Feature

Liverpool Action Group Celebrating 10 Years of Serving the Community.

Liverpool’s greatest natural asset is without doubt the . The Liverpool Action Group (LAG) Environment Group, volunteer their service and expertise to maintain the Liverpool section of the Georges River, where feral woody weeds, like Lantana, have inundated hectares of river-side woodland and scrub to the point where the bush can no longer regenerate naturally without immediate restoration Top: Bob Storey wades into thick lantana with a works. vengeance. Bottom: Bob Storey plans his attack while Gary A 40 page booklet entitled ‘’Plan to Restore Lucas offers a suggestion. Environmental Assets” was prepared by LAG’s Environment Officer, Bob Storey and presented Photos: Ian Bailey 28th September 2015. to three levels of Government with a request for funding over a five year period, 2014 to 2019. The Georges River is without doubt Liverpool’s The NSW Government agreed to a grant in 2015 greatest natural asset. The land adjacent to the which made it possible to purchase a few power Georges River was occupied for many thousands of tools and plant 2,000 to 3,000 trees and shrubs years by the and Eora Aboriginal peoples, by the end of summer 2016. In addition, a number and prior to the arrival of Europeans, Georges River of generous donations were received from local was formerly known as Tucoerah River. companies and LAG members. From its source east of Appin within the Wollondilly Council’s Environment Management team have Shire & Wollongong Local government area, the assured the LAG Environment Group has the correct Georges River flows north through rugged sandstone indemnity in place while working on public land, and gorges to the east of Campbelltown, roughly parallel Council Parks and Gardens staff support LAG in to the Main South railway line, with its eastern bank removing noxious waste. forming a boundary of Holsworthy Army Base. The LAG Committee and members are confident At Glenfield it reaches the urban environment and that the ‘’Plan to Restore Environmental Assets” will then travels to Liverpool, where it features some meet objectives to clean up and maintain Liverpool’s artificial lakes in the suburb of Chipping Norton. The greatest natural asset. lakes, known as the Chipping Norton Lakes, are the A thorough audit of the natural flora and fauna has result of sand mining and quarrying operations in the been documented and future restoration work will twentieth century. The Lakes are now a popular water be sensitive to preserving what is already on the sports and recreational facility for the residents of the river bank and in the long term, they hope that the south-western suburbs of . Georges River corridor can connect and become a Liverpool Weir now forms the uppermost tidal limit part of the Georges River National Park. and presence of salt water on the Georges River. LAG invite all interested parties to see what they are From Liverpool, the river turns east and flows past doing and if any persons living in the area would like the suburbs of East Hills, Lugarno, and Blakehurst, to join the group, please contact the Secretary, Ian before emptying into at Taren Point in the Bailey on 9821 4284. [email protected] southern suburbs of Sydney.

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