Willoughby City Council (WCC) Creek restoration / e.restore Program
Willoughby Council has been implementing restoration projects in the creeks within the Council area. Some of the projects are related to the scope of e.restore program.
This program has been made possible due to an environmental levy. Instituted in June 2000 the levy is a three year three million dollar program used to protect and manage Willoughby’s environment. Projects include:
Clearwater Creek Revival
Sediment from building sites, sewer overflows and litter have reduced the water quality of our creeks to unacceptably low levels. Additionally, human disturbance to bushland has led to creek erosion and weed invasion of creekline vegetation. The revival of our creeks involves a number of different activities:
- Building gross pollutant traps and litter traps on major stormwater drains to trap rubbish and litter from stormwater before it enters creeks.
- Stormwater outlet rehabilitation works: these outlets are where the stormwater pipes end and discharge stormwater into bushland, which has caused significant soil erosion. These outlets are lined with boulders and rocks to prevent further erosion.
- Removal of weeds and other bush regeneration activities in creekline vegetation.
Catchment Awareness Project
This project aims to raise the awareness amongst children and the general community about storm water impacts. In the last year over 1,000 children from 9 primary schools and 4 high schools participated in Council’s Stormwater Pollution & Creeks Education Program. Fifteen displays on catchment protection issues were also held across the Council area.
This program consists of a number of different activities, including:
- Talks to classes
- The “Drop it in the street and it will end up in your creek” colouring-in and poster competition for primary schools
- Drain stencilling in schools.
- The National Water Bug Survey.
By participating in these activities, these children learnt about stormwater pollution, how it affects their local creek and what they can do to keep their creek, Middle Harbour and the Lane Cove River clean.
Enhance Harbour and River Foreshores
Project aims involve the improvement of drainage lines and stormwater outlets, including channel armouring, revegetation and rubbish removal. Some of the activities achieved were the enhancement of 800m of the Lane Cove River foreshore, the complete restoration of Artarmon Reserve Creek and the repair and stabilisation of damaged sections of sea walls in Castle Cove, along Castlecrag’s northern escarpment and in Northbridge, with sandstone boulders.
Water Monitoring Program
Council has recently commenced a Water Monitoring Program designed to assess the water quality of local creeks and streams. Water samples are collected monthly from major creeks and streams within the area and are analysed for a range of physical, biological and bacteriological parameters. The aim of this program is to provide long term data which will enable Council to identify major sources of pollution within our waterways and will allow Council to implement appropriate management techniques to improve water quality.