Southern Queensland sharing in Healthy Rivers grants

February 15, 2022

The Australian Government has announced more successful grant recipients under the $20 million Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program, which is funding community-led, on-ground projects to improve river and wetland health while supporting more jobs and economic development.

Fifteen percent of Queensland is covered by the Murray-Darling Basin and this whole region is included in the Maranoa Electorate.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, welcomed the program’s investment in the environment and communities across this region of his electorate.

“My electorate represents all of Queensland’s stake of the important Murray-Darling Basin and I’ll keep fighting for our fair share so that’s why these three new grants – worth $210,000 – are being awarded to local farmers and landholders in southern Queensland,” Minister Littleproud said.

“This builds on the $290,000 in Australian Government funding for projects under the first round of the program to protect our rivers, wetlands and waterways.”

“Thanks to Healthy Rivers grants awarded under the second round, farmers and communities in Charleville, the Goondiwindi Region and Riversleigh will be able to maintain pest animal control over 14,000 hectares, treat 95 hectares for weeds and remove around 20 tonnes of waste from river areas.

“One project will see landholders work together with Landcare volunteers to restore a fishing hole on the Ward River near Charleville. By replanting native vegetation and controlling feral pigs and cats that threaten wildlife, they will help native fauna and flora to flourish, with benefits flowing to downstream rivers and wetlands.

“Another project is bringing together landholders, First Nations and community leaders to repair erosion around rivers in the Goondiwindi area. The project will strengthen riverbanks using natural and recycled products, reducing erosion, improving water quality and allowing native vegetation to establish.”

The Healthy River grants are in addition to the more than $17 million across 27 projects that have been funded through three rounds of the Economic Development Program grants in Maranoa.

“Importantly, these projects will bolster our regional and rural economies by supporting local jobs and purchasing goods and supplies from local businesses, providing economic support to communities impacted by COVID-19, drought and bushfires in recent years.

“These grants demonstrate the Australian Government’s commitment to put communities at the heart of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan, with the Healthy Rivers grants just one part of the Murray–Darling Communities Investment Package.”

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