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June 2025 update – results are in
In late-March 2024, City of Parramatta began working with specialist consultants to undertake a biological survey of waterways within the Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA).
The study focused on taking water samples from 20 locations to capture information on species with the LGA, identify the presence of endangered species, and help identify invasive species to allow for a program of management to be created.
The results
More than 100 species including turtles, echidnas, fish and birds were catalogued using the new environmental DNA (eDNA) technique and other traditional survey methods such as electrofishing and baited underwater traps.
Water samples were collected and tested before being matched against national and international databases of plants and animals.
The team found 22 species of fish and frogs, including many native species such as long finned eels. Exotic fish such as barramundi, goldfish and European carp were also detected.
For a list of animals likely to be living in our natural environment, as detected by the use of environmental DNA, please see the eDNA list.
Note more species were detected in the overall survey by traditional methods such as electrofishing.
The study serves as a new benchmark for Council to assess the overall health and quality of the local waterways within the Parramatta area. It found areas with the highest biodiversity were those with good riverside vegetation and low levels of erosion.
As the City of Parramatta continues to work towards rehabilitating the local environment, it is hoped that future studies will see improvement in water quality, biodiversity, and other waterway health markers.
This is the first time Council has included the use of an eDNA survey with similar studies completed in 2010 and 2017 using traditional methods.
What do studies test for?
(Back to top)As well as looking for DNA evidence of fish, algae, plants, animals and insects, a biological study looks at water flow, along with pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, and bacteria.
The study compares results with those of similar surveys carried out in 2010 and 2018.
How does eDNA work?
(Back to top)Environmental DNA or eDNA is essentially a forensic investigation of plant and animal DNA sampling.
All animals and plants shed fragments of their DNA into the environment, which is then washed into creeks and rivers.
A water sample is drawn from the study site and taken to a laboratory where the DNA in the water is amplified millions of times. The DNA fragments are then entered into a national and international animal and plant database and cross matched.
While eDNA will not tell us how many of each species are living in our environment, traditional survey techniques provide that information, it allows for a much more comprehensive identification of everything living in a catchment area. Using eDNA could allow hundreds of species to be identified.
Where did testing take place?
(Back to top)The study focussed on 20 local waterways including freshwater, estuarine, lake and artificial wetland sites across the City.
Study sites included:
Haslams Creek, Duck River, Parramatta River, Domain Creek, Finlayson Creek, Milson Park Wetland, Coopers Creek, Toongabbie Creek, Quarry Branch Creek, Darling Mills Creek, Lake Parramatta, Hunts Creek, Vineyard Creek, Subiaco Creek, Ponds Creek, Terrys Creek, Devlins Creek.
Contact us:
(Back to top)For more information on the 2024 Biological Survey of Waterways, please contact Council’s Stormwater Management Coordinator by calling City of Parramatta’s Customer Contact Centre on 1300 617 058 or via email Council@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
