National Landcare grants start to flow across the Northern Agricultural region

The Australian Government welcomes today’s announcement from the Northern Agricultural Catchment Council that five local groups will share in $46,725 in grants under the National Landcare Programme. 

Grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 have been awarded through the Northern Agricultural Catchment Council’s Coastal Community Grants Programme to five groups to deliver a range of projects that will help protect the region’s marine and coastal ecosystems.  Projects include production of fish identification slates to assist monitoring of the Jurien Bay snorkel trail, weed control and revegetation of degraded dunes in Geraldton, Cliff Head and Guilderton, and coastal hazard mapping activities. 

The Federal Member for Durack, Melissa Price, said that over the coming months, the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council will support local groups to carry out important on-ground works to address some of the crucial environmental issues facing the region. 

“The Northern Agricultural Catchments Council has a proven track record in managing projects that consistently deliver good environmental outcomes in the Northern Agricultural region,” Ms Price said. 

Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, said that the National Landcare Programme funding is supporting local landcare networks and other community-based groups to help restore local ecosystems and protect natural assets so the local community can to enjoy the long-term benefit of a healthy and livable environment. 

“The Northern Agricultural region is well known for its spectacular coastal environment,” Mr Hunt said.  

“Through the Coastal Community Grants Programme, the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council is actively supporting local communities to play a direct role in helping preserve its natural values.” 

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said that the Government is ensuring that funding is invested locally to deliver real change that safeguards our environment and the productive capacity of our land and coasts.

“This is crucial because farmers, fishers, landcarers and community groups know what works best for their properties, environment and their communities,” Mr Joyce said. 

The Australian Government is investing $2 billion to help support better natural resource management across Australia.  As part of this commitment $1 billion will be invested through the National Landcare Programme, including more than $450 million directed in regional funding through to Australia’s 56 natural resource management organisations. 

This funding is part of the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council’s commitment to invest over 20 per cent of their National Landcare Programme funding to help support local projects such as these as well as other local community engagement activities. 

For more information about the National Landcare Programme go to www.nrm.gov.au.

National Landcare Programme – Northern Agricultural Region – Coastal Community Grants – Recipients