LANDCARE VOLUNTEERS TO BENEFIT FROM NEW PROGRAM
August 26, 2013
The Nationals will give Landcare groups greater ownership of land management programs if elected into government, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Mr Chester said the Caring for Country and Landcare programs would be merged to create a single National Landcare Program which reflects local and regional program priorities.
He said the new program would provide access to a greater proportion of funding for local Landcare groups.
“Landcare is a grassroots movement and local groups are very scrupulous and could probably survive without much government assistance,” Mr Chester said.
“However, the best results are achieved when groups work in partnership with governments, government agencies and businesses in regional communities.
“Landcare volunteers are critical to the national effort to provide a healthy and sustainable environment for future generations and the National Landcare Program is an important step in supporting their efforts to set local and regional priorities.”
Mr Chester said the National Landcare Program also includes $1 million per annum in combined base operational funding for State and national Landcare Networks to co-ordinate their volunteer operations.