State of the Environment Supplementary Report 2006/07

COVER IMAGE: A view over Lake showing both native and introduced flora.

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Contents

List of Tables...... 3 List of Figures ...... 3 List of Images ...... 3 Executive Summary ...... 4 Key Responses to Environmental Pressures 2006/07 ...... 4 Key Plans and Strategies 2006/07 ...... 5 Achievements in 2006/07 ...... 6 Councils Strategic Direction ...... 7 Land ...... 9 Pressures and State...... 9 Responses ...... 9 Water ...... 12 Pressures and State...... 12 Responses ...... 15 Atmosphere and Global Warming...... 17 Pressures and State...... 17 Responses ...... 18 Biodiversity...... 21 Pressures and State...... 21 Responses ...... 22 Noise ...... 24 IMAGE 1: Stormwater drainage line Pressures and State...... 24 rehabilitation. Hospital Farm Reserve, Responses ...... 24 Bevan Street, Northmead Waste...... 25 Pressures and State...... 25 Responses ...... 25 Aboriginal Heritage...... 27 Pressures and State...... 27 Responses ...... 27 Non-Indigenous Heritage ...... 28 Pressures and State...... 28 Responses ...... 28 IMAGE 2: Wanderer Butterfly on a Scotch Acknowledgements ...... 29 Thistle (Circium vulgare) located at Contact Us...... 29 Campbell Hill Reserve

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IMAGE 11: A view of Creek looking downstream from List of Tables Redbank Road, Northmead TABLE 1: ParramattaTwenty25 Destinations and Strategies IMAGE 12: Quarry Branch Creek pool TABLE 2: Conditions of Streams in Parramatta IMAGE 13: A view of looking east TABLE 3: Air pollution reading and complaints IMAGE 14: Litter boom at Duck River, Norford Park, South Granville TABLE 4: Waste Tonnages Comparison IMAGE 15: Dam overflows IMAGE 16: Clean up Day at Campbell Hill Reserve, Guildford IMAGE 17: Controlled Burning at Lake Parramatta List of Figures IMAGE 18 Cleaning up Parramatta River FIGURE 1: Water Sensitive Urban Design Works IMAGE 19: Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo's (Cacatua galerita) in flight above FIGURE 2: Water Consumption in Parramatta LGA 2006/07 (Source: IMAGE 20: White-faced Heron at Crowgey Street Reserve, Rydalmere Water) IMAGE 21: Short-finned Eel (Anguilla australis) located at Toongabbie Creek IMAGE 22: Buses departing the Transport Interchange heading west List of Images along Argyle Street, Parramatta COVER: A view over Lake Parramatta showing both native and IMAGE 23: Kerbside collection in introduced flora IMAGE 24: Council's garbage collection trucks IMAGE 1: Stormwater drainage line rehabilitation. Hospital Farm IMAGE 25: Rock shelter at Quarry Branch Creek Reserve, Bevan Street, Northmead IMAGE 26: Female Orphan School, located at UWS Parramatta IMAGE 2: Wanderer Butterfly on a Scotch Thistle (Circium vulgare) Campus located at Campbell Hill Reserve IMAGE 27: Panoramic view of IMAGE 3: Council's Natural Resource Office working with local Parramatta River, Parramatta Bushcare Groups at George Kendall Riverside Park, Regional Park Ermington IMAGE 4: Church Street between Macquarie and George Streets

IMAGE 5: New Children's Playground in Church Street Mall located between Darcy and Macquarie Streets IMAGE 6: Lake Parramatta IMAGE 7: Locals enjoying the new Public Artwork, AIRMASTER, in the laneway between 315-317 Church Street, Parramatta IMAGE 8: AIRMASTER ventilation shaft at west end of laneway IMAGE 9: AIRMASTER air conditioning fan and ventilation shaft looking west from Church Street IMAGE 3: Council's Natural Resource Office IMAGE 10: Church Street South prior to start of streetscape working with local Bushcare Groups at George enhancements Kendall Riverside Park, Ermington

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The 2006/07 SoE reports on the major environmental pressures that Executive Summary face the Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA) and provides an explanation of the state of the eight environmental sectors including The NSW Local Government Act 1993 requires councils, councillors and Land, Water, Biodiversity, Noise, Waste, Air (covering the Atmosphere council employees to have regard to the principles of ecologically and Global Warming), Aboriginal Heritage and Non-Aboriginal Heritage. sustainable development in carrying out their responsibilities. Each financial year Parramatta City Council prepares a State of the Within the SoE, Council explains in detail how the organisation Environment (SoE) report in accordance with the Act. responded to identified pressures facing the City by preparing environmental plans, targeted strategies and monitoring of State government legislation states that SoE reports are to comply with performance trends. the Pressure-State-Response model of environmental decision-making. Key Responses to Environmental Pressures 2006/07 Pressures: Impacts of human activities on the immediate During the reporting period, Council undertook the following key environmental sector and natural surrounds. responses to pressures affecting our environment: State: Current and projected condition of the Environmental sector, for example; Biodiversity. • Removed approximately 135 tonnes of sediment, litter and Responses: Reactions of Councils, government, industries and organic matter from Council’s stormwater gross pollutant traps communities to the pressures on and the state of the that would otherwise have choked our waterways; environment. • Carried out Waterways Rehabilitation Projects at 17 sites within the Ponds, Vineyard, Toongabbie, Quarry Branch, Parramatta River and Duck River catchments; • Reduced the amount of sediment entering waterways through stabilisation and revegetation works, restoring native vegetation cover and removing dangerous trees; • Installed interpretive signs at the George Kendall Reserve to raise awareness of native grasslands and locally-rare wattles; • Adopted a Climate Action Plan (2006-2011) for Council to work towards state Climate Action Principles which guide the policy setting and implementation of Council initiatives that relate to climate change. The Plan also defines 28 specific community actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the Parramatta LGA; • Completed a Platypus Recovery Plan and Survey for

