Concerns about the future of Muttama Creek in the Cootamundra-Gundagai local government area were highlighted during the 2024 local government elections. Photo: Muttama Creek Regeneration Group Facebook.
A hot-button issue for Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) during the recent NSW local government election has gained traction, with the announcement of a $210,000 grant to fund the formulation of a long-awaited Muttama Creek Masterplan.
The funding, confirmed late last week, comes through the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s Local Government Recovery Grant – a fund allocated to areas impacted by severe weather and flooding.
It will enable the council to begin work on a comprehensive masterplan and carry out limited physical clearing works along the creek.
Spanning about 80 km, Muttama Creek, a tributary of the Murrumbidgee River, intersects the local government area stretching from north of Cootamundra and extends southward toward Gundagai.
Its health and management have become pressing concerns for locals, who’ve witnessed worsening conditions over recent years with flooding a major issue.
In March 2023, the creek peaked at 2.65 metres following heavy rainfall, triggering evacuation orders for more than 880 properties. It was the second major flood in five months, highlighting the area’s susceptibility to flash flooding and reinforcing the need for long-term planning.
In addition, stormwater runoff has caused erosion and sedimentation at key junctions, resulting in water turbidity and damage to the creek’s natural banks.
In response, council has installed infrastructure such as rock mattresses and gabions to stabilise sections of the creek and trap pollutants.
Biodiversity is also under threat due to the spread of invasive weeds, including the aggressive Cootamundra Wattle, which has overtaken some native vegetation.
CGRC Mayor Abb McAlister welcomed the funding announcement, calling it a vital first step in addressing a long-standing issue that has drawn widespread community concern.
“The community concern is palpable around the Muttama Creek issue; people are anxious about future flooding events and are troubled about the state of the creek in general,” Mayor McAlister said.
“Council has been actively seeking funding to formulate a masterplan. This is the first step needed to address issues. The masterplan will identify what we can do with the creek, what we can’t do. It will be the driver in seeking future funding and recognising the communities’ aspirations and environmental responsibilities,” he said.
Local volunteer efforts have led to remarkable progress in restoring Muttama Creek within Cootamundra’s township. Photo: Muttama Creek Regeneration Group Facebook.
The masterplan will serve as a strategic framework for future development and investment along the creek.
It will incorporate findings from the Cootamundra Flood Study and the earlier Chain of Ponds Study and will be informed by community consultation.
An essential part of the process will be a review of environmental factors (REF), designed to assess the ecological impacts of any proposed works.
In the short term, the funding will support practical work, including desilting around bridges and causeways and the removal of exotic vegetation.
CGRC has approval to clear areas 10 metres upstream and downstream from council-managed creek crossings.
With the masterplan underway, CGRC is positioning itself to seek further funding for flood mitigation and ecological restoration.
The creek has long been the focus of efforts from a small band of volunteers named the Muttama Creek Regeneration Group (MCRG), who are working to improve the creek’s health and regenerate the riparian habitat in Cootamundra’s urban area.
Established in 2003, the volunteer organisation’s primary goal is to create a continuous corridor of native vegetation along the creek, enhancing both biodiversity and community engagement.
Members played a pivotal role in developing the Cootamundra Bird Walk, a trail showcasing native plants and wildlife and facilitated the installation of corrugated metal sculptures of a galah and a kangaroo near the John Rees Bridge on Wallendoon Street, adding artistic elements to the natural landscape.
In 2017, MCRG collaborated with the Cootamundra Garden Club and the Bicycle Users Group to secure a $45,045 grant for the Muttama Creek Missing Link Pathway project. This initiative resulted in a 165-metre-long, two-metre-wide pedestrian and bicycle pathway, improving community access to the creek area.
Additionally, MCRG organises regular working bees and community events to engage local residents in hands-on conservation efforts, fostering a sense of ownership and stewardship for the creek’s ongoing health and vitality.
