LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin says the NSW Government is supporting Tweed Shire Council and Rous Country Council to manage important estuarine areas with grants totalling $291,663.
Ms Saffin says the funding received under the implementation stream of the 2023-24 Coastal and Estuary Grants Management Program will be welcomed by the councils and local residents who valued work to protect our environment.
Tweed Shire Council will receive $263,733 towards stabilising erosion and enhancing riparian and aquatic habitat condition on a 500-metre length of the Tweed River estuary at Tygalgah.
The site is predominantly sugar cane land with no native riparian vegetation. Erosion is occurring due to a combination of wake waves undermining banks, and block failure following high flows when soils are saturated.
This rehabilitation project will build a minimum crest height rock revetment to protect the riverbank from wake wave impact.
Rous County Council will receive $27,930 towards revegetating and rehabilitating a 675-metre riparian length and 1.5 hectares of riparian and gully habitat fronting the Wilsons River Tidal Pool at Woodlawn, upstream of Lismore.
The area is of high ecological importance and contributes to estuary health in the Richmond River catchment. The project includes subtropical rainforest plantings along the Wilsons River edge, with new stock-proof fencing, improved farm management and open woodland and wetlands plantings in the gully line.
This project will be a demonstration of best practice methods for water quality protection within the Wilsons River Tidal Pool.
Both projects are among 34 coastal management projects funded with a total of $11.3 million. The NSW Government works in partnership with the councils by also providing technical support to local government under the grants program.
Quotes attributable to Environment Minister Penny Sharpe:
“Each unique part of our coastal has individual challenges and needs.
“I am proud we are funding these 34 projects which will help councils and communities care for their coastal environments.”
