RACV Funding for the Port Fairy-Warrnambool Rail Trail

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network has been successfull in an application to RACV's Community Foundation.

Basalt to Bay lodged an application for $9,999 to begin Rail Trail Habitat Restoration at the area just opposite Glaxo on the Princess Highway in Port Fairy.


The funding will be used to eradicate weeds, plant some 5,000 seedlings and direct seed an area running paralell to the rail trail.

It is anticipated that a community planting day will be held in 2010 with local community volunteers, community groups and school children from Port Fairy Consolidated School and Saint Patricks Primary School. The Rail Trail Committee will erect signage to acknowledge the contribution that RACV has made.

This is a great start to restoring habitat along the rail trail. With some 20 km out of a possible 26 km availible for restoration, much work remains to be done. But this project will mark the first milestone.

RACV's committment makes it clear that they keen to support local environmental projects that make a lasting difference to rural communities. So thanks RACV, we look forward to attending the presentation and starting work on the project. Thanks to Peter Haydon, Manager of the RACV Community Foundation, for his encouragement in applying for the grant.

Jemena gets Behind Basalt to Bay Landcare Network

Basalt to Bay has recently learned that it was successfull in an application to Landcare Australia, for the energy infrastructure group Jemena (http://www.jemena.com.au/) to fund our Rejuvinating Tozer Reserve project. Jemena will provide $30,000 towards the project and local staff, who will participate in on ground works at the start of October.

Funds will be used towards :

• Coordination
• Fencing
• Weed work
• 6,132 seedlings
• Creating a track with flora/fauna signage
• Mapping equipment & mapping conultation
• Training of volunteers
  
• Jemena sponsored coach tour of environmental works across the catchment (to be held in February 2010).

A big thank you to Francis Jeon-Ellis from Landcare Australia for facilitating our application and Jemena for sponsoring this project. We look forward to engaging with Jemena in this project and to a fruitfull relationship with them.

Network Update

Well, things have been busy here at the network. We've almost completed our strategic plan for the next 6 years and will be having our final planning day in the next fortnight. The plan will be availible as a download on our website. Talking of which, Tim Umney of Umney Media has just completed our new website (www.basalttobay.org.au) and I hope to finalise content and have it up and running by the end of the month. Feel free to give us your feedback on what's good and what's not. I reckon Tim has done an awesome job on the site - so thanks Tim !

Thanks also to David Nichols from the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, for his ongoing support for the network and the $9,000 from the GHCMA to complete our strategic plan and website.

I am also pleased to announce that we were succcessfull in recieving $3,308 from the Victorian Volunteer Small Grants scheme for our Revamping Landcare in Gunditjmarra Country project, which will assist towards the provision of Landcare based training activities later in the year. Thanks to the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development and the Minister for Community Development.

CMA Waterways Funding Availible NOW !!!

Hi Folks - please note that the Glenelg Hopkins CMA now has funds availible for
waterway protection projects. This includes protection or enhancement works
on all natural forms of springs, gullies, wetlands, creeks and rivers. Funds are available for fencing and revegetation works, and all projects need to be completed by Spring this year, 2009.

If you are considering fencing only, Basalt to Bay maybe able to fund revegetation in 2010-2012.

Please call or email Tania Parker, to discuss any projects you have in mind.

Mobile: 0428 506 699
Email: t.parker@ghcma.vic.gov.au