New bushfire recovery projects for Noosa

Noosa’s precious native flora and fauna will be supported to recover from the Black Summer bushfires, with Noosa & District Landcare Group to receive $165,768 for three priority projects, Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announced today.

Mr O’Brien said in total, Noosa communities would share in $490,273 as part of a $14 million Morrison Government commitment investing in regions severely impacted by the Black Summer bushfires.

Noosa Landcare will receive $51,451 to carry out weed management and revegetation at Peregian Beach; $49,889 for weed management and corridor revegetation at Cooroibah and Noosa North Shore; and $64,428 for assessing and improving Glider habitat, including a trial of scat detection dogs and installation up to 50 nest boxes to support the recovery of the species.

“Noosa Landcare does a fantastic job to protect the unspoiled natural environment that Noosa is famous for, and these grants will help support their work so that it remains pristine for generations to come,” Mr O’Brien said.

In addition, Noosa’s bushfire-affected areas will be monitored in a project by the Queensland University of Technology, using drones to detect koalas and other wildlife, in a further $324,505 investment to aid in the recovery of native wildlife and habitat.

“These new projects in will not only directly support native species recovery, but also provide benefit for bushfire-affected communities and landholders,” Mr O’Brien said.

Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network are coordinating the projects which range from South-East Queensland to the NSW north and south coasts, the Blue Mountains, Australian alpine areas, East Gippsland and Kangaroo Island.

“Our unique native plants and animals are already benefitting thanks to the on-the-ground efforts from Landcare and other community groups, but there is still work to be done,” Minister Ley said.

“These new projects will build on the broad range of recovery activities already being carried out by Landcare and other community groups in the wake of the fires.

“The Morrison Government is committed to the recovery of our wildlife and habitats – it is vitally important that we continue to do this work so that our native iconic species, can return to their natural environments and thrive.”

To date, the Morrison Government has committed $200 million for wildlife and habitat recovery through the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund. A list of the 111 Landcare grant projects can be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery/activities-and-outcomes