14/05/2010
 
 
Caring for our Country Funding for Local Community Group
 
Labor Senator, Helen Polley, together with Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke and Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett today announced funding for Friends of the Bass Strait Islands to undertake valuable work to improve the local environment.
 
Friends of the Bass Strait Islands, who are sponsored by the Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc, will receive $18,818.18 to do develop the ‘Tasmanian Island Care Reborn: An Interactive Community Web Resource’. This is to be an interactive website that will act as an information resource and forum for exchange of ideas relating to the management of Tasmania's offshore islands. “The site will include a brief description of the island's location, reserve status, values, management history and requirements, for some of Tasmania's 334 offshore islands. The website will have a focus on restoration of degraded habitat while protecting existing values” Senator Polley said.
 
Senator Polley congratulated Friends of the Bass Strait Islands and the Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc and said that the Government recognises the vital work local community groups undertake to protect the environment.
 
The Rudd Government today announced more than $1.4 million in additional funding for
81 community groups to undertake environmental and sustainable agricultural projects under Caring for our Country. This is in addition to the 348 Community Action Grant projects worth more than $5.8 million that were announced earlier this year.
 
“During National Volunteer Week, it’s important to recognise the invaluable contribution volunteers from grassroots organisations like Landcare and Coastcare make to deliver change on the land,” Minister Burke said.
 
“The Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that these groups continue to play a key role in improving productivity, biodiversity and help tackle climate change.”
 
Mr Garrett said the Community Action Grants program was helping community groups across Australian continue vital work.  
 
”2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and as we mark this important occasion it’s great to reflect on and recognise the important work that volunteer groups do right around the country helping to deal with some of the big environmental challenges we face,” Mr Garrrett said.
 
Under Caring for our Country Community Action Grants, community groups can receive grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 through the Community Action Grants program.The opening of a further round of Community Action Grants will be announced soon.
 
A complete list of successful 2009-10 Caring for our Country Community Action Grants projects is available at www.nrm.gov.au.  Further information is available by calling 1800 552 008.