Bringing groups together to restore Subiaco creek riparian corridor
Greater Sydney Landcare partnered with City of Parramatta to restore a degraded riparian corridor along the Ponds and Subiaco Creek, planting 10,000 native trees, shrubs and groundcovers across seven volunteer events with over 300 participants, stabilising creek banks, suppressing weeds, and reviving a remnant of Sydney's critically endangered moist forest.
Capacity building - LEP23-015_RLC
The issue
As one of Sydney's fastest-growing urban areas, Parramatta faces mounting pressure on its remaining natural landscapes. The riparian corridor along The Ponds and Subiaco Creek at Marri Badoo Reserve, known in the local Darug language as "many waters" has been significantly degraded by urbanisation, with creek banks left vulnerable to erosion, invasive weeds taking hold, and native plant diversity in decline. The creek line represents remnants of the Sydney Enriched Sandstone Moist Forest that once would have dominated this creek line, playing an important role in supporting biodiversity and strengthening landscape resilience. Without intervention, the ecological integrity of this important urban bushland and the wildlife that depends on it is at serious risk.
The solution
Greater Sydney Landcare (GSL), in partnership with City of Parramatta and under the Healthy Cities Landcare Grants Program supported by Bupa and Landcare Australia, launched a targeted restoration program at Marri Badoo Reserve. The approach wove together community and corporate planting days to maximise educational reach and impact. From March - May 2026, GSL ran 3 community and 4 corporate volunteering days across the site. A particular highlight was the Climate Action Week community volunteering day which attracted 105 community volunteers’ and contributed 2,000 native trees, shrubs and groundcovers to the site. Blacktown Ponds Lions club supported this event by running a community BBQ lunch to finish the day. GSL staff guided volunteers at each event on best-practice planting techniques, with most plants sourced from Parramatta council nursery.
The impact
Across all events, the Healthy Cities Landcare Grants Program has now successfully planted its target of 10,000 native trees, shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers along The Ponds and Subiaco Creek catchment, a significant milestone for urban riparian restoration in Greater Sydney. The plantings will stabilise creek banks, suppress invasive weeds, improve water quality, and create habitat connectivity that supports the long-term survival of native species. Volunteers observed rich wildlife activity throughout the program, including Brush Turkeys, Grey Butcherbirds, Cockatoos, Kookaburras, diverse spider species, and long-finned eels in the creek. Beyond the ecological outcomes, the project has brought together residents of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and sectors.
From school children and multiple community groups to corporate volunteers. This restoration effort would not be possible without more than 300 volunteers who gave their time and energy to us, demonstrating how collaborative Landcare action can deliver lasting environmental and social value for local communities.
Key facts
- 3 community volunteer days
- 4 corporate volunteering days
- More than 300 volunteers engaged
- 10,000 trees, shrubs and groundcovers planted