Help the Rivers

of the Bellinger and Kalang catchments

The rivers of the Bellinger and Kalang catchments are unique and some of the healthiest in Australia.

All residents and tourists need to work together to protect what we have.

1. Wash swimmers and canoes between swimming holes and allow them time to dry.

The biohazard risk of the Bellinger River Virus still prevails.

In 2015, the Bellinger River Virus killed an estimated 90% of the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle population.

Wash your canoes and swimmers in between visiting difference swimming holes, both within the catchments, and beyond, to help prevent spreading the virus.

Allow items to dry thoroughly before re-use.

2. Go to the toilet before you leave town

The only public toilet on our rivers is at Lavenders Bridge so go to the toilet before you leave town!

Urine adds nitrogen to the river and going to the toilet near a river creates a public health risk. If you need to pee whilst visiting our rivers, do so at least 20m away from edge of the river bank, on land.

3. Pick up after your pet

Leave only paw prints.

Pick up pet waste to stop bacteria and other bugs from entering our waterways.

  1. Keep plastic bags in your car.

  2. Get them out of the car (!)

  3. Take them with you to the river.

4. Park in parking areas

(vehicles destroy riverbanks).

“I don’t drive all over your home, so why drive over mine?”

The riverbank is home to many diverse species that play an important part in the river ecosystem. Drive only on roads and in parking areas, never on riverbanks.

If you see someone driving on the banks of our rivers, please take note of their number plate and report it to the police on 02 6690 1100.

(responsibly).

5. Spend time at the river

Only when we form a connection with rivers, can we then hear the call to protect them.

There are lots of ways to (responsibly) enjoy our rivers. Rent a kayak, go for a swim, or just take a stroll along a local waterway. Any time spent connecting with the rivers that sustain us is time well-spent.

6. Think zinc

(not sunscreen).

Be mindful of what you're adding to the river. Zinc is more helpful for rivers than sunscreen.

Chemical sunscreens and insect repellents add pollutants to the river. Please take a rashie or wear zinc when visiting our rivers.

7. Take your waste with you

plus 3 extras!

Take your rubbish home and dispose of it responsibly.

The ocean provides us with the oxygen we breathe and the climate that sustains us.

All rivers lead to the sea.

We need clean rivers and clean oceans.

Rain carries litter pollution to the river - cigarette butts, bottle tops & plastic bags are the most common items that choke and kill wildlife.

  1. Place your litter in bins provided at the river.

  2. If the bin is full, take your rubbish home with you (participate in the NSW Container Deposit Scheme to recycle your eligible cans and bottles).

  3. Please also take 3 extra pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the river. Read more at take3.org

8. If a swimming hole is full, drive on

Let’s not overload our swimming holes.

When we do this, we may impact riverbank erosion and some water quality parameters. If a carpark is full, please drive or walk on to the next hole.

9. Volunteer

with Bellingen Riverwatch, Bellinger Landcare or Bellingen Urban Landcare.

Our community works together to help protect these rivers.

Join the network of volunteers working to collect river health data and restore riverbanks. Plants and trees creates stability in our riverbanks and help to reduce the amount of soil running into rivers. And they help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions too.

Studies show that spending time outdoors for at least two hours per week has long-term health benefits. So while you’re improving the health of your river, you can improve your own health as well.

10. Report what you see

Please report fish kills, turtle sightings, turtle nests, algal blooms, or inappropriate activity on our rivers.

Partners

This project is part funded by Inspiring Australia, Bellingen Shire Council, the Department of Planning and Environment and its’ Saving our Species program, and the Flood Recovery Program for Water Quality Monitoring. This program is developed and delivered by the Water Wetlands and Coastal Science Branch within the Department of Planning and Environment’s Environment and Heritage Group. It is delivered in partnership with the NSW Environment Protection Authority and is funded under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Bellingen Riverwatch would like to thank all of our Steering Committee Partners for their dedicated work on this program.

Contacts