Millions pledged for Bendigo Creek renewal

IF the Australian Labor Party wins tomorrow’s Federal election, $7 million in funding will flow to the City of Greater Bendigo to team up with DJAARA, the North Central Catchment Management Authority and local community groups to improve the health of the Bendigo Creek.

The funding is expected to help restore critical habitat along the waterway, manage flood risk, as well as empower traditional owners to practice and promote cultural and spiritual connections to the creek.

It will also allow for more community involvement and may expand community water monitoring, as well as provide local Landcare with more support and to undertake a community education campaign.

Potential projects could also include erosion control and creek stabilisation, creek renaturalisation, and removing sediment and contaminants to improve the creek’s amenity and function.

According to a statement from the ALP, the investment will build on the Federal Government’s Urban Rivers program, which has funded over 100 projects to revitalised local rivers and waterways and improve green spaces.

“The Bendigo Creek flows over 150 kilometres through the Country of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Barapa Barapa Traditional Owners, which includes the present-day City of Greater Bendigo and Shire of Campaspe,” Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said.

“This funding is crucial to restoration projects along Bendigo Creek and the community’s efforts to protect the waterway’s habitat for the native species that depend on it.

“(It) was significantly impacted during the Gold Rush period of the 1850s (and) this funding is going to help repair this damage and improve our natural environment.”