15 December 2015
The Australian Government welcomes today’s announcement from the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council that 8 landholders across 6 projects will share in $140,403 in grants under the National Landcare Programme.
Grants of up to $30,000 have been awarded to landholders across the Northern Agricultural Region to establish farming demonstration sites across different landscapes, soils and farming systems. The sites will showcase innovative practices that address a range of issues including salinity, nutrient management, herbicide resistance, soil health and/or adaptation to climate variability.
“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 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, 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 Federal Member for Durack, Ms Melissa Price said.
“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.
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.
The Northern Agricultural Catchments Council’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.
Further information about the farming demonstration sites funded through these grants is available from on the NACC website.
For more information about the National Landcare Programme go to www.nrm.gov.au
Here is a full list of the successful projects: Innovative Farming Practices – grant recipients.