On Friday 24th October 2025, Greater Sydney Landcare welcomed a dedicated team of 9 volunteers from Pimco for a corporate volunteering day at Bedlam Bay in Gladesville, in the Hunterβs Hill Local Government Area.
The mission for the day was simple: get the litter out and the native groundcovers in. The team contributed an awesome 45 volunteer hours, planting 200 native grasses and groundcoversβincluding Dianella, Poa and Violaβprovided by Hunterβs Hill Council. They also removed an impressive 6 bags of rubbish from the foreshore.
With sunshine, warm temperatures and a fresh breeze off the water, conditions were perfect for a productive day outside. Volunteers tackled debris like plastic fragments and polystyrene that had washed up on the banks of the Parramatta River.
Working Together For Nature
The day was led by Greater Sydney Landcareβs Danielle Hughes and Sabina Roe, supported by bush regenerator Matt Allison, as well as Jacqui Vollmer, Bushland Management Officer at Hunterβs Hill Council.
Danielle praised the effort and enthusiasm of the Pimco team, saying: βThe volunteers were diligent in getting the plants in the ground and picking up 95% of the litter on site.” By the end of the day, the site looked dramatically cleaner and greener β a real testament to what a committed team can achieve together.
Pimco volunteers also shared what they enjoyed most: βPlanting grasses and groundcovers. Litter cleanup of the beach β lots of rubbish!β
In addition to planting and bushland restoration work, the group became Streamwatchers for a day, taking part in local water quality monitoring and learning about indicators of waterway health.
Streamwatch is a citizen-science program run by Greater Sydney Landcare that equips community groups with training and testing kits so they can monitor water quality in local creeks and riversβmeasuring things like pH, dissolved oxygen and waterbugsβto help track the health of our waterways and support conservation efforts.
Caring for the Parramatta River
The Parramatta River is one of Sydneyβs most significant waterways and the largest tributary feeding into Sydney Harbour. Thanks to strong efforts by Councils, litter entering the river has reduced over time though some still gets through. Litter in our waterways poses risks to water quality and wildlifeβespecially in areas of mangroves and low-lying zones where debris naturally collects.
Major work is currently underway to transform Bedlam Bay into a swimmable site, improving public access and recreational opportunities for the local community. The area is already a well-loved destination for boating, walking and weekend sportβmaking the protection of this riverbank even more important.
Corporate volunteering days like this one support a shared vision where:
- People can relax and enjoy the river and surrounding creeks
- Visitors appreciate the natural beauty of the Parramatta River
- Weeds are effectively managed
- Birds and wildlife can thrive along the banks
- Native fish return to the waterway
- Community members feel connected to local ecosystems and take part in their care
A huge thank you to Hunterβs Hill Council for enabling this important restoration work, and to the Pimco team for contributing your time, energy and team spirit. Thanks to your efforts, Bedlam Bay is that much cleaner, greener and healthier for the whole community.
Volunteer for Bushcare in Hunterβs Hill
If youβd like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Hunterβs Hill LGA, you can become a Bushcare volunteer and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare
Find out more about Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare here. Be sure to download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack.
About Streamwatch
Streamwatch is a citizen science water monitoring program, managed by Greater Sydney Landcare, that enables community groups to monitor the quality and health of local waterways.
