Regional NRM Groups welcome $80m budget allocation

Posted on June 5th, 2013

Queensland’s Regional Natural Resource Management Groups, including central Queensland’s leading group Fitzroy Basin Association Inc.,  have welcomed this week’s budget announcement of $80 million for a five year natural resource management program.
Andrew Drysdale, CEO Queensland Regional NRM Groups’ Collective said to receive this level of funding in such tight financial times was particularly welcome.
“This commitment indicates the importance the Newman Government places on keeping Queensland’s landscapes viable, productive and sustainable,” Drysdale said.
“We congratulate the Minister for Natural Resources, Andrew Cripps for presenting such a compelling case for this continued funding to Treasury and Cabinet.”
“Queensland’s 14 Regional NRM Groups have been waiting some time to hear if there will be a new program and, if so, the size of that program. Now it is known, we can get on and do what we do best: deliver on-ground land management outcomes in partnership with landcare, farming and community groups”.
Of the $80 million announced, Regional Groups will receive $55 million over five years. The Great Barrier Reef has been targeted as a high priority with $30 million allocated to monitoring, wetlands management and best practice agriculture. Other areas which will be targeted are pest animal and weed management, improving water quality and enhancing sustainable agriculture.
Mike Berwick, Chair of the Queensland Regional NRM Groups’ Collective said that it is important that Regional NRM Groups continue to build on the partnerships they have in place to achieve good land management outcomes.
“NRM Groups pride themselves on building productive and effective partnerships. Unless we actually engage land managers than we will simply fail to stop the march of Queensland’s pest and weeds or improve our water quality.” Berwick said.
“This Queensland Government investment is about recognising the importance of good natural resource management and the contribution it makes to the economic health and social well-being of Queensland’s communities.”
Queensland Regional NRM Groups’ Collective represents 14 regional not-for-profit natural resource management groups across the state.