News

The health and wellbeing of our community is of utmost importance and Georges Riverkeeper is closely monitoring the advice and adhering to the directives of public health agencies to help stem the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community.

To address any concerns you may have regarding Coronavirus and recreational use of the Georges River, please refer to the latest information and advice provided by NSW Health:

With the construction industry generating more than 12 million tonnes of waste per annum, the May 2023 Get the Site Right campaign is reminding builders and developers that they have a critical role to play in reducing environmental impacts on waterways in NSW.

New footpath artworks have been installed in Connells Point, Hurstville, and Oatley to help encourage you to dispose of litter thoughtfully.

Artworks have been designed by local students at Connells Point Public School and painted by Corey Nichols, aka Born Ready Artist.

There’s a surprise waiting for you if you scan the QR code near the artworks with your phone. You’ll get to see a talking turtle pop up on the pavement! Don’t forget to turn your sound up!

A big thank you to Georges River Council for their support of this campaign.

Scarborough Ponds and Tonbridge Creek in Kogarah, which are essential fish nurseries for the Georges River in Sydney, have recently been made even more habitable thanks to the efforts of 67 volunteers cleaning up approximately 100 kilograms of pollution from the waterway during Georges Riverkeeper’s Paddle Against Plastic 2023 on Saturday 4 March.

The Georges Riverkeeper Committee met on 16 February 2023, to receive an update from the Georges Riverkeeper team about actions undertaken as part of the current programs and grant projects, as well as hearing from the Treasurer with financial reports. In addition, presentations from the following were delivered:

As construction costs remain at record levels*, builders and developers are urged to check and maintain erosion and sediment controls on building and construction sites to avoid incurring costly fines.

The call for greater compliance comes following the recent Get the Site Right inspection Blitz Week in which $596,064 in fines were issued – the highest amount since the campaign began in 2016.

Mayor Nick Katris and Councillor Peter Mahoney recently visited Connells Point Public School students as they started their quest to reduce litter in Georges River to zero.

The local school was one of six primary schools along the river to be involved in the ‘Zero Litter in Georges River’ program developed by Georges Riverkeeper with funding from the Australian Government.

The litter prevention strategy that Georges Riverkeeper is working on with assistance from our consultant, Member Councils, some community groups and the NSW EPA is progressing well. We have completed the sections on ‘where’ and ‘how’ litter prevention can be implemented and have recently discussed with the Project Reference Group some draft priority actions to come out of strategy and a business case for litter prevention.

A group of six primary schools in Como, Minto, Wattle Grove, Bossley Park, Connells Point and Georges Hall are taking part in the Zero Litter in Georges River program which provides environmental education, aligned to the NSW curriculum, about stormwater pollution, and encourages students to look for solutions to reduce litter flowing to the Georges River.