The newly formed ARP Reference Group is comprised of 20 members and has been established to enable ongoing co-design of the program with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
The group was selected based on members' experience with the Aboriginal ranger sector and programs. Consideration was also given to geographical location, to ensure advice encapsulates feedback from each region in Western Australia.
The reference group will provide advice to strengthen the program and provide ongoing guidance on the development and rollout on the new funding streams, which will target support for Aboriginal ranger programs where it is most needed.
The $50 million expanded program is in three funding streams across four years with $14 million planned to support new and emerging programs under the ARP Development Fund, $22.8 million to support established programs under the ARP Expansion Fund and $7 million under the new ARP Innovation Fund.
$4 million from the expanded program has also been allocated to boost program coordination and capacity building at the regional level, and a further $2.2 million will be directly invested into rangers under joint management projects for the Badimia conservation reserves and Thundelarra Conservation Park.
The State Government remains committed to supporting the Aboriginal corporations that successfully completed their projects under the first rounds of the ARP.
Opportunities for further funding will become available early next year with the view to continue to leverage additional investment from local government, Commonwealth Government, private sector and the not-for-profit sector to assist in 'closing the gap' between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
Officers from relevant government agencies and organisations will be invited to attend the reference group meetings as observers. Information on the reference group, including its membership and how others can provide input to the group, can be viewed online at https://dbca.wa.gov.au/aboriginalrangerprogram
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