The Coalition has promised to provide $1.4 million for a range of environmental projects in the electorate of Cook.
Cook MP Scott Morrison said $800,000 would help complete the transformation of the old seawall at Carss Park.
Mr Morrison said $400,000 would be allocated for various projects in Sutherland Shire to regenerate local bushlands under the Improving Your Local Parks and Environment Program.
A further $200,000 would be provided for Green Army projects in both areas.
Mr Morrison made the announcement at Carss Bush Park with John Rayner, former chief executive of Sutherland Shire Council, who is the administrator of the new Georges River Council.
The new naturalised seawall reintroduces saltmarsh and rocky intertidal and mudflat habitats, replacing a degraded ecosystem.
Stage one has been completed, stage two is under way and the promised funding will almost pay for the third and final stage.
The shire projects include:
- Charlotte Breen Reserve Lookout and endangered community restoration ($125,000).
This will involve reconstructing the existing lookout to provide an opportunity for visitors to appreciate and enjoy the Kurnell Peninsula and expansive views over Botany Bay, Towra Point Nature Reserve and wetlands, as well as bush regeneration works to protect one of the last areas of the endangered Kurnell Dune Forest.
- Cronulla Peninsula Foreshore Rehabilitation ($35,000) to rehabilitate a narrow strip of foreshore vegetation on the Cronulla Peninsula between Cronulla Point and Bass and Flinders Point to enhance and link the habitat of existing pockets of remnant Coastal Headland Banksia Heath.
- Gwawley Creek, Miranda Watercourse Rehabilitation ($150,000), to improve the riparian condition by stabilising the channel banks, weeding and supplementary planting along Gwawley Creek between Corea Street and Box Road.
- Port Hacking Road Reserve Bush Regeneration Works ($40,000), to protect and enhance habitat for an endangered ecological community in a highly urbanised area, along with the removal of weeds and revegetation using indigenous plants will improve the ecologic and community value of the site.
- Caringbah South Watercourse Rehabilitation ($50,000) to improve the riparian condition and to reduce flooding by stabilising the channel banks, weeding, bush regeneration and supplementary planting.
Mr Morrison said, “When it comes to the environment, it’s the practical things that matter and make a difference to local communities.
“This is basically practical environmental activism.”
Georges River Council administrator John Rayner said the Carss Bush Park seawall area was under utilised by the community before the naturalisation project.
A Georges River Council report said the project, which was started by Kogarah Council, had made it an industry leader in the design and construction of environmentally friendly seawalls.
The report said about 920 square metres of foreshore had been enhanced in stage one, and a further 200 square metres would be covered in stage two.
Stage three, a 300 metre long section of seawall, would also involve improving the walking path.
The path would include a cantilevered deck section over the water.
