Maranoa MP David Littleproud is encouraging community groups, farmers and landholders across Maranoa to apply for funding to improve the health of rivers across the Murray–Darling Basin.
Round 2 of the Coalition Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program is now open for applications.
“Maranoa is already benefitting from 8 grants awarded under the first round of the program including riverbank fencing, implementing sustainable water infrastructure and protecting the landscape from pests.
“Healthy Rivers grants will support real jobs and local businesses across Maranoa, as well as the environment. This will stimulate our economy in its recovery from COVID-19 and drought.”
This round will have a large grants stream for grants valued between more than $100,000 and $2 million, in addition to a small grants stream for projects valued at $5,000 to $100,000.
Grants could fund a wide variety of projects from planting native seedlings along riverbanks to reduce erosion and provide habitat for native birds and animals, to controlling invasive species which threaten native species and farmers’ crops.
Large grants could be used for projects which have catchment-scale benefits, or higher value localised projects, such as installing fish ladders and culverts to allow native fish to travel throughout the whole river.
Minister Littleproud said this new round will provide even more landholders and community groups the opportunity to get out on the ground and support their local environment.
“We have increased the number of eligible entities so check the guidelines to see if you could receive a grant,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Applications for both small and large grants are now open and will close at 9pm AEST on 6 October 2021, so share the news and get your applications in.”
The Healthy Rivers Program is a key part of the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Communities Investment Package, which is putting communities at the centre of the Basin Plan.
To learn more about eligible activities or to apply, visit the Community Grants Hub.