Toongabbie Creek; IMAGE 4: Church Street between Macquarie and George Streets

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• Developed a draft Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (WARR) Plan as a framework and a guide for the management of consumption, waste avoidance, resource recovery and waste services in the Parramatta LGA. It will provide guidance for Parramatta’s future waste services; • In conjunction with its new waste contractor Cleanaway, council have commenced a series of educational workshops directed at local primary and high schools covering such topics as decreased consumption, recycling, resource recovery and disposal; • Re-established the Sharps Task Force to improve free disposal services to needle and syringe users; • Undertook a detailed Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal archaeological survey as part of the Quarry Branch Creek Waterways Rehabilitation and Maintenance Master Plan. A

number of additional sites were discovered and listed on the Aboriginal Heritage Information Systems administered by the IMAGE 5: New Children's Playground in Church Street Mall located between Darcy NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC); and Macquarie Streets • Continued to build relationships with Aboriginal communities, relying on the advice of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Key Plans and Strategies 2006/07 (ATSI) Advisory Committee; The following list of plans and strategies have been developed by • Undertook studies in Toongabbie and Epping that Council to support and protect our environment: recommended the heritage listing of additional properties and • Parramatta Twenty25 Strategic Plan (December 2006) the creation and extension of conservation areas in Epping; • Parramatta City Centre Vision and, • Draft Parramatta City Centre LEP • Compiled the draft Parramatta City Centre Plan incorporating a • Draft Parramatta City Centre DCP new Parramatta Local Environmental Plan 2008, and • Parramatta City Centre Civic Improvement Plan accompanying Development Control Plan to ensure ecologically • Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (WARR) Plan (July sustainable development and heritage provisions adequately 2007) reflect and protect Parramatta’s rich and diverse natural and • Climate Action Plan (December 2006) built heritage. • Platypus Recovery Plan (May 2007) • Quarry Branch Creek Waterways Rehabilitation and Maintenance Master Plan (October 2006) • Environmental Action Plan (February 2007)

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Achievements in 2006/07 term networks, partnerships and capacity between 1. Department of Environment and Climate Change businesses in the area whilst improving environmental Community Action Grant - $222,000 awarded to council performance through practical action and change. for the S-M-Ar-T Transport Options for Parramatta project 7. Urban Development Institute of Australia's NSW which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2007 Award for Excellence for Public Sector promoting the "smarter" movement of people to and within Leadership for Urban Development – awarded to Parramatta. Council along with the Department of Planning for work on 2. Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture, successive planning instruments including the Parramatta Minister for Planning's 2007 Greenspace Award - City Centre Vision, Parramatta City Centre Local awarded to Council for the Church Street Mall Project, Environment Plan, Parramatta City Centre Development which incorporated innovative water sensitive urban design Control Plan, and Parramatta City Centre Civic and public artworks. Improvement Plan. 3. Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture, 2007 Special Jury Citation for Local Government Design in Landscape Architecture - awarded to Council for the Church Street Mall Project. 4. First Place Award in category of Design and/or Construction for Local Government/Public Works Project from Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (NSW Division) - awarded to Council for the Church Street Mall Project. 5. NSW Environmental Trust Urban Sustainability Grant - Working Together to Sustain the Parramatta River - $1.9M awarded to Council in February 2007 for applied water sensitive urban design and staff capacity building across seven LGA's. 6. NSW Environmental Trust Urban Sustainability Grant - Triple Bottom Line: a Model for Industrial Sustainability in the Duck River Catchment - awarded to Council in February 2007. This three year grant was IMAGE 6: Lake Parramatta awarded in partnership with Auburn Council, to work together with key business partners to create and implement sustainable change within the Camellia and Silverwater industrial areas. Council plans to build long

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Councils Strategic Direction

ParramattaTwenty25 is Council's 20 year strategic plan for the Parramatta Parramatta LGA. This plan tells us what we need to do to make the city Twenty25 was of Parramatta more sustainable in the future. The plan includes 7 constructed destinations that describe what kind of place Parramatta will be in the around several next 20 years. elements which build on each other. ParramattaTwenty25 was adopted by Council in December 2006. It These elements include: sets out a clear vision of the future for Parramatta. It provides an • Parramatta outline for joint action between Council, government, business, and Principles: These the community which takes into account community issues, aspirations provide the foundation to and opportunities. The strategic plan also provides Council with a Parramatta Twenty25 and ‘blueprint’ that will guide Council’s services and projects. guide the decisions and way we will behave. They In developing Parramatta Twenty25, council undertook extensive have been developed consultation with residents, and other key stakeholders throughout the around the broad concept city. Ongoing participation and involvement of the community and of ‘sustainability’. stakeholders has been critical to ensure ParramattaTwenty25 is • Vision: This is a clear responsive and relevant. Some examples of resident and stakeholder statement on the aspiration and preferred future for the entire engagement that was undertaken include workshops, a community city. summit, and community events and media news. • The Story: While the vision statement is concise, our Story is a visual representation of what this vision would look like in 20 Parramatta City Council will measure the deliverables of years time. It communicates to our community and our ParramattaTwenty25 using 2 reports - The State of the City Report partners where we want to head and why. (SoC) and The Annual Report (AR). • Destinations: To deliver the vision for Parramatta, seven broad and ambitious Destinations have been set for the next 20 Council is currently in the process of developing the foundations for years. It is important to recognise that all seven Destinations the 2008 SoC Report. The SoC Report will identify the progress contribute to sustainability and are interrelated. towards the 7 destinations in ParramattaTwenty25. It will determine • Priorities: The destinations are long term; therefore it is not the city’s progress in meeting sustainability benchmarks and report on possible to achieve these all at once. Based on the preferred key sustainability indicators that are part of the implementation plan of future, short term Priorities have been identified for each ParramattaTwenty25. Destination.

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• Strategies: Specific Strategies have been developed to deliver Table 1 below, describes the seven Destinations of Council's Strategic on the short term priorities and overall destination Plan and lists the strategies that are relevant to protecting our environment.

TABLE 1: ParramattaTwenty25 Destinations and Strategies The Destinations Strategies relevant to protecting our environment Destination 1: Land and water that is protected, respected LW1 - Protect and rehabilitate high priority waterways and manage major impacts and sustained - Giving priority to the Parramatta River and its on medium and low priority waterways creeks and foreshore LW2 - Protect and rehabilitate core bushland areas and manage major impacts on corridors and remnant bushland LW3 - Reduce human impacts on Parramatta’s unique diversity of plants and animals LW4 - Protect and manage significant natural landscape features and soil types Destination 2: A society that is healthy and compassionate - HC2 - Improve the health of Parramatta’s community by encouraging healthy Giving priority to high quality regional services lifestyles Destination 3: Businesses that are dynamic, prosperous and B4 - Encourage ethical businesses which act responsibly towards the community socially responsible - Giving priority to the CBD and those and natural environment businesses that contribute to enhancing our local community Destination 4: Neighbourhoods that are liveable and N4 - Improve the integration of the natural and built environments distinctive - Giving priority to safety, leisure and attractive public N5 - Create clean and attractive streets and public places particularly around spaces neighbourhood centres N6 - Reduce the consumption of non-renewable and scarce resources N8 - Reduce the risk to the community due to natural or human made disasters Destination 5: A community that is diverse and cohesive - DC2 - Protect and celebrate Parramatta’s rich multi-layered built and cultural Giving priority to the participation of all people in community and heritage civic life Destination 6: People and places that are linked by TC3 - Increase the number of people using public transport, particularly for sustainable transport and communication networks - Giving journeys to work priority to responsive public transport, walking, cycling TC4 - Increase the number of people walking and cycling, particularly for journeys within the neighbourhood Destination 7: A city that is innovative and inspirational - II4 - Develop Parramatta as a leading city for research and development, and Giving priority to innovative and creative industries technological innovation

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has been adopted by Council. Final gazettal of the City Centre LEP by Land the State Government is awaited.

