Joint media release: Celebrating Landcare Week

Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

This Landcare Week, held from 4-10 August, is an opportunity to celebrate the efforts of Landcare volunteers and the work they do to care for land and waterways across the country. 

This year’s Landcare Week theme is ‘Landcare Is For Everyone’ (LIFE), highlighting the many individuals, groups and organisations involved in Landcare activities, as well as the diversity of projects they’re involved in. 

The Albanese Government is supporting Landcare Australia Limited and the National Landcare Network Limited with $14.5 million to manage Australia’s natural resources and promote the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices and environmental protection. 

Landcare is a proud Labor legacy, with former Victorian Labor Premier Joan Kirner joining Heather Mitchell to begin the Landcare initiative in a small town in Victoria in 1986.  

Landcare went on to become a national movement in 1989, established by the late former Labor Prime Minister, the Hon Bob Hawke AC, with the advocacy of Philip Toyne from the Australian Conservation Foundation and Rick Farley from the National Farmers’ Federation. 

Landcare now has a network of 6,000 community groups with more than 160,000 volunteers across Australia. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt:

“Labor has a proud legacy of supporting Landcare. Bob Hawke and Joan Kirner stand as great protectors of our natural environment and for all of us as custodians of Landcare, the great national movement is forever connected with them.

“The Albanese Government continues to support Landcare, as one of our primary ways of protecting and restoring our natural environment. 

“Landcare will continue to be crucial in supporting our shift to a more sustainable future by protecting our natural resources. 

“This year’s theme reminds us that anyone can make a difference in their local community and help protect our precious environment.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins:

“Supporting Landcare and fostering sustainable agriculture is a major priority for the Albanese Labor Government.  

“We know that the best environmental action happens at the community level, and it doesn’t get more grassroots than Landcare.

“We want to see our agriculture sector continue to move towards a sustainable future, and so much of the groundwork has already been laid by the tireless efforts of Landcare volunteers.  

“This Landcare Week I thank these volunteers for all that has already been achieved over the decades - I know there is plenty more to come.” 

Quotes attributable to Landcare Australia acting CEO Karen Walsh:

“Landcare Australia delivers the annual Landcare Week campaign to recognise the tireless efforts of volunteers, landholders, farmers, First Nations Peoples and landcare groups and other community-led environmental groups.

“Landcare brings people together in their community creating partnerships to resolve local environmental issues. Across Australia, from sustainable agriculture projects to environmental conservation, landcare volunteers are responding to the need to care for the land and our waterways for future generations.”