The following is a letter from Julie Edwards, Senior Project Officer, Victorian Landcare Program, Environment and Community Programs, Biodiversity Division.

I am writing to advise you that the Victorian Landcare Grants (VLG), which have been available around this time in previous years, have been delayed this year.

The 2020-21 VLG are aligned to funding announcements in the State Budget and as this has been deferred, so has the grants process. 

The 2019-20 bushfires and impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) has also meant that the delivery of many activities funded through the previous round of the VLG have been postponed, along with planning for the 2020-21 grants process. A later start to the 2020-21 VLG will allow the previous year’s VLGs to be completed and the required planning to take place once public health measures permit.

The Victorian Landcare Program 2019-20 Group Health Survey will be undertaken separately to the Victorian Landcare Grants this year. 

The Group Health Survey provides a snapshot of the health and the contribution of Landcare and environmental volunteering groups to a healthy environment. 

Data collected through the Group Health Survey is important to help DELWP understand the types of activities you do and to help with the planning of the Victorian Landcare Program.

Further information about the VLG will be available later in the year on the DELWP website environment.vic.gov.au/landcare and email updates will also be provided.

If you have any questions please call Julie Edwards, Senior Project Officer on 0429 001 565.