Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured with Wellington Shire Councillor, Cr Scott Rossetti, and members of the Maffra and District Landcare network (Carmen Lee, Darren Williams, Tom Wallace and Beth Ripper), discussing one of the groups many projects.

Community groups in Wellington Shire have been acknowledged by the Victorian Coalition Government, with the latest round of Victorian Landcare Grants announced.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said Maffra and District Landcare will receive $32,000 which will enable it to continue to “wage war against priority weeds” through best practice demonstrations and reinvigorate four local Landcare sub groups by supporting their projects of importance.

“Dargo Landcare will also receive $9,945 for activities which include weed control on public land, an educational program and maintenance funding for the group.”

Mr Bull said with $2.1 million available, these grants were one of the ways the Government was supporting practical action at a local level.

“The Victorian Landcare grants support local community groups by providing grants to complete on-ground works to conserve and enhance their local environment.

“In Gippsland East, over $196,000 has been allocated to target environmental projects that maintain and support our native plants and animals and support local Landcare groups.

“It is great to see local environmental groups and community organisations receiving grants to fund environmental projects close to home.

“To strengthen and support the Landcare movement in the region, we will also provide groups access to a share of $24,000 in maintenance/start up grants to ensure a strong Landcare base and enable volunteers to focus on their hands-on environment role, Mr Bull said.”

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith, said the Victorian Coalition Government’s Victorian Landcare program highlights the partnerships between government, community and environmental groups.

“Our environment will benefit from the Victorian Landcare Grants program, which has a strong focus on providing local community groups with the support they need to deliver environmental benefits at a local level,” Mr Smith said.

“These grants are another example of the Napthine Government’s ability to deliver real and tangible support to local communities, while contributing to their local environment.

For more information on these grants, visit www.wgcma.vic.gov.au