Farmers celebrate long-awaited drainage fix as Minister flags action on river cars
A long-running fight by local cane growers has finally paid off, with a major drain clearing program delivering real results across flood-prone farmland.
The $5 million Northern Rivers Agricultural Drainage Reset Program has restored 77 drainage systems, helping water move off paddocks faster and improving both crop productivity and river health.
Speaking at Wardell today, NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said the project proved long-standing barriers could be overcome.
“For years, farmers were stuck navigating multiple agencies just to clean their drains,” she said.
“We’ve shown it can be done — and it should never be that hard again.”
The works cleared vegetation and sediment from key outlets, restoring natural flow across low-lying farmland used for sugarcane, beef, dairy and cropping.
For Wardell grower Gordon Lowrey, whose family has farmed the land for more than 80 years, the impact has been immediate.
Water that once lingered for days now drains within hours after heavy rain, allowing crops to recover faster and reducing long-term damage.
“You cannot produce crops on waterlogged land,” he said.
Richmond River Cane Growers Association chair Geoff Pye said the project delivered both economic and environmental gains.
“1996 was the last time many of these drains were cleaned,” he said.
“It’s a win for farmers and a win for the river.”
Mr Pye said improved flow meant better oxygen levels in runoff water, reducing the risk of fish kills and improving overall river health.
Minister Saffin said the goal was to make drainage maintenance a permanent part of disaster resilience planning.
“This is about giving farmers confidence to plant again,” the Lismore MP said.
Above: (L to R) Rous County Council chair Robert Mustow, Minister Janelle Saffin, cane grower Gordon Lowrey, Richmond Rivers Cane Growers chair Geoff Pye and Ballina Shire Deputy Mayor Damian Loone.
Minister to act on submerged river vehicles
The Minister also addressed growing concerns about submerged vehicles left sitting in the Richmond River.
The issue has been a major cause of concern for missing persons advocates after the recent removal of two cars containing the bodies of missing people and claims by local fishers that there are ‘at least six” more wrecks at the bottom of the river.
Ms Saffin confirmed she would raise the matter directly with NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley and have further discussions with Mayor Sharon Cadwallader.
“I haven’t had that conversation yet, but I will,” she said.
The comments follow a meeting in Sydney last week between the Ballina Shire Mayor and NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, with Cr Cadwallader escalating concerns about the vehicles possibly being linked to long running local missing persons cases, as well as being a source of river pollution.
Commissioner push gets more cautious response
Ms Saffin was also asked about calls for a dedicated Richmond River Commissioner — a proposal supported by local councils and taken to State Parliament last week by local advocates Graeme Bishop and Steve Posselt, known as the “tinnie men”.
While not ruling it out, the Minister played down the importance of the title, instead focusing on outcomes.
“I don’t care what you call it,” she said.
“If people want to call it a commissioner, that’s fine — but for me it’s about having the right process in place to make things happen.”
Saffin said her priority was ensuring agencies work together effectively, rather than creating new layers of bureaucracy and she was confident in the progress made over recent years under the Minns Government.
“For me, it’s never enough. I’m the local member, I’m the Minister, but you know at heart, I’m an advocate and activist for our area, so it’s never enough for me, and I’ll continue to it’s always continuous improvement to get the things that we need,” Ms Saffin said.
