Native habitat to flourish with water partnership

Water will be flowing into a native habitat sanctuary at Monarto, thanks to a new partnership between SA Water and BioR, as part of the utility’s 2022-23 Community Partnerships Program.

BioR is a grassroots organisation that creates habitats to support native wildlife, ensuring biodiversity is secure for future generations.

Funding will assist BioR to establish a habitat at Frahns Farm, a 550 hectare property at Monarto to restore native vegetation and attract birdlife back to the area through direct seeding of native grasses and planting of 40,000 tubestock.

The annual program provides a total of $75,000 in financial support towards initiatives or events focused on environmental sustainability, climate change, and improving community health and wellbeing.

SA Water's General Manager of Strategy, Engagement and Innovation Nicola Murphy said the exciting project at Monarto is among eight new partnerships forged across metropolitan and regional South Australia this year.

“Through a combination of more effective use of rainfall run-off and annual plantings, the project’s long-term objective is to restore 80 per cent of Frahn’s Farm with habitat that can support and sustain at least 80 per cent of local wildlife expected in the area,” Nicola said.

“Sharing our vision of proactive environmental leadership, the watering habitat will assist in creating a sustainable environment for animals and plants that are facing extinction due to a loss of habitat.

"We look forward to working with BioR to have this initiative in place in time for summer, to get the native seedlings off to a good start.”

This year’s Community Partnerships Program saw more than 80 applications from initiatives across the state.

"Our program is all about helping groups and events of different shapes and sizes, and following a terrific response for applications from the community, this year's recipients are a perfect fit,” Nicola said.

“Ranging from an aquaponics system at Blyth's primary school to the creation of an urban wetland in Mount Gambier, our 2022-23 partners are all harnessing water to make their local community a better place.

"We're also partnering-up to deliver an incredible feature garden at this year's Royal Adelaide Show, where tens of thousands of visitors each day can learn about creating cool, green spaces in their community.

"We know grassroots groups and events have faced challenges throughout recent years due to COVID-19, and we can't wait to work together with all of this year's program recipients to achieve great outcomes.”

For more information on SA Water’s Community Partnerships Program, visit sawater.com.au.

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