As part of the Territory Labor Government's election commitment to invest in Aboriginal rangers, a total funding pool of $2.3 million is available this year for new and ongoing projects that support Aboriginal land and sea management.
Eligible organisations are invited to apply for the Land and Sea Management Fund and Ichthys LNG Coastal Management Offset grants as part of its Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program.
These grants have delivered outstanding results for the Territory such as marine debris collection along our precious coastline and improved fire and weed management on country.
Aboriginal Ranger Grants will receive $2.3 million for Budget 2024, which includes a $1.2 million investment from INPEX.
The Aboriginal Ranger Grants program offers increased employment on country, better local decision making by Aboriginal rangers on country and building of strong Aboriginal leadership, organisational governance and capacity.
Projects that increase employment outcomes, partner with businesses, industry and the Government and non-Government sector in innovative ways and increase climate change adaptation and knowledge are encouraged under this grant program.
The grants are available for activities including:
o feral, fire and weed management
o management of threatened and iconic species
o cultural management (protection of cultural sites and knowledge)
o training and skills development
o development of governance structures
o environmental and ecological monitoring and evaluation
o innovative projects that build Aboriginal land management capacity and capability
Capital and project funding under the Ichthys LNG Coastal Management Offset must be linked to matters of national environmental significance as listed in the grants program guidelines.
The Guidelines for the grants program are available on the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security web site: https://depws.nt.gov.au/programs-and-strategies/aboriginal-ranger-grants-program.
Since 2016, the Territory Labor Government has invested $22.9 million in Aboriginal rangers to undertake valuable work on country to keep our coasts and land healthy through its Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program.
Round 8 of the Aboriginal Ranger Grants program opens for applications on 6 May and closes on 31 May 2024. Please submit applications via GrantsNT website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Parks and Rangers Selena Uibo:
"Our Territory Labor Government continues to invest in Aboriginal rangers to support employment on country and strengthen land and sea management in both scientific and cultural ways.
"Aboriginal rangers are so valuable for caring, managing and protecting country - that's why we have invested $22.9 million through Aboriginal Ranger Groups and continue to jointly invest $2.3 million with INPEX this year.
"Our ranger programs deliver long term environmental, economic and social development outcomes and are internationally recognised as best practice natural and cultural resource management models."
Quotes attributable to Bill Townsend, Senior Vice President Corporate, INPEX Australia:
"As part of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program, more than A$4 million in Ichthys LNG Coastal Management Offset grants has been awarded to Aboriginal ranger groups across the Territory since 2021 to support the protection of land, sea and country.
"These grants form a key component of a voluntary $24 million environmental and social offset commitment by the INPEX-led Ichthys Joint Venture and we are proud to deliver environmental benefits and opportunities for ranger groups to work on country.
"The program enables ranger groups to apply for capital funding for assets such as vessels, vehicles, trailers and, funding for land and sea management programs to support the critical work undertaken by Aboriginal rangers in caring for the Territory's pristine coastlines.
"In round 7, the Coastal Management Offset funded eight groups across the Territory. We look forward to receiving applications for the 2024 round of funding."
Northern Territory Government
