& Westernport CMA

Caring for Landscapes Landcare and environmental volunteering in the Port Phillip and region 2019-20 Landcare Report Card Acknowledgment of Country Introduction

The Port Phillip and Western Port region From March 2020, the effects of is home to 87 Landcare groups and coronavirus (COVID-19) impacted on 13 Landcare networks, as well as over the work and activities of Landcare The Port Phillip & Westernport CMA works on the lands, waters and seas of the 500 Friends groups, committees of and other environmental volunteering Bunurong, Wadawurrung and peoples and acknowledges them as management and other community groups. Physical distancing restrictions Traditional Owners. environmental groups. These groups saw not only on-ground activities reduce work across both private and public land, significantly, but also the social benefits It recognises and respects the diversity of their cultures and the deep connections bringing people together to achieve for volunteers associated with them. they have with Country. It values partnerships with their communities and beneficial outcomes in sustainable This also saw groups move meeting organisations to improve the health of Indigenous people and Country. land management and environmental and project work to new formats – this The Board and staff of the Port Phillip & Westernport CMA pay their respects to restoration and protection. flexibility again proving the enduring Elders, past and present, and acknowledge and recognise the primacy of Traditional Landcare in is underpinned by qualities of Landcare and its people. Owners’ obligations, rights and responsibilities to use and care for their traditional the support of Victorian Government, The challenges faced by the region’s lands, waters and seas. which funds a Regional Landcare groups are reflected in the results of the Coordinator role for each region, 78 2019-20 Landcare Group Health Survey, part-time Landcare Facilitator positions, and as a result this report. After the the annual Victorian Landcare Grants Victorian Landcare Grants 2020-21 were program and numerous valuable postponed, the level of participation events and opportunities for Landcare in the survey decreased significantly, volunteers and professionals. impacting the ability to accurately track 2019-20 presented many challenges for long-term trends around Landcare Landcare and community environmental groups and networks. This was also the groups. Increased demand for funding case for the Victorian Government’s has made grant application processes Victorians Volunteering Naturally Survey more competitive. In 2019-20, the Port 2020, which saw a significant decrease in 2019-20 LANDCARE Disclaimer Accessibility Phillip & Westernport CMA delivered reported volunteer numbers and hours. REPORT CARD This publication may be of $428,672 of funding to the region’s The Port Phillip & Westernport CMA Copyright © State of Victoria, If you would like to receive assistance to you, but the State Port Phillip and Westernport groups through the Victorian Landcare is proud to support the Landcare of Victoria and its employees this publication in an Catchment Management Grants 2019-20. The high level of demand movement in the region. We commend do not guarantee that the alternative format, please Authority, 2020 publication is without flaw of contact the PPWCMA (more than $1 million in applications) led the work of volunteers, who have This publication is copyright. No any kind or is wholly appropriate at 03 8781 7900 or to the Victorian Government allocating continued to follow their passions part may be reproduced by any for your particular purposes [email protected]. an additional $300,000. throughout a difficult year. We look process except in accordance and therefore disclaims all forward to helping them continue their with the provisions of the liability for any error, loss or gov.au, or via the National Copyright Act 1968. other consequences which may Relay Service on 133 677 work in 2021. arise from you relying on any or www.relayservice.com. To join the fold, find your local group at information in this publication. au. This document is also landcare.vic.gov.au. The photos featured in this available at ppwcma.vic. report were taken before coronavirus (COVID-19) gov.au. restrictions were put in place.

