Community Involvement
Whites Creek Wetland A Mini Aquatic Sanctuary In Sydney
A Mini Aquatic Sanctuary In Sydney
h4. Why Build a Wetland?
An old polluted drain flows between the Sydney suburbs of Annandale and Lilyfield. The native bush was chopped down over a hundred years ago, swamps filled in and Whites Creek was turned into a concrete stormwater drain, forming a hostile environment for frogs and fish.
The original concept was initiated by Friends of the Earth in 1996, who had a vision to reduce pollution in Sydney Harbour by mimicking nature and using natural means.
What happened?
The landscape architects, Oculus, prepared a concept plan and University of Technology Sydney, undertook initial feasibility studies. These services were donated to Friends of the Earth.
Leichhardt Council built the wetlands in 2002. Council held meetings and produced newsletters to help keep local people informed of progress during construction.
A local bushcare company selected and planted the aquatic seedlings and the immediate area surrounding the water was planted by volunteers.
On Sunday 20th Oct 2002 an Open Day was held where people enjoyed a bbq and visited stalls held by local organisations.
Funding was received by Council from the Stormwater Trust program for construction and education projects. Additional grants from the Trust funded a demonstration water tank installed at the community gardens and a team of volunteers were trained to give tours of the wetlands.
A special effort was made to involve local schools. North Annandale Public School have adopted the wetlands as an outdoor classroom and students planted trees in bush regeneration project areas.
St Scholastica’s High School monitors chemicals in the water.
Debbie Faint, a local artist exhibited “Wetlands”, an intimate glimpse of life in a fragile ecosystem, rendered with extreme sensitivity.
An informative educational DVD, “Creating an urban wildspace”, was produced by Al Media Productions.
Next to the wetlands is the “Labyrinth” where children like to play. This area was a tangled mass of Lantana, Privet, and many other weeds and made a good hiding place for children. To improve biodiversity, native species were planted to replace the weeds. The wetlands and the “Labyrinth” are now connected into one natural biodiversity unit.
The wetlands are an important component of a greenway along Whites Creek Valley. Every year more bushland is added to the valley between the wetlands and Rozelle Bay.
The greenway connects the wetlands to the old railway goods line. The Hawthorn Canal and the old railway are very important greenways in the densely populated inner Western suburbs of Sydney.
The concrete sides of Whites Creek act as a barrier to the movement of many ground dwelling animals. Replacing the concrete sides with more nature friendly materials will improve aquatic biodiversity and help animals on the move.
Local community groups have played a prominent role in the wetlands and the Valley. The members of Rozelle Bay Nursery are a driving force in the establishment of native bush. Plans are well advanced for the nursery to move to a new site, next door to the wetlands.
Friends of Whites Creek Valley Park have supported the wetlands and the establishment of native bush in the parklands. A community center with facilities for environmental education may soon become a reality after a long campaign by this organisation.
Ramin Communications is a local computer company who have provided free services to community organisations. The Ramin website has information on the wetlands, bird lists and a web page on Rozelle Bay Nursery: http://www.ramin.com.au/creekcare/ .
Why are the wetlands valuable?
Many people value the wetlands, often for different reasons.
The wetlands mimic nature adding a little aquatic wildlife to inner Sydney.
They look good while many water management structures made from concrete and steel look ugly.
Nature is enhanced where fish, frogs, turtles and little critters make their home. A good view of aquatic life can be seen from the path running beside the wetlands.
Water is continually pumped from the creek up into a sediment pond where heavy polluted particles are traped and removed. Nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrient pollutants and are removed by plants growing in the water.
Local residents have developed an ownership of the wetlands and soon complain to the Council if the water is polluted or if other problems are occurring.
Education values are high for all ages.
The wetlands are truly multi-functional and have helped to stimulate better water management practices and new biodiversity projects in an extensive area surrounding Whites Creek.
“Why build a wetland? Because it wasn’t there.”
Ted Floyd www.ramin.com.au/creekcare
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