Help save the Riverstone Wetlands from the bulldozers.

They are the last flood-free refuge for hundreds of local and migratory waterbirds in Western Sydney, right here in our own backyard!

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The Riverstone Wetlands are one of only three remaining wetlands in the Sydney Basin.

Migratory birds fly 13,000- 4,000 km, around August–October, each year, from Alaska and Siberia to the Riverstone Wetlands. It’s the last flood-free refuge in Western Sydney for them and masses of local waterbirds, including Black Swans.

The Riverstone Wetlands also support migratory shorebirds from Russia, Japan and Korea, as well as the indigenous Green and Golden Bell Frogs and the Eastern Long-Necked Turtle.

Community responses were overwhelmingly against the NSW Government’s plans to bulldoze the Riverstone Wetlands to make way for a business park and housing estate. The community made over 900 submissions by the closing date of 30 January 2026. But as we know, politicians have short memories. You can help by calling, emailing or snail-mailing Hon. Prue Car MP and Warren Kirby MP (contact details below). Just say, “Please Save The Riverstone Wetlands.”

After the wake-up calls of severe flooding in 2021 and 2022, the NSW Government withdrew approvals for development. This much-needed breathing space for wildlife and people seemed safe. However, under pressure from developers and lobbyists, the NSW Government did a backflip, giving developers the go-ahead, after reclassifying the area as ‘less flood-prone ’.

The loss of these wetlands will tear out a vital piece of a birdlife flyway and refuge that keeps wildlife alive when the rest of the floodplain is underwater. The hypothetical 4-hectare relocated / replacement wetland suggested is flood-prone, mostly too deep for waders, and blocked by flood defence walls.

The Riverstone Wetlands highlight a broken planning process in NSW. This irreplaceable breathing space for wildlife and two-legged earthlings needs your help. The Riverstone Wetlands are an irreplaceable part of Western Sydney’s natural heritage and should be protected. The proposed relocated / replacement wetland is unsuitable and will not support migratory and local birds, Green and Golden Bell Frogs and Eastern Long-Necked Turtles.

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Call, email or snail-mail our local politicians

The Hon Prue Carr MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning and Minister for Western Sydney
Phone: (02) 9833 1122
Email: londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 43, St Marys NSW 2760

Mr Warren Kirby MP, State Member for Riverstone
Phone: (02) 8883 3499
Email: riverstone@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 65, Stanhope Gardens NSW 2768

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Use these key points

The Riverstone Wetlands are an irreplaceable part of Western Sydney’s natural heritage and should be retained.

The ‘replacement’ proposed is grossly unsuitable and will not support the precious migratory birdlife and Green and Golden Bell Frogs:

• Is half the size of the habitat removed
• Is deep not shallow for wading birds
• Is flood-prone not flood-free
• Bird flight paths are impeded by high flood defence walls

The Marsden Park North Migratory Bird Assessment is grossly inadequate.

• Fails to undertake suitable survey or meet survey guidelines for Green & Golden Bell Frog and for migratory shorebirds
• Fails to assess three EPBC listed migrant species present (Oriental Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Eastern Yellow Wagtail)

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More info can be found here:

• Save the Riverstone Wetlands, Cumberland Conservation Network (PDF)
• Save the Riverstone Wetlands (PDF)

Who’s at stake