Cooks River Sustainability Initiative

The Cooks River Sustainability Initiative is a partnership between eight councils – Ashfield, Bankstown, Canterbury, City of Sydney, Hurstville, Marrickville, Rockdale and Strathfield and is focused on six local areas within the Cooks River Catchment. The project team is working with communities, businesses and councils for long term improvement of the Catchment.

Welcome & News

Water Wise Tour in Bankstown on Saturday 13th March 1.03.2010

In conjunction with Bankstown Council, OurRiver will run a bus tour to sites within Bankstown, such as wetlands, raingardens, council buildings and residential houses that show ways to reduce stormwater pollution and conserve water. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and morning tea will be provided. To hop on board, please contact Madeline on 9748 9648 or Madeline.hourihan@strathfield.nsw.gov.au WHEN: Saturday 13 March 2010 9:15am – 12:pm WHERE: Meet behind the Bankstown City Council Chambers cnr of Rickard and Jacobs St 9:15 am for bus departure at 9:30am WHAT: Bus tour stops • Bankstown Council Depot rainwater harvesting and re - use system • Padstow raingarden • Chullora Wetalnds RSVP: By Friday 12 March

Online Community Water Education Survey 28.02.2010

Members of the Munni Street Subcatchment community are invited to complete an online survey. The results will be used to decide what type of community water education project/s the OurRiver team will implement in the local area. If you live, work or spend time in the Munni Street Subcatchment click here to complete the survey – it will only take 5-10 minutes. Complete the survey by Wednesday 24 March to enter the draw to win a prize valued at $55. An optional information session will also be held on Tuesday 16 March from 6:30-8pm. The session will include an update on the OurRiver project and an opportunity to discuss community water education in person.  Click here for more information.

February OurRiver Newsletter now available 15.02.2010

Visit our Publications Page to download a copy of the February 2010 OurRiver Newsletter, which covers the project's progress and upcoming events. To receive newsletters electronically, email ourriver@strathfield.nsw.gov.au. If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, email ourriver@strathfield.nsw.gov.au or call 9748 9635.

Ashbury Subcatchment Community Meeting Tuesday 23 Feb 14.02.2010

If you live in Ashbury come along to the next Ashbury Subcatchment community meeting on Tuesday 23rd February 2010. Get involved in current sustainable water projects in Ashbury and learn how you can contribute to improving your local area. The details of the meeting are: * Date: Tuesday 23rd February 2010 *Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm *Venue: Ashbury Senior Citizens Centre, Princess St, Ashbury *RSVP: by Monday 22nd October for catering purposes on 9748 9644 or sarah.kamarudin@strathfield.nsw.gov.au      (Refreshments will be provided). Attendance at previous OurRiver workshops and meetings is not necessary.

Water Wise Contest Winner! 12.02.2010

In December and January, OurRiver ran a contest looking for home water savings tips. Congratulations to Matthias who submitted the winning tip, which was selected based on its originality and potential water savings. His tip is:  Eat vegetarian one more time per week – most of the water households use is embodied in meat, especially beef!   Water is essential for the growth of plant crops and livestock. Livestock directly consumes 1-2% of the total water used in agriculture; however, significant water is required for forage and grain production that supports the livestock.  If you replace the meat in one meal with vegetables and wheat, you will save approximately 650 litres of water compared to a serving of chicken; 10,000 litres compared to a beef steak; and 12,000 litres compared to a serving of lamb chops (based on  Pimentel et al., 2004, Water Resources:  Agricultural and Environmental Issues).