Landowners in the Wallan, Beveridge and Heathcote Junction areas will be able access grants and rebates to help improve their property by becoming part of the recently formed Landcare Group in the area.
Some local landowners in the area are working toward the formation of a new Landcare group, and PPWCMA Landcare Coordinator for the Yarra Catchment, Sam Bayley, says landowners should be aware of both the social and economic advantages of becoming part of Landcare.
“There are a number of advantages of joining a Landcare group including the shared knowledge and expertise that comes from discussing issues with other landowners. Additionally, landowners may gain access to grants and incentives that are only available to them through Landcare Groups.
“Additionally, calling on the resources of the group can minimise the administrative burden of individual landholders having to wade through grant applications and fine print,” he explained.
In the area, the Mitchell Shire also offers Land Management Rebates for landowners who undertake works on their land to minimise land degradation. Eligible landholders in the Mitchell Shire can receive a 10% reduction on their rates notice with a minimum of $50 per property.
The rebate focuses on a specific set of issues relevant to landowners including; the control of pest animals, soil erosion control, management of native flora and fauna, salinity and management of waterways and wetlands.
Sam Bayley says many landowners are already undertaking improvement works on their properties and being able to access such rebates provides an additional incentive to undertake land management works. Aside from the rebate, Sam says there are further funding options available to Landcare groups.
Melbourne Water’s Stream Frontage Management program is available to individual landholders offering them funding assistance, technical advice and educational opportunities to improve the stream frontages on their property, which in turns improves the quality and viability of the land.
“Other opportunities are the Melbourne Water/PPWCMA Community Grants that open to Landcare groups, State and Federal grants and grants from philanthropic trusts and industry.
“Landcare groups across the state have been very successful in attracting money and support from corporate organisations, big business and industry and private business social responsibility is becoming a big contributor to the Landcare movement,” Bayley explained.
The Wallan Landcare Group can help landowners look at all these options. The group will focus on improving and protecting the natural assets of the area including; the control of pest plants and animals, on-ground works to improve land and water quality and the formation of a shared voice in relation to urban development in the area.
Like many areas on the outskirts of Melbourne, the area has been used for grazing and cropping since European settlement and as has suffered some typical problems associated with a history of poor land management.
Additionally, the population in the area is predicted to increase significantly over the next 20 years bringing with it a range of Landcare challenges.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION
* Wallan, Beveridge and Heathcote Junction are in the upper reaches of the Merri Creek catchment, which is one of the main tributaries of the Yarra River. The Merri Creek’s headwaters are located in the hills south of Heathcote Junction.
* The landscapes around Wallan and Beveridge are experiencing pressure from developers for land subdivision for housing. The township of Wallan currently has more than 6,500 people and by the year 2030 it is believed the population could grow to more than 20,000. In addition, there are plans for 2,000 new houses in Beveridge which, when completed, will transform this small hamlet. The close proximity of these areas to Melbourne, the availability of residential land and a country lifestyle, are factors driving the rapid increase in population. In turn, pressure subdivision is having a significant impact on the natural resources and special environmental assets of the area.
* Existing environmental issues pose a threat to the unique natural environment of the Wallan, Beveridge and Heathcote Junction areas. Pest plants such as gorse and blackberry are having a major affect on some areas. Salinity and erosion issues due to removal of native vegetation are also impacting on land productivity.
* As most land degradation problems extend beyond the farm gate, waterway, or forest boundary it makes sense for landholders to work together to tackle land management issues.
* The establishment of a group in the Wallan area complements the efforts of the Friends of Wallan Creek who have a focus on enhancing the environmental values of the linear open space areas adjoining the creeks that flow through Wallan.
* Much of the low lying area around Wallan and Beveridge is part of the Victorian Volcanic Plains.
* Historically there were extensive swampy areas around Wallan and Beveridge, including Hernes Swamp. Although many of these swampy areas were drained, there are still some areas of Hernes Swamp that retain significant biodiversity values that warrant protection and enhancement.
* Since European settlement land use in the area had primarily been dominated by grazing and in some areas cropping has taken place. The number of broad acre farming enterprises in the area is in decline as increasingly properties are now used by lifestyle landowners.
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