Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program: Large Grants

The objectives of the program are to support community-led, on-ground projects to improve the health and ecological condition of rivers and wetlands in the Murray–Darling Basin, whilst also supporting economic development and jobs.

The intended outcomes of the program are:

• improved health and ecological condition of rivers and wetlands in the Murray–Darling Basin
• improved community involvement in restoring the environmental health of the Murray–Darling Basin
• increased economic activity and employment in Basin communities as a result of grant funding.

The grant activity must be directed to one or more of the following in the Murray–Darling Basin, including:

• the conservation and protection of biodiversity (diversity of native plant and animal species),
• including species and communities listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999)
• the protection of rivers or wetlands as listed on the department’s website
• the protection of listed migratory species and their habitats as listed on the department’s website
• the sustainable management or conservation and enhancement of water resources
• combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought on natural systems