Rural landholders across the Sunshine Coast can now apply for a new round of funding to help deliver on-ground environmental improvements.
The Sunshine Coast Council’s Landholder Environment Grants program supports rural landholders and primary producers across the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, particularly those seeking to improve water quality and restore native habitat.
Palmwoods couple Hein and Megan Van Dam are among those to have benefited from the program. Over the past eight years, they transformed their once weed-choked 17-acre property into a thriving refuge for native plants and wildlife.
Working with council since 2018 through the Land for Wildlife program, the couple adopted a staged restoration approach, beginning with the removal of invasive slash pines before progressively restoring their creek corridor.
Grant funding has helped them control a significant lantana infestation, regenerate native vegetation through targeted planting, establish habitat for birds, butterflies and pollinators, and strengthen riparian zones.
Sunshine Coast Council coordinator community catchment partnerships Denise Lindon said combining grant funding with long-term partnership support delivered the strongest environmental outcomes.
“We find that although landholders can apply for the full $15,000 funding, which they match 50:50, the strongest results come from staged projects that build year on year and deliver long-term environmental improvements,” Ms Lindon said.
“Landholders don’t need to apply for the full amount in one go – they can request what they need each year and build their project over time.”
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Sunshine Coast Council environment portfolio councillor Tim Burns said the program recognised the important role private landholders played in protecting the region’s environment.
“This competitive program is funded by our Environment Levy and we’re encouraging targeted applications from rural landholders and primary producers ready to undertake practical environmental improvements on their land,” Cr Burns said.
“We’ve found that providing landholders with financial support and expert advice leads to real, on-ground change across the Sunshine Coast Biosphere.
“Due to strong demand, we’re prioritising projects that deliver clear environmental outcomes and our conservation partnership team is ready to support the next wave of projects.”
Expressions of interest for the program are now open, and close August 10, with full applications due by September 28.
