Funding sought to rehabilitate waterways

Published: 26 August 2020. (Note: information was correct at date of publication but may have since been changed or superseded.)

Cairns Regional Council has applied for almost $1 million in State Government funding to rehabilitate and regenerate local waterways.

Funding will be sought through the $10 million Reef Assist Program, which forms a part of the Queensland Government’s response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with an emphasis on creating nature-based employment opportunities and delivering positive environmental outcomes.

Council has applied for $475,895 in funding to regenerate several waterways, including Crowley Creek in Forest Gardens, Skeleton Creek at Mount Sheridan and Blackfella’s Creek, Edmonton.

All three creeks run into the Trinity Inlet and removing rubbish and weed species, along with regeneration with native species will greatly improve the quality of water flowing out to the Reef.

Council’s ‘Green Space Our Place’ volunteer program will oversee this project and offer opportunities for volunteers to work alongside the employed Natural Areas Restoration (NAR) team and assist with local community education about the project aims.

This project will create 11, fulltime jobs for six months.

Council has also applied for $500,000 for the Russell River/Babinda Creek bank rehabilitation and regeneration project.

The project will assist with streambank rehabilitation to improve stability and re-establish riparian vegetation with tree planting. This will help to reduce nitrogen entering the waterways from the land.

The project will create seven fulltime jobs for 12 weeks, with additional work created for drivers, planters and other labourers.