Botany Bay and Catchment Alliance

The following article is quoted from the Canterbury Bankstown Express for the information of those living beyond the paper’s circulation area. Our thanks to Jessica Clement for her fine reporting of this issue. Please note the Petition on the Cooks River Valley Association website. We recommend that you download the petition and circulate it amongst your friends and neighbours then forward it as noted on the website.

FOR more than 100 years, the Cooks River has delivered contaminated and filthy water to Canterbury, Campsie and Earlwood, through to Botany Bay.

A century-and-a-half ago it was the woolwashers and tanneries that contributed to the foul deluge.

Today, a university has found our ageing sewerage infrastructure is to blame.

Armed with this knowledge, residents led by the Cooks River Valley Association, have decided enough is enough.

“We need to show Sydney Water that this is the time to change their priorities and pay serious attention to the Cooks River,’’ association water quality co-ordinator Gayle Adams said.

A University of NSW study completed late last year pronounced the 23km waterway to be nothing but an “open sewer’’  carrying enough raw sewage to be deemed hazardous to human health.

The study, by Dr Stuart Khan, concluded that ageing sewers, some almost 100 years old, were leaking effluent into the river.

This confirmation has renewed calls for a clean-up.

“We’d hope that one day we could have this river restored to the point where it is safe to swim in at least one location,’’ she said.

Councils recommend nobody swim or kayak in the river. Fishing is banned.

A Sydney Water spokeswoman affirmed its commitment, in conjunction with councils, to protect the river’s health.

She said the organisation was designing plans to naturalise 1.1km of the river’s banks this year and would routinely monitor 19 stormwater drain in the catchment area.

PETITION
WHO:The Cooks River Valley Association has started a petition to clean the Cooks River and make it safe for swimming and human use
TABLED:They hope to have the petition tabled in parliament
HELP: Download the petition at www.crva.org.au or email info@crva.org.au
PLUS: Residents are also urged to contact their state MP to have the river cleaned

Canterbury Bankstown Express link to original article:-  http://express.whereilive.com.au/news/story/waterway-nothing-but-an-open-sewer/

The following gleanings are from recent Oatley Faura and Fauna Society Newsletters:-

CAMPHOR LAUREL: A PEST TREE

It was introduced to Australia as an ornamental species about 1822 and established in the Sydney Botanic Gardens in 1854. Its value as an ornamental tree was actively promoted in municipal parks, gardens and school grounds. 10 years ago, OFF News noted that this tree was a pest, 

invading natural habitats all along the coast, with its root system damaging pipes, fences, foundations, and preventing the growth of other species. It reported that Kew Gardens in U.K. found the roots of camphor laurels to be covered with tiny oil exudation glands that seasonally pump toxins into the soil and water courses, and impact on native wildlife. Surprisingly still well regarded by some, camphor laurel is now a declared noxious weed, but not in all localgovernment areas.

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ 

BIRDS IN OATLEY PARK

The Park provides a sanctuary for many species of birds, some of which nest within its boundaries Others simply use the park and itstidal boundaries as part of their wider search for food and shelter, returning regularly to the park, but nesting elsewhere. It is difficult to say exactly how many bird species can be found within the park at any one time; numbers vary depending on the season and availability of food. 

BIRDS OF OATLEY PARK

In a recent email to OFF, Warren Mallard made some interesting comments on the birds he remembers from Oatley Park in the 1950s. He notes, “Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters were the most prevalent, and there were colonies of Dusky Wood Swallows nesting at the end of Lime Kiln Bay. Grey Thrushes also nested in the area. A White-breasted Sea Eagle nested for a number of years in a large Angophora costata   at the end of Lime Kiln Bay,but left once Peakhurst houses sprang up. Southern Yellow Robins were common, nesting with Silvereyes in the Melaleuca forest of Lime Kiln Bay. There were two species of Quail also in the park, and there were no Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Noisy Miners, Rainbow Lorikeets, or Scaly-breasted Lorikeets. ”Warren’s notes open up the question of how different is the birdlife now. Official lists are from about 1975 basedon much earlier observations. One list contains 114 species; another more than 145, so there is a need for a new list for Oatley Park, Lime Kiln Bay, and Oatley Heights Park, noting behaviour and locations. It will take some time to complete, as a number of birds are summer visitors or only vagrants. The completed list will then go on the OFF website.

PROTECT OUR NATIVE ANIMALS IN THE BUSH

Stay on walking tracks in bushland.

