6 October
2006 - The biggest environmental rescue effort
since Federation continues, with the Australian
Government announcing $20 million of community
projects raising the total investment by the Australian
Government Envirofund to more than $110 million.
The funding, provided through
Round 8 of the Australian Government Envirofund
programme, was announced today by Australian Ministers
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian
Campbell, and Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation,
Senator Eric Abetz.
“It is timely that we make this
announcement on the eve Weedbuster Week*, the
theme of which is communities combating weeds.
Weedbuster Week and Envirofund both provide opportunities
for the community to get involved, get their hands
dirty, and help our environment,” Senator Abetz
said.
Senator Campbell said Envirofund
is about supporting individuals and community
groups in taking action to improve their local
environment, with a wide range of projects funded.
“Today we are announcing $20
million for 1,126 individual and community projects.
Since 2002, Envirofund has provided more than
$110 million for over 6,900 individual and community
group projects improving sustainability and protecting
and conserving the Australian environment,” he
said.
“For example, the Australian
Government Envirofund will provide more than $43,000
to a group of Western Australian landholders to
protect 700 hectares of on-farm vegetation in
the Salmon Gums area.”
“The group will erect 19.6 kilometres
of fencing on three properties to exclude stock
and replant two sites with 5,250 seedlings to
extend and buffer adjoining areas of native bushland,
creating a safer and more natural environment
for native birds and animals.
“In South Australia, Envirofund
will provide almost $12,000 for a project to protect
and conserve the dry heath and swampland habitat
of the endangered Mount Lofty Ranges Southern
Emu-wren.
“A Lions Club project in Queensland
will receive $16,000 to construct fencing and
access paths to reduce dune erosion and install
a shower platform and waterwise taps at Australia’s
famous Rainbow Beach – home to the coloured sands
that gave the beach its name and the gateway to
World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.
“At Congo Beach, near Moruya
in NSW, the local Landcare group will receive
almost $11,000 to build an access stairway to
the beach and a walkway made from recycled conveyor
belts to reduce pedestrian damage to native vegetation.
The group will also remove weeds and plant more
than 200 native trees and shrubs.
“Another project in the Cocos
(Keeling) Islands will receive $30,000 to help
save the nationally endangered Cocos Buff-banded
Rail by increasing its natural habitat through
the removal of coconut palms and the re-planting
of 1,000 native plants,” said Senator Campbell.
Senator Eric Abetz said many
of the Envirofund projects were focused on improving
sustainable farming practices by fighting the
effects of salinity, improving water quality and
reducing soil erosion.
“A NSW Landcare group will receive
more than $45,000 for a project to reduce soil
erosion and improve biodiversity and natural habitat
by planting more than 17,000 native trees and
shrubs on 12 properties in the Deepwater district,”
he said.
“In Young, NSW, Envirofund will
provide a local landholder with more than $11,000
to fight the effects of salinity on their property.
“This will involve building
2.4km of fencing to protect 5 hectares of land
in two gullies, planting 2,880 native salt tolerant
trees and shrubs and direct drilling a mix of
salt tolerant pasture species to assist in managing
salinity.
“In Queensland, another local
landholder will receive $10,000 to erect 10.6km
of fencing to exclude stock from the Georgina
River and adjacent flood plains during flooding.
“This project will improve water
quality in the Georgina River by preventing soil
compaction and silting of the river and allow
natural regeneration of native species along the
riverbanks.
“The Lilydale Landcare Group
will receive more than $11,000 to fence and repair
riverbank areas of waterways within the Piper
River catchment, remove and treat willows, gorse
and blackberry, plant 300 native trees and install
equipment to monitor and assess native burrowing
crayfish populations unique to Tasmania,” said
Senator Abetz.
Both Ministers congratulated
the individuals and community groups receiving
funding through the Australian Government Envirofund
for their continued efforts in conserving and
protecting Australia’s natural resources.
“It’s great to see so many people
involved in Envirofund projects and we thank them
for their commitment and dedication to improving
Australia’s environment.”
“These people are doing critical
work to safeguard our natural resources for future
generations and we encourage all Australians to
apply for an Envirofund grant and help make a
difference to the their local environment,” they
said.
Envirofund is the community
component of the Australian Government’s $3 billion
Natural Heritage Trust. Individuals and groups
can apply for grants of up to $50,000 for local
projects such as planting native plants, fencing
to protect native bushland, skill and knowledge
building activities, and trials of new techniques
for sustainable farming, forestry or fishing.
Applicants are required to contribute
matching funds to the project in the form of cash
or inkind services such as labour.
Applications for funding of
local environment projects through Envirofund
Round 9 will open in early 2007. Exact dates and
details will be advertised on the Envirofund website:
www.nht.gov.au/envirofund
A sample of Envirofund Round
8 funded projects in each State and Territory
is attached, with the full list of projects available
on the website.
For more information on Envirofund
Round 8 funded projects please visit our website
at www.nht.gov.au/envirofund.
*Weedbuster Week runs from the
7-12th October. It is funded by the Australian
Government along with State and Territory governments
and the CRC for Weed Management. It started as
a national event in 1997.
Media Contact:
Rob Broadfield (Senator Campbell’s Office)
Brad Stansfield, (Senator Abetz’s Office)
