Western Victoria Region
Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:46): My question is for the Minister for Environment. Volunteers within the Southern Otway Landcare program are deeply concerned about the lack of funding available to support their facilitators. The initiatives of dedicated Landcare facilitators create an important social network in rural and coastal communities from conservation to education and citizen science activities, research, working bees and the Shrub Club Landcare native nursery, where residents from the local aged care facility travel to help and kinder kids learn to propagate. After receiving a series of short-term extensions out to 2026, Landcare Victoria is asking for a long-term investment for its facilitator program. According to Landcare Victoria’s 2023 annual report this program generated at least $7 in public value for every dollar of government investment. Minister, will you commit to providing adequate funding to support Landcare facilitators beyond 2026?