New life is being breathed into the banks of the Brunswick River in Mullumbimby this month with Council planting more than 5000 native plants along a 2km stretch of Riverside Drive - from Pine Ave to the Mullumbimby Showgrounds.
Made possible thanks to $220,000 from North Coast Local Land Services for addressing priority river erosion sites from Flood 2022 NSW Government funding, the massive planting project will help strengthen the flood affected riverbanks and slow erosion while also boosting flora, fauna and biodiversity for the area.
"Last year we completed 800 hours of regeneration works on this section of the Brunswick River it has resulted in prolific natural regeneration of native species since the weeds were cleared," Council's Team Leader Bush Regeneration, Dave Filipczyk, said.
"Despite being in the middle of Mullumbimby, this section of the Brunswick River held 139 native species, and 79 weed species, within a 2km stretch of river.
"Our works last year included Camphor laurel removal, bush regeneration and habitat enhancement.
"We are very excited be planting 5000 new natives into this section of the riverbank. By rebuilding a robust riparian zone, we're creating food and habitat so that local flora and fauna can thrive, while also improving water quality for our aquatic friends," Mr Filipczyk said.
This new work is also part of Council's Bringing Back the Bruns project - a much larger bush regeneration program along the Brunswick River and its tributaries being undertaken by Council's Bush Regeneration Team.
