11/05/2005 - The Howard
Government is providing $2.5 million in the
coming year for the Indigenous Protected Areas
programme, the Parliamentary Secretary to
the Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Mr Greg Hunt, said today.
"This funding reaffirms the Government's
commitment to support Indigenous efforts to
protect and conserve their land and heritage,"
Mr Hunt said.
"We're helping Indigenous Australians
manage their lands to protect the natural
and cultural features in accordance with internationally
recognised guidelines. This programme benefits
all Australians."
The IPA program is part of the $3 billion
Natural Heritage Trust, the largest ever commitment
by an Australian Government to environmental
management and sustainable agriculture.
Over eight years, the IPA program has added
13.8 million hectares of unique ecosystems
to the National Reserve System.
Mr Hunt said that each of the areas that
will receive funding under the IPA program
have unique land management issues to address.
"These areas are facing a wide range
of management issues like introduced and invasive
species such as Mimosa pigra, Yellow Crazy
Ants and Cane Toads," Mr Hunt said.
"At the same time the landowners' activities
help to maintain spiritual, cultural and natural
values of the land by the promotion of customary
practices such as fire management."
The benefits of these projects are much broader
than biodiversity and heritage management.
Indigenous communities are linking their IPA
activities to training and employment outcomes
and working with the private sector to develop
economic opportunities in remote areas, Mr
Hunt said.
