Aegir Divers – Kelp Farming and Regeneration Solutions for Blue Carbon and Aqua-Agroecology
$10,000.00
As part of ongoing efforts to support regenerative farming and restoration of kelp and other seaweeds, Aegir Divers aims to refine and scale the current 3D prototype for kelp farming, develop solutions for sand bottom kelp anchors to enable the establishment of perennial kelp forests in areas that currently can’t support marine flora and are free of invasive sea urchins, and develop options to attach kelp seedlings to reef systems.
Benefits: Marine habitat restoration, nutrient and carbon sequestration, improved water quality.
Boneo Discovery Park – Wetlands and climate change
$5,000.00
This project involves the development of an educational facility at Boneo Park to inform visitors of the importance of preserving the wetlands. A variety of plants, aquatic animals and water samples will be collected and examined to understand the delicate balance of the wetlands ecosystem and the storage of carbon. A digital microscope in the bird hide will advance the studies.
Benefits:
Increased knowledge and value of wetland ecosystems, increased research opportunities for wetland preservation
Dromana Secondary College – Reducing energy consumption via school air conditioners
$4,375.00
The attachment of new, permanent remote controls to be used with existing air conditioners at Dromana Secondary College will enable usage to be pre-set and locked, with adjustment possible during school holidays.
Benefits:
Reduced energy usage, reduced energy bills, increased awareness of the school community in regard to energy usage and climate impact.
Flinders Coastal Advisory Group – Flinders Foreshore Environmental and Cultural Signage
$3,493.00
This project involves the design and installation of environmental and cultural signage across the Flinders Foreshore to build awareness and educate the community in respect to the ecological significance of the area, environmental issues occurring, and to highlight and celebrate the culture, history and language of First Nations people in the region.
Benefits:
Increased awareness of ecological and cultural significance of the Flinders Foreshore, Increased awareness and action towards developing a climate resilient Flinders
Merricks Coolart Catchment Landcare Inc – Revegetating cleared pasture land
$6,944.00
This project will engage the support of environmentally aligned groups and a local ecologist to revegetate approximately 30 hectares of cleared pasture land bordering Merricks Creek. The land is owned by the Catholic order of the Presentation Sisters.
Benefits:
Increased habitat for native animals and increased biodiversity through the return of indigenous plant species. Increased creek water quality due to revegetation allowing important nutrient filtration. Increased carbon sequestration.
Mornington Peninsula Intrepid Landcare Group – Mornington Peninsula Intrepid Landcare Plant and Dance
$4,586.00
An event for the MP Intrepid Landcare members and community to come together to inspire youth aged 18-35(ish) to get outside to foster our connection with nature, have fun, learn about the environment and make positive change to our local climate goals.
Benefits:
Increased value for the environment and climate action, increased community involvement.
Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation – Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation Tree Propagation Program
$4,245.00
This initiative aims to propagate and plant over 3000 eucalypts, including the manna gum, narrow leaf peppermint and swamp gum eucalyptus species, to link koala habitat across private properties on the Mornington Peninsula. The plants will be propagated over a 6-month period by Mornington Peninsula residents.
Benefits:
Increased habitat for koalas, engagement of property owners with land conservation efforts, increased carbon sequestration.
Mt Eliza Fifty Five Plus Club Inc. – Replacement of existing Gas Heaters with Reverse Cycle Units
$5,000.00
This project will involve the removal of existing gas heaters and installation of three new reverse cycle units to heat and cool the Mt Eliza Fifty Five Plus Club.
Benefits:
Improved health and safety of members and visitors due to risks associated with gas heaters. Improved energy efficiency.
Presentation Family Centre trading as Saltbush, Balnarring Beach – Solar Upgrade Project: Saltbush House 3 & 4
$4,803.00
This solar upgrade project will involve the addition of a 5kW inverter and eleven solar panels to two houses of the not-for-profit family centre, Saltbush. These additions will increase the solar capacity of each house to 8kW and is expected to take grid usage close to zero.
Benefits:
Increased solar capacity, reduced reliance on grid power, reduced non-renewable energy usage.
