Casey Council has been allocated $144,000 for a Western Port Weed Partnership project.
The funding is from a share of the $1.7 million for the Peri-urban Weed Management Partnership Program of the State Government to help land managers partner with Traditional Owners and local communities to manage high-risk weeds at sites on Melbourne’s fringe.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said this funding is a tremendous boost for the ongoing efforts to protect one of the most ecologically significant areas in the region.
“Western Port Bay is a vital habitat for birdlife and marine species, and this project plays a crucial role in weed management, carbon sequestration and shoreline protection,” she said.
A total of nine grants have been awarded to seven local councils, Parks Victoria and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
The grants will help preserve and restore habitat for native species across more than 5000 hectares, with co-contributions from project partners providing an additional $4 million to deliver the projects.
City of Casey’s Western Port Weed Partnership project is located along Western Port Bay between Blind Bight and Warneet, working over 330 hectares, with primary weed control targets including Sallow Wattle, Bluebell Creeper, Pittosporum, Ragwort and Gorse.
This project continues a partnership between the City of Casey and Parks Victoria, in addition to working closely with Friends of Warneet and the Youth Climate Action Committee to deliver education events and undertake on-ground volunteer works.
Invasive weeds can have a devastating impact on the ability of native plants to thrive and provide critical habitat.
Weeds can also have a negative impact on land productivity, water quality, tourism, fire risk and visual amenity.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said the funding would help Council to deliver the Casey Peri-urban Weed Partnership Project, which will focus on managing invasive weeds and safeguarding the biodiversity within the green wedge coastal villages of Blind Bight and Warneet for future generations.
For more information on the Peri-urban Weed Management Partnership Program, visit environment.vic.gov.au.
