Published on 13 May 2024

$5 million creek rehabilitation project begins

The City of Onkaparinga has announced a five-year, $5 million project to restore 5.3 kilometres of once-degraded waterways in Happy Valley, O’Halloran Hill, Reynella East, Old Reynella and Woodcroft.

Funded by the Australian Government, the Urban Creek Resilience and Recovery Project will combat the detrimental effects of urban development, including pollution, erosion, silt deposits and loss of native vegetation.

Technical experts, Traditional Owners and community members will work together to restore Panalatinga Creek, Serpentine Creek and associated tributaries, which serve as integral parts of the Field River catchment and an important habitat for several threatened species.

“These creeks are linked to the Byards and Candy Road wetlands and nearby conservation reserves and play a pivotal role in preserving biodiversity in the region,” said Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were.

"The community cherishes their local environments, and that's why we want to work with them to restore these special creeks to their former glory,” she said.

Federal Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, commended the project, emphasising its roots in community involvement.

“This project was informed by community needs. The local community will be involved in the design phases and there will be many opportunities for people to get outside and get involved with this project,” she said.

Over the next five years, the project will encompass a range of activities, from weed removal and debris clean-up to infrastructure enhancements and native revegetation.

Improving the health and functionality of these watercourses promises a host of benefits, from providing better habitats for local flora and fauna to creating inviting spaces for community interaction with nature.

Key project objectives include:

• establishing and improving riparian and aquatic habitats to benefit native species, including threatened species
• improving water quality, hydrology or in-stream connectivity to benefit native and threatened aquatic species
• improving urban green space, providing community access to nature, and helping reduce heat-related impacts in urban areas caused by climate change.

The project will build on the success of the City of Onkaparinga’s award-winning Urban Creek Recovery Project, which improved the condition and connectivity of 62.5km of watercourse habitats between 2013–18.

To find out more and stay up-to-date on the progress of this project, register your details via the dedicated Your Say webpage. 

PICTURED

Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth and City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were with teacher and students from Reynella East College.