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ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 GEORGES RIVERKEEPER GEORGES RIVERKEEPER EXECUTIVE GROUP’S PROGRAM MANAGER’S REPORT REPORT

Councillor Geoffrey Shelton Georges Riverkeeper Chairperson

Councillor Peter Scaysbrook Georges Riverkeeper Vice Chairperson

Councillor Adrian Wong Georges Riverkeeper Treasurer

Beth Salt Georges Riverkeeper Program Manager

Fiona Stock Georges Riverkeeper Host Manager

Beth Salt Professor Ana Deletic and her who successfully applied Georges Riverkeeper research group at the University for a Fish Habitat Action Grant to Program Manager of to carry out plant Sporobolus at six key sites in research that is applicable to our the Georges Catchment. member Councils. The Georges Riverkeeper Executive Group comprises of our The Executive drove changes to the Georges Riverkeeper Georges Riverkeeper successfully • Georges Riverkeeper was part of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Treasurer, supported by Constitution to better reflect our governance structure, implemented the Georges •  Council successfully leading the most successful ‘Get the Program Manager and our Host Manager from Georges which was adopted in November 2018. In addition to the Riverkeeper Strategic Plan this applied for a grant on behalf the Site Right’ Campaign to date, River Council. The Executive Group Officer Bearers are Constitution, the Georges Riverkeeper also adopted a year, the first year of a four year of Georges Riverkeeper and its conducted in May 2019. members of our Committee elected by our member Council Code of Conduct and a Code of Meeting Practices. plan. There were a number of member Councils to complete Councillors. Meeting on a monthly basis, the Executive is achievements this year, which are a Scoping Study (stage 1) to • The introduction of the Container responsible for the management and functioning of the In 2019, Georges Riverkeeper celebrates its 40th detailed throughout this report transition the Georges River Deposit Scheme has resulted in Georges Riverkeeper, reviewing its financial management, anniversary, acknowledging the commitment and dedication including the following highlights: Coastal Zone Management Plan to an estimated 30% reduction in the operations and programs and keeping our member from all those who have contributed to the establishment a Coastal Management Program. amount of rubbish collected in Councils informed so that key decisions can be decided at of our organisation and those who are working with us • The team has grown with the the catchment, which is attributed our bi-monthly General Committee Meetings. towards our aspirational goal of best practice environmental employment of a Communications • Georges Riverkeeper successfully to the wide-spread uptake of the management for a liveable urban river. Officer, which has had many applied for two NSW Environmental Scheme reducing the amount of This year has been the first year that we have implemented benefits including improved Trust Rehabilitation Grants with plastic bottles and containers in the Georges Riverkeeper Strategic Plan 2018-2022, which The Executive would like to thank our member media relations and social media Campbelltown City Council the catchment. was developed and adopted in 2017/18. Councils, Council staff, our stakeholders and community presence, and enhanced credibility and Council representatives for their support and contribution and online presence via the to rehabilitate bush sites in I look forward to continuing to throughout the year. development of our new website. Simmos Beach and Oyster Creek, implement our Programs with our respectively. members and stakeholders to strive Georges Riverkeeper Executive Group • Georges Riverkeeper’s Research to achieve best practice management Program commenced and • Georges Riverkeeper partnered for a liveable urban river. partnered with noted academic with Conservation Volunteers

2 3 CATCHMENT ACTIONS CATCHMENT ACTIONS PROGRAM PROGRAM LITTER REMOVAL BUSH REGENERATION

Georges Riverkeeper was successful in obtaining two Environmental Trust 2018 Restoration & Rehabilitation Program Grants. These grants are for a three year period commencing in 2018/19. LITTER REMOVAL The Catchment Actions Program removes rubbish from the land surrounding the river and its , preventing the rubbish from being transported to downstream waterways. The Catchment Actions Program prevented approximately 110 SIMMOS BEACH RESTORATION – tonnes of rubbish from entering the river in 2018/19, and approximately 845 tonnes of rubbish from July 2011 to June 2019. CAMPBELLTOWN CITY COUNCIL

This project will improve ecosystem and environmental assets within the Simmos Beach catchment, Macquarie Fields. This area is home RUBBISH REMOVED RUBBISH BY SUBCATCHMENT to two Endangered Ecological Communities, four threatened plant FROM THE RIVER SYSTEM 2018/19 species, and four threatened animals. Engineering works to remove sediment build up from the stream, paired with removal of dense 2018/19 weed infestations and rehabilitation of the stream and surrounding area will seek to, with natural regeneration and plantings, restore the natural stream flow and rehabilitate the natural habitat.

