Living Links, a project linking communities in Melbourne’s south east, has helped improve the environmental and social condition of the area through the successful delivery of its first round of short term works projects. In the past 12 months, Living Links in partnership with local councils and community groups has helped protect, enhance or establish native vegetation in the region, improved recreational links and educated the community about the region’s natural values.
Manager of Major Projects for the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority Mr Viv Charalambous says; “Healthy recreational and natural environments are important for the liveability of our city. In Melbourne’s south east, urban and natural environments have to exist side by side. The best way to enhance the natural environment in this area is to invest in establishing linkages between existing natural features.
“The aim of our first round of projects was to improve the condition and connectivity of the natural features across the region. Living Links has achieved this by helping to improve vegetation along waterways and the coast and improving walking and cycling paths across the south east, with significant help from councils and the community.
“The community benefit of projects like these can’t be underestimated. They play an important role in protecting natural values, but equally, improving our recreational spaces can unite communities by creating recreational paths that link different locations, enabling families to share parks, bike tracks and experiences in the natural environment.
“The depth of support for Living Links shows that local people and businesses are very interested in projects that make a difference to their local landscapes. The existing works are just the start of a long term plan for this area and ongoing investment is required to ensure this natural environment is maintained and improved.”
The first round of the on-ground works has:
• Established 30,000 plants throughout the area
• Helped to restore streamside vegetation
• Improved or established over 4kms of trails • Seen participation from over 100 volunteers
• Included 7.6 hectares of weed control • Attracted over 800 hours of community support, and
• Established 500 metres of fencing to protect remaining native vegetation.
Living Links covers an 850 square kilometre area reaching from the Dandenong Ranges to Cranbourne, to the coast at Frankston and north toward St Kilda. The area the project encompasses is diverse and includes important national parks, waterways and beaches and significant built up areas south east of Melbourne. Living Links reaches across 10 local government areas and partnerships have been developed with the councils in each region to take the lead on projects and drive the delivery of results. The second round of works is scheduled to begin in May 2009.
For more information: Anne Gigney, PPWCMA Communications Manager, 03 8781 7900 Businesses interested in investing in Living Links should contact Mr Viv Charalambous on 03 8781 7900. |