Award-winning river restoration in northern Tasmania

Greening Australia's Northern Tasmania Riparian Project was awarded the 2007 Australian Water Associations National Water Environment Merit Award for its innovative approach to river rehabilitation and management. 

Over 100 landholders were engaged in the 15-month long project, which tackled erosion, weed invasion and water-borne pollution at 98 strategic river sites.  River infrastructure works including in-stream engineering, revegetation, weed control and fencing were employed to stabilize and protect river banks and improve water quality.

While the project concluded in June 2006, the good work will continue courtesy of 81 private landholders who signed long term river management agreements.  This adds to the in-kind labour provided during the rehabilitation works and demonstrates the commitment of the northern Tasmanian community to river health and restoration.  

Greening Australia extended the community engagement component of the Project into Schools and to local industry groups who were offered water quality and riparian vegetation workshops.  This outreach component raised community awareness of river health and water quality issues.  The Northern Tasmania Riparian Project is part of Greening Australia’s National River Recovery Program, an ambitious initiative focused on the rehabilitation of nine key Australian rivers.  

Greening Australia's Tasmanian CEO Jonathan Duddles accepts the 2007 Australian Water Associations National Water Environment Merit Award along with staff members Mike Noble and Sebastian Burgess.