Rural Tree Scheme
Due to such an overwhelming response from our rural landowners, the Rural Tree Scheme has closed for 2023. We will be opening the scheme up again 1 July 2024 and look forward to seeing more rural properties with new plantings.
Are you a rural landowner? Would you like more indigenous plants on your property at a discounted price? Then consider Moira Shire's Rural Tree Scheme which gives rural ratepayers access to subsidised indigenous plants.
At $1 per plant, this also includes a cardboard guard and stakes for protection.
Who is eligible?
All rural ratepayers in the Moira Shire are eligible to purchase plants at a subsidised rate through this scheme. You must own property in the farming, rural living or rural conservation zone. If you are uncertain about which zone you live in, search for a planning report or contact Council on 5871 9222.
Plant numbers available are capped at:
- Properties <5ha at 50 plants per rate notice
- Properties >5ha at 160 plants per rate notice
The scheme is capped at three rate notices per owner.
You must also agree to plant and tend to all the plants you purchase. This includes protection from grazing, weed control and watering. Council staff may arrange a site visit with you to ensure this is happening.
How do I order?
You can order your indigenous plants from 1 July to 1 December every year. However, it is best to order early as Council may close the scheme before December if demand is high. Once the orders have been received, nurseries propagate the plants, which are available to ratepayers from May the following year.
You can download an Expression of Interest (EOI) and species selection (DOCX, 57KB)(DOCX, 58KB)here(DOCX, 69KB) or contact Council to have one posted. Once you have completed the EOI form, eligible ratepayers must:
- Return the EOI form and species selection.
- You will then be invoiced and payment will be required. (Please keep your receipt)
- Present the receipt you receive at the nominated nursery between 1 July and 1 December, for collection the following autumn - spring.
- Collect plants by the 20th of June.
What are my responsibilities?
By participating in the Rural Tree Scheme, you agree to plant and tend to the plants you receive. You are expected to:
- plan your project about a year before planting;
- prepare the land properly before planting, including weed control;
- plant plants between May and August;
- appropriately guard the plants;
- water the plants in initially with 5-10L and as required to improve their survivorship rates over the first year;
- provide ongoing maintenance and retain them;
If you wish to remove the plants, contact Council for approval. You must also inform future property owners that the plants were sourced through Moira Shire’s Rural Tree Scheme and that they are to be retained.
Information and advice on site preparation and weed control is available (PDF, 855KB)here(PDF, 95KB) or contact Council's Environmental Officer.
What plant species can I purchase?
The plants available under the Rural Tree Scheme are listed (PDF, 669KB)(PDF, 305KB)here(PDF, 12MB) . Orders can be based on your specific bioregion or specific species may be selected. These orders must be in multiples of 10 per species and plant availability may vary. If you would like help to select plants most suited to your property, please ask the nursery, use the Revegetation Guide for the Goulburn Broken Catchment, or speak with Council's Environmental Officer.
What nurseries are involved in the scheme?
Australian Native Farm Forestry Discount Plants Pty - 6 Cobrawonga Rd, Cobram East VIC 3644.
Other nurseries are welcome to participate in this scheme. To be considered you must be able to provide healthy native indigenous tube stock, be located in Moira Shire or a Shire immediately adjacent to Moira. If you wish to be considered contact Council.