News
Funding to create ‘greenspots’ in the Cobar area
Symphony in the park
The Western Local Land Services (Western LLs) team at Cobar will receive $198,885 to create and enhance ‘greenspots’ on six properties in the Cobar area. The ‘greenspots’ (mesic refugia) aim to help conserve threatened species which will ultimately have benefits for both the environment and grazing farming families. The $4 million worth of funding through the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust is aimed at empowering communities to protect and restore local environments. NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Contestable Grants Officer Sara Ormond said the 2022-23 Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation grants help local communities protect the animals and plants that make their regions special. “Local communities know their local environments better than anyone and they have much to offer when it comes to caring for the ecosystems they love,” Ms Ormond said. “These 23 grants support community groups, non-profit organisations, local coun- There was a special symphony in the park yesterday morning with local music cils and state government agencies across teacher, Judy Toomey a guest at the Cobar Mobile Children’s Services playgroup NSW to deliver on-the-ground projects to session at Drummond Park. support threatened species recovery and address climate change impacts at a local level. “The grants are wide-ranging and cover a huge variety of positive environmental accommunity groups are being invited then be invited to complete a formal online tions, such as bush regeneration, erosion toCobar apply for a share of $150,000 in funding application. control and habitat creation, as well as educa- under the latest round of the Australian Eligible organisations in the Parkes electorate tional activities including training volunteers Government’s Stronger Communities Pro- can download an EOI form from Mr Coulton’s and running community workshops.” gramme (SCP). website at www.markcoulton.com.au Matthew Burgess from Western LLS, said Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is Further information including grant guidethe ‘greenspots’ funding is for a three year now taking expressions of interest (EOI) for lines, eligibility requirements and the applicaproject that is taking place around the Cobar Round 8 of the popular program, with grants of tion process are available at https:// area, working with six landholders. up to $20,000 available. business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger“The main issue in the area is that erosion Grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 are communities-programme-round-8 is draining ephemeral wetlands leaving these available to cover up to 100 per cent of eligible Groups in need of assistance determining parts of the landscape depleted of moisture. project costs. suitable projects, understanding the guidelines “These wetlands would generally have an Organisations shortlisted by the committee and guidance in applying, may contact Cobar abundance of trees and shrubs on their edges after the expressions of interest process will Shire Council’s Grants Officer, Bethany Smith. where small mammals, such as the dusky hopping mouse, would have survived in drier Have you visited our website lately? times,” Mr Burgess explained. “Gullies are also a problem which have a Colour photos, What’s On and more! similar effect in depleting the wider landwww.cobarweekly.com.au scape of moisture. “This project will help fix this issue by constructing earth banks to divert the water away from the gullies back to the land so it ca re-hydrate the landscape and improve the habitat for small mammals. “Local Land Services will work with the landholders to assess and identify suitable areas and carry out these earthworks.” The NSW Environmental Trust is an independent statutory body that supports environmental projects through grant funding.
Grants of $20,000 available for groups
The Cobar Weekly has proudly been supporting the Cobar community for more than 37 years! Wednesday March 1, 2023 The Cobar Weekly Page 11
