Rous County Council

10/06/2026

👏👏 A major regional effort to manage the highly invasive w**d, Tropical soda apple (TSA), has been completed marking an important step forward in protecting local agriculture and the environment.

🌿 Delivered by Rous, with funding from the NSW Government’s Good Neighbours Program, the project focused on limiting the spread of TSA through coordinated action in high-risk areas along the Richmond River and the Clarence River upper catchment.

🎬 Learn more about the project in this video. North Coast Local Land Services

09/06/2026

We were proud to be part of celebrations for - continuing the legacy of restoration plantings and engaging with local students around catchment health and water cycle themes.

Hosted by Geolink and Ballina Shire Council, the event marked the 21st annual community tree planting at Lennox Headland. We’re grateful to have contributed alongside our project partners.

05/06/2026

🌿🐨 This , we are celebrating 16 years of partnership with Friends of the Koala Inc.

Since 2010, Rous has helped provide food for sick and injured koalas through a plantation at Howards Grass, originally planted by staff and volunteers from both organisations.

Around 400 native trees - including swamp mahogany and forest red gum - were planted to support koalas during their recovery.

Today, the plantation continues to provide an important food source for vulnerable koalas in rehabilitation. It is estimated that around 3200 of koalas have been admitted to the koala hospital during this time.

We’re proud to support the incredible work of Friends of the Koala, and for many years to come.

To learn more about this important cause and the incredible work they are doing for our region’s precious native animals, including how to become a volunteer, visit their website.

04/06/2026

Beautiful morning at Lennox Head for the Tree Planting Day. Rous staff are here with Ballina Shire Council to help restore the iconic headland. Perfect opportunity to take action for our local environment and celebrate ☀️🌿🍃💧

03/06/2026

It has been more than six months since the Bitou bush control project at Skennars Head was completed, and the results are clearly visible.

🌿 Led by Rous in partnership with Forest Rehabilitation Ecology, the project treated 1.5 hectares of Bitou bush infestation, including cliff-faces accessible only by abseiling.

👉 Originally from South Africa, Bitou bush was planted along the NSW coast in the 1940s-60s to control erosion after sand mining. It is now a significant environmental w**d that outcompetes native vegetation, reduces food and habitat for native animals, impacts shorebird nesting sites, and can provide harbour for feral animals.

👏 The successful treatment at Skennars Head has created space for native vegetation to regenerate, including Coleus cremnus (pictured), a rare native herb found at only a few locations along the Far North Coast.

➡ Building on the success of the Skennars Head project, additional Bitou bush control works are also underway at Black Head and the Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation area. More updates on these projects will be shared soon.

02/06/2026

So proud to do what we can to support this incredibly important organisation. NSW SES Lismore City Unit

31/05/2026

Rous' Community Grants Program is open for applications, providing funding support for local activities, programs or events in the Northern Rivers.

🌿💧 The program supports initiatives that align with Rous’ core functions and deliver clear social, cultural or environmental benefits to the community.

👉 Funding will be considered for projects that are focused on improving the region’s catchments and waterways, w**d biosecurity and bush regeneration programs, strengthening rural flood resilience, supporting drinking water education programs, or Aboriginal cultural initiatives.

🥳 The new program is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 (excluding GST) to eligible organisations and groups across the Northern Rivers region.

Visit Rous' website for further information and to apply.

The Rous Community Grants program supports activities, programs or events that provide a public benefit aligned with Rous’s function and purpose. The program

29/05/2026

With recent rain events across the region, we are encouraging all landholders to check waterways and flood-affected areas on their property for w**ds that may have washed downstream.

🌧⛈ Heavy rainfall can carry seeds and plant fragments into paddocks and waterways, leading to the spread of invasive plants.

Here’s how you can help reduce the spread of w**ds:
👉Regularly monitor flood-affected areas for new w**d growth over the next 1–2 years
👉Identify and report unfamiliar w**ds to Rous Biosecurity for advice
👉Thoroughly clean vehicles and equipment before and after working in affected areas to avoid spreading seeds

🌿 Now is also a great time to hand-pull w**ds while the ground is still wet and friable.

27/05/2026

This month our W**d Biosecurity team conducted targeted surveillance for Miconia calvescens at a known historical infested site in Dungay (Tw**d Shire).

👉 Their work resulted in two Miconia plants being located, each approximately 3 metres tall, within 600 metres of the original infestation area.

😟 Miconia is an invasive w**d which has the potential to form dense thickets and replace native understorey plants in sub-tropical rainforests. Its seeds remain viable in the soil for many years.

➡️ To effectively control Miconia, regular visits to these sites are therefore essential, even years after initial removal.

🌿 Following this recent inspection, the team will expand surveillance into neighbouring gullies to ensure any additional Miconia plants are detected early.

25/05/2026

MyRous App: Technical issue

We have been advised the MyRous App is currently experiencing a technical issue. Users may not be able to see their latest usage amounts or receive leak alerts.

We appreciate your patience while the error is resolved.