Not just a talk fest – it was talk about taking action.
I was privileged last Saturday December 6th to facilitate a workshop at Swan Bay with seventeen Northern Rivers residents to discuss actions to improve the health of the Richmond River. Recent fish kills have highlighted the dire state of the river as detailed in the reports linked below.
The Tinnie Men – Steve Posselt and Graeme Bishop – travelled upstream from Ballina to Kyogle, meeting concerned citizens and hearing that blackwater, acid, and mud is destroying livelihoods, health, property values and recreational enjoyment. The aim of the workshop is to build on the publicity generated by their trip to focus this widespread support on acheiving specific outcomes. This article summarises the discussion and decisions. It uses Chatham House rules to describe the discuission without identifying the farmers, fishers, elected officials and professionals present.
Many of them are involved in grassroots and official organisations dedicated to managing rivers to avoid or repair damage to river health. Many of them have lived experience in dealing with the impact of pollution and bid-diversity loss. A third-generation fisherman stated that he used to regularly catch 500kg of mullet on a good day at a particular point in the river and is now regularly catching 10kg or less. He is on the point of giving up on the job that has fed his family since his grandfather arrived a century ago.
The recent resolution by Ballina Council to appoint a river commissioner was widely supported, despite recognition that serious action will only take place with if there is public support for specific projects. It was resolved to encourage other local governments and organisations to pass similar resolutions and to work together to ensure it is implemented.
Some areas identified as a major source of blackwater have been damaged by the permanent closure of floodgates originally put in place to prevent temporary flooding. Among the complications this has caused are farms and wildlife that have adapted to the artificial conditions. The major cause of acidification is draining swamps for agriculture, exposing wetland soils to air. This also affects the livelohood of farmers, especially cane growers. No cane farmers were present at the meeting, but it is understood that cane farmers are very defensive because they are being asked to change land management practices which impact on their profit. A fishermen said, “It’s a balance. Cane farmers have a right to make a living but should not profit at my expense.”
There was widespread enthusiasm for a range of approaches to restoring the natural functions of these wetlands by opening the flood gates. The slogan “Open the Gates” was adopted to promote this approach.
The meeting also agreed to support any councils considering opportunities to take over low lying land at minimal cost to ratepayers to heal the river. Individuals will work through their networks and support the Tinnie Men to publicise such actions by preparing press statements and planning actions in advance.
Despite the focus on the flood plain, land management in the upper catchment is responsible for many of the problems experienced downstream. Weeds, top-soil and nutrient run off cause damage along the length of the river, but it all ends up on the flood plains and the sea floor. Mud has smothered the sea grass beds and other habitat five nautical miles of the mouth of the river at Ballina. Officials with experience in river management present at the meeting also pointed out that the worst affected areas may not necessarily be the best starting point for action.
Some individuals will continue to focus on the restoration of riparian vegetation to prevent erosion and other damage to the upper catchment and to help restore the natural functioning of the wetlands on the floodplains.
A long-term part of this process is changing legislation to keep animals out of the river and to focus on off stream watering which increases on farm productivity, animal and river health. Discussion highlighted the importance of political power in driving such change. The March 2027 State and Local Government elections across NSW represent a significant opportunity to put river restoration high on the public agenda.
Many attendees agreed to support the Tinnie Men to spearhead a public event at NSW Parliament House in early 2026 to garner support for the cause.
Others are focused on education initiatives. There is a need to educate children, decision makers, practitioners and the general public. Decision makers need to understand the wide-spread implications and importance of groundwater, river health and its relationship to human health and society. Practitioners need help to farm and work more effectively without harming the river. There is widespread misunderstanding that environmental protection is about saving remote areas. Rivers connect recreational, residential and commercial uses of the environment and can be used to remind everyone that the environment feeds and clothes us as well as providing the air and water we require to survive.
Elected officials, members of official organisations and educators agreed to coordinate educational programs and lobbying efforts,.
Relevant articles include:
#richmondriver #swimmablerivers #blackwater #acidsoils #landcare