HEALTHY RIVERS FUNDING FLOWS INTO BARKER RIVERS, WETLANDS AND COMMUNITIES
The Australian Government today announced more successful applicants under the $20 million Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program. This program supports communities to deliver practical, on-ground projects to improve the health of their rivers and wetlands, while supporting local jobs and businesses.
Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, said the grants would enhance the environment of communities across the Barker region.
“Two projects in the Murraylands were awarded grants under the Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program which will improve the health of the River while boosting the local economy, creating avenues for employment and the purchase of goods and supplies from local businesses.”
Member for Barker, Tony Pasin MP welcomed both grants.
“The South Australian Water Corporation was awarded a grant of $600,533 and Mid Murray Landcare SA Incorporated was awarded a grant of $95,612.”
“These two grants will provide close to $700,000 in funding to improve the health of the River by restoring the natural floodplain ecosystems in the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area and breaking the chokehold of invasive weeds in the lower River Murray and connected wetlands.” Mr Pasin said.
“River communities in the Murraylands will benefit significantly from this program, which will strengthen our local businesses, employment, recreational and tourism offerings while improving the health of our rivers and waterways,” Mr Pasin said.
Minister Pitt said the $20 million program is supporting communities right across the Basin and successful applicants are committed to buying local, boosting our regional economies.
“Healthy Rivers projects bring people and organisations together to work on practical, on-ground projects that protect the Murray–Darling Basin.”
“The Healthy Rivers Program forms a key 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.
Details of projects in Barker:
| Recipient | Project location | Short project description | Funding amount (GST exclusive) |
| South Australian Water Corporation | Murray Bridge | Restoring wetting and drying cycles and floodplain ecosystems in the Lower River Murray and improving amenity for the Murray Bridge township. | $600,533.00 |
| Austland Management Pty Ltd | Calperum Station | Restoring Ecological Function to the Riverland Ramsar site through streambank remediation, and increased connectivity and fish passage in the Hunchee-Ral Ral reaches. | $1,560,083.00 |
| Mid Murray Landcare SA Incorporated | Lower Murray Catchment Area | Invasive weed control and revegetation to vastly improve ecosystem health, indigenous values and recreational enjoyment. | $95,612.00 |
| Total | $2,256,228.00 | ||
