Where urbanisation and the Georges River collide, it’s the South West Sydney water way that comes off second best.
According to the recently released State of the Georges River 2020 report, the freshwater part of the river gets a B grade, however the estuary – below the Liverpool weir – gets an A.
Creeks in the middle which are close to more populated areas of the Georges River catchment, scored poorly.
These included Bunbury Curran along Campbelltown, Cabramatta and Prospect Creeks.
The river health in those waterways has been rated “fair to poor’’, a reflection of degraded vegetation, poor water quality and low diversity of water bugs.
The report says that during rain events creeks function more like stormwater canals, rapidly transferring pollutant material into the river.
For the past decade, River Health Report Cards from Georges Riverkeeper have shown that the urban creeks that flow into the rivers have poor condition.
“People ask whether the grades have improved over time. The unfortunate truth is that they haven’t,’’ says Georges Riverkeeper program manager Peter Ryan.
“The legacies from past polluting land uses continue to impact the river.
“Waterways continue to be subject to pressures including deforestation and habitat loss, high stormwater flows, sewage, litter and pest aquatic species. Climate change is also exacerbating impacts on the Georges River and catchments.”
Recently elected Georges Riverkeeper chairman, Councillor Adrian Wong, says: “Improving the health of the Georges River will contribute to the health and wellbeing of our community and as well as the health of our ecosystems.
“Waterways continue to be challenged by increasing urbanisation and it’s important that people remember that what goes down the drain ends up in the river, so please dispose of litter and other waste responsibly.”
- Learn more by visiting the Georges Riverkeeper website at Georgesriver.org.au/SOGR2020
