Thank you for your contribution
Thank you for providing valuable feedback on the proposed concept plans for Melville Ford, Queens Wharf in Morpeth and the riverbank in Lorn.
The survey has now closed. We are currently analysing your responses to report to Council.
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Join the journey: Our river, our future
Thanks to the funding provided by the NSW Government's Coastal and Estuary Program, we are working on addressing concerns around erosion of the Hunter River through a Vibrant River Education Program.
We've identified three sites - Melville Ford, Queens Wharf in Morpeth and the riverbank at Lorn - following concerns voiced by local residents, particularly around the impacts of 4WD vehicles, boating and flood events.
The Vibrant River Education Program
Through signage, points of interest, barriers and beautification, and extensive community engagement, the Vibrant River Education Program aims to address critical issues such as stream bank erosion from boating, illegal dumping, and unauthorised vehicular access, which threaten the health and beauty of our river ecosystem.
The initiative aims to raise awareness about activities that can adversely affect the river and its banks. It hopes to ease local concerns and promote environmentally conscious attitudes and practices. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the health of our riverbanks through long term planning.
View the concept plans
Scroll through the image gallery to check out the proposed concept plans below for Melville Ford, Queens Wharf in Morpeth and the long term landscaping of the Lorn riverbank.
Frequently asked questions
We applied for funding under the NSW Government Coast and Estuary Grants Program in response to community concerns regarding the impacts of 4WD and boating use along the river, and the recent flood events causing erosion at points of the Hunter River.
The grant also supports the developing and ongoing work we are doing as part of the Hunter Estuary Alliance working on the development of the Hunter Estuary Coastal Management Program.
The Vibrant River Education Program has been developed thanks to the NSW Government Coast and Estuary Grant Program.
The program focuses on community education to improve recognition of importance of the river, and understanding of its fragility to support behaviour change that will reduce erosion and pollution.
The Hunter Estuary Alliance is lead by Maitland City Council and we work together with City of Newcastle, Port Stephens Council, Dungog Shire Council, Hunter Local Land Services and Hunter Water to develop the Hunter Estuary Coastal Management Program.
We are working as part of the Hunter Estuary Alliance to achieve shared objectives and overcome key constraints to coordinated, effective and sustainable management of the Hunter River Estuary for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the community both now, and into the future.
No. Our concept plans are bigger than the funding we have received under the current grant to undertake all the proposed plantings. We will continue to include these plantings in our future planning and seek further funding through the Hunter Estuary Coastal Management Program once it is developed.
These areas will still be maintained by Council mowers and if we are unaware you have planted a tree, your hard work and favourite tree may be lost. It is best to contact Council on 4934 9700 to discuss.
No. External consultants within this field of knowledge provided the landscape plan and advice.
The landscape plan has been created by considering the flood mitigation infrastructure and following their guidelines for replanting.
Any areas of high velocity floodwaters will be developed as part of the Hunter Estuary Coastal Management Program.
We recognise your love for the river and wanting to be near the water. There will still be non-vehicular access available to the community.
Loss of vegetation and wheel ruts left by cars and motorbikes can contribute to erosion which impacts the health of the river you want to enjoy.
Cars and children playing do not mix and in the interest of safety and inability to provide a formed road or boat ramp due to flooding issues, restricting access is our safest option.
We understand this and celebrate your enjoyment of our great outdoors. We will ensure areas are left for you to enjoy as well as leaving space for our community events that take place next to the river.
