More than $270,000 has been allocated to nine projects aimed at improving the health of the iconic Gippsland Lakes.

Dr Peter Veenker, Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee (GLCC) Co-Chair, said he was pleased the committee had been able to support eight groups and organisations through funding from the Victorian State Government.

“These community grants have been awarded to projects that tackle some of the high priority areas and issues facing the Gippsland Lakes,” explained Dr Veenker.

“This includes restoring habitat for native species, reducing sediment and nutrient loads to the Gippsland Lakes, protecting native animals and improving our understand of plants and animals of the Gippsland Lakes.

“This is the fourth round of community grants allocated through GLCC, and every year we have been impressed with the commitment of our groups and community in developing high quality projects and getting involved.

“It’s a fantastic example of how, with government support, the community can help make a difference.

Grants have been allocated to:

• Marine Mammal Foundation for their Lakes Champions project, community stewardship protecting the Burrunan Dolphin and the Gippsland Lakes.
• Lower Tambo Landcare Group for their project at the Tambo River Mouth – north bank and south bank revegetation and access development and control.
• Nungurner Community and Coast Action Group for their Nungurner foreshore protection project.
• Birdlife Australia for the Australian Pelican citizen science project and their study into Australasian Bitterns as an indicator of wetland health.
• Heyfield Wetlands Committee of Management for the continued improvement of the Heyfield Wetlands.
• Friends of Beware Reef to continued marine life and pest monitoring in the Gippsland Lakes.
• Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network for sediment and nutrient reduction projects in the Gippsland Lakes catchment.
• East Gippsland Landcare Network for their project on understanding impacts of predators on migratory waterbirds.

These grants form part of the broader Gippsland Lakes program – $12.5 million in funding provided by the Victorian State Government over five years.