Flagship Fish Habitat Rehabilitation Grants

Excavator working on rocks within waterwayNew footbridge over Yeramba Lagoon runout channel

Yeramba Lagoon Tidal Restoration – National Parks and Wildlife

The “Flagship Fish Habitat Rehabilitation Grant” program (“Flagship Grants”) is an exciting funding opportunity for coastal NSW, offering up to $400,000 for projects that significantly enhance fish habitat, water quality and fish passage opportunities within the coastal catchments of NSW.

This innovative grant program is funded by the Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Expenditure Committee (RFSTEC) and seeks to benefit recreational fishing opportunities by enhancing the habitats that fish need to thrive.

The program builds on the existing Habitat Action Grants program and seeks to tackle much larger scale projects that require higher levels of funding assistance.

Flagship Fish Habitat Rehabilitation Grants are now closed

The below guidelines provide essential information for all applicants seeking funding from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts in 2022 and beyond.

For further information refer to the Flagship Habitat Rehabilitation Grants Guidelines

For further information and general enquiries, please contact James Wraith – Flagship Fish Habitat Rehabilitation Grants Coordinator via email fish.habitat@dpi.nsw.gov.au or ring 0447 286 257.

Example of on-ground outcomes include:

  • rehabilitation of significant riparian lands / coastal wetlands (river banks, mangrove forests, saltmarsh), including addressing poor water quality from the disturbance of acid sulfate soils
  • removal or modification of barriers to fish passage including addressing floodgates, road-crossings and construction of fishways
  • re-snagging of waterways with timber structures
  • environmentally sensitive bank stabilisation works, including riparian restoration where these works are identified and part of a large scale remediation program.

Projects funded through the Flagship Habitat Rehabilitation Grant Program are:

Applicant

Project

Summary

Funding (GST exclusive)

  Successful 2020 Grant Recipients 
North Coast Local Land ServicesFreshwater wetland remediation (Management Option 2) at Clybucca Wetlands

Implement Management Option 2 of Clybucca Wetlands Management Options Study: Model Results (WRL 2020) funded as part of Round 2 Flagship program.

Reduce acidic discharge into the Macleay River by installing new infrastructure to raise the groundwater table over affected wetlands.

$304,219
  Successful 2019 Grant Recipients 
Tweed Shire CouncilTweed Estuary Strategic Erosion Stabilisation and Fish Habitat RehabilitationAddressing riverbank erosion and resultant fish habitat degradation on the Tweed River by developing a strategic program of works, including developing structure designs that incorporate fish habitat values. On-ground works at one site$180,000
Mid Coast CouncilAcid Sulfate Soil Remediation Project – Coopernook SwampAcquire and remediate Coopernook Swamp as per Lower Manning River Drainage Remediation Action Plan to reduce acidic runoff, improve water quality and reinstate a natural tidal wetland.$250,000
Nambucca Valley LandcareBowraville Connections Stage 3 ‐ a strategic approach to river management and fish habitat protectionEnhancing habitat for fish around the freshwater – saltwater interface at Bowraville through onground works to protect against bed level lowering and bank erosion, activities to reduce weed cover and increase native vegetation cover.$176,000
National Parks & Wildlife ServiceYeramba Lagoon Tidal RestorationRemoval of weir barrier and restoration of tidal flows to Yeramba Lagoon to improve water quality and re-create lost inter-tidal habitat.$234,000
  Successful 2016 Grant Recipients 

Byron Shire Council

Bringing Back the Brunswick River

Addressing two large fish passage barriers on the Brunswick River, complimenting other fish passage works and providing free access to 27.4 km of waterway

$264,700

North Coast Local Land Services

Clybucca Wetlands Tidal Restoration

Collection of hydrological data; vegetation mapping; community and government engagement to inform flood and inundation models and develop an acid sulfate runoff restoration strategy under various floodgate management options

$365,400

Ozfish Unlimited, Richmond River Chapter

Tuckean Swamp Options Study

Collection of hydrological data; community and government engagement to inform hydrologic modelling and develop water quality improvement options.

$160,000