Councils call on Federal Government for funding boost to save rivers 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.

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.

SECCA karen vernon terresa lynes pat har ruth butterfield patrick hall mayor

Town of Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon, City of Gosnells Mayor Terresa Lynes, Gosnells Armadale Landcare Group Pat Hart, City of Armadale Mayor Ruth Butterfield and City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall.

 

City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall said the initiative was an important one as river systems degrade due to increased urbanisation in the south east corridor.

 

“The Restoring our Rivers campaign is a positive initiative drawing concerned local governments and action groups together to devise action plans to maintain the health and aesthetics of our rivers.

 

“As increased urbanisation and environment collide, it is crucial we work together to engage stakeholders to secure funding that will assist in preserving our precious waterways.

 

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders on the project,” Mr Hall said.

 

City of Gosnells Mayor Terresa Lynes said the local waterways were valuable in terms of local amenity and in providing social benefits for the community.

 

“They are also important cultural icons, particularly for Aboriginal people, and offer significant environmental and ecological value.

 

“This is a valuable opportunity to work with the other SECCA councils and local environmental and community groups to raise awareness of declining river health and secure funding to improve our river systems,” Mayor Lynes said.

 

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.”

 

Town of Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon also said securing funding was an important step to further SECCA’s cause.

 

“Protecting these important interconnected river systems from the effects of climate change and preserving their sustainability for future communities is a top priority for SECCA.

 

“We strongly encourage the Federal Government to help address the serious threat that faces some of our most critical waterways and environmental sites.”

 

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.

 

Published on

31st Jan 2022