Grants are available for community-led initiatives that will bolster the region by strengthening social connections, supporting jobs and creating economic opportunities.
Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum said the funding would deliver a much-needed boost for local businesses, communities and towns hit hard by the pandemic.
Funding will be available from two streams to support regional initiatives:
- The Micro Projects stream will provide small grants of up to $10,000 for regional communities with fewer than 50,000 people.
- The COVID Recovery stream will provide up to $50,000 for larger projects that will enhance the recovery of communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible organisations can apply between now and February 2024. For more information, visit: frrr.org.au/funding/place/src-rebuilding-rural-communities
Clarity wanted for land use strategy
NSW Farmers is calling on the NSW Government to clearly set out rules around productivity of agricultural land.
President James Jackson said increasing urban sprawl and new developments were eating away at the state’s farming land.
“There’s an old saying that they’re not making any more dirt, and when it comes to agricultural land there is a finite amount of it that we cannot afford to lose,” Mr Jackson said.
“Unless we have a very clear set of rules purpose-built to ensure the productivity of agricultural land, we risk losing it and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”
Mr Jackson said with world population on the rise while climate variability increased, the need to continue growing Australian agriculture was essential.
“Current data on land capability is outdated and does not consider much beyond soil quality and slope, so there’s an awful lot of work to be done in protecting agricultural land from inappropriate development.
“There must be a ‘duty’ on government to consider future agricultural needs in their planning in the same way environmental needs must be considered, and to ensure routine farming activities are protected from nuisance complaints.”
New sheep sustainability group members
Australia’s world-first Sheep Sustainability Framework has announced a series of new appointments to its leadership, including Dr Scott Williams as chair.
Three new representatives have also joined the combined Sheep Producers Australia and WoolProducers Australia Board — joint owners of the Sheep Sustainability Framework.
Established in early 2021, the Sheep Sustainability Framework was created to help industry better understand its opportunities, challenges and impacts in key areas such as environmental health, economic resilience, animal care, and people and community.
The four new members of the Sustainability Steering Group are:
- Belinda Dexter, Australian Lamb Company finance manager;
- Ed Dunn, MH Premium chief executive officer;
- Lachlan Monsbourgh, Rabobank head of sustainable business development; and
- Anna Playfair-Hannay, Woolworths group sustainable animal welfare manager.
They will join three foundation members who will complete the remainder of their two-year term over the next 12 months:
- Deanna Lush, South Australian sheep producer;
- Ian McColl, NSW sheep producer; and
- Michael Field, NSW sheep producer and wool grower.
The three new Sheep Sustainability Framework board representatives are:
- Helen Carrigan, NSW wool producer;
- Bonnie Skinner, Sheep Producers Australia chief executive officer; and
- Ben Thomas, Rabobank rural manager.
Comment sought on timber plans
VicForests is seeking stakeholder and community comments on proposed changes to its Timber Release Plan and Timber Utilisation Plan.
The proposed changes include the addition of new coupes for harvesting and access, proposed coupe boundary changes and remove coupes that have been successfully regenerated or are no longer required.
These plans are updated regularly as part of VicForests’ planning process.
All VicForests’ timber harvesting and regeneration operations must comply with the regulations around responsible timber harvesting in Victoria, and are subject to oversight by an independent regulator.
A schedule of proposed timber harvesting areas and maps are available at:
- www.vicforests.com.au/vicforest-forest-management/ops-planning/where-vicforests-operates/proposed-trp
- www.vicforests.com.au/vicforest-forest-management/ops-planning/where-vicforests-operates/proposed-tup.
Submissions can be provided via email to vfs.trp@vicforests.com.au or made in writing and sent to: VicForests, GPO Box 191, Melbourne, 3001 until 5pm on April 12.
Growing young farmers’ careers
Young Victorian farmers can now apply for the 2022 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarships.
Under the program, which has awarded 89 scholarships since 2015, eligible young farmers can boost their skills and careers with up to $10,000 each for training or education, and to invest on-farm or for further professional development.
The scholarship program has supported farmers to upskill in topics such as agribusiness, livestock management, and farm business management.
Following on, scholarship recipients often invest in professional development or business planning, or in on-farm initiatives such as electronic ID tags, digital scales or consultant support.
Applications for this year’s round of scholarships are open to farmers aged 35 or under who have been working in farm businesses for at least three days a week for the past three months, with at least two years’ total experience on-farm.
Applications close Monday, April 18. To find out more about the program and to apply for a scholarship, visit https://go.vic.gov.au/khjYo9
Promoting regional leadership
The Victorian Government has announced $1.8 million for the Regional Community Leadership Program to be funded in each of Victoria’s nine Regional Partnerships areas.
The program aims to ensure stronger representation of women, First Nations leaders, multicultural community members and people living with a disability.
The nine Regional Community Leadership Programs will be in each of the Regional Partnerships including Goulburn, Loddon Campaspe, Mallee, Ovens Murray and Wimmera Southern Mallee.
For more information, visit: rdv.vic.gov.au/rclp
