The South East Corridor Councils Alliance (SECCA) this week spearheaded an advocacy campaign seeking $10 million in Federal Government funding to restore the Canning, Southern and Wungong rivers.
SECCA, an alliance between the cities of Canning, Armadale, Gosnells and the Town of Victoria Park, is driving the Restoring our Rivers campaign to reduce the environmental impact of urbanisation on rivers.
Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group’s Pat Hart, who was recently honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), was instrumental in establishing support for the campaign.
“The last time we had federal funding for the upper Canning was back in 2004,” Ms Hart told The Examiner.
“It was clear that funding was needed, and with the federal election coming up we saw an opportunity,” she said.
“Once I approached the councils, they were very keen to get onboard,” said Ms Hart.
The $10 million funding boost would address river drainage issues, education and behaviour change, sediment removal, revegetation, restoration and improve amenity and recreation of the rivers.
City of Armadale Mayor Ruth Butterfield said the project was crucial in securing river systems’ health. “We are committed to caring for our rivers and safeguarding their environmental, ecological, social, cultural, and amenity values for future generations.
“It is fantastic to be part of a coordinated and collaborative approach, across local governments, to secure the health of our river systems.”
The extra funding would assist the Canning, Southern and Wugong Rivers Working Group in the development and execution of a Canning Waterways Restoration Plan.
The working group is a joint effort between local governments, land care groups and the state government who collaborate to restore river health.
