The Federal Government is delivering $300,000 to help protect the exceptional biodiversity of the Western Port Biosphere and Mornington Peninsula.
The Biosphere – which encompasses Casey’s coastal villages including Cannons Creek, Warneet and Blind Bight – holds a uniquely wide range of habitat types and mix of environmental landscapes, including national and marine parks.
The region is also home to endangered mammals like the Southern brown bandicoot and fish such as the Australian grayling.
The funding, to be delivered over three years, will support the Biosphere’s much-needed work of balancing conservation and sustainable development within the region.
Federal MP for Flinders Greg Hunt welcomed the investment through the Environment Restoration Fund and praised the actions of the community.
“The team at the Western Port Biosphere do incredible work in protecting and studying our local flora and fauna,” Mr Hunt said. “This delivered election commitment provides them with long term certainty in funding so that they can get on with the job of conservationism throughout the Western Port region.”
“The Biosphere will adopt a multidisciplinary approach, communicating with a range of cultural groups and communities on the need to protect the region. This will include forums and seminars to help increase community understanding of the development pressures on mammals, waterbirds and marine species.”
Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley said the funding was crucial in stopping in the migratory flyway of more than 30 species of international migratory shorebirds—a number of which are highly-endangered.
“This internationally-important wetland is covered under the Ramsar Convention and is subject to three Australian migratory bird agreements with China, Japan and Korea,” she said.
