The Territory Labor Government is supporting jobs on country with more than $1.3 million in grants provided under the second round of the Land Management and Conservation Fund.

This program aims to boost the capacity and capability of Aboriginal ranger groups to undertake conservation and land management activities and will create real jobs in some of the most remote areas of the Northern Territory.

These grants will support an exciting variety of projects including ambitious, multi-year programs at a regional scale to reduce threats from weeds, feral animals and fire.

It will also provide more local projects to develop ranger-led monitoring techniques for important species and habitats, and build ranger capability in natural and cultural resource management.

These grants will support eight new projects to be delivered by Aboriginal Rangers on country and include:

• Marine debris management – Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation
• Monitoring and managing traditional intertidal seafood – Larrakia Rangers
• Access to Country – Central Land Council
• Alyawarra Aboriginal Land Trust firebreak – Central Land Council
• Ranger management plans – Central Land Council
• Tracker training – Central Land Council
• Strategic ranger training – Central Land Council
• Ganalanga Mindibrrina IPA feral animal survey – Northern Land Council

Around $500,000 of the current round will be spent this financial year on the above projects. This is in addition to around $1.4 million for programs approved in round one to be delivered over multiple years.

• $4.5 million was allocated to 22 projects over one, two or three years under Round One of the program to improve and develop conservation practices on Aboriginal land.
• $1.9 million was allocated to 27 Ranger groups as part of the Round One Capital Grants funding for essential capital items, equipment and infrastructure.
• $1.9 million was allocated to 22 Ranger grounds as part of the Round Two Capital Grants funding for essential items, equipment and infrastructure.

Go to https://denr.nt.gov.au/ for more information about the Aboriginal Ranger Grants and to obtain an application form.

Quotes from the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Eva Lawler:

“This funding fulfils a key election promise of the Territory Labor Government to support jobs on country and will cover eight land management and conservation projects across the Northern Territory.

‘The Territory Labor Government’s number one priority is creating local jobs and this program supports jobs on country and delivers economic opportunities in some of the Territory’s most remote communities.

“These grants support the Territory’s Aboriginal Ranger Programs to continue to deliver long-term environmental, cultural and economic development outcomes.

“Aboriginal Rangers do an exceptional job protecting land and sea country across vast areas of the Northern Territory, and these grants help provide them with the essential support they need to undertake conservation and land management activities.

“I thank the Aboriginal Land Management Advisory Group for providing crucial advice on the development of the program.”

Media Contact: Ellie Clancy 0436 646 689