Bee-inspired projects lead the charge for Lake Macquarie’s Community Environment Grants

11 March 2025

newy.com.au – A buzzing initiative to boost biodiversity in Lake Macquarie is inspiring locals to think outside the box when applying for the City Council’s Community Environment Grants program.

The Groundswell Collective, a recent grant recipient, has taken an innovative approach by hosting ‘pollinator pot’ workshops, encouraging residents to create native bee habitats and plant pollinator-friendly gardens. Nearly 100 community members participated in four workshops, leading to the distribution of 324 native plants and the creation of 117 new bee-friendly spaces in local homes.

Anna Noon, Director of Partnerships and Programs at The Groundswell Collective – and a nominee for the 2025 Lake Mac Ambassador award – said the project was a proactive response to the detection of Varroa mite and the loss of European honeybees in the region.

“The goal was to give people a hands-on, positive way to support native pollinators, no matter how much space they had,” she said. “Beyond creating pollinator pots, participants also helped package 148 seed packets, which were distributed through five local seed library branches, making their way into gardens across Lake Macquarie.”

Lake Macquarie City Council is now calling for more innovative community-led projects, with up to $40,000 available for non-profit groups under the 2025 Community Environment Grants program. Grants of up to $5000 are on offer to support initiatives that promote sustainability, biodiversity, waste reduction, and upcycling.

Mayor Adam Shultz highlighted the creative potential of these grants, citing the Coal Ash Alliance’s recent project as an example. “This group collected coal ash from mine ash dams and repurposed it into ceramic material, using a 3D printer to create artworks, a fantastic initiative from our local community,” he said.

Other grant-funded projects have included the installation of seven new garden beds in schools and community spaces, ranging from bush tucker gardens to sensory gardens, as well as sustainability education programs such as the Valentine Sustainable Neighbourhood Group’s community solar workshops and Wyee Community Hub’s worm farm program tackling food waste.

“The program awarded over $37,000 last year, with community groups contributing an additional $46,000, bringing the total impact to $83,000,” Mayor Shultz said. “It’s inspiring to see these initiatives making a real difference in our community.”

Applications for this round of Community Environment Grants close at 5pm on Monday, 31 March 2025. For more information, including application details and information sessions, visit lakemac.com.au.