- Cook Labor Government commits $4.4 million to support production of native seed for restoration across the Pilbara, Goldfields, and Kimberley
- Northern Native Seed Grants will assist Aboriginal enterprises to establish native Seed Production Area (SPA) trial sites.
- These sites will help meet increasing demand for native seed supply for land restoration, carbon farming, and other biodiversity initiatives
The Cook Labor Government has committed $4.4 million to support the production of native seed for land restoration across the Pilbara, Goldfields, and Kimberley regions.
Northern Native Seed Grants will assist Aboriginal enterprises to establish up to seven native Seed Production Area (SPA) trial sites, providing local, nature-based employment and training opportunities.
Seed Production Areas are an innovative approach to meeting the increasing demand for native seed supply for land restoration, carbon farming, and other biodiversity initiatives.
The project will inform a future restoration economy through innovation in native seed technologies and the preservation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
The Northern Native Seed Industry Development Initiative is a collaboration between the Pilbara, Kimberley, and Goldfields-Esperance Development Commissions.
An extensive consultation period of 16 months resulted in Expressions of Interest (EOI) being submitted by 26 respondents across all three project regions. These respondents are now eligible to apply for the Northern Native Seed Grant round.
Applications for the Northern Native Seed Grants are open to eligible EOI respondents from 5 March, 2024, to 8 April, 2024.
Successful applicants will be announced in June, marking a significant milestone in the development of a First Nations-led restoration economy in regional Western Australia.
For more information about the Northern Native Seed Industry Development Initiative, please visit https://www.pdc.wa.gov.au/our-focus/projects/northern-native-seed-industry-development-initiative/northern-native-seed-industry-development-initiative.aspx
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
“The Northern Native Seed Industry Development Initiative represents a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainable development and Aboriginal economic empowerment.
“By fostering the growth of Aboriginal-owned enterprises in the native seed sector, we are contributing to the restoration of our land and creating meaningful training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal communities.”
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“This initiative highlights the Cook Government’s dedication to environmental stewardship and the important role Indigenous knowledge and practices can play in carbon farming and land restoration initiatives.
“We are planting the seeds for a greener, more inclusive future for Western Australia.”
