Photo: Neil Daly THE State Government will invest $1.2 million into improving mangrove, seagrass and saltmarsh habitats in Western Port.
The funding will be shared between the Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation and the Bunurong Land Council. Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt said it would be used to identify options for protecting and enhancing mangrove, seagrass and saltmarsh habitats, while also delivering on-ground works including planting, fencing and pest and weed control.
“The funding will not only help future proof Western Port’s unique coastal biodiversity but will work towards optimising the blue carbon storage capacity the reserve provides through its extensive mangroves and wetlands.”
The funding will be shared between the Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation and the Bunurong Land Council. Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt said it would be used to identify options for protecting and enhancing mangrove, seagrass and saltmarsh habitats, while also delivering on-ground works including planting, fencing and pest and weed control.
“The funding will not only help future proof Western Port’s unique coastal biodiversity but will work towards optimising the blue carbon storage capacity the reserve provides through its extensive mangroves and wetlands.”
Mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass ecosystems capture carbon at between 30-50 times of equivalent areas of forests, making protection and enhancement of coastal habitat central to the Labor Government’s climate action strategy and zero carbon commitment.
| The CEO of the, Mel Barker, said the benefits for Western Port extended beyond climate action. “Preserving ecosystems is invaluable for maintaining biodiversity, the thousands of trans-continental bird migrations that happen annually and for the protection of the internationally declared Ramsar wetlands at the heart of the Reserve. “Wins for the environment will directly benefit the community by maintaining healthy fisheries, tourism and increased resilience from future sea level rises due to climate change. “We welcome the Victorian Government’s support, which will build on the more than 60,000-year knowledge of traditional custodians of country and the scientific research undertaken by Deakin University’s world-class Blue Carbon Lab in 2022.” |  Blue carbon skies ahead April 8, 2022 - Local “blue carbon” projects to maintain and restore mangrove, seagrass and saltmarsh ecosystems in Western Port could make a major contribution to meeting local and national targets of net zero carbon emissions. |
The Blue Carbon Lab has been researching how local projects of marine ecosystem protection and restoration could optimise carbon sequestration and storage.
Ms Barker acknowledged the financial support provided by seven member councils – including Bass Coast Shire – from the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA), which contributed to the research.
“We thank them all, as this was critical to making the case for the Victorian Government’s investment in Western Port.”
Ms Barker acknowledged the financial support provided by seven member councils – including Bass Coast Shire – from the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA), which contributed to the research.
“We thank them all, as this was critical to making the case for the Victorian Government’s investment in Western Port.”