Port Phillip & Westernport CMA Caring for Landscapes Landcare and environmental volunteering in the Port Phillip and Western Port 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 Victoria’s population). It boasts some of Landcare towards sustainable, Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri 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 Australia’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 members rabbits brought several property owners demonstration day, an AGM, applied Landcare together to take action. With the support members 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. Deep Creek (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. Olinda Creek 68. Smiths Gully 79. Truganina 25.