Volume 39 - Summer 2024

Farm rate - new changes

The City of Whittlesea is simplifying the assessment of the reduced farm rate charge to make it more efficient for eligible rural landowners. The application process is transitioning to an online platform, and there will be a specified period during which landowners who are not currently benefiting from the reduced farm rate charge can apply.

Applicants currently receiving the reduced farm rate charge.

Re apply for reduced rates: applicants receiving the reduced farm rate charge will be required to re-apply on a set four-year cycle of February to April 2024, February to April 2028, February to April 2032 etc.
Wait period: applications that are assessed to be ineligible and subsequently declined, must wait until the following year to re-apply for assessment
Application period: the first re-application period commences on 1 February 2024 and closed on 30 April 2024. Letters have now been sent to applicants currently receiving the reduced farm rate charge
Online application: applications will be required to be completed via the online form (supporting evidence as set out in the form must accompany each application)
Ineligible for reduced farm rate charge: applicants currently benefiting from the reduced farm rate charge who are found to be ineligible upon reassessment may have their rates charges restored to the full rate amount from the 2024-25 financial year.

New applicants not currently receiving the reduced farm rate charge.

Applications will be open between February and April each year.
Applications that are assessed to be eligible will have the reduced farm rate charge applied from 1 July of that calendar year and will receive the reduced rate until the next re-assessment period (Feb to Apr 2028, Feb to Apr 2032 etc.)
Applications that are assessed to be ineligible and subsequently declined, must wait until the following year to reapply
The first application period will open from 1 February to 30 April 2024
Applications are via the online form (supporting evidence as set out in the form must accompany each application).

if you are currently receiving the reduced farm rate and haven't received a re-application letter or have questions, please email us or call 9217 2170.

You can access the online form by clicking here.

A Business Network event at Slices, Doreen.

Support for local business

Council’s Economic Development Department is dedicated to cultivating a thriving local economy, ensuring prosperity and inclusivity for all residents.

To increase our accessibility to local businesses, our Business Concierge Officer is now based at the Whittlesea service hub every Tuesday and the Industry Development Officer, Agri-Food is present on the fourth Thursday of each month. The hub is located at 63 Church St, Whittlesea.

Guided by the Whittlesea 2040 plan, the Department’s mission revolves around increased local employment, accessible education opportunities, and support for innovative local businesses. Whether you are a farmer, business owner, investor, or someone seeking educational opportunities, we offer support and resources tailored to your needs.

Support available includes:

Business Network: Offers all businesses in the municipality the opportunity to connect, collaborate, learn and build relationships with other local businesses. Member benefits include networking events, access to mentoring, industry specific training and programs and an online business listing
Business eNews: Monthly newsletter containing the latest news, information and links relevant to business within the municipality, including government updates, upcoming events, Council initiatives, education and training opportunities, support services available, grants and incentives, local business profiles
Business Concierge: Council information and process assistance
Business education and training: Empowering businesses with knowledge and skills
Commitment to buy local: Become a supplier of products or services to Council
Linkages to the local workforce: Supporting an inclusive and diverse local workforce
Government and partner introductions: Facilitating opportunities for funding and collaboration
State and Federal Government advocacy: For investment in infrastructure and services.

You can reach out to us for assistance by email or calling us on 9217 2170.

You can also drop by the Whittlesea service hub on a Tuesday or fourth Thursday of the month.

Nankeen Kestral using hollow in River Red Gum (Photo: James Booth).

Hollow homes for our wildlife

Tree hollows are an essential resource for many native species, including 17% of birds, 43% of mammals and even 28% of reptiles. This includes bats, possums, gliders, owls, parrots, antechinus, ducks, snakes, frogs and skinks.

These hollows take at least 100 years to form and as a result are generally only found in mature and dead trees. As trees age, they are subjected to the natural forces of wind, rain, fire, lightning as well as attack from insets, fungi, bacteria, termites. These natural forces combine to form the hollows.

Large dead trees (greater than 40cm diameter at breast height) are protected in Victoria largely because of the value they provide for wildlife requiring hollows.

Wildlife will select hollows which are specific to their needs. Factors such as entrance size and shape, depth and degree of insulation generally dictate which species use which hollows. Many hollows will lack suitable characteristics so are unsuitable for use by wildlife.

In areas where large trees of hollow-bearing age are absent or few and far between, the installation of nest boxes can provide an alternative habitat for species reliant on hollows. Traditional nest boxes lack the thermal insulation that hollows provide, so are often unoccupied when temperatures are too low or too high. Inspection cameras can assist with determining who or what is using nest boxes.

Hollowed out large limb segments on the ground can even be fashioned into nest boxes for re-use on your property. They provide better thermal insulation than traditional nest boxes. Next time a large branch falls, instead of cutting it up for firewood check if it’s hollowed out and consider using as a future nest box.

For advice on nest boxes or to borrow our nest box inspection camera, contact the Rural and Environmental Planning Team by email or call 9217 2170.

Dung beetle under magnifying glass and local landcarers hunting for dung beetles (Photos: Karen Thomas (L), Emma Bennett (R)).

