$1 million
A pilot project selected as part of the McGowan Government’s Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund will be eligible for funding of up to $1 million and will lead the way for other regionally significant conservation projects in the Pilbara.
The Priority Ecological Community fencing project will aim to protect the natural dune vegetation on BHP’s Marillana Station, in the Fortescue River Valley.
Covering up to 3,500 hectares, the Priority Ecological Community project will be managed by Greening Australia, in partnership with the Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, BHP and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
The project will focus on two areas within Marillana Station containing regionally rare, unique and fragile ecological communities within the region’s dune systems.
Stage one of the project is underway with more than $70,000 of funding being used for a vegetation survey, land access agreements and planning.
Once the scope of the project is confirmed and land access granted, the project will receive further funding for fence manufacturing and installation, and capacity building with Nyiyaparli people.
The Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund is created through environmental offset payments required by the mining and construction industry, and is managed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to support environmental conservation in the Pilbara. For more information, visit https://www.dwer.wa.gov.au/peof
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“This pilot project, as part of the Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund, is an important step towards strategic protection and recovery of the region’s incredible biodiversity on a scale that was not possible under the previous offsets system.
“The Pilbara region will continue to play a vital role for Western Australia’s economy, and this fund will take a more strategic approach to balance responsible development with protecting environmental values.
“An important focus for the fund is ensuring traditional owners play a meaningful role. This pilot project will ensure the knowledge of traditional owners is harnessed and that Nyiyaparli people have an ongoing role in protecting unique vegetation on country.”
