& Westernport CMA

Caring for Landscapes Landcare and environmental volunteering in the Port Phillip and region 2018-19 Landcare Report Card Acknowledgment of Country Introduction

The Port Phillip and Western Port region The Port Phillip and Westernport covers 1.3 million hectares and is home Catchment Management Authority to over 5 million people (75 percent of (PPWCMA) values the contribution The Port Phillip & Westernport CMA works on the lands, waters and seas of the ’s population). It boasts some of Landcare towards sustainable, Bunurong, Wadawurrung and peoples and acknowledges them as of Victoria’s most productive farming healthy and productive land use and Traditional Owners. lands, spectacular parks, picturesque has provided strategic support to the landscapes and diverse natural Landcare movement on behalf of the It recognises and respects the diversity of their cultures and the deep connections ecosystems. Victorian Government for over 15 years. they have with Country. It values partnerships with their communities and organisations to improve the health of Indigenous people and Country. The activities and lifestyles of the region’s By providing this support, the PPWCMA urban and rural residents and its thriving hopes to see the Landcare movement The Board and staff of the Port Phillip & Westernport CMA pay their respects to tourism industry are underpinned by in this region continue to develop and Elders, past and present, and acknowledge and recognise the primacy of Traditional the diversity and health of its natural grow as custodians to land the natural Owners’ obligations, rights and responsibilities to use and care for their traditional resources. This, along with the challenges environment and volunteering – now lands, waters and seas. associated with a growing population and into the future and changing climate, means the region’s This report is but a glimpse of the natural resources need to be carefully power and impact of environmental managed. volunteering in one of ’s most Landcare groups and networks represent dynamic and diverse catchments. This approximately 75 percent of all private is the first regional snapshot of this kind rural land in the region. At the end of to explore the contribution of friends of 2018-19, there were 88 Landcare groups and other environmental volunteering and 13 Landcare networks, as well as groups in addition to Landcare, who an estimated 490 Friends of and other have shared insights into their activities community environmental groups by participating in the 2018-19 Victorian directly caring for our environment. Landcare Grants Group Health Survey and the Victorian Government’s 2019 2018-19 LANDCARE Disclaimer Accessibility These groups play a vital role in REPORT CARD Victorians Volunteering for Nature survey. This publication may be of achieving beneficial outcomes for our Copyright © State of Victoria, If you would like to receive assistance to you, but the State natural environment, local communities But to truly understand these groups and Port Phillip and Westernport of Victoria and its employees this publication in an Catchment Management and sustainable land management. They the work they do we encourage you to do not guarantee that the alternative format, please Authority, 2020 bring people together to discuss land get out there, roll up your sleeves and publication is without flaw of contact the PPWCMA and natural resource management issues experience it for yourself. Find your local This publication is copyright. No any kind or is wholly appropriate at 03 8781 7900 or part may be reproduced by any for your particular purposes and design and implement practical group at landcare.vic.gov.au [email protected]. process except in accordance and therefore disclaims all solutions. 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 arise from you relying on any or www.relayservice.com. information in this publication. au. This document is also available at ppwcma.vic.

