Independent Senate candidate for Victoria Susan Benedyka has organised the event, which is aimed at “energising climate action”.
Ms Benedyka said the free webinar hoped to encourage people involved in sustainability, Landcare and community energy groups to continue their crucial work.
“Our Community Power will address the challenges ahead, and encourage the critically important role of community action,” she said.
“We also want to emphasise the role of government in supporting these groups.”
Details about the event can be found at: www.susanbenedyka.com
Gardiner and FRRR grants close soon
The annual Gardiner Dairy Foundation Community Grants program closes April 13.
Delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, this round marks the 20th year of the program, which is focused on supporting communities across Victoria’s three dairying regions.
The small grants program, which has $120,000 in available funds for grants up to $5000, supports a broad range of community projects that local groups identify can make their community socially, economically or environmentally stronger.
More information can be found on the FRRR website
More farmers eligible for concessional loans
From July 1, more farmers will be eligible for Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) loans.
These include: horse breeders, turf farmers, lavender and tea tree growers, pharmaceutical/cosmetic plant growers, nursery and floriculture (flowers).
The RIC will have $266 million available next financial year for concessional loans to farmers to help the agriculture sector meet its $100 billion by 2030 goal.
This relaxing of eligibility follows the recent expansion of the AgriStarter loan to include existing sharefarmers and farm leasing-business owners.
For more information, go to: https://www.ric.gov.au/
Apply now for Murray Irrigation sponsorship
Community groups in the Murray Irrigation footprint can now apply for the water authority’s annual sponsorship program.
Applications can be for financial support of up to $5000 or for in-kind support of water, equipment usage or administrative support.
Applications need to be for activities undertaken in the 2022-23 financial year and close on May 18.
For more information, visit https://www.murrayirrigation.com.au/company/our-community/giving-back or phone 1300 138 265 or email customersupport@murrayirrigation.com.au
Feral animals in government’s sights
Federal Government funding of $837,500 will extend the National Wild Dog, Deer Management, Feral Cat and Fox Management coordinators’ roles until June 30, 2023.
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said landscape-scale, coordinated action was critical to manage the scourge of pest animals.
“National coordinators for feral pests have delivered improvements to the coordination and best practice management of invasive pest animal species, reducing associated costs for our communities, the environment and the agricultural sector,” he said.
Nationally, the annual cost of established vertebrate pest animals is estimated to be $800 million. The cost to the environment is difficult to calculate but is likely to be higher.
Time to start thinking about carryover
Goulburn-Murray Water is encouraging customers to consider their water options as the next irrigation season approaches.
One of those is carryover — a process where customers are able to keep some or all of their unused water allocation and take it into the next irrigation season.
If customers have unused water they wish to carryover, it’s important to link their allocation account to a water share, limited term transfer of a water share, or supply by agreement before June 30.
Customers may also sell unused water by finding a buyer or using a broker to find one — online trades must be submitted by 5pm on June 30.
Relinquishing water is another option, returning unused allocation to the consumptive pool.
For more information on options for unused water, phone 1800 013 357 or go to www.gmwater.com.au/endofseason
BushBank revegetation program opens
The Victorian Government is calling for expressions of interest to partner in the BushBank program, which it says will restore 20,000 hectares of private land and create more than 100 jobs across Victoria.
The almost $31 million investment will revegetate and restore biodiversity through the planting of millions of trees and shrubs to deliver habitats for Victorian wildlife and store more than 4.5 million tonnes of carbon — integral to Victoria reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
BushBank will also include an initial $7 million in grants available to Traditional Owner corporations to lead restoration on Country.
For more information, visit: environment.vic.gov.au/bushbank
