Melissa Hargraves
Construction of a stormwater treatment wetland at Slaters Creek on the Wilsons River was given the go ahead at this week’s Lismore City Council (LCC) meeting.
Slaters Creek is just one of 16 urban catchments identified within council’s Stormwater Management Plan (2007). During its recent Imagine Lismore consultation program, LCC identified that residents value the health of the river and would like to see more done to restore it.
The area has Aboriginal cultural significance, as historically it was a wetland hunting ground. It received state funding as part of the Reconnecting to Country project, which saw the establishment of the Banyam/Baigham Landcare Group.
Alongside residents, the group has already undertaken restoration work on Slaters Creek downstream from the wetland site. Flood prone land on Slaters Creek has previously been purchased for restoration in partnership with the North Lismore community.
Locally based Water and Carbon Group won the tender for the works, which will cost council $180,000. The area will be planted out with aquatic plants that will filter nutrients such as phosphorous from stormwater. The project will also include pathways for walking and cycling and a bird watching area.
If this small scale trial of stormwater treatment is successful, Council will evaluate its broader use.
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