Thursday, 28th 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 West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority region, funding will provide one Landcare facilitator to support areas covering;

• Mount Worth
• Neerim
• Trafalgar
• Warragul
• Yarragon

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 West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority 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 Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing MLC:

“The Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program has brought new energy, ideas and approaches to long running challenges in Landcare across Gippsland.  I look forward to seeing the results of this investment in local landscapes throughout West Gippsland.”

“This new position will enhance the geographic coverage of Landcare and provide more support for vital Landcare activities in our region.”