The Peter Bulger Wetlands is the first project as part of the Cooks River Restoration Project. The project is funded through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program from the Australian Government.

How does this help the Cooks River?

The wetland filters stormwater before it flows into stormwater channels and canals near Sydenham before it flows on to the Cooks River. The natural filtration prevents sediment and pollutants from entering the local waterways. The native vegetation provides habitat for local bird, insect and amphibious species.

How does this help the community?

The enhancement of Camdenville Park and the Peter Bulger Wetlands, provides a high quality public green and ‘blue’ space for the surrounding St Peters community. Recent research shows that environmental and and public health are strongly connected.

For more information on the social and environmental benefits of blue green spaces, read the NSW Government’s Movement and Place Framework.

Native Plants of the Wetland

The wetland supports a range of native species. The dominant canopy species is Estuarine Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca). Beneath the canopy are Flax-leaved Paperbark (Meleleuca linariifolia) and Creek Sandpaper Fig (Ficus coronata).

The understory includes water-loving species such as Slender Knotweed (Persicaria decipiens), Swamp Dock (Rumex brownii) and Broadleafed Cumbungi (Typha orientalis).

Who Was Peter Bulger?

Pete was a passionate local environmentalist who was responsible for organising many activities in his local area including tree planting and clean up events. He was also the treasurer of his local PNC.

He operated at many levels in his local community from family man to environmentalist and promoter of St Peters, amongst his many interests were home brewing, this has been recognised by local boutique brewery Willie the Boatman who have named a beer in his honour; “The Bulger”.

He died on September 6, 2013 after a battle with brain cancer. He touched many local residents’ hearts in the way he pursued his environmental and local area promotional dreams.

The Wetland is part of Inner West Council’s upgrade of Camdenville Park. More information on that project is available here.

Location

This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, with the support of Inner West Council.