gov.au. The data in this report is based on surveys completed by 101 Landcare, Friends of and community environmental groups as part of the Victorian Landcare Grants 2019-20 application process, as well as financial reports from the Port Phillip & Westernport CMA and the Department of Land, Water, Environment and Planning. This report reflects the activities undertaken by survey groups only. Some figures have been estimated. Additional work undertaken in the 2018-19 financial year by other community groups and volunteers is extensive and beyond the scope of this report card. Cover image: Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle David Wandin, talks to community members at a Friends of Steele Creek planting day (credit: Helen van der Berg) Landcare groups Case study: Bayside Intrepid Landcare Bayside Intrepid Landcare formed in April friendly nature activities. Landcare groups are grassroots Increasingly, groups are starting to link 2019 and is driven by over 20 members organisations formed by neighbouring common passions to the concept of As with other Intrepid Landcare groups, aged 18 to 35 years old with a drive to private landholders and other local Landcare, with specialist groups such Bayside plans to support existing make a difference for the environment people with a common desire to protect as Intrepid Landcare (catering to 18-35 environmental volunteering groups with and have fun at the same time. and repair their local environment and year olds), Equine Landcare and Mobile on-ground projects, while combining contribute to a sustainable environment. Landcare operating in the region. Intrepid groups usually form out of an this with adventure activities. initial leadership retreat, but Bayside Run by local volunteers, they work At the end of 2018-19, there were 88 Intrepid Landcare is the first Intrepid together to tackle issues such as weeds Landcare groups in the Port Phillip and group in Victoria to form out of direct and pests, the impacts of erosion, and Western Port region. New additions community action. contribute to broader environmental included the Bayside Intrepid and priorities such as vegetation connectivity. Macedon Landcare groups and the The group’s primary focus is to run revived Drouin Rabbit Control Landcare educational and hands-on events for Group. the whole community to engage in conservation. They plan to run at least six events a year including regular beach 2018-19 Landcare snapshot clean ups, movie nights and family 13,700 Case study: Drouin Rabbit Control and Landcare Group 13% There hadn’t been an active Landcare these pieces of equipment are rented non-members increase in group in Drouin for several years, but out to members. 5,500+ participating in in 2018 increasing concerns around They have also held a rabbit fencing Landcare members rabbits brought several property owners demonstration day, an AGM, applied members together to take action. With the support for grants and joined the Western Port (55 per group/network) events of Baw Baw Shire Council, the former Catchment Landcare Network. Drouin Landcare Group was revived and renamed to become the Drouin Rabbit Control and Landcare Group. The group official kicked off in August 2018, with members learning about $1.3 million 130,000+ rabbit management options from a pest 5,000+ animal contractor, building on a council- in additional hectares of led rabbit reduction forum held earlier in funding received hours the year. revegetation, through Victorian of volunteer work In their first year, the group conducted and Australian weed control (on-ground, training, property inspections, which led to a trial government grants and protecting administration and baiting program. They also purchased and other sources remnant vegetation promotion) four rabbit traps and a stapling tool for attaching rabbit proof wire to existing

Figures based on reported data from 61 groups/networks in the 2018-19 Landcare Group Health fences on member’s properties; both of Survey and estimated figures (based on reported data) for other 40 groups/networks. Landcare groups 55 23 Landcare groups in the Port Phillip and Western Port region at 30 June 2019. Geographical data was provided by Landcare groups and networks. 80 43 64 11 20 13 31 86 36

