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Estuaries in NSW

Georges River
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Botany Bay Cooks River
[Image of Estuary] Georges River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 800 km2
Waterway Area 12 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open to Botany Bay
Location (Lat-Long) 33.998S ,  151.155E
Distance (from Sydney) 30 km South
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The river varies in width from about 30 m near Liverpool to approximately 1,500 m at its mouth adjacent to Dolls Point in Botany Bay. The tidal limit is at Liverpool Weir, approximately 50 km upstream of Dolls Point where the tidal range is approximately equal to that at the mouth.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Georges River
Prospect Creek
Lake Gillawarna
Williams Creek
Tudera Creek
Yeramba Lagoon
Salt Pan Creek
Little Salt Pan Creek
Boggywell Creek
Woronora River
Forbes Creek
Woronora River

Population and Holiday Centres

Liverpool and Sydney Southwestern Suburbs

Special Attributes

General

  • Liverpool weir building by convicts in 1836 under the supervision of Lennox.
  • Important recreational waterway for residents of the south-western suburbs of Sydney - very popular amateur fishing and motor boating.
  • The Chipping Norton Lake Scheme, situated near the tidal limit, involves rehabilitation of some 160 ha of sand and gravel pits to provide a water-based recreational amenity, and substantially enhanced estuarine environment.
  • Heavy urban pollution inputs, ie. sewage, sediment and nutrients.
  • Source of extractive sand resources.

Estuarine Vegetation

The spatial data is reproduced from NSW Fisheries(2006/7) studies, whilst the species makeup is from the West et al.(1985). This map shows the spatial extent of the Estuarine Vegetation.

Type Area Species 1
(km2)
Mangroves 2.115 av,ae
Seagrass 0.481 z
Saltmarsh 0.276

References

R.J. Williams, G. West, D. Morrison and R.G. Creese, (2006),
"Estuarine Resources of New South Wales",
prepared for the Comprehensive Coastal Assessment (DoP) by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens.

R.J. West, C.A. Thorogood, T.R. Walford and R.J. Williams. (1985).
"An Estuarine Inventory for New South Wales, Australia".
Fisheries Bulletin 2. Department of Agriculture, New South Wales.

Estuary Commerce

oyster, boating, tourism, extraction

Management Issues

This estuary falls in the area covered by Sydney Metro Catchment Management Authority.

There are 5 committee(s) active on this estuary

Georges River

Management Issues

  • Contaminants in bottom sediments have resulted in commercial and recreational fishing bans in the lower reaches.
  • Water quality is influenced by stormwater, land use, recreational and commercial shipping discharges.
  • Woronora Dam, removal of upland swamps, groundwater extractions and past dredging have modified the volume and pattern of river flows.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) none
Assemble Existing Data none
Carryout Process Study none
Carryout Estuary Management Study none
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Little Salt Pan Creek

Current Situation

Bankstown Council has formed an estuary management committee for Little Salt Pan Creek. An estuary management plan has been prepared which Council is currently implementing.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study completed
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed
Review Estuary Management Plan completed
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Bankstown City Council Nerida Williams
Ph (02) 9707 9400 Fax 9707 9587

Kelso Creek

Current Situation

Bankstown Council has formed an estuary management committee for Kelso Creek. An estuary management plan has been prepared which Council is currently implementing.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study completed
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed
Review Estuary Management Plan completed
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Bankstown City Council Nerida Williams
Ph (02) 9707 9400 Fax 9707 9587

Kogarah Bay and Oatley Bay

Current Situation

Kogarah Council has formed an estuary management committee for its waterways within the Georges River including Kogarah Bay and Oatley Bay. Council is currently preparing a process and management options study for Kogarah Bay as a step in the preparation of the management plan for the bay.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study commenced
Carryout Estuary Management Study commenced
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Kogarah Council Amit Chanan
Ph (02) 9330 9400 Fax 9330 9560

Woronora River

Current Situation

Sutherland Shire Council has formed an estuary management committee for the Woronora River Estuary to prepare an estuary management plan. The main issues to be focused on include the silting up of the river, access problems by residents of Deepwater Estate, bank erosion, water quality, and protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study commenced
Carryout Estuary Management Study none
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Sutherland Shire Council Gwyn Cleeves
Ph (02) 9710 0473

References

Local Government Areas

Sutherland
Bankstown
Hurstville
Rockdale
Kogarah
Liverpool

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Botany Bay
Liverpool
Port Hacking