GRCCC Annual Report 2011-12 by David Kuhn

GRCCC Programs – RIVERKEEPER PROGRAM

Georges River Combined Councils Committee

Annual Report 2011/12

www.georgesriver.org.au Georges River, NSW

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chairperson’s Foreword

Program Manager’s Report

GRCCC Executive Group Summary, 2011/12

GRCCC Projects Georges Riverkeeper Program Georges River Estuary Management Program Community River Health Monitoring Program GRCCC Communications & Engagement Program

8 12 14 16

Partner Projects Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative Improving Prospect Creek Urban Sustainability Program

19 21

Financial Statements, 2010/11 GRCCC Operational Expenditure Statement

Independent Auditor’s Report

Appendices A. B. C. D. E. F.

GRCCC Representation on Partner Programs Member Councils Represented at GRCCC Meetings Election of Office Bearers, 17 November 2011 Participating Councils and Other Organisations GRCCC Program Cluster Members GRCCC Riverkeeper Program Case Studies

38 49 41 42 43 46

Chairpersons Foreword In last year’s Annual Report we forecast that the 2011/2012 year would be one of consolidation. I believe we have delivered. The Estuary Management Program, ably steered by Alison Hanlon, is now nearing completion of the draft Georges River Coastal Zone Management Plan which will be placed on public exhibition towards the end of 2012. The River Health Monitoring Program continues to gain momentum and recognition with the winning of both the NSW and National Urban Landcare Awards. As well as providing councils with valuable water quality data, it is generating interesting research into such important areas as the impact of concrete in water management systems on the quality of water in the Georges River. We are sad to bid farewell to Carl Tippler who has co-ordinated this program and wish him well in his future career. We welcome Claire Evans who will act in his place until the grant funding for this program expires in 2013. As promised, we have responded to the expressed desire of the Committee to determine more sustainable options for funding our programs rather than relying on grants. We have in-principle agreement from our member Councils to consider an increase in fees in the 2013/2014 financial year to maintain the successful River Health Monitoring program. A decision will be made about this once each Council has undergone its current budget process. We have also begun work on a set of guidelines to govern any sponsorship opportunities which may present, mindful of the associated challenges. The Riverkeeper Program continues to develop with many new sites on the books, and the publication of a Riverkeeper Report Card to keep us all informed. Tony Wales and his Corrective Services Teams are hauling in the rubbish and rejuvenating the bush with great energy. We acknowledge Corrective Services NSW for its continuing commitment to our Memorandum of Understanding. Similarly, we acknowledge National Parks and Wildlife for entering into an Occupational License with us concerning our use of their premises as our headquarters at Revesby. One of the most revealing observations from our June 2012 meeting was just how integral the Communications Program is to everything the GRCCC undertakes. It offers important support through promotion, community engagement and reporting of outcomes, becoming an important thread which binds all programs together. The Communications Program, coordinated so capably by David Kuhn, is an important tool by which we receive recognition for our great work along the Georges River.

The Executive has continued to meet regularly and bring recommendations to the GRCCC for consideration. I thank both Cr Peter Harle and Cr Naji Najjar for their participation on the Executive. This year sees the end of the current council term and therefore the current Executive Team. In anticipation of change, Alison Hanlon and I have visited member council General Managers to seek their assistance in ensuring an interested councillor be appointed to represent them on the GRCCC. To encourage councillors to be involved we have streamlined the meeting agenda to allow more time for discussion and less for formal reporting. We have also introduced a transparent on-line voting mechanism for decisionmaking. Hurstville Council has agreed to continue to host the GRCCC for another council term. For this we are grateful. The staff has been helpful in the management of our financial and human resource business, increasing value and accountability strategies for the GRCCC. Ian Curtis has been an invaluable liaison for us in his capacity as Manager Environmental Sustainability. Alison Hanlon, our Program Manager, continues to steer the implementation of GRCCC decisions with a high degree of professionalism. In this, my final Annual Report Chairperson’s Foreword, I wish to pay tribute to Alison whose drive and ability to work with a wide range of people, together with her technical capacity, have ensured the development we have desired for the GRCCC. Importantly, however, the GRCCC is an organisation of diverse participants, all of whom contribute to our fortunes in a range of ways. We thank the technical staff from each member council for their enthusiastic support for our programs, and for their constant suggestions as to how we can enhance our work. We thank our community members who assist with on-ground works and attend our meetings, also providing valuable support and suggestions. We thank our partner organisations for their continued support, often in the provision of technical expertise. Our success is really a result of the collaborative approach of our organisation as it works across a wide range of individuals and organisations to address our collective responsibility for the health of the Georges River. And while we have taken steps to address sustainable funding and increased councillor participation, these challenges remain. I wish the GRCCC well in continuing to develop a strong GRCCC which is well positioned to meet its objectives.

