By Callum Ludwig
A big acknowledgement of Yarra Ranges Council’s sustainability efforts came with a recent win at the LGPro Awards for Excellence, recognising the best work done by local councils across Victoria.
Council’s Ribbons of Green program was awarded Best Sustainability Initiative, beating out Darebin City Council’s Rewilding Darebin and Strathbogie Shire Council’s Greening Euroa Project.
Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures at Yarra Ranges Council Kath McClusky said they are extremely excited to receive an award from LGPro, celebrating the Ribbons of Green program.
“Ribbons of Green program offers native plants and land management support for private properties over one hectare, schools and community groups, with the goal of restoring habitats for wildlife across the Yarra Ranges,” she said.
“We aim to plant 60,000 native plants each year through this program, which helps to protect and enhance biodiversity in birds, animals and insect life. Since the program started in 2007, we have planted about 921,483 plants.”
Applications are accepted up until the end of September each, with the free plants delivered in the winter/early spring of the following year.
Ms McClusky said one of their key roles in Local Government is to protect and enhance our natural environment.
“It has flow-on benefits for waterways, agriculture, for community members and the flora and fauna that call this region home. Ribbons of Green offers community members an easy and accessible way to help us achieve this goal,” she said.
“This program has thankfully been taken up by about 700 properties since it began, covering most of the region. We’re always looking for more property owners to be part of the program,”
“I’d like to congratulate our staff who have developed this program and thank our landowners who have taken part so far.”
Anyone interested can find out more at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ribbonsofgreen.
