Council will be supporting community-led projects to improve biodiversity in the Shire through its Biodiversity Grants program. Grants are now open and community groups, including environmental groups, schools and other incorporated or auspiced groups, are encouraged to apply.
Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that protecting biodiversity was a high priority for Council.
“These Council-funded grants will help support some of the excellent work being done by community groups,” said Cr Hood. “By supporting community groups who have the passion to lead these projects, we are taking positive steps to protect, maintain and enhance biodiversity.”
More information on the guidelines and application process can be found at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/grants.
Projects for amounts up to $5,000 will be considered. Applications close 5pm, Monday 5 June 2023.
Projects funded in 2022 included:
- Daylesford Community Centre – $4,236 to establish an accessible indigenous wildlife demonstration garden
- Hepburn Gardens for Wildlife – $3,728 to organise training in local plant and weed identification for the general community including mentors of the Hepburn Garden for Wildlife program
- Hepburn Wildlife Shelter – $3,363 to revise and reprint 2012 booklet that outlines things we can do to minimise our impact on wildlife and share our spaces with the local wildlife
- Blampied Kooroocheang Landcare Group – $4,236 to establish stock proof fencing for a seed production area (SPA), aiming to grow 2,000 Silver Banksia- an important revegetation species for the Shire.
- Daylesford Primary School – $4,236 to run a program to conduct on-ground revegetation projects designed and implemented by student-led teams with associated biodiversity awareness excursions and incursions
- Wattle Flat Pootilla Landcare Group – $4,198 to part-fund purchase of a covered trailer for the safe storage, handling and transport of equipment for Landcare activities.
