The Riverbank Rehabilitation Project (RRP) is a joint NSW and Australian Government initiative delivered by Local Land Services to support recovery and long-term resilience in flood-affected river systems along the east coast of NSW following the 2021 floods. Funded under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (Category D), the program focuses on stabilising severely eroded riverbanks, protecting high-value environmental assets, and helping landholders navigate complex waterways approval processes.
Phase 1 operated across seven priority catchments with an $18.4 million budget and included two workstreams: (1) targeted on-ground riverbank stabilisation works and (2) erosion and approvals advisory support for landholders.
An independent evaluation conducted in 2025 assessed Phase 1 against NSW Treasury Evaluation Guidelines and the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Plan. Using a mixed-methods approach, the evaluation found the program evolved significantly during delivery. Early governance, monitoring, and administrative challenges were gradually addressed as systems, processes, and roles matured.
Despite early challenges, the program delivered tangible outcomes. Workstream 1 stabilised 7.4 km of waterways and protected more than 50 hectares of vegetation and ecological communities. Workstream 2 provided technical advice and approvals support to 498 landholders.
The evaluation acted as a catalyst for broader improvement. Evaluation findings directly informed the design of the $30 million Phase 2 program, strengthening governance, embedding monitoring and adaptive management, and enhancing engagement with landholders and First Nations communities. These changes have translated early lessons into a more refined delivery model, positioning Phase 2 to deliver stronger environmental outcomes and long-term riparian resilience across NSW.