Funding issues surrounding Inverell Landcare have been clarified following questions raised by The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams during a Senate Estimates hearing.

Senator Williams had questioned officials from the Climate Change division in October about the low budget allocated to Inverell Landcare by the Border Rivers- Gwydir Catchment Management Authority.

After raising the issue again last week at Estimates, Senator Williams was told by the officials that Inverell Landcare had not been given the necessary funding, because there was not a map in the previous business plan saying there was a sustainable agricultural problem in the Gwydir River area.

Sustainable Resource Management Executive Manager Ian Thompson said the department has since spoken with the Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA and has indicated that this was not the case, and a range of activities could still be funded.

Mr. Thompson said the confusion will not exist in the new business plan because the sustainable practice targets are no longer appearing as a geographic target, and Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA has been encouraged to work with community groups to address environmental and resource management problems,

“I am pleased that after a significant period of confusion an answer to this funding issue has been reached.

“Inverell Landcare can now move forward and plan for a more sustainable future in the district", Senator Williams said.