• Admire wild flowers and plants – do not pick them.
• Leave natural features such as fallen timber on the ground.
• Leave yabbies, tadpoles, and water bugs in the creeks.
• Remove all your rubbish from the bush.
• Use your compost bin for garden green waste.
• Walk, rather than ride a trail bike.
• Keep equipment and boots clean. Spray with 70/30 mix of metho & water to stop spreading the fungal disease , Phytophthora
• Keep pets at home, particularly cats, and especially at night.

RECYCLING FOOD SCRAPS

Food scraps such as banana peels, apple cores, vegetable trimmings, bones, eggshells, and pizza crust are a wasted resource in landfill. As they decompose, they generate methane, but when composted, they produce oxygen, valuable to soil and plant health. They can now be safely collected and processed, and a growing number of municipalities provide special food scrap bins.

www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/

Our thanks to Hon. Editor: John Davoren for his excellent Newsletter reports

 Wolli Creek is a major tributary for Cooks River. The creek rises from springs at The Pole Depot, Penshurst, Penshurst Park, Olds Park, Narwee, and northern Beverly Hills. Wolli Creek is first mentioned in historic record during the December 1810 visit by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who passed over it following a visit to Townson farms at Kogarah Bay, then visiting Mrs. Hannah Laycock’s farm, “King’s Grove”, built between Wolli Creek and William Street. Old maps show a chain of ponds to Kingsgrove Road’s north, in the then creek bed. The land was clay with tea tree cover and large forests surrounding. The upper creeks converge into a single creek in Beverly Hills.

The municipal boundary for Rockdale, Hurstville and Canterbury is formed by the creek from Beverly Hills to it’s mouth at Cooks River, Tempe. In the past this has led to inter local government rivalry.

During the Great Depression (1929-1936), the southern creeks were bricked as State government unemployment projects organized by Hurstville Municipal Council. The creek is notorious for its flood prone nature. During the 1920s, low level flooding covered properties around King Georges Road, Beverly Hills and the Post Office was often inaccessible and known as the “Duck Pond” with water birds floated on the surrounding creek waters. Drainage could not contain the waterflow. The last major flood was in the early 1970s, when houses within 50 metres of the stormwater canals were inundated. Further north, East Hills Railway line was cut by flood waters at Bexley North. A diversion canal was built along Edgbaston Road, crossing below King Georges Road, Morgan Street and the railway line, taking water away from the shopping centre.

Our walk commences at Bexley North Railway Station, crossing to the north of Bexley Road, the creek is crossed and changes from cement stormwater canal to natural waterway. In recent times this bridged crossing became famous when evening news reports showed a driver being winched to safety from a car stranded in flooded creekwater on the bridge. Signs advise danger when heavy rain falls.

Entrance into Wolli Creek Regional Park is sign posted by a blue post with “TVT” (Twin Valley Track) just off an ashfelt path. From the bridge, the park and creek are overgrown by morning glory, privet and other noxious plants, but through the work of Wolli Creek Preservation Society and other bushcare organisations, the bushland behind this screen holds many wonders. Sydney Red Gum, Turpentine and other native trees form a magnificent canopy. The creek water is brown and holds evidence of recent heavy rainfall (domestic rubbish and other litter). A little further on a well signed water cleansing basin has been erected, taking stormwater from urban runoff, cleansing it before flowing into the creek. From this point the track follows an access road into a mowed grass meadow below housing, then enters another bushland area. Throughout this section invasive noxious plants flourish. A waterfall gully is seen and large native gums and turpentine flourish. The track is treacherous at this point where some backtracking may be needed by the unwary eye.

Crossing a metal bridge, over a creek, large Turpentines flourish, then the track opens into another mowed grass meadow beside the creek to the west of Earlwood RSL Club, on the eastern bank. In this area preparation is being made for native planting. The Creek continues in an overgrown state with privet and morning glory in profusion.

Crossing Hamill-Law Avenue, we leave the western portion of the Regional Park, entering the Central portion. Girrahween Park, a meadowed area, bordered by a bridged creek and a picnic area is crossed and some remedial work in being undertaken along the creek bank, water is a dirty brown and with willows and flame trees in profusion. During the 1980s the creek channel was cleared by a bucket and scoop, but much waste, lain on banks regenerated. Two channels were created between the road bridge an sewer aqueduct to the east.

The track follows an obvious sewer access trail, with overflow points along the way. Some magnificent native plants and trees and a profusion of butterflies are seen in this section. The track travels through damp sandstone, which once may have been rainforest type vegetation. Reaching its highest point, the track passes a number of natural sandstone overhangs, which may have been shelter for local aboriginal peoples. Unfortunately rock art of a different kind has defaced the sandstone. The track turns further north, passing a brick and cement tank, holding water. The tank seems quite old and is overgrown with vegetation.

