The Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care Group, Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre and Parks Victoria have collectively received more than $340,000 in the latest round of Port Phillip Bay Fund grants to preserve and enhance the marine environment and wetlands within Williamstown.
The Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care Group has received $25,000 to bolster community care and the health of the Jawbone Marine Park.
This funding will support two marine stewardship programs involving 1000 students and community members, enhancing their engagement and understanding of marine conservation.
The Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre has received $23,100 to document the status and significance of coastal wetlands in the Cheetham and Altona key biodiversity areas.
This project includes training volunteers for an ongoing bird monitoring program, which aims to survey and protect the avian population in the region.
Parks Victoria has been granted $297,783 to address the issue of overabundant urchin densities and implement kelp seeding techniques in the Jawbone and Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary.
These measures are critical to preventing further kelp loss and ensuring the recovery of essential reef habitats.
Since its beginning in 2016, the Port Phillip Bay Fund has allocated more than $13.9 million across 187 projects around the bay.
Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said the funding is part of an important investment in educating the community about the local environment and maintaining the health of marine sanctuaries and wetlands for the future.
“Our coastal and marine environment is a large part of the identity of the electorate of Williamstown.”
