18 September 2006 - The Howard Government will provide $10,000 towards a new effort to clean up the River Torrens in Adelaide.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment and Heritage, Greg Hunt, today announced the funding would be used to sponsor the forthcoming Urban Rivers Symposium.

Mr Hunt said the Symposium, due to be held in Adelaide later this year, will draw on world's best practice in urban river management to help find new solutions to clean up the waterway.

"For too long, the waterway has been allowed to be treated as a glorified stormwater drain," Mr Hunt told the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand Conference in Adelaide.

"In many ways, the Torrens is Australia's biggest stormwater drain. But it represents the heart and soul of the city. We must increase efforts to improve the river's water quality.

"I want the Symposium, which is being organised by the Adelaide City Council, to come up with a new action plan with new ideas and new solutions from environmental experts around Australia and overseas."

The funding is from the Federal Government's Community Water Grants scheme. It offers grants of up to $50,000* for projects including efforts to improve water quality and water recycling.

Federal Member for Sturt, Christopher Pyne, welcomed the Commonwealth sponsorship of the event.

"Earlier this year, Greg Hunt, Trish Draper and I urged the State Government to commit significant funds to develop a long term strategy to rehabilitate the Torrens," Mr Pyne said.

"With the State Budget to be finally handed down in a few days I'd urge Treasurer Foley to make that commitment and help fix this iconic South Australian waterway," he said.

John Deller (Mr Hunt's office)
Adam Howard (Mr Pyne's office)
*some projects may be funded for up to $250,000. For details call 1800 780 730