Approaching Nanny Goat Hill’s base, Wolli Creek comes into clear view on a reeded sweeping bend. This area was previously a horse grazing area, but the peninsula was replanted by the Wolli Creek Preservation Society, forming a native bird habitat and wetlands. To the east of this wetland, Bardwell Creek enters Wolli Creek under the East Hills Railway line. The air is rich with bird calls. Walking around Nanny Goat Hill’s base, the track enters Turrella Reserve, leaving Regional Park’s Central portion. A short detour takes walkers to Nanny Goat Hill’s summit and excellent surrounding views.

Turrella Reserve and areas east and south were once Chinese Market Gardens. A weir was build conserving water for the gardeners. A Fish Ladder has recently been built allowing fish to traverse and breed above the weir. A substantial water quality project is being undertaken in the Reserve with a creek and saltmarsh project near completion. A large tree surveys the project as a centre piece. Weed eradication is underway and well placed signage describes past and future reserve use. Some willows will be removed from the watercourse, improving waterflow. From the weir to creek’s mouth, mangroves grow in abundance. Tidal flow is good, but rubbish abounds in the waterflow.

Moving to the northeast, the track enters the Regional Park’s Eastern section to Waterworth Reserve. Much work has been undertaken, removing lantana, privet, bamboo and other noxious plants in this area. One delight is walking down Jackson Lane, where a row of 1912 sandstone housed are seen, a pleasant reminder of yesteryear. A local resident stated houses are a good 10 degrees cooler in summer. Each is well loved and well kept. Moving towards the tiled sewer viaduct, more solid work has been undertaken by Wolli Creek Preservation Society, with a sign advertising vacancies for bushcare workers, a reminder that volunteers have made the walk a pleasure.

Crossing into Waterworth Reserve, a large sign reminds walkers this area was once property of Frederick Wright Unwin,a Sydney Solicitor, who build a bridge, connecting Sydney with Undercliffe. For some years this park was known as Tempe Tip where a famous resident, a deceased circus elephant, was buried without rites, on his demise.

The walk takes about 2.5 hours from Bexley North Station to Tempe Station. The track is easy walking most of the way with some climbing over sandstone. Wolli Creek Preservation Society is congratulated on their hard work, advocating for and maintaining the Regional Park.

Find out more

WolliCreek Preservation Society

Plan of management

www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/PoMFinalWolli52-53Strategies.pdf

www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au/cooks-river/project-news/Page-5.html

Noxious Plants

Privet

 Cox’s Creek, is a tributary to Cooks River, draining a catchment from the suburbs of Greenacre, Mount Lewis, Punchbowl, Wiley Park, Lakemba and Belfields.

Joining Cooks River to the west of Burwood Road, Belfield, the creek is enclosed in a brick and cement stormwater drain. It flows through, on it’s eastern bank, two well kept parks, where native planting stand in contrast to the industrial estate on the western bank. Reaching Cosgrove Road, the drains cross below Enfield Railway Marshalling Yards, which is being redeveloped as a regional rail centre for container transfer from Port Botany.

On the walk it was observed, after rain, there is a large amount of clay discolouration in the waterflow. Crossing to the south of the railway yards, stormwater is quite clean.

Below the railway yards the stormwater drains divide with a large drain meandering south near the Lakemba mosque, then running in a westerly direction through Parry Park towards Punchbowl. Another tributary runs in a more westerly direction, passing through Cox’s Bushland Reserve, in Moonda Ave. Greenacre. This area, once open bushland, has been redeveloped into an industrial estate and housing, having once been a telecommunications depot.

Cox’s Bushland Reserve is a unique Cooks River Castlereagh Ironbark Forest, typical of the pre-colonial country, once sweeping west to the Great Dividing Ranges on the Cumberland Plains. The reserve is wedged between houses and the Primo small goods plant, on a triangular, 1.65 hectare block.

The Reserve has been regenerated by a team of bushcare volunteers known as Friends of Cox’s Creek. The reserve is home to three endangered species.

• Downy Wattle (Acacia pubescens)
• Tadgell’s Bluebell (Wahlenbergia multicaulis)
• Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea)

On observation, urban run-off through the creek system is reasonably clean but PET bottles and drink containers persist, but in smaller quantities.

