Snow gum communities across the high country face an existential threat from the combined impacts of dieback and more frequent and intense fire seasons. Sadly the isolated pockets of snow gums away from the higher mountains face similar threats, like in the Mt Cole ranges where the Bayindeen fire damaged sections of remnant snow gum forest.

There is currently a sustained threat to the wonderful snow gum forests on Mt Macedon and I am asking you to take a few moments to contact two MPs and urge them to stop proposed tree felling operations.

This information comes from our friends at the Victorian National Parks Association who are leading the campaign to protect these trees.

Background

Community outrage is growing over a proposal by the Macedon Memorial Cross Committee that would see between 100 and 120 trees, including the locally significant Snow Gums cut down on Mount Macedon. The works would clear almost 0.8 hectares of a nationally significant and highly threatened ecosystem - Montane Grassy Woodland.

Why these Snow Gums matter

• Rare and irreplaceable ecosystem: The Snow Gum woodlands on Mount Macedon are part of the Montane Grassy Woodland Ecological Vegetation Class. Just 21 hectares remain in central and western Victoria, confined to two places - Mount Macedon and one peak in the Grampians.
• Critical biodiversity refuge: These Snow Gums support a unique mix of plants, fungi, mosses, insects and birds that cannot simply be replanted elsewhere.
• Ancient survivors: Many of these Snow Gums are more than a century old, providing hollows and nectar vital for native birds, mammals and insects. While they were devastated by the Ash Wednesday fires many have sprouted from lignotubers and existing seed bank and are now 42 years old. The Southern aspect that is proposed to be impacted provides a cooler sheltered environment and protects the existing Snow gums from the effects of climate change.
• Healthy and regenerating: A 2021 - 22 assessment recorded over 2,000 Snow Gums across Macedon Ranges, with strong evidence of natural regeneration and resilience - even after fires and storms.

What is proposed

The Memorial Cross Committee is pushing to cut down Snow Gums to “restore” historic views of Melbourne from the Cross. This would destroy a rare and recovering ecosystem simply for aesthetics. The proposal was rejected by Macedon Ranges Shire Council in 2023, after strong community opposition.

Why this must be stopped

• False offsets: Suggestions that planting Snow Gums in former pine plantations could “replace” what’s destroyed show a lack of ecological understanding. The complex web of species in Montane Grassy Woodland cannot be recreated. Normal native vegetation laws do not apply and instead use the opaque Crown Land Procedure: https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/521628/CrownLandReport20192020.pdf
• Climate pressures: With Snow Gum habitat already at risk from climate change, every mature stand is vital for resilience. Cutting down these trees undermines their survival. A significant number of trees were removed on the North face by Parks Victoria in 2014 for the café view scape. 
• Community values: The Macedon Memorial Cross was created to honour those lost in war. Damaging living memorials of nature undermines the very spirit of remembrance and peaceful contemplation.

Take action: What the community can do

• contact the local MP: Maryanne Thomas. E: [email protected]
• contact the State Environment Minister: [email protected] 
• Spread the word: Share stories and images of Macedon’s Snow Gums on social media using #SaveMacedonSnowGums.

Check here if you would like additional information on why these trees are precious and must be protected.

HEADER IMAGE: Tanya Loos.