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We are working to protect and restore our region’s unique ecosystems. Healthy native vegetation and biodiversity are vital for clean air and water, wildlife habitat and community wellbeing.
Native vegetation management – supporting landholders and ensuring compliance.
Street tree projects – creating greener, more liveable towns.
Weed control and revegetation – tackling invasive species and restoring habitats.
Integrated water management – improving waterway health and resilience.
Through YourSay, we invite the community to contribute ideas and stay informed about projects that enhance East Gippsland’s natural environment.
Explore this section for guidelines, project updates, and ways to get involved.
Council uses the Your Say East Gippsland platform to actively engage with the community on native vegetation and biodiversity initiatives, helping community to understand and contribute to a healthier local environment. By using YourSay, Council ensures transparent communication, encourages community input, and provides ongoing updates to support long-term environmental stewardship across the region.
Visit YourSay East Gippsland to learn more and follow current projects.
Native vegetation exists across East Gippsland in both rural and urban areas. It provides a number of ecological benefits including habitat for fauna and their movement across the landscape, natural erosion control and shading effects in urbanised areas.
Removal of native vegetation species (including lopping, trimming or pruning) typically requires planning permit approval under the East Gippsland Planning Scheme, unless an exemption applies. Unauthorised clearance of native vegetation is illegal under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. Further information is available within the East Gippsland Planning Scheme as to what Council considers as part of planning permit application.
The scheme also provides for vegetation protection in some areas, and there may also be agreements or covenants on land titles relating to vegetation protection. Before removing or trimming native vegetation, you should contact Council’s Planning Department on 5153 9500 to determine exactly what controls apply to your land before starting vegetation removal.
The urban streetscape is an important part of any town. Council’s long-term vision and strategy is to increase the tree canopy in a way that reflects the different characteristics of each town and region. Capital budget has been allocated each year to implement these works on selected streets.
A healthy urban streetscape has shown to be critical in maintaining the health and liveability of our townships. Through:
Council has selected a range of trees that have been shown to perform well in streetscapes and are suitable for the conditions and surrounding infrastructure. When determining the species selection, the following factors were taken into account:
The cost of weeds to agriculture in Australia is estimated to be $4 billion annually (in lost production and control costs).
Weeds cause serious problems to the economy, environment, human and animal health, biodiversity, eco-tourism, water quality, recreation, amenity and landscape. They are also a fire hazard.
It is estimated that 65% of weeds introduced to the Australian landscape are “escapees” from urban parks and gardens.
Six of Australia’s worst invasive weeds have degraded over 20 million hectares of grazing and natural lands.
Victorian Weed Management
The Catchment and Land Protection (CaLP) Act 1994 specifies four categories of noxious weeds in Victoria:
It is illegal to buy, sell, possess for sale, display, plant, propagate, deposit onto land, bring into or transport around Victoria a noxious weed, its seeds, or any part of the plant capable of growing.
The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) is responsible for the control and eradication of all state prohibited weeds.
Roadside weeds and pest animals are an ongoing issue. Responsibility for the management of roadside weeds and pests will be VicRoads, council or private road ownership as defined in the CaLP Act 1994 and its amendments.
Council has developed a Control Plan in line with the amendments which allow a decision framework where Council can continue the control of high category weed species and support extended public and private land control for other listed weed and pest animal species.
Check out our easy-to-read two-page guide to Rural Roadside Vegetation Management.
Water plays a vital role in our urban landscapes, from the water we drink, to the rivers and wetlands flowing through our towns, and how we capture and manage stormwater in our neighbourhoods. This system is known as the urban water cycle.
To manage it more effectively, Council has adopted an approach called Integrated Water Management (IWM). IWM considers the whole water system and focuses on managing it in a more connected, sustainable way.
By understanding how all parts of the water cycle interact, IWM helps identify smarter solutions that deliver multiple benefits, healthier communities, a thriving environment, and long-term economic value.
Our work is guided by the East Gippsland Strategic Directions Statement and the Bairnsdale Integrated Water Management Plan, which set out a clear vision and priorities for water management in the region. These plans identify local opportunities to improve water use, liveability, and environmental outcomes, supporting the long-term sustainability of Bairnsdale and surrounding areas.
Building on this direction, a Lakes Entrance Integrated Water Management Plan is now in development. It will address the town’s unique water challenges and support more coordinated, sustainable management of stormwater, wastewater, and waterway health, aligning with regional strategies to build a more water-resilient East Gippsland.
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is a way of planning and building our towns that works with the water cycle, not against it. For Council, this means using smart design to manage rainwater where it falls, through things like raingardens, wetlands, swales, and surfaces that let water soak into the ground. These features help keep our waterways clean, reduce flooding, healthy habitat for native birds and wildlife, and make our neighbourhoods greener and more pleasant to live in. WSUD is a practical way Council can build healthier, more sustainable places for our community.
The aim is to reduce high volume nutrient and sediment loads reaching creeks and rivers. Even small things can make a difference; planting trees, treating storm water and bank stabilisation on farms. Importantly, we can encourage and enable community access so residents and visitors can appreciate and look after a waterway they love.
East Gippsland Shire Council has developed Urban Waterway Guidelines to provide guidance for developers to use to help protect East Gippsland's waterways.
The guidelines suggest ways to include WSUD in new developments and subdivisions. The issues associated with urban waterway erosion across East Gippsland are particularly severe in terms of the Gippsland Lakes with their high ecological value. The guidelines refer to strategies to assist in areas such as vegetation, channel stability, water quality, hydrology and habitat.
Populations of Grey Headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) are known within East Gippsland Shire. A strategic action plan has been developed to assist in the management of their roost site in Bairnsdale.
A report has been prepared by East Gippsland Shire Council in relation to satisfying Condition 9 of Permit 2009/5017 under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 received from the Department of Environment in relation to the approved Grey-headed Flying-fox Strategic Management and Action Plan.
EPBC compliance reports for Poplar tree removal (Grey Headed Flying Fox summer camp):
Council has developed a Sustainable Gardening in Gippsland booklet, which contains information on how to encourage local biodiversity in your garden. If you are unable to download this booklet contact us for a printed copy.
Options for sustainable gardening include native plant selection (to increase local biodiversity), mulching (to reduce water use and spread of weeds), composting food scraps (to give your plants food and reduce your garbage), growing fruit and vegetables (to reduce 'food miles' and carbon emissions from transporting food) and installing a rainwater tank. Or join your local Landcare or 'Friends of' group.
It’s as easy as Zoom, Select, Connect. Go to the environmental volunteering interactive map to see what environmental volunteering groups are in your area.