Close to $1.6 million will be spent on rejuvenating local fish stocks and creating tourism dive sites in the Karuah River.
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The announcement comes as part of the Federal Government's $61.7 million budget spending on environmental restoration and recovery measures through the $1 billion COVID relief fund.
Federal member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said the Karuah River was one of 13 areas that would share in the $20 million investment in fish stock rejuvenation and creating tourism dive sites through the rescue of native marine ecosystems.
He said the investment would build on the one-hectare reef established in the river in May by the State government in partnership with local oyster growers and the community.
"The project is working in abandoned oyster lease areas and using remnant oysters to reseed the four hectares of new reefs," Dr Gillespie said.
"This initiative will sustain up to 10 jobs and see seven local contracts issued; that is just the sort of boost the local economy needs as we rebuild post the COVID-19 pandemic."
Dr Gillespie said The Nature Conservancy, Oceanwatch, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, local oyster growers and local fishers would also be involved in the project, which he believed would boost tourism and preserve the environment as part of the government's economic recovery plan.
"I hope this rehabilitation creates a lasting legacy for the Karuah oyster industry and encourages tourists to sample the amazing Sydney Rock Oysters which will be a big boost to the Myall Coast communities," he said.
"We want to bring people closer to our wonderful natural environment and we want to help them be a part of protecting and preserving our environment for generations to come."
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