UP THE CREEK NOW WITH PADDLES

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UP THE CREEK (NOW) WITH PADDLES
Furthering the dream of a turtle swamp
Muttama Creek Regeneration Group
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WHO ARE WE?

• Muttama Creek Regeneration Group (MCRG)
• A small group of community volunteers
• A Section 355 committee reporting to Cootamundra
  Shire Council

Muttama Creek Regeneration Group
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WHAT ARE THE GROUPS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES?
This is a long term project. The Group is
primarily concerned with public land along the
urban Muttama Creek (as it winds it way through
Cootamundra). This starts (upstream) at Adams
Street and finishes (downstream) at the Lloyd
Conkey Avenue causeway. Areas of the Creek
between Cutler Ave and Poole St, Poole St and
Olney St and downstream from Lloyd Conkey Ave
are on privately owned land and are not subject
(at this stage) to the Group's attention.
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• Within these confines we aim to
• Ensure the Creek is improved so as to be
  aesthetically pleasing (attractive to the
  community)
• Ensure there is bio-diverse native plantlife
  along the Creek (in the water, near the water and
  on the banks)
• Strive to improve water quality and water flows
  noting that the major source of water for Muttama
  Creek is stormwater - all rainwater is
  channelled via the town's drainage system into
  the Creek
• Create a suitable habitat for all forms of
  native animal and bird life

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A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
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June 2001 Cootamundra Shire Council developed
Urban Stormwater Management Plan.
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Aug-Sept 2002 The MYRiveR Project by an OzGREEN
Team which involved students from Cootamundra
High School (Alex Johnson, Melissa Glover, Jenna
Green, Lucy Hobbs).The main tasks of the
project were to assess water quality and habitat
(in Cootamundra's case) of the Muttama Creek,
which flows into the Murrumbidgee River (near
Coolac). A presentation was later made to the
Council.
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15 Dec. 2003 Community meeting held concerning
rehabilitating the Muttama Creek in Cootamundra.
Meeting chaired by Bob Glanville (Wiradjuri
Elder, local resident) and George Main (Author
Heartland-The Regeneration of Rural Place).
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October 17,2006 De-silting earthworks at Apex
Park (corner Sutton and Hurley Streets) were
completed. Prior to, and after, extensive work
took place to plant native vegetation along the
banks of the Creek.
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APEX PARK AFTER OCTOBER 2006
APEX PARK BEFORE OCTOBER 2006
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Jan 2006 The (renamed) Muttama Creek
Regeneration Group (MCRG) was advised that the
requested grant from the NSW Government
Environmental Trust Scheme was approved. The
grant was used to implement a plan developed by
environmental consultant Professor Peter Bacon.
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December 2006 After lobbying by the MCRG, the
ARTC completed cleanup of Creek at railway bridge
near Lloyd Conkey Ave causeway.
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RAILWAY BRIDGE BEFORE DECEMBER 2006
RAILWAY BRIDGE AFTER DECEMBER 2006
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December 2006 MCRG adopted a logo (for all its
media) depicting an Aboriginal turtle swamp
(Cootamundra, when translated from the indigenous
local Wiradjuri language, means turtle swamp).
The logo was designed by CHS student Karen
Thompson in a schools competition run by the
MCRG. This logo is shown on all of the slides you
see today, and in our monthly Cootamundra Herald
reports.
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April 2007 Professor Bacons Plan for the
Wallendoon St John Rees Bridge site was
implemented (after all necessary permits were
granted). The area has subsequently been
extensively planted out with (mainly) native
vegetation on the banks, near the water and also
in the water.
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JOHN REES BRIDGE SITE BEFORE APRIL 2007
JOHN REES BRIDGE SITE AFTER APRIL 2007
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June 2008 A grant for 5000 has been provided
to the MCRG by the Natural Resources Advisory
Council under the Forging Partnerships program.
These funds will be used for the further
professional development of a long term
Management Plan and the development of a
community education program concerning the
Muttama Creek, which this presentation is a part
of.
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THE CHAIN OF PONDS CONCEPT AT APEX PARK AND JOHN
REES BRIDGE
Prior to white settlement there was thought to be
a chain of ponds along the Muttama Creek. Ponds
were re-built at both these sites by de-silting
the original creek bed and widening it (using
earthmoving equipment). Rock re-inforcements
were placed at entry and exit points of the
ponds. Council has installed a stormwater
pollutant trap on the western side of John Rees
Bridge. There is also a trap upstream near Bourke
St. Another pollutant trap is being installed
further downstream at the Parker St Bridge.
There will be more in the future.
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THE CHAIN OF PONDS CONCEPT AT APEX PARK AND JOHN
REES BRIDGE
The John Rees site has been stepped (3 levels) to
host different types of vegetation. It is also
shallower than the Apex Park pond for public
safety reasons (a high traffic area). These
actions only occurred after an exhaustive process
of planning and obtaining permits from various
government departments. It is not as easy as just
getting a bulldozer in the creek!
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THE CHAIN OF PONDS CONCEPT AT APEX PARK AND JOHN
REES BRIDGE
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THE REASONS FOR BUILDING A CHAIN OF PONDS

