JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH MR ANDREW NIKOLIC AM CSC MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BASS
Dairy farmers in Tasmania’s Tamar estuary and Esk rivers catchment areas are set to benefit from grants of up to $5000 to support their efforts to help clean up the region’s waterways.
The funding is part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme to implement the Tamar River Recovery Plan and will help farmers to improve their farming practices to keep run-off out of the waterways.
Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, and Federal Member for Bass, Andrew Nikolic today congratulated the 17 successful applicants under the first round of the IntoDairy Clean Rivers small grants.
“This funding will assist dairy farmers to undertake a range of on-ground farm works including upgrading irrigation and improving drainage systems, planting riparian buffers, improving effluent management and putting up additional fencing to keep stock clear of waterways,” Minister Hunt said.
“All these measures will improve farm infrastructure which in turn will help improve water quality in the Tamar and surrounding catchments.
“The Tamar River Recovery Plan is a key Australian Government election commitment which is providing $3 million to improve water quality and restore the health of the Tamar River.”
Federal Member for Bass, Andrew Nikolic said the people of Tasmania care deeply about the health of their waterways, and none more so than the magnificent Tamar.
“Having a vibrant and healthy Tamar River is very important to the community—both economically and environmentally,” Mr Nikolic said.
The successful projects will be delivered by the dairy farmers on-farm.
“This is another great example of how the National Landcare Programme is assisting communities across Australia to protect their natural assets for the long-term benefit of the environment,” Mr Hunt said.
Further details on the National Landcare Programme are available at www.nrm.gov.au.
(ENDS)