For more information on Protecting and restoring Cooks River Castlereagh Ironbark Forest:

www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/EECinfoCooksRiverCastlereaghIronbarkForest.pdf

Cox’s Creek

www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/threatenedspecies/08548tsdscooksriver.pdf

Bardwell Creek is a major catchment for Cooks River. The Creek rises in Hurstville Local Government Area, before crossing into Rockdale City Council area at Croydon Road. One arm commences near Hurstville Station and joins a second arm rising at Woodville Park. This section was drained during the early 1900s. The system flows towards Bexley Golf Course, through bricked stormwater canals draining all Hurstville CBD gutters.

A second creek system rises at Hurstville Oval, flowing through closed drains before entering Bexley Golf Coarse. Bexley Golf Course has stormwater harvesting which cleanses water of all floating rubbish, before entering a small lake. Water then pumps to a south west corner retention dam and is used for watering the course, before flowing back into the stormwater system. Bexley Golf Course pays for removing rubbish from the creek system and siltation from the lake.

Flowing onwards the creek opens into bricked canals crossing under Stoney Creek Road, towards Bexley Swimming Centre. Another drainage canal enters the system on the swimming pool’s northern side. A strong sound of flowing water from the Swimming Pool canal here, maybe an overflow from the pool.

The creek continues through native bushland and reserve maintained by Rockdale Council. On a creek bend, evidence exists that a white substance has flowed down the canal wall from a development site. The valley is walled by sandstone and native vegetation. An upper level concrete path has been established called the Prime Ministers Walk. Commencing at Bexley Road, this walk has plaques commemorating all Australian Prime Ministers from Sir Edmund Barton to Julia Gillard. A new plaque is created with election of a new prime minister and a second plaque replaces the first when the prime minister leaves office.

Adjacent to Ellerslie Road, a pedestrian bridge crosses the creek and a grate has been established to remove floating rubbish. Unfortunately the centre panel has been removed allowing rubbish to litter the creek with plastic bags and other refuse as it changes from a bricked canal to natural creek. Bricked canal section is owned by Sydney Water and the natural creek is administered by Rockdale City Council. Recent heavy rains have increased this problem. Down stream magnificent Sydney Red Gums, wattles and turpentine are seen with majestic tree ferns. Some creek path sections have been sown with native kidney grass. The creek water is clean and small fish were observed.

The track passes below busy Bexley Road at Jubilee Bridge, built during Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and opened by Hurstville Mayor, John Spoule, in 1897, an obelisk marking the occasion. At that period this portion of Rockdale Council was Bexley Ward attached to Hurstville Council.

North of Jubilee Bridge the Creek takes a turn for the worst, bushcare and water quality wise. A large drain empties into the creek to the bridge’s north and much floating rubbish covers banks, planting, trees and creek bed. Morning Glory, privet and other noxious weeds grow in profusion, smothering native trees and plants. Further on major bushcare projects have been undertaken with a whole valley bank cleared and native plantings made with degradable cover in place stopping erosion. In the centre are early colonial dwelling foundation ruins. Passing further north a lengthy traditional bushcare regeneration area was observed before entering Bardwell Valley Golf Course.

The course was created from a municipal garbage tip prior to 1969. At this point water becomes discoloured with siltation and the creek is barely visible from the bank, through undergrowth. Privet and other noxious growth abounds. Crossing from the east bank at the golf clubhouse over a bridge, be careful of low flying golf balls.

Leaving the golf course, the creek approaches Bardwell Road Bridge. The creek is better maintained, flowing into Coolibah Reserve. The Reserve is established on land, once cultivated as a local market garden. A boom is hung across the creek at this point catching floating rubbish. Crossing to the north bank, first sight is a gaggle of geese and ducks, obviously friendly and ignoring the “don’t feed” signs. They flock from the creek when humans approaching. The creek meanders through the reserve in two courses, where major restoration work has been undertaken with clean water flow and native vegetation, much different to the southern creek portion.

Bardwell Creek passes below East Hills Railway line to the south of Turrella Station, entering Wolli Creek and in turn, Cooks River and Botany Bay.

Impressive work has been undertaken by Wolli Creek Preservation Society, who provides bushcare personnel, Rockdale City Council, through its biodiversity programme and various State and Commonwealth bodies providing funding.

Major works are required to eliminate floating rubbish from urban runoff, especially from Hurstville CBD. Bushcare requires major funding and people power. But each small step helps the long term goal.

Learn more of Wolli Creek Preservation Society

www.wollicreek.org.au

 Cup and Saucer Creek, enters Cooks River to the east of Canterbury Road. This waterway is a concrete stormwater drain, emptying a large catchment encompassing Canterbury, Earlwood, Campsie, Clemton Park, Belmore and Roselands.

