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.
“The iconic Calperum Station at Renmark in Barker has been awarded a grant of $1,560,083 under the Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program which will improve the health of the River as well as 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 the grant.
“Renmark and the broader Riverland will benefit significantly from this grant, which will strengthen our local businesses, employment, recreational and tourism offerings while improving the health of our rivers and waterways,” Mr Pasin said.
“This grant will provide over $1.5 million in funding to Calperum Station, allowing locals to care for their local stretch of the river.” Mr Pasin said.
“This project will stabilise streambanks and improve river connectivity in the Riverland Ramsar-listed wetland.” 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 | ||
