Work on one of Council's most impressive and important environmental and drainage projects, the restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands at Byron Bay, is entering the final stage.
The Sandhills Wetlands, in the heart of Byron Bay, is behind Lawson Street and Massinger Street.
The 1.8-hectare site was heavily sand-mined in the 1960s and the wetlands were destroyed.
For many years the site was overgrown, degraded and attracted anti-social behaviour.
"The Sandhills Wetlands have enormous cultural and environmental significance, and this project has been designed in consultation with Arakwal and the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council and Crown Lands," Christopher Soulsby, Manager Major Projects, said.
"This project will see the wetlands restored which will not only benefit the environment but the quality of water flowing to Clarkes Beach will be better and it will be a place for the community to walk, sit and enjoy," Mr Soulsby said.
Excavation of three ponds (cells) is almost finished, and work has started on a series of interconnected paths, landscaping and tree planting.
"There is a lot of water in the ponds which is exactly what we expected because we have removed approximately 15,000 cubic metres of material and vegetation, and already we are noticing more birds," Mr Soulsby said.
The project is expected to be finished in October.
The restoration of the Sandhills Wetland is funded by the Australian Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program and the NSW Government through the Public Spaces Legacy Program.