Regeneration Projects – 'Climate Cuppa' Podcast Series, Mornington Peninsula
$10,000.00
This initiative involves the development of a 10-week podcast series in which 2-3 climate active business champions will share their stories and practical tips for reducing carbon emissions. This podcast will build on Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 2020 Climate Emergency Plan to expand the reach of the region’s climate conversations, engaging other businesses to address climate change.
Benefits: Increased awareness of initiatives to reduce emission across varying sectors, increased awareness of climate incentives offered by the Shire and other organisations, increased opportunities for collaboration in taking climate action.
Sorrento Junior Football Club – Purchase of trash bins for better disposal system in the club
$2,752.00
The initiative involves the purchase of recycling bins for the Sorrento Junior Football Club, as all waste is currently being sent to landfill.
Benefits:
Reduced waste in landfill, Identification of recycling opportunities, Increased awareness of waste pathways and reduction.
Sorrento Primary School – Solar Pool Heating
$5,884.00
The project involves the conversion of pool and shower heating utilised by Sorrento Primary School to Solar.
Benefits:
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased reliance on renewable energy, reduced costs long-term.
South West Mornington Peninsula (SWaMP) Landcare – Bandicoot Bowl Restoration & Carbon Capture
$6,661.00
This project involves the preparation of planting sites and revegetation and guarding of depleted zones in areas formerly colonised by the Long-nosed Bandicoot, in aim to encourage its return and increase habitat for other small marsupials including the White-footed Dunnart and Swamp Rat.
Benefits:
Increased habitat, increased plant biomass which aims to sequester 14 tonnes of carbon annually on these worksites
St Joseph’s primary school – Wetland Regeneration and Nature Meeting Place
$3,840.00
This project involves the regeneration of wetlands through revegetation, the development of a Nature Meeting Place to foster connection to country, and the creation of a Bush Tucker Garden to deepen understanding of the value of native and indigenous plants for food, habitat and carbon sequestration.
Benefits:
Increased habitat for native animals and increased biodiversity through revegetation. Increased awareness and value of cultural heritage and connection to land and waters.
St Mary's Primary School, Hastings – Turning Waste into Wealth: A Peninsula Biogas Initiative
$9,945.00
This project will involve the acquirement and implementation of a cutting-edge Biogas Digester Australia system, which utilises renewable technology to convert organic waste into valuable resources. The initiative will be centred at St Mary’s Primary School but will invite local businesses to supply their organic waste to fuel the digester, receiving liquid fertiliser in return.
Benefits:
Progress towards goal of zero-waste on the Mornington Peninsula, increased education of waste conversion for students and the broader community, reduction in waste, increased reliance on renewable energy.
The Goods Directory – Peninsula Net Rescue Project
$4,850.00
The aim of the Peninsula Net Rescue Project is to work with local fruit growers (wineries, apples and pears etc.) to test the recycling properties of used horticultural netting, creating a recycled output as a source of revenue, and working with those designing products from ocean-bound and other recycled plastics, thereby creating a closed-loop solution for a critical waste issue.
Benefits:
Reduced horticultural netting in landfill, reduced environmental impacts of plastic waste.
The Revillaging Project – Planting an Indigenous, pollinator friendly shelterbelt to support regeneration of the Tootgarook Wetland and community Indigenous Cultural workshop/planting day.
$6,132.00
The Revillaging Project involves the planting of an Indigenous, pollinator friendly shelter-belt to support the Tootgarook Wetland Regeneration, an educational regenerative farm, and, an Indigenous cultural workshop and community planting day in collaboration with Living Culture LTD and Regenerating Farms.
Benefits:
Increased farm productivity, increased plant biomass which increases carbon sequestration, increased knowledge of ecological conservation from a First Nations perspective, increased cultural awareness.
West Rosebud Bowls & Croquet Club – Inefficient fridge replacement with a new efficient one
$2,784.00
This project will involve the replacement of the inefficient fridge with a new, more efficient one.
Benefits:
Reduced power bills for community, reduced carbon footprint.
Wild Adventures Melbourne – Community Sunrise SUP & Clean-Up
$2,196.00
This initiative aims to combine outdoor adventure and climate action by offering sunrise Stand Up Paddleboarding and rubbish clean up weekly. Participants will be involved in cleaning less accessible locations along the coastline which can be accessed on SUP’s.
Benefits:
Improved quality of habitat for marine species. Increased awareness and passion for environmental protection in the community.