Jon Ford

Jon Ford

Minister for Employment Protection; Regional Development; Fisheries; the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne

    Community urged to have input into draft Rangelands strategy

    22/04/2005 12:00 AM
     
    22/4/05

    The community is being urged to provide feedback on a long-term strategy to help manage the natural resources of the vast Rangelands region of Western Australia, which covers more than 90 per cent of the State.

    Acting Agriculture Minister Jon Ford and the Rangelands NRM Co-ordinating Group (RCG), released the draft strategy for public comment today.

    The draft Regional Strategy for Natural Resource Management (NRM) provides a blueprint for future priorities and investment in NRM for the Rangelands region.

    Mr Ford said the Rangelands covered the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne-Murchison and Goldfields-Nullarbor; taking in horticultural and pastoral areas, as well as significant tracts of unallocated land, national parks and reserves, indigenous, mining and coastal communities.

    “The Rangelands is a primary production contributor, popular tourist attraction and contains many natural resources needing careful management,” he said.

    “With this strategy, the production communities will be better able to manage their resources now and into the future to ensure the sustainability of their industries.”

    Mr Ford said it was vital that the pastoral, agricultural and fishing communities continued to be actively involved in the consultation process.

    “The RCG has combined community input with the technical and financial support available from the Australian and State Governments to produce this comprehensive approach to natural resource management,” he said.

    The draft strategy demonstrates how the Gallop Government is protecting and enhancing Western Australia’s unique lifestyle and environment.

    The strategy was also officially launched in Kalgoorlie by the Federal Member for Kalgoorlie Barry Hasse on behalf of the Federal Government, which co-funds the process.

    It is open for a six-week public comment period, ending on June 2.

    Once the strategy is accredited by the Australian and State Governments, it will provide a framework for further investment in natural resource management under the Federal Government’s $1.4billion Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) and $3billion National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality (NAP).

    For more information or to download a copy of the strategy, visit the Rangelands NRM Co-ordinating Group website at http://www.rangelandswa.info

    For information about the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, visit http://www.napswq.gov.au and the Natural Heritage Trust at http://www.nht.gov.au

    Minister's office: 9213 6700