30 73 4 74 2 71 76 25 49 59 27 21 72 19 68 88 32 18

66 58 9 81 51 56 53 8 87 1 35 81 49 61 79 85 12 48 57 47 42 75 50 40 69 34 17

3 16 77 1. Andersons Creek Catchment 34. Johns Hill 54 5 15 2. Arthurs Creek District 35. Jumping Creek Catchment 10 14 37 33 3. Avalon (PPWCMA/CCMA) 36. Kinglake (PPWCMA/GBCMA) 22 4. Bacchus Marsh and Coimadai 37. Labertouche Sustainable Farming 26 5. Back Creek 38. Langwarrin Woodlands & Northern Western Port 6. Balcombe and Moorooduc 39. Lardner and District 38 65 39 7. Bass Valley 40. Little River 84 8. Bayside Intrepid 41. Loch-Nyora 6 9. Bend of Islands 42. Macclesfield 83 10. Bessie/Ararat Creek 43. Macedon 24 52 11. Blackwood/Barrys Reef 44. Main Creek Catchment 78 12. Brisbane Ranges (PPWCMA/CCMA) 45. Manton and Stoney Creek 13. Bullengarook 46. Merricks Coolart Catchment 67 28 46 14. Bunyip 47. Monbulk 29 41 62 15. Cannibal Creek 48. Montrose Upper 70 63 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. Mount Pleasant - Research 60 19. Chum Creek 52. Mt Lyall 20. Clarkefield and District Farm 53. Mt Toolebewong 21. Cottles Bridge 54. Neerim and District (PPWCMA/WGCMA) 22. (Pakenham) 55. Newham and District (PPWCMA/NCCMA) 23. Deep Creek (Romsey Lancefield) 56. North Warrandyte Osborne Peninsula 67. Sheepwash Creek 78. Triholm 24. Devil Bend 57. 68. Smiths Gully 79. Truganina 25. Dixons Creek 58. Parwan 69. Southern Dandenong Ranges 80. Upper Maribyrnong 26. Drouin Rabbit Control and Landcare 59. Pentland Hills 70. Southwest Peninsula 81. Upper Yarra 27. Dunmoochin 60. Phillip Island 71. St Andrews 82. Victorian Mobile (region wide) 28. Dunns Creek 61. Pinkerton 72. Steels Creek 83. Watsons Creek 29. French Island 62. Poowong 73. Strathewen 84. Westernport Swamp 30. Greendale Wombat 63. Red Hill South 74. Sunbury 85. Western Port Intrepid 31. Gisborne 64. 75. The Patch 86. Whittlesea 32. Hurstbridge District Landcare 65. Ripplebrook 76. Toolern Vale 87. Wonga Park 33. Jindivick 66. Rowsley 77. Toomuc Valley 88. Yarra Valley Equine Landcare networks Case study: NatureWest

Many of the Landcare groups in the They also run training, workshops The rapidly expanding Wyndham area ranging from school students and senior region have come together and and demonstration events, helping to has posed challenges for the NatureWest volunteers to multicultural groups such formed Landcare networks to share promote this work through their broad Landcare Network, with once Landcare as the Wyndham Chinese Happy Life and learn from each other. Landcare membership. locales now in the middle or close to Association and the Karen community. networks enable groups to collaborate At the end of 2018-19, the region had encroaching estates. The urbanisation of The network is also championing the more effectively to address local land 13 Landcare networks, which were the region is causing litter and building benefits of native habitat gardens, management issues and develop supported by 11 Landcare facilitators materials to accumulate in waterways organising demonstrations and showing landscape-scale projects to enhance (working 4.98FTE) funded through the and reserves, and many new residents practical ways that residents can their local environment. Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program. are disconnected from the local nature. trade their astro-turf and other heat Landcare networks have become Landcare networks predominantly NatureWest has made it a priority island inducing surfaces with natural increasingly professional and support Landcare groups working on to connect, involve and educate plantings, rock gardens and bird friendly sophisticated. They have helped develop private properties, but many networks newcomers to the natural beauty of indigenous plantings. ambitious environmental projects such have other community environmental waterways, parks and reserves. 24 clean Many of the 300 volunteers who have as multi-year strategic plans and large groups as members. up events around Truganina, Point Cook, joined in on the litter busting events on-ground projects. Manor Lakes and Tarneit in 2018-19 have participated in subsequent have now become a core activity of the revegetation activities in other areas of network. the network. Landcare networks in the Port Phillip and Western Port Four tons of litter were removed from region attracted $2.56 million in additional natural resource waterways in Wyndham, with helpers management investment in 2018-19. 2018-19 Landcare Group Health Survey

