National Landcare Program

Background

The National Landcare Program finished on 30 June 2008.

The goal of the National Landcare Program was to develop and implement resource management practices to enhance Australia's soil, water and biological resources. These practices were to be efficient, sustainable, equitable, and consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

The objectives of the program were to:

  • enhance long term productivity of natural resources
  • promote partnership between the community, industry and government
  • assist institutional arrangements to develop and implement policies, programs and practices that would encourage sustainable use of natural resources
  • develop approaches to help resolve conflicts over access to natural resources
  • help to raise the the natural resource and business management skills of landholders.

The National Landcare Program encouraged strategic activities that resulted in on-ground outcomes and increased community capacity for change. 

2008–2014

In July 2008, the Australian Government announced that the Caring for our Country initiative would include $189 million over five years for landcare-related activities.

Caring for our Country – Landcare encourages landholders to undertake landcare and collective community action to manage the environment and natural resources sustainably.

Previous National Landcare Program 1992–2008

The National Landcare Program was established in 1992 to work towards sustainable ecosystems. Its primary focus on sustainable agriculture included improved management of the natural resource base—soils, water and vegetation—at the farm level.

The National Landcare Program followed the former National Soil Conservation Program and the Federal Water Resources Assistance Program.

The Natural Heritage Trust started in 1996 and supported the National Landcare Program. In 2001 Natural Heritage Trust phase 2 ran with four themes: Bushcare, Coastcare Rivercare and Landcare. Landcare included the Murray–Darling Basin Initiative, the National Land and Water Resources Audit, farm forestry, weeds and feral animal control and specific actions on fisheries.

A review of the National Landcare Program in 2003 showed it had helped farmers and landholders use and manage natural resources better. The program ended on 30 June 2008.

Components:

Sustainable Industry Initiatives

The Sustainable Industry Initiatives program (SII program) worked in partnership with national industries to encourage sustainable and nationally consistent approaches to natural resource management.

Completed SII program partnerships

Natural Resource Innovation Grants

The Natural Resource Innovation Grants encouraged farming, food, aquaculture and forest industries to contribute to sustainable production and adopt best practice.

Case studies from completed Natural Resource Innovation projects

National Landcare Program Sustainable Practices

National Landcare Program Sustainable Practices—formerly called Community Support grants—increased the uptake of sustainable production and helped to make natural resource management practices part of daily farm practice.

Community Support investments 2003–04 and approvals 2007–08:

Case studies from completed Community Support projects


Contact

Caring for our Country - Landcare
Phone: 1800 552 008
Email: Landcare Contact

Last reviewed:
01 Jul 2009
Contact:
Email Landcare Contact Officer
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