Protection for wildlife and habitats is about to be boosted.
From fragile alpine fens, to box-ironbark forests, underwater kelp forests and rare remnant grasslands, habitats across Australia are extraordinarily diverse.
And the Federal Government has announced they’ll invest $250 million to protect 30 million hectares of unprotected habitat.
It’s part of their plan to protect 30 percent of Australian habitat by 2030.
Their investment will create safe havens for threatened wildlife, increase control of invasive species and support new Indigenous Protected Areas. They’ll do this by partnering with philanthropic organisations, state and local governments to protect important habitats.
‘This federal funding commitment is a good step towards increasing protection for unique and threatened wildlife from threats like invasive species and habitat destruction.’ said Matt Ruchel, Executive Director of the Victorian National Parks Association.
Haven’t heard of 30 by 30? It’s an international commitment to protect 30 per cent of habitat by 2030. Our incredible wildlife and habitats, like Greater Gliders and Long-Footed Potoroos, Grasslands and Mountain Ash forests are under threat. From things like habitat destruction, invasive species and climate change. And 30 by 30 will help tackle those threats and safeguard our web of life.
Even though Victoria has signed up to this national plan, we’re seeing funding for nature protection slashed, park rangers axed, broken commitments to new parks and science-led processes dumped. Promises to fix national nature laws have been broken and fast-tracked laws to protect the destructive Tasmanian salmon industry are weakening those laws even further.
So this federal funding boost is some good news for nature in a sea of struggles.
‘Under the Allan Government, nature in Victoria is not just being sidelined – it’s in retreat. So this Federal Government funding boost is a welcome step towards increased protection for nature across the country.’ said Matt Ruchel.
We believe at least one per cent of Victoria’s budget should be put towards management of national parks. And one per cent of the much bigger federal budget for nature would be game changer.
