Media Releases

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has thrown his support behind local Landcare Coordinators through his strong advocacy for funding to provide for 60 coordinators to be employed across the State.
“Landcare programs are vital in providing opportunities for landowners to protect natural environments, assist with drought-affected land and fight salinity,” Mr Walsh said.
“Under Labor the number of Landcare support staff in Victoria has gone from more than 140 in 2007-2008 to just 35 in 2009.
“We realise the importance of these co-ordinators and that’s why the Coalition Government will provide $12 million over the next four years to fund up to 75 per cent of the salaries of 60 Landcare Coordinators across Victoria’s 10 Catchment Management Authority areas,” he said.
Mr Walsh joined with Coalition Leader Ted Baillieu in condemning Labor’s erosion of these coordinators and the major role they played in assisting Landcare groups and the vital environmental projects they undertake.
“Kevin Rudd’s recent Budget cut funds for Landcare by $10.9 million, but a Baillieu Government will increase Landcare funding by $12 million to help fund 60 Landcare co-ordinators across Victoria,” Coalition Leader Ted Baillieu said.
“The co-ordinators who lost their jobs provided expertise in project funding applications, advice on project development and support for groups in management, communication and administration,” he said.
“The six coordinators in each of the North Central, Wimmera and Mallee Catchment Authority areas will ensure the future of the Landcare groups across the region,” Mr Walsh said.
“The volunteers who make up these groups will benefit from the administrative expertise and experience of these coordinators and they will be able to focus on developing projects that will be of immense and ongoing benefit to their local areas,” he said.