South Australia's rivers and waterways will benefit from a major new investment to improve water quality, restore habitat and protect the biodiversity, cultural values and community wellbeing that healthy waterways support.

Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Emily Bourke recently launched the South Australian Government's $5 million Clean Rivers and Waterways Program, a three-year initiative that will deliver on-ground restoration in priority catchments while developing a statewide framework to guide future river restoration and investment across South Australia.

The program will bring together communities, landholders, First Nations organisations, councils, researchers, industry and government to improve the health of waterways from catchments to coasts.

Speaking to over 90 people at the launch, a Biodiversity McLaren Vale working-bee in the Willunga Basin, Minister Bourke highlighted the importance of clean waterways for communities and the environment.

Ministers speech launching the Clean Rivers Program at Biodiversity Mc Laren Vale working bee

“Healthy rivers and waterways underpin healthy communities. They support biodiversity, recreation, regional economies and cultural connections, while linking landscapes to estuaries, coasts and marine environments,” Minister Bourke said.

“What happens in our catchments ultimately affects the health of the waterways and coastal environments downstream.

"It's fantastic to launch this program alongside Biodiversity McLaren Vale volunteers, whose ongoing work demonstrates the vital role local communities play in restoring and caring for our waterways.

"Across South Australia, community groups and landholders are contributing thousands of hours to improve the health of our landscapes and waterways. This investment will help support and build on those efforts.

"This investment will support practical action now while laying the foundations for larger-scale restoration in the years ahead."

Michael Garrod, General Manager of the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, said the program would deliver both immediate and long-term benefits.

"Landscape Boards will commence restoration activities with community groups and landholders in priority Gulf St Vincent catchments, including the Bungala River, Carrickalinga, Pedler and Maslin Creeks, and northern Kangaroo Island catchments.

"At the same time, Adelaide University and Water Sensitive SA will work with stakeholders and communities to develop the South Australian Clean Rivers Framework, helping guide future restoration priorities and attract investment in healthier waterways across the state.

"We're grateful for the State Government's support of this initiative. The investment will help communities take practical action now while building the partnerships, knowledge and investment needed to restore waterways at a much larger scale over time," he said.

Funded by the South Australian Government, the Clean Rivers and Waterways Program is being delivered by the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, Green Adelaide, the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board, Water Sensitive SA, Adelaide University Environment Institute, partners and community.

Read more about the Clean Rivers and Waterways Project and outcomes here.

$5 million investment to restore South Australia’s rivers and waterways