Victorian Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos visited Euroa on Friday, February 27 announcing a $900,000 investment boost for the Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank.

The facility, based at the Euroa Arboretum, has been operating for over 20 years and is one of only three major seedbanks in Victoria.

The seedbank’s manager, Emily Troup, told Country News that the funding was a welcome show of support, and would allow them to expand their operations.

“It’s thrilling to have that kind of support from our government,” Ms Troup said.

The seedbank is a not-for-profit organisation, with a team of 16 part-time and casual staff.

Many volunteers from the community also give their time to the project, some of whom have been at the seedbank every week for many years.

Ms Troup said the facility was already running at maximum capacity, and that the funding was needed to allow them to expand their important work.

Half of the funds will go towards the construction of a new building and physical assets, expanding the seedbank’s storage and processing capabilities.

New infrastructure will include new cool rooms for seed storage, additional floor space for seed drying and processing, and harvesting equipment, originally designed for olives but suitable for the seedbank’s needs.

Construction of the seedbank’s new additions has already started, with completion expected mid-year.

Remaining funds will be put towards new seed production areas, expanding the operation’s native woody orchards by the equivalent of 20 football fields.

Ms Troup told Country News that the seedbank could play an important role in the rehabilitation of damaged habitats and ecosystems.

Mr Dimopoulos agreed, saying that increasing access to native seed would aid in the recovery efforts of bushfire and storm-affected areas.

“Boosting the supply of native seed and seedlings is essential to supporting the long-term restoration of Victoria’s native vegetation and recovery from bushfires.

“This will make it easier to collect, process and store native seed at the scale needed for projects like rebuilding bushfire impacted forests and supporting the return of native wildlife.”

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