Three projects will receive funding to support bushfire recovery in the Scenic Rim and Gold Coast hinterland, as part of a Morrison Government bushfire recovery grants program.
The program will focus on helping native wildlife and habitat recover from the devastation of the black summer bushfires.
Federal Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz said the Australian Government had made a $200 million commitment to the long-term recovery of Australia’s bushfire hit environment.
“This first round of projects will assist the recovery of native habitats – which is particularly important for our world renowned national park environment across Lamington, Main Range, Mt Barney and around Springbrook.”
“I was there on the ground after the fires, with the Prime Minister and saw first hand the damage in beautiful places like Binna Burra and Beechmont.
“This damage was sadly replicated across Main Range, over the course of the large western fires – in Clumber, Tarome, Moogerah and Tregony.
“We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful region. We’re enclosed by mountainous ranges and have access to the most stunning natural environments.
“These recovery projects are about protecting that environment, improving it and making sure we have the habitats available for native species to regenerate,” Mr Buchholz said.
It is anticipated the grants will fund surveying of threatened birds such as the Eastern Bristlebird and Ground Parrot.
Specialists from Queensland University of Technology, the University of New South Wales and BirdLife Australia will work together, across the various national parks and state borders.
“The experts will be engaged through Universities and BirdLife, and use specialist trained dogs to help find endangered species such as the Black-tailed Dusky Antechinus in Lamington, Main Range, Mt Barney and Springbrook National Parks.
“These projects are not only important for the environment, but for our economy.
“Much of our regional tourism, especially in eco tourism – hiking, camping and adventure tourism relies on these environments. This is an investment in supporting those sectors of our economy, but particularly getting those native habitats repaired.
“Ensuring the environment recovers from the bushfires is an important part of the recovery process.
“It is going to take time, but this is an important step in making it happen,” said Mr Buchholz.
In May the Government committed a further $150 million for bushfire recovery for native wildlife and habitat areas in addition to the initial $50 million funding. These funds will be invested in bushfire affected regions over the next two years.
A list of the projects to be delivered in the region is available below. These projects are working across multiple states and local government areas.
More information about work to support bushfire recovery for wildlife and habitat is on the Department’s website: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery or via email: BRIT@awe.gov.au
ENDS
| Project title | Location* | Applicant | Grant |
| Building capacity for resilience & recovery of threatened ecological communities
A large-scale project that aims to develop adaptive fire management strategies to improve prospects for 8 priority ecological communities and 7 animal species, by integrating remote sensing, ground survey and citizen science with management. |
Eastern Australia, from Victoria to southeast Queensland (multiple locations) | University of New South Wales | $723,811 |
| Mapping fire-threatened fauna with scent detection dogs, cameras and live traps.
Using a range of techniques, the project aims to assess the fire impacts on the endangered Silver-headed and Black-tailed Dusky Antechinuses (carnivorous marsupial mice). |
Northern NSW and Queensland, including Lamington, Main Range, Mt Barney and Springbrook National Parks | Queensland University of Technology
Partners: Gidarjil Development Corporation; Healthy Land and Water; Department of Environment and Science (Qld); Queensland Herbarium; NSW National Parks and Wildlife |
$168,528 |
| Bushfire recovery of cryptic threatened birds in the eastern heathlands
A comprehensive, national assessment of fire-affected Mainland Ground Parrots and Eastern Bristlebirds across their known ranges to identify critical gaps in bushfire recovery efforts. |
Eastern Australia, from Victoria to Queensland (multiple locations), including Lamington National Park | BirdLife Australia | $170,200 |
*These are the indicative location of the projects, which are subject to change.
The full list of projects is available here: https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery/open-grant-program
Media contact – 0413 424 384
