Bielsdown River Walk

The Bielsdown River Walk is an ongoing project to restore a stretch of riparian vegetation along the Bielsdown River in Dorrigo while creating a beautiful riverside walk for locals and visitors.

In 2024/25 Dandarrga Landcare received a grant of $4,700 from Bellingen Shire Council’s Environment Levy Community Fund to continue their restoration works along the river.

The funding enabled the Landcare group to plant 200 native plants. This has added to previous years’ plantings which have included many pioneer species such as lomandras, wattles, tea trees, hakeas, eucalypts and casuarinas. The planting design included site preparation, fertiliser, jute mats, tree guards and stakes to ensure a high success rate. The plantings were data logged with geolocation software to inform strategic decisions for the site in successive years and to provide information for broader use in the design of future revegetation work in the catchment.

The funding also supported the group to continue weed control and maintenance works along the walk for a 12-month period. A team of 5 dedicated volunteers have attended the Bielsdown River Walk weekly (weather permitting) to carry out maintenance on the project area. This includes mowing, brushcutting, weeding and monitoring of previous plantings. Using careful observation, the group have been able to recognise platypus burrows along the riverbank and have adjusted the path and works to ensure minimal disturbance to the burrows.

This project and ongoing works have been very successful in stabilising the riverbank, improving habitat for native fauna and creating a wildlife corridor. Many residents and visitors utilise the area for walking, exercising, birdwatching and contemplation and the works have enhanced community access and enjoyment of the area. Landcare plans to continue to revegetate the area to further attract native fauna and provide an area of sanctuary that residents and visitors can enjoy.

All photos courtesy of Dandarrga Landcare.