A GRANT of $400,000 will help protect and grow populations of the critically endangered helmeted honeyeater in Yellingbo.
The grant, earmarked for the purchase of new habitat, is part of the Victorian Budget and followed successful lobbying by Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater (FoHH) last year.
Minister for the Environment Lisa Neville and Deputy Premier and Member for Monbulk James Merlino visited the home of the critically endangered bird late in November 2015 with an announcement of $175,000 to extend the supplementary feeding program run by FoHH.
FoHH president Bob Anderson said the budget allocation was excellent and welcomed the news.
“We have several properties in mind, and now that the money has come in, we will look at those properties and make a decision,” he said.
Mr Anderson said expansion of habitat was a critical element in the bird’s survival.
Of the 650 hectares currently available to the birds, he said a very small proportion of streamside habitat of flood plain is in good condition.
“We’re looking to purchase land that the birds can use,” he said.
Mr Merlino said the investment would help further boost numbers of Victoria’s bird emblem.
“The hard work of volunteers, staff at DELWP and the efforts from organisations like Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater means this species enjoys a bigger population today than we’ve seen in decades,” he added.