The creek was first noted in historical documents, when Governor Macquarie crossed it in December 1810, returning from Kogarah Bay and Mrs. Hannah Laycock’s farm “King’s Grove” following his vice regal visit throughout the colony.

While the creek meandered through open woodland, it later became orchards and farmland, then housing subdivisions. During the Great Depression, such waterways were bricked in as work for the dole programmes for unemployed men.

Adjacent to Benia Street, Canterbury, the stormwater drain flows over a 4 metre bricked wall, designating a change in geographical level. A photograph held in Canterbury Council Local Studies Collection shows this spot in 1901, with two young boys standing beside a raging waterfall. The photograph is dramatic reminder of the way things once were before suburbanisation. The upstream area previously contained industries with remnant noxious substances continuing to enter the water system. Observed noxious dumpings continue.

Local environmental custodians, the Cooks River Valley Association, hold monthly water testing at a newly constructed wetlands between Benia Street and Cooks River. For most people, clean water means no floating objects in the waterway, but that is only partly true. A large metal grate had been erected across the creek above tidal water level. Most floating objects are collected in this trap, removing tonnes of urban rubbish from the creek before it joins the Cooks down stream. The grate system is cleaned monthly by workmen using a grader.

Most water traveling down Cup and Saucer Creek (except in torrential rain periods), enters a crated channel, just above the 4 metre wall. This channel enters a pipeline carrying the water into a three pond wetlands. The wetlands filters the water with an outlet pipe returning cleaner water into the stormwater drain, near the creek mouth with Cooks River.

Gayle Adams and her team test the stream flow at two points:

The inlet stream: Just before the water flows into the wetlands, an access eye had been built. The eye is accessed by manually opening a plate, a sterile plastic bottle on a specially designed pole is inserted into the channel and a sample taken, which is labeled and recorded by the testing team, with observations noted.

The outlet stream: After the water has passed through the wetlands another access eye has been built. The process mentioned before is repeated with a second sterile plastic bottle, well labeled. Details are then recorded for later reference.

When each plate has been secured, a physical wetlands observation tour is made, recording water height, plant growth or damage, water cleanliness, creatures in residence, etc. On the day, two Purple Swamphens and their two chicks were observed and numerous frogs heard. Algal bloom mostly covering the second and third ponds, but this is seasonal. The Swamphens were actively digging up some of the sedges within the wetlands, feeding their chicks.

After this hard labour, the team returned to Gayle’s home, where sample testing was undertaken with stringent accuracy.

Big well done to Gayle and her team and the members of Cooks River Valley Association, who work tirelessly protecting the River and her tributaries.

Further information

Save our Trees – Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYdqqoBpLoA

http://savingourtrees.wordpress.com/tag/cup-and-saucer-creek-wetland/

Project overview

http://210.247.145.33/MajorProjects/pdf/CooksRiverCommunityNewsletterDec2009.pdf

Cooks River Valley Association

www.crva.org.au

This walk follows the Bay to Bay walk and cycleway from Flemington Station to Canterbury Station. The Bay to Bay walk and Cycle track runs from Homebush Bay to Botany Bay, mostly following Cooks River to it’s mouth.

Cooks River rises near Rookwood Cemetery, in Strathfield Municipality. The first appreciable water is seen in wetlands adjacent to Freshwater Park, much work having been undertaken with wetlands reconstruction. Cooks River flows through natural river bed in this section with sandstone retaining walls built, protecting river banks from erosion. Wadding birds are established in this area, close to a Golf Course.

Crossing under Cave Street bridge, the scene changes dramatically when the river course flowing through wide concrete stormwater drains. Just below the bridge a pollution boom stands damaged in the river bed.

The stormwater drain is clean except for green growth, making a ribbon pattern in the centre channel. Near Palmer Avenue and Verona Street three large sewer pipes cross the canal and soon after two large stormwater pipes enter the watercourse. The green weed stops growing just past this point. To the right of the river is Centenary Drive, with large soundwalls and an industrial area, to the left the suburb of Strathfield. Adjacent to this point the first water borne PET bottle and aluminium can were observed.

The track crosses below Liverpool Road and ambles through parks, riverbanks maintained with tree planting, native grasses and mulching. A this point Dichondra also known as Kidney grass has been planted. It is named Kidney grass because of the shape of the leaves. Dichondra is an attractive groundcover used as a substitute for traditional lawn grass, forming a living mulch that inhibits weeds and reduces evaporation. It will grow readily in most climates and in fertile free draining soil. Thus the council has gained a low maintenance parkland covering.

