Australia’s 180,000 kilometres of rivers and streams are an intrinsic part of our national identity – we see them as playgrounds for families, fuel for our agricultural sector and a habitat for our unique wildlife.
What we may not see is the urgent state of disrepair currently faced by 22,000 kilometres of our waterways.
An ambitious new initiative, bringing together business, community and government, is now seeking to put the spotlight on the health of Australia’s rivers and halt their decline.
Launched today by Senator the Hon. Ian Campbell, Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the Hon. Peter McGauran, Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the $9 million ‘River Recovery’ program is being spearheaded by the national environmental organisation Greening Australia, in partnership with the Natural Heritage Trust and with strong backing from Alcoa.
Alcoa Managing Director, Wayne Osborn, said the company had invested more than $2.3 million over three years in the program but its commitment went much deeper than funding.
“As a company whose operations are centred in river localities, the health of our rivers and waterways is of critical interest to our local communities, Mr Osborn said.
“By facilitating and supporting on-the-ground restoration projects around our sites we plan to connect landholders and environmental groups to the larger River Recovery movement, thereby building the knowledge and capacity of the communities where we live and work.”
In launching the River Recovery programme, Mr McGauran described it as a perfect example of a successful national partnership between governments, a non-government organisation, the private sector and communities.
“The Australian Government has provided $2.9 million for this programme through our Natural Heritage Trust, $600,000 from the National Landcare Program and over $400,000 under our Water Fund’s community water grants programme,” he said.
“The River Recovery programme fits well with the Australian Government’s overall strategy to improve our natural resources, make agriculture more sustainable and strengthen rural and regional Australia, economically and socially.”
Of those waterways in need of repair, nine rivers of high economic and social value have been selected as the initial focus of the River Recovery program - the Yarra and Coliban in Victoria, The Derwent in Tasmania, The Hawkesbury-Nepean and Boorowa in NSW, The Lower Murray in South Australia, The Burdekin in Queensland, The Hutt in Western Australia and the Katherine in the Northern Territory.
“These rivers are the initial focus for the program but communities and individuals can be involved when a project isn’t located in their region”, noted Mr Binning.
ENDS
Media contact:
Libby Archell, Alcoa, 0404 800 174
Fleur Flanery, Greening Australia, 0408 627 774
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Get involved!
To find out more about River Recovery or to get involved in your local area please visit:
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More information
Download the River Recovery national brochure
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Read Alcoa Managing Director Wayne Osborn's speech at the River Recovery Launch
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