NINE natural resource management projects will share in almost $150,000 of federal funding as part of the 25th Anniversary Landcare grants programme.
These ag-related initiatives are in addition to the 291 National Landcare Program (NLP) projects - worth $5 million - that were announced in December 2014.
“These latest projects will tackle a range of natural resource management issues, delivering lasting benefits both for a productive agricultural sector and the environment,” Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce said.
“There were some great projects that narrowly missed out on selection last year - I’m pleased that we are now able to offer grants to these projects.”
According to a statement issued by Mr Joyce's office on Friday, the projects will tackle a range of issues, including strategies to manage invasive weeds; implementing sustainable practices to ensure healthy soil pasture systems; assisting farmers make decisions about managing their crops and inputs, and revegetation to combat soil erosion and improve the health of watercourses.
In the statement, Mr Joyce said the 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants were about supporting farmers, Indigenous and community groups, including Landcare groups, to undertake projects to better manage natural resources that will also contribute to productivity.
“Farmers know what’s best for their land, and one of the great things about Landcare is that it helps deliver practical solutions to local problems,” he said.
The Australian Government National Landcare Programme will invest $1 billion over four years to support sustainable agriculture as well as protecting Australia’s unique environment and biodiversity.
Funding continuum recommended
Landcare funding cuts and environmental threats linked to farm production were raised in an explosive Senate committee report handed down in March.
An extensive inquiry into the history, effectiveness, performance and future of the NLP was instigated after a $471 million funding reduction in last year’s federal budget.
The 146-page Senate Environment and Communications References Committee report made 15 recommendations on the Landcare program, including the retention of the 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants Program as a continuing small grants program over the forward estimates.
More information on Landcare funding is available online.
Projects in receipt of extra Landcare funding:
South Gippsland Landcare Network, Korumburra, Vic
Addressing sediment and nutrient loss (caused by landslips and soil erosion) in the Strzelecki ranges through targeted revegetation and fencing to exclude stock.
The Trustee for the Hartog Family & Hartog, Collarenebri, NSW
Trial to address the infestation of Mimosa Bush on grazing land in the region.
Dunkeld Pastoral Co. Pty. Ltd. , Cavendish, Vic
Fencing of creeks and revegetation of a key tributary of the Wannon River.
J Barton & L.B Barton, Toowoomba, Qld
Invasive weed control (dense population of lantana and isolated populations of tree pear, box thorn, cats claw and privet) and revegetation to enhance habitat values and create linkages (wildlife corridors) and fencing to manage grazing.
Dalrymple Landcare Committee Incorporated, Charters Towers, Qld
Field day attendances and workshops promoting sustainable land management practices, including pasture budgeting, identifying individual land types and their function and environmental requirements.
Harden Murrumbah Landcare Group, Harden, Young and Cootamundra, NSW
Establish a number of yield prophet sites on different soil types to assist managing crops.
South West NRM Ltd., Charleville, Qld
Land remediation to mitigate impact of severe overland flow events in the Warrego catchment.
Australian Education Advancement Pty Ltd., Hartley, NSW
Revegetation of the Cox's River to improve water quality.
Southern New England Landcare Co-ordinating Committee Inc., Guyra, NSW
A soils management course will be delivered to local landholders to improve pasture system.
