Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis, Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan and ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy have welcomed yesterday’s announcement of more than $2.7 million in funding over two years from the Rudd Government for the ACT Regional Investment Strategy through the Caring for our Country program.
This funding is part of a total of $403 million announced yesterday through Caring for our Country for environmental and sustainable farming projects across Australia.
Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the investment, which will support:
- 56 regional organisations
- more than 1,200 community groups;
- more than 12,000 landholders; and
- 57 significant projects including targeting weeds such as lantana, pests such as rabbits and protecting Ramsar wetlands.
Local projects involving community groups and landholders will play an important role in protecting Australia’s natural resources – our farming land, water, plants and animals.
For example, in the ACT region the funding will address ‘biodiversity and natural icons’ and ‘sustainable farm practices’ whilst continuing to build community skills, knowledge and volunteering efforts.
Caring for our Country has revolutionised the way we invest in natural resource management by cutting red tape which makes more funding available for on-the-ground work and increasing transparency.
For more information about Caring for our Country funding visit www.nrm.gov.au
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brenton Sloane (Ellis) 0431 252 698
Tony Hodges (McMullan) 0408 690 861
Annika Hutchins (Lundy) 0407 458 882
