Flaggy Creek Reserve at Charlestown has been transformed from a stormwater drain infested with large woody weeds and debris and prone to flooding into a more natural free flowing creek surrounded by diverse native vegetation.
The Department of Planning and Environment – Crown Lands has invested more than $560,000 to remove invasive trees choking the waterway, planting over 9,000 native grasses, shrubs and trees, and rebuilding creek banks.
Crown Lands has cleaned up the creek, made its bed more level and lined it with 930 tonnes of sandstone to slow stormwater after heavy rain and prevent erosion and flooding.
The work, also supported by adjoining residents, will protect properties from flooding and has transformed the reserve into an ecosystem where birds, lizards, frogs and other animals can thrive, with 55 different species of native trees and ground covers planted including paperbarks, banksias, eucalypts and wattles.
The NSW Government invested $500,000 into the 150-metre stretch of creek under its COVID-19 stimulus program with a further $63,360 from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund to remove camphor laurel, privet, lantana and coral trees that were choking the waterway.
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said new native vegetation in Flaggy Creek Reserve will thicken as its young trees grow to maturity, helping prevent a return of the ‘wall of weeds’ that confronted anyone driving down Moto Street.
“This investment by the NSW Government has supported jobs in the Hunter during the COVID-19 downturn and has left a lasting legacy for the environment,” Mr Anderson said.
“Crown reserves play a critical role in protecting the environment and supporting communities with everything from green open space, parks and ovals to community halls and surf life-saving clubs.”
The weed choked creek before the project began.
New sandstone channels and native plants have restored the creek.
