Future secure for $1 billion Landcare program

MAY 10, 2017: An investment of more than $1 billion over five years in the National Landcare Program announced in this week's Budget will supports the type of environmental work I fully applaude.It provides practical, on-the-ground ways to improve issues like soil health, erosion management and water quality, making the program relevant to all land managers – but especially farmers.Our farmers manage about 53 per cent of our landmass and with global demand for food and fibre set to double by 2050 it’s important that we keep Landcare front and centre to assist them to manage our natural resources.Every farming family I know wants to pass on their land in better shape than when they got it and our investment through this Budget will help them achieve those goals.The National Landcare Program will focus on applying well researched and innovative land and water management techniques and tools on the ground, including an Agriculture small grants program and on-going investment in regional delivery.[box style="1 or 2"]PRACTICAL CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

• The Coalition Government is investing more than $1 billion over 5 years in the National Landcare Program
• The program is jointly administered by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Department of the Environment and Energy
• The Coalition Government has underlined the importance of Landcare by investing more than $1 billion in the National Landcare Program (NLP)....[/box]

For more than 25 years, the Landcare movement has been protecting, restoring and sustaining soils, water and the diversity of Australia’s unique plants and animals and its threatened species.The $1 billion in funding we have delivered today is further evidence of this government’s commitment to continue this important work of looking after our environment.We will continue to support on-ground community projects that harness local know-how and deliver practical and tangible results.[box style="1 or 2"]Fast facts:

• In Australia, there are around 5400 Landcare groups and 100,000 active volunteers in those groups.
• Over 80 per cent of Australian farmers are involved in Landcare.
• The annual economic cost of managing pest animals in Australia is estimated at about $1 billion. The cost of managing weeds in Australia is four times that, at $4 billion.
• More than 80 per cent of our mammals and 90 per cent of our trees, ferns and shrubs occur nowhere else on earth.
• The Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage Site encompassing 3000 coral reefs. It is worth approximately $5.2 billion to the tourism economy alone.
• Resources for Indigenous Protected Areas will also be boosted to help provide employment, education and training opportunities for Indigenous people in remote areas while protecting our cultural heritage into the future.

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