Cycling - Bushwalking - Macarthur - Sydney

Cycle Rides / Bushwalks programme

June

1. Walk - Saturday 19. Short walk along Georges River to photograph and monitor water flowing into the Woolwash from O'Hares Creek and Georges River upper catchment. Coffee at Macarthur Square and finish by 11 am, easy grade. Leave 6.30 am

Please confirm your participation on the Wednesday or Thursday prior to the event otherwise we may leave without you.
For details Contact Ken on 4628 2528 or email .

Longwall Mining - Georges River

This website is an environmental initiative of Absolutely Stylish Website Design and Absolutely Stylish Image Consultants
All longwall mining pages have been moved to a new domain and website at - http://www.georges-river-macarthur.com

Georges River water levels

For twenty years water levels in Georges River have been dropping, the cause, longwall mining under the Woronora plateau. Since January 2009 we have taken on the task of photographing the river and its catchment during bad weather, after rain and throughout the seasons to record the flow.

Initially when accussed of damaging the catchment the mining industry blamed the low water levels on the drought. Last year 2009, was a wet year, in fact the wettest for ten years yet both of Georges Rivers tributuries ran dry on MANY occasions. We have documented it.

In fact it seems that we can photograph Gweorges River any time we choose and it is almost dry, it is now a common occurence.

Change of strategy in March 2010

In March 2010 we started to document creeks which have not been subjected to longwall mining in the past. We turned our atterntion to Loddon Creek in the south east of the catchment and to Punchbowl Creek in the north west. In the past lack of information of areas prior to mining has been a great ally of the mining industry. We intend to rectify that.

We have dicovered healthy water flows from both Loddon Creek and Punchbowl Creek but almost nothing in between. So what is the significance one might ask?
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal has mined under the Woronora plateau but not in areas which generally supply Loddon and Punchbowl Creeks although BHP Billiton intends to mine under the catchment of both in the future.

People of NSW subsidise BHP Billiton

You may not know this but many years the public of NSW and Australia has subsidised the mining industry, they had a sweet heart deal with the federal government. For years the Australian people has given them special tax breaks, we have given them money for the development of new environmental energy sources which is clean coal. NOT solar energy, wind turbines or other renewable energy technologies.

In return they wreck our homes, properties, dams, rivers, creeks and swamps, they are not held accountabl for the damage they causee. Because they are multi national they can simply walk away leaving Austaralia and any other country they operate in with multi billion dollar clean up bills, that is if those countries can afford it.

We are told that Australia is the driest country on earth yet our politicians are allowing the mining industry to destroy our water supplies.This process is now taking place on the pristine Woronora Plateau located between Campbelltown, Appin and Bulli.

The 30 year Bulli Coal Seam project from BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal

In the future BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal intends to mine under the headwaters of the Woronora River, a river feed which supplies the Woronora Dam. BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal also wishes to mine adjacent to the Nepean and Cataract Rivers near Menangle which also supply Sydney with water. BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal point out that they have a1 km safety zone for the rivers. They don't tell anyone that they have none for the swamps and creeks which create the rivers.

BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal does put back into the community 2 cents of every saleable tonne of coal which at the time of our research was $220, this could drop to $110 per saleable tonne. At the time that amounted to $1 million over 5 years in the Southern Coalfield, how generous.

They also offer jobs as a reason for this wanton destruction, did they forget that the mining industry has shed many jobs over the years and will continue to do so as technology improves and they can get more for less?

Who is responsible for the destruction and pollution the mining industry causes?

So who do we thank for this environmental damage? Well BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal does have a corporatel responsibility to the communities that they inconvenience and damage, in this case the community is Sydney and NSW.

Coal, the very product they sell pollutes the air we breath, damages our environment, they damage the land, creeks and rivers, destroy homes and public facilities, use massive amounts of fuel carrying coal in their trucks. The list is endless. The question arises how "can coal be clean?"

