$500,000 in grant funding will be made available to local community groups over the next three years to support activities to protect grasslands, woodlands and wetlands of Victoria’s volcanic plains, and the magnificent coastal areas of the Corangamite region.
The first round of the Corangamite CMA Community Grants Programme opens today and will close on 6 November 2015. Community groups can apply for grants of up to $10,000 per project.
The grants are funded by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. The Corangamite Community Grants Programme is part of the Government’s commitment to invest a minimum of 20 per cent of regional delivery funding for small local projects.
More than $120 million has been committed across the country by natural resource management organisations.
The grants will support the efforts of local community groups working to protect the region’s natural assets, as well as supporting a range of other important, locally-based environment and sustainable agriculture projects.
“National Landcare Programme funding is being used to support local Landcare networks and other community-based groups to help restore local ecosystems and protect natural assets,” Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt said.
“As a result the local community can enjoy the long-term benefits of a healthy and livable environment.”
“The Government is ensuring that funding is invested locally to deliver real change that is targeted to the environment and the land,” Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce said.
“This is crucial because farmers, landcarers and community groups know what works best for their environment and their community.”
“Corangamite Catchment Management Authority is encouraging local groups to apply for small grants of up to $10,000 for on-ground works to address some of the crucial environmental issues facing the region,” Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson said.
“The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority has a proven track record in managing projects that consistently deliver good environmental outcomes in the Corangamite region,” Ms Henderson said.
The Australian Government is investing $2 billion to help support better natural resource management across Australia.
As part of this commitment, $1 billion will be invested through the National Landcare Programme, including more than $450 million directed in regional funding through to Australia’s 56 natural resource management organisations.
For more information on this grant round and how to apply, please visit the Corangamite CMA’s website at www.ccma.vic.gov.au.
For more information about the National Landcare Programme go to www.nrm.gov.au.
(ENDS)