Australian Riverprize
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Applications for the 2013 Australian Riverprize close on 29 March 2013.
Total funding: The project funding of $1 million from the Australian Government Water Smart Australia Program is to provide for the Australian Riverprize over the five year period from 2009 - 2013. The annual prize consists of $200,000 within which $50,000 may be used for an extension activity or 'twinning' where the winner establishes a partnership to share their knowledge and experience with another river management organisation.
About the project
The Australian Riverprize was first awarded in 2001 and is now a partnership between the International RiverFoundation and the International Riversymposium. The Australian Riverprize is awarded annually for excellence in river management.
Applications for the prize are sought from individuals and organisations across Australia that are engaged in best practice river and catchment management.
Project benefits
This project showcases leadership and best practice river and wetland management across Australia. The winners must demonstrate excellence in program delivery, inclusiveness, public accountability and innovation.
The award of the Australian Riverprize recognises outstanding achievement, promotes awareness of river management and facilitates networking between river management organisations.
For more information about the 2013 Australian Riverprize visit: RiverFoundation .
2012 Australian Riverprize Winner
The 2012 Australian Riverprize was presented at the 15th International Riversymposium held in Melbourne from 8-11 October 2012.
The Dewfish Demonstration Reach incorporates part of the Condamine River which is the headwaters of the Murray Darling Basin system. The community sees the Reach as part of the lifeblood which nourishes a rich and productive agricultural region and sustains a growing population but where growth and demand was having a significant impact on the river system and native fish populations. The Condamine Alliance and its partners shared a vision to increase native fish populations to 60 per cent of pre-European settlement levels by 2050.
Key achievements included:
- improved condition, connectivity and resilience along the 110 kilometer Reach
- increased Golden perch, Bony bream and Eel-tailed catfish numbers in high intervention areas and saw the return of Moonfish in Myall Creek for the first time in 15 years
- established committed partners across all sectors willing to invest money and time to meet the 50 year target
- proved the power of good planning backed by science
- demonstrated how simple, coordinated measures can bring back native fish and improve river health.
2012 Finalists
- Swan and Canning Rivers, WA, the Swan River Trust and its partners delivered a diverse suite of projects to help protect and enhance the ecological health and community benefits of the Riverpark
- Georges River, NSW, The Georges River Combined Councils' Committee has improved the health of the Georges River over three decades and takes a lead role in promoting institutional capacity building with stakeholders
2011 Australian Riverprize Winner
The 2011 Australian Riverprize was presented at the 14th International Riversymposium held in Brisbane from 26–29 September, 2011.
The Sunshine Coast Rivers Initiative, submitted by the Sunshine Coast Council, unites an impressive collection of river-health planning and on-ground achievements in six catchment areas, comprising approximately 5000km of waterways across the Sunshine Coast region in southeast Queensland. Conducted by a collaboration of Council, local community groups, industry, natural resource managers and other government partners, the initiative has delivered significant works to protect and improve the health of local waterways.
2011 Finalist
- Project Catalyst, QLD, for improvement of water quality in the Great Barrier Reef
2010 Australian Riverprize Winner
The 2010 Australian Riverprize was presented by Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, at the 13th International Riversymposium held in Perth from 11–14 October, 2010.
Derwent Estuary Program, a partnership working on the restoration and promotion of the Derwent Estuary in Tasmania, was awarded the 2010 Australian Riverprize for excellence in catchment and river management in preparation for a future of climate change and less water. The program was established in 1999 and has achieved in the last 5 years an 80 per cent reduction in organic inputs, reduced heavy metals by 50 percent and sewage derived nutrients by 30 per cent. Derwent Estuary lies at the heart of the Hobart metropolitan area and is heavily used for a wide range of recreational and industrial activities.
2010 Finalists
- Cooks River Foreshores Working Group, a voluntary group of councils working in the Cooks River Catchment in Sydney
- Mallee Catchment Management Authority, for delivery of environmental flows to Hattah Lakes in the Mallee region of Victoria, and
- Lake Illawarra Authority, for restoration of Lake Illawarra near Wollongong in NSW.
2009 Australian Riverprize Winner
The 2009 Australian Riverprize was presented by Senator Claire Moore, Senator for Queensland, at the 12th International Riversymposium held in Brisbane on 22 September 2009.
Oxley Creek Catchment Association was awarded the 2009 Australian Riverprize for outstanding catchment management activities. The association was established in 1996 and has achieved strong community and industry engagement in catchment management activities. Oxley Creek is a tributary that stretches for approximately 70 kilometres to the Brisbane River.
2009 Finalists
- Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Victoria, for Great Ocean Road estuary and catchment management;
- Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Victoria, for delivery of environmental flows to a Murray River wetland of high conservation value in the Mallee region of Victoria; and
- Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee, for estuary catchment management on the south coast of Western Australia.
Water Smart Australia projects are funded by the Australian Government's Water for the Future initiative.
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