The Yana Badu Wetlands provides a glimpse into a regenerated urban ecology of the Cooks River catchment. Located in the heart of industrial southwest Sydney, this wetland filters stormwater before it enters the Cooks River downstream. The native planting provides habitat for wildlife in the middle of a major rail transit hub in Chullora.
The are was previously known as the Chullora Wetlands until being renamed Yana Badu Wetlands by the Bankstown Aboriginal Advisory Group in 2017 and approved by the Metropolitan LALC.. ‘Yana Badu’ means ‘Walk Water‘ in the coastal Darug language.
Recreating the Wetlands
The construction of the wetlands was the first large scale water quality improvement project in the catchment. Thanks to many years of thanks to many years of advocacy and determination from members of the South West Enviro Centre, the wetlands officially opened on 9 June 2000. was designed by a specialist wetlands ecologist with input from the Bankstown Bushland Society and managed for more than a decade by the South West Enviro Centre in conjunction with Sydney Water.
Images: Science Citizens
Wetland Tours
The Wetlands are only open to the public for events. Sign up to the newsletter, to receive notifications on tours and open days. To enquire about educational excursions, contact the Georges River Environmental Education Centre.
Getting There