Project

Restoring landscape function in the Central Goldfields

In partnership with Biolinks Alliance

Over the last several hundred years, the forests of Central Victoria have been extensively cleared and particularly impacted by activities associated with the Gold Rush. The lasting effects of these impacts are still clearly visible in Central Victoria, making Trust for Nature Covenantors in this region important protectors of rare patches of remnant forest. 

As part of a partnership project, Biolinks Alliance is seeking expressions of interest from landholders with conservation covenants across the Central Victorian Goldfields, to be part of a project aimed at improving ecological function in forests and woodlands of the Central Goldfields bioregion.  

Biolinks Alliance is delivering this project in collaboration with Trust for Nature, Buloke Northern Grampians Landcare Network, Bush Heritage Australia, City of Greater Bendigo, Connecting Country, Tailored Restoration Ecology and Conservation (TREC) land services and Waranga Catchment Landcare Collective, with funding generously provided by the Ian Potter Foundation. 

Biolinks Alliance is a Central Victorian not-for-profit organisation that works with landholders, environmental groups and community networks to support the habitat restoration and reconnection across public and private land. Together with project partners, Biolinks Alliance has secured funding for this project to carry out ecological restoration works on covenanted properties containing significant habitat in the Central Goldfields region. This will use science-based ecological restoration techniques specific to the region and landscape, studied at a pilot demonstration site over several years and shown to improve landscape function. 

Each landholder will receive tailored advice from Biolinks Alliance and contracted partners.   

Recommended improvements undertaken or funded by you will be matched on a 1:1 basis through project funding, doubling your investment into scientifically backed habitat restoration. This is a great opportunity to enhance the ecological value of your land, learn more about your property’s specific ecology and create improved habitat to secure a better future for our native wildlife. 
Please note expressions of interest have now closed for this project.

The Central Victorian Goldfields is home to some of the state’s most degraded landscapes due to ongoing effects of mining activity in the region from the Gold Rush era. The native forests in this region cannot be left to recover on their own; they require active intervention to help restore them, re-establishing the natural ecosystem services and creating viable habitat for vulnerable species. 

Work undertaken on your land will depend on its specific ecology and needs, but some of the common practices that are likely to be implemented are ecological thinning (thinning large swathes of same-aged trees to allow a mature canopy to grow), ponding (creating areas for water to build up and sink into the soil), contour ripping (digging small trenches to improve water absorption), targeted replanting, installing nest boxes or artificial hollows, and fencing to protect vulnerable flora. Also included will be baseline and ongoing monitoring of key ecological indicators so we can scientifically assess progress and improvement following the interventions. 

On-ground works are set to commence in 2026 and continue through to 2028. The team will work with you to establish a suitable time to conduct these improvements on your property. 

To take part in this project you will need to be committed to improving the ecological value of your covenanted land and able to contribute either financially or via in-kind activities (e.g. carrying out certain prescribed activities yourself and at your own cost). You may also be required to participate in educational events hosted on your property, to inform other landholders and the local community. The Biolinks team will be happy to talk you through the requirements and any concerns you may have. 

You will need to fill out the short form above to register your interest, and then coordinate with the Biolinks team and on-ground partners from time to time to discuss your property and make arrangements for work to be conducted.  

You will need to make your property accessible to people and machinery to carry out the improvement works. Dates and times for this to occur will be agreed with you in advance.  

By being part of this project, you’ll be making a truly valuable contribution to the preservation and repair of important habitat. Over time, you may see an improvement in the natural and aesthetic value of your land and even perhaps create a refuge for vulnerable species.  

You will receive a tailored property assessment conducted by experts and learn more about your property, the habitat types present on your land, significant vegetation, the types of species present and the key ecological repair methods relevant to your property and surrounds.  

This project also presents a great opportunity to be an advocate for conservation and to help spread knowledge and awareness of your local landscape and what it needs to thrive again. 

As some of the common techniques likely to be implemented on your property include thinning overcrowded trees, this could have potential implications for your carbon management plan. However, this won’t necessarily preclude you from taking part. If you are interested, we encourage you to register your interest and make sure you tick the relevant question in the form. The team will be in touch to discuss your eligibility.