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Estuaries in NSW

Richmond River
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Evans River Lake Ainsworth
[Image of Estuary] Richmond River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 6850 km2
Waterway Area 19 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open with twin training breakwaters
Location (Lat-Long) 28.874S ,  153.591E
Distance (from Sydney) 750 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The Richmond system comprises the Richmond River, otherwise referred to as the main arm, North Creek, and the Wilsons River, a major tributary of the Richmond River. The approximate length of the main arm is 170 km, the tidal limit being 90 km from the ocean. The town of Ballina is located at the entrance and Lismore is located on the Wilson River.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Richmond River And Estuary
North Creek
Emigrant Creek
Leycester Creek
Maguires Creek
The Broadwater
Tuckean Broadwater
Wilsons River
Rocky Mouth Creek
Bungawalbin Creek
Tuckean Broadwater
Bungawalbin Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Ballina
Wardell
Broadwater
Woodburn
Coraki
Lismore
Casino

Special Attributes

General

  • Important tourist area - including recreational fishing.
  • Commercial fish producing estuary (138 t/yr) - also small oyster producer.
  • Sand extraction resources.
  • Extensive archaeological deposits.
  • Significant waterfowl habitat.
  • Parts of the Broadwater and Border Ranges National Parks are in the catchment.
  • Extensive areas of mangroves and lowland swamp forest.
  • Significant areas of SEPP 14 wetland.

Estuarine Vegetation

The spatial data is reproduced from NSW Fisheries(2006/7) studies, whilst the species makeup is from the West et al.(1985). This map shows the spatial extent of the Estuarine Vegetation.

Type Area Species 1
(km2)
Mangroves 6.025 av,ae,ex,br
Seagrass 0.320 z
Saltmarsh 0.599

References

R.J. Williams, G. West, D. Morrison and R.G. Creese, (2006),
"Estuarine Resources of New South Wales",
prepared for the Comprehensive Coastal Assessment (DoP) by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens.

R.J. West, C.A. Thorogood, T.R. Walford and R.J. Williams. (1985).
"An Estuarine Inventory for New South Wales, Australia".
Fisheries Bulletin 2. Department of Agriculture, New South Wales.

Estuary Commerce

fishing, port, tourism, sewage

Management Issues

This estuary falls in the area covered by Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

There are 2 committee(s) active on this estuary

Richmond River

In 2000 the Richmond Floodplain Committee was established under the Richmond River County Council (the flood mitigation authority)to co-ordinate and integrate natural resource management actions on the Richmond River floodplain. These actions include acid sulfate soils, wetlands management, water quality monitoring, riparian vegetation and estuary management.

Through the Richmond Floodplain Committee, agreement has been reached with the three constituent councils to prepare an estuary management plan for the whole Richmond River estuary. A data compilation study has been completed (2004) and the estuary processes study is set to commence in late 2004..

Key issues that will addressed through the estuary planning process include: ecological health of the estuary, water quality, riverbank erosion, sedimentation, shoaling and navigation, aquatic habitat, fish kills, riparian vegetation, flooding, fishing and fishery management, waterway usage, development, cultural and heritage values, water extraction and river flow, foreshore access and community education.Progress to date includes development of a water quality monitoring strategy for the Lower Richmond River which aims at coordinating methodology between all bodies involved in water quality monitoring in the Richmond estuary, reporting to a common data base and having a centralised media response to any significant events affecting the aquatic ecosystem.

Progress to date includes development of a water quality monitoring strategy for the Lower Richmond River which aims at coordinating methodology between all bodies involved in water quality monitoring in the Richmond estuary, reporting to a common data base and having a centralised media response to any significant events affecting the aquatic ecosystem.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed 2004
Carryout Process Study none
Carryout Estuary Management Study none
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Richmond River County Council Mr Michael Woods
Ph (02) 6621 8314 Fax (02) 6622 1181

Shaws Bay

Shaws Bay is a small inlet adjacent to lower Richmond River entrance, separated from the main river channel by the northern training wall, tidal exchange occurring through voids in the rock wall. Total waterway area is approx. 0.12 sq. km. The bay is noted for its recreational amenity and value as an area of important aquatic habitat and an educational resource.

Shaws Bay Estuary Management Committee was formed in 1998 by Ballina Shire Council, its prime objective being to develop a management plan for Shaws Bay, its foreshores, catchment area and adjacent recreation areas, with the aim of maintaining both the recreational amenity and ecological viability of the bay.

A Shaws Bay Estuary Management Plan was completed and adopted by Council in July 2000. It is currently being implemented with actions directed at foreshore erosion, stormwater management and recreational amenity improvements.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed 1999
Carryout Process Study completed 1999
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed early 2000
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed
Review Estuary Management Plan completed July 2000
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process commenced undertaken each year in setting forward program

Contact Details

Ballina Shire Council Civil Services Department, Mr Paul Busmanis
Ph (02) 6686 4444 Fax (02) 6681 1375

References

Local Government Areas

Ballina
Lismore
Richmond Valley

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Ballina
Empire Vale
Wardell
Lismore
Byron Bay
Woodburn
Casino
Tatham
Ellangowan
Gibberagee