Nine councils from across NSW and two multi-council regional projects will share in almost $1 million of grants funded by the NSW Environmental Trust to rehabilitate and protect roadside vegetation, improving the habitat of native wildlife.

Joint President of Local Government NSW, Cr Ray Donald, said the Roadside Vegetation Implementation Program is a critical resource for councils throughout the state who manage tracts of roadside vegetation.

“Many smaller regional and rural NSW councils received grants in this second round of funding to help them undertake on-ground actions from their Roadside Vegetation Management Plans, including removing weeds like African Olive.”

“While councils like Wakool Shire have relatively small populations, they often have an extensive network of roads they are responsible for, and this includes managing roadside vegetation vital to the wildlife and biodiversity of the local area.”

“The roadside vegetation grant scheme means that smaller councils with limited funding sources can carry out necessary roadside vegetation works without redirecting funds from other essential services and infrastructure projects.”

Joint President of Local Government NSW, Cr Keith Rhoades AFSM, said threatened and endangered plants, ecosystems and native wildlife often span regions – not just one council area – so this year a new category has been introduced for regional scale projects.

“Two regional alliances, from Central West NSW and the Riverina/Murray region, have been awarded $250,000 each to carry out practical bush care works, improving the condition and connectivity of roadside vegetation across these areas,” said Cr Rhoades.

“These regional projects will regenerate and enhance around 1.5 million square metres of roadside vegetation across 19 council areas, securing essential wildlife habitat and remnant vegetation for the future,” said Cr Rhoades.

“The Roadside Vegetation Implementation Program helps councils implement on ground, practical actions including removing environmental weeds, bush regeneration, direct seeding, protecting endangered species, improving signage of environmentally sensitive areas, and training staff.” 

LGNSW manages the grant program on behalf of the NSW Environmental Trust.

LGNSW acknowledges the need for road safety issues to be considered in all roadside vegetation conservation works, to assist in preventing wildlife injury and incidents on roads.

For a full list of NSW councils receiving a grant under the Roadside Vegetation Implementation Program visit: http://www.lgnsw.org.au/policy/roadside-vegetation-implementation-project

Cr Keith Rhoades and Cr Ray Donald will both carry out the duties of Joint President of the LGNSW Interim Board until the election of the first LGNSW President and Board in October 2013.