30 Jul 2021

Healthy Rivers Program delivers for Mayo communities

MEDIA RELEASE Healthy Rivers Program delivers for communities in Mayo

THE HON KEITH PITT MP

Minister for Resources and Water

Member for Hinkler

SENATOR ANDREW M^CLACHLAN CSC

­­Senator for South Australia

MEDIA RELEASE

28 July 2021

Healthy Rivers grants supporting our Mayo communities 

Five projects in Mayo have been awarded grants under the first round of the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.

Minister for Resources and Water, the Hon Keith Pitt MP, said the grants would enhance the environment of communities across Mayo.

“I am pleased to announce 73 grants 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 local, boosting regional economies.

“Thanks to these grants, communities can get on with the job of caring for their local environment, through actions like re-planting and fencing off riverbanks from pest species and erosion control projects to improve water quality.”

Senator for South Australia, Andrew M^cLachlan, welcomed the program’s contribution to communities and their local environment in Mayo.

“These five projects provide our iconic river and wetland environments with the support they need to thrive, while also creating jobs and economic development in Basin communities recovering from drought and COVID–19,” Senator M^cLachlan said.

“Communities across the Lower Lakes and Fleurieu Peninsula stand to gain from five grants worth more than $300,000 under the program, which will strengthen our local businesses and employment.

“Local community groups, including the Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group, will undertake these projects, bringing people together and boosting community spirit.

“The projects will involve protecting the wetlands and strengthening the biodiversity on Hindmarsh Island, by improving habitat for up to 57 migratory bird species that visit the Lower Lakes Ramsar-listed wetland.

“Additionally, there are projects protecting critical habitat for threatened species such as the Cape Barren Goose and Orange-bellied Parrot in the Tolderol Wetlands and improving the riparian zones of the Finniss River and Bryce Creek.

“This is just the first round of these grants, and I encourage 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, visit the department’s website.

Fast Facts

• 73 Healthy Rivers grants are being funded under the first small grants round of the Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program, including 5 projects in Mayo valued at $248,000.
• These grants will protect threatened species including the Australasian Bittern, Yarra Pygmy Perch and Southern Bell Frog.
• The first round is funding $3.08 million of grants between $5,000 and $50,000 (GST exclusive).
• Two further rounds – consisting of a small grants round and a large grants round – will open in mid-2021.

Funded projects

Location	Grant recipient	Short project description	Funding (GST incl.)
Hindmarsh Island	Wilderness Escape Outdoor Adventures	Protecting wetlands and enhancing biodiversity on Hindmarsh Island	$54,109.00
Hindmarsh Island	Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group Inc.	Restoring Shadows Paddock, Lawari Conservation Park	$55,000.00
Harrogate	Hayward, J.	Protection and ecological improvement of Bryce Creek	$38,500.00
Finniss	Cholewa, C.	Installing stock exclusion fencing, weed control and planting along Finniss River	$46,420.00
Tolderol	Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Assocation Inc.	Providing critical habitat for threatened species at Tolderol wetlands	$54,175.00
Clayton Bay	Nature Glenelg Pty Ltd	Conservation facility for the Southern Bell Frog in the Lower Lakes	$52,745.00