$116,000 FOR LOCAL COASTAL PROJECTS

More than $116,000 will be injected into local efforts to conserve the coastal and marine environment thanks to funding from the Federal Liberal-National Coalition made available through a special Envirofund Coastal and Marine round, Nationals Senator Fiona Nash announced today. Senator Nash said five projects will share in a total of $116,373 to help in tackling environmental issues facing the local area. “The Tweed coastline is one of the most beautiful in the country and it’s great to see the local community actively working to protect and conserve the coastal environment for future generations,” Senator Nash said. “The Federal Coalition is committed to supporting community groups in their efforts to enhance their natural resources and today’s funding is in recognition of the dedication and enthusiasm of those who contribute so significantly to protecting the environment.” Senator Nash said this was the first time an Envirofund round had been specifically available for coastal and marine environment projects that address issues such as dune erosion, feral pest control, the protection of threatened coastal species and community education. Since it began in 2002, Envirofund has provided more than $134 million in funding for more than 8,166 community and individual projects around the country. Applications for funding of local environment projects thought the next Envirofund round will open in 2008. Individuals and groups can apply for grants of up to $50,000 for local projects including planting native plants, fencing to protect bushland and knowledge building activities. Dates and details of the next funding round will be made available on the Envirofund website: www.nht.gov.au/envirofund Successful projects: Applicant: The Trustee for Billinudgel Property Trust Project: Restoring Coastal Habitat to Link a Regional Corridor, Billinudgel, NSW Funding: $38,908.18 This project will restore degraded farmland into local native forest at Billinudgel Nature Reserve. Activities to be undertaken include revegetation with 12,000 native plants to rehabilitate 9.4 hectares of grazing land, removal of weeds to facilitate natural regeneration, installation of 10 nests boxes for fauna use and holding two community participation days for plantings and ecological workshops. Outcomes will be enhancement of surrounding environment and biodiversity including improved water quality of run off entering the reserve, reduction of weed invasion and increased habitats and habitat connectivity for fauna. Applicant: Angels Beach Dune Care & Reafforestation Inc Project: Angels Beach, East Ballina Endangered Ecological Communities Restoration Project Funding: $28,772.73 This project will protect Littoral Rainforest, coastal wetland and endangered ecological communities and their threatened flora and fauna at Angels Beach within Ballina Coastal Reserve. Activities to be undertaken include contract weed spraying in six zones, post treatment monitoring and manual weed regrowth reinfestation control and revegetation with 1,000 native trees. Outcomes will be restoration of natural habitat in the project area including consolidating a major flora and fauna corridor and enhancement of coastal biodiversity. Applicant: Ducks Unlimited Australia Pty Ltd Project: Boulders Beach Wetlands Restoration Project Stage 2 Funding: $10,867.36 This project will control the spread of weeds, encourage the growth of native vegetation through bush regeneration, reduce drain bank erosion and water course siltation and improve habitat values. This project expands upon a previous weed control and revegetation project known as Boulder Beach Stage 1. Two areas of 0.24ha and 0.106ha will be fenced using the materials of Stage 1 and the area replanted with native species consistent with those found within the Littoral Rainforest and freshwater wetland of this region. Applicant: Fingal Head Coast Care Incorporated Project: Conservation of Ancient Coastal Dune and Heathland at Wommin Lake Funding: $16,920.91 This project will control unauthorised access of 4WD vehicles degrading the only remaining Pleistocene ancient hind dune on the Tweed Coast. Activities to be undertaken include erection of 2.1km of fencing and placement of eight boulders, placement of four informative signs, replacement of sand in highly eroded areas and revegetation with 1,000 local native species. Outcomes will be successful elimination of 4WD vehicles, restoration of the native vegetation and protection and restoration of the hind dune. Applicant: Yallakool Community Group Sponsor: Brunswick Valley Landcare Incorporated Project: Yallakool Flora and Fauna Corridor and Community Gardens Funding: $20,904.55 This project will implement the management plan developed for the area in 2005. There are four key parts to the project: restoration of 1ha of vegetation through bush regeneration and revegetation with 200 native plants; establishment of an educational 'bush tucker' garden; construction of a walking track with bridges and lookout points to reduce human impact upon the area; and a labelling system of significant plants will be developed. An educational open day plus skill building seminars will educate the community with members of Landcare present to answer any questions. Outcomes will include enhanced natural habitat in the project area and heightened community awareness of local environmental issues

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