Creeks and Tributaries of the Georges River

Wollondilly Shire Council Area: Kennedy Creek and Brennans Creek 

Kennedy Creek in historic Appin, located just 7 Km from the headwaters of the river, is the first of many urban creeks in the catchment. Typical of many urban creeks, the riparian area has been improved by significant riparian revegetation in recent decades. The naturalised creekline can be viewed from the walking track, which follows much of the creek’s length. The final section of the creek extends into Endangered Shale Sandstone transition forest before meeting up with the Georges River, from here it is a long journey down to Botany Bay.  

Brennans Creek in Wollondilly Shire is a small tributary near the headwaters of the Georges River. The Creek runs through West Cliff Colliery where it is dammed serval times. Historically the creek has been a major source of pollution to the upper Georges River with increased turbidity, electrical conductivity, and pH in waters flowing out of the holding dams. The colliery has a water management plan and treatment measures to improve water quality in the creek.

Campbelltown Council Area: Smith's Creek

Stretching for 6.7 km through a wildlife corridor, Smith's Creek in Campbelltown is a haven for biodiversity. This creek supports a stand of Shale-Sandstone Transition Forest, known for Endangered koalas and gang-gang cockatoos.

The present appearance of Smith's Creek starkly contrasts with its natural state of many years ago. Once adorned with waterfalls and tranquil rock pools, the creek's former glory has been replaced by uniform gravel beds, a consequence of Sydney Water installing a sewer line straight down its bed.

Volunteer efforts, like Bushcare groups, contribute to habitat enhancement by managing weeds, removing litter, and planting trees. 

Bayside Council Area: Tonbridge Creek

Tonbridge Creek, a vital fish nursery for the Georges River, connects Botany Bay to Rockdale Wetlands. This corridor encompasses a variety of habitats, from tidal creek and freshwater lagoon to Bangalay Sand Forest. The Florence Street underground channel connects Tonbridge Creek to Botany Bay, facilitating the movement of juvenile fish and aquatic invertebrates. However, historical aerial photography shows that the creek used to flow in a southerly direction towards the Georges River.

The area is home to the threatened Myotis adversus (Mouse-eared fishing bat) and echidnas, as well as many fish species. The importance of Tonbridge Creek as a nursery area for recreationally important fish species fish, especially yellowfin bream and mullet, was highlighted in a study by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and still rings true today with large schools often visible in the shallow tidal waters.

Canterbury-Bankstown Area: Salt Pan Creek

Salt Pan Creek, originating in the suburbs southwest of Mount Lewis in the City of Canterbury-Bankstown, flows south east through narrow concrete channels which drain the suburban and industrial areas until it reaches the estuary. From here the shallow creek quickly widens as mangroves adorn the edges. The creek's estuary continues for 5km until its confluence at the Georges River at Lugarno.

The catchment area of Salt Pan Creek is around 26 square kilometres with the majority of it consisting of urban and industrial land. Pollution from industry has led to high levels of heavy metals in the upstream areas of the creek’s estuary. However, the creek and its surrounding bushland still provide ecological value. It is home to three Endangered Ecological Communities: Coastal Saltmarsh, Cooks River Castlereagh Ironbark Forest, and Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest. Rich in biodiversity, the creek's diverse vegetation spans freshwater and estuarine environments, mangroves, saltmarshes, riparian, and terrestrial habitats, serving as vital sanctuaries for native fauna.

The Salt Pan Creek region, situated on the northern shore of the Georges River between present-day Padstow and Riverwood, is the country of the Bediagal clan of the Dharug people, which has a rich Indigenous heritage predating Australia's colonisation that continues to this day. During the 1930s the area was the centre of the Aboriginal rights movement. In 1933, political advocate Joe Anderson made a poignant appeal from the banks of Salt Pan Creek to King George to extend Parliamentary representation rights to Aboriginal people. King Burraga - Joe Anderson — Burraga Foundation

Fairfield Council Area: Orphan School Creek and Prospect Creek

Fairfield City contains an intricate network of 5 creeks, an integral component of the broader Prospect Creek catchment spanning 98 square kilometres. Certain creeks in the catchment are intermittently active, responding to rainfall or storms, while others flow permanently. Significant wetlands like Warren Road, Woodpark, Gipps Road Park, and De Freitas Wetland contribute to local biodiversity but contend with challenges such as invasive vegetation and erosion.

