The Albanese Labor Government is investing $750,000 to rehabilitate the Sturt River (Warriparri) – delivering a healthier waterway, better green spaces, and improved recreational access for the southern suburbs of Adelaide.
This funding will support vital environmental restoration works along the urban stretch of the river, which flows through Boothby and into Sturt Gorge Regional Park – one of Adelaide’s most significant urban conservation areas.
The Sturt River is a valued community asset, a living corridor that provides recreational space, connects people with nature, and supports biodiversity across the southern suburbs.
This project builds on the very successful Albanese Government Urban Rivers program that has funded over 100 projects to clean up local rivers and waterways and improve much needed green spaces in our cities and suburbs, including in Boothby.
The Government has already invested more than $700,000 in projects in Boothby including:
These new funds will expand the Government’s support for upstream works in Coromandel Valley, Craigburn Farm and Hawthorndene – extending benefits across both Boothby and the adjacent Mayo electorate.
Nearly half of all nationally listed threatened animals and a quarter of our threatened plants are in urban areas. Their survival relies on healthy rivers, creeks, wetlands and estuaries.
This investment is part of the Albanese Labor Government’s broader commitment to protecting nature, tackling climate change, and delivering livable, resilient communities.
Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.
Quotes attributable to Minister Tanya Plibersek:
“We know Australians care deeply about nature and want to do their bit to protect the environment for their kids and grandkids.
“This project means we’ll be able to deliver vital environmental restoration work along the Sturt River – for the native species and communities that rely on this critical waterway.
“We’ve seen the real impact of projects like this that we’ve already supported through our Urban Rivers program. Things like removing invasive weeds and rehabilitating the Lane Cove River corridor to better protect the Glossy Black-Cockatoo, restoring more than 3 hectares of native oyster reefs that had been decimated by disease in the Georges River, and habitat restoration and improving wetland connectivity to support fish populations in Cairns.
“After a decade of environmental vandalism by the Liberals and Nationals, Labor has made record investments to undo the damage done.
“We’ve protected an extra 100 million hectares of Australian ocean and bush, approved enough renewable energy to power more than 10 million homes and increased recycling capacity by over 1 million tonnes a year. We’re also investing more than half a billion dollars to save our native plants and animals from extinction.
“A re-elected Labor Government will invest $250 million to protect an extra 30 million hectares of Aussie bushland – an area bigger than New Zealand.
“The choice at the election couldn’t be clearer. Labor who will protect nature, fund essential science, invest in threatened species, and act on climate change. Or the climate deniers and wreckers of the Liberal and National parties who haven’t made a single commitment that would help improve nature.”
Quotes attributable to Louise Miller-Frost MP:
“This is about restoring a much-loved river that runs through our suburbs – and making sure our community can enjoy it for generations to come.
“We’re protecting native habitat, improving water quality, and creating better public spaces where families can walk, ride, and connect with nature.”
