Cooks River Bank Naturalisation

Sydney Water, in partnership with the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority, local councils and other land and water managers, has developed a riverbank naturalisation project for the Cooks River.

The project is focussed on identifying opportunities to naturalise parts of the Cooks River’s banks, and investigated from the freshwater sections at Centenary Drive, Strathfield, to the tidal saltwater sections of the river leading into Alexandra Canal at Sydney Airport.

The Cooks River was originally a natural river. The Cooks River Improvement Act of 1946 lead to concrete panels being built along the ‘unruly’ natural river banks. This resulted in the loss of the river’s natural environment and the creation of the concrete channel we see today. Some sections of the concrete channel are in poor condition and need to be replaced.

This presents an historic opportunity for Sydney Water to replace the deteriorated concrete channel with riverbanks that are more natural. This will improve the river’s health and natural character.

What is river bank naturalisation?

Riverbank naturalisation can take different forms, but generally involves the removal of some, or all of the steep concrete channel bank and creating a more gently sloping bank. This is stabilised with native plants, trees and rocks. Naturalisation creates a softer landscape feel and can greatly improve the riverbank habitat for native birds and other animals.

Wetlands can also be established as part of the naturalisation process. Wetlands have a significant role in improving the river’s ecology and health by treating stormwater runoff from streets and industrial areas, before it enters the river.

Community consultation

In April 2008, a project newsletter about the potential river bank naturalisation was distributed to Cooks River residents and stakeholders. In December 2008, a newsletter and survey were distributed about three initial sites that have been proposed for naturalisation. The overall proposal and concept designs received strong support from the community and land and water managers along the river. In late 2010, the first stage of the project - Cup and Saucer Creek Wetland – was successfully completed.

Check this website for updates on the project's progress.

What happens next?

The wetlands at Cup and Saucer Creek, Berna Street, Canterbury are complete and open to the public. The wetlands project won Highly Commended in the stormwater infrastructure category at the NSW Stormwater Infrastructure Association Annual Awards for Excellence in 2011.

Work is in progress on finalising the detailed designs for the bank naturalisation at Canterbury, Campsie and Belfield. Construction at these sites should start in mid 2012.

Residents who will be affected by the bank construction work will be notified in advance.

Check this website for updates on the project’s progress or contact Sydney Water using the details at the top of the page.