Community groups working to protect Victoria’s coastline will benefit from a $260,000 funding boost thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

The 2019 Coastcare Community Grants Program has funded 28 community groups – supporting the conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of coastal and marine environments along Victoria’s 2000km of coastline.

The Program helps deliver small scale community projects in coastal areas, building environmental and community resilience in a changing environment.

Grant recipients include:

• Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management
• Beach Patrol 3280
• Victorian National Parks Association
• Friends of Flinders Coastline Inc
• Harmers Haven Residents and Ratepayers Group: Friends of Harmers
• Friends of the Prom Inc.

The Program is supporting the Victorian National Parks Association’s Great Victorian Fish Count, which is the largest marine citizen science event in Victoria, with 750 divers and snorkelers recording fish sightings along Victoria’s coastline in 2018.

Established in 1995, Coastcare Victoria works with hundreds of community groups to look after Victoria’s precious coastal assets, and to foster positive community attitudes towards marine and coastal environments.

For a full list of successful recipients, visit delwp.vic.gov.au/coastcare.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Victorians love the state’s coastline – we want to ensure our precious and unique coastal environments can be enjoyed by future generations.”

 “We know how dedicated volunteer groups are across Victoria in helping protect our spectacular coastline.”

“The Coastcare Community Grants will help volunteer groups maintain our coast through revegetation, monitoring native shorebirds and animals, and protecting cultural sites.”