North Central CMA Business Development Manager Matt Dawson said the Business Development Program was about turning community ideas into action, by working together to identify, develop, and deliver NRM projects for the region.

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"This is an exciting initiative for our catchment," he said.

"It provides an opportunity for community groups and investors to partner with us and leverage our capability, tap into our knowledge, and lean on our successful partnerships.

"It means locals can use our experience and reputation to deliver natural resource management projects in their communities, we can help them with funding, and we can attract funding for further projects the community has already identified as priorities for us."

Mr Dawson said the North Central CMA has listed 12 projects ready for investment and wants the community's help to develop more.

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"We want the best outcomes for our environment and our communities," he said

"The Business Development program is also about pointing the community towards investment opportunities for our region, even if we're not the lead agency.

"We want to hear about your project ideas and how the CMA can help you get these projects delivered.

"We've created an online form so community members can submit their ideas and also identified themes to make identification easier."

The strategy areas are those identified in the North Central CMA's 2021-27 Regional Catchment Strategy: carbon offsets, connected nature, soil health, sustainable farming, and Traditional Owner engagement.

"We're hoping to increase the potential scale of projects - covering larger geographical areas and attracting previously untapped sources of investment - and to create a consolidated pipeline of priority natural-resource management opportunities," Mr Dawson said.

"Jump on our website at www.nccma.vic.gov.au/collaborate-innovate-invest-0 to find out more, and submit your ideas by Friday, 12 November."

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