Julie Bourke GRCCC Chairperson

Program Managers Report The last financial year was an excellent one for the GRCCC. Our programs performed very strongly and yielded great results for our member councils and were recognised widely amongst the NRM and Sustainability industry. The Committee’s Riverkeeper Program has gone from strength to strength and far exceeded our expected results across all program activities as seen in the Riverkeeper Report. We thank our partners at Corrective Services NSW and the many community members that participated in our activities this year for their continued support. The Riverkeeper Program was rewarded this year by winning the NSW State and Regional Keep Australia Beautiful, Litter and Waste Management Award. The Communications and Engagement Program produced solid outputs this year with the production of the GRCCC’s Communications and Engagement Strategy and various Communications policies to support its implementation. The program also produced the first Riverkeeper Report Card to further engage our catchment community and co-ordinated the successful Estuary Open Day in association with the Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative. We look forward with anticipation to the first Georges River Environment and Art Festival being co-ordinated by the GRCCC in partnership with the Bankstown Arts Centre which will be held in November 2012. This event has been a long held desire of the Committee and we are pleased to be able to deliver it through our Communications Program. The GRCCC’s River Health Monitoring Program expanded into the Cooks River Catchment this year and has been received positively by the councils and community of the Cooks River. Ably co-ordinated by Carl Tippler and Claire Evans the River Health Monitoring Program was refined to better meet the monitoring needs of our member Councils and a comprehensive data sharing agreement was established with member councils who have an internal monitoring program to boost the rigour of our Georges River Catchment data base. The program also incorporated the data of the Sydney Metropolitan CMA’s, Botany Bay Water Quality Improvement Program real time monitoring buoys to boost our estuarine data. The GRCCC also produced its first published academic paper based on the research of the River Health Program, which recommended the development of regional water quality and catchment guidelines for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems in the Georges River Catchment. This paper was delivered to the 6th Australian Stream Management Conference in Canberra earlier this year. This year the River Health Monitoring Program won the Regional and NSW Environmental Protection Awards from Keep Australia Beautiful and both the NSW and National Urban Landcare Awards from Landcare Australia.

A Councillor induction evening was held in October 2012 with almost full attendance by our new member Councillors. Our new members were enthusiastic to begin their work with the GRCCC to continue to improve the health of our catchment. The success of our programming this year is largely due to the staff of the GRCCC. The GRCCC team is a highly skilled, cohesive unit who bring great initiative to their programs while remaining focussed on the needs of individual member councils. The staff has made my role of co-ordinating programs and ensuring we meet the Committee’s strategic goals achievable and highly rewarding. I would like to thank them for their outstanding effort. Finally, I would like to thank the GRCCC’s Executive Group, Cr Julie Bourke (Campbelltown City Council), Cr Naji Najjar (Bankstown City Council), Cr Peter Harle (Liverpool City Council) and Ian Curtis, Manager Environmental Sustainability at Hurstville City Council for their ongoing commitment to the Committee and the time they have given each month to progress the business of the Committee. I would particularly like to thank Cr Julie Bourke, our GRCCC Chairperson, who retires this year for her wisdom and considered leadership of the Committee. I look forward to welcoming the new GRCCC Executive Group and working with them to ensure the continued success of the Committee and the provision of quality programs for member councils.

Alison Hanlon GRCCC Program Manager

GRCCC Executive Group Summary 2011-12 The Executive Group is comprised of the GRCCC Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer / Public Officer, Host Council Manager and GRCCC Programs Manager. During 2011 – 2012 the GRCCC Executive Group has continued to focus on delivery of the Committee’s M& I Plan, and in particular the financial, business and operational management of the GRCCC. The group has also worked hard to plan for the long term strategic needs of the Committee’s programs and operations. Key areas of focus and strategic planning have included: •

Analysis of feedback from the GRCCC Strategic Review and setting priorities based on the feedback received

•

Working to secure the long term financial security of the River Health and Communications Program through the re-establishment of the Fee Review Cluster Group comprised of managers from each member council who considered 7 different funding scenarios

•

Meetings with GRCCC Stakeholders to explore funding partnerships for programs.

•

Planning and co-ordination of the draft Georges River Coastal Zone Management Plan and associated public consultation sessions

•

Securing a member council host for the new council term (2012 – 2016)

•

Developing strategies for enhanced Councillor participation in the GRCCC and its decision making progresses

•

Developing a submission to review of the Georges River National Park Plan of Management to ensure the ongoing needs of the GRCCC Riverkeeper Program

•

Establishment of a new MOU with Corrective Services NSW

•

Revision of the GRCCC’s Media & Communication Policy relating to use of GRCCC Statistics

•

Development of collaborative funding applications with key stakeholders including the SMCMA and member councils. These included a Caring for Country Grant for continuation of River Health Program, Environmental Trust Grant for Community Bush Regeneration Programs and Federal Government Biodiversity and Climate Change Grants for Communications and Riverkeeper Programs.

•

Review of 2010 / 2011 Annual Report

•

Planning and co-ordination for Georges River Coastal Zone Management Plan public consultation sessions

•

GRCCC advocacy strategy for the proclamation of the new Dharawal National Park

•

Development of the GRCCC’s Communication and Engagement Strategy

•

Revised the structure of GRCCC bi-monthly meetings to make the meetings more efficient and conducive to discussion and consensus decision making

•

Oversaw proposal for a joint festival between Bankstown Arts Centre and GRCCC to run the inaugural Georges River Art and Environment Festival in November 2012.

