A renewed push to establish a Richmond River Commission has been backed by Rous County Council (RCC), with RCC councillors voting overwhelmingly to lobby the NSW government for stronger action to restore the health of the region’s major waterway.
At its 18 February meeting, the council resolved to reaffirm its support for the creation of a Richmond River Commission with a dedicated commissioner, ongoing funding, and statutory powers to improve the health of river, including its catchment, tributaries, and estuary.
The motion also calls on NSW ministers and MPs to support long-term funding for the Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative and to consider establishing a state-led revolving land acquisition fund and voluntary covenant program for the purchase of low-lying agricultural land, based on earlier work through the Council’s Operation Recovery project.
Strong action needed
Councillor Elia Hauge (Byron) who moved the motion said the river’s worsening condition showed stronger government commitment was needed.
‘The reality is that we are just not seeing the funding and the regulation needed to move the river health forward,’ Cr Hauge said.
Stakeholder collaboration
‘There is report after report after report that details, in scientific terms, the dire health of the river system.’
‘But there is something to be said for coming together, to be on the ground, and to be able to collaborate in place for the sake of the river,’ she said.
Krieg pushes back
All councillors supported the motion except Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg who voted against.
Cr Krieg said he was not convinced a new commission would solve the problem.
‘Our river is in desperate need of help, I just can’t see a commission, and we’ve all received the lobbying letters about having a commissioner and different things like that,’ he said.
‘We all know the problems. I don’t believe personally that a commissioner or another commission is the answer to this.’
Cr Krieg also questioned whether a new body was necessary when water authorities already had responsibilities for the river.
‘What’s our role as a water authority if our role is not to take the lead on things and to drive the funding and to get the work done?’ he asked.
The RCC will now write to relevant NSW ministers, MPs and members of the Richmond River Catchment Partnership Steering Committee inviting them to discuss the proposal and visit sites of river degradation and restoration.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
