Working With Government
Federal Government
Riverwatch has been fortunate in obtaining Federal Government support and funding over the years.
The support given to Riverwatch over the years from our Federal Government representatives is greatly appreciated.
The support given to Riverwatch over the years from our Federal Government representatives is greatly appreciated.
Fiona Phillips, Federal Member for Gilmore, announcing pre-election commitment of $1.5M for the Shoalhaven River.
Richard: "Did you know that Shoalhaven Riverwatch have planted 110,000 mangroves along the Shoalhaven River over the last 25 years?"
Peter: "Yeah, and now the fish are this big!"
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Shoalhaven River to get $1.5M under the Federal Government's $200M Urban Rivers & Catchments Program.
The program will help the environment by: Creating wetlands to slow water flow and filter stormwater before it reaches our rivers Planning citizen science and education projects for pre-schoolers and school age children Removing cement walls and returning them to natural riverbanks Revegetation and tree planting. More details will follow when the funds are allocated to Shoalhaven City Council. |
Bank Restoration work at Bolong
In 2017, the Federal Government through the lobbying of Riverwatch and the Local Member for Gilmore, made available $300,000 to Shoalhaven City Council for Shoalhaven River bank restoration at Bolong. The project was completed in 2019.
Riverwatch assisted the Council with the tender process and in providing volunteers to provide further advice and undertaken ongoing planting of mangroves.
In 2017, the Federal Government through the lobbying of Riverwatch and the Local Member for Gilmore, made available $300,000 to Shoalhaven City Council for Shoalhaven River bank restoration at Bolong. The project was completed in 2019.
Riverwatch assisted the Council with the tender process and in providing volunteers to provide further advice and undertaken ongoing planting of mangroves.
Green Army Project for Bolong
On 18 April 2013 Riverwatch hosted a river trip for the Government Ministers to view bank restoration work and banks needing urgent repairs. Minister Hunt announced that bank restoration at Bolong would be a high priority for a Green Army project.
Left to Right.
John Tate: Riverwatch
Greg Hunt: Shadow Federal Minister for the Environment
Ann Sudmalis: Federal Member for Gilmore
Charlie Weir: Vice President Riverwatch
Eric Zarrella: NSW Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.
Joanna Gash: Mayor, Shoalhaven City Council
John Downey: Riverwatch
On 18 April 2013 Riverwatch hosted a river trip for the Government Ministers to view bank restoration work and banks needing urgent repairs. Minister Hunt announced that bank restoration at Bolong would be a high priority for a Green Army project.
Left to Right.
John Tate: Riverwatch
Greg Hunt: Shadow Federal Minister for the Environment
Ann Sudmalis: Federal Member for Gilmore
Charlie Weir: Vice President Riverwatch
Eric Zarrella: NSW Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.
Joanna Gash: Mayor, Shoalhaven City Council
John Downey: Riverwatch
State Government
Riverwatch has a long association with the NSW State Government ranging from seeking funding for river rehabilitation to management and boating plans for the river. Funding between 2001 and 2018 amounted to approximately $241,000. The majority of funding was for bank restoration work.
While the names of the Government agencies have changed, associations have been established with environmental, fisheries, water, catchment and crown land authorities.
With the creation of the NSW Catchments Management Authorities in 2003, Riverwatch had a close working relationship with the staff from the Nowra office of the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (SRCMA). Working in partnership with the SRCMA, Riverwatch had been able to undertake large scale bank restoration work, which was really impossible prior to the establishment of the SRCMA. The SRCMA has now been replaced by NSW Local Land Services (LLS).
Riverwatch appreciates the support from our State Government representatives in the electorates of Kiama and Shoalhaven as well as the support given to us from staff within the various State Government departments.
While the names of the Government agencies have changed, associations have been established with environmental, fisheries, water, catchment and crown land authorities.
With the creation of the NSW Catchments Management Authorities in 2003, Riverwatch had a close working relationship with the staff from the Nowra office of the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (SRCMA). Working in partnership with the SRCMA, Riverwatch had been able to undertake large scale bank restoration work, which was really impossible prior to the establishment of the SRCMA. The SRCMA has now been replaced by NSW Local Land Services (LLS).
Riverwatch appreciates the support from our State Government representatives in the electorates of Kiama and Shoalhaven as well as the support given to us from staff within the various State Government departments.
Local Government:
Riverwatch supports Council in Cigarette Butt CleanUp
Hornsby Shire Council
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The Hornsby Shire Council is undertaking a program to improve the resilience of the Hawkesbury River by the planting of mangroves along its foreshore.
In 2019 Riverwatch was contacted by the Natural Resources section of the Council on mangrove propagation. In 2021 Riverwatch donated 100 mangrove seedlings to help with the propagation of the mangroves. Riverwatch is extremely happy to be able to assist the Council with their River resilience work. |
Shoalhaven City Council
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Representation by Riverwatch on natural resource Committees concerning the Shoalhaven River has been possible for many years. This has enable Riverwatch to have an input, to the development of Council's policy of the Shoalhaven estuary, including the drafting of a Shoalhaven River Estuary Management Plan (SREMP).
While Council highlights the importance of the Shoalhaven River for tourism, Council's desire to implement many of the actions of the Shoalhaven River Estuary Management Plan (SREMP) and recognize the impact of unplanned recreational boating activity on the river system has been disappointing. Riverwatch will continue to strived to have a good working relationship with Council. |
River Cruise on the Riverwatch Boat in November 2012.
River Familiarization Cruise 2012.
Representatives inspect bank restoration work and planning for a new strategic management plan for the Shoalhaven River to improve river health and reduce pollution and bank erosion.
From left to right:
John Wells: Shoalhaven Councillor
Joanna Gash: Mayor Shoalhaven City Council
Pam Green: Chair Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (SRCMA)
Eric Zarrella: SRCMA
Charlie Weir: Riverwatch President
Terry Barratt: Shoalhaven Landcare representative.
Ann Sudmalis: Federal Member for Gilmore.
Shelley Hancock: State Member of Parliament.
Representatives inspect bank restoration work and planning for a new strategic management plan for the Shoalhaven River to improve river health and reduce pollution and bank erosion.
From left to right:
John Wells: Shoalhaven Councillor
Joanna Gash: Mayor Shoalhaven City Council
Pam Green: Chair Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (SRCMA)
Eric Zarrella: SRCMA
Charlie Weir: Riverwatch President
Terry Barratt: Shoalhaven Landcare representative.
Ann Sudmalis: Federal Member for Gilmore.
Shelley Hancock: State Member of Parliament.