Welcome to this spring edition of Corangamite Landcare News. We hope you find some useful information in this newsletter. If you have any resources or events you think would be of interest to fellow Landcarers, please get in touch with us and we will look to include your suggestions in future newsletters.
Regional Landcare Coordinator - Welcome Kylie
Following a review of how we support Landcare in the region we have established a new role - a dedicated Regional Landcare Coordinator. We have recently welcomed Kylie McLaren to the team to take up this role. Kylie brings a diverse range of experience in natural resource management and community engagement. She is looking forward to supporting groups and networks across the region.
Stephanie Rosestone will continue as Manager - Landcare and Volunteers at the Corangamite CMA, supporting collaboration and strategic planning across the Landcare, Sustainable Agriculture and Citizen Science projects. Kylie will now be the main contact for Landcare.
Colac Otway Shire Grants Reopened The funding round has been re-opened with the remaining funds of $14,311 available for new applications. Recipients of the 2022/23 grants program are not eligible to apply.
Applications will be assessed against the program criteria and approved as they are received until the funds are fully allocated, or 30 April 2023. Find out more: Grants Program - Colac Otway Shire
Golden Plains Shire Community Strengthening Grants
Applications for the second round of Golden Plains Shire Council's Community Strengthening Grants Program will be open from 9am, Thursday 1 September to 2pm, Friday 30 September, with grants of up to $10,000 available in four streams:
• Healthy Active Living – to support recreation, sport, health and wellbeing projects
• Creative Community – to support arts and culture projects
• Environment and Sustainability – to support projects that improve the environment
• Community Safety – to support projects that equip communities to be safe and resilient Further details here
In partnership with Australia's leading research and development corporations and industry associations, there are 12 industry categories each worth up to $22,000 (GST inclusive).
Pilot Soils Program This program aims to support farmers and land managers to access low-cost soil sampling and certified testing in exchange for sharing their data.
Land managers can receive $275 per site towards sampling and testing costs and a total benefit of up to $10,000 per business towards the cost of soil sampling, testing, and sharing data on ANSIS. They will also benefit by receiving a report detailing their soil test results and expert advice from a soil extension officer to assist them to interpret their results and inform their land management.
Land managers may also qualify for an advance payment of up to $5,000 through an ERF (Emissions Reduction Fund) carbon abatement contract to help with the upfront costs of soil sampling. The advance payment is then repaid in the form of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU) delivered under the contract. Applicants can get sampling and testing done for more than one property. A total funding pool of $54.4 million is available over two years. Find out more here
Youth Volunteering for Nature Fund Applications are now open for the Youth volunteering for nature fund from Parks Victoria, closing on Oct 3.
On-Farm Emmissions Action Plan Pilot The Victorian Government has commenced the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot as part of its commitment under the Agriculture Sector Emissions Reduction Pledge to provide practical information, tools and services to support farmers to understand and reduce emissions.
The Pilot will work with up to 250 farm businesses across the state to measure their on-farm emissions profile and identify potential actions to manage and reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and profitability. Participants will then be eligible for grant funding from the Victorian Government to fund recommended actions from a total pool of up to $5 million. Round 2 is now open, closing 11 September 2022Click here for details
Resources and information
Landcare Conference Report The 2022 National Landcare Conference was an inclusive and inspiring event for everyone who cares about the sustainable management of natural and productive landscape, community well being and the environmental protection, enhancement and conservation of land, water, waterways and coasts.
Held both online and in person this year a few lucky Corangamite Catchment land managers had the opportunity to attend the conference in Sydney, including the Stewart family of Yan Yan Gurt West Farm who were in the running for the national Landcare Farming award after winning the Victorian State Landcare Farming award.
‘We had a fantastic time at the conference. Well worth going to. I've come back with lots of ideas for projects and some renewed energy for my work. There was a great indigenous presence at the conference, the final panel, all indigenous was my favourite session.’ – Kristy Stewart, UBLN
This booklet has been produced to help individuals, schools and community groups in Victoria grow and appreciate indigenous plants. It contains information on more than 50 indigenous plant species, including their uses by Aboriginal people.
