The Caddies Creek natural corridor (the 'green' running through The New Rouse Hill in the masterplan above) is more than 30 hectares in area and runs through the length of The New Rouse Hill. It forms part of the much broader Cattai Creek catchment area that eventually makes its way to the Hawkesbury River.

The Caddies Creek natural corridor has great environmental values – these include the ability to support native plant and animal communities, the significant air cooling and cleaning effect of forests and the stormwater polishing and erosion prevention benefits of vegetation along creek lines.

For the local community the natural corridor also provides the opportunity to interact with a natural environment close to home, relax and gain personal health benefits. 

The corridor also has significant Aboriginal heritage and archaeology value with axe grinding grooves located to the south of the Environment Centre (follow the signs).

Past activities around Caddies Creek have not been kind to the natural environment. Much of the vegetation around the creek had either been removed or damaged before development of The New Rouse Hill commenced. Considerable intrusion of weeds had occurred as is often the case along creek lines in much of Sydney.

The New Rouse Hill has developed a plan to regenerate the natural environment along Caddies Creek. The regeneration work involves removal and control of weed species before reestablishment of native species in the area can occur. This work will take many years and long term (post development) stewardship of the area will be required particularly for weed control. The New Rouse Hill work commenced in 2007/08 and will likely continue through to at least 2013.

The New Rouse Hill has provided an open air Environment Centre in the north eastern section of the corridor accessible to the public and surrounding schools via connected walking and bike paths. This asset has now been dedicated to the Hills Shire Council. The Environment Centre will be used for local community functions with an emphasis on education in and about the local natural environment. The Environment Centre contains a number of display panels summarising important environmental and cultural information about the local area – it is well worth a look and a sausage sizzle at one of the barbeques provided.

The Caddies Creek corridor will steadily be restored to support the rich array of animal and plant life common to this part of Sydney.

The New Rouse Hill is currently having discussions with the Hills Shire Council on the right time to set up a local Bushcare group for the Caddies Creek corridor. The long term stewardship function of Bushcare groups can play an invaluable role maintaining environmental values and managing the negative impacts of surrounding urban development.  Residents that are keen to be involved will be trained in the key aspects of caring for the environment as part of the process.

If you would like to join a Bushcare team some of the events on offer are set out below.  Workshops include the following:

• Bushcare Induction Training
• Bushcare Safety Workshop
• Basic Weed Identification Workshop
• Bus Tour - Bushcare Sites of Baulkham Hills Shire
• Grass Identification Workshop
• Trees for Mum
• Native Plant Propagation Workshop
• Advanced Weed Identification Workshop
• National Tree Day
• Bus Tour - Threatened Species Tour
• Native Plant Identification Workshop
• Urban Bird Workshop
• Seed Collection Workshop

If you are interested in being involved in a Caddies Creek Bushcare group then please send an email to Troy Daly to receive updates.

Please refer to the Hills Shire Council link on Bushcare for more background information or to join an existing Bushcare group in the greater area.

The New Rouse Hill community benefits greatly from having schools as part of the precinct.

Ironbark Ridge Public School has participated in the Streamwatch program for Caddies Creek from 2005.

Work is underway with Rouse Hill High School so that the sustainability focus in NSW schools can benefit from the many programs and initiatives at The New Rouse Hill. 

A particular area of focus will be the regeneration strategy and works for the Caddies Creek corridor and the wider integrated water cycle management strategy across the site. A program of work is being designed that will allow students to develop their skills on environmental projects – and help educate the community at the same time. 

Environmental programs will require inputs from multiple grades and multiple course areas providing plenty of opportunities to get involved.