Weed cash boosted

By Tania Martin
A HILLS Landcare group has welcomed a $9.9 million cash boost for the environment but says a bigger ‘bucket of money’ was needed.
This come as the State Government announced it would inject much needed funds into Victoria’s vital Landcare movement.
Climate change minister Gavin Jennings said the money supported maintaining a healthy environment which was vital for future growth.
“Our commitment will support farmers and other volunteers in Landcare groups and rural communities with natural resource management works and land stewardship activities,” he said.
Johns Hill Landcare Group president Karen Alexander said the cash would go a long way towards helping groups across the region continue their work.
But she said groups in the hills were screaming out for more facilitators.
“We are in one of the most stressed landscapes in the country, we have high numbers of threatened species,” she said.
“We welcome anything that means we continue our programs but Federal and State Governments need to give us a much bigger boost.”
Yarra Ranges Council mayor Len Cox has also welcomed the funding but hit out at the lack of cash for additional Landcare facilitators.
“This funding will provide greater certainty and support for the outstanding work of our local groups,” he said.
“But we are disappointed there was no additional funding for facilitators to replace the ceased Federal Government money for the roles.”
Cr Cox said this would result in the council picking up the tab for these positions and in its 2010-11 Budget it has allocated $90,000.
Ms Alexander said it would cost at least $4 million to provide a facilitator for each of Landcare’s 10 regions.
“That just leaves $5 million over four years for grants for all the groups across the state. That’s a drop in the bucket for what is needed,” Ms Alexander said.
“If we are to recover the health of this unique and irreplaceable nature, we need more.”