Major gains made in protecting NSW and local natural resources

John Klem., Chair of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority, said the 13 CMAs working alongside their local communities have protected and restored 2.6 million hectares of native vegetation and improved the soil condition on 2.2 million hectares of land.

"These are very significant gains in managing our natural resources with the area of native vegetation protected alone equivalent to 10 times the size of the Australian Capital Territory," said Mr Klem.

"Projects have now been carried out on at least six per cent of the state  to protect, repair and enhance our land, native vegetation, water and coasts and the native species that depend upon them," said Mrs Green.

Since 2004, NSW CMAs in partnership with individual land managers, community and Landcare groups, Indigenous partners, local government and industry have invested a massive $2.11 billion in natural resource management.

In the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment major environmental improvements have been achieved over the past five years including:

• 6867 hectares of native vegetation protected
• 714 kilometres of riverbanks restored
• 11,481 hectares of degraded lands restored
• 1139 projects with local landholders

"We have invested $86.62 million in these improvements since 2004 and the success of these projects is a result of the commitment and dedication of our many community and organisation partners," said Mr Klem.

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, John Robertson, launched the report on NSW CMA's earlier this week.

"Today CMAs in NSW have become integral and trusted partners in regional and rural communities - working with landholders to protect and repair the State's natural environment," Mr Robertson said.

The full report can be viewed at www.hn.cma.nsw.gov.au/infopages/5241.html