Indigenous land and sea grants open in NAIDOC week

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups have been urged to apply for a share of $500,000 in State Government funding to support their efforts in preserving country and cultural heritage.

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef Dr Steven Miles said the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Grants Program for 2015-16 was open for applications.

“The grants build on the theme of this week’s NAIDOC celebrations, highlighting the strong cultural connection of Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities to land and sea and recognising their tireless work in preserving country,” Dr Miles said.

“This program supports on-ground management of the environment and of cultural resources and, this year, the funding includes an additional focus on supporting projects that engage Indigenous people in activities which protect the Great Barrier Reef.”

Dr Miles said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups could apply for up to $100,000 in funding to undertake environmental and cultural heritage conservation projects.

“The government is committed to enhancing protection of the Great Barrier Reef and the focus of this year’s Indigenous Land and Sea grants reflect that priority,” Dr Miles said.

“The grants can be used, for example, to undertake protective works such as erosion control and habitat restoration on Indigenous owned land and activities to monitor and protect marine species such as marine turtles.    

“The program’s benefits are wide ranging and aim to provide opportunities for community capacity building, skills development, intergenerational knowledge transfer, local employment and on-ground works.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils, Indigenous Corporations, Traditional Owner groups, and incorporated organisations are eligible to apply.

Applications close on Friday 28 August 2015.

For more information visit www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/community/grants-program

ENDS

ATTACHMENTS: Some examples of previous projects which have benefitted from the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Grants Program.