WHAT - IWEGs bushcare work
WHERE - our bushcare sites
WHEN - diary and events list
HOW - you can get involved!
| Existing IWEG bushcare sites | click here to see Future Sites | |
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There are six bushcare sites in the Hawthorne Canal catchment where IWEG is currently active. These can be seen by clicking on the map, or see below for each individual site for more detailed information and site plans. |
| IWEG's existing bushcare sites (click to enlarge) |
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Waratah Mills (Area 3) - a long narrow site (approx 250m x 8m) within the Rozelle goods railway corridor between Davis St and Constitution Rd Dulwich Hill.
- See location Map (200KB)
- View detailed site map (500KB)
- Download Site Management Plan (1.4MB)
The site is named after the converted flour mill Waratah Mills which runs alongside much of the site. This area is licenced by Railcorp to Marrickville Council as "Area 3". After five years, almost 70 percent of the site is now established, with almost 70 different species of local-provenance plants being established (see plant list for this site). As there is a 32KV overhead transmission line at this site, no large trees have been planted, in accordance with the site management plan. To February 2008, IWEG volunteers have provided over 500 hours to establish and over 1,500 hours to maintain this site. Native grasses and shrubs are now self-seeding, and have created an almost complete grass and shrub cover. Two carcasses found in early 2007 of Long-nosed Bandicoots (Perameles nasuta)* in the vicinity of the site possibly indicate they may now utilise the site, but this is yet to be confirmed. Small birds such as Superb Blue Wrens (Malurus cynaenus) have now returned to the site, and insect and small reptile numbers have also increased greatly over the last few years.
There is also a small triangular area (approx 200sqm) adjacent to the Annex building at Waratah Mills, and along the embankment above the visitor car park that has been established and is maintained by IWEG with concurrence of the Waratah Mills Executive body. The IWEG site manager for these sites is Bruce Ashley and he can be contacted on 9560 9281 or email: admin@iweg.org.au
Waratah Mills site viewed south from Davis St . LEFT at November 2003 during construction (green line shows boundary of Annex site planted December 2002), MIDDLE July 2003 at commencement of planting, RIGHT January 2008. Click on images to enlarge
Pigott St (Area 2) - a rectangular site (approx 80m x 20m) with a narrow and tapering section to the south, within the Rozelle goods railway corridor. The site is bounded by the active railway and Hoskins Park, and stretches between Davis St and Hill St Dulwich Hill.
The site is named after Pigott St which provides street access to the site. This area is licenced by Railcorp to Marrickville Council as "Area 2". After four years since its establishment in May 2004, almost 50 percent of the site is now established, with almost 50 local provenance plants being established to date (see plant list for this site). As the site is not impacted by overhead transmission line a number of tree species have been planted including Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus.paniculata), Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus.fibrosa) and Turpentine (Syncapria glomulifera). To February 2008, IWEG volunteers have provided over 200 hours to establish and over 400 hours to maintain this site. Native grasses and shrubs are now starting to self-seed, but a significant portion of the site (and especially the Davis St embankment) is still dominated by a range of weed species and remains to be established. The diversity and abundance of insects and small reptiles on the established section of the site is now increasing again after the initial clearing and mulching phase.
IWEG is looking for keen green residents who would be interested in helping to manage this site. Email to admin@iweg.org.au if you are.
LEFT - site viewed south from Davis St prior to 2003; MIDDLE southern section of site September 2004; RIGHT same November 2007 with grasses now providing good ground cover. Click on images to enlarge
Davis St (Area 1) - a triangular site (approx 70m x 40m) bounded by the active railway, Hawthorne Canal and Davis St. Access to the site is from a cul de sac section of Davis St.
The site is named after Davis St which provides street access to the site. This area is licenced by Railcorp to Marrickville Council as "Area 1". The site was planted out by a GreenCoorp team in October 2003, but the 200 or so plants were largely weed covered by 2004, and rail corridor vegetation clearing contractors slashed the site a number of times before it was finally licensed, safety barricaded and established in 2006. Almost 60 percent of the site is now established, with over 30 local provenance plant species being established to date (see plant list for this site). As the site is not impacted by overhead transmission line a number of tree species have been planted including Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus.paniculata), Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus.fibrosa) and Turpentine (Syncapria glomulifera) and White Stringybark (Eucalyptus globoidea). To February 2008, IWEG volunteers have provided over 150 hours to establish and over 350 hours to maintain this site. Native grasses and shrubs are now starting to self-seed, but a significant portion of the site (and especially the Davis St embankment) is still dominated by lantana, which although remains to be established, nonetheless provides valuable fauna and small bird habitat. The diversity and abundance of insects and small reptiles on the established section of the site is now increasing again after the initial clearing and mulching phase.
