17 June 2015

The first projects under the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme have begun in the Wheatbelt.

The program will run for the next three years and is worth more than $10.6 million to the region.

The money has been allocated to Wheatbelt NRM, who will coordinate the projects.

The Wheatbelt NRM’s operations manager Rebecca Palumbo said the funding was already reaching communities.

“We’ve already started trialling native pasture systems on a farm in Koorda and using satellite technology to run a more effective fertiliser program in Goomalling,” Rebecca Palumbo said.

“School children in Westonia have begun re-vegetating the Westonia Common and 15 kilometres of fencing has been funded to stop stock from entering the Great Western Woodlands in Bonnie Rock.

“We’re continuing our campaign against feral animals which are threatening wallaby populations in the Wheatbelt.

“And trialling different lime incorporation methods to address soil acidity at Bruce Rock.”

Rebecca Palumbo said these were just some of the many projects set to benefit the landscape and farming communities over the next three years.

She said to ensure that local land care work was supported, the Australian Government set a target of at least 20 per cent of the money being spent on “on-ground community work”.

“We’re proud to say we’re already exceeding that target with nearly $4 million going straight to community for local on-ground projects,” Rebecca Palumbo said.

For more information on how you can become involved in a Landcare or sustainable farming project, call Wheatbelt NRM on 9670 3100.