Applications open for Coastcare grants

APPLICATIONS are now open for the 2018 Coastcare Victoria Community Grants Program, which supports community efforts to protect Victoria’s 2,000 kilometres of coastline.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio has called on community groups to apply for funding that will help conserve, restore and rehabilitate Victoria’s coastal and marine environments.

A total of $250,000 will be distributed to Victorian community groups, with up to $10,000 available for one-year projects, and $15,000 available for two-year projects.

Projects will focus on issues such as:

• Biodiversity and habitat monitoring and preservation
• Threatened species recovery
• Revegetation
• Long term monitoring of beach condition
• Control of weeds and pest animals
• Community engagement
• Marine and coastal awareness and education

Several local groups have received Coastcare grants in recent years, including Anglesea Aireys Inlet Society for the Protection of Flora and Fauna (ANGAIR), Friends of Point Addis Marine National Park, Friends of the Hooded Plover Surf Coast and Jan Juc Coast Action earlier this year.

Established in 1995, Coastcare Victoria works with hundreds of community groups to look after Victoria’s precious coastal assets, and to foster positive community attitudes towards marine and coastal environments.

“We know how dedicated volunteer groups are across Victoria in helping protect our spectacular coastline,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“The Coastcare Community Grants will help volunteer groups maintain our coast through revegetation, monitoring native shorebirds and animals, and protecting cultural sites.”

“Victorians love our state’s coastline – and we are investing to ensure our precious and unique coastal environments can be enjoyed by future generations.”

Applications close on February 20.

For more information on the grants program, including funding guidelines, visit delwp.vic.gov.au/coastcare.