South Creek, NSW 2024
South Creek is a tributary of the Hawkesbury River, in Windsor NSW. The restoration site is located in Mulgrave about 3km south of Windsor.
Invasive weeds
to be removed
Native vegetation
to be planted
Flood debris
to be removed
Repairing the riverbank
OzFish in partnership with Greater Sydney Landcare is set to restore a 200m stretch of degraded riverbank on South Creek. The site is currently accessible to cattle that have caused significant damage to the riparian zone vegetation and bank stability. Proposed works include fencing off this stretch of river bank from cattle, controlling weeds that are currently overgrown on the site, and replanting area with native vegetation. These on-ground works will assist with reducing erosion and sedimentation issues, create valuable habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species and boost the health of the riparian zone.
Community engagement
At this site OzFish members, Landcarers, and local community will work together to clean up flood debris at the site, remove invasive weeds, and help replant native vegetation. The work will commence once the site has been fenced off to exclude grazing cattle.
This site is not damaged from flooding butu has been impacted from floating flood debris. The area acts more like a big sink, collecting a lot of water that caches here when it rains, though due to the elevation it doesn’t experience high velocity flood water, and consequently damage isn’t severe.
The project aims to enhance the sustainability and resilience of the environment, benefiting both the ecosystem and the local community.
Improving water quality
Currently, the presence of cattle on this property, with access to the creek, is leading to significant damage. This includes the impact of animal waste neraby the water, contributing to high nutrient levels in the water. Additionally, their access to the water is causing destabilisation of the riverbank and preventing the growth of native plants.
By excluding cattle from these areas and replanting native species, we can greatly improve the ecological health of the riparian zone. It will enhance water quality by filtering runoff and stabilising the riverbank. It will create vital food and habitat for both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife benefiting the entire ecosystem.
Empowering river stewards
Despite the poor condition of South Creek, it still remains a top-notch bass fishing and estuary perch system. However public access points near the project site are hard to come by without trespassing, and kayaking is the best way to fish this area.
In addition to the tangible ecological outcomes, volunteers actively participating gain hands-on experience and valuable skills in environmental restoration. Moreover, the project empowers individuals and groups, fostering the capacity for future regeneration initiatives. The wider impact is felt as community members, both new and existing, are motivated to actively participate in local conservation activities, contributing to the broader cause of environmental stewardship.
