Liberal Senator for Victoria, Sarah Henderson, today announced that the Anglesea Aireys Inlet Society for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna had been awarded $5,500 under the Morrison Liberal Government’s Communities Environment Program.
“This program is all about harnessing the passion of grassroots community organisations to deliver practical local projects that directly improve our local environment,” Senator Henderson said.
“This project will remove Boneseed, Sallow Wattle, and Radiator Pine infestations over a period of seven community weeding days. This will help regenerate native flora within the area”.
Another five projects were also funded in the Corangamite electorate. These are:
- Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers $14,000
- This project will undertake weed control with the help of Park Rangers and local students coordinated through the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers. This will help native habitats of endangered bird species and protect the last remaining coastal woodlands at Edwards Point and Duck Island.
- Bellarine Catchment Network Inc. $19,500
- This project will involve removing litter and weeds, revegetating with local plants, and rehabilitation of coastal sites and conduct an educational program with local students. This will increase community environmental awareness, support local flora and fauna and reduce threats within the region.
- Bellarine Landcare Group Inc. $17,500
- This project will protect the remnants of indigenous trees, by plant propagation and conservation activities including tree mapping, the installation of fencing, community workshops and education. This will promote understorey regeneration, improve biodiversity around existing plant populations and restore the fragmented ecosystem within the Bellarine Peninsula.
- Upper Barwon Landcare Network $15,000
- The Upper Barwon Platypus project will map and document the platypus population along the Barwon River riverbank and will undertake weed control and tree planting to improve the habitat of these native animals. This will increase community knowledge and awareness of the significance of this species within the Birregurra and Winchelsea township areas.
- Trust for Nature (Victoria) $14,000
- This project will remove weeds and construct a nature trail with interpretative signage in collaboration with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative. This will manage access to sensitive areas, reduce high weed threat to Tall and Wet Forest habitats and promote understanding of the fragile natural environment within the Otways Hinterland.
The Morrison Government is investing more than $22 million in the Communities Environment Program to support local environmental projects in every electorate across Australia, with grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 per project.
A broad range of organisations were eligible to apply, including local community clubs, not-for-profit organisations, landcare groups and schools.
Senator Henderson said that the Communities Environment Program was empowering local community groups to deliver practical local environmental projects that would not only raise environmental awareness but also strengthen the local community.
“I was very pleased with the high quality of applications received from our local community and environmental organisations, and their enthusiasm to undertake practical environmental projects.
“Community groups in the Aireys Inlet and Anglesea area are already delivering many fantastic environmental projects, whether it’s planting trees, cleaning up local waterways, reducing litter or protecting native species,” she said.
“This new funding for the Anglesea Aireys Inlet Society for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna will help to make the region cleaner and greener for future generations, and I look forward to working together to deliver this project next year.”