The project was funded initially under the Commonwealth Government?s National Landcare Program, and then through the Natural Heritage Trust. The project was designed to address the need for on-ground works to improve fish habitat and water quality, and hence the sustainability of the Sydney Metropolitan Region?s fishing industry. A Community Landcare Coordinator was employed to engage and support landcare groups, the fishing industry, community, local government and other key stakeholders in the implementation of the project. The project also included on-ground works and project promotion and education/awareness. 

From Tide to Table recognises the critical link between activities in the waterways of the Sydney Metropolitan catchments to the commercial fishing industry that is responsible for putting fish on our dinner tables. The project was designed to address the need for on-ground works to improve fish habitat and water quality and hence the sustainability of the Sydney Metropolitan Region?s fishing industry.

From Tide to Table Stage 1 

Stage 1 of the Tide to Table program focused on working with community groups such as Bushcare to undertake on-ground works to improve fish habitat and water quality that in turn, support and build sustainable seafood resources and marine life within the Sydney region.  

A project steering committee was established by the SMCMA to provide advice and guidance on the project and also to link the project to other related activities. It included representatives from Government, Industry, Community, and other Non Government Organisations. 

There were 15 on-ground work projects, operating across 29 sites around Sydney , working to repair and restore critical fish habitat and address poor water quality impacting on seafood resources. These on-ground projects are partnerships between local or state government, and community Bushcare groups, and were designed to allow Bushcare volunteers to tackle issues concerning water quality, riparian vegetation and wetlands management.

Some examples of the types of outcomes resulting from these projects include:
- areas of valuable wetland were fenced off from 4-Wheel-Drive damage;
- existing saltmarsh flora and fauna was restored and weeds removed;
- barriers to fish passage were removed;
- stormwater outputs were directed through gross pollutant traps and other mechanisms designed to reduce sediment, debris, and nutrient loading; and
- river banks prone to erosion were stabilised and endemic natives replanted. 

As a result of the project approximately 20 hectares of waterway corridor was restored and 67,322 local native riparian and wetland plants were planted at various sites throughout the SMCMA area. Also, 10 fishing industry/landcare group and/or community tours, and planting days were held. 

Coordinator/Project delivered by: Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority
Project Partners: OceanWatch Australia , NSW Department of Primary Industries
Funding Source: National Landcare Program
Total funding amount: $412,500
Project timeframe: April 2005 to May 2006
Status: Completed

From Tide to Table Stage 2

Tide to Table Stage 2 has been a continuation of the effort applied from Tide to Table Stage 1. It has filled the gap in providing funding and knowledge to facilitate further work in the estuarine and riparian environments in the Sydney Metropolitan region. The seafood Industry of NSW continue to support the initiative and have been very appreciative of all efforts from those involved. This has been in the form of verbal feedback from not only boards but the fishers and oyster farmers themselves both in Sydney and the rest of NSW. By providing this avenue to direct industry related environmental issues towards a program that can and has delivered results, the seafood and recreational industry can continue to provide sustainable products and enjoyment.

Part of the project involved the engagement of contractors for on-ground works. This included:

Canada Bay - Works included the removal of weed species from within and around the saltmarsh areas to allow the continued expansion of saltmarsh. A buffer planting bed was formalised to delineate a ?no-mow? zone further stop the spread of weeds into the area as well as allowing the native species to increase.

Lane Cove - Regeneration occurred around the saltmarsh interface at the site, where the removal of weeds has given way to the recruitment of numerous native species including Juncus kraussii and Melaleuca ericifolia.

Towra Point ? A colony of exotic Juncus species was removed and replaced with native Juncus in order to help maintain the integrity the riparian area as habitat, and to provide protection to native flora and fauna. Additionally, fencing was erected around the site to assist in protecting the riparian environment in the reserve and to restrict illegal access.

