UPDATE: A growing gnome village in the Gisborne Botanic Gardens has found a new home before being dismantled by Macedon Ranges Council.

The proposed move by the council last week disappointed many locals and the founder of Gisborne Gnome Garden Facebook page, Michael Bagnall.

“It was one of those things that just organically grew,” he said.

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“It was a small thing that was sweet and fun and nice but not according to the council.”

He said the garden was by the river and started about four months ago and at its peak had more than 40 gnomes.

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“The village was vandalised and whoever set it up was clever about the new place — it was in a quiet area off the path where you couldn’t trip on and was on mulch away from plants,” he said.

“I met the council on Wednesday and although I thought they’d ask for it to be taken away, I was also hoping they’d offer another location where it could continue.”

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A post on the Macedon Ranges Council Facebook page said “we noticed the colourful colony about a week ago — and while we can understand the desire to set up home in these lovely surrounds, unfortunately we need to move them on”.

The council urged any owners of the gnomes to collect them, while those left would be removed.

The gnomes were given a reprieve on Saturday, May 6, when Gisborne store 4Paws & More Pet Supplies allowed supporters to set up the village in its shop window, with the Gisborne Flower Shoppe providing plant decorations.

And the council has told the Leader it will find a new home for the village.

Council’s director assets and operations Dale Thornton said the gnomes were removed due to safety and vandalism concerns and to protect plants and garden beds.

“We’ve heard from a number of residents who are supportive of the gnome garden — it’s something that makes people smile and we want to work with the community to identify a suitable location that can be enjoyed by all,” he said.