You won’t find Lawson Creek in many of the glossy tourist guides, but to the locals of South Lawson Bushcare Group, it’s a hidden gem of the Blue Mountains.
And after 20 years of quiet, dedicated work to protect the creek, the group is ready to tell the world - with a new short film.
The film showcases the area’s magic: moss covered fairy dells, shimmering waterfalls and primeval hanging swamps, all beautifully captured on camera by local film-maker Vera Hong.
The film also celebrates the work done behind the scenes by dedicated residents, year in year out, to protect local bushland areas.
“Lawson Creek flows into the World Heritage Area and Blue Mountains National Park, eventually discharging into the Hawkesbury-Nepean river system,” said Erst Carmichael, convenor of South Lawson Park bushcare group.
“It’s such a beautiful area and it’s only a stone’s throw away from Lawson village. Yet, it’s this very proximity to urban areas that leaves it vulnerable - to weed invasion, pollution and high sediment flows. If not managed, these impacts can have severe downstream effects on the World Heritage Area.”
South Lawson bushcare group works to control weeds and rejuvenate natural bushland in the area. Blue Mountains City Council Bushcare Officer Karen Hising guides the group through each monthly work session.
Streamwatch monitoring is also regularly undertaken. Oxygen, phosphate, saltiness, pH and turbidity levels are tested on a monthly basis, supported by the Australian Museum and Blue Mountains City Council. The results are usually good but there have been problems with high flows of sand and silt in the past.
The film was made possible with funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program as well as support from Greater Sydney Local Land Services and Blue Mountains City Council.
Vera Hong, of Seconds Minutes Hours Productions, directed the film and co-produced with Peter Ardill, a Lawson bushcare member. Thanks to Seconds Minutes Hours Productions for their generosity with time and skill.
View the 8 minute film at https://vimeo.com/verahong/south-lawson-bushcare.
South Lawson Park bushcare group website: www.southlawsonpark.bushcarebluemountains.org.au
To find out more about bushcare in the Blue Mountains, visit www.bushcarebluemountains.org.au or call 4780 5528.