IWEG is looking for keen green residents who would be interested in helping to manage this site. Email to admin@iweg.org.au if you are.
LEFT - site viewed north from Davis St October to 2003 during Greecorp team planting; MIDDLE planted eucalypt reshooting after one of the three occasions where surviving plants were slashed by railway vegetation clearing crew; RIGHT site January 2008 with watlles almost full height and previoulsly slahed trees now fully recovered. Lantana and other thick vegetation on the embankment has been retained for habitat retention. Click on images to enlarge
Cadigal Reserve - one of IWEG's first sites, consisting of the open space area Cadigal Reserve. The site is aproximately 80 x 60m, and includes a long narrow strip between the pathway and Hawthorne Canal. The site is owned by Ashfield Council and bounded by Hawthorne Canal, Grosvenor Cres, and private property. Access to the site from the south is Grosvenor Crees, and from Parramatta Rd footpath or Haig Ave from the West.
- See location Map (100KB)
- View detailed site plan (250KB)
- (site management plan not yet prepared)
The site is named after the reserve of the same name. This reserve is public open space owned an maintained by Ashfield Council, with IWEG repsonsible for the revegetation areas. A shared pathway winds down through the site and along Hawthorne Canal. The site was first planted in the 1970's, but was a key site for IWEG to commmecne work on in 1999. In the previous 4 years there has been disruption to the revegetation actvity due to maintenance work on the heritage-listed sewer viaduct, replacement of contaminated soil under the pipeline, and construction of new pathway in 2006-2007. Most of the intended revegetation areas of the site is now established, but with infill planting stil required. To date there are approximately 40 local provenance plant species planted to date (see plant list for this site). Tree species planted include Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus.paniculata), Turpentine (Syncapria glomulifera) and Lilli Pilly (Acmena smitthii). To February 2008, IWEG volunteers have provided over 400 hours to establish and over 500 hours to maintain this site. Much of the tube stock planted in March 2007 is now well establsihed, with some grasses (such as as Kangaroo Grass) self seeding. Some sections of the site (particularly the strip between the pathway and Canal) is currently dominated by invasive weeds such as Cobblers Pegs (Bidens pilosa) and the Commelina (Commelina cyanea) and it is intended that this will be worked on through 2008 under the Envirofund project to re-establish local provenance species. Possibly due the the larger establsihed trees and proximity to water the site attracts a large diversity of bird species, including the Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus), Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus) and Superb Blue Wren (Malurus cynaenus). Download a full list of the bird species observed along Hawthorne Canal by David Rudder. The diversity and abundance of insects and small reptiles on the revegetated section of the site is now increasing again after the previous few years of contstruction activity.
The Cadigal Reserve site manager is David Rudder and he can be contacted on 9569 6607 or email: admin@iweg.org.au
LEFT - site viewed near canal showing pathway construction October 2006; MIDDLE planting day at opening of the new pathway section March 2007, RIGHT - same location as first photo January 2008, showing mixed species planting alongside pathway.
Lords Rd - a small site consisting of the land between Hawthorne Canal and the shared pathway, immediately south of the Lords Rd subway under the goods railway. The site was established in about 2001.The site is aproximately 50 x 10m, on land owned by RailCorp and Sydney Water and bounded by Hawthorne Canal and railway emnabnkment. Access to the site from the south is from the shared pathway from Parramatta Rd. from the West from Lords St Haberfield, and Lords Rd from the East.
- See location Map (100KB)
- (detailed site plan not yet prepared)
- (site management plan not yet prepared)
The site is named after Lords Rd which passess Kegworth Public School then finishes at the railway subway. Most of the work on this site has been to control weed growth, with only a limited range of local provenance sepcies planted so far. It is intended to expand the site during 2008 included as works under the Envirofund project. A key feature of this site is a mural painted at the railway subway which depicts scenes related to the location being a Streamwatch site and operated by students at Kegworth school. To date there are approximately 12 local provenance plant species planted to date (see plant list for this site). To February 2008, IWEG volunteers have provided over 100 hours to establish and over 300 hours to maintain this site. The emabankment adjacent to this site is currently dominated by invasive weeds such as Cobblers Pegs (Bidens pilosa) and Commelina (Commelina cyanea) and it is intended that this will be worked on through 2008 under the Envirofund project to re-establish local provenance species. At this site has been observed bird species, including the Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus), Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus) and Superb Blue Wren (Malurus cynaenus). The Eastern Water Skink (Eulamprus quoyii) can also be seen perched in weep holes in the brick-lined drainage channel. Download a full list of the bird species observed along Hawthorne Canal by David Rudder.
