The Liberals and Nationals Government today announced more successful applicants under the $20 million Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program. This program assists communities to deliver on-ground projects to improve the health of their local rivers and wetlands, while supporting regional economies.

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the Healthy Rivers program empowers people and organisations to work together on practical, on-ground projects that protect the Murray–Darling Basin’s environment and their own stretch of river.

“It’s fantastic to see five Healthy Rivers grants awarded to farmers and communities across New England. This will inject almost $400,000 into the local economy, with grantees buying local to support our small businesses and jobs. This adds to the $540,000 in grants awarded to New England in the first round of the Healthy Rivers Program,” Minister Pitt said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said New England communities were the big winners from the second round of grants.

“Thanks to the grant funding, people in New England will get out on the ground and undertake over 100 hectares of erosion control, plant 15,000 native plants, and protect over 20 kilometres of riverbank and riparian zone by installing grazing-exclusion fencing. As a result, more than $330,000 will be spent directly in our communities on goods and services.

“One Healthy Rivers grant is backing local farmers to keep the river on their farm at Deepwater. They will hire local businesses to undertake earthworks to minimise erosion and install fencing and alternative watering points to keep livestock away from the river, improving water quality.

“Another two projects led by the Glen Innes Natural Resources Advisory Committee are involving local farmers in restoring creek and river habitat around Glen Innes. People living with disabilities will be employed on the project, and almost $180,000 will be spent in Glen Innes and nearby towns on goods, services and wages, supporting local businesses.”

Minister Pitt said the Healthy Rivers grants are supporting communities right across the Basin, with successful applicants being committed to buying local, boosting regional economies.

“The Healthy Rivers Program is a central 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.