AMBITIOUS AND SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE GREATER OTWAY REGION

The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) is excited to announce the commencement of five sub-projects of the Australian Government's Wild Otways Initiative.

The Australian Government's Wild Otways Initiative is a three-year $6M commitment to achieving on ground outcomes that will improve the protection and management of threatened species in the
Otways, Victoria.

In partnership with public and private land managers, the Corangamite CMA is delivering cross-tenure, threatened species management research and on-ground programs targeting priority species and their
supporting habitat in the Otways.

The Conservation Ecology Centre is leading two of the new projects. A Pig and Deer Program that focuses on feral pig and deer control to protect native species in the Otway Ranges, Bells Beach (Ironbark Basin) and Great Ocean Road hinterland; and a Fox and Cat Management Program focused on reducing the impacts of fox and cats in planned-burn landscapes to protect threatened species in the Otway Ranges.

Barbara Wilson Pty Ltd, is leading the Phytophthora Management Program, focused on protecting plantand animal biodiversity in the Otway Ranges, Bells Beach (Ironbark Basin) and Great Ocean Road hinterland from 'dieback caused by the plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi '; and the Small Mammal Conservation project that is focused on conserving threatened small mammals in the Otway Ranges, Bells Beach (Ironbark Basin) and Great Ocean Road hinterland.

The fifth project is the development of a Rewilding Program for threatened species in the Otway Ranges. It will be implemented with relevant technical specialists (e.g. Universities, Zoos Victoria, NGOs,consultancies, land management agencies).

In addition to these five projects, the Australian Government’s Wild Otways Initiative includes a $1M Community Environment Grants Program, supporting community driven investment in project to protect and restore native plants, wildlife and coastal environments in the Otways.

Corangamite CMA CEO, John Riddiford said collaboration with industry professionals, public land managers, and the community is critical to ensuring this initiative's success.

"We are very pleased to be partnering with both the Conservation Ecology Centre and Barbara Wilson Pty Ltd to lead these ambitious and significant projects," continued Mr Riddiford.

"The five projects build on significant works already undertaken by both organisations and will achieve a step-change in scientific knowledge and applied management of threatened species in the Otways region", stated Mr Riddiford.

This project is supported by the Corangamite CMA through funding from the Australian Government's Environmental Restoration Fund.