December 2009 Cooks River Bank Naturalisation Project Community update newsletter Sydney Water has developed concept plans for naturalising deteriorated sections of concrete river banks along the Cooks River. This was done in consultation with the Cooks River community through workshops and a survey in late 2008. The feedback has now been included into the final plans for three sites proposed for naturalisation Bank naturalisation sites 1, 2 and 3 What is the project about? Sydney Water has assessed the opportunities to An opportunity for change naturalise concrete banks of the Cooks River. This The Cooks River was a natural river, until the Cooks was done in partnership with the Sydney Metropolitan River Improvement Act of 1946 saw the building of Catchment Authority, local councils and other land and orderly, concrete panels along the ‘unruly’ natural river water managers. The project covers the area from banks. This resulted in the loss of much of the river’s the upper freshwater sections near Centenary Drive, natural values and the creation of the concrete channel Strathfield to the tidal saltwater sections of the river we see today. Some sections of the concrete channel leading into Botany Bay near Sydney Airport. The project are now in poor condition and require replacement. focused on identifying sections of the riverbanks where This has presented an historic opportunity for Sydney naturalisation was possible and where the riverbank Water to look at options for naturalising these sections. requires renewal. Where the location allows, Sydney Water plans to replace the concrete banks with sandstone and Where is the project up to? indigenous plants. This will improve the river’s health The concept designs for the three sites proposed for and natural character whilst maintaining the stability of naturalisation have been finalised. Construction will start the banks and river’s capacity to carry flood waters. New on the first of the sites in March 2010. footpaths, signage, seating and viewing platforms may also be included in the designs. The existing concrete channel does not contribute to the Recently naturalised banks of the Cooks River, upstream of ecological benefits of the river as a habitat for native plants Hedges Avenue, South Strathfield with native plants and animals. and sandstone. SW178 12/09 Printed on recycled paper The Cup and Saucer Creek wetland and bank naturalisation The design for site one - Cup and Saucer Creek, near wetland after a 12 month establishment period, which Berna Street, Canterbury includes construction of a will be managed by Sydney Water. Once the wetland stormwater treatment wetland. As there are very few is completed, work will start on naturalising the nearby opportunities along the Cooks River where creating river bank on the southern side of the river. Some of the wetlands is possible, this wetland is a rare opportunity elements included in this section are: creating a more for the Cooks River. The wetland will create a diverse gently sloping bank stabilised with sandstone and plants, habitat for plants and wildlife to thrive, benefiting the a turtle access point to and from the river to the wetland, river’s biodiversity. The wetland will also help reduce a new footpath around the wetland, viewing points, pollutants entering the Cooks River and will treat water seating, interpretive signage, as well as trees and other from Cup and Saucer Creek before it flows into the indigenous plants, including the endangered saltmarsh Cooks River. plant community. The wetland should take around three months to build. Residents near Cup and Saucer Creek will be notified Canterbury Council will take over maintenance of the about the construction closer to work starting. Cup and Saucer Creek wetland concept plan Sugar House Road Footbridge Cooks River path Viewing platform Stormwater treatment Indigenous planting wetland Indigenous planting Seating area Cooks River path Indigenous trees Gravel walking path Viewing platform Saltmarsh planting Bank to be reshaped Old bank shape High tide Existing features mark Proposed features Cooks River path Bank layback with rock and planting Glossary of terms: Indigenous plants – species that occur naturally in the region. A Cross section showing bank naturalisation and layback on Cooks River Native plants – for this project, plants that occur naturally in the region. Not to scale Where to from here? We anticipate that on completion of the Cup and Saucer Creek wetland and river bank work, naturalisation can commence at sites two and three. These sites do not include wetlands. We will inform you about this work when we have more details. Over the coming years, Sydney Water will continue to identify more Cooks River sites that are suitable for Naturalisation provides significantly improved habitat for the naturalisation. We will keep you informed about this. native fauna of the Cook River To know more about the project, please call Community Relations on 8849 5511 or visit www.sydneywater.com.au/MajorProjects/Stormwater.cfm For emergencies or to report a leak or break, please call 13 20 90.