Helping West Gippsland community care for the places they love

The Carroll Labor Government is backing Victorians of all ages to protect the environment, with almost $4 million for hundreds of community and Junior Landcare projects across the state. 

The 2026 Victorian Government Landcare Grants will provide $3.58 million to support local volunteers to restore habitat, improve waterways and landscapes, tackle weeds and bring communities together. 

“For 40 years Landcare has brought Victorians together, and we’re making sure the next generation can continue that proud legacy,” said Minister for Environment Jaclyn Symes. 

Jess Wilson’s One Nation Coalition $40 billion cuts agenda means cuts to vital community services like Landcare. 

“We are delighted to facilitate Landcare across West Gippsland and that over 22 projects and 18 support grants projects were granted funds this year totalling $337,250,” said Martin Fuller, CEO of West Gippsland CMA. 

“The exciting projects will drive change across Landscapes continuing Landcare’s proud tradition of working together to care for the places we love.” 

Projects span from restoring koala habitat with Yarram Yarram Landcare Networkand revegetating the Tarwin River floodplain, to creating opportunities for families and young people to connect with nature through community events in Wellington Shire. A range of support grants will also help to keep the powerhouse that is Landcare up and running. 

These highlighted projects include: 

• Koala Binge in Bingie – Yarram Landcare Network and Wonyip Landcare Group. 

• One Tree for Me… One Tree for the Tarwin – Tarwin Landcare Group –  

• Creating Small Footprints: Nature Connection Event Series – Maffra & District Landcare Network. See more details below. 

“Together, all projects demonstrate the diversity of Landcare across West Gippsland, combining on-ground environmental works with education, community engagement, and volunteer participation. Landcare in West Gippsland celebrates 40 years this year and these projects are the start of the next 40 years of action,” Martin concluded. 

For the full list of recipients and more information, visit environment.vic.gov.au/landcare/landcare-program

14 arms wide around a red gum tree – courtesy of Maffra Landcare

Hill revegetation progress – courtesy of Flock, Stock & Basil

Binge at Bingie revegetation corridor – courtesy of Yarram Yarram Landcare group

Binge at Bingie project – courtesy of Anna Feely

Creating habitat for koalas in Binginwarry 

Koala Binge in Bingie will restore and reconnect koala habitat across three private properties near Binginwarry by planting thousands of eucalyptus trees and excluding stock from key areas. 

Yarram Landcare Network facilitator Anna Feely said the funding would help local volunteers and landholders contribute to a much larger vision for koala conservation. 

“Put simply, the funding enables us to put koala eucalyptus food trees back into our environment to create safe places for them to live and move for breeding and forage reasons,” she said. 

The project will involve local landholders, volunteers, and students from Yarram Secondary College, with field days planned to encourage community participation and promote the importance of native habitat restoration. 

Anna said engaging young people and the broader community was critical for the long-term success of environmental projects. 

“The koala is an umbrella species. Help the koala and many other species also flourish,” she said.  

Beyond environmental outcomes, the project aims to strengthen community connections while creating important wildlife corridors across the landscape.  

Restoring the Tarwin River floodplain 

Tarwin Landcare Group’s One Tree for Me… One Tree for the Tarwin project will focus on revegetating part of the Tarwin River floodplain, an area that has experienced significant loss of native vegetation. 

According to the group’s representative, Kirby Leary, restoration work is urgently needed. 

“The river health is extremely poor and the floodplains depleted of almost all natural vegetation,” Kirby said.  

The project will include a community seed collection workshop and planting days designed to build local knowledge and support future restoration efforts. Tarwin Landcare Group said community involvement is central to achieving long-term success. 

“Involving the community is the only way to ensure grant success. Seed collection is important to protect supply of trees into the future,” Kirby said. 

Over time, the group hopes the project will deliver significant environmental benefits and inspire others to undertake similar restoration work. 

“Success would be native vegetation restored, reduced weeds, and a home to a variety of native animals and birds.”  

Planting zone in the Tarwin – courtesy of Flock, Stock & Basil

Fungi walk – courtesy of Maffra Landcare

Connecting families with nature in Maffra 

While the other projects focus primarily on revegetation, Maffra & District Landcare Network’s Creating Small Footprints: Nature Connection Event Series will strengthen environmental stewardship by helping people build a deeper connection with the natural world. 

The program will deliver a range of inclusive and family-friendly events combining environmental learning, citizen science activities, nature play, and creative workshops. Maffra & District Landcare Network coordinator Bonnie Reeves said fostering understanding, availability and connection was the first step towards meaningful environmental action. 

“By building knowledge and awareness first, participants develop a stronger connection to the land, which naturally leads to meaningful action, ongoing participation, and long-term stewardship,” she said.  

The events are designed to engage people of all demographics, particularly children and families, through tangible hands-on experiences and creative activities. Bonnie hopes that approach reflects changing community expectations around volunteering and participation. 

“These events provide an alternative way for people to connect with Landcare, making it a win-win situation for both the community and the environment,” she said. 

West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programs for healthy and resilient catchments. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. The CMA is proud to hold the role of facilitating the region’s five Landcare networks.