Macarthur Bicycle Users Group / Macarthur Bushwalkers

Kings Falls and the BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal dam discharge
Georges River Upper Catchment - Appin
On the 27 March 2010 the Macarthur Bushwalkers set of to locate the source of the water for the Georges River Upper Catchment located each side of Appin Road. The bush walk started near Kings Falls Appin where we parked the car on the south side of the bridge after the last set of traffic lights when leaving Appin for Bulli. After leaving the car we walked down a short track alongside Appin Rd to the bridge. From the the we could directly access both sides of the catchment. Walking downstream brought us to Kings Falls then onto mountain bike trails which cross the river in several locations eventually bringing us to our destination at Marhnyes Hole. On the return journey was deviated from our outward route to locate the BHP Billiton dam with its discharge pipe which can be seen on this page. Walking upstream under the bridge gives the impression that one is walking along a wide rock paved road with a little water flowing along one side on the edge of the grass bank.

Kings Falls and the BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal dam discharge

Georges River Upper Catchment - Appin

On the 27 March 2010 the Macarthur Bushwalkers set of to locate the source of the water for the Georges River Upper Catchment located each side of Appin Road. The bush walk started near Kings Falls Appin where we parked the car on the south side of the bridge after the last set of traffic lights when leaving Appin for Bulli.

After leaving the car we walked down a short track alongside Appin Rd to the bridge. From the the we could directly access both sides of the catchment.

Walking downstream brought us to Kings Falls then onto mountain bike trails which cross the river in several locations eventually bringing us to our destination at Marhnyes Hole.

On the return journey was deviated from our outward route to locate the BHP Billiton dam with its discharge pipe which can be seen on this page.

Walking upstream under the bridge gives the impression that one is walking along a wide rock paved road with a little water flowing along one side on the edge of the grass bank.

Your Georges River - Appin Road Bridge over Georges River

Now you see me! - water discharge from BHP Billitons dam
Polluted water discharged from the BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal dam located outside Appin at Grid Reference 976127 Appin Topographical Map 9029-1S. The water discharge from this pipe was greater than the natural flow from both tributaries of Georges River.

Now you don't! - no water above BHP discharge outlet
Georges River south of Appin Rd (upstream) near Kings Falls Appin. This is the total flow from the catchment near Cataract Dam and Scout Camp. it is almost like walking along a rough rock based road. Unfortunately this section of the river is in this condition for most of the year except when it rains at which point there is water flow for short periods of time.
Upstream of Kings Falls, accessed under bridge from Kings Falls
Ken and Rachel plotting route to the dam outlet	Kings Falls 25 metres downstream of the bridge

Above - Mine run off at least 1 kilometer below mine dam discharge pipe and Georges River

We noticed signs of cracking and breakage from the rock platform at Marhnyes Hole, a location where BHP Billiton had grouted the cracks many years ago. Our research indicates that at best one can expect a 50% success rate with grouting. Research also showed that longwall damage may not settle for as long as 15 years or more.