PARTNERING WITH TRANSURBAN TO CREATE HEALTHY LANDSCAPES

A major bush regeneration and water quality improvement project is taking place alongside the Hills M2 Motorway at Macquarie Park, Sydney.  The five-hectare site, which runs alongside Lane Cove National Park, had a dense covering of more than 21 invasive weeds prior to clearing, which took place in October 2016.

Previously an unused site with little ecological value, the rehabilitation work will create healthy, functioning ecosystems and improve the quality of water flow into Lane Cove River.  Transurban and the Hills M2 Motorway have partnered with Landcare Australia to undertake the bush regeneration and creek improvement works.

As well as clearing works, the project so far has seen improvement works take place in Shrimptons Creek and Industrial Creek, which sit at either end of the site, repairing and stabilising eroded banks and removing weeds.

Planting on the site began in late-spring 2016, with some of the 16,000 native tubestock planted, which will grow to provide habitats for wildlife native to the area.

The project will also see an impressive public artwork installed on the site.  Kinetica took out first place in Transurban’s Ideas Competition ran last year, and is a playful, vibrant interpretation of the life cycle and resilience of Australia’s native flora.  Complementing the growth of the native plant community it will sit within, Kinetica is sure to attract attention from more than 100,000 motorists that will pass it on the Hills M2 Motorway every day.

Due for completion mid-2017, the regenerated landscape will provide an ecological buffer between the neighbouring Lane Cove National Park and urban developments, as well as having ongoing ecological benefits for the area.