Life returning to Kings Meadows Rivulet
Published on 05 June 2023
Kings Meadows rivulet is one of Launceston's most well-known urban waterways.
Beginning in Kate Reed Reserve, the rivulet flows through Kings Meadows, the Punchbowl Reserve, and into the North Esk River where it joins the kanamaluka / Tamar Estuary.
In past decades, the rivulet was heavily impacted by pollution and was effectively a dead zone with no aquatic life.
However, in recent years the City of Launceston has worked alongside a range of other agencies and community groups to put sediment and erosion controls in place, improve the management of trade waste, plant new riparian zones, and undertake a sewerage intrusion investigation project with the aim of improving the waterway's health.
The Council has also collaborated on community education projects focused on urban waterways, including Tamar NRM's Source to Sea program, the Kings Meadows ABCDE Learning Site and the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery's Big Day of Science.
City of Launceston Manager of Parks and Sustainability Kathryn Pugh said these various environmental projects were making a positive difference to Kings Meadows Rivulet.
"What we saw in past years is that there were no macroinvertebrates in Kings Meadows Rivulet at all," Ms Pugh said.
"What we have found since these various improvements have been made is the return of aquatic life to the rivulet.
"Recent surveys now show snails, caddisflies, fly larvae, midges, gnats and dragonflies.
"Macroinvertebrates are the foundation of ecosystems and they play a critical role in a healthy waterway, sustaining other plants and animals." City of Launceston Acting Mayor Matthew Garwood said it was pleasing to see such a positive outcome for the rivulet.
"Today, June 5, marks World Environment Day, which encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment," Cr Garwood said.
"Kings Meadows rivulet is a great example of a waterway which was once uncared for and — thanks to the hard work of many people in our community — is slowly but surely returning to a healthier state.
"We can all play a role in caring for our urban waterways, by respecting our environment, being careful what we wash down the drain and by ensuring we don't litter."