$3 Million To Help NSW Landholders Grow Natural Capital Opportunities

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to future proof the NSW agricultural industry `by investing $3 million to help farmers improve their farming operations, profitability and environmental sustainability through developing natural capital projects.

The funding will extend for another year the Government’s Natural Capital Support Services program, which is providing tailored advice and support for landholders to explore natural capital and environmental market opportunities.

The program is part of the Government’s plan to strengthen the state’s $20 billion agriculture sector and to provide farmers opportunities to increase production while diversifying income streams.

In the past year almost 1,500 landholders and farmers have engaged with the NSW Government’s 13 Natural Capital Advisors to raise awareness of the opportunities natural capital projects present.

In farming, natural capital refers to the stock of natural resources—like soil, water, plants, animals, and ecosystems—that farmers rely on to produce food, fibre, and other goods.

By investing in natural capital farmers may be able to access environmental markets and apply for biodiversity credits to generate a potential income from these projects.

The Natural Capital Support Services program is providing tailored advice and support for landholders to explore natural capital and environmental market opportunities.

Since July 2024, Local Land Services’ 13 regional natural capital advisors have engaged with 1,198 landholders through 95 awareness-raising events, with 77 per cent of participants reporting increased knowledge of natural capital as a result.

The natural capital advisors have also undertaken an additional 287 one-onone consultations with landholders across the state.

Local Land Services’ natural capital advisors can help landholders understand what environmental market opportunities may be available to them.

Landholders are encouraged to contact their nearest Local Land Services office on 1300 795 299 or visit the website for more information.

Case study: Ian Chapman - Stuart Town, Central West NSWIan Chapman is a cattle farmer with a 1000-acre property in Stuart Town, Central West NSW.

While the concept of natural capital is new, Ian has been practicing sustainable agriculture since the 1990s, taking an interest in P.A. Yeomans’ keyline farm design principles, and then managing his property holistically since 2006.

Ian started planting trees on his property in the late 90s, and in 2021.

Since then, he has planted more than 32,000 trees and shrubs across 40 hectares – more than 20 species of eucalypts, acacia, and more, providing many environmental benefits.

Local Land Services helped Ian identify the right native species to plant and provided advice and support at the workshops and field days he attended.

Ian can now apply for carbon credits under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme to generate an income from this project.

• Topics:
• Agriculture / Farming
• Rural Roundup
• Grant / Funding