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proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
6 SEPTEMBER, 2022
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Growing and learning
Year two pupils Alexis and Amelia are part of Gisborne Primary School’s gardening programs.
(Damjan Janevski) 296510_01
Gisborne Primary School (GPS) pupils are becoming the sustainability champions of the future, with a range of programs on the go. The year five pupils are not only learning how to grow their own veggies, they’re being taught how to cook with their produce too. Thirty pupils from years two to six have also been working with CERES School of Nature and Climate, planning a special wildlife garden for a number of weeks. Year two pupils Alexis and Amelia are delighted with the program. “I really loved designing a garden with plants that are going to attract lots of animals to our school,” Alexis said. “I really wanted to be a part of the CERES program to bring more wildlife to Gisborne Primary,” Amelia added. They were taught about native plants which would attract the creatures they want to see more of at the school, like different butterflies and birds. It’s all happening as part of the Schools for Wildlife Program, which uses online and face-to-face sessions for both pupils and staff to learn the ropes of planting wildlife-friendly gardens. Elsie Lange
Call to halve speed limit By Elsie Lange An Animal Justice Party candidate for the November state election is calling for a road in Romsey to have its speed limit halved to limit native wildlife deaths. Northern Victoria candidate and Kyneton resident Georgie Purcell wants to see the speed limit on Moffats Lane reduced from 100km/h down to 50km/h, after hearing concerns from residents about animal fatalities along the road. “The installation of wildlife crossing signs is simply not enough to protect wildlife on Moffats Lane,” Ms Purcell said.
“Real and meaningful protection must be put in place – starting with a speed limit reduction, but wildlife underpasses and even virtual fencing should also be considered. “Slowing down on our roads only costs us a few minutes of our day. If we don’t do it – it can cost native animals their life. “A number of the properties on Moffats Lane are Land for Wildlife areas. A speed limit of 100km/h is not conducive with keeping native animals safe.” Wildlife rescuer Manfred Zabinskas from Five Freedoms Animal Rescue in East Trentham said he had seen a “massive” uptick in the number of animals killed and injured
on Macedon Ranges roads. While Mr Zabinskas wasn’t familiar with Moffats Lane in particular, he said there “no doubt” a speed reduction would reduce “carnage”. “We’re often campaigning to get speeds reduced in hot spot areas,” he said. Macedon Ranges assets and operations director Shane Walden said council was aware of community concern regarding the area. “Council has undertaken traffic monitoring on Moffats Lane,” Mr Walden said. “This does not support a speed reduction at this time and we continue to liaise with
residents in the area.” In Ms Purcell’s statement, she said one farm on the road, Moffitts Farm, had rewilded its property since the 1980s and attracted many animals, “but as soon as they cross the road, they are in danger”. “It is pleasing to see farmers willing to share their land with both livestock and wildlife. Their efforts to conserve our natural environment must be recognised,” Ms Purcell said. “This road is yet another case study for the need to see wildlife become a key consideration when designing roads and setting speed limits, especially in rural areas.”
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