The second round of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program is now open for applications.
Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the grants are 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.
“This second round of grants will build upon the first round, investing in communities to get out on the ground and support their local environment.”
“This round will have a large grants stream for grants valued between more than $100,000 and $2 million, in addition to a small grants stream for projects valued at $5,000 to $100,000.”
“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.”
“Large grants could be used for projects which have catchment-scale benefits, or higher value localised projects, such as installing fish ladders and culverts to allow native fish to travel throughout the whole river.”
“We have made some changes to the guidelines in response to feedback from Round 1. These include making more entities eligible and increasing the maximum funding amount for small grants to $100,000, to minimise red tape for more applicants.”
Nationals Senate Leader and Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie has encouraged community groups, farmers and landholders across North East Victoria to apply under the second grants round.
“North East Victoria is already benefitting from 10 grants worth a total of more than $451,000 awarded under the first round of the program,” Senator McKenzie said.
“These Healthy Rivers grants will support real jobs and local businesses across the electorate of Indi, as well as the environment. This will stimulate our economy in its recovery from COVID-19 and the recent drought.”
“We have also increased the number of eligible entities, so 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 AEST on 6 October 2021, so share the news and get your applications in.”
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.