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Environmental Nomination for Bass Coast Shire Council

Landcare officers and supporters. (l-r) Jodie Gager, John Tatman, Moragh Mackay, Brian Enborn, Mike Paine and Paul Smith

Landcare officers and supporters. (l-r) Jodie Gager, John Tatman, Moragh Mackay, Brian Enborn, Mike Paine and Paul Smith

Bass Coast Shire Council was recently announced as a finalist in the 2001 Victorian Landcare Awards

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 19th December 2001 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council was recently announced as a finalist in the 2001 Victorian Landcare Awards. The regional office of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment nominated Council for the APN Outdoor Media Group Landcare Local Government Award.

"We were delighted to receive the nomination and even happier to hear that we are finalists," said Paul Smith, Environment Manager at Council.

"Council is proud of the support that we give to Landcare officers and groups in the Shire and the partnerships we’ve created with agencies such as DNRE, local water authorities, the Phillip Island Nature Park and the Catchment Management Authority," said Paul.

He explained that these partnerships have provided a framework and support that allows the local community to tackle land and water management problems efficiently and effectively, which increases productivity on agricultural land.

Some of the Landcare programs that Council supports in the Shire include:

  • Supporting the Bass Valley Landcare Group by providing 35% of the funding for the Bass Valley Landcare Coordinator as well as supplying advice on technical and environmental issues. The pioneering Bass Valley Landcare Group have completed a tremendous amount of on-ground work and developed a management plan that incorporates the entire Bass Catchment. They are also actively involved in Landcare education throughout the region.
  • Support for Phillip Island Landcare by providing 25% of funding for the Landcare Coordinator, office space and technical support. Council also provides support for on-ground works for this highly active and diverse Landcare group.
  • Supporting the nationally acclaimed "Powlett Project" by providing office space, administration and technical support for the project officer. The Powlett Project involves bringing together land managers and management bodies within the Powlett Catchment to develop and implement catchment management. Since it started 5 years ago, the Powlett Project has planted more than 350,000 indigenous trees, shrubs, grasses and ground covering. It has also fenced and protected 10 hectares of remnant vegetation.
  • Directly supporting Landcare activities and programs such as the Roadside Weed Abatement Program. Through this program, local farmers use herbicides provided by Council to spray weeds on rural roadsides. 400 kilometres of local roads have been treated under this program.

"Council believes that our support for Landcare groups and projects has helped develop a broad Landcare ethic across the Shire," said Paul. "By supporting enthusiastic land managers in the Shire through Landcare groups, Council has helped create a culture where many land managers incorporate Landcare activities in their yearly works program."

"We believe that by supporting Landcare across the Shire, local Landcare coordinators and groups have established themselves as some of the best and most dedicated in the country," said Paul.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: basscoastshire@gippslander.com



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