The Riverlife project aims to engage the community to actively learn about stormwater problems in their unique social and physical environments and to do something about local environment problems. Riverlife is a joint initiative of Marrickville, Canterbury and Strathfield Councils funded by Our Environment - It's a Living Thing.
The Riverlife project began in 2002 and has involved a number of aspects.
Riverlife Interpretive Tours are an opportunity for local citizens to share knowledge and passions about the Cooks River in an interactive and engaging way. The first group of Riverlife Interpretive Tour Guides were trained in October 2003 and resulted in highly popular kayaking tours on the river run by the Tempe River Canoe Club; an arts workshop that allows creative expression of the value of the river; and a walking tour that interprets the history and stories of the Cooks River.
To find out when the next tour is on please view our events calendar.
Through the Urban Stormwater Integrated Management (USWIM) project Marrickville Council is working with the community to manage our water sustainably. Through water sensitive urban design we aim to:
Find out more about Local Sustainable Water Planning in Marrickville.
Streamwatch is a program where school and community groups test the health of their local waterways for variables such as temperature, pH, conductivity and turbidity. RiverLife is working to increase the number of schools and community groups within the Cooks River Catchment participating in the Streamwatch program. Streamwatch is important for the community as:
The RiverLife Cooks River Film Festival called for local film makers to make a short film on the Cooks River. Filmmakers were encouraged to produce unique interpretations of the river from either the past, present or future. The films had to reflect positive behavioural changes that would encourage positive impacts on the river. Prizes were awarded at a Gala screening and awards night at the Newtown Dendy.
The RiverLife project is funding major structural and revegetation works to reduce erosion and improve water quality, along a section of the Cooks River through Strathfield Golf Course where significant bank slumping and sedimentation has been occurring.
For more information on Riverlife, please contact Council's Biodiversity Coordinator on 9335 2254 or e-mail biocoord@marrickville.nsw.gov.au.