From the Tweed and Richmond rivers to the Hawkesbury, riverbanks torn apart by the 2021 and 2022 floods are being pieced back together, and the work has just picked up international recognition.
Local Land Services and the Soil Conservation Service have won this year’s International Erosion Control Association Australasia (IECA Australasia) Environmental Excellence Award for the $48.46 million Riverbank Rehabilitation Project.
IECA Australasia represents the erosion and sediment control industry across Australia and New Zealand, and its annual awards recognise leading environmental and rehabilitation projects.
The project was set up after severe flooding caused major damage to riverbanks and waterways across the North Coast, Hunter, and Greater Sydney regions.
It is protecting and improving flood-damaged riverbanks across 11 catchments, and is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The numbers are big. The project has rehabilitated 29.6 kilometres of riverbank, planted 162,886 plants to improve riparian vegetation, and supported more than 800 landholders with erosion and riverbank management advice.
“This project has delivered practical support where it was needed most, including 22.4 kilometres of fencing to keep livestock out of riparian areas and 26 alternative water sources to help protect waterways,” said Local Land Services Chief Executive Officer Kate Lorrimer-Ward.
Local Land Services led the project, while the Soil Conservation Service delivered specialist riverbank stabilisation and rehabilitation work at priority sites.
“By combining the Soil Conservation Service’s specialist environmental construction skills with Local Land Services’ regional knowledge and relationships, we have delivered practical work to protect properties, restore waterways and help communities prepare for future floods,” said Soil Conservation Service Executive Director Daniel Brown.
The work went beyond the riverbank itself. Farmers and land managers were given practical advice on caring for waterways, navigating approvals, and preparing for future flooding.
“Alongside the on-ground work, our teams have supported more than 800 landholders with erosion and riverbank management advice to help them recover from floods and build resilience to future events,” Lorrimer-Ward said.
Through the Cultural Waterways Program, Local Land Services also worked with First Nations communities to protect culturally significant places and manage risks to Aboriginal cultural heritage in flood-affected catchments.
The award recognises the partnership’s practical response to widespread flood damage, and its work with landholders and communities to restore waterways and build resilience.
“This award reflects the efforts of staff, delivery partners and landholders across all 11 catchments,” Lorrimer-Ward said.
Mr Brown said the win was a tribute to the crews on the ground.
“This award recognises the hard work of our teams, who have helped repair damaged riverbanks and support communities recovering from successive floods,” Brown said.
“This project shows what can be achieved when government, landholders and local communities work together to repair flood damage and build stronger, more resilient river systems.”
More information about the Riverbank Rehabilitation Project is available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/local-land-services/projects/riverbank-rehabilitation.
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