The Territory Government is delivering on another election commitment, announcing it will invest almost $12 million to continue its Aboriginal Ranger Grants program.
As part of the 2021-22 Budget, $11.9 million has been allocated to keep the program running for another four years.
This funding will ensure around 1,000 Rangers from 47 Ranger groups are further supported with jobs on country, and continued access to resources to protect our pristine environments and wildlife.
Under the program, two types of grants are available through a competitive, merit-based system. These include:
- Capital funding – which has helped Rangers purchase vehicles and trailers, boats, fire and weed spray units, heavy equipment, information technology and communication systems and infrastructure.
- Conservation Land Management funding – which has provided Rangers with assistance for activities including feral animal management, fire and weed management, protection of threatened and ‘iconic’ species, cultural management, and training and skills development.
The program was first launched under the Territory Government’s Protecting Country, Creating Jobs initiative in 2016, which recognises the fundamental role Aboriginal Rangers and Land Managers play in land and sea management, as well as delivering important social and cultural outcomes.
An independent review of the outcomes of the program conducted by Ninti One found that it had made a considerable contribution to land management across the Territory.
Applications for the next round of Aboriginal Ranger Grants will open in the second half of the year.
Source: NT Government