20/12/2005 - Western Australia’s spectacular South Coast region will use a multi-million dollar joint funding package to promote sustainable farming, conserve marine ecosystems and fight back against weedy invaders.

The Australian and Western Australian Governments have approved the region’s Natural Resource Management Strategy (NRM) and are providing $33.6 million over three years for a range of environmental activities.

Covering a land area of 5.4 million hectares, the South Coast is renowned for places like the Fitzgerald Biosphere Reserve and a unique cultural and pioneering heritage. The region also hosts thriving agricultural, tourism and fishing industries.

Australian Ministers for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, said the funding would help communities continue their hard work taking care of the landscape.

“The South Coast is one of six NRM regions in the state taking a catchment-wide approach to environmental issues, and we’re proud to support its quest for sustainability,” Senator Campbell said.

“Keeping the sea and coastline healthy is particularly crucial for this district. Some of the funding will go into projects to better understand threats to these areas and towards activities to protect them.

“One project will use habitat mapping and surveys to feed into a Regional Marine Monitoring Plan, while other work will reduce coastal pollution and manage pedestrian and vehicle access to fragile areas.

“In terms of the fishing industry, businesses are set to benefit from a project to monitor fish numbers at estuaries like the Wilson and Stokes Inlets. Indigenous fishing interests will also be well-represented.”

Western Australian Agriculture Minister, Kim Chance, said landholders could get involved in numerous projects that delivered results both for their business and the environment.

“This is very much in line with the region’s focus on sensible, broad-scale land planning,” Mr Chance said.
“Primary producers are going to have access to technical advice and support so they can use farming systems that match land use to capability. They can also seek out new business ventures through the ‘Profitable Perennials’ programme, which will trial perennial crops in priority areas.

“The local salinity battle will be boosted through an assessment of how water moves through the catchment, earthworks to manage surface flows and a mix of soil health research and on-ground action.”

Western Australian Environment Minister, Judy Edwards, said recovery and monitoring activities would help to conserve the region’s unique biodiversity.

“The South Coast is home to many native animals and plants found nowhere else in the world, like the Western Ground Parrot, Gilbert’s Potoroo and the Stirling Range Dryandra,” Dr Edwards said.

“These species need healthy habitats to survive, so the region will develop a series of management and recovery strategies - such as fox baiting - to ensure they’re protected in the long-term.

“Weeds like bridal creeper will be intensively monitored to prevent further invasion, while other key activities will target areas at risk from Phytophthora dieback – the ‘biological bulldozer.”

The Ministers congratulated the South Coast Regional Initiative Planning Team (SCRIPT) on its comprehensive plan and in particular its ongoing commitment to community and industry partnerships.

SCRIPT celebrated the launch of its NRM Strategy and Investment Plan in Albany on 14 December.
A summary of funded programmes is attached. For more information contact Garry English or Rob Edkins on (08) 08 9892 8537 or visit www.script.asn.au