The Government’s National Landcare Programme is supporting grassroots environmental action on the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port through local grants.
Federal Member for Flinders and Environment Minister Greg Hunt said he was pleased to announce that three local projects received $58,000 through the 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants.
“Congratulations to the Western Port Seagrass Partnership, Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group and Lord Somers Camp and Power House on receiving these grants,” Minister Hunt said.
“The 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants programme will help ensure our agricultural practices are sustainable and our natural environment is healthy for future generations.”
Lord Somers Camp and Power House will use the $19,400 grant to rehabilitate two hectares of the Merricks Creek catchment area, which is impacted by erosion and large quantities of introduced species.
Lord Somers Camp and Power House Chief Executive Officer Mark Thomson said the grant would help to revegetate the native wildlife corridor at the site.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our organisation to do some great work within our local community and rehabilitate an important ecological system, currently impacted by erosion and proliferation of introduced species,” Mr Thomson said.
“The work will be completed over a number of months by our dedicated group of volunteers under the supervision of our environment and sustainability committee.
“This is part of a 10 year master plan to rehabilitate the environment surrounding the camp to benefit the site and also to provide a better environment for our local community to enjoy.”
The Western Port Seagrass Partnership will use its $19,600 grant to plant 3000 mangroves at Lang Lang cliffs to reduce erosion. The project will include seed collection and propagation by Mornington Peninsula Youth Enterprises at their mangrove nursery in Mornington.
Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group will use its $19,000 grant to increase nesting hollows for a number of hollow-dependent mammals in the area. This will be carried out in conjunction with La Trobe University.
“It’s great to see so many Australian’s getting involved in projects to protect and restore their local environment,” Minister Hunt said.
Minister Hunt said the Australian Government was investing more than $2 billion in managing Australia’s natural resources over the next four years.
“We are putting Landcare back at the centre of natural resource management,” he said.
“These grants are focused on engaging the community to deliver local projects which will have lasting benefits for the environment and productive agricultural landscapes.
“Funding under this component of the National Landcare Programme will support farmers, Indigenous and community groups, including Landcare, to enhance the environment and improve management of our natural resource base.”
Further information about the National Landcare Programme can be found online at www.nrm.gov.au.
Local projects receiving grants:
|
Group |
Project |
Amount |
|
Western Port Seagrass Partnership Limited |
Mangrove regeneration extension to reduce sediment – to plant 3000 mangroves at Lang Lang cliffs to reduce erosion. The project will include seed collection and propagation by Mornington Peninsula Youth Enterprises at their mangrove nursery in Mornington. |
$19,600 |
|
Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group (BERG) Mt Martha in conjunction with La Trobe University |
Building permanent roosts for hollow-dependent mammals – to increase the number of nesting hollows throughout the region for microbats, gliders, possums and birds. |
$19,000 |
|
Lord Somers Camp and Power House |
Biodiversity and native revegetation project – to rehabilitate two hectares of the Merricks Creek catchment area, which is impacted by erosion. |
$19,400 |
Download the related file: 130115 Media Release – 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants.pdf