Stormwater amenity improvements

We are pleased to advise that our construction work within the stormwater channel and banks of Throsby Creek in Litchfield Park is now finished.

Following community feedback to create more liveable communities and environments, specifically with a focus on the beautification of some of our open stormwater channels, the Throsby Creek site was selected due to its local community and regular sporting use.

Thoughtful design

Before our construction started, we worked to ensure the design would fit the local environment while meeting our objectives of:

• enhancing the natural environment.
• creating revitalised spaces for the community to enjoy.
• reconnecting the community with their local waterways, which will – hopefully – help to change community behaviours to deter graffiti and littering.

The final design was selected to be suitable for tidal movement and provide a visual improvement through the use of a tiered sidewall and the use of natural sandstone and native plants.

Construction

Construction started in May 2023 with the establishment of our temporary site compound and access tracks.

Work quickly progressed to strip back the embankment and install a temporary aqua barrier around the site. Each day, the team had the challenge of the tidal movements, with peaks over two metres experienced during construction.

We installed footings, stabalising material and over 300 sandstone blocks, each weighing roughly 600kgs to create the tiered embankment. Two concrete weirs were also installed to create ponding within the new embankment area without restricting tidal flows or having an impact on flooding in the catchment.

All material used on the project was sourced from local suppliers within the Hunter region including the soils and native plants.

Restoration

Our restoration program started in October 2023, and focused on returning all impacted areas to an ‘as good or better’ standard than before our work started. This included returfing areas of the oval and our access track.

A key part of our restoration was the planting of over 600 native species of plants, planted across the three tier embankment.. A detailed landscaping plan was created, and plants were specifically chosen to fit with the local environment and to withstand salt levels and tidal movements within the canal.

Thank you to the local community

We would like to thank the local community for being patient during our construction phase. We did our best to avoid impacting houses, local businesses and community use of the ovals; where possible, we planned to avoid night work, keep the roads open and most importantly keep the local community updated on our progress.

Mayfield mural

As part of the project we’re also looking at installing a mural running along the back fencing of houses on Moolcha Street. We are still in the process of finalising the details and will continue to speak with residents about this.

We are pleased to advise that our construction work within the stormwater channel and banks of Wilkinson Park, Cardiff is now completed.

Following community feedback to create more liveable communities and environments, specifically with a focus on the beautification of some of our open stormwater channels, the Wilkinson Park site was selected due to its location adjacent to local community facilities and thoroughfare for local residents, and to encourage active recreation for a happier and healthier community

Thoughtful design

Before our construction started, we worked to ensure the design would fit the local environment while meeting our objectives of:

• enhancing the natural environment.
• creating revitalised spaces for the community to enjoy.
• reconnecting the community with their local waterways, which will – hopefully – help to change community behaviours to deter graffiti and littering.

The final design was selected to provide a visual improvement through the use of a tiered sidewall and the use of natural sandstone and native plants.

Construction

Construction started in May 2023 with the establishment of our temporary site compound and access tracks.

Work quickly progressed to strip back over 300 metres of concrete embankments and installing stabilising material to prepare the shape of the new embankments.

The team installed over 300 metres of sandstone rock across each embankment face to create a more natural environment.

Sandstone blocks were also installed at each end of the embankments.

All material used on the project was sourced from local suppliers within the Hunter region including the soils and native plants.

Restoration

Our restoration program started in November 2023, and focused on returning all impacted areas to an ‘as good or better’ standard than before our work started. This included restoring concrete footpaths, returfing areas we disturbed and landscaping.

A key part of our restoration was the planting of over 3000 native species of plants, across the embankments. A detailed landscaping plan was created, and plants were specifically chosen to fit with the local environment and to withstand salt levels.

Thank you to the local community

We would like to thank the local community for being patient during our construction phase. We did our best to avoid impacting houses, local businesses and community use of the ovals; where possible we planned to avoid night work, keep the roads open and most importantly keep the local community updated on our progress.

Cardiff murals

As part of this project, we engaged local street art and mural business Up&Up to design and paint two murals along the stormwater channel between Macquarie Road and Harrison Street:

• Flow Like Water: A 30-metre mural which aimed to be a fun piece of art that included positive messaging and elements of nature. This mural was installed in February 2023.
• Current Life: A 107-metre mural which represents Cardiff, water and time. It illustrates the rich culture of daily life in Cardiff, the area’s positive relationship with water, and the community’s past, present and future. The design uses elements from DIY, photography and youth culture. The artist’s interpretation of the site’s surroundings culminates in an intimate, observational, fresh take on Winding Creek, Cardiff. This mural was installed in March 2024.

Ideas for both of the artworks came from creative sessions with Cardiff High School students, as well as consultation with members of the street art community in Cardiff.

We are pleased to advise that our construction work alongside the stormwater channel and banks of Bellbird Creek in Manning Park, Cessnock is now finished.

Following community feedback to create more liveable communities and environments, specifically with a focus on beautifying some of our open stormwater channels, the Bellbird Creek site was selected to create a more enjoyable experience for park users (and their dogs!) and to encourage active recreation for a happier and healthier community.