Coordinator/Project delivered by: Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority

Project Partners: OceanWatch Australia , Department of Primary Industries Fisheries, Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority, and Hunter Rivers Catchment Management Authority.
Funding Source: National Landcare Program and Natural Heritage Trust
Total funding amount: NLP $65,000; NHT $50,000
Project timeframe: August 2006 to September 2007
Status: Completed

From Tide to Table Stage 3

In stage 3 it was envisaged the Community Landcare Coordinator would spend their time equally divided between on-ground maintenance of past projects within the SMCMA, promotion of the program, carrying out education activities and waterway clean-ups. The project involved continued work with community groups such as Bushcare to undertake on-ground works to improve fish habitat and water quality, and in turn support and build sustainable seafood resources and marine life within the Sydney region.

Tide to Table Stage 3 was able to continue the original initiative in an adaptive way by funding follow up on-ground works and seeking new partners and supporting them in endeavours to extend their initiatives. This included supporting CEN seagrass monitoring (which was new to the Sydney region) and by supplying support funds to the EcoDivers for insurance that assisted the establishment of a group for an underwater fishing tackle clean up initiative.

The success of the Tide to Table program also encouraged its adoption by other regions and industries in Australia . The program was running across 5 different Natural Resource Management regions in NSW and Queensland in 2008.

Some of the results of the Stage 3 project included:
- An Aquatic Habitat Local Government field day ? 57 participants
- Installation of interpretive signage at the Sydney Fish Markets
- A fishing line and tackle clean up in Botany Bay
- New Moon Festival community day at the Sydney Fish Markets
- 4 Wheel Drive and Camping Expo
- National Wetlands Innovation Series Forum ? presentation to 60 people
- World Wetlands Day, Pittwater ? 80 people
- UTS Fisheries Class ? 40 people
- Fish sampling at Wolli Creek

Coordinator/Project delivered by: Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority
Project Partners: OceanWatch Australia
Funding Source: National Landcare Program and Natural Heritage Trust
Total funding amount: NLP $67,500; NHT $30,000
Project timeframe: July 2008 to June 2008
Status: Completed

From Tide to Table Stage 4

Stage 4 of the program aimed to reach a number of new target markets including the spear fishing fraternity, to help achieve environmental actions and spread positive news. Workshops for fishers that work from Sydney proved valuable in recording the obstacles they faced. Similarly for the Oyster industry, recognition of achievements and cooperation on projects with NSW Farmers, the Dairy industry, NSW Department of Primary Industries and NSW Food Authority proved to be valuable both in environmental gains and better outcomes for the industries product.

In terms of on-ground projects funded the general feedback was that it was nice to be able to apply for a small bucket in an informal fashion to maintain works in the medium term. Medium term maintenance allows a much better longer term output in revegetation terms.

On-ground projects were also funded with works including:

Lane Cove National Park -  On-ground works led to the recruitment of saltmarsh sedges such as juncus kraussii, Baumea juncea, and triglochin species; and also the recruitment of canopy species such as Melaleuca ericifolia and Casuarina.

Bankstown Council ? Works included comprehensive weeding of Bridal Creeper, Asparagus Fern, Blackberry, Pampas Grass, Arundo and succulents. There was a reduction in Kikuyu and Carpet Grass at the site. Ehrharta erecta and Ehrharta longiflora and annuals have been constantly suppressed and prevented from seeding. A large reduction in privet has been achieved as well as a large reduction in garden escapees on the urban interface.

Extensive regeneration of multiple native species has occurred since the broad acre ecological burn. This is particularly important as the vegetation community was sensing and leaf litter suppressing regeneration. There has also been a decrease in dumping of lawn clipping and other garden waste by community members.

Hunters Hill Council - The project involved the removal of environmental weeds from the Creekline to enable native seedlings to regenerate.  

Coordinator/Project delivered by: Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority
Project Partners: OceanWatch Australia
Funding Source: Natural Heritage Trust
Total funding amount: $100,000
Project timeframe: July 2008 to June 2009
Status: Completed