Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, and Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, today announced a grant to re-snag the Kiewa River to protect threatened fish species through the $20 million Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, said the grants were designed to help communities deliver on-ground projects to improve the health of local rivers and wetlands.
“I am pleased to announce Indi will receive $398,888 in this last tranche of Healthy Rivers funding,” Minister Pitt said.
“Across the Basin the Healthy Rivers program is funding activities to plant about 300,000 native plants, install 230 kilometres of fencing to protect 2000 hectares of riverbanks and undertake weed control on about 30,000 hectares.
“That’s making a real difference to river health and regional economies.”
Victorian Senator for the Nationals, Bridget McKenzie welcomed the additional funding because it allows people to use their knowledge to care for their environment across Indi.
“This grant puts money into businesses, providing employment and strengthening recreational amenities and tourism,” she said.
“It will help the North East Catchment Management Authority protect three threatened fish species: the Trout Cod, Macquarie Perch and Murray Cod.
“They will work with landholders, First Nations, Landcare groups and recreactional fishers to re-snag the Kiewa River to create permanent pools for fish habitat and breeding. This will also fence off the river to protect the riparian zone and control invasive weeds.
“Importantly these Healthy Rivers grants support Basin economies, with successful applicants committing to buying local.
“The projects bring people and organisations together to work on practical projects that protect the Murray–Darling Basin’s vital waterways. This forms a key part of the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Communities Investment Package, which is putting communities back at the heart of the Basin Plan.”
For more information on the successful projects, visit the department’s website.
Fast Facts
- 160 Healthy Rivers grants have received funding through the Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
- Projects across Indi aim to undertake weed control across 4,800 hectares, plant 74,000 native plants and install 66 kilometres of livestock-exclusion fencing.
- Under all rounds of the program $4.47 million in funding has gone to Indi.
List of projects
| Recipient | Project location | Short project description | Funding amount (GST exclusive) |
| North East Catchment Management Authority | Lower Kiewa River | Lower Kiewa River critical habitat protection and enhancement | $398,888.00 |
| Total | $398,888.00 | ||
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.