Endangered Ecological Communities: Threatened Plant Species: Threatened animals • Cumberland Shale-Sandstone • Plains Greenhood Orchid • Koala BAYSIDE - 8 TONNES Ironbark Forest • Nodding Geebung • Land Snail SUTHERLAND SHIRE COUNCIL - 5 TONNES – critically endangered • Small-flower Grevillea • Little Lorikeet • Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest • Hibbertia puberula • Grey-headed Flying-fox - 6 TONNES – endangered

CITY OF CANTERBURY 15 TONNES This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.

FAIRFIELD CITY COUNCIL 20 TONNES REHABILITATION OF THE OYSTER CREEK GULLY HABITAT CORRIDOR – SUTHERLAND SHIRE COUNCIL The project will improve ecosystem and environmental assets of the in-stream Outcomes: and riparian habitat of Oyster Creek Gully, Jannali and Kirrawee. Oyster Creek • Improved biodiversity and condition of LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL is 7.35 hectares of remnant bushland located within urban development. in-stream, riparian and terrestrial zones. 29 TONNES The site’s ecological condition has been degraded through unregulated • Increased overall amenity of the area. stormwater flows, increased nutrients, contaminants and weed populations and • Improved ecological and habitat corridor decreased native biodiversity. On-ground works will include control of invasive for in-stream riparian flora and fauna. weeds, revegetation and natural regeneration to improve native biodiversity and rehabilitate a significant ecological and habitat corridor. Works will be • Better informed local community around CAMPBELLTOWN conducted by contractors and four local Bushcare volunteer groups. environmental issues such as local CITY COUNCIL bushland and water quality in 23 TONNES local waterways.

This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.

*Lower River, O’Hares Creek had 0% rubbish removal

4 5 RIVER HEALTH MONITORING STORMWATER PROGRAM PROGRAM

GEORGES RIVERKEEPER FLOODPLAIN SUB-COMMITTEE River Health Monitoring is an ongoing Program of Georges Riverkeeper, established in 2009. The Program aids adaptive management by using scientifically rigorous methods for ongoing monitoring of freshwater tributaries and estuarine sections The Georges Riverkeeper Floodplain Sub-Committee has continued to meet quarterly, coordinated by NSW Office of of the Georges River. Communication of this evidence base to member Councils facilitates efficient and effective use of Environment and Heritage, to provide support on regional flood issues within the catchment. management resources directed towards waterway improvement. River Health data is also used to communicate the relative condition of waterways to the general public, via grades in Report Cards. TRANSITION OF THE GEORGES RIVER 2018/19 RIVER HEALTH ESTUARY COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PLAN TO A COASTAL MANAGEMENT River Health data in the Georges River Report Card 2017-18 reported that low rainfall was associated with water quality PROGRAM being better than usual in the upper estuary. Estuarine surveys over 2018/19 showed that the improvement in water quality was only temporary: water quality declined in the upper estuary in association with higher rainfalls over the year. See map Georges Riverkeeper has embarked on the transition of the below. An additional metric to be included on future Report Cards, that was trialled in 2018/19, was amounts of microplastic Coastal Zone Management Plan to a Coastal Management on shorelines, determined using the methods of AUSMAP (Australian Microplastics Assessment Project), being applied Program, keeping in line with the new State Environmental across Australia. Planning Policy (Coastal Management) 2018. Georges Riverkeeper and our member Councils, under the auspice MAP SHOWING RIVER HEALTH GRADES AT SELECTED ESTUARY SITES of Georges River Council, were successful in obtaining $50,000 in grant funds from NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to fund 50% of Stage 1 of the process -

1. B 10. CARINA BAY B developing the Scoping Study for the transition. Georges Riverkeeper will contribute matching funds for this Stage. 2 2. CHIPPING NORTON LAKES B- 11. MOORE RESERVE B+ Photo: Matthew Vasilescu (www.mattvas.com.au) 3. LT. CANTELLO RESERVE C- 12. POULTON PARK A- 4. MILL CREEK C+ 13. KYLE BAY A 1 5. LITTLE C 14. KOGARAH BAY C+ 6. SALT PAN CREEK B- 15. SCOTT PARK B+ 7. LIME KILN BAY A- 16. TONBRIDGE CREEK B+ 8. GUNGAH BAY C+ 17. GEORGES A+ 3 9. BONNET BAY B

