Riverbank vegetation improvements

Published 29 September 2023 Rehabilitating degraded riverbank vegetation to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff into waterways, help stabilise riverbanks and improve biodiversity.

Removing weedy vines such as pictured from riverbanks is one of the key actions as part of this project.

Overview

Why is this project important?

Many riverbanks in our coastal strip have been degraded by clearing, erosion, livestock trampling and weed invasion.

This not only impacts the ecology of the riverbank but can also lead to soil and nutrients entering our waterways.

The Riverbank vegetation improvement project is working with landholders in targeted riverbanks areas to rehabilitate riparian areas by action such as fencing to exclude livestock from riverbanks, replanting riverside vegetation, bush regeneration and weed removal.

What are we doing?

We are working with landholders in the North Coast, Hunter and South East regions to protect riverbanks prone to erosion through creating vegetative buffer zones.

These regenerated areas filter runoff from surrounded land before it enters the waterway, improving the health of the river or stream.

The roots from the vegetation planted helps hold riverbanks together, reducing the impact of erosion and providing improved biodiversity outcomes.

The Riverbank vegetation improvement project is working with project partners to:

remove weeds and undertake bush regeneration
plant native trees on riverbanks
improve fencing and stock management
and showcase best practice examples of how others can do the same actions on their properties.

This project is delivered in three different regions across coastal NSW: North Coast, the Hunter and the South East.

Check out the video Every bit counts – waterways and the marine estate to find out more about our Riverbank vegetation improvement project and how it is benefiting landholders and our waterways.

Get involved

If you are landholder interested in revegetating the creeks, streams, gullies and rivers on your land to reduce erosion and improve water quality, check out the details below to see if your property is in an eligible area.

You can then get in touch with the Project Officer in your area and you how you can become involved.

North coast

North coast Riverbank vegetation improvement project is working with landholders in the Richmond River area.

Expressions of interest will be assessed on suitability to meet the project objectives with priority given to macadamia orchards and grazing properties.

Click here to complete an expression of interest.

Hunter

The Hunter LLS Riverbank vegetation improvement project is working with landholders in the MidCoast Council Local Government Area which includes the Karuah River, Wallamba River and the Manning River catchment areas.

If you are a landholder seeking to improve the condition of your riparian vegetation, contact us to find out more.

Michael Barberie, Senior Land Services Officer, 0460 310 506 or michael.barberie@lls.nsw.gov.au.

South East

The South East Riverbank vegetation improvement project is working with landholders in coastal catchments across the NSW South Coast from Shellharbour in the north to Eden in the south.

If you are a landholder within 10 km of the tidal limit and would like to improve your riverbanks contact us to find out more.

Leanna Moerkerken, Senior Land Services Officer, 0427 291 798 or leanna.moerkerken@lls.nsw.gov.au.

Related projects

Riverbank vegetation improvements is one of four Local Lands Services projects funded under the Marine Estate Management Strategy to improve water quality of targeted coastal rivers.

Related local land services projects include Improving roads and tracks, Riverbank stabilisation and Clean Coastal Catchments on-ground.

You can also find out more about these projects on the LLS website.

“By collaborating with landholders to improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, and restore native vegetation cover, this project will not only benefit the community socially, economically, and culturally it contributes to the long-term sustainability and resilience for our region."

Locations

To find out if funding riverbank vegetation improvement is available in your area, please contact your regional contact or email mems@lls.nsw.gov.au

Local government areas - Ballina Shire Council, Bega Valley Shire Council, Eurobodalla Shire Council, Kiama Municipal Council, Lismore City Council, MidCoast Council, Shellharbour City Council, Shoalhaven City Council, Wollongong City Council

Lead agency

Local Land Services (LLS)

Partners

We are working with a variety of primary producers (such as beef, dairy and horticultural) as well as private and public land managers interested in improving bankside vegetation and reducing sediment and nutrient loss into the Marine Estate.