Previously funded Stream 1 projects

Reducing biosecurity risks to horticulture through engagement with agencies and community to promote blackberry control.

Victorian Blackberry Taskforce

Recently completed research confirms blackberry is a host for fruit fly in sampled areas of Victoria. This project aims to communicate this information with stakeholders through community engagement sessions. The project will produce maps showing the extent of blackberry and provide the research, report,
and extent to linear land managers. Local Government Areas that have horticultural assets with the potential to be affected by QFF will receive information packs including a copy of the research report, an information sheet and detail with the likely impacts on the local industries if no action is taken.
The project will also produce a video of the community information sessions as well as a television commercial and social media posts.

$26,460

The Power of Community - Establishing foundations for gorse and serrated tussock Communities of Practice.

Victorian Gorse Taskforce in collaboration with Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party

Community of Practices (CoPs) are a missing piece to both VGT and VSTWP working models. This project aims to establish a CoP for the VGT and the VSTWP to expand their focus, bolster their cause and work directly in communities. The project will develop a comprehensive and tailored CoP framework, this
will include engaging:

• A   Statewide Community Engagement Coordinator to identify, train and support CoP   members
• 2   Community Ambassadors for each CPMG who will be charged with facilitating the   CoP activities, fostering communication and trust among the members, and   promote the CoP outcomes and benefits to the wider public.

$85,000

Effective cross-tenure management of serrated tussock, gorse and rabbits.

Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party in collaboration with Victorian Gorse Taskforce and Victorian Rabbit Action Network

The VSTWP with VBT, VGT and VRAN are facing challenges in managing their respective species across various land tenures. The project aims to adopt a more strategic approach to engagement and facilitate partnerships and collaboration.

Key stakeholders will be identified and engaged to:

• Determine the drivers and barriers for effective cross tenure   management
• Identify suitable collaborative technologies,
• Identify opportunities for organisations to share existing infestation   data and provide recommendations for auditing systems to ensure scheduled   works are carried out as expected

The project will partner with The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) to use stakeholder feedback and project findings to custom build the WeedScan app to better meet stakeholder needs.

$65,000

Mentor Recruitment and Professional Development: Ensuring a Sustainable Future for Community Led Rabbit Action Across Victoria.

Victorian Rabbit Action Network

To achieve VRAN’s strategy priorities the Network is developing succession plans to ensure future capacity to deliver the necessary programs and services across Victoria. This project will involve the hosting of a Mentor Master Class utilising the bootcamp alumni. The pool of graduates of the Mentor
Master Class will provide VRAN with an additional number of skilled people (up to 3) to help the VRAN Mentor Team deliver its courses and services.

All graduates of the Master Class will be invited to form a Community of Practice (CoP) to continue their advancement as mentors within their communities.

$59,972

Understanding Mental Health, Public Health and Invasive Species Management and Compliance.

Victorian Rabbit Action Network with the support of Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, Victorian Gorse Taskforce and Victoria Serrated Tussock Working Party

This project aims to review the relationship between mental health and landowners and land mangers willingness and ability to manage established invasive species on their properties. The project will engage a social scientist to undertake a scoping study to gather and synthesise information on the role
and effects of:

• Mental health on   invasive species management and compliance; alongside the other main   determinants of compliance.
• Collective   community action on invasive species management, land management and   ecological restoration more broadly on public health.

$15,000

Raise awareness and educate communities with innovative approaches to engagement

Victorian Blackberry Taskforce

The project will build new and strengthen existing relationships for the VBT with collaborating groups from across the state. It will deliver education and engagement activities for confirmed partners through the Partnership Groups. These community-initiated groups are required to have relevant partners including public land managers, plantation managers and local council that will provide cross tenure information for planning and management. The project will highlight new technologies including drones in the management and mapping of blackberry. In addition, the VBT will develop videos of training events, ID workshops and case studies.

$95,800.00

1 year

First Nations Engagement Framework

Victorian Rabbit Action Network

The project will develop a First Nations Engagement Framework. The framework will create strategic goals for VRAN and build and strengthen relationships with First Nations people. Through the project the VRAN Board, along with mentors and support staff, will undertake training to enhance their cultural competence. A VRAN Aboriginal Engagement Framework Working Group will be established and an Aboriginal Engagement Framework developed using principles similar to those used for Reconciliation Action Plans. This will then be integrated into VRAN’s policies and processes for community service offerings, including Bootcamps, Learning Networks, field days and future initiatives.

$70,196.00

2 years

Regional Mentor Program – Stronger Together

Victorian Rabbit Action Network

The project will facilitate the development and strengthening of networks and collaborative partnerships between community groups, government agencies, and other stakeholders and encourage community-led action on the rabbit issue. VRAN aims to co-design face-to-face regional learning network meetings that take the senior and new junior mentors to the learning network members. Following the face-to-face meeting, each regional group will be invited to nominate a local leader to work with a mentor to host an online follow-up meeting. The topics of the discussion will be driven by the group.

$18,101.00

2 years

Reducing the impacts and spread of serrated tussock through best practice grazing and pasture management

Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party

The project aims to mitigate the impacts of serrated tussock through best practice grazing and pasture management. By raising awareness and educating key stakeholders about sustainable grazing and pasture management practices, such as rotational grazing, the project aims to control spread in areas with significant serrated tussock infestations. The project will provide resources like information brochures, deliver workshops and a digital campaign for using best practice grazing and pasture management as a control tool against serrated tussock. A targeted social media campaign, instructional videos and a blog series webpage will aid in delivering the project to a wide audience in an innovative and accessible format

$35,650.00

2 years

Reducing serrated tussock fire risks through community education and capacity building

Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party

The project aims to target an education gap and build community capacity by equipping stakeholders with knowledge and resources to effectively manage the fire risks imposed by serrated tussock infestations. Through educational resources, field days and media campaigns the project will empower communities to implement best practice management for serrated tussock. This project will target a new audience through fire risks rather than agricultural production. Peer driven learning will be highlighted through the delivery of case studies from local landowners and their serrated tussock management journeys.

$33,350.00

2 years

Strategic Governance Training Project

Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party and Victorian Blackberry Taskforce

The project aims to deliver affordable, practical governance and legal training to the leaders of the VSTWP, VBT and relevant Landcare representatives. The training, facilitated by Justice Connect, will address governance and compliance challenges faced by these groups, empowering them to better manage their operations and thereby effectively address invasive species issues. To create a continued resource the sessions will also be recorded for new staff. The goal for the project is to create well-governed, resilient organisations that can operate effectively and sustainably.

$13,880.50

1 year