Cover image: Cannibal Creek Landcare Group at a bushfire recovery planting day (Hayley Sheridan) Landcare groups Case study: Cannibal Creek Catchment Landcare Group Inc. In 2020, Cannibal Creek Catchment initiated the Cannibal Creek Catchment Landcare groups are grassroots At the end of 2019-20, there were 87 Landcare Group Inc. celebrated 25 years. Biodiversity Project, which has seen organisations formed by neighbouring Landcare groups in the Port Phillip The group was born out of concern weeds mapped and methodically private landholders and other local and Western Port region. Despite the around a new quarry, and after their targeted and supported a feral deer people with a common desire to protect reduction in face to face activities in initial success, turned their attention to shooting program. and repair their local environment and 2020, Landcare groups reported as many the environment. The group has been as resilient and contribute to a sustainable environment. non-members participating in events While membership has always been resourceful as any in the region – in Run by local volunteers, many Landcare and activities as members in 2019-20. modest, with around 25 active members 2019 much of its regular work was put groups share a sustainable farming Data like this shows that Landcare at any one time, the social connection is aside to assist members and the wider motivation such as tackling pest plants continue engage with and attract new highly valued by members and they have community recover from the Bunyip and animals or increasing sustainable people to the movement, and play met more than 175 times since 1995. Complex Fire. Recently, the group has agricultural practices. Others groups an important role in inspiring a new also overcome the disruptions caused generation of environmental stewards. Innovation has been a constant for are motivated by a desire for positive Cannibal Creek Catchment Landcare by coronavirus (COVID-19) by using the biodiversity outcomes in their local area Group Inc. and the group was one of reduced time on the ground to produce and work together to tackle these issues the early adaptors of direct seeding as a book telling their history. on the ground. a revegetation technique. The group Many groups are also link common passions to the concept of Landcare, Case study: Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation with specialist groups such as Intrepid Landcare (catering to 18-35 year olds), Mornington Peninsula Koala Their long-term plan as a group aligns Equine Landcare and Mobile Landcare Conservation is bringing in a new cohort closely with that of its network, to re- operating in the region. of people to Landcare. The group plays establish native habitat in the form of an awareness role educating locals on wildlife corridors and championing an the appropriate eucalypt species such interest in nature. In 2020-21 they hope 2019-20 Landcare snapshot as Manna Gums that can be planting to to plant 20,000 trees. support local koala populations – 69 per The group is the latest to promote a cent of the remaining koala populations region or municipality wide approach on the Mornington Peninsula live in and to a Landcare issues, joining the likes of around private properties. equine, mobile and Intrepid Landcare The group began as a Facebook group groups. where members would track koala 3,828+ 65,972+ 40% 3,708 $2 sightings, but has grown to now support hours of members of groups other million planting events and consultations with (44 per group) volunteer described volunteers economic landholders – the continued motivation work themselves as participating contribution being building habitat for koalas. (on-ground, ‘trailblazing’ in Landcare through Since joining the Landcare movement training, ‘rolling or events and volunteer in May 2019, the group has attracted administration along’ and promotion) activities work more than 140 members, many of them families, with more than 3000 taking an interest on social media. Figures based on reported data from 40 Landcare groups in the 2019-20 Landcare Group Health Survey and estimated figures (based on reported data) for another 47 groups. Volunteer contribution calculated at $41.72/hour using ABS 2017-18 data. Landcare groups 56 24 Landcare groups in the Port Phillip and Western Port region at 30 June 2019. Geographical data was provided by Landcare groups and networks. 78 43 65 11 20 13 32 84 37

31 73 21 2 71 74 26 49 60 28 22 72 19 68 86/87 33 18

66 59 9 81 52 57 54 8 85 1 36 79 49 62 77 83 12 48 58 47 42 50/51 40 69 35 17

3 16 75 1. Andersons Creek Catchment 34. Jindivick 55 5 15 2. Arthurs Creek District 35. Johns Hill 10 14 38 34 3. Avalon (PPWCMA/CCMA) 36. Jumping Creek Catchment 23 4. Australian Landcare International (region wide) 37. Kinglake (PPWCMA/GBCMA) 27 5. Back Creek 38. Labertouche Sustainable Farming 6. Balcombe and Moorooduc 39. Langwarrin Woodlands & Northern Western Port 39 7. Bass Valley 40. Little River 82 8. Bayside Intrepid 41. Loch-Nyora 6 9. Bend of Islands 42. Macclesfield 81 10. Bessie/Ararat Creek 43. Macedon and Mount Macedon 25 53 11. Blackwood/Barrys Reef 44. Main Creek Catchment 76 12. Brisbane Ranges (PPWCMA/CCMA) 45. Manton and 13. Bullengarook 46. Merricks Coolart Catchment 67 29 46 14. Bunyip 47. Monbulk 30 41 63 15. Cannibal Creek 48. Montrose Upper 70 64 16. Cardinia Catchment 49. Moorabool Catchment (PPWCMA/CCMA) 44 45 17. Cardinia Hills Ragwort and Landcare 50. Mornington Peninsula Equine 7 18. Christmas Hills 51. Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation 61 19. Chum Creek 52. Mount Pleasant - Research 20. Clarkefield and District Farm 53. Mt Lyall 21. Coimadai 54. Mt Toolebewong 22. Cottles Bridge 55. Neerim and District (PPWCMA/WGCMA) 23. (Pakenham) 56. Newham and District (PPWCMA/NCCMA) 67. Sheepwash Creek 78. Upper Maribyrnong 24. Deep Creek (Romsey Lancefield) 57. North Warrandyte Osborne Peninsula 68. Smiths Gully 79. Upper Yarra 25. Devil Bend 58. 69. Southern Dandenong Ranges 80. Victorian Mobile (region wide) 26. Dixons Creek 59. Parwan 70. Southwest Mornington Peninsula 81. Watsons Creek 27. Drouin Rabbit Control and Landcare 60. Pentland Hills 71. St Andrews 82. Westernport Swamp 28. Dunmoochin 61. Phillip Island 72. Steels Creek 83. Western Port Intrepid 29. Dunns Creek 62. Pinkerton 73. Strathewen 84. Whittlesea 30. French Island 63. Poowong 74. Toolern Vale 85. Wonga Park 31. Greendale Wombat 64. Red Hill South 75. Toomuc Valley 86. Yarra Valley Equine 32. Gisborne 65. 76. Triholm 87. Yarra Ranges Intrepid 33. Hurstbridge District Landcare 66. Rowsley 77. Truganina Landcare networks Case study: Bass Coast Landcare Network

