Armidale Urban Rivercare's Project "A complete turnabout in the creek" will be included in the public vote in our electorate under the My Community Grants scheme. If enough community members vote for it, the project stands to receive $150,000 in funding. Voting opens 15 July and closes 15 August. You can vote online at or at your local Service NSW Centre. For more information on how to vote, visit Fact sheet for voters.

What’s this project about?

The project aims to rehabilitate a weed-infested 180 degree bend in Dumaresq Creek and create a viable, beneficial and effective wetland.

Currently this area is heavily infested with a profusion of weed species including Willow, Poplar, Robinia, Blackberry, Hawthorn etc. By clearing all this material and then creating a wetland, the amenity of the area will be greatly improved. Also, the wetland will provide filtering to the water and habitat for native birds, animals and fish. Many people walk a cycle past here daily and I can visualise many recreational opportunities.

With its proximity to the bike track this area is frequented daily by walkers, bike riders, dog owners etc. At the moment, it is a weed-infested, tangled mess. AURG want to turn it into a well-used, accessible wetland with open water at different depths, which will be planted with an abundance of suitable native plants and with picnic tables, board walks and paths

The organisations involved will be Armidale Urban Rivercare Group, Armidale Regional Council and UNE Dept of Environmental and Rural Science. The plan is to securely fence the area to exclude the public, carefully remove woody weeds with minimum disturbance to the creek and banks 4.5 months. Then UNE will design the wetland 2.5 months and the final stage will be to implement the design plan and erect signage 5 months.

Why should you vote for this project?

• AURG have greatly improved the amenity, function and ecology of the creek lands east and west of here. This is adjacent.
• With the addition of picnic tables and walking tracks this will provide a great area to observe nature close up.
• Wetlands provide excellent habitat for a range of birds and animals and also improve water quality as it passes through.