Research Projects
Southern Cross University is funding seven research and community engagement projects to aid ongoing flood recovery in the NSW Northern Rivers. Community engagement is a priority of the scheme.
We’re proud to partner on the following projects.
1. Creating an online data repository to understand how to manage the Richmond River catchment and restore its health.
Southern Cross University is creating an online repository that can be used by the community, researchers, government agencies, historians and local organisations seeking to understand the history of the Richmond River and how to manage the catchment and restore its health. Richmond RiverKeeper is an important community partner in this project, with Rous Council, Richmond-Tweed Library and the Richmond River Historical Society providing advice and access to records, reports, surveys and historical material.
If you would like to find out more about the repository, or how you might contribute, please contact Adele Wessell.
2. Talking about the Richmond River - community values for river health in a post-flood environment.
This project aims to empower a community voice that speaks of and for river health, by documenting the community aspirations and preferences for the future state of the Richmond River and its catchment. In the post-flood situation this project will shine a light on how the community uses and values the river and its water quality, providing a benchmark for management goals that will support future decision making, volunteer activity and help ensure investment accountability. We want to hear from you about what is important to you about the Richmond River and what you aspire the river to be like in the future. Stay tuned for workshops and survey participation as they rollout over 2023.
Contact Project Lead Mandy Reichelt-Brushett to organise a workshop in your area of the catchment.
Mandy running a workshop
3. Mapping the network of community resources contributing to flood recovery and produce a graphic directory of service providers to support recovery and rebuilding efforts.
More information coming soon!
4. Creating and coordinating an ongoing citizen science program to assess riverine ecosystem health across the catchment.
Through a grant from SCU, we are creating an ongoing citizen science project to assess and map river health across the Richmond River catchment. Our project will biannually report ecological river health, water quality, and riparian condition collected by the community across the RRC through a published report card, community engagement days and a webpage including 'heat maps' of ecological health parameters. The ongoing dataset will show changes (hopefully an improvement!) in the ecological condition of the RRC over time and draw a link between community works to restore riparian zone conditions and improve river health.
By highlighting areas of concern for focused management and engaging the community with the river and each other (networking), this project will ultimately positively impact the ecosystem health and amenity of the Richmond River. The ultimate benefit to the NR community will be useable/attractive rivers and streams, better connection and recreation amenities with the river, improved resilience, and reduced impact of future floods. Who could argue against a healthy river?
If you would like more information or want to get involved contact Brendan.
Brendan running a citizen science project
5. Collecting and analysing an estimated 10,000 photographs and videos taken during the flood, culminating in a digital map to guide flood forecasting and emergency responses.
More information coming soon!
Share our vision? Want to get involved?
Whether you are an organisation or an individual we want to hear from you!