Grants of up to $5,000 are available for individuals and groups to undertake a range of on-ground activities over a six month period such as controlling pests and weeds, hosting community events to raise awareness about natural resource management and protecting culturally significant sites. The grants are part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and managed locally by Western Local Land Services – one of Australia’s 56 regional natural resource management organisations.

 

“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 2015 Western Region Small Land Management grants, communities are invited to deliver simple, local and long-term solutions to improve the productivity of their land and their local environment,” Mr Hunt said.

 

“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,” Mr Hunt said.

 

“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,” Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce said.

 

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

 

“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,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“Western Local Land Services works closely with the local community to reach a shared understanding of the environmental and agricultural issues facing the Western Region and what work is needed to address them,” Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton said.

 

“By getting involved, Landcare groups, farmers and community organisations working in natural resource management can help ensure the grant programme is used to its maximum benefit, targeting local and regional priorities,” Mr Coulton 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 to Australia’s 56 natural resource management organisations.

 

For more information on this grant round and how to apply, please visit the Western Local Land Services website at www.western.lls.gov.au

 

For more information go to http://nrm.gov.au/