NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY GRANT SCHEME

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Conservation. What support is being provided to assist volunteers and community groups to conserve and protect South Australia's unique biodiversity?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water) (14:57): I am pleased to inform all members that the application process for grants to community groups across the state to carry out local landcare, coast care and water care projects is now open. The government is providing up to $2 million for the natural resources management community grant scheme, which is designed to support the vital role that volunteers and communities play in conserving and protecting the unique biodiversity of South Australia.

The NRM community grants acknowledge the value of community involvement and volunteerism and encourage collaboration between community groups and their regional NRM boards. This funding will help support grassroots natural resource management initiatives right across our state, and I strongly encourage landcare groups, conservation groups, progress associations, local action planning groups, catchment and water care groups, farming and agricultural groups, friends of Parks groups, Aboriginal organisations and schools to apply to receive this substantial support.

Grants will be given for a range of natural resources management activities, such as the fencing of watercourses, sustainable land management, soil protection, weed control, native plant revegetation, habitat protection for native animals, as well as other priorities identified in regional NRM plans. While this funding will help communities manage key natural resource issues in their local areas, it also helps to address issues of statewide significance. Successful grant applications will have demonstrated a contribution toward the achievement of long-term targets within regional NRM plans, as developed by South Australia's eight NRM boards.

Small grants of up to $10,000 and larger grants of between $10,000 and $30,000 are available under this scheme, with proposals for community groups to be submitted by 19 November this year. Application forms and further details are available through the NRM website www.nrm.sa.gov.au. The NRM community grants form a key part of the state NRM program, an initiative that supports a number of our State Strategic Plan targets, which aim to promote the integrated management of our natural resources, ensuring that we can better maintain the health of natural systems to make them more resilient to socioeconomic use and the impacts of changing climate.