Twenty rural landholders in the ACT will share in $287,204 of ACT Government funding, designed to improve farm resilience to the changing climate.
Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti said strengthening the resilience of rural lands is critical to ensuring the wellbeing and prosperity of the ACT’s rural landholders who collectively manage 15% of the ACT.
“Climate change and the cumulative effectives of droughts and severe weather events is posing clear and present risks and challenges to ACT rural landholders and the lands for which they manage,” Minister Vassarotti said.
“These Rural Resilience Grants support ACT farmers to improve their natural assets, like soil and waterways, and build their capacity to continue their important work throughout warmer and drier periods.
“We received 35 applications to the value of $520,147, demonstrating the desire our farmers have to turn their extensive knowledge and understanding of resilient land management practises into action.
“The successful projects range from improving water security through water tanks, conducting weed control to improve biodiversity along waterway areas, and addressing erosion along creek banks.
“I congratulate the successful recipients and look forward to seeing the difference this funding will make to the land as well as our landholders.”
2023 Rural Resilience Grant recipient, Ron McKeahnie said the rural resilience grant he received will benefit his farm and the wider ACT community.
“This grant is critical to us addressing erosion along Reedy Creek. While benefiting our farm, this work will also benefit the ACT community by reducing soil washing down Reedy Creek and into the Molonglo River and Lake Burley Griffin, and restoring the creek banks.”
2023 Rural Resilience Grant recipient Kevin Reid said the rural resilience grants have helped him and his family respond to the changing climate.
“I’ve always found that building and maintaining farm infrastructure is an essential element of modern farming. Times and climatic conditions are sometimes challenging, so planning is essential.”
“The ACT Rural Resilience grants program, whereby the government and farmers co-operate in both funding and building resilience related infrastructure has been a godsend.”
“Our family farm has directly benefitted from past and present resilience funding and we are now in a significantly better position when it comes to facing the inevitable conditions of flood, fire and drought. Congratulations to the ACT Government for this much appreciated high quality program.”
