Community Rivercare Program Funding

Rivercare - Friends of Bennett Brook

Are YOU passionate about your patch?

The Swan and Canning rivers and their major tributaries are features of Perth’s landscape. They are prized for their natural values, recreational opportunities and cultural and social importance.

It is a resilient river system but despite its stunning vistas and serene foreshores, these areas are under pressure. The McGowan Government has responded to these challenges by committing $350,000 (ex GST) per annum over four years to community volunteer groups through the Community Rivercare Program.

Projects can be from 1 year or up to 4 years and will be implemented from 1 July 2022. This program is administered by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

Grants of between $3,000 and $150,000 (ex GST) in total for the duration of the project will be provided to community volunteer groups to conserve the natural, cultural and social amenity values of the rivers, tributaries and urban drains within the Swan Canning Catchment.

This will be achieved through projects that deliver:

• Habitat improvement for birds and/or other species dependent on waterways;
• Foreshore revegetation and weed control;
• Weed control to promote natural regeneration;
• Bank stabilisation to repair or prevent foreshore erosion; and
• Water quality improvement.

Projects must be in the Swan Canning Catchment or other catchments of concern that feed into the Swan and Canning rivers.

The Community Rivercare Program has to date funded 44 multiple year projects. This has resulted in revegetation of foreshores along waterways and increased habitat for fish, native birds and other species dependent on waterways.