GRCCC Programs – RIVERKEEPER PROGRAM Georges Riverkeeper Program The 2011/2012 year has been a year of growth for the Riverkeeper Program. Rubbish collection was close to four times greater than the results in the previous two years while bush regeneration continued to expand and community engagement reached a wider cross section of the catchment community. Key Riverkeeper events in 2011/2012: • • • • • •

•

Collection of 115.4 tonne of rubbish against a forecast 80.0 tonne and compared to 32.8 tonne of rubbish collected the previous year. 27,171 m2 of bush regeneration in remnant bushland within the river catchment A total of 52.5 hours of community engagement via education and promotional activity 32,214 hours of community volunteer hours A strengthening of the working partnership between the GRCCC and the Corrective Services NSW Intensive Correction Order (ICO) program Partnering with the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Authority Kurnell 2020 Program and Sutherland Shire Council on the Kurnell Saltmarsh Rehabilitation Project at Horning Street, Kurnell Clean Up Australia Day at Bolga Gong Island in Chipping Norton Lakes collecting and removing 930 kg of rubbish

The Corrective Services NSW ICO teams continued to be highly productive, reliable and provided substantial on ground outcomes. Two teams were permanently allocated to the GRCCC and third temporarily allocated between December 2011 and June 30, 2012. The Riverkeeper Program aims to protect the ecological health and biodiversity of the Georges River system via the collection of litter and rubbish and the regeneration of weed infested remnant bushland.

Left to right: before and after (centre) at Horning Street Kurnell. At right, rubbish collected at Horning Street, approximately 14.7 tonnes removed.

GRCCC Programs – RIVERKEEPER PROGRAM The GRCCC has seen a substantial increase in rubbish collection on the previous year as evidenced in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1: Monthly Riverkeeper Rubbish Collection (kgs) for Georges River Catchment The Riverkeeper Coordinator works strategically with council officers who have been assigned to the Riverkeeper Program cluster group to develop the Annual Riverkeeper Workplan. This plan contains priority sites determined by each council for rubbish removal and bush regeneration by Riverkeeper teams. A total of 115,393 kilograms was removed by the program using 28,871 volunteer hours at 1,264 site visits across the catchment.

Figure 2. Cumulative Rubbish Collection 2011 / 2012.

GRCCC Programs – RIVERKEEPER PROGRAM The benefit to councils of partnering in a catchment wide program can be seen by these cumulative rubbish collection statistics gathered along the length of the river as seen in Figure 2. For example, the graph shows that by the end of the financial year just over 80,000kg of rubbish was prevented from reaching Salt Pan Creek. The Riverkeeper rubbish collection program was recognised by Keep Australia Beautiful with the program winning the 2011 Clean Beaches NSW Litter and Waste Management Award and the Environmental Protection Award.

The Riverkeeper Program also uses Riverkeeper teams and volunteer groups to perform bush regeneration at nominated sites. Teams work to increase the biodiversity of remnant bushland and riparian vegetation on foreshores, creeks and tributaries through the targeted removal of weeds and a combination of revegetation and natural regeneration.

GRCCC Programs – RIVERKEEPER PROGRAM Table 2: Bush Regeneration Summary by Local Government Area

Table 2 shows the allocation of teams and resources and bush regeneration results for each local government area. A total of 27,171 m2 was worked by the program using 3,343.5 hours of volunteer labour over 97 days.

May 2011

June 2011

June 2012

Bush Regeneration at Riverside Park, Chipping Norton. Rehabilitation of Cumberland River Flat Forest following Lantana infestation.

GRCCC Programs – ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Estuary Management Program The Georges River Coastal Zone Management Plan study area extends from Liverpool Weir to Botany Bay, with Towra Point and the Cooks River to the north forming the eastern boundary. The study area comprises tidal waterways, bays, foreshores and adjacent lands of the Georges River and its major tributaries, as well as parts of Botany Bay’s foreshore up to the Cooks River and all tidal waters such as Scarborough Park Ponds that drain into the study area. The Georges River Estuary Management Committee / Cluster (EMC) includes Councillors and technical officers from Hurstville, Rockdale, Kogarah, Liverpool, Sutherland, Bankstown and Fairfield Councils.

Study area for GRCZMP In addition the cluster includes several community representatives and agency staff from the Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority, NPWS, the NSW Department of Primary Industry, Roads and Maritime Services and the Department of Lands. The draft Georges River Coastal Zone Management Plan prepared by BMT WBN Pty Ltd was distributed to councils and agencies stakeholders on 12 December 2011, seeking feedback and comments. Comments and feedback were received by: Kogarah City Council, Liverpool City Council, Sutherland Shire Council, Rockdale City Council, Hurstville City Council, Bankstown City Council, Fairfield City Council, SMCMA & BBWQIP, NSW DPI, Roads and Maritime Services, Office of Environment and Heritage, Lower Georges River Urban Sustainability Initiative, Sydney Water and the NPWS. Council and agency feedback was collated by the GRCCC and sent to BMT WBN Pty Ltd on Friday 16 March. On 18 May 2012 BMT WBN provided the final draft of the Georges River Coastal Zone Management Plan which incorporated feedback and changes received from partner councils and agencies. The plan was issued to the Estuary Management Committee

GRCCC Programs – ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (EMC) for review prior to the CZMP being formally presented to the committee by Dr Philip Haines of BMT WBN on Wednesday 30 May. The EMC identified the need to develop a stand-alone Executive Summary document and agreed that the cost of this would be shared amongst the participating councils. A draft of this document will be developed by BMT in consultation with the EMC. The EMC identified the timing for the public exhibition of the document was likely to be impacted by the local government elections. It was agreed that councils would individually aim to have the plan approved for public exhibition at the earliest possible opportunity and that all partner councils would exhibit collectively, over the same 28 day period, once all councils had given approval for public exhibition to take place. It is hoped that the plan will be placed on public exhibition before the end of the calendar year. Public comments will be collated by the GRCCC who will issue them to the EMC for review and then to BMT WBM for incorporation into the plan. A revised draft of the plan (with public comments incorporated) will then be issued to partner Councils for approval.

