The annual Georges River report card gives the health of the catchment’s waterways only a C+.
The report card is released by the Georges River Combined Councils Committee GRCCC representing councils within the Georges River catchment, including Wollondilly, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Fairfield, Canterbury Bankstown, Georges River, Bayside and Sutherland.
It shows that while large areas of the Georges River catchment with intact native forest, waterways maintain ‘Good’ to ‘Excellent’ ecological condition, the middle to lower catchment that is very urbanised and home to over a million residents many waterways are ecologically degraded.
The overall ecological condition of other the freshwater and estuarine sections of the Georges River remained ‘Fair’.
The grade of C+indicates a slight decline in ecological condition compared to the previous year.
Ratings for water quality along the Georges River Estuary range from D- for Gungah Bay and D+ for Lime Kiln Bay to A- for Salt Pan Creek and A+ for Botany Bay.
Councils work to improve the health of the river by reducing the volume of unfiltered stormwater flows that enter waterways.
The public can assist in improving the waterways by putting litter in bins rather than gutters; never tipping oils or paints down drains; washing cars on lawns; sweeping leaves and dirt from driveways and gutters: and cleaning up after dogs.