$30,000 Community grants program for NSW groups now closed
Landcare Australia launches large-scale biodiversity corridor project in the Port Stephens area
Landcare Australia invited the local Port Stephens community to celebrate Landcare Week 2011 by launching the Durness-Borland Landcare Corridor project at a community planting day just outside Tea Gardens on Sunday, September 11th.
The Durness-Borland Landcare corridor is a substantial biodiversity corridor that is being established in the coastal hinterland of the lower Myall River, partly funded by a generous philanthropic bequest from the estate of the late Raymond Borland to Landcare Australia.
The project is a partnership between Landcare Australia, Durness Station (a subsidiary of Nepean), Hunter-Central Rivers CMA and Great Lakes Council, and will connect areas of high conservation value for native fauna and flora habitat. It will also rehabilitate and revegetate degraded grazing areas to reconnect remnant vegetation of high conversation value near the lower Myall River and Port Stephens with an extensive area of remnant swamp forest.
The corridor will extend from the coastal lowlands to the coastal ranges over 70 kilometres, and rise from sea-level to an elevation of 650 metres. The majority of habitat revegetation and regeneration is being undertaken on Durness Station, a large 4,000 hectare beef grazing property owned by Nepean, which lies just north and west of Tea Gardens on Myall Way and Viney Creek Road.
One of the key components of the Corridor is the Kore Kore Conservation Area which is 120 hectares of elevated high value remnant habitat overlooking Tea Gardens, Port Stephens and offshore islands. The area was purchased by Great Lakes Council and the Hunter-Central Rivers CMA to provide community access, environmental amenities and education. Mathew Bell, the senior ecologist for Great Lakes Council is very enthusiastic about the value of this area within the project, commenting that, “the Conservation Area is an important link in the overall project containing habitat for many species including koalas, squirrel gliders and the powerful owl.”
Landcare Australia Limited is overseeing the project and contributing funding through the Raymond Borland Bequest. Heather Campbell, CEO of Landcare Australia, recognises the significance of working on such a huge project in partnership with local authorities and the community.
“The Durness-Borland Landcare Corridor is a fantastic project and an excellent example of how willing partners can create a great community outcome. It also shows how a bequest can make an important difference and protect the environment that we all enjoy.
Raymond Borland greatly valued the Australian landscape and requested that his bequest be used for the restoration of degraded non-urban lands and non-tidal river systems in NSW. “Through this biodiversity corridor and conservation area his generous bequest is being put to the best possible use,” she added.
When completed, the Corridor will be a regional focus to demonstrate practical methods for integrating agricultural productivity with conservation. It will also provide enhanced opportunities for community education and awareness relating to biodiversity conservation, wildlife connectivity and sustainable grazing programs, including the establishment of best management practice on Durness Station, and through the provision of technical information and field days.
This large-scale project emerged from a successful partnership between the local community, private landholders and local government to create a regional green corridor for the protection of biodiversity against climate change.
Raymond Borland Bequest Grant Program now closed
Grant summary
Individual grants of up to $30,000 are now available to support community groups and other organisations undertake projects that will repair and rehabilitate degraded non-urban land and non-tidal waterways in NSW. Landcare Australia and the Raymond Borland Bequest are providing total of $300,000 (excluding GST) for the grants.
The Raymond Borland Bequest
During extended journeys through country NSW, Raymond Borland, a Sydney businessman, became gravely concerned about the extent and severity of landscape and water quality degradation that he often encountered. He was also impressed by the outstanding achievements of local Landcare groups in repairing degraded areas, such as eroded gullies and riparian areas, and protecting the biodiversity of native habitat. Raymond Borland resolved to assist future generations preserve and enjoy the integrity of our natural assets. His estate provided a bequest to Landcare Australia to be used for rehabilitating degraded natural environments in rural and non-tidal areas.
Who can apply?
All community groups or organisations involved in caring for and managing our landscapes and rivers are invited to apply. The grants are particularly targeted towards established local community-based organisations that are successfully delivering projects to protect and improve the natural environment in non-urban areas.
Individuals and commercial business organisations are ineligible to apply for these grants.
There is no requirement for applicants to be Landcare groups to receive a Raymond Borland Bequest Grant through Landcare Australia. All community groups and organisations that are committed to repairing and protecting land and waterways, and biodiverse habitat are encouraged to apply. There is no expectation that applicants will create or become a Landcare group as a result of a successfully funded application. If you would like support from your local Landcare group, please check the National Landcare Directory to find details of your local group.
We request that all groups and organisations ensure that they have registered the details of their group on the National Landcare Directory
Closing date for applications is 16th October 2011.
Available funding
A total of $300,000 is available for projects. An individual project can receive a grant of up to $30,000 (excluding GST).
