It is the first time affirmative action has been taken to right the wrongs of the past and address the toll cropping and grazing has taken on the district’s waterways.

The draft Bathurst Urban Waterways Management Plan, which is currently on public exhibition, is the first comprehensive document which reveals the true state of health of Sawpit, Jordan, Hawthornden, Saltram, Raglan and Queen Charlotte’s Vale creeks.

However, the news isn’t good.

Most of the waterways are described in the plan as being in a degraded state.

Prepared by the Bathurst-based Cenwest Environmental Solutions, the draft plan puts each of the catchments under close scrutiny.

Mayor Paul Toole says the Raglan Creek subcatchment is one area that really needs attention.

“The draft report shows that its upper tributaries which flow through agricultural land have been greatly impacted by grazing stock and groundcover changes due to cropping,” he said.

“Gullies are common and much of the natural vegetation has been lost.

“In the built up areas where Raglan Creek flows there are infestations of exotic trees, shrubs and groundcovers.

“The report goes on to say the remedy to the problems is complex, but answers include land acquisition, flood management, public education, improving visual amenity and public access ways and integrating ecology with engineered structures.”

Cr Toole said the draft report would be on public exhibition at the council chambers, with public submissions welcome, until November 23.