Pressures and State Most recently Council, along with the Department of Planning, were The Department of Planning’s Sydney Metropolitan Strategy identifies awarded the Urban Development Institute of Australia's NSW 2007 Parramatta as one of six Regional Cities, which are critical to the Award for Excellence for “Public Sector Leadership for Urban economic growth of NSW and following the anticipated employment Development”, a major award for this work. and services growth, will need to accommodate more people and jobs as well as undergo urban development and renewal. Based on a highly Outside of the Parramatta competitive commercial office market, retail, public space, and a range CBD, Council has also been of facilities including cultural, medical, education, tourism, and reviewing the zoning and recreation, the intent is to strengthen Parramatta’s role as a regional planning controls across the city and successful second CBD for Sydney. local government area – which stems from the adopted Parramatta City Council, like other Sydney Metropolitan Councils, is draft Residential Development required to meet its share of housing demand related to population Strategy (RDS). The RDS growth and changing household structures. Projections show that the proposes housing growth city’s population is set to grow by 40,000 people by 2026. The development and challenge is to plan for sustainable development in addressing revitalisation potential around population distribution, accessibility, environmental quality, travel centres that can best support patterns, transport choices, residential quality and the character of additional residents. Typically, residential areas throughout the Council area. these areas are close to public transport, shops and Responses community facilities. Parramatta Twenty25 Strategy sets a vision and blueprint for the sustainable growth of the city in the future and strategies for the To bring Parramatta’s Council and other organisations to work towards delivering this. planning documents into line with similar documents across Council has worked closely with the Department of Planning’s Cities NSW, the draft City Centre IMAGE 7: Locals enjoying the new Taskforce unit to deliver strategies and detailed planning controls for LEP has been prepared in Public Artwork, AIRMASTER, in the the Parramatta City Centre. accordance with the NSW laneway between 315-317 Church Street, Parramatta State Government’s The successive suite of planning instruments, including the Parramatta standardised LEP template City Centre Vision (PCCV), draft Local Environment Plan (LEP), draft format, and is supported by a Development Control Plan (DCP), and Civic Improvement Plan (CIP) revised and consolidated DCP.

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Sue Callanan, the Artist Consultant, titled the artwork AIRMASTER in Council commenced a pilot project order to attempt to “underscore the industrial quality of the objects to improve a laneway in the and their ever present functional nature. Seamed into the existing Parramatta City Centre in 2005. architecture, they are intended to quietly disrupt; to be there but not This pilot project was part of an there. The frosted acrylic changes according to ambient light.” overall intention to revamp the laneways and small spaces in the In 2004/05 Council’s Place Management Team assessed the role of the Parramatta City Centre which form section of Church Street Mall an integral part of the functioning between Macquarie and George of the city. Council commissioned a Streets and the advantages and consultant to provide a design disadvantages of opening it to proposal with detailed costing for traffic. As part of this project, it the identified space which could was determined that the mall potentially incorporate paving and would re-open to traffic with the lighting all with an artistic and work commencing in August functional purpose. The final 2006. A new playground opposite project has improved pedestrian the Parramatta Town Hall was amenity, safety and created a also constructed as part of the quality public space. project.

Council selected a specific laneway Since the project was completed; to be the focus of the pilot project. new businesses have moved into IMAGE 8: AIRMASTER ventilation shaft at west end of laneway The selected site is the laneway off the area; the two beautiful Church Street in between shops heritage buildings are being 315 and 317, opposite the leased out to new tenants; Brandsmart Shopping Centre. general feedback from the community and businesses has The artwork installation was completed in February 2007. Titled been positive; and, visitors are AIRMASTER, the artwork consists of a ventilation shaft at one end of enjoying the effect of the new IMAGE 9: AIRMASTER air conditioning the lane and an air conditioning fan at the other, and was inspired by landscaping with many fan and ventilation shaft looking west the Artist’s “dawning awareness of the ‘forest’ of like objects attached frequenting the area after hours. from Church Street to the roofs and walls of the row of restaurants backing onto the car Church Street Mall incorporates park. The appeal of these objects is that they are everywhere, but as water sensitive urban design ‘building detritus’ they tend to be screened out from consciousness.” elements throughout the length of the site. These elements primarily aim to divert and filter polluted stormwater through a special soil mix

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within the garden bed. Also known as bio-filtration systems they have been combined with permeable paver bays to soak up water and thereby decrease the amount of runoff and pollution reaching the Parramatta River. The diversion of stormwater into the garden beds also reduces the need to rely on town water for garden irrigation.

IMAGE 10: Church Street South prior to start of streetscape enhancements

Figure 1: Water Sensitive Urban Design Works

Church Street South Streetscape enhancements were undertaken to upgrade this important area of the city which is a focus for community activity. These commenced in May 2007 and will continue until the end of the year.

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improving. A problem for the waterways is the degree of urbanisation Water – this brings many impacts to our waterways such as loss of habitat, increased stormwater runoff and pollution. Dr. John Laxton, Pressures and State consultant biologist, has been monitoring water quality in the local Parramatta’s 65 km of waterways continues to be affected by area since 1990. Stations in the upper Parramatta River, Duck River, pollutants that include litter, nutrients, sediment, toxicants and Toongabbie Creek, Darling Mills Creek, Lake Parramatta and bacteria transported as a result of stormwater discharges, sewage Parramatta River above Marsden Weir have been sampled monthly leakages and overflows. from 1990 to present. Twenty five water quality variables are sampled in surface and bottom water. Results of the study showed that water The ongoing expansion of hard surfaces through construction activity quality improvement was variable with pollutant concentration accelerates run off and soil loss, however trends show a general influenced by rainfall events, catchment landuse and seasonality. decrease in suspended solids washed into Parramatta River’s upper catchment. While the figure dropped from 4,063 tonnes in 2000/01 to 2,537 tonnes in 2004/05, the amount, duration and intensity of rainfall has a significant bearing on these results. The data was obtained from a study by on wet weather event sampling and export pollutant loads at Parramatta weir (on behalf of the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust). Unfortunately, monitoring and comparative data was not extended beyond 2005.

Significant flood mitigation works continue to be implemented in the upper catchments but will not flood-proof the City, given the large portion of urban development within the floodplain. These works are being done in accordance with Floodplain Risk Management Plans which have been prepared for most of Council’s major drainage catchments.

