- First tranche of Natural Resource Management Expansion Program projects locked in.
- Almost $7 million invested in environmental restoration and vegetation management across Far North and North West Queensland.
- Projects will include works for on-ground land, soil, water and biodiversity projects.
- Queenslanders have now seen 10 months of delivery under the Crisafulli Government, after a decade of decline under Labor which left Natural Resource Management groups without meaningful support.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to significantly boost support for the management of Queensland's natural assets, with the first tranche of projects under the Natural Resource Management Expansion Program now locked in.
Four projects, worth almost $7 million, will be rolled out across Far North and North West Queensland to support environmental restoration and land management across the region.
Terrain NRM will receive $2 million for its Green Connections project, which will restore and protect more than 75 hectares of threatened and native vegetation.
Gulf Savannah NRM will receive $3.88 million for two critical initiatives to protect sensitive Great Artesian Basin spring wetlands from degradation and to target invasive Neem trees along the Gilbert River.
Natural Resource Management Regions Queensland (NRMRQ) will receive $1.08 million to roll out new tools and techniques to track the performance of NRMEP projects.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the funding will deliver practical, lasting benefits while supporting jobs and regional communities.
"Queensland is a land of extremes, from droughts to floods and invasive species, but after a decade of decline under the former Labor government, Natural Resource Management groups were left high and dry with no meaningful funding," Minister Last said.
"The Crisafulli Government is backing landholders and communities with practical support to meet those challenges.
"We delivered a Memorandum of Understanding with NRM Regions Queensland within our first 100 days, and now we're rolling out these important projects within our first year, because we're serious about delivering real outcomes for our regions.
"Queensland's NRM groups are highly experienced at delivering outcomes on the ground, and this program is about scaling that success across more of the state."
Member for Barron River Bree James said the funding injection would benefit both the environment and local communities in Far North Queensland.
"This is about protecting the natural beauty of the Wet Tropics while also supporting the landholders who care for it every day," Ms James said.
Member for Mulgrave Terry James said the projects would enhance liveability and land productivity.
"This program is about real action, delivered by people who know our landscapes best, and it will make a real difference across our part of the state," Mr James said.
NRMRQ Chief Executive Chris Norman said the investment will deliver measurable outcomes for regional communities.
"It's critical that we can tell the story of how people are collaborating to deliver outcomes for land, soil, water and our most precious biodiversity. SWIF – the State-wide Indicators Framework – allows us to do just that," Mr Norman said.
"Thanks to the support of the Crisafulli government, we are able to not only deliver big outcomes but also quantify exactly the impact we are making.
"We're excited to work with the Queensland Government to bring the NRM Expansion Program to life."
Terrain NRM Chief Executive Stewart Christie said the Green Connections project will focus on strengthening and restoring forests across the Wet Tropics.
"The Wet Tropics is one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth, home to two interconnected World Heritage Areas. Its forests contribute more than $5 billion to the local economy each year but face growing threats from climate change, development, weeds and pests," Mr Christie said.
"This investment will help landholders and Traditional Owners to restore, reconnect and buffer forests in high-priority areas, delivering environmental outcomes while also generating important social and economic benefits for local communities."
Gulf Savannah NRM Chief Executive Zoe Williams said the funding will support much needed work in ecologically significant parts of North West Queensland.
"We are proposing to undertake several important pieces of work under the program including tackling the emerging threat posed by invasive neem trees in the Gilbert River catchment," Ms Williams said.
"Neem trees have been a significant concern for local residents, graziers and local councils due to their impact on the natural environment and agricultural production values.
"We are pleased to now have the necessary funding to work with local communities to tackle this issue and restore native vegetation in sensitive riparian areas."
