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Estuaries in NSW

Cooks River
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[Image of Estuary] Cooks River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 98 km2
Waterway Area 1.6 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open with twin training walls
Location (Lat-Long) 33.949S ,  151.168E
Distance (from Sydney) 20 km South
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The Cooks River flows into Botany Bay along its north-west shore close to Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport. The river entrance was relocated to accommodate the enlargement of the airport in the 1960's. Alexandra Canal, the major tributary of the Cooks River, joins the main river at Kogarah Golf Links approximately 2.5 km upstream of the entrance. The lower 11 km of the Cooks River is tidal. The river catchment is extensively developed with consequent exposure to rapid and heavy stormwater runoff.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Cooks River
Mill Stream
Wolli Creek
Sheas Creek
Alexandra Canal
Cup And Saucer Creek
Sheas Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Canterbury and Southwestern Sydney

Special Attributes

General

  • In the post war period, the Cooks River was diverted from a point upstream of Alexandra Canal to its present mouth, and the previous meandering channel was filled in to enlarge Sydney airport.
  • Local Councils have been active in implementing foreshore park improvement works.
  • Alexandra Canal's banks are almost entirely artificial, being a combination of sheet pile walls and concrete lining.

Estuarine Vegetation

The spatial data is reproduced from NSW Fisheries(2006/7) studies, whilst the species makeup is from the West et al.(1985). This map shows the spatial extent of the Estuarine Vegetation.

Type Area Species 1
(km2)
Mangroves 0.000
Seagrass 0.000
Saltmarsh 0.000

References

R.J. Williams, G. West, D. Morrison and R.G. Creese, (2006),
"Estuarine Resources of New South Wales",
prepared for the Comprehensive Coastal Assessment (DoP) by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens.

R.J. West, C.A. Thorogood, T.R. Walford and R.J. Williams. (1985).
"An Estuarine Inventory for New South Wales, Australia".
Fisheries Bulletin 2. Department of Agriculture, New South Wales.

Estuary Commerce

port, industry

Management Issues

This estuary falls in the area covered by Southern Metro Catchment Management Authority.

Cooks River

Management Issues:

  • Contaminated sediments and water
  • Siltation and dredging
  • Management of stormwater and industrial pollution and litter
  • Habitat loss and loss of scenic amenity
  • Wetland degradation and management and weed control
  • Flooding and floodplain management

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) none
Assemble Existing Data none
Carryout Process Study none
Carryout Estuary Management Study none
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

References

Local Government Areas

Strathfield
Botany
Burwood
Canterbury
Marrickville
Rockdale

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Botany Bay