EAST GIPPSLAND AND NORTH EAST VICTORIA TO SHARE IN $2.1 MILLION TO BOOST LANDCARE

Friday, 29th April

More than 60 Landcare groups around the state will benefit from a $2.1 million funding to boost the number of Victorian Landcare facilitators.

The Andrews Labor Government funding will be used to deliver 10 new Landcare facilitator positions across the state to increase the effectiveness of the Victorian Landcare Program.

In the East Gippsland & North East Catchment Management Authorities region, funding will provide one Landcare facilitator to support areas covering;

• Benambra
• Dinner Plain
• Omeo
• Swifts Creek
• Ensay

The addition of 10 new Landcare facilitators across the state will complement the existing 68 Landcare facilitators.

Landcare facilitators provide support to Landcare groups and networks, and in turn support for local environmental projects.¬

A review of the Victorian Landcare Program and Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program recommended that up to 10 new Landcare facilitator positions be created to increase the coverage of Landcare facilitator support.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has worked with the Landcare Community Advisory Group and the East Gippsland & North East Catchment Management Authorities to determine the areas for new Landcare facilitator support in the region.

More information on the Victorian Landcare Program and Landcare can be found at: www.landcarevic.org.au

Quotes attributable to the Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes MLC:

“The Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program has brought new energy, ideas and approaches to long running challenges in Landcare across Victoria, and I look forward to seeing the results of this investment in North East Victoria.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing MLC:

“This new position will enhance the geographic coverage of Landcare and provide more support for vital Landcare activities in the high country of Eastern Victoria, stretching from Ensay to Dinner Plains, along the Great Alpine Road.