Terrys Creek Environmental Project
The Outcome
- A well-used track from Brown's Water Hole to
- Increased awareness of this asset amongst the local community
- Bush regeneration work continues
- Maintenance occurs each Clean Up Australia day
The Beginning - 2001
Each year Rotary embarks on a number of projects to improve the well being of our community in the context of the ideals of Rotary. This Rotary year one of the aims of the wider Rotary community is to raise awareness of environmental issues, both at a global level and at a local level.
Bush regeneration is one example of the positive action that can be taken in improving our environment. Terry’s Creek is a local creek which is located in the bush behind the Dence Park area of Epping and is an area where local bushcare volunteers, working in conjunction with Hornsby Shire Council and Ryde City Council, are actively involved in restoring the degraded bushland to it’s original state. The area includes an important remnant of Blue Gum High Forest.
The Rotary Clubs of Epping has seen the efforts of those involved in this bush regeneration and has recognised the opportunity for Rotary to encourage continuation of the bush regeneration and improve community awareness of the area and the regeneration work that is being undertaken.
We believe that the work can be assisted if the local community is better aware of the issues and can become actively involved in the process. The Rotary Club of Epping resolved to take a leadership role in bringing this idea to fruition.
We have proposed an integrated plan to both Hornsby and Ryde Councils that focuses on:
Upgrading the existing informal walking tracks along Terry’s Creek between Vimera Park Epping and Brown’s Waterhole at Marsfield to improve public access to the area
Organising Community Awareness Days to inform the local residents of the work that is being undertaken by Councils and volunteers to preserve and enhance the bushland and to seek the public’s long term involvement in the area
Identifying the sources of pollution in Terry’s Creek and proposing solutions for the long term well being of the creek and river system
As a community based organisation the Rotary Club of Epping is keen to work with local authorities and the local community to achieve these objectives. We believe that it is important not to duplicate existing structures so we are acting as a catalyst to bring together local government, community groups and volunteers to take this project to fruition.
The Broad Community support we have already enlisted for the project includes:
| Hornsby Council | Endorsement and support for the project in particular Stage I trackwork from Vimiera Park to Dence Park |
| Ryde Council | Endorsement and support for the project |
| Volunteer Bushcare Groups | Advice/instruction on correct method of bush regeneration |
| Work For The Dole | Labour for clearing of tracks and track construction work |
| H&H Training | Supervision and co-ordination of Work for the Dole programme |
| Eastwood Rotary | Support and Assistance |
| UTS students | Pollution study of Terry’s Creek |
| Local community | Increased awareness and ongoing long term involvement in bushcare groups |
Hornsby and Ryde Councils have each enthusiastically endorsed the project and agreed to work together. We have secured support from the Work for the Dole Program to provide the labour for the track construction. UTS final year environmental studies have already started work on their pollution study. Epping Rotary has committed club funds and resources towards staging two Community Awareness Days and has committed to securing materials for the track construction.
The first Community day will be held on Saturday 22 September at Vimiera Park Epping which is at the southern end of Essex Street. We are hoping to use this day to launch the project with the local residents. There will be exhibitions of bushcare techniques, native plants and weeds, council environmental exhibits, national parks, local school groups and local dignitaries.We hope to show the local community the work that has already been done by the Councils and local bushcare volunteers and as well as our plans for this project. There will also be an opportunity for people to walk along the existing informal tracks to Dence Park to experience the bushland first hand with interpretative stops along the way. Essentially we are looking to encourage the local residents to take some ownership of this bushland.
Proposed timing is 12pm to 4pm Saturday 22 September. Official presentations will take place at 1.30pm and it is hoped that the official party as well as residents will then walk through to Dence Park
The track reconstruction work will include drainage, the construction of short sections of boardwalks over rough terrain and the construction of a pedestrian bridge across Terry’s Creek to link up with the downstream track. Epping Rotary has undertaken to provide the materials and the labour will be provided by Work for the Dole.
The Rotary Club of Epping believes this project is a very worthwhile initiative in our local community and will benefit the community through enhancement of our local bushland areas.
