Joint media release with Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley and Liberal Candidate for Corangamite Stephanie Asher
The Morrison Government is delivering on its commitment to protect coastal dunes along the Bellarine Peninsula at risk from erosion while restoring the precious habitat that supports native species like the White footed dunnart and Southern brown bandicoot.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the $1.5 million investment supports 11 practical on-the-ground activities from St Leonards to Marengo, led by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, using traditional methods of caring for country and engaging kids from local communities.
“This is a unique and diverse part of the world which supports a myriad of species from the dunnart to the bandicoot as well the coastal Moonah woodlands,” Minister Ley said.
“These on-ground projects reflect the Morrison Government’s commitment to supporting communities and most importantly, practical environmental action.
“As well as hands on conservation measures like tree planting and weed eradication, the 11 projects will foster stewardship through community involvement and education with Traditional Owner led activity and local school participation.”
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson, who has long advocated for coastal restoration programs, toured the Moonah woodlands site today to see first-hand works undertaken to address erosion and feral weed eradication.
“This significant investment from the Morrison Government recognises the importance of conserving our coastal environments,” Senator Henderson said.
“These projects collectively support the environmental management of an immense area of 345 hectares of coastal land, along 20 kilometres of priority dune systems vulnerable to erosion.
“As part of the ongoing work, land managers will protect and restore fragile dune systems that support threatened species and work with Traditional Owners to protect cultural heritage values, manage access to sites and remediate erosion hotspots through fencing, revegetation, and pest plant and animal control.”
Liberal Candidate for Corangamite Stephanie Asher said the program will support environmental management of 345 hectares of coastal crown land along approximately 20 km of priority coastal dunes systems vulnerable to erosion.
“The Dunecare initiative strategically prioritises coastal dune protection sites and required actions, to protect and remediate fragile coastal dune systems that support native flora and fauna habitat,” Ms Asher said.
“From Bells Beach to southern Bellarine, this project will support pest plant and animal control and improved access management to support vulnerable areas of coastal barrier sand dune.”
A full list of the projects can be found here: https://ccma.vic.gov.au/project/dunecare/
Images of work under way at Collendina beach: f.io/jVcc2fRB
17 December 2021