Cash incentives to landholders for conservation
Published Wednesday, 22 August, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Queensland landholders are being invited to bid for financial assistance from the State Government to help conserve the environmental value of their working properties.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and Minister for Natural Resources Craig Wallace have encouraged people eager to maintain or improve the natural and cultural value of their properties to apply for funding under a competitive auction process.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the offer was available to landholders who have entered into, or were willing to enter into, Nature Refuge Agreements with the Environmental Protection Agency to conserve their land in perpetuity.
“Under the NatureAssist program successful bidders receive money to undertake work to conserve and manage areas of high conservation value on their land.
”The EPA is working closely with AgForce to alert rural landholders to funding opportunities under the second round of NatureAssist funding,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Mr Wallace said more than $10 million had been committed over four years by the Queensland and Federal governments, regional Natural Resource Management bodies and non-government organisations.
“Land under voluntary conservation agreements in Queensland now totals more than 561,000ha.
“Many of these properties feature successful land-based enterprises, showing that earning a livelihood while protecting the land for future generations can readily go hand in hand,” Mr Wallace said.
According to Ms Nelson-Carr response to the first round of the program was exceptional with $1.85 million committed to 70 landholders throughout Queensland for protection of around 81,000ha while conserving land-based businesses.
“It’s not possible to protect all of Queensland’s special and important ecosystems through national parks alone, so the commitment of forward-thinking landholders is a valuable and greatly appreciated contribution,” Ms Nelson-Carr said
“These cash incentives formally recognise landholders who are observing best management practice.”
Mr Wallace said a major funding source was the Environmental Partnerships Scheme, an initiative under the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush.
Submissions for the second round of Nature Assist can be made between 27 August and 21 September. Details are available from local Nature Refuge Officers, the EPA on 1800 603 604 or at natureassist@epa.qld.gov.au or on the website www.epa.qld.gov.au/naturerefuge
Media contacts: Karla Steen (Ms Nelson-Carr’s office) 3336 8004 or Paul Childs (Mr Wallace’s office) 38966989.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and Minister for Natural Resources Craig Wallace have encouraged people eager to maintain or improve the natural and cultural value of their properties to apply for funding under a competitive auction process.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the offer was available to landholders who have entered into, or were willing to enter into, Nature Refuge Agreements with the Environmental Protection Agency to conserve their land in perpetuity.
“Under the NatureAssist program successful bidders receive money to undertake work to conserve and manage areas of high conservation value on their land.
”The EPA is working closely with AgForce to alert rural landholders to funding opportunities under the second round of NatureAssist funding,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Mr Wallace said more than $10 million had been committed over four years by the Queensland and Federal governments, regional Natural Resource Management bodies and non-government organisations.
“Land under voluntary conservation agreements in Queensland now totals more than 561,000ha.
“Many of these properties feature successful land-based enterprises, showing that earning a livelihood while protecting the land for future generations can readily go hand in hand,” Mr Wallace said.
According to Ms Nelson-Carr response to the first round of the program was exceptional with $1.85 million committed to 70 landholders throughout Queensland for protection of around 81,000ha while conserving land-based businesses.
“It’s not possible to protect all of Queensland’s special and important ecosystems through national parks alone, so the commitment of forward-thinking landholders is a valuable and greatly appreciated contribution,” Ms Nelson-Carr said
“These cash incentives formally recognise landholders who are observing best management practice.”
Mr Wallace said a major funding source was the Environmental Partnerships Scheme, an initiative under the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush.
Submissions for the second round of Nature Assist can be made between 27 August and 21 September. Details are available from local Nature Refuge Officers, the EPA on 1800 603 604 or at natureassist@epa.qld.gov.au or on the website www.epa.qld.gov.au/naturerefuge
Media contacts: Karla Steen (Ms Nelson-Carr’s office) 3336 8004 or Paul Childs (Mr Wallace’s office) 38966989.