WORK towards the start of the 20 Million Trees Programme is continuing to progress and the Government is now seeking feedback from organisations who may wish to be involved in the rollout, the Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said today.

20 Million Trees will be implemented through two streams of competitive grants to land managers and local community groups, and a tender process for larger-scale service providers.

“The 20 Million Trees Programme is a key Coalition election commitment and there are opportunities in the New England Electorate for large-scale revegetation projects to be delivered on the ground,” Mr Joyce said.

“Projects will include re-establishing green corridors and urban forests increasing and improving habitat to support our threatened species and creating greener spaces to improve the liveability of our communities.

“The Government has committed $50 million over four years to the 20 Million Trees Programme with funding to commence from 2014-15. It’s an important part of the National Landcare Programme and will deliver real environmental benefits to the New England Electorate.

“The Government is now inviting submissions from interested parties on how best to deliver large-scale tree planting in a way that best utilises industry expertise, knowledge and capacity to achieve environmental conservation outcomes and community engagement,” Mr Joyce said.

Suitable Service Providers are encouraged to take this opportunity to make a difference to the environment by helping the Government to reach its target of planting 20 million trees by 2020.

Submissions received through this Request for Information process will inform a subsequent Request for Tender process that will invite potential delivery partners to apply to become a 20 Million Tree Service Provider.

There will be opportunity for the community to be involved in consultation for the 20 Million Trees Programme as part of wider consultation for the National Landcare Programme in the coming months.

For more information on 20 Million Trees, visit www.environment.gov.au/land/20-million-trees

For more information on how to make a submission, visit www.tenders.gov.au