Every year The Echo asks the five local Councils what they are currently working on to be sustainable and this year the response has been phenomenal – too much to put on the page. Keep your eye on our website for the full stories.
Richmond Valley Council adopted its first Sustainable Communities Strategy in March 2023, marking a pivotal moment in Council’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
This strategy focuses on key areas such as environmental services, rivers and waterways, biodiversity and bushland, and resilient communities and highlights Council’s dedication to building a sustainable future for its community.
The Climate Resilient Landscapes booklet
In one of many plans and projects from the strategy, Richmond Valley Council and Brunswick Valley Landcare have produced the updated edition of the Climate Resilient Landscapes booklet. This invaluable resource is a planting guide which helps communities adapt their gardens to a changing climate.
Sustainable Communities Officer Justine Clarke said the resource guides the community in creating beautiful, thriving gardens and educates them on the benefits of planting native, climate-resilient plants.
‘By doing so, we support local biodiversity and contribute to a whole ecosystem approach,’ Ms Clarke said.
The booklet is available to download via Richmond Valley Council’s website.
Trees, trees and more trees
Richmond Valley Council has launched its Community Greening Program, which addresses the pressing issue of urban heat and is committed to planting 15,000 trees over the next two decades.
This initiative focuses on priority areas within the Richmond Valley and aims to increase shade, enhance urban liveability, and promote the growth of native indigenous trees that are resilient to climate change.
Richmond Valley Council’s commitment to biodiversity conservation continues with the preservation and creation of flying fox habitats.
Last year Council planted 10,450 habitat trees at Queen Elizabeth Park on the Richmond River in Casino.
As these trees grow, we help support shifting their roosting area away from residents and infrastructure while providing them with a safe zone.
In May, Richmond Valley Council, in partnership with the Friends of the Koala and Border Ranges Richmond Valley Landcare Network embarked on a collaborative effort to enhance a designated koala corridor along the Bentley to Casino Rail Trail.
This initiative targets priority weed eradication and planting koala habitat trees along the trail.
The Landcare Network and Friends of the Koala will host a koala conversation event along the rail trail to raise awareness about this vital conservation work. The gathering aims to promote the concept of re-wilding the rail trails and encourage community members to discover the region’s unique ecological landscape while enjoying the recreational benefits of traversing the rail trail.
To find out more about what’s happening in the Richmond Valley visit their website.
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