Photos taken near 150 Hermitage Rd in Kurrajong paint a jarring picture: upstream of a new development, the Blue Gum Creek flows clear and unblemished, but downstream, it turns into a murky brownish-yellow, laden with sediment.

These images were captured yesterday, 15 October. Some residents have since written to Hawkesbury Council, raising serious concerns about environmental damage linked to the developer’s lack of sediment control. 

Eric Finley, whose family has lived alongside the creek for 25 years, said he has “never seen water of this color here before, even after heavy rain.” He believes there has been a lack of proper oversight and control which is required under the conditions of the Development Application (DA). Finley’s letter to Council detailed the impact of sediment runoff on Blue Gum Creek, which is home to a range of wildlife, including Platypus that rely on the creek’s health for survival. Sediment pollution occurs when soil particles run off into waterways, impacting both human and animal health.

“The difference in water quality above and below the site is dramatic even at a casual glance,” Finley wrote, pointing out that the upstream water remains clear while the downstream section, where major earth and roadworks are underway, is heavily discoloured. Finley’s letter references sediment control advice given by a Council officer to the developer last month, which was intended to prevent precisely this outcome.

Finley also noted that a University of Western Sydney study found platypus DNA in Blue Gum Creek in June 2023, confirming the presence of this species. The creek flows into Little Wheeny Creek, a significant ecosystem for the region, supporting a variety of threatened and endangered species. The recent pollution threatens the delicate balance of this habitat, with sedimentation potentially damaging the food sources and nesting areas crucial to wildlife.

In his letter, Finley demanded that the Council take immediate action to enforce stricter controls at the site. “This development has already had a significant and unnecessary impact on the local environment and wildlife, not to mention local residents' quality of life,” he wrote, urging the Council to address the issue before it worsens.

Finley’s concerns reflect broader frustrations among residents who have witnessed local ecosystems disrupted by so-called “Zombie DAs”- developments approved under planning applications granted more than a decade ago. The DA for 150 Hermitage Rd, approved in 2008, allowed the developer to clear land and wildlife habitat under regulations that some residents believe are outdated and inadequate for protecting the environment today.

Despite assurances from the Council last month that the developer would install necessary sediment controls, photos and first-hand observations suggest otherwise. Council had not responded to the Hawkesbury Post’s questions by the time of publication.

The photo on the left shows Blue Gum Creek about 400 metres upstream from the development. The photo on the right is Blue Gum Creek approximately 200 metres downstream from the development.