As part of the latest round of the Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees programme, Conargo Shire Council will be working to revegetate the Blighty Corridor, between Deniliquin and Finley, in the Southern Riverina.

Australian Environment Minister Greg Hunt said the Blighty Corridor in Conargo Shire was one of a number of projects to share in $5 million to help roll out 64 local tree planting projects across the country that will particularly focus on protecting habitat for threatened native species.

This project will begin the habitat connections process for the Riverina Highway at Blighty between Deniliquin and Finley over a stretch of over 57km and  will also address the lack of connectivity between scattered areas of remnant vegetation

Over the long term, it is intended to establish a continuous corridor along this highway. It will increase the extent and condition of native vegetation to improve threatened species habitat and increase greater awareness of community natural resource management.

The Conargo Shire Council will be working together with the Blighty Landscaping Committee, the Blighty community, the Murray Local Land Services and the Central Murray County Council to help make this project a major success.

“These latest 20 Million Trees projects will see an additional 1.3 million native trees planted around the country putting us well on target to achieve our goal of planting 20 million trees by 2020,” Minister Hunt said.

“These trees and other plants will contribute to re-establishing native vegetation, providing habitat to support threatened plants and animals, and creating greener spaces to improve the liveability of our cities and towns.”

Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley congratulated Conargo Shire Council on successfully bringing a 20 Million Trees project to their local community.

“It is great to see how positively Conargo Shire has embraced this opportunity to plant trees and contribute to these environmental benefits their own backyards,” Ms Ley said.

“I’m really pleased that this funding is going to where the action is – to Landcare and community groups, individuals, local governments and other organisations who will plant native trees that will help our threatened species.”

“I am looking forward to seeing these trees – and the millions to follow under this programme – grow into green corridors and urban forests,” Minister Hunt said.

The 20 Million Trees initiative is an important part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

More information on the programme and the successful projects is available at www.nrm.gov.au/20-million-trees