William Lawson Wetlands
William Lawson Wetlands on Lancelot Street, Prospect
The Blacktown Creek Catchment is an area of 732 hectares and accommodates 5058 different properties. Blacktown Creek drains into the William Lawson Wetlands, which then flows into the Parramatta River. Blacktown City Council constructed this wetland system in 1999 with assistance from the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust and the NSW Government Stormwater Trust at a cost of $1.2 million. There is residential, business and industrial activity, open spaces and areas for special uses within the catchment (or drainage area) for Blacktown Creek. These uses can impact on the quality of the wetlands and waterways in the Blacktown City area.
Photgraph Courtesy of the Upper Parramtta River Catchment Trust
Since its construction, the wetland has attracted many native and feral bird species, which now cause pollution as their droppings add to high nutrient levels in the water. The ducks also eat the vegetation along the waters edge and erode the wetland banks.
|
|
|
|
|
A sample of pollution at William Lawson Wetlands, excess feathers and vegetation |
Feral Ducks at William Lawson Wetlands |
Native Yellow Billed Spoonbill Duck |
Purple Swamp Hens, native ducks, Sparrows, Eastern Long-Necked Turtles and Eels can be seen at the William Lawson Wetlands.