[On-screen text: The vision for natural places and forested]
Speaker: From the wetlands to Macedon Ranges, the protected waterways of the west have natural headwaters and are pristine and healthy supporting abundant, unique, flora and fauna from source to sea.
In the vast expanses of the Victorian volcanic grassland plains, people appreciate the wide horizons and gently undulating vistas. This environmentally significant landscape supports a wide variety of bird and insect life that is essential to maintaining a healthy ecology. Cheetham Wetlands, other coastal wetlands and the thousands of inland wetlands are home to many indigenous and migratory birds, feeding and breeding, as well as spaces for people to walk and commune with nature.
In the forested areas, such as Wombat Forest and Macedon Ranges, visitors gather to enjoy the varied experiences offered by accessible natural areas with maintained facilities. They feel connected to nature through immersion in the smells, sights and sounds of rejuvenated bushland: a chorus of birdsong and buzzing insects, native wildlife foraging in eucalyptus forest and healthy rivers sustaining life. It signals ecosystems in balance engendered through respect for Mother Earth.
Our communities respect the areas reserved as protected environments to preserve clean water catchments and native habitats for our wildlife. We have learnt from the experiences, cultural practices and the understanding of cultural values of the Traditional Owners of our land: the Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi wurrung Peoples.
As the lungs of the west, our shared places bring health and wellbeing to our communities through the restorative power of spending time on Country.
Page last updated: 08/09/23