Thoughtful design

Before our construction started, we worked to ensure the design would fit the local environment while meeting our objectives of:

• enhancing the natural environment.
• creating revitalised spaces for the community to enjoy.
• reconnecting the community with their local waterways, which will – hopefully – help to change community behaviours to deter graffiti and littering.

The final design was selected to improve local access, incorporate native plants and seating, and install a new footpath. This footpath will connect to the Council’s newly installed bridge over the stormwater channel, providing a vital link to the rest of Cessnock’s network of pathways.

Construction

Construction started in June 2023 by establishing our temporary site compound and access tracks.

Work quickly progressed to preparing the new 300-metre footpath and areas for landscaping. To build the new footpath, the team used stabilising material to achieve a solid foundation before bringing in over 110m³ of locally sourced concrete. The concrete was poured via a concrete boom setup next to the pathway, making the process quick and efficient.

The new footpath now connects the Council’s newly installed bridge to the dog park.

All materials used on the project, including the soils and native plants, were sourced from local suppliers within the Hunter region.

Restoration

Our restoration program started in November 2023 and focused on returning all impacted areas to an ‘as good or better’ standard than before our work started.

This included reinstating all areas we impacted including our temporary site compound and any temporary access tracks.

A key part of our restoration was planting over 6,700 native species of plants across the scope of work. A detailed landscaping plan was created, and plants were specifically chosen to fit with the local environment.

Thank you to the local community

We would like to thank the local community for being patient during our construction phase. We did our best to avoid impacting houses, local businesses and community use of the ovals; where possible we planned to avoid night work, keep the roads open and most importantly keep the local community updated on our progress.

We are pleased to advise that our construction work within the stormwater channel and banks of Dark Creek in Heaton Park, Jesmond is now finished.

Following community feedback to create more liveable communities and environments, specifically with a focus on the beautification of some of our open stormwater channels, the Dark Creek site was selected due to its location adjacent to local community sporting facilities and thoroughfare for local residents, and to encourage active recreation for a happier and healthier community.

Thoughtful design

Before our construction started, we worked to ensure the design would fit the local environment while meeting our objectives of:

• enhancing the natural environment.
• creating revitalised spaces for the community to enjoy.
• reconnecting the community with their local waterways, which will – hopefully – help to change community behaviours to deter graffiti and littering.

The final design was selected to provide a visual improvement through the use of a sloped sidewall and the use of natural sandstone and native plants.

Construction

Construction started in October 2023 by establishing our temporary site compound and access tracks.

Work quickly progressed to removing sections of the concrete embankments and installing stabilising material to prepare the shape of the new embankments.

The team installed over 105 metres of sandstone rock across the embankment face to create a more natural environment.

All materials used on the project, including the soils and native plants, were sourced from local suppliers within the Hunter region.

Restoration

Our restoration program started in January 2024 and focused on returning all impacted areas to an ‘as good or better’ standard than before our work started. This included returfing areas we disturbed and landscaping.

A key part of our restoration was planting over 3000 native species of plants across the embankments.

A detailed landscaping plan was created, and plants were specifically chosen to fit with the local environment.

Thank you to the local community

We would like to thank the local community for being patient during our construction phase. We did our best to avoid impacting houses, local businesses and community use of the ovals; where possible, we planned to avoid night work, keep the roads open and, most importantly, keep the local community updated on our progress.

The word amenity has two meanings: not only is it about how attractive or beautiful a place is, it also refers to desirable or useful features of a place.

These works will make these sections of our stormwater channels more beautiful – but this project is more than that.

There are several desirable features that will come out of the finished work. By making sections of our stormwater channels feel more inviting, we aim to:

• enhance the natural environment
• create revitalised spaces for the community to enjoy
• reconnect the community with their local waterways, which will – hopefully – help to change community behaviours to deter graffiti and littering

In 2018 Hunter Water engaged with our customers to help inform the services we provide, the activities we perform and the prices our customers pay.

We discovered that our customers are willing to pay slightly more on their bills so we can deliver services that create more liveable communities and environments, specifically for the beautification of some of our open stormwater channels.

We proposed this as part of our 2020-25 IPART pricing period, which was finalised by IPART in June 2020.

Hunter Water has worked closely with Lake Macquarie City Council, City of Newcastle, and Cessnock City Council to decide the sites for amenity improvement. The selection process prioritised recreational spaces accessible to the broader community.

To protect and enhance the natural environment, improve the look and feel of our urban spaces, reconnect the community with their local waterways, and change community behaviours to deter graffiti and littering.

Each site has been designed so the works will not have an impact on flooding in the catchment.

Installing murals at our stormwater channels are a great opportunity for Hunter Water to transform previously unloved or unattractive assets into beautiful works of art and create a sense of community.

For each mural we are able to engage more meaningfully with our community by involving them in the process and supporting important messages such as the value of water or our Indigenous history.

Our stormwater channels have also previously attracted vandalism and murals can act as a great graffiti deterrent.