The International RiverFoundation has announced the finalists for the 2012 Australian Riverprize – the environmental equivalent of the Olympics.
This year’s finalists represent a diverse group of river restoration and river protection projects from across Australia.
The three finalists are (in no particular order) Condamine River – Condamine Alliance (Queensland), Georges River – Georges River Combined Council’s Committee Inc (New South Wales) and Swan and Canning Rivers – Swan River Trust (Western Australia).
The overall winner will be announced at the Riverprize Gala Dinner on October 9, as part of the International Riversymposium in Melbourne.
International RiverFoundation CEO Matthew Reddy said, “The Australian Riverprize really is the Olympics of the environment, with each organisation trying to go greener, safer and cleaner. These finalists are champions in their own right and will all receive a place on the podium but we’ll have to wait until October to see who can turn green into gold.”
The judging takes into account the long-term commitment and vision for the integrated management of the river, as well as actual achievements in improving river health.
The Australian Riverprize was established in 2001 and is the largest prize for environmental achievement in the country.
Awarded annually, it is funded by the Australian Government’s Water Smart Australia program, under the Water for the Future initiative. All Australian-based groups engaged in the sustainable management of the country’s rivers and wetlands are eligible to apply.
The prize is valued at $200,000 and consists of $150,000 in cash prizes and a $50,000 grant for the winner to establish a ‘twinning’ project within Australia – facilitating knowledge exchange with another river basin.
The Condamine Alliance’s Dewfish Demonstration Reach (Reach) incorporates part of the Condamine River, which is the headwaters of the Murray Darling Basin system.
To the Condamine catchment community the Reach is much more than just a waterway but part of the lifeblood, which nourishes a rich and productive agricultural region and sustains a growing urban and mining population.
But growth and demand have had a significant impact on the river system and native fish populations. Condamine Alliance and its committed partners shared a vision to increase native fish populations to 60 per cent of pre-European settlement levels by 2050.
Armed with a Whole of Life River Rescue Plan, a commitment to community involvement, and simple solutions to restore river health, the Reach emerged, flourished and delivered – our fish are back!
Key achievements include improved condition, connectivity and resilience along the 110-kilometre 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; and demonstrated how simple, coordinated measures can bring back native fish and improve river health – for life.
The International RiverFoundation would like to thank all applicants in 2012.
