maintain them for two years,” Mr Dawson said.
The first round of expressions of interest for the project is open until March 31.
The project will develop a portfolio of potential sites, with intentions to stagger implementation on a selection over the coming few years.
Hepburn Shire Council Facilities and Circular Economy manager Sean Ludeke, pictured inset, said: “Grow Towards Zero demonstrates the power of local and regional collaboration on climate action, uniting landowners, council and the North Central CMA to create biodiversity habitat and build in stronger resilience to climate impacts here in the Hepburn Shire.”
Link: www.nccma.vic.gov.au/grow-towards-zero
Words: Kyle Barnes
