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NEWS RELEASE MEDIA STATEMENT 15/04/02 More than 1.85 million seedlings have been ordered by farmers for planting this winter as a result of a $320,000 initiative between the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the oil mallee industry. Oil Mallee Association President Keith Parnell said the Department had provided the funding which had given the industry a boost of support through a 15 cents per seedling rebate. "The rebate has been more than well received by farmers with seedling orders surpassing all expectations," Mr Parnell said. "The grant has also allowed the Oil Mallee Company and its associated nursery subcontractors to produce around 500,000 more oil mallee seedlings which means farmers will have access to further high quality plants between now and the winter planting season." Mr Parnell said the initiative had the support of Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards, who also was Minister with special responsibility for Salinity. "This support has come at an opportune time, particularly as the oil mallee industry is fast becoming an important and viable financial alternative for farmers as part of the State Salinity Strategy," he said. "The Department recognises the significant potential oil mallee plantings have as environmental management strategy for the State. They provide enormous conservation benefits in terms of landcare and also provides direct benefits to regional communities through employment generation. "Oil mallee plantings have helped redress the major problem of salinity in the Wheatbelt region and also complement other conservation activities such as revegetation and remnant vegetation protection strategies." Mr Parnell said the oil mallee industry also was supporting other Salinity Strategy programs by focussing some of the plantings in natural diversity recovery catchments in the region. "As a result, there is particular emphasis on planting oil mallees in the catchments of Toolibin Lake, Lake Bryde, Lake Warden and Buntine-Marchagee have been developed in conjunction with Departmental staff," he said. "This partnership indicates a strong community approach towards environmental management and support of alternative farming industries." Media contact: Keith Parnell
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