Friday, 29th June 2017

Community groups are now invited to apply for a share in $287,000 to help improve the health of the Gippsland lakes, Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced.

The funding makes up the second round of the Gippsland Lakes Community Grants Program, following more than $460,000 awarded for 11 projects in the first round.

Examples of projects funded in the first round include:

• The Perry River restoration project,
• Forge Creek erosion control, and
• A marine life photo database.

The community grants are part of the broader $3.15 million Gippsland Lakes Funding Program announced in January.

Groups are encouraged to apply for funding for a broad range of projects to help improve the health of the lakes.

This includes everything from bird and fish monitoring right through to tree planting projects and protecting wetlands, rivers, creeks and streams.

Ms. Shing said projects funded by community grants will help address actions listed in the Gippsland Lakes Priorities Plan.

The Plan highlights high priority areas such as seagrass, fringing wetlands and threatened species as well as a range of other priority actions.

Full details of the Gippsland Lakes Priorities Plan and how to apply for the funding through the community grants program are available at www.loveourlakes.net.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“The Gippsland Lakes are important to so many families and their communities, that’s why we’re working with locals to protect them.”

“We are seeing great work being done after the first round of funding, so I am encouraging groups to submit applications for the second round.”

Quotes attributable to Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee Co-Chair, Peter Veenker

“The grants provide an opportunity for community groups to seek funding for projects that will help tackle key priorities for the Gippsland Lakes.”

Image from Parks Victoria