Located near the Federation Avenue/River Street South Corowa bend and stretching for many hectares, nature walkers can resume admiring the picturesque wetlands.
“The area was hit hard by the floods and the understorey was covered in weeds,” Corowa District Landcare Chair Brendan Christy explained.
“Corowa District Landcare applied for a Riparian Restoration Grant. We got that funding, from the NSW State Government (Local Land Servies) with Federation Council as a project collaborator - that was the impetus to do this project.”
Landcare committee member Joan Palmer initiated the idea of the project. “I said to Dr Alexandra Knight (Charles Sturt University) that we should do something with this area,” Joan said.
Starting the end of January, 2023 many working bees by landcare members, with assistance from council employees, cleaned up the wetlands including removal of weeds in and out of the ponds, then planted 1500 plants, including wattles and grasses. The area contained a large number of woody weeds, including palms, privets and figs.
In just over a year, all the rubbish was removed from surrounding grounds, all the weeds removed and there’s a variety of birdlife to see day and night.
The wildlife has become a talking point among landcare and council, with ducks, cranes, Sloane’s froglets, Australasian bittern, night herons and squirrel gliders.
After 12 months of work by all the volunteers, the project was described as a model by landcare’s senior project officer Meredith Mitchell.
“It’s a model for the community and shows what can be achieved with two groups, landcare and council, working together,” she said.
“It’s a positive example of collaboration between Landcare and Federation Council.”
Federation Council’s manager recreation Darren Harvey said it was a really positive project bringing the area back to its original state”.
“It’s a good feel story and I’m really excited about the new birdlife at the wetlands,” he said.
Council has engaged local contractors to undertake the tree removal and weed spraying.
The River Street Wetlands site has historically served as a stormwater retention catchment, effectively filtering water runoff from residential areas before it flows into the Murray River. This wetland reserve offers a sanctuary for wildlife and is open to the local community.
Joan concluded: “It’s amazing compared to what it was a few years ago. When people see something the way it is, they are more inclined to look after it.”
