The Brunswick River could face a ‘death by a thousand cuts’ but a local group is seeking help to protect the vital waterway
A Byron Shire-founded group has called for the community to support a major initiative on the ground.
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The vital waterway could face a “death by a thousand cuts” but one North Coast group was pushing for more people to help the Brunswick River.
The increasing pressures of land clearing, development, poor land management and pollution are putting the river system’s future at risk, according to Byron-based Positive Change for Marine Life.
But the group’s Northern NSW co-ordinator, Dane Marx, said there was hope for the river.
“Despite the troubling state of our wetlands, we have a fantastic opportunity in the Byron Shire to protect and restore an incredibly important and biologically diverse system”, Mr Marx said.
“We don’t want to see the Bruns cleared, developed and polluted to the point of no return, and while it may appear pristine, it’s the “death by a thousand cuts” scenario where habitat is being destroyed, banks are eroding and sedimentation is drowning important fish breeding areas.
“Once these threats get to a tipping point it’s very difficult for the river to bounce back.
“We want to prevent further degradation before this happens.”
Positive Change for Marine Life has been mapping and surveying the river in association with Byron Shire Council, the Arakwal traditional custodians, NSW Department of Primary Industries and others.
“The long-term plan involves bringing everyone together – Traditional Custodians, fishers, landowners, farmers, businesses, scientists, government representatives and recreational users to understand the threats facing the river and to prioritise restoration efforts where they are needed most,” Mr Marx said.
“To do this, we need to understand the river as a whole, as well as the range of people who rely on and use it.”
The group recently launched the Health Rivers Fund for the Brunswick River.
They aim to raise $40,000 to complete baseline surveys and to develop a long term plan to restore the river.
But they will need the community’s help.
All donations to the organisation are tax-deductible. For more details visit the website: https://pcfml.org.au/hrf.
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