Coastal conservation projects benefit from funding initiative

TREES for tawny frogmouths, restoring the habitat for native orchids and the eradication of invasive holly are some of the projects to be funded under a new federal government initiative.

The $1 million Community Environment Grants Program will support coastal projects from Peterborough to Bells Beach and is being administered by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority as part of the $6 million Wild Otways Initiative.

Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley has announced 23 new projects that will see $855,000 to support species including the long-nosed potoroos, swamp antechinus and broad-toothed rat.

“As well as hands on conservation measures like tree planting and weed eradication, the projects will foster an ongoing legacy of community involvement and education,” Ms Ley said.

“Geelong College, for example, is using part of its funding to incorporate revegetation and land management into the school curriculum, so teachers and students can restore five hectares of habitat for the EPBC Act-listed Leafy Greenhood Orchid that is found on their Cape Otway campus grounds.”

“These are on ground projects that reflect the Morrison Government’s commitment to supporting communities and practical environmental action,” she said.

Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson said another of the projects involved helping tawny frogmouth populations return to pre-bushfire levels.

“Weed eradication and mass plantings will create a tawny frogmouth corridor in the Wye Gully to improve habitat and enhancing the quality of water discharging into the Wye River,” Ms Henderson said.

“The catchment authority will also work with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation to eradicate holly and advise on future indigenous planting.”