The Australian Greens today dismissed the release of the long-awaited Business Plan for Caring for Our Country as 'all gloss and no substance'.

"This is a very shallow and disappointing effort from Environment Minister Peter Garrett," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"It shows a total lack of direction and planning for how to address Australia's serious Natural Resource Management (NRM) issues. This is 94 pages of glossy photos and statements, with very little detail on project planning, integration and assessment."

"What we need is to build on the achievements of the Natural Heritage Trust and Landcare. What we have got instead is a significant step backwards - and a 'business plan' which is little more than a series of vague inspirational statements and press releases," said Senator Siewert.

"In the meantime we are losing the capacity and commitment in the bush as experienced staff and volunteers walk away and farmers turn their backs on a Government that has lost touch with their aspirations. NRM organisations have been gutted and their long-term plans and co-investment strategies dumped."

"As a result, Caring for Our Country will not be able to deliver on its soil conservation and sustainable farming aspirations - which is probably why their targets refer entirely to people 'involved' rather than real on-the-ground outcomes. This 94 page press release is not enough," she concluded.

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