Australian River Restoration Centre Limited
Rivers of Carbon – Upper Lachlan – $349,200
Rivers of carbon – Upper Lachlan builds on the work of the successful large-scale Rivers of Carbon Program (www.riversofcarbon.org.au). This project will restore upstream waterways in the Lachlan Catchment, helping landholders conserve riparian zones while maintaining farm productivity and water security. Despite limited past investment, strong community support is driving efforts to improve water quality and biodiversity. Funded activities include fencing, native revegetation, alternative stock water systems, woody weed control, and erosion management – all delivered in partnership with Landcare and local landholders to boost ecological connectivity and climate resilience.
Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy
Enhancing genetic diversity, climate resilience and biodiversity outcomes in 2 Endangered Lowland Subtropical Rainforest communities – $349,955
This project will restore 2 endangered lowland subtropical rainforest communities in Northern New South Wales’s Big Scrub region using genome-informed plantings to boost diversity and climate resilience. Native species will be planted near existing rainforest remnants to improve reproductive fitness and create self-sustaining populations. Weed control across 35 sites will enhance habitat for 38 threatened plant and 47 threatened animal species. Community planting days, workshops, and education programs will foster long-term stewardship and support rainforest recovery through a blend of science and public engagement.
Bowning–Bookham Districts Landcare Group Incorporated
Habitat hops from Burrinjuck to Bango – stages 7–11 – $349,858
This project will expand habitat connectivity between Burrinjuck and Bango Nature Reserves by planting 12,500 climate-ready tubestock and 100 km of direct seeding across private land. It will restore critically endangered Box Gum Grassy Woodland and improve biodiversity monitoring through collaboration with ANU Sustainable Farms. Community engagement – including field days and volunteer plantings – will foster long-term stewardship and landscape resilience.
Central Tablelands Regional Landcare Network
Better bush for birds – $349,278
This project will restore habitat for woodland birds in New South Wales’s Central Tablelands by reconnecting remnant woodlands, including the endangered box gum grassy woodland. Five Landcare networks will work with landholders, councils and volunteers to deliver on-ground activities such as fencing, understorey revegetation, and protection of paddock trees. Through an expression of interest process, landholders will receive plants, fencing support and expert guidance. Over 3 years, more than 15,000 native plants will be established and 130 km of habitat connectivity enhanced, with community events and training workshops fostering long-term stewardship.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Watha Yanyiyn Biyan Biyan-Duwa, Bularr-Gulga Watuun Baaya-Nga (Fire walks across Biyan Biyan, orchid come up), Barrington Tops National Park – $301,580
This project will embed cultural burning as a regular practice in Barrington Tops National Park to strengthen Aboriginal connection to Country, build conservation capacity, and protect threatened species like Bularr-Gulga Watuun (Diuris venosa) and native pepperbush. Led by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Hunter Central Coast Branch in partnership with the local Aboriginal community, the project will focus on restoring subalpine grasslands around Beann Beann and Polblue swamps through weed control, cultural burns, and biodiversity monitoring. NPWS fire teams will support burn planning and training to establish a community-based Indigenous fire team for long-term land stewardship.
Goonengerry Landcare Group Incorporated
Goonengerry Landcare Group’s restoration and rehabilitation project 2025 – $349,730
This project extends Goonengerry Landcare’s restoration work on private properties to strengthen wildlife corridors and support the resilience of nearby Mount Jerusalem, Nightcap and Goonengerry national parks. Through assisted natural regeneration and targeted tree planting, weed-dominated bushland will be transformed into diverse lowland subtropical rainforest, improving habitat for threatened species like the endangered hairy quandong. In partnership with the Jagun Alliance, the project promotes Aboriginal cultural land management and ecosystem values and contributes to the Saving Our Species program through genetic material collection for research.
Hovells Creek Landcare Group Incorp
Hovells Creek erosion control project stage 3 – $349,915
Stage 3 of the Hovells Creek erosion control project continues a long-term effort to address gully erosion in the Hovells Creek area of the Lachlan River catchment. Building on earlier work across 33 sites, it will reduce sedimentation, restore aquatic and riparian biodiversity, and protect the lower Lachlan endangered ecological community. High-resolution lidar mapping has identified priority erosion sites for targeted repairs using earthworks, revegetation, fencing, and natural techniques like leaky dams. These actions will improve river flow, boost ecological health, and build landholder capacity for climate-resilient land management.
Nari Nari Tribal Council
Improving native fish populations in the Gayini wetlands using a pipe fishway – $343,490
This project will restore fish migration in the Gayini Wetlands on the Murrumbidgee floodplains by installing a low-cost pipe fishway, reconnecting native fish to vital spawning grounds and food sources. Managed by Traditional Owners, it blends Indigenous conservation, environmental restoration and sustainable farming. A carp separation cage and automated fish counter will support pest control and ecological monitoring, alongside a River Ranger training program. Building on a successful trial, the project will boost biodiversity, improve wetland resilience, and strengthen Traditional Owners’ role in caring for Country using modern tools alongside traditional knowledge.
Nature Glenelg Trust
A wetland revived – restoration of the Boeill Creek wetland system in far west New South Wales – $336,200
This project will restore the Boeill Creek System, a culturally significant wetland near Buronga on the Murray River, by addressing reduced flooding caused by river regulation. Over 2 springs, environmental water will be pumped to rejuvenate 45 ha of wetland and 12 km of riparian vegetation, supporting native fauna and improving ecological health. Levee repairs and pump screens will help retain water and reduce pest carp, benefiting native fish like the threatened Murray hardyhead. Guided by ecological monitoring and expert input, adaptive water management will ensure long-term environmental outcomes.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council
Boosting bushland biodiversity at North Ridge Reserve, Cooma – $225,315
This project will restore at least 60 ha of open forest habitat in North Ridge Reserve, Cooma, by 2030, including areas that support the endangered gang gang cockatoo. It combines strategic, best-practice bush regeneration and 4 cultural burns led by skilled bush regenerators and Indigenous (Ngarigo) cultural burn contractors to improve biodiversity and cultural outcomes and reverse ecological decline.
Community engagement – including weed removal days and plant giveaways – will boost participation and reduce garden-sourced weeds. Despite past efforts, weed infestations and inappropriate fire regimes persist. This new plan, backed by Council and local groups, aims to boost recovery efforts and build a positive and sustainable trajectory that inspires lasting community support for bushland.
The Mulloon Institute Limited
Restoration of Mulloon catchment to protect its ecosystems – phase 3 – $345,504
Building on previous successful stages, this project will expand the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative’s catchment-scale restoration in Mulloon, Sandhills and Shiel creeks by installing 32 new bed-control structures, building on 60 successful works since 2011. These structures restore floodplain function, enhance biodiversity, and improve resilience to drought, bushfire and flood. The project also supports landholders through the Mulloon Institute’s Learning Program, which builds skills, strengthens community networks, and ensures long-term impact through engagement and ecological monitoring.
Tweed Landcare Inc.
Filling the biodiversity gaps connecting the Tweed coast to the Border Ranges – stage 10 – $350,000
Stage 10 of the Filling the biodiversity gaps program will restore and protect high-conservation value vegetation across the Tweed Coast and Border Ranges to connect habitats and support threatened species. Targeted private properties linked to mapped corridors or national parks will be selected for on-ground works based on ecological value and landholder engagement. Restoration activities will improve landscape connectivity and complement the formal reserve system. Landholders will receive tailored support through the Landholder NRM Capacity Tracker, with training and awareness events delivered to build skills and strengthen community understanding of landscape connectivity for climate resilience.