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National Landcare Program Review 2003
The National Landcare Program (NLP) was established in 1992 as one of the mechanisms to progress towards sustainable ecosystems, with a primary focus on sustainable agriculture and improved management of the natural resource base — soil, water and vegetation — at farm level. By engaging with farmers and landholders to improve practices at that level, it was anticipated the community would achieve significant public benefits: more economic use of available resources, improved water quality and natural resource condition, a sound resource base for future economic growth, and wealthy and more resilient rural communities.
The program sought to do this by raising the awareness and understanding of landholders and the agricultural industry to the importance of sustainable production practices and sound natural resource management, and providing them with information and knowledge that would give them the confidence and skills to adopt improved farming and resource management practices.
In the may 2003 budget, the Australian Government announced further funding of $122.2 million over three years for the NLP. The government also agreed to a review of the program to examine its effectiveness and assess any possible administrative savings. Funding in years 2 and 3 was to be subject to the outcomes of the review, which the government would consider in the context of the 2004-05 budget.
The review assessed the NLP’s effectiveness, its appropriateness as an instrument for progressing towards more sustainable landscapes, the opportunities for administrative savings and further efficiencies in program delivery, and possible directions for the future.
The Report of the Review was considered by the government in 2004. It confirmed the value of the program and its effectiveness in engaging and equipping farmers and landholders to use and manage natural resources better.
For further Information contact
National Landcare Program
Natural Resource Management
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 1800 657 220
Fax: 02 6272 4526
Email: Landcare Contact