Chapter Four
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Woronora River Canoe Trail |
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The Woronora River has excellent potential as the venue for a recreational canoeing trail. Canoeing is a sensitive way to explore the steep sided middle reaches of the river between Woronora village and the Needles, and its promotion would enhance people's experience of the river without increased environmental impact.
A silent mode of travel, the craft used for recreational canoeing are sturdier more comfortable than racing boats. They are designed for more leisurely speeds. They provide a means to interact with nature at close quarters, watching birds and other river life, admiring the scenic qualities of the river. At high tide on the Woronora it is possible to investigate small creeks such as Forbes and Loftus, and discover areas difficult to reach by other means, such as Mangrove Island.
A canoe trail is consistent with the objective of promoting sustainable movement through the valley. Integrated with proposed bushwalking and cycling routes, it facilitates exploration of areas such as the Mill Reach section of the river where there is no defined bush track along the foreshore, and where the construction of a new track would have a negative impact on wildlife habitats.
History of Canoeing on the Woronora
The River has a rich association with canoeing and canoeists. Indeed the Woronora Amateur Canoe Association, formed on 26 th February 1933, is the oldest canoe club in New South Wales. |
Woronora Amateur Canoeing Association
The WACA, was originally known as the Upper Woronora River Social and Sports Club, and at its peak boasted a membership of 75. Its activities included dancing, parties at members' homes, foot racing and canoe racing. The River Canoe Club based at Tempe was formed 2 years later and the 2 clubs often got together for racing and social events, including bushwalking in the winter.
The races were from WACA's Prince Edward Park "home" to Como Railway Bridge and back, a distance of 13km, and many of the keener "paddlers" would train for the events by pulling their oyster barges along by canoe!
In the early 1940s several intrepid canoeists from the Salt Pan Creek area, spent 3 days exploring the upper reaches of the river beyond the needles, pool hopping to Woronora Dam and back. Sadly the majority of the male membership of WACA never returned form the Second World War and the club folded. |
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Recreational Canoeing and Existing Canoe Trails
Several facts reinforce the popularity of recreational canoeing/kayaking as opposed to competitive sport canoeing/kayaking:
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According to a 1990 survey (NSW Dept. Sport and Recreation) canoeing as a passive secondary recreational pursuit makes up approximately 80% of all canoeing activity - 20% is competitive.
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It is estimated that one in every four homes in Australia owns a canoe or kayak (1990 Australian Canoeing)
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On average 600 canoes or kayaks are sold per month in New South Wales (NSW Canoeing 2003).
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Surveys also show that 90% of people who own/paddle a canoe or kayak do so independently of canoeing organisations and clubs.
Yet, according to the peak state body NSW Canoeing, there are no formally recognised recreational canoe trails in New South Wales.
However, other States have applied the concept on several rivers. For example, in Queensland there are the Ipswich and Pine Rivers Canoe Trails.
Ipswich City Council has developed a promotional brochure for Trails on the Brisbane and Bremmer Rivers. The brochure provides trail maps showing access/egress points and a wealth of information on flora and fauna, heritage, as well as safety and river care codes.
Benefits of Canoeing for Participants
- Canoeing is by nature a passive recreational pursuit
- Paddling can reduce stress, provides exercise, fresh air and a sense of well being
- Excellent sport for improving self esteem
- Disabled paddlers report that it improves their mental health and self esteem
- Calming influence on young offenders - communing with nature
- Ideal for families as a bonding exercise - youngsters "can do their own thing" in their kayak or canoe, but don't mind parent(s)/carer(s) being there for they are essential for getting them and their craft on the water.
The Advantages of Canoeing for the Environment
- Canoes and kayak craft do not create wash and therefore do not contribute to riverbank and shallow river bed erosion, unlike motorised craft.
- Canoes do not pollute the river with exhaust emissions
- Canoes are quiet and allow opportunities to observe native flora and fauna without disturbing
- Do not require expensive hard landscaped facilities such as boat ramps for launching
- Canoes can be launched form shallow beach or grassed areas of the foreshore
The Suitability of the Woronora River for a Canoe Trail
The Woronora River is highly valued by those living within its catchment, and many people living within the Sydney Metropolitan area for its recreational values.
Citizens living in the valley have noted the importance of being able to swim and canoe safely and the role that maintaining and protecting aquatic ecosystems can play in ensuring a cleaner water quality .
The Woronora has advantages as a location for a Canoe Trail including: |
- Safety - Hypothermia on the open water. The Georges River is less sheltered, carries larger boats and more and faster crafts - such as jet skis. The River is sheltered by hills on either side, protecting the open water from rough weather. Large motor boats are prevented from accessing the upper river by the low bridge height next to the Bushfire HQ, though occasionally youths speed along in tinnies.
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A large sandbar across the estuary of the Woronora protects the river from Sharks although a shark was once reported seen next to Prince Edward Park during the severe drought year of 1920! Personal Flotation Devices are to be recommended on all literature associated with the trail.
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Variety - The river valley has tremendous variety of scenery, topography, landforms, heritage, and flora and fauna as it makes its relatively short journey from the freshwater catchment down to the confluence with the Georges at Como. - approximately 11kms from The Needles to the mouth of the river.
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Access - There are several existing points of safe public access to the river for canoeing concentrated in the central reach of river from Lakewood City Reserve at Bonnet Bay upstream to Prince Edward Park. Most have car parks and toilets as well as other facilities. A central starting point such as the Star Boatshed is ideal. A trail can be followed upstream or downstream dependent on the participants involved. The Boatshed is located opposite Prince Edward Park where the Woronora Way walking and cycling routes and the canoe trail join. A combination of routes is then possible.
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Achievable - The River has a high standard of existing access facilities. The main items requiring development are community consultation, installation of trail markers and trail promotion through brochures/maps.
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Location - in close proximity to large population - The Woronora catchment has accommodated significant urban development in the last 10 to 15 years, increasing the population to an estimated 53,000. The Canoe Trail can contribute significantly to the management of increased recreational demand placed on the river by the emerging population and the existing population of Sutherland Shire (200,000 in total), It provides a sustainable recreational use of the river, has potential to raise awareness of the rivers intrinsic values, and contributes to life long learning for the community.
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Aspects of a Woronora River Canoe Trail
Trail users
Different trail options to suit all levels of skill (beginner, average, experienced) in both canoe and kayak. For example family Groups (parent(s)/carer(s) kids), seniors, singles or couples, school or youth groups, disabled groups. Trail to benefit as many people as possible from beginners to experienced.
Three main groups of users need to be catered for:
- Independent canoeists bringing their own craft to the access points from outside the valley
- Local paddlers - most waterfront properties have at least one canoe
- Individuals and groups hiring craft from the Star Boatshed
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Trail markers
Various points of interest and access points will be marked with signposts designed to complement the natural environment. They will carry a reference number to link them to brochures/maps as well as the distance in kilometres from Boatshed. It may be better not to provide information on approximate times for beginners/least experienced paddlers, as it may be misleading and raise liability issues. Perhaps a mini-map should be made available to people hiring canoes.
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• The Glen 
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre | Suite 4 (1st Floor), 2-4 Merton Street, Sutherland NSW 2232