Another successful clean up Australia day was held on Sunday 4th March along the shores of Lime Kiln Bay. 27 people, including 6 Guides and their leaders, gave up some of their time to scour the mangrove edges for rubbish. Thanks to Alan Fairley for organising the day and manning the OFF marquee (before the wind blew it off!).
A dingy on the ponds allowed collection of rubbish otherwise inaccessible.
A total of 22 bags of rubbish was collected, plus car tyres, tube, bits of pipe, styrofoam and bits of wood. One OFF member even found a string of pearls !! (only costume jewellery) 
A large amount of rubbish was found at the stormwater outlet that enters Lime Kiln Bay mangroves near the golf course leachate treatment plant. Loaves of bread in plastic bags with mushrooms growing out of the bags look like they may have been dumped. The large amount of rubbish collected highlighted the need for a GPT on the stormwater drain coming from the Peakhurst Industrial estate.
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The efficiency of the Lime Kiln Bay Wetlands needs to be re-examined. Management Plan made in 2005 are outdated. It needs to be updated to take account of the higher peak flows and greater sediment load caused by increased area of impervious surfaces in the catchment which has developed through the building of apartments, villas and McMansions. There is a need to stop sediment entering our river. A good example is Parramatta River Catchment Group campaign - Get the Site Right a soil and erosion control compliance blitz on construction sites around their catchment.
The 2015-16 report card by Georges River Combined Councils revealed “a slight decline” in the ecological condition of the catchment over the previous year. The catchment received a C+ (fair) rating, but water quality in some parts, including Gungah Bay (D-) and Lime Kiln Bay (D+) was rated “poor”. The outlook for the future is not promising with future planned growth according to the Greater Sydney Commission’s draft regional plan for Sydney South projecting at least 23,000 more homes in the next 40 years.
Leader 26 April 2017 – Change of focus on Ponds
Leader 1 Feb 2017 Georges River Health declines as housing numbers surge
For our first meeting of 2017, 60 members and guests welcomed Associate Professor Stuart Khan from UNSW School of Civil & Environmental Engineering to the podium. Stuart informed us of the current plan to ‘Make Parramatta River Swimmable Again by 2025’ which has been entrusted to the Parramatta River Catchment Group – an amalgam of River Councils, Sydney Water, Dept of Planning and the EPA.
There are currently swimming baths and beaches along the river that had been used historically (and still are) but, being a working river with a legacy of highly polluting industries along its shores, the quality of the water is dubious. Water testing over the years has revealed many and varied toxins suspended in the water column and, more worryingly, present in high densities in the sediment. Among many dirty industries Union Carbide had a large factory producing chemicals used during the Vietnam War and the resultant dioxins have entered the river and accumulated in the food chain. It is recommended that fish caught west of the Harbour Bridge not to be eaten. Industries generally do not discharge into the river anymore and there are heavy fines for doing so. However, some factories now discharge into the sewer and pay Sydney Water via a licence for the privilege.
Treatment of effluent is carried out at the ocean-end of the sewage carriers and that can prove problematic during a rain event. Stormwater enters the sewer and during heavy rain the overburdened pipes release untreated effluent directly into the creeks and river. In conclusion, swimming in the Parramatta River may well be feasible BUT unless a massive upgrade of the sewerage system is implemented then the current discharges of pollutants into the catchment during rain events will regretfully render the river risky for regular recreational revival.
CLICK HERE FOR A Pdf COPY OF THE SLIDE PRESENTATION
Members were reminded that Oatley Swimming baths have a proud and long history, with the existence of the Oatley Swimming Club at Jewfish Bay Baths since 1927. The society will work to ensure that it remains safe in terms of water quality.
Laurie Derwent spoke at our 24 October 2016 meeting on the rise, fall and eventual demise of the oyster industry along the Georges River.
The Derwent Family were involved in the oyster industry for the best part of 100 years. Lauries spoke from his personal experience as an oyster farmer in his youth and over 35 years experience working for various fisheries and maritime agencies until his retirement in 2013. During his lifetime, Laurie has seen the river change from an ideal oyster-growing environment to a “disaster”.
He spoke of the rich history of the estuarine areas around the Georges River – home of the world’s best oyster: Saccostrea glomerata (Sydney Rock Oyster).
He spoke of its cultivation from the early days in 1880’s: when stone was cut, and laid around the estuary to capture spat; and the rack method where oysters were suspended above the mud to avoid the mud worm.
As the production and the demand for oysters increased, this sustainable industry supported many farmers for generations. Then the troubles began with E. coli infection from water pollution; TBT (antifouling paint) influence on shellfish; introduction of rogue Pacific oyster; and the death knell itself – QX in 1994. This parasite ruined the oyster industry in the Georges River and the livelihood of many local farming families.
The humble oyster spends its entire life protected by its sharp shell feeding on the nutrient provided by the healthy River. But as our city continues to grow unabated, and our sewerage and drainage infrastructure buckles, our precious river engorges on a toxic cocktail and the humble oyster is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FULL POWER POINT PRESENTATION
Neverfail Bay Oyster Lease Remnants
Lime Kiln Bay Oyster Shell Bed
Oatley Park Tray Bed Cultivation
Pulling up Oyster Trays
On Sunday 6th March, 40 people registered at Jinna Reserve South Peakhurst for the OFF Clean-up activity. Numbers from the Society were boosted by a contingent from Mortdale Girl Guides and their parents, plus some individuals who had seen our notices around the suburb.
Some OFF members took their canoes out onto Lime Kiln Bay to get access to what was lurking in
the mangroves, the rest picked their way around the muddy foreshores of the bay on both the
Peakhurst and Oatley Park side of the inlet.
Total rubbish collected was 36 bags, nearly half of it plastic bottles; also 9 car tyres, PVC piping and metal objects. This was an outstanding result,although real success should be measures by the absence of any rubbish in our bushland and waterways. We thank all those who gave up their morning to contribute to this community event.
Report by Clean up Site Coordinator – Alan Fairley
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The future of the long running Citizen science program Streamwatch is in jeopardy.
The local group which includes representatives of the Oatley Flora and Fauna Conservation Society, Friends of Oatley and the Georges River Environmental Alliance. Plans by the Australian Museum to not continue with the community-based Streamwatch program has raised concerns amongst volunteers about the future of Georges River’s water quality.
Pollution is extremely common in the creeks on Oatley especially after high rain fall. In addition Sydney Water sewer mains frequently overflow after heavy rain and this ends up in the Georges River and becomes a serious health and environmental issue. It is often volunteers who report these indents. The Sydney sewer system is collapsing under the pressure of growing population. 
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