Streams and rivers provide important habitat for plants, invertebrates, fish and wildlife. They also provide many other ecological, cultural, recreational and economic values.   

Once river habitats are lost, the damage is often irreparable or difficult and expensive to reverse. Over time, the cumulative effects of river loss, through activities such as piping streams and reclamation, can lead to a decline in species, ecosystem health and cultural values. 

To protect these habitats, there are restrictions on what activities landowners with property including or bordering a river or stream can do. 

These include actions that create permanent dry land on part of a riverbed – known as river reclamation, as well as works that could impede fish passage in streams and rivers, and the taking of material from riverbeds. 

Keeping stock out of waterways

Learn about stock exclusion rules.