• Slows down and changes water flows thus
  reducing erosion of the creek bed and banks
• Retains water and silt so we can re-establish
  native vegetation which had previously been
  overrun by exotic plants and grasses
• Enables us to begin to create a suitable habitat
  for native birds and animals and reduce erosion
  by stabilising banks
• There may,or may not, be further ponds
  constructed along Muttama Creek in the future

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WHAT TYPES OF NATIVE VEGETATION CAN BE SEEN AT
THESE PONDS?
The banks of Apex Park have been extensively
planted with Hop Bushes, Acacias (Wattles),
Callistemons (River Bottlebrushes), Lomandra,
Wallaby Grass, Casuarinas (She-Oaks), Eucalypts
and at the water's edge you will find juncus.
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At the John Rees Bridge site you will see on the
banks Acacias (Wattles), Melaleucas, Callistemons
(River Bottlebrushes), Casuarinas (She-Oaks),
Grevilleas and Flax Lilies. Closer to the water
are Lomandra, whilst on the water's edge and in
the water you will find Juncus, Persicaria and
Eleocharis Spacelata (a type of spike rush - not
to be confused with Cumbungi - which also
proliferates in the Creek - especially between
Thompson and Sutton Sts). Umbrella sedge (not a
native plant) also is common along the Creek, and
you will also find carex in some places eg.
behind the swimming pool. We have also placed at
the bottom of this pond water ribbons - which are
yet to appear from the depths.
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The planting of this vegetation will help us
establish a pleasant habitat for birds and
animals and plants that have been specifically
selected to plant near, or in the water will
provide a natural filtration system to clean the
water. All the planting (and ongoing maintenance
like weeding) at both these sites is conducted by
the MCRG with assistance from local
schoolchildren from our five schools. We also
received some help from environmental
organisations like Green Corps and OzGREEN.
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There have been numerous sightings of various
native birds (ducks, geese, bluefaced honey
eaters, rosellas), turtles, yabbies, carp, frogs,
snakes, mayfly nymphs, dragonflies and other
insects. Water quality tests are regularly
conducted by High School students, near the John
Rees Bridge, and recent results have shown the
water to be the cleanest since testing began
(about 3 years ago).
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WHAT ARE OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
We will continue to
Seek further expert environmental advice on the
full development of a long term Management Plan
for the Muttama Creek - if we are to conduct
further major structural work on the Creek (like
pond construction) we will need to continue to
seek, and obtain grants from government agencies
- local, state or federal
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WHAT ARE OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
We will continue to
Work closely with Cootamundra Shire Council
concerning improvements to the stormwater
management system eg. installation of cost
effective pollutant traps at strategic in-flow
points to ensure all that goes into the Creek is
water!
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WHAT ARE OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
We will continue to
Maintain the sites at Apex Park and John Rees
Bridge. Apex Park vegetation is more firmly
established than at John Rees Bridge
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WHAT ARE OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
We will continue to
Target areas along the Creek to conduct more
plantings of native vegetation eg. casuarinas on
the bank behind the Police Station
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WHAT ARE OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
We will continue to
Promote our cause by presenting this slideshow
to schools, community groups and the general
community
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WHAT ARE OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
In the longer term it is our aim to have a
walkway along the urban areas of the Muttama
Creek, together with appropriate signage to
reflect items of historical, indigenous (the
Gudhamangdhuray and Wiradjuri people) and
environmental interest and also to create
pleasant rest areas along the walkway.
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WHAT ARE OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
Much passion, patience and persistence will be
required! This is a very long long journey made
up of many small steps. The elephant can only
be eaten one bite at a time.
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HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED TO HELP THE CREEK?
Join us in the MCRG We will give you contact
details later - it doesn't cost anything - except
some time and commitment to a good cause.
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HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED TO HELP THE CREEK?
You can attend our monthly meetings which are
generally the last Monday in the month at the
Stephen Ward Rooms in the Library, from 5pm to
about 6.30pm. Our meetings are advertised on the
