Communities and farmers across New England are the big winners in the first round of grant projects under the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.

Member for New England, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce, welcomed the investment in New England, benefitting farmers, communities and the environment.

“13 grants, valued at nearly $600,000, will be delivered to applicants across the New England region to improve the health of our local rivers and wetlands,” Mr Joyce said.

“These grants will benefit New England communities and create real jobs, with successful applicants spending their money locally and supporting local businesses.

“For example, a community group in Glen Innes will revitalise the Severn River Valley through a number of projects including controlling invasive species, remediating erosion and undertaking revegetation.

“Local school students from Bendemeer, our environmental stewards for the future, will plant riverbank and in-stream vegetation to protect the vulnerable Bell’s Turtle.

Mr Joyce said, “Tamworth’s OzFish Unlimited will also receive funding for weed removal and riparian restoration on Goonoo Goonoo Creek.”

Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, said grants worth over $3 million would flow to communities across the Basin to undertake environmental projects.

“The grants will be a boost for communities and businesses from Goondiwindi to Strathalbyn, helping them to recover from the impacts of drought and COVID–19.

“This is just the first round of grants awarded under this program. Communities will again be able to apply for the remaining funding in mid-2021.”

“This program is 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

• 13 Healthy Rivers grants valued at $593,000 are being funded in the New England electorate under the first small grants round of the Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.  
• Project activities will protect endangered and vulnerable species in New England such as the Bell’s Turtle, Murray Cod and McKie’s Stringybark.
• The first round is funding $3.08 million of small grants. Grants were available for projects valued between $5,000 and $50,000 (GST exclusive).
• Two further rounds – consisting of a small grants round and a large grants round – are expected to open soon.