One of the construction stages of the Carss Bush Park Channel and Foreshore Naturalisation project has been officially opened this month.
On September 21, Georges River Mayor Kevin Greene welcomed the build that is being done by Total Earth Care.
Total Earth Care is constructing a sloped environmentally friendly seawall for the council.
The newly created marine habitat will reintroduce saltmarsh, mangrove and intertidal rock platform habitats using sandstone terraces and concrete structures, which will make it a more liveable and safe marine habitat even for creatures including the Blue-Ringed Octopus.
"We are very lucky to have been working with such an innovative and forward thinking council like the Georges River Council who really care about the marine ecosystems in their area," a spokesperson for Total Earth Care said.
One of the major challenges of the projects have been tidal influence, the large quantity of existing concrete seawall that needed to be removed, crushed and temporarily stockpiled so it could be later reused for the construction of the new seawall, and and the geomorphological conditions of the site.
Work has been done to minimise disturbed and vulnerable areas and the need for de-watering.
Georges River Council describes the project as "one of the best examples of foreshore eco-engineering."
Mayor Kevin Greene says the new works are the culmination of ongoing research and development into seawall construction, with the intention of increasing foreshore habitat through innovative design.
"This project will not only yield benefits to the environment, but increase the aesthetic, social, educational and cultural value of the Carss Park foreshore," he said.
"Carss Park Point is one of three foreshore naturalisation stages focused on connecting the community with the foreshore, emulating the historic shape of Carss Point, and establishing estuarine habitat communities.
"These communities include saltmarsh, intertidal rock platform, and habitats on the riverbed, which have been introduced through the use of sandstone terraces, concrete construction, and 'rip-rap' zones.
"The new structure will influence ecological habitats above and below the mean high water mark, creating a link between aquatic ecological communities and the terrestrial environment.
He says a central addition to this section of the foreshore is construction of a piered boardwalk, which enables the community to connect further with Kogarah Bay, and improves the amenity of the popular Carss Park walk, with final works slated for completion by November.
Other incorporations to the foreshore include a small boat ramp for the remote control sailing club, and a section of new vertical seawall to be used as a location for the experimentation of new habitat enhancement devices.
This stage of the project, costing $2.4 million, was funded by Georges River Council with assistance from the Australian Government under the Improving Your Local Parks and Environment Program.
The final stage of the project will include the construction of additional inter-tidal rock pools, beach access stairs, and mangrove and saltmarsh planting zones.