A catchment is the area of land that drains into a creek or river system. Whatever happens in that catchment, affects that waterway. This is because the rainwater that runs off our roofs, roads and footpaths will eventually end up at the bottom of the catchment, along with whatever pollution it picks up on the way.
Everyone lives in a catchment and we all have the opportunity to affect the quality of our local waterways through the choices we make. It’s up to us as a community to keep our waterways clean.
Most residents in Marrickville live in the Cooks River catchment.
The Cooks River is a dynamic river system that could potentially be a healthy natural environment within the urban landscape. The River and its foreshores provide a recreational resource valued by the local and wider communities, from sports groups, to joggers, dog walkers, cyclists, anglers and boat users.
The Cooks River foreshores provide an ideal opportunity to restore and conserve a range of native plant communities and wildlife habitats. Today the River and its catchment is being managed to assist the natural recovery of water quality, aquatic life, riverbed and enhanced riverbanks.
Many residents of Newtown live in the Botany Bay catchment. Botany Bay is a part of Sydney Harbour and has particular historical significance as it was one of the first areas of the harbour explored by white settlers in 1788.
A very small area of the Marrickville area drains into Rozelle Bay via Whites Creek. You may live in this catchment if you live in some parts of Stanmore. Rozelle Bay is a part of Sydney Harbour and a significant site of natural beauty and heritage.
For more information on the catchments of the Marrickville area contact Council's Water and Catchments Coordinator or phone 9335 2104.