The Bunyip Landcare Catchment Project (BLCP) ‘Bio-Link’ scheme has recently been chosen as an exemplary model by Environment Australia. Each year Environment Australia chooses several projects to be used by other Landcare Groups as models of excellence in planning, management and implementation.
The BLCP is a group of eight Landcare groups based in the northern part of the Shire. This network group of dedicated conservation volunteers has completed over 100 projects and receives about 10 applications a month.
Facilitator, Julie Weatherhead assesses each application under a number of criteria and if successful the land owner receives subsidies for plants and fencing.
“Over 60 kilometres of fencing has been completed in two years and 60,000 plants have been put in,’’ Julie Weatherhead said. “There is no other Shire in Victoria that has taken Landcare on at this level.”
The Bio-Link project aims to link remnant vegetation areas together and protect streamsides in ‘corridors’ throughout the Shire. Using aerial photographs, areas are targeted and landowners approached and encouraged to undertake conservation work.
“So far this method has been very successful,” Julie Weatherhead said. “Property owners can see the benefits from the work carried out on neighbouring properties and are keen to become part of the ‘link’. Our wildlife corridors are being restored and repopulated. The water flowing into Westernport Bay will be less polluted and the streamsides protected from erosion.”
Cardinia Shire Council is a keen advocate of the BCLP and other Landcare groups operating in the area. Council’s Environmental officers work closely with the groups to secure funding and recognition and the Council contributes $20,000 per annum specifically to Landcare projects as well as $50,000 to tree planting grants and $30,000 to weed grants of which the groups are eligible to apply.
