The management of natural resources on the Richmond River coastal floodplain is a complex relationship of programs, organisations and funding. Current issues include drainage, acid sulfate soils, floodgate management, water quality monitoring, estuary management and wetlands management. These are being addressed by a range of works, trials, demonstrations, research and planning activities by many organisations working on the floodplain.

 

The Richmond Floodplain Committee (RFC) was established by Richmond River County Council with the support of local councils and state agencies in November 2000 to ‘coordinate natural resource management activities and projects on the floodplain in partnership with councils, state government and the community’. The management of natural resources on the estuary and floodplain is presents great challenges and needs long-term community and government support.

 

Over a number of years the RFC membership have implemented on-ground works to enhance wetlands, reduce drainage density, monitor water quality and reduce chonic acidification of water ways in dry times through controlled tidal flushing.  The RFC also set up the estuary management committee who are entering the final phase of the planning process with the consultancy brief for the Estuary Management Study and Plan to be released in early April 2007.  The estuary management plan will provide a blueprint for the long term sustainable management of the Richmond River estuary.