Cuts cast cloud over Landcare project

There is uncertainty about the future of Landcare projects in Katanning after the Federal Government slashed funding to the nationwide program, putting thousands of projects in jeopardy.

The Government has cut $484 million from Landcare as it seeks to find cost-saving measures in its Budget, and has also redirected $525 million of Landcare funding over five years to its work for the dole-type environmental conservation initiative, the Green Army Program.

The Green Army aims to give people aged 17-24 an opportunity to get on-the-land conservation experience while receiving an allowance for work that is similar to that of Landcare volunteers.

It remains unclear how or whether Landcare and the Green Army will work together.

Katanning Landcare district manager Jill Richardson said the move was "tragic" for Landcare.

"I do not understand how it can be thought that funding the Green Army from Landcare money can be a good thing," Mrs Richardson said.

"In theory it might sound wonderful, but in practice it's not so good; programs exactly the same have been in place for a long time as social welfare programs."

Katanning Landcare relies on volunteers to carry out work and has helped co-ordinate the revitalisation of Lake Ewlyamartup, along with addressing salinity through saltbush plantations and fencing off riparian areas on farming properties.

Mrs Richardson said their work on Lake Ewlyamartup was the icing on the cake, but a lot of other less obvious work had been done.

"Everyone gets to see the benefits of Lake Ewlyamartup, but there have been things happening upstream and that has been building to make it possible," she said.

"Look how many famers have planted hundreds of thousands of trees on their properties, keeping creek beds clean, it's these things we have been doing that have built up for long-term benefits."

WA Farmers president Dale Park has also criticised the funding changes to Landcare.

"It always seems to happen with things that have a long-term benefit ... it's a pity," he said.

A spokesman from the Department of Agriculture said the Government had to make some difficult decisions in the Budget, and Landcare's funding was one of them.

"However, the Government will continue to make significant investments in natural resource management initiatives over the next four years," he said.