Wetlands

 There are three wetlands in the Inner West area:

• Tempe Wetland in Tempe
• Blackmore Oval Wetland in Leichhardt 
• Whites Creek Wetland in Annandale

Wetlands play an important role in our urban environment and in improving the health of our waterways. They perform ecological functions such as filtering out sediments, nutrients and other pollutants in stormwater before they reach our rivers and Sydney Harbour. Wetlands also provide much needed habitat and refuge to a wide variety of wildlife including turtles, frogs, insects, native fish and other aquatic organisms. Many different birds also visit and live around wetlands and surrounding areas. 

Council's wetlands are excellent examples of how man-made habitat can become a thriving ecosystem and home to many native plants and animals.

Tempe Wetland

Tempe wetland  is located off South Street, Tempe (near the golf driving range).

This area has had an interesting history as it was the site of a shale quarry in the 1920s, a greyhound racing track in the 1940s, and then a rubbish tip until the mid-1970s.

In 2004 the former Marrickville Council began extensive work to remediate the site, and one year later it was reopened as new parklands featuring a golf driving range, a fenced off-leash dog exercise area, walking paths and wetlands.

The wetlands have since become a thriving haven for native wildlife. Tempe Birdos who are a local volunteer group meet monthly to survey bird life and other fauna in the wetlands. In 2017, the group recorded their 100th bird species sighting at the site.

Blackmore Oval Wetland

Blackmore Oval wetland is located along Canal Road in Leichhardt.

This wetland was constructed as part of the neighbouring WestConnex construction,  as a solution to filter stormwater runoff from the City WestLink before it reaches Iron Cove and Parramatta River.

The wetland also supplies recycled water for the irrigation of Blackmore Oval.

Blackmore Oval wetland is a great place to visit to enjoy the natural peaceful setting. The wetland also features a pedestrian path and seating and is easily accessed from the Hawthorne Canal shared path.

Whites Creek Wetland

Whites Creek wetland is located  on Smith Street (near Wisdom Street), Annandale.

The Whites Creek catchment comprise 161 hectares of land above the wetland, most of which is covered by urban development.

The wetland was completed and opened to the public in 2002. Since then, it has been a great success. The ecosystem is thriving, with a wide range of plants and animals living there. 

The wetland performs a number of important ecological functions, such as filtering stormwater before it reaches Rozelle Bay and Sydney Harbour.