Community groups share in grants to help the environment

THE Borough of Queenscliffe has awarded three grants to community groups to help reduce carbon emissions and preserve our local environment.

Queenscliff Uniting Church, the Swan Bay Environment Association, and Point Lonsdale Primary School were the successful applicants, and will share in nearly $3,500 of grant funds.

“Many members of our community care deeply about preserving our environment,” Borough of Queenscliffe mayor Bob Merriman said.

“We’re delighted to support that passion by funding three community-led projects to make the Borough more sustainable.”

The council received three applications for the program and was so impressed by the quality of the responses that it decided to make funding available to all three groups.

Queenscliff Uniting Church received funding to conduct two workshops on household waste minimisation and to compost food waste and tableware at the SacredEdge Festival.

Point Lonsdale Primary School received funding to roll out reusable coffee mugs at community markets.

The Swan Bay Environment Association received funding to extend the Gardens for Wildlife program, increasing the amount of native vegetation in our community.

Each project was assessed by council officers and a selection panel against a range of environmental, community and safety  criteria.

The Community Environment Alliance Program is part of the Borough of Queenscliffe’s broader commitment to a more sustainable environment.

Other projects the council is working on include rolling out LED lighting to all street lights, and increased tree planting as part of improvement works on Hesse Street.

“All of us have a role to play in taking care of the environment,” Cr Merriman said.

“I strongly encourage any residents who want to take part in Council’s sustainability projects to join the Community Environment Alliance.”

Residents who wish to join the Community Environment Alliance can do so by heading to queenscliffe.vic.gov.au/cea.