The issue

Hanging swamps are identified as an endangered ecological community and occur in the higher elevations of the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment near Gosford and the Blue Mountains.

A hanging swamp on the headwaters of Centennnial Glen Creek in Blackheath (Blue Mountains) is bordered by seven properties and has been significantly disturbed by weed invasion and altered hydrology. The creek eventually flows to the Coxs River and Sydney's drinking water supply.

The strategy

Blue Mountains City Council first identified the hanging swamp as a significant site and developed a five-year restoration plan. The Hawkesbury-Nepean CMA provided $8360 to landholder Tom Papas for the first stage of a project to remove dense stands of holly, privet and montebretia.

In 2007, Tom Papas commenced the project with the assistance of a bush regenerator. The project also provided "soft engineering" solutions -- straw bales and coir logs -- to stop erosion where the swamp joins the creek line.

Landholder perspective

Tom Papas says it wasn't until he spoke with Council and the HNCMA he realised that it was a hanging swamp worth protecting. "Now I am committed to getting the area free of weeds." "Ultimately it would be great to extend the work across the 6 other properties that border this wetland. It is a long-term project and slowly over time you get the satisfaction of seeing the results of the work," says Tom.

Results

The project will:

• Remove weeds from 1 hectare of hanging swamp
• Replant 400 native wetland species
• Install erosion controls at nickpoints
• Protect the swamp with 120m metres of fencing