Pied Oyster Catchers at Dolls Point on Botany Bay

GRCCC Programs – COMMUNITY RIVER HEALTH MONITORING PROGRAM Community River Health Monitoring Program The River Health Program was awarded the top prize in 2011 at the biennial Landcare NSW Awards in the Urban Landcare category, and named a finalist in the national Urban Landcare Award. The Program also contributed to the Georges River (via the GRCCC) being named a finalist in the Australian Riverprize, a prestigious award funded by the Australian Government and International Riverfoundation. River Health also contributed to the GRCCC being named a finalist in the 2011 Green Globe Awards. The River Health Program, in consultation with member councils reconfigured its workplan of sampling sites and strategies in 2011-12 to expand its understanding of catchment condition, to enhance institutional arrangements and partnerships with catchment stakeholders, and to support the discussion about the development of regional water quality and catchment guidelines. Changes to the workplan included: • Monthly (as opposed to biannual) water quality data collected at key sites • Two additional sites (Lower Morgans Creek and Brickmakers Creek) • Developed data sharing arrangement with GRCCC member councils that have water quality monitoring programs, allowing longer-term ecological assessment • Omitted estuary macroinvertebrates from River Health sampling because previous monitoring shows no statistical significance • Commenced fortnightly estuary water quality monitoring at six sites along the Georges river to support the Coastal Zone Management Plan, dropping to monthly over winter months • Identification of macroinvertebrate samples down to family level. The program logged over 1,000 hours of community engagement in 2011-12, including 13 schools through its ongoing partnership with Georges River Environmental Education Centre.

Program Extension with Cooks River Through the Australian Government’s Caring for Country Initiative, the GRCCC extended its River Health Program to include the Cooks River catchment.

GRCCC Programs – COMMUNITY RIVER HEALTH MONITORING PROGRAM Cooks River Alliance councils have worked collaboratively with the GRCCC’s River Health coordinators to include nine freshwater sites and two estuarine sites. This program expansion has added value to GRCCC councils who share both Georges and Cooks catchments, and has strengthened long term and snapshot data by ensuring a single proven monitoring method is being used to gather data and inform decisions across the greater Botany Bay catchment. Coordinated media releases, volunteer recruitment efforts and onsite community training and engagement further enhances the program’s reach.

On Ground Works Stemming from River Health Data Four councils participating in the Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative received funding in 2011 to address stormwater runoff and biological restoration at key sites based on the data of the River Health Program. Works included: •

Hurstville Council - $30,000 to conduct site assessment and erosion control works at Myles Dunphy Reserve: ‘roughing’ creek line with vegetation, dampen flow velocity by creating backwater, armoring channel banks, and removing weeds

•

Kogarah Council - $30,000 to undertake a wetland assessment of Moore Park Wetland: implement sediment controls, conduct wetland species plantings and install educational signage

•

Rockdale Council - $30,000 to restore salt marsh habitat and remove impeding mangroves at Scott Park

•

Sutherland Council - $30,000 to remove weeds and improve bush regeneration at Carina Creek and Honeysuckle Reserve.

In addition, Bankstown Council received $37,000 from SMCMA to conduct riparian restoration at Morgans Creek. Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool and Wollondilly Shire councils have also used the data for environmental reporting and planning purposes.

GRCCC Programs – COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM GRCCC Communications & Engagement Program The Communications and Engagement Program works with a great diversity of stakeholders in a variety of disciplines at multiple levels of government. The program has emerged from a consultation role regarding media and promotional outputs to become a central player in all GRCCC programs, via engagement opportunities, corporate sponsorship, communications policy development, grant support, educational and visual platforms and in-house desktop design. The Communications Officer played a part time role between the GRCCC and the Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative (LGRSI), and will continue full time with the GRCCC in the 2012-13 year. 2011-2012 Achievements •

Coordination of the Communications Cluster

•

Worked with the Executive Group and Communications Cluster to development: o The GRCCC Communications & Engagement Strategy, including the Communications & Engagement Work Plan o The draft GRCCC Corporate Sponsorship Policy o The draft GRCCC Branding and Acknowledgement Policy

•

Coordinated release and media engagement of two River Health Report Cards, including stakeholder communications

•

In house design and launch of the GRCCC Riverkeeper Report Card, including stakeholder BBQ, media kit, boat trip for media reporters

•

Generated volunteer recruitment for River Health, Riverkeeper and Georges River Coastal Zone Management Plan events including posters/flyers and web, media releases and design of volunteer field guides.

•

Coordination of Clean Up Australia Day at Bolga Gong Island (Chipping Norton Lakes) including stakeholder communications, volunteer recruitment, event management

•

Assisted in preparation of applications and co-ordinated media promotion of several successful awards. This support contributed to the GRCCC winning: o Two state and three regional Keep Australia Beautiful awards o The state and national Urban Landcare Award and o The GRCCC being names as one of three national Australian Riverprize finalists (Oct 2012).

