Bringing Boambee Creek’s mangroves back to life
After a major hailstorm in October 2021 wiped out much of the mangrove population in Boambee Creek, dedicated restoration efforts led by Professor Kirsten Benkendorff and her research team at Southern Cross University (SCU) are bringing the mangroves back to life.
Their ongoing collaboration with the Ngiyambandigay Waajar Aboriginal Corporation (Gumbaynggirr Sea Rangers)—alongside support from C-Change Adventures, Reflections Holidays, OzFish, Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare, and volunteers, has begun to turn things around. Small patches of invertebrate life are returning, and new seedlings are appearing, proving this vital ecosystem can recover with the right care.
Rebuilding a damaged ecosystem
The storm wasn’t the only threat; the team assessed the site and discovered chemical contamination in the roots of dead mangroves. The loss disrupted the entire creek ecosystem, killing off invertebrates and leaving the area vulnerable to erosion.
As a first step in restoration, the Gumbaynggirr Sea Rangers collected mangrove seeds from a healthier site upstream. These were then germinated in seawater tanks at Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre. Despite their best efforts, only 50% of the seedlings survived after three months, and when planted in early 2023, few survived . It became clear a different approach was needed.
A smarter solution for regeneration
Now, the team is preparing to trial the John Eddy Method, a promising technique that could help recruit mangroves back into the waterway. Locally sourced mangrove seeds from Boambee Creek will be secured to bamboo stakes using cable ties and rubber bands, which will be removed once the seedlings are established.
To strengthen community engagement, a planting day is planned with SCU, Gumbaynggirr Sea Rangers, local Indigenous students, Landcare, and OzFish volunteers. Signage will also be installed to educate the broader community about the project’s significance.
Why does this matter?
Healthy mangroves support fish and marine life by stabilising shorelines, filtering contaminants, and providing a crucial link between land and water. Restoring them strengthens the creek’s resilience against future storms, improves water quality, and creates better habitats for fish and other marine species.
“This site was hit hard, and early attempts at replanting showed just how fragile the system had become,” said Alacia Cockbain, the OzFish project officer assisting with rehabilitation efforts. “But seeing new life return proves that, with the right interventions, Boambee Creek can heal.”
We expect to increase community involvement in environmental conservation while restoring this creek’s mangroves and creating greater awareness of Gumbaynggirr culture.
A community effort
This project is only possible thanks to the expertise and dedication of Kirsten at Southern Cross University, the Gumbaynggirr Rangers, and the support of local landholders, C-Change Adventures, Boambee Reflections Holidays, Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare, and OzFish.
The project is part of the Driving Fish Habitat Action partnership between OzFish and Landcare NSW. Funding for parts of this project was provided with grants from the Recreational Fishing Trust and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Developments’ Recreational Fishing Trust’s Habitat Action Grant Program.
These grant programs are financed from funds generated through the sale of the recreational fishing licence fee in NSW and managed by NSW DPIRD Fisheries on behalf of the Recreational Fishing Trust.
Want to get involved? Join us at the next planting event and help restore one of our most essential ecosystems!