Landcare is the essential ingredient in the successful management of our natural resource base both now and into the twenty-first century. The first official Landcare group to form in Australia was the Winjallok Landcare group, near St Arnaud in Victoria, on 25 November 1986. | Average Size of Landcare-type Groups, 1996 Number, & proportion of Victorian total, of Landcare-type Groups, 1996 Full Time and Part Time Farmers in Landcare-type Groups, 1996 |
In November 1999, the Government launched its Second Generation Landcare Initiative. The Initiative was a response to community concerns of high administrative loads on Landcare groups and the need to address more than single issue natural resource management problems. To enhance integrated outcomes, previous sources of community funding were consolidated. The Second Generation Landcare Grants program supports an integrated approach to land and water management, including native vegetation retention and revegetation as well as weed and rabbit control. Landcare groups have greater flexibility to seek support for larger, longer-term projects under this program. The grants also support facilitators to provide project management and co-ordination of on-ground works. Regional Assessment Panels gave projects that generate multiple benefits a high priority. Junior Landcare Grants Initiative The Victorian Government’s Junior Landcare Initiative ran again in 1999/2000 and more than 200 applications were received with $250 000 to be distributed. Applications were received from primary and secondary schools through to Scout and Junior Landcare groups. Applications covered a broad range of issues, including propagation houses, water monitoring, tree planting, weed eradication and an internet site. |