Rudd Govt continues to support Landcare facilitators
Tony Burke
posted Thursday, 11 March 2010
The Rudd Government is continuing its strong commitment to a national network of Landcare facilitators, with applications now open for further funding support.
In June last year, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced a national network of facilitators to support community Landcare, following extensive discussions with local Landcare groups and a number of MPs.
The Government committed $33.6 million to support the work of up to 56 Landcare facilitators across Australia.
Mr Burke said the Government recognised the critical role of Landcare facilitators and wanted to ensure they could continue their work.
Guidelines have today been released for funding applications under the National Landcare Facilitator Network.
“Landcare is responsible for invaluable work in communities across Australia, which benefits farming productivity and the environment in the face of climate change,” Mr Burke said.
“They work tirelessly on countless projects through Landcare networks, which act as an important social glue in many communities.
“Facilitators in particular work with community Landcare, farming and regional natural resource management groups to promote sustainable farm and land management practices.”
Eligible organisations applying for funding must be engaged in natural resource management and promoting the uptake of sustainable farm and land management practices.
Facilitators will be chosen through an open and competitive process.
The new arrangements for the National Landcare Facilitator Initiative will come into effect on 1 July 2010.
Applications for host organisations will be open until 15 April 2010.
Further information including guidelines and how to apply for the National Landcare Facilitator Initiative is available at www.nrm.gov.au/nrm/facilitators/index.html.