HELPING THE HUNTER ELECTORATE CARE FOR OUR LAND

29 January 2013

Organisations and community groups in Hunter are being encouraged to apply for funds under the Governments new Community Landcare Grants.

Member for Hunter said the grants provided $5000 to $50,000 in assistance that could support groups to take action to keep Australias productive land healthy, resilient and sustainable.

These grants under the Caring for our Country Sustainable Agriculture stream will help groups in Hunter to continue to do their good work, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Community Landcare Grants encourage communities to work together to encourage the uptake of sustainable land management practices and agricultural innovation. That will ensure our local agricultural sector remains productive and profitable for generations to come.

The grants build on the success of the Community Action Grants from the first phase of Caring for our Country, which saw the Australian Government invest in more than $9 million in projects in NSW between 2008 and 2013.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the Community Landcare Grants offered support for organisations such as Landcare, professional farming systems or Indigenous groups.

We all benefit from the work these groups and their volunteers do, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

I encourage groups in the Hunter electorate involved in sustainable agriculture or natural resource management to apply for funding under the Community Landcare Grants.

Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) on 20th March 2013.

For more information on Community Landcare Grants visit the Caring for our Country website at www.nrm.gov.au or call 1800 552 008.