Macquarie River rafts
Information about debris rafts along the Macquarie River.
Following previous flood events in NSW, debris rafts have formed along a stretch of the Macquarie River, between Warren (Top) Weir and Marebone Weir in Warren.
The debris rafts are comprised of organic and human-derived materials.
The Environmental Services Functional Area (the EPA is the lead agency) has been working with supporting government agencies and the community as part of a coordinated environmental recovery effort.
The NSW Government held two drop-in sessions in 2023 in Warren to discuss management options for the rafts. The sessions provided feedback and insights into community concerns and the potential risks associated with rafts and proposed approaches to managing the rafts.
Following inspections in December 2023, a recommendation was made to extend the scope of the project from partial removal of two rafts to removal of human-made debris from the Macquarie River rafts between Warren (Top) Weir and Marebone Weir, including from the river shoreline. Identifiable woody weed debris, like willow, will also be removed from rafts.
The EPA has appointed a contractor to complete the works which commenced on 8 April 2024. All works are being conducted in a manner that is safe to human health and the environment.
Where native woody debris is over 300mm in diameter and 3m in length it is not being removed entirely from the river (in line with Department of Primary Industry’s snag guidelines) but is being tethered to the bank to assist with bank stabilisation and preserving aquatic habitats.
Water monitoring upstream and downstream of rafts is being conducted during the works and immediately after the work.
Map of raft locations as at June 2023
Since the clean-up commenced on 8 April, approximately 177 cubic meters of woody debris and 14 cubic metres of human-made debris has been removed from the Macquarie River.
Surf Life Saving NSW has now concluded their drone surveillance of the river. This valuable data will assist us in confirming the current size of debris rafts and identifying any secondary debris accumulations that we may not have been aware of previously. Works were paused briefly last week due to wet weather, but this didn’t affect the long-awaited removal of a car body deposited by the 2022 floods from the banks of the River at the Industrial Access Road Bridge just outside of Warren township.
Where have we been working?
Work has commenced on Raft 4 and near Raft 2. Heavy machinery including an excavator, a bobcat and a long-reach excavator with a 55 ft boom made their way to site last week to assist with the clean-up.
Since our last update work has continued on the removal of a variety of human-made debris from the rafts. Recent items include chemical containers, hard and soft plastics, metal and plastic drums, polystyrene, treated timber, tyres and white goods.
May Community drop-in
The 4th community drop-in session held last Wednesday 1 May was well attended by Warren community members interested in hearing about the progress of the Macquarie River raft project. We were able to let the community know that work on Raft 1 is now largely complete. As the water level changes, additional inspections will take place to determine if further work is required. We are aware of secondary debris accumulations in this area and assessment of these accumulations is ongoing.
Since 8 April when the clean-up commenced, approximately 142.6 cubic meters of woody debris and 5.3 cubic metres of human-made debris has been removed from the Macquarie River.
Debris was identified using aerial surveillance, on-ground and on-water mapping, reports from the community and reports from supporting government agencies, including the Warren Shire Council. Our contractors, Northern Rivers Marine Services (NRMS), are using multiple resources, including slings, chainsaws, boats, land vehicles and hand-picking to carry out the clean-up.
Where have we been working?
Work has commenced on Raft 1.
A scientist from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has been on site to train the contractors to identify woody weed species in debris, including willow, so they can be removed from rafts.
What types of debris have we been collecting?
We have removed a variety of human-made debris from Raft 1 including gas bottles, plastic bottles, a tyre, a hot water system, a box freezer, plastic drums, hard and soft plastics, glass, polystyrene and chemical containers. Woody debris including willow has also been removed from Raft 1.
Drone surveillance
Please be aware, you may notice drones in the vicinity of the works between 19-30 April 2024. The drones are operated by Surf Life Saving NSW and are assisting us in identifying debris in the Macquarie River, between Warren (Top) Weir and Marebone Weir in Warren.