Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Tasmanian Government’s $5 million Weeds Action Fund has progressed to the next stage with the appointment of a successful tenderer to run a major grants program to combat weeds.
NRM North was the successful tenderer and awarded a three-year contract to administer and deliver Stage 2 of the Weeds Action Fund on behalf of the Tasmanian Government.
A key focus of Stage 2 is a grants program, opening in spring this year, to assist landowners with on-ground weed management projects and associated activities.
The Weeds Action Fund provides $5 million over five years (commencing in 2018) to farmers and other community organisations to deal with weeds that are impacting on valuable agricultural and environmental assets.
The fund will help improve the productive value of agricultural land and protect Tasmania’s natural values by removing the harmful effects of serious weed threats.
Significant progress has already been made in implementing the Weeds Action Fund.
The Chair of the Weeds Action Fund, Ian Sauer, has been appointed to help in the establishment and roll-out of the Fund and to ensure stakeholders and potential participants in the program are fully engaged and aware of the Fund’s objectives.
Delivery of Stage One has been undertaken by Biosecurity Tasmania and is providing a total of $142,000 in 2018-2019 for 34 small grant projects of between $1000 to $5000.
A $350,000 Drought and Weed Management Program was launched in March 2020 to provide funding to eligible Councils to help farmers tackle weeds in drought-affected areas.
WAF Stage 2 will be the centrepiece in our ongoing fight against weeds in Tasmania, with funds to support landowners, local government and the broader community in tackling serious weeds with sustainable, long-term and effective actions.
