TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR WATSON
MATT KEOGH MP
MEMBER FOR BURT
JAMES MARTIN
CANDIDATE FOR HASLUCK
HANNAH BEAZLEY
CANDIDATE FOR SWAN
A SHORTEN LABOR GOVERNMENT WILL CLEAN UP THE CANNING
A Shorten Labor Government will clean up the Canning River with a commitment of up to $2 million to restore the Canning River catchment area including Yale Brook, Southern River and Nerrigen Brook.
Mr Burke said Labor had committed $200 million to bring urban waterways and habitat corridors back to health, and the Canning River is now on the priority list.
Through the Urban Rivers and Waterways Program, a Shorten Labor Government will restore urban rivers across the country to their natural beauty.
Labors investment will unlock grant funding for projects to clean up our rivers including revegetation, tree planting, waste capture and naturalisation projects, Mr Burke said.
Mr Keogh said the Canning River in particular has been mistreated for too long.
Growing up in Kelmscott we spent our weekends down by the river. Its so sad to see that the Canning in recent years has been treated like a storm water drain, ending up polluted and dirty rather than being a safe, beautiful space for families to visit.
Labor will engage state and local governments, local councils, community groups and local environmental organisations including the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare to bring urban waterways and habitat corridors back to health.
Mr Martin said The Canning River is full of rubbish and despite council intervention, more needs to be done before it does irreparable damage to the wider environment.
The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government has consistently failed to provide federal environment programs that adequately address the urgent need for urban river rehabilitation, said Ms Beazley.
As a Mum of young kids Im proud that Labor is serious about protecting the environment and making sure its there for future generations to enjoy.
Labors National Urban Rivers, Corridors and Marine Parks policy will form part of a comprehensive platform for a healthier environment in our cities and across Australia.