•

Development of GRCCC Pollution Reporting Card

GRCCC Programs – COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM •

Design and publication of Georges River Estuary Handbook (an initiative of the LGRSI, distribution via GRCCC stakeholders)

•

Video & photographic recording of key worksites and community engagement

•

Worked with software company to tailor the GRCCC Councillor online voting system

•

Upgrade and ongoing maintenance of Georges River website www.georgesriver.org.au including Georges River, NSW Facebook page

•

Speaking events, public presentations and workshops

•

Strengthening our community reach by developing partnerships with new community organisations such as the SES.

•

Development and design of GRCCC annual report.

•

Communications, planning and resource support for Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative.

GRCCC Communications & Engagement Outputs 2011 - 2012 Media Releases • River Health Volunteers Needed • NPA Article published – Riverkeeper at GRNP • GRCCC Announces State Urban Landcare Award • GRCCC Awaits Info on Dharawal National Park • Release of River Health Report Card plus Media Q&A • GRCCC Backs Awareness of Platypus Survival • Release & Launch of Riverkeeper Report Card plus Q&A • GRCCC Recognised with Keep Australia Beautiful Awards • GRCCC Nominated Finalist in Australian Riverprize Presentations given by GRCCC Councillors & Staff • • • • • • • • • •

NSW Landcare Forum, 2011 6th Australian Stream Management Conference, 2012 Launch of the Riverkeeper Report Card Nov 2011 Sutherland Shire Council Bushcare Group Oatley Flora and Fauna Society Oceanwatch Australia Conference Dec 2011 Hurstville Historical Society bus tour Hurstville Council Tour Ryde TAFE Natural Area Restoration Diploma Presentation 17

Aug 2011 & Mar 2012 Aug 2011 Sept 2011 Oct 2011 Oct 2011 Nov 2011 Nov 2011 Dec 2011 June 2012 GRCCC Volunteer Days • Riverkeeper - Padstow Heights Primary School students and parents – Beauty Point. • River Health Sampling, Cup & Saucer Wetland (Cooks River), Yeramba Lagoon, Mill Creek, Woronora River, Dharawal, Myles Dunphy Reserve, Lime Kiln Bay, Yarrowee Wetland, Bardwell Valley, Coolibah Reserve, Carina Creek, Appin, Morgans Creek, Upper Cooks River

GRCCC Programs – COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM GRCCC Involvement in Trainings, Events and Forums. • Georges River Estuary Open Day Oct 2011 • Bush Regeneration for Corrective Services • River Health Monitoring for Community Volunteers • Upper Georges River Water Quality Monitoring • Death by Bugs Intensive Macroinvertebrate Workshop, Monash University • Communicating Green Messages, Green Capital, Sydney • National Tree Day, Liverpool City Council • Riverfest, Campbelltown City Council Looking Ahead, 2012 – 2013 An exciting output for the next financial year will be the co-ordination of the first Georges River Catchment Festival. This long-desired festival is being organised in partnership with the Bankstown Arts Centre. Another new focus of the Communications Program will be introduction of corporate sponsorship. The GRCCC, with guidance from councils, has produced a draft policy which provides a template for engaging with industry and local businesses in the catchment on aspects of GRCCC programs, or events associated with community education and environmental stewardship. Volunteers from across the catchment pulled out 1 tonne of rubbish as part of Clean Up Australia Day, hosted by the GRCCC at Bolga Gong Island. The clean up exhibited a successful collaboration and synthesis between the Communications and Riverkeeper Programs.

The Georges River Estuary Handbook, right, was developed by the Communications Program Coordinator through funding from the Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative. The booklet is an educational resource for fishers, boaters and catchment residents. The GRCCC will continue to distribute the handbook to the community.

The Riverkeeper Program launched the first Riverkeeper Report Card, designed and distributed by the Communications Program, in November 2011. The launch was attended by several Georges River stakeholders, Councillors and media.

Partner Programs – LOWER GEORGES RIVER SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative The Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative (LGRSI) aimed to be a catalyst for transformative change. Practical ‘next steps’ were taken towards this aim through capacity building in the partner councils and local community groups which, in concert with on-ground project implementation, resulted in institutional change and adoption of sustainable practices. The experience of the LGRSI has confirmed that the barriers to adoption of more sustainable practices are primarily social and institutional, rather than technical; and has demonstrated that approaches which provide social and institutional ‘enablers’ can foster such practice changes. The LGRSI Business Plan was developed around four desired outcomes: 1. More Effective Urban Water Management Four councils assessed and enhanced their organisational capacity for adoption of sustainable practices and Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), and other councils in the Georges River catchment (and elsewhere) are using the Rapid Assessment and Action Planning process developed within the LGRSI to assess and enhance their capacity for adoption of WSUD. The effectiveness of WSUD on-ground works implemented in each council was optimised through application of a triple bottom line Decision Support Tool developed within the LGRSI. A Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Rapid Assessment of Institutional Capacity was developed and undertaken in each of the four LGRSI councils. Action Plans for WSU adoption were developed in each council, and these guided delivery of on-ground works of approximately $850,000. 2. More Sustainable Practices of Community & Business The community partnership projects engaged over 1300 people in sustainability activities and led to over 450 people adopting more sustainable practices. These projects provide a legacy of enhanced project implementation skills and greater connection between existing communities of interest. Each of the participating six community groups and four businesses now has a strategic plan and improved capacity for further activities. 3. More Integrated Planning of NRM Programs Natural resource management (NRM) integration projects resulted in collaborative onground works involving 14,670 native plants, development of a site scale decision support tool nested within broader scale and regional support tools developed by the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority’s (SMCMA) Botany Bay Water Quality

