- About $1 million in grants available through two funding programs in and around Swan Canning Riverpark
- Swan Canning Riverpark Urban Forest program is helping restore native vegetation
- Plastic Free Riverpark program is reducing single-use packaging and serveware
- Part of the Cook Labor Government commitment to protecting and restoring Western Australia’s environment
The Cook Labor Government is committed to protecting and restoring Western Australia’s environment with applications now open for two grant programs that support environmental restoration and sustainability initiatives in and around the Swan Canning Riverpark.
There is more than $926,000 in grants available in 2026-27 through the Swan Canning Riverpark Urban Forest (SCRUF) funding program, which supports the delivery of urban forest restoration projects within the Swan Canning Riverpark and surrounding catchments.
Projects funded through the 2025-2026 round are expected to restore a further 8.5 hectares and support the planting of more than 123,500 native trees and shrubs.
Public land managers are invited to work with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to develop projects that support urban canopy and biodiversity targets. If successful, the SCRUF program will contribute up to two-thirds of the total project cost.
Project proposals for 2026-2027 SCRUF funding must be submitted by Friday, 2 October 2026. For more information, visit dbca.wa.gov.au/urbanforestprogram .
In addition to this, Plastic Free Riverpark grants of between $1,000 and $10,000 are also now available to support events, businesses, venues, sporting groups, and local governments operating in and around the Swan, Canning, Southern, and Helena rivers to move away from single-use serveware by adopting practical reusable alternatives.
The Plastic Free Riverpark program is part of the Cook Labor Government’s Kep Katitjin – Gabi Kaadadjan (Waterwise action plan 3) to establish leading waterwise communities for Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030.
Plastic Free Riverpark grants are available until Friday, 19 March 2027 or until funding is exhausted. More information is available at dbca.wa.gov.au/plasticfreeriverpark .
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
“By reducing single-use packaging, restoring native vegetation, and improving habitat, these programs are delivering lasting benefits for the environment and everyone who enjoys spending time in and around our beautiful Swan and Canning rivers.
“The Swan Canning Riverpark Urban Forest funding program was a 2021 election commitment by the Cook Labor Government, and it has already successfully supported 20 urban forest projects, delivering about 41 hectares of weed control, 27 hectares of revegetation, and more than 500,000 native plants.
“Since 2021, the Plastic Free Riverpark program has awarded more than $370,000 to 120 businesses, venues, and events, helping eliminate more than three million single-use serve-ware items and packaging.
“I encourage eligible public land managers, businesses, and event coordinators to apply for these grants and continue working together to improve the health and resilience of this important urban waterway.”
