03/08/2005 - Western Australia’s
South West region will benefit from more than
$15 million in Australian and State Government
funding to fight salinity, sustain primary
production and protect native plants and animals.
The $15.4 million funding package was announced
today by Australian Minister for the Environment,
Senator Ian Campbell, and Western Australian
Ministers for Agriculture, Kim Chance, and
the Environment, Dr Judy Edwards.
The funding is drawn from the Australian Government’s
Natural Heritage Trust and the joint Australian
and State Government-funded National Action
Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
Launching the South West Natural Resource
Management Strategy and Investment Plan in
Collie today, the Ministers said the regional
community had worked hard on its long-term
vision for the land.
“The South West is an incredibly diverse region
- covering some five million hectares, it
is home to a rich array of plant and animal
life as well as a rural industry generating
almost $2 billion each year,” Senator Campbell
said.
“As with other parts of the state, salinity
is a major concern for South West landholders.
So some of the funding will go into activities
to combat rising water tables and restore
the health of waterways.
“A $5.2 million water program will support
a range of projects, including work to stabilise
riverbanks. This will be achieved by planting
ground cover and fencing vulnerable areas
off from stock. It’s very much about making
sure the whole catchment is managed responsibly
so future generations can enjoy it too.”
Mr Chance said a comprehensive land management
program would also help landholders tackle
the salinity threat.
“This problem won’t be solved by short-term
solutions, and the South West recognises this
in both its strategy and investment plan,”
he said.
“Landholders are already working hard to restore
their properties, so the funding announced
today will be a welcome boost. They will have
access to financial support and advice on
planting perennial pastures in saltaffected
areas, as well as help to establish innovative
strategies for other land uses, such as grazing.
“This work will complement large-scale activities
such as the Collie River Salinity Recovery
Project, which will involve consultation with
the South West Catchments Council and a range
of other groups.”
Dr Edwards said the region was considered
“mega diverse” due to large numbers of unique
plants, animals and ecosystems.
“The South West Botanical Province is Australia’s
only representative on a list of 25 international
biodiversity hotspots. The area contains an
incredible 329 species of rare or priority
plants, including majestic karri eucalypts
that can grow to over 70 metres high,” she
said.
“A variety of work will protect natural assets,
from on-ground recovery for species like the
Carnaby’s Blackcockatoo to pest control work
at the Beaufort River catchment.
“The region’s stunning coastline is also catered
for - over $700,000 has been set aside for
work ranging from mass plantings to recovering
key sites such as Surfers Point and the Margaret
River.”
The Ministers congratulated the South West
on its achievements and in particular the
development of such strong partnerships with
community groups, traditional owners, industry
and local government.
Examples of funded projects are listed below.
For more information about the South West
NRM Strategy and Investment Plan visit www.swcatchmentcouncil.com
and for information about the Natural Heritage
Trust and the National Action Plan visit www.nrm.gov.au
South west one year joint $15.4 million investment
package
PROGRAM EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
Water resources • On-ground work to improve
waterway health by reducing salinity and nutrient
run-off
• Wetland mapping
• Design and operate coastal drainage systems
Biodiversity • Recovery work for threatened
species such as Red-tailed Phascogale and
Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo
• Conservation work for priority landscapes
such as the Beaufort River catchment
• Feral animal and weed control
Land • Developing new industries to protect
land from salinity
• Productive use of salt-affected land ie.
grazing and saline aquaculture
• Biosecurity protection for agricultural
areas
Marine and coastal • Management and recovery
work for key sites such as Surfers Point and
Margaret River
• Baseline assessment work to identify impacts
on marine communities, ie. seagrass
