Landowners urged to sign up for Healthy Landscapes course

Last updated on 16 July 2024

Regional landowners are encouraged to sign up for the upcoming Healthy Landscapes Holistic Grazing Management course, now taking applications for the next group of students.

This affordable short course is delivered through the Healthy Landscapes program which is a collaboration between the Macedon Ranges Shire Council, City of Greater Bendigo, Hepburn Shire Council, Mount Alexander Shire Council, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Upper Campaspe Landcare Network, Coliban Water and Melbourne Water.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Director Planning and Environment, Rebecca Stockfeld, said the course was a great opportunity for local farmers to be guided on how to implement sustainable land management practices on their properties using grazing animals.

“The Healthy Landscapes program has proven to be an important outlet in providing educational events and opportunities for peers to gather and support each other,” she said.

“The feedback received from participants in courses continues to be overwhelmingly positive, both towards the facilitators and the diversity and practicality of the content delivered, but feedback also continues to be considered to continually improve the courses.

“We’re proud to continue delivering this award-winning program in collaboration with others and also pleased to see it expanded, welcoming nearby Mount Alexander Shire Council as a partner council.”

The cost of the course is $150 per farming property and includes discussions and six visits to various farms, a visit to the participant’s property to develop a plan, plus online tutorials between 2 August 2024 and 16 May 2025.

The course is open to landholders across the four municipalities participating in the Healthy Landscapes program.

The Healthy Landscapes program won the Premier's Choice Regional Recognition Award at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards in 2021, and more recently received a High Commendation in the Sustainability Initiative category of the 2024 LGPro Awards for Excellence.

Applications close on Sunday 26 July 2024. For more information or to register your interest, please visit Council's Healthy Landscapes page.