Government congratulated for $1 billion investment in National Landcare Program

The Coalition’s commitment to invest more than $1 billion in the National Landcare Program across five years has been lauded by Natural Resource Management (NRM) leader, NRM Regions Australia.  

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, and Minister for the Environment and Energy, Josh Frydenberg​, made the joint announcement as part of the Coalition’s budget announcement earlier this week.

“We want to thank and congratulate Ministers Joyce and Frydenberg for securing this funding for natural resource management and the environment,” says Jim Sullivan, acting Chair of NRM Regions Australia, the collective of 56 regional NRM organisations Australia-wide.

“We’re excited to see natural resource management be recognised and valued for its role in helping to conserve our land and water, manage pests and protect Australia’s unique plants and animals. Our work supports sustainable and profitable agriculture.”

Regional investment was also flagged as integral to effective natural resource management delivery and ensuring practical and tangible results.

“NRM regional organisations make sure on-ground works deliver the results governments want to see,” says Jim. “We will be doing our part to ensure this new investment has a big impact.”

Details of the priorities, allocations and programs are yet to be determined. The allocated budget is $1 billion over five years a reduction as compared to the previous budget of $1 billion over four years.

“There are some great potential new projects our colleagues across NRM have identified such as; managing big data; implementing bio-control innovations to manage pests and weeds; and supporting regional industry development,” says Jim.

“We’re excited to get started and support the government’s consultation process on the shape of the new National Landcare Program, and build on our work with farmers and community groups.”