The first major tributary enters from the right as a concrete stormwater canal. Cox’s Creek flows from an area adjacent to Enfield Marshalling Yards. At this point the stormwater canal base changes from a flat surface to a groove within which the water flows. The canal is quite wide and has signage noting a flood prone area.

Crossing under Punchbowl Road/Georges River Road Bridge, the track leaves Strathfield Council area and entering Burwood Council and on the right bank Canterbury City Council. A cycle trail has been established on Canterbury Council side as well as the Bay to Bay track on Burwood Council side. Near the Bridge a historic marker informs those interested, the name “Punchbowl” Road was established as the area was bowl shaped terrain, producing large amounts of fruit and food during early colonial times. A map shows the early grants and roads. Taking the track on Canterbury side, avoids trekking through suburbia as many properties are built to the riverbank on Burwood Council side. Canterbury Council does not use Kidney grass on their parks and must pay a large maintenance bill for lawn mowing.

Crossing back to Burwood at Second Ave Campsie, the head of tidal flow is reached. Another stormwater drain enters the river from Campsie and the only shopping trolley is notes in the river. Eight ducks swim happily by with leaves the only form of pollution. Crossing Burwood Road, some pollution is noted from PET bottles. Burwood Council seems to have a long grass policy in their parks.

West of Brighton Ave Bridge, mangroves have established to Canterbury Railway Bridge. A creek (stormwater drain) flows into the river at this point from Burwood. The drain had large amounts of leaves floating down stream.

From here to Canterbury Road, must be the unloved PET bottle graveyard. The riverbanks are piled with them, having been trapped by tidal flow amongst mangroves. This scene is copied on both river banks sides and a disgrace to modern civilization. Why anyone pays money, purchasing tap water in PET bottles is beyond imagination. PET bottles travel many kilometres through gutters, pipes and stormwater canals, gracing the river with their presence.

The Cooks River’s ugliest portion is behind Canterbury Racecourse, where mounds of PET bottles reside. Nearing journey’s end, the massive Canterbury three arched railway brick viaduct is reached. A good sized fish leaps from the river and splashed below surface again. This later area is within the City of Canterbury. Much work in undertaken keeping parks and gardens well kempt but little is achieved along River banks. Floating rubbish fowls the River, reducing visitors image of the area and polluting the River and later Botany Bay.

The walk took about 2½ hours and is possible to break into smaller sections. With the lower Cooks River section mentioned earlier, it covers some 8 kilometres, Bay to Bay.

Talking of the geographical make up and early history of Cook’s River, Fred Larcombe wrote in “Change and Challenge – the History of the Municipality of Canterbury NSW”, “the area is located on the physical division, the Cumberland Plain. The presence of Wianamatta shales produced the predomination of heavy clayey soils with some loams. The area generally was an open forest of eucalypt varieties, and a very sparse undergrowth permitted a grass cover to develop. In the river basin there were accumulations of alluvium and close to the stream a thick scrub in abundance. As the river neared its mouth outcrops of sandstone appeared while along the northern edges gravel was present (T.M. Perry, Australia’s First Frontier).

The river and its hinterland first caught sight of the type of people, who could despoil their natural beauty, when James Cook on 29 April, 1770, sailed into the “tolerably well sheltered” Botany Bay. Cook discovered the “very fine stream” afterwards to bear his name, and his map of Botany Bay shows he travelled up it at least as far as the Wolli Creek junction, but made no particular comment. Cook’s “fine meadow” was probably the swamps at the river’s estuary. (GA Wood, The Discovery of Australia).”

A fine walking/cycle track has been established from Botany Bay to Homebush Bay on Parramatta River following along Cooks River. An easy walk of about 1.5 – 2 hours is taken from Tempe Station to Canterbury Station.

Leaving the station on the western side and crossing busy Bayview Street, the track leads to the river, south of the Bowling Club. It is well signposted. At this point Wolli Creek is clearly visible to the south, being one major tributary to the River. Following the track, two storm water canals are observed, both draining Marickville/Sydenham, which were flood prone and during pre-European time, home to a large wetlands, home to migratory bird. Major pollution traps have been installed by Sydney Water at this point with a sloping concrete road for removing accumulated refuse.

A little further on Thomas Holt’s Mausoleum is observed. Holt had a hilltop mansion, called “The Warren” overlooking lower reaches of Cooks River. The only remnants are a large pine tree, Port Jackson Figs, sandstone gates and foundations. He decided to build a crypt beside the river, now bricked with sandstone and marked by a historic plaque.

