Christmas cheer for community in round three of Everyone’s Environment grants

Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says our local environment, critters and heritage values will be strengthened with the annoucement of round three of the Newman LNP Government’s Everyone’s Environment grants program.

Mrs Frecklington congratulated the successful recipients:

• South Myall Catchment Landcare Group which has received $68,110 to imrpove habitat and protect species with the control of WONS and class 1&11 weeds
• Friends of Yarraman Creek, which received $3300 to continue an ongoing project to eradicate Class 2 and 3 weeds, and control rabbits, in a 2-hectare section of Yarraman Creek near Toowoomba, a project that will include the planting of 4000 plants. This project aims to improve the habitat for a range of native species
• $16,800 to repair the rusted roof of the historic Kingaroy Butter Factory
• $12,809 towards restoring the main roof of the Nanango Butter Factory, including removing loose roof fixings, sealing leaks, and cleaning and painting
• Cressbrook Station, which received $40,000 to restore footings of a 10-metre high tank stand at the historic Cressbrook Homestead at Cressbrook. The project includes structural repairs, reinstating and repairing posts and installing a new tank and, when completed, will benefit local tourism and provide fire protection for the homestead itself.

Ms Frecklington said these grants were another example of the strong plan this government has for delivering common sense conservation for Queensland’s environment.

“Under the former Labor Government there was no grant funding available to community groups and grass roots organisations but we recognise their valuable contribution and applaud their dedication,” she said.

“These grassroots projects will help deliver long-term benefits for local communities.”

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said the program had delivered almost 120,000 tree plantings, over 410,000 hectares weeded, and removal of almost 62,000 kilograms of rubbish from local areas and waterways across Queensland.

“Through this program, the Newman LNP Government has engaged a staggering 13,250 volunteers state-wide and this will continue to grow with the large amount of projects continuing to be delivered,” Mr Powell said.

“We recognise the valuable contributions of volunteers, who are true local heroes, rolling up their sleeves to improve their local area.”

More information about the Everyone’s Environment program is available at www.qld.gov.au/environment