Warrnambool | A City for Living

Goal: 13
Environment

NATURAL WARRNAMBOOL - enjoy, love, respect and care for the natural environment

Warrnambool will restore, maintain and enhance its natural environment, drawing on the best scientific and Traditional Owner knowledge. We will build our knowledge, skills and involvement in protecting biodiversity, waterways and the coast for the benefit of current and future generations of people, flora and fauna. We will reduce the impacts of pest plants and animals and decrease damaging land uses and practices.

2040 Outcome

  • Over 330,000 trees planted
  • 90% of Warrnambool’s biodiversity corridors planted
  • Increased flora & fauna biodiversity
  • No new pest or weed species introduced
  • No indigenous flora or fauna species have become extinct
  • Traditional Owner Partnership in management of key cultural sites.

The changes we want by 2026

  • 120,000 trees planted
  • 30% of Warrnambool’s biodiversity corridors commenced
  • Mapping of ecological communities and baseline data complied
  • 5 biodiversity hot spots are identified for long term monitoring
  • Warrnambool’s biodiversity values and natural environment is embedded within and protected by the Planning Scheme and Local Policy
  • No Weeds of National Significance (WONS) within the municipality.
  • Strategic and coordinated approach to pest plant and animal control within the municipality
  • No new weed or pest animal species introduced
  • Implementation of Cultural Landscapes and Heritage Strategy

Short Term Initiatives

  • Develop and support Warrnambool’s Biodiversity Plan including the collation of baseline data, establish monitoring programs and management plans for biodiversity hot spots.
  • Develop and promote educational tools to support community awareness and knowledge of Warrnambool’s biodiversity.
  • Develop Pest Plant & Animal Management Framework. And Undertake pest plant and animal eradication programs
  • With Traditional Owners develop a Warrnambool Cultural Landscapes and Heritage Strategy which integrates and reflects Traditional Owner knowledge and land management practices