A signboard by the water with a bird illustration, and a person's hand giving a thumbs-up in the foreground. The signboard reads 'Leave Only Footprints' and promotes sharing experiences of the Bayside Shore.

Cleaner Bayside: Protect our waterways and reduce pollution

Bayside’s beaches, rivers and public spaces are part of who we are. Cleaner Bayside is about protecting our environment from pollution, holding major stakeholders accountable and ensuring our community can enjoy safe, healthy waterways and well-maintained public amenities.

From stormwater runoff to industrial legacy contamination, litter, habitat loss and ageing facilities, our area faces complex environmental challenges. Peaceful Bayside advocates for practical, science-based solutions that improve water quality, strengthen environmental oversight and restore confidence in the cleanliness and care of our public spaces.

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Urban runoff is one of the biggest sources of pollution entering the Cooks River, the Georges River and, ultimately, Botany Bay.

Peaceful Bayside supports stronger implementation of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) principles and the use of raingardens and bio-filtration systems (RID) in new developments and public works to capture pollutants before they reach our waterways.

We have advocated for tighter compliance checks on developments to ensure stormwater treatment systems are installed, maintained and functioning properly. We support transparent reporting so the community can see whether pollution control measures are working in practice, not just on paper.

Stormwater management and WSUD principles

Example of WSUD guidelines
Clear ocean water with rocks in the foreground and calm waves.

Environmental accountability

Parts of Bayside have a long industrial history, including legacy contamination that continues to affect groundwater and surrounding environments.

Orica (formerly ICI Australia) has operated a chemicals manufacturing facility at the Botany Industrial Park since 1942. Poor environmental management and waste disposal practices up until the 1980's, resulted in significant amounts of chemicals contaminating the underlying soil and groundwater. Orica has been in the process of remediating its contaminated sites and groundwater since the 1990's.

Peaceful Bayside supports ongoing monitoring and accountability around Orica’s Botany Sand Beds aquifer groundwater remediation and historical mercury emissions, calling for clear public reporting and independent oversight to ensure remediation commitments are met.

We also advocate for stronger environmental support from large infrastructure operators, including Port Botany and Sydney Airport, to ensure local pollution impacts are measured and mitigated.

Read about our groundwater
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Cleaner rivers and enriching coastal partnerships

Our waterways do not stop at council boundaries. Effective environmental protection requires collaboration.

Peaceful Bayside has advocated for Bayside Council to actively support and engage with the Cooks River Alliance on project shaping, grant applications, and long-term water quality strategies. We also encourage Council to seek ongoing guidance from Georges Riverkeeper, Sydney Water, Georges River Council and First Nations groups on projects that seek to naturalise waterways and reduce flooding, such as the Kamay Greenway.

By strengthening regional coastal partnerships, we help ensure pollution reduction, habitat restoration and river health initiatives are coordinated and science-led. We have also advocated strongly for improvements to environmental and water issues in Bardwell Valley, and sought to set up a permanent bushcare site at that location.

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Protecting shorebirds and dune ecosystems

Botany Bay supports important migratory shorebird species and fragile coastal habitats. Peaceful Bayside includes protecting these ecological assets from disturbance and degradation.

Peaceful Bayside supports clearly marked shorebird protection zones, community education signage and responsible recreational management along the foreshore. We advocate for environmental planning decisions that balance public access with habitat conservation, ensuring sensitive ecosystems are safeguarded for future generations.

Council investigation
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Foreshore pride and community programs

Clean environments thrive when communities are engaged. Programs like “Love Our Bay” help foster stewardship and shared responsibility for our coastline..

Peaceful Bayside supports foreshore clean-ups, litter reduction initiatives and visible environmental campaigns that build local pride. By encouraging community participation and transparent environmental reporting, we aim to strengthen the culture of care across Bayside.

Peaceful Bayside also hold regular beach clean ups along Botany Bay to help maintain a pristine coastline.

A park with a large grassy area, trees, a small modern building, a tall light pole, and a parking lot with several cars. Two children and one adult are standing on the grass near a stroller.

Cleaner public amenities and shared spaces

Environmental quality includes the everyday experience of parks, beaches and public facilities. Clean, well-maintained toilets and amenities are essential for public health and community confidence.

