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Cooper Creek Sustainable Water Project

Cooper Creek view

Cooper Creek - ours to protect and conserve

 Woollahra Council received $250,000 between 2009 and 2011 from the NSW Environmental Trust for 'The Cooper Creek Sustainable Water Project'. The project aimed to ensure the long term health of Cooper Creek for future generations.

Why undertake the Cooper Creek Sustainable Water Project?

Cooper Park contains the largest area of bushland in Woollahra and the only significant natural creek system in the eastern suburbs. Urban development has put a great deal of pressure on the park.

Storm water run-off, dumping, garden waste and litter have led to loss of native vegetation and habitat and an increase in weeds in the park.

The creek has experienced declining water quality and siltation which in turn affects habitats and biodiversity.

Three year restoration of Cooper Creek

Over the three year project, Woollahra Council worked to restore the bushland within Cooper Park, improve water quality in the creek and work closely with local residents to create sustainable gardens that will help reduce their impact on Cooper Park.

Projects carried out included: the introduction of a new storm water recycling system which saves and re-uses 3.3milliion litres of water every year and the rehabilitation of 3,800 square metres of bushland.

Sustainable Landscapes Project

The Sustainable Landscapes Project was designed to alter the behaviour of residents within the Cooper Park Catchment. Residents surrounding the park were encouraged to adopt new land management practices such as sustainable gardening, use of rainwater tanks, eco-gardens, native plants, waste avoidance and the recycling of garden and food waste through composting on site rather than dumping into surrounding bushland.

After initial consultation within the catchment area, Woollahra Council selected four households within the catchment to keep records of their water, energy and waste for one year and open their garden for sustainable landscaping workshops to teach neighbouring residents how they can create a sustainable garden in their own home, live green and reduce their impact on the local environment.

Steve Batley from Sydney Organic Gardens, a qualified landscape architect and permaculture designer, worked with the selected households to create a sustainable garden design that featured a range of elements including rainwater tanks, edible gardens, composting facilities and an aquaponics installation.

Watch video of the aquaponics installation.

A summary of the works undertaken in each garden can be found in the below fact sheets:

Community Involvement

Residents, businesses, schools and the broader community also became involved in the project through the Friends of Cooper Park network.

Become a Friend of Cooper Park

Many residents also enjoyed the Cooper Park Community Day held in October 2010 and November 2011 which included a range of free workshops, kids activities, giveaways and informative displays and talks about the history and fauna of the park.

More Information

For more information on this project, contact the Environmental Education Officer on 9391 7095.