Friday, 14 July 2023
COASTCARE GRANTS SUPPORTING LOCAL VOLUNTEER GROUPS
The Andrews Labor Government is backing Victoria’s coastal community groups with over $350,000 of new funding through the Coastcare Community Grants. Member for Bellarine, Alison Marchant MP today announced successful applicants for the 2023 grants program.
Funding will support projects across Victoria that build the capacity of marine and coastal volunteers, improve environmental and cultural values, support community adaptation, and improve ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Friends of the Red-Capped Plover Bellarine received a grant of $9,966 to increase awareness of sustainable beach behaviour at breeding sites as well as Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management who received $9,920 to go towards building on the community red-capped plover monitoring program established in 2017 to collect invaluable data.
Friends of Edwards Point Reserve Inc received $10,000 to assist with the removal of exotic weeds from Edwards Point Wildlife Reserve that are impacting on the biodiversity value of Edwards Point Wildlife Reserve.
Education is so important, and it is very exciting to see Clifton Springs Curlewis Coastcare Group Inc received a grant of $9,600 to update and expand the Clifton Springs Curlewis Information Booklet to increase knowledge and understanding of marine environment and appreciation of the area. Southern Ocean Environmental Link also received a grant to assist with education with a $10,000 grant to assist with sponsoring 100 volunteers to lead a Marine Coastal Citizen Science Program in Port Phillip Bay.
The Labor Government is proud to support Coastcare Victoria and the local volunteer groups working to protect and enhance Victoria’s 2,000 kilometres of coastline and engage the broader public in coastal stewardship.
The Government is building Victoria’s resilience to climate change and is continually improving how we plan for and adapt to rising sea levels and more coastal erosion as climate change and more frequent extreme weather events change the way we live.
Support for community projects through grants programs like this are vital to helping volunteer groups adapt and plan for changes to their local coastal environment.
Funding for the 2023 Coastcare Victoria Community Grants is provided by the $16.9 million VicCoasts program.
For more information on the Coastcare Victoria Community Grants Program, including a list of recipients, visit https://www.marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/coastal-programs/coastcare-victoria/coastcare-victoria-community-grants
Quotes attributable to Alison Marchant MP, Member for Bellarine:
“I’m really proud to support the dedicated efforts of local volunteer groups working to look after our iconic and special coastal and marine environment.”
