Five of Australia’s most iconic waterways will benefit from $9.3 million in National Landcare Programme funding as part the Australian Government’s new National Landcare Programme. The River Torrens, Swan-Canning, Yarra and Tamar Rivers and Tuggerah Lakes will receive support under the National Landcare Programme to help clean up these habitats and improve water quality.

The Yarra River will receive $0.95 million over four years (2014-15 to 2017-18) for the installation of floating litter traps and educating Melbournians on practical actions they can take to prevent pollution entering waterways and stormwater systems.

The River Torrens Recovery Programme will receive $1 million over two years (2014-15 to 2016-17) for revegetation, river bank stabilisation and to reduce sediments, as well as increasing community awareness of river health improvements.

The Swan-Canning River Recovery Programme will receive $1 million over two years (2014-15 to 2015-16) for weed eradication, local education and to support practical community action.

The Tamar River Clean–up Programme will receive $3 million over three years (2014-15 to 2016-17) to tackle sediment problems, reduce nutrient run-off and improve wastewater management.

The Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan will receive $3.25 million over three years (2014-15 to 2016-17) to help improve the water quality of the Tuggerah Lakes estuary by expanding the upgrade of stormwater treatment zones, including the removal of sediment and other organic matter and the replacement of gross pollutant traps.