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All Current and Past Media Releases
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Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 24 February 2005 CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES DELIVERING RESULTS FOR FARMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT Minister for Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources, Craig Knowles said today that a year on from the formation of Catchment Management Authorities, farmers were reaping the benefits of having a local agency to respond to local needs.
“Before the formation of the CMAs we had 72 individual committees dealing with water, salinity and native vegetation issues.
“The red-tape was frustrating farmers and slowing down decision-making.
“We replaced those committees with 13 CMAs with local offices and local leadership.
“We released money - $436 million over four years – from the coffers of Macquarie Street and Canberra and delivered it to the CMAs where it could be applied to on-farm works and to providing practical, commonsense advice to farmers.
“Over the last few weeks I’ve personally met with nearly all the CMA Chairs to hear first hand how these new organisations are progressing.
“It’s been terrific to hear how our strong and detailed plans to cut the red tape have allowed so many worthy projects to get funding, and get off the ground.
“Some of the reports I’ve received include:
- In the Lachlan CMA, funding is being provided to 190 farmers to undertake work including the protection of 2,500 hectares of remnant native vegetation, and undertake revegetation work including the protection of 125km of riparian areas. In the same CMA, 26 water efficiency and 120 improved soil management projects are underway on local farms.
- Through the Central West CMA 82 farmers have received grants to convert farm machinery to incorporate zero tilling techniques. For a relatively small amount of money - $303,000 in total – the CMA has been able to help these farmers not just make mechanical adjustments, but to change their farm practice to protect the land from wind erosion, and improve soil quality.
- The Lower Murray Darling CMA has undertaken a project in partnership with a range of groups like Landcare, Fisheries and Bundaberg Rum which is restocking the river with cod.
- The Border Rivers CMA is coordinating a local endeavour to protect and restore 45 kilometres of river frontage to maintain bank stability and prevent soil erosion.
- A half a million dollars has been invested by the Murrumbidgee CMA in a vital project developed by the Kyeamba Valley community and their Landcare group which is providing practical, achievable measures to address salinity.
“The growth of the CMAs has been a core objective for the Government over the last year.
“We’ve seen 342 positions transferred out of the bureaucracy and into the CMAs where they can be put to best use.
“And in addition to reforming the structure of our natural resources services, we’ve also streamlined the department with a reduction of over 500 positions, mainly from city-based branches of the old Department of Land & Water Conservation.
“Those cuts in bureaucracy will see a reduction in the salaries bill for the Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources from around $202 million in 2002/03 to $124 million this financial year.
“Just as importantly, we’ve been able to increase the money we put in to projects which have a tangible and positive impact in the ‘real world’.
“From the $104 million we allocated through DIPNR as grants in 2002/03 we now spend $153 million supporting the environment and farmers,
“The Government believes that farmers and natural resources alike can be better served by putting money and staff where they can have the most effect – in local CMAs, working on local projects.”
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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