Land managers and community groups across Cape York are now able to apply for Australian Government grants for projects to help care for the region’s nationally significant wetlands and waterways.

Traditional Owners, landholders and Landcare groups are invited to register an expression of interest in grants of up to $25,000 for projects that care for the Cape’s ecosystem.

“The grants are part of the Government’s National Landcare Programme and managed locally by Cape York Natural Resource Management Ltd—one of Australia’s 56 regional natural resource management organisations,” Minister Hunt said.

“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that funding is invested locally to deliver real change that is targeted to the environment and the land”.

These grants are a great opportunity for communities in Cape York to tackle important on-ground work, such as reducing soil erosion and improving the region’s springs and waterways.

“These groups know what works in their local environment and their community,” Mr Entsch said.

“Projects which reduce impacts such as these could include fencing off wetlands, springs and waterways to keep out stock and feral pigs, improved fire management practices, feral animal control activities, increasing watering points for stock and the recording of important cultural sites.”

Expressions of interest close on 22 May 2015.

The Government's total investment in natural resource management programmes amounts to over $2 billion over the next four years – of which $454 million is being invested through Australia’s natural resource management organisations.