The CRUWI Reference Committee last week agreed to fund a new project at Steel Park, Marrickville in a partnership with Marrickville Council. The project will involve the removal of a length of the seawall beside the park and the land surface lowered for a small section of the park to allow tidal water to flow over it in the highest tides. In this newly created area saltmarsh plants will be established and will gradually form the new saltmarsh meadow.

Saltmarsh is an endangered ecological community in NSW and on the Cooks River there is only a few small remnant patches remaining. Saltmarsh is important habitat for a range of species including wader birds, insectivorous bats, crustaceans and fish, including commercial species.

The construction of the saltmarsh will be project managed by Marrickville Council who are also working on a range of recreation and environmental improvements to Steel Park including stormwater treatment though Water Sensitive Urban Design landscaping. The CMA will be working closely with Marrickville Council in the months ahead as contracts are signed and designs completed on this exciting project!