Peaceful Bayside has advocated for improved cleaning standards, maintenance schedules, a Public Toilet Strategy and upgrades to ageing facilities in high-use foreshore areas. Cleaner public spaces improve safety, support tourism and encourage respectful use of shared environments.

Overgrown marsh with tall grasses, reeds, and weeds beside a brick structure with a water channel visible at the bottom. Houses and power lines are in the background.

‘Get the site right’ runoff eduction

The water quality of our creeks and rivers are affected by urban runoff and industrial pollutants. This in turn affects marine life and fragile ecosystems across our waterways and important fish breeding sites.

Peaceful Bayside supports educational campaigns for residents, construction sites and industrial areas, like “Get the site right” to encourage a reduction in pollution entering our waterways.

We are also working with Landcare and Georges Riverkeeper to monitor water quality in select creeks in our area to help guide planning decisions.

Get the site right

Frequently asked questions

  • It means reducing pollution at its source, improving water quality, protecting habitats and ensuring public spaces are clean, safe and well maintained.

  • Urban runoff carries litter, oils, heavy metals and nutrients directly into waterways. Water Sensitive Urban Design helps intercept these pollutants before they enter rivers and bays.

  • Major facilities such as ports and airports must operate within environmental regulations. Strong oversight and transparent reporting ensure local communities are not unfairly burdened by pollution impacts.

  • Migratory shorebirds rely on Botany Bay habitats for feeding and rest. Protecting these areas supports biodiversity and maintains ecological balance.

  • Advocated for WSUD compliance, supported regional river alliances, called for groundwater remediation transparency, promoted shorebird protection zones, requested new bushcare sites and pushed for improved public amenity maintenance.

  • Strengthen environmental accountability, expand stormwater treatment infrastructure, educate the community on these issues, deepen regional partnerships and ensure public reporting of pollution data is accessible and clear.

Did you know?

  • Urban stormwater runoff is a leading source of pollution in coastal NSW waterways

  • Bio-filtration systems can significantly reduce nutrients and heavy metals entering rivers

  • Migratory shorebirds travel thousands of kilometres and depend on Botany Bay habitats

  • Regional river alliances improve grant success and coordinated restoration outcomes

  • Transparent environmental reporting builds public trust

Two women holding garbage bags and supplies at a park, participating in a cleanup event, wearing blue 'Peaceful Bayside' shirts, with trees and other people in the background.
A quiet creek flowing through a dense forest with overhanging branches and green foliage, sunlight filtering through the trees.
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A lush green park with a dirt pathway and dense trees on either side, under a clear blue sky.
Silhouettes of leafless trees and utility poles against a sunset sky with colors fading from orange to blue, with some foliage at the bottom.
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A water drainage pipe on a grassy bank surrounded by trees and vegetation, with water in the foreground reflecting the trees.
A sandy beach with a few seagulls, a body of water, and a clear blue sky with some small clouds.
Scene by the water with construction or maintenance work underway, showing equipment, cones, and a worker in a yellow shirt walking along a path near benches and small trees. There is a large body of water in the background and a clear sky.
A vegetable garden with various green leafy plants in raised planters, surrounded by trees and clear blue sky, on a sunny day.
A body of water with a bird standing on rocks and greenery in the foreground, and residential buildings with trees in the background.
Sunset over a parking lot with trees and a cloudy sky.

What percentage of key pollutants can be removed by bio-filtration systems?

Bio-filtration systems are one of several ways to reduce pollutant concentrations. According to the Australian Water Association, bio-filtration (bioretention) systems in NSW typically remove:

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Issues, questions and ideas for Heidi (Ward 5)?

To send us ideas or report on-the-ground issues across Ward 5 (Kyeemagh, Brighton Le Sands, Monterey, Ramsgate, Sandringham, Dolls Point), please email heidilee.douglas@bayside.nsw.gov.au

Issues, questions and ideas for Janin (Ward 3)?

To send us ideas or report on-the-ground issues across Ward 3 (Rockdale, Arncliffe, Banksia, Bexley), please email janin.bredehoeft@bayside.nsw.gov.au