HOLY COW: How difficult is it to fish cattle from river?

WHILE at least 13 dead cows float along the Wilson River and line the river bank, parties are passing the buck on who's responsibility it is to clean it up.

WHILE at least 13 dead cows float along the Wilson River and line the river bank, parties are passing the buck and pointing fingers on who's responsibility it is to clean it up.

A small group went boating last weekend for what was meant to be a leisurely experience, but returned with the stench of rotting carcasses in their noses after discovering the river and its banks riddled with decomposing cow carcasses.

Peter Richard who was on the boat the cows had gone down the "slippery muddy bank(s) for a cool drink of death".

"This is Lismore's Northern (deadly) Rivers."

Mr Richard sent an email to several recipients on the matter.

So who's responsibility is it? And who's stepping up to the task? Here's what these parties had to say.

SES

Lismore City SES unit officer Neville Graham said the rescue team went out on the Richmond River, which was recently labelled as a "disgusting mess", to rescue a number of cows which were stuck along the river bank.

Along with SES volunteers Mr Graham said they took on the task with a vet, and a Richmond Valley Council ranger to rescue the four alive but trapped cows.

He said normally the task would fall on the property owner, but said it was part of the SES charter as a rescue organisation to save people and then animals.

NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

A spokeswoman from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said the matter was Lismore City Council's responsibility.

Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith

I share your concerns about the river Peter, but we don't have the power to make people undertake fencing on private land. Though we have been doing it through our RLI, which has been a great project.

The Northern Rivers Joint Organisation is also prioritising river and catchment health, so hopefully this will also be a good step forward.

Waterway control and management mainly sits with the state government, so please pass on your concerns to our state member.

Cheers,

Isaac Smith

Mayor - Lismore City Council

Cr Neil Marks

Hi Peter

I see you received an explanation from the Mayor on the situation and what Council can do or not do as the case may be.

It is sad that farmers are losing stock in this situation and that is money out of their business.

As far as dead animals in the river I have in the past seen native animals in the river and I wonder if these are of concern too?

Councillor Neil Marks

Lismore City Council

Cr Ellie Lloyd

Dear Mr Richard,

Thank you for informing us of the situation. I note the mayor has responded to your emails. Could you advise if you have spoken with your State local member, Mr George? As the Mayor has pointed out, we have no power to force landowners to fence their properties. As pointed out, waterway management and control mainly sits with the State Government. Mr Thomas George can be contacted on [e-mail].

Would you please contact me once you have a response from Mr George and advise me of what he intends to do to address the situation.

Kind Regards,

Councillor Eddie Lloyd

Lismore City Council

Lismore City Council

NSW waterways are managed by the NSW Government. However, when there is pollution that has originated on private property, council has a responsibility to investigate compliance.

Following community concerns about dead livestock in the river, council staff investigated the riverbank and found four carcasses decomposing on the riverbank. They are in a state that would make it difficult to remove and council is liaising with state agencies about next steps. Livestock that is already in the river is general not recovered.

Council has contacted the property owners to advise of the issue with stock on the riverbank and has asked for a response in terms of preventative action that can be taken to mitigate future incidents.

Council is committed to helping improve the health of the Wilson Rivers. Council undertakes a Rural Landholder Initiative which includes working with local farmers and landholders to undertake projects such as off-stream watering and stock fencing. Measures such as these help to prevent these types of incidents and improve the health of our river. Council is also involved in on-ground works such as riparian revegetation, both through the Rural Landholder Initiative and by supporting local Landcare groups. This type of riverbank restoration helps to prevent erosion and is essential to rebuilding the health of the river.

Council responds to all reports of livestock in the river and asks landowners to take appropriate action as well as liaise with state agencies around removal and clean-up. Council has asked the property owner in question to investigate the site and advise Council of what clean-up action they will implement. Council will continue to work with all parties to ensure the riverbank is cleared of dead livestock where feasible.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI)

A spokesman from DPI said the matters concerning the river should be directed to the Department of Industry Water (NSW).

Richmond Valley Council general manager Vaughan Macdonald

Richmond Valley mayor Vaughan Macdonald said yesterday he was taking action despite "the issue of cleaning up the carcasses wasn't in Richmond Valley Council's patch at the moment".

"They are about five kilometres up the Wilson River from Coraki but they could end up in our area," Mr Macdonald said.

"I had discussions with Lismore MP Thomas George and we've activated some support with Fire & Rescue and SES.

"We will continue to work with the agencies to make that happen in the next day or two."

Lismore MP Thomas George

Lismore MP Thomas George said he wasn't aware of the matter until he saw it through the media earlier this week, and through an email he received.

He then jumped to action.

"I then made some phone calls to see what was happening and I soon gathered because of the unclear guidelines, that each department felt it was someone else's issue," he said.

"I then rang Troy Grant from Emergency Services who could get back to me late that day, but he put me in touch with the chief of staff.

"I then contacted Department Of Premier and Cabinet - then things started to happen. That was yesterday.

"A stock take was taken on the cattle immediately.

"A meeting with all agencies and departments was held at Coraki yesterday where we worked out a strategy together with the property owner, who has now started pulling dead cattle from the river.

"The process is well and truly under way with some animals already removed from the river. Earlier this morning the cattle owner had winched nine cattle up on to his property with assistance.

"There's no guidelines on who's responsibility on it is however I've asked for a review once this case is over on what happened and when it happened, to be able to set guidelines so if it happens in the future there is an immediate action plan in place."