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The Deniliquin Wetlands Restoration Community Project committee is submitting grant applications for $200,000 for major works to Deniliquin’s lagoons.

The committee also received confirmation this week that 4000 southern pygmy perch fingerlings will be ready to be released into the Waring Gardens and Matthews Park lagoons in February.

In the meantime, the Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre is weaving bottomless baskets to create artificial habitat for the fingerlings.

‘‘The fish can swim in and out of them and that will protect the fish from the birds,’’ project manager from Murray CMA Dr John Conallin said.

The RSL Fishing Club and CMA are also creating artificial habitat. The restoration project has so far included the draining, cleaning and refilling of four lagoons in Deniliquin, with the aim of stocking them with native fish and aquatic plants.

There are plans to make the lagoons an education project for school children, and a point of interest for tourists complete with signage and a designated walk.

A number of community organisations are collaborating for the project, including Deniliquin Council and the Murray Catchment Management Authority (CMA).

Dr Conallin said the committee submitted an application for $200,000 through the Riverina Red Gum Regional Employment and Community Development Fund - round two.

‘‘The next grant that we’ll be applying for is (through) the Community Bush Regeneration Large Project Stream. That will be for a similar amount.’’

Dr Conallin said the grants would fund the full restoration, including a walking track and viewing platforms around the lagoons.

The track would include information panels and link in with the beach-to-beach walk. Dr Conallin also hopes to use the lagoons to treat stormwater.

They expect to hear about the grants by the end of March.