The Andrews Labor Government will match funds dollar-for-dollar with community groups for Funds for Fish – a 30-day crowdfunding campaign to help protect local waterways and restore native fish habitats.
The campaign – run in partnership with the Australian River Restoration Centre – will encourage communities to become more involved in supporting local river projects across the Corangamite, Glenelg Hopkins and Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority regions.
Fishing enthusiasts and nature lovers can donate as little as $2, with funds raised to be matched dollar-for-dollar by CMAs through the Labor Government’s Regional Riparian Action Plan and other government initiatives to improve the health of regional waterways.
Funds will be used on larger projects to improve fish habitat and increase vegetation along river banks, with the three CMAs working to complete a number of key initiatives.
Target goals as part of the Funds for Fish campaign include:
- $10,000 to assist with re-snagging and revegetation of sections of Spring Creek in Torquay by the Corangamite CMA
- $12,000 as part of an improvement to fish habitat and revegetation on the Merri River through Warrnambool by the Glenelg Hopkins CMA
- $15,000 to help accelerate habitat restoration for the endangered Macquarie Perch in streams in the Strathbogie Ranges by the Goulburn Broken CMA.
Community members can also become involved either by purchasing a perk or making a donation through the crowdfunding campaign.
Perks include experiences, accommodation, business promotion and other goods produced for the campaign, or kindly donated by local businesses.
All donations are fully tax deductible through the Australian River Restoration Centre. More information on the campaign is available at:
Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Lisa Neville
“Victoria’s waterways are an integral part of any community, and we want to help restore native fish habitats.”
“Funds for Fish will help make considerable habitat improvements for endangered fish like the Macquarie Perch.”
Quotes attributable to Funds for Fish Project Manager Adam Bester
“We’re undertaking this campaign because we understand how effective local communities can be to achieve big changes.”
“Using crowdfunding, social media and other channels, we want to empower the community to get involved and help make a positive transformation to our waterways.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020