Regional Landcare Facilitators to support farmers and communities

The Gillard Labor Government announced funding for 56 organisations around Australia to support farmers and land managers as well as encourage conservation in local communities.

Each organisation will receive funding of up to $150,000 per year for three years for a Regional Landcare Facilitator.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said facilitators will support community Landcare and production groups to adopt sustainable farm and land management practices and to protect Australia’s landscape.

“Facilitators will help Landcare and production groups meet the challenges of food security, climate change and the protection of biodiversity,” Minister Ludwig said.

“The Gillard Government is committed to supporting Landcare and recognises the importance of a network of facilitators that support conservation activities in local communities.

“They will also promote opportunities for groups to access funds and provide an effective link between community groups and the regional bodies.”

The successful organisations are a mix of regional bodies and Landcare groups and were chosen through an open and competitive process.

Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Mike Kelly, said successful organisations included the New England North West Landcare Network Chairs Inc in New South Wales, Desert Channels Queensland and the South East Natural Resources Management Board in South Australia.

“Facilitators will work on projects through Landcare networks and provide feedback to the Government and the National Landcare Facilitator, Brett de Hayr, on emerging issues and activities in the regions relevant to Landcare,” Dr Kelly said.

“The Government greatly values the commitment of the thousands of land carers across Australia who are restoring the Australian landscape and supporting Australia to adapt to a changing climate.”

The National Landcare Facilitator, Brett de Hayr, said that a key role of the facilitators will be to help their local communities.

“Whether communities are rural, urban or peri-urban, they will be able to access information that they want from government. Communities will be able to obtain information on food security, climate and the environment and apply this knowledge in a way that meets local needs.”

The funding is part of the Gillard Labor Government’s $33.6 million commitment to a national network of Regional Landcare Facilitators.

Further information on the Landcare Facilitators Initiative is available at www.nrm.gov.au/nrm/facilitators/index.html.

For more information on the National Landcare Facilitator visit: http://www.landcareonline.com.au/?page_id=