New Town Rivulet restoration plans revealed

Published on 05 May 2023

Plans have been released revealing an ambitious plan to return the heavily concreted mouth of New Town Rivulet to a more natural state while addressing increasing risks of bank erosion.

The project is an initiative of the City of Hobart and Glenorchy City Council and follows a 2021 review of the weir and deteriorating concrete walls that line the mouth of the rivulet.

"This is an exciting project that will replace the degrading concrete walls that line the New Town Rivulet and start the process of returning this area to a natural estuarine landscape," City of Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said today.

"It is well established that native plants and landscaping help trap sediment and historical contamination of river beds naturally, and we all know they help bring back native wildlife and beautify our open spaces."

Glenorchy City Council Mayor Bec Thomas said the project would be a boon for local residents.

"This project will create beautiful walking tracks from the Queens Walk bridge up along both sides of the New Town Rivulet to the River Derwent,” Ald Thomas said.

"Almost 10,000 native plants and trees will be established to create a natural wildlife corridor, there will be formalised parking and access to the area will be improved for everyone."

City of Hobart City Water portfolio chair Councillor Ben Lohberger said the area had been heavily modified since European settlement and much of it used as landfill.

"The New Town Rivulet Estuary Project is an ambitious plan that will benefit not just local residents but also our aquatic wildlife and the health of the River Derwent," Cr Lohberger said.

"As well as creating a beautiful, natural environment for everyone to enjoy this project it will help stabilise the rivulet embankments.

“I am also delighted to be able to consult with the newly established City of Hobart Water Portfolio Committee on this project when we come together for our inaugural meeting in May.

“We have attracted a diverse group of community members who are passionate about the River Derwent and its rivulets – I'm excited to share this draft plan with them.”

Feedback on the project designs can be given through the Your Say Hobart website: yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/new-town-rivulet