The McGowan Government has launched an innovative new fund to support environmental conservation in the Pilbara, and is seeking applications for the first round of funding grants.
The Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund, a co-designed fund led by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), will play a critical role in ensuring sustainable development in the region while also protecting the region’s unique environmental values.
It will also create opportunities for traditional owners and rangers to work on country and use their local knowledge and expertise to help protect the environment.
The fund was developed by the department, traditional owners, natural resource management organisations, conservation groups, industry and the research sector, to deliver conservation work through a strategic and co-ordinated offsets program.
Projects delivered through the fund will include rehabilitation, pest plant and animal control, and erosion and fire management to improve high quality vegetation and habitat.
The fund is expected to receive about $90 million for conservation projects in the Pilbara over the next 40 years.
A total of $1 million in funding for projects is available from the fund’s grant account in 2019-20 and applications are now open until 5pm (AWST) January 20, 2020.
The department has released a guideline for applicants which provides details on eligibility, selection criteria and the application process.
Conservation projects will be recommended by DWER, with advice from stakeholders and a project recommendation group. For more information go to https://www.dwer.wa.gov.au/peof
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The Pilbara region plays a vital economic role for Western Australia, however, it is important this is balanced with conservation of the region’s outstanding biodiversity.
“It is in the interests of government, the community and industry to maximise the environmental benefits from Western Australia’s offsets system.
“The Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund provides a rigorous, scientific and strategic approach to protecting the region’s environmental values for future generations.
“It also builds on partnerships between traditional owners, conservation agencies, industry and government to deliver projects that improve the local environment, and engage traditional owners and rangers in work on their country – creating local jobs in regional communities.”
