Friday, 14th May 2010
The Wheatbelt was just one of the winners after the State government announced it would allocate $4.9 million of new money for natural resource management. The funding is for 51 projects across WA, including more than $850,000 to be spent on eight projects in the Wheatbelt. Natural resource group Wheatbelt NRM has been allocated funding for four of those programs. The group’s chair Glenice Batchelor said the money would help a number of ongoing projects as well as provide new opportunities. “This includes continued support for the hugely successful Red card for the Red fox program,” Glenice Batchelor said. “This is a community program that has been operating in agricultural areas for the past seven years and we’re really proud to be involved in. “The project helps the community tackle foxes and rabbits, and even more so with the $110,000 funding boost.” The iconic Avon River would also benefit and its unique Gwambygine pool near York. “$200,000 will be spent on dredging, fencing, revegetation and ecological surveys of this culturally and environmentally significant river pool,” Glenice Batchelor said. A project to improve water use in three towns that will directly impact on the Avon River has also been allocated $71,000. $82,500 will also be spent developing a recognised Biosecurity Group for the Wheatbelt, including assessing local weed and pest management strategies. “All of these projects will involve collaborations and partnerships with local communities and relevant agencies,” Glenice Batchelor said. Wheatbelt NRM also congratulated four other groups on funding for projects in the region. • $15,000 for the Shire of Mt Marshall and its Malleefowl Awareness program • $114,008 for the Shire of Narembeen’s feral animal control program and Wadderin Sanctuary. • $250,000 for Birds Australia, WA’s Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo Recovery program. • $150,000 for the Camm River Paleo-Valley Rehabilitation Committee. Media contact: Wheatbelt NRM chair Glenice Batchelor, 0428 371 221