FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR LANDOWNERS TO IMPROVE PLATYPUS HABITAT
17 February 2005
Landowners in The Basin are now invited to apply for funding to protect and enhance Dobsons Creek and Upper Dandenong Creek and improve habitat for platypus.
The funding is part of the Melbourne Water’s Stream Frontage Management Program, which operates in the area as a collaborative grants scheme supported by Knox City Council and the Australian Platypus Conservancy.
The Stream Frontage Management Program aims to improve the environmental, social and economic values of the region’s rivers and creeks by protecting and enhancing streamside vegetation and minimising erosion and stock access.
Acting Managing Director Grant Wilson said each year Melbourne Water identified priority rivers and creeks and aimed to improve waterway health by working with private landowners.
“Stream Frontage Management grants are available to rural landowners on private or leased Crown land for fencing, weed control and revegetation,” Mr Wilson said.
“Managing riparian areas by controlling stock movement, removing weeds and establishing healthy native vegetation has many positive benefits for our rivers and creeks, and also for private farm productivity.
“This program aims to also improve the important habitat for platypus in these creeks.”
The Salvation Army in The Basin recently received funding under the Stream Frontage Management Program for fencing and revegetation.
“The Salvation Army property is an important property to improve due to the size of the frontage and platypus values,” Assistant Manager Major Wally Spinks said.
“We’re keen to undertake further stream protection works to help improve Dobsons Creek and Upper Dandenong Creek.”
Major Spinks said he was really excited to be involved in the program and looked forward to carrying out substantial improvements along the entire stretch of Dobsons Creek and Upper Dandenong Creek running through the property over the next couple of years.
Property owners with a minimum of 50 metres stream frontage are now invited to apply for grants under the 2004/05 program by completing an expression of interest form. Forms are available by calling Melbourne Water on 9235 7231. Applications close on 21 March 2005.