Upper Deep Creek 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 networks in the Port Landcare Network Phillip and Western Port region as Mornington of June 30 2019. Many networks Peninsula South Gippsland also support a range of other Landcare Landcare Network community environmental groups Network Bass Coast which may not be reflected. Landcare Network Other groups caring for landscapes Case study: Friends of Steele Creek The Friends of Steele Creek (FOSC) spotters. The team has also supervised In addition to Landcare groups and Government undertook the Victorians have worked tirelessly to rehabilitate cultural cool burns. The relationship networks, environmental volunteering Volunteering for Nature survey, which the escarpment and cliff sides of the has also seen Wurundjeri Elders visit encompasses a diverse range of in aimed to map all environmental Steele Creek valley. They have delivered and speak about aspects of Wurundjeri environmental and sustainability focused volunteering groups in Victoria. a range of innovative projects which life on the waterway prior to European groups across the region. Environmental This survey found that an estimated typically involve a strong community and settlement. volunteering can centre around a 919 environmental volunteering education focus. School groups are regular attendees at geographic location, emerging issues groups operate in the Port Phillip and In recent years, the work of FOSC these events, becoming both culturally or nature-based recreation activities. Western Port region. Of these groups, an has been supplemented by a strong and environmentally proficient on the They often work closely with partner estimated 490 undertake activities that relationship forged with the local importance of the creek and surrounds. organisations such as Parks Victoria and wholly or in part focus on on-ground Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri Woi local councils. work on coasts, parks and other lands FOSC works closely with Parks Victoria, Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Accurately measuring the number and (in addition to Landcare groups and Water and Moonee Valley, Corporation. The relationship has seen impact of these diverse groups has been networks). Hume and Brimbank councils to deliver the land management arm of the difficult, but in 2018-19 the Victorian its busy on ground and education corporation, Wurundjeri Narrap Rangers, program and projects have been become ongoing contractors for weed supported by the PPWCMA Community control and acting as cultural heritage Community environmental groups working on coasts, parks Grants Program. and other lands undertook over 1,000,000 hours of volunteer work in 2018-19. Estimate based on group data in 2018-19 Landcare Group Health Survey

!Lance eld

! Romsey

!Wallan !Macedon

!Gisborne

!King Lake Sunbury Ballan ! ! Hurstbridge ! Yarra Glen ! ! Bacchus Marsh ! ! Melton Healsville Warburton Seville ! Red dot points ! !Melbourne represent groups Werribee (other than Landcare) ! Emerald undertaking on-ground ! ! Cockatoo work on coasts, parks and other lands in the Port Phillip and Western Gar eld Frankston !Cranbourne ! ! Port region, as per the Victorians !Drouin Volunteering for Nature 2019 survey. Mornington Other volunteer environmental groups ! ! Dromana (nature experience, advocacy, etc) not ! Hastings represented. View detailed map at !Crib Point environment.vic.gov.au/biodiversity/ ! Shoreham !Coronet Bay victorians-volunteering-for-nature Indigenous engagement Case study: Landcare cultural awareness training Landcare facilitators rated cultural Nicholson, the tour visited three There are three recognised Traditional planning or undertaking environmental awareness as their second most important Wurundjeri sites - Horseshoe Owner groups in the Port Phillip and works. Places of Indigenous cultural important training need in a training Bend Farm, Wil im ee Mooring (Mt Western Port region - the Wadawurrung, significance are progressively being needs analysis. So when the Victorian William) and Marrup Tamboore. Wurundjeri and Bunurong. All three identified and protected. In addition, Landcare Facilitator Program allocated Traditional Owner groups have Indigenous cultural heritage is becoming Uncle Bill talked about the arrival of funding in 2018-19 to address training Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) status more recognised and volunteers are Europeans and their early interactions and development needs for Landcare for areas determined by the Victorian keen to enhance their knowledge and with Wurundjeri, the many seasons and facilitators, a cultural awareness event Aboriginal Heritage Council (see map understanding. seasonal observations guiding life for the was on the top of the list. Wurundjeri and the grappling for lost below). Some groups and networks are also In April 2019, 16 Landcare facilitators and knowledge that continues for his people. Landcare and other community employing Aboriginal businesses in other Landcare members took part in a environmental groups are becoming natural resource management work He also spoke about the modern cultural awareness bus tour, co-designed increasingly aware, not only of the such as cultural burning practices, challenges Indigenous Australians by the PPWCMA and Wurundjeri Woi need to, but the benefits of, engaging archaeological inspections and weed and emphasised the need for land Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Traditional Owner groups when removal. managers to work alongside Indigenous Corporation. organisations to confront environmental Led by Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle Bill degradation and add to reconciliation.

