Latest Update
Over the past few months we have been collecting information about the creeks, including:
- Recording weed species and densities, tree data and native vegetation.
- Wildlife surveys including birds, frogs and insects.
- Collecting data on water flows and quality, including water bugs.
- Assessing site conditions by looking at built structures, erosion and flood management.
- Talking to different experts to get data and advice to improve these creeks and habitats for local native plants and animals.
- Meeting with community onsite through creek meet ups
- Holding a workshop
We wanted to hear from you to help us shape the future of these two creeks. Ensuring future water quality, habitats for native wildlife and to make it a great place for people to connect with nature.
We asked what is important to you including:
- What parts of the creeks should be protected?
- What things should be improved?
- What could be achieved?
We analysed the feedback and refined our understanding of the priorities, the themes in order of importance:
- Plants/trees
- Social/recreation
- Habitat for wildlife
- Animals
- Pollution
- Water flows/quality
- Other
- Education/awareness
- Management/procedures
- Erosion
To read more about the community engagement feedback please view the engagement outcomes page.
This year we will work to design solutions to support biodiversity and create healthy creeks for wildlife and people. We will share design ideas with you to get your feedback.
Project updates
Background
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 professionals, Traditional Owners and community members will work together to restore Panalatinga Creek and associated tributaries, which serve as integral parts of the Field River catchment and an important habitat for several threatened species.
Federal Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, has shown her support for the project and emphasised its roots in community involvement, getting hands on with students from Reynella East College.
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
This initiative builds on the success of the City of Onkaparinga’s award-winning Urban Creek Recovery Project (2013–18), which improved the condition and connectivity of 62.5km of watercourse habitats. More details about that project, including the type of work involved and waterway locations, can be found in the Urban Creek Recovery Project map.
