Cardinia Shire Council has welcomed Victorian Government funding to support vital biodiversity and environmental works in Koo Wee Rup.
The $200,000 grant from the Victorian Government's Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) will help deliver the Koo Wee Rup Biolink project.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Brett Owen said the investment would support Council's ongoing work to protect and enhance the natural environment.
"In 2019, Council adopted its 10-year Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, which set our long-term direction for protecting and improving our natural environment," Mayor Owen said.
"A key action from this strategy was the development of a Biolink Plan to identify the most important areas to focus our efforts.
"Koo Wee Rup area was identified as one of those priority locations, and this funding allows us to take meaningful action on the ground to deliver real environmental benefits for our community, and the region."
The Koo Wee Rup Biolink project will cover 24 square kilometres and include revegetation and community education to protect and expand native vegetation, improve water quality and reduce sediment and nutrient flows along 3.2 kilometres of drainage lines into Western Port Bay.
The project will establish four kilometres of shelterbelts across 12 properties, while improving habitat connectivity for threatened species including the Southern Brown Bandicoot and Growling Grass Frog.
The Koo Wee Rup Biolink project will be delivered in collaboration with key partners including Bunurong Land Council, Melbourne Water, Western Port Catchment Landcare Network, Western Port Biosphere, Cardinia Environment Coalition and VicTrack.
"This collaborative approach is vital to protecting Western Port Bay, an internationally significant wetland, and ensuring long-term environmental resilience," Mayor Owen said.
"We look forward to continuing to work with our partners and community to protect these significant areas and to strengthen connections across our shire.
"We thank the Victorian Government for this investment, which will deliver real, on-the-ground benefits for our community and the environment."
