8 February 2017

The Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA) has awarded grants totaling $184,000 for community groups to undertake environmental work in and around Melbourne and its hinterland.

The funding is from the Victorian Government’s Landcare Program and has been allocated through the PPWCMA Community Grants to deliver a range of projects that will help the region’s land, water and biodiversity.

PPWCMA’s Chief Executive Officer David Buntine said, “Community groups and landholders are usually the foundation for work to help local environments such as in nature reserves, creeks, private properties and farms.

“These grants support volunteer groups do undertake priority work in their local areas and also help the bigger picture by contributing to regional and national environmental priorities.  These grants are one of the best ways to help local people help their environment and we’re very excited to see the work getting under way”, he said.

Community groups have received funding for a variety of activities including weed control, pest animal control and fencing to protect native vegetation, as well as community education and awareness-raising events.

The major projects being funded are:

• $16,208 to the Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group for the Balcombe Creek North Bank restoration at Mt Martha
• $29,120 to the Cairnlea Conservation Reserves Committee of Management for restoration of three urban grasslands
• $13,137 to the Christmas Hills Landcare Group for weed control and monitoring in Christmas Hills
• $12,763 to the Frankston Beach Association for the Frankston South Beach revegetation and weed control project
• $29,800 to the Macclesfield Landcare Group for the Oxford Downs revegetation project
• $30,000 to the Moorabool Landcare Network for their program, Blackberries are Better on Your Plate than in the Paddock
• $21,300 to the St Andrews Landcare Group to control woody weeds and build community connections to nature
• $8,640 to the Strathewen Landcare Group to map invasive weeds.

In addition, 47 groups will each receive $500 for to help maintain and support their community-based environment groups.

The PPWCMA looks forward to the implementation of these projects and the contribution they will make to environmental values that benefit the whole community.

For information on Landcare groups in your region, visit the Victorian Landcare Gateway website at www.landcarevic.net.au or contact the PPWCMA on 03 8781 7900.

Projects funded in 2016/17 through Victorian Landcare Grants

Note: Table shows $184,000 from the Victorian Landcare Grants and $163 in other funding.