Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker, urged all those who are interested in the future direction of the $1 billion National Landcare Program to participate.

“Landcare is a vital program that has grown into the largest environmental and land management movement in Australia, and we want to tap into that vast experience and knowledge," Minister Hartsuyker said.

“Information sessions will start in Canberra on 9 October and will be followed by sessions in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Dubbo, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney,” he said.

The Government is inviting a wide range of opinions on the delivery arrangements of the Regional Land Partnerships and the Smart Farms programs.

Hartsuyker said both programs will protect and improve the condition of our important soil, water, plants and animals resources, which underpin productive and profitable primary industries.

“This is why we are going to each state and territory to provide further information, answer questions and seek the publics’ views,” Hartsuyker said.

“Over the past 28 years there have been numerous Landcare groups and thousands of hard-working volunteers involved in Landcare and we want to hear their experiences in order to inform the delivery of the Regional Land Partnerships and Smart Farms programs,” he said.

“The sessions are open to the public and I encourage farmers, Landcare groups, natural resource management practitioners and organisations, scientists, Indigenous and local communities to attend the public consultation sessions.”

For those unable to attend the information sessions, there is an online feedback form available HERE.