The Morrison Government is directing an extra $15 million to the forests and other ecosystems of the NSW South Coast and Hinterland to support long-term recovery of our native plants, animals and ecological communities following the devastating Black Summer bushfires.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said more than one million hectares of the area defined by the boundary of the South East NSW natural resource management region was burnt in the 2019-20 bushfires and 80 per cent of the Eden-Monaro electorate is within the region.
“I have visited communities affected by bushfires and that is why it was so important that this investment was guided by a regional co-design workshop which brought together natural resource management groups, Traditional Owner representatives, environment organisations, scientists, wildlife experts, local councils and governments,” Minister Ley said.
“Workshop participants identified priorities for bushfire recovery in the region to June 2022 including erosion management, Traditional Owner-led cultural landscape management, feral animal and weed control, and specific actions targeted at priority species, including aquatic animals.”
The new investment will be shared across the region and managed by the relevant New South Wales Government agencies and South East Local Land Services natural resource management (NRM) organisation.
Senator for New South Wales Jim Molan welcomed the announcement.
“This funding builds on more than $1 million already directly invested by the Morrison Government in environmental recovery projects in the NSW South Coast region, with further investment in recovery actions that extend across this and other regions,” Senator Molan said.
“Newly funded projects will continue the effective and collaborative partnerships that have characterised bushfire recovery action to date, ensuring duplication is avoided and investments are targeted at agreed and scientifically informed priorities.”
“These include weed and pest control, and activities supporting the long-term survival of threatened species including the Koala, Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, Broad-headed Snake, Eastern Bristlebird, Macquarie Perch, freshwater crayfish, land snails, and Pygmy Cypress Pine.”
The Forests of the NSW South Coast region is one of seven identified for environmental recovery under the Government’s $110 million regional bushfire recovery fund. For more on the regional fund visit http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery/regional-delivery-program.