The completion of the Cooks River Urban Water Initiative (CRUWI) was celebrated last night with a dinner attended by Labor Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese.
“I am proud to say that this achievement was made possible by the first ever Federal investment in the Cooks River,” said Mr Albanese.
“The Federal Labor Government’s $2 million funding has contributed significantly to the success of this three year project, which was developed by State and local government agencies.”
The CRUWI has seen the development of:

• Six gross pollutant traps


• Four new Bio-retention projects


• Three fresh wetlands (remediated or installed)


• Three salt marshes have been instigated.

These changes have resulted in increases in fish breeding, bird life and other native fauna in the Cooks River Catchment.
Locally, two notable projects are:

• A Salt marsh has been constructed in Steel Park, Marrickville, pulling the seawall back, allowing the tide back in again. The Water play area, which uses recycled water, is very popular with local families.


• Cup and Saucer Creek in Canterbury has had $924,000 spent on wetlands which will filter storm run-off and create a habitat for native wildlife and vegetation.

“This project has been a great example of what can happen when different levels of government and local volunteers work together,” said Mr Albanese.
“I would like to thank, in particular, Peter Munro of the Cooks River Valley Association and Peter Stevens of the Wolli Creek Preservation Society for co-ordinating the enthusiastic volunteers, who contributed so much time to these projects”.