Bellinger and Nambucca rivers return healthy results at 11th Macro Muster

WATERBUG samples pointed to very healthy rivers across the Bellinger and Nambucca catchments at OzGREEN’s 11th Macro Muster last Friday.

The event drew well over 100 testers and 35 collecting volunteers, who gathered waterbugs from a record 12 sites across the Bellinger, Kalang and Nambucca catchments.

OzGREEN’s Amy Denshire said the program began in 2021 at the request of scientists working to help the Bellinger River snapping turtle recover after a deadly virus outbreak.

“There are 200 turtles left in the Bellinger River, and it’s one of the rarest turtles in the world,” Ms Denshire said.

“Whilst the program started because of the turtle, it’s grown to be about so much more than this.”

She also noted the uniqueness of the program, with community members being involved in identification of the bugs, rather than samples being sent away to scientists.

Dr Nakia Belmer, a scientist and Bellingen Riverwatch volunteer, gave an overview of the results towards the end of the evening.

He said Bellinger samples showed very high water quality, and most Nambucca sites were very healthy too, with some returning scores slightly below those of Bellingen.

Stoneflies turned up at some sites, and they are excellent indicators of river health, as they are sensitive to pollution and need high oxygen levels.

Environmental scientist Charelle, of Grassy Head, said she volunteers to share knowledge and passion for a good cause.

“The cool thing about this program is that it engages all skill levels, from young kids and adults to experienced community members,” she said.

Sampling occurs twice a year across different vegetation zones, flows and parts of the catchment.

This gives a more comprehensive picture of the bugs’ life cycles and diversity.

Both councils have been running collaborative projects to repair riverbanks.

Bellingen Shire Council’s Sam Tate said a Kalang River project to fix flood erosion on a cleared bank worked because several agencies shared the load.

Nambucca Valley Council Environmental Project Officer Keegan Noble said erosion and fragmented riparian vegetation were two major risks to the waterway.

“One simple threat exacerbates several others,” he explained.

At two flood-damaged Bowraville sites, the council has hardened banks, replanted vegetation and placed logs in deeper holes as fish and turtle habitat.

Chris Ormond, a scientist with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Saving Our Species Program, urged people to report sick or dead turtles.

The virus has only been found in the Bellinger.

Murray River turtles live in both the Bellinger and Nambucca catchments and are unlikely to be affected.

The endangered Manning River turtle lives in a nearby catchment, so spreading the virus must still be avoided.

Everyone can help by washing and drying swimmers, canoes and gear between swimming locations.

By Jessica MILLER