Terrain NRM is providing project grants to 19 Community Groups across the Wet Tropics for 20 projects supporting grass roots action to improve the region’s environment.
The funding for the grants ($501, 581) is being made available through Terrain NRM as part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.
The projects being funded include improvement of wildlife corridors at Mission Beach, Gordonvale and the Tablelands, tree planting at Freshwater Creek in Cairns and rainforest regeneration in Mossman.
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the Federal Government was focused on ensuring that funding was invested at a local level, to deliver real results, by on-the-ground organisations.
“These community-based groups will use the National Landcare Programme funding to help restore local ecosystems and protect natural assets so that Far Northerners can enjoy the long-term benefit of a healthy and liveable environment,” he said.
Terrain’s CEO Carole Sweatman said the community based assessment panel were impressed with the quality and diversity of the applications received, which included activities such as revegetation, weed management, waterways improvement and community awareness raising.
“Terrain works closely with the community across the Wet Tropics and funding on-ground environmental projects such as these supports local priorities for long term improvement. The fantastic network of organisations across the Wet Tropics really deliver excellent projects,” she said.
Lisa O’Mara from Treeforce, one of the groups awarded a grant in Cairns, said she was delighted that they would be able to continue and build upon their work along Freshwater Creek.
“It’s great that Terrain is reaching out to community groups in this way and supporting important environmental projects,” she said.
About Terrain NRM
Terrain is one of 54 regional natural resource management bodies around Australia. Terrain is a community-based not-for-profit organisation that works with local partners in the Wet Tropics region so that our soil, water, landscapes, plants and animals remain healthy and continue to support great communities.
About Treeforce
Treeforce Association Inc. – Trees for the Cairns Environment engages volunteers to revegetate creek bank corridors in the Barron Catchment. They are working closely with Terrain and the Cairns Regional Council (CRC) on a number of projects on Freshwater Creek. This funding will enable Treeforce to continue and build upon current projects to re-establish riparian corridors on Freshwater Creek.
For further information please contact:
Elaine Seager, Communications Manager, elaine.seager@terrain.org.au, 0418 710701
