Major funding boost for biodiversity initiatives

The Andrews Labor Government will make the biggest funding boost to biodiversity in Victoria’s history, with almost $35 million in grants for targeted on-ground action.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, today unveiled funding for two biodiversity projects that will benefit the region to mark the start of Biodiversity Month.

Connecting Country’s Remnant rescue: restoring woodland bird habitat in central Victoria program will receive $333,500 to help protect Central Victoria’s Woodland bird communities under serious threat, across the Hepburn and Mount Alexander Shires.

The collaborative project protects and restores priority woodland bird habitat across 60 hectares of private and 40 hectares of public land. It involves a combination of landholder education, property plans, weed and rabbit control, revegetation and property covenants will achieve long-term habitat protection.

Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority’s Deepening Connections – engaging communities and enhancing habitat of the Deep Creek program will receive $452,710 to engage private landowners across an area of 6,700 hectares to control rabbits and weeds.

The project aims to protect a range of threatened species and communities including Platypus, Growling Grass Frog, and Plains Grassy Woodland within the escarpments of Deep Creek and surrounding plains south of Darraweit Guim.

Across Victoria, eighty-five of the projects are focused on biodiversity on-ground action, while $1.1 million has been allocated to four new marine environment projects.

The Labor Government is supporting a broad range of rehabilitation efforts by community and volunteer groups and agencies to improve the resilience of the state’s native plants and wildlife.

The projects have been developed collaboratively by interested community members, Traditional Owners, non-government organisations and government agencies, and respond to the priorities that were determined by stakeholder led working groups.

The projects are part of the Labor Government’s $86.3 million investment over four years to implement Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037.

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"The rich landscapes of our region are home to a beautiful and diverse range of flora and fauna and native animals."

"These grants will help our wonderful volunteer community-based environment groups and networks protect our threatened species and conserve our natural habitats."