A LANDMARK reforestation project is underway at Mount Macedon with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)to restore native forests to former pine plantation sites.

The project received $1.13 million in funding through Victoria’s BushBank program, which saw the planting of over 22,000 native tree saplings during winter across the 94-hectare site on the south-east side of Mount Macedon.

“The Mount Macedon Plantation Restoration Project is a huge win for our region and its communities,” Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, said.

“The BushBank program is restoring natural environments across Victoria and right here in Macedon, helping to stop the decline in our native plants and animals and improve our natural environment.”

Seeds from native local trees were collected from the Macedon Regional Park in July 2023 to ensure the new forest was established with local progeny.

The seeds were collected, cared for, and grown into healthy saplings by a local nursery, ready for planting.

Monitoring sites were created across the project area to observe the impacts of browsing animals. Protective fencing was installed in March 2025. Drone-based weed mapping and spraying took place in spring to prepare the ground for planting.

Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos, said the forest would provide several benefits to the community and the environment.

“The restoration of this forest will create even more green spaces for the community to enjoy,” he said.

“Not only will the renewed forest be a place for people to come and enjoy, but it will also provide more habitat for native species and contribute to climate change resilience.”

The forest will significantly increase habitat for native wildlife, improve soil health and water quality.

The $77 million BushBank program funds projects across Victoria that aid in revegetating land to reduce carbon emissions and create habitats for Victoria’s most iconic species.

For more information, visit environment.vic.gov.au/bushbank