Bushbank funds to improve Otways habitat

PART of the Otway Ranges will be improved to make it a better habitat for Victorian threatened species through the state government’s Bushbank program.

About $4.4 million will go towards seven projects that will deliver native plantings on public land across the state.

The Bushbank program helps to create and preserve habitats for some of Victoria’s species by planting millions of trees and shrubs on both private and public land to combat the environmental impacts of climate change and a growing population.

The new funding includes $643,000 to reforest land and improve water quality in the Otway Ranges by planting more than 100,000 plants to benefit species including the platypus, Otway burrowing crayfish and powerful owl.

These projects will build on BushBank plantings on public land over the last two years across a range of landscapes including parks, reserves and state forests.

The program’s partner, Cassinia Environmental, continues to work with landowners to continue planting on private properties, working towards BushBank’s target of revegetating 20,000 hectares of land by 2035.

BushBank is part of the Biodiversity 2037 plan to safeguard and improve the state’s natural environment for future generations.

This is supported by the state government’s $582 million investment in Victoria’s biodiversity and its plan to have net zero emissions by 2045.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulosa announced the grants on Thursday last week.

“The Bushbank program is an important way we’re supporting projects that help preserve and protect Victoria’s natural environment for future generations, supporting our target of net-zero emissions by 2045,” he said.

“We’re planting millions of native plants and trees to restore habitats, protect wildlife and reduce carbon emissions, backed by our record $582 million investment in Victoria’s precious biodiversity.”

For more information on the Bushbank program, head to environment.vic.gov.au/bushbank