Biodiversity

A great new local weed booklet “Weeds in the Rural City of Wangaratta – A field guide for identification and control” is available free from the Council office. You can also view it online here

Weed Guide Rural City of Wangaratta

We also have a series of videos and recorded webinars available to watch on YouTube:

• Video – Know your weed - Chilean Needle Grass
• Webinar recording – Closing the gap on weeds in pastures
• Webinar recording – Identifying weeds and why this is important
• Webinar recording – Rabbit management in the peri-urban environment

During breeding season, many birds swoop to protect their nests, eggs and chicks. Many species swoop year-round to protect their territory. Birds can swoop people, pets or other animals. Only some birds see people as a threat and most will not swoop.

Swooping is a natural behaviour. Most swooping only lasts for a short time during their breeding season. In Victoria, native wildlife is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. Under the Act, it is an offence to kill, take, control or harm wildlife in Victoria without appropriate authorisation.

Report swooping birds: Report a swoop incident by visiting DEECA's Victoria’s Swooping Bird Map to find swooping hotspots in your area, and add a location to let others know about new swooping sites.

For more information please download these educational pamphlets created by the Department of Environment, Energy & Climate Action:

• Swooping Magpies
• Masked Lapwings
• Noisy Miners

Native animals are  vital to the healthy function of our ecosystems therefore it is important learn about our local wildlife and about the ways we can protect them and to help them thrive. Please find helpful information below and if you are interested in citizen science opportunities please check out our Sustainable Opportunities page.

• Sick or injured wildlife
• Feeding wildlife

Specific animals:

• Wombats under buildings
• Koalas in your backyard
• Possums in your garden
• Corellas & Cockatoos
• Kangaroos

Council does not provide a snake-catching service. If you spot a snake on your property, contact DEECA at 136 186 for information on local snake catchers. In case of a snake bite, dial 000 immediately. It's crucial never to attempt capturing, killing, or harming a snake, as this is both illegal and extremely dangerous.

Snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act of 1975.

For more information please review the pamphlet on snakes provides by the Department of Environment, Energy & Climate Action.