Council conducted two macro invertebrate surveys: the first in 2002/03 and the second in 2004. Data for 2005/06 and 2006/07 was unavailable. Council is currently reviewing its water quality and aquatic ecosystem health monitoring program. Table 2 outlines the known water quality condition of the streams sampled in the City, ranked from best to worst condition. Some data is missing where the stream could not be sampled at that time. The data indicates that most of the IMAGE 11: A view of Toongabbie Creek looking downstream from Redbank Road, streams in Parramatta are in poor shape but a good number are Northmead

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Introduced plant and animal species compound the pressures on the In April 2006 the Cox’s Gudgeon—a native freshwater fish—was waterways, impacting on recreation activities such as swimming and sighted in Parramatta’s Quarry Branch Creek. Native to the southeast fishing and significantly altering native ecosystems through coast and ranging from Brisbane to Victoria, the Gudgeon can grow to competition and predation. 19 cm but is commonly 15 cm long. Identified by the Department of Primary Industries, this species prefers flowing upland waters including rapids and is capable of scaling small waterfalls and rock structures by gripping and climbing. With only a small number of populations known from Western Sydney, the species is threatened by introduced fish such as carp and gambusia; habitat degradation through erosion and sedimentation and removal of large woody debris; and rapid fluctuations in water level due to accelerated runoff from urban development. The presence of the Cox’s Gudgeon is a good sign for the water quality of Parramatta’s Quarry Branch Creek and gives the community and Council encouragement for stream health improvements resulting from the dedicated Waterways Improvement Program.

IMAGE 12: Quarry Branch Creek pool In late 2005 Council’s bush regeneration contractors thought they saw a platypus swimming in Coopers Creek. At about the same time a consultant investigating sites for the Quarry Branch Creek Master Plan reported a second sighting in Quarry Branch Creek near Moxhams Road. Dr. Tom Grant, an international platypus expert was called in and concluded that the well-vegetated banks of Toongabbie Creek could potentially support platypus. Council staff and volunteer Bush carers travelled to Berrima in March 2006 and again in March 2007 with Dr. Grant to assist them in becoming familiar with the look of the platypus in the wild and to improve the accuracy of the identification. This was followed up by Council staff and community members conducting local surveys in reaches of Toongabbie and Quarry Branch Creeks at dusk and dawn in the hopes of spotting platypus. Unfortunately none were spotted on these occasions. IMAGE 13: A view of Parramatta River looking east

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TABLE 2: Condition of Streams in Parramatta SUBURB CREEK 2003 2004 WATER QUALITY TREND SIGNAL SIGNAL CONDITION SCORE SCORE North Parramatta Lake Parramatta - 6.06 HEALTHY HABITAT Toongabbie Ck 2.16 4.21 Moderate Pollution Improving Epping Devlins Ck 2.16 4.07 Moderate Pollution Improving Northmead Quarry/Toongabbie 2.43 5.2 Mild Pollution Improving Cks Toongabbie Toongabbie Ck 2.6 5.57 Mild Pollution Improving Wentworthville Coopers Ck 2.5 5.08 Mild Pollution Improving Parramatta Brickfield Ck 1.8 - Severely Polluted Carlingford Ponds Ck 2.6 - Severely Polluted Epping Terrys Ck 3 - Severely Polluted Oatlands Vineyard Ck 3.6 3.12 Severely Polluted No change Oatlands Vineyard Ck 2.6 2 Severely Polluted No change Telopea Vineyard Ck - 2.82 Severely Polluted Granville Duck River - 3.75 Severely Polluted South Granville Duck River - 2.94 Severely Polluted Winston Hills Quarry Branch 2.16 2.1 Severely Polluted No change Rydalmere Subiaco/Bishop Ck 3.7 3.67 Severely Polluted No change Dundas Ponds Ck 3.6 2.86 Severely Polluted No change Dundas Ponds Ck 4.4 3 Severely Polluted Declining Wentworthville Finlayson's Ck 2.57 2.85 Severely Polluted No change Parramatta Domain Ck - 3.64 Severely Polluted Greystanes Pendle Ck 2.75 1.56 Severely Polluted No change North Rocks Hunts Ck - 3.27 Severely Polluted

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According to data provided by Sydney Water Corporation, total water • Catchment modelling; consumption in the City during 2006-07 was 19,761 mega litres. For • Drainage infrastructure construction and maintenance; the four years since 2003/04, water consumption has decreased by 2.8 • Stormwater asset data compilation; per cent, taking into account a population increase of approximately • Floodplain Risk Management planning; 5000 people and Level 3 water restrictions taking effect from July 1 • Flood mitigation including flood affected property acquisition; 2005. • Waterway Rehabilitation master planning; • Waterway rehabilitation and maintenance works; • Water quality improvement works (construction and maintenance of pollution control assets); 7% 10% • Sustainable Water retrofits including water conservation and water sensitive urban design; and, Commercial • Monitoring of water use, water quality and aquatic ecosystem 22% Houses health.

Industrial Further monitoring will be conducted on an annual basis to determine Other the effect of the rehabilitation and improvement programs. For 3% 38% example, in 2006/07 approximately 135 tonne of sediment, litter and Units/flats organic matter was removed from Council’s stormwater gross pollutant Community traps and prevented from entering the waterways.

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Figure 2: Water Consumption in Parramatta LGA 2006/07 (Source: Sydney Water)

Responses In line with the Rivers of Opportunity strategy for the waterways, Council is spending in excess of $3 million on the City’s waterways using funds raised from grants, the Environment Special Rate and the Stormwater Management Service Charge that was introduced in 2006/07. Council’s Environment Improvement (Healthy Waterways) Program has been devised to strategically allocate prioritised improvement works on our drainage and waterway assets. The 2006/07 Program included projects associated with: IMAGE 14: Litter boom at Duck River, Norford Park, South Granville

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Council’s Development Control Plans and Residential Development Other responses included: Strategy incorporate provisions for Integrated and Sustainable Water • regular servicing of Council’s numerous in-stream, underground Cycle Management including Water Sensitive Urban Design, which aims and end-of-pipe stormwater pollution traps as part of the to replicate natural water flows and reduce pollution from development Waterways Maintenance Program; sites. • carrying out monthly riparian and creek line litter removals at 16 sites throughout the City; A second platypus survey was carried out in March 2007 resulting in no • annual servicing of 24 sediment basins at 11 sites as part of positive sightings on this occasion. A Platypus Recovery Plan was the Waterways Maintenance Program funded by the new prepared with prioritised actions to ensure future works will conserve Stormwater Management Service Charge; and rehabilitate known platypus habitat. Regular surveys are expected • Carrying out Waterways Rehabilitation Projects at 17 sites to continue in 2008. within the Ponds, Vineyard, Toongabbie, Quarry Branch, Parramatta River and Duck River catchments; In terms of water conservation, Council conducted a further five water • continuing the Aquatic Noxious Weeds Program in six audits of its facilities in the City in line with the adopted Environmental waterways including Lake Parramatta, Duck and Parramatta Action Plan. A more detailed Water Savings Action Plan is currently Rivers, Pendle Hill, Toongabbie and Vineyard Creeks; being finalised by Council officers. Council also continued its • in partnership with NSW Maritime and Silverwater Periodic commitment to Sydney Water’s Every Drop Counts Program with Detention Centre Council continued the Joint Foreshore detailed flow and meter monitoring planned for the City’s aquatic Cleaning Program that targeted litter on estuarine foreshore centres and Riverside Theatre. land at George Kendall Reserve and Morton Street; • completed significant improvements to the existing creek channel through Victor Brazier Park (Excelsior Street) at Guildford, including planting of over 300 native tubestock; • Hosted the inaugural River Beats Festival in November 2006 in order to celebrate water and activate the Parramatta River. Events included a carp fish out, Thai water festival, food and educational stalls, live entertainment and fireworks; and, • Received a $1.9 million Environmental Trust Grant under the NSW Government’s Urban Sustainability Grant for Sustaining the Parramatta River. The project involves a partnership between seven councils along the Parramatta River to apply and demonstrate principles of water sensitive urban design. The project also aims to improve the capacity of council staff and the community in terms of sustainable water management. This component will be facilitated through Monash University’s IMAGE 15: Lake Parramatta Dam overflow National Urban Water Governance Program.

