JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH DON RANDALL MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CANNING
Landcare and community groups in the Peel-Harvey catchment can look forward to targeted environmental action with the release of the region’s first blueprint for managing natural resources.
Environment Minister, Greg Hunt and Federal Member for Canning, Don Randall today launched Peel-Harvey Catchment Council’s 10-year natural resource management strategy in Mandurah.
“The regional strategy brings together the most recent scientific and community knowledge about the natural and social values of the Peel-Harvey catchment,” Minister Hunt said.
“It identifies threats and proposes strategies to sustainably manage the region’s natural resources to 2025.
“The establishment of the Peel-Harvey Natural Resource Management body was an Australian Government election commitment, and something the Member for Canning championed.”
“There are now fifty-six natural resource management organisations across the country. These groups play an important role in the delivery of the National Landcare Programme and enable communities to take practical action to improve their environment and contribute to a strong, competitive and resilient agriculture sector.”
Federal Member for Canning, Don Randall welcomed the strategy as an important planning tool for the catchment.
“The strategy identifies key priorities to preserve biodiversity in the catchment, including action to protect the Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar wetlands which is an important area for waterbirds in south-western Australia.
“Importantly, it also highlights the need to provide more support for Aboriginal and landcare communities to improve their skills in natural resource management, as well as improving water quality in Peel-Harvey waterways,” Mr Randall said.
“Environmental and natural resource issues in the Peel-Harvey are many and complex. All levels of government, landcare and conservation groups, and the Aboriginal community have come together to develop a strong regional strategy.
“It’s great to see this level of support and commitment from the local community and landcare sector to ensuring that Peel-Harvey’s unique environment is protected for future generations.”
The National Landcare Programme is part of the Australian Government’s $2 billion investment over the next four years to help conserve, protect and rehabilitate Australia’s natural heritage and support local action for natural resource management.
Further details on the programme are available at: www.nrm.gov.au
(ENDS)