Almost $1 million in grants has been handed to projects that will improve the health and habitat of the Swan and Canning rivers under the fifth round of the Community Rivercare Program.
Successful schemes ranged from sea scouts improving nearby water bird habitat to foreshore revegetation by friends of local waterways.
Since its inception in 2018-19, the McGowan Government's Community Rivercare Program has funded 46 projects through 29 volunteer-based community groups.
Projects sharing among the $915,143 in funding from the latest round include:
- post-wildfire restoration of the Ellen Brook Nature Reserve to control weeds and establish vegetation for protection of native fauna to be delivered by the Ellen Brockman Integrated Catchment Group;
- bank stabilisation at Gooseberry Hill by the Friends of Kadina Brook;
- weed control and revegetation along the Canning River at Beckenham by the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare;
- improving habitat for native fauna at Mount Helena by the Friends of Lion Mill Creek;
- foreshore revegetation and weed control at Attadale and Applecross by the Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group;
- weed control at Bull Creek by the Friends of Gabbiljee (Bull Creek);
- habitat improvement for birds and other species at Wilson by Canning Sea Scouts;
- improving native fauna habitat along the Canning River at Gosnells and Martin by the Harry Hunter Rehabilitation Group;
- weed control and foreshore revegetation in Whiteman Park by the Friends of Bennett Brook;
- bank stabilisation and revegetation along Rocky Creek, the Lower Yalyal Brook and the flood plain at Belhus by the Ellen Brockman Integrated Catchment Group;
- revegetation of Saint Leonards Creek by the local Friends group;
- weed control along the Canning River in Rossmoyne by Canning River Residents Environment Protection Association;
- restoration along the Canning River foreshore in Martin by the Friends of Astley River Park;
- weed control to promote natural regeneration along the Helena River in Gooseberry Hill and Darlington by Helena River Catchment Group;
- Twelve Mile Spring revegetation along Susannah Brook in Gidgegannup by Susannah Brook Catchment Group;
- foreshore revegetation along the Southern River in Gosnells by the Friends of Southern River Reserve;
- habitat improvement along the Wungong River at Palomino Reserve by Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group; and
- revegetation of the riparian zone in sections of the Helena River running through the Heritage Trail in Mount Helena by the Friends of Pioneer Park.
More information can be found at https://pws.dbca.wa.gov.au/rivercare
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"It's wonderful to see the involvement, passion and commitment of community groups in caring for our waterways.
"There are so many positive environmental and social outcomes from these projects, which enhance the natural values of the Swan and Canning rivers.
"The McGowan Government is committed to delivering funding to community-led projects which not only improve the health of waterways but also increase public enjoyment of these recreational areas."
