Tamar NRM secures funds from City of Launceston

The not-for-profit organisation has provided natural resource management advice and programs since 1993.

It has been funded since then from the support of its three council regions – City of Launceston, George Town and West Tamar.

At its council meeting on Monday, City of Launceston approved a motion to provide funding for three years to Tamar NRM from 2018-20.

City of Launceston will provide $120,510 in 2018, 124,125 in 2019 and 127,849 in 2020.

Tamar NRM coordinator Gill Basnett said the funding from all three councils was “vital”.

“It is invaluable to us to allow us to do the work that we do in the Tamar Valley,” she said.

“We are very grateful for the support we receive from all three councils.”

A report submitted to the City of Launceston council at its meeting said Tamar NRM “has been and continues to be a leader in natural resource management”.

“It supports the endeavours of many in the community through the delivery of education, extension and the practical tools to be more sustainable.”

Tamar NRM works closely with key stakeholders, and uses its funding supplied by the three councils as its base funding, to leverage through grants.

It has helped to deliver on-the-ground projects worth more than $7 million since its inception.

Ms Basnett said the funds helped the not-for-project deliver its programs.

“At the moment we run a tree planting program that looks at tree rehabilitation, wildlife corridors and shelter belts,” she said.

“From next week we will have planted or seeded 28,000 trees in the region.”

In addition, Tamar NRM runs the Backyards to Broadacres program, which assists landowners to assist their soil health and educates them on the benefits of trees on farms.

“We also run bushfire risk programs, where we look at what people can do at their own houses, to reduce their bushfire risk,” Ms Basnett said.

The bushfire program is run jointly with the Tasmania Fire Service.

A bushfire program tailored at landholders is in development and will be held next month.

Ms Basnett said Tamar NRM was active in the education space and worked with a lot of schools to educate students on sustainability. 

West Tamar council also approved its motion for funding for the next three years.

George Town has not brought the matter before the council, however Ms Basnett said Tamar NRM had enjoyed a positive relationship in the past.