Rural landholders across Ballina Shire are invited to apply for Round One of the Partners for Healthy Waterways Small Grants Program.
The grants will support landholders to restore and care for riparian zones on their properties, such as riverbanks and wetlands.
Activities eligible for support under the program include:
- Bush regeneration works to restore areas of native vegetation, wetlands and/or revegetation with local native plants and associated materials such as mulch and tree guards.
- Environmental weed control and follow up maintenance.
- Plantings for erosion control using local native plants indigenous to the site.
- Bank stabilisation measures such as coir logs, coir and jute netting, brush matting or rock placement.
- Fencing that will exclude livestock from riparian zones.
"In September 2025 Ballina Shire Council resolved to establish the small grants program with funding from the Healthy Waterways Program," explained Ballina Shire Council's Coordinator Health and Environment Rachael Jenner.
"While this work will be carried out on private property, the flow-on effect will be healthier waterways for our whole community!
"By building local knowledge and skills, and improving collaboration between landholders and Council, we can improve water quality and biodiversity outcomes in the long term."
How to apply
Landholders can complete the online application form at ballina.nsw.gov.au/partners-for-healthy-waterways
Applications close Tuesday 1 December 2026.
Applicants will be advised of the outcome in January 2027 and funding agreements signed in February, ready for works to be undertaken from March 2027 through to December 2029.
Applicants are advised to read the guidelines available on Council's website for the full criteria and assessment process.
