The Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has welcomed funds from the Australian Government for environmental projects in this region but says changing priorities will diminish the support and coordination for Landcare here.
The priorities of the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country program are targeted to particular environmental assets across Australia and are set out in the program’s Business Plan.
Funding for some projects in this region has already been successfully secured and announced including:
- $300,000 to support council rate rebate programs in grasslands of the Melton, Wyndham and Hume Shires;
- $100,000 for council roadside grassland protection works in the Moorabool and Wyndham Shires;
- $120,000 for pest plant and animal works to protect the Westernport Ramsar wetland run by Parks Victoria, Phillip Island Nature Park and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council; and
- $110,000 for smaller community projects that target Caring for our Country priorities, to be determined and managed through the PPWCMA Community Grants program.
The CMA is continuing discussions with the Australian Government with a view to securing up to an extra $2 million of Caring for our Country regional program funding for environmental projects. The other projects being discussed would deliver on the Caring for our Country targets for woodland connections, native grassland protection, Ramsar wetland enhancement, water quality improvement and engagement of Indigenous communities.
In addition, funding for the Port Phillip and Westernport Region has been obtained by various organisations in this region in the competitive section of Caring for our Country. These include:
- $105,600 for the French Island Landcare Group to restore the southern coast of French Island including mangroves;
- $50,000 for biodiversity and habitat rehabilitation at the Mt Martha foreshore and Balcombe estuary and creek;
- $42,000 for the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to lead Coastal Banksia regeneration and habitat improvement at Mills Beach in Mornington;
- $25,700 for the Friends of Chinamans Creek to link up large areas of suitable habitat for the threatened Swamp Skink along the Chinamans Creek Nature Reserve at Rosebud; and
- $21,186 for the Frankston Beach Association to vegetate the coastal foredune as an effective barrier against wave attacks on Frankston Foreshore.
Funds for Coastcare and Reefwatch will also benefit groups and projects in this region.
The Port Phillip and Westernport CMA has warmly welcomed all of the funds going to projects in this region.
“The Australian Government monies, along with funds from the Victorian Government, give an important boost to land, water and biodiversity programs being undertaken by the CMA, councils, government departments, community groups and landholders. The CMA is pleased to play a role that directs funds to high priority projects in effective ways” said CMA Chief Executive Officer David Buntine.
While the Australian Government funds have been welcomed by the CMA, the priorities of Caring for our Country also mark a shift away from some programs supported in past years.
A significant change is the way Landcare will be supported in the rural areas around Melbourne.
The Port Phillip & Westernport CMA has been advised that the CatchmentCare program in this region, comprising a team of CatchmentCare Coordinators that have supported the Landcare movement here, will no longer be funded by the Australian Government.
Four full time CatchmentCare Coordinators have previously been employed by the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA, working alongside other CatchmentCare Coordinators employed by councils and Landcare networks.
“Over past years, we have secured Australian Government funding to employ Landcare Coordinators, more recently known as CatchmentCare Coordinators, who have provided excellent support to Landcare groups throughout the Port Phillip and Westernport region,” Mr Buntine said.
“Funding for these positions is no longer available so we have unfortunately needed to take the decision to make positions redundant. This is regrettable and we recognise it is a very difficult time for the individuals who will lose their jobs.”
“While the changes in funding pose challenges, the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA remains committed to Landcare and will strive to support this function in various ways to keep up the great work for the environment and local communities”, said Mr Buntine.
"Landcare is a highly successful, community-driven movement in the landscapes and rural areas surrounding Melbourne. There is a wealth of volunteers that donate their skills, experience, time and attention to on-ground works, field days, training and community awareness-raising activities that make major contributions to our healthy environment and healthy communities”.
“To support this, the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA will continue to employ a Regional Landcare Coordinator that is funded by the Victorian Government and will maintain its Community Grants program that will disperse Victorian and Australian Government funds to local projects addressing the stated priorities,” said Mr Buntine.
Funding for CMA liaison with Local Governments in this region has also been scaled back with a focus in the Australian Government program now firmly placed on achieving specific on-ground outcomes.
“Similar to the situation with the CatchmentCare Coordinator positions, we have been unable to secure funding for our Local Government Coordinator position and unfortunately needed to make the position redundant.”
“This is obviously disappointing for the staff member but is also a concern because the relationships between the CMA and councils in this region remain extremely important. Councils lead a great amount of local planning, on-ground works and liaison with private landholders so they are extremely important organisations from an environmental perspective.”
“Whilst we will no longer have an Australian Government-funded position to specifically focus on relationships with councils, the CMA will continue to work closely with councils in the development of the next Regional Catchment Strategy and via partnerships in environmental projects such as Grow West, Spirit of the Bunyip, Yarra4Life and Living Links. Discussions are now under way to secure some Caring for our Country funds for the Yarra4Life and Spirit of the Bunyip projects,” said Mr Buntine.
Further announcements of projects to be funded by the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program are expected in the near future and this news will be relayed to stakeholders by the CMA as soon as possible.
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For more information contact: PPWCMA CEO David Buntine on 03 8781 7900
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