Coastcare volunteers Neil and Kate with national ambassador Matt Welsh, centre.THE coast may be a decent distance away for some Casey residents but that doesn’t have to stop locals from protecting this precious part of Victoria.
And now Federal Government grants of up to $50,000 are available to support hands-on local projects if people are protecting their local coastal and marine environment.
Coastcare, an independent organisation established to promote public awareness of coastal environment issues, is encouraging Casey residents to apply for the funding.
Coastcare national ambassador and Australian swimmer Matt Welsh is lending his support to the program.
“Australia’s Coastcare movement consists of over 60,000 volunteers nationwide and with this special coastal and marine round of the Envirofund, Coastcare hopes that people in the Berwick and Cranbourne areas will take up the call and make a real difference to their local coastline,” Welsh said.
“This is the first time the Australian Government has provided funds specifically for coastal environment projects through the Envirofund. I urge everyone with an interest in protecting local coastal environment to apply for a grant,” he said.
Coastcare CEO Brian Scarsbrick also welcomed the announcement of specific coastal and marine funding through the Australian Government Envirofund.
“Whatever the project – whether it helps protect a local bay, an estuary, local marine life or continues a critical local environmental action program – Envirofund is there to help.
“Our message is simple: whether you are an individual volunteer, a community group, a group of concerned individuals or an environmental group, get an Envirofund application in now,” Mr Scarsbrick said.
More than $110 million has already been distributed through the Australian Government’s Envirofund with more than 7000 local projects undertaken.
“With a massive $4 million now earmarked especially for projects that care for Australia’s coast, we really can make a huge difference,” he said.
For a copy of the application form call 1800 065 823 or visit www.coastcare.com.au
