Durack, Australia’s largest Federal electorate, will share in $5 million of Federal funding under the 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants.

Melissa Price, Member for Durack said the funding would help communities, catchments and groups in Durack to conserve, engage, protect and trial, all with the aim of developing sustainable agricultural practices or ensuring the health of our environment for generations to come.

“I am pleased to announce that thirteen project in Durack have been successful in attracting funding from the 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants round, in places like the Pilbara, Moore, Mingenew, Yalgoo and the Ord,” Ms Price said.

“We all have a part to play in caring for the land. These projects are a very practical hands-on way of involving a large cross-section of society in doing just that – caring for the land we all love.

“It’s great to see many Durack community-based groups getting involved in the local environment.”

Anne Wilkins, Executive Officer of the West Midlands Group said they were delighted to learn of the Federal funding announcement.

“The grant means a great deal to West Midlands Group and will enable us to undertake a new technology case study and attract speakers on new innovative technology to the the West Midlands Group field day. We have more than 100 members and I expect they will all benefit from this $16 000 grant,” Ms Wilkins said.

The Australian Government is investing over $2 billion in managing Australia’s natural resources over four years.

“We are putting Landcare back at the centre of natural resource management. These grants should have lasting benefits for the environment and productive agricultural landscapes,” Ms Price said.

Funding under this component of the National Landcare Programme will support farmers, Indigenous and community groups, to enhance the environment and improve management of our natural resource base. Australia wide, there are 291 projects that will receive funding of between $5000 and $20 000. Of these, 148 projects will have a strong agricultural focus and 143 will focus on delivering positive environmental outcomes.

Further information about the National Landcare Programme can be found online at www.nrm.gov.au.