Ten local projects in North East Victoria have been awarded grants under the first round of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
Minister for Resources and Water, the Hon Keith Pitt MP, said the Healthy Rivers grants would enhance the environment of communities, including the electorate of Indi.
“I am pleased to announce 73 grants across the Basin to fund practical, on-ground projects that improve the health of rivers and wetlands across the Basin,” Minister Pitt said.
“The program will deliver over $3 million to communities from Goondiwindi to Strathalbyn. Successful applicants are committed to buying Australian made goods in local businesses.
“Thanks to these grants, communities can get on with the job of caring for their local environment, by re-planting and fencing off riverbanks from pest species, as well as re-snagging rivers for native fish habitat.”
Nationals Senate Leader and Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie welcomed the program’s contribution to communities and their local environment in Indi.
“I am delighted that local communities across North East Victoria, including Wodonga, Wangaratta, Myrtleford and Bright will benefit from these grants worth a total of more than $451,000 under this program,” Senator McKenzie said.
“These grants provide our iconic river and wetland environments with the support they need to thrive through activities such as installing stock exclusion fences, revegetation, and control of invasive species.”
“I congratulate the Carboor-Bobinawarrah Landcare Group, Parklands Albury-Wodonga, and the Upper Ovens Valley Landcare Group for getting involved and their commitment to bringing locals together and spending grant funds in local businesses.”
“This is just the first round of these grants, and I encourage rural and regional communities to apply for further rounds when they open soon.”
The Healthy Rivers Program forms a key part of the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Communities Investment Package, which is putting communities at the heart of the Basin Plan.
For more information on the successful projects, you can visit the department’s website: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/mdb/programs/basin-wide/healthy-rivers-program