Wetland Management

$500,000 Pool for Coastal and Marine Projects on the South Coast

Submitted by Nerrida Louttit
Coastal and Marine catchment Officer with the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority
August 2006

Protection of Estuarine, Coastal and Marine Environments

Efforts to protect southern New South Wales’ estuarine, coastal and marine environments are to receive a $500,000 funding boost, courtesy of the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and NSW Government’s Catchment Management Authorities funding.

Funding is being made available by the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (SRCMA) for projects that address important estuary, coastal and marine issues in the coastal region between Wollongong and the Victorian Border.

The main aim of this funding is to implement priority actions under the many Estuary Management Plans, which local communities have put many years into producing.

Send In Your Application!

Applications are now being sought from public land managers, especially local governments, for the second round of estuary and coastal incentives for works on public land which support the continued health of the southern region’s coastal, estuarine and marine environment.

The Chair of the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (SRCMA) Pam Green said this round of funding has been expanded to include projects that protect and enhance endangered species or communities, for example seagrass or shorebirds.

Previous funded Projects

New projects will complement previously funded projects that have included:

protection of endangered ecological communities such as coastal saltmarsh and swamp oak floodplain forest;
stabilisation works to control erosion in estuaries;
revegetation of riparian areas;
fencing to control stock access to waterways; and
management of weeds and feral pests.

Most of the previously funded projects have just commenced, for example the Ryans Creek project coordinated by the Eurobodalla Shire Council includes the conservation and rehabilitation of the SEPP 14 wetland (number 178) near Ryans Creek. Contact Deb Lenson at Eurobodalla Shire Council for more information on 44741000.

Funding Applications

Applications for funding are available from Nerrida Louttit, SRCMA Batemans Bay on (02) 4472 8509 or visit the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority Website at www.southern.cma.nsw.gov.au.

Applications close on Friday, 29th September 2006.