Restoring Never Never Reserves All Wrapped For Christmas

Published on 21 December 2021

It’s a wrap this week for the team restoring the reserves of the Never Never. Bellingen Shire Council and the Never Never Catchment Group have been working on a NSW Environmental Trust funded project since 2017 at Earl Preston Reserve Gleniffer to protect the riverbank and restore the riparian vegetation in the threatened ecological community on the reserve.

The project began with major in-stream works to stabilise the riverbank. “These works have bedded in well now and are doing their job.” said Councils River and Biodiversity Officer Justine Elder. “The structures have created some lovely spots to swim, and have aligned the river to flow under the bridge rather than eroding the edges of the bridge.” Stages two & three of the project saw the removal of bushland weeds from the reserve and added replenishment plantings to the endangered lowland rainforest of the Reserve. “A particular challenge has been to protect the edges of the narrow strip of vegetation from motor vehicles which have begun parking on the delicate ecosystem in recent times”, Justine said. The Never Never Catchment Group’s volunteers have densely planted lomandra along the edges to form a barrier between the road and the vegetation to discourage vehicles from entering the bush.

Unfortunately, the environment of the Never Never River and the Promised Land have been somewhat victims of their own popularity. That’s why we consulted with the community and developed the Gleniffer Reserves Master Plan in 2016.  This plan helps us understand the impacts of visitation and looks at tourism management over marketing.  Other projects already completed from the Masterplan include extensive revetment works, construction of a gravel bench and installation of interpretive signage made from recycled timber bridge planks.

This project is yet another of the projects identified in the Masterplan, and it has been wonderful to recognise the partnership between council and the community who have worked hard on this project, through several floods, fire, and COVID.  “We all ask that residents and visitors be careful and respectful of the new plantings next time you are at the Reserve and refrain from driving or walking on them”, said Justine. This riparian vegetation protects the riverbank from washing away and maintains the health of the Never Never River for everyone to enjoy.