Transport for NSW Maritime has completed the Clarence River Erosion Management Project and has succeeded in achieving several successful outcomes for a four-kilometre section of this major waterway.
NSW Maritime Executive Director, Mark Hutchings, said the project’s focus was on remediating the river bank and minimising the impact of boating-related erosion while ensuring boating continues on the Clarence.
“First, we have reinforced more than four kilometres of the Clarence River’s bank.
“Second, we now have 57,000 plants across more than 31,000 square metres of land to help minimise erosion.
“Third, we have erected nearly more than four kilometres of fencing to protect these plants and to prevent stock from damaging the riverbank.”
Mark Hutchings said that boaters are now able to enjoy most of their activities with minimal restrictions along the length of the Clarence River.
“Restrictions will remain in place until at least June 2024 to continue to support the remediation work undertaken.
“These restrictions include activities such as vessels that generate large waves as the result of wakeboarding and wakesurfing – from operating in sensitive sections of the river.
“The restrictions are displayed on special mark buoys, and signposted at various locations along the river,” he added.
The project faced – and succeeded in overcoming – a number of significant challenges including drought and flood events.
The droughts of 2018 and 2019 meant that all plantings had to be watered by hand.
There were also flood events of February 2019 and March 2022 but, despite these, the river bank restoration works held up.
Remediation of the riverbank has ensured affected landowners have a more stable riverbank, secured by the placement of tree stumps, logs and plantings.
The remediated riverbank has been able to endure several floods since their installation, showing the riverbank is more resilient and the course of the river is now more stable.
Mark Hutchings said the successful collaboration between Transport for NSW Maritime, Northern Local Land Services, the Soil Conservation Service, the Clarence Valley Council and the local community under the leadership of the Clarence River Erosion Management Committee had resulted in a great outcome for both the environment and users of this waterway.
“The success of this project would not have been possible without this collaboration and without the patience and passion of the Clarence River community and users who were just as committed as we are to protecting this beautiful waterway.”
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 30 August 2023.
