The North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) recently received funding from the RDRP Program to develop a 12-month implementation plan. This involved a call for expressions of interest from local groups and organisations to deliver activities that contribute to the delivery of the Plan.   

North East CMA chief executive officer, Katie Warner said 20 applications worth over $1 million were received, showing the strong interest from community, agricultural groups and support agencies in the region. 

“With the current dry conditions, the impacts of drought on our mental health, natural environment, farming systems and local businesses is evident and underlines the importance of working together,” Katie Warner said. 

With $300,000 available in funding, the following 6 projects were successful and will be implemented over the next 12-months: 

1. Beyond the dry – A know-how and network building initiative for women in agriculture, Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups ($59,430) 
2. Drought-Ready Mansfield: Connecting Land and Community, Up2Us Landcare Alliance ($49,565) 
3. Co-Designing a Psychological Preparedness Program for drought in the Ovens Murray Region, The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health ($59,000) 
4. Drought Preparedness Community Leadership Program, Alpine Valleys Community Leadership ($60,000) 
5. Where are they now? Revisiting tree decline in North East Victoria, Australian National University Sustainable Farms ($24,500) 
6. Soil Moisture Probe Proposal – Upper Murray, Kiewa Valley and Ovens-King Valley, Burgoigee Creek Landcare Group, Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups and Upper Murray Inc ($47,505). 

For further information please visit the North East CMA website (necma.vic.gov.au). 

This project of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program is supported by North East Catchment Management Authority, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victoria Government. 

For media enquires please contact North East CMA Media, Marketing & Communications Officer Natalie Ord natalie.ord@necma.vic.gov.au 0468 394 808