“This was a major election commitment by the Minns Labor Government ahead of the state election and I’m very pleased to see this record funding start to roll out across northern NSW,” Ms Saffin said.
“It is the largest-ever injection of funds into Landcare by any NSW Government and will support local jobs in rural and regional communities.”
The first phase of the program will activate $33 million in funding to employ up to 83 full-time equivalent local and regional Landcare coordinators and support staff across NSW.
Coordinator and support roles will be available in all 11 LLS regions and can be subject to part time or job-sharing arrangements, where the need is demonstrated.
Funding will be awarded to incorporated Landcare NSW groups and regions through a targeted competitive grant process administered by LLS.
Local and regional coordinators play a key role in the program including:
- Supporting and facilitating the delivery of on-ground projects that care for the local natural environment and agricultural systems
- Strengthening the capacity of Landcarers by further developing their knowledge and skills
- Ensuring effective collaboration and partnerships between Landcare groups, Local Land Services, other government agencies and Landcare NSW
- Leveraging funding opportunities to maximise socio-environmental outcomes.
Landcare NSW coordinates a 60,000-strong network of volunteers in 3,000 Landcare groups across NSW, who augment work done by landholders on sustainable agriculture and natural resource management.
Applications opened on Monday 9 October and close on Friday 3 November.
The NSW Landcare Enabling Program 2023-2027: Local and Regional Coordinators program guidelines, including detailed role descriptions, are available online at www.nsw.gov.au/lep.
Wednesday 11 October 2023