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TABLE 3: Air pollution reading and complaints Atmosphere and Global Warming INDICATOR 2005/06 2006/07 Trend (Increasing Readings Readings or Decreasing) Pressures and State High Regional 6 9 Ï The atmosphere and global warming are issues of regional and Pollution Index (1.5%) (2.5%) international significance; however Council is developing local Number of Air 109 71 Ð initiatives to assist in improving the quality of our atmosphere and Pollution Complaint global warming in Western Sydney. Council'sNorth West own Region office buildings are also a contributor to greenhouse gas Parramatta is subject to air pollution from industry, motor transport, emissions. In 2005/06 Council undertook an Australian Building urban development and natural events such as bushfires generated Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) assessment to compare our performance within the Greater Sydney region. These sources contribute a wide from the benchmark set, revealing a drop in energy use from 1244 range of pollutants such as greenhouse gases, photochemical smog, MJ/m2/yr to 805 MJ/m2/yr. However, in the 2006/07 reporting year, no fine particulate pollution, carbon monoxide, sulphur, lead, dust and such reassessment was undertaken. odours. Activities that typically create odour within the Parramatta area include commercial, industrial and retail activities. Historically, odour Air quality of the region – The Regional Pollution Index for the Sydney complaints have a poor resolution rate due to difficulties in identifying experienced a total of 9 readings with a High and tracking the source. Pollution Index. This is a 1 % increase when compared to the 2005- 2006 data. The range of air quality complaints received by council during any given reporting period cover areas such as putrescible waste, sewerage, backyard burning, industrial chemicals and dust. The cumulative effect on air quality from these emissions are unknown, however these air emissions create significant localised impacts.

There was a reduction in the number of air pollution complaints received by Parramatta City Council for the 2006/07 reporting period as compared to the 2005/06 reporting period (Table 3). Thirty eight (38) fewer complaints were received by Council during 2006/2007 reporting period.

IMAGE 16: Clean up Australia Day at Campbell Hill Reserve, Guildford

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gas emissions from Council operations and from the Parramatta LGA. It also defines the role of various departments across PCC in facilitating a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Plan also outlines the role of partnerships with the community in achieving the greenhouse gas reduction goals.

To work towards the targets the CAP identifies 5 Climate Action Principles which guide the policy setting and implementation of Council initiatives that relate to climate change. The Plan also defines 29 specific community actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Parramatta.

Council received a $222,000 grant from the DECC in 2006 under the Climate Action Grants Program. The Grant, titled Sustainable Movement Around Town (S-M-Ar-T) Options for Parramatta, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the "smarter" movement of people to and within Parramatta. It encourages the use of public and active transport to reduce car trips around Parramatta. The program comprises of an assessment of the major barriers to IMAGE 17: Controlled Burning at Lake Parramatta people using S-M-Ar-T forms of transport; a marketing campaign about Responses the use of S-M-Ar-T transport options, including the free shuttle bus The Parramatta Local Air Quality Plan sets out strategies to address service within Parramatta; development of S-M-Ar-T Employer - local air quality. Guided by the annual Greenhouse Action Plan, working with major employers representing over 9,000 employees to practical measures were taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote S-M-Ar-T transport options in Parramatta; and introduction of with the aim of achieving a 40 per cent reduction in Council emissions GoGet S-M-Ar-T, the first car sharing trial in Western Sydney. and 20 per cent reduction in the local area emissions by 2010. Other responses included: The Parramatta Climate Action Plan (CAP) (2006)has been prepared as • Council has continued to develop its environmental assessment part of Council’s commitment to the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) of industry program that commenced in 2001. The program Program which is a global initiative that assists local government to involves Council working in partnership with local industry to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from their own raise environmental awareness and to reduce pollution operations and the community. The CAP was developed with including air emissions by improving environmental community and stakeholder input, to guide climate change performance. During the reporting period the program evolved management actions for the period from 2006 to 2011 in the to selectively target industry identified as a source of concern Parramatta LGA. The Plan sets targets for the reduction of greenhouse by residents.

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• In early 2007, twenty businesses from Parramatta's city centre • 3 CBD's Project – Council continues to sponsor and be a signed up to participate in the pilot Sustainable Business member of this initiative which works with tenants of Improvement Program, which is aimed at reducing the commercial buildings in the central business districts of environmental impact of small business under the Sustainable Parramatta, North Sydney and the City of Sydney to improve Business Management Program. Businesses underwent energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, auditing, attended training and made practical changes to their achieving a 20 per cent reduction in emissions. work environments and operational choices. The workshops, • Over 60,000 native plants planted in the LGA each year to run by Village Green, focussed on energy, water usage and restore biodiversity and offset emissions. waste reduction, as well as the marketing of sustainable • Walk to Work Day – an annual event to promote walking as a practice within businesses. Eight businesses succeeded in form of transport to and from the workplace. completing the program and have each qualified for an eco- • Ride to Work Day - also an annual event to promote cycling as retrofit that includes light bulbs, aqua-locks and other upgrades a form of transport to and from the workplace. valued at $100 per business. The Sustainable Business • Council Participated in the Walk Against Warming Day event in Management Program is a joint initiative between Parramatta November 2006. City Council, the Economic • Improving Cycleways throughout the LGA to encourage cycling. Development Board (GWSEDB) and the NSW Department of • Increasing the amount of garden waste diverted from landfill State and Regional Development (DSARD). through Council’s kerbside collection service and thus reducing • Council's is currently in the process of recruiting large business potential methane production. (50 plus employees in a corporate environment) for the Sustainability Advantage program being led by the NSW DECC. Council has also undertaken several initiatives to reduce its This program aims to assist businesses in adding value and own greenhouse impact: realising potential economic and environmental savings Council continues to undertake actions to reduce greenhouse gas through sustainability. emissions both as a corporate entity and across the community. • In early 2007, planning begun for Council's inaugural Council run numerous education programmes for schools, community Sustainablexpo, to be held as part of Small Business groups and business on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, September (2007) to promote sustainability to the business energy use and other resource consumption and waste issues. Council community. The Sustainablexpo is hoped to bring together is implementing an Environmental Management System and an diverse companies to work towards accelerating local action Environment Action Plan across the organisation which looks at that will impact on global warming with a new, strong focus on reducing its environmental footprint. Specific projects include: practical solutions and positive collaboration across the • On Saturday 31 March 2007, Council participated in Earth Hour government, business and non-profit sectors. and over the weekend Council reduced its own energy • Continued involvement with the Cities for Climate Protection consumption by 40%. The aim of the event was to raise Program commencing CCP PLUS which aims to reduce all awareness of global warming and show how everyone can greenhouse gas emissions. make changes to reduce greenhouse emissions. Promoted by conservation body WWF Australia and Fairfax papers, including

