Chapter Four |
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The Woronora River |
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The Woronora River flows into the Georges River at Como and is, technically, within the catchment of the Georges River and its major lower reaches tributary. However, it is an extensive river system in its own right. The Woronora section of the Great Kai'mia Way, called the Woronora Way, is a continuous recreational trail primarily for access on foot but with shared use sections and alternatives for cyclists as well as a canoe trail.
The Woronora Valley is an area of great natural beauty and regional significance. Close to sprawling suburbs and accompanying urbanisation pressures, it needs environmental protection. The valley contains examples of endangered ecological communities, threatened species and a diverse range of vegetation types including wetlands, saltmarsh, woodlands, forests and heath.
The Way follows the Woronora River from its confluence with the Georges at Como to Heathcote National Park and Waterfall, high above the Woronora Dam catchment lands. Its length is approximately 24 km for walkers and 31 km by bicycle (because of detours necessary to avoid sensitive natural areas). The route takes in expansive views. Intimate glimpses of the river enhance the experience. It also provides access to the river itself for primary contact recreation such as swimming. The proposed canoe route is a sensitive way to explore the steep sided middle reaches of the river between Woronora village and the Needles without increasing environmental impact in this vulnerable riparian zone.
The majority of tracks and links of the proposed Woronora Way already exist. This study identifies them their existence, their condition and sustainability, where the missing links are, which areas should be closed to access and how access to other areas might be improved. The shared use - cyclists and pedestrians - section of the Way follows an existing Sydney Water Board Pipeline Easement which also serves as a fire trail to implement bushfire management. The track has a low level of weed infestation around the smaller gullies fed by storm water run off. The proposal incorporates the treatment of these areas by trained bush regenerators and community groups to ensure that positive environmental outcomes result.
Promoting the Woronora Way through appropriate signage, brochures and trail marking will create a welcome facility for the local and regional community. Interpretive material will encourage people to explore an area with an element of safety, rather than being confused where tracks go and what they link to.
All parts of the Woronora Way are in the Sutherland Shire Local Government Area (except for subsection A13 Helensburgh Link which is in Wollongong LGA) and includes the Woronora Catchment, the eastern side of Mill Creek (a sub-catchment of the Georges River, and Garrawarra State Conservation Area between Waterfall and Helensburgh. Table 4.1 lists the sections comprising the Way in this area. |
Click to enlarge map |
| The Way has been divided into six sections (W1-6). In turn, these sections have been further divided: |
- A1-A12 comprising the main pedestrian route and named the Main Spine Route - "Woronora Way" - Como to Waterfall
- A13 Helensburgh Link connects Woronora Way to Georges River Way GUR8
- B1-B4 alternative routes for Woronora Way
- C1-C5 cycling routes along the Woronora Way
- D1-D6 "The 2 Rivers Link" Woronora River to Georges River (incorporating Burnum Burnum Track)
- E, F, G Potential routes for Shackels Estate
- H to W are loop tracks for each community linking the spine trails to local facilities, public transport and integrating spur tracks to access the river and features of interest.
- X, Y, Z make up Woronora River Canoe Trail
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| Because of the narrower scope of the project in the Woronora River section of the Great Kai'mia Way, it was possible to carry out a more in-depth study of challenges and opportunities for development of the Way than was possible for the Georges River section (Chapter 3). As a consequence, the tables in this chapter are usually accompanied by a more in-depth discussion of the sub-sections characteristics and issues that is available for the tables in Chapter 3. |
| Section |
Name |
Suburbs |
Sub-Sections |
| W1 |
The Glen |
- Bonnet Bay
- Como
- Jannali
- Oyster Bay
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A1 - Paruna
A2 - The Glen Reserve
A3 - Skinners Creek
A4 - Burnum Burnum Sanctuary
H - Como Loop
J - Jannali and Bonnet Bay Loops |
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| W2 |
Wooloonara |
- Loftus
- Sutherland
- Woronora
- Woronora Heights
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A5 - Woronora Village
A6 - Forbes Creek
E1 - Connector
F3 - Connector
K - Sutherland and Woronora Loops
L - Loftus Loops
M - Woronora Heights Loops |
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| W3 |
Sabugal |
- Engadine
- North Engadine
- Yarrawarra
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A7 - Sabugal
A8 - Scouters View
E2-4 - Connector
N - Yarrawarra Loops
P - Engadine Loops |
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| W4 |
Freshwater |
- Heathcote
- Heathcote National Park
- Waterfall
- Garrawarra State Conservation Area
- Helensburgh
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A9 - Tamaroo
A10 - Lake Eckersley
A11 - Bullawaring Track North
A12 - Bullawaring Track South
A13 - Helensburgh Link
B2 - Mirang Road
B3 - Yarrawarra Ridge
C3 - Girronba
C4 - Woronora Dam Road
C5 - Princes
Q - Heathcote Loops |
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| W5 |
Shackles |
- Bangor (south) Barden Ridge
- Lucas Heights
- Menai (south)
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D1 - Sabugal Pass
D2 - Barden Ridge
D3 - Burnum Burnum Track (South)
R - Barden Ridge Loops
G - Shackles Estate |
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| W6 |
Still Creek |
- Bangor (north)
- Menai (north)
- Illawong
- Alfords Point
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D4 - Burnum Burnum Track (Central)
D5 - Burnum Burnum Track (North)
D6 - Georges River NP Link
F1-2 - Connector
S - West Menai Native Trail Loops
T - Bangor Loops
U - Menai Loops
V - Illawong
W - Alfords Point |
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• The Glen 
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre | Suite 4 (1st Floor), 2-4 Merton Street, Sutherland NSW 2232