Friday, November 1, 2019

Volunteers begin planting in Lansvale to feed fish in the Georges River

Mayor Carbone with CVA volunteers

With the help of Georges Riverkeeper and Fairfield City Council, Conservation Volunteers Australia volunteers have begun revegetating Chipping Norton Lakes in the Georges River catchment with over 12,000 Sporobolus virginicus seedlings.

Haven’t heard of S.virginicus? Its common names include Sand Couch, Salt Couch and Saltwater Couch. But whatever you call it, it’s an incredibly important plant species found in intertidal areas.

Regional Coordinator for CVA Greater Sydney, David Jones explained: “Sporobolus virginicus has been identified as key source of habitat and food, supporting a wide range of different species, like algae, snails and crabs. In turn, this can have a positive flow on effect for populations of fish species. Think of Sporobolus as a gracious host, putting on an all-you-can-eat buffet for all the crabs, prawns and fish living in the Georges River.”

Georges Riverkeeper Manager, Beth Salt says, “Once abundant in the Georges River ecosystem, plant numbers have declined significantly due to the impacts of urbanisation. This program will replant the habitat, at six key sites in the Georges River catchment, ensuring higher fish stock numbers, and a stronger, more sustainable food web.”

Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone said: “This planting will help restore the mighty Georges River to its glory days, returning the river back to anglers, the community and local families to enjoy. We’d like to thank the Georges Riverkeeper program and the volunteers’ hard work along locations such as the north shoreline of Chipping Norton Lakes.”

Check out this video from Fairfield City Council.

The volunteers will continue planting at six additional sites located throughout the Georges River catchment, over the next few months. Interested in joining in? Register via the following link: https://bookings.conservationvolunteers.org/project/fishy-business-at-little-salt-pan-creek

This Project has been assisted by the NSW DPI Fisheries’ Recreational Fishing Trust’s “Habitat Action Grant Program”