Lime Kiln Bay Wetland Awareness Project

Lime Kiln Bay Wetland Awareness Project -  aim was to raise awareness in the local Stencilcommunity of the importance of the wetland and to promote increased involvement and behavioural change, thus reducing detrimental environmental impacts. The project included drain stencilling, guided walks, surveys and information on the OFF web site.

CLICK HERE FOR LIME KILN WETLAND A3 FLYER

To see details and photos of Guided Walk Click here

Project has now been completed- click here for report

STORM WATER

LKB catchment mapAny substance entering street drains from within the marked catchment boundary line will eventually find its way into the wetland. This catchment covers a sizeable area of about 2 square kilometres (200 hectares) from Forest Road to Ocean Street, Illawarra rail line and across to Mulga Road and Lloyd Street. This is a dense urban area containing about 4000 homes and up to 10,000 residents.It also includes the shopping centre at Mortdale and other commercial properties. Because much of the catchment is covered with hard surfaces, e.g., houses, roads, concrete driveways and footpaths, water runs off rather than soaking into the ground. In doing so, it flows quickly carrying pollutants with it. If we stop pollution entering gutters and drains in the first place, we can help keep our waterways clean and healthy. That way, they will provide a better environment for us and for animals and plants. IMG_0045 IMG_0048

 

 

 

 

What you can do

• wash your car on the grass • recycle your cans and plastic bottles and bags • pick up your dog’s droppings • put cigarette butts and other litter in the bin • place your grass clippings and other garden waste in the compost or green recycle bin • keep paints, turps, solvents and oils clear of gutters and drains • report stormwater pollution to Hurstville City Council

 
The Office of Environment and Heritage website has some good information on stormwater

Stormwater is pure rainwater plus anything the rain carries along with it. In urban areas, rain that falls on the roof of your house, or collects on paved areas like driveways, roads and footpaths is carried away through a system of pipes that is separate from the sewerage system. Unlike sewage, stormwater is not treated. Click here to see more on  What is urban Stormwater?

Storm Water Pollution the Difference is you

We can help prevent stormwater pollution from ruining our waterways by taking steps to stop detergents, paints, leaves and grass clippings, cigarette butts and other litter from ending up in our gutters and drains.

Sewer overflows

In 2012, due to equipment malfunction raw sewage was released into the wetland. Following an extensive cleanup Sydney Water Corporation rectified  the emergency relief structure and installed monitoring equipment at this ERS and others on the NGRS. Following community consultation, Sydney Water has also modified the ERS to store more sewage in the main to reduce the number of wet weather overflows from this point and into the wetland.  See more at Sewer Overflow section

Water Quality Testing

After the 2012 event, Sydney Water commenced water quality testing in the wetland so they could measure the effect of the changes to the ERS and the consequent reduction in overflows
into Dairy Creek and the wetland.
IMG_7591In addition a group of volunteer citizen scientists have been sampling and testing a number of water quality parameters in the creek and wetland on a bi-monthly basis.
 
This Streamwatch program is sponsored by the Australian Museum and is part of a state wide plan to monitor water quality in our waterways. Results generally show the Creek waters to be fair.
 
 
 
 
 CIMG7074 Also a River Health Monitoring Program coordinated and funded by the Georges River Combined Councils Committee is undertaken by volunteer citizen scientists who sample for macro-invertebrates (water bugs) in Dairy Creek bi-annually to determine the health of the tributaries and River. Results of this program generally show the historical health rating of Dairy C