29 October 2015

The Australian Government welcomes today’s Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management’s announcement of their third round Bushcare Grants to 32 more landholders who will share in $278,462 in grants under the National Landcare Programme.

Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management’s projects include a range of activities that will help secure habitat for more than 30 nationally listed species throughout the Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management region.  In total the 32 landholders have committed to delivering over 80 kilometres of fencing to exclude stock from 330 hectares of important vegetation, improving management through revegetation across at least 300 hectares and controlling feral animals to benefit threatened species.

“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,” Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt said.

“The Government is ensuring that funding is invested locally to deliver real change that is targeted on and off farm to safeguard productive capacity in the land for the future and to safeguard our environment,” Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce said.

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

“Over the coming months, Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management will support local landholders to carry out important on-ground works to address some of the crucial environmental issues facing the region,” the Federal Member for O’Connor, Mr Wilson said.

“Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management has a proven track record in managing projects that consistently deliver good environmental outcomes in the Wheatbelt,” Rick Wilson 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.

Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management’s announced funding is part of its commitment to invest over 20 per cent of its National Landcare Programme funding to help support local projects as well as other local community engagement activities.