Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton encourages community groups, farmers and landholders across the Parkes electorate to apply for funding under the second round of the Healthy Rivers Program.

The second round of the Coalition Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program is now open for applications.

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said these grants are a great opportunity for communities across the Murray–Darling Basin to improve the health of rivers and wetlands.

“It was great to see people right across the Basin get behind the first round of the program, with 74 grants awarded to communities ranging from Goondiwindi to Meningie,” Minister Pitt said.

“The second round of grants will build upon the first round, investing in communities to get out on the ground and support their local environment.

“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.

“These 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.

“We have made some changes to the guidelines in response to feedback from Round 1. These include making more entities eligible and increasing the maximum funding amount for small grants to $100,000, to minimise red tape for more applicants.”

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton encourages community groups, farmers and landholders across the Parkes electorate to apply under the second grants round.

“The Parkes electorate is already benefitting from nine grants awarded under the first round of the program,” Mr Coulton said.

“One project funded under the first round at Dubbo is getting local schoolkids involved in hands-on sustainable fishing workshops, while another at Narrabri is allowing local farmers to fence off riparian zones to protect plants, prevent erosion and improve water quality.

“Healthy Rivers grants are not only great for the environment, but will support real jobs and local businesses across the Parkes electorate. This will stimulate our economy in its recovery from COVID-19 and drought.

“We have increased the number of eligible entities so be sure to check the guidelines to see if you could receive a grant this time around.”

Applications for both small and large grants are now open and will close at 9pm AEST on 6 October 2021.

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.