MINISTER for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, announced applications were now open for the Habitat Action Grants program, with more than half a million dollars up for grabs to improve fish habitats right across NSW.
“Grants of up to $40,000, and small grants to kick-start a project of up to $2000, are available to fishing clubs, community groups, local councils and individuals wanting to improve fish habitat in their local area,” Mr Blair said.
“This program is yet another example of recreational fishing fees supporting the sector and this is a great opportunity to improve fish habitats in local waterways.”
Projects funded by the grants have delivered results across the state, with reduced erosion on creeks on the South Coast, removing willow in the Murrumbidgee River, inserting new habitat in the Macquarie River and increased food for fish in Sydney.
The Recreational Fishing Trusts have invested $2.9 million into the Habitat Action Grants over the last six years, which has attracted significant additional investment of $10 million, delivering great results for native fish habitat in NSW.
Previous funded projects include:
* Removing invasive weeds and re-establishing native vegetation on our riverbanks
* Opening floodgates or improving road crossings to remove barriers to fish movement
* Restoring eroded river banks
* Re-snagging waterways
* Bank stabilisation works.
Applications for Habitat Action Grants open from today and close 16 October 2015.
For more information about the program, application forms and examples of past projects visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hag.
