Community groups across south west Victoria have shared in over $231,200 in funding as part of the Community Volunteer Action Grants program, aimed at supporting communities and community organisations and volunteers across Victoria.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced the seven successful grant recipients in Victoria’s south west, providing funding to a variety of local community and volunteer groups including local Landcare groups and networks, Committees of Management and Traditional Owners.
The 7 projects funded in south west Victoria, include:
| Recipient Name | Project name | Project description | Project location | Local Government Area | Total Funding |
| Woorndoo Land Protection Group (now Woorndoo Chatsworth Landcare Group) | Reconnecting diverse native grassland on the Woorndoo-Dundonnell Rd, Woorndoo. | This project will rehabilitate damaged patches within intact Themeda grassland and reconnect diverse native grassland across degraded sections by direct sowing and tube stock planting. A successful project will create an exemplar for the on-going repair and re-connection of important native grassland remnants along this and other local roads. | Woorndoo | Moyne Shire Council | $37,335 |
| Southwest Environment Alliance | Characterising patterns of habitat use of Sanderling at Discovery Bay | This project will define roosting and foraging habitats of Sanderling, allowing appropriate allocation of resources to safeguard critical habitat. After ethics approval and installation of radio-telemetry hardware, Sanderling will be captured and fitted with an appropriately sized transmitter and safely released. Transmissions will be logged via radio masts (8m) and hand-held scanners throughout the project life. | Nelson | Glenelg Shire Council | $48,500 |
| The Trustee for Nature Glenelg Trust | Conducting critical weed control for threatened fauna around Nelson | This project will help reverse habitat decline around Nelson through strategic weed control and revegetation around the Nelson Transfer Station and along the riverbank. These habitat enhancement works will link to threatened fauna through the creation of an ID brochure and riverbank signage describing the small mammals of South West Victoria, raising community awareness of our unique fauna and their dependence on healthy habitats. | Nelson | Glenelg Shire Council | $48,550 |
| BirdLife Australia | Community stewardship – acting to protect Hooded Plovers in the west | This project will work in conjunction with community volunteers and land managers to address major threats impacting Hooded Plover habitats in western Victoria. It will carry out critical nest site protection at busy sites from Torquay to Nelson, improve habitat resilience via weed control, train new volunteers, and coordinate stakeholder planning sessions to evaluate and adapt on-ground efforts to ensure tangible conservation outcomes. | Nelson to Torquay | Colac Otway Shire Council, Corangamite Shire Council, Moyne Shire Council, Warrnambool City Council, Glenelg Shire Council, Surf Coast Shire Council | $49,818 |
| Victorian National Parks Association | Investigating nudibranchs and their habitats along Victoria’s coastline | The Melbourne Sea Slug Census engaged hundreds of volunteers and documented 180+ species over three years. Building on this success this project will take the Census to regional areas along Victoria’s coastline, educating and inspiring volunteers to photograph and learn about their local marine life while searching for nudibranchs. | Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Marengo, Lorne, Torquay, Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale | Moyne Shire Council, Warrnambool City Council, Bass Coast Shire Council, East Gippsland Shire Council, Greater Geelong City Council, Surf Coast Shire Council, South Gippsland Shire Council | $27,830 |
| Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network | Developing New Volunteers from Multicultural and Non-Traditional Backgrounds | This project will engage with, train and encourage new volunteers from non-traditional groups to participate with WCLN, our supported groups and other district groups in on-ground conservation works. | Warrnambool and District | Warrnambool City Council, Moyne Shire Council | $14,225 |
| Merri River School | Merri River Revegetation | The new local school is situated on 200m of Merri River frontage. This project will to remove all non-native trees, shrubs and grasses and replace with local, native plants and add mulch to the area to reduce weedy regrowth. | Warrnambool | Warrnambool City Council | $4,950 |
The grants offer a range of positive biodiversity outcomes across south west Victoria and the state by assisting communities to conserve, rehabilitate, restore and protect Victoria’s native flora, fauna and vegetation and supporting community groups to increase and build their capacity to act for the environment.
Previous funding has assisted community groups across Victoria to engage a total of 992 community members in conservation or improved land management, with a contribution from community members of approximately 23,515 volunteer hours.
The grants are spread across a range of geographic locations to align with the goals and targets identified in the Victorian Government’s plan to improve our natural environment, Biodiversity 2037.
This is part of the $7.4 million Community Environment Grants package funded by the Victorian Government to support small and large-scale projects dedicated to preserving Victoria’s biodiversity and waterways.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“Volunteers and community organisations play a critical role in south west Victoria, with these grants supporting community groups to build capacity, expand and diversify the volunteer base and increase inclusivity.”
“These projects will assist in conserving, rehabilitating, restoring and protecting Victoria’s native flora, fauna and native vegetation while addressing threats to biodiversity.”
“South west Victoria is home to some of Victoria’s best natural landscapes and habitat – it is fantastic to see these wonderful projects receive funding, benefitting local groups.”