Decision details

Moved by Councillor Chung, seconded by Councillor Forster -

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          Sydney Water are currently conducting investigation and planning activities of a naturalisation project at Johnsons Creek, with the project scope extending to The Crescent, Annandale;

(ii)         naturalisation involves repairing the concrete with natural looking banks made of rocks and native plants, typically mimicking the former history of the waterway to some extent; and

(iii)        waterway naturalisation can provide a large number of environmental and social benefits including water quality improvement, ecological restoration, flood mitigation, urban cooling and community recreation and amenity; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to write to the Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Water and request that the scoping study for the naturalisation project is extended to Johnstons Creek at Wigram Road and Orphan School Creek at Bridge Road.

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Note – the above motion was not carried. The resolution below was carried –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          Sydney Water is currently in the design development and community consultation stages of a naturalisation project at Johnstons Creek, with the project scope currently extending to The Crescent, Annandale;

(ii)         naturalisation involves the use of natural materials, as opposed to reinforced concrete, to rebuild the channel banks to create a softer landscape feel and improve the habitat for native wildlife, typically mimicking the former history of the waterway to some extent;

(iii)        waterway naturalisation can provide a large number of environmental and social benefits including water quality improvement, ecological restoration, flood mitigation, urban cooling and community recreation and amenity;

(iv)       the naturalisation will also extend the design life of the waterway channel, ensuring the asset is better suited to a tidal, estuarine environment; and

(v)         naturalisation projects must carefully consider impacts on properties adjacent to the channel so as not to exacerbate localised flooding and is a key consideration for design.

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to write to the Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Water and request an investigation into extending the Johnstons Creek naturalisation project to Wigram Road and Orphan School Creek at Bridge Road.

The motion, as varied by consent, was carried unanimously.

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