37 percent of Landcare and community environmental groups in the Port Phillip and Western Port region groups regularly engage with their local Traditional Owners. 2018-19 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 Case study: Collaborative project leads to a national win Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation The PPWCMA is proud to be one of many Victoria is fortunate to have an • Supporting the Yarra Ranges came to national attention in October organisations partnering with Wandoon enthusiastic volunteer community and a Landcare Network to host an Intrepid 2018 when they won the Australian Estate to restore environmental health key priority for government organisations Landcare Leadership Retreat Government Partnerships for Landcare and productivity to the farm, along with and councils is to support these • Signing a Partnership Agreement with Award for their work on the historic Yarra Ranges Council, Melbourne Water, volunteers and landholders to undertake the Mornington Peninsula Landcare property, Coranderrk, in Healesville in the Yarra Ranges Landcare Network, Friends actions that improve the condition of our Network, the fourth Landcare Yarra Valley. of the Helmeted Honeyeater and Friends environment and the sustainability of network in the region to do so of Coranderrk. farming while empowering others. Set up as an Aboriginal Reserve in • Contributing stories to the Victorian 1863, Coranderrk closed in 1924, but in The PPWCMA nominated Wandoon With funding from the Victorian Landcare Landcare Magazine and Victorian 1999, the Indigenous Land Corporation Estate Aboriginal Corporation and Facilitator Program, the PPWCMA Landcare Gateway as well as purchased 80 hectares of the property, Coranderrk for their original Victorian provided a range of leadership and distributing an in-house enewsletter and handed it to the Wandoon Estate. Landcare Award, which made them support activities in 2018-19 to help eligible for the national award. The Landcare and community environmental • Delivering activities funded Today, Coranderrk is both a working PPWCMA also supported representatives groups continue to take an active through the Our Catchments, Our farm and valuable habitat for threatened from Wandoon Estate to attend the and central role in the region’s land Communities Leadership Grants species, including the Helmeted conference and awards through a management. This included: to support the development of Honeyeater and lowland Leadbeater’s emerging Landcare leaders. Possum. subsidy program. • Convening three Landcare facilitator meetings and three Landcare The Victorian Government also supports network leader meetings this work by investing in regional and state-wide coordination services, • Hosting two Landcare facilitator including the Victorian Landcare training events Facilitator Program and Victorian • Providing five $1,000 subsidies to Landcare Grants. assist Landcare and community Many community environmental groups, environmental groups to attend the such as ‘Friends of’ group receive support National Landcare Conference from local councils and Parks Victoria. • Sponsoring 20 volunteers to attend Trust for Nature and Bush Heritage’s Celebrating Women in Conservation Breakfast in March 2019

60 percent of Landcare and community environmental groups in the Port Phillip and Western Port region describe themselves as ‘trail blazing’ or ‘rolling along’. 2018-19 Landcare Group Health Survey Return on Landcare Investment

In 2018-19, the Victorian Government invested $1,078,936 in Landcare in the Port Phillip and Western Port region:

$183,709 $157,645 for Victorian for Regional Landcare $14,000 Landcare Grants for Landcare Coordinator leadership through the $246,842 development PPWCMA for Victorian and training $476,740 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 $7.38 million in additional funding for Landcare, including:

$156,137 through $230,206 through the $11,710 through the $2.56 million in Landcare Australia Junior Landcare Grants Victorian Government’s additional funding (corporate volunteering) Our Catchment, received by Landcare Our Communities groups and networks (as Leadership Grants reported in the 2018-19 group health survey)

4.43 million worth o Combined with $ f volunteer work ps/networks + 52,005 estimated hours of ours by 61 grou 40 groups/netw reported h orks x $33 (79,308 .71 p/h)

This means that for every $1 invested in Landcare in the Port Phillip and Western Port region in 2018-19, the return on investment was $6.83