Woronora River

The Woronora River (also known as "The Wonnie") flows north from Helensburgh into the Georges River at Como in Sydney, Australia.

Gallery

See also

*Woronora Dam
*Woronora, New South Wales

External links

* [http://kaimiaway.org.au/woronora_river/feasibility/index.htm The Woronora River at "The Great Kai'mia Way"]

The Woronora River The Woronora River flows into the Georges River at Como and is, technically, within the catchment of the Georges River and its major lower reaches tributary. However, it is an extensive river system in its own right. The Woronora section of the Great Kai'mia Way, called the Woronora Way, is a continuous recreational trail primarily for access on foot but with shared use sections and alternatives for cyclists as well as a canoe trail.

The Woronora Valley is an area of great natural beauty and regional significance. Close to sprawling suburbs and accompanying urbanisation pressures, it needs environmental protection. The valley contains examples of endangered ecological communities, threatened species and a diverse range of vegetation types including wetlands, saltmarsh, woodlands, forests and heath.

The Way follows the Woronora River from its confluence with the Georges at Como to Heathcote National Park and Waterfall, high above the Woronora Dam catchment lands. Its length is approximately 24 km for walkers and 31 km by bicycle (because of detours necessary to avoid sensitive natural areas). The route takes in expansive views. Intimate glimpses of the river enhance the experience. It also provides access to the river itself for primary contact recreation such as swimming. The proposed canoe route is a sensitive way to explore the steep sided middle reaches of the river between Woronora village and the Needles without increasing environmental impact in this vulnerable riparian zone.

The majority of tracks and links of the proposed Woronora Way already exist. This study identifies them their existence, their condition and sustainability, where the missing links are, which areas should be closed to access and how access to other areas might be improved. The shared use - cyclists and pedestrians - section of the Way follows an existing Sydney Water Board Pipeline Easement which also serves as a fire trail to implement bushfire management. The track has a low level of weed infestation around the smaller gullies fed by storm water run off. The proposal incorporates the treatment of these areas by trained bush regenerators and community groups to ensure that positive environmental outcomes result.

Promoting the Woronora Way through appropriate signage, brochures and trail marking will create a welcome facility for the local and regional community. Interpretive material will encourage people to explore an area with an element of safety, rather than being confused where tracks go and what they link to.

All parts of the Woronora Way are in the Sutherland Shire Local Government Area (except for subsection A13 Helensburgh Link which is in Wollongong LGA) and includes the Woronora Catchment, the eastern side of Mill Creek (a sub-catchment of the Georges River, and Garrawarra State Conservation Area between Waterfall and Helensburgh. Table 4.1 lists the sections comprising the Way in this area.