New funding bout to protect natural environment

Community groups have been granted over $100,000 in funding to restore and protect the natural environment in a bid to support the ecosystems around them.

A funding grant worth over $100,000 will go towards restoring and protecting the local environment in the Scenic Rim, and raising awareness about the Scenic Rim community’s values around their land and environment.

The Scenic Rim Regional Council has granted $102,000 to 16 community groups and landowners around the region.

Mayor Greg Christensen said council initially received 23 applications for grants totalling $198,000 which exceeded the budget allocation for the program.

“To maximise the benefit of these grants across the region and ensure high numbers of worthwhile projects can be supported, the assessment panel recommended that some successful applicants receive partial funding,” he said.

“Unfortunately, as grant requests far exceeded available funding, not all projects were able to be supported and Council officers will continue to work with applicants to understand where their projects could be improved so that they may be considered for future funding opportunities.

“Where possible, unsuccessful requests under the Environmental Grants Program will be supported through other initiatives, including the One Million Trees Program.”

Many of the projects funded through Council’s 2020-21 Environmental Grants Program focused on the restoration of Scenic Rim waterways, which support a wide variety of plant and animal species and are vital in maintaining the region’s biodiversity.

“Council is committed to working in partnership with the community to preserve and enhance the Scenic Rim’s unique natural environment,” he said.

“Working together to care for the environment is a key theme of the Scenic Rim Regional Council Biodiversity Strategy and Council’s Environmental Grants Program provides valuable assistance to the community in ensuring the sustainability of our region.”