Greens MP Sue Higginson will host a Riverfest town hall meeting at the Lismore Regional Gallery tomorrow (Saturday, 4 October) from 10am to 3pm to chart the course for rescuing the Richmond River.

The gathering will feature presentations from engineers, water quality experts, landcare experts, councillors, First Nations Native Title Holders, Ozefish and two men on a Richmond Tinnie Trip. The gathering will be a conversation open to all who love the River and want to work to make it clean, full of life and swimmable once again. 

Greens MP, spokesperson for the environment and North Coast and Lismore local Sue Higginson said “The people of the Northern Rivers deserve a healthy, living River. For too long we have witnessed our River mismanaged, neglected and fall towards ecological collapse, all while study after study confirms exactly what we know,”

“We first put forward the Revive the Richmond River Recovery Plan in 2019. It was the first of its kind and set out a plan for community-led solutions: restoring wetlands, catchment restoration, stock proofing riverbanks, supporting Landcare, and working with First Nations rangers and Native Title Holders to care for Country. It is a plan that tackles the root causes of river degradation and builds resilience and community cohesion across the whole catchment,”

“At this town hall, we will update the plan with input from the community and the latest evidence, the costed proposals from Rous County Council to buy back the lowest lying agricultural land and return it to wetlands. These are proven measures that will cut blackwater, prevent fish kills, and restore the health of the river.”

“It is also time to establish a Richmond River Commissioner to lead this work, with the powers and funding to deliver a whole-of-catchment recovery. The community has the knowledge, the ideas and the determination. What we need now is a government that listens and acts,”

The community town hall is part of the month-long Riverfest program, bringing together river groups, scientists, landholders and residents. Everyone is invited to participate in workshops, contribute ideas, and help prioritise the next steps for the Richmond River.