Biodiversity loss poses a threat to public health, social wellness, culture, science, the environment and every sector of the economy.
Prior to settlement, Maribyrnong was predominantly an open grassland, home to a diversity of vegetation, which created habitat for native wildlife such as the fat-tailed dunnart and were once ecologically rich communities of native orchids, daisies, lilies, peas and grasses.
Today much of our natural environment is endangered – some critically – including the Grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain of which there is now less than 5 per cent left.
With the Maribyrnong River defining our north-eastern boundary, enjoying biodiversity and protecting our natural environment plays a key role in daily life in our municipality.
To mitigate future habitat loss, Council has developed its first Nature Plan.