Council has commenced delivery of the Castlereagh River Rehabilitation Project which includes the removal of 20 hectares of weeds and revegetation of the riparian zone. A draft River Management Plan has been developed and will be finalised this month following stakeholder consultation meetings. The plan will inform river restoration and future management actions on the 2km of the Castlereagh River which runs through the town of Coonabarabran.
Instream habitat studies and water monitoring activities have begun. Baseline water quality data has been collected and monitoring sites set up. These studies include both water chemistry and creek invertebrates as indicators of river health. Use of sonar technology has been used to develop a 3-D map of the creek, showing depth, water flow patterns, creek bottom features and rare plant species.
Tenders have been sought for weed removal and revegetation of 20 hectares within the riparian zone and will be finalised this month. Other components of the project yet to commence include community planting days, extension of the river walking track, installation of waste traps and a cultural heritage study of the river.
