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Since 2022 Small Blocks Big Dreams has engaged over 160 small landholders in the Corangamite Region, empowering them to become land stewards while adopting environmental management techniques through tailored land management workshops. The project is delivered in partnership with local Landcare networks, providing local support and expert knowledge.
The project is tailored to owners of smaller properties with varied land uses, specifically:
Small Blocks Big Dreams aims to increase landholder skills, knowledge and confidence in natural resource management and support landholders to implement on-ground works including pest plant and animal control, soil health remediation, native vegetation improvements and more. It is also designed to develop landholders into catchment stewards who can act as mentors for their neighbours and local community.
The Small Blocks Big Dreams project is funded by the Victorian Government through the Our Catchments, Our Communities program.
We've partnered with the Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group to bring our new workshop series - designed specifically for bush block owners - to the Ballarat region in 2026 and 2027. The program is currently underway.
If you'd like to register your interest in future Small Blocks Big Dreams programs across the Corangamite CMA catchment, please register your EOI below, and sign up for our enews.
Launched during Landcare Week 2024, this free, easy reference guide helps small landholders in the Corangamite region create productive and environmentally sustainable properties.
Full of practical tips and local contacts, the glove-box friendly guide contains information on soils, water, biodiversity, pests, and pastures. Initially designed for participants of the SBBD project, the Healthy Hectares Guide is relevant to all Corangamite small landholders.
Access a complimentary A5 copy by contacting your local Landcare network - or request a digital version by clicking the button below.
The Small Blocks Big Dreams land stewardship program has attracted a diverse range of landholders from across the Corangamite CMA region. Networking and partnering with Landcare is central to the success of the program. Landholders learn from those who have already taken a journey with bush blocks, are becoming small producers and those working towards sustainable horse management. Hear what participants have had to say about their land stewardship journeys:
Small Blocks Big Dreams is split into three separate workshop series targeting three different landholder groups:
There are four workshops in each series, hosted by Landcare, designed to educate and empower landholders.
Once the workshops are complete, participants are required to complete a property action plan using the My Property tool. Click below to access the tool.
Up to $2,000 in incentive money is available for them to use towards the execution of their plan once approved by Landcare and Corangamite CMA.
Take a look at the videos below for an overview of the workshops and some of our landholder journeys:
This project addresses knowledge gaps among small block owners and empowers them to think strategically, make informed management decisions, increase active stewardship, improve land, water and vegetation management and increase community landscape resilience in rapidly changing areas.
Existing programs primarily focus on full-time farmers with large enterprises and specific industries (e.g. livestock and cropping).
However, the region has a significant number of landholders using their land for non-farming purposes and small farms, with decreasing block sizes and a decline in full-time farmers, particularly in the region’s growing eastern wedge.
Recent surveys show landholders with NRM knowledge are more likely to implement best-practice NRM and there is declining knowledge from full-time to non-farmers (Curtis 2020). There is also strong interest from community members in supporting smaller landholders.
Most non-farmers occupy blocks of less than 20 ha, with their main land use for aesthetics (39%), recreation (20%), horses (15%), goats and alpacas (10%).
Such land use can result in negative natural resource outcomes, including biosecurity issues, overgrazing, pugging of sensitive areas, soil erosion, stock accessing waterways, increased nutrient/sediment loads in waterways and remnant vegetation loss.
“As a landowner, these workshops have shown me our priorities based on the values and challenges that are unique to our property, while giving me the motivation and confidence to know what needs to be done next.”
- Small Producers Participant, Becky McCann
Take a look at some of the Corangamite CMA's social media posts to see more of what we got up to.
Download the Small Blocks Big Dreams Fact Sheet for an in-depth look at the project and how it ran
To find out when Small Blocks Big Dreams workshops and other project activities are being delivered please subscribe to Sustainable Agriculture eNews.
64 Dennis Street, Colac VIC 3250
PO Box 159, Colac, VIC 3250
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au
BARWON WATER OFFICES
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
All mail must be sent via our Colac office
PO Box 159, Colac, VIC 3250
T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au
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