Dibble Avenue Waterhole Bank Stabilisation Works

Project description

Works to stabilise the embankment, allow for safe maintenance access and enhance the ecological conditions for sustainable biodiversity. The project is being carried out at the same time as Council develops the Marrickville Parklands and Dibble Avenue Waterhole Plan of Management and Landscape Master Plan.

Project status

Stabilisation works at Dibble Avenue Waterhole are nearing completion. Placement of rockfill material and initial landscaping has been carried out. Revegetation planting and weeding works have started and are scheduled to continue over the Spring months. The reinstatement of A.B. Crofts playground is currently in progress and is due to be completed later this year.

The bank stabilisation is being carried out in the following stages:

Water level safety lowered to allow equipment access while maintaining some water for environmental purposes
Playground equipment at AB Crofts Playground removed to allow access to the waterhole and store equipment
Bulk rock fill brought to the site through A.B Crofts Playground and placed around the lower banks providing stability during periods of low water level
Rock fill used to form a temporary access road to allow equipment to work around the waterhole
Upper bank levels will be built up with crushed sandstone fill to allow for landscaping and revegetation, and will be covered with coir matting to prevent erosion. Planting of native species will be undertaken in mid 2021.
Sandstone blocks will be placed across the waterhole to provide habitat for aquatic animals
At completion, the playground equipment will be reinstated with new soft-fall and landscaping

Project address: Dibble Avenue Waterhole, Dibble Avenue, Marrickville

Progress

Main works are expected be finalised late 2021.

Managing impacts on residents and visitors

Works will be managed to limit the impacts on surrounding residential and public areas.
A.B. Crofts Playground will be the main access for trucks, materials and equipment into the waterhole and will be closed to public for the duration of the project.

Hours of work will be 7am to 6pm weekdays and 8am to 1pm on weekends (if required). Construction vibration, air quality and noise impacts will be continuously monitored using specialist equipment leading up to and during the work period.

Traffic control will be put in place for truck movements along Dibble Avenue and into A.B. Crofts Playground. Street parking near the intersection of Dibble Avenue and Riverside Crescent may be impacted for the duration of the works and Council will notify residents of the details via letter nearer to stabilisation starting.

Waterhole tree management

Emergency tree management works were carried out adjacent to the 38 Ewart Street apartments to remove dead trees at risk of falling into the waterhole.

A project arborist was engaged to provide advice on protection and management for waterhole trees during the earthworks. The works have been designed to minimise the impact on existing trees in the waterhole work zone and in A.B. Crofts Playground.

Fauna management

Ecologists relocated any native birds, frogs, bats or fish that were encountered.

Contact

For enquiries and questions please contact council by phone on 02 9392 5262 or by email on dibble.avenue.waterhole@innerwest.nsw.gov.au.