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the Sydney Morning Herald, Earth Hour is the most high profile • Cycleways: Extensive roll out of a network of on and of road part of a campaign that aims to lower Sydney's total bikeways. greenhouse gas emissions for the year by 5%. • Access: travel access guide to promote integrated use of public • Development of a Fleet Policy, including the participation in the transport. GreenFleet program to offset greenhouse gas emissions generated by Council’s vehicle fleet; Future greenhouse abatement actions: • New fleet policy with focus on 4 cylinder cars, LPG vehicles and • Civic Place: Development of ABGR rating of minimum 4.5 Star the running of 2 Toyota Prius in the fleet; for the new Civic Place redevelopment incorporating both • Conversion of a 9-tonne garbage truck from diesel to Council’s building as well as commercial and residential space. compressed natural gas, in partnership with the Australian • Car Parks: Review of Council car parks and energy use, in Greenhouse Office Green Energy; particular lighting, in collaboration with Integral Energy. • Implementing energy efficiency measures in Council’s facilities, • Public Lighting: Canvassing options for energy efficient public including purchasing 10% GreenPower for public lighting in lighting as part of Council Public domain improvements. Parramatta and a resolution by Council to purchase 100% • Learning Site: Retrofitting a childcare centre to demonstrate GreenPower by July 2008; various sustainable practices and assets such as solar panels, • Incorporating environmentally sustainable design principles rainwater tanks, into the redevelopment of Civic Place, with a minimum 4.5 star energy efficient energy efficiency rating for the new Council administration appliances and air- building to be constructed in 2010; conditioning, waste • Retrofit of all major buildings with new energy efficient composting and lighting; sustainable • Retrofitting one of Council’s Child Care Centres to act as a gardens. Phase 1 model and learning for sustainable design; and, completed in • Learning Programme forum and Energy Olympics conducted 2006/07, phase 2 for Council staff and management. will be completed in 2007/08. Community projects include: • Free shuttle bus: • Ecosmart community programme: Joint Western Sydney introduction of City project involving both sustainability audit and environmental free bus to awareness for residential properties from across the LGA. promote people to • Energy Smart Homes: Education kits and awareness campaign utilise public developed for residential sector. transport. • Residential Development Strategy: Review of future IMAGE 18: Cleaning up Parramatta River development zoning around major transport nodes.

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of canopy tree seedlings to hopefully replace the hundreds of trees lost Biodiversity to the drought and the storms of recent years. Not only have the trees seeded but the native seed that is stored in the soil has also Pressures and State germinated so areas that had been cleared of weeds over the past two The magnificent forests that once enshrouded the Sydney Basin have years have shown a burst of recovery. Good follow-up rains in 2007-08 largely disappeared. Indiscriminately cleared for farming during the will be required to sustain this recovery. colonial period and later in response to demand for housing and industry. The total amount of native vegetation under Council’s The city’s core areas of bushland vary from good condition (Duck River management is now just 326.3 hectares. Given the City’s total area is Bushland) to fair (Galaringi Reserve). The bushland corridors along 60.16 square kilometres, the proportion of native vegetation is 5.42 our creeks vary in quality from fair (Toongabbie Creek) to poor. The percent. Within this remnant are wetlands, remnant canopy trees and majority of our smaller isolated bushland remnants and minor corridors 11 different vegetation or ecological communities. are in poor condition because Council’s management resources focus by necessity on larger reserves. Protection and enhancement of native vegetation corridors on public and private land remain critical for the protection of Parramatta’s surviving biodiversity. Our terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity have been severely impacted by increased volumes of stormwater, sewerage, fertilisers and industrial pollution. Human impacts have increased, ranging from track erosion from mountain bikes to over use of bushland tracks. On a more positive note, illegal dumping appears to be on the decrease due to education programs and Council’s green waste service.

There has been an explosion in dirt bike jump construction in the Toongabbie/ Winston Hills area severely impacting upon one of our core bushland areas at Quarry Branch Creek. Over 12 bike jump areas have been built creating significant damage to the endangered plant community found in these reserves. Physical damage to the vegetation has occurred resulting in the loss of potential to regenerate these areas. Soil disturbance has been significant and there is a concern that the large amounts of sediment could enter the waterways as these jumps are located below the 1 in 10 year flood levels. IMAGE 19: Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo's (Cacatua galerita) in flight above On a positive note, the small break in the drought resulted in good Toongabbie Creek autumn and winter rainfall which has seen an increase in germination

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Responses During 2006/07, 41 sites were subjected to intensive bushland In response to the enormous pressure that dirt bike jumps were regeneration and rehabilitation works. Rehabilitation work carried out creating on the endangered bushland in the Winston Hills area, on Duck River Bushland and Campbell Hill Pioneer reserves in the Duck negotiations started with the creators of the jumps. To cater for this River catchment progressed to the point where they now only require expanding sport, a dedicated area has been nominated in Winston Hills maintenance. in an old quarry where the impacts will be minimal and the sport can be monitored. All other jumps areas are being closed down and the Two small burns were performed in 2006/07 under controlled users directed to this more appropriate area. conditions by the NSW Fire Brigade. Locations included the Third Settlement and Backhousia Reserves totalling around half a hectare. A significant increase in funding for corridor maintenance has allowed The controlled burns had the aim of reducing fuel loads as well as a greater focus on Parramatta's seven core areas of bush with stimulating the ecology of the northern section after a long interval significant expanded areas of bushland regeneration in all of these, but between fires. particularly Lake Parramatta below the dam and the treatment of Coral trees around the lake edge. Campbell Hill Reserve West had a focus on the grassland areas with broad acre mowing of the mixed weed and native grasses to allow easier treatment of the weed grasses.

Riparian weed removal in Quarry Branch Creek highlights the good condition and beauty of this creek.

