THREE Shoalhaven-based groups are among 17 South Coast organisations to gain funding under the federal government's bushfire recovery for wildlife and habitat projects.
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The grants, which range from $5000 to $150,000, are for a variety of projects as community's get back on their feet after last year's disastrous bushfires.
In the Gilmore and Eden-Monaro electorates, $1.8 million has been allocated as part of a $10 million community grants program to support hands-on projects from setting up bee hotels and creating native community nurseries, to cultural burning and installing nest boxes.
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Locally, one grant recipient was All Sustainable Futures Incorporated, who with partners South Coast Wildlife Network and Shoalhaven Bat Clinic, received $87,470 for the rescued food for wildlife recovery.
The project focuses on the distribution of rescued food for bats and other wildlife through increased numbers of volunteers, increased food collection outlets and more local partnerships.
The Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council received $150,000 for a bushfire recovery for wildlife and habitat project.
Partnered with All Sustainable Futures Incorporated, Shoalhaven City Council, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Rewilding Australia Inc, Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation, Jerrinja Elders and members, Jerrinja LALC's project comprises land management works to restore habitats, vegetation, food sources and support for vulnerable and threatened species at Lake Conjola, Berringer Lake and North Bennelong.
The Friends of the Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby, in Kangaroo Valley, received $5000 for the weeding of Kellets Creek.
This project will see the removal of post-fire weeds to facilitate regeneration and provide food resources and shelter.
Under the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund, the federal government is investing $200 million in bushfire wildlife and habitat recovery.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the individual grants back dedicated volunteers, Indigenous organisations, Landcare, wildlife sanctuaries and community groups.
"This is about working with communities, about people getting out into the bush, getting on their hands and knees to remove weeds, climbing trees to install nesting boxes and erecting barriers to keep out feral predators," Minister Ley said.
NSW Senator Jim Molan said the grants are an important initiative that give local volunteers and community groups the support they need to bring our local environment recover.
"The people that have been through the fires know there is still a lot of healing to take place and seeing native animals and plants recover is an important part of the process for all of us," he said.
The competitive grants process was run through the Business Grants Hub with applications submitted by incorporated and not for profit organisations, Indigenous organisations, local government authorities, community groups and volunteers.