Sponsors
Caring for our Country
Caring for our Country is the Australian Government's new natural resource management initiative. Caring for our Country is designed as an integrated package with one clear goal, a business approach to investment, clearly articulated outcomes and priorities and improved accountability. It will commence on 1 July 2008 and will integrate delivery of the Australian Government's existing natural resource management programs, the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program, the Environmental Stewardship Program and the Working on Country Indigenous land and environmental program.
Caring for our Country will be funded as an ongoing initiative reflecting the long term nature of Australia's environment and natural resource challenges. In the first five years alone, the Australian Government will invest $2.25 billion. The program will build on the strengths of the previous Natural Resource Management (NRM) programs and recognises the excellent work that has been undertaken to date by the many individuals and groups working in this area around Australia.
This revised delivery mechanism will allow a greater range of stakeholders to access Australian Government funds. It is designed to build better linkages and partnerships between all levels of Government, providing an ideal opportunity for Local Government to become a key delivery partner in helping to achieve national outcomes. For more information visit www.nrm.gov.au.
The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (formerly the Department of the Environment and Water Resources) develops and implements national policy, programs and legislation to protect and conserve Australia's environment and heritage and to promote Australian arts and culture by:
- Advising the Australian Government on its policies for protecting the environment and water resources
- Administering environment and heritage laws, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- Managing the Australian Government's main environment and heritage programs including the $3 billion Natural Heritage Trust
- Implementing an effective response to climate change
Representing the Australian Government in international environmental agreements related to the environment and Antarctica.
For more information, please visit www.environment.gov.au.
The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) is the Australian Government's principal source of advice on social policy and is responsible for about a quarter of the government's budgetary outlays. FaHCSIA works in partnership with other government and non-government organisations in the management of a diverse range of programs and services designed to support and improve the lives of Australians.
FaHCSIA, through its Indigenous Policy Coordination Group, is responsible for coordinating a whole of government approach to programs and services for Indigenous Australians, and has a central role in the Australian Government's arrangements in Indigenous Affairs.
Through the Office for Women, FaHCSIA also provides policy advice to the Government on issues affecting women in Australia.
Contact Details:
Tuggeranong Office Park,
Cnr Soward Way & Athllon Drive, Greenway ACT 2900
Box 7788, Canberra Mail Centre ACT 2610
PH: 1300 653 227 FAX: 02 6244 7978
TTY: 1800 260 402
WEB: www.fahcsia.gov.au
The Australian Government's Office of Early Childhood Education and Child Care in the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations helps families to participate in the social and economic life of the community through the provision of integrated, accessible, affordable high quality early childhood education and child care. This includes working towards the national provision of 15 hours of preschool each week for all children the year before school regardless of setting, whether in a child care or preschool setting. This office also implements programs and policies for the following:
- helping families with the cost of child care;
- quality assurance, training and support services to improve the quality of care of children;
- funding, training and support products and services to promote equity of access;
- funding child care places;
- policy advice, research and service management related to providing children's services.
Website: www.fahcsia.gov.au/childcare
The Youth Bureau has responsibility for youth policy, research and a number of programs targeted specifically at young people. The programs help disadvantaged young people (particularly those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness) to improve their level of engagement and to overcome barriers to participation, with their families and the community.
The Youth Bureau also helps to create opportunities for and promote the engagement and greater participation of young people in community activities, for example National Youth week.
Through the policies and program it manages, the Youth Bureau aims to:
- help young people at risk or who have been disengaged from their families, employment, community or education and training through the delivery of targeted programs;
- support arrangements around young people's development and transitions to independence and adulthood;
- Improve the life prospects of young Australians by successfully engaging young people, helping to recognise and achieve their potential, and improving the profile and contribution of young people in the community; and
- develop sound and collaborative relationships within and across levels of government to support youth and families.
More information on the Youth Bureau and the programs that they fund can be found at:
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
The Rural Health Branch within the Department of Health and Ageing provides advice on general rural health strategies and delivers a range of targeted initiatives to improve the health and well being of people living in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. It monitors programs delivered by other parts of the Department that impact on rural and regional communities and coordinates a strategic approach to the implementation of the Rural Health Strategy.
Website: www.health.gov.au/ruralhealth
Phone: 1800 020 787 Rural Health Hotline
The National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy provides leadership, policy direction, research and national information and education campaigns to prevent and minimise alcohol related harm in the Australian community. Through this Strategy a range of resources have been developed to provide information and promote low risk drinking in the Australian community. The Department also promotes the National Alcohol Strategy 2006-2009 - a plan for action developed through collaboration between Australian governments, non-government and industry partners and the broader community. More information on the National Alcohol Strategy 2006-2009 and the current Australian Government activities in relation to alcohol can be found at www.alcohol.gov.au.
The National Awards for Local Government program highlights the excellent and innovative work being undertaken by Local Government in communities across Australia to improve business practice within Councils and also service delivery to their people. The Awards recognise ingenuity, resourcefulness and self-reliance, and identify and promote Councils who are finding new ways of delivering services and developing local solutions to complex and challenging problems.
The Department supports the Australian Government's regional policy by influencing macro level policy formulation, ensuring the impacts of Government policy generally on regional Australia are considered, administering targeted programs in regional Australia, and supporting regional networks through Area Consultative Committees.
Postal address GPO Box 594, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone 1800 065 113 (Freecall)
Fax (02) 6274 8155
Web www.infrastructure.gov.au/local/awards
www.infrastructure.gov.au/regional
Email awards@infrastructure.gov.au