The Victorian Government is continuing to support the recovery of the state’s devastated bushland and biodiversity with a new grants program to help fund rehabilitation works following the summer’s unprecedented bushfires.

The Biodiversity Bushfire Recovery Grants will provide a total of $900,000 for on-ground works, community education and capacity building projects.

The funding will support projects in the North East, East Gippsland and South West regions of the state where the fires had an unprecedented impact on Victoria’s precious plants and wildlife.

The program is unique because it not only provides funding for the rehabilitation of public land, it’s also available to fire-affected private landowners focusing on environmental conservation on their properties.

Successful applicants can access grants of up to:

• $10,000 for eligible individuals
• $30,000 for environmental volunteer groups
• $50,000 for volunteer-based environmental networks.

In recognition that fire affected communities are also dealing with current public health measures, building projects that include online training to maintain skills and promote information-sharing are also eligible for grant funding.

The grants are in addition to the Government’s $17.5 million rescue package for fire affected wildlife and biodiversity, which is continuing to assist in recovery works.

The program will also contribute to the targets in Victoria’s Biodiversity 2037 plan – helping to stop the decline of our native plants and animals and improve our natural environment.

Grant applications close on 20 July 2020. For more information and eligibility criteria, visit environment.vic.gov.au/grants.

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

“It’s great to be able to provide some extra support for our bushfire affected communities who are now dealing with the impacts of the pandemic on top of the fires.”

“Supporting these local projects will not only help the environment – it will go a long way to assisting in the recovery of fire affected communities and individuals.”

“Many private landowners are champions for biodiversity, conserving bushland on their properties and protecting the environment – that’s why it’s important they have an opportunity to share in these grants.”