Dung beetles love the dirty work

Dung beetles are nature’s unsung heroes when it comes to managing animal waste on farms. These small insects play a crucial role in breaking down and recycling dung, transforming it into valuable nutrients for the soil.

By doing so, dung beetles help to improve soil health and fertility, improving the sustainability of agricultural practice.

In addition to nutrient cycling, dung beetles also contribute to environmental conservation, reducing the risk of manure related nutrient runoff and pollution of waterways. Dung beetles help to prevent this by burying dung deep into the soil, reducing the risk of nutrient runoff and protecting the quality of nearby water sources.

Dung beetles also help in reducing fly populations on livestock farms. Flies are a common nuisance for both animals and farmers, and their presence can lead to various health issues. Dung beetles play a vital role in breaking down dung, which reduces the availability of breeding sites for flies, thus naturally controlling their population.

Whittlesea Landcare Group recently held an event to learn more about dung beetles. Karen Thomas, Melbourne Water’s Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator shared her knowledge of dung beetle identification, behaviour, habitat, breeding, their role on livestock farms and the benefits in nutrient cycling, protecting waterways from nutrient runoff, and reducing fly populations.

Discussion highlighted the significance of proper dung beetle management through best practice farm management such as minimum tillage, conducting faecal egg counts, and drench selection.

Melbourne Water is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of dung beetles in sustainable farming practices and effective management of farm animal waste. Linking in with Landcare communities is a great way to share information and ideas.

To learn more about dung beetles in agriculture and access factsheets, visit the Melbourne Water website.

Five Vinyard, Mernda.

Agri-Food Plan 2023-2026

The City of Whittlesea has recently developed its first Agri-Food Plan 2023-2026 in recognition of the growth and strength in the agri-food sector within the municipality.

The Agri-Food Plan provides direction for investment attraction and growth in the Agri-Food Sector and identifies three priority areas with the greatest potential for further development and growth over the next three years. These priority areas include food, and beverage, agriculture, education and training.

It is anticipated that these priority areas will result in positive outcomes for our community by:

Increasing the number of agri-food businesses and local employment within the sector
Improving the sector’s future readiness, resilience, and innovation capability and
Increasing awareness of and support for local agri-food businesses.

Actions from the Agri-Food Plan will be integrated into the Strong Local Economy Action Plan over the three-year period.

Following the plan, a Food and Beverage brochure has been developed, highlighting the breadth and value of the food and beverage sector within the City of Whittlesea.

Click here to learn more about the Agri-Food Plan.

To learn more about investment opportunities including the food and beverage brochure click here.

Threatened blue-billed duck (Photo: Julie McLennan).

Citizen scientists find rare wildlife

Local citizen scientists have helped further our understanding of the biodiversity within the City of Whittlesea.

A little while ago, residents were asked to contribute plant and animal sightings to help update local biodiversity records. Tapping into our knowledgeable and enthusiastic local community provided important information from 34 locations across the City of Whittlesea, including urban areas, rural properties, and reserves.

In total, 229 observations of birds, mammals, frogs, reptiles and plants were submitted, including 15 threatened species. Endangered Freckled Duck, Little Egret, White-bellied Sea-eagle and Gang Gang Cockatoo were amongst the contributed sightings. Over 180 bird species and eight native orchid species were identified, along with mammals, reptiles, frogs, insects and other plants.

The Brush-tailed Phascogale, an energetic nocturnal marsupial with a diet of mainly insects, was photographed in Beveridge. This mostly tree-dwelling species nests in tree hollows, under flaking bark and in tree stumps. Subsequent investigations identified the Brush-tailed Phascogale is relatively widespread in the City of Whittlesea, with the installation of suitable nesting boxes found to be benefitting the species.

A potential Long-nosed Bandicoot sighting has also sparked excitement, as this species is rare within the City of Whittlesea.

The contributions of the City of Whittlesea’s citizen scientists have added invaluable insights into the current state of our local environment, and the furry, feathered, scaley of otherwise wonderful non-human residents that live with us.

With this information, we can more effectively plan and act to protect and enhance our environment and the valuable biodiversity essential for it to function.

Local residents can continue to record local flora and fauna using apps like iNaturalist. Click here to learn more about iNaturalist.

Action in the animal nursery (Photo: Whittlesea Agricultural Society)

Showcasing local farming

With perfect weather, the 2023 Whittlesea Show welcomed a great crowd through the gates of the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Whittlesea Agricultural Society Inc. hosted a traditional agricultural show providing a wide range of free activities and entertainment, as well as livestock judging, stalls, great food and fun.

There were competitions for exhibitors to enter prior to the show, including handcrafts, garden produce, art and photography which were all on display for the weekend. Live judging of poultry, cattle, horses and alpacas provided plenty of action and activity for patrons. There was something for all the family to enjoy!

Congratulations to Arcadia Farms on winning the City of Whittlesea Perpetual Trophy. This prestigious trophy is awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in select classes in the farm produce, sheep and cattle competitions. We look forward to doing it all again next year.

For more information on the Whittlesea Show click here.