17/09/2026
Rangelands NRM has taken the case for continued investment in regional natural resource management to Parliament House, warning that a funding gap would have devastating and long-lasting impacts across regional and remote Western Australia.
Rangelands NRM joined NRMWA and Western Australia’s regional NRM organisations at the Partnering for Prosperity reception in the Senate Courtyard on Wednesday 16 September. The reception was hosted by the office of Senator the Hon Slade Brockman, co-convened by Senator Varun Ghosh and emceed by Senator Dean Smith. Attendees included Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Regional Development, for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and for Resources, Senator David Pocock, Kate Chaney MP, Independent Member for Curtin, Rick Wilson MP, Member for O’Connor, and other senators and members of Parliament.
Senator Ghosh said: “Western Australia has the most beautiful and diverse natural environment in the world. It is vital for the health and prosperity of our great state that our environment is protected for future generations. The hard work, diligence and expertise of Natural Resource Management WA play a critical role in this endeavour.”
Rangelands NRM works across approximately 227 million hectares, about 87 per cent of Western Australia. With no statewide core-funding arrangement for the State’s regional NRM organisations, delivery relies heavily on Commonwealth agreements that end in June 2028.
Rangelands NRM Chief Executive Officer Debra Tarabini said the consequences of that funding stopping would reach well beyond the environment.
“If funding stops in 2028, the impact on the environment, employment, education, regional economies and communities will be significant and long-lasting. Threatened species lose the people monitoring and protecting them. Rangers lose opportunities to work on Country, regional staff lose their jobs, and agricultural and pastoral programs are disrupted,” Ms Tarabini said.
“The effects would be felt across the regional economy, from agriculture and pastoral businesses to mining, tourism and local services. Just as importantly, 25 years of trusted relationships across Traditional Owners, Ranger groups, pastoralists, industry, government and communities cannot simply be rebuilt if that capability is lost.”
“We are asking government to keep what already works and provide the certainty needed to continue delivering for regional Western Australia.”
As a Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partner, Rangelands NRM showcased programs at the Ramsar-listed Roebuck Bay and Eighty Mile Beach wetlands, Malleefowl recovery, a Greater Bilby environmental offset delivered with an industry partner, national soil monitoring and ranger partnerships across the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Murchison and Goldfields.
Rangelands NRM is seeking multi-year Commonwealth investment. This would provide the certainty needed to plan and deliver long-term programs across regional and remote Western Australia, rather than operating one contract at a time.
Senator Smith said: “Over more than 25 years, WA’s regional NRM network has built the expertise, scientific knowledge, local partnerships and community trust that cannot simply be recreated overnight.”
“We cannot allow 25 years of expertise, relationships and regional capability to disappear when the current agreements expire. Governments must provide certainty beyond 2028, because once that capability is lost, rebuilding it will take years and taxpayers will pay the price.”
Ms Tarabini said the reception and portfolio briefs were well received and showed the need for more regular engagement between parliamentarians, government and regional NRM organisations.
“The conversations showed there is an opportunity to build a wider understanding of what regional NRM organisations do, how we deliver on the ground and the long-term outcomes this work creates for the environment and communities.”
“That is especially important in our work with First Nations groups across regional and remote Western Australia. These are trusted relationships built over many years. Government needs to understand their value and the damage caused when short-term funding interrupts people, programs and partnerships,” Ms Tarabini said.
Rangelands NRM and NRMWA will follow up with parliamentary offices and Commonwealth departments to seek a nominated government contact, further meetings and a clear commitment on timing for multi-year commissioning through the existing Regional Delivery Partners Panel.
Rangelands NRM thanks Senator Brockman and his office, Senator Ghosh, Senator Smith and all senators and MPs who met with the delegation.
