Problem: This reserve off Pemberton Street had previously been used as a horse paddock and as a result there had been a large amount of fill dumped on the site to establish an area of pasture prior to the 1950’s.
Outcome: The Tide to Table project involved establishing the values of the site, as saltmarsh forms a critical component of fish habitat for food, shelter and breeding. Also present was valuable freshwater habitat, home to the gold and green bell frog. It was important that these two habitats remained so a trial area was re-instating with saltmarsh by removing fill, regrading and planting. Movement back to the bare site by saltmarsh has been rapid; time will tell how long it takes for crabs and other animals to move in. Research has shown it can be 1 to over 12 years.
Picture’s left to right show the site in Parramatta Sydney before, during and after fill has been removed. Natural re-establishment of saltmarsh was rapid at this site and this will support more fish for the Parramatta River.
"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." SOURCE: Charles Darwin 1809 - 1882
