Funding to protect Indigenous biodiversity and cultural heritage

TO COINCIDE with NAIDOC Week, the federal government will invest close to $770,000 to support the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative to protect biodiversity and cultural heritage through Indigenous Protected Areas in the Geelong region.

Indigenous Protected Areas put land and sea country management into the hands of Traditional Owners, providing environmental, employment and social benefits.

Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson said the Wurdi Youang Indigenous Protected Area was one of 76 across the country that would receive federal funding to continue their work.

“Indigenous Protected Areas support First Australians to work on land and sea country, achieving significant conservation outcomes, connecting with country and culture and promoting Indigenous business.”

“The Coalition Government is making a record investment in ranger programmes and is proud to have now invested $727 million since coming to office.”

Ms Henderson said that when combined with Indigenous Rangers, the programs employed more than 2,900 First Australians across Australia.

“I’m proud of the record support provided to Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous Rangers by the Coalition Government, including a $30 million project to build the capacity of rangers to pursue employment and business opportunities in biosecurity, fisheries and border protection.”