Ms Smith joined Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser, Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley, and Landcare volunteers at Teralba to make the announcement.

“From addressing salinity and soil erosion, to weed control, and improving the water quality of our lakes and beaches, local Landcare groups perform an exceptional service to our community, but they need ongoing and significant support from government,” Ms Smith said.

“NSW Labor’s commitment will mean doubling the existing capacity of Landcare in NSW, putting more local and regional coordinators on the ground in Lake Macquarie. 

"This is fantastic news for local Landcare groups, and the broader Lake Macquarie community.”

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Labor’s commitment would double current funding and enable the organisation to deploy more frontline and regional coordinators to assist volunteer groups with on-ground works, resourcing, strategy and securing other partnerships, she said.

“We have over 200 Landcare groups in the Lake Macquarie local government area, from Toronto to Wangi Wangi to Catherine Hill Bay,” mayor Kay Fraser said.

“Our local Landcare volunteers are a vital part of the fabric of our local community, and I am thrilled that they will be supported at a higher level through increased funding.”

Landcare NSW also acts as an umbrella group for a range of volunteer groups including Bushcare and Dunecare.

A recent report commissioned by Landcare NSW suggested the value of their work across the state was worth about $500 million per annum, Ms Smith said.

“NSW Labor is committed to supporting the vital work of Landcare,” Swansea MP Yasmin Catley said.

“The additional funding will not only deliver environmental benefits, but turn jobs from part-time to full- time. This will boost capacity, strengthen partnerships and grow skills within Landcare.”

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