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June 5, 2009
Alcoa & Greening Australia - protecting WA's Rivers
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Greening Australia Media Release ...
A significant partnership between industry, environmental groups and local communities is working to protect our rivers and waterways that flow into the internationally significant Peel Harvey Ramsar wetlands near Mandurah.
The Peel Harvey wetlands are renowned for their waterbirds, culture, commercial and recreation values and are listed under the Ramsar convention, the first modern international treaty designed to
conserve natural resources. The convention aims to halt the worldwide loss of wetlands and to conserve those that remain.
Greening Australia, through its nationwide River Recovery program, supported by foundation alliance member Alcoa of Australia. Through River Recovery Greening Australia is working in partnership with
local landowners, community groups and schools to protect and restore river sites around Australia, including the Peel-Harvey.
A significant contribution to the River Recovery effort in the Peel-Harvey region is a restoration project on the Peel Harvey coastal plain at Nell’s Block, a partnership with Greening Australia, Alcoa of
Australia and the Harvey River Restoration Taskforce. The 16,5 hectare site, purchased by Alcoa of Australia and returned back to the community, preserves indigenous flora and fauna and its wetlands,
which form part of the internationally listed Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar site.
Greening Australia’s CEO in Western Australia says that this vital work cannot be achieved while working in isolation.
“We have partnerships across a range of sectors within the community and industry. Our on ground partnerships with Peel Harvey Catchment Council, Harvey River Restoration Taskforce, other Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups and River Recovery foundation alliance partner Alcoa of Australia are providing tangible results and benefits for the environment and communities in the Peel-Harvey catchement. “
Alcoa of Australia Managing Director Alan Cransberg has praised the efforts of River Recovery in the Peel region, “It’s really important we understand the economic, social, cultural and environmental
values of these wetlands. Alcoa and Greening Australia do great work together in the Peel region, with our people supporting projects from the planning and implementation to the reporting stage.
“River Recovery is a fantastic program and creates wonderful opportunities for Alcoans to get involved in caring for the environment.â€
River Recovery, part of Greening Australia’s larger strategic vision Transforming our Landscapes is helping to drive local strategies and vision in the Peel Region to deliver tangible benefits for the
environment and communities. Almost all of the projects Greening Australia works on in the Peel are undertaken in partnership with other groups or agencies.
Other River Recovery activities in the Peel Region
Greening Australia is working with Alcoa, Fairbridge and the University of Western Australia in Oakley Brook to improve biodiversity through direct seeding, stock exclusion and carrying out riparian restoration.
A community based restoration project in consultation with
partners Fairbridge, Peel Harvey Catchment Council links restoration works along the South Dandalup River from the headwaters to the Dandalup confluence with the Murray River.
Restoration work in the Pinjarra Wetland, a joint effort between Greening Australia, Alcoa, Peel Harvey Catchment Council and the Shire of Murray, is rehabilitating and restoring drainage lines in
the wetland, improving water quality and the ecological character of the site.
Greening Australia acknowledges that this vital work cannot be achieved while working in isolation.
- Ends -
Media contact: Donna Bush, Greening Australia 0414 765 248
dbush@greeningaustralia.org.au
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Video: River Recovery in the Peel Region
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