REVITALISING SYDNEY’S COOKS RIVER
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE - MINISTERS PLIBERSEK, BURKE, BURNEY AND MEMBER FOR REID
The Albanese Labor Government is investing $10 million to better protect and restore the iconic Cooks River in south-eastern Sydney.
The funding will be used for activities including tree planting, riverbank stabilisation, and the installation of litter traps, to support the restoration of waterways at Parry Park (Cox’s Creek) and Bardwell Valley-Coolibah Reserve.
This project will improve the habitat of aquatic species, including the threatened green and golden bell frogs, as well as providing the community with better access to nature, including a new paddle trail.
The project will be delivered by Cooks River Alliance in partnership with Indigenous rangers.
This is part of the Government’s $200 million investment in projects that help community groups, NGOs, councils and First Nations groups clean up and restore their local rivers and waterways. This includes activities like planting native species along creeks and building small-scale wetlands to improve water quality.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:
“We want to leave nature better off for our kids and grandkids, and that means repairing damage to our environment and better protecting it for the future.
“That’s why we’re investing $200 million in projects to revitalise our urban rivers and creeks. We want to support the groups on the ground who understand the needs in their community and are working to better manage and restore their local environment.
“Nearly half of all nationally listed threatened animals and a quarter of our threatened plants occur in urban areas. We need to act now to protect them.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Watson, the Hon Tony Burke MP:
“It’s a river, but for more than a hundred years it’s been managed like it was a stormwater drain.
“The closer to the mouth you get the more you can see what’s possible if we invest in rehabilitation.
“This announcement’s a decision – a decision that says the beauty of the natural environment shouldn’t be limited to the most wealthy postcodes.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Barton, the Hon Linda Burney MP:
“The Cooks River is an asset that we must look after for future generations to enjoy.
“This funding will help efforts to rehabilitate and clean up the waterway and bring the river back to its natural beauty.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Reid, Sally Sitou MP:
“One of the most important things we can do for future generations is to leave the environment in a better state than we found it and that’s why I’m proud of the investment that the Albanese Labor Government is making to breathe life back into our urban rivers and creeks like the Cooks River.
It’s a practical project that will make a real difference to the river and to the communities who enjoy it.”
ENDS