MORE GRANTS FOR MURRAY-DARLING RIVERS, WETLANDS

Riverina MP Michael McCormack is encouraging eligible community groups, farmers and landholders to apply for grants under round two of the Murray-Darling Healthy Rivers Program, which is now open for applications.

Mr McCormack said several organisations in the Riverina and Central West were already benefiting from the previous round.

“Narrawa Seeds at Borambola received $52,800 towards erosions control and revegetation efforts along the Murrumbidgee River, OzFish Unlimited, based in Tarcutta, received $55,000 to develop habitat mapping and restoration on Tarcutta Creek and Droubalgie Pastoral, near Forbes, received $55,000 for weed control and stock exclusion fencing along the Lachlan River,” Mr McCormack said.

“These important projects can be replicated in other areas along waterways throughout the Murray-Darling Basin and I urge and encourage those eligible organisations to apply.

“Not only will these Healthy Rivers grants improve the environment, they will support real jobs and local businesses across the Riverina and Central West and stimulate the local economy as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the drought.

“The number of eligible entities has increased, so please check the guidelines to see if you could receive a grant.”

Applications for both small and large grants are now open and will close at 9pm on 6 October 2021.

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said these grants were a great opportunity for communities across the Murray-Darling Basin to improve the health of rivers and wetlands.

“It was great to see people right across the Basin get behind the first round of the program, with 74 grants awarded to communities ranging from Goondiwindi to Meningie,” Minister Pitt said.

“The second round of grants will build upon the first round, investing in communities to get out on the ground and support their local environment.

“These grants could fund a wide variety of projects from planting native seedlings along riverbanks to reduce erosion and provide habitat for native birds and animals, to controlling invasive species which threaten native species and farmers’ crops.”

The Healthy Rivers Program is a key part of the Australian Government’s Murray-Darling Communities Investment Package, which is putting communities at the centre of the Basin Plan.

To learn more about eligible activities or to apply, visit the Community Grants Hub:

For large grants (between $100,001 and $2,000,000): https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants/murray-darling

For smaller grants (between $5,000 and $100,000): https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants/murray-darling-healthy-rivers-program-small-grants-round-2