Green Links grants
Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (09:44): On 20 February I was absolutely delighted to share the news that Minister for Water Harriet Shing in the other place had allocated over $605,000 to protect and enhance local creeks and waterways across Pascoe Vale, Coburg and Brunswick West. Made available by the Labor government’s landmark $10 million Green Links program, local creeks that are set to benefit include the Merri Creek, Edgars Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek. $463,700 has been allocated towards the Merri Creek to focus on a 4-kilometre stretch of the creek through Coburg to create fenced, densely planted refuge areas which will provide safety and shelter for urban populations of swamp wallabies and small insectivorous woodland birds. Over 17,000 midstorey shrubs, grasses and herbs will be planted at strategic locations to improve habitat connectivity as part of the works, and up to 28 community events will be organised for locals to get involved. I was pleased to join the member for Preston, Nick Williams from the Friends of Merri Creek and Michael Longmore and Bernadette Thomas from the Merri Creek Management Committee to announce the funding.
Over $115,900 has also been allocated to Edgars Creek to revegetate, connect and restore sections of the creek corridor through Newlands and North Coburg. Supporting the removal of weeds, works will facilitate the design and construction of new habitat areas and a nature play area for local families and kindergartens. Enhancing biodiversity works will also restore riparian habitat, improve the diversity of understorey vegetation to encourage foraging native insects and improve habitat for reptiles, with a focus on the tussock skink, which is listed as endangered under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. I was pleased of course to join Ben Davis from the Friends of Edgars Creek, David Pavone the president and Robert Urquhart the secretary.