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The upper Richmond River catchment Waterway and Wetland Health Assessment and Action Plan has been initiated by Kyogle Council in recognition of the critical role that healthy upper catchment waterways and wetlands play in supporting both local and downstream ecosystems and communities.
The catchment is experiencing increasing pressure from climate change, ongoing land-use impacts, sediment pollution, and invasive species. While a range of localised management plans and rehabilitation efforts are currently underway across the upper catchment, there is no overarching, catchment-scale strategy to guide future management and investment within the Kyogle Council area. This project seeks to address this gap by assessing and mapping the current condition of waterways and wetlands, identifying and prioritising areas for on-ground rehabilitation, and developing a targeted action plan to guide future investment.
The project will align with broader initiatives, including the Richmond River Estuary Coastal Management Program (CMP), the Richmond River Catchment Partnership, and other concurrent research projects across the wider Richmond River catchment. Through engagement with stakeholders and the community, the project aims to build local capacity, strengthen collaboration, and ensure that cultural values are recognised and integrated into long-term catchment management.
The upper Richmond River catchment Waterway and Wetland Health Assessment and Action Plan has been initiated by Kyogle Council in recognition of the critical role that healthy upper catchment waterways and wetlands play in supporting both local and downstream ecosystems and communities.
The catchment is experiencing increasing pressure from climate change, ongoing land-use impacts, sediment pollution, and invasive species. While a range of localised management plans and rehabilitation efforts are currently underway across the upper catchment, there is no overarching, catchment-scale strategy to guide future management and investment within the Kyogle Council area. This project seeks to address this gap by assessing and mapping the current condition of waterways and wetlands, identifying and prioritising areas for on-ground rehabilitation, and developing a targeted action plan to guide future investment.
The project will align with broader initiatives, including the Richmond River Estuary Coastal Management Program (CMP), the Richmond River Catchment Partnership, and other concurrent research projects across the wider Richmond River catchment. Through engagement with stakeholders and the community, the project aims to build local capacity, strengthen collaboration, and ensure that cultural values are recognised and integrated into long-term catchment management.
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Kyogle Council's Upper Richmond Waterway and Wetland Health Assessment and Action Plan continues to progress, with an initial draft of the Waterway and Wetland Health Assessment now submitted to Council.
The Health Assessment has focused on understanding the current condition of waterways and wetlands across the catchment by investigating what is happening, where it is occurring, and why. The project is now moving into the Action Plan phase, which focuses on answering the question: "What can we do about it?" The Action Plan will identify and prioritise practical management and rehabilitation actions to improve waterway and wetland health across the upper Richmond River catchment.
As part of the project, a successful Fluvial Geomorphology and Stream Management Training Course was held on 27 May, attended by approximately 40 waterway practitioners from across the region. The course provided an introduction to river processes, stream management principles, waterway assessment approaches, and options for prioritising and delivering effective rehabilitation outcomes. The training was offered to help build local capacity and support long-term implementation of the Action Plan.
Two new project resources are now available on the website:
Background Review (Part 1) was prepared at the outset of the project to review existing knowledge of the catchment and major management initiatives already underway. It provided the foundation for the Waterway and Wetland Health Assessment by helping ensure the project aligned with, and built upon, previous studies, programs and investments.
Methods Review (Part 2) was also developed during Stage 1 and examines existing frameworks and approaches for assessing waterway and wetland health. The review informed the assessment methods adopted for this project and helped guide the development of a fit-for-purpose approach for the upper Richmond River catchment.
We encourage community members and stakeholders to continue following the project's progress via this website, where you can access project resources, explore the interactive map and stay informed about upcoming project milestones.
Kyogle Council's Upper Richmond Waterway and Wetland Health Assessment and Action Plan continues to progress, with an initial draft of the Waterway and Wetland Health Assessment now submitted to Council.
The Health Assessment has focused on understanding the current condition of waterways and wetlands across the catchment by investigating what is happening, where it is occurring, and why. The project is now moving into the Action Plan phase, which focuses on answering the question: "What can we do about it?" The Action Plan will identify and prioritise practical management and rehabilitation actions to improve waterway and wetland health across the upper Richmond River catchment.