Ultimately the resposibility must be with the NSW Labour Government led by Kristina Keneally. The state member for Wollondilly, our own local MP Phil Costa also has had a part to play as Minister for Water.

Both these people were Ministers who made decisions affecting the catchments located on the Woronora plateau. We have four MP's in Macarthur chosen by the people to represent their interests, shame on them. They obviously forget who voted them and gave them a job at the last election.

Enough said, this is a bushwalking and cycling website for more info and photographs visit http://www.georges-river-macarthur.com

Come and see for yourselves

Time to act! - Project Georges River

Initially we decided to develop a comprehensive photograph gallery of the river - Project Georges River. The project has already paid off with the group visiting a number of locations not previously visited by us. These locations contain stunning waterfalls, rock pools and incredibly picturesque sections of the river. The locations in most cases are relatively easy to access although they are remote.

Some photographs appear on this website. All the photographs on this page are from those locations.

Almost all the locations visited are easily accessed by people on foot, some locations offer a picturesque peaceful bike ride through bush on good fire trails.

Some locations are more distant in the Dharawal State Recreation Area. They are accessed from Appin road between Cataract Dam and Bulli Tops and can be accessed on foot or by bike.

1. The Basin - is within easy reach at Kently, a pleasant 600 metre walk brings one to a flight of 113 steps down to the water fall on a bend in Georges River
2. The Old Ford Road - at Kentlyn is a historic road built in the late 1800's to access Eckersley - now in the army ranges photos12 - Old Ford Rd
3. Freres Crossing - A bridge built in 1893 - 1894 at Kentlyn, the piles still remain set into the river bed.
4. The Woolwash - rumoured to be where the local wool clip was scoured to lighten it on its overland journey to the Sydney market. Can be accessed by a short walk through Airds. An alternative route is via Victoria Road through the Koala Colony area of Wedderburn adjacent to O'Hare Creek with its magnificent views.
5. Water Guage 1 - Junction of Stokes and O'Hares Creek at Wedderburn, stunning views but for the fit.
6. Water guage 2 - Stokes creek at Wedderburn,
7. O'Hares Creek, Iluka Creek - this location is within the Upper Georges River catchment. Walk or a pleasant ride on an MTB or hybrid type bike.
8. The Cataract Dam releases 250 megalitres per day into the catchment including Georges River, it's well worth a visit.

Project Georges River Macarthur

Most residents in Campbelltown wouldn't be aware of Georges Rivers beauty, history or importance to a Campbelltown of the past. We decided to offer bushwalks to visit Georges River whilst it still flows through Macarthur. Interested people should call 4628 2528.

Safety

Navigation skills are not required. We use GPS, maps and compasses with the backup of an ACCUSAT EPIRB (satellite tracking beacon). We carry flares, signalling mirrors and have many years of bushwalking experience here and overseas.

You however need

A backpack, water, shoes with good grip, lunch, hat, sunscreen, sun glasses, camera and suitable clothing. This link should help you with the requirements First bushwalk. Please remember that an easy walk in the bush is more difficult than walking the streets.

More photograph galleries are available by using this link - Georges River Macarthur

In the past Georges River has been called "uninteresting", this isn't so. Come and see for yourself. There is no cost.

We invite you to join us - call 4628 2528

Who is the MacBUG / Macarthur Bushwalkers

We are a group of individuals who accept responsibility for ourselves. We have gone back to basics by eliminating committees and club membership fees. Meetings are held on rides or bushwalks.

We are a safety conscious, informal, no frills, family friendly outdoors group located in the Macarthur region of New South Wales (NSW) Australia.

Our guidelines are derived from Road Rules, Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs, bushwalking and cycling clubs, overseas organisations and the experience of our members.

The guidelines can be found on: FAQ - becoming involved.

Advocacy

The lobbying of local authorities to provide safe cycling routes for the community. Visit the Cycling inadequacies of Campbelltowns Cycleways Web Page and photograph gallery.

