Funding flowing to Maranoa farmers for river health

July 28, 2021

Farmers and community groups across Maranoa have received a boost with 8 grants awarded under Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.

Member for Maranoa and Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud, welcomed the news that over $320,000 will be spent in the region completing projects to improve the health of rivers and wetlands.

“Australian farmers and groups like Landcare already do a great job managing the environment, and we want to support them to keep on protecting our rivers and wetlands,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Funding will be spent locally, supporting our local businesses and economy and helping our communities recover from major set-backs caused by drought and COVID–19.

“These grants will help farmers who want to give our rivers and waterways a chance to recover.

“For example, farmers in Inglewood will protect the critically endangered Silver Perch by keeping cattle out of the Macintyre Brook.”

Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, announced 73 projects would receive over $3 million worth of grants to undertake environmental improvements across the Basin.

“These projects will provide a real boost to regional economies across the entire Basin, and will aid the recovery from prolonged drought, bushfires and COVID–19,” Minister Pitt said.

“This is just round 1 of the program. Communities are encouraged to apply for the remaining program funding in mid-2021.

“This program forms a key part of the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Communities Investment Package, which is putting communities at the heart of the Basin Plan.”

For more information on the successful projects, visit the department’s website.

Fast Facts:

• 8 Healthy Rivers grants valued at $324,000 are being funded in the Maranoa electorate under the first small grants round of the Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
• Project activities will seek to protect endangered species including the Murray Cod, Painted Honeyeater and the Red Goshawk.
• The first round is funding $3.08 million of small grants. Grants were available for projects valued between $5,000 and $50,000 (GST exclusive).
• Two further rounds – consisting of a small grants round and a large grants round – will open in mid-2021.

Maranoa Projects:

Location	Grant recipient	Short project description	Funding
Meandarra	Merrigum Cattle & Construction Pty Ltd	Sustainable management of Brigalow Creek	$33,728.09
Clifton	Clifton Landcare Group Inc	Protecting vulnerable floodplain and riverine landscapes from feral pigs	$9,625.00
Glenarbon	McInnerney, A. & S.	Protecting and regenerating Macintyre Brook	$47,269.20
Hannaford	Colin, A. & Wallis, A.	Fencing waterways to control grazing	$43,512.92
Miles	OzFish Unlimited Limited	Installation of riparian fencing and revegetation along the Balonne River	$38,445.00
Inglewood	Meron, B. & J.	Fencing along Macintyre Brook River and Catfish Creek	$54,873.50
Inglewood	Yogi Farms Pty Ltd	Protection of waterways and habitats along the Macintyre Brook River	$53,900.00
Cooladdi	Mcdonald, B., C., K., K. & M.	Fencing tributaries of the Paroo River and reducing sedimentation	$42,718.50