Projects in the Flow

Nepean River Bank Stabilisation at Fergusons Land

The Nepean River was significantly impacted by flooding in 2022, resulting in the loss of native vegetation, bank erosion and a high nutrient load entering our waterways. One of the most impacted sites was Fergusons Land, Camden which lost more than 13,700 cubic metres of soil between December 2021 and July 2023.

Sydney Water, in partnership with Council, completed the restoration of a 200 metre section of the riverbank at Fergusons Land in November 2023. The works included:

  • Ecological surveys;

  • Removal of almost 6 tonnes of flood debris;

  • Removal of approximately 10,000 square metres of woody weeds;

  • Earthworks to obtain stable gradients;

  • Installation of eight instream timber structures preventing bank toe erosion; and

  • Planting of 27,000 native plants from the endangered ecological community of River-flat Eucalypt Forest including 25 critically endangered Camden white gums.

This best practice riparian restoration project was led by the NSW Government Soil Conservation Service and incorporated diverted timber and rock material provided by the Transport for NSW M12 project.

Nepean River Bass Habitat at Spring Farm

To support Camden residents’ desire to fish on the Nepean River, Council installed fish habitat structures and erosion control measures on the riverbank near Burrell Road, Spring Farm. The on-ground works were completed in August 2023 and are expected to promote the increase in population and passage of native Australian Bass.

The works included earthworks to obtain stable gradients, bank stabilisation and erosion control, addition of large woody debris as fish habitat, removal of weeds, and planting with over 2,600 native plants from the endangered ecological community of River-flat Eucalypt Forest including 50 critically endangered Camden white gums. Timber and rock material for the project was sourced from the Transport for NSW M12 project.

This project was assisted by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Recreational Fishing Trust’s ‘Habitat Action Grant Program’, which is financed from funds generated through collection of the recreational fishing licence fee in NSW.

Plant Trees to Help Fishies

The ‘Plant trees to help fishies’ event was held in August 2023 as an opportunity for the community to get involved in rehabilitating the Nepean riverbank at Spring Farm. Around 1,500 native plants local to the endangered ecological community River-flat Eucalypt Forest were installed by 55 volunteers. Three Camden SEED Network schools participated in the event by decorating cardboard tree guards with drawings of trees, fish and other aquatic species.

World Rivers Day Pop-up 2023

World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. In honour of this day, Council held a pop-up stall at John Peat Reserve, Camden, with information on riverrelated projects, Emergency Ready Week as well as ways we can work together to protect our waterways. The event also provided an opportunity for the community to share their thoughts about the Nepean River. The event was attended by around 60 people. The community told us that they loved walking along the Nepean Cycle Way (Bike Track), watching the wildlife and that the river provided a peaceful spot to relax.

Nepean River Bank Stabilisation at Rotary Cowpasture Reserve

The flooding events of 2022 damaged sections of the Nepean riverbank along the Nepean Cycle Way (Bike Track). To prevent further erosion, Council undertook bank stabilisation works at four locations. The first phase of these works was completed at Rotary Cowpasture Reserve in December 2023 and the remaining sections between Belgenny and John Peat Reserves were completed in September 2024.

Works included bank stabilisation and erosion control, addition of large woody debris as fish habitat and bank toe protection, removal of weeds and planting with local native species from the endangered ecological community of River-flat Eucalypt Forest, including Camden white gum.

Funding for this project was assisted by NSW Government through its Environmental Trust and the joint Australian Government – NSW Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018.

Stormwater Assets

Stormwater is the runoff from hard surfaces in urban environments that eventually enters our local waterways through a system of drains and pipes. Camden Council maintains 838 kilometres of stormwater pipes across the LGA as well as 40,991 stormwater pits. Council tries to limit some of the impact of stormwater on our local waterways through a variety of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) measures. Learn more about these here: bit.ly/camden-wsud 

Erosion and Sediment Control

During 2023/24, Council undertook 903 inspections of the sediment and erosion control measures at 585 building sites within the Camden LGA. As a result, 350 formal warning letters were issued for site improvements to builders and developers.

Smeaton Grange Clean Up

Smeaton Grange is an important employment zone in the Camden LGA and covers a large area of the Narellan Creek catchment. However, due to a range of issues including littering, illegal dumping and the incorrect storage of materials; litter, oils, nutrients and sediment are being washed into the stormwater system and are contributing to poor water quality.

To address these key issues, Council staff undertook a Smeaton Grange Clean Up event in March 2024 to coincide with Clean Up Australia Day. The following outcomes were achieved from the day:

  • 18 instances of illegal dumping identified and investigated;

  • Over 2 tonnes of water was removed from the road reserve along Smeaton Grange Road and Anderson Road;

  • 20 stormwater pits were inspected and cleaned with approximately 150 kilograms of sediment and leaf litter removed;

  • 95 educational packs were handed out to business outlining tips to manage pollution correctly, as well as their legal responsibilities; and

  • 16 business and development sites were inspected to check that sediment was being appropriately contained on site.

Aquatic Weed Management

Council manages aquatic weeds and works with landholders and neighbouring councils to protect the Nepean River and local waterways.

This year has included the delivery of inspections on both public and private land to identify and control priority aquatic weeds including water hyacinth, Peruvian primrose and alligator weed with a focus on land that forms part of the Nepean River, Wianamatta South Creek and Narellan Creek corridors. These activities were given a high priority due to the potential for recent flood events to have increased the distribution of aquatic weeds into areas that were not previously impacted.

In addition, Council continued to control isolated infestations of frogbit and kidney-leaf mud plantain on private property. These activities were delivered with funding support from the NSW Government and Local Land Services under the NSW Weeds Action Program and the Early Needs Weed Management Program.

Nepean River Trail, Camden

The Nepean River Trail officially opened on Sunday 16 June and links Camden Town Farm and Ferguson Land Cricket Facility through a set of walkways which feature five trails, including viewing platforms to the Nepean River and Camden’s first official public art trail.

As part of the project, 8,000 square metres of woody weeds were removed and 23,000 native plants from the River-flat Eucalypt Forest community, including 60 critically endangered Camden white gums, were planted in partnership with Greening Australia under the Rewilding Sydney Program.

This work was possible through Council’s successful application to the Public Spaces Legacy Program, which in May 2021, secured $5.1 million in funding from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to deliver a project which enhanced Camden’s connection with the Nepean River.

Hook, Line & Measure

Hook, Line & Measure is a citizen science project recently developed by Council that encourages the community to identify and record the species, size and distribution of fish caught and observed in the Nepean River and other local waterways in the Camden LGA.

This project helps the community to identify areas for recreational fishing activities and assists Council in collecting baseline data to better understand our waterways and inform the delivery of future waterway projects.

The fish species recorded in the past year were Australian Bass and invasive carp, including European Carp and colourful koi. To find out more visit bit.ly/hooklinemeasurecamden

Camden SEED Network

The Camden Sustainability and Environmental Educators (SEED) Network is a local forum for educators passionate about sustainability and the environment.

The network provides an opportunity to connect, share knowledge, resources, opportunities and inspire others. The network meets, once each school term, and meetings this year included:

  • A tour of a local primary school’s vegetable, flower and native gardens;

  • A presentation by Cleanaway who provide waste education school programs; and

  • A presentation by Sydney Water on the free workshops they provide for a range of ages - early learning to secondary school.

This year the network also invited early learning educators to join the forum.