Monday, November 11, 2024

More trees to offset Moyne Council’s carbon footprint

More than 13,000 trees will be planted over the coming 12 months to help Moyne Shire Council offset its carbon emissions.

Council’s annual Community Carbon Offset Program is now open for applications with grants of up to $1,500 available for community groups and between $1,500 to $5,000 for private land holders.

Mayor, Ian Smith said the private land component was administered in partnership with Basalt to Bay Landcare Network to help ensure new plantings linked-in with existing revegetation projects and the right species were being selected for the area to increase biodiversity.

“I recently went and had a look at one of those sites at Nirranda South, where farmers Tim and Marie Humphrys, who received a grant through our partnership with Basalt to Bay Landcare Network, established a new shelter belt on their dairy farm through a direct seeding method,” Mayor Smith said.

“It was fantastic to see a mix of native species suited to the area starting to come through the soil. Tim and Maree said the program and linking in with Basalt to Bay Landcare had helped them gain knowledge about local biodiversity.

“I’m looking forward to visiting again to see how it’s come along and to hopefully hear about the increased wildlife that has been spotted in the area.”

The Mayor said the annual program for public land was established in 2010 to offset the carbon emissions of council’s fleet of light vehicles. He said the program was expanded to include projects on private land in 2020.

“That expansion was in response to Council declaring a Climate Emergency in 2019 and contributes to offsetting Council’s overall carbon emissions – not just those from our light
vehicle fleet,” he said.

“The $40,000 fund has $10,000 to plant almost 4000 new trees on public land to offset 756
tonnes of carbon dioxide from Council’s fleet of light vehicles and $30,000 to plant 10,000 trees on private land.

“This is an important program and one that is making a significant difference across the shire. Linking in with Basalt to Bay Landcare makes sure we have a coordinated approach to create green corridors and to make sure we have the right mix of species being planted to support and encourage greater diversity in bird and wildlife species across the region.”

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