The Territory Labor Government has today announced the latest recipients of the Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program (ARGP).
A total of $3.6 million will be paid out to 15 successful applicants, which include the four Aboriginal Land Councils, to help to deliver management and conservation outcomes for the Territory's land and sea environments.
The grants are assessed independently by the Aboriginal Land Management Advisory Group (ALMAG) who provide advice about Aboriginal needs and aspirations for land and sea management on Aboriginal land as well as the development and effective implementation of the ARGP.
Three types of grants were available in this latest round including a new, ongoing $24 million funding package from INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG.
• Capital funding - so that Rangers can purchase vehicles and trailers, boats, fire and weed spray units, heavy equipment, information technology and communication systems and infrastructure.
• Conservation Land Management Funding - so that Rangers can operate activities including feral animal management, fire and weed management, protection of threatened and 'iconic' species, cultural management, and training and skills development.
• Ichthys LNG Coastal Management Offset Fund - which will help Rangers and sea managers deliver a program for the conservation and management of dugongs, cetaceans and threatened marine matters of national significance in the Top End.
The Territory Labor Government's Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program continues to support around 1,000 Rangers across 47 Ranger groups to deliver land and sea conservation outcomes on Aboriginal land. The program ensures ongoing access to capital and program resources to protect our landscapes, coastlines and waterways. The program also contributes to creating more jobs on country for Aboriginal Territorians.
In the 2020 Budget, the Territory Labor Government delivered on its election commitment of investing almost $12 million in the program for another four years.
A 2021 independent review of the Territory grants program outcomes by Ninti One found that it "has made a considerable and profound contribution to land management across the Northern Territory."
