Riverbank stabilisation works at Uki a success
12 December 2023
In a win for the environment, a 3-month, $620,000 project to protect the Tweed River from future flood impacts and erosion at Uki in the Tweed Valley has been delivered for the Tweed community.
Construction on the Tweed riverbank stabilisation project at Riverside Park restored 700 metres of riverbank damaged by record flooding during the February/March 2022 flood events.
The project was highlighted as a priority after the major flooding caused more than 45 metres of erosion and loss of riparian vegetation along this section of the Tweed River at Riverside Park. During the floods, the catchment received its average annual rainfall in less than one week, with a record flood height of 13 metres at Uki.
The project involved installing rock revetment along unprotected sections of riverbank and around 1,700 hardwood logs were driven into the riverbed in rows, designed to capture natural sand and gravel to rebuild riverbed levels.
Riparian vegetation will be restored over time to improve river health and reduce the risk of further erosion during future flood events.
To emphasise the importance of this project, this reach of the river is part of the Tweed’s drinking water supply and supports platypus and other threatened species.
If left untouched, ongoing erosion would threaten water quality and important habitats as well as private land and public infrastructure.
North Coast Local Land Services (LLS) provided funding for the project through the NSW Government’s Marine Estate Management Strategy, with the aim of improving water quality for the benefit of marine habitats, wildlife and the community.
This project is one way Council is building resilience into our natural landscape, and our community, in the face of a changing climate and looking after the Tweed’s environment for current and future generations.
For further information about the project visit the Your Say Tweed project page or find out how Council continues to look after the Tweed’s rivers and creeks.
Top image: Work on the riverbank stabilisation project at Riverside Park, Uki has involved installation of hardwood timber piles into the riverbed designed to rebuild the natural channel shape.
Image below: The 2022 flooding caused severe erosion along the Tweed River, resulting in major damage to Riverside Park and adjacent Kyogle Road, as pictured here in March 2022.
