EIGHTEEN local projects in North East Victoria have received a share in more than $3.6 million in federal funding as part of the Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
These grants will support on–ground action and care for local waterways in the region.
The grants will allow for more than 58,000 seedlings to be planted, and minimise erosion over 30 hectares of river and creek bank, while aiming to protect 22 threatened animal species.
Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the grants were a win for communities across North East Victoria and the Murray–Darling Basin as a whole.
"I'm pleased to announce funding for exciting projects across Indi for community–led, on–ground works to improve the health of Basin rivers and wetlands," Mr Pitt said.
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"Not only are these grants fantastic for the environment, grant funding spent in regional communities will also support small businesses, generate economic activity and create jobs.
"Importantly these projects will aim to employ 36 local people, including 15 young people, helping our communities recover from COVID–19, drought and bushfires.
"With over 2.6 million Australians calling the Basin home, investments like the Healthy Rivers Program empower our local communities to protect their own stretch of river and help to improve lives and livelihoods now and into the future."
Wodonga–based Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said the successful Healthy Rivers grants projects will deliver environmental and economic benefits for the region.
"One project receiving funding in Wodonga will see local Landcare collaborate with the state and local governments, as well as volunteers from across the community to rehabilitate 13 kilometres of waterways," Senator McKenzie said.
"They will undertake a range of works to improve river health, such as planting natives to restore riverbank habitat.
"Another project will support a local farm in Scrubby Creek in the Upper Murray catchment, an area hit hard by the 2020 bushfires.
"The project will reduce run–off into and sedimentation of the creek, to help native species such as the River Blackfish and Alpine Spiny Cray to bounce back."
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Details of projects in Indi:
Nariel Ag Pty Ltd Colac, Colac, preservation of the Nariel Creek and its native wildlife, $498,250.
Parklands Albury Wodonga Limited, Bethanga Spring Creek to Lake Hume Conservation Corridor, $186,100.
Mudgegonga and District Landcare Group Inc, Ovens and Kiewa River catchment community led landscape restoration,$990,100.
North East Catchment Management Authority, Lower Ovens River, saving the iconic Lower Ovens – enhancing native fish habitat and protecting the nationally important Lower Ovens Wetland Complex, $588,880.
Growling Grass Frog Incorporated Lower Ovens River, re–snagging and aquatic habitat creation along the Ovens River in the Murray–Darling Basin, $190,163.
Wodonga Urban Landcare Network Inc, Wodonga, Wodonga Healthy Waterways $473,440.
Indigo Creek Landcare Group Inc, Indigo Valley, building community capacity to protect and restore the ecological health, $54,536.
J.P. Aston Nariel Valley, restoring native fish habitat in Scrubby Creek, North East Victoria, $68,000.
Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups Incorporated Kiewa River catchment, A Valley Vision – habitat protection and restoration of Kiewa River drainage lines and wetlands, $97,781.
Greta Valley Landcare Group Incorporated King Valley, collaborating communities and linking Landcare in the King River catchment, $69,300.
G Drummond and H.N Drummond Mount Alfred Haslemere, riverbank exclusion and rehabilitation, $6480.
D. Goodwin Barnawartha North, enhancing Kookaburra Creek conservation, $40,145.
S. Shallue Beechworth, protecting ephemeral tributaries in the upper reaches of Hodgson Creek, $42,900.
Mitta Valley Landcare Inc Mitta Mitta Valley, protecting diverse waterways and wetlands of the Mitta Valley, $95,834.
D.H Hanna and J.G Hanna Walwa, stock exclusion to reduce erosion and improve the health and ecological condition of the Murray River, $5408.
Y. Hind Mongans Bridge, protection and restoration of source swamps and creeks in the upper Kiewa Valley catchment area,$60,000.
Upper Murray Landcare Network Towong Shire, community partnerships to implement integrated land management initiatives, restore habitat and biodiversity values, protect water quality and raise awareness of the role of healthy rivers and wetlands in the ecosystems of the Upper Murray Community, $99,681.
P and F Weidner Partnership Gooramadda, Snarts Creek bank protection and revegetation, $100,000.
Total $3,666,998.
