Riverbank restoration program provides $1million to community projects

as posted on Media-Newswire.com


(Media-Newswire.com) - The State Government has injected nearly $1million into local projects to improve the health of the Swan and Canning rivers.

A total of 14 projects were funded under the Swan River Trust�s Riverbank program for 2007-08.

Environment Minister David Templeman said the program enabled local and State government land managers to receive funding from the State Government to undertake river restoration works.

"Riverbank funding is provided for a wide range of foreshore restoration and protection activities that enhance and manage native vegetation, improve degraded areas, mitigate erosion and address public amenity values and safety,�" he said.

"Healthy foreshores are essential for maintaining the health of rivers and these 14 projects will prove invaluable to the foreshores, health of the waterways and visual appearance of the area.

"Through weed control, planting, landscape planning and erosion control, we can preserve our riverbanks and rivers for generations to come."

The Minister said that the projects could only achieve positive results if local and State governments and environmental community groups worked together.

"By uniting in our efforts, we are ensuring the future of our riverine environment," he said

"Since the inception of Riverbank in 2002, the program has grown in popularity, with the largest funding requests received this year.

"We are continuing to look at ways to fund high-quality projects that missed out in this round.

"The health of the rivers is a priority and we must all act now to protect the future of the rivers. The Carpenter Government is leading the way in preparing Western Australia to meet the challenges of our changing climate.�"

Since 2002, the State Government has committed more than $4.25million to 110 Riverbank projects.

Riverbank projects for 2007-08 include:

$58,000 for phase two of the City of Bayswater Tranby foreshore restoration project in Maylands. Last year, Riverbank provided $73,064 for phase one of the project. Phase two works include erosion control, weed removal and planting of native vegetation;
$3,850 to the City of Gosnells for phase three for control of Taro on the Canning River and tributaries. This project was funded $31,500 under the Riverbank program two years ago and received $9,400 last year. The project is working to eradicate Taro which is a serious weed growing along the Canning River that has been displacing native plant species. The project steering committee comprises representatives from the Cities of Armadale, Canning and Gosnells, South East Regional Centre of Urban Landcare and the Department of Environment and Conservation ( DEC );
$23,375 to the City of Canning for an Eco education demonstration site. The project includes the rehabilitation of a section of the Canning River, weed control and planting of native vegetation. Project partners include the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare, DEC, Canning Regional Park Volunteers, Wilson Wetland Action Group and Two Rivers Catchment Group;
$149,571 to the City of Swan for foreshore rehabilitation as part of the Swan Riverside Regional Park project in Viveash. The project includes extensive foreshore bank stabilisation rehabilitation works, weed control and revegetation. This project has received almost $45,000 in the past two years;
$97,168 for the Ashfield Parade foreshore restoration project in the Town of Bassendean. The funds will be directed towards stabilisation works, formalising access points and pathways, weed control and establishment of local native foreshore vegetation. The project received $325,153 last year;
$84,636 for the City of South Perth�s Cloister foreshore erosion control program, which will include erosion control works and restoration to foreshore vegetation near the Edgewater Road footbridge overpass in Salter Point;
$23,900 to the City of Gosnells who has identified three sub-projects along the Canning River which need weeds removed and native plants restored. Riverbank is providing funding to the projects undertaken in partnership with the Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group and a number of local community groups;
$15,175 allocated to three sub-projects along the Canning River in the City of Armadale. The sites in Roleystone and Kelmscott need weeds removed and native vegetation planted. The Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group and a number of local community groups, including the Friends of Roley Pools, will help to restore the areas;
$510,000 to the City of South Perth for the creation of Sir James Mitchell Park beach on the South Perth foreshore. Funds will be provided to start works on developing a beach, including the replacement of eroding foreshores and nodes of local native vegetation; and
$14,360 allocated to foreshore rehabilitation works at Masons Landing in the Canning River Regional Park. DEC will manage weed control and planting of native vegetation along the foreshore. The project will be undertaken in partnership with the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare and the Two Rivers Catchment Group.
Minister's office: 9220 5050

as posted on Media-Newswire.com