Local groups share in Coastcare Victoria Community Grants

THE Victorian government has announced the recipients of this year’s Coastcare Victoria Community Grants Program.

A total of 27 grants were awarded to coastal volunteer groups around the state, including four from the Bellarine.

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant announced this year’s local recipients, who will share in $220,000 worth of funding:

Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management Inc

Bellarine Catchment Network

Friends of the Bluff, and

Swan Bay Environment Association.

“I’m really proud to support the dedicated efforts of local volunteer groups working to look after our iconic and special coastal and marine environment,” Ms Marchant said.

“Supporting community projects like these is vital to help volunteer groups adapt and plan for changes to their local coastal environment.”

The grants fund community-led environmental groups and organisations in delivering projects to support the community in caring and acting for the marine and coastal environment.

This year’s program included three streams; Coastcare Victoria Stewardship and Education, Strengthening the Coastcare Victoria Community and Caring for country.

Applicants could apply for up to $10,000 for projects focusing on one of the three streams.

More than $1.9 million has been invested in the program since 2019, supporting the delivery of over 145 projects, spanning across the state’s 2,500km coastline.

The Jan Juc Coast Action Group was also awarded funding in the program for the Jan Juc Coast Action Coastal Wildlife Art Competition.

The full list of recipients is available from marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au