Funds available to improve local fish habitat

2 Aug 2017

Funds are now available through the NSW Government’s Habitat Action Grants program for individuals and community groups interested in improving local fish habitats in freshwater and saltwater areas across NSW.

Scott Nichols, NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Fisheries Manager said over half a million dollars is available in this round of funding with grants up to $40,000 for fishing clubs, community groups, local councils and individuals with project ideas that will enhance and rehabilitate degraded recreational fish habitat.

“This is a great opportunity to improve local creek, river, estuaries or surrounding areas to promote healthy waterways and to encourage more fish,” Mr Nichols said.

“Examples of community projects currently underway which will provide fantastic results across the state include: reducing erosion on the Orara River, controlling invasive weeds on the Peel and Castlereagh rivers, addressing a fish passage barrier on Mullet Creek (Lake Illawarra) and restoring lost oyster reef habitat in several coastal estuaries.

“Rehabilitation of fish habitat provides long-term sustainable benefits for native fish stock and in turn provides substantial benefits for NSW recreational fishers.

“This program is a great example of how recreational fishing fees are helping to support more healthy productive fisheries in NSW.”

Mr Nichols said since 2009, the Recreational Fishing Trusts have invested over $4 million into the Habitat Action Grants program which has attracted significant additional investment of over $12 million in-kind and cash contributions delivering substantial outcomes on-ground for native fish habitat in NSW.

Previous funded projects include:

removing invasive weeds and re-establishing native vegetation on our riverbanks;
restoring and stabilising eroded river banks;
re-snagging waterways; and
removing barriers to fish movement by improving road crossings or weirs.

Applications for Habitat Action Grants open from 31 July 2017 until 18 September 2017.

For more information about the program, application forms and examples of past projects visit Habitat Action Grants or contact a Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Manager on (02) 6626 1396 (coastal) or (02) 6881 1216 (inland).

Media contact: Sarah Wright 6391 3686