Partner Programs – LOWER GEORGES RIVER SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE Improvement Program and closer alignment of stakeholders within the Georges River Combined Councils’ Committee (GRCCC) Management and Implementation Plan. The LGRSI, in collaboration with the Mid and Upper Georges River Sustainability Initiatives, provided experience of several community engagement approaches, council planning approaches and collaboration arrangements which provide a range of experience to underpin future planning and activity. 4. More Effective Institutional Arrangements Within Partner Councils Organisational Profiling was conducted in Kogarah and Sutherland councils. Each of the four partner councils now have an organisational profile, and prioritised actions for improvements to organisational effectiveness for the implementation of sustainability policies and practices. Sustainability is now more deeply entrenched within each of the councils and their capacity to manage for more sustainable outcomes within their organisations and communities has been enhanced through new plans and tools.

Lessons Assessment of institutional capacity against an established framework of the required elements of capacity is an effective basis for future planning and adoption. The critical mechanism underpinning successes in each council is the building of support for change e.g. (WSUD adoption) among executives and staff not directly involved in water management i.e. cross-organisation, cross-function or cross-department. A recommendation for future programs which aim for institutional change in councils is to ensure that senior executives are engaged in approving, designing and delivering the program. Sustainability is fundamentally about human behaviour. The barriers to more sustainable practices are primarily social and institutional rather than technical, and connections through networks are critical ingredients in changing to more sustainable practices in organisations and households. Programs which allow people to start from their current situation and identify their needs and aspirations, and which support to build skills and confidence are more likely to be successful in promoting enduring change. From the Community Partnerships Program we learnt that food growing is a strong attractor for engagement in household sustainability issues. Projects based on Permaculture principles provide a systematic and practical approach which engages people in a range of household (and organisational) practice changes beyond gardening such as waste reduction, energy efficiency and green purchasing. Future projects could benefit from an approach which builds from ‘kitchen table’ issues. 20

Above, the LGRSI Estuary Open Day on October 2011, was a community engagement event which officially recognised the St George Motor Boat Club for its induction into the Clean Marinas Program.

Partner Programs – IMPROVING PROSPECT CREEK SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE Improving Prospect Creek for Water Quality and Habitat The Improving Prospect Creek Sustainability Initiative is funded by the NSW Environmental Trust and involves the collaboration of Bankstown, Fairfield and Holroyd City Councils. The IPC project was developed as a result of the concern for the condition of the creek. The Prospect Creek Catchment is located in Sydney’s south west and covers an area of 98 square kilometres. Prospect Creek is approximately 26 km long and flows from the Prospect Reservoir to the Georges River at Georges Hall. The objectives of the project are to: 1. Improve the condition and extent of native vegetation communities along the Prospect Creek riparian corridor 2. Increase understanding of the current biological values of the creek’s riparian corridor 3. Identify, assess and prioritise Local Government management actions to rehabilitate the ecological functions of Prospect Creek 4. Develop relationships between land managers, indigenous groups and community members to better manage Prospect Creek 5. Increase awareness of the significance of Prospect Creek and encourage greater participation in the rehabilitation of the creek by the local community. The project has two key stages. The first stage involves the development of a Strategic Management Plan (SMP) and the section stage involves the implementation of the key recommendations from the SMP.

Status of Project The IPC project has been extended for 5 months to facilitate the construction of a gross pollutant trap and stormwater outlet protection at Little Street, Smithfield. This project aims to improve the water quality of Prospect Creek by removing gross pollutants from this industrial sub-catchment and stabilising a large stormwater outlet that has created a scour pit and eroded the creek bank. The site will be rehabilitated with local provenance native plants that have been grown at Fairfield Community Nursery. The project will commence construction in early November 2012 and is expected to be completed by February 2013.

Partner Programs – IMPROVING PROSPECT CREEK SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE The project is now in the second stage of implementing the key recommendations from the SMP: •

Riparian corridor widening is continuing May 2012 in lower Prospect Creek within Fairfield LGA, involving weed removal and tree planting. A community planting day is planned for Saturday the 23rd of June at the Cook Avenue Reserve site.

•

Bush regeneration work is continuing at Mirambeena Regional Park, in Bankstown LGA

•

Detailed design being conducted for gross pollutant trap and rock plunge pool at Little Street, Smithfield. Construction is planned for September / October 2012.

The grant funding phase of the project is planned to be completed at the end of October 2012. For further details regarding this project, please contact Tim Johnson on 9725 0758 or by email tjohnson@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au.

Left, community members and a local Bushcare group contributed their time to a revegetation effort at Cook Park. At right, the finished product.

