A re-elected Turnbull Government will more than double Commonwealth investment in Cumberland Conservation Corridor to $23.2 million to protect and conserve the local environment.
The Coalition has already invested over $11.3 million in the Cumberland Conservation Corridor over the last three years, including:
• $4.7 million spent towards land acquisitions for conservation purposes;
• $2.1 million provided towards 12 Green Army projects already completed or underway; and
• $4.56 million spent on 13 local 20 Million Trees projects.
Over the coming term, a re-elected Turnbull Government will commit a total of $11.9 million of investment, including:
• $5.8 million for land acquisitions to protect the local environment, including an additional $3 million not previously available;
• $5.08 million towards 29 future Green Army projects in the Corridor, comprising 15 planned and 14 new projects to be developed in conjunction with the local community; and
• $1 million for planting of native trees in the Corridor under the 20 Million Trees programme, including $560,000 of funds not previously available. Priority will be given to indigenous varieties sourced from within the Western Sydney Basin where possible.
“Additionally, in the event that a Western Sydney Airport receives approval, which will be a matter under law for the Minister of the day, our commitment is to give first priority for biodiversity offsets to be in the Cumberland Conservation Corridor,” Minister Hunt said.
“This is expected to be some millions of offset dollars to be invested in the Corridor, over and above the total $23.2 million contribution announced.”
The Cumberland Conservation Corridor Reference Group will continue to play an important role in advising the Government on ways to manage competing pressures on land in Western Sydney including for conservation, urban expansion and provision of transport links and associated services. The Reference Group will continue to be supported by the Department of Environment.
“This significant investment will make a real difference to protecting our local environment and its unique biodiversity,” Ms Scott said.
“The additional 20 Million Trees funding will also allow restoration works, including through native revegetation and reseeding, to be conducted at Wallaroo in Mulgoa and other sites that have been acquired for conservation purposes by the Federal Government,” Minister Hunt said.
Over the coming years there will also be further opportunities for Western Sydney to access the 20 Million Trees programme and Green Army programme to continue to support conservation activities.
The Coalition Federal Government has made a significant investment in these programmes, comprising $70 million over the six years to 2020 for the 20 Million Trees programme and $363 million over the next four years from 2016-17 for Green Army. Western Sydney will remain an area of investment under these programmes.