Many of the Landcare groups in the as multi-year strategic plans and large Since its formation in 2003, the Bass landholders, with sixty percent of the region have come together and on-ground projects. Coast Landcare Network has continually 1,400 rural properties in the network formed Landcare networks to share At the end of 2019-20, the Port Phillip innovated and engaged to raise the area involved in and supported by Bass and learn from each other. Landcare and Western Port region had 13 Landcare profile of Landcare in the agriculturally- Coast Landcare Network and its member networks enable groups to collaborate networks, which were all supported by rich Bass Coast region. groups. more effectively to address local land 11 part-time Landcare facilitators funded The ten-member network was formed to Over ten years more than two million management issues and develop through the Victorian Landcare Facilitator enhance investment opportunities from seedlings have been planted many with landscape-scale projects to enhance Program. government and corporate program volunteer efforts helping the program. their local environment. These networks interact continuously for local Landcare groups. Bass Coast The network has a works crew, Landcare networks help steer the with the Port Phillip & Westernport CMA Landcare Network’s core purpose is indigenous nursery and diverse volunteer strategic direction of Landcare at a via the Regional Landcare Coordinator, ‘Educate-Grow-Feed’ and its vision is a program at its river garden. which regional level and work closely with with network chairs and facilitators community engaged in supporting a doubles as a community demonstration councils, government agencies and participating in bi-annual meetings and productive, biodiverse landscape that and education site. Another signature community networks to develop regular leadership and development incorporates sustainable agricultural program has become its Environmental ambitious environmental projects, such events. practices and innovative environmental Detectives, which has taught more than enterprises. 10,000 students about the environment The network employs 18 staff and works since 2010. Landcare networks attracted an estimated $687,000 from with multiple partners across projects Bass Coast Landcare Network was the national, state and local funding sources spanning sustainable agriculture, winner of the Landcare Network of 2019-20 Landcare Group Health Survey environmental education, landscape the Year Award at the 2019 Victorian revegetation and environmental Landcare Award, the first network to win restoration. One of the network’s the award twice. Upper Deep Creek legacies has been achieving buy-in from Landcare Network

Jacksons Creek Northern EcoNetwork Moorabool Nillumbik Yarra Landcare Landcare Landcare Network Network Network

