The Swan Canning catchment will receive a significant boost through a new $600,000 funding round to support community groups working to restore local waterways. The latest round of the Community Rivercare Program will fund volunteer-led projects that strengthen riverbank resilience, improve habitat and protect long-term water quality across one of Western Australia’s most iconic river systems.
Grants ranging from $ 3,000 to $100,000 are available for projects up to two years. Eligible activities include stabilising riverbanks, removing invasive weeds, improving foreshore vegetation and enhancing habitats for native fauna. The program reflects the Cook Government’s priority of protecting the Swan and Canning Rivers and supporting community participation in long-term ecological restoration.
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How new funding will support the Swan Canning catchment
Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the grants demonstrate the Government’s commitment to safeguarding vital waterways.
“Safeguarding our iconic Swan Canning waterways is a key priority of the Cook Labor Government,” Swinbourn said.
He said extending the program ensures community groups remain central to local restoration.
“Extending this program for another two years reinforces our commitment to creating healthier river systems and empowering local communities to be part of the solution,” he said.
The latest round builds on previous investment, with nearly 120,000 dollars awarded earlier this year to eight projects through the program’s North Subregion Round 2. These projects included wetland revegetation, erosion control, weed removal and habitat creation across several important riverine and wetland sites. Volunteer groups such as the Friends of Lightning Swamp Bushland, Friends of Bindaring Wetland, and the Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group have led on-ground works that support native biodiversity and improve the ecological condition of the Swan Canning catchment.
What community groups can achieve through Swan Canning catchment grants
Minister Swinbourn acknowledged the impact of local volunteers in delivering meaningful environmental outcomes.
“I congratulate all successful recipients from the previous round and commend the outstanding efforts of volunteer groups who have worked tirelessly to enhance the health of the Swan Canning catchment, including improving habitat for the diverse wildlife that depend on these waterways,” he said.
The program aims to foster greater resilience by encouraging locally informed projects that address erosion, degraded foreshore areas and declining water quality.
The Cook Government said the funding continues its work to protect environmental assets for future generations. Full grant guidelines and eligibility criteria are available through the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, with applications closing on 6 February 2026. The latest round is part of a broader commitment to supporting volunteer groups and strengthening the ecological health of the Swan Canning catchment as pressures from urbanisation and climate change continue to grow.