Instream native freshwater vegetation is an important habitat in our waterways providing food and shelter for many different species and stabilising riverbeds.  Very little distribution information has been collected for this type of habitat anywhere in the State, therefore the Sydney Metro CMA, in partnership with DPI, Fisheries, is undertaking a pilot project to map the instream native freshwater vegetation in the Parramatta River, Middle Harbour and their tributaries. 

The steepness of the terrain in areas such as Middle Harbour has been a challenge for this project and new waterways, previously unmapped on official maps, have been discovered with the assistance of local bushwalking groups.

The high density of population in the catchment, coupled with stormwater runoff and spread of aquatic weeds are significant threats to native aquatic plants.  Mapping is the first step to determine where the priority areas are for protection and key areas that need to be targeted for enhancement.  This project will provide valuable baseline information through Geographic Information System (GIS), which will be made available to agencies and local governments involved in the management of this key habitat.

Coordinator: SMCMA

Partners:  NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries

Status: Field work is well underway

Funding Source: NHT