State Government provides $4.9million in NRM grants to community groups, Redman
Author: Terry Redman
Published on: 13-May-2010
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today announced $4.9million to help local communities protect and improve their renewable natural resources.
The funding, from the State Natural Resource Management (NRM) program, will support 51 projects across Western Australia.
“These projects involve community members and organisations who have the passion, local knowledge and resourcefulness to carry out critical natural resource work in their area,” Mr Redman said.
“Projects vary from conserving the endangered freshwater sawfish in the Fitzroy River, to protecting priority areas of the Walpole wilderness from dieback, to fox control programs in the Wheatbelt.
“It is vital we encourage continued community engagement and participation in activities that enhance NRM priorities such as biodiversity conservation, biosecurity, water quality and NRM planning.”
Other projects include $114,000 towards control of pests in the Narembeen area to help protect the Red Tailed Phascogale and other threatened species.
$250,000 will go towards recovery of the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo through the establishment and rehabilitation of forage and nesting sites in the Wheatbelt.
A further $250,000 will help develop a fire management plan for the Miriuwung Gajerrong owned land in the East Kimberley and reintroduction of mosaic burning.
The Minister said there was huge interest shown in the program and the Independent Assessment Panel had to work hard to select the successful projects from the 177 applications received.
The applications were assessed against five criteria including whether or not the project addressed State priorities, was cost effective and fostered community engagement and participation.
A summary of the projects, proponent and approved funds is available from the State NRM website at http://www.nrm.wa.gov.au or phone 9368 3168.
Minister's office - 9213 6700