Phytophthora Guidance Do you undertake works or visit areas where Phytophthora may be present? Phytophthora cinnamomi is an introduced plant pathogen that causes devastating dieback in native vegetation, particularly grasstrees, Banksia’s and other heathland plants. You can learn more about how you can take action and do your part in protecting native vegetation from further devastation by downloading the Corangamite CMA’s Phytophthora Management Hygiene Guidelines.
Training and events
Farming For a Brighter Future Symposium 8 & 9 September 2022
Waurn Ponds
Challenging boundaries to farmer health, wellbeing and safety. National Centre for Farmer Health event. More info here
Caring for Nature Expo - Ballarat Sunday 11 September 2022
Earth Education Centre, 59 Olympic Avenue, Mount Clear (Ballarat) This Expo is being held in conjunction with VEFN and EVAN (Environmental Volunteers & Agencies Network – Central Highlands) with a grant from DELWP aimed at attracting the younger generation to consider career and volunteer opportunities in nature. Caring for Nature Expo Tickets, Sun 11/09/2022 at 10:00 am | Eventbrite
Victorian Nature Festival 12-25 September 2022 the Victoria Nature Festival web hub and program is now live. This is for all in-person and live online events which require a booking. Digital content and self-guided events will go live for the festival.
Volcano Dreaming - International Day of Rural Women Event Wednesday 12 October 2022
Purrumbete / Camperdown area
Corangamite Rural Womens Network is hosting a day to visit a free range egg farm, explore volcanic lava tube caves and have lunch at Lake Edge Cafe on the shores of Lake Purrumbete. A bus will depart Winchelsea at 9am and return at 3pm with pick up points along the way. $20pp Register via Eventbrite Contact Karen O'Keefe for further information
Know a young person that wants to get involved in Landcare? Are you ready to step up for the environment? For young people? For yourself?
Geelong Intrepid Landcare is looking for a new committee to re-start some awesome adventure-focused Landcare activities post-covid.
So, if you’re aged 16 to 35 and want to step up and lead on stuff that matters give us a hoy. You’ll have the full support of the Geelong Landcare Network and the awesome national Intrepid Landcare team, as well as the many other Intrepid tribes across the country.
To express your interest, send an email to: geelongintrepid@gmail.com with your contact details and we’ll give you a call to have a chat about what is required (no experience necessary).
Awards and surveys
Soils Week Australia - Schools Competition This competition is free to enter. There are two categories, one for primary students and one for secondary students. For primary schools, the winning entrant will receive $1000 and the runner-up will receive $500. For secondary students, the winning student will receive a $500 JB Hi-Fi voucher and $1000 to their school.
The students simply come up with a compelling way to explore the wonderful world of soil and highlight why it's so important. Find out more: Schools Competition – Soil Week Australia
Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut Survey Closing 12 September 2022 This project will develop a masterplan for the lower Moorabool and lower Barwon Rivers stretching from near Meredith in the north, through Geelong and to the estuary at Barwon Heads. The objectives of the masterplan is to connect people to the lower Moorabool and lower Barwon River corridor by balancing public access, recreation, economic opportunities and education while enhancing the area’s unique cultural and environmental values.
We want to find out what you value about the river corridor and any ideas or opportunities you have to improve the protection and use of the corridor.
Share your thoughts here: Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut masterplan | Engage Victoria
Small Blocks Big Dreams The Small Blocks Big Dreams land stewardship project is well underway with the first rounds of workshops for Bush Block owners and Small Producers now complete. Thank you to Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group and Central Otway Landcare Network for delivering these workshop series, the participants, presenters, DELWP and to those on the project working groups. Planning is now underway for the next Small Producers workshop series and first Horse Owners workshop series. To find out which workshops are coming up next, sign up to the Small Blocks Big Dream enews click here
Corangamite CMA Staff Contacts
Regional Landcare Coordinator - Kylie McLaren Monday to Friday (9-3)
The Regional Landcare Coordinator works with Landcare groups and networks to share information, develop promotional materials, discuss challenges and make regional decisions to achieve positive results. This position works to meet key priorities of the Victorian Landcare Program and Corangamite Landcare Support Plan. Email:kylie.mclaren@ccma.vic.gov.au
The RALF supports farmers, industry and community groups to adopt new and innovative sustainable agriculture practices. Establishing and building partnerships with these key groups is central to the RALF role. The RALF supports the delivery of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program sustainable agriculture outcomes. Email: karen.okeefe@ccma.vic.gov.au
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