CDC Notice Board and given a mention in our
Publicity Officer's (Win Main) monthly
Cootamundra Herald column. We have regular
working bees at the Creek (to get our hands dirty
and play in the mud) to plant new vegetation, or
weed and maintain current plantings. We also have
the occasional walk along the Creek to pick up
rubbish eg. Clean Up Australia Day. Occasionally
we are given the opportunity by our corporate
partners to participate in training programs and
seminars relevant to environmental improvement.
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If you don't want to join the MCRG (or can't) -
we understand that these are busy and difficult
times - there are many other ways you can help
our cause
HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP THE CREEK?
If you see anyone throwing or dumping rubbish in
the Creek, or polluting it in any way ring one of
the numbers provided to you later.
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HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP THE CREEK?
Politely tell people throwing cans, bottles,
wrappers, plastic bags, styrofoam containers and
cigarette butts etc on the ground, on footpaths
or in the gutters that this will pollute the
Creek/environment - ALL WATER AND RUBBISH WHICH
GOES INTO THE GUTTERS IN COOTAMUNDRA GOES VIA THE
STORMWATER DRAINS INTO THE MUTTAMA CREEK, thence
to the Murrumbidgee River and on to the ocean
THE DRAIN IS JUST FOR RAIN!
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HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP THE CREEK?
If you go walking along the Creek and see some
rubbish please pick it up and put it in a bin -
there are bins along the Creek, or nearby.
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HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP THE CREEK?
If you walk your dog around town, especially
along the Creek, please make sure you pick up dog
faeces as this is another major pollutant of the
Creek. Once again, if you see someone who doesn't
do this - politely remind them.
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HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP THE CREEK?
If you see anyone taking yabbies or fish from the
Creek, enquire if they have a current NSW Fishing
Licence to do this. Politely inform them it is
illegal to remove (even) small yabbies from the
waterway without a licence.
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HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP THE CREEK?
And of course, minimise your water use (use a 4
minute shower timer, for instance), the use of
plastic bags and other packaging materials ie.
refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and walk whenever
and wherever you can!
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HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP THE CREEK?
In the past there has been a lot of negativity
expressed about this project - if you have been
through this presentation and been impressed,
please tell others the positive aspects of this
project. We are only too willing to make this
presentation to any group that has a genuine
interest. If you have any ideas on how we can
improve the Muttama Creek we would be most
pleased to hear from you.
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Part of a recent rubbish collection from the creek
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As part of 2008 History Week (a NSW government
initiative with the theme of "The Water's Edge")
the MCRG on Sunday September 14, 2008 will
conduct a guided Creek walk and talk for
interested members of the Cootamundra community.
This event will focus on the historical aspects
of the Creek and be conducted by MCRG Chairperson
and local historian Pat Caskie. The walk and talk
will commence at Apex Park (corner Sutton and
Hurley St) at 2pm and conclude about one hour
later at the John Rees Bridge in Wallendoon St
with a cup of tea and biscuits. Please come along
and bring your family/friends. There is no charge.
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"You could quite seriously look at climate change
as a response by the system intended to get rid
of an irritating species - us humans! Or at
least, cut them back to size" - James Lovelock
(eminent scientist). "No matter how much
government money they may have at their disposal,
our best scientists and engineers can never come
up with a system for managing the Australian
landscape that is even remotely as efficient as
the system that nature devised" - Peter Andrews
(Australian farmer in his book Back From The
Brink).
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The MCRG would sincerely like to thank the
following for their support.
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The MCRG would sincerely like to thank the
following for their support. Bunnings Hardware
Wagga Wagga Cootamundra Services and Citizens
Club Cootamundra Apex Club Cootamundra Garden
Club Bruce Byron (Cootamundra Newsagency) Jim
Main Jim Caskie Cootamundra Herald Fiona Johnston
(Graphic Designer)
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT PATRICIA
CASKIE CHAIRPERSON MCRG jpcaskie1_at_bigpond.com
6942 2263 or GRAHAM PINNEY PROJECT MANAGER
MCRG ssgreendale.hotmail.com 6942 7737 We thank
you for your interest. ANY QUESTIONS?????????????
???????
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