Southern Gulf NRM is calling on candidates in the Traeger electorate to stand up for strong natural resource management (NRM) programs in the region.
The sustainable management of our land and water resources is fundamental to the prosperity of the Southern Gulf Region, which falls within the Traeger electoral division.
Regional communities are looking for candidates who understand the importance of NRM in our region and who will show vision and leadership in ensuring our region’s voice is heard loudly by Brisbane policy makers.
Southern Gulf NRM chairperson Megan Munchenberg said regional producers were stewards of the Southern Gulf landscape.
“They take their role seriously and deliver many benefits for the wider community mostly with their own resources,” she said.
“The future of our soils and vegetation, our rivers, wetlands and coasts; our native wildlife and the long term productivity of our rangelands pastures depend heavily on the decisions of our region’s pastoralists.
“We need to support and build partnerships with producers with strong NRM programs.”
Producers gain support from Southern Gulf NRM, to limit the spread of weeds like Prickly Acacia and Rubber Vine, which are having a drastic impact on agricultural productivity and environmental values.
Agricultural extension programs that build capacity through technical and business advice play a vital role in supporting strong pastoral businesses that have capacity to manage both the landscape and grazing enterprise successfully.
“We need to build partnerships with producers and Indigenous communities to protect and maintain threatened species and environments in the Southern Gulf region, on behalf of the wider Queensland community,” Ms Munchenberg said.
“State Government investment, either directly or through investment in groups like Southern Gulf NRM, is an essential basis for the partnerships and collaborations that underpins successful NRM programs.
“Yet, important as it is for our region, State investment for regional NRM and associated activities has declined over the last several years – under both major parties.
“We need candidates with vision and a commitment to NRM, who will be willing to stand up for our region and reverse that decline.”