Northern Rivers landholders restore creeks and riverbanks after 2022 floods

FLOOD-damaged waterways are being restored at Coffee Camp near Nimbin, with the local project forming part of a wider Northern Rivers catchment restoration program following the 2022 floods.

The projects include planting around 11,000 native trees, managing invasive weeds, installing cattle exclusion fencing and providing off-stream watering to help stabilise creek banks and reduce erosion pressure.

Work on a cattle property at Coffee Camp has seen revegetation, fencing and water management efforts over the past year improve creek condition and water quality at the confluence of Bishops and Goolmangar Creeks.

Third-generation cattle farmer Jeff Imeson is delivering the work, with his son-in-law Kieran Rangger managing the projects and overseeing how the works are integrated into the broader property.

Flood recovery efforts are also continuing on the property, with two buyback homes being relocated so family members can remain in the area.

As part of the Caring for Catchments program, 35 projects across four catchments are underway on private land, focusing on stabilising waterways, reducing erosion, supporting long-term catchment health and improving creek and river system conditions.

To date, about 62 hectares have been revegetated, 40km of riverbank restored and more than 84,000 native trees and sedges planted.

Nearly 7,000 people have also participated in training, education and project delivery through the initiative, building local capability to continue the work.

The program is funded by the Albanese Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority and delivered by the North Coast Regional Landcare Network in partnership with local landholders and communities.

NSW minister for recovery Janelle Saffin said the work is an important part of the region’s recovery.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

North Coast Regional Landcare Network project officer Fiona Berry said the initiative demonstrated the benefits of collaboration between communities and government.

“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,” she said.

“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.”