Close to $33 million will be spent conserving rare plant and animal species on the World Heritage listed Lord Howe Island island off the NSW coast.
Treasurer Matt Kean has committed $32.9 million in Tuesday's budget to deliver a biosecurity regime to protect the island from rats and other invasive species.
"Lord Howe Island has many threatened unique species that are found nowhere else on earth," he said.
The money would help protect biodiversity on the island for generations to come.
"This budget funding helps us continue increasing biodiversity, and ensuring the natural values that attract people from around the world are protected in perpetuity."
Before a $15.5 million aerial-baiting rodent control program was introduced to the island in 2019, large rat populations had pushed multiple plant species to near-extinction.
The pest control program had already led to a doubling of the population of Lord Howe Woodhens and supported the regeneration of other native animal and plant species.
The funding will upgrade rat-prevention infrastructure and support quarantine programs including detector dogs and other methods used to inspect boats and planes arriving at Lord Howe.
Environment Minister James Griffin said the investment was critical to protecting Lord Howe, a global conservation icon.
"It's a win for the environment and for tourism, and builds on years of intensive work to control invasive species," he said.