The Lords Rd site manager is Mac Monks and he can be contacted on 9558 4617 or email: admin@iweg.org.au
LEFT - site viewing north from pathway; MIDDLE - heavy weed growth on railway embankment above sitee RIGHT - mural at railway subway.
Richard Murden Reserve - a long rectangular site adjacent to Hawthorne Canal within Richard Murden Reserve, Haberfield, north from Marion St. The site was established in September 2000 as part of the Olympic Landcare project. It is within the open space area Cadigal Reserve. The site is aproximately 150 x 10m, is owned by Ashfield Council and bounded by Hawthorne Canal and mown grass area of open space. Access to the site from the south is from Haberfield Parade or Marion St.
- See location Map (100KB)
- View detailed site plan (160KB)
- (site management plan not yet prepared)
The site is named after the reserve of the same name. This reserve is public open space owned an maintained by Ashfield Council, with IWEG repsonsible for the revegetation area. A shared pathway is located parrallel to te site alongside Haberfield Parade. Most of the intended revegetation areas of the site is now established, but with infill planting still required, and it is intended to expand the site slightly during 2008 included as works under the Envirofund project. To date there are approximately 27 local provenance plant species planted to date (see plant list for this site). Tree species planted include Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus.paniculata), Turpentine (Syncapria glomulifera) and Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta). To February 2008, IWEG volunteers have provided over 600 hours to establish and over 800 hours to maintain this site. Much of the tube stock planted in March 2000 is now well establsihed, with some grasses (such as as Weeping Grass Microlaena stipoides) self seeding. Some sections of the site (particularly the strip adjacent to the Canal) is currently dominated by invasive weeds such as Cobblers Pegs (Bidens pilosa) and the Commelina (Commelina cyanea) and it is intended that this will be worked on through 2008 under the Envirofund project to re-establish local provenance species. Possibly due the the larger establsihed trees and proximity to water the site attracts a large diversity of bird species, including the Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus), Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus) and Superb Blue Wren (Malurus cynaenus). Download a full list of the bird species observed along Hawthorne Canal by David Rudder.
The Richard Murden Reserve site manager is John Chudleigh and he can be contacted on 9568 4212 or email: admin@iweg.org.au
LEFT - site viewing south towards Marion St, Hawthorne Canal to the left, at establishment September 2000; MIDDLE - edge of site alongside Hawthorne Canal RIGHT - site viewing north during working bee February 2004.
Future bushcare sites
Locations which have been approved by RailCorp for revegetation activity (but not yet established and fenced) where IWEG is hoping to commence activities (provided there is sufficient volunteer support and resources) within Hawthorne Canal catchment are:
- Hercules St - rail corridor adjacent bottom end of Hercules St Dulwich Hill
- Williams Parade (Area 4) - W side of rail corridor between Constitution Rd and NEw Canterbury Rd
- Old Canterbury Road - triangular site south of Old Canterbury Rd bonded by canal and active railway
- Rail corridor at Cadigal Reserve - W side of corridor between railway viaduct and Parramatta Rd
- Lords Rd - Western side of rail corridor in vicinity Lords Rd subway
Locations where IWEG beleives there is potential for the local community to be involved in establshing and sites and undertaking revegetation activity, but where no formal application has been made either to RailCorp or the Councils within Hawthorne Canal catchment include:
- Blackwood Ave - rail corridor adjacent Blackwood Av and Dulwich Hill PS
- Lords Rd - Rail corridor adjacent Lords Rd Leichhardt (Eastern side of corridor)
- Loftus St Leichhardt - adjacent to embankment revegetated by RailCorp in 2007
- Leichhardt Park - Rail corridor adjacent Leichhardt Park (Western side of corridor)
- Darley Rd Leichhardt - Rail corridor adjacent Darley Rd (Eastern side of rail corridor
Photographs (c) Bruce Ashley unless otherwise stated