5 6 16 7 GET THE SITE RIGHT CAMPAIGN 11 12 4 8 14 13 During the month of May 2019, Georges Riverkeeper joined 15 forces with River Catchment Group, GRADING SYSTEM 10 MAY MAY COMPARISON GRADE CONDITION Alliance, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, NSW Environment 2018 2019 River Health indicators are A+ EXCELLENT 9 17 Protection Authority, and the NSW Department of Planning assessed against environmental A - B+ GOOD and Environment to conduct a ‘Get the Site Right’ campaign. Georges Riverkeeper Staff presented at three Conferences during 2017-2018:# OF SITES 746 1,181 ↑ guidelines allowing the award B - C- FAIR With 20 organisations involved, the education and INSPECTED of a grade between A+ and F-. D+ - F- POOR compliance campaign targeted building sites to ensure they were compliant with erosion and sediment control. # OF SITES 376 748 ↑ COMPLIANT (50%) (63%) NEW VISUAL MONITORING The campaign involved member Council staff undertaking inspections that specifically targeted sediment and erosion # OF SITES 370 433 ↓ Monitoring at a higher spatial resolution through visual assessments was done at over 300 sites across the catchment, control on building sites and a one-day inspection blitz NON-COMPLIANT (50%) (37%) with interns from Western Sydney University being trained and assisting with some of the assessments. around Sydney’s waterways. TOTAL FINES ISSUED $212,412 $290,700 ↑

6 7 EDUCATION & RESEARCH CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM PROGRAM

Research is a new Program of Georges Riverkeeper that will: improve our knowledge about the effects of urbanisation on Education and Capacity Building is a new Program of Georges Riverkeeper that is engaging with a broad range of complex aquatic ecosystems; determine how best to mitigate the impacts; explore the features that will define liveable stakeholders to foster a shared understanding about the main issues affecting liveability of waterways across the catchment urban in the future; and, guide how to overcome the multifaceted barriers presently acting to hinder progress towards and how to effectively manage the issues. making liveable urban rivers. ACTIVITIES AND HIGHLIGHTS DURING 2018/19 INCLUDE: IN THE INAUGURAL YEAR OF RESEARCH IN 2018/19, GEORGES RIVERKEEPER: • Development of an interactive online map in • Site visit to Lake Gillawarna hosted by City of • Authored a publication in Water, Air and Soil Pollution • Executed a comprehensive review of published conjunction with Georges River Council, showing Canterbury Bankstown, February 2019, to view the journal, which compares macroinvertebrate communities literature for studies in the catchment, with amenities along the river as well as where to walk, constructed wetlands that slow the flow of stormwater, in concreted and non-concreted streams. three manuscripts prepared for publication (i.e. Rise cycle, swim and fish, and the ecological communities funded by the stormwater levy. and Fall of Georges River Oyster Cultivation, Natural in the catchment. • Co-authored five papers within the 9th Australian Features of Waterways and Land Use Impacts on • Participated in the following events: Walk for Stream Management Conference proceedings, Waterways). • Development of content for seven factsheets. Topics: Biodiversity Month (City of Canterbury Bankstown), including being the primary author and presenting at mosquitoes, swimming and fishing on the Georges Clean Up Australia Day (Liverpool City Council), Catch the conference for three papers. • Established a research partnership with University of River, pollution, pollution mitigation, water sensitive a Carp (Campbelltown City Council), Horning Street NSW and co-supervised three students doing Honours urban design and flooding. Saltmarsh Tour (Sutherland Shire Council), Menai • Authored a proceedings paper and presented at the projects over 2019, following a workshop with member Wildflower Group monthly meeting (Sutherland Shire National Stormwater Conference. councils to prioritise research questions. • Development of content for ten education modules for Council), Speaking for the Planet, World Environment Stage 3 (year 5 and 6) students in consultation with an Day (Georges River Council), microplastics presentation • Gave two presentations at the International educator to align with the syllabus. () and collaborated with Georges Riversymposium and another at the Annual Australian River Environmental Education Centre for AUSMAP and Mangrove and Saltmarsh Network Conference. water bug monitoring days.

