Richmond River champions Graeme Gibson and Steve Posselt have written an open letter to Kyogle and Richmond Valley Councils, urging action to protect the river.
The letter is reproduced below:
Dear Mayor and Councillors,
The extremely poor health of the Richmond River has been long known, for decades in fact. The causes and solutions are generally well understood, as is the fact that the health of the river is still declining.
This affects recreational enjoyment of the river, livelihoods, property values and mental health. And then there is the environmental degradation from collapsing riverbanks, mass fish kills, pesticide contamination and a range of other negative impacts.
During and immediately after a Tinnie Trip up the river from Ballina towards Kyogle that we took to highlight the state of the river in September last year, we spoke with many people. Almost everyone is very keen to see action taken to improve the river, but most people are pessimistic that anything will be done. Perhaps this is because it has been so bad for so long.
Single agency needed
In talking with people, we came to the view that the river needed a single agency to take responsibility for the management of the entire river catchment. Current management is fragmented, with multiple agencies having control over different aspects of the river.
In November last year Ballina Shire Council adopted a motion calling on the state government to appoint a Richmond River Commissioner with a statutory obligation to be responsible the health of the Richmond River catchment. Since that time Byron Shire Council and Rous County Council have adopted the same motion.
Lismore City Council considered the motion and decided to defer the matter until after the CSIRO report on flood mitigation options in the next few months.
Kyogle Council and Richmond Valley Council have been asked to do the same. To date neither council has taken the motion to a meeting, nor responded to our request.
We are aware of the very good work both councils are carrying out or otherwise supporting for river restoration, but this is piecemeal and entirely inadequate for the extent of the problem.
Minister responds
The Minister for Water, Rose Jackson, has said the proposal will be considered, and if a Commissioner is appointed, she wants to ensure the position is able to achieve results, and not just tick a box.
She has also said she will visit the area in the second half of this year.
A very recent study of major watercourses in the Richmond River catchment, completed by Griffith University, has reinforced the need for a whole of catchment approach and identified sediment pollution sources to the Richmond River.
The study advises that a fully vegetated riparian zone, which will involve weed control and stock exclusion, is the most effective long term erosion mitigation strategy.
One of the most significant findings of the study is that 84 per cent of sediment deposited in the coastal zone of the river is sourced from beyond the coastal zone, primarily in the mid and upper sections of the river.
To be clear, this is from Richmond Valley and Kyogle Local Government Areas.
As one landholder in the upper Richmond recently said, ‘we’ve lost a lot of soil, gone down to Ballina.’
We urge both councils to show leadership on this issue, and in closing ask, is it not a moral responsibility for your council to support the appointment of a Richmond River Commissioner?
Graeme Gibson and Steve Posselt
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. 
