Restoring Richmond River Catchment Health Through Wetland, Riparian and Community Landscape Rehabilitation
A comprehensive program of catchment restoration works across 2025_ 2026
Self sustenance - LEP_23_033_LLC_09
The issue
The Richmond River catchment faces ongoing ecological pressures including historic vegetation clearing, weed invasion, erosion, flood impacts and altered water flows. These pressures affect the ability of waterways and riparian areas to perform their natural functions, including filtering pollutants, stabilising riverbanks, supporting biodiversity and flood mitigation.
Restoring catchment health requires coordinated action with multiple stakeholders on both private and public land. BRRVLN is addressing this challenge through various projects that combine practical on-ground works with community engagement and education. By working with landholders, councils, government agencies, schools, volunteers, Traditional Custodians and volunteer landcare groups, BRRVLN is supporting long-term recovery of the Richmond River system.
The solution
During 2025-2026 BRRVLN has delivered a connected Richmond River catchment restoration program combining wetland rehabilitation, riparian restoration, erosion control, weed management, revegetation and community engagement. These works have been funded through diverse funding streams including Crown Reserve Improvement Fund (weeds), Kyogle Council and North Coast Regional Landcare.
Through the Caring for Catchments Wetlands Project, funded by the North Coast Regional Landcare Network, BRRVLN is restoring four Upper Richmond wetland sites through sock exclusion fencing, weed management, revegetation, ecological assessments and community education. Works include 2.9 km of stock exclusion fencing, 11.1 hectares of weed control and planting 3,500 native trees and 2,400 grasses and sedges. Whilst the Kyogle Council flood-impacted riparian restoration project has funded weed control and erosion management, on seven sites.
The impact
- Catchment-scale restoration: BRRVLN is delivering integrated wetland, riparian and river restoration projects across the Richmond River catchment, including private properties, waterways, schools and Crown reserves.
- On-ground restoration outputs: 4 wetland sites restored through the Caring for Catchments Project, including 2.9 km of fencing, 11.1 ha of weed management, 3,500 native trees and 2,400 native grasses/sedges planted.
- Multiple restoration partnerships: Kyogle Council, Crown Reserves Improvement Fund, North Coast Regional Landcare Network, landholders, Traditional Custodians, volunteer landcare groups and local organisations are supporting restoration outcomes.
- Community engagement: Richmond River Festival 2025 activities, workshops, planting events and field days strengthened community knowledge, participation and long-term stewardship of the Richmond River.