Funding for sustainable land management

THE Corangamite Catchment Management Authority is funding sustainability projects on the properties of small landowners through the Small Blocks Big Dreams initiative.

The program, which provided up to $2000 to landowners, is being run in collaboration with local Landcare networks.

There were six rounds of workshops and property tours from April 2022 to April 2024 to help small rural owners take better care of their properties and the environment.

The project was specifically for small producers, lifestyle and bush block owners and horse and other livestock owners.

Sustainable agriculture facilitator at Corangamite CMA, Karen O’Keefe, said that the project is a result of an increase in small landowners moving to the region since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With so many treechangers moving to the area, we wanted to empower small property owners to care for the biodiversity and health of their land and water – to teach them to farm more sustainably, think strategically, and develop tailored action plans for their properties,” she said.

“This is the first time the Corangamite CMA has tailored a program to small landholders and the unique challenges they face. “Even though a property might be small, it can still have a big impact. Every little bit counts when it comes to caring for the biodiversity of our catchment.”

After the workshops and tours, landowners were given the chance to have site visits from staff to put their plans into place.

Christine Shurvell attended the bush block stream of the project and said it was great to see practical change is possible.

“There’s been such a depth and breadth of knowledge given so readily and freely and humbly, and to see it in practice, not just in words or theory, has really inspired me,” she said.