Ballina’s Koalas will benefit from the planting of 8000 new native trees, thanks to a Federal Government grant of $80,000 announced today by the Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan.
“The 8000 native trees, which will connect existing Koala habitat areas will provide food and shelter to Ballina’s Koala population which has been identified at nationally significant,” Mr Hogan said.
“I am looking forward to seeing these trees grow and increase the habitat available for our Koalas and provide to our local environment and community.”
The trees, which will be planted by a Green Army Team, is one of the successful projects under the Federal Government’s 20 Million Trees Programme.
Mr Hogan said the 20 Million Trees Programme was a key election commitment, providing $50 million over four years to deliver tree planting projects across the country.
“It is great to see how positively our community, and others from across Australia, have embraced the opportunity to plant trees and contribute to real environmental benefits in their own backyards,” he said.
Nationally, funding of $4.5 million has been approved for 57 projects.
“These trees and other plants will contribute to re-establishing native vegetation, providing habitat to support threatened plants and animals, and creating greener spaces to improve the liveability of our cities and towns,” Mr Hogan said.
As well as the grants, the Australian Government will be running a tender process for service providers to undertake large-scale tree plantings. Details are available at www.nrm.gov.au/20-million-trees
The 20 Million Trees initiative is an important part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.
