The Federal Government is investing $600,000 to monitor and restore saltmarshes and riparian habitat across three locations on the South Coast.

At least 60 hectares of coastal saltmarsh and associated threatened ecological communities on the Clyde River at Batemans Bay, Burrill Lake and Lake Illawarra will benefit from the program.

The project will be led by OzFish, and includes weed removal, planting native species, community workshops and events, debris removal and ecosystem health assessments.

It will engage at least 100 local OzFish members and volunteers, allowing the community to contribute to meaningful environmental restoration and fostering community stewardship.

Whitlam MP Carol Berry said saltmarshes play an important role in keeping the local environment healthy.

“The Local Environmental Projects Program will give local volunteers the support they need to continue their long‑standing work to restore and protect this fragile habitat.”

Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips was thrilled to hook in with OzFish.

“Being a coastal electorate, our local waterways are so important to our community.

“We have many community groups engaged with keeping our waterways clean, and I am pleased to support OzFish, so that local volunteers can help maintain our important saltmarshes in the Clyde River and Burrill Lake.”

Whitlam MP Carol Berry at Lake Illawarra.

Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the Government was “investing in projects that encourage local communities to connect and care for nature, empowering Australians to achieve improved outcomes for the environment around the country”.

“This funding will deliver meaningful action to conserve, protect and sustainably manage saltmarshes along the NSW South Coast."