Johnstons Creek (New South Wales) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Johnstons Creek |
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Johnstons Creek from the footbridge between Federal and Bicentennial Parks.
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| Other name(s) | Johnston's Creek |
| Country | Australia |
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Sydney basin (IBRA), Sydney, Inner West |
| Municipality | Leichhardt |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Petersham |
| River mouth | Johnstons Bay Rozelle Bay |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Port Jackson/Sydney Harbour |
| Tributaries |
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Johnstons Creek is a small waterway in Sydney, Australia. It used to be called Johnston's Creek. This creek is located in the Leichhardt area.
The creek starts in Petersham. It then flows through suburbs like Annandale, Camperdown, Forest Lodge, and Harold Park. Finally, it flows into Rozelle Bay, which is part of Sydney Harbour.
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About Johnstons Creek
Johnstons Creek was originally a natural stream. However, in the 1890s, it was changed into a channel made of brick and concrete. This was done to help improve cleanliness in Sydney.
The creek begins in Petersham. It used to mark the eastern edge of land given to Lieutenant-Colonel George Johnston. He named his land "Annandale" in the 1790s. Later, in the late 1800s, the Annandale Estate was divided into what we now know as the suburbs of Stanmore and Annandale. Today, the channel forms a border for Annandale, Forest Lodge, Camperdown, and Stanmore.
Johnstons Creek has one smaller stream that flows into it, called Orphan School Creek. This is also an urban canal that joins Johnstons Creek in Forest Lodge.
Bridges and Structures
Many bridges cross Johnstons Creek. The Annandale Bridge on Parramatta Road goes over it. There are also road bridges at Booth Street and The Crescent.
The Allan Truss Bridge is a special bridge near the creek's mouth. It used to be for cars but was changed into a footbridge in 2000. This bridge connects Annandale and Glebe.
A small bridge for walking and cars crosses the canal at Harold Park. There's also an old tram bridge that connects Minogue Crescent to Hogan and Spindler Park. The Bowstring Bridge is another footbridge on Minogue Crescent in Forest Lodge. It's an early example of a special type of concrete bridge built in Australia.
A railway bridge, now used for the Inner West Light Rail, also crosses the creek. This is between Jubilee Park and Federal Park, west of Glebe.
Sewer Aqueduct and Wetlands
The Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct was finished in 1898. It helps carry wastewater from Sydney's western suburbs to a larger sewer system. This aqueduct and the White's Creek Aqueduct were the first structures in Australia made using reinforced concrete. They are both important historical sites.
In 2001, a special wetland was built. This "salt marsh wetland" helps clean stormwater before it flows into Sydney Harbour through Johnstons Creek. It acts like a natural filter.
In 2020, Sydney Water started a big project. They are working to make the creek more natural again, from The Crescent all the way to Rozelle Bay.
Marine Life in the Creek
Sometimes, interesting marine life can be found in Johnstons Creek. In September 2009, a bull shark was seen in the creek! It was thought to be about 1.8 meters (nearly 6 feet) long. The shark was last seen swimming near the Glebe foreshore, heading towards the Anzac Bridge.