With a continuing focus on the Parramatta River and a Tide to Table grant matched by Councils Waterways program, the newly declared Saltmarsh endangered community, had restoration expanded successfully at an unnamed reserve at Pemberton Street, Parramatta. The majority of the weeds were also removed from the Saltmarsh that fringes George Kendall Riverside Park, Ermington.

A Powerful Owl pair was seen with young in one of our bushland areas. They were then spotted several times again through 2006/07 by residents and our Bushcare groups.

A 5% increase in Bushcare volunteers in 2006/07 has bolstered the ongoing regeneration and rehabilitation activities in the City’s bushland and along the waterways. Groups from Scouts, Guides and local IMAGE 20: White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) at Crowgey Street schools also undertook revegetation projects in their local areas. Reserve, Rydalmere

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Our regular Bushcare Groups volunteer their services every month and measures that conserve the local population including control of flood are dedicated and work tirelessly throughout the year. While corporate flows and litter, water quality improvement, erosion, weed control, Parramatta is knocking at our door to organise planting events, events revegetation and reduction of fox and carp populations. for groups such as Trees for Mum, who plant on Mothers Day in memory of those lost to their family, continue to increase in popularity. In 2006/07 Council completed the construction of two Fish Ladders located at the Charles Street Weir and the Ross Street Causeway (also Again our Volunteer program flourished with our Bushcare groups (at known as Kiosk Weir) adjoining Parramatta Regional Park. The vertical- various sites) and the National Tree Day event at George Kendall slot fishways will enable at least 9 native fish species to migrate up Riverside Park planting over 5500 native tubestock in the ground. An and down stream through an inclined baffled passage. Fish Ladders at event enjoyed by all. Marsden Street and Upstream Weirs will be completed in 2007/08.

The walking track program targeted The Ponds Walk to improve the In February 2006 Council sought to commission a consultant to provide track surface this will continue into 2007-08. Two flights of steps were interpretation for the new fish ladders being installed at weirs along also constructed along Duck River in areas where pedestrian access the Parramatta River. The successful consultant was engaged to had caused erosion. A highlight was the completion of the Stage 1 design and install Interpretative Artwork/Signage for the proposed new boardwalk for wheelchair access at Redbank Road, Northmead. This fish ladders in the hope of educating visitors as well as providing an will provide some respite for those that are at Ronald McDonald House aesthetic appearance. The proposed artwork is to be installed at key and the Children's Hospital allowing access to Toongabbie Creek, once locations along the river adjacent to the Charles Street Weir, Marsden completed. Street Weir and Ross Street Causeway. This project will be completed in early 2008. A partnership project funded by the newly formed Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority, Auburn City Council and Parramatta City Council delivered the Duck River Icon project. Significant areas of revegetation were created around the weir at Mackay Road; Granville on both sides of the River and an Aboriginal food area was created in the Auburn Botanical Gardens.

Habitat reconstruction works targeted two sites on the Parramatta River, to sustain a large population of small birds at the George Kendall Riverside Reserve. Works included a staged removal of weeds and replacement with native grasses and dense bird habitat plantings.

Council finalised a Platypus Recovery Plan and conducted further surveys for Toongabbie Creek. The plan guides Council’s stream rehabilitation activities to improve the platypus habitat and introduce IMAGE 21: Short-finned Eel (Anguilla australis) located at Toongabbie Creek

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The intensification of land use has and will continue to generate Noise exposures to increased levels of noise across the LGA. As individual householders, business and industrial enterprises seek maximum use Pressures and State of their land, isolation or distance to nearby sensitive receptors can no Noise pollution can be defined as unwanted or offensive sounds that longer be utilised to improve noise levels which has turned the focus to unreasonably intrude into our daily activities. Noise pollution issues new noise amelioration strategies. that Council deals with are predominately associated with urban development: transport, industrial noise, neighbourhood and Complaints of noise received by Council mostly involved barking dogs, recreational noise. loud music, building works, domestic noises (air conditioner, swimming pool pump, intruder alarm) and backyard business operations. A number of factors contribute to problems of high noise levels including; increasing population, particularly where it leads to increasing urbanisation and urban consolidation; activities associated with urban living generally lead to increased noise levels; and, increasing volumes of road, rail and air traffic.

Community awareness of environmental noise has increased and there is a higher expectation for Commonwealth, State and Local Government to reduce noise levels. Although noise is a significant environmental problem, it is often difficult to quantify levels generated by Council and their associated costs.

The baseline for noise levels will be developed from the number of noise complaints directed to Council, with potential for development of noise audits for known high risk facilities. In future, background noise IMAGE 22: Buses departing the Transport Interchange heading west along Argyle Street, Parramatta will be measured to manage cumulative increases. Given the large number of services that Council provides, combined with the number Responses of locations of its buildings, depots and active worksites, Council In the 2006/07 reporting period, Council: receives very few complaints about its own activities in relation to • Required developers to submit professionally-prepared acoustic noise. reports with all applications for medium and high density

residential developments exposed to major transport corridors, Council's EMS aim's to decrease the number of complaints from Council and for commercial/industrial uses where noise was perceived operations and not to exceed 2006 levels. to be an issue; and,

• Issued rectification orders to ‘fix’ offending noise sources in response to complaint investigations.

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The reduction in domestic waste and increase in recycling can be seen Waste from the table above is due to greater community awareness and education on reducing waste to landfill, coupled with working Pressures and State alongside contractors to allow more lenient guidelines in accepting of Parramatta’s expanding residential population and workforce and garden organics and acceptance of additional plastic types into their associated business activity continues to generate increased volumes facility. of waste. The shift away from single unit dwellings towards multi unit dwellings has seemingly boosted the housing affordability, encouraging After trialling a new improved area-based clean up service in 2005/06, families to settle into Parramatta. Unfortunately, this is inevitably Council extended this service under the new contract from two annual contributing to the increased volumes of waste generated per year. As collections to a quarterly service to all residents. This new service will the availability of local and regional landfill disposal options decreases, ensure residents have more flexibility in disposing of their bulk council is challenged to find alternative waste disposal methods that household waste deterring them from dumping illegally. are not only environmentally viable but also socially and economically viable.

Awareness and education around waste reduction and waste recycling and Council services, continue to be complicated by the frequent turnover of rental properties and steady influx of residents with a Non- English speaking background unfamiliar with recycling. Coupled with the lack of consistency in collection services between councils, education of new residents remains an on-going imperative.

Responses Council currently services 56,924 properties for garbage, 50,053 for recycling and 36,382 for garden waste. A comparative total tonnage collected between 2005/06 and 2006/07 shows promising results in terms of waste to landfill (Table 4).

