The Andrews Labor Government has announced a number of changes to its implementation of the extended Yellingbo Conservation Area.
The new approach comes in response to community concern regarding revegetation and bushfire risk in the north east corner of the area, including the townships of Yarra Junction, Launching Place, Don Valley, Millgrove and Wesburn.
It will give greater surety to local landholders that bushfire risk and environmental values will be managed effectively.
The changes include the following conditions:
- revegetation will only occur to a maximum of 10 metres on each side of a waterway, in the streamside areas
- no revegetation will occur within the north-east corner of the conservation area until the bushfire planning process is complete
- riparian management licences will be issued on an individual basis for a maximum ten years to replace grazing licences
- prioritising on-ground works to support bushfire and pest management.
As part of the Labor Government’s $3.2 million investment in implementing the Yellingbo Conservation Area, funding is now available for immediate on-ground works, through a priority pests and weeds program.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning will seek to partner with local landholders and interest groups, such as Landcare, to deliver the new program effectively.
The Labor Government has also strengthened the membership of the Yellingbo Conservation Area Coordinating Committee by including two new members, one from the CFA and a community member nominated by Yarra Ranges Council.
For more information on the priority pests and weeds program visit
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“We’ve carefully considered the concerns of landholders and are confident that by limiting the width of revegetation we can better manage bushfire risk.”
“The immediate funding of a priority pests and weeds program means we can tackle key areas of concern while longer-term management of pest species in the area is determined through the planning process.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020