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$5 million for small grants for local land management groups

8 September 2009
DAFF09/315B

The Rudd Government has listened to the concerns of community groups and today announced it will provide small grants to support local environmental and land management work.

A $5 million program is expected to provide up to 500 grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 to support smaller, local projects run by groups such as Landcare and Coastcare, as well as Indigenous groups.

The on-line application process and paperwork has also been simplified, to make it easier for community groups to apply.

The Community Action Grants will be funded through Caring for our Country and are designed to support some groups which have not yet received funding.

Eligible community groups may include:

  • Community groups involved in coastal rehabilitation, restoration and conservation
  • Groups of farmers or land managers working on sustainable farming or improving natural resource management
  • Indigenous partnerships involved in protecting or improving the environment
  • Community groups involved in biodiversity, environmental protection or managing natural resources

Projects could include tree planting, revegetation, dune rehabilitation, field days and natural resource management in remote and northern Australia.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said it was important to further recognise the work of local volunteers and community groups.

Mr Burke said significant environmental improvements, on a regional or national scale, begin with the essential work of local groups.

“Australia is a vast continent with many different landscapes and we depend on the work of local groups to improve farm productivity, remove weeds and carry out revegetation,” Mr Burke said.

Mr Garrett said the new grants would enable more Australians to contribute to the Caring for our Country priorities of biodiversity, natural icons, coastal environments and aquatic habitats and sustainable farm practices.

“Boosting community engagement and participation in activities designed to better protect our environment at the local level will help to support the broader regional and national competitive elements of Caring for our Country,” Mr Garrett said.

Applications and guidelines for the Community Action Grants are expected to be announced next month.