National Landcare grants start to flow across region

OCTOBER 2, 2015: I was happy to join with my colleagues, the Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce in welcoming Reef Catchment's announcement of $136,000 in grants under the National Landcare Programme.Over the coming months, Reef Catchments (Mackay Whitsunday Isaac) Limited will support local groups to carry out important on-ground works to address some of the crucial environmental issues facing the region.11 groups will implement a total of 17 projects to enhance the environment and beneficiaries include Eco Barge in the Whitsundays, Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group and Reef Check Australia.The Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region projects cover a wide range of activities including pest and weed mapping, fish tagging and research, environmental monitoring, and island and marine debris clean-ups. Many of the projects are being undertaken in collaboration with local farmers and landholders.“National Landcare Programme funding is supporting local landcare networks and other community-based groups to help restore local ecosystems and protect natural assets so the local community can to enjoy the long-term benefit of a healthy and liveable environment,” Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt said.“The Government is ensuring that funding is invested locally to deliver real change that is targeted on and off farm to safeguard productive capacity in the land for the future and to safeguard our environment,” Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce said.“This is crucial because farmers, landcarers and community groups know what works best for their properties, environment and their communities,” Mr Joyce said.It’s the kind of environmental work that produces real benefits and Reef Catchments has a proven track record in managing projects that consistently deliver good environmental outcomes in the Mackay Whitsunday region.The Australian Government is investing $2 billion to help support better natural resource management across Australia. As part of this commitment $1 billion will be invested through the National Landcare Programme, including more than $450 million directed in regional funding through to Australia’s 56 natural resource management organisations.This funding is part of Reef Catchment’s commitment to invest over 20 per cent of their National Landcare Programme funding to help support local projects such as these as well as other local community engagement activities.For more information about the National Landcare Programme go to www.nrm.gov.au[box style="1 or 2"]Projects include:Airlie Beach aquatic education program - $8,800School holiday education program to educate the community in the importance of Reef Protection, rejuvenation and of being safe in the tropical waters.Eco barge island and marine debris removal trips - $15,000Marine debris removal trips to ensure the long-term protection of marine life and environment.Reef Check Australia Reef Health surveys - $20,000This project will undertake six reef health surveys in the Whitsunday region and four in the Mackay region for natural resource management applications and community education.

Seed collection - Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group - $3,300This project will focus on the collection and propagation of seeds for the reinstatement of native vegetation at various areas in the Mackay Region.

St Helens Creek - Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group - $18,300

Weed removal and reinstatement of native vegetation in significant local riparian aCats Claw Creeper mapping – pest mapping

Owens Creek – Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group - $13,100

Weed management and watering, Installation of habitat nest boxes

Conway Beach  - Whitsunday Catchment Landcare - $10,500

Weed management

Conway Beach Whitsundays - DNRM - $5,500

Study of river flow, in-stream barriers and habitat quality and effect on diadromous fish movements in the O'Connell River...[/box]