OPERATIONAL INCOME & EXPENDITURE STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 June 2012

APPENDIX A – GRCCC Representation on Partner Programs Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative Steering Committee – GRCCC Programs Manager and Communications Officer Upper Georges River Sustainability Initiative Committee – GRCCC Chairperson Improving Prospect Creek Sustainability Initiative Steering Committee – GRCCC Chairperson Georges River Estuary Management Committee – GRCCC Programs Manager / Chairperson Botany Bay Water Quality Improvement Program Reference Committee – GRCCC Programs Manager Cooks River Alliance – GRCCC River Health Program Co-Coordinator Meetings of the GRCCC Meetings of the GRCCC were held bi-monthly with the location rotating between member Councils. During 2011-12 meetings were held on the following dates: 25 August 2011 at Rockdale City Council 17 November 2011 at Sutherland Shire Council (Annual General Meeting) 23 February 2012 at Campbelltown City Council 26 April 2012 at Kogarah City Council 28 June 2012 at Hurstville City Council The GRCCC Executive Group met on the following dates at the Host Council: 13 July 2011 10 August 2011 14 September 2011 12 October 2011 9 November 2011 8 February 2012 14 March 2012 4 April 2012 9 May 2012 13 June 2012 14 December 2011

Appendix B – Member Council Representation at GRCCC Meetings Aug-11 HOST COUNCIL

Rockdale

Nov-11

Feb-12

Sutherland Campbelltown

Apr-12

Jun-12

Kogarah

Hurstville

Bankstown Councillor

Staff

Councillor

Staff

Councillor

Staff

Campbelltown

Fairfield Councillor Staff Hurstville

Kogarah Councillor Staff

X X

Liverpool Councillor

Staff

Rockdale Councillor

Staff

X X

Sutherland Councillor Staff

X X

Wollondilly Councillor Staff

Appendix C - Election of Office Bearers 17 November 2011 The following members of the GRCCC were elected as office bearers at the Annual General Meeting at Sutherland Shire Council: Chairperson: Cr Julie Bourke (Campbelltown City Council) Vice President: Cr Naji Peter Najjar (Bankstown City Council) Public Officer / Treasurer: Cr Peter Harle (Liverpool City Council) 2011-2012 Hosting of the GRCCC: Hurstville City Council The GRCCC would like to express its sincere thanks to Hurstville City Council for the tremendous support provided during the 2011-12 period. In particular, we would like to thank Hurstville Council Host Manager Ian Curtis, Manager Environmental Sustainability, who continues to provide valuable support and advice to the GRCCC.

APPENDIX D – Participating Councils and Other Organisations Liverpool City Council Cr. Peter Harle, Member Cr Gary Lucas, Member Ms Sandra Kubecka, Manager Mr Arvind Lal, Manager Mr Joel Daniels, Technical Officer

Bankstown City Council Cr Naji Peter Najjar, Member7 Mr James Carey, Manager Ms Cherie Blackburn, Technical Officer Ms Robyn Young, Technical Officer Ms Rebecca Piper, Technical Officer Ms Emily Forrest, Team Leader

Rockdale City Council Cr Lesa de Leau, Member Cr James Macdonald, Member Mr David Dekel, Manager Ms Kristy Gooding, Technical Officer Ms Alexandra Vandine, Technical Officer

Campbelltown City Council Cr Julie Bourke, Member Cr George Greiss, Member Ms Renee Winsor, Manager Mr Mathew Egan, Project Mgr UGRSI Ms Maura Pigeon, Technical Officer

Sutherland Shire Council Cr Mark Buttigieg, Member Cr Kent Johns, Member Cr Kevin Schrieber, Member Mr Gwyn Cleeves, Manager Mr Brendon Graham, Manager Ms Christine Guthrie, Technical Officer Ms Beth Noel, Technical Officer Mr Paul Price, Bushcare Coordinator

Fairfield City Council Mr Stuart Rodham, Manager Mr Erin Sellers, Manager Ms Nicole Thomas, Technical officer Mr Darren Ikin, Technical Officer Mr Peter Oriehov, Tech Officer Hurstville City Council Cr Nancy Liu, Member Cr Philip Sansom, Member Cr Steve McMahon, Member Cr Anne Wagstaff, Member Mr Ian Curtis, Manager Ms Nicole Boyd, Technical Officer

Wollondilly Shire Council Cr Michael Banasik, Member Mr Brad Staggs, Manager Ms Alexandra Stengl, Technical Officer

Kogarah City Council Cr N. Varvaris, Member Mr Glen Moody, Manager Mr Tom Heath, Technical Officer Ms Elisa Idris, Technical Officer

National Parks & Wildlife Service Mr Andres Bianchi Mr Barry Hodgson Mr Michael Hand

Mr Peter Freewater Cooks River Alliance Ms Joanna Lamb Ms Jan Orton Ms Nell Graham Ms Shefali Chakrabarty

Department of Primary Industries NSW Ms Carla Ganassin Mr Dan Cross Ms Kylie Russell

Community Representatives Ms Sharyn Cullis, Georges River Environmental Alliance and Georges River Environmental Education Centre Mr Peter Tralaggan– Georges River Environmental Alliance Ms Dawn Emerson – Past GRCCC President Mr Lew Solberg – Gandangara Aboriginal Land Council Mr Brian Shaw – Botany Bay & Catchment Alliance Ms Signe Westerberg, Upper Georges River Sustainability Initiative Mr Bruce Cook, Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative Ms Melina Amerasinghe, Lower Georges River Sustainability Initiative