Middle Yarra Yarra NatureWest Landcare Network Ranges Landcare Network

Southern Ranges Envionmental Alliance

Western Port Catchment Landcare groups are the Landcare Network predominant member Mornington organisations of Landcare Peninsula South Gippsland networks, but other groups with Landcare Landcare Network an on-ground focus such as Network Bass Coast friends groups are also members. Landcare Network Other groups caring for landscapes Case study: Friends of Beleura Cliff Path Preserving a 700 metre walking coastal They’ve attracted buy-in and support In addition to Landcare groups and with the region’s Landcare groups and path which hugs seaside cliff to Mills from the neighbouring property owners networks, environmental volunteering are part of Landcare networks. Beach in Mornington is a labour of love that support the path and have a strong encompasses a diverse range of Accurately measuring the number and for Friends of Beleura Cliff Path. relationship with Mornington Peninsula environmental and sustainability impact of these diverse groups has been The strip of land near to coastal Council, informing them of path issues as activities. Friends groups, committees difficult, but recent work by the Victorian homes retains vital remnants of they arise. of management, and other nature Government through the Victorians indigenous vegetation but has a Despite coronavirus (COVID-19) advocacy and research groups care for Volunteering for Nature survey has helped myriad of challenges. There have been restrictions, the group oversaw a and enhance public lands and reserves to map the breadth of environmental three significant landslips in 13 years successful Port Phillip & Westernport across the region. volunteering groups in Victoria. linked to storm water along the path. CMA community grant. Council These groups often work closely with An estimated 919 environmental Weeds, primarily polygala, have also contractors treated and removed partner organisations such as Parks volunteering groups operate in the Port outcompeted local native species. polygala along the path and another Victoria and local councils, and are Phillip and Western Port region. Of these The group formed in 2014. Like other 1000 seedlings were put in the ground. eligible for many Landcare programs, groups, an estimated 490 undertake they haves also been challenged by the The group communicates its passion for such as Victorian Landcare Grants and activities that wholly or in part focus on aging demographics of several members the natural environment in many ways participate in training and events run by on-ground work on coasts, parks and within the group – effectively removing – its Facebook page full of news on the the Port Phillip & Westernport CMA. Many other lands (in addition to Landcare weeds perched on cliff faces is a tougher path and beach, including reports of groups have become long-time partners groups and networks). proposition than previously. recent wildlife sightings such as dolphins So the group has adapted – they’ve in the bay and nesting birds. 8,193 members from 438 environmental groups working on started a seed bank to combat the coasts, parks and other lands undertook a reported 136,403 erosion issues and hold working bees hours of volunteer work. once a month. 2020 Victorians Volunteering Naturally Survey

!Lance eld

! Romsey

!Wallan !Macedon

!Gisborne

!King Lake Sunbury Ballan ! ! Hurstbridge ! Yarra Glen ! ! Bacchus Marsh ! ! Melton Healsville !Warburton !Seville Red dot points represent groups ! Werribee (other than Landcare) undertaking ! Emerald ! ! on-ground work on coasts, parks Cockatoo and other lands in the Port Phillip and Gar eld Frankston !Cranbourne ! Western Port region (by LGA), as per the ! !Drouin Victorians Volunteering for Nature survey. Other Mornington volunteer environmental groups (nature experience, ! ! Dromana advocacy, etc) not represented. View detailed map ! Hastings Crib Point at environment.vic.gov.au/biodiversity/victorians- ! ! volunteering-for-nature Shoreham !Coronet Bay Indigenous engagement Case Study: A glimpse into Wadawurrung culture In November 2019, Landcare facilitators from the Wadawurrung Traditional There are three recognised Traditional planning or undertaking environmental across from across the Port Phillip and Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Dr Ilya Owner groups in the Port Phillip and works. Places of cultural significance Western Port region attended a two-day Berelov led a tour of local significant Western Port region - the Wadawurrung, are progressively being identified and training event in the Moorabool and sites and explained the deep spiritual Wurundjeri and Bunurong. All three protected. In addition, Indigenous Werribee catchments. connection and practicalities of life led Traditional Owner groups have cultural heritage is becoming more by the Western Volcanic Plains people Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) status recognised and volunteers are keen The event offered valuable networking over the many millenia. for areas determined by the Victorian to enhance their knowledge and and ideas exchange for both facilitators Aboriginal Heritage Council (see map understanding. and other natural resource management Scar trees, scattering of arceaological professionals from agencies, and was an cutting tools and cooking hearths were below). Some groups and networks are also opportunity for shared learning. among the highlights. In some places the Landcare and other community employing Aboriginal businesses in ground was covered in artefacts, giving environmental groups are becoming natural resource management work In a 2018 survey, Landcare facilitators the cultural awareness training a tangible increasingly aware, not only of the such as cultural burning practices, rated cultural knowledge as their second quality. need to, but the benefits of, engaging archaeological inspections and weed most important training need. As a result, Traditional Owner groups when removal. the Victorian Government allocated The connection to waterways, creation funding to address this through training stories and family recollections were and development activities. weaved among a day underlined by respect and conversation. 28% of Landcare and community environmental groups in the As part of this training event, a tour of Port Phillip and Western Port region groups regularly engage Country was run with Traditional Owners with their local Traditional Owners. 2019-20 Landcare Group Health Survey

