The Australian Government has announced more successful grant recipients under the $20 million Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program, which is supporting communities across the Basin to rehabilitate their rivers and wetlands.
Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt said the grants were making real improvements to the health of rivers, wetlands and communities throughout Eden–Monaro and the Murray–Darling Basin as a whole.
“I’m pleased to award $820,000 worth of grants to passionate farmers and community groups in Eden–Monaro. This investment in communities will translate into employment for local people and support for small businesses,” Minister Pitt said.
“This funding continues the good work undertaken in round one of the Healthy Rivers Program, which saw almost $90,000 in funding to improve waterways in Eden–Monaro.”
Senator for New South Wales, Jim Molan said the grants would create long term benefits for rivers and wetlands in Eden–Monaro.
“The three projects that received funding from the Australian Government demonstrate that Eden–Monaro communities feel a responsibility to care for their their local environment. Healthy environments build healthy communities,” Senator Molan said.
“A landcare-focused charity will use grant funding to build on decades-long efforts to rehabilitate waterways in the Yass River catchment. Farmers, landcare groups and an Aboriginal business will collaborate to deliver river health benefits now, and into the future through training workshops and field days to get local people engaged.
“Another project will restore habitat in the upper Murrumbidgee River by controlling invasive species and installing woody habitats for native fish in the river. The Murrumbidgee River is home to a range of endangered native fish, so this project will help to give them a fighting chance.”
Minister Pitt said these latest rounds of grants reinforced the importance of communities in the Basin Plan, with the Healthy Rivers Program forming a key part of the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Communities Investment Package.
“Across the Basin, communities have benefitted from 72 Healthy Rivers grants totalling $11.5 million, with even more grants to come,” Minister Pitt said.
“Regional and rural economies have been hit hard in the last few years by drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. The money spent locally through these projects will help local businesses and communities bounce back.”
For more information on the successful projects, visit the department’s website.
Fast Facts
- 72 Healthy Rivers grants are being funded under the second small grants and large grant round of the Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program, including at Yass and the Murrumbidgee and Little Rivers.
- Across Eden-Monaro, these projects will undertake over 95 hectares of weed control, fence 5 kilometres of river and involve 140 participants in community engagement events.
- Over $910,000 in total announced funding in Eden-Monaro across all rounds of the program.
Details of projects in Eden-Monaro
| Recipient | Project location | Short project description | Funding amount (GST exclusive) |
| Bush Heritage Australia | Upper Murrumbidgee River | Recovering river health and native fish of the Upper Murrumbidgee | $552,900.00 |
| Australian River Restoration Centre Limited | Yass River and surrounds | Improving biodiversity and water quality in the Yass River catchment | $200,000.00 |
| J.P McLennan & R McLennan | Little River | Riverbank restoration to improve the health of the Goobarragandra River | $70,988.00 |
| Total | $823,888.00 | ||
Note: Project locations are based on applicant provided mapping of activities funded under the program, which may be different to the location of the applicant. Projects may have activities in more than one electorate. Payments to applicants are subject to signing of a funding agreement.