Chipping Norton Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chipping Norton Lake |
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Chipping Norton Lake
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 Chipping Norton Lake
Location in Sydney
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| Location | Chipping Norton, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Coordinates | 33°54′S 150°57′E / 33.900°S 150.950°E |
| Type | Artificial |
| Primary inflows | Georges River |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Built | c. 1980 |
| Max. length | 1 km (0.62 mi) |
| Surface area | 49 hectares (120 acres) |
| Surface elevation | 0 m (0 ft) AHD |
| Frozen | never |
| Islands | 4 |
| Settlements | City of Liverpool |
Chipping Norton Lake is a big, man-made lake and park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 49-hectare (120-acre) in size and is part of the Georges River system. The Liverpool City Council looks after it. This lake is a popular spot for fun and relaxation for people from Liverpool and nearby areas like City of Canterbury-Bankstown and Fairfield City Council.
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How Chipping Norton Lake Was Formed
Before Europeans arrived, the land around what is now Chipping Norton Lake was home to the Tharawal and Darug Aboriginal people. There was no lake at that time, just the Georges River.
Later, a settler named Thomas Moore received land here and started a farm. In the 1950s, people began mining sand in the area. This mining caused a lot of damage to the environment, leaving the land empty and lifeless.
In the late 1970s, a decision was made to flood the old sand mine. This created the large lake we see today. To help nature recover, many plants were added around the lake, turning it into a place where wildlife could thrive.
Amazing Nature at the Lake
Chipping Norton Lake is a fantastic place for nature lovers, especially if you enjoy watching birds! You can spot over fifty different kinds of birds here. Some common ones include pelicans, purple swamphens, egrets, and various types of ducks. This makes birdwatching a very popular activity.
The areas around the lake are full of different plants. You'll find sedgelands, reeds, and even mangroves. Other native trees like swamp oak, forest red gum, and blue box grow here too. There's also a special type of forest called alluvial woodland, which is an endangered ecological community.
The councils of Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, and Fairfield work together to protect the wildlife and manage the fun areas around the lake. Inside the lake, there are four islands. These islands are safe places for native birds, and people are not allowed to visit them to keep the birds undisturbed. You might even hear stories of bull sharks being seen in the lake!
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Chipping Norton Lake is a great place to visit with friends and family. There's a regional park on Homestead Avenue that offers lots of activities:
- Cycleways: Paths perfect for riding your bike.
- Barbecue Facilities: Spots where you can cook up a delicious meal.
- Picnic Areas: Places to relax and enjoy your food outdoors.
- Playground Equipment: Fun structures for younger kids to play on.
- Boat Ramps: Places to launch your boat onto the lake.
- Sporting Fields: Open spaces for playing sports.
- Georges River Environment Education Centre: A place to learn more about the environment.
There's even a beach at the lake called Grand Flaneur Beach in Homestead Park. While you can swim there, it's often not recommended because the water quality can sometimes be poor. The lake also has many walkways, perfect for a stroll.
You can use boats on Chipping Norton Lake, but remember there's a strict speed limit of eight knots to keep everyone safe.
The lake area also has a community hall. This hall can be rented for parties, weddings, or other events. It can hold up to 100 people and has a balcony with lovely views of the lake and park.
Parks Around the Lake
Many parks and recreational areas surround Chipping Norton Lake. Here are some of them:
East Side:
- Henry Lawson Reserve
- Flinders Slopes
- Lake Gillawarna
- Rowley Park
- Garrison Point Reserve
- Liverpool Golf Club
- Georges River Golf Course
West Side:
- Irelands Bridge Reserve
- South Park
- Angle Park
- Homestead Park
- Black Muscat Park
- Heron Park
- Riverside Park