Parramatta River Catchment Group Ms Leanne Harvey Oceanwatch Australia Mr Simon Rowe Mr Michael Wooden Sydney Water Ms Liz Minor Ms Kaia Hodge Mr Matthew Lewis Corrective Services NSW Mr Darren Ross Mr Shaun Cleary Office of Environment and Heritage Mr Daniel Wiecek

GRCCC Staff Ms Alison Hanlon, GRCCC Program Manager Mr David Kuhn, Communications/Engagement Mr Tony Wales, Riverkeeper, Jan 2011-ongoing Mr Carl Tippler, River Health Coordinator Ms Maureen McLuckie, Admin Officer 6 months Ms Claire Evans, River Health Officer

Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority Mr John Carse Phill Birtles Mr Owen Graham Mr John Dahlenburg Ms Jenna Hore Ms Nerida Gill Ms Louise MacMahon

NSW Maritime Authority Mr Graeme Dunlavie Mr Drew Jones

APPENDIX E – GRCCC Program Cluster Members Georges River Estuary Management Cluster Cr Philip Sansom Cr Steve McMahon Cr Lesa de Leau Cr Peter Harle Gwyn Cleeves Ian Curtis Alison Hanlon Cherie Blackburn Joel Daniels & Maruf Hossain Owen Graham Carla Ganassin Danny Wiecek Sharyn Cullis Fred El Bahou Alexandra Vandine Craig Shephard/Mick Hand Erin Sellers Alison Hanlon Tony Wales David Kuhn

Hurstville City Council Hurstville City Council Rockdale City Council Liverpool City Council Sutherland Shire Council Hurstville City Council GRCCC Program Manager Bankstown City Council Liverpool City Council SMCMA NSW Dept of Primary Industries DECCW Community Rep Community Rep Rockdale City Council National Parks and Wildlife Service Fairfield City Council GRCCC GRCCC GRCCC

Riverkeeper Program Cluster Rebecca Piper / Paul Morse Andrew Attewell / Renee Winsor Nicole Thomas Nicole Boyd / Ian Curtis / Heather Stolle / Rob Casey / Samantha Watkins

Bankstown City Council Campbelltown City Council Fairfield City Council Hurstville City Council

Tom Heath / Glen Moody Joel Daniels & Liverpool Council Bush Regeneration Team

Kogarah City Council Liverpool City Council

Alexandra Vandine / Col Freeman / Adam Smith and Leah Ilkiw

Rockdale City Council

Beth Noel / Paul Price / Brendon Graham and SSC Bushcare Team

Sutherland Shire Council

Brad Staggs / Alex Stengl Col Freeman Mat Egan

Wollondilly Shire Council LGRSI / Rockdale City Council UGRSI / Campbelltown City Improving Prospect Creek USP / Fairfield City Council GRCCC GRCCC CS NSW SMCMA NPWS

Tim Johnson / Eddie Ferry Tony Wales Alison Hanlon Shaun Cleary and Darryn Ross Nerida Gill Mick Hand / Barry Hodgson

River Health Monitoring Program Rebecca Piper / Robyn Young Alana Keane/ Renee Winsor Maura Matt Egan Peter Oriehov / Nicole Thomas Ian Curtis / Nicole Boyd Tom Heath Joel Daniels Alexandra Vandine / Leah Ilkiw Col Freeman Beth Noel Alex Stengl Sharyn Cullis / Anne Brian / Garth Jones Haley Bates Liz Minor Carl Tippler Alison Hanlon Claire Evans

Bankstown City Council Campbelltown City Council UGRSI/Campbelltown City Council Fairfield City Council Hurstville City Council Kogarah City Council Liverpool City Council Rockdale City Council LGRSI/Rockdale City Council Sutherland Shire Council Wollondilly Shire Council Georges River Environmental Education Centre Sydney Water Sydney Water GRCCC GRCCC GRCCC

Finance and Administration Cluster Cr Julie Bourke Cr Naji Najjar Cr Peter Harle Arvind Lal / Joel Daniels James Carey Ian Curtis Brian Long Glen Moody Ian Drinnan /Beth Noel Andrew Spooner /Renee Winsor Alison Hanlon

Campbelltown City Council Bankstown City Council Liverpool City Council Liverpool City Council Bankstown City Council Hurstville City Council Fairfield City Council Kogarah City Council Sutherland Shire Council Campbelltown City Council GRCCC

GRCCC Communications & Engagement Cluster Robyn Young / Rebecca Piper Maura Pigeon / Renee Winsor / Peta Gismondo Nicole Thomas / Athena Zeiter Nicole Boyd / Tanya Abraham Elisa Idris / Tom Heath / Eva Papas Joel Daniels / Fiona Lelilio Leah Ilkiw / Alexandra Vandine / Colin Henderson Beth Noel / Tegan Yasserie / Karen Firth / Karen Lord Brad Staggs / Damien Stirling / Joanne Down Louise MacMahon David Kuhn Alison Hanlon

Bankstown City Council Campbelltown City Council Fairfield City Council Hurstville City Council Kogarah City Council Liverpool City Council Rockdale City Council Sutherland Shire Council Wollondilly Shire Council SMCMA GRCCC GRCCC