Key Takeaways:
- The Australian Federal Government provides $14.5 million to Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network.
- This funding is part of the Albanese Government’s $1.1 billion commitment under the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).
- A national network of 52 regional delivery partners will receive $88.3 million to support environmental protection and sustainable agriculture.
- The funding supports the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, which aims to increase the agricultural sector’s capacity to respond to climate change.
- The initiative includes habitat restoration, erosion control, and feral animal management projects.
Australian Federal Government Funds Landcare to Boost Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Protection
The Australian Federal Government has announced a significant investment in Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network, providing $14.5 million to enhance the management of the country’s natural resources and promote sustainable agricultural practices. This funding is part of the broader $1.1 billion commitment under the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) to achieve comprehensive environmental and agricultural outcomes.
National Network of Regional Partners
A national network of 52 regional delivery partners has been established to facilitate the delivery of these outcomes. These partners will receive $88.3 million to support their operational functions, including developing Natural Resource Management plans, ensuring work, health, and safety standards, and maintaining appropriate governance. The partners will be crucial in implementing on-ground projects such as habitat restoration, erosion control, weed removal, and feral animal management.
Government’s Commitment to Natural Resource Management
The NHT serves as the Albanese Government’s primary investment platform for natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection. The funding also aligns with the goals of the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, which seeks to increase the capacity of Australia’s agricultural sector to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Ministerial Statements
Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek emphasized the importance of the funding in protecting Australia’s natural heritage. “This funding will support local organizations to protect and restore our precious places, including Ramsar wetlands, World Heritage areas, and threatened species habitat,” she said. “We want to make sure our kids and grandkids can enjoy our beautiful environment – and that means acting now to protect more of what’s precious and better manage it for the future. That includes dealing with feral animals and weeds to give our native plants and animals the best chance of surviving and thriving.”
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry Murray Watt highlighted the role of landcare groups in promoting sustainable agriculture. “Mobilising Landcare groups to work with farmers and landholders as well as First Nations groups ensures a solid foundation to promote and deliver climate-smart, sustainable agriculture initiatives across Australia. This will ensure uptake of more sustainable practices and responses to climate change and meet evolving market demands at an international, regional, and local level,” he stated. “Landcare organisations play a crucial role in supporting our shift to a more sustainable future for our agriculture industry by protecting our natural resources.”
Key Projects and Outcomes
The funding will enable various critical projects, including tree planting to restore habitats for threatened species, erosion control measures, fire management actions, and the control of feral animals. Any Australian Government department can utilize this panel of partners to deliver on-ground natural resource management services.
Photo by Loic Leray on Unsplash
