Natural Resource Management project rocks

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman will visit Hyden this morning to inspect a project to restore vegetation around Wave Rock.

Waterlogging and salinity has destroyed much of Wave Rock Reserve's vegetation.

The project, being undertaken by the local community and businesses, involved earthworks aimed at diverting excess water away from affected areas and into natural lakes.

"Wave Rock is a Western Australian landmark so it is a shame to stand on top of the rock and look out over such a barren landscape," the Minister said.

"Hopefully this project will be successful in not only improving the aesthetics of the area but also rehabilitating the native vegetation and providing a habitat for native fauna."

Mr Redman, who is the lead Minister for Natural Resource Management, said the Wave Rock project received $150,000 in funding through State Natural Resource Management (NRM).

"It was one of 51 projects to share in $4.9million in NRM grants to local community groups the Government announced in May," he said.

"All of the projects funded involve community members and organisations having the local knowledge, passion and resourcefulness to carry out important NRM projects in their area."

The community grants program was part of the State Government's $25million NRM program for the 2009-10 financial year. A further $35million has been allocated to the State NRM program across the next four years.