TABLE 4: Waste Tonnages Comparison Service 2005/06 2006/07 Variations Domestic waste 38,152 35,796 - 6% garbage Garden Waste 7,353 11,856 + 38% Recycling 13,250 13,965 + 5% IMAGE 23: Kerbside collection in North Parramatta

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The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (WARR) Plan was waste management practices in NSW become uniform. Council adopted by Council in July 2007. It has been developed as a is also required to report annually on the Waste Performance framework and a guide for the management of consumption, waste Payment Scheme. avoidance, resource recovery and waste services in the Parramatta • Cleanaway Municipal Services: The new waste service contract LGA. More specifically, it will provide guidance for Parramatta’s future is responsible for the disposal and collection of all domestic waste services and contracts. In working towards a 'zero waste' waste in Parramatta. Council is working actively with the principle, Council has agreed to Alternative Waste Technology (AWT) contractor to ensure maximum diversion rate from landfill is options and will be calling for tenders shortly. AWT will attempt to achieved. capture the maximum number of resources that is recoverable from • Australian Native Landscape (ANL): Negotiation with the waste stream ensuring the absolute minimum is sent to landfill. subcontractors such has ANL have lead to the agreement to AWT has proven to be a success in other parts of Australia and around allow for a more lenient guideline in the acceptance of garden the world by diverting waste from landfill. organics collected by Council’s waste contractors. This inevitably saw a greater increase of resource recovery rate Other responses include: from the garden organic sector. • Participating in Clean-Up Australia Day, coordinating 23 community groups, 14 schools and three businesses and collecting in excess of 6 tonnes of material; • Council in conjunction with its new contractor have commenced a series of educational workshops directed at local primary and high schools covering such topics as decreased consumption, recycling, resource recovery and disposal; • Re-establishment of the Sharps Task Force to improve free disposal services to needle & syringe users; and, • Providing a monthly turnaround for cleaning the 1250km's of roadside gutters.

Council maintains key partnerships with the following organisations for various projects: • Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC): This partnership, along with several other Councils has allowed the commencement of social research of ‘Recycling in Multi Unit Dwelling’. The aim of the research is to identify why recycling is a problem in multi unit dwellings and what steps Councils can take to rectify and improve recycling in this area. Council continues to work alongside DECC and other Councils to ensure IMAGE 24: Council's garbage collection trucks

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heritage of our original and contemporary Aboriginal community by Aboriginal Heritage organising interpretive activities, exhibitions and events throughout the year. To deliver protection of sites and community involvement the Pressures and State position of Natural Resource Officer – Aboriginal Heritage was Parramatta’s Aboriginal heritage includes physical artefacts, developed and appointed in 2006/07. archaeological sites and rock engravings as well as contemporary places and communities that maintain and sustain strong spiritual and Council continued to build relationships with Aboriginal communities, cultural links. While 44 Aboriginal sites have been registered by the relying on the advice of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) NSW Department of Environment and Conservation throughout Advisory Committee. Parramatta, these continue to be impacted by urban development, natural weathering and erosion and recreational pressures.

A lack of community appreciation and respect for Aboriginal culture exerts additional pressure, with vandalism compounded by staffing constraints.

Responses In developing the draft Parramatta City Centre Plan and draft Parramatta Local Environmental Plan 2008, and accompanying development control plans, it was ensured that provisions adequately protect Aboriginal sites. In particular, provisions have been incorporated requiring the impact of development on known or potential Aboriginal archaeological sites or sites of cultural or historical significance to Aboriginal people to be considered.

As part of the Quarry Branch Creek Waterways Rehabilitation and Maintenance Master Plan, a detailed Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal archaeological survey was undertaken. An additional 14 sites were discovered and listed on the Aboriginal Heritage Information Systems administered by the NSW DECC. All future Waterways Rehabilitation IMAGE 25: Rock shelter, Quarry Branch Creek Masterplans will have an Aboriginal and European heritage study component.

To reduce damage to Aboriginal sites and increase community awareness, Council aims to raise community appreciation of the

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remains at risk through the lack of resources for storage, conservation Non-Indigenous Heritage and documentation of non-Aboriginal items. The major challenge for Council is to adequately protect and recognise Parramatta’s rich Pressures and State heritage, given budget and staffing constraints, development pressures Parramatta’s non-Aboriginal heritage sites, including an extensive and neglect of many properties. collection of 19th and early 20th century buildings, continue to face pressure from commercial and residential developments. Council Responses continued to promote heritage in the Parramatta LGA, greatly PCC's management of its heritage sites and significant items is guided enhanced by its partnership with the Heritage Advisory Committee and by the Heritage Strategy 1993, the Parramatta Local Environmental heritage agencies such as NSW Heritage Office and NSW branch of the Plan 1996 (Heritage and Conservation), the Parramatta Heritage National Trust. Council’s activities have a major beneficial impact on Development Control Plan 2001 and the Regional Environmental Plan the environment by protecting and enhancing Parramatta's heritage No 28 - Parramatta. With support from local historical societies and its through heritage grants, heritage awards, policies and planning Heritage Advisory Committee, Council promoted and maintained its controls and guidelines. heritage assets, including the historic Parramatta and Granville town halls, Hambledon Cottage and the Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre.

Other responses included: • Studies were undertaken in Toongabbie and Epping which recommended the heritage listing of additional properties and the creation and extension of conservation areas in Epping. • In developing the draft Parramatta City Centre Plan and draft Parramatta Local Environmental Plan 2008, and accompanying development control plans, it was ensured that heritage provisions adequately reflected and protected Parramatta’s heritage. • Approved nine applications under the Local Heritage Fund • Approved $19,495 under the Community Grants Program to community groups to undertake projects relating to heritage and stories within the Parramatta LGA.

• Held two information workshops for owners of heritage listed IMAGE 26: Female Orphan School, located at UWS Parramatta Campus properties, in conjunction with Keep Australia Beautiful, which Although some 1000 properties and items are listed as of national, were each well attended by approximately 60 people. state or local significance, and 11 conservation areas registered, many • Developed information on a wide range of heritage issues to be properties suffer from neglect and Council’s Cultural Assets Collection included on Council's website.

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Acknowledgements Contact Us This report acknowledges the Dharug Nation as the traditional owners and Parramatta City Council custodians of the land. This State of the Environment Supplementary 30 Darcy St, Parramatta NSW 2150 Report 2006/07 was coordinated by Parramatta City Council’s City Strategy PO Box 32 Parramatta NSW 2124 Unit, with contributions from staff from across the organisation. Telephone: 9806 5050 Email: [email protected] Photographs used in this publication have been sourced from Parramatta Council website: www.parracity.nsw.gov.au City Council’s Image Library, with some images provided by David Wallace Telephone interpreter service: 131 450 Photography and reproduced with his kind permission. © 2007 Parramatta City Council

The Parramatta City Council, State of the Environment Supplementary Report 2006/07 will be available for download from Council’s website in December 2007.

IMAGE 27: Panoramic view of Parramatta River, Parramatta Regional Park

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