As part of the project, a successful Fluvial Geomorphology and Stream Management Training Course was held on 27 May, attended by approximately 40 waterway practitioners from across the region. The course provided an introduction to river processes, stream management principles, waterway assessment approaches, and options for prioritising and delivering effective rehabilitation outcomes. The training was offered to help build local capacity and support long-term implementation of the Action Plan.
Two new project resources are now available on the website:
Background Review (Part 1) was prepared at the outset of the project to review existing knowledge of the catchment and major management initiatives already underway. It provided the foundation for the Waterway and Wetland Health Assessment by helping ensure the project aligned with, and built upon, previous studies, programs and investments.
Methods Review (Part 2) was also developed during Stage 1 and examines existing frameworks and approaches for assessing waterway and wetland health. The review informed the assessment methods adopted for this project and helped guide the development of a fit-for-purpose approach for the upper Richmond River catchment.
We encourage community members and stakeholders to continue following the project's progress via this website, where you can access project resources, explore the interactive map and stay informed about upcoming project milestones.
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CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Kyogle Council's Upper Richmond Waterway and Wetland Health Assessment and Action Plan is now well underway.
Over the past few months, four drop-in sessions were held across the catchment. At these sessions, attendees were invited to share their local knowledge to help build a clearer picture of the catchment's condition and to document current rehabilitation efforts and management approaches taking place. The information gathered through this process is vital to developing a detailed understanding of current condition, complementing the desktop assessments and field work undertaken by the project team.
If you were unable to attend a drop-in session, you can still get involved online by:
Submit location-specific information via the interactive map
Complete the online survey
Stage 2 of the project is now complete, with methods developed to assess waterway and wetland condition using a combination of desktop analysis and on-ground approaches.
The project is now in Stage 3, with field work underway to ground-truth and refine initial assessment results. The next stage will focus on prioritising sites for rehabilitation and developing detailed designs for priority works.
Kyogle Council's Upper Richmond Waterway and Wetland Health Assessment and Action Plan is now well underway.
Over the past few months, four drop-in sessions were held across the catchment. At these sessions, attendees were invited to share their local knowledge to help build a clearer picture of the catchment's condition and to document current rehabilitation efforts and management approaches taking place. The information gathered through this process is vital to developing a detailed understanding of current condition, complementing the desktop assessments and field work undertaken by the project team.
If you were unable to attend a drop-in session, you can still get involved online by:
Submit location-specific information via the interactive map
Complete the online survey
Stage 2 of the project is now complete, with methods developed to assess waterway and wetland condition using a combination of desktop analysis and on-ground approaches.
The project is now in Stage 3, with field work underway to ground-truth and refine initial assessment results. The next stage will focus on prioritising sites for rehabilitation and developing detailed designs for priority works.
Page last updated: 19 Jun 2026, 01:04 PM
Project Timeline
Stage 1 - Project initiation and background review (December 2025)
Upper Richmond River Waterways and Wetlands has finished this stage
Review background information, including existing studies, data and past/current rehabilitation works and monitoring programs across the study area
Define the requirements of the waterway and wetland health assessment
Stage 2 - Waterway and wetland health assessment method development (January 2026)
Upper Richmond River Waterways and Wetlands has finished this stage
Develop river and wetland health assessment method
Develop an approach to prioritising reaches/sites for rehabilitation with consideration for different management priorities (e.g. habitat improvement, water quality improvement, flood mitigation etc.)
Stage 3 – Waterway and wetland health assessment (February - April 2026)
Upper Richmond River Waterways and Wetlands has finished this stage
Undertake desktop assessments and field work
Develop online mapping tool to visualise assessment results
Stage 4 – Waterway and wetland action plan (May - July 2026)
Upper Richmond River Waterways and Wetlands is currently at this stage
Prioritise waterways and wetlands for rehabilitation
Develop detailed designs/management plans for high priority sites
Develop an Action Plan
Provide training and knowledge sharing opportunities to support implementation
Public Review (11th August – 13th September)
this is an upcoming stage for Upper Richmond River Waterways and Wetlands
