Tree planting grants to help offset carbon emissions

Published on 17 May 2024

Moyne Shire’s annual Council Community Carbon Offset Program (C3OP) is now open for applications, with grants of up to $1,500 available for community groups and between $1,500-$5,000 for private landholders.

Individuals and groups can seek funding for revegetation projects throughout Moyne Shire.

The annual program for public land was established in 2009 to offset the carbon emissions of council’s fleet of light vehicles and was expanded to include projects on private land in response to the Climate Emergency Declaration in 2019.

Mayor, Cr Ian Smith said the C3OP encourages the community to plant almost 4,000 trees each year to compensate for an estimated 756 tonnes of carbon dioxide (or greenhouse gas equivalent) emissions from council’s light fleet vehicles.

“In addition to contributing to (non-verified) offsets, planting native trees helps support biodiversity throughout our region,” said Cr Smith.

“Reestablishing vegetation in areas has helped landholders increase environmental values, protect from soil erosion and harsh wind conditions, and support native wildlife,” he said.

“These projects can also tie in with other initiatives run by organisations such as local catchment management authorities and Landcare groups to reconnect habitat for native flora and fauna on a landscape scale.”

Applications are now open, closing 15th June. For full details on eligibility and to apply, visit: www.moyne.vic.gov.au/c3op