We’ve started work on a ground-breaking $2 million project that will transform the badly degraded mouth of the New Town Rivulet into a natural, estuarine environment.
A joint collaboration between the City of Hobart and Glenorchy City Council, the project is expected to take six months to complete and will involve major earthworks and landscaping.
As part of the project almost 45 000 native trees, shrubs, water plants and grasses will be planted.
More than half of the plants have been grown at our own nursery, and some of the plants we will be planting are rare in Tasmania and have been grown from seed collected from the area.
The current concrete walls lining the rivulet are failing and will be replaced with large boulders and stabilising water plants.
The current weir will remain, and its structure improved to prevent bank erosion.
The weir serves to reduce sediment build-up at the rivulet mouth in New Town Bay.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds and Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey launch this exciting new project.
Hobart Lord Mayor Councillor Anna Reynolds says this project is a “game changing” project for Hobart’s waterways.
“Returning the New Town Rivulet outlet from a concrete drain to a natural river water mouth is such an exciting project,” she said.
"I can’t wait to see the completed project. It will be a beautiful natural area for the community to enjoy, improve the water quality and increase biodiversity."
Glenochy Mayor Sue Hickey said her council regularly hears from their community how much people value natural areas where families can connect, play and unwind.
"The New Town Rivulet Project will upgrade this space to a recreational area that all local residents can enjoy,” she said.
"The improvements will also have benefits for our aquatic and bird wildlife.
"I’m excited that work has started and look forward to watching the progress on this important project."
Artist's impression of the New Town Rivulet outlet once the project is completed.