Landcare NSW welcomes funding certainty for Local Land Services

Landcare NSW welcomes the provision of $112 million of catchment action funding for the next four years by the NSW Government. The NSW Minister for Primary Industries, The Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP and Minister for Environment and Heritage, The Hon Robyn Parker MP announced the funding package for the Catchment Management Authorities and ultimately the new Local Land Service bodies today. The Chairman of Landcare NSW Robert Dulhunty say s This announcement will provide certainty for the Landcare community and demonstrates the governments commitment to natural resource management and sustainable agriculture in NSW. It is also a testament to the hard work of so many Landcarers who have demonstrated to the NSW government the need for this long term funding. This arrangement means that Local Land Services will be able to work effectively with their Landcare community and landholders to improve soils, repair rivers and restore biodiversity . The Landcare community has been active in the Local Land Services (LLS) reform process and has been actively engaging with the NSW Government to provide long-term funding certainty. A survey conducted by Landcare NSW about the LLS reforms found that policy and funding certainty was the number one need identified by Landcarers. The survey with nearly 400 respondents identified that 79% of Landcarers wanted policy and funding certainty from the reforms. Central West grazier and Little River Landcare group CEO Pip Job says This announcement will mean that groups like Little River should be able to get on with the job. It gives us an opportu nity for a smooth transition from working with Catchment Management Authorities to working with the Local Land Services. It is critical that our work supporting farmers, especially with a looming drought, continue unaffected. NB: Pip Job will be available for further comment. Please contact Policy Director Tim Beshara on tbeshara@landcarensw.org.au or 0487386931 to arrange comment.