Victoria’s Shire of Campaspe has won the Telstra National Landcare Award for its ongoing commitment to the preservation and management of the local environment. The rural community in central Victoria is home to many industries dependent on a healthy environment.
“It is vital we take care of our environment because agriculture is a major part of our local economy,” said Mayor Greg Toll. “Our thriving tourism industry depends on many of our natural attractions such as the Murray River.”
He said the Shire has made ecological sustainability one of its key objectives developing a number of initiatives to help address environmental problems in the region.
These include a Community Grants Scheme. This provides thousands of dollars in funding each year for Landcare and Waterwatch groups, support for the employment of a Salinity Link Officer by two Landcare groups and the appointment of a senior officer from the Shire as a member of the steering committees of these groups.
Subsidised tree schemes have been established for private landholders and free trees and fencing materials are available for Landcare groups undertaking particular projects. Council has also played an active role in the Community Surface Drainage Scheme.
“This Award recognises the Shire of Campaspe as an Australian leader in the preservation and management of the environment,” Greg Toll said. “Involving the community has been a keystone of Council’s initiatives.
“The community deserves this Award for the strong interest it has shown in Landcare issues and the role it has played in trying to improve the environment.”
Other finalists in the Local Government category were Maroochy Shire, Queensland; Maitland City Council, NSW; Huon Valley Shire Council, Tasmania; Litchfield Shire Council, Northern Territory and Corong and District Shire Council, South Australia.
For further information contact, David Merrett telephone (03) 5481 2243.
