The latest rehabilitation project to improve water quality in the Tweed River is now complete with almost 800 local native trees recently planted along a 500m section of riverbank, adjacent to Tumbulgum Road at Murwillumbah.
This revegetation complements work already undertaken on the bank at this location, including erosion stabilisation, installation of fish habitat features and fencing.
Council's coast and waterways team leader Tom Alletson said the combination of approaches used at this site was world's best practice and would be beneficial in a number of ways.
"Stabilising erosion means less sediment in the water and embedding large logs into the rock structure provides increased habitat diversity and shelter – both of these things are good for fish," Mr Alletson said.
"Fencing the bank prevents trampling of vegetation by cattle and avoids cow manure getting into the river. Revegetation provides a natural-looking riverbank, shade and snags which improve water quality and is good for fish, birds and the earth in general."
The trees planted include palms, rainforest species, eucalypts, and native hibiscus, all of which will thrive in the rich and typically moist soils found at this location.
"One of the most important species we use is native hibiscus," Mr Alletson said.
"As they grow, their branches sprawl down over the rock wall and into the water. This tangle of vegetation disguises the visual impact of the engineered rock walls and provides food and shelter for small fish and perches for the birds that hunt along our riverbanks.
"We want to thank the landowner at this site. He has worked with Council on 3 major rehabilitation projects resulting in more than 1 km of the Tweed River now achieving this gold standard of protection and rehabilitation. He has sacrificed grazing land but the whole community benefits as a result of the environmental benefits the project delivers."
This project was made possible through a grant of $127,000 from the Australian Government's Fish Habitat Restoration Program.
"We are really fortunate to receive this funding and are currently applying for another grant for a similar project," Mr Alletson said.
"There is no doubt that riverbanks in good environmental condition provide benefits for humans and fish, and they have a greater ability to withstand the impacts of floods."
