Media Statements - Support for Rivercare projects in WA

8/1/01

More than $3 million in Commonwealth Natural Heritage Trust funding has been allocated for new and ongoing Rivercare projects throughout Western Australia in this financial year.

State Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames today welcomed the funding, particularly funds allocated to 13 new projects throughout WA.

“A total of $868,583 will be spent on new projects to be undertaken by catchment groups and the Water and Rivers Commission,” Dr Hames said.

“These projects provide the essential on-ground actions that help to restore and protect our waterways.”

New projects to receive NHT funds in the metropolitan area include:

$134,000 to the Bannister Creek Catchment Group to undertake restoration works on Bannister Creek;

$90,150 to the Bayswater Integrated Catchment Management Committee to undertake the first phase of catchment-wide rehabilitation in Bayswater;

$49,650 to the Bennett Brook Catchment Group to implement catchment management in the Bennett Brook catchment; and -

$26,900 to the Wannamal Lake Catchment Group to restore Udumung Brook and its catchment.

“These funds are particularly important as they support work done by communities to improve their local environments,”Dr Hames said.

Ongoing NHT funding has been allocated to the Swan Working Group, Swan River Trust, Bannister Creek Catchment Group, Canning Catchment Co-ordinating Group, and the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council.

“In addition, the Water and Rivers Commission has received $442,271 for continued co-ordination of the Waterways WA program and $135,000 to continue work on a State-wide floodplain management program,” the Minister said.

Waterways WA provides support to regional strategy groups and community groups undertaking river restoration works throughout the State.

A draft policy for waterways management developed by Waterways WA program is now open for public comment. The policy is the first State-wide approach to waterways management and is available from the Water and Rivers Commission. Comments close on January 31, 2001.

Media contacts:
Sandy Gater, Minister's office, 9424 7450
Paula Wallace, WRC, 9278 0741