Economy
$409,000 grant goes to Gunns
GUNNS Limited has been awarded a federal grant of more than $400,000 for an environmental restoration project in the North-East.
Gunns will receive $409,000 over six years to address loss of native vegetation, stream-side reserves, weed invasion and loss of wildlife habitat in the George River catchment area.
Gunns bought Seaview, a former farming property, in 2007.
The 2100ha property contains 1290ha of Eucalyptus nitens plantation.
Managing director Greg L’Estrange said yesterday that Gunns had a strong commitment to sustainability, and the grant showed the company was working with the community to address issues of local interest and concern.
Two years ago, Gunns welcomed a report that found there were no water quality issues with the George River, after an independent inquiry investigated concerns that toxicants from eucalypt plantations were affecting public health and the health of farmed oysters at St Helens.
Gunns was one of 14 successful Tasmanian applicants to the Biodiversity Fund, and the state will receive $7.1 million over six years from $271 million allocated nationally in the first round of funding.
The Tasmanian arm of Greening Australia won $2.4 million to protect biodiversity and carbon storage in the state’s midlands and $244,000 for the Leven River biodiversity corridor.
The Northern Tasmanian NRM received $411,000 to engage rural lifestyle landholders to increase biodiversity, and $481,000 to identify wildlife corridors in irrigated areas.
The funding was announced by Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke last week.