Landholders across the Northern Rivers are working to repair creeks and riverbanks damaged by the 2022 floods, replanting native vegetation along 40km of riverbanks, fencing off waterways, and improving how water moves as part of a pilot program.
As part of the Caring for Catchments program, 35 projects across four catchments are underway on private land to stabilise waterways and support long-term catchment health.
So far, about 62 hectares have been revegetated, 40km of riverbank restored, and more than 84,000 native trees and sedges planted, to reduce erosion and improve the condition of creeks and river systems.
Nearly 7,000 people have participated in the initiative – through training, education and project delivery – helping build local capability to continue this work.
The program is funded by the Albanese Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) and delivered by the North Coast Regional Landcare Network in partnership with landholders and communities.
The work focuses on practical, on-ground measures, restoring riparian corridors and improving how water is stored and moves through the landscape.
At Coffee Camp near Nimbin, work on a cattle property over the past year shows how these approaches operate at a property scale, with revegetation, fencing and water management already improving creek condition and water quality at the confluence of Bishops and Goolmangar creeks.
The projects include planting around 11,000 native trees, managing invasive weeds, installing cattle exclusion fencing and providing off-stream watering, alongside ongoing maintenance to stabilise creek banks and reduce erosion pressure.
The work is being delivered by third-generation cattle farmer Jeff Imeson, with his son-in-law Kieran Rangger managing the projects and overseeing how the works are integrated into the broader property.
Flood recovery is also continuing at the property, with two buyback homes being relocated so family members can remain in the area, showing how environmental repair and community recovery can happen alongside each other.
Lessons from Caring for Catchments will feed into the RA-led Northern Rivers Disaster Adaptation Plan.
Community information sessions on the plan are currently being held across the region until 26 June.
For more information on the Disaster Adaption Plan drop-in information sessions go to: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/northern-rivers-dap.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:
“While we recognise there is still a significant amount of work to do, initiatives like the Caring for Catchments program and the progress local landholders have made to address damage and minimise the impact of future floods is making a difference.
“The Albanese Government remains committed to supporting recovery and resilience in the Northern Rivers, with $150 million invested through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program.
“These measures are not a standalone solution to flooding, but they play an important role in how the catchment functions, helping to slow water, reduce erosion and support recovery, particularly during smaller and more frequent flood events.”
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin:
“I know how vital this on-ground work is to our landholders as they repair and strengthen our catchments and advocated for this program in the aftermath of the 2022 floods that ripped through our rivers, riverbanks and landscapes.
“Nature-based solutions grounded in science, such as these works are a critical part of the puzzle – they are small scale management works that help water flow and reduce erosion – but we know they are only one piece of a much larger flood-resilience strategy.
“That’s why we are taking a comprehensive, multi-hazard approach to flood risk. The consultation for the Northern Rivers Disaster Adaptation Plan is open right now, and I encourage everyone to have their say and help us build a safer, more resilient future for our region.”
Senator for NSW, Jenny McAllister:
“It’s essential we restore riverbanks to ensure people in the Northern Rivers are protected from future flooding events.
“This is a great project that has already repaired more than 35 kilometres of riverbank and counting. I look forward to seeing this practical work continue.”
North Coast Regional Landcare Network Project Officer Fiona Berry:
“We’re incredibly proud to be delivering the Caring for Catchments project and the positive impact it’s having across the Northern Rivers: healthy catchments, restored riparian zones and engaged landholders are part of a complete flood resilience system.
“Caring for Catchments is a great example of what can be achieved when landholders, Landcare groups, community members and government work together toward a shared goal.
“The results speak for themselves – 40 kilometres of riverbank restored,62 hectares revegetated, more than 84,000 native trees and sedges planted and nearly 7,000 people trained and educated. Effective Nature-Based Solutions like Caring for Catchments require landholder trust, Aboriginal knowledge, community participation, technical expertise and long-term funding which North Coast Landcare is in a unique position to deliver.”