Residents can discover more about their Upper Parramatta River catchment, and learn practical ways to improve it, on a free bus tour on Saturday 15 October. Tour highlights include visits to projects in the Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Parramatta and Holroyd Council areas, which show:

· Flood management,
· Creeks and bushland; and
· How you can reduce your impact on the local environment.

At Lake Parramatta in North Parramatta tour participants will observe the impact of urban development on water quality. The Lake is the site of a Trust-sponsored study to determine whether the water quality is suitable for swimming or, if not, what extra measures are needed.

In Toongabbie, the tour will visit a creek rehabilitation project sponsored by the Trust and Holroyd and Blacktown City Councils, as well as a litter boom in Civic Park at Pendle Hill.

The Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust and Baulkham Hills, Parramatta, Blacktown and Holroyd councils are hosting the tour to celebrate National Water Week.

The tour commences at noon with a free sausage sizzle at Lake Parramatta. It concludes at 4.30pm at the Lake. Free parking is available at the Lake. However the tour will also pick up and drop off participants at Parramatta Station.

The booklet, 'Where is Your Place in the Catchment?' will be launched at the sausage sizzle. The booklet contains practical suggestions about how people can improve the quality and quantity of runoff water from roads, gardens, housing and other land surfaces.

Dr Stephen Lees said:

"It is important for residents to learn more about their waterways - how water quality in the catchment is affected by urban pollution and how urban development has altered flood patterns. But it is just as important for residents to learn what they can do about it.

The tour is a unique opportunity to visit project sites that highlight issues affecting the catchment and how individuals can make a positive difference."