MacBug / Macarthur Bicycle Users Group

MacBUG is a Sydney based cycling group located in Campbelltown / Camden NSW. The group aims to service the people of the Macarthur District and others who would care to join us in our activities. Members of our group ride: road, hybrid, mountain and touring bikes.

The Macarthur District is approximately 50 kilometers from the centre of Sydney and north of the Southern Highlands with Liverpool to the north and Mittagong to the south.

The area is easily accessed by public transport (NSW State Rail). Campbelltown itself sits astride the Hume Highway guaranteeing good access by road (M5 & Hume Hwy).

MacBug quick reference links

Walking with the Macarthur Bushwalkers

The Macarthur Region is in close proximity to the Royal National Park, the second oldest to the US Yellowstone NP, Blue Mountains National Park and the Southern Highlands of NSW to name a few.

It is an easy run from Campbelltown to the Snowy Mountains and New South Wales (NSW) South Coast (Wollongong, Illawarra).

Bushwalks are regularly held in the "World Heritage" Blue Mountains National Park including the Upper Blue Mountains and Lower Blue Mountains, Snowy Mountains, Wollemi National Park, Royal National Park, Barrington Tops National Park, Morton National Park, Kanangra Boyd National Park, Nattai Wilderness, Nattai National Park, Gardens of Stone National Park, our own Georges River National Park and more.

These are just a few of the many notable National Parks in New South Wales (NSW) and Canberra (ACT).

Safety and Equipment

Those of us who choose to bushwalk NSW and Australia often find ourselves in some very beautiful yet hostile environments. Walkers should be prepared to meet the challenges they may encounter on their journeys.
Safe Bushwalking is essential, don't know how? Let us teach you. Walk with experienced bushwalkers, walk with the group and benefit from our experience.

1. First bushwalk
   Equipment - clothing - food - tips - preparation for the first timer / novice.
2. Backpacking - Hiking timetable
   Activities from the novice to the fitter / experienced bushwalkers who wish to enjoy peace and tranquility in the bush and experience the best of Australia's flora and fauna.
3. Bushwalk Grades
   A list and explanation of the six Mountain Dragons bushwalk grades, these include references to distances - bush skills - navigation skills - group numbers etc.
4. Safety Page
   "Bushwalking Australia" safety requirements - brief introduction to bushwalking safety with related links to associated Web pages.
5. Technical Links
   Links to weather and tide predictions sites - bushwalking equipment suppliers - navigation - using Topographical maps - using a GPS - using a compass - water consumption / dehydration etc.

Environment - Longwall mining - Whaling links

Visit The hidden costs of clean coal - The environmental and human disaster of longwall mining - Multimedia from The Center for Public Integrity Washington DC. Video filmed within the mine then on the surface.

Waratah Rivulet - When the Rivers Run Dry - Total Environment Centre - Sydney Water System - Another longwall mining casualty.

Link - Mining Advocacy Network

Visit Georges River Macarthur - a website project being developed by the Macarthur Bushwalkers to explore the long term results of longwall mining on the Georges river catchment.

Georges River pages

• georges_appin - View water flow in Georges River Upper Catchment
• Cataract river - Cataract river during the seventies
• The dieing river - Georges river greatly reduced water levels
• Iluka Creek - Iluka Swamp - Iluka Creek, Iluka Swamp, Georges River catchment
• Macarthurs rivers - Bargo, Georges, Cataract rivers - Broughton Pass Dam, Marhnes Hole, Appin
• Georges River photographs - photographs of 7 km downstream of Freres Crossing
• Stokes Creek - Stokes Creek Wedderburn, Georges River catchment

• Wedderburn - Wedderburns rivers, creeks and properties
• Wedderburn gorge - Wedderburn gorge, Georges River catchment, environmental damage
• Woolwash - The Woolwash junction with O'Hares creek Wedderburn - Minto
• Georges River catchment - Georges River, O'Hares Creek, Iluka Creek, Iluka Swamp, Maddens Creek, Dharawal State Recreation Area, Dharawal Nature Reserve, Campbelltown, Wedderburn.