10 February 2012
DAFF282LS

Joint Media Release

Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Sid Sidebottom MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe  Ludwig, and Parliamentary Secretary, Sid Sidebottom, today urged communities to take advantage of grants between $5,000 and $20,000 now available under the government’s Caring for our Country initiative.

Minister Ludwig said this is the fourth round of the government’s Community Action Grants, which aim to help communities improve their local environment.

“Community Action Grants empower local community groups to make a positive contribution toward achieving Caring for our Country priorities, particularly around sustainable farm practices, coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats, and biodiversity and natural icons,” Minister Ludwig said.

“For the past three years, Community Action Grants have helped local groups nationwide undertake projects that protect and improve their environment with real community benefits.”

Mr Sidebottom said applications this year are particularly encouraged from groups with projects that will build community skills and raise awareness as well as on–ground projects.

“Community Action Grants fund a range of projects from tree planting and dune rehabilitation to hosting field days, developing natural resource management plans and demonstrations sites,” Mr Sidebottom said.

“These projects collectively build a community’s capacity to make a real and measurable difference to conserve and protect their local environment.”

To date, Community Action Grants have funded more than 1,250 projects to a value of $23.5 million and have been delivered by more than 920 community groups across Australia.