Funding re-launched to help landholders create healthy landscapes

17 Jan 2022

In light of recent flooding events and a prolonged harvest, Central West Local Land Services is again calling for applications from landholders within priority areas to improve on-farm natural resources as part of their Healthy Landscapes Incentives program.

The program will fund on-ground works to protect and improve waterways, threatened ecological communities and habitat for hollow dwelling species.

Central West Local Land Services Acting Team Leader – Natural Resource Management Kyra Roach said the program had been re-opened to encourage more people to apply.

“Unfortunately, when we launched the funding in November last year some of the areas we were targeting were impacted by flooding which reduced the number of applications received,” Ms Roach said.

“We are aware of the challenges landholders are facing at the moment and the workload that comes with that.

“The Healthy Landscapes funding program aims to restore and improve habitat and natural environments on farms to help protect priority species across key target areas of our region.”

The Riparian Restoration project aims to work with landholders along the Lachlan River and Goobang and Mandagery Creeks around Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin to undertake works to improve riparian health including fencing, minor erosion control and weed control.

The Improved Ecological Communities project will work to restore and conserve areas of critically endangered Box Gum Grassy Woodland and Fuzzy Box Woodlands near Dubbo, Narromine, Wellington, Tomingley, Forbes and Grenfell. Project works can include fencing and weed control which is timely given the burden with the improved seasonal conditions.

The Woodland Hollows project seeks to improve woodland habitat for a variety of threatened hollow-dwelling species within key Barking Owl habitat and to protect important stands of old growth trees and targets landholders around Goonoo National Park.

A variety of on-ground works can be carried out including fencing remnant areas, weed and pest animal control and native vegetation enhancement plantings.

“This funding is a great opportunity for land managers to enhance their natural, on-farm assets while working with us to conserve important remnant stands and develop practical management strategies to improve the function of the landscapes on their properties.”

Applications for the Healthy Landscapes funding program close on Friday, 11 February 2022.

Contact Central West Local Land Services for further information on 1300 795 299 or visit the grants and funding page.