2 December 2025
Rous County Council (Rous) has launched a new interactive webpage to showcase the breadth of projects underway through the Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative (NRWI) – a landmark program designed to restore ecosystems, improve water quality and build natural resilience to extreme events across the Northern Rivers.
The webpage, the ArcGIS Storymaps platform, highlights on-ground works already being delivered across the region, including riparian restoration and revegetation, landscape rehydration, redesigned floodplain drainage and soil health improvements.
Image: Rous staff were joined by local supporters at a community planting day in Boat Harbour, as part of the Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said it’s exciting to see the project moving forward.
“Sharing the results of the work done so far with the community is an important step in growing awareness of this important project,” said Minister Moriarty.
“The Northern Rivers region has so much to offer and increasing its health and resilience is an investment in the future of the region.”
This project was funded under the Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative (NRWI) which received $5 million from the NSW government for works in the Richmond, Evans, Brunswick and Tweed catchments to improve river health and deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.
Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said the initiative shows what can be achieved when councils, community groups and government work together.
“By investing in natural systems, we’re building resilience from the ground up – protecting waterways, improving soil health and supporting farmers,” Minister Saffin said.
“Sharing these projects through the StoryMap is a fantastic way to see first-hand how this work is making a difference for communities.”
Catchment and Cultural Awareness Manager, Anthony Acret, said the StoryMap provides the community with a visual tool to see how the initiative is making a difference.
“This is about showing people where projects are happening and the impact they will have – from slowing flows and stabilising eroded banks to improving soil health on farms,” said Anthony Acret.
“It’s a program that’s as much about people as it is about rivers.”
Rous General Manager, Phillip Rudd, said the initiative represents a unique collaboration across councils, community groups and government agencies.
“The Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative is about working together to restore our rivers and landscapes,” said Phillip Rudd.
“By investing in natural systems – from riverbank planting to soil health monitoring – we’re helping to enhance water security, biodiversity and communities in the face of a changing climate.”
Led by Rous in partnership with six local councils, North Coast Local Land Services, the Casino Food Co-op, Landcare groups and other community partners, the initiative is tackling long-term challenges of ecosystem health, water security and flood resilience across the Tweed, Brunswick, Richmond and Evans River systems.
The StoryMap is the first in a series that will to be released as more projects roll out, giving the community a window into the ongoing work to restore the region’s rivers and landscapes.
View the StoryMap here: Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative StoryMap
