Grants open to help flora and fauna in the NAR

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Australian Government media release

26 November 2015

Landcare and community groups in the Northern Agricultural Region are now able to apply for community grants totalling $50,000 to improve the management and protection of the region’s animals and plants, and ensure its natural values are retained for future generations.

Individual grants of up to $10,000 are available to support land managers and community groups to undertake on-ground land management to enhance community skills and knowledge in rehabilitation, restoration and conservation of the region’s animals and plants.

The grants are part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and managed locally by the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council – one of Australia’s 56 regional natural resource management organisations.

“The Northern Agricultural Catchments Council works closely with the local community to reach a shared understanding of the environmental and agricultural issues facing the Northern Agricultural Region and what work is needed to address them,” Federal Member for Durack, Melissa Price said.

“By getting involved, Landcare groups, farmers and community organisations working in natural resource management can help ensure the grants programme is used to its maximum benefit, targeting local and regional priorities.”

“This is a great opportunity for local communities to tackle important on-ground works aimed at addressing local natural resource management priorities,” Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt said.

“Through these grants, communities are invited to deliver simple, local and long-term solutions to improve their local environment.

“It’s also pleasing to see that Australia’s 56 regional natural resource management organisations are directing more than 20 per cent of their National Landcare Programme funding to help support grant rounds such as these, as well as other local community engagement activities.”

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, echoed these thoughts.

“The Australian 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,” he said.

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

“It is also a key driver in delivering on the Australian Government’s commitment to support productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of Australia’s primary industries, and good management of natural resources.”

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 to Australia’s 56 natural resource management organisations.

For more information on this grant round and how to apply, please visit the Biodiversity Community Grants web page.

For more information about the National Landcare Programme, go to the National Landcare Programme website.

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While we have said farewell to some, we have welcomed many new faces across all programs, including our Administration team. We have also hosted a school-based trainee from Nagle Catholic College who has been working towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. This trial position has been very successful, and we look forward to making this opportunity available again in 2023.

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