News

Heavy rainfall is expected over the next few days, from 18 March 2021, bringing the risk of flooding to the Georges River catchment.

To prepare now know your risk, and see the NSW SES advice.

To keep up to date with weather warnings, visit the Bureau of Meteorology.

And remember, please do not drive through flood waters.

This month the Federal Government released the National Plastics Plan 2021. Some of the highlights include national packaging targets for industry, a phase out of some non-compostable plastic products, and a phase out of polystyrene in 2022.

Recently, Georges Riverkeeper assisted University of Newcastle PHD student, Rushna, to conduct fieldwork along the Georges River. We were on the hunt for Juncus acutus, a spikey, invasive, saltmarsh plant. As part of his PHD, Rushna intends to investigate how effective these plants are accumulating metals from surrounding sediment compared to native species. The findings will also be a useful addition to other observations of metal contamination throughout the estuary.

Looking for volunteers! In addition to the Georges River Paddle Against Plastic this month, Ocean Crusaders will be operating on the Georges River for three days of hard-core cleaning. There are limited spots available to volunteer with them. You will be in the mangroves, getting muddy and wet, during this rewarding work. If you're interested, please reserve your spot via the eventbrite booking page listed below.

Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) has just released a summary of the litter data they have collected for the Georges River as part of the #SeaToSource project in 2020.

It’s very interesting to see the breakdown of litter, and perhaps not very surprising that plastic is the dominant material found (93%).

Over 6,160 items of litter have been counted. The top ten most common items were:

Bring your kayak, SUP or canoe, and help Georges Riverkeeper to clean up the Georges River!

• RESCHEDULED to: Saturday 17 April, 2021
• 9.30 am to 1 pm
• Lambeth Reserve, Lambeth St, Picnic Point

Plastic rubbish is degrading our waterways and killing our wildlife. This Clean Up Australia event will remove rubbish from the river and make it healthier, safer and more enjoyable to use.

Don't have a paddle craft? Hire one on the day for a small fee or join the walkers cleaning up the river bank.

Carina and Kareela Creeks in Sutherland Shire are both constructed tidal creeks, formed when the original bays were reclaimed during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Kareela Creek is also the outlet of one of the biggest stormwater catchments in Sutherland Shire LGA, and Carina Creek is subject to small stormwater flows. Sediment build-up in the creeks over years caused the stagnation of waters, affecting the water quality and vegetation and generating hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg) odours which affected neighbouring residents.

Georges River Coastal Management Program (CMP) Scoping Study is complete.

The scoping study is Stage 1 of the development of the CMP which is a long-term strategy for managing the coastal zone which takes into account historical events, current conditions, and future trends including population growth, environmental conditions, and climate change.