September 2024-
There’s nothing like a good holiday to refresh and get some inspiration. Of course, we have to visit other urban rivers whilst we’re away. The CRA engagement officer, Jason L’Ecuyer, was in Los Angeles last month and took the opportunity to check out the work that the Friends of the LA River (FOLAR) are doing to restore the Los Angeles River. While there, he rode along the foreshore, attended their River Fest and even had the chance to meet the FOLAR team.
The LA River is fascinating as an urban river that has followed similar patterns of diversion, channelisation and pollution to our river. The scale of the river is truly next level, running 77km from source to sea. The river flows through the unceded territory of the of the Gabrieleño-Tongva.
In recent history, the river has been seen more often as a backdrop for films like Terminator 2 and Grease than as a living river. The majority of the river is concreted, aside from a section known as the Glendale Narrows where a persistent natural spring has pushed through the concrete. It is in this section that life has begun to flourish. A bike shop & cafe called Spoke, hires bikes to anyone interested in exploring the river on two wheels. Local Angelinos sit along the banks and paint the river on small easels. FOLAR are advocating for better access to the river, so more people can have a direct experience with the river and will become advocates.
The scale of the LA River puts our river into perspective. We have many of the same challenges but luckily our river is on a smaller scale. We can walk and ride along the vast majority of its course. More cafes and kayak hire companies have started to pop up. It’s getting easier to get to the river and to interact with the ecosystems that line the banks. We’ve got a good thing and we know it!
The river as an active transport corridor
As we all now, the T3 Bankstown train line will shut down for 12 months from September 30, for Metro upgrades. Free buses will replace trains from Sydenham to Bankstown during this time.
We think this is a great opportunity to get on your bike or put your walking shoes on and take advantage of the Cooks River shared path to get to where you’re going! The shared path runs from Homebush to Botany Bay. If you’re commuting into the city, you can still catch the train from Flemington station in the west or Tempe station in the east. What a great opportunity to embrace the river as part of your commute.
For more info on the Bankstown line closure, visit the Metro project page here. For cycleway route ideas, check out our RidewithGPS route.
Bushcare with Inner West Council
The Wave Rock bushcare site at Marrickville Golf Course is the only place where the sandstone meets the river. This unique remnant native ecosystem gives us a glimpse into what the river was like before colonisation. Now you have the opportunity to be a part of regenerating this special area. Join the Inner West Council’s bushcare team!
Mandatory training and WHS induction will be provided on-site by a qualified bush regenerator during the regular working bee’s times. For more information, contact urbanecology@innerwest.nsw.gov.au. More information on Inner West Council bushcare can be found here.
Events in and around Wolli Creek
The legends at Wolli Creek Preservation Society (WCPS) have just announced heaps of exciting spring events. There are many opportunities to explore the beautiful Wolli Creek Valley, on foot or by boat. Join the ever-popular Wolli Creek Eco-Paddle to see remnant bushland that was saved from the construction of the M5 East motorway. Take a walk along the Two Valley Trail and learn about the cultural and ecological history of the valley.
Check out a the great events coming up this spring on the WCPS event page here.
Muddy Creek restoration update
The restoration of Muddy Creek is nearly complete! Sydney Water have been working since November 2022, to renaturalise the banks of the creek to reintroduce nature and bring back much needed green space in the area. Aside from the transformation of the stormwater channel, there’s heaps to look forward to such as benches and look-out areas, a variety of native trees and vegetation. The community will be invited to take a sneak peak in the coming weeks!
Visit Sydney Water Talk for more info and announcements.
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