Two projects receive bushfire recovery funding

burnt bushBurnt bush land road, Kulnura.

Two projects have been selected to support bushfire recovery on the Central Coast as part of a Federal Government grants program to help our native wildlife and habitat recover from the devastation of last summer’s bushfires.

Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said projects involving the post-fire recovery of the Regent Parrot, commonly found on the Coast, and erosion control and revegetation on the Hawkesbury River to benefit native fish will attract over half a million dollars.

“It is going to take time, but the community, with the right backing from the Government, will play a vital role in making it happen,” Wicks said.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the Government had made a $200M commitment to the long-term recovery of threatened species, native animals and local habitats and was working with ecologists, Indigenous leaders, bushfire experts, scientists, wildlife experts and community organisations in preparing strategies to build back better for our wildlife and landscapes.

The funds will be invested in bushfire affected regions over the next two years.

Landcare Australia Ltd and partners Native Fish Australia and OzFish will receive $384,550 to release Macquarie Perch and restore fish habitat in bushfire affected areas, including the Hawkesbury River.

The project will undertake restoration of 20km of riparian habitat impacted by bushfires to improve habitat for turtle, fish and crayfish.

BirdLife Australia and partners Australian National University and Taronga Conservation Society Australia will receive $150,575 to raise the Regent Parrot from the ashes.

The project will support the post-fire recovery of the Regent Parrot, including by post-fire surveys (in both burnt and unburnt habitat), undertaking Noisy Miner control, and trialling the reintroduction of Needle-leaf Mistletoe in critical breeding habitat at multiple locations including the Central Coast.

Source:
Media release, Jul 28
Member for Robertson,
Lucy Wicks