The Victorian Government is helping the seed industry grow more native plants and restore Victoria’s precious landscapes through BushBank – the state’s largest wildlife habitat restoration program.

A $900,000 BushBank Seed Sector Support Grant will allow Euroa Arboretum to provide a more reliable seed supply to the BushBank program and expand seed production areas in the Goulburn Broken Catchment. The project will build new, upgraded seedbank to store and process seed, doubling current capacity and increasing efficiency. As well as purchase mechanical harvesting equipment to improve seed collection efficiency from seed orchards and provide training to Taungurung and Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners.

A $200,000 BushBank Seed Sector Support Grant will fund the First People of Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation’s Growing for Country project which will provide additional nursery upgrades, collect and store seed from high-demand species in the Mallee Region and propagate seedlings over 3 years.

The total $3 million grant program will also help secure and create new regional jobs, expand and upgrade seed orchards and nurseries and propagate hundreds of thousands of seedlings per year in areas including Wimmera, Mallee, and North Central.

Most native seed used in the BushBank program is currently collected from existing native vegetation, with availability dependent on local, seasonal weather conditions and the health of plants.

BushBank’s program partner, Cassinia Environmental continues to work with landowners for planting on private properties, working towards a target of revegetating 20,000 hectares of land by 2035.

Since 2014, the Victorian Government has made a record $800 million investment to protect our natural environment and reverse native species decline – the biggest investment of its kind in Victorian history.

Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“Euroa Arboretum continues to play an important role in planting millions of native trees and plants across the state through BushBank.”

“Today’s seeds will be tomorrow’s habitat, and the plants grown at Euroa Arboretum will provide homes to local wildlife and help our state’s fight against climate change.”