15/07/2005 - Community
groups and individuals in Exceptional Circumstances-declared
areas are invited to apply for grants up to
$50,000 from the Australian Government Envirofund.
Australian Minister for the Environment and
Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, and Australian
Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation,
Senator Ian Macdonald, today jointly announced
the opening of the second Drought Recovery
Round of the Envirofund.
Senator Campbell said Envirofund was the
local component of the $3 billion Natural
Heritage Trust.
“Since it was launched in 2002, the Government
has approved more than 4,700 community-based
projects and given away more than $70 million
in funding,” Senator Campbell said.
“This has translated to massive on-ground
action to protect the environment and improve
sustainable agriculture. Critical issues such
as salinity, poor water quality, erosion,
loss of native plant and animals are just
some of the problems that are being addressed
by the Australian Government Envirofund.
“The Drought Recovery Round is just one of
a series of activities targeted at drought-affected
communities announced by the Prime Minister
last month.”
Senator Macdonald said, to be eligible for
funding, projects under the special drought
Envirofund round must aim at protecting land,
water, plant and animal life from the effects
of the drought.
“Projects should help prepare the natural
resources for drought recovery, or attempt
to prevent environmental damage when the drought
ends,” Senator Macdonald said.
“Types of eligible projects include fencing
to protect riverbanks and waterways, earth
works to control erosion and weeding to improve
native vegetation or pasture condition. More
information and examples of eligible activities
are in the application form.
“The Envirofund criteria has been especially
tailored for this round to include projects
needed in a drought situation. I urge people
in Exceptional Circumstances-declared areas,
particularly farmers, to apply for funding.”
Applications close Friday 26 August 2005.