Along this stretch (Marrickville Council) sandstone has been lain in creek beds, reducing erosion and siltation to the river. Mangroves line the banks. There was little pollution observed other than blossoms from “Snow in Summer” floating on the river surface looking like soap suds. At this point a former major polluter was observed. The Aquaduct for sewerage piping with it’s ornate tiles crosses the river on it’s way to the southern outfall. When build, this piping had pressure valve outlets which spewed sewerage directly into Cooks River and Wolli Creek. Through hard work by community groups such as Cooks River Valley Association and it’s predecessor, government stopped this practice, eliminating one source of river pollution.

At Steel Park, Marrickville, baby fish were observed in the river. The banks and mangroves were free of pollution including the notorious PET bottle which infests other waterways.

Crossing the bridge at Illawarra Road, the pathway continues on the River’s southern bank, (Canterbury Council) following property back fence lines. Of note is a model of an elderly lady in a modern dress standing at the back of a property, a great security system.

The first PET pest bottles were observed adjacent to Macquarie Road, Earlwood. These were accompanied by bark and tree leaves in profusion, an example of unchecked street stormwater runoff. Two seats and a sandstone plinth in memory of Mrs. Ailsie Stafford, a tireless member of Cooks River Valley Association was observed. She passed on 06.05.1990. On this stretch were many open stormwater pipes running into the river, with no observable litter traps.

The whole track at this point is surrounded by cricket fields and a Golf Course. The River has steel capping holding banks in place and grass verges running to river’s edge. Some pines line the river. More PET bottles and a largish fish observed jumping from the river near Vera Street.

The track crosses Wardell Road and the main track crosses the river at this point by bridge to the northern bank. Another track was taken along the southern bank, observing some ducks on the river and less well kempt parkland. Along this stretch open pipeslines are observed leading into the river conveying street drainage to the river with no observable litter traps in place. More PET bottles were observed with silt build up on the outside

To the north is seen the Canterbury Sugar Works, once the greatest employer of labour in the district and to some extent, reason why the suburb exists. Sugar cane was brought by ship from the 1840s to a harbour on the river bank and then processed into sugar products. The Sugar Works, later a meat processing works, was heritage listed, but mysteriously burned by fire and then was restored and is now part of a residential complex. A yellow pollution monitoring buoy is stationed to the east the river. The buoy records electronically and feeds information to a central point. Readings are reported quarterly for community information and scientific research..

To the west of this point is Cup and Saucer Creek, first mention by Governor Macquarie in his epic colonial journey in December 1810. The creek is now a storm water drain. Once crystal clean water, then becoming a grossly polluted waterway from established industry in the area. A major remediation project was established by the Sydney Catchment Management Authority, Canterbury Council and Sydney Water. Creek water is diverted from the stormwater canal through various treatment mechanisms including a retention basin and wetlands and flows back into the stormwater canal, cleansed. The wetlands is habitat to numerous native birds.

Following the track towards Canterbury Road, the river is quite polluted, joining a concrete and brick canal further west. The track passes through a series of plaques honouring sports people from Canterbury and then into Coronation Row, honouring Queen Elizabeth II at the time of her visit in 1953. In the garden bed are two plaques of note, former Cooks River Valley Association office bearers, Major Frank Nicholas, president 1952 – 57 and WGW (Bill) Dowd, president 1957 – 1963. These plaques remind us of the tireless work by members of the Cooks River Valley Association, who advocate, maintain and cleanse the River and the Mudcraps group who work tirelessly removing rubbish from the river and creek system. All volunteers with hearts of gold for the environment.

George Hanna Museum, attached to Mascot Library, has opened an exhibition called “Made In Botany” which shows Botany’s industrial history, from Simeon Lord’s wool wash and flour mill to the present day.

From an environmental viewpoint, the exhibition highlights the noxious industries, which plied their trades, causing a heritage of pollution, but  creating prosperity for local residents.

Botany has an abundance of underground water flowing via the Botany Aquifer. The township’s closeness to Sydney, but far enough away not to offend, brought wool washes, tanneries and chemical works. Each are displayed within the exhibitions.

Some comments displayed are:

A pilot landing at Mascot aerodrome. “I always knew when I was flying into Sydney, by the smell!”

Nancy Hillier, local environmental activist, talking of how she started getting involved. “It was one Christmas Day in the 1970′s when chemical smells from the ICI plant invaded our home and we couldn’t finish our Christmas dinner.”