Orphan School Creek, situated within the City of Fairfield, is a tributary to Prospect Creek and takes its name from a former orphan school nearby. Originating in Allambie Road Reserve, Bossley Park, adjacent to Edensor Park, the creek flows eastward before merging with Prospect Creek. Stretching out over about 10 kilometres, Orphan School Creek receives contributions from two tributaries, namely Clear Paddock Creek and Green Valley Creek.

The Heritage-listed Lansdowne Bridge, spanning Prospect Creek, stands as a remarkable sandstone arched structure designed and built by David Lennox from 1834 to 1836. Recognized in 1973 as one of Australia's finest examples of Colonial Architecture, it holds the title for the masonry bridge with the largest span in the country. In 1992, it gained acknowledgment for preservation and was subsequently listed as a heritage site.

Georges River Council Area: Lime Kiln Bay, Dairy and Boggywell Creeks

Lime Kiln Bay, named after the lime kilns in the area previously used to convert shells to building mortar, is located in Lugarno. The estuary was also a vital oyster farming area, with relics still visible on the sand flats and the banks. Today, you will likely see a pair of ospreys perched on a tree overlooking the water - their favourite fishing spot. The bay has two tributaries, Boggywell Creek and Dairy Creek.

Preserving Lime Kiln Bay, Dairy and Boggywell Creeks in the Georges River Council Area is essential for maintaining the sustainable balance between urban development and natural habitats.

Dairy Creek is the main tributary, which flows into Lime Kiln wetlands, a substantial area of mangroves, before entering the bay. In 2001-02, Hurstville City Council implemented a project to alter Lime Kiln wetlands, focusing on mitigating water flow, collecting silt, and enhancing water quality at Lime Kiln Bay. This initiative successfully attracted various waterbird species in the constructed freshwater wetlands, contributing to the biodiversity of the upper bay and the mangrove-dominated area near the Oatley Park boundary gate. The service trail offers views of wooded slopes with Sydney Peppermint and Blackbutt trees, showcasing the council's commitment to preserving natural habitats.

Boggywell Creek is an urban gully that rises north of Thorpe Park in Beverly Hills and flows 2.5km south through Peakhurst before meeting the Georges River at Lime Kiln Bay, east of Lugarno. Significant water quality improvement works have also been implemented on this creek at Gannons Park. The blend of urban and natural elements along its trail offers a unique perspective for walkers.

Liverpool City Council Area: Brickmakers Creek and Cabramatta Creek

Cabramatta Creek, named after the cobra grub—a significant food source for Aboriginal people—adds cultural richness to the Liverpool City Council area. It flows 16 km from its source near Leppington to its confluence with the Georges River at Warwick Farm in Chipping Norton Lake. The creek's catchment area covers approximately 74 square kilometres.

A main tributary of Cabramatta Creek is Brickmakers Creek, which flows 5 km from Lurnea to Warwick farm. The creek was named after the Liverpool Steam Brickworks, which played a pivotal role in Liverpool's building history during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Bricks produced at the Steam Brickworks were essential in constructing many turn-of-the-century homes in Liverpool.

Historically, the region was inhabited by the Darug Aboriginal people, with European settlement dating back to the 1790s. Notably, the Cabramatta Creek Flying Fox Reserve houses a substantial flying fox population, adding to the area's ecological richness.

Sutherland Shire Council Area: Woronora River

The Woronora River is in the heart of the Sutherland Shire. Originating from Waratah Rivulet near Darkes Forest, the river winds northward, covering approximately 36 kilometres before merging with the Georges River between Como and Illawong. It’s a popular haven for outdoor enthusiasts, as the river offers various recreational activities, including boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing, inviting locals to immerse themselves in its tranquil waters.

Beyond its natural allure, the Woronora River holds deep cultural significance. Located on the lands of the Indigenous Dharawal people, the river’s name, derived from the Dharug language, translates to “black rocks.” Its winding course runs through an amazing sandstone valley with Heathcote National Park and other crown and council reserves preserving the ancestral landscapes of the region. The Woronora River, impounded by the Woronora Dam to create Lake Woronora, provides a serene backdrop and clean drinking water for the Sutherland Shire and Helensburg.

By understanding and appreciating the ecological significance of these creeks, we take a step towards ensuring the preservation of the Georges River catchment for future generations.

What's the name of your local creek?

Find your local creek and follow where it leads. All waterways in the Georges River catchment lead to the Georges River.