Madeleine West is now ‘dating’ a Byron Bay environmentalist after split from chef Shannon Bennett

Madeleine West announced her split from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett in September 2018 after 13 years of dating.

And the Neighbours star appears to have well and truly moved on from her longtime relationship with the father of her six children.

In photos published by New Idea on Monday, the 39-year-old actress was seen kissing and cuddling environmentalist Maximo Bottaro at the beach in Byron Bay.

Scroll down for video 

Meet Madeleine West’s new boyfriend: The Neighbours star and mother-of-six is ‘dating’ Byron Bay environmentalist Maximo Bottaro after her split from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett 

Having been an activist for the past two decades, Maximo co-founded his own environmental conservation organisation, ReForest Now, in 2018.

He previously worked for Greenpeace, one of the largest environmental organisations in the world.

Madeleine has worked with ReForest Now on various projects since January.

Passion: Having been an activist for two decades, Maximo (left, with business partner Michael Mortin) co-founded his own environmental conservation organisation, ReForest Now, in 2018

Passion: Having been an activist for two decades, Maximo (left, with business partner Michael Mortin) co-founded his own environmental conservation organisation, ReForest Now, in 2018

Last month, ReForest Now shared a photo to Instagram of Madeleine helping to plant trees, and thanked her for her continued support.

‘Madeline has been supporting ReForest Now through promoting our work and inviting community to our plantings and to contribute to the funding of reforestation,’ the post read. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Madeleine West for comment. 

Mutual interests: Madeleine has worked with ReForest Now on various projects since January. Pictured with ReForest Now co-founder Michael Mortin

Mutual interests: Madeleine has worked with ReForest Now on various projects since January. Pictured with ReForest Now co-founder Michael Mortin

Just a year after their split, Madeleine said she was unlikely to ever get back together with Shannon, whom she had dated between 2005 and 2018.

She told The Kyle and Jackie O Show in October their needs no longer aligned after more than a decade together. 

‘I’m a big believer that everything in life has a season. We change. We evolve,’ she said.

‘At some point we go, “Well, I have certain needs I want to have met and you’ve got certain needs and if the two don’t combine and cross in the middle, why fight it and be miserable?” 

‘I don’t think that’s fair to the children either to see two parents that are constantly across purposes.’ 

Exes: The Neighbours star, 39, announced her split from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett (left) in September 2018 after 13 years of dating. Pictured on March 29, 2016 in Melbourne

Exes: The Neighbours star, 39, announced her split from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett (left) in September 2018 after 13 years of dating. Pictured on March 29, 2016 in Melbourne

'Everything in life has a season': Just a year after their split, Madeleine said she was unlikely to ever get back together with Shannon, whom she had dated between 2005 and 2018

‘Everything in life has a season’: Just a year after their split, Madeleine said she was unlikely to ever get back together with Shannon, whom she had dated between 2005 and 2018

She brushed off questions about a potential ‘love interest’ at the time and joked that she was living ‘like a monk’. 

Madeleine previously told Stellar magazine in 2018 that she and Shannon were ‘striving to reconnect as friends and parents’.

She said that having six children and ‘two high-pressure careers’ had put a strain on their relationship.

The former couple, who never married despite being together for 13 years, share six children: Phoenix, Hendrix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia and Margaux.

Despite their break-up, they relocated with their kids to Byron Bay last year after selling their marital home in Toorak, Melbourne, for $16million. 

Large family: The former couple, who never married despite being together for 13 years, share six children: Phoenix, Hendrix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia and Margaux

Large family: The former couple, who never married despite being together for 13 years, share six children: Phoenix, Hendrix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia and Margaux