The Port Phillip and Westernport CMA has received an additional $100,000 funding that will used to provide much needed fencing and employment for over 25 farmers in the bushfire affected areas of Bunyip and Labertouche, located to the east of Melbourne near Pakenham.
The project is part of the Victorian Government’s Drought Employment Program and is an allocation for ‘exceptional circumstances’ to help the recovery and rehabilitation of properties affected by the February 2009 bushfires.
The special project is already underway and is being led by the Cardinia Environment Coalition (CEC) with local landholder Peter Ronalds directing recovery activities on the ground.
The funding will be used to:
- Engage at least 25 farmers in recovery works.
- Replace and repair approximately 40kms of fencing on over 30 properties by June 30th 2009.
- Engage a project leader (Peter Ronalds) with significant skills and experience to manage the project.
Peter Ronalds, from the Cardinia Environment Coalition, says he was pleased to receive the funding at a time when “there was a real need in the community”.
“A lot of these farmers were impacted by the Bunyip Ridge bushfires. There was significant need to get fencing back up and the project is designed to re-fence areas that have both high environmental importance and productive values for the farmers.
“The funding has allowed us to employ farmers who have been affected by the fires. Originally we wanted 25 farmers in the program, but we now have 35 who will take part. The majority are local, and while some are doing a few days work others will be working with us for a longer period.
“The benefit of the funding is that those who have lost employment off due to the fires, will receive a source of income for a few months, and by the time the program has finished we hope the farmers will be back on their own farms and those who were put off, back into regular work. The advantages will be restoration of fencing but the moral and social benefits are equally important.”
The PPWCMA originally secured $200,000 of Drought Employment Program funds, $100,000 of which has already been utilised by the Shires of Macedon Ranges and Whittlesea to employ individuals who have been affected by drought. Six people have been employed until June 30th 2009 to provide natural resource management works within the shires.
$100,000 was utilised by the Department of Primary Industries to provide funding to land managers for approved Stock Containment Areas (SCA’s). $10,000 was utilised by the PPWCMA to administer the funding.
To date, 16 land managers in the region have been approved to construct Stock Containment Areas. Stock Containment Areas are used to manage stock during adverse climatic conditions, prolonged drought and in times of emergencies such as fire. Confining stock can protect affected paddocks from overgrazing, wind and water erosion and make feeding and managing stock easier and more effective. |