Turning Small Block Dreams into Stewardship Action Plans

Over 150 small landholders in the Corangamite region now understand best-practice environmental management techniques and are receiving up to $2000 to fund on-ground sustainable works on their properties, thanks to the Small Blocks Big Dreams (SBBD) project.

Delivered by Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) in partnership with local landcare networks, the project offered six rounds of workshops and property tours between early 2022 to April 2024 to assist owners of small rural properties to better care for their properties and the environment. Small Blocks Big Dreams was tailored for owners of smaller properties with varied land uses across the region – specifically small producers, lifestyle and bush block owners and horse and other livestock owners.

Following the workshop series and tours, Corangamite CMA and Landcare staff offered landholders site visits to set their land stewardship action plans into practice, and up to $2000 to support delivery of on-ground works. CCMA’s Karen O’Keefe said

“The feedback has been fantastic over the four years. People loved getting together, meeting local people with similar properties, who are facing similar challenges on their land.”

“I think the most important thing that the program has brought to people is actually bringing them together in a room or in a space to learn. Sometimes you don’t know the questions to ask, and you don’t know the help you need.“

There’s been such a depth and breadth of knowledge given so readily and freely and humbly and to see it in practice –not just in words or theory – has really inspired me.

For more information, please visit www.ccma.vic.gov.au