Environment Minister Albert Jacob has announced $910,000 in funding for foreshore rehabilitation projects throughout the Swan Canning Riverpark.
Funds will be shared by seven local councils managing foreshores to rebuild collapsed river walls, control invasive weeds, stabilise riverbanks and revegetate foreshore areas across nine sites in the riverpark.
These funds will be matched by cash and in-kind support from local councils and volunteers, boosting the total value of works to more than $1.8million.
Mr Jacob said the funding focused on enhancing riverbanks and shorelines to mitigate threats to the river’s environmental, recreational, aesthetic and cultural values.
“These projects will improve the enjoyment of the foreshore by addressing risks to public amenities and infrastructure while also providing sound environmental outcomes for the riverpark, ” he said.
The City of South Perth and the City of Belmont received the biggest grants with $500,000 for river wall replacement near Mends Street Jetty and $200,000 for the second year of erosion mitigation and foreshore stabilisation at Ascot Racecourse.
“The $500,000 investment into the river wall replacement project in South Perth represents the first of two payments to meet the State Government’s election commitment to restore this high-use area of important public amenity value, ” the Minister said.
“ The remaining funding to complete the project will be provided in time for the works to be finalised by late next year.
“In Ascot, riverbank grant funding has already contributed to 142m of foreshore restoration, with a limestone revetment built and a replacement footpath completed.
“This year’s funding will allow a further 82m of restoration works along the border of the Ascot racecourse on the southern side of the Swan River to be completed.
“Under this year’s grants, thousands of native plants will be planted along the Swan and Canning rivers and invasive weeds will be removed to increase nature conservation values and wildlife. The projects will help improve water quality and counter riverbank erosion.”
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Press Release, October 17, 2013