20 November 2008
DAFF08/156B

A project to reduce emissions and improve soil carbon is among 26 Queensland initiatives to share in more than $28.5 million from the Rudd Government to protect Australia’s environment and promote sustainable farming. 

Details of the funding under the Caring for our Country Open Grants were announced today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke.

The Open Grants funding is part of the $2.25 billion earmarked for the first five years of Caring for our Country, launched in July this year.

Mr Garrett said the projects, ranging from $80,000 to $400,000, would lead to significant environmental benefits and advances in land management practices in all states and territories.

“Through Caring for our Country, the Government is taking a comprehensive, targeted and integrated approach to natural resource management funding, encouraging organisations to work together to deliver on national priorities,” Mr Garrett said.

“Many of the organisations funded through this Open Grants scheme look beyond their local environmental issues to link up with others to deliver better environment and land management practices on a larger scale.

“The Bunya Biolink – Cooyar Creek riparian zone rehabilitation project, for example, sees Greening Australia join with Queensland government agencies, landholders and community groups to restore and protect Cooyar Creek. This creek is an important watercourse because it is one of the sources of Brisbane’s water supply and it is a critical habitat for the platypus and native White-tailed Water Rat.

“Greening Australia and its partners will broaden and revegetate the area between the creek and crops, control stock access to the creek, stabilise erosion and reduce sedimentation and remove weeds to encourage native regrowth,” Mr Garrett said.

Both ministers said climate change and other pressures such as invasive weeds and pests emphasised the need for the government to work in partnership with communities to help ensure the future of Australia’s environment and farming industries. 

Of the 137 Open Grants projects funded across Australia, 72 projects worth approximately $14.4 million specifically address sustainable farm practices and Landcare.

“Australia’s farmers are very aware of the need to protect our natural resources, both for the environment and for sustainable farming industries,” Mr Burke said.

“The Government will continue supporting them to continue their good work managing the land for the benefit of everyone.

“Farmers are particularly affected by damaging weeds, so it is important that projects to tackle weeds are among those to receive funding.

“For example, the Fitzroy Basin Weed Management Strategy builds upon past and present weed control projects in watercourses in the Capricorn and Central Highlands sub-regions of the Fitzroy Basin region.

“This project will focus on controlling four Weeds of National Significance including the Prickly Acacia which has infested over 6.6 million hectares of land in Queensland.”

Further information and a full listing of successful grants is available at www.nrm.gov.au/projects/open-grants.html

Media contacts: Ben Pratt (Minister Garrett): 0419 968 734
Ann-Marie Wilcock (Minister Burke): 0413 872 275

Examples of Projects Funded

Queensland

Landcare

Other