Victorian Minister for the Environment, Ingrid Stitt today announced $1.7 million in funding towards local projects that support and care for the State’s marine and coastal environments.
The Victoria’s Resilient Coast grants, the Sea Country grants, and the implementation of Coastal and Marine Management Plans all present timely opportunities to address current and future coastal issues, the Minister said.
“Victoria’s precious coastline is already being impacted by climate change and these grants will help us prepare for future challenges,” said Ms Stitt.
“Each grant is supporting land managers, volunteers and community groups to safeguard our sensitive coastal and marine environments for years to come.
“Traditional Owners will continue to play an integral role in protecting our marine and coastal environments from the effects of climate change.”
Through the Victoria’s Resilient Coast grants program, $1 million has been provided to fund a series of projects that plan for the impacts of climate change.
The Minister said the program supports local councils and coastal land managers to progress strategic coastal hazard risk management and climate change adaptation.
The grants will help fund Surf Coast Shire Council generate flood modelling on the Painkalac Estuary Flood Risk Project, while Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority will be able to improve the health of estuarine seagrass meadows.
The Sea Country grants program will back six Traditional Owner organisations and an incorporated Aboriginal group along Victoria’s coast through $500,000 worth of funding, supporting Traditional Owners in asserting their cultural values, rights, and obligations in the management of the marine and coastal environment.
The $200,000 Coastal and Marine Management Plans grants program will help marine and coastal Crown land managers to prepare, review and implement coastal local-scale plans, the Minister confirmed.
