Ten-year Nature Plan endorsed to support Maribyrnong’s biodiversity

Published on 10 December 2025

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Striving towards positive outcomes for Maribyrnong’s flora and fauna is at the heart of the Nature Plan 2025-35, endorsed by Council last night.

Before settlement, Maribyrnong was mostly open grassland, with native flora and fauna. Overall, only one per cent of the City’s original vegetation remains, and the endorsed Nature Plan is our first strategic document for guiding land management decisions towards positive outcomes for Indigenous plants and wildlife across the City.

Looking after nature keeps the environment healthy, supports local wildlife, improves our wellbeing, and can even benefit the local economy.

Last night’s endorsement also included the first three-year Action Plan, which outlines the specific actions Council will take – many in partnership with our community and key stakeholders – to address identified challenges to conserving, managing and restoring nature within the City.

Mayor, Cr Mohamed Semra said throughout the process of creating this important plan, the community showed strong interest in protecting and restoring nature, increasing greenery, and recognising the ecological value of local spaces.

"After the community engagement in August and September this year, we made some adjustments to the Nature Plan and Action Plan, and added two new actions. The first new action is to continue the Indigenous planting program, and the second action is to investigate whether current planning controls of Newell's Paddock Wetlands Reserve are appropriate to ensure the site's biodiversity," he said.

“Thank you to the community for your interest in the development of the Plan, your insights will have a direct impact on how we undertake the preservation, protection and management of natural spaces in Maribyrnong.”

The Nature Plan and its actions are guided by four principles:

  1. Conserve, manage and restore biodiversity
  2. Increase connection and engagement with nature
  3. Collaborate with Traditional Owners, private land managers, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, VicTrack and other relevant authorities
  4. Embed the conservation and restoration of nature into Council practices and decisions

View the Nature Plan 2025-35 at maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/natureplan

 

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