Member for Bega Andrew Constance today announced that $199,634 would go to Eurobodalla Shire Council and Deua Rivercare for their local projects that will protect, restore and enhance the local environment.
Mr Constance congratulated Council and Deua Rivercare for successfully securing the funds under the 2017/18 round of the NSW Environmental Trust’s Restoration and Rehabilitation Grant Program, saying their projects would result in significant environmental benefits for the local community.
“Eurobodalla Shire Council has been awarded $99,987 for their fighting ferals project to protect Eurobodalla's EECs.
“The Eurobodalla Shire supports 11 Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) which are located within remnant vegetation on coastal headlands, foreshores and urban bushland reserves surrounded by residential dwellings and are increasingly impacted by threatening processes associated with urban areas,” Mr Constance said.
“Garden weed escapees and urban rabbit populations are compromising the integrity of a number of remnant Eurobodalla EECs including, Themeda Grassland Headland, Littoral Rainforest, Bangalay Sand Forest, Coastal Saltmarsh and Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest.
“The project team will proactively work with neighbouring landholders across 68ha to reduce weed presence and spread from residential gardens and assist landholders to conduct pest animal control,” said Mr Constance.
Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes said the funds will support the excellent environmental works taking place across the shire.
“Our partnerships in collaboration with Landcare, community groups and land managers continue to achieve great results. We appreciate this extra funding and the NSW Government’s vote of confidence in our work,” Clr Innes said.
Mr Constance announced a further $99,647 for Deua Rivercare to assist in partnering with landholders and agencies along the Deua River to expand its cross tenure invasive species control project along what is a high conservation value aquatic ecosystem.
“The project will expand the weed control work along the river to an additional 67ha of high priority riparian lands, which will be achieved through education, individual and tailored landholder assistance packages, on-ground weed and pest animal control, site tours from local TAFE and community groups, and comprehensive and updated mapping,” Mr Constance said.
NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said the 2018 Restoration and Rehabilitation Grant Program had awarded 21 grants to community groups and 25 grants to government entities for a range of habitat and ecosystem restoration projects.
“We know that local communities have invaluable knowledge and such passion for their local bushland, wildlife, heritage and ecological sustainability.
“These grants acknowledge and support these on-ground works and together these projects form a network of environmental initiatives making a real difference.”
For more details on these projects visit: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/restoration.htm
