27/05/2005 - Western Australia's
precious natural resources will benefit from
more than $10 million in Australian and State
Government funding to help prevent, stabilise
and reverse trends in salinity and conserve
vital water resources.
The funding package - $3.11 million from the
Natural Heritage Trust and more than $7.27
million from the National Action Plan for
Salinity and Water Quality - was announced
today by Australian Government Ministers for
the Environment and Heritage, WA Senator Ian
Campbell, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
Warren Truss, and Western Australian Ministers
for Agriculture and Forestry, Kim Chance,
and the Environment and Science, Judy Edwards.
Senator Campbell said that of the $10.38
million investment, $487,000 would cover the
South Coast region in the areas of wetland
management, salinity and conservation.
"This priority funding will be used
to continue existing work in the South Coast
region on key threatened species such as the
Western ground parrot, noisy scrub bird and
Gilbert's potoroo," he said.
"A coordinated approach is being taken
to managing threats to these species such
as disease, fire and introduced pest animals."
Mr Truss said the Australian Government had
provided $2.96 million for a strategic tree-farming
project, which has the potential to attract
commercial returns for landholders.
"We're going to see up to 1,700 hectares
of pine, eucalypt and sandalwood planted in
targeted areas during the 2005 season,'' he
said.
"Besides making good business sense,
the project will help us better understand
how commercial revegetation could improve
groundwater quality and reduce salinity in
agricultural areas."
Minister Edwards said the Swan region would
receive $215,000 for the Perth Biodiversity
Project, which was helping local governments
strategically protect and manage bushland,
wetlands and other natural areas.
"These funds are already helping the
cities of Swan and Wanneroo and the township
of Kwinana better manage important reserves
such as Burley Park, Wandi Nature Reserve
and Leda Nature Reserve," she said.
Mr Chance said the Avon region would benefit
from $307,000 to help protect waterways, native
vegetation in the Avon Basin and threatened
flora in Narrogin. It would also support the
recovery of threatened species in Katanning,
including critically endangered plants such
as the hinged dragon orchid.
"In addition, the South West will use
$218,000 to protect critical biodiversity
assets damaged by last year's Kukerin fires,
including parts of the Tarin Rock landscape,"
he said.
More than $1.6 million in foundation funding
from the Trust will help regions finalise
plans and investment strategies by June 2005,
which will open the door to further Australian
and State Government funding. For more information
about the Trust and National Action Plan visit
www.nrm.gov.au