The exhibition is available to inspection:

Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 12.00p.m.-5.00p.m.

Tuesday/Thursday: 9.00a.m.-2.00p.m.

Saturday/Sunday/Public Holidays: Closed

The Exhibition will end on 2 March 2011

Mascot Library and George Hanna Museum are situated at 2 Hatfield Street Mascot.

Read the Southern Courier Opening article:  

http://southern-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/celebrate-botanys-industrial-heritage/

Salt Pan Creek, is a large waterway flowing into Georges River between Lugarno and Alford’s Point. It’s catchment encompasses the local government areas of Bankstown, Canterbury and Hurstville.

Salt Pan Creek was surveyed during Matthew Flinders and George Bass and Captain John Hunter voyages, each who must have thought this inlet was the main Georges River channel, as each drew it in great detail on their cartography.

The creek is of great importance to local aboriginal people, who camped by this natural food supply, with a private aboriginal camp established by Hugh and Ellen Anderson by it’s banks in Ogilvy Street, Peakhurst West, from about 1926 to 1938.

Lower reaches of the waterway are in good condition with high sandstone cliffs and native bushland in areas set aside as Georges River National Park. Profuse native flora, fauna and reptiles continue in these areas. A volcanic crater exists in Evatt Park, Lugarno, the plug having existed until removed by workmen with no knowledge of it’s importance.

Old aerial photographs from 1938 show a pristine creek with no mangroves along banks, reflecting it’s clean condition. The banks now have large stands of these water quality cleansing trees.

In the late 1920s, the state government decided to build the East Hills railway line from Tempe to East Hills via Wolli Creek and Salt Pan Creek. Primative building methods during the Great Depression saw tons of landfill placed in Salt Pan Creek, adjacent to Riverwood, allowing an embankment to be erected for the line, traversing a steel girder bridge. This construction method reduced the creek at this point to half creek width. In following years, creeks to the west became silted as the neck prevented river tide flushing. During the Great Depression, creeks within Canterbury, Bankstown and Hurstville became “Work for the Dole” projects for unemployed men. Creek beds were bricked and cemented into stormwater canals.

During the 1940-50 period, land was reclaimed by councils, using often contaminated fill. This fill, was later made into parklands and sports fields. Noxious industries, such as market gardens, paint and chemical factories, were established, polluting the waterway.

In the 1960s the State Government determined a roadway would be built from Peakhurst West to Padstow, with a bridge at Salt Pan Creek. The bridge was built with earth fill blocking two thirds of the creek, which according to the contract, would be removed following construction. Unfortunately this fill was never removed. This neck once again allowed siltation between Henry Lawson Drive and Riverwood Railway Bridge.

Urbanisation has allowed street waste to flow into the creek. In recent years Gross Pollutant Traps have removed much of these items but a Peakhurst West resident, has for twenty years, daily removed bottles and siringes from the creek, in an eddy, at the foot of his property.

A key pollution problem is an old pollution boom adjacent to Gow Street, Padstow, which malfunctions in heavy rain. The boom collects pet bottles and other floating debre from the creek, but if not regularly cleaned, allows the previously collected refuse to overflow during heavy downpours. To the west is a great network of streams flowing from Bankstown, depositing everything from pet bottles, soccer balls and the odd dead dog and cat.

Flowing below this point is a stream systen from Canterbury Council area, also in bricked in canals.

At Riverwood, major remediation has producing ”Riverwood Wetlands”, adjacent to the M5 motorway. Many millions of dollars have been spent eliminating pollution from a stream network flowing from Roselands, Narwee and Riverwood. Large gross pollution traps have been installed, with lakes, parks and wetlands, a haven for birdlife and humans. A community garden has been established here.

Further down stream, at Riverwood Park, an old market garden, a large gross pollution trap has been established with a small wetlands.

Flowing under Henry Lawson Drive, is Rocky Creek, a creek system servicing an area within Riverwood and Peakhurst. A wetland has been established in Pearce Reserve, behind Peakhurst Shopping Centre, in an area where, records show, platypus once abounded over 100 years ago. This park has native vegitation planted in an area once known by locals as a drain, scouring the creek bed. A gross pollution trap has been installed. This water flows to Salt Pan Creek through pipes, opening into a scoured creek bed near Clarendon Road. Bank stablisation works have been undertaken at this point, as has bush regeneration. As this creek enters Salt Pan Creek, major siltation has occured from the waterway above.

Georges River National Park in this area needs major bushcare remediation with major outbreaks of noxious weeds.