Communities across Farrer have jumped on board the Australian Government’s Murray Darling Healthy Rivers Program.

Announcing eight successful applicants in Farrer* local MP Sussan Ley welcomed the program as a win for river communities throughout the electorate.

“Each of these will develop projects with meaningful environmental benefits which employ local people and buy materials from local businesses, leading to flow-on spending in our communities,” Ms Ley said.

“Several projects will address the historic clearing of fish habitats by installing protective snags and rock piles. These projects will give our native fish a fighting chance in our sections of the Murray, Darling and Edward Rivers.

“Elsewhere, in the Koondrook-Perricoota Forest, the Western Murray Land Improvement Group will collaborate with the Barapa Barapa Traditional Owners to plant 47 hectares of native vegetation. This will bolster the health of a Ramsar listed wetland, supporting the habitat of vulnerable migratory bird species.”

Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, announced the successful applicants from communities across the Murray–Darling Basin.

“The Healthy Rivers 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.”

Communities are encouraged to apply for the remaining funding in two additional rounds in mid-2021. For more information go to the Health Rivers website.

*Successful Farrer projects include…

• Jerilderie – $22,000 to Yanco Creek & Tributaries Advisory Council for Colombo Creek
• Wentworth – $51,370 to OzFish Unlimited to install  large woody and rock reef habitats in Lower Darling
• Barham – $55,000 for Western Murray Land Improvement Group towards Pollack Wetland
• Bullatale – $55,000 to the Dudley family to remove flood banks adjoining Murray Valley National Park
• Griffith – $54,902 to the Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists for improvements at Campbells Wetland
• Monak –  $48,070 for OzFish Unlimited to install fish habitats in the Bottle Bend waterways
• Deniliquin – $44,000 to Edwards Wakool Anglers to build aquatic vegetation along Mid Murray
• Leeton – $55,000 to OzFish Unlimited to control willow trees & re-stocking along Murrumbidgee River