A re-elected Turnbull Government will invest $760,000 to clean up the Brisbane River under the Improving Your Local Parks and Environment Programme and Green Army Programme.
The investment is part of the Coalition’s policy to support our local communities and environment by investing in parks, nature reserves, coastal and river areas.
The local plan will provide:
• $80,000 for Water Smart Street Trees, Rain Gardens and other water sensitive urban design, to reduce storm water and road run off.
• $70,000 to tackle sediment run off at Teneriffe Park.
• $360,000 for riparian planting and erosion control projects for tributaries into the Brisbane River, including Enoggera Creek.
• $50,000 for the Waterways Clean Up program to directly remove litter from the river.
The local plan to clean up the Brisbane River also includes approximately $200,000 for a new Green Army project, which will:
• Enhance the local Brisbane River riparian areas to improve water quality and species retention;
• Protect and improve habitat, working in conjunction with the other elements of the local plan; and
• Rejuvenate the local environment through removal and control of invasive species, and replanting with native species.
The Green Army provides opportunities for young Australians aged 17-24 years to gain training and experience which will assist them in the future to find jobs, while generating real benefits for the local environment.
Mr Trevor Evans, LNP Candidate for Brisbane, said the LNP was the only party committed to acting locally on protecting the environment and these practical projects will help tackle pollution and sediments entering the Brisbane River.
“By tackling the sources of river pollution such as road run off and erosion, we can help clean up both Brisbane River and help the environment downstream in the Moreton Bay,” Mr Evans said.
“Other candidates talk endlessly about the environment, but we are the only party to put money where our mouth is.”
“The funding would see real action on protecting the environment at a local level.”
“I am very excited about supporting the Waterways Clean Up program, which removes around 250,000 items of litter from our waterways each year.”
“The Brisbane River flows into Moreton Bay, which is a RAMSAR listed site of global environmental significance. By tackling litter upstream, we can also address detrimental impacts on marine and bird life in Moreton Bay downstream.”
“These are the next practical actions that need to be taken towards the management of the Brisbane River to help preserve the health of Moreton Bay.”
The Improving Your Local Parks and Environment Programme will support local councils, community groups, environment groups and others to undertake revitalisation, maintenance, management and improvement works at local parks, nature reserves, rivers, coastal areas and community facilities, and build awareness to reduce littering and marine debris.
The projects will be led by SEQ Catchments.
“We will work with SEQ Catchments, the local government, local residents and community groups on the final design of the local plan,” Minister Hunt said.
“Trevor Evans is a great candidate who recognises the benefits of the looking after and improving the local environment. He is passionate about the health and performance of Brisbane’s waterways and should be congratulated for advocating so strongly for the Brisbane River.”
Local parks and green spaces make our communities more liveable, healthy and sustainable.
The Coalition has a strong suite of practical environment policies that improve local environments and deliver tangible results.
This includes the Green Army, with 1145 projects announced nationally and more than 700 projects already rolled out, and planting 20 million trees to green our communities and provide habitat for threatened species.