Minister for Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and Communities,
Tony Burke
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry, Joe Ludwig
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Mike Kelly
Australia’s natural
resources will be better protected thanks
to a funding boost from the Gillard Labor
Government that will enable community groups
to take action to protect the Australian
landscape.
The Gillard Government
today announced an additional $241 million
for the successful projects of the open
call component of the 2010–11 Caring for
our Country business plan.
Minister for Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and Communities,
Tony Burke, said 168 environmental and sustainable
agricultural projects were successful.
“These projects will
reduce the impact of invasive species, protect
coastal environments, increase sustainable
land management practices, and protect native
habitats and World Heritage Areas,” Minister
Burke said.
“The Caring for our
Country program is an important initiative
that supports volunteers and community groups
who make such an important contribution
to our natural environment.”
Rural, urban and coastal
community and Landcare groups, as well as
landholders will share in over $60 million
to improve, protect and better manage our
natural and productive landscapes.
”This includes $31.3
million for competitive projects that greatly
improve the health of our coastal and aquatic
ecosystems,” Minister Burke said.
“As a result of this
package, $1.5 million will be used to reduce
sediment entering Moreton Bay near Brisbane.”
“Water quality of the
Tasmanian Derwent Estuary will also greatly
improve with $1.3 million in funding.”
Minister for Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig,
said another major element of this package
would provide $181 million in base level
funding for 56 regional natural resource
management (NRM) organisations around Australia.
“Farmers and land managers
are some of the most important contributors
to the adoption of sustainable land care
practices,” Minister Ludwig said.
“From these funds, $49.9
million will go to NRM groups specifically
to support this work.”
“Farmers are on the
front line when it comes to the future impacts
of climate change, and the Government is
committed to supporting them to manage our
natural resources sustainably.”
As a result of the Australian
Government’s commitment to regional NRM
funding, Indigenous people will also be
supported as environmental custodians.
“Caring for our Country
funding will support Indigenous communities
throughout Australia to use traditional
ecological knowledge to better manage the
environment,” Minister Ludwig said.
Parliamentary Secretary
for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
Dr Mike Kelly, said $8.8 million would also
be spent on projects that protect environmental
values of World Heritage areas in New South
Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western
Australia.
“This includes providing
$1.4 million for better management of the
Greater Blue Mountains and Willandra Lakes
World Heritage Areas in New South Wales,”
Dr Kelly said.
“The funding will also
help reduce the impacts of invasive plant
and animal species on the natural environment.”
“This includes providing
$700 000 to reduce the impacts of feral
pigs, carp, and invasive weeds on the internationally
important Macquarie Marshes.”
All funding will be
subject to contract negotiations. For further
information about Caring for our Country
including a list of funded projects visit
www.nrm.gov.au.