Kyneton

Marysville

Sunbury

Wurundjeri

Healesville

Wadawurrung Melbourne

Werribee

PortPort PhillipPhillip Pakenham Bay Frankston Geelong Bay Warragul

Western Western Port Port Bunurong

Anglesea

Wonthaggi Government support for Landcare Collaboration – Grow West The success of the Grow West program The success of the program is due to Victoria is fortunate to have an • Signing partnership agreements is built on a strong foundation of the strong collaboration between the enthusiastic volunteer community and a with Nillumbik Landcare Network collaboration and partnership and the organisations and community, including key priority for government organisations and Middle Yarra Landcare Network Landcare and community environmental Landcare. The Moorabool Landcare and councils is to support these and an in-principal agreement with groups of the Upper Werribee Catchment Network sits on the coordinating volunteers and landholders to undertake NatureWest (agreements now in place have been a key part of this. committee and other local groups are actions that improve the condition of our with six networks) Since 2003, Grow West has worked to actively involved, particularly in the environment and the sustainability of • Supporting Landcare networks and improve degraded landscapes around annual Grow West Community Planting farming while empowering others. Landcare facilitators to actively engage Bacchus Marsh, in Melbourne’s west. Day. With funding from the Victorian in the Victorian Landcare Facilitator Its vision is to rejuvenate up to 10,000 The Friends of Werribee Gorge and Long Government, the PPWCMA provided Program review hectares and develop vegetation Forest Mallee are a key contributor to a range of leadership and support • Supporting two Landcare volunteers connections across landscapes between the event, assisting with pre-planning activities in 2019-20 to help Landcare to attend the 2019 National NRM the Brisbane Ranges National Park, and promotion, and the Victorian Mobile and community environmental groups Conference in Wodonga. Werribee Gorge State Park and Lerderderg Landcare Group coordinate on-ground continue to take an active and central State Park. logistics on the day, ferry plants and role in the region’s land management. Coronavirus (COVID-19) prevented other equipment across the often expansive This included: Landcare activities from going ahead in Grow West works with a range of the second half of 2019-20 and these landholders on revegetation projects project sites. • Convening two Landcare Facilitator have had to be rebooked or reimagined of all sizes. Over 2,500 hectares in total In 2019-20, Grow West revegetated over and two Landcare Network Leader for 2020-21. has been revegetated over the last 17 216 hectares, with 23,200 trees plants forums (with one of each held online) The Victorian Government also supports years, enhancing biodiversity, reducing and 148kg direct seeded. Grow West’s 14 • A two-day training event for Landcare this work by investing in regional the spread of noxious weeds and pest community planting days have involved facilitators held across the Werribee and state-wide coordination services, animals, reducing erosion and improving a total of 3,300 volunteers putting 60,000 and Moorabool catchments, which including the Victorian Landcare landholder skills and participation. plants in the ground. included a Day on Country led by Facilitator Program and Victorian Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Landcare Grants. Many other community Aboriginal Corporation environmental groups, such as Friends • Sponsoring the Bass Coast Landcare groups, receive support from local Network and Western Port Catchment councils, Melbourne Water and Parks Landcare Network to attend the Victoria. Victorian Landcare Awards

81 schools in the Port Phillip and Western Port region shared $296,171 of Junior Landcare funding, a program supported by the Victorian Government and Landcare . Return on Landcare Investment

In 2019-20, the Victorian Government invested $1.29 million in Landcare in the Port Phillip and Western Port region:

$476,094 $161,586 for Victorian for Regional Landcare $30,500 Landcare Grants for Landcare Coordinator leadership through the $135,936 development PPWCMA for Victorian and training $488,658 Landcare Program courses for local support (including Landcare Landcare Gateway facilitators (funded and Landcare by the Victorian Magazine) Government and employed by Landcare networks)

This investment helped leverage $1.75 million in additional funding for Landcare, including:

$237,170 through $296,171 through the $8,400 through the $1.2 million in Landcare Australia Junior Landcare Grants Victorian Government’s additional funding (corporate volunteering) Our Catchment, received by Landcare Our Communities groups and networks Leadership Grants reported/estimated through 2019-20 group health survey)

2.78 million worth o Combined with $ f volunteer work ps/networks + 23,986 estimated hours of ours by 47 grou 53 groups/netw reported h orks x $41 (42,542 .72 p/h)

This means that for every $1 invested in Landcare in the Port Phillip and Western Port region in 2019-20, the return on investment was $3.50