The protection of one of Australia's rarest eucalypt species and additional support for endangered species such as the Swift Parrot are among key Tasmanian projects to benefit from the Morrison Government's $9.5 million investment in Natural Resource Management (NRM) projects over the next four years.
Following a competitive tender process, the Cradle Coast Authority has been appointed project service provider for north-west Tasmania, and NRM South has been appointed project service provider for the southern Tasmanian region.
They will help deliver tangible, on-ground environmental outcomes that will benefit Tasmania's environment along with its communities, its farms and its industries.
This complements the 2018 appointment of NRM North for northern Tasmania, and will result in significant environment projects being delivered throughout the state.
Some $7.8 million of this latest funding will be delivered through the Morrison Government's Regional Land Partnerships initiative-the flagship of the National Landcare Program's second phase.
Over the next four years, NRM South will work in close partnership with communities to deliver four Regional Land Partnerships projects worth more than $4.7 million on behalf of the Government. These include projects which aim to:
- help save one of Australia's rarest eucalypt species-Morrisby's gum
- protect stands of the rare Black/Brooker's Gum
- protect endangered species including the Swift Parrot.
In addition, NRM South is leading the Government's $1.5 million Environment Restoration Fund project to protect the Eastern Quoll population on North Bruny Island, by supporting feral cat control efforts and promoting responsible pet ownership across the island.
In north-west Tasmania, the Cradle Coast Authority will also work with the community to deliver more than $3 million in Regional Land Partnerships projects which include:
- a sustainable agriculture project built around reducing soil loss caused by hill slope erosion and soil acidity
- protecting vulnerable coastal wetlands in Robbins Passage and Boullanger Bay that support native species, the oyster industry, and fisheries
- developing critical river refuges for Tasmania's iconic Giant Freshwater Lobster
- protecting threatened seabird colonies on Three Hummock Island from feral cats.
The Government is also pleased to announce that $260,000 will be provided to Cradle Coast Authority under the Environment Restoration Fund to reduce rice grass infestation in the Rubicon Estuary.
The Morrison Government's Environment Restoration Fund is investing $100 million over four years to help ensure our environment is protected for future generations.
The fund builds on the Government's $1 billion investment under phase two of the National Landcare Program, and complements the Communities Environment Program, which focuses on 'small-scale grants' for community projects.
The investments also contribute to sustainable agriculture outcomes including improving soil, biodiversity and vegetation on farms, and increasing the capacity of our farmers to adapt to climate change and evolving market demands.
More information on the Regional Land Partnerships initiative and the Environment Restoration Fund can be found on the Department of Energy and the Environment website.