MEDIA WEBSITE SOCIAL MEDIA 6PRESS RELEASES 1,258 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS 15,051 309 FACEBOOK POSTS USERS 205,933 INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS PEOPLE REACHED* 124 *Estimated

8 9 FINANCIAL REPORT MEMBERS AND GEORGES RIVERKEEPER STAKEHOLDERS 2018/19*

LAST YEAR THIS YEAR EXECUTIVE GROUP GEORGES RIVERKEEPER STAFF PARTNERSHIPS (2017/18) (2018/19) • Chairperson: Clr Geoff Shelton, Liverpool • Program Manager: Beth Salt • NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service City Council • Program Coordinator, Environmental • NSW Department of Justice - Corrective INCOME $ $ • Vice-Chairperson: Clr Peter Scaysbrook, Officer: Tony Wales Services Membership and Program fees 469,267 440,560 Sutherland Shire Council • Program Coordinator, Aquatic Ecologist: • NSW Environment Protection Authority Operating Grants 0 46,800 • Treasurer: Clr Adrian Wong, Fairfield City Dr David Reid • NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Council • Administration Officer: Lisa Smith • University of NSW Interest 16,022 13,275 • Georges Riverkeeper Program Manager: • Communications Officer: Kirsten Spry • NSW Department of Education – Georges Beth Salt Other Revenue 457 33,207 River Environmental Education Centre • Georges Riverkeeper Host Manager: • Local Aboriginal Land Councils TOTAL INCOME 485,745 533,842 Fiona Stock, Georges River Council STAFF REPRESENTATIVES OF MEMBER COUNCILS • Member Councils’ Aboriginal Advisory • : Alexandra Vandine, Enis Groups EXPENSES COUNCILLORS OF MEMBER COUNCILS Rudzic, Stewart Harris • SPLASH • Bayside Council: Clr Andrew Tsounis Employee benefits expense 351,635 388,043 • Campbelltown City Council: Mitchell • Cooks River Alliance • Campbelltown City Council: Clr Darcy Clark, Mathew Misdale Depreciation and amortisation expense 15,455 15,455 •  Catchment Group Lound, Clr Ben Moroney • City of Canterbury Bankstown: David • Sydney Coastal Councils Group Materials & Contracts 83,989 199,305 • City of Canterbury Bankstown: Clr Khal Dekel, Daniela Santucci, Joanne Asfour, Clr Alex Kuskoff McDonnell, Paul Angel • Greater Sydney Local Land Services Other expenses 35,617 55,472 • Fairfield City Council: Clr Adrian Wong • Fairfield City Council: Leonie Gray, Rob TOTAL EXPENSES 486,696 658,275 • Georges River Council: Clr Warren Tegg Stevenson, Nona Ruddell, Helen Pollard, GENERAL MEETING ATTENDEES Scott Reyes NET OPERATING RESULT (951) (124,433) • Liverpool City Council: Clr Geoff Shelton, • NSW Roads and Maritime Services Clr Peter Harle • Georges River Council: Andrew Spooner, • Sydney Water Fiona Stock, Damien Duggan, Lachlan • Sutherland Shire Council: Clr Peter • Georges River Environmental Alliance Prentice Scaysbrook, Clr Tom Croucher • Botany Bay Catchment Alliance • Liverpool City Council: Raj Autar, Madhu AWARD WINNERS •  Council: Clr Michael Pudasaini, Maruf Hossain, Joel Daniels, • Lower Georges River Sustainability Georges Riverkeeper won a Stormwater NSW 2018 Banasik Sai Natarajan, Biljana Jovanovic, Alexi Initiative Award for Excellence in the category - Excellence in Gilchrist • Friends of Oatley Master or Strategic Planning Multistage Development • Sutherland Shire Council: Ian Drinnan, - for the Georges Riverkeeper Strategic Plan 2018- Nathan Varley, Kevin Seymour, Brendan 2022 – a joint project of Georges Riverkeeper and its Graham, Graham Avery member Councils: Bayside Council, Campbelltown • Wollondilly Shire Council: Alex Stengl, City Council, City of Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield Bruce Devonport, Damion Stirling City Council, Georges River Council, Liverpool City Council, Sutherland Shire Council, and Wollondilly Shire Council.

Georges Riverkeeper were also highly commended in the Excellence in Policy and Education category for the ‘Get the Site Right’ Sediment and Erosion Control Campaign – a joint project by the Cooks River Alliance, Georges Riverkeeper, Parramatta River Catchment Group and Sydney Coastal Councils Group in partnership with the NSW Environment Protection Authority and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

10 11 Matthew Vasilescu (www.mattvas.com.au)

Georges Riverkeeper is an alliance of Councils with collective responsibility for the Georges River and its catchment. www.georgesriver.org.au

Georges Riverkeeper is the business name of Georges River Combined Councils’ Committee Incorporated (ABN: 182 467 92704)