Wednesday May 21 2025
Landcare Victoria has responded to this week’s State Budget with cautious optimism, welcoming the $17.3 million allocated over two years for Landcare and Coastcare programs.
While this commitment maintains current funding levels, the organisation emphasises that without increased investment, the long-term sustainability of Victoria’s community-led environmental movement remains uncertain.
Landcare Victoria acknowledges the continued support for the Victorian Landcare and Coastcare volunteer programs in the Budget, which includes a further two-year extension for the Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program.
However, the organisation is disappointed that its call for long-term, secure funding has not been met.
“Landcare is delivering on its commitments and doing extraordinary work across the state, but government support is falling short of what’s needed to ensure stability and growth,” said Landcare Victoria CEO, Claire Hetzel.
Landcare has been uniting communities to achieve meaningful and sustainable land and environmental management outcomes since it was established in Victoria nearly four decades ago. At the heart of its success are the passionate volunteers and dedicated Landcare facilitators who provide critical on-the-ground coordination, advice and support.
“While this Budget hasn’t provided the long-term funding Landcare needs, we will continue to advocate for a funding model that reflects the value and impact of Landcare across Victoria,” Ms Hetzel said.
The current $4.5 million State Government investment in the Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program yielded a $31.5 million economic return on public investment in 2023.
Landcare Victoria, as the peak body for community land care in the state, plays a critical role in enabling and advocating for volunteers.
Landcare Victoria Chair Jane Carney said that over the past four years, the organisation has strengthened its leadership capacity to better support the Landcare community.
“Our newly released Strategic Plan 2025-2027 outlines an ambitious vision: to double participation in community land care, enabled by deepening partnerships, strengthening support for Landcare groups and championing the value of community-led action,” Mrs Carney said.
“This outcome cannot be achieved without the support from the State Government, as well as Landcare volunteers, facilitators and coordinators.”
Landcare Victoria remains committed to working in partnership with government and community to support sustainable land and environmental management across the state. The organisation thanks the many Landcare volunteers, supporters and Members of Parliament who have championed the importance of ongoing support for land care in Victoria.
ENDS
Background:
Landcare Victoria has been advocating since 2021 for more funding for the VLFP, including an investment of $48 million over four years towards Facilitator and Coordinator roles, as follows:
- $9.5 million per annum and a four-year commitment for 100 Landcare Facilitator positions (currently, 80 PT roles are funded)
- $2 million per annum and a four-year commitment for 10 Regional Landcare Coordinators
- $500,000 per annum and a four-year commitment for statewide coordination by Landcare Victoria
An investment of $48 million would be expected to generate a $336 million return on public investment, increase participation in caring for our environment and allow for more on-the-ground activities to be delivered by Landcare volunteers
In 2023 alone, the 80 part-time Landcare Facilitators funded by Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program supported:
- 1,090 community events which allowed 42,541 participants to connect with nature
- Landcare groups to deliver 29,417Ha of revegetation works and weed/pest animal control, to protect Victoria’s biodiversity
- 321,188 hours of volunteer in-kind contribution towards caring for our environment
Contact:
Sarah Vella – Communications and Engagement Coordinator
[email protected] 03 9043 1943