Business plan 2012–13

Priorities for investment

Short-term targets will support the achievement of the five-year outcomes (2008–2013) across the six national priority areas:

• natural resource management in northern and remote Australia
• community skills, knowledge and engagement
• the National Reserve System
• biodiversity and natural icons
• coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats
• sustainable farm practices.

The following information outlines the targets for which investment applications are being sought under this business plan. Information includes the rationale, priority locations and activities, and eligibility criteria for each target where appropriate.

This information is important. Applicants should consider it carefully before developing and submitting an application.

Northern and remote Australia

The Australian Government aims to secure better environmental and natural resource outcomes in northern and remote Australia, with a particular emphasis on working with Indigenous groups. Applications for activities in northern and remote areas of Australia must deliver against targets in another Caring for our Country priority area.

• Read more about northern and remote Australia

Community skills, knowledge and engagement

Caring for our Country recognises that community engagement and building knowledge and skills within the community are vital if we are to protect and restore our unique and valuable environment and productive land base.

• Read more about community skills, knowledge and engagement

Targets under this priority:

• Indigenous participation
• Increasing participation in natural resource management

Increasing the National Reserve System

The National Reserve System is helping to conserve distinctive landscapes, plants and animals through a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of reserves across Australia.

Target under this priority:

• Increasing the National Reserve System

Biodiversity and natural icons

The Australian Government acknowledges the need to take action to protect our biodiversity and natural icons. Priorities for funding will include protecting World Heritage areas, tackling weeds and pest animals that threaten biodiversity, and improving outcomes for nationally threatened species and ecological communities.

Targets under this priority:

• Increasing native habitat
• Reducing the impact of vertebrate pest animals
  and/or Weeds of National Significance
• Managing World Heritage areas

Coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats

The Australian Government continues to protect and rehabilitate areas for critically endangered and endangered species and migratory shorebirds, improve the quality of water discharged into coastal environments, and protect Ramsar wetlands.

Targets under this priority:

• Protecting Ramsar wetlands
• Protecting critical aquatic ecosystems
• Improving coastal hotspots
• Increasing coastal community engagement

Sustainable farm practices

The choice of management practices by farmers and fishers impacts the condition of Australia's natural resources. The Australian Government is committed to increasing the adoption of management practices that continue to maintain and improve production, while delivering ecosystem services that benefit the whole community.

Targets under this priority:

• Sustainable farm practices
  • Improving management practices
  • Landscape-scale conservation
  • Improving knowledge and skills