Grant boosts local conservation

A MOORABOOL Friends group has thanked the State Government for a recent grant of thousands of dollars, which will support ongoing conservation efforts.

The State Government announced last week that the Moorabool Landcare Network would receive $77,185 under the Green Links Grant Program, to go towards the further restoration of the Parwan Gorge on the Werribee River.

State Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle, said the funding would help protect one of many natural spaces in the region that the community enjoy.

“This funding is important for preserving and enhancing the natural beauty and ecosystem of the Parwan Gorge.” Ms Settle said.

The Friends of Hopetoun Park and Parwan Gorge, or FOHPAPG for short, are the member of the Moorabool Landcare Network responsible for looking after the area, and are keen to put the funding to good use.

The group’s president, Lorraine Jolly, said the FOHPAPG were “thrilled to be receiving this grant”.

“In recent years, our group have conducted and facilitated several smaller environmental enhancement projects, and this grant will enable further restoration of Parwan Gorge on the Werribee River,” Ms Jolly said.

“This grant will build on the significant revegetation works already undertaken by FOHPAPG, Melbourne Water, Parwan Landcare, and private landholders. Work proposed in this grant will focus on the south side of the gorge, in areas that have so far received little attention.

“The gorge escarpment is uniquely significant and hosts regionally rare plant species which are negatively impacted by invasive woody weeds such as African boxthorn, peppercorn trees and prickly pear.

“This project will include weed removal, rabbit control, seed dispersal on the escarpment, and community planting along the river.”

For more information on the work FOHPAPG do, visit their Facebook page or website.

More information on the Green Links Grants Program and future funding opportunities is also available on DEECA’s website.