OVER half a million dollars of funding is now available to individuals and community groups for projects which rehabilitate fish habitats across NSW, Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson has announced.
Ms Hodgkinson said the NSW Government’s Habitat Action Grant program provides an opportunity to improve fish habitats in their local creek, river or estuary and create more fish as a result.
“Grants of up to $40,000 per project are now available,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“Our native fish need good quality habitats, because it allows them to find food, take shelter, hide from predators, and most importantly breed.
“We have had successful community projects in previous years, such as, removing weeds on the South Coast, introducing sustainable farming practices on the North Coast, revegetation in the Central West, and riverbank stabilisation in Sydney.
“I would encourage fishing clubs, Landcare and other community groups, individuals, and local councils to apply for a grant.
“The Habitat Action Grant Program is a great example of how recreational fishing fees are helping to support recreational fishing in this State,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
Projects which have been funded include:
? Removing barriers to fish movement such as establishing fish-friendly crossings;
? Re-snagging waterways with timber structure to provide protection from predators, shelter from direct sunlight, resting areas;
? Bank stabilisation works;
? Removing invasive weeds to re-establish native vegetation on riverbank, and;
? Opening floodgates.
Applications for Habitat Action Grants close on 27th September 2013 at 5pm.
For more information about the program, examples of past Habitat Action Grant projects and application forms visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hag or contact a Department of Primary Industries Conservation Manager on (02) 6626 1107 or (02) 4916 3817.
