$1m investment to protect coastal environments

CORANGAMITE Catchment Management Authority is launching a $1million investment to support the Wild Otways initiative via the Community Environment Grants (CEG) program.

The CEG aims to deliver support for projects to protect and restore native plants, wildlife and coastal environments in the area between Bells Beach to Peterborough, and the Otways hinterland.

Funding of $5000 up to $50,000 per year is available for up to two years to eligible volunteer groups, local government authorities and Traditional Owners.

Corangamite CMA chair Alice Knight said this program provided a great opportunity to support the community to protect the unique and special environment in our region.

“Our Coastline and the Otways are very significant special natural environments in our region. They are home to a diverse array of plants and animals, unique habitats, and several significant and threatened species.

“The Australian Government’s Community Environment Grants Program, delivered through the Wild Otways initiative, provides an opportunity to support the community to continue to deliver great local projects that protect and enhance the natural environments we all love so much.

“Working with and for our community is very close to my heart. I am thrilled the Corangamite CMA will be working closely with our local community to deliver the Community Environment Grants Program across the Surf Coast and Otway Region.”

The program will fund projects that demonstrate environmental outcomes through the delivery of revegetation and supporting activities, weed and pest animal control, fencing and access track construction or improvement works that protect and manage environmental values; and habitat improvement works.

Applications are now open and close on January 22, 2021.

This project received funding from the federal government.

For more information, head to https://ccma.vic.gov.au/what-we-do/community-environment-grants-program.