Budget 2024: $2.3 million in Aboriginal ranger grants announced

Top End and Central Australian Aboriginal ranger groups have until May to apply for more than $2 million in funding. Read what it can be used for.

Land and Sea Rangers on a shell fish survey in the mangroves of Larrakia. Picture: Che Chorley

Aboriginal ranger groups conducting caring for country projects have until the end of May to apply for funding from a million dollar funding pool.

The Territory government has committed $2.3 million in grants to as part of round eight of the Aboriginal ranger grants program.

The funding is included in the Territory government’s Budget 2024, with INPEX also investing $1.2 million into the pool.

Previously, the government said these grants “have delivered outstanding results for the Territory such as marine debris collection along our precious coastline and improved fire and weed management on country.”

Parks and Rangers Minister Selena Uibo said the grants had proved valuable in helping Aboriginal ranger groups protect country.

“Our Territory Labor government continues to invest in Aboriginal rangers to support employment on country and strengthen land and sea management in both scientific and cultural ways,” she said.

Minister for Parks and Ranges Selena Uibo with the Nitmiluk National Park rangers.

“Our ranger programs deliver long term environmental, economic and social development outcomes and are internationally recognised as best practice natural and cultural resource management models.”

Grants are available for a variety of activities, ranging from feral, fire and weed management to projects that build Aboriginal land management and capacity.

INPEX Australia senior vice president corporate Bill Townsend said the company was proud to support Aboriginal ranger groups.

“The program enables ranger groups to apply for capital funding for assets such as vessels, vehicles, trailers and, funding for land and sea management programs to support the critical work undertaken by Aboriginal rangers in caring for the Territory’s pristine coastlines,” he said.

To submit an application, visit the GrantsNT website. For more details on the guidelines, visit the Department of Environment, Parks and water security website.