Rebekha secures $160,000 for revegetation on Hindmarsh Island

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has secured $160,000 for the Hindmarsh Island Landcare group to continue revegetating the newly created Lawari Conservation Park.

"The 1,100ha park on the eastern end of the island near the Murray Mouth was gazetted by the State Government three years ago but no significant funding was set aside for a management plan and to continue revegetation projects,” Rebekha said.

“I was approached by the Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group whose members have been planting vegetation on the State-owned site for 20 years ever since the Wyndgate Farm was purchased.

“They had a plan to collect locally-sourced seed and then propagate and plant 30,000 more seedlings in the park.

“It was a great project using local volunteers and the resources of the Hindmarsh Island Landcare Nursery and I was pleased to advocate the Federal Government directly to secure the $160,000 they needed.

“Lawari Conservation Park is an important habitat area within an area of wetlands that supports many threatened fish and waterbird species.

“It is part of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Ramsar wetlands site of international importance.

“We know from the exposure of acidic soils during the Millennium Drought how important it is to re-establish the environment of the Lower Lakes.”

The Landcare group will use the $160,000 for growing and planting plants, weed control and to purchase equipment, fuel and materials.

The group is contributing more than $90,000 worth of ‘in-kind’ support.

“This grant will provide a tremendous impetus for continuing the rehabilitation needed on such a key location at the mouth of Australia’s most important river,” said Pauline Jowett, Chairperson of the Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group.

“This conservation park can now continue to become a target for bushwalkers, bird watchers.”

The group’s Project Officer, Richard Owen, said the Park was becoming a healthier and more attractive location.

“We are so pleased that our local Federal member, Rebekha Sharkie, has a similar priority to us and has been successful in lobbying for this important site,” Richard said.

“This conservation park has the most important mix of habitats on the island and will continue to improve in ecological quality as a direct result of this grant which will enable over 30 000 more plants to be raised and planted on Lawari.”

Photo: Rebekha recently joined members of the Hindmarsh Island Landcare group as they continued their work revegetating the newly created Lawari Conservation Park. Rebekha has secured $160,000 in Federal funding for revegetation on the site.