The latest round of the McGowan Government's Community Rivercare Program is now open.
Applications for the fifth round of the program can be made until November 12, 2021, with $350,000 of funding allocated by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. The grants help improve habitats for native wildlife, enhance water quality and address foreshore erosion in the Swan Canning catchment.
The McGowan Government is investing $8 million in community projects to protect the Swan River, including expanding the successful Dolphin Watch program, the Plastic Free Riverpark initiative, and urban forest initiatives to maintain and improve tree canopy.
Since 2018-19, 29 not-for-profit community volunteer groups have so far shared in over $1 million under the Community Rivercare Program.
Previous successful projects include:
- Revegetation of a threatened ecological community by Friends of Maylands Samphires;
- Weed control at Success Hill Reserve by Friends of Success Hill Reserve;
- Foreshore revegetation and weed control by Friends of Berringa Park Wetlands;
- Rehabilitation of the Canning River near the Harry Hunter Rehabilitation Centre by Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group;
- Blackadder Creek foreshore revegetation and habitat improvement by Blackadder Woodbridge Catchment Group;
- Eradication of morning glory and other noxious weeds by Friends of Flooded Gum;
- Continuing the restoration of Bennett Brook Community Rivercare sites by Friends of Bennett Brook;
- Heritage Trail Mount Helena waterway and riparian rehabilitation by Friends of Pioneer Park;
- Wright Brook catchment restoration by Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group;
- Rocky Creek and Lower Yalyal rehabilitation by Ellen Brockman Integrated Catchment Group;
- Restoration of Astley River Park by Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group.
More information on the program can be found at https://pws.dbca.wa.gov.au/rivercare
As stated by Environment Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Community groups and volunteers continue to be integral to keeping the Swan and Canning river catchments healthy, and the McGowan Government will continue to support them through the Community Rivercare Program.
"These grants complement a range of initiatives to protect the Swan River, with the McGowan Government investing $8 million to preserve this iconic environment.
"I encourage not-for-profit groups to apply for these grants to help keep the Swan and Canning river catchments clean and healthy so together we can continue this important work."
