Lismore is set to benefit from a transformative $1.98 million project to restore its critically endangered urban rainforests and improve the health of local waterways. 

The Rainforest to River project will enhance 42 hectares of lowland rainforest across 17 sites, protect native wildlife, and strengthen the community’s connection to nature.

Mayor Steve Krieg welcomed the funding as a major boost for the region’s environment.

"This project will breathe new life into Lismore’s urban landscapes,” he said.

“By restoring our rainforests and waterways, we’re creating a healthier, more vibrant environment for our community and future generations.”

Council's Environmental Strategies Officer Hannah Rice-Hayes said the 17 different sites are called biodiversity hotspots.

"Because much of the vegetation in our area is some of the most bio diverse that exists in the country. We're in this very rich region where we have rainforests, we have eucalypt forests, and we have wetlands. So we've chosen 17 different sites that form some of the core of our vegetation and ecological communities.

"We've got places like Rotary Park, which is a remnant of the subtropical rainforest, which once carpeted this landscape. We've got work sites on so we've got Browns Creek catchment, which has got Paul Brierly Reserve, Rotary Park Reserve in town.

We've got a couple of sites on the Leycester Creek, which is the one that comes in from the west. So working over at the South Lismore Duck Pond, doing wetland restoration, working right down on the banks.

"And then we've got a number of sites along the main river, so on the Wilson's River starting up on a private property up out of town, which is going to give us a fantastic demonstration site for how rural landholders can get into their banks and what they need to do to really protect the rivers and to get additional primary production benefit.

"We come down the river, and we've got places like Currie Park, which is, I think, one of Lismore's best-kept secrets, it's an absolutely beautiful place, and also a remnant vegetation, so very large site.

"I won't name them all, because I'm sure to miss one, but we're working on lots of different smaller riparian sites along the river, including where we're standing today, which is the Riverside Park, doing things like just improving the edges, improving the amenity for people using the park, increasing shade, cooling the space down, making the entrances to the river, like the boat ramp we've got behind us, feel a little bit safer, feel a little bit more secure and more beautiful for people to enjoy our blue and green spaces."

(Hannah and Mayor Steve Krieg planting the first of 25,000 plants as part of the Rainforest to River project)

Hannah confirmed that the $1.98 million project will take place over the next three years. She praised their partners in the project.

"One of the reasons that we've chosen the sites that we have is that we have an ongoing investment from Lismore City Council and from our partners. We have got an incredible group of partners who are committed to looking after these sites long term. So we know that when we do ecological restoration, it's not a one-stop shop. You have to keep coming back, constantly caring, constantly connecting, looking after country, and so we're doing that through a range of different programs, which has funded support long term, through the Biodiversity Management Strategy.

Hannah was referring to an additional $1 million in cash and in-kind contributions from 17 partners, including Lismore City Council, Landcare groups and First Nations organisations, which will further bolster this effort. The Rainforest to River project has received just over $1.98 million through the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said the funding is great news for native wildlife and the community.

“The Albanese Government is proud to invest nearly $2 million into protecting and improving the incredible natural environment around the Northern Rivers.”

“We’re very pleased to partner with the Council and local organisations to deliver this program.

“With so many native plants and animals reliant on our rivers, creeks, wetlands, and estuaries, protecting and restoring the health of local waterways is essential.”

The Rainforest to River projects key activities include:

• Rainforest and wetland restoration and revegetation
• Cultural ceremonies and yarning circles led by Widjabul Wia-bal Elders
• Community tree planting days and educational events
• The project will establish a connected riverside green corridor, linking riverbanks, parks, wetlands and other key natural assets. 

The first community events as part of the Rainforest to River project will be:

• Wilsons River Landcare planting event – Saturday, 12 October
• South Lismore Duckpond planting event – Saturday 18 October
• River Time community launch + tree planting – Sunday, 26 October
• River Time will serve as the official community launch of the Rainforest to River project and is also a featured event of Richmond Riverfest, a month-long celebration of the rivers, cultures and communities of the Northern Rivers region.

In a further win for Lismore, Goonellabah Tucki Landcare Inc. has also received over $300,000 through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program to restore the riparian rainforest in Upper Tucki Tucki Creek.

As Mayor Steve Krieg said, "It is a priority for Lismore City Council to repair our riverbanks, to improve our waterway health, and to see our river as an asset, not a liability."

There are doubts as to whether the Wilsons River will ever be as clean and pristine as it once was. Council's Environmental Strategies Coordinator Kate Steel said it is an unknown quantity, where the answer lies in a whole of catchment approach.

"It's possible, it's a lot of work, and it needs a lot of buy-in from agencies and communities and businesses and farmers and residents in town and councils up and down the Richmond catchment. We need everybody looking at what can be done and the threats that need to be managed better in terms of water quality and riparian health and the habitat connection that those areas provide.

"There is a lot of work being done, and there's organisations, councils, community groups and government coming together around a couple of initiatives. The watershed initiative is one. This project is one. This Rainforests to Rivers project. We've also got the Richmond River collaborative partnerships, and that is bringing together organisations to look at these problems, just to bring a holistic whole of catchment solution. And there's estimates of hundreds of millions of dollars required just to start to turn the tide around ecosystems."

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