RESTORING DAMAGED RIPARIAN AREAS

A series of projects will begin across NSW to fx riverbanks and waterways left devastated by a series of natural disasters.

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said 50 projects will be funded by the $2.4 million Riparian Restoration Grants Program, demonstrating the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s ongoing support to communities that have been impacted.

“When we look around our neighborhoods, it’s not hard to see just how dilapidated these important riparian zones have become after being smashed by continuous fooding, bushfres and drought,” Mr Saunders said.

“This funding will make a real on-theground difference to landholders who have seen parts of the riverbank washed away, while also creating a better habitat for our wildlife.

“Whether it’s using local plant species to revegetate, building fences, installing alternative water supplies or implementing weed control programs, healthy riparian areas are essential to a healthy environment.”

Ozfsh Chief Executive Offcer Craig Copeland welcomed the project and said it is critical to sustaining our natural resources.

“Fixing our riverbanks is an important activity for our waterways and their fsh and it is essential to overcome the impacts of the foods as well as resist future fooding,” Mr Copeland said

“Recreational fshers from OzFish are really pleased to be able to help deliver some important projects as part of this program.”

The program is being run by Local Land Services with projects being delivered by Landcare and other natural resource management groups.

Landcare NSW CEO Turlough Guerin acknowledged the support of the NSW Government and said Landcare groups will use the funding to ensure landscapes are prepared for future disasters.

“Landcare’s extensive network will deliver projects such as riverbank and stream restoration, on-farm erosion works and tree planting, to help mitigate erosion and ensure riverbanks and the wider ecosystems are healthy,” Mr Guerin said.

“A resilient community is one that can withstand and bounce back from natural disasters, by engaging and supporting each other and that is what Landcare does.”

The $2 million committed to the Landcare Riparian Restoration Grants is part of the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package. Works are expected to be complete by September 2023.

For more, visit www. lls.nsw.gov.au/