Biodiversity is the wide variety of plant and animal communities that make up the local ecosystem. These work together in an intricate way to support all living things, including our health and wellbeing.

Having a diverse mix of plants and animals ensures healthy ecosystems continue to support the health of our local species and the people within the local community. High diversity of plants and animals builds resilience in an ever-changing climate and safeguards against future threatening processes.

You can connect with biodiversity in very achievable and cost-effective ways. We are fortunate to have many intact conservation reserves, wildlife corridors and green open spaces that support a high diversity of local plant and animal communities in Banyule. These spaces are easily accessible and Banyule City Council has many programs and opportunities for the community to interact with and support our local biodiversity.

Through the update of the Biodiversity Plan, we are looking at ways to support community to interact with biodiversity in a meaningful way.

We have many strategic and operational practices in place for managing our local biodiversity. Our operational crews, such as the Bushland Management Team and Environmental Operations Team, manage biodiversity in our conservation areas, wildlife corridors and waterways. The Environment team work on strategic biodiversity programs which look at ways the organisation and our community can support local biodiversity.

Through the update of the Biodiversity Plan, we are looking at ways to strengthen our approach to biodiversity management throughout Banyule.

We are fortunate to have a community that care deeply about our natural environment. Managing and conserving biodiversity is not the responsibility of any one organisation. It requires a unified approach from the community, Council and other stakeholders.

The Community Working Group, as well as the broader community, are key stakeholders who can make sure the new Biodiversity Plan responds to gaps in Council's approach to biodiversity management. Community is also well placed to tell us what they would like to see moving forward and how they can best engage with our natural environment.

Yes, you can. Part of your role in the Community Working Group is to help shape draft actions for the new Biodiversity Plan and ask questions of the broader community through community consultation. We encourage you to participate and provide feedback at all stages of consultation, so we can capture diverse and meaningful feedback from all stakeholders on biodiversity in Banyule.