Coastcare Information

Coastcare has today welcomed an additional $4 million in funding for community volunteers to undertake on-ground action to protect Australia's precious coastline, and has called Australians to get involved with protecting their local coast. Australian swimming great and Coastcare's new National Ambassador, Matt Welsh, said the groundbreaking announcement meant that Coastcarers could now apply for grants of up to $50,000 to support hands-on projects to help protect their local coastal and marine environment. "Australia's Coastcare movement consists of over 60,000 volunteers nationwide, and with this special coastal and marine round of the Envirofund, Coastcare hopes that people across Australia will take up the call and make a real difference to their local coastline," said Matt. "This is the first time that the Australian Government has provided funds specifically for coastal environment projects through the Envirofund and I urge everyone with an interest in protecting their local coastal environment to apply for a grant. "We want everyone to get involved and do something good for their local region, with funding available for all types of projects. "It could be beach clean-ups or dune vegetation. It could be building beach walkways or protecting native animal and plant life. Any project that helps to protect and repair Australia's coastal and marine environment will obviously be considered. "Whatever the project, whether it helps protect a local bay, an estuary, local marine life or continues a critical local environmental action program, Envirofund is there to help. "But you'd better be quick - Envirofund applications close on July 20. "Our whole country has to be united in protecting our environment - Coastcare volunteers, through some 2,000 Coastcare groups around the country, are doing amazing work repairing and protecting our coastline, and we need to join them. "I'm thrilled to be backing Coastcare because it is all about making a real and visible difference," said Matt. Coastcare CEO Brian Scarsbrick also welcomed the announcement of specific coastal and marine funding through the Australian Government Envirofund. "Coastcare provides practical solutions to environmental issues, and community volunteers are tackling problems head on," he said. "With a massive $4 million now earmarked especially for projects that care for Australia's coast, we really can make a huge difference." "Our message is simple: Whether you are an individual volunteer, a community group, a group of concerned individuals or an environmental group, get an Envirofund application in now," said Mr Scarsbrick. Coastcare is an independent organisation established to promote public awareness of coastal environment issues and highlight the achievements of coastal volunteers. To date, more than $110 million nationwide have been distributed through the Australian Government's Envirofund with more